Hello my lovely wonderful readers :) I am so so pleased to be able to write this blog post to you today - albeit a little late. I've had a bit of a carry-on with wifi this week and staying connected whilst I'm away from home/the office. It feels like my throat's been cut when I can't access my Twitter/Facebook accounts and my blog!! But I'm back home now and wifi is working at full pelt. I think the box might combost any moment now infact......!
This week has been a busy one for me - another four days spent in London cramming lots in. I arrived on Wednesday lunch time and made my way to my new favourite haunt, Blakes Hotel in South Kensington, to have my hair quaffed and pinned by Severin Hubert and my face made up {trust me, I needed it!} by Lucy Baker before heading on over to the Savoy Hotel for the launch party of Temple Gregory, London wedding planners. It was a really great evening, one of those rare occasions where many wedding industry colleagues are all together in the same place.
The Savoy Hotel is utterly incredible, amazing art-deco interior and the beautiful Lancaster Ballroom that played backdrop for the evening was set aglow in pretty pink and blue lights which bounced beautiful shine from the opulent chandeliers. I've been to The Savoy once donkeys years ago when an old boss treated me to a meal there so had a vague memory but the venue truly was very stunning.
I'd like to thank Beckie and Svetlana of Temple Gregory for the most wonderful evening and opportunity to see so many industry friends last week, both girls did an absolutely super job of organising this event. Here are some photographs from the evening, taken by the wonderful Chanelle Segerius Bruce and her husband Craig. On the left, Chanelle herself, then Laura Caudery from Parallel Venues, me and Kirsten Mavric. I'm wearing a beautiful 1930's inspired dress by Suzannah, and Kirsten is wearing my vintage fur from Etsy, which came all the way from New York and has embroidery insider saying 'Audrey'...
Love My Dress Wedding Blog - Photography Copyright (c) 2011, Segerius Bruce
Our lovely hosts for the evening Becky (left) and Svetlana (right) from Temple Gregory, and that's Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor from Strictly Come Dancing, who performed for us on the evening - they were just amazing!
My lovely, lovely Intern Franky who was my partner in crime for the evening, and again on the right with Emily Quinton and Emma, The Wedding Reporter...
How simply gorgeous is this photo?!? Lovely Emily Quinton, my Intern Franky, Paula and her sister, my gorgeous friend Eliza Claire...
...and a funnier version of the first image above, only this time, with bridal wear expert extraordinaire, Emma from Miss Bush Bridal...
Sarah Murray & Helen Webster from Perfect Wedding Magazine on right & left with Shelley & Kirsty in middle from Kitty & Dulcie and Flo & Percy, boy, did we have fun with those two, hehehehe!! ;))
Myself and the gorgeous Juliet McKee on the left, and that's Natalie Posner & Chrissie Reeves from OK Magazine with Sinclair from Maids to Measure on the right.
The gorgeous Belle & Bunty girls! Alice on the left, Hannah on the right...
Now for some more people watching! First of all, that's cake maker extraordinaire, Zoe Clark on the left, with her Husband, alongside colleagues from Borrowed Blue Press and Eleanor Wright from Sassi Holford...
Adelle from Peonies & Pearls and Florist Emma Lappin on the right...
The team from Wedding Magazine...
Zoe Collyer, Dasha, Kirsten Mavric, Chanelle and Juliet McKee...
Gabriella from David Fielden on the left, and Harri from Crumbs! Couture in the photo on the right, who provided the gorgeous dessert table...
Chanelle with Jo Kent and Tamara Keefe from Something Blue PR on left, then Chanelle again, with Janet Mohapi-Banks and Emma Meek...
Harpist Rebecca McGrath and Matt & Alexis from Jumping Spider Films...
Sarah Murray & Helen Webster from Perfect Wedding Magazine and the girls from Jo Malone...
Eliza Claire with her lovely Sister Paula who I met for the first time that night, Kat Williams and Lucy Ledger...
