Snapped in the Summer...

Hello!

Amid the crazy rush of summer, yesterday I managed to spend a few hours with my girlie's, taking lots of lovely photos for my friend Izy's portfolio. She's a rather talented young photographer, and I couldn't resist sharing some of the shots with you all! 

For the photos, we did a combination of 'au natural' shots in a nearby field (dodging local farmers, in the middle of quick changes), with some more elegant photos. Personally, my favourite was the 'lets try and jump at the same time' photo - which I will admit, took numerous attempts of epic fails. The setting was perfect as well, as the barley field's provided the perfect backdrop! 

Before you take a look, let me thank Izy for a lovely day of laughs, tears (from intense sunlight) and our yummy pizza lunch! Enjoy!

Well that's all from me (for now)!
I'm off on my holiday tomorrow, and my current suitcase situation isn't looking good.. so I should probably attempt to start throwing clothes into the case! 

See you in a week,

Grace x

Christmas Wishes - Blogger Secret Santa...

Hello!
It's been a little too long, as UCAS applications and life in general has got the better of me recently. Since I last saw you I've had my first offer to study a history degree, (WAHOOO) which has put a huge smile of my face and I now have a desperate need to go celebratory shopping!

Today I received a little parcel in the post, covered in Christmas decoration - and despite knowingly opening it before Christmas day, I was so intrigued to find out what it was! I've taken part in a Secret Santa with a few other fellow bloggers. I won't tell you who mine is, as it will spoil the surprise, but my lovely parcel was from Donna from Polkadot-Pink...

oh and please ignore the photo quality - my cammera is currently on charge :(

 Donna sent me a lovely selection of goodies, including a wonderful scented Christmas Eve 'Yankee Candle,' which I've placed in my bedroom, ready to light at Christmas! It smells heavenly and was a lovely gesture! I also had a beautiful purse, with a camera detailed onto it - so she obviously recognised my love of photography! Inside the purse, was a beautiful pair of owl earrings (also one of my favourite animals) which I'm hoping to wear soon. Finally, my love of sweets has been rewarded with a big pack of EVERLASTING GOBSTOPPERS - so my Christmas is now sorted!

Thanks Donna for a lovely present, and I hope everyone else taking part loves their presents just as much as I do!

Lots of Love,

on my travels...

Hello!
It's hot hot hot in the UK - which is fabulous, as I've just returned from (even hotter) Germany! It's been hectic the last few weeks, with work experience and jetting off on collage trips, so I apologize for the lack of blogging. I've got plenty of posts lined up, so watch this space...

So I visited Berlin for the first time last week - AND LOVED IT! Although I was on a very educational trip, I was more than envious when I found out it was Berlin freaking Fashion Week, and events were taking place a few 100 yards from where we were standing (gutted, doesn't cover it). Then again, equipped with my functional Converse and Rucksack - I wasn't exactly dressed for the catwalk.

I've selected a few photos from the trip to show you, as proof I'm not just being lazy and sitting in the sun all day - although that is a tempting offer...

It was such a lovely place, and although my only German language knowledge is 'please and thank you,' the city was so welcoming! It was actually a history trip, so we spent a lot of time discussing the War and it's impact. (hence the lack of photos - as most were just landscape and museums.) 

I also thought the traffic lights were too cool - and it seems to be a symbol of East Berlin, as every memorabilia shop sold green men on key rings, etc. It really is a cool city, that mixes old with new - in a contemporary way.

We also followed our trip to Poland to a visit of Krakoff and Auschwitz memorial site. It was very emotional, but I learned so much in the few days I was there! The photos above are in a little Jewish restaurant we visited - we had traditional foods, a table lit by candlelight and a string quartet played for us! 

We also took the opportunity to other Berlin snacks.. from Curry-wurst... to more recognized DOUGHNUTS!

 It was a fabulous trip, and if you're considering traveling, I would definitely recommend Berlin - there's so much to see and do, and it's a city filled with culture and history! 

I'll be posting later, once I've unpacked all my suitcase (a.k.a emptying the contents onto my bedroom floor).
Enjoy the sun, and don't forget the sun cream ;)

Lots of Love,

'To love and to cherish'...The National Wedding Show NEC 2013...

First off  - Make sure you enter my giveaway I'm running!

Click here to enter!

