BATH

I traveled to Bath this morning with Steve and took a two hour history tour(starting in front of the Pump Rooms at 10:30 & 2:00) whilst he went off to a business meeting. During my tour I was fortunate to go through the Bath Fashion Museum and check out the collection of Princess Diana dresses that they are showcasing this summer, they were amazing and I remember seeing Lady Di in most of them. I also learned a lot about the Assembly rooms, Jane Austen & of course the Roman Baths. After my tour Steve met up with me and took me to Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant. I've been to Bath a few times and always have a good time. Although it is a pretty small city there is plenty to do. If you are heading that way make sure you put the Thermal Spa on your list. I was lucky enough to be able to take a tour of The Bath Priory Hotel & Spa. It is and award winning luxury hotel and I hope I will be going back to stay one day. The restaurant is under the direction of the two Michelin starred Executive Head Chef Michael Cannes.  This hotel & spa would be a beautiful place to get married. I was so impressed with it I left gleaming and begging Steve for a weekend break or maybe spa & lunch? "Christmas is coming dear" I love it!

 

ENGAGEMENT

I'm often reminded of the day we got engaged, especially when I look at all the beautiful engagement pictures. On a very cold London day in Hyde Park Steve asked me to be his wife. 
I gave a shivering YES and he pulled a bottle of my favorite -
champagne (Veuve) and two glasses out of his backpack to toast, celebrate and warm me up!  xoxo

GUEST BOOK

I won't be having a guest book for the wedding. I remember looking at my parents guest book and that makes me a little sentimental and think maybe I need one.. hmmm... Maybe I could just have Post It's and seal them in a beautiful box. DIY thinking! What if I had a Polaroid camera on the table where guest take a picture of something they love about the wedding and then write a message on the back and place it in a box. Oh the possibilities!

I LOVE YOU?

FELICITY

In a very stressful week this image calms me and makes me look forward to our last quiet weekend. Bristol is having there annual Harbour Festival and I am looking forward to checking out some good venues & hopefully hearing some live music. I have my dress fitting at Clifton Brides today and am hoping everything goes smoothly and I have the "it's perfect" feeling like I did yesterday after my hair trial. xoxo

TRIALS

I'm off to Frome this morning for my hair trial. I think Michelle's hair is very romantic in this picture. Having trials has been very helpful. Charlie did my makeup trial the other day and I loved the look, very simple and fresh, very Bobby Brown. The Bobby Brown  line is great. I've been using it for the last two years. I followed Steve to Ottawa on a business trip and ended up in Holt getting a makeover, it was the first time I did not come out looking over done and I felt beautiful. I've been a huge fan since and pick up a few bits and bobs whenever I can. I'm very excited to see how my hair trial goes today. xoxo

SCHOOLS OUT

School has finally finished for Connor and he's come home for the summer. Time to have some fun!! I've been singing Alice Cooper's "schools out" all weekend with him... xoxo

THURSDAY'S QUOTE ON FRIDAY

"It is well for the heart to be naive and the mind not to be."
– Anatole France

EEEK!

My wedding bolero from Bonzie came in the mail today in the sweetest packaging & I love it! Thank you so much Bonzie for making my day extra special. I look forward to my next order with you, once the wedding has all been payed off. ;) xoxo

UNIQUE AND FABULOUS ETSY

The last few weeks has been all about accessories and there are so many beautiful things out there. One of my favorite places to look is etsy  where you can find this gorgeous Rosa Iceberg Clutch If I didn't have self-control I would be well over the budget. I would love to be a personal shopper for all the new brides to be that are looking for something unique... Etsy would be the first place I'd go. This week I'll be posting some more etsy bridal finds. xoxo

YOUNG LOVE

29 DAYS

The next few weeks I have appointments almost daily with hair, makeup, Vicar, florist, printer, travel agent, wine sales..... It is all coming together but not without a few little glitches they say ”enjoy the planning”  I think I've done a good job,  I have realized I am not a huge planner; I like to go with the flow get ideas and then see if they fit. I have been upset, let down and frustrated about  things over the course of my 6 month wedding planning but handled them with grace and a few tears. I have stayed focused on who this is about...Steve & I are getting hitched and enjoying a very long life together and I seriously can't wait!!!!

Am I scared? YES... WILL I FIT IN MY DRESS? Will they be able to figure out how to do up my dress? I thought someone from Clifton Brides would be available on the day but this is not the case (silly me.) Will I fall over when we dance because I have not been practicing the dance in 10 layers of crinoline? Will my feet hurt (yes) will my guest feet hurt, (yes) will my Mom actually get on the plane (??) will my guest be happy (YES) of course, they are watching their friends who are very much in love finally tie the knot! So I'm going to be a busy Bee the next few weeks but will also hold my chin high and let the stresses roll off my shoulders (fingers crossed)

I have been researching all morning our New Years ski vacation in either France or Italy. It is 6 months until Christmas and I need to get our holiday booked, or we will not be going anywhere. I will add this task to the mountain I have in my diary. I figure if I still have time to have a lie in and write my blog, it’s all good! Oh, the things I could accomplish if laziness and procrastination didn’t get the best of me!

For Steve, my friends and also all the wedding planners & vendors out there you are wonderful, patient and have a huge tolerance threshold. Thank you!!!

TOPPERS WITH GLITZ

Check out these monogram cake toppers from Toppers With Glitz What a beautiful way to add an extra something to your wedding day. After you can save the monogram as a keepsake.

