MAGICAL SOUTH WALES

We just had the most incredible long weekend in South Wales. The landscapes are amazing! I took so many pictures. checked out wild life, farm animals & lots of seaside cliff tops & sandy beaches. There are so many great B&B's and campsites in this area to choose from but best to book early. With the long weekend and Jazz fest there wasn't much choice left for the 1 night I didn't book ahead and we ended up staying in a beautiful but pricey hotel.( The Fishguard Bay) This is a holiday for everyone. They have excellent bike paths, hiking spots, walking trails, fishing tours & most of all excellent sea kayaking  and endless castles & beautiful beaches. Barafundle Beach was voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world by Time Magazine. When we get more company, I will be sending them to this beautiful part of the world. Oh, I can't forget to mention how lovely the people are, the customer service reminded me of home. We stopped at a restaurant for dinner and ended up purchasing two original pieces from two different local artists. We both love to buying art while travelling I cannot wait to find a spot for them.
  
This is our last week with Connor before he goes back to school and I'm hoping it will be a bright and sunny so we can get out of the house. Summer is almost over and I have no idea where it went but I'm looking forward to fall and winter and all the great trips we have coming up including our honeymoon to Maldives. Loving Life Being Christy xoxo 

I WILL

What a whirlwind day. It was bliss... Not what I would have imagined but better in every way! It poured while we got ready but cleared up in time for the ceremony.

I loved everything about it. So many laughs and the perfect amount of tears. I wish I could go back as a guest and see it all.

If I could do it all again I would only change one thing and that is the photographs. They seem to last forever. I wanted to get back inside and attend our champagne reception and see all of our friends and family.

I'm still overwhelmed by all the love and have not come off the high. I wanted a "proper" wedding and that is exactly what it felt like. It was whimsical with a splash of traditional. I am blessed to be Mrs. Steven Gillespie. Next stop honeymoon! We are spending the rest of the summer with C & then heading to the Maldives!

We were invited to go back to Orchardleigh next year for our 1st year Anniversary, who's coming? ;)
 
Loving Life Being Christy xoxo

"The Noah rule: Predicting rain doesn't count; building arks does."
– Warren Buffett

PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE

This picture of Mandy's engagement is exactly the one I would have chosen if...
the sign was in our neighborhood. ;)

LOVE LANE

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."


– Theodore Seuss Giesel

BUTTONS

I have been tossing the extra buttons I get on clothes for years and have finally started a button jar! Maybe just an extra item to collect dust or I might do something great with them. Yesterday I purchased ribbon & beautiful creme buttons to sew on the bouquets and button holes. A button jar would also make a great center piece. xoxo

10 DAYS

I can't believe it's only 10 days until the wedding and 5 days until people start getting to Bristol. So excited!

A CUP OF LOVE

Theme

There are so many ideas for a wedding. I remember going to speak to Lisa (our florist) and she asked me if I had a theme. I had no idea how popular this was, whether you want to do a Paris, Safari, nature, butterflies, beach, Cinderella or goth all is possible you just need to find the right suppliers and be willing to do the work. Here are some themed wedding images...

MARC CHAGALL- THE BRIDE

Kim asked yesterday...Am I nervous, nope I'm happy & excited. I can't wait to be Steve's wife. This is a  favorite print by Marc Chagall, that we own. You may recognize it from Notting Hill. I always thought it was called "How Love Should Be" but when I looked it up today I found out it's called "The Bride" We visited one the Chagall Museum in Nice, it was beautiful. He did a lot of paintings for his wife. Much of his work was love & religion.

SOMETHING BLUE

8:15 wake up to my sweet almost to be stepson give me a boo & a tickle and asks what we are doing today.  Hmmm... Let’s start off with a book so he runs down and grabs Mr. Gum & The Biscuit Billionaire. My guess is, that a Northerner wrote this book because I did not understand half of the words in it. After a few chapters, it’s time to plan the day we grab my laptop and check out the community events page. C asks to make supper and we have decided to run to the grocery store for his ingredients. Time to move, but not before having to wrestle out of the bed with a ten year old clinging to you and practising his smack down technique. I believe this is his way of getting hugs from me..After I have buried C in my duvet and pillows, I am free to get ready. Ever tried to change the bed sheets and just can't seem to get them to fit? It just may be one of those days!. C asked me the other day if I had something borrowed or blue yet and my reply was "no, nothing special." He then offered me his blue marble to sew into my dress. You know you’re lucky when you have a little boy in your life that offer's up his marble to make your day extra special! 15 days! xoxo

HAT OR FASCINATOR

17 DAYS