I have a special post lined up for you today, following my little visit to the National Wedding Show at the NEC yesterday, accompanied by the lovely friend/photographer - Emma-lee. (she's on twitter: @cakemixture)

For those of you who read my blog regularly will know I'm currently study Weddings as part of my Art project's, and I was keen to seek inspiration for my own designs. I had a chat with a few readers and you suggested I attend the event to give you my own little summary of the event and let you know, this seasons' must have's for your wedding!

Number one of my list was the vintage section (well you know me). I fell in love with a few particular Vintage stalls...

Memories of Vintage - was a lovely company who supply vintage crockery hire! I fell in love with the whole composition of the stall, and for anyone looking to have a vintage style wedding/party event, I strongly suggest you check out their website and see for yourself, what they offer: www.memoriesofvintage.co.uk

Timeless Couture - Another beautifully presented stall, selling handmade timeless wedding dresses and other wedding accessories. I particularly liked the flower bouquet made from a paper map - it was so unique and would look lovely for flower girls.

- Next was the cake stalls - yum yum! Which I smelled a mile away (though I didn't get to taste them!) -

The Red Cake Company - displayed some very elegant cake designs! The detail was exquisite, and the people on the stand were lovely too! For any brides wanting a traditional wedding, the Red Cake Company provided the perfect recipe! Check out more on the website: www.theredcakecompany.co.uk

Miss Lola's Bakehouse - Another company selling beautiful cakes, that took a completely different approach to the 'wedding cake'. Themed around flowers, their was a beautiful display of cakes - my favourite being the flowers that sweeped across the cake!

Candy Girls - A new enterprising idea, that seems popular for this years weddings, is to have a selection of 'sweet' goodies for the guests! Candy Girls had a truly irresistible selection of  sweeties in the shapes of tree's! They cater for a wide range of events, but as a 'sweet-a-holic' myself, I think every bride should hire some sweeties for their wedding!

Finally the highlight of the whole even was the Catwalk (obviously). Their were some irresistible dress designs, and a very distracting male model (that looked particularly handsome). I've left a few shots of the event below, so you can admire!

Finally, I got chance to check out the new Photo booth's, that have been a huge hit at weddings recently! They're great fun, so me and Emma-lee thought we'd test it out too!
Check out www.picture-booth.co.uk to learn more!
And even better we got a goody bag  from The National Wedding Show to take home - which put the cherry on top of a lovely day!

Well that's all from me! I just wan't to say a big, thank you to The National Wedding Show, for organising such a great event, and letting me come along and enjoy the day! If you're a 'bride to be' and want some inspiration for your special day, head over to the Website to get your tickets for next year: http://www.nationalweddingshow.co.uk/

Lots of Love,

Guest Shoot #1 - An Autumn's Day

Hiiii there!
I hope you've been enjoying your weekend!

Tonight I'm having a lovely night in with my momma watching some Saturday night TV! 

However, I may be in bed,before I get chance to watch the end of X factor! Yesterday I was up till all hours catching up with my girlies.We ate our weight in chocolate, watched every Rom-Com ever released and looked back at some very ancient photos (cringe) of ourselves!
As my Half term is coming to an end, I'm afraid reality has to set in... that I still have a pile of homework, and shortly my 'daily' blog posts, will turn into 'weekly' 'if I'm not busy' posts :'(
But, before I swap my Camera and Laptop for Pen and Paper, I've got a last few days of blogging to cram in for you!

As part of my new idea of 'Guest Shoots,' I've finally persuaded - more like bribed - my friend Charlotte (pictured above on the left) to have a shoot. This is my first attempt, but I hope to make this a regular thing! It was great fun - mainly because we re-discovered our childhood love of Autumn. Especially, the many dried leaves that cover the ground - which are also great fun to throw at each other! So here's our lovely shoot! (please let me know what you think!!!!) X

Casting an Autumn Spell X

Well I've just about recovered after a crazy weekend!

Kelly Clarkson was amazing on Sunday - She's been an idol of mine since I was little, so it was so great to finally see her - and that she sang all my old time favourites too!!!!!
We've got half term next week, but lucky me - I've got work experience! So it won't be much of a break.

Still I'm very excited, as any opportunity to develop my understanding of a career in Marketing should be fun! Plus it gives me something productive to do with my week - apart from shopping!

I'm off now to one of my many dance lessons, followed by a piano lesson - the joys of being young!

As I've been majorly busy, I'm throwing on whatever's at the front of the wardrobe at the moment, relying on my classic 'blue scarf' that I'm way to obsessed with! While completing some (unskilled) photography of my Garden for my art homework, here's a little sneak at today's mixxxxxx mash!