The Happiest Day

Our day couldn't have been better, we were really lucky. We haven't got the official pics back yet, but here are a couple people have shared with us to tide you over in the meantime.

I'll publish separate posts at a later date on the different items and parts of the wedding that I've got some advice to share about, like the dress, the sweetie table and the planning.

My dad took these selfies of us on our way to the ceremony, I was actually really nervous and flustered because we were running late (I'm always late and everyone always expects the bride to run late but this was one time I REALLY didn't want to!) but I look so chilled and happy in these pics, my dad has that affect on people!

In fact, all day everyone told me how wonderfully happy I seemed and everyone who's seen pictures has commented that Ross and I both look so happy, and you know what? We were and we are! Couldn't be happier! :)

I hugged Ross as soon as I got to the top of the aisle, and didn't want to let go, we held hands tightly throughout the whole ceremony.

That's all for tonight, I'll share more very soon, including THE ICECREAM!!! 

I Bought my Dress!!!

Massive news!

My little sister is home from her adventures in Africa so took her to a bridal appointment last Saturday to show her a dress I really loved, while we were there I spotted something else.... something gorgeous and beautiful and wonderful hiding on the rail... MY DRESS.

The dress I like before is forgotten, it doesn't even compare!I tried 'the' dress on and Zara and I couldn't stop smiling.

I always thought the whole 'You'll know when you see it' or 'When you know, you know' thing was a bit of a cliché but maybe not!

I think the truth is, every girl when they hear the words 'wedding dress' they have a certain image in their mind, even subconsciously, and that is 'the one'.

when I imagine a wedding dress or doodle one with out thinking, it's 'my' dress.

I know its early but I really think I know, and Sarah says if I doubt myself she'll tell me I've done the right thing very day until the wedding :)

(I will obviously share more details and pics after the wedding, a long time to wait, but I'm superstitious!)

Lx

Pearls & Swine - Beautiful Boutique Feature

This Beautiful Boutique feature has me VERY excited, Pearls & Swine's amazing headwear is simply some of the coolest, funnest stuff I've ever seen!

Pearls & Swine are a unique, avant garde, funtastic 'design emporium' run by West Yorkshire based milliner Bink - the owner, creator, designer, packager, blogger and tea maker - in her own words she is

'I am everything "Pearls & Swine" that you see and
everything you don't!'

  Pearls & Swine specialises in unique, haute couture millinery: hats, half masks, fascinators and avant-garde hair accessories for people who really want to get noticed.

Click on any image for more information on that piece.

Now I first came across Pearls & Swine on pinterest, when I was randomly looking at all things flamingo related...(You may not know this about me yet but... I have a flamingo obsession.) and I came across one of the most ingenious, beautiful and happy headdresses I have ever seen;

Look at this thing!! How could you not be happy wearing it??

 Bink herself describes it as

'holiday scene on a fascinator, includes a pink feathered flamingo, blue glitter sea and a coconut tree. This fascinator is back with leopard print satin and attaches to your hair with a comb.'

... so it has secret leopard print! As do many of her pieces! How amazing! (I also have a leopard print obsession...)

And from there I found Pearls & Swine.

Pearls & Swine is perfect for those seeking something a bit different, bridal hair accessories, quirky Royal Ascot Ladies Day hats, Mother of the Bride headpieces,
Proms, any occasion which requires something fabulous on your head.

Here is a small selection of my favorite pieces ( seriously, I could have featured every single glittery thing on the site!) I have arranged them into groups as how I could see wearing them, but really if I could get away with wearing ANY of these ANY day I would do it!

More traditional and bridal pieces;

"Moonstruck"

Very romantic large double white rose on a heart shaped base with bird cage veiling. This can be made in other colours apon request.

I love this - I can just imagine it in pale pale pink :)

 

''Icarus''

Fabulous iridescent glitter wing fascinator edged with sequin, feather detailing done in rainbow crystals. Hand molded and packed with ivory satin, attaches to the hair with a comb.

