Someone else to empty the dishwasher

I know, I should be grateful for having a dishwasher, but I'm feeling overwhelmed with housework at the moment.

A pet goat

These are pygmy goats, and apparently have good milk yield for their size.
They are also very cute. Think their horns could do some damage though, but not above the knee.

Earl Grey tea.

I am a much better version of myself if I get a cup of Earl Grey at around 4pm.

Chocolate spread

However, like peanut butter, it is banned from the house. This is part of project 'Skinny jeans by Christmas'. Instead I am eating toast and jam, which is probably not much better, but I don't find that I've absent-mindedly finished a whole pot of jam without realising. The same cannot be said for glorious nutella.

To go to IKEA

I just found out through my friend Jo's marvellous blog that she is off to IKEA today, and I want to go too. I have sneakily emailled her my shopping list.

Probably good I am not going, as I'm in a bit of a spending mood at the moment, and it looks from the Ikea website like the Christmas stock is in.

Perfumes: The A-Z Guide

Strange really, to have a book about perfume. Obviously a book can't capture the fragrance except in words.
I'm slightly addicted to the basenotes website though, which is also 'just words', and I think this witty book would be a great read. I've read snatched passages in the bookshop and always have to go home via the nearest perfume counter.

An apple corer

Just made baked apples, filled with mincemeat. Yum. It was really tough to cut the cores out though. Looks like I really need an apple corer. Frankly, I need very little excuse to think I need stuff from Lakeland.

This waterproof

Yes, I know it's really boring how there are already lots of clothes on here, but that's what I think I want!
This Dakota Jacket from Joules is on my Christmas list. It will replace a Lowe Alpine one I've had for nearly 12 years.

A velvet blazer

This sophisticated number from Monsoon is very chic indeed. Definitely going on my Christmas list, although maybe I should buy it now in order to wear to all those Christmas parties I'll be going to.
Having said that, I'm not sure how compatible velvet is with a snotty baby.

A drink.

It's Friday. The baby has a temperature and has been velcroed to me most of the day (he's finally asleep). A drink would be lovely, preferably, cold, sparkling and alcoholic. This prosecco would do very well indeed. Do I have to wait until 6pm?

A spa day

Well, to be honest, even a facial or a massage would do. I feel like I haven't switched off for a good long while, plus, my skin has now lost the healthy summer glow, and is now shiny in a bad way.

The photo (which is of a photo, hence fuzziness) is of me swimming in the Pacific off Costa Rica. Bliss.

Sourdough bread

The crust on the bread from the breadmaker is really crunchy and delicious, but I've found myself longing for that crackly chewiness that only proper takes-a-week-to-make sourdough bread delivers.
Hopefully there will be some at the next local farmers' market.

A mug of hot chocolate

It suddenly got cold and autumnal. Lovely. Out with the hot chocolate, like fluffy socks in a mug. I recommend the Clipper brand one, it ticks all the boxes: fairtrade, organic, make with water.

Perfume that is really ME

I'm on a mission to find a perfume that I feel is really ME. Almost every time I walk past the House of Fraser store I pop in and try a new fragrance. But they are all so samey-samey, too floral, too much jasmine, too acidic, too overpowering, too weak. I wore Clinique Happy for a while, but now it smells too young. Aromatics Elixir is lovely for evening, but doesn't work for day. Penhaligon's Malabah is gorgeous, but strictly not for the office.

The only one I really like is YSL rive gauche, a total classic. But I can't wear that, because my mother used to wear it when I was a child, and a whiff of it sends me hurtling into the past, watching her put her make up on before going out.

The Ben's Brother & Anastasia song

Stalemate by Ben's Brother & Anastasia. Sad song, very well done. The lyrics are horribly pertinent to my life at the moment.
Official video on youtube is here. Stripped down set, like the song.
I haven't heard the Joss Stone version on the album, but she also has a great voice.

A knitted tanktop

This one from Pure Collection is quite scrummy. There's something about a tank top which really pulls an outfit together in a way that a jumper doesn't. Important to make sure the straps are wide enough and the neck low enough, so it doesn't look like a vest.
Unfortunately, white shirts don't suit me, but I still love this outfit.

A Pashley Princess

http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/princess-classic.html

The style, the elegance. I can just smell the wicker of the basket, and hear the running of the chain. A gentle pedal through the town, with a novel and some light shopping in the basket, wind in my hair.