The big day approaches

I am fairly sure, nay certain, that you all watched the return to Downton Abbey on Sunday night.  It came as no surprise that Matthew and Mary got married and hope you all had a tear in your eye as they finally said 'I do'. 

 

As I watched the scenes unfold of the whole village getting ready for the celebrations I felt familiarity as we have Cousin LL's wedding approaching fast.  Mrs Patmore and Carson had been frantic getting everything ready for the big day, and we hope we can give our happy couple a similar sort of send off.

 

Matthew and Mary Crawley

 

 

We haven't baked any pies or shone the silver, but here is a sample of the sort of prep I've been partaking in as Maid of Honour:

 

A conversation with Mr Rose occurred last night.  I enquired as to which suit, shirt and tie combination he was going to wear to the wedding.  He glanced up briefly from The Economist, cocked an eyebrow at me and asked how on earth he would know as normally he decides on the very morning of the event.  I knew this was a lie as I have to watch him lay out the next day's pants and socks before bed, so I made a quip about that and insisted he give the matter some thought. 

 

With a sigh, he said:  "Well which suit do you think I should wear?".   I replied:  "The navy Massimo Dutti one".    A pause followed.  "Which tie do you think I should wear?".  I replied:  "I was thinking your red Aspinal one".  A further pause.  "And which shirt should I wear?"  I replied quickly "I was thinking light blue.  Definitely not white as you look enough like David Milliband as it is.  But obviously it's up to you".  

 

"So.." Mr Rose replied, "I think I'll go for my navy suit, red tie and light blue shirt.  I'm so glad I made that decision."  And with that, he went back to reading about Syria. 

 

The next day I quickly emailed Annie and Izzy, to make sure their Beau's weren't wearing anything that would clash – think of the photos!

 

I've scheduled sun bed appointment, Shellac appointment, had my hair highlighted to within an inch of its life, barely touched a carb in 3 weeks and already done 3 make up trials.  And I'm just the bridesmaid!!   Lord knows what Cousin LL has been up to. 

 

She isn't the sort of girl to pretend to her fiancé she is going for a jog and then pop to the Tanning Salon.  Oh no.  Not her. 

 

We've been through all of the photograph running order to make sure we don't miss anything out.  My suggestions for various rude things were rebuffed.  Personally I can't see what is wrong with the idea of having all of the 7 bridesmaids doing shots. 

 

We've discussed the delicate nature of the table plan – she has managed to find the one person she knows who is interested in politics to put next to Mr Rose. 

 

I have trawled the John Lewis beauty hall for the perfect coral lipstick shade for Aunty Mame. 

 

My mum, Uncle R and Aunty Mame spent 3 hours tying ribbons on the orders of service. 

 

I've been for 4 dress fittings with a seamstress that appears to be a dab hand with the needle but has an aura of 'been at the cooking sherry'. 

 

We've all enjoyed it so much, weddings are lovely things because they bring everyone together – not just on the day but in all of the lead up and preparation. 

 

I can't bloody wait for it all to happen now!

 

Rose

x

 

A beauty tip or two

Yesterday I got this email from Cousin LL. 

"My mini blog…. Rose, you can reuse this content without copyright infringements!

So this Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Lip Duo is the best product I have found in ages.  It is amazing… yesterday I put it on at 11am and it was still there at 6pm… after coffee, lunch, and a full day of normal stuff.  The coloured end is the lip stain… its incredible.  You put it on and wait 5 mins… and then you can put the gloss on over the top but I hate having sticky lips so I either leave just the stain but that can be a little dry, so I put on nude lipstick over the top for moisture.
It lasts for ages….
My best beauty find in ages"

Well I trust Cousin LL's beauty recommendations so thought I'd pass it onto you guys, even though I have not yet tried it myself - my spare cash is a bit more focused on scatter cushions at the mo...

Let me know if you like it.  She says the colour she loves is number 22, exquisite pink.

Then Annie piped up and replied to the email stating her undying passion for their concealer.

"I adore Estee Lauder double wear concealer – it has a similar effect. Once it goes on, it doesn't come off right until bed time when you wipe it off.  Really good colour match and sits well under eyes without clumping. "


Rose x

Practically Perfect

So guess what?!

It's been a year since I first started this blog!

 

I've loved writing it. Hope you've enjoyed reading it. According to the stats it's now been read by just under 15,000 people. Who you all are is a mystery but I hope you stick around.

 

This is my nail varnish du jour - Practically Perfect by No7 available from Boots. It's a great natural colour that gives my nails that glossy healthy look which isn't easy to always get right. It's not too pink, too peachy or too white. It is practically perfect.

