Tuesday 18 December 2012


A Ribbon & Roses Wedding

 

I first came across Ribbon & Roses on facebook when I was in England.  Lots of friends had "Liked" the site and I was interested to find out what the buzz was about.  The website was completely different from any other online shop – pretty, whimsical and enchanting.  There were lots and lots of beautiful things that I would have loved for myself or to give to friends, none of which I'd seen on the high street or elsewhere online, and all were really well priced. 

 

I was particularly drawn to a beautiful long blue silk dress.  I flicked between the thumbnails (front long view, front top view, long back view) again and again. I loved it from every angle, but I didn't have an occasion to wear it... 

 

When work posted me to Singapore for 6 months I met up with a friend who was also living there.  She was wearing a gorgeous white cotton embroidered top – I had enormous outfit envy.  She told me it was made by “an awfully clever friend of a friend who had set up her own company and was designing beautiful clothes from Singapore” and we both marveled at the genius of the venture.  "Ribbon & Roses, if you've heard of it?"   I went back the website and continued to ogle at the beautiful silk dress. 

 My boyfriend, Mark, joined me for Christmas in Singapore and Santa brought a wedding proposal.  We were flying high with excitement (at iFly Singapore)! 

 

 
 Occasion or no occasion, I was in the mood for celebrating and I FINALLY hit the "checkout" button. 

The dress arrived the very next day to work, wrapped in tissue paper and accompanied by a gorgeous Ribbon & Roses embroidered bag full of lavender (still hanging in my wardrobe).  

 

I dashed to the bathroom to try it on.  The material (100% silk) was stunning, incredibly smooth and had a velvety finish. The dress was very flattering at the waist, beautifully light and easy to wear.  The skirt drop was long and generously cut, so the dress had a fabulous swing to it.  The colour was a dusty navy blue.  I instantly adored it and couldn't wait to try it on properly at home.  When I got home I realised its full potential – as a bridesmaid dress.   

 At that point in time I hadn't really settled on a theme or colour for the wedding – I like things to be natural and rustic, loose rather than structured and my preferred colours are fruits of the forest (blueberry, raspberry, lavender etc.) and Mark is also a fan of navy blue.  Buying the dresses off the shelf meant that there was one less decision to make and, given that the dress was not one of thousands produced for the high street, I was confident that it would look bespoke. 

 My bridesmaids were: my sister Caroline, my school friend Jenny, Mark's sister Nicki and my “godsister” Holly.  They all loved the dress and looked absolutely stunning on the day.  The navy blue was the perfect backdrop and made the bouquets stand out even more brightly in the sunshine.


 [By Twisted Willow incorporating flowers from our garden]

 

Mark gave each bridesmaid a present on the morning of the wedding, a white pearl coupled with a gold antique charm – each charm was different and personal to the bridesmaid. Nicola, who is a Squadron Leader in the RAF was given a tiny gold whistle, to keep us in line, and, as Holly’s father was our chauffeur, Mark gave her a gold car.  Choice was a little limited so Mark gave my sister a little gold cow (slightly tenuous but she does take a keen interest in Dad’s cattle!).  Thankfully she didn’t take offence and loved the quirkiness of the present! 

 


[Jeweller: Howards, Stratford upon Avon]


Dad’s tractor was the carriage for the bridesmaids and, to our surprise as we left the Church, emblazoned on the front hay bale was a large sign “Four Pippa Middletons") – intending to outdo Pippa Middleton in the shapely bottom stakes!  You can judge our success for yourselves:

 

 
 

 
 
Pippa vs. Caroline!
 



 
…so the wedding is over but the memories are vivid.  A truly amazing day and Mark and I are still sharing and reliving moments from it.   

I regularly return to the Ribbon & Roses website and sometimes I have the good fortune to find an excuse to hit the checkout button! 

[White Collar Boxing Singapore 2012]


 

Keep up the good work girls!  Gorgeous clothes 

Lots of love

Joanna xx
 
My 3 favourite things:

 

1.     Sweets (nature's pick me up)

2.     Laughing (the type that shakes your belly)

3.     Poirot (David Suchet all the way!)

 

 

 

 



 

Thursday 6 December 2012

Yes please Mummy!


Guest Blogger Princess and the Pram have sent us their Christmas pressie ideas...

With Christmas nearing it can be difficult to find that perfect present but here are just a few of my favourites to spoil your little ones this winter.

 1. Personalised Cashmere Jumper

Design your own child's cashmere jumper.  You get to choose the main colour, trim colour and then select your preferred motif.  We like the biscuit with dinosaur below.

Jumper, from £64 by Olivier Baby and Kids

Takes 3-4 weeks for delivery

All 100% Cashmere

Sizes 1-10 yrs

 

2. Handpainted and personalised mirror 

Perfect for any nursery, Georgie's mirrors can be personalised with a date or your child's name and come in a beautifully distressed frame hung with rustic rope or pretty ribbon.

Mirror, £55 by Georgie SK Designs

Plus £6.99 postage


 

3. Ride On Retro Racing Car

I love the pillar box red of this racing car.  With its metal scratch resistant body, working steering column and rubber tyres little ones will be whizzing around in no time.

£78.99 plus postage from Little Delivery


 

4. Rabbit Felt Slippers

Your tot's toesies will be mighty cosy in these beauties by Sonia Spencer.  There are a variety of animals to choose from and each pair comes in a little organic cotton pounch.  We like the rabbits for girls and the foxes for the boys.

Slippers, £19.95 by Sonia Spencer England

Available in 3 sizes - Age 0-1, 1-2, 2-3


 

5. Cowboy Wigwam 

Play Cowboys and Indians this Christmas with one of these fab wigwams.  Appliquéd and embroidered with mountains, cacti and a horse drawn wagon, this Wigwam might be a generous present but a long lasting purchase perfect to pass down for generations.

Wigwam, £220 by Win Green


Lots of love
Alex
Writer from Princess and the Pram Blogs.

3 Best Things:

Collecting conkers with my 2 year old

Rare lie-ins

My husband's sense of humour
 
To read more from Princess and the Pram: http://www.princessandthepram.co.uk/