Rock My Wedding

Naomi – Modern Elegance

My Big Dirty Wedding Report…part 2

October 25th, 2011

Naomi was one of the real RMW brides to take part in our first styled shoot back in January. For her contact sheets (if you’ve never seen them then you can have a peeky HERE) she suggested that swiping a bright crimson lipstick straight across her perfectly porcelain face with the back of her hand would make an awesome shot…. A girl after my own heart. And that pic of Madam Liddel and her pink streak not only remains one of my favourite images of all time to feature on Rock My Wedding but it also gave me an inkling to the level of coolness she and Gavin were going to bring to W-day….

For starters Gavin and Naomi held their reception in a cave. Yes. An actual CAVE. Naomi also decided to transform into what can only be described as the hottest. bridal. bus. driver. ever. And she donned a sexy leather jacket.

Yup that’s right. Biker chic is not restricted to just inspiration shoots people.

Oh and if you are ever stuck for ideas for your couples portraits…. get on your bridal suite bed with your man, cover it in rose petals…. and jump around.

IMMENSE.

I looked over at Johnny and as he gave me the most reassuring wink, he began to play a beautiful piece of music that he had put together especially for us. Johnny is one of Gavin’s best friends and a supremely talented musician, so it was a natural choice to ask him to play me down the aisle. My Dad tightened his grip on my arm and we walked.

I remember worrying about that walk in the lead up to the wedding. I’ll tell you now. I can’t remember it. I just saw my Gavin standing looking all nervous and I knew he’d have sweaty palms and be shaking, but he had the biggest most gorgeous smile across his beautiful big man face. When I reached him, we stood like two awkward teenagers at a school disco. It was the weirdest experience. All I wanted to do was say “How you doin’ baby? Did you have a good night with the boys?” but instead we just smiled and looked at each other. It was so unnatural. So I did the only thing I could think of doing and I grabbed his hand. That was it, I physically felt us both relax and turned my attention to the registrar.

The ceremony was just packed with emotion. It bubbles over and makes you laugh really inappropriately. And we did! On several occasions. Luckily we had picked some readings (one found on these polka dot pages) that distilled the air and allowed everyone to have a giggle and a cry. Gavin couldn’t get the ring onto my finger at which point I turned and said “talk amongst yourselves”. Then before I knew it, I was being asked to kiss my husband. Eh… Hells Yeah!! Massive kiss, cuddle, kiss, cuddle later and we were officially on a cloud called Nine and we wouldn’t come down for oh… about 5 months and counting.

Everything about our wedding day blurs from here on in. We talked, we did a lot of kissing, hugging, high fiving and cheers-ing (?). We were torn away from each other all day, I found myself talking to all of my loved ones, getting wrapped up in gorgeous little conversations and then glancing up to see my husband doing the same thing on the other side of the room. I longed for our eyes to meet on several occasions but I also wanted to just watch him go. Watch him be his own delightfully charming self whilst harboring a slightly selfish pride in knowing that I get the best of him and that he is all mine. The love and the joy was almost tangible, with everyone bursting full of compliments and well wishes.

A special delight was expressed about our buses, on several occasions… so I just HAD to have a go. Seriously, who’s going to tell the bride she can’t drive the bus? We joked about, had our pictures taken and basked in the gorgeous atmosphere until it was time to move onto the next venue. Gavin and I jaunted off first to check into our hotel (logistics!) but made the best out of it by trailing our photographer with us. No joke, when he arrived… we were actually jumping on the bed. It was not staged or false. That’s just how God damn good we felt!

After allowing sufficient time for guests to arrive at The Caves, and with me chomping at the bit to see the venue decorated, we made our way there. Here I will tell you that Gavin has a bit of Rock’n’Roll showmanship in him and decided that it would be a great idea for us to have an ‘entrance’. So the best man Graeme announced us in and out from the speakers blares Black Dog by Led Zepplin.

For those of you not familiar with this tune… listen to it! Beginning with the lyrics “Hey hey mama, see the way you move, gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove…” it then bursts into the coolest guitar riff ever! At that point, Gavin and I walked in. He high fived everyone on the way up to the top table and the place went nuts. True rock star moment.

The speeches were superb. I watch them over and over again on our DVD. The Chief did a spectacular job at having the guests in stitches with her natural infectiously beautiful way of telling a story and the Best Man followed with a killer. Then there was my Dad. His speech was phenomenal. So heartfelt, so proud, so absolutely him.