And finally, here are a couple of funny photos taken in the photobooth that evening ;) On the left, that's me with photographer Kirsten Mavric, who's work you can see here on Love My Dress here and Frankyyyyy ;))
Supplier/Credit list for The Savoy Hotel event hosted by Temple Gregory
Venue - Lancaster Ballroom at The Savoy London
Photographers - Chanelle & Craig from Segerius Bruce.
Flowers - Emma Lappin and Euphoric Flowers
Photo Booth - Hello Fotobooths {full gallery here!}
Dessert Table - Crumbs! Couture
Invites & Stationery - Borrowed Blue Press
Singer - Kevin Fitzsimmons
Harpist - Rebecca McGrath
Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor from Strictly did the Rumba! {see the video here!}
Make-up - Lucy Baker
My sparkly hairband - Olivier Laudus
Champagne bombs from goody bags were from Grays & Feather
1930s Vintage Perfume Workshop with Odette Toilette and Les Scenteurs...
On Saturday, I attended a vintage perfume workshop, hosted by Lizzie Ostrom, aka, Odette Toilette, founder of Scratch & Sniff Events.
The event was held at Les Senteurs in London and I was joined by Photographer Naomi Kenton. Lizzie is hosting a series of vintage perfume workshops, each one covering a different era - workshops for the 1920s and 1930s have aready taken place but workshops for the '40s, '50s, 60's/70's have yet to take place.
Saturday's event focused on the 1930s and it was absolutely fascinating - Lizzie provided a full presentation {with champagne/home made cake break in between and a gorgeous original 1930s vintage dress on display by Juno Says Hello} and talked through the culture of the time, covering cinema, music, politics, society, fashion etc, before talking about the popular perfumes and scents of the era.
By the way, that dress I'm wearing is another Suzannah gem!
Love My Dress Wedding Blog - Photography Copyright (c) 2012, Naomi Kenton
We got to sample several amazing perfumes, including some that are now out of circulation and only available for several thousand pounds, from overseas called 'Shocking'. I can't wait to tell you more about that!
I will be writing about this more fully but wanted to share a couple of images from the day with you. If you are interested in attending any future events, please contact Lizzie via her Scratch & Sniff Events website. Tickets are £35 each.
Dear London...
This week, my love affair with London grew a little bit more. I absolutely love visiting London, meeting new people, making new friends and colleagues {and visiting old ones} and soaking in the culture this fabulous city has to offer.
I wrote the words below in the wee hours of Saturday morning as I was sat in my hotel room, wide awake having nodded off earlier in front of the TV...
I thought I'd write you a note at this midnight hour {time check, OK, it's 3am} as I sit here on my lovely antique wooden chair with it's over-sized cushion, feet up on a smaller stool next to me, near the vast open window of my hotel room. My room is lit with pretty tea lights - a surprise treat from room service earlier.
I'm not drunk. I'm not even tipsy. In fact I haven't had anything to drink - well, bar a glass of wine in the Blue Bird Cafe on the Kings road earlier with a friend which was really rather pleasant. It was Friday evening when I nodded off in my hotel room earlier over a pot of English breakfast and Melvyn Bragg {rave!}. I woke in the early hours and my mind was full of ideas so I've been penning them furiously before I lose them to that early morning mind fog.
As I sit here, feet up comfortably, I am thinking of you London. You're consuming my thoughts in a nice way and I wanted to let you know.
You've been good to me of late and I think it's nice to express thanks when good stuff comes your way. It's only polite...
I'm looking out of my window into a beautiful street in South Kensington. Tall buildings loom over my already elevated 2nd floor view. Tall buildings standing there with such presence and grace. Why don't they build houses like this anymore? Your architecture is stunning and the brick work is amazing! The little chimney pots that line the roof tops are so pretty. Who'd have thought a chimney pot could be so fascinating? And your street lights - how I love your old fashioned street lights. Makes me think of Mr Tumnus meeting Lucy in Narnia.
There are various lights on too in the dwellings opposite; dimly lit rooms, shadows moving in the dark, a woman in rollers and a bath robe, a TV screen flashing a black and white film. It's a bit like in those movies when you get that fascinating voyeuristic view of life on the other side of the street. And I'm not denying - it is fascinating. And I am a bit of a voyeur. But in a good and totally non-creepy way, you understand.
