Friday, April 29, 2011

Awesome Wedding Day!








Congrats to William and Kate. What a wonderful  and  beautiful day to witness.  I think this day was extra special as I had followed his mother's wedding to Prince Charles, then watched with great sadness at the lost little boys, attending their mother's funeral. 



 This was my favourite scene, it placed a smile on my lips-along with the young Verger, cartwheeling down the aisle once all the guests had departed =D


Humour and light heartedness, bringing the Royals in touch with the younger generation.  Simply beautiful.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Goodbye 30's, Hello 40's!

Prestonfield House, Edinburgh


I celebrated my 40th birthday last week surrounded by my family.   My mum asked if I felt forty to which I replied "No not really, cause in my heart and head I'm still five" haha! haha! To be honest,  I think it has affected my mum more than it's affected me, she has been reminiscing all week.  Today she text me to say that 40 years today she was returning home from the hospital with me and that I was 6lb, 2 and a half ozs. A very random text, still, it put a smile on my face.

Anyway enough waffling on to my surprises and celebrations: 




Prestonfield House Drinks Lounge
My Birthday treat possessed a touch of decadence, romance, drama and magic. It was a night that felt so special and one I will never forget. My partner decided, for my 40th birthday celebration we would dine in style at the  Rhubarb Restaurant  From the creator of the Witchery situated on the Royal Mile, near Edinburgh Castle,  James Thomson's latest venture is the most opulent and prestigious to date and situated in the heart of Prestonfield House.

Entrance Hall and Reception
Entrance Hall









Drinks Lounge



































My wonderful and very handsome O/H Paul.  Looking very fine in his suit jacket and tie.







Striking a pose.






 Me, I hate having my photo taken.  Can you tell?  I look like I'm going to beat Paul up with the
camera, haha







 Champers for the celebration.


















A Little Restaurant Info: 

Rhubarb Restaurant (Prestonfield House, Edinburgh)

 The dining room with the plush decor and seating

"Exceptional cuisine is based on exceptional Scottish produce, much locally sourced from small artisan suppliers and inspirational wines come from an award-winning cellar. And the name? Rhubarb was inspired by the discovery that Prestonfield was the first estate in Scotland to propagate rhubarb in the eighteen century."
Rhubarb dining room and our table



Monday Before My Birthday
Four days before Prestonfield House, my sister, mum and myself dined at One Ten Bar and Grill, Glasgow.



This picture really captures my sister's true character, we are both mad as hatters. In the next photo, you will see my mums reaction.













My poor mum, not once did she tell us to grow up or behave. She was truly mortified by our
behaviour and silliness. We don't get out very much lol











Birthday Presents
I was very spoiled for my birthday and received loads of lovely gifts. It's certainly a birthday I will remember for a very long time.




I received Wonders of The Universe book by Professor Brian Cox



                      The Broons Gairdenin Wisdoms book






I'm a huge Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters fan, you can hear this blasting out of the car's speakers as I drive by.






Silver necklace from Paul's parents.


Plus tons of clothes from Fat Face -I'm a huge fan of this brand.  If I had the money, I would buy the whole shop.

My Birthday Flowers






On the iPod :

This week (I also received the Elbow and The Strokes album for my birthday)

Thursday, April 07, 2011

A Whole Lot of Things Going On!




Mothers Day Gift: Well Dressed Bunny by Barbara Prime



In the United Kingdom, there was a celebration called Mothering Sunday, which fell on the fourth Lent (3 April in 2011). Most historians believe that it originated from the 16th-century Christian practice of visiting one's mother church annually on Laetere Sunday which meant that most mothers would be reunited with their children on this day when young apprentices and young women in servitude were released by their masters that weekend. As a result of secularisation, it was then principally used to show appreciation to one's mother, although it is still recognized in the historical sense by some churches, with attention paid to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.
Sunday of
By 1935 Mothering Sunday was less celebrated in Europe. The idea was revived by the American soldiers who came to fight in World War II who celebrated Anna Jarvis' Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May. People from Ireland and UK started celebrating Mother's Day on the fourth Sunday of Lent, the same day on which Mothering Sunday had been celebrated before it disappeared. Some traditions were revived, such as the tradition of eating cake on that day, although they now eat simnel cake, instead of the cakes that were traditionally prepared at that time.
Mothering Sunday can fall at the earliest on 1 March (in years when Easter Day falls on 22 March) and at the latest on 4 April (when Easter Day falls on 25 April).