On the stag do my Dad found out that one of Gavin’s friends, after meeting me for the first time said “Your playing in the Champions League now lad.” He made that part of his speech and finished with “Well son, you’re now in the World Cup Final and you’ve just scored the winner.” He then gets Gavin up and puts a medal round his neck. It was awesome!

Music is a massive part of our lives and our relationship, so it felt perfect to have music playing in the background of the meal. One of the most spectacular parts of the day was when during the meal Hey Jude by The Beatles came on. Gavin walked around the front of the table and pulled us all up with him, which started a massive sing song! Everyone was up waving their arms and belting out “Na na na nananana Hey Jude!” It gives me shivers thinking about it and was just the most incredible moment, I danced with my little nephew Daniel in my arms and looked out over a sea of beautifully well known faces and knew that the night was just beginning.

There was dancing and singing, Champagne and Stella Artois, loved ones wrapped arms around each other to songs they requested in our invitations, women bribed flip flops off others with free drinks, my sister (who is an award winning dancer) did the entire Single Ladies dance on her own on stage, my brother fell into a barrel and my sparkly shoes did come off…

The day was so exhausting that at midnight I accidentally fell asleep in the toilets for 15 minutes. I stress not drunk, but tired. I rejoined the party with a new lease of life and fresh face of makeup. The place was absolutely jumping until 3am. I ended the reception on stage with my husband, no shoes, black feet, torn dress, covered in sweat, dancing like a mental to Arcade Fire. When it was time to go, there were many tears from dear friends and family as we parted ways for our endless honeymoon. And here I am, in Perth Australia with a husband I can’t keep my hands off and the memories to prove that I absolutely, completely and utterly Rocked My Wedding.

I think at the end of this report I clapped. Yep. There was Adam, hand across his chest like a proud old lady and me clapping to my computer screen like some kind of mental loon…

Sometimes writing just does that to you, you know?

And obviously you all want MORE and you also want to hear more about the book so it’s a good job Naomi has recently started a completely fabulous a-little-bit-of-everything blog “Rocked by life“. It’s waaaaay cool. And so on my favourites already.

I’m more than a little bit sad this is over to be honest however, I know this isn’t the last we’ve heard from Mrs L.

Big Rocked By Naomi and Gavin’s W-day Love

Charlotte xxx

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Posted in Naomi - Modern Elegance

My Big Dirty Wedding Report…Part 1

October 24th, 2011

I love real RMW bride Naomi. For one she is hilarious. For two she says it and does it exactly how she pleases. Absolutely no BS.

Leaving everyone you know and everything you own to jet off around the world with nothing but a back-back straight after W-day? that takes some serious balls people. And that’s what Naomi and Gavin did. Currently in Australia (I have spoken to Naomi on Skype – she is one glowy, sunshine-filled type newly wed) they seem to be having a whale of a time, and so they should. What better way to spend the first year of marriage than with each other on a brand new adventure?

Just like the rest of Naomi’s no-holds-barred big day planning account this wedding report tells you what the day was actually like, as in the feelings and emotions – the excitement and the euphoria. As a result there are not many references to the specific details but frankly…. we couldn’t care less. There really are no hard and fast rules when it comes to how our real brides want to share their experience.

Here is what Adam had to say to Madam N: Honestly, it is hands down the best report I have read. It is so well structured, so full of emotion and it paints the day perfectly with words – I am glad I read it before looking through the images. You are an actual writer, rather than a reporter. As I was half way through part 3 I realised I had my left hand spread and pressed against my chest like some kind or proud old lady!

Naomi Liddel… we salute you.

It’s Monday afternoon folks and we suggest you get yourself a cuppa, maybe even some tissues, sit back and enjoy the story.

All of the lovely images are courtesy of Duke Studio’s.

Well here I am. Mrs L. L-dog. Mizzle Lizzle. Special Agent L. Ok enough!

I’m married!! It’s official. And to be honest it’s been official for a while! Almost 5 months now. And what a 5 months! Geez it’s been nuts. All kinds’a crazy good nuts. But we’ll start at the start shall we?

