Happiness…

So last Friday Annabel form Love My Dress posted a very inspirational blog post as part of her Being Self Employed series entitled ‘Focusing on the Good Stuff’. In it she asks people to list five things that make them happy right now and reading everybody’s lists in the comments really is inspiring and uplifting stuff. I eventually got round to leaving a comment this week and I thought I’d share it with you all here as I too am often guilty of focusing on the negative rather than the positive but when I look back over all I have achieved in the last few years I realise how far I have come and just how much I am grateful for:

1. My husband, my best friend, the ‘one’- we’ll be celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary next month and though the last few years have seen some of our most challenging times as we both made life changing career choices-him to go back into full time education to qualify to be a social worker and me to set up my wedding planning business our relationship and marriage feels stronger than ever right now


2. Our gorgeous little 5year old boy-watching him grow up has been amazing, every day he makes me smile in wonder and he gives the best cuddles and kisses.


3. My parents-their support and encouragement has been invaluable from babysitting, sewing skills to yummy home-grown fruit and vegetables and much more…


4. The amazing and inspiring people I have met in the last few years in the wedding industry especially those that have become great friends.


5. An exciting new project that I found out about last week that I just can’t wait to start

I snuck in one more because I’m really quite chuffed about it…
     6.  Dropping 2 dress sizes this year and still managing to sneak in eating chocolate!!

The great thing about a list like this is you start to think of all the many other simple things that make you happy too…

Meeting friends for cocktails or afternoon tea for a good gossip and a giggle. Baking chocolate banana cake with my gorgeous little boy who wants to be baker when he grows up. Sitting in the sun in my parents’ garden eating freshly picked raspberries from their bushes. Going clubbing and dancing so much your feet hurt the next day. Snuggling up on the sofa watching our favourite TV programs like Mad Men. The hubby choosing to watch Twilight and Sex and City the movie with me last weekend. Reading my favourite book the Time Travellers Wife again. A long hot soak in the bath by candlelight….

What makes you happy?

Image Credit: Henri Matisse - The Dance, 1910 - State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg via suite101.com

 

A Summer Soirée

So today’s the day I head up to Newcastle for the Love MyDress Summer Soiree. Having had the pleasure of meeting Annabel a few times now and as a big fan of the blog I was very excited to get the invite and even more so that I’ve been able to arrange my diary so that I can go as the guest list will include the cream of the UK wedding industry and who doesn’t love an excuse to get all dressed up for a night out?

 

The dress code is 'glamorous, gorgeous and vintage inspired' so with the help of my mum (her wardrobe and sewing skills!) I’ll be wearing a 50’s style black & white cocktail dress with some cute black bow wedges, and if I can remember where I "safely" put it away I  do have the perfect vintage diamond neckace too.

Lots of guests are having their hair and makeup professionally done for the evening but as I won’t get to Newcastle until late afternoon I’ll be taking the DIY route (and probably doing my makeup up on the train).

I’ve spent the last few days scouring the internet for ideas and am currently deciding between these two looks for my hair:

DIY hair tutorial by Keiko Lynn  via Bridal Musings &  How to create a 1060’s inspired Beehive by Elsie Larson of A Beautiful Mess  via Rock’n’Roll Bride  

and these make-up looks...

 

 

Shady Eyes tutorial by Keiko Lynn & Old Hollywood Glam video tutorial via The Beauty Department (quite like this Ooh La La hairstyle too-though not sure how it would work with my fringe)

If you're looking for hair and makeup tutorials for your wedding day I highly recomend you check out The Beauty Department as they have lots on there.

Ooh decisions, decisions...my current thought is the half up do with a bit of a wave at the ends with the Hollywood Glam eyes, those smoky eyes could be tricky...What do you think?

Bridal Inspiration Shoot: The Details

So for my final post on the Bridal Inspiration shoot that I planned in March I thought I’d take a closer look at the details from the day.

As well as all the beautiful wedding dresses from Naomi Neoh I created a tablescape to showcase some simple design ideas that could easily be incorporated into your wedding day.

The flowers by Ruth at Stem Flowers in a mixture of vintage vases ran along the table on a coral silk runner overlaid with lace, each vase contained a single variety of flower in one colour. She also made 3 stunning hand tied bouquets, the peach one being my favourite.

The beautiful cakes were by Rosalind Miller Cakes and she also brought along some delicious cupcakes that we all got to enjoy at the end of the day.

The rather fab additional props- the gorgeous Bergere Armchair, mercury silver tea light holders and great wall clock were kindly lent to us by Lisa from Out of Love; do take a look at the website there are lots of fabulous finds that would make perfect décor for your wedding as well as home.

Towards the end of the day I had a little play with table settings; by simply changing the colour of the napkins or adding a coloured ribbon or flower you can quite easily change the look of the table setting and add a little interest to the table.

Venue: Beauberry House, Dulwich, London; Photographer: Fanni Williams; Dress Designer: Naomi Neoh ; Florist Ruth at Stem Flowers; Cake maker Rosalind Miller Cakes ; Hair & Make-Up Artist: Amanda Roberts; Accessories- Shoes Emmy Shoes ; Hairpieces: Ivory & Co Jewellery; Additional Props: Lisa from Out of Love

Behind the Scenes at Bridal Inspiration Shoot

Here are some behind the scenes photos taken by Fanni Williams from the bridal shoot that I planned back in March, I’ll be sharing the rest of the photos next week but thought it would be fun to see some of the great suppliers involved on the shoot in action.

 

Venue: Beauberry House, Dulwich, London; Photographer: Fanni Williams; Dress Designer: Naomi Neoh ; Florist Ruth at Stem Flowers; Cake maker Rosalind Miller Cakes ; Hair & Make-Up Artist: Amanda Roberts;  Accessories- Shoes Emmy Shoes ; Hairpieces: Ivory & Co Jewellery; Additional Props: Lisa from Out of Love