wedding details...

the last time i wrote i was about to attend the wedding of one of my best friends (and then jet off to a little week of sun with my family...)

anyone who knows me, or who has read old posts on here, will know im a sucker for a bit of decor. home decor and especially party and event decor. i still follow style and wedding blogs back from when i was planning my own wedding and the love and back- catalogue of ideas has just grown.

my friend's wedding was a perfect example of rustic prettiness with cute and colourful touches that really showed off the brides creative and fun personality. set in the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, the service was in a little church literally down a dirt track and the reception afterwards in a stunning barn style building connected to a popular golf club just outside of York. 

i wanted to share a few of the details and touches... 

the groom's family are farmers and the happy couple are just about to move into their family home, complete with fields and sheds and cows. so the farming and country living influences were clear to see...

hilariously, and very much what i would expect of my friend, she had no idea who designed her dress. but it was beautiful. traditional to an extent, so so pretty, and pure bridal. she looked a million english pounds. the groomsmen were simple and modern in deep blue slim fit suits with pale blue ties. the look definitely worked for men more used to wearing overalls than a suit...

beautiful headpiece...

sandburn hall is famous locally as the perfect venue if you are looking for rustic simplicity where you can put your own stamp on the room... the bride made all of the decor herself...

simple, charming features on the card table...

love a letter light to mark out the disco area from the seating area...

and the most important of these is love...

rites of passage...

this week has been manic. from the 9am Monday blood tests to the traffic jam on the way to my parents house yesterday evening, it's been one of them weeks. and this is in part because I go on holiday on Saturday morning so the work/ life gods look down and punish you by multiplying your tasks and throwing in some unexpected traumas to sort.

but now I'm packed and my little boy is settled with his grandparents and the dog is settled with the grandparents too and I'm getting really really girlishly giddy and excited because today, before any holiday, one of my best friends gets married.

i've been to a good number of weddings over my 20s and I've been a bridesmaid 4 times in that time too, but I've never been to a childhood/ teen hood friend's wedding. and it got me to thinking about the rites of passage you experience with your friends, as a girl, along your lifetime. the first kisses, the discos, the fights, the first try of a cigarette, the heartbreak, the first drink. that night with a waiter on holiday, that affair... they might break us but our friends re build us. and we live to love and fight and drink and make mistakes some more with our friends by our side to watch and help where needed.

i jumped ahead of all my friends by getting married first and I've already had my first baby, so I'm super excited to watch them take the steps. another of my best friends, who I met in adulthood though, married at a similar time to me but since then everyone has steadied off, no life changes. it's all really new for me to be on the observation deck and I love it. i am expecting shed loads of tears on my part because a) I love weddings and b) because she's one of my girls. i know I can handle married life and babies because I'm here and I've survived 3 years of one and almost 2 of the other. but now she's going to do it all too and it's not always easy and sometimes it hurts. with babies it really hurts.

but above all I'm just so excited to start the journey again. to be there when a friend takes that leap of faith. so cheers to love, friendship and holidays.

weird fish...

this week a new store opened in York's premium shopping quarter and i popped out on my lunch break to see what it had to offer.
situated on the historical Stonegate, well positioned with White Stuff, Cath Kidston and The White Company, Weird Fish opened its whitewash doors of only its second northern store on thursday.

born in The Cotswolds, a brand that focuses on 'wearing the weekend', Weird Fish brings relaxed, coastal style dressing to the (carefully selected) masses. think about what you imagine you would live in if you resided in cornwall; loose knits, slouchy trousers or shorts, a rain coat just in case. so it makes sense that they position their stores in generally affluent cities and towns, where this kind of dressing appeals.

i was really impressed with the clean, crisp feel to the shop and the clothes were well positioned in stories and you easily moved from one piece to the next. there was a real White Stuff look to a lot of the pieces; laid back, comfatable, colourful. i must admit that i dont usually go for the sensible, comfortable look. i always appreciate what my mum buys from White Stuff and Joules but its not really for me. however, and here's the but...

there were some surprising pieces that i wanted to take away with me there and then. and there were some gorgeous textures, good quality fabrics and fun prints. think Joules and Boden.

