Drained, devoured, discarded and bruised;
All of the side-effects of being used.
Weary, bewildered, deeply confused;
The pain continues after you’re used.
Anger, frustration, even bemused;
It makes no difference; you were callously used.
Hatred and self-pity, now strangely fused;
Rage burns hotter after you’re used.
Decorum and pride, not so politely excused;
Self-loathing for weakness: only fools get used?
Thoughts of vengeance – revenge for being abused;
But your energy’s spent from being so used.
A crisis situation that cannot be diffused;
Until you get over feeling so used.
Monthly Archives: April 2012
Vintage Style Wedding Cakes – From Kitsch To Classy!
You all know that I adore anything vintage and bridal themed. I love looking at the different styles of vintage wedding gowns and wedding cakes. The detailing is usually splendid, casting a look at the skills of the old world experts who painstakingly crafted their goods to absolute perfection. Finding modern day versions gives me such joy because I love the thought of the best parts of yesterday being repeated tomorrow; what was great once can always be great again. Amen.
Today, I’ve been admiring the different styles of wedding cakes from two separate companies; Zoe Clark Cakes and Dunn’s Bakery. So many of their creations have caught my attention but here are some of my particular favourites:
Zoe Clark’s Pink Vintage Lace Cake above is breathtaking. The icing looks intricate and pretty, creating the delicate lace effect which could match many a bridal gown in its simplicity and grace. In contrast, Dunn’s Bakery have the even more vintage looking Cameo Cake below, which could rival any Regency decorated wedding venues for a showstopper award! And if you’re lucky enough to serve your wedding meal on Wedgewood china, this cake is a must for you…
For a more ‘girlie’ gloriousness, I love the Ivory Ruffle creation below, from Zoe Clark. She gets top marks for evoking my nostalgia for ’50s prom dresses! I desperately want to run my fingers through the ruffles like I would across a frilly prom skirt! Of course, that would completely destroy the stunning visual effect, but I suspect licking the icing from my hands afterwards would more than compensate 
You’ll find yet more Hollywood glamour in Zoe Clark’s Bow & Brooch Cake, which is a favourite coupling amongst cake makers. It’s amazing what a bit of bling and ribbon can do to not only jazz up an iced cake but also give it that ever-beautiful vintage appeal:
If 1950s ruffles aren’t your thing, and you think brooches are for grandmothers, there’s always the 1970s if you want brighter inspiration. ’70s wedding cakes were famous for their high tiers and colourful accessories – from edible flowers to vibrant ribbons. It may sound kitsch, but these cakes can still look stylish in today’s modern world. All it takes is a little imagination – and it looks like Dunn’s Bakery can probably find a perfect balance of colour and style to suit your tastes. Check out their Rosetrellis design below:
Not for you? What about the regal looking Dunstan (pictured below) instead? Not as detailed as the Rosetrellis, you still get the impact of the separate tiers and a very eye-catching cake topper…
If you’re veering back towards more ‘contemporary vintage’, Zoe Clark’s Broderie Lace Cake or Sweet Roses & Dots designs are both definitely worth a look-see:
Alternatively, if they’re not quite vintage enough for you, but you still want something similar, there’s Dunn Bakery’s Cascade cake (below). With it’s pink roses and pipework icing, it may be the perfect compromise!
Otherwise, it may be worth speaking to Zoe Clark about a more specific theme. I love what she’s created below – a dress inspired by a wedding gown design! This is her Caroline Castigliano Dress Inspired Cake and it’s beautiful…
All this cake talk has made me hugry … it’s time to dig a gateau from the freezer or find a nice tea shop for a slice of Victoria Sponge. Yummy!
TK Maxx – Latest Bridal Shoes
I was in TK Maxx again this week and spotted a few new bridal shoes adorning their shelves.
This vintage-styled pair from Rocket Dog look like they’re made from Silk and have a medium high heel:
The designer pair along the shelf – from Filippa Scott – weren’t half bad either, looking elegant and comfortable:
Too plain? Fear not. Check out these blinged out high heels that were also on the shelf:
With prices ranging from £19.99 to £29.99, these shoes won’t break the bank yet promise to add some style to your all-important walk down the aisle!
London In Pics – Sight-Seeing Here Never Stops!
As a Londoner, there’s a real danger of walking around in a haze, huffing and puffing my way through life in a blind rush. As I get older, my eyes become more open and my senses are permanently on red alert … Because when something beautiful or provocative suddenly appears in my path, it would be tragic to miss it because I’m simply in a hurry!
London as a city never ceases to amaze me. I’ve walked through its streets my entire life, getting from A to B, sucking in the energy, the atmosphere, the colours, the emotions and the contrasting beauty of one location to the next. I love that. I love the feeling of being a tourist in my own hometown. It means I can’t ever stop learning and I can’t ever get bored. The surprises are endless. The sights are limitless. The vibrancy of life here embraces me whether I want it to or not. It attacks my senses; sight, smell, touch and audio. I can taste the city as a result. It’s an uplifting experience and makes a routine commute or journey that much more exciting.