Saturday 21th May. T minus 6 days. Ash Cloud. Dun dun DUUUN! I jest now, but I was actually physically sick with worry. All of my family and the majority of my friends were flying to my wedding from all over. I had cold sweats, tears, nightmares and palpitations all whilst having to go through the usual week before stress of picking things up, confirming appointments, finishing favours etc. I just couldn’t believe this was happening. All my hard work and my family might not make my own wedding?! I was lost. But the most wonderful thing happened. All our family and friends rallied round, sending texts, provisionally booking boats, checking the met office, assuring me that if they had to swim the Irish Sea, they would be there. And they were. Every single one of them.

It was a dawning for me. I realised that not one of the things I had spent the last 18 months stressing about mattered. All the decisions and details… I honestly didn’t care anymore. All I wanted were my friends and family, and I got them.

I went from detail lunatic to “OH-MY-GOD-I’M-SO-HAPPY-TO-SEE-YOU” lunatic overnight and it felt amazing! On the Wednesday before the wedding, I sacked everything and took my Mum out for a birthday lunch. Along with my sister and The Chief we had tea, sandwiches and cupcakes. It was bliss.

The day before. What a blur! I remember saying goodbye to Gavin in a not so romantic way, brief kissing outside the car while my Dad yelled “There’ll be plenty of time for that tomorrow!”. I remember buzzing around in the car with my Dad, picking up the cake and dropping all of the decorations at the venue. I remember feeling very relieved that Carolyn at The Caves was so on top of things. I also remembered singing along to U2 songs with my Dad. I felt at ease. I was to spend the night before at my Auntie Geraldine’s house, so my Dad dropped me off along with my Mum and my bridesmaids.

We ate Chinese, Becks secretly repainted my nails (to patch up the manicure I managed to bugger up which my Mum had paid for…shhh!), we watched TV and chilled out. Then my Auntie told me she had something for me. Everyone rallied round with cameras so I knew the bitches were up to something! She made me close my eyes as she guided me into her bedroom (the room my Mum and I were staying that night). I opened them to find that she had completely transformed the place!! She had 12 red roses and 12 white roses in crystal vases, banners, balloons, a Yankee Wedding Day candle filling the room with beautiful fresh floral scent, hanging candle holders and brand new silk bed sheets. I couldn’t believe the thought she’d put into it! I burst into tears only to have her say, “Wait… there’s more”.

She handed me two presents. One big, one small, both square-ish and wrapped in brown paper. Both from Gavin. I bounced on the bed with excitement and shock! I ripped open the big one to find a painting. A painting I had pointed out in a gallery a year before. I fell head over heels in love with this beautiful seascape, but we couldn’t afford it with the wedding and the trip! The bastard bought it! I was in shock. How had he done it? How did I not know? Nothing could top this… ever!

Wrong.

After much persuading to look away from the painting, I tore open the smaller one. And to this day I cannot believe what I’m about to say. He wrote me a book. An actual real life little book, all properly bound and everything. It was a book documenting the 3 years we had spent together, all mixed up, all gorgeous and from the heart. He wrote about the first time he met me, the first time he kissed me, laughs we had and the things that tried us. And he put it all in the book.

That night I went to sleep reading about us, all those tiny little happenings that brought us to this point. I knew the future lay like a road ahead of us and that I was luckiest woman in the world as I read the last line…

“See you at the bay window at 2 o’clock. xo”

I woke up and my Mum was awake. She told me that she had lay and looked at me all morning thinking that she couldn’t believe her baby girl was getting married today. TODAY!! The cloudy, sleepy penny dropped! I leapt up! Bolted out of the room to find my Auntie in the kitchen cooking bacon sandwiches. The smell filled the house and I bounced around like a mental with the biggest smile pasted on my face! I dived on top of all of the girls, screaming that To.Day was my Wedding Day!!!!

I thought I would be too nervous to eat, but I was feckin marvin’!! I scoffed a whole massive bacon bap and downed a cup of tea. We then set about gathering up all the odds and ends. Whilst we were doing this, Mum & Auntie Geraldine come out with flutes of bucks fizz. My Dad soon arrived in his car to take me to the venue. We were all getting ready at the venue you see. The girls had one floor and the boys had another so Gavin and I wouldn’t cross paths. It was all so bloody exciting!

