ingredients of me

It's not until Spring starts to blossom that I realise how much I have been hibernating over the winter months. My emotions have been dulled by long winter nights and cold days. And the first day of the year when the sunlight starts to warm my skin again, I can feel the spring in my step return.

It's wonderful just to be able to go out without a winter coat. Last week, I took my denim jacket out for its first outing of the year to Ella's parents' evening. It's been such a good friend to me over the years; I bought it in San Francisco when we spent a month out there over a decade ago. And as I met new parents and teachers that evening, I realised that they would get a strong sense of who I was just from looking at all the buttons on my lapels. The badge made by Ella when she younger of me and them. The Police badge from seeing them play live, something I thought I would never be able to do, but then they reformed. The Polaroid badges from Xanthe, a sweet gift. The boy with his arms in the air, which Miles chose when he was two and which reminds me of him every time I look at it. The Moomins whose philosophy I adore. And, of course, Keep Calm and Carry On. I have collected these badges over the last decade. They show some of the ingredients my life over that time: being a mother, 80s music, enjoying photography, appreciating Scandinavian philosophy and design, and still maintaining a sense of joy while juggling everything.

I adore Suzi's fun shot! Just as the badges on my jacket tell you all about me, her red wellies give you a real sense of her strong and playful character as she kicks those waves! Such fun!

kirstin of fleeting moments.

seaside silliness by Suzi...Shmoo