Young vs Old

Handsome Hubby and I are celebrating 3 years of marriage today. Over the weekend, we attended a gorgeous wedding and one of the readings really tugged at my heart strings (MUCH easier to do post-baby it turns out).

Can there be anything more beautiful than young love? Is there anything more beautiful in life than a young couple clasping hands and pure hearts in the path to marriage? Can there be anything more beautiful than young love?

Yes, there is a more beautiful thing.

It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path. Their hands may be gnarled, but still clasped; their faces wrinkled but still radiant; their hearts may be tired and slow as well as their brain, but still strong and wise with love and devotion to each other. Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young love. Old love.

I think anything can spark that realisation. Initially I thought it was getting engaged (pfffffft! We were SO YOUNG then!). At the time I felt there was nothing that could more solidly indicate that grown up love than an engagement, and the realisation that a team has been formed: by choice, with love and with a mutual goal of commitment to a shared future. But it all became that bit more real when we had a kidlet together.  This little creature - a combination of bits of the both of us and our families - formed a whole lot more of the glue that binds us. While we definitely have our moments, looking into that shiny little face reminds me of the team we've built and how that team came together in the first place. We are in love. Happily so. We stare into our future with joy. And what a glorious feeling that is.

Happy Friday: For the Lovers

Garance Dore has recently become engaged (you can read all about it in 4 instalments on her ever-lovely website here), and I just loved how she described that moment when a man proposes to a woman - it's so true. 

It was beautiful, touching, imperfect, and really really really moving. For hours and even days. Moving to the point that we had a hard time having a normal conversation after that. It unleashes so many profound emotions and stirs you all up inside. And you look at this man next to you and say he’s going to be your family. And you love him even more because he had the incredible courage to do that, to ask you to marry him. You know it won’t change anything and it will change everything at the same time. You hope you’re ready and up to the task.

Each year since I've been married, I've made a New Year's resolution to try to be a great wife. I think it takes a lot of work to keep a marriage dynamic, healthy and on the right track. It's easy to take people (especially the kind ones) for granted. I am terrible for that. I always try to remind myself that all that handsome hubby does for me comes from a place of deep love, and that I should respond in kind with great love - and patience. It can be hard when I'm running at a rate of knots, my mind is focused on a million different things. I often very unfairly expect him to be on my wavelength always which is so crazy. We are so different, and think so differently. I didn't marry someone similar to me for a very good reason - too annoying! Too impatient!

While I had to not-so subtly remind Handsome Hubby that it was Valentine's Day and that the perfect way to celebrate was to give me a voucher to my favourite nail bar, I still know our