The car ride to the venue with my Dad was one of the best bits of my day. I was drinking Champagne, we were singing along to the radio and talking about the day ahead. He was in such a great mood and I was in utter disbelief that the day had finally come. After we loaded everything from the car into the bedrooms I ran straight down to where the ceremony would be held. I had to catch my breath. The next time I saw my Gavin it would be at that bay window. And he would be promising to be my husband.

Just then the girls arrived and we giggled and hugged our way upstairs to the rooms where project ‘turn-everybody-spectacular’ would commence. We had no hair or make-up artists so the rooms became an array of straighteners, curlers, shoes, clothes, makeup and more. I had to escape.

I went to the farthest room on the floor and claimed the bathroom for myself. I lit candles, lined up my products, put the towels on the heaters and turned on the shower. Bliss. Then I hear a tap at the door. It’s my Mum, “Your Groom’s arrived!” she sings. I felt like my heart jumped out the window, did a lap of the grounds and jumped back into my chest, it was beating so hard.

I rejoined the chaos to start my hair and makeup. The rollers went into the hair and I stopped, looked around me and saw all my favourite girls buzzing about, doing their thing. There was Champagne flowing and my Dad had made an iPod playlist that was rocking my socks off. It had everything from Elbow to Pearl Jam and I couldn’t have been happier.

Then I started my makeup. I looked at myself in the mirror and froze. “I can’t do this” I thought, I looked at the light, it was so strong, I didn’t know how much to put on. I panicked. Luckily our friend Charlotte had arrived at this stage (early, as her partner Johnny was playing the music at the ceremony) she came running to the rescue and as a self confessed make up addict who has had hers professionally done on more than one occasion, I was saved. I just sat back and relaxed again. Poor soul then got roped into applying fake eyelashes to the maids, playing messenger between us and the boys and generally being run ragged. But she did it all with a smile & I’m eternally grateful.

Eventually time comes to get me into my dress and down that spiral staircase (in 46 inch sparkly heels? I think not!) That’s when the nerves set in. My knee’s went to jelly and I was praying that it couldn’t be seen amongst the gorgeous-floaty-silky fabric that was my sexy little Old Hollywood vs Helen of Troy -esque gown. I had to take a min to breathe. Everyone had left and it was just me and my Dad again. He told me to take my time and that it didn’t matter if I was late. I was the bride. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to us, Gavin’s father was at the front tapping the watch on his wrist, to which they all start laughing. “Oh my Holy good God, I’m the bride!” I thought.

Yes Naomi you were indeed the bride. A beautiful smiley knock-em-dead Rock My Wedding bride.

Can’t wait for part 2.

Big Naomi Love

Charlotte xxx

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Posted in Naomi - Modern Elegance

What Naomi Did – A Whole Lotta Love…

May 26th, 2011

I don’t usually butt in on the Real RMW Brides posts, but I just had to say, this is Naomi’s very last (pre-wedding) post. We gush a lot on the blog about what we *love*, but truthfully, I shed a tear reading this from Naomi. It’s a brilliant read and she actually included an image of her wedding planning scrapbook, but I decided to leave it out as the words here are all you need. And for an image heavy blog, that says an awful lot.

Naomi, it’s been a pleasure having you, meeting you, dressing you up for the shoot and hearing your wedding planning journey. I hope the wedding and married life itself are better than you even dream of…

1 day to go

What the fudge?

As you read this… I will have parted ways with my gorgeous man and most likely be sipping some bubbly at lunch with my girlies (read: running around like a blue arsed fly). But as you may know, these posts are written a tiny bit in advance. So, although I cannot tell you how I am going to be feeling today. I can tell you how I was feeling a week ago when this post was written.

Scared/excited/anticipating/tired/happy/nervous/euphoric/angry/self conscious/loved up/ underappreciated/unreasonable/numb/jittery/lazy/energectic/overwhelmed/proud/passionate/impatient/courageous/confident/exhilarated/relieved/free/appreciated/ grateful.

Yeah… I know… It’s being really exhausting. I just feel like I’m in a giant washing machine full of all these emotions just coming at me in waves. But you know what? It’s so so exciting! I have never ever felt this strongly about someone or something before in my life. I want it with all of my heart and soul and now it’s actually going to happen.

I would have drowned in it all if it wasn’t for my big bag of rocks.

Rock #1: My Mum: This has been a difficult process for my Mum and I, being in different countries. At times we have both felt isolated and lonely. But now that the day draws nearer, I can honestly say that I am so superbly proud of her. She has been the rock that I needed, always on the end of the phone with a comforting word or reassuring solution to my problems.

