Tuesday 24 March 2009

Perfect Pampering...

Although P&P rarely needs one, what better excuse to look good and pamper yourself than preparing for your engagement party! As well as being the perfect opportunity to do a dry run before the ‘big day’ itself, you want to look your best to date, and look happy and radiant for all your friends.

The pampering began at the Bliss Spa in South Kensington. Having heard only rave reviews of their Triple Oxygen Facial, I hastily booked in my appointment for a couple of days before (just in case of any post-facial blotches!) to see if it really was too good to be true …and it didn’t disappoint…

The pampering begins before you’ve even set foot in the treatment room as you’re given the cosiest bath robe to change into and then some time to relax in their quiet room to read the latest edition of their huge selection of glossy mags, or even to snack on cheese and biscuits if you’re at all peckish!

Then the wonderful Catherine came to pick me up and walk me to the treatment room. The treatment itself was amazing – 85 minutes of pure heaven. The masks and creams used feel and smell fantastic and the pure oxygen which is sprayed over your face is so soothing and refreshing. Even the extraction part was pretty pain free and even better, I wasn’t left with red blotches all over my face.

Amazingly, I left looking fresh-faced with the softest and glowing skin I’ve ever achieved from a facial. Catherine also gave me great advice on how to maintain my skin and suggested some Bliss products to take home.

I must admit, I did invest in one… the Bliss Triple Oxygen Energising Mask – hopefully I can now have beautiful skin in between my facials too!

Monday 9 March 2009

Divine Do's...

As you can imagine, it’s been a busy time for P&P recently…venues, menus, shoes, bridesmaids’ dresses – I can understand the need for a wedding planner, although the control freak in me is loving every minute! I’ve come to the conclusion that organising a wedding has more to do with diplomacy than anything else – and obviously ending up with the wedding day you’ve been dreaming of since being a little girl.

You’ll be pleased to know that I’ve got all the fundamentals booked – caterer, photographer, florist, etc. – and can now concentrate on P&P looking sensational and making Green Fingers go weak at the knees on the day.

In my opinion, hair on the day is as important as the dress and can make or break the finished look. Looking natural, elegant and timeless comes at a cost, and even the simplest of ‘dos require hours of preparation.

There are a few fabulous websites which have divine bridal hair accessories – whether you’re looking for a comb, tiara, diamonds, pearls or flowers, there’s something to suit all. My two favourites (I need to retain some mystery for the day!) are Yarwood White and Basia Zarzycka.

Not only are there lots of ideas and styles, but thanks to the close-up images you can see every detail, and they even offer individual commissions if what you’re looking for isn’t there.

Quality is definitely the word here and for something so important on your day it’s definitely worth the cost (or at least that’s what I’m telling Green Fingers...). The Fern Leaf Comb from Yarwood-White is simply stunning and I love Basia’s Starburst – now that’s what I call elegant bling...

Diamonds, bubbles and dresses...

My excuse for not having written a blog for an age? Well, it all started at Christmas... Green Fingers and I had spent a lovely afternoon decorating the Christmas tree (he is a landscape designer after all!) and, whilst we were admiring the finished product, he proved that romance is certainly not dead by dropping down on one knee and...proposing!!

So it’s official – Pashminas & Pearls is officially betrothed. Life has been a blur of diamonds, bubbles and dresses ever since!

I’ve spent many an hour reading my Debrett's Wedding Guide and of course browsing the web, ogling various bridal collections online. And while some weren’t quite P&P style (if you know what I mean!), there were a few beautiful designs to inspire and get me thoroughly excited about that oh-so-important white frock...

After making a list of shops to visit (I may be in the first glow of engagement but that doesn’t mean I can’t be prepared...) I spent the most fabulous day with my mother and matron of honour trying on every dress I could get my hands on.

And that included a HUGE meringue - it just has to be done. Meringues aside it was the veil that turned me to jelly and made my mother reach for her hanky!

We did just two dress shops on day one feeling that brunch (and a bottle of sauvignon blanc) was equally important, naturally.

Before you ask, I did find 'The One'. In fact I found it in the first shop! Anyway P&P will have to keep you guessing as I can’t possibly give any sort of detail away (yes, GF, that’s aimed at you...).