• Letting Mr.LA lie in.
• Snuggling on the sofa with the children.
• Watching ‘Up’ and sipping tea.
• Taking a long shower and doing some last minute packing for a night away.
• Accepting a plethora of parcels filled with Halloween goodies. I decided to plan a party for the children at the last minute, so cute decorations and costumes were essential.
• Kissing the children goodbye and heading to the station to catch a train to Woking.
• Feeling the wintry chill in the air.
• Finishing A Little Princess and starting Brighton Rock. I do love a two book train journey.
• Painting my nails in Chanel ‘Suspicious’. The usual shocking formula, but such a pretty shade.
• Being met by my literary partner in crime, Emma Woodhouse.
• Driving to Ripley, Surrey. I was visiting the fabulous Miss Bush Bridal on official Love My Dress business. A whole weekend of wedding pretty, including a first look at the new Jenny Packham 2013 collection. Heaven!
• Checking into The Talbot.
• Drinking a cup of tea and catching up.
• Developing a permanent hunch. The hotel’s ceilings were so low I barely stood up straight all weekend.
• Wandering downstairs to take a peek at preparations for the show.
• Stumbling across Steph and Gayle and an abundance of beautiful blooms.
• Watching the girls at work and marvelling at the skill and artistry involved. I think flowers may be my favourite part of a wedding after the frock.
• Getting cosy in the pub.
• Drinking red wine and eating crisps.
• Enjoying the company of Carolanne, Elbie and their respective partners.
• Dashing across the road arm-in-arm with Emma to watch the fireworks.
• ‘Ooohing’ and ‘aaahing’ at the appropriate points.
• Being treated to curry for dinner.
• Passionately {read: drunkenly} defending the humble jam-jar-come-wedding-centrepiece.
• Heading back to the pub for one more drink.
• Wisely switching to diet coke. I know my limits.
• Changing into my PJs and collapsing into bed.
• Talking and giggling with Emma into the wee hours.
• Feeling all warm and fuzzy about good friendship.
• Waking up slowly.
• Taking a bath and getting dressed.
• Eating a rather mediocre hotel breakfast.
• Marvelling at the transformation underway in the Miss Bush showcase space.
• Drooling over the divine naked cake crafted by Cakes by Sugar.
• Secretly wishing I had cause to commission a sweet buffet. I adore what Creative Candi does.
• Snacking on vanilla fudge.
• Watching the talented Juliet Mckee at work.
• Being mesmerised by the gowns in the fashion show. The Miss Bush team, and Emma Meek in particular, never fail to impress me with their style and vision. Keep an eye out for my full write up on Love My Dress shortly.
• Catching up with Jayne and her almost-husband Brian. Cannot wait to hear all about their December nuptials!
• Hunting for some lunch. In the end we settled for {more} crisps and coca cola.
• Saying my goodbyes and heading back to the station for my train home.
• Sleeping almost all the way to Exeter.
• Giving my husband ‘the fear’ when I arrived home early. I was greeted with a look of sheer panic as he realised he hadn’t had a chance to tidy the house ahead of my return.
• Forgiving him.
• Hugging the children. It’s always nice to have a little break, but I don’t half miss them whenever I’m away.
• Demolishing a pile of toasted bagels smothered in butter.
• Chatting to Mr.LA in bed before drifting off to sleep.

Love Audrey