Spring has sprung on a sunny Saturday in Wiltshire.

With spring looking like it may have finally sprung at last and not a cloud in the sky we headed up to Paddington to catch the 11:06am to Pewsey to meet my parents for the first time since our engagement!

Since we've been back we have not stopped celebrating; seeing friends for gatherings and dinners and after work cocktails have become the norm rather than a rare treat. We have both expanded our waist lines, liver functions and 5 hours sleep has suddenly become a lie in - but we couldn't be happier. Life just seems to be a bubble of happiness at the moment and we're so lucky to have such amazing people around us.

Parents met and big excited cuddles exchanged we jumped into the car and drove about 10 minutes away to the picturesque village of Bottlesford. 3 hours of laughing, eating and chatting all about our spectacular holiday and our impeding wedding plans.... Which, I know, I am still to divulge- but I will soon, I promise! Mummy had spent a lot of time looking for a beautiful country pub and she definitely succeeded.

The Seven Stars is an Inn dating back to the 16th century surrounded by delightful countryside. As beautiful as it is on the outside as it is in we sat in the main dining areas surrounded by beautiful antique pieces. I indulged in a burger- I know, naughty- especially considering the dinner party food and trifle last night.... Best not to think about it I think! Daddy and p had burgers too but they went for all the add ons, bacon and cheese, cholesterol and heart attack etc and mummy had a goats cheese salad- which, I'm not going to lie, I wish I had gone for as it looked so good! 2 thick pieces of goats cheese slabs - a rare treat in any restaurant I've been to in London! Usually you can barely see the goats cheese for leaves and no sooner have you found a piece it's gone. ! My burger was good, could have been rarer but we weren't given the option so that was fine. The boys loved the chips and they managed to eat all mine too, as I was saving myself for pud!

Pudding was chocolate fondant, ice cream and berries- it was delicious! The fondant cooked to perfection so the chocolate oozed out!

Tummies full to bursting we jumped back in the car and headed to the canal for a brisk walk before our 16:25 train back to London.

A quick trip but only just over an hr out of London AND £15 return (we booked a week in advance) so well worth it if you just need a quick break from busy City life. You don't need a car if you just want a walk along the canal and a few country pubs all in close proximity to the station.

A Quintessentially English Summer's Afternoon.

A summery Sunday afternoon. . . 

Sunday 12th August and a sunny 24 degrees, summers bliss. With a drowsy kitten on one knee, elderflower cordial on hand and all my materials in front of me I spent the afternoon creating my biggest Festibelle band yet. 

I have to admit that I was slightly afraid at how it might turn out; a giant sprawl of potentially blinding leaves and head sized flowers swamping facial feature one might have. . . However I am proud to announce that my anxiety was very much proved wrong and I was extremely pleased with the outcome!

In creation I used pale green ribbon to bind the cord covered wire and then used pastel yellow silk roses -which I tear dropped a glue type substance on to in order to create a delicate water drop effect- to finish off the dramatic head dress. I think pale green ribbon helped to create the most natural and organic look, however depending on the colour of ones hair you could use blond / brown / auburn coloured ribbon to make the floral band look even more natural.

My inspiration for all my Festibelle bands and particularly this one would very much be A Midsummer Night's Dream come "in to the woods" wedding. In fact I am very fortunate and excited to be making up some floral head dresses for a great friends wedding in the Welsh Valley in September. . . More on that next week. 

Emi xx