In the distance I can here sirens. Closer by I hear the hum of the hotel and not too far away, giggles from a small group of Friday night revelers returning to their beds, huggled close, discussing the evenings antics. Excitement rising from their voices up to my 2nd floor open window and making me smile. Twenty-somethings with the whole world ahead of them. I am reminded momentarily of my beautiful daughters sleeping peacefully back at home. I quickly blow them a kiss out onto the light, night breeze and hope it reaches Northern shores before morning.
I can also hear the birds. Dawn chorus? Maybe a bit early for that. I wonder where those birds are nesting? Possibly around some of those beautiful chimney tops. What a grand home for a bird that would be. Now I''m thinking of Mary Poppins and Dick Van Dyke dancing on those city roof tops with the chimney sweeps, soot all over the place. Remember that scene? Its my fave in the film ;)
I didn't grow up here and I'm not familiar with all the cool places to hang out - or the naff places to avoid come to think of it. But London, you're beginning to feel like a very old friend. I feel comfortable with you London. You're not that big old scary city I thought you once were. In fact, you're pretty lovely actually. As I sit here next to my open window, I've a sense of familiarity that I've not had before. It's like you're saying 'oh, hello there!' when I step out on to the street, or open my big 2nd floor window to peer out onto the beautiful street lined with all manner of vehicles and cool vespas and things.
'Hello there! May I welcome you to a brand new day in London! Please enjoy your stay and be comfortable'.
Well I'll say it now London, I'm much more comfortable being with you since I invested in those ballet flats from Topshop on Oxford Street the other day. We must be on pretty good friendly terms already for me to have ditched my heels for you!
Talking of friends, I've some lovely pals in these parts. You do know some wonderful, funny, caring and brilliant people don't you?
Well, London, I have to go on Sunday to be back home again. You know I miss my family so very much when I'm away, but I want to thank you for looking after me these past few days. You've been brilliant. I was a bit low when I got here - I've spent a lot of time away from those I love of late, but you've made me feel better and given me space to gather my thoughts, relax and feel like me again, thank you.
The movie has ended, the lights have all gone out, the sirens are no more and the birds have quietened down. I think it's time to go, so Ill be seeing you {later in} the morning. Until then, let's look forward to another day hanging out tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting to know you a bit better, to seeing more chimney pots {and maybe a Marble Arch} and to being that little bit closer to stepping on the train home with a smile on my face on Sunday, and getting to hug my children tight and tell them all about you.
Sleep well beautiful city, lights out now...
♥
Posts to catch up on from this week....
On Thursday, International Womens Day, I wrote this piece for the brand spanking and rather marvellous new blog Any Other Woman. I'd be super delighted if you could pop on over and have a read and leave a comment if you haven't already.
♥ Fond memories of my lovely Grandma Edna, who passed away a year today ♥ My amazing husband for just being the best Daddy in the world whilst I spend time away working ♥ Blakes Hotel - again! I cannot recommend this gorgeous bohemian bolt-hole enough, oh, and did you know that Mr & Mrs Smith have a two-for-one offer currently on {2 nights for the cost of 1, or 4 nights for the cost of 2 - ends soon so book quickly!} ♥ Opulence at the Savoy Hotel ♥ Vintage perfumes ♥ Real Hair blow-bar in Chelsea - £25 a pop. Not bad ♥ Javier and Tony for always being so completely lovely ♥ The Bluebird Restaurant on Kings Road ♥ Signing a very exciting and important document :) ♥ Spring flowers in the garden ♥ Train journeys home - beautiful views in the sunshine
What has made you happy and smile this week? And what have you been up to today?
What a gorgeous day today has been too, I am so so pleased. It's a year to the day since my lovely Grandma Edna passed away - a mix of tears and smiles as I recall her tiny little self. I'm thinking of my Grandpa Norman, my Mum and my Sister today - we are all miss Grandma lots.
♥
