Birthday on the Bank

It's Monday again, and wouldn't you know it: London is still freezing! No matter, because I had a wonderful birthday weekend despite Arctic conditions and a failed shopping trip (why is it that when you want to buy something -- anything! -- nothing takes your fancy, but when you're dead broke...). Not wanting to brave the snow flurries on Saturday, I holed up indoors and watched Margin Call. It's a brilliantly terse film with wonderful dialogue. The night was topped off by strawberries and champagne and, er... pizza. Not quite as decadent as champers and berries, but just as yummy!

On Sunday, Mr TR, Baby TR and I faced down the biting wind and had lunch at the British Film Institute on the Southbank, where I got a wonderful pair of diamond and sapphire earrings. I'm a lucky woman!

You can sort of see my new earrings here!

Then we strolled along the river, trying not to freeze, and over to the Tate Modern for some art and dessert. Baby TR had just about enough at this stage and his Lobster-y side kicked in, so we beat a hasty retreat home where we gulped down some delicious Chinese takeaway and birthday cake.

Baby TR... before becoming Lobster-y.

And that was that! So, okay, it wasn't Paris and yes, there was plenty of poo and pee involved (the baby's, I hasten to add!). But I have to admit, it was a pretty damn fabulous birthday anyway.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes here, on Facebook and on Twitter!

Have a great week.

I Love London in the Springtime...

Happy Monday! Less than one week until my birthday, just in case you needed reminding. Last year, Mr TR and I went to Paris for the weekend. This year, well... let's just say it'll be a celebration if I make it through the day without being sprayed with spit-up/ pee/ explosive cascading poo/ drool. I do have a super-cute baby for my troubles, though, so I really can't complain (much).

This past week was a busy one! I met with my agent at a cute cafe next to the English National Opera, had an enquiry from a publishing house in Brazil, went to lunch with six other mums at the Orangery in Kensington Gardens -- you should have seen the horror on the other patrons' faces as we wheeled our prams in! -- and attended a talk by the wonderful Jane Lovering at a Romantic Novelists' Association event. And the weather, well . . . let's not speak of it; I'll let the ironic title of this post do that. Argh.

I'm now putting the finishing touches on my short story, and tomorrow I'll start plotting a new novel. I've been mulling this one over for a while and I can't wait to get started crafting the story line! A big thank-you to everyone who chimed in with nap suggestions. You'll be pleased to hear Lobster Baby is dozing as I type. Long may it last!

I'll leave you with a photo of this time last year in Paris... sigh!

Have a lovely week, everyone!

Existential Monday

Monday again! I've no idea where the time is going, and what a difference a week makes. This time last Monday, I was picnicking in the park sans jacket. Now, I'm cowering by the heater wrapped in a robe as  Britain suffers a wintry blast. Fingers crossed Spring sees fit to make a return!

Yesterday was Mother's Day (or Mothering Sunday, as it's also known) in the UK. I always found it strange to celebrate in March as opposed to May, and this year - as a new mother - even more so. Despite the icky weather, Mr TR, Lobster Baby and I managed to make it out to brunch on nearby High Street Kensington where I devoured a HUGE stack of pancakes in about five minutes. I may not be classy, but man, can I eat quickly! I hope all the other UK mums reading this also had a fantastic day.

I am feeling so out of the loop these days, and I hope to return to make the blog rounds soon. (Yes, I've said that before, I know, I know.) With Lobster Baby on a regular nap schedule now (and if he stays napping when he's supposed to), I should be able to! Thankfully, I have been able to get some words down amidst the clamour of the ongoing painting work. It's been a strange couple months not writing, I must admit, and I did miss it. Slowly, slowly, I am finding my way through the mists of motherhood and back to the world!

What's the weather like in your neck of the woods (yes, I'm obsessed with weather)? How on earth do you get children to stay asleep once they're down? And why are we here, anyway? :)

Have a great week, everyone!

Sunlounging!

Summer seems so far away, doesn't it? But this week, I've been working on a short story for Belinda Jones' Sunlounger anthology, featuring thirty chick lit writers (including yours truly!). My story is set in Cairo, complete with sand, camels... and sun! Sigh. Although it is sunny in London at the moment with a high of 13 Celsius, so I can't really complain.

If you fancy getting your story in there, you can submit 1000-5000 words right up until 31st March. Click the photo to read the fine print...

Apart from camels, I've been busy doing more park walks, lunches, and brunches in Soho. And next week, I hope to start plotting my new novel. Yay!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Wishing everyone a great week ahead!