Wednesday 30 May 2012

Real Pink & Sparkle Wedding: Lialah & Daniel

Sparkly shoes, pink peonies, bridesmaids in jewel-coloured dresses and giant balloons - do weddings get better than this? This shabby-chic wedding has got me completely loved up with couple Lialah and Daniel's style. Just check out Lialeh's lace tights and sparkle brogues - I love a bride who chooses comfort over sky-high heels. Other stealworthy wedding details include the succulents in the bridesmaids' bouquets by Garden District Weddings, Lialeh's hennaed hands {a nod to her heritage}, her Colette Dinnigan wedding gown and her wavy ponytail wedding hairstyle. Daniel looks great in his smart three-piece suit and more masculine berry buttonhole. Beautiful pictures published with thanks the team at Simply Bloom Photography - there's more vintage wedding fabulousness coming in Part 2 of this wedding, including balloons!













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The Best Cry-Proof Mascaras For Your Wedding Day

{Posting by Julia Bowden, Before the Big Day's Hair & Make-up Expert} Weddings are emotional affairs. I bet the thought of you walking down the aisle this summer, surrounded by all your nearest and dearest is making you well up right this minute!? Ok, ok sorry, I'll quit that right now! I can't stop you blubbing on your wedding day but I can save you from looking like a panda bride {check with Georgia but I think pandas are off trend this season!?}. I've been mascara shopping and dunked my face in a lot of water, to find what is this season's Holy Grail of weep-proof mascaras. The latest cutting-edge mascara technology creates a coating that covers your lashes with little waterproof tubes - yes tubes! Genius! Scroll down for my Top 3 Cry-Proof Mascaras for your wedding day.


{Photo Credit} Jackie Wonders

Kevyn Aucoin Curling Mascara £20 from Space NK
It doesn't hugely curl the lashes but it's brilliant.  It never rubs off, it's completely waterproof and removal is easy too. Warm water will easily loosen the mascara tubes as you gently rub them off. Score: 5/5.

Blinc Mascara £15 free P&P
It defines and separates, and doesn't ever smudge or run thanks to the clever tube technology. It goes on easily and dries quickly, and it doesn't come off until you remove it with water and apply some pressure with your finger tips. It's not totally waterproof, so not for swimming. It also doesn't give as much volume as it claims but it's definite cry proof! Score: 4/5

L'Oreal Paris Double Extension Beauty Tubes Mascara £11.29 from Boots
A slightly cheaper high street version of the above which works a treat! It doesn't extend quite as well as I hoped, but was brilliantly cry-proof! Score: 4/5 but the cheapest!

Enjoy JB x

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Tuesday 29 May 2012

Real Teal & Purple Desert Wedding: Amanda & Derrick - Part 2

With just too many pictures to fit into one wedding blog post, here is Part 2 of the deliciousness which is Amanda and Derrick's desert wedding. Soak up the wedding details - I'm loving the teal tablecloths teamed with vintage hydrangea blooms and single succulents. Also the I Spy photo list, designed to encourage your guests to snap as many wedding pictures as possible, it also works as a great ice-breaker to get your guests talking. Buy a similar porcelain ring dish from Paloma's Nest - they're the classiest way to display your wedding rings. Amanda and Derrick chose Reflections at the Buttes in Arizona as their ceremony venue and the beautiful The Wright House for their reception. Gorgeous pictures published with thanks to Photography By Verdi, and if you missed Part 1, click here.


















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Real Teal & Purple Desert Wedding: Amanda & Derrick

Most brides seem to choose pink, grey or sage green as their wedding theme colours, and I was no different. But how about picking are more unusual colour palette? Amanda and Derrick chose teal and purple for their wedding accent colours, and their wedding looks beautiful against the Arizona desert landscape. Like many American couples, Amanda and Derrick chose to do a first-look photo shoot ahead of their ceremony, which always makes for the best pictures. There are tonnes of portrait picture ideas here, including the blackboard 'Thank You' shot, which I'm sure they used for their wedding thank you cards! Stealworthy ideas include the succulents in Amanda's stunning bouquet, her bridesmaids' simple strappy sandals {it's kind to give your bridemaids a choice between flats or heels} and the cute monogram baubles hanging off each bouquet. Some brides attach a vintage broach or necklace to their bouquets, or a locket with pictures of their grandparents. It's a lovely way to carry your loved ones with you as you walk up the aisle. Gorgeous pictures published with thanks to Photography By Verdi - more from their reception and wedding ceremony coming later this afternoon.

















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DIY Bride - Homemade Spray Painted Vases

Tempted by the sunshine and a spray-can of gold paint, I felt inspired to try an easy DIY wedding project yesterday. I've seen tonnes of spray-paint DIY projects on Pinterest, and I figure it couldn't be that difficult. So out came an old jar, tonnes of newspaper and a lovely bunch of ranunculus. Three minutes later, I had the perfect gold vase - it couldn't have been easier! Take a look at the instructions below and please excuse my dreadful pictures - I'm definitely not a budding photographer. P.S. This would work just as well with pastel paints, or whatever colour suits your wedding style.


1. Prepare your work space by spreading out tonnes of newspaper, cleaning any old labels of the jam-jars and shaking up your spray-paint. I bought my spray-paint locally, but you can pick up every colour in the rainbow for £3.20 each from GraffCity.

2. Don't do this on a windy day. The paint has a tendency to drift in the breeze.

3. Pick the jar up by spreading your fingers wide in the brim, so you're not touching the outside of the jar.

4. Evenly spray on the paint, from a distance of about 12cm. The secret is in keeping it even. Too much and you'll get dribble marks, which can look quite cool, but I wanted a matt effect. Twist the jar around so you can spray every side.

5. Leave to dry for much longer than you want. I didn't do the bottom of the jar, so I left it sitting on the newspaper in the sunshine.

6. And now you're done! I hardly used any paint, so it's a seriously cheap and easy wedding DIY project.

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Monday 28 May 2012

My Wedding Anniversary

Today is my wedding anniversary! We actually celebrated over the weekend, because both of us are working tonight. We had glamorous Victorian-themed cocktails at the Whistling Stop followed by an amazing seven-course tasting menu at the Michellin-starred Galvin La Chapelle, which was delicious. The English asparagus with truffle vinaigrette blew my mind! The restaurant is described as the most romantic dining room in London, and it's stunning, with a high arching roof and lots of low lighting. I can't believe it's already been one year since our amazing weekend in Provence. Here are just a few of my favourite pictures from the day - by Caught the Light and Jemma Harding Photography.



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