Tiara Times {Part One}

Last weekend was amazing. 100% amazing! It was my London City Bridal Shower/Hen/Bachelorette, whatever you’d like to call it and it was fantastic!

I decided early on, that as my Lovely London Living Ladies (couldn’t resist!) all have unconventional work schedules, I’d have a “come and go as you can” Hen and it worked out pretty brilliantly

Mom and I started the morning off at Blo Bar. We were looked after so well and it was such a great way to start the fun-filled weekend! I had a Queen of Sheeba moment with all those curls rolled up and pinned to my head – but I think I rocked it, so it was all good!

At 11am we headed to Outsider Tart, an old favourite of mine

Where we were joined by Ellie, Sarah and Sarah (yes, I am talking about the Sarah who had just visited for Vogue festival the weekend before – she’s a true jet setter!)

My lovely Sister couldn’t be at the London Hen, so instead, she surprised me and the girls with Belinis – very delicious peach belinis which were polished off without anyone much minding the time of day, there was some fruit involved after all!

Mom went for their Coffee Cart Special – pan-fried cornbread with three berry jam

While the rest of us went for the Buttermilk Blues – blueberry pancakes with maple syrup

Major NOMS all round!

We said our goodbyes to the Davids (owners of Outsider Tart), hopped in a taxi and headed to Claridge’s. Mom, Sarah (the Sarah in the middle of the next photo, not the Sarah on the far left – I know, I know, so many Sarahs!) & myself were going to stay in the hotel that night, so we went to put our bags in the rooms, pausing momentarily for a much needed, “Claridge’s Couch Lift” photo

Mom and Sarah had made up Hen party bags for everyone, which went down an absolute treat!

Sarah made the pink hens on the back of each bag, they looked amazing! (she’s a costume designer and an absolute wiz at anything remotely crafty). Inside each chevron bag we had one small Grey Goose Vodka, a Rosy Vaseline tin, pink hair bobbles, black sunglasses (green ones for me), an eye cooling mask, make up remover wipes and a cute little electronic tea light that lights up your bag when you’re searching for stuff way down at the bottom – Mary Poppins style!!

As you can see, everyone was pretty delighted with the loot!

I was then handed a small parcel wrapped in pink tissue paper by Sarah and she said “for the day that’s in it”, I unwrapped it and was delirious when I saw a pretty, very delicate, tiara – YAY!!

Suffice to stay, it remained atop my noggin for the duration of the weekend!

P.S. LOVED that old school Vogue cover on the wall, really wanted to take it home but was assured by my nearest and dearest that it was NOT included in the room rate

Soon we were back in a taxi careering our way towards Harrods – more specifically – the Urban Retreat Spa in Harrods

We wound our way through the Harrods maize until finally we parked ourselves in the Nail Loft. For the following hour our paws were pampered, buffed, moisturised, massaged and oiled while we chatted and sipped on various fancy teas and coffees

I went for Essie‘s Pansy, a fun pink colour, perfect for what lay ahead! I used to only ever use O.P.I but Essie’s colours and beautiful finish are winning me over, O.P.I is going to have to make room and learn to share my affections!

Claire-Louise joined us at the Nail loft and once our paws were looking their very best – we thought a photo to mark the event was a must!

Afterwards, we roamed Harrods. We tried on loads of sunglasses, the game quickly turning to – who can find the most obnoxious ones – I happened to like them…!!

We stopped in Shoe Heaven and paid homage to the gods of footwear, giving special attention to both Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik

We visited Sarah’s wedding shoes too – a stunning dove grey pair with a sparkly buckle on the front – aren’t they gorgeous? Sarah is getting married in June in Tuscany and myself and Himself can hardly wait, it’s going to be so beautiful!

I fell hard for these pearl beauties – am I work wear? am I posh wear? No! I’m every wear!! (see what I did there?)

We took ourselves, our purchases and our newly polished paws back to Claridge’s to get ready for the evenings festivities with just enough time to stop and take a lift photo

Don’t judge – there’s a COUCH in the lift people, what would you have done!?! I won’t lie to you, there were many lift photos taken over the course of the weekend!

My lovely friends (while I was getting a lil something to add to my outfit in Harrods womenswear with my Mom) went down to the Food Hall and literally bought ALL of my favourite things – because they’re amazing sausages!

Starting with chocolate covered strawberries

Macarons!!

and best of all

CHAMPAGNE!!!

Would you look at the absolute GLEE on my face there ^ the excitement of it all!!

I have to say, the staff at Claridge’s went above and beyond for all of us over the weekend, along with complimentary champagne in our rooms on arrival, they had organised this little treat while we were out (it was quickly agreed by committee, the BEST almond cake)

We shared a few glasses and nattered about proposals, engagements, weddings and all that goes along with them, it was a really lovely chilled out time – before we had to start getting ready for the rest of the madness!!

Special thanks to whichever girlie snapped this one of Mom and I, a real keeper I think!

Rxx