 

''Desert Rose''

Ivory rose and net sprinkled in pearl sequin fascinator, ideal for a bride! Attaches to the hair with a comb

''Regal''

Darling little gold metal crown, decorated in pearls and crystals. Attaches with a comb and hat elastic.

 

Pretty and floral - would be beautiful for bridesmaids!

 

''Pink Waterlily Butterfly Fascinator''

Pink lily pad fascinator, decorated with a printed butterfly which is hand backed with leopard print satin, green fringe beading and sprinkled in green crystals.

 

''Romantic Flower Bird Headdress''

Vintage inspired romantic flower headdress in muted pinks, with little kissing birds and brown leaves decorated in brown glitter. The base is backed with leopard print and attaches with a comb and hat elastic.

So beautiful!!

''Yellow Rose Bees Hair Clip Corsage''

Very sweet large yellow rose hair clip that doubles as a corsage, decorated with leaves and bees. It is set on a yellow heart base with a yellow hair clip with a brooch back too.

 

I really love this! I love the little bees!

''Large Pink Rosebud Headband'

Romantic large pink rosebuds on a wide pink PVC headband with black net sprinkled in black sequin. Perfect for long or short hair.

 

''Blue Butterfly Veil Fascinator''

Turquoise blue hand glittered fascinator base, decorated with a butterfly its printed, wired and backed with leopard print satin. Blue veil sprinkled with blue crystals, the fascinator is backed with leopard print satin and attaches to the hair with a comb.

 

Ross' mum would love this - she adores butterflies, but I can't see her being brave enough!

Total showstoppers - perfect for rehearsal dinner or reception!

''Red Glitter Dali-esque Veil Fascinator''

Glittered scarlet red lips fascinator edged with red sequin, finished with red veiling sprinkled in red crystals.

The fascinator is hand moulded and hand glittered, it attaches to the hair with a comb and is backed with leopard print satin.

How romantic!

 

''Ice Cream Cone Cherry Headband''

Very realistic ice cream on a cone with decorated with a red glitter cherry, set on a light gold headband.

 

This has to be one of the cutest, funnest things you've ever seen, right??!

''Tattoo Themed Heart with Banner Fascinator''

Red hand glittered, hand moulded tattoo heart shaped fascinator with a white banner on which you can pick whatever words you like to be written on OR keep it plain. This fascinator is backed with leopard print satin and attaches to the hair with a comb.

 

Um... how amazing is this??

''Pea & Carrot 4ever'' :D

''Let Them Eat Cake''

Incredibly detailed Marie Antoinette inspired headdress, bedecked with flowers, glittered ships and teacups, cakes and swirls of cream topped with glittered cherries and 100's & 1000's, sweeties, strawberries, a glitter and gem crown, birds and bees. All set on a large curved fascinator base which is backed with leopard print satin. Attaches to your hair with a comb and hat elastic. Deceptively light weight considering the amount of work on it so comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

If I was a Queen... or just a bit braver, I would wear this EVERY DAY.

''Pop Goes the Cherry''

Giant glittered cherry now on a wide RED and WHITE polka dot alice band, dripping with red glitter with a green glittered leaf.

Hand glittered so can be made up in other colours of glitter, just contact Pearls & Swine to ask!

 

Could be some very tongue-in-cheek fun headwear for the wedding evening! :)

''Sparkly Watermelon Fascinator''

Watermelon sprinkled in black crystals, the rind is glittered green on a glittered green hand molded base which is backed with leopard print satin. Looks pretty from the front and the back, can be worn on either side of head, this attaches to the hair with a comb.

''Love birds''

White fascinator decorated with little white birds kissing and the word "Love" almost invisible but glittering in white sequin. Attaches with a comb.
Easy to wear and perfect for a bride or prom.

I love this one, I can just imagine wearing it for my rehearsal dinner, and every time I could find an excuse to afterwards!