Miss Dior Cherie

Natalie Portman is a very busy young woman. Oscar winner and awaiting her baby's birth in a few months time, she's now also the new face of Miss Dior Cherie. 



Her natural beauty really shines throughout the promotional advert displaying a cheeky, cute side similar to Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's. 



 I would have never have thought of trying this scent before, but now Natalie is the new face I may just have to investigate. 

I would also like to add, whenever this advert appears on television all knitting, sewing and any other hobbies cease. I'm immobilised through awe.

James Brown London- Intensive Hair Mask

My hair is naturally curly underneath at the back, and usually, my hair is chemically straightened on boards, a process that takes forever but with stunning results and super-duper straight hair- even when left to dry naturally. So without a doubt, my favourite product of the moment for using between salon visits, is the aforementioned -Intensive Hair Mask by James Brown London.  I first came across the product when I received a free sample tube with a popular women's magazine, and I've been hooked ever since The tube prevents you from using too much product. It smells divine -unique as floral scents go, really classy and natural- not all chemically and synthetic. It makes my hair the softest it's ever been since I was a child and the shiniest too. Not salon expensive but not so cheap you wonder what's really in it.

March Blanket Squares:  From Joy



Think I mentioned in a previous post year we will each have enough squares to make a friendship blanket for ourselves.  Which I think is very cool.
That the knitting forum I am a member of has organised a blanket swap. Whereby each month we send two knitted or crocheted squares to our swap partner- person is different each month.


The swap is ongoing each month of this year, by the end of the
I think the squirrel square is going to be the centre piece for my blanket. :D

Squares I made for my swap partner: I think it's a done deal I will be making an owl square for my blanket. Watch this space, Lol














 

Day Out


My mum and I made a decisive move to take a day out yesterday, she wanted to raise my spirits and cheer me up.
However I had the deed of driving everywhere, so I don't know how that was going to lighten my mood,  lol.



We ended up in the lovely little village of Aberfoyle.  The village lies at the heart of Loch Lomond and  is without a doubt the most important gateway to the Trossachs and has something for everyone, including those who love old mysteries.  See below:

The Reverend Kirk

Robert Kirk, the 7th son of the minister of Aberfoyle, was born in 1644AD. He had a fascination and belief in the magical world of Fairies. Robert also became a minister, and after preaching at Balquhidder, he came to the Aberfoyle ministry. He should have been remembered as the person who provided the first translation to Gaelic of the book of Psalms, however it was the publication of his book "The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns, and Fairies" in 1861 which was to fire the imagination of historians as the Reverend Robert Kirk disappeared in mysterious circumstances.


Legend has it that the inhabitants of the Secret Commonwealth, namely Fairies and the like were furious at the Reverend for disclosing all their secrets and they planned revenge. Daily Robert Kirk would walk from the manse to Doon Hill, one day in May 1692 he did not return. Legend tells us that at Doon hill the Fairies appeared and took him to the underground world of the Fairies. The pine tree that still exists at the summit of Doon Hill, the only evergreen on this forested hill is said to contain his imprisoned spirit.

Another part of the legend states that somehow the Reverend's wife was given one chance to retrieve her husband from the Fairy kingdom. She was told that he would appear to her once during a service at the Old Kirk. When this happened, she was to throw a knife at him. In the event, she could not bring herself to throw the knife and so lost her husband forever.

That's one way to get rid of your husband and have a quiet life.  Lol!

Do you believe in Fairies?  I do.