Rock #2: The Chief: Aisling. My cousin. My best friend. My sister. Often referred to as ‘my souls counterpart in another.’ This girl has intensively studied the role of chief bridesmaid. To the point that I now hear the words “You don’t need to worry, that’s my job”, on a daily basis.

Rock #3: Becks: Bridesmaid numero deux and best friend extraordinaire. As a fellow planning bride (with impeccable taste), Becks has been my go to woman for all creative decisions and melt down reassurances along the way. I love this girl.

Rock #4: Sarah: My one and only sister. This fourteen year old beauty has been more than patient with my constant changes of mind. She has been pulled from pillar to post looking for everything from Bridesmaids dresses to eyeliner. And not a single teenage strop in sight.

Rock #5: Gerard: My big wee brother. Who gave me his laptop when our computer broke, who came to technophobe Gavin’s rescue by downloading our entire wedding reception playlist, who always helps me cope when things became too much.

Rock #6: My Dad: The single most generous man that ever existed and Daddy of all problem solvers. He made regular hour long trips to our flat (he works in Scotland) to cook Gavin and I steak dinners, while we slaved away on some DIY project. I am a total Daddy’s girl and I know I will break at the point he hands me over.

Rock#7: Gavin: No words will ever describe just how deep the love I feel for this man goes. He is, and will always be, my favourite.

What Gavin Did…

Naomi asked me a few months ago if I’d like to help contribute to her last post as a RMW Real Bride. To give the guys side of all the ups and downs of the whirl wind which has been our life for the last year and a half. So here I am; a RMW Real Groom (just writing that freaked my beans so bear with me and we’ll all get through this together).

I knew way before Naomi did that I was going to marry her. I had told my brother (the best man), and his casual reaction, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, only cemented the fact that in my heart of hearts I already knew: I was going to ask the girl my dad calls Belfast Betty to marry me.

Immediately after I proposed, we went head long into planning our wedding. Well Naomi did, I just went head long into a brain melt down. We had set ourselves such a huge goal in such a small amount of time, before I knew it I was up at the doctors getting advice on stress relief. Had I bitten off more than I could chew? For a while it felt as if the financial strain had head butted me like a Glaswegian after a Celtic v Rangers match. I had started all this by proposing but it was Naomi who saved me, countless times, from complete meltdown. It has been hard over the last year and a half but I’m so so so proud of us both. Sure things are still to be done, the flat is a total kip and wee jitters wobble us both every now and then but I wouldn’t want to be in any other persons shoes right now. If there are any regrets over the engagement it’s that too often I’ve wished it away. I just want to be married.

Naomi took complete control of the wedding planning straight from the off. (Do you brides-to-be get this knowledge implanted at birth?) Anyway, I was totally eager to do as much as I could to help with the wedding planning. In the end it’s been pretty much all Naomi’s work (I bet you could see that one coming). Don’t get me wrong I’ve put forward ideas and my opinions on loads of stuff and worked long hard hours to keep us afloat but Naomi’s interior designer head was way out in front. I found the planning tedious and frustrating at times. When we had to start physically doing stuff, I felt way better. 140 handmade favours when it turns out there are only 110 people going to the meal? I’m brilliant at that.

So it’s squeaky bum time. The wedding is next week as I write (tomorrow as you read this) and I’m busting to be married to my beautiful girl. I have no nerves at all although I’m sure I will on the day. I haven’t written my speech because deep down I know, as big Rab Marley once sang, “every little thing, is gonna be alright.” I’m really looking forward to having all the ones we love in the same place and to having a blast together. Even without all the hoo-ha that goes along with a wedding, I’m just looking forward to declaring myself to Naomi and that’s really all there is to it.

As for marriage and the rest of our lives together. I want it all but this time I’m not gonna wish it away. I’m looking forward to watching Naomi grow into the most amazing woman. To doing all our firsts together; from deciding which island is next on our round the world honeymoon to deciding what house to buy. It feels a big blank canvas and me and my amazing wife to be have all the crayons to colour it in with. It feels like I’m about to start my life.

So as we bugger off, leaving the world of wedding planning mania behind, we would like to say thank you. Thank you to Rebecca, Charlotte, Adam and the entire Rock My Wedding community. You have made this whole process feel like the world’s longest girly sleepover (sorry Adam) full of love, advice and support. Tomorrow’s gonna rock.

