Somewhere to sleep… in Paris!

Paris has been on my mind a lot lately, and chances are if you have written about it on your blog, you would have heard me recount my very meh Parisian experience (if not, then it’s a story for another day). I desperately need a do-over. I want to stay in a NICE hotel, not one where the staff look at you like you have grown another head because you asked for a spoon to eat your yoghurt (admittedly an odd request but it was late, and I was hungry). I’m thinking something like Hotel Paradis, with a beautiful lobby designed by Dorothée Meilichzon. It’s everything you want from a hotel, warm, inviting, chic and maybe just a hint of quirkiness. I also love a hotel that puts a high-sided sofa in their lobby, I could happily sit there all day and watch the Parisians go about their business.

Images via

Some colour on the Southbank…

The Southbank is fantastic blogger fodder as there is always something new going on there (read my post about it last year here). When the crowds are at a minimum, it’s one of my favourite places to go, just to pass the time. We visited the Christmas market here just before the silly season, and well, honestly, it was a bit naff (think cheap plastic trinkets and the smell of sour mulled wine in the pouring rain whilst being jostled by a bunch of drunk tourists). But a little further up the walk,  we stumbled across the new Wahaca restaurant, built entirely from shipping containers! We were just passing by but let me tell you, the smells wafting out and the happy looks on the diner’s faces has me counting down the days until we can eat there.   

All images via Wishful Thinking

Tuesday snoop–it started with the bedroom…

First of all, I just wanted to say thank you for all your comments on my blogaversary yesterday. It truly warmed the heart! Now since we had a bit of a sensory overload yesterday, I thought we could keep it short and sweet (but fabulous nonetheless) with a simple snoop around somebody’s abode. I’d love to offer you a more comprehensive glimpse into this beauty but I think just having the 3 pictures makes it more intriguing no? My imagination is working overtime as to what the kitchen might look like.

Images via

2 years ago today…

I can hardly believe that 2 years ago today, I put my laptop down on my lap, curled up on the sofa and wrote my very first blog post. I stupidly thought this endeavour would be easy, just a little hobby to do in my spare time (yes, I can practically hear you bloggers out there throwing back your heads and laughing at my foolishness). The reality is that it takes a LOT of time, hard work and patience but 2 years later, I am still loving every minute of it. Initially I told myself I didn’t care if no one read it, but if I am really truthful, there was always a part of me that hoped that people would. For me, blogging is a medicine – it’s a creative outlet, a source of inspiration, a sounding board and a way of connecting with so many like-mind (and different) people all around the world. It continues to challenge me and forces me to get out there and experience life (all in the name of blogging), experiences like travelling, eating out, DIY projects and simple dinners at home have taken on new meaning. This post was an absolute joy to put together and I had so much fun reliving the year and remembering forgotten moments.

So with that said, thank you so much to those of you who visit and read my ramblings and take the time out of your day to comment and email me. It’s you guys that make it worthwhile.

Just in case you forgot, here’s a little taste of the year that was on Wishful Thinking…

An ode to the top knot…

Dear top knot…

Thank you for being there in my darkest hour of need. When I fall asleep with wet hair and wake up looking decidedly poodle-like, you are always there to lend a hand. You are a solution to rainy days and days when I barely have time to put my trousers on before rushing out the door. Thank you for helping me resemble someone marginally sane and tidy, rather than the scary scarecrow lady that I would no doubt resemble without you. That is all.

Just a little something light-hearted for a Friday! TGIF guys! 

Pining…

I have not been very pleasant company of late. I didn’t realise the extent of this until I pushed the limits of my very patient husband’s patience yesterday morning by snapping at him for the umpteenth time. Words were exchanged, doors were slammed and I spent the rest of the morning plotting his demise, until I got into work and found an apology email from him… repenting for something that really wasn’t his fault at all. I felt wretched and spoilt and annoyed with myself. But along with these feelings came my lightbulb moment - the meaning behind my bad mood. I am homesick. Sick to your stomach, want to throw yourself on the ground with flailing arms and legs whilst simultaneously wailing kind of homesick. I’m missing the mountains, the wide-open spaces and the beaches, but mostly the comfort and familiarity of home. So whilst I can’t just hop on a plane and be there tomorrow, I thought I would self-medicate and post some of the images that brought me some comfort (along with a healthy dose of wailing and a humungous glass of wine of course).

Just what I need…

After posting about the woes of January on Monday, it’s been quite comforting to hear that I am not alone and that we are all feeling the strain of the so-called “dark month”. Did you know this was the month of detox too? As in stop drinking, get on that treadmill and stop eating sugar? Ha! What a preposterous thought! I need the little luxuries of red wine and chocolate to get me through. The added luxuries of chunky knits from French Connection and ambient lighting wouldn’t hurt either! 

1. throw; 2. candle; tablecloth weights; 4. rattan basket; 5. pot plant; 6. table lamp; 7. frames; 8. tea strainer; 9. mug; 10. cushion;  11. chocolate