Time for Tea

Nothing is considered as quintessentially English as tea. Every little English village or town I have visited has never failed me in my quest to find a quaint and cosy tea house to ponder away the afternoon.

So, what is it about drinking tea that is so endearing, so comforting and so refreshing? And why is it that drinking tea from an old, vintage, china tea cup, that your Gran would own, is so much tastier and appealing than the striped ikea mug you bought for £1?


On Saturday afternoons, my girls and I often go in search of a sweet little tea house to have some good old fashioned tea & scones, not to mention a well needed catch up. What more can a girl want than a good cup of tea and good conversation to discuss the loves, lessons and lullabies of our crazy London lives.  


Just the other day, we were so very excited to be heading to a new, super cute tea house. The mere mention of the name The Chelsea Teapot made a dull, grey Saturday afternoon shine incandescent. Despite the lack of scones (which I am sure was an oversight) the tea and conversation was perfect. Jane quickly claimed the pretty pink rose patterned tea cup - a cup that immediately awakened memories and smiles from good times shared before.


If nothing else, taking time for tea brings much therapy to the soul. With each story brings comfort, encouragement, laughter and sometimes tears. Each of us knowing that we are loved and that we can entrust our often treasured stories of wonder and woe to one another. 


So girls*, go and find some sweet friends and a quaint little tea house and let the memories and traditions begin x


*Boys, i'm sure a pub and a couple of beers are equally as medicinal. 

One for Another

I have heard it said before that the things that stir your spirit, that make your heart swell, that make your skin shiver and that bring tears to your eyes, are in fact the things that you are most passionate about. This made me ponder on the things that cause me such reactions.


Just the other day I was reminded once again of this. I was watching My Name is Orphan. It is a short film documentary that presents a touching, up-close-and-personal account of the plight of street kids and orphans in Mumbai, India and grassroots efforts to rescue them. As the tears streamed down my face I knew that this was something I can not ignore. In the soul penetrating words of Brooke Fraser, "now that I have seen, I am responsible". And with that, I knew I had a part to play.

Some of my dearest friends are actually en route to India as we speak. Ready to get involved any way they can to help these sweet little children. Children who had no say in where they were born, children who had no choice but to live on the streets and in the gutters, children who had nothing to do with the cards they were dealt.


These precious friends of mine, are working alongside the vision of Pastor Biju Thampy in Mumbai, India. They are working with the team from Vision Rescue. No doubt, their lives will never be the same.


To be irrevocably changed means that one can't sit still knowing that there are orphans to rescue and nations to bring hope to.

Looking forward to the bittersweet return of my friends from Mumbai. Knowing that their hearts would have broken a million times over after looking into the eyes of these children and knowing that their fate is indeed in our hands. 


As I search my own heart to see what is in my hand, I pray that you too would do the same. The outworking of this will indeed be different for each and every one of you. For some it's financial - for some it's practical - for some it's creative - and for others, it means stepping on a plane and getting involved.


Biju Thampy started his whole mission in Mumbai after seeing this injustice and saying 'God, someone needs to do something here' And he felt like God responded 'Why don't you do something?'


I sit here and ask myself that same question.

Snuggle up

My flatmate Lisa had great delight the other night, in telling me that an airline is now making 'snuggle' seats for the often forgotten & always overlooked Economy Class. And as much as I trust this precious girl, I just had to check it out for myself. And look what I found...

The Skycouch is a row of three seats that can fold out to create a flat space all the way to the next seat back in front, "providing a place for the kids to play, or the holy grail of economy travel - a flat surface for adults to relax and sleep," Air New Zealand said.

Two adults traveling together can buy the third seat, allowing the Skycouch, at approximately half price, the airline said, adding that it would announces full airfare details when tickets go on sale in late April 2011.

So keep checking in with Air New Zealand to keep up to date. I know I will. Now, to find a snuggle buddy...

Many thanks, Air New Zealand, from the bottom of my Economy Heart! x

Sweet Lavender

We have an innate ability to use our senses to take us back to memories, good or bad, of places, people or events. I find the sense of smell to be one of the most vivid and intense. One waft of camphor and I am right there with my Nana cuddling up to her and her cashmere cardigan - The hint of tar and I recall the trauma of having pine tar baths to soothe an angry case of chicken pox - The sweetness of dewberry reminds me of my sister. It was her first perfume, one that I wished for longingly.

And then there is lavender. That fresh, sweet smell that I have grown to adore. It has to be one of my most favourite. I am not certain whether my Mum loves it as much as I do, but one thing is for certain, it reminds me of her. Growing up, we had dried lavender in bowls, freshly picked lavender in vases and a small patch of sweet aromatic lavender growing in the garden. For me, lavender will always be sweet, homely & comforting - and hence, the reason behind this blog being affectionately named Lavender Blue.  

Winter Wellies

It's that time of year folks. Time to get our feet ready for those cold & rainy days.

Evercreatures has a sweet little range of bright & happy wellies, guaranteed to put a spring back into your winter step! 

True Love

"True love stories never have endings." Richard Bach, American Writer.

This is one of my most favourite photographs of all time. It is a picture of my gorgeous Grandparents, taken in 1945 in Terrigal, Australia. I am forever drawn to this picture and remember the tales my Grandma used to tell me of their courtship & marriage. Jean & Jack McBride - An irrefutable legacy of love.