See you on the flipside.

Ever the grateful,

Naomi & Gavin
xoxox

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Posted in Naomi - Modern Elegance

What Naomi Did… Flashing the Goods & My Big Dirty Secret

April 14th, 2011

1 month & 10 days

Good Golly Miss Molly… How did I get here? I feel as though time has melted away and here I stand one month before I am due to be wed. I imagined a very flustered and flappy version of me to be running around crying and freaking out at bows and confetti… but alas! I am calm. Cucumber calm. In fact I would go as far as serene. The reason for this, I do not know for sure. But I believe it to be the fact that I am organised. I have this thing pinned down and I am all over it like a pigeon with a chip.

The dress, the photographers, the videographers, the venue, the flowers, the rings, the bridesmaids, the kilts (yum), the shoes… an endless list of To Do’s pretty much all ticked off. I am proud. Super proud. In actual fact, I am normally a last minute Annie. I can honestly say that the only thing I believe has gotten me this far is the fact that for the last year and a half I have been wedding blog obsessive. I believe that left to my own devices I would maybe be thinking about choosing my bridesmaids at this stage. So thank you Rock My Wedding and all the other lovely inspirational blogs out there, this one’s for you…

…Ahem, wake up Naomi, you still have a month and a bit to go. Plenty of meltdown time. But you know what? I’m ok with that. I think a bit of emotion is good. But at the minute I am going to enjoy my successes and show you a little bit of the most important tasks I have accomplished.

Invitations. You remember I was doing them myself? I had allocated a good month to get them designed, printed and sent. Queue day two of the design part, I experienced a massive Photoshop fail and in my huff decided to punt out a plea on Twitter for a designer to take over for me as I was failing miserably doing it myself. I received a ba-jillion tweets from designers offering their services, but one stood out from the rest. Lynsey from You Say I Make. She offered me help and encouragement to complete the task myself. She calmed me down, told me not to throw in the towel and kindly sent me email after email of free font websites and design tutorials. After a few more goes… I gave up. It was too much for me to take on at that moment in time and as I had received so much faith and support from Lynsey, I felt totally comfortable handing the whole thing over to her.

I was blown away when I received the box with all our invites… It rendered me speechless. After only a few emails and a 3 week turnaround, Lynsey had managed to capture exactly what I had planned in my head and make it real for me. I was so disheartened when I first started struggling, and I can hand on my heart say that Lynsey single handedly pulled me out of that and created a beautiful set of invitations that have perfectly set the mood for our day. Every one of our guests have raved about them!

My Shoes. The sparkly little sex bomb beauties. £60 from Aldo. I love these. In fact, so much so that I am thinking of wearing them to bed on the wedding night (I’m sure Gavin won’t mind). I could just lick the glitter right off these puppies… but I won’t. ‘Cause that would be weird.

Our rings. I should tell you that I dislike wedding bands. I like them on people with normal hands. But me? I have child fingers. Seriously, when shopping for engagement rings I was told by every feckin assistant “Oh, you’ve got such tiiiny little fingers!”. I was going to poke one of my miniscule digits in an eyeball if that persisted any longer. The idea of looking for a wedding band stressed me out. I knew that none of the beautiful bands I had my eye on would look right on me. The ring needed to be something fine, dainty and … well, a bit different. Then I spotted this from Azendi…

I was sooo disappointed to find out it was, in fact, a bangle. I searched for a ring similar but could not find one even remotely like it. Then Gavin suggested getting our rings made! I searched local designers and found Kirsty Eaglesfield. The girl is a genius. She took my image and Gavin’s idea of his perfect wedding ring and made us these. I am beyond delighted with them and cannot wait to have mine as a permanent fixture on my left hand.

My headpiece. Another fail. Well… kinda. I had it all cut out and hand beaded. Then stupidly left it in the sun for a few weeks. The beads were bleached gold. Not the colour I was going for. Running out of time and patience, I decided to sack the idea all together. I found an old Primark headband (yes really) and ripped the beaded part off. I have since been replacing some beads with my Swarovski crystals, stitched on some hairclips and a detachable veil and I absolutely love it! Bear in mind my hair won’t be like this on the day, but it’s pretty much where it will sit. Epic win for £1.50 I think!

