║today my way║: big girl

the cuteness files, nadia, today-my-way-com

Nadia really loves jumping up on the windowsill (with securely locked windows) in the lounge to greet her friends still chasing balls or riding their bikes on the parking space outside to see who she will have most success with. Most probably she would be already in her pajamas putting the bedtime off a minute or two. One time there was a friend visiting her friend from downstairs and Nadia knocked on the window for the girl to look up. Then she came to me saying that the girl looked up and waved to her. I asked if Nadia waved back. She replied: "No, I didn't. I was shy."

There was this little disturbing pimple on Nadia's cheek once she woke up so she came up to me all concerned asking what colour it was.

We were playing restaurant the other day and I asked what she is serving today. "We have chicken, fries and ketchup." Than went away to check what else and came back saying: "We also serve salt."

Before our visit to Bath I was checking all the attractions we would be visiting telling Damian that most of the places offered free entry for children under five and I kept mindlessly repeating: Nadia is free here, she's free here... Then she said to me all confused: "I'm four, not three."

We like watching Disney classic fairy tales and the other day Nadia came to me saying: "I always cry when there is sad music." Oh, my sensitive little heart. She also cried when the Beast from "Beauty and the Beast" was dying in the arms of Belle.

The cuteness files 01

the cuteness files, fun pictures, phrases and sayings

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"YOU WILL NEVER REMEMBER THE NIGHTS THAT YOU HAD FULL NIGHT OF SLEEP"

This face every morning and more than once before finally falling asleep, recognized from each angle and by every smile or frown is enough I could live with for eternity. Starved for a hug? There she is running frantically towards me. Does she love being around messy crazy playground? You bet! Is she in love with her cousins? Like always. So will she enjoy the transition from a smooth slide onto a steeper surface? Reception class in a primary school welcoming her curious heart, mind and pockets full of Kinder Surprise toys this September? Not that it won't happen again in the future, not that new beginnings won't occur quicker than I remember to jot them down but this thing called life seems to be in a terrible hurry making me more alert with each moment. To protect her from everything is impossible and I'll learn along the way how to let her stay confident and happy while facing the challenges that she is sure to come across in her life. The sense of stability and familiarity will mean something new yet talked about and it seems like it's me again kind of scared, kind of thrilled because I can't make up my mind. For new friendships and discoveries, hysterical moments of achieving things that were completely outside her zone for a long time like learning to write names of everyone in our family. I'm so full of soft worry because of variety of things she'll need to find solutions to on her very own. Or with a helping hand or advice from others. That puts me at ease... for now.

Nadia wasn't offered the school we preferred as apparently it was outside our catchment area and a little too far from where we live so the search for a placement continues. Equipped with a list of recommendations and Ofsted reports I am pleased to tell you we have visited (and put Nadia's name down) a school that I don't think it's ever possible a child wouldn't like. Only a year old and schooling about 70 pupils in total (but quickly expanding) got our hearts racing with excitement for what could lie ahead within walls that tell a story just about everything. Nadia loved the vibe, colourful rooms of so many things going on at the same time however this was not a school her cousin Chase has been attending. This is why she hasn't talked much but told me later she would look forward to visiting it next time. I couldn't feel happier. Will it be the time of collecting her navy blue uniform? I refuse to think otherwise.

I haven't exhausted the topic, will I ever? Coming from here, saying a little bit there makes this journey through familiar and unknown a neverending battle of soul. I'm going to allow Nadia to grow in strength with my support, encouragement and anticipation. But there's a point to this story: you'll never remember days spent in a blissful haze nor you will remember the nights that you had full night of sleep. Instead your heart will take notes of life less organized and predictable but complete with all sizes and variations of fun, creativity, kisses upon kisses the minute you want them. x

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I'm showing Nadia picture of a baby giraffe and she's asking where his mama is. Me: "I think it's standing close by", Nadia: "She's cooking his dinner."

On saying our goodbyes at kindergarten Nadia is asking me to buy her a Minnie Mouse bracelet on my way home: "I'm pretty sure I was good."

Me: "Do you want to go to the bathroom?"

Nadia: "No, I am being careful."

I'm peeling potatoes for dinner saying: "I'm taking this potato's clothes off."

Nadia: "Is he going to be loved?" (I guess when the clothes are off, it must be love ;)

This is carer's entry in Nadia's kindergarten files: "Nadia loved showing everyone her windmill. She said it goes to bed with her."

While talking to grandparents on the phone and getting excited at some surprises they prepared for Nadia this summer I said she needed to be a good girl when we see them.
Nadia with a serious face: "I am a good girl. I was giving you a medicine." (when I was suffering from recent tonsillitis she was handing me a bottle of mouthwash each time I needed it).

Nadia was talking about her two cousins and the older one that is strong enough to lift his brother. "I'm not strong because I am a princess."