And there is SO much more too, from vintage burlesque inspired pieces to.... ANYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE!

The range is inspired by everything from vintage elegance to pop surreal madness, all tastes are catered for. Don’t be limited by what you see, and keep checking the site as new creations are added frequently. However, bespoke orders are welcome!

And Bink is just such a star - so friendly and helpful, I'm really looking forward to doing business with her in the future! ;D

Check out the site and all that's on offer by clicking on any of the pics above, or here!

The Petite Package - Beautiful Boutique Feature!

Welcome to another 'Beautiful Boutique' feature - something a little different this time!

Monica, the owner and creator of The Petite Package, like me has a serious passion for packaging.

Originally joining Etsy to show and sell her handmade mittens (which you can see here!), she quickly realised that it was how her items were presented and the look of her packaging that really held her heart – so she created her own unique brand of beautiful packaging goods; boxes, labels, striped twine and stickers. And you know what? It is GORGEOUS.

I actually came across The Petite Package when I was looking for personalised save the date stickers – I wanted something with a ‘handmade’ feel, something sweet and fun – these heart shaped save the date stickers are just the thing!

  

Here’s a few more of my favourite items from this great store;

Coloured baker's twine is very big right now, it's so cute and versatile and the colours are just incredible.

 

So...many...colours!



  

Tropical, cute and beautiful!



 

Such romantic colours!


The Petite Package has beautiful paper tags and boxes too, great for favours or seating plans!

My favorite items on the site are the stickers - there is such a great variety, from kraft paper (which I know my bf Sarah would love!) to pastels or metallics; there are plain stickers or they can be printed with your own initials and wedding date!

I'm just in love with the pastel pink and mint ones! :)

Like I said, Monica is really passionate about her craft and such a friendly helpful person! I totally recommend her amazing store to help make your big day (or even your everyday) be beautifully packaged!

She's a bride-to-be herself too, getting married this spring, so you never know, she may have some great advice to share with us soon! She's shutting up shop for a short time while she gets ready for her own big day - so get your orders in ASAP! I have ;D

Check out The Petite Package on Etsy here.



Hot Cinnamon rolls in a freezy house

 Our heating has been off for a week now... And it's cold, we thought there was something wrong with the boiler but... We are just out of oil :'(

We've got a delivery of warmth coming on Friday but until then it's open fire and hot water bottles every night! But tonight Ross is at college and I don't see the point in lighting the fire just for me, so I decided to warm up by baking some mini cinnamon rolls!



They are sooo easy, here's how;

Get some ready rolled puff pastry - this is like one of my favourite inventions, it's so quick and versatile! You'll also need some butter, sugar and cinnamon. Preheat your oven to around 180C

Open out the pastry and butter a couple of inches of it like this - my butter was really hard (cold house) soft butter would be much easier!

 


Then sprinkle on around a handful of sugar over about a quarter of the pastry and cover it with cinnamon. I also used this cinnamon sugar grinder which is really cool, but just a little because its chunky!

Then gently roll the pastry up from the sugar cinnamon side, keeping the roll quite tight but not squooshing the pastry.

 

Roll it halfway across the cut off from the flat pastry. Repeat the process for the rest if the pastry - or freeze it for another time, but trust me, you'll wish you made more of these little guys!!

Then, using a chopping board and a good knife, cut the roll into spirals about 2cm thick.

Place your little spirals on a lined baking tray, well spaced, don't let them touch - remember it's PUFF pastry! Sprinkle more sugar and cinnamon on the top of the rolls - you will prob have some on your chopping board that fell out when you were cutting them.

Bake the rolls in the oven for 10 - 15 mins - but keep an eye on them, all ovens are different!

They are ready when they are a nice golden brown (and smelling fantastic).

Eat them warm with whipped cream or cold later on, I'm planning to take some to work tomorrow, if they last that long..... L x