Pearl and Willow

One of the things I love most about Twitter is all the new friends you make.  Due to the powers of Twitter I found Pearl and Willow and the very lovely Beth.  A gorgeous collection of hair accessories, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and brooches by fabulous designers such as Chez Bec, Filippa Scott, Polly Edwards and Jo Barnes.

I've been searching for something to wear in my hair for a while, and Pearl and Willow's selection didn't let me down.  Problem is I have too many favourites!

Left: Jo Barnes Norma Headress.  Right: Filippa Scott Double Brooch Headband

Left: Polly Edwards Mitzi headdress  Right: Polly Edwards Daisy Hair Vine

Left: Filippa Scott Spriggy Brooch Headband Right: Jo Barnes Essie Headdress

All gorgeous, how can I possibly make up my mind?!

Camouflage Make Up

When I was very young I had an accident which left me with scarring on both arms, hands, chest and neck.  I've never been ashamed of my scars and have never tried to hide them.  Growing up my Mom would always dress me in short sleeved tops and taught me to be confident.

I've never known any different and my scars are part of me.  They have faded dramatically over the years and are now very faint.

Having said that trying on dresses and planning a wedding does something to you.  Since being engaged I've thought about losing weight, having laser eye surgery and getting a brace fixed.  It's like every flaw I've noticed about myself is magnified by 100%.  When I was trying on dresses I couldn't help but notice my scars.  When I shared my concerns with my family and friends, it was suggested I give camouflage make up a go.  I've mentioned this before, but my friend Harriet is going to be doing my make up for the day.  She kindly offered to research the different types and brands of cover up make up and ordered me a few tester samples to have a play with.

Last night me and my Mom had a go at covering the top of arm.  It's an area which is quite bumpy as it's where I had my skin graph.  The make up could ever make the skin look smooth but it does help cover up the skin tone.

Making sure the skin is free of oils you apply the make up using a clean sponge.  It goes on like normal foundation, you have to make sure it's blended in well.  It's better to apply a few thin layers to get an even coverage.  Once you are happy you apply the fixing powder liberally to set the make up.

This was the finished result.

You can still see the scars but the skin tone is more even.  I did like the after look, however I'm still not sold on the idea of covering up for a few reasons.

I'm not convinced the make up won't rub off during the day on to my dress.  I think I'd have to go a whole day wearing the make up to ensure it stays put.  I really don't want to risk having make up marks on my dress!

Also I don't want it to look obvious, I don't want people to know I've used the cover up make up and assume I'm embarrassed or ashamed of my scars because I'm not.

I also don't know whether I can be bothered!  I'm sure it'll probably take a while to apply the make up across my arms and chest on the day... will we even have time?

On the other hand, it really did give me what I wanted.  It made my scars even less noticeable.  I think I'm going to buy the make up and ask Harriet to apply it like she would on my wedding day so I can get a better idea of how it will look and whether it will rub off on my clothes.

Invitation Pocket folds Part 4

How was your weekend?

We had a very lazy weekend, which was very much needed!  Yesterday afternoon me and my Mom spent an hour or so trimming the day invitations and sticking them to the inside of the pocket folds.

The next step is to cut out the hotel information, directions and RSVP's that slot in to the pocket fold,  glue tiny flat backed pearls in to the swirl design, and then create the band that goes around the outside.

It's nice to see them all taking shape and looking a little more like the finished article!

If you're interested you can also read about part 1, part 2 and part 3 of operation pocket fold invitation.

Some Things for the Weekend

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I am totally loving all these four day weeks!

This weekend will be quiet, no birthday parties, no intense football derbies, no dress shopping.  Just relaxing.  Nice!  We have no plans other than getting Has' hair cut (rock and roll!) I may attempt to motivate myself enough to have a few sessions on the Wii Fit to aid my new diet.

So what's been happening in the Blog World this week?

~ Treats like these really don't help me and my willpower!

~ People like to tempt me, not only the cupcakes look gorgeous but I'm completely head over heels for the style of this space.

~ Paris to New York - Two of the most gorgeous engagement shoots ever!

~ This wedding is beyond cool

~ With summer around the corner it's hard to imagine a snowy wedding, but I absolutely adore the photos from this winter celebration

~ I'm in love with all the details, so pretty! From the lantern lights above the tables, to the going away dress! Stunning

~ What's an engagement and wedding without the honeymoon?  From the very first photo I knew I was going to love to whole shoot.

~ Wise words

~ A Thank You note a day - cute!

~ Let the sun shine... indeed!

Happy Weekend - Hope it's a good one! x

Wedding Weight Loss... again

With 6 months to go I thought it was probably about time that I ignored the calls of cakes, sweets, crisps and other nice things and join my local Weight Watchers group.

I lost 2 stone following the Weight Watchers diet 5 years ago and managed to keep it off until it slowly crept back on.  I joined Slimming World in summer last year.  The diet was easy to follow but I found it easy to cheat therefore the weight didn't come off quickly.  By the November I had lost a stone, then I lost interest.  I didn't go back again.  In late January I started a Body Combat class which I really enjoyed but other things got in the way and that ended pretty quickly.

