A Fun Winter Break...

... is coming to an end, and tomorrow this mama and Nahla are heading back down to Oslo before flying home to Dublin on Sunday morning. So so long snow, cold and winter and hello almost spring-time!

Lazy Days Up North...

... are filled with family, fun, winter, snow and love. Just the way we like it!

This Weekend...

I found the most amazing little when-your-energy-drops life saver to keep in my bag at all times. Seriously, all pregnant mamas should gave one nearby for those my-bloodsugar-is-low-I-am-in-danger-of-killing-someone moments. Tastes so yum, is totally better for you than a packet of M'n'M's and will have you back to your normal self in a heartbeat. Must buy!

I treated myself to a KeepCup - this clever take-away cup that you can bring with you and get barristas to make you latte into - as it is a standard barrista size. Very clever and tres environmental friendly. Oh, and not to mention pretty. Triple points.

We stocked up on fruit and veg for the week at Dublin's best - in my opinion - food market, Fallon & Byrne. Seeing how Nahla does not like meat, and me not so much either - especially in this pregnancy it seems - we need to broaden our horizons when it comes to cooking vegetarian. So watch this space...

We drove to Cork - which to you not in the know is all the way down south in Ireland - and stayed in the lovely River Lee Hotel for a night. So while the rain poured down outside, this lil' family stayed snug in a 5-star hotel and sipped hot chocolate in the hotel bar, snuggled in our room and off course, visited the lovely hotel swimming pool (daddy and Nahla) and spa (mama).

So all in all, a weekend of utter bliss and family fun. Just as we like it!

Life's A Beach...

... when you are on holidays in Norway and get to spend plenty of time out in fresh cold air. Nahla thinks the beach is just as fun far north of the Artic Circle on a freezing October afternoon, as she does on a sweltering Greek holiday resort in August. Variety is the spice of life, I suppose!

Two Weeks Until This...

... and this being: Greece, sunshine, beach, family-time, souvlaki, feta cheese, olives, Korres, sunscreen,  sandcastles, relaxation and pure JOY. 

Only One More Week...

... till this mother/daugthter duo once again heads for Oslo and some sweet family time! Also, as Oslo Fashion Week is well under way then, this mama is hoping to sneak in some show-time will devoted Bestemor (Grandmother) babysits my little munchkin. And as our week in Oslo will come to an end, sure Daddy arriving a week in the Greek isles doesn't sound to shabby either. Hello; summer!

Hello Weekend

Friday. Phew. Not only have Nahla and Mummy traveled to Norway last Sunday to enjoy a few days of family-time, sunshine, shopping and holiday, but this busy mama has also had her hands (and head) full with articles, deadlines and research - oh, the life of a freelance journalist! So my lack of blog posts of late is purely down to the fact that I have not even had time to think about blogging, let alone find the time to do so. But; better times are ahead, I assure you!

Days Of Our Lives

Mummy has successfully tricked Nahla into thinking raw-food bars are sweets. Mental high-five to me!

We have been to the Zoo again - and concluded that Nahla is not really all that into animals yet. Except for giraffes... For some strange reason.

Nahla got her very fist love-letter! From very cute Connor in her playschool. Daddy had minor melt-down as he now envisions his life a few years from now, having to fend off smitten teenage boys...

Nahla had a "bitch-stole-my-look" moment with the zebra in Dublin Zoo...

Pink dip-dye hair was a roaring success with our very pink-loving 2-year old...

Little Emine Sofie, who is on a week's holiday with us in Ireland, also got to enjoy the zoo - and the sleeping tigers...

And two little cousins are loving each others company and wake up every morning calling each other. Heart-melting stuff. 

Disney Days

10 years ago I visited Disney World in Orlando Florida, and much as it was amazing and spectacular and fun, nothing can truly compare to seeing Disney's magical place through the eyes of your 2,5 year old, which I got to do on Monday, when Nahla and I, along with my family, went to visit Disneyland in Paris. Nahla, although much too young to go on most of the rides in the park, was electric with joy and excitement all day. She went on the spinning teacups till Mummy could take it no more. She rode on magical horses and visited Cinderella's castle. She ate way too much ice cream and lollipops and candy-floss and watched the parade from the best seat in the house, my aunt's shoulders. We spent money like it was going out of fashion and had so much fun that all I can say is: Is it too soon to go back in a month or so?! Sometimes the best part of having children, is being allowed to indulge in days like these, and see just how fun it can be!

Paris - My Favorite City In The World

Words does not really do Paris justice. Even as someone who writes for a living and am fully aware how one expresses oneself in writing, with Paris words will never cut it. It has to be seen. Smelt. Felt. Walked about. Touched. Tasted. Macaroons. Espressos on pavement brasseries. Montmartre at sunset. Sacre Caeur at night. The view. The Eiffel Tower light-show after dark. The flowers lining Champs Elysée. The sticky heat. The Latin Quarter. We love it. Will always love it. And will always keep coming back for more. The most beautiful city in the world.

Disneyland Paris...

... in just 2,5 days time. Guess who is getting excited?!

Beautiful Edinburgh...

... was truly magical! Here are just some of my Instagram snaps from this very lovely weekend spnt with my very amazing family. To put it shortly: We walked a lot, ate a lot, shopped a lot, sightsee-d a lot, played a lot, slept a lot and loved a lot! Perfect perfect days in this very gorgeous city!

Packing For Edinburgh

And I realize my packing skills need a SERIOUS overhaul! Like, it should be pretty straight forward; citybreak + hotel + 4 days. But I am SO overpacked, so unprepared weather-wise and just so, well, all over the place. That is my packing I am talking about, by the way. Because as for Nahla's Edinburgh wardrobe, we are talking perfection. 5 neatly laid out little outfits - one for each day + an extra one just in case. Motherhood changes many things, for sure, but little did I know it would mess with my ability to pack a weekend suitcase! How random.

Lovely Edinburgh...

... with the family (AKA my lil sister and Emine Sofie, plus my mum and dad, AKA the worlds' most doting grandparents) in just 18 little days! I cannot wait!

Safe And Sound...

... back in Ireland. To torrential rain, stormy weather and what looks a lot more like autumn than the sunny spring weather we encountered on our 45 minute stop-over in Oslo earlier today. Not impressed.

And now, after 2 flights, 3 magazines, a creaky neck having acted as pillow for a sleeping toddler for an hour and 45 minutes, 2 cups of gross airplane coffee, a spot of duty free shopping, a missing bag, a minor melt-down, bag found post melt-down, turbulence, 3 abbreviated versions of Winnie the Pooh book, some sing-songs, plastic-y airplane salad, a post-arrival shopping trip to stock up on food and toddler in bed, this mama is showered and chilled out and more ready for bed than I have been in a long time! Sweet dreams!

Little Friends...

... makes their Mummies hearts ache with pride and love! It is pretty magical to watch your our daughters' budding friendship when you yourself have been friends for as long as you can remember. Everything is secondary to family and friends!

Little Snippets Of Our Day...

We went to catch a show about teddybears at the local theatre - which was a huge success! And will make BF jump with joy, as him being able to bring Nahla on movie-dates, just the two of them, looks like it is nearing reality.

We enjoy spectacular weather up north. Sunny, crisp and, unfortunately, still cold. But just made for little walks and playground ventures.

We baked some more buns. YUM.

Mummy is enjoying being reunited with her favorite pair of ankle boots, which were accidently left here on our last visit in February.

While Nahla is being doted on by eager grandparents, this working mama manages to get some work done and articles written.

Nahla enjoyed a morning play-date with super-cute Isak - how cute are the two shopping for jewels?! Sweet Dreams!