Wednesday, August 14, 2013

The Big Three-Oh-Yeah!

Last week was my birthday!  If you follow my Facebook page, you may have seen a couple of posts in the lead-up, in which I dubbed it the big 'Three-Oh-No'.  I will admit that I was very reluctant to let go of my twenties (read: clinging on for dear life), but after lots of celebration and fun, I have now renamed it the big 'Three-Oh-Yeah'!


Loverboy knew that turning thirty was a pretty big deal to me, and he most definitely pulled out the big guns this year, treating me like a princess all day.  We both had the day off work, and my morning started with opening cards and presents from family, which included a gorgeous bakelite bangle from my sweetheart - definitely a great start to the day!

Beautiful bakelite from my sweetie and card from my sister!

We then headed out for my first surprise, before which, I was under strict instruction not to moisturize or wear any make-up.  All became clear when we arrived at a spa for a pampering session!  We were greeted with mint tea, before being taken to a steam room for a Moroccan Hammam treatment.  During this time we had ice water thrown on us, then we were scrubbed down with a black olive mask, followed by a clove mud mask.  It felt amazing, and by the time we came out of the steam room we felt completely relaxed.

Make-up free and on our way to the spa! 

We were then shown to a lounging area, covered in cushions and drapes, and given fruit salad and more mint tea, before being taken for a full body massage and facial.  Our total treatment was supposed to last 2.5 hours, however, we were so relaxed that we had no concept of time....so 4 hours later, when I asked what time it was, we realised that we had missed our dinner reservation (cue much pouting from me, when the hubs told me where he had booked!) but Aaron has since rescheduled for later this month, so the celebrations continue!  Hooray!


That night we got dolled up and headed to my next surprise: Dirty Dancing the musical!  Given that this is my favourite movie, I was very skeptical about how it would compare with the film...however, I was most pleasantly surprised!  The show was great, the dancers were fabulous and the sets were super cool.  Of course, the lead actor was no Patrick Swayze, but who cares when the Brown Swayze was my date?

I should have suspected that we were going to DD when loverboy gave me a card with a lady carrying watermelons that morning...

On the weekend, we threw a birthday picnic with friends in Regent's Park, which was a super fun day and lasted 'til it was dark - we pretty much shut that park down!


I am so lucky to be surrounded by so many awesome, kind, lovely, wonderful people, who helped make it the best celebration I could have hoped for!


There was soooooooooooo much food, drink, and CAKE!

Jim with some of the cupcakes he made - do you remember the cake he made me last year?

My mum made a scrumptious plum and almond tart, my friend Jim made me a selection of beautiful cupcakes (cherry, raspberry and lemon) and Miss Turnstiles made chocolate cupcakes that had photos of me on them!!!!  They were all totally amazing and deeeeeeeeeeeeeelish!


There was also music and dancing (of course) and decorations, also kindly brought by Jim!  We definitely had a real party going on in that park, and I'm pretty sure that all the passers-by wanted to join in!


I also received lots of lovely presents and cards and felt totally spoilt!


I feel very fortunate to have such great friends and such an amazing husband, who really helped me kick off my dirty thirty with a bang! 


Here's to fabulous family, friends, fun and flirty thirties!

Monday, August 5, 2013

Pip Jolley Jewellery presents: Patricia

The hubs and I were invited to attend a private film screening presented by Pip Jolley Jewellery last week.  If you are familiar with her work, you will know that Pip creates, among other designs, the most awesome range of gold hair-roller inspired pieces.  So fittingly, when the invitation arrived in the post, it contained... gold hair rollers!


The dress code was cocktail attire, so you can imagine that when we arrived the room was filled with very glamorous, vintage-clad ladies and gentlemen.


I wore a vintage dress that my sweetheart bought for me last year (which I had not yet had the opportunity to wear) and it was the perfect choice for a hot, balmy summer evening.


Loverboy looked very sharp in his 50s fleck jacket, braces and super cool spiderweb tie...


As it happens, there were a lot of lovely bloggers at the party - some of whom I am friends with, and others who I felt like I already knew, but hadn't actually met in real life before!

With the lady of the hour, Pip Jolley!

The short film, Patricia was beautifully styled and dramatic.  It showcased Pip's jewellery - which is edgy and unique - perfectly.  Directed by Liam Gray, the film is dark and chillingly atmospheric, with great attention to stylistic detail.  Overall it is gritty and a real treat for the senses.

One of my personal favourites from the Rollerette collection...

Congratulations to Pip Jolley, who is not only a talented artist and jeweller, but also a real sweetie.


To watch Patricia head on over to pipjolley.com where you can now check out the film yourselves.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Vintage Life Magazine: Wedding Feature

Have you taken a look at the latest issue of Vintage Life Magazine?  If so, then you may have noticed some familiar faces...


Loverboy and I can be seen in a three-page vintage wedding feature about...you guessed it: our wedding!

It is so wonderful for us to see our big day in print, and the magazine is a lovely memento for us to keep and look back on in years to come.


Even though our wedding was already a year and a half ago, my sweetheart said that reading the article made him relive the day and I would have to agree - it put a big smile on both of our faces!

This is actually the second time that we have appeared on the pages of Vintage Life, the first time being in a post about Viva Las Vegas 15, which you may remember if you have been reading this blog for a while...


Many thanks to Natasha at Pretty Me Vintage for submitting our wedding to the magazine.


Look out for Issue 33 if you want to grab a copy!