 

Rose xx

 

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The Olympics of my life

The Olympics of my life.

A bit like knowing where you were when 9/11 happened I always think that the Olympics provide a snapshot in the memory of where one was.

Here are mine:

In 1992 I passed the entrance exam to my rather academic senior school.  My parents were so gobsmacked / delighted I was given an Atlanta 1996 sweatshirt as reward and wore it with pride for years and years.

2000 was Sydney.  It made me like the look of Australia so much I decided to go travelling there after uni

2004 was Athens. I'd been living in London a year and next door to Cousin LL.  Her bday is in August and I threw her a surprise Olympics themed birthday party complete with golden laurels, hummus and cardboard javelins to throw around.  I'll never forget the look on her face when we all jumped out and surprised her.

2008 was Beijing.  I was living with my dear friend Scarlett in Camden.  We went from having no interest in sport to being Olympics obsessed for 2 weeks.  We stocked up on Pinot Grigio and cheerios (COS THEY LOOK LIKE OLYMPIC RINGS!!!) and barely left the flat for 2 weeks.  Our preferred sport was the synchronised diving – two divers called Ping and Pong were our favourites.

2012 is London.  And aren't we doing well?  On the day the London 2012 Olympics opened we got the keys to our new house.  We sometimes refer to it as the Olympic House.  After 3 years of talking about it, saving up, planning and dreaming we are finally there.  And we couldn't be happier.  An Olympics I shall never, ever forget. 

Rose xx

Eastend Snob

This little lip liner might not look like much, but it is a super, natural colour.  My friend Natalie wore it last night and I accosted her for the name - expecting her to say it was something expensive.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear it was Rimmel!  I hot footed it to Superdrug at lunchtime and grabbed one. 

It goes with any lip colour.  Rose's top tip - put it on all over your lips then put lipstick or gloss on top - you'll be amazed how much longer the colour stays on..

(Apols I can't seem to add a photo - COMPUTER SAYS NO grrrrrr)


Rose xx

All that glitters is golden

So this time of year I'm normally looking my best.  I have colouring which suits sunshine, I've always tanned well and my hair goes naturally blonde in the sun.  I'm sorry if that sounds a bit smug but its true.  If its any consolation I still have a bottom the size of China, and by January I've gone a sort of yellowy grey colour from lack of sunlight.

As you may have noticed if you live in the UK, we are suffering the worst summer in YONKS.  It feels like it has rained every day since March and there is no sign of the jet stream moving.

I saw Aunty Mame last night for a terrific night at the Proms.  I said that I'd heard that the jet stream was due to move next week and she replied that "its just a rumour the BBC are putting out to stop everyone committing suicide.  Its not true."   :-(

No only is the lack of sun making me miserable it is making my beauty regime more extensive.  By now I normally have a tan, naturally blonde hair and my skin looks so good from Vitamin D then I don't have to wear foundation. 

However, this year my summer is proving to be a bit more reliant on beauty products so here are a few of my faves. 

First up is St Tropez Gradual Tan, available in light to medium or medium to dark.  This is essentially posh 'Johnson's Holiday Skin' - everyone remembers that right?   I love it because it moisturises your skin, doesn't smell so you can pop it on in the morning when you get out the wrong side of bed, and it doesn't streak. 

Top tip - there is a body one and a face one.  This is St Tropez trying to fleece you - just buy the body one and use it on your face. 

I use it about every 5 days to keep myself from looking like this: 

And a bit more like this (in colouring terms only!!!!):

Secondly I'm having to get my hair dyed more frequently, lest my natural mousey brown shine through.  I'm also trying to grow it for Cousin LL's upcoming wedding which means I can't keep chopping the ends off.  Both of these things mean it isn't in great condition and getting a brush through it is getting harder. 

My lovely hairdresser recommended this stuff and I AM HOOKED.  It is a divine oil which doesn't make your hair greasy it just makes it lovely.  Shiny, soft and in better condition.

You can use it as a mask, put it on before blow drying or put it on when hair is dry to style it.
Its available here for currently 25% off so get in quick as it isn't cheap. 

Rose
xx

The perfect gold earrings

So back in January when Alexa and I chose a lovely coral dress for me to be her bridesmaid in I made a mental note to myself that by the time the day of the wedding arrived I needed to

A)  lose 5 stone
B)  get a lovely golden tan
C)  grow my hair longer
D)  go blonder
E)  get some perfect gold earrings to go with the outfit. 

I failed on A). 