I could go on more about my happy accidents and ticked off To Do’s, but I have a more pressing matter. A secret. A big… dirty… secret. Something I have been keeping from you. It’s about our honeymoon you see and I couldn’t tell you. But now I can, because last week, I told my boss. So I’m leaving… on a jet plane… don’t know when I’ll be back again. Yup, that’s right folks, Gavin and I have decided to sack everything. Jobs, flat, plants, everything! We are off on a one way flight to Thailand with nothing but a couple of backpacks. Our plan is to land in Bangkok, head for an island and spend the following however long travelling around, going where the wind takes us and enjoying our first year of marriage. *Sigh*… I’m glad that’s out. I feel so much better now I’ve told you…

Ever the big dirty backpacker,

Naomi
xoxox

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Posted in Naomi - Modern Elegance

What Naomi Did… Mission Female Adonis

March 3rd, 2011

2 Months & 24 days

That is how long I now have to kick my sofa loving ass into shape. Seriously, I have made it my plan to eat as many cakes as possible up until my birthday. My birthday has now passed (boo!) and I am in salad and gym mode. The reason for this is not so much the wedding day as it is the honeymoon. I want to stroll down the beach in a bikini and feel like a sexy, confident newly wed. I will not be placing mega emphasis on weight loss, (I definitely want to keep my curves!) more just feeling comfortable, which for me personally, means more toned. But I do not wish to bore you all with visions of a red-sweaty-cross-trainer-hater, I would like to chat a bit about beauty.

I do not have a mega budget for my wedding. In fact, lets break the b-word ice, my budget is £17,000. To me that is A LOT of money. To some of you it may be mental to spend that on one day and some of you may consider that to be the small change you find down the back of your very snazzy sofa. But all in all, it’s what I have. Most of it has gone on venues, food and booze. Which, in my opinion were the most important. As suppliers now start looking for their payments and with only 3 paydays between now and the wedding… I need to be savvy. This includes my beauty regime.

The ‘Fro

As some of you may or may not have heard me winge in the past, my hair is impossible. Long, thick, wiry, curly Celtic mess that is not helped by the fact that I bleach the sh*t clean out of it every 6 weeks. “An explosion in a mattress factory” is what my Mum used to call it. Thanks Mum. However, it does definitely have its benefits. I can only wash it every 4 days and even then there is no sign of grease. If I style it, it stays like that for the remaining four days, even without a sniff of hairspray. And finally it’s strong enough to take the constant abuse of bleach and straighteners. My problem is shine! I want shiny satin locks and don’t know how to get it into such a great condition. Any suggestions? Remember the budget… so do not tease me with your miracle-cure-monkey-juice-treatment with a celebrity price tag please. Has anyone tried any hair supplements? Or masks?

Facial Skincare

I think I have this one sussed. My routine will go as follows. Morning: Wash with Liz Earle – Hot Cloth Cleanser, No. 7 – Protect & Perfect Day Moisturiser, No. 7 – Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum. Night: Take off war paint with Lush – Ultrabland (cannot recommend this stuff enough!), No.7 – Protect & Perfect Night Moisturiser, No. 7 – Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum. I stick to this because from past experience it has worked, its simple, and inexpensive.

Spotty Back

This is something I think I suffer from based on the sheer amount of conditioner I have to use to tame my mane. I have tried the whole, flip your head upside down/wash over the bath thing to avoid clogged back pores, but it doesn’t make too much of a difference. The only thing I have tried that I swear down has worked everytime is Lush’s Mask of Magnaminty. Now I don’t even know what it is really for… but as instructed by one of Lush’s marvelous sales staff, I got my man to spread this green minty delight all over my back whilst in the bath. You then just sit forward, let it dry like a mud mask, then beckon your man-slave back to use a little water and scrub the muck off in circular motions. Used once a week… it’s genius! And you get a cheeky wee bonus of a weekly massage.

Blotchy Upper Arms

I vaguely remember Rebecca posting about this before but can’t seem to find the post.
(*RMW EDIT – here it is guys buff that backside!) But if I remember correctly it was daily exfoliation followed by moisturiser to rid us of our red spotted plight? I will be trying this method, but I always notice that mine clears up in the sunshine of a summer holiday. Making me wonder if it’s something to do with vitamins? Has anyone else come up with a good treatment for this (apparently pretty common) issue?

