A weekend to cherish

This weekend was a special weekend, one that you certainly don’t get to experience often, it was a weekend that left me with a heart full of love and smile on my face.

On Saturday morning I woke up with a pretty severe hangover. One which I was (almost) happy about having, it all seemed worth it as the evening before a friend of mine who I have known for years, tied the knot on Friday morning, and had her reception in the evening.

So I left work, dolled myself up and headed to Stacey and Brady’s (aka Bracey’s) wedding reception. The venue was an amazing roof top in Hackney, and that alone made the evening special, with its gorgeous views and quirky artwork all the way up the stair wells. Luckily the rain stopped and the sky cleared meaning we could get on with celebrating.

I was so happy to be there, something about weddings, all that love just has everyone in such good moods! There was an amazing spread, and loads of lovely people to chat too, both old friends and new.  

After a few hours of food, drinks, giggles and loads of photos the sun set and we all head off to Pub in the Park to continue the celebrations.

It was definitely an evening to remember, and I will be forever grateful that I got to attend as I know there were many people back in NZ who would have loved to have been there but couldn’t.

I didn’t do much the rest of the weekend- was incapable of getting off the couch on Saturday, a bit of Greece shopping and planning but just by Friday night alone, it was one of the best weekends since moving to London.

I wish Brady and Stacey all the love in the world and know that they will just have the happiest life together. They are two kind people, who are killing it in London and have the world at their feet.

Love you Stacey and am so proud of the lady you have become!

Bit of a photo shoot with the Bride

Truely fabulous Bride!

So much love for this little lady

The happy couple

Oliver and Stacey

They said YES!

Loves being in photos..

Sara, Stacey and Josh

Mirror shots

Makes me proud- New beer holder?

Sunset shots!

Cake time!

Cutting of the cake

Stairwell artwork

Work Gala

On Friday night, my work had their annual summer gala, it is an event where all of our UK offices get together, to have dinner, mingle with people you email, or never get to speak too, performance awards are given, and its just a good old excuse to get all dressed up.

This year it was in London, at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall, a rather lovely venue.
It was a black tie event so I had the perfect excuse to wear a full length dress and feel a little bit fancy!

Institute of Directors

My workmate Sammy offered to to my make up for me, lashes and all, i loved what she did, it was far better than anything I can ever put together!

At 5:30pm we taxied to the venue for a drinks reception, Pimms in the back garden, in the lovely evening sunshine. The hour was spent admiring the ladies outfits (and of corse a little judging) and trying to sneak as many glasses as we could.

At 7pm we were called inside for our 3 course meal. As by then I had, had a few drinks I completely forgot about taking any photos of the meal. It was beautifully presented and the dessert was to die for, it was a lemon, raspberry and shortcake creation. I only wish i could remember so I could have it again!

After dinner, we had the awards ceremony, my boss won 'Contract recruiter of the year' and was given a bottle of champagne. Later he came over to me and gave it to me, saying that he couldn't have done it without me. I tried to keep the drunken tears inside, it is really so lovely when you like the people you work with.

Once we were done with the awards, and the raffle- to my surprise I didn't win an iPad, free days off work, or even a gift voucher. Never too sure why I continue to enter things like that.. I never win! The disco began.

It seems the choice of music for the evening was 90s R&B and don't get me wrong it was great for a while, but after a few hours of dancing, and consuming wine I was ready to go.

It was such a lovely evening, something that I don't often get to do. It was one to remember and I cant wait until next years. Love a bit of pretending I'm posh!

We had a professional photographer there, so once those photos come through I will re-post all of those. For now, you get sad iPhone pics to get the gist of it all.

Overall it was a fantastic night, spent with my lovely work friends.

On our way in.

Lovely Ladies



The full length bathroom shot



Cydney and I

Cydney, George and I





I am obviously a brilliant dancer

 

8 Months in London

Yesterday marked 8 months since our move, yesterday the sun was shining, it was lovely and warm and I just felt so good about being here.

And this is the day we were graced with...


From my wander down the Thames on my lunch break. So spoilt.



It was easy to feel like we made the right decision moving here on a day like that. The best thing about a day like that, is that its not a one off any more, today is just like yesterday, as will it be tomorrow and the next day. Nothing beats London on a good day.



Currently 11am, and 14 degrees.



It's great feeling like summer is really here, we have been having such a good time, and have been getting out and really enjoying this weather!

There is so much to look forward too! Ben has a shooting day in Oxford tomorrow with work, next Friday is my work Gala, I have a charity Dragon Boat race day later this month and Greece is only 5 weeks away.

I am looking forward to our Grecian holiday, I have never been anywhere like this so am looking forward to ticking it off my bucket list. It will be 7 days of sailing, drinking, sunbathing and eating out AKA Bliss!!

Day 1- Perdika, Day 2- Ermoni, Day 3- Spetses, Day 4- Hyrda, Day 5- Poros, Day 6- Aegina, Day 7 -Back to Athens, 6 islands 7 days! I almost feel like I will need a holiday afterwards!

I am looking forward to Greece arriving for more than one reason, it means we no longer have to save for it.

Being paid monthy sucks, because such a large chunk goes to 'Greece' which dont get me wrong is amazing, but I also can't wait til it means that large chunk goes towards 'Anywhere we feel like going'- it means we can continue our adventure around Europe.

This weekend Ben and I are buying a wall planner, and planning the next 6 months of travel. Every month or two we aim to go somewhere. August I want to go to Paris.. the City of Love for my birthday.

It's a scary thought, we have been here 8 months and have only been to two countries. So we must be more proactive and get planning! It is too easy for months to slip by living here, such a bustling city where so much goes on all the time, I have blinked and now its June!

I am missing less about home, and enjoying more about the UK. Maybe I have realised that it's because 2 years really isn't much time... That I must enjoy it before I lose it. Or maybe it''s because I am really happy with how life seems to be panning out.