B), C) and D) were easy - thanks to St Tropez Gradual Tan - the best fake tan on the market in my opinion and a good hairdresser. 

E) was tricky. 

I have been scouring the country for the perfect pair.  I looked in every accessory shop I could think of but what I really wanted was something relaxed but also a statement.  They needed to shine and stand out from my hair and skin, which is all rather golden in colour.  They needed to be glitzy but not tacky.  Obvious but subtle.  Chunky but classy.  You see what I mean?   DIFFICULT.   There was even a conference call with H, the other bridesmaid who lives in Exotic Scotland about what on earth we were going to wear in our ears.  I eventually found a couple of pairs that would have just about done, and had agreed to borrow a lovely pair from my friend Natalie if I couldn't find anything.

On arrival in Ibiza I bored Alexa senseless with a long discussion of the different earring options.  She patiently listened and suggested I bring them all to her room on the morning of the wedding and we take a look together.
 
We had such a lovely time on the morning of the wedding.  Alexa was as relaxed and happy as a bride could be.  We had a lovely breakfast in the sunshine on the terrace, got our hair done and pottered about drinking champagne and making ourselves look lovely.  It really was a day I'll never forget.  A highlight was when the other bridesmaid, H, and I realised that we both had bought the same identical pair of giant, seamless, beige pants from M&S.  Classy. 

In a quiet moment Alexa gave us both a box containing the most perfect gold earrings I've ever seen.  That girl has exquisite taste.  I can't think of a more perfect pair.  I needn't have worried because like everything else, Alexa had my earlobes under control. 


Rose
xx

Our first holiday in a year

Not long after the Lehman Bros collapse when the City was full of doom and gloom I got made redundant from a job I adored.  It was all a bit shit, but one of the lovely things that came out of it was that my good friends from my job and I all became really close. 

3 out of the 4 of us were cut loose and the shared experience turned us from very pally colleagues to proper friends.  We named ourselves jokingly the Circle of Trust - and in that gloomy time at work when under notice of redunancy, we regularly found a quiet corner and had a good natter about what was going on - all under the understanding that what we said to the Circle of Trust was to go no further. 

Fast forward 5 years and they are some of my closest friends.  Alexa, Natalie and Nessa are 3 people I'm always delighted to see no matter how exhausted I am - they always cheer me up, make me laugh, give me style advice, realtionship advice, etc etc.  We all come from completely different parts of the country (The North, Wales, Essex and Warwickshire), have different backgrounds but we get on like a house on fire.   We still call ourselves the Circle of Trust (or COT) and meet up as much as we can.  Sometimes we do COT+HABS (husbands and boyfriends) to shake it up a bit.  I adore these girls. 

Next week Alexa will marry Ackrington in Ibiza and I'm delighted to be one of their bridesmaids!  So this means COT Goes on Holiday. 

So tomorrow Mr Rose and I jet off to Ibiza.  This will be the first holiday we have had in a year and my goodness we feel like we need it!  The past few months of ridiculous work schedules, house buying, living with The In Law etc etc have all taken its toll. 

I've only just got back from 2 weeks travelling with work so the suitcase hasn't even been put away. 

Last night I lured Mr Rose into the bathroom, shoved him in the bath and before he knew what was happening I got the Ladyshave out and reduced his hairy back considerably.  He thinks being hairy makes him magnificent but I explained we are going to Ibiza not Kazakstahn and it simply wouldn't do. 

I am really looking forward to spending time with my slightly less hairy boy, my COT girls, a bloody good book and copious amounts of sunshine. 

Rose
xx

An Unusual Sunday

So I'm having an unusual couple of weeks. Last week I was in Brussels organising a 3 day conference, dinners etc and as I type this I find myself in sunny Singapore where I've come to arrange the opening conference and party for my firm's new Singaporean office.

 

Sunday was an odd day. I leapt off the Eurostar in London and into the arms of Mr Rose who'd come to meet me and escort me to Heathrow ready for my flight to The East. Normally after a big 3 day conference I collapse in a heap and hide from the world for 24 hours, but this time I had to pack myself off ready to do it all over again.

 

We decided to go to The Gilbert Scott for lunch in the new swanky hotel in St Pancras. It suited us both - it has a reasonably priced lunch deal which cheered Mr Rose and I was happy because roast chicken was on the menu.

After a very pleasant lunch we hot footed it to Heathrow. As he waved me off through the barriers I felt a little lump in my throat as we are not often parted and I felt rather overwhelmed at travelling halfway across the world to do a nerve-racking important event.

 

I soon cheered up when I saw Duty Free had the Tom Ford eye shadow I've been after for ages - I am a shallow beast.