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^^ There are books in two languages and dolls available to play with in all kinds of circumstances. Recently it's been the meteorological kind. ^^

This space is the most uplifting and magical within any distance. Corners gradually filled with colour and texture as we were never in a hurry to finish it, it still calls for a little desk and a chair to acommodate so the recent updates are not final. But is a room ever finished? It's also pretty thrilling not knowing what we're gonna create. The abundance of pink, touch of green and Disney royalty was added through all kinds of collaborations: shopping sprees, birthdays, unplanned surprises. Lots of really great stuff I like keep adding to in respectable time manner. OK, let's proceed before someone removes me forcibly from the computer.

^^ It's all about telling stories these days and Nadia mastered her role-play voices in no time. She'll even tell you something interesting about colouring book. I believe her. ^^

^^ There aren't many hanging decorations happening in Nadia's bedroom as we need to keep holes to a painful minimum but these are the kinds of items we swear by until we get our hands on own plaster (favourite heroine and a calendar because that's the most popular options when you're restricted). ^^

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I told you before I don't lay a finger on what Nadia is wearing these days. It was a hard decision but the good news is she can tell a fantastic story with the things that get pulled out of the closet. It doesn't colour match and is worn in a least subtle way that almost feels like a work of art but my eyes carve visual interest so it works for both of us equally well. However to tell this story, upcoming Valentine's day was our starting point of inspiration making the most of Nadia's existing shade and motif preferences. Nothing is fighting for attention but definitely catches the eye at the right time and in the right light. You see layers which I have contributed to creating so my advice is still holding strong. As long as it blends with everything else and is totally invisible she agrees to this kind of treatment. Otherwise literally starts again adding sheen and colour, texture and doesn't even stop there. Because that's pretty fundamental for getting an instant sense of achievement. Thanks for visiting the boutique. x

White turtleneck, Blouse with a girl appligue: George, Skirt: H&M

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It's not that I don't like rain but it no longer adds this element of unexpected to everyday chores, it's all about luck these days. I never realized an umbrella will happen to be among my indispensable essentials but you never stop learning, being inspired and annoyed all in one. At first I thought I'd escape the neighbourhood but before I knew it it kept raining throughout the county. It is really about luck. And for once I'd love to be able to remove my make up using cleansing wipes and a light liquid formula instead of having it smudged all over my face. It takes a bit of skill getting it wiped to achieve socially acceptable aesthetics.

You need advice on old, used and unusual? Hey, welcome! Don't even take your shoes off! I have been thinking about starting a spring series about that many vintage, antique and curiosity shops around my area to help make those decorating decisions much easier and get inspired myself. I spend the majority of strolling down the streets on searching for unexpected nooks in between stores, bars and flower stalls. There's a lot going on on the streets of my town that intrigues, comes out of nowhere offering what once worked and still can. Just to warn you: this experience may be life changing.

All this practice and I may loose the position of Nadia's stylist. Am I sad? A little. Am I thrilled? More than a lot! Just recently I moved her dress rack low enough so she could get her hands on it and keep encouraging her to choose whatever she likes (therefore not too many Pre-School Boutique posts). She doesn't plan, doesn't potter, wants everything chosen in an instant to look fabulous there and then. When my powers are restricted creating something herself changes the whole perspective. It may be a little odd, a tad against the weather (cardigans always in rotation), a whole different way of looking at fashion but the trick is to feel good in any combination of fabric and I'm totally enjoying the vigorous growth of little fashionista. What's changed? She skips layers and bland colours altogether, most definitely turns to wearing the same thing over and over again. As she's become very hesitant to new arrivals I have decided to always seek her advice in online shopping and stop buying things on my lonesome shopping trips. The importance of finishing touches on the other hand will get figured out somehow.

Have an awesome weekend!

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I am a serious fan of onion layers and reusing leftovers. As we're not talking food here you're welcome to an explanation. There’s something incredibly sad about putting away those barely used in generous English sun summer tops on the far ends of drawers and underneath beds before they've gotten a real exposure so I wanted to challenge myself and create longer life for those still loved pieces. So they're gearing up for their extended five minutes of fame. Is it long sleeve season again? Worn responsibly on top of fabric covering bare skin summer vests and T-shirts are game again! We've done it before and will continue to do so because there is always going to be lots of summer leftovers in our closet and we're quite happy they're not going anywhere anytime soon. Thanks for visiting the boutique. x

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Things race along with and without reason these days and my duty is to keep a wide eye on their intensity especially when one's world is seen a lot from other side of the camera glass. I can make it lie but only for as long as the shutter button is half pressed before the light emerges in visible form of objects, colour saturation, faces. Those I'm never enough of noticing. No longer a baby I'm photographing, the series will not be about preschooler anymore and the realization is already making me cringe. Yeah, it might be fun if she allows me to rekindle our love affair with the Canon body when she's 16 (hardly believe it but let's keep dreaming) pulling together a box of clothes to play a little dress up. Maybe she'd even bring her girlfriends to satisfy crazy mum's wish to keep this blog alive. Hey, why not? Now that I'm aware of that, of how fast it's happening I'm becoming weirdly passionate about it. I'm sure we'll have fun dressing up no matter our age or style defined permanently or only for weekends. I'll let it come, battery ready and charged. Until then I'm insanely fond of little adventure we're having. Sequins or not, we're still a game.

