I Lied

Okay, I know last week I said it would be the last blog post on the already over-exposed royal wedding. Sorry. I need to do this one, and perhaps another, and another - there is so much to say!

Firstly, was that not an awesome wedding?

Being in a different time zone meant rising at 4am...but it was worth every minute. Many times I became a little teary eyed and choked up whilst watching...must have been because I was tired.....sure.

The Ceremony.

Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Not one thing out of place, no mistakes, flubs (unless you count Fergie's daughters...but that's another post) - it truly was a beautiful event, one any couple would love to partake in.

fashionism.ca

The Dress. 

Stunning. Magnificent. A teeny, tiny waist and beautiful figure reminding me so much of Grace Kelly. Elegant and beaming was Kate next to her prince. I must say I just adored the color of the maid of honor dress. It was lovely to see a matching tone rather than a sudden shock of color as so many brides insist upon. Their dresses complemented each other rather than fighting simply because they were of the same color group. Could you imagine seeing a shock of color next to Kate?

Since we all know this is the start of a new wave in wedding dresses, I am particularly pleased to see sleeves again on a bride. The beautiful cut of the bodice lace, an elegant veil with historical tiara and reasonable sized train. All the lace was hand-sewn, the sewers having to wash their hands every 30 minutes in order to keep the threads pristine. Sarah Burton of the house of Alexander McQueen has outdone herself. Bravo.

A very retro vibe, the way a bride should look. This is one dress I will happily embrace knock-offs of.

I have been oh so tired of late seeing brides stuff themselves into strapless, prom gowns - many buying dresses 2 sizes too small  because they think it will make them look slimmer. Yes, I'm talking about you TLC's , "Say Yes To The Dress". oy and vey. Two more words: bra fat.

Blended like a fine painting, the wedding was pomp and circumstance, yet it was refined, gentle and understated. How you can make a $70 000 000 wedding understated is a feat, but it was managed.

Wedding dresses now available at SLV!

Portrait Bridal Vintage 1960s Gown

Oleg Cassini Black Tie Label Gown

Ivory Satin Wedding Gown

Creamy 1950s Satin Bridesmaid's Dress

White Wedding Gown with Detachable Train

Ebay Weekender

All about the royals...one more time.

As mentioned yesterday, if you are sick of hearing about the royals ...well too bad. However, I promise this will be the last hurrah. Will and Kate will soon be enjoying their nuptials, and who can blame them? They will need a break. Here are my historical royal family picks.

Enjoy the weekend everyone!

Post card of King George V

Brass Trinket Bow, Elizabeth Coronation

Britain's Royal Families. The Complete Genealogy

Royal Family China Collection

1972 Royal Family Cameo Collection

Vintage Royal Family Candy Tin

AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER...we hope



.uniquereview.net

I apologize to those people who may be sick of hearing about the upcoming royal nuptials.  I am surprised to find that my excitement is growing as we get closer to the day.  One of my good friends is a native Londoner and he really couldn't care less.  Perhaps that's because he's a man or is it that we foreigners are more excited about it than the locals?  I'm sure that following the royals is probably considered some type of unofficial job description for some Britons, but others seem very blasé about it.  Nevertheless, I will have my digital cable recorder set to go in the wee hours of Friday morning.  I will not be up before the roosters because after all, what is technology for, if it isn't there to make life easier for us?!  If there was a crowd of us around the television, I might want to break out some bubbly, scones, clotted cream and lovely jam for this auspicious occasion.

I think that I'm just a hopeful romantic who really wants this royal marriage to work out.  I'm sure that in some respects HRH is being a bit more laid back about the whole thing due to her family's rampant martial unbliss.  Or at least that's the way I would want to be in her sensible shoes.  Aside from all the practicalities, it's just a darn romantic notion to see a handsome prince marrying a beautiful girl of common blood.  They look great together and they both seem very sensible about the largeness and madness of the world descending on their special day.

I raise my glass to you, Will and Kate.  Be happy and screen yours calls; have the palace on call display!

William and Kate: A Royal Love Story

Z3 Vintage 70s ROYAL princess UNIQUE S wedding Dress



William and Kate error mug with Harry



Wallflower Vintage Presents: The Royal Wedding

Look and feel like a princess in a gorgeous vintage 1950s formal dress from WallflowerVintage.

A royal affair would not be complete without a fine-feathered hat. WallflowerVintage has a fine selection of hats to fit your every whim.


The wedding day is finally here - the scones are in the oven, the clotted cream is clotting. The spotted dick is swimming in custard and the tea is brewing.

Raise a glass! Fairy Tales can come true. It's just a shame my invitation got lost in the mail.

Let's toast to the Bride and Groom

In just less than 3 weeks, the world will be fixed in front of their televisions to watch the most anticipated royal wedding in decades.  I'm not sure why I'm getting so excited about this event.  Perhaps it's because I really like the couple.  Will and Kate seem so perfect for each other.  No matter what time zone you live in, whether or not you'll be rubbing your eyes before dawn to catch every moment of the special day, let's toast to the beautiful couple with 4 retro cocktails that salute the old Victorian adage...
(images and recipes courtesy of sympatico.ca)

"Something Old"

3/4 oz Tanqueray Dry Gin

3/4 oz Triple Sec

1/2 oz orange juice

1/2 oz lemon juice

1/2 oz Grenadine

  



"Something New"



1.5 oz Tanqueray Dry Gin

1 oz fresh lemon juice   
1 oz simple syrup
3 chunks fresh pinapple
1 small slice fresh ginger
soda



"Something Borrowed"



3/4 oz Tanqueray Dry Gin

3/4 oz Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth
Dash Orange Bitters





"Something Blue"



.75 oz Tanqueray Dry Gin

1/2 oz Marachino Liqueur

1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

1 t Blue Curacao





 CHEERS EVERYONE!

Vintage Crystal Etched Floral Cocktail/Wine Glasses

5 Vintage Fine Crystal Stemmed Cocktail Liquor Glasses

 

Vintage Cocktails

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS VINTAGE...

castnews.us

Thanks to Will and Kate, we're getting excited about the British royal family again.  And on April 29th, the world will witness a new generation of Windsors tying the knot.  Now what about that gorgeous ring, that once belonged to the late Princess Diana?  The vintage sapphire engagement ring is stunning.  Hopefully this time around, this gem will bring better luck. 



antiquevintageengagementrings.com

Now here's a bit of history.  Vintage or vintage inspired rings have been all the rage for quite a long time now.  Victorian era rings are the most popular of vintage rings.  This period was from 1837-1901 when diamonds gained in popularity on yellow gold or silver band settings.  Other precious stones were used as well, such as sapphires or rubies.  The Edwardian period was next which ran from 1901-1920.  The trend at that time was platinum to replace gold and silver.  Precious stones were more popular with small diamonds surrounding them.  The Art Deco period was the next era which was from 1920-1930.  Engagement rings from that time were oddly shaped, such as square or geometric and covered in small diamonds.  Their bands were predominantly made of platinum.

 

I think we love vintage engagement rings because of their unique designs and because they allow us to feel somehow connected to history.  Who originally wore that ring?  Who was the handsome bridegroom that presented it to his lady?  It's all a bit romantic.



On the morning of April 29th, I will be glued to the television to watch this historic event, much in the same way when 30 years ago, I was a girl who watched a Lady become a Queen back in 1981.

Here are some gorgeous gems....

La Vintage Shades of Green Serendipity Ring size 7



Vintage Sterling Silver Black & White Rhinstone Ring





Vintage Sterling Silver Royston Turquoise Ring Size 8