Here’s what I noticed last night and today, just walking along, going from A to B!
Royal Opera House:
Camden Lock:
China Town:
All in all, not bad for an average, routine walk through my town!
London: A Tonic For The Human Soul
Here’s a little photo collection of sights I’ve spotted in London that made me feel something – ranging from happy and awestruck to thoughtful and inquisitive!
Sometimes, if we just stop and stare – literally just pausing long enough to fix our gaze on our surroundings rather than submerging our souls in the flood of our everyday thoughts – myriad sights unfold to give us joy. All we have to do is look around.
There Is No Getting Over Something
“There is no getting over something. There is only getting through it. No timer, no limits & no escape: just patience, an iron will & faith.”
Everyone is in a rush. Something goes wrong and instinct tells you to fix it. Quickly. Gloss over the cracks, paper over the crumbling walls. It will all be ok in the end. Won’t it?
There is no getting over something, only getting through it. No timer, no limits and no escape… Just patience, an iron will and faith. You cannot fully accept or deal with something bad until you have survived it. You cannot survive by running away or hurdling over your obstacles. Push through it; live it, own it and control it.
I believe only then can you really look at yourself in the mirror and know you’ve survived, escaped and conquered all your fears, nightmares and challenges.
Self-belief is your greatest weapon in any struggle. Teamed with faith, determination and lots of courage, it’s an indestructible arsenal against each and every demon.
How Low Can You Go?
One of the things I first notice when walking into a wedding reception are the table centrepieces. Usually, the greatest visual impact comes from taller designs, standing over the seated head level of guests. That may be so but there’s nothing more annoying than being sat at a circular table with an obstructed view of those seated opposite. It restricts conversation across the table and can create a “them and us” environment.
So, I ask you… How Low Can You Go?
Having been to scores of weddings throughout my lifetime, I’m becoming increasing fond of low centrepieces. They open up the feel of the venue, creating the illusion of space.
From stacked mini plant pots to water filled bowls topped with floating flower heads and candles, I’ve seen an array of shorter centrepieces to suit every budget.
If you’re stuck for an idea, use the image above as inspiration. It’s actually a Christmas design, which was made by the florists in John Lewis’ flagship store on London’s Oxford Street. I think it would also work well for any Autumn wedding, where arrangements using flowers, fruit and spices (such as cinnamon sticks) are more common and bring to life the colours of the season (reds, oranges, rusts, greens, golds and caramels).
This particular John Lewis beauty cost £60 but your local florist can produce something equally show-stopping for less using seasonal flowers and alternative accessories. And, best of all, it will create a stunning visual impact without impairing your guests’ ability to see one another!
Memories of Belgrade In Serbia
If you’ve got the travel bug this summer and fancy a city break you may want to consider a trip to Belgrade in Serbia. I went in 2007 and while things have changed since then – for the better by all accounts – I loved my time there and thought the city had a pulse that beat a romantic and daring rhythm. It’s a charming city which felt to me much like a human soul; it had hope, love, scars, pain, defiance and optimism. You’ll see what I mean from my video:
Gorgeous Bridal Shoes From £12.99!
You’ve got to love TK Maxx. I was strolling around my local store today when I happened upon a divine pair of platform, ivory bridal shoes from designer Pura Lopez. They were a snip at £39.99.
However, as I’m not about to walk down the aisle, I could only leave them on the shelf as a welcome discovery for a bride-to-be.Bridal shoes often don’t receive any exposure, aside from the odd peek under a hem or a raised skirt to remove a garter. Even so, brides tend to give them a lot of thought; colour, style, shape, fit, open or closed toe, embellished or plain, white or coloured, heel height… and the all important price. The big bucks usually go on the dress, sometimes leaving very little for shoes and accessories. Enter TK Maxx, saviour of the bargain-hunting shopper.
Check out their current range of styles here - there’s a pair to suit everyone, whether you’re ’50s siren or a modern fashionista. Label lovers will rejoice at the likes of Just Cavalli and Badgley Mischka, on sale for a fraction of the original RRP (recommended retail price):
Badgley Mischka White Satin Bridal Shoes With Jewel Embellishment - only £119.99
Those less concerned with designer credentials can bag a pair of lovely heels for £12.99 from well known footwear line Lunar. You can also save over 80% on some gorgeous Fillipa Scott bridal shoes, like the ones below which are on sale for only £29.99!
The designs I’ve pictured are the more vintage-looking styles, which is my personal preference but beauty is in the eye of the beholder so if you want something more modern, there’s a dazzling silver pair of Just Cavalli stilletos on sale at the moment so you may prefer those. In any case, if you see something you like, hurry to snap them up before they sell out! Otherwise, you’ll be glad to know that TK Maxx seem to add new styles fairly regularly so if the current selection isn’t quite right, hopefully they’ll have something perfect for you very soon.