Related on balmy days: We still haven't put the heating on, not once. What a bravery! But no, our windows point straight into sun's face on most sunny days and we live on the top floor of a fairly new building so yeah, it's pretty warm until our first snot. Stay tuned for that magic moment our radiators will have their say. Thanks for visiting the boutique. x

^^ Tee: H&M (how could not!), T-Shirt, Sequined skirt: George ^^

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PRE-SCHOOL BOUTIQUE: WHEN COLOUR GETS TOO ADDICTIVE

^^ White shirt: Young Dimention, Vest, Embroidered skirt: Vertbaudet, Silver sandals: Boden ^^

Bright and colourful rainbow on fabric was always speaking to us louder than any other effect achieved on cotton. Details, patterns, embroidery were added to the mix but we liked turning to pastels and plains just as we liked the opposite vibrant shelf. Those photos were taken earlier this year before going on a short trip with my friend so all we cared for was comfort and layering in case the weather changed significantly. We follow this rule on most occasions combining it with Nadia's choice for colour or funny character she's seen on a silver screen. Since this September any outfit that shows out the door comes together because of important factor that is giving Nadia independence in putting it on and/or taking it off without much help from an adult. So we're talking skirts, leggins, press studs, slip on shoes, Crocs (their end of life ceremony was held in our bathroom before putting them away for winter).

I am attracted to classic shades personally so white has been a key colour when creating many visually pleasing attires. On a lightly tanned skin which you just can't avoid even when slapping tons of sun cream on and with that blonde-going-lighter-and-lighter-in-the-sun locks - white, cream, beige could get a little obsessing and become most exciting summer trend. And I'm realizing now we've never had much love for all things floral, just occasional seasonal dress or little nail decorations. Maybe next summer? So on a path to epitomise individuality as well as comfort and encouraging independence - narrowing our fabric selections down to few basics in more compromising colours is the way to create some magic. Thanks for visiting the boutique.

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Saturday afternoon found us a little excited, a little more presentable. A little forgiving to all that sugar on the table. A little distracted, a little rushed. Sniffling our way around the flat after a recent cold outbreak we chatted with family and friends while celebrating that extra candle on a rich chocolate cake. Can you believe it? Another October in our lives that is pretty rad even without the whole nature's beautifying sessions. She's officially four (that she's officially awesome we already know!) and we planned ourselves a little chaos in all its forms and angles. It was far from a big party. When you're sitting in the tiniest of rooms adventurously with seven adults and ten under five running feet you just call it a tea party and pretend you own a proper china. We stuffed our guests with fruit in the most delicious of colours, pointed camera at them overdosing on their great mood. Nadia wrote her own wishes and was chuffed with every meandering letter. She loved her presents following the rhythms of the season - porcelain tea sets for long evenings in the atmosphere of pools of candle light scattered around our shoe box flat (we started crossing tea guests off the list due to the cup and saucers collection effective diminishing), colouring books discovered again and decorated skillfully, Twister's small sibling game - Don't Fall Down played to kids' heart rate increase while changing the rules and skipping turns. And birthday cards she's reading mixing up the variations of tones of her voice with both spoken and unknown to human ear words. Sweet along the way.

All fun and games, exhausted and a little bit alarming when that Disney sparkly shampoo ended up in bubbles on Nadia's hair thanks to her older friend Kaviya determined to try it out and be happy with the purchase. They coloured together and it seemed to be Kaviya's recent passion as she asked us if she could hang her masterpiece in our flat as her dad is strictly against displaying art of a suspected value. Most of us rent our spaces and often tear and wear policy covers slightly damaged walls but pleasing a little artist has more to it than just overdosing on holes in plaster. I personally advise on being daring with wax crayons and display them funnily. As suggested by Nadia, the artist herself.

Overfilled with wrapping paper artfully placed under our feet we stayed up long past the advisable bed time. I'll leave you with images that encapsulates Nadia's day - balloons adding oodles of colour to our monochromatic interior more than any other accessory (shall we not part with them for the ongoing wow factor at all times?), googly eyes winking your way from the table or the floor, whichever seems to be captured more effectively.

Fabulous day with fabulous people. And my girl is growing like crazy, 110 cm and counting! Lots of awesome things coming your way today, tomorrow, always. Happy 4th birthday, baby! xxx

^^ From top left: Snack table, no party without balloons, first guest, a little announcement in the kindergarten ^^

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