Underarm area

I have never liked the term armpit. It makes me think of yuck. So after debating about whether or not to write this, I decided “Heck! We all have ‘em.” and I have something worrying me, which may also mean some of you are thinking the same thing. So let’s get it out in the open… Hair removal. To shave or to wax?… that is the question. I am a razor girl for most things. But can’t help but think I would get a better result (with less risk of shadow) from waxing. However, I have been told that the waxing of this area is more painful than a bikini wax. As a regular victim of the lady region torture, I could not think of anything worse that having that pain inflicted upon thinner skin. But I am curious… is it really worth it?

Dry Legs

Every winter, despite my religious moisturising efforts, I end up with dry, itchy legs. This is usually cleared up by the time summer hits and the pins are out. But I don’t really have that luxury now as chances are my wedding weekend will only merely skim the 10 days of sunshine we’re likely to get. Has anyone tried any miracle body creams they’d like to share?

I would now love to seep you of all your lotion and potion knowledge. I know there have been posts on beauty before girls, but I figured that there are always new readers with new ideas and every girl loves a chance to share their miracle treatments, no? So, do you share any of my concerns? Have you any awesome homemade recipes for beauty treatments? Do you have something you’d like to ask advice on? I am no guru, but I know there will be people reading this who can help, so lets get a RMW discussion going and share the beauty loving knowledge, be that good ole soap & water or ‘spensive creams.

Ever the budget beauty bride,

Naomi
xoxox

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Posted in Naomi - Modern Elegance, Real Weddings

RMW DIY Hair… A Convertible Up/Down Do.

February 8th, 2011

Well hello readers. After seeing the very gorgeous Naomi yesterday in all her modern bridal style glory we thought we should share some serious stuff. The hair people. Don’t mess with the hair.

I love hair info. Mainly because I am tres lazy with my own and rough dry it most of the time due to time constraints but if I could have one beauty luxury it would be a stylist on tap for daily blow-dries and styling. Today however, we’re sharing the knowledge needed for you to become masters of your own hair destiny and recreate a Bridal up and down do… even both if you want to convert them either which way during your big day. My advice? Practice makes perfect. Practice practice practice so there’s no fear of it not going your way on the day, until your desired style is 100% re-creatable.

Failing that, employ a true expert like Severin Hubert. THE bridal maestro when it comes to sculpting super cool, modern bridal hair, Sev started styling in the music industry and is now sought after by many a bride who wants to ensure their hair is their crowning glory. You can’t go wrong with this guy.

For now however, lets see his skills and enjoy the DIY tutorial ladies. I’d love to see the results posted on our FB page.

Preparing the Hair

Before styling, wash hair as normal but with no conditioner – I know it sounds crazy but if you want your style to hold for the whole day please try not to add conditioner. I do suggest though using hair products to help keep the desired style you are wanting to create. Look for a good brand name, you may have to spend a little more but it’s worth it…after all you are getting married! I like to use Milkshake products, they do exactly what they say they do and the smell is delicious!

Steps 1 to 4

– With my brides I almost always blow dry the hair first to create a sleek and smooth base. I used a medium round bristle brush.

Step 5 & 6

Now take sections of hair and curl by wrapping the hair around a medium pair of tongs. Curl the whole head and then leave to cool.

Step 7 & 8

Next, I asked Naomi to lean her head back whilst I started to break up the curls using my hands.

Step 9 & 10

Then all I had to do was place the hair according to how I wanted the style to sit. I finished off by using a firm hair spray and a shine spray to add a gloss finish.

Et Voila! The finished result…

Glamorous and gorgeous. We. Love.

Converting to an Up-Do

As a second look for Naomi we decided to give her an up do with a twist of Rock chick. The hair had already been prepared with the blow dry and setting so all I had to do was first leave a small section of hair at the front for later.

Steps 1 and 2

With the rest of the hair I brushed the hair to one side and fixed with a couple of hair grips along the side of the head. Then repeated the same procedure on the other side.

You now have a column of curls cascading down the middle of Naomi’s head.

Steps 3 and 4

All I did next was to take strands of hair and started to place and secure with grips creating a messy french pleat.

Steps 4 to 8

Once I was happy with the shape I then backcombed the piece at the front to create a quiff. Fix with hair spray and finish with your chosen accessories.