my favourites were a holiday perfect white vest with a fun, seaside print on (£15.) some blue, tapered jersey trousers which were very The White Company, but without the £65+ price tag (£25.) there were a pair of printed, tapered trousers which would see you from may to september both by the seaside and in the city (£30.) and cleverly positioned on a whitewash table as you entered the store were some 'throw it on' jumpers in a choice of classic navy & ecru and coral & ecru. these are made out of a lighter weight version of Weird Fish's signature fabric, Macaroni in a slim yet relaxed fit. ideal for a walk in the dales or just the weekly shop (£40.)

so i think Weird Fish is a good addition to the casual wear retailers in York at a much more affordable price than some of its neighbours. and i will definitely remember them for some summer basics with a cute twist.

 

the day that the bikes came past again...

this weekend has been pretty special, not only because its a bank holiday and a princess was born, but here in Yorkshire we got to welcome back le Tour.

last July, York was one of the cities chosen to host the start of one of the opening legs of the Tour de France. the whole 'grand depart' was a roaring success and Yorkshire really put itself on the world map and visually it shone on both tv and print. eager to continue the sporting high of last summer, we were once again a host city for this new cycling event.

not only are we fortunate to live in one of the most historical and beautiful cities in the world, we are also lucky to live within its most vibrant and charismatic neighbourhood. just a stones throw from the Knavesmire (a large, open, green space which also houses York Racecourse) our part of the city, to the southwest, is now synonymous with community events and street parties. and as the tour passes down our main street to make its way to the finish line at the Knavesmire, it makes sense that we play host to the city's biggest knees up to celebrate. this year's street party, aptly named E by Eck street party, was perhaps bigger and better than last year French themed affair. 

we headed down to prepare for the bike's passing and soak up the atmosphere after lunch. we met up with friends and enjoyed a pint whilst the buzz on the street built. ive always loved how, in such a busy and complicated world that we now live in, simple pleasures like the gathering of a community and a sporting spectacle, bring a smile to people's faces. there wasnt a grumpy face in the crowd as the police on motorbikes started passing through. some flashing their lights and beeping their horns in chorus, some high fiving the crowd and fist pumping the air. and hats off to the police; they did a fantastic job of not only keeping everyone on the course safe but also getting into the spirit and, in the case of the bikers, really energising the crowd. 

as happens in the age of the smart phone camera, when the tour actually flew through at god- knows- what- per- hour, most of us were holding our phones high trying to get the best photograph we could and trying not to drop our phones in the process. a year of planning and thousands of pounds spent and Bradley Wiggins and gang were gone. but the atmosphere was electric and the smiles were beaming. after the first passing we decided to head towards the Knavesmire, where a small food and beer festival and children's carnival was cranking up, to see out the rest of our day.

its days like Saturday that really make me appreciate where we live. i know if we lived in London there would be event and community gathering every weekend if you really wanted to find one. but there's something satisfying about a lesser known place, a smaller city like this, getting its moment. its days like Saturday that bring a community together and it doesn't matter who you are, what you do or how much your house is worth (property prices are a huge thing in York) that saturday was for us. and it makes me feel lucky. 

Seb and Did enjoying the mini festival

obligatory family selfie...

a hen party in your 30s is a little bit more classy...a little bit...

last weekend myself and 14 other ladies took ourselves off to Newcastle for one of my best friends Sam's hen party. now 15 girls + newcastle + hen party does not normally equal a classy affair. think Geordie Shore but with Yorkshire women. but we're all in our 30s now and a lot of the party had children and the general consensus was that we were there for a good time, but we had to keep it fairly tame.

the weekend was well put together by the bride's sister, Laura, with help from Chilli Sauce events  who arranged our obligatory daytime activity and our evening meal (Zizzis, you cant go wrong when feeding the masses.) once we'd arrived in Newcastle we went straight to a hotel to all take part in a life drawing class, aimed at hen parties, so alcohol welcome and the model was a good sport with all the giggling and high spirits. most importantly it was a really good ice breaker for creating conversation with girls in the group we hadn't met before. which is the whole point of hen party activities.

