- Waking up in my Mum’s flat in London. Mr. LA and I travelled up alone on Friday evening. That is to say, we had a child-free weekend in the big smoke!
- Sipping tea and chatting to the Mr while we both got ready.
- Braving 4 inch heels for a day of walking all over London. I didn’t loose my senses completely, a trusted pair of flats nestled safely in my handbag in case of emergency.
- Heading to Sloane Square and the wonder that is VV Rouleaux. This shop is incredible and filled to the rafters with every sort of ribbon and trim imaginable. There was satin ribbon, velvet ribbon, wired ribbon and grosgrain ribbon in each colour of the rainbow, and all the others in between. There was striped ribbon, tartan ribbon, gingham ribbon and polka dots. There were feathers and bows, and tassels and cord too. I came away with a bag full of everything I needed for the wedding {and maybe even a little more beside!}
- Taking the tube to Oxford Circus and rushing into Topshop just in time for my midday appointment at Hershesons blowdry bar. I selected the ‘Bardot’ from the hair menu and sat patiently while the stylist backcombed my hair to within an inch of its life.
- Wondering why no one but me can get my fringe to sit right. I really must remember to tell everyone else, however qualified they may appear, to step away.
- Munching on delicious dim sum at Ping Pong.
- Strolling down Carnaby Street.
- Loving the Christmas displays on the fourth floor at Liberty {my favourite London department store}. It was as if the multitude of twinkling fairy lights that were draped from the ceiling throughout sent me into a drunken yuletide stupor. So much prettiness! I wanted to buy it all.
- Making our way to South Bank.
- Suffering from a touch of shoe-induced grumpiness.
- Meeting Eliza Claire for our pre-wedding photo shoot {a sneak peek of which can be seen here}. I felt terribly nervous as we made our way there, but as soon as we found Eliza and she took the first photo my worries seemed to disappear. We walked along the Thames and took in some of my most beloved London sights while Eliza snapped away. The whole experience was a pleasure and left me feeling even more excited about our wedding photos.
- Sipping wine and chatting about anything and everything with Eliza once the last bit of light had faded. Feel sure we made a new friend.
- Jumping as the fireworks for the Lord Mayor’s show exploded overhead.
- Setting Eliza free {after a cheeky second round of drinks} and taking a stroll across the river and along Charring Cross Road.
- Stopping for dinner at LEON. I just adore their sweet potato falafal! I think Mr. LA had hoped to take me somewhere a little more upmarket for dinner, but you know what I’m like about brown rice and veg… heaven!
- Finally tumbling into bed.
- Cursing my body clock and it’s inability to let me sleep past 7am.
- Enjoying a Starbucks hot chocolate before catching the train to Langley for a visit to our wedding venue, Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios.
- Loving my new dragonfly necklace from Accessorize.
- Talking through our plans with the venue’s wedding coordinator, Alison. It felt like there was an awful lot to cover, but it really made me feel like the day is starting to come together.
- Strolling round the grounds with Mr. LA.
- Feeling electric with anticipation.
- Taking the train back to Paddington.
- Grabbing a quick pub lunch.
- Travelling back to Exeter.
- Loving Reese’s Pieces. Peanut butter + chocolate = heaven.
- Finishing ‘The Lovely Bones’ by Alice Sebold. A great read, incredibly chilling.
- Hugging the children.
- Knowing that I have the best Mother in the world when I realised she had left a cottage pie cooking in the oven for our supper.
- Reading James and the Giant Peach to two very sleep children.
- Feeling far too exhausted from our wonderful weekend to blog about it on Sunday evening!
- Falling asleep in Mr. LA’s arms. Best place to be.
Loveaudrey xxx
Awww! I’m feeling all emotional and warm inside.
Elizas photos of you two are magical, your hair is absolutely beautiful. I love the pic of you on the bridge looking oblivious to the crowds of people *Sigh* You make such a gorgeous couple:)
Reese’s pieces *sigh* 😀 xx
Sounds like the perfect weekend. I’ve just popped over to Eliza’s blog and the pictures look amazing, especially that last one. Really really beautiful.
Btw LOVING the Bardot on you 🙂 xx
That last photo from your pre-wedding photo shoot is simply perfect, like a still from a movie! It’s great to read that you had such a fun weekend 🙂
a) I love PingPong
b) Like I said on twitter your pre wedding pocs are brilliant!
c) Liberties is awesome and I’ve not been yet this winter!
d) If you liked the Lovely Bones, try reading ‘The Room’ it’s also disturbing, but very very thought provoking.
That is all!
Crikey, just soooo much to comment on, its making my head dizzy! Firstly, those pictures are absolutely stunning, but then you’re a lovely person so that always helps. You can see that they were taking with affection rather than it being a sterile generic photographer. Eliza did you proud, I reckon!
Also, I’ve been to Hershesons myself too, ages ago! I’m usually quite picky about my hair, and having it done in the middle of a busy Topshop very nerveracking. But your hair looks amazing!
The ribbon pictures from VV Rouleaux are to die for! I’ve a thing for ribbon for ages, but I think that this might mean I’ve got to go on a pilgramage to London….also I’ve never been to Liberty’s which seems very remiss of me, so I might try and come up with a reason to head to our fair capital!
Finally, love the necklace! I’ve a thing for dragonflies and butterflies, jewellery wise, and thats another slice of the usual Accessorize loveliness!
Basically, did I convey how much I love this post because its totally clear how lovely a time you had and that you being all happy makes me smile? Yes? Ok, think we’re done then ;p
The photos from the shoot are absolutely stunning, loved your updo (and your lashes look so long and fluttery!) and the shoes 🙂 Lovely Bones is a great read, although I weeped like a mad woman reading it. x
Oh my, you are a beautiful couple, those pre wedding photo’s are stunning and the last one….. breathtaking!
Sounds like you had a busy but fun weekend and everything is coming together.
What a lovely blog post.
E x
you look absolutely amazing, the engagement photos are just so beautiful..exactly what any couple would want i think! sounds like a perfect weekend 🙂
the post on your dad’s death I have just read and it is such a poignant look at grief. Really heartbreaking
xx
all that food looks so good! i’ve never had dim sum but it looks lovely.
Ha we probably totally walked past each other on Saturday!! Missa and I were watching the fireworks by Embankment and slowly wandered over to the South Bank back to our hotel afterwards!
SOunds like a lovely weekend… I should go and write up mine really!
Eeee. How exciting! Sounds like it was wonderful.