Monday 10 June 2013

California Dreaming




It seems my California dreaming roadtrip (well honeymoon actually) was a hit in the fashion world with full on Americana hitting the magazine shelves. There’s nothing better than driving top down in a Mustang and heading off to Coachella. Not that our honeymoon budget stretched that far but I was pleasantly surprised that Topshop had decided to shoot their new Festival collection at Mono Lake one of our first stop offs. My god I wish I was back in California….





I did a Ross and Rachel

Yes I know it seems forever since I posted but I do possibly have the best excuse ever….well I kinda got married! Yup a little out there I know but I guess I’ve kind of got ahead of the game when it comes to the very recent trend of frugal weddings’ which seem to have sky rocketed since Keira Knightly’s recent nuptials.

Well it was a cold and shoddy January when my other half had just returned from Switzerland on business when he announced he needed to take a trip to Las Vegas for the annual NAB show in April and thought it would be cool if we made it into a bit of a holiday.  Well whoopee! I was one excited girlfriend. 

Maybe it was because it was cold, maybe it’s cause we were sat in our local and the fire was roaring whilst the rain and sleet and the sky was trying to snow where we thought ‘fuck it’ let’s just get married. We've been together a while, nearly a decade in fact and whilst the idea of marriage was sometimes discussed we never took it too seriously as we never really had the money to put on some spectacular show. We were in quite a fortunate position due to the fact my partners work were paying for hotels/food/drinks etc etc so a wedding could possibly be at least financially on the cards. Telling family was another thing, disappointment echoed (I was actually quite offended by all this considering it was our day) no traditional church, no Dad to walk me down the aisle but what we had instead was no muss no fuss, glorious sunshine and each other.

The Dress


First I needed a dress something that was easy to wear in the blistering heat, something tasteful (I can’t do strapless), something with vintage elements and something that was simple and something that wasn't going to crease in my suitcase. I didn't have a large budget in fact I didn't have any budget, Mum had kindly decided to pay for this one. Her chosen designer for this special occasion was Oleg Cassini a French born but American designer whose style was sophisticated and timeless. He was designer to Jackie O the first lady where is signature looks included Empire Strapless, Sheath and the A-Line he was once engaged to Grace Kelly and married the beautiful Gene Tierney. His designs were worn by the Hollywood elite including Jayne Mansfield, Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth and Natalie Wood. The glamour of this period appealed to me and I liked the fact ladies natural curves and beauty of this era were celebrated which would be the perfect complement to my pear figure. The colour was Ivory and made of a delicious silky feeling fabric (even though it was polyester) which was virtually creaseless. It had a paneled waste which was extremely flattering and ruched bust with some slight beading on the sleeve nothing too extravagant. If you love simple and classic designs I urge you to check out some of his designs for your big day some of them are incredibly reasonable our thriftiness in this matter went further when my dress was at my favourite discount designer store TK Maxx (or TJ) if you are reading from the states.

I was also given a beautiful vintage engagement ring from my husband to be that was worn by his Grandma when she married in 1945 (along with the band) that was fully engraved. The style of the time was a gold band set with 3 simple diamonds. My something old boxes were definitely well and truly ticked.


The Venue


We had chosen the most famous of the chapels ‘The Little White’ and had decided on a time when the sun on the strip was just setting and glistened against the many ‘trip the light fantastic’ bulbs in the mass of casinos that littered the way. Our nerves were palpable yet nothing that couldn't be cured with a glass or two of Moet & Chandon Rose as we helped each other (yes that’s right) get ready in the hotel room before our limo driver summoned us for our short journey. A simple ceremony a simple wedding I couldn’t have asked for anything better. We then went for Steak at Morton’s, Champagne underneath the Eiffel Tower at Paris (with a little gambling along the way) and people beeped their horns and offered their Congrats as we watched the fountains at the Bellagio what an amazing day!!!! One I shall treasure with the fondest of memories…




Instagram 10/06/13

From L to R: Superman Converse, Very Outfits, BBQ, Which Condiment?, A Country Walk, Art deco, Summertime Reading, The Queens Hotel, Lytham, Summertime

Sunday 24 March 2013

90s

90s

I see the trend for 90's rebellion has well and truly spoken. The era of 'I simply don't give a shit'! So come as you are, wear a babydoll dress and don't bother to wash your hair, play your guitar terribly, 'eat my shorts' because you are a 'wannabe'. 



Sunday 30 December 2012

Wednesday 26 December 2012

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Soo my fellow bloggers how was your Christmas? What did you get? I had a wonderful time, just me and my partner this year and we started the day with Champers, Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs...I made these even more luxurious by adding double cream. Delicious and a fantastic start to the day.  




Delicious! 



My new camera for blogging! Yes I know most professionals use a Cannon but I need something that is good and not too bulky for everyday use. Plus the benefits of having a professional cameraman as a boyfriend, I have access to the best cameras whenever I like.

All the Clarins. In desperate need of the beauty balm after the cold weather and indulgences this winter. 


Spent most of yesterday playing XBOX games...this was soo much fun! Especially after a few glasses of fizz.


Anyone who is a frequent visitor of our house knows what fun we have at mini torments! And now season two has arrived!


My cat Inca going crazy over the Smoked Salmon.



These books are amazing..., I am feeling so inspired. Next year my blogging posts are going to be 'out there'.  

I made a ginger glazed ham this year thanks to a recipe from Nigella it was truly divine accompanied by  maple syrup parsnips and minty peas. The following hours were spent in a a haze of merriment and  the predictable family calls (always a pleasure of course). I'm so looking forward to an amazing 2013!

Have a great Christmas guys!!!!

xxx

Sunday 23 December 2012

Psychoville

Who doesn't like a comedy? In England, specifically the North of the UK we like our humour a little darker and a little bit more local. I recently started re watching  'Psychoville' as first shown on our shores in 2009. How do I describe this show?  Here is a brief description:


'The series revolves around five different characters from different parts of England: David Sowerbutts (played by Pemberton), a serial killer-obsessed man-child who still lives with his mother Maureen (Shearsmith); Mr. Jelly (Shearsmith), an embittered one-handed children's entertainer; Oscar Lomax (Pemberton), a blind millionaire who collects stuffed toy animals; Joy Aston (French), a midwife who treats a practice doll as if it is her real child; and Robert Greenspan (Tompkins), a panto dwarf in love with his Snow White who believes he has the power of telekinesis. All five are connected by a mysterious blackmailer who has sent them a letter each with the message: "I know what you did". The series is named after the title given to The League of Gentlemenwhen the series was sold to Japan and Korea.[3]'

On second viewing...(this is a show you can always watch more than once) the characters have become my new style icons. 

Maureen Sowerbutts: The Pastel Queen. Mix shades of peppermint and salmon with winter florals and the odd broach or two.




Mr Jelly: Alice in Wonderland rip off and I'm sure the inspiration behind Meadham Kirchhoff's fantasy inspired designs. Polka dots, face painting kit, stars and stripes and lashings of tartan. 





Oscar Lomax: Millionaire Fashion Extraordinaire! Velvet Blazers, Large Sunglasses, Masculine Tailoring.  




I don't know who to choose....but I do know I have my makeup kit at the ready.