Things of beauty...

Hello! So, I am incredulous that it is my little boy's birthday tomorrow; Boo 2 will be six years old! How did that happen?? So tonight I need to deck the house out with birthday bunting - as I do whenever it's someone's birthday - and wrap quite a few presents (yes, I went a tad overboard at Toys R Us), to get ready for the big day. A family tea party with cake will follow. Of course this time of year always makes me think about when I had him, especially as it's when the rugby season draws to a close and on the day I was in labour, my husband insisted on playing rugby and then called me from the sideline to check my progress (contractions still regular, but not alarming!). Oh how different things are with the second child! We both knew it might take some time, but still! The weather has turned back to its seasonal norm so no sun and overcast. Exactly as it was this time six year's ago.

My thoughts this week have been quite exclusively on what I eat and drink. I have been on a detox all week and to say it's been an obsession would be an understatement. I live for food and spend most of my time wondering what I will eat next so it's been very hard to get excited about juices, soups and steamed vegetables. An interesting sojourn into dieting though, and one I hope not to persist with; I did it for health and for a kick start (see, I am already talking in the past tense...I am near the end!). But it does make me see what discipline is required to keep to a diet.

There have been beach days and country walk days this week, as predicted. We are nearing the middle point of Easter holidays - 2 week's down, 2 to go!

Things of beauty here with a delicate, lace-thin disposition....

Sigrid Agren at Elie Saab, Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011

I love this image...I studied Jane Eyre for my dissertation at University...oh Mr Rochester!

via day dream lily, photograph by Candice Lesage

I like this scarf...

scarf by artlab via etsy

How beautiful is this? A tree-lined boulevard in Prague - photograph by my friend Natasha - If you want to read a love story to brighten your day read her blog ...

Spring time in Prague..

Ooops, look, he just creeps in the mix sometimes...soooo lovely.

gorgeous George...

Photograph by Polly Wreford

photograph by Mikkel Vang

Keira Knightley

from Cabbages and Roses

from jcrew

jil sander uniqlo

 Natalia Vodianova by Jean Baptiste Mondino via Beauty Fetishist

via swoon photograph by Juliet Elizabeth Photography via The Wedding Row

This symmetrical window and chair arrangement speaks to me...

styled by Tricia Foley

Absolutely stunning picture here from Vogue China...

photograph by Paolo Roversi 

Here's to a healthy weekend that features Birthday cake!!

A things of beauty retrospective...

Who would have thought? Almost a year since I delved into the world of blog and here I am. This post as we end the year is a retrospective of some of my favourite images and everything that is 'Lou, Boos and Shoes'...

Here's to a wonderful New Year.

...my girl on the beach; meet Boo...

Me looking at you, looking at me; the strange but sweet voyeurism of the blogging world...P.S. this is not me but kinda wish it was!

It's all about a picture that speaks to me...whether it's a kitchen sink...

Or a hairdo...

Dresses, dresses and more dresses...Vogue style...

...Lara Stone...

Pants of the rumba variety - courtesy of my lovely friend Simone...one of the best, unanticipated gifts of blogging is friendship.

Houses that take your breath away...

Beautiful, graceful, ballet girls...

The sentimental art; 'Brothers and Sisters' painted by Jessie Wilcox Smith. This reminds me completely of my older brother and I.

A nice cuppa tea...earl grey?

My shoe fascination...

Running for fun...

Stoical beauty...

...Carolyn Besette-Kennedy...

George Clooney; OH YES...

My slight preoccupation with Vegas...

Ooops there he is again...you don't mind do you?

My love of photos of people leaving...

Eames rockers...I want I want I want...in 2011 maybe?

Quotes to ponder; my mind like a sponge...

Love and life and life and love...

My friend Alexa...

My friend Olivia...

My friend Sarah...

A healthy dose of 1980's nostalgia...

...'Tootsie'...

Musings in Danish blue...

My straight-forward, face-on, 'here is what I think' blog posts...

Pictures of impossible beauty...

Handbags to die for...

And that lovely 'see you next time' feeling...

I've had an absolute ball...and you have been lovely and stylish and kind and thought-provoking...

Lots and lots of love, Lou Lou xxx

P.S. Come back next week for giveaway fun! It's just like shopping...but free ;-)

Things of beauty...

Every Friday rolls around and I am amazed at where the time goes - but then everyone says that don't they? This week has has some highs and lows; yesterday I lost my temper and I never ever do that! It was work-related and I am usually pretty even-handed, laid-back person and for some reason all of that went out the window. I woke this morning thinking: 'what was that?!' Full moon?

I have been thinking about blogging this week, as I still find myself feeling an acute sense that I don't want the people I know to know I blog. This mainly applies to work and school-Mummy circles of friends and acquaintances. The thing with blogging is that you just have to get it don't you? And if you don't get it, no amount of explanation will cover the rather bizarre urge to publish your life and thoughts to cyberspace, to enjoy and rely on the comments of strangers, to share pictures of beauty - to just put it out there for like-minded folk to see in the hope that they too will look and think - ahh yes, love that image. A picture-perfect slice of life. As ever I conclude: I like it, I get it, so what else matters?

by Chris Nicholls

I think this cotton ball bridal bouquet is just the cat's pyjamas...

Little girls with top knots...

Gorgeous woollen treats from Catherine Tough. My friend W gave me one of these hearts as she knew it was just my thing; it's one of my favourite items.

Love the shape of this dress and the strong and beautiful face of this woman...she looks entirely graceful and elegant.

by Stephanie Rausser

Time for some George action...this man is divine.

Eames rocker

Cameron looking positively Cameron-esque...

A perfect white-washed, rustic, simple interior.

Audrey Hepburn and Cat...

Wallpaper heaven...

Grosgrain ribbon bow - it's the simple things...

Have a weekend that features one of the following: 

a sleepy morning laying in bed, 

walking somewhere beautiful, 

toasted marshmallows in front of the fire!!