So here I am again, having put the weight I lost following Slimming World back on, attempting to lose it and more in time for November.

Wish me luck!

How much is the wedding costing you?

Is it me or is it rude to ask some one that?

From the very first thing we booked, people have asked "So how much is that costing you?"  The first time this happened I was a little taken aback but told them a figure.  "Oh!  When my friend got married she paid a lot less than that!"

How am I meant to take that?  Are you implying I am being over extravagant with my wedding plans?  That I have been conned into spending too much?  Or I should I not want the best for my wedding day?  The comment upset and angered me a little because it's not really anyone's business how much our wedding is costing us.

I've learnt since that first encounter to never discuss figures with people.

I'm not even sure why they ask?  I would never dream of asking someone how much their wedding day or particular elements have set them back, it's nosey!
I can appreciate the question coming from someone who is genuinely interested because they are in a similar situation.  I wouldn't mind sharing information with a friend - in fact Suzie and I used to regularly share how much we've spent on things, as a way to ensure we were getting the best deals.  But to ask out of pure noseyness is just rude in my opinion.

I was asked again very recently how much something was going to cost.  I declined to answer, but I was polite.  I said I wasn't sure because I hadn't worked it, but it was pushed and I was asked again.  I'm really bad in these sorts of situations because I don't like to be rude and I could never say "Mind your own business nosey parker!" no matter how much I was screaming it inside my head!

I guess it's just another one of those things you have to take in your stride as you plan a wedding, along with "When I/my friend/sister/daughter/etc got married....(fill in the blank)", "I would have done it this way" and "Oh are you not inviting my sisters, son's, daughter's boyfriend?"

And so not to end this post on a rant, here is a cute picture of a kitten, because you know what they say about curiosity... ;)

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P.S I would never hurt the kitty!

6 months

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A big squeeze for Has who hasn't been feeling himself lately... I hope you feel more like your huna self soon xxx

Where has the time gone!!?

It's May!  How did that happen?  I can remember sitting down over a year ago and thinking about the things I'd have to do at the 6 month mark.  It's scary to think how fast the months are disappearing.

We have managed to tick off quite a few things from our list in April.
We've found the Bridesmaid's dresses (and will be ordering them by the end of May).  We've booked two of our honeymoon hotels (New York and San Antonio).  Suzie and Hayley joined me for an evening of invitation making.  We're by no means finished but we're getting there! I've also done a mock up of the evening invitation and we've sent out an email to all of my friends asking them to join us in London for my Hen Party

Busy busy!

I had planned to do a lot more, but some of the projects required nicer weather so I could paint outside.  As soon as the weather perks up I'll be out there painting and spraying!

So jobs for this month will include

• Order and pay for the bridesmaid's dresses
• Finish the day invitations.
• Print the evening invitations
• Print the Chrysler Building covers for the order of service and making a start on cutting them out.
• As soon as the sun shines, apply another coat of chalkboard paint to the heart place cards.
• Start the ring hunt!  Now the football season has ended I'll be dragging Has around the shops in search for our bling.
• Chase responses for the hen party and start to work on a more detailed cost per person.
• I'm going to rejoin Weight Watchers tomorrow.... give me strength and will power please!!
• Finalise wedding day guest list and make sure we have addresses for everyone.
• Start looking for accessories for me and the bridesmaids.

Our friends were married yesterday in the Empire State Building in New York.  We couldn't fly out to be with them on their special day but they are having a party here when they return from their honeymoon at the end of May.

Two of our other friends have recently become engaged, unfortunately their engagement party falls in the same date.  Hopefully we'll be able to go and see them soon to offer our congratulations and celebrate properly!

It's really strange because November still feels very far away, there's still so much in between now and then.  But when I say it's 6 months away... woah does that sound close!!

Yippee!!!

We're 99.99% sure we've found the bridesmaids dresses.

We went to a shop called Wedding Belles on Saturday and totally exhausted their range of Dessy and Ebony Rose dresses.  As me and Hayley are similar in size I tried on a few dresses as she couldn't be there.

For me it came down to two dresses.  One was by Dessy* and the other was Emma by Ebony Rose.

Emma just seemed to fit all of our criteria.  I love how different and flattering the neck line is, the diamanté brooch is a stunning extra that just makes the dress.  It's a corset back which will accentuate the girls' waists and the side ruching will hide any areas they're not confident about.

We've made an appointment to go back to the shop so Hayley can try it on and give us her opinion.  I've also been emailing other local stockist to find out their best price.  I'm going to see whether I can get a small discount on the dresses should I pay in full by the end of May.

So excited!  I felt like crying on our way home from the shop - it's such a huge weight lifted from my mind!

* The Dessy dress was stunning, ultimately it came down the the style which was going to suit all of the girls. Emma also comes in a junior size which we are having for Sophie.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Saturday was my Dad's birthday.  I made cupcakes for the party.

Unfortunately by the time the party came round someone had eaten the "A" from "Dad"

Seeing as it was the birthday boy himself who had the sneaky treat I'll let him off!