 

So the flight was quite an experience. The firm I work for sent me business class which I've only travelled once on before. The cabin was gorgeous - my seat was big enough for 3 people. I was surrounded by very serious looking Singaporean businessmen who no doubt travel that way every week.

 

I sat meekly down and tried to look cool, calm and collected.

 

That lasted for about 30 seconds, such was my excitement. So I did what anyone would do, I texted Mr Rose photos of the menu, ordered a glass of champagne and a Singapore Sling at the same time, grinned like a Cheshire cat at the hostesses, ate an enormous and delish dinner, watched 3 episodes of Glee and then passed out for a mammoth 8 hour sleep - those flat beds are miraculous.

 

On arrival in Singapore I did a bit of work, had a quick swim then went to bed. At 4am I glanced at my phone to check the time and was greeted by the wonderful news that Izzy has got her first proper job starting just a few weeks after her finals finish in June. Am so thrilled for her.

Quite a day!

 

Rose

x

The Ginger Jubilee

So last weekend was eventful.  The entire clan schlepped to Somerset for a weekend of celebration for it was The Twins' (my mum and aunt) Jubilee.  They both are 'vibrant' redheads, so it became known as The Ginger Jubilee.

Other than booking the house and barking driving directions - the Twins had no involvement with the organisation of the weekend.  At the Super X Club Meeting we divvied up the jobs and made sure all were involved

Cousin LL - ordering the Ocado shop and general organising us all military stylee
Rose - Gala dinner catering, placecards, branding and theme
Cousin TL - All booze for the weekend and running a wine tasting competition
Annie and Izzy - Invites, fireworks, balloons, decorations

Mr Rose and I arrived after a bafflingly busy and stressful day which included actually completing on our flat, a 2 hour row with British Gas, seeing 2 houses and getting lost in Central Bristol on the journey for about 40 mins.  However, our spirits were raised as we arrived at the massive farmhouse in the middle of nowhere to find my entire family gently pissed and in the hottub ready to whoop at us. 

The lovely house decked in lime green balloons

Saturday was magical - we wanted the whole day to be full or surprises for the twins so we kept everything secret.  We woke up to glorious weather and went on what can only be described as a Mega Walk.  Just as we thought we would not survive, Mr Cousin LL cemented his position as Golden Boyfriend (after all, he has put a ring on it) and spotted an ice cream van and treated us all to a Mr Whippy. 

After a large lunch, a bit more hot tubbing, glasses of cider and afternoon naps, we kicked off the evening with a wine tasting, arranged by Cousin TL.   We all love a bit of competition in our family plus a bit of booze so this was a winning combination. 

Then Somerset's finest caterers provided us with a lovely dinner of goats cheese tart, duck confit and Dolphin Nose potatoes with lemon tart.  After the starter, Cousin TL asked us to go outside for the Wine Tasting Prize Giving but this was merely a clever ruse and we had a surprise fireworks display that took the Twins totally unawares and delighted us all - big thanks to Mr Annie for organising.  As Auntie Mame gripped my hand as we stood and watched, quite overcome by it all, I felt a tear trickle down my carefully made up face - fireworks always make me emotional. 

The table all dressed for dinner in our lime green theme

Once back inside I rehearsed, for the 80th time, my speech which I had been planning for weeks.  But just after main course was served, my dad noticed that the spot on which the fireworks had been lit was on fire - so we all ran out into the field in our finery, screaming and shouting, clutching bottles of Evian with calls of RING THE FIRE BRIGADE.  We soon realised the fire was totally minor and after chucking some water on it, all trekked back inside to finish our duck. 

After pudding of lemon tart and raspberry meringue was served, I cleared my throat and was just about to tap my glass with my fork and begin 'Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking, I would like to make a little speech….'

Would you adam and eve it?  Mame yelped to say the field was on fire again.  So - for a second time, we grabbed water, shoved on our wellies and ran out into the night in a moment's panic.  Fortunately we have some fairly competent menfolk who put the fire out very quickly and the drama was over as quickly as it had begun.  

So the moment for my speech evaporated into the night and there didn't seem to be another right moment over the weekend. 

But what I had planned to say was this:  We are an unusually close and happy family - this is all down to the two people who's birthdays we were celebrating.  They had a mixed childhood but they gave us all an idyllic one and for that we can never thank them enough.  We wanted the day to be full of intrigue, surprise, indulgence, good hygiene, fun, humour and glamour - because when you think about it you realise this is exactly how they have made our lives. 

So to Auntie Mame and my darling Mum - happy birthday from your biggest fans

Rose
xx