once back at our hotel (with a pit stop at the local garage to get some form of lunch to soak up the prosecco) we were changed and ready to hit the toon (by 4.15!!!)its been a long time since ive been out in Newcastle, the last time was about 4 years ago for a hen do too and i must admit i was afraid it would be as full of black hair extensions and fake tan as back then, but it wasn't. we went in several bars that were expensive, busy and playing music that everyone in the group, bar me, loved. no surprise there, i haven't liked the same music as my peers ever. id imagine my music taste is more like Jeremy Clarkson's. so they were good bars; the atmosphere was good, the cliente was young and fashionable and thats what we wanted. most importantly, the bride loved it.

but, as often happens now, you hit a wall. whether its because sleep is so precious and the thought of going to sleep undisturbed in a double bed unshared is so appealing. or whether its because we havent got a back log of sleep stored i just cant get past midnight if the music isnt my thing. a few of us made it to 11.30 (pathetic i know) and we got a taxi back to the hotel. where we go into the beds in one of the rooms and the nice receptionist ordered us kebabs (classy) and we ate them in bed with flat prosecco (v.classy.) but we were happy, and our shoes were happily kicked to the floor.

and it got me to thinking. when did this happen? when did we find it acceptable to throw the towel in and go home at such a time? it creeps up on you, regardless of real age or situation, and before you know it you're a bit boring. i really thought i was going to have a proper burn out and stay out til 4 but no. give me some footloose and you might have got me til 2am.

the bride to be, Sam, enjoying a glass of pink fizz...

 drinks in The Botanist...

the obligatory group photo with hen party photo booth props i bought for the hen party goodie bags...

the search for the perfect tan loafer...

i have had a thing for tan leather for as long as i can remember. i covet tan bag after tan bag and it doesn't matter how many i have there is always more room for the creamy texture in my wardrobe. i say in my wardrobe i actually mean chucked on top or lounging on the stairs.

back when we only had enough money to do a basic weekly shop and baked beans were the go- to tea, I decided I really needed some tan loafers in my life. proper leather ones like a professional girl would have. from a good label that people who didn't need to worry about going over their mobile minutes shopped at. shoes like my friend Laura (my cleverest friend with a great job and Kate Middleton hair) would buy.

i kept my eyes peeled, trying on numerous pairs in Kurt Geiger, Nine West, Dune...but unfortunately £85+ was always out of reach for this girl and the credit card was already maxed. the other issue was that when I did find myself a little richer (thank you Nanna & Auntie Elsie) the shoes I found weren't just right. too fussy, too plain, not the right shade, too tough.

fast forward 6 tan loafer free years and I finally have them. perusing the size 6 sale rack in Debenhams with my mum a couple of weeks ago I spotted these perfectly simple, perfectly tan, perfectly soft shoes. i tried them, i loved them, i bought them. Nine West (my younger self would be so proud) and they were only £29 from £98. even my 20 something self could have afforded them. as long as i hadn't paid my phone bill.

arty projects for outdoorsy little boys...

this weekend has been a stereotypical family two days at home. we've run errands, endured our swimming lesson (I swear he just has a thing about that pool cos he's fine in all other pools), done the food shop, visited the park, walked the dog and pottered in the yard.

i set myself a task this weekend of completing a card to mark a friend's engagement. in theory this is easy to do in 4 days, particularly if Did is around for 1 1/2 days of it. in reality I've not got too far yet. it seems that whenever I sit down to write, on a laptop or my iPad, I'm the best form of climbing frame. if I dare to sit at the kitchen table to read, write or attempt to do anything remotely creative then after 10 minutes Seb's hanging off the baby gate screeching. so it got me to thinking about friends and acquaintances who discuss happily indulging in a hobby whilst their toddler plays at their feet (I once tried to put some photographs into some new frames while Seb 'played'at my feet, climbed up my legs, sat on half the photographs and picked up one of the frames and threw it in the fire place.) and I've pretty much decided that ain't going to happen for me but what about trying to get him interested in being creative with me?

it's been the general school of thought that Seb has the attention span of a knat and previous attempts to put crayons and paper in front of him are usually poo pooed after 2 minutes. so does anyone have suggestions on what to do with a live wire 19 month old who likes to throw and screech?