Lil reader


We made it. The book-eating stage is gone, and all the gorgeous printed products are now safe from the person with just two teeth, still able to wreck lots of havoc. Well, almost safe :-)

Books are for knowledge, for fun, to understand more, to see better. Further maybe. Like what's behind the chair maybe?


Piú letti

3 reasons to have your family photos in Villa Giulia park

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Villa Giulia is a park in historic center of Palermo. It has its origins in 18th century and is remarkable for its perfect square shape with diagonal alleys dividing the park in different sections. Marble statues and fountains, a sundial, shady alleys and open spaces, and wide variety of trees and shrubbery make it a popular spot both with locals and tourists.  If you'd like your family photos to have lush green background with a touch of special Sicilian atmosphere, this park definitely should be considered. It ticks all the boxes - plenty of space, nice surroundings, easy access, lots of options for things to do during your photo shoot to get natural and emotional images (anyway we don't do posed photos on the benches or next to flowering shrubs!).  Here are my top 3 reasons why villa Giulia is a great location for family photo sessions. Reason 1  Lots of space and diversity. The park has an alley with Ficus trees, a little bamboo forest, a hill with cacti and succulen...
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How to prepare for newborn photo shoot at home

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There are so many advantages for having your newborn or young baby shoot at home - you do not need to pack everything you might need and more just in case, you and the baby are in the familiar atmosphere, no need to worry about getting older siblings ready and thinking of how to entertain them during the shoot. Having photo session at home is also a deeper insight into your family and your life. So dear new moms, below you'll find some practical tips and suggestions on how to pick outfits, prepare yourself, your baby and your home for the shoot. Dads can read it too :-). 1. Preparing your home We need good light for the shoot - the rooms with big windows would work best. Usually master bedroom and family room are the main locations. To prepare your home for the shoot - some basic cleaning is needed, like made beds, a little tidying and organising (like hiding a laundry pile in a closet). Don't worry if you don't have time to clean everything - life with a newborn is...
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Family photo session in St Andrews, West Sands beach

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West Sands did not disappoint - beautiful dunes, moody sky, wind. But then, it very seldom does, especially if you do not mind the wind. We met on a beautiful September evening for this photoshoot with Marion and her daughters. Our destination was the very end of the beach, by the Eden estuary and sand dunes. Marion picked some flowers and decorated Keira's curls, girls shared some secrets and treasures found in the sand, wind was playing with Keira's hair. And me - I was observing it all as it unfolded in front of me, and clicking along. I often tell my clients that photo-session is like going for a walk together - this one was no exception. I am a very silent companion on such a walk - I might suggest something interesting if I see beautiful spot or some nature details that would make beautiful background for you. But more often I just follow what's happening and how you enjoy this beautiful walk and your time together. From Marion: " Very relaxed photo shoot ...
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Photo a day - December and January. Our Christmas holidays album

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Published on 18th of January 2023     January often finds me in somewhat melancholy mood. The magic time of the holiday season is over, all the bright lights and decorations are packed away, the days are short and the weather is not the best, and one is expected to have all the new fresh starts and ideas and beginnings. I wish the magic would linger a bit more, but I'm also ready for new things, once the January blues fades away. In the meantime, there are photos, and stories behind.  Baking - we usually bake some cookies, with or without decorations, and gingerbread houses. Size and number varies. This year we had three, and they were part eaten by Mara even before they were assembled. The chimneys had some missing corners, oh well. Decorating gingerbread houses is easier before assembling, if you like to do nice drawings with icing - otherwise it's runny and the patterns swim away before they set. At least mine do. Kids eat more sprinkles and little sweets than usually...
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Photo a day - May

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Published on 15th of June 2023     It's June, school's over, and summer is finally here. It's a bit late this year, but I am not complaining, heat is not my thing. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike summer! I am looking forward to spend days (and evenings, because - sunset!) on the beach swimming and splashing and digging in the sand, and all the fruit and summer salads, ice-cream and long evenings on the terrace. It's the heat that I have problem with, my brain just switches off and all I want is to find a cool corner under air conditioning and hide there with the book.  We've finally started our photo wall. The project was complicated - we wanted a photo and art wall that tells about us, that reminds of Scotland, and has each of the kids equally represented (they checked!). For now it has some framed art, artistic map of St Andrews, photos in vintage frames we had in our home in Scotland, and new photos too. I'm already thinking what else to print, an...
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Socks special

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What to say. They always fly around, these baby socks. Yet they can never be found when they are needed. They are played with, eaten, hidden... and sometimes worn too.
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My summer knitting project

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A personal project I've been working on these past weeks. It took a while to figure out the pattern and overall scheme, as I felt like experimenting and could not really settle on a specific model. I wanted something lacy for this simple linen yarn, and the pattern had to be simple enough that I could still read or watch documentaries with kids while knitting. The cardigan is for Maya, who was regularly coming to check my progress and to make sure it's really for her. Oh well :-) I've started the next project as well - in olive green, for autumn maybe, hopefully? I have some ideas for embroidered flowers in the front or around pockets, if I make pockets - should I? This one is also for Maya, and she also is not sure about the pocket issue. Let's see how it goes, and if my starting and never finishing knitting trend will remain true, or if any of these will actually be completed and get to be used. There are other knitting project ideas on my Pinterest board and ot...
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Rowan berries

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and all the golden leaves. I definitely like putting things in her hair, or at least around. Autumn provides so many wonderful accessories for photos. It is also the time when I feel like making portraits. So enjoy :-)
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A bit of magic

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 I have a secret. It is about magic, so do not tell anybody! It is a very magical trick! We got this idea with Matteo to fill a hat with autumn leaves and play around. This is what we've got :-)
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