BLISS

Hammock For Two 

HONEYMOON

I'm so excited, I've just got off the phone with the Kuoni agent and booked our honeymoon to the Kuramathi Island Resort in the Maldives and under the budget! whoo hoo!!! I read the reviews and it looks like the holiday of a life time. We are leaving Oct 19 so we will be there for my 35th birthday. What a way to end a fantastic year, now to work of the courage up to swim with the sharks. *yikes*
Looking forward to spending my honeymoon in paradise with my love. xoxo

SOMETIMES LOVE FEELS UPSIDE-DOWN

QUACK

We had a BBQ with David & Jayne's a few weeks ago and I took Quack from her deck because he was in desperate need of bill repair. Wood glue out and Quack is all sorted. Jayne said "he won't shut up now" nice one, Jayne! xo

MANCHESTER

We stayed at the Mecure Norton Grange Hotel and Spa over the weekend, what an amazing find. The hotel was 69.00 pound for the 3 of us for one night for a family room including full English breakfast.

The real gem about this place is the 'spa natural'. There is a gym and pool, which are huge. Thermal suite was amazing! There is a hydro-pool which is a massive Jacuzzi which extends through to an outdoor bit with a waterfall  so you have a massage well looking out onto the grounds.

There is an Aroma steam room, large steam room with twinkly lights in ceiling, Rock Sauna, Bio Sauna and Ice Igloo which is great for cooling down. Ice Igloo has an ice sink, which has ice that you throw all over yourself. In addition  'Experience Showers' which have different functions like fragrance, drench and ice cold. There is a beauty center with all the usual treatments available. I wish we had stayed longer as I felt spoiled from the moment we checked in. After a long day at Chill Factor this was a wonderful hotel to end it in.  xoxo

PUPPY LOVE

STAMPEDE FRIDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VANESSA

Another Beautiful Bridesmaid, Another Beautiful Friend.... Happy Birthday Vanessa!!

I hope you are spoiled, you deserve it. Can't wait to here all the special love that is planned for you and how you will be spending your birthday in YYC & most of all can't wait until you get here to celebrate belated in London with me!! Love you lots & Thank you..... C xooxox

HAT THURSDAY

I have always loved hats probably since I was thirteen. I've decided to have a " Hat Thursday " YAY!
 For myself, I think I look better in hats when I have short hair.... Let me see if I can dig up some evidence in my tickle trunk of pictures. The past year I've not been wearing them as much, but I can't wait to get my fancy hat for Ascot next year I will definitely make up for it... Until then, check out this wicked hat. Happy Hat Thursday!!!

WELLIES, WELLIES, WELLIES

My bridesmaid H emailed me this picture today and asked me about wedding wellies. Adding another task to my diary today because I had completely forgot about wellies!  How cute is this little guy for a fantastic start to "hump day" Thanks H! love ya! xoxoxo

KATE'S WEDDING SHOES

My friend Kate just showed me these striking Alexander McQueen Satin Heart- Shaped Peep- Toe shoes that she bought for her wedding day. She is going to look phenomenal in her 70's style vintage dress along with these legendary shoes. Kate bought the White Satin but check out these other styles.

HAIRPIN LEG BENCH

I found this beautiful bench while surfing though my favorite blogs. What a beautiful addition this would be to the front hall. *hint* *hint*  Here is everything you need to make this bench hunny! "christmas is coming"
hairpin legs & a hefty wood plank can be found at a car boot sale.


found @ style-for-style & ohdeedoh

LONG WEEKENDS ARE FOR FUN

Although it's not a long weekend here in England Candace and Ian have been staying with us since Thursday when we had our Canada Day BBQ and we've been having a lot of fun since. We went to the Thornbury Parade and Carnival on Saturday to watch Steve play...They are performing plays in the garden at  Thornbury Castle starting next week. I'm hoping to get to one, before summer ends.

Yesterday we drove up to Burnham On The Sea and had a picnic on the beach, made sandcastles & splashed in the waves. Ian & Candace made us a traditional Sunday roast it was delightful! Today it's back to reality for everyone, Candace and Ian are heading to Wales for a few days to check it out and maybe find work. I wish them all the luck in their new adventure. Steve and I are meeting with the Vicar tonight to go over the wedding ceremony. I can't believe the wedding is almost here only 6 weeks left to get sorted.
I'm looking forward to having my friends and family here for some memorable times before we tie the knot.

WEDDING BANDS

Yay!!! We ordered our wedding bands this week from John Titcombe We should have them in a few weeks. I decided to go with a plain platinum band so it won't take away from my beautiful engagement ring. Steve is having a half Platinum and half brushed Platinum setting, stylish guy! 

CANADA DAY

Happy Canada Day!! We are celebrating this evening BBQ'ing with a few Canadians and a few Bristonians!
I have just finished making 32 burgers, potato salad & Greek salad. I got out of bed this morning and found a card from Steve, for Canada Day! (Very impressive & sweet) Our neighbours also sent a card. I like this new tradition. Steve is making Moose Milk and we have ordered a keg all we need now is the sun to come back out. It has been so hot here for the last few weeks we've been having a heat wave and today it looks like it may tip down. I'm looking forward to spending my first Canada Day in Bristol with friends old and new friends & missing the ones we can't be with. xoxo

 

BLACKBERRY SMASH

The Blackberry bushes are getting big in the backyard I can't wait to try out this drink once we pick some.  It looks amazing although I've never tasted Jack Daniels before but this sounds like a nice way to start.

Blackberry Smash

2 tbsp coarse sugar

2 1/2 tbsp lime juice

8-10 fresh mint leaves

1 1/2 oz. Chambord

1 oz. Jack Daniels Whiskey

Handful of fresh blackberries

Club soda

Muddle the sugar, lime juice and 6-8 mint leaves for about 30 seconds or about 8 twists of the muddler. Add the Chambord and whiskey and muddle for another 8 twists or so of the muddler.  Shake over ice and pour with the ice into a tall glass. Mix in the blackberries and fill the rest of the glass with club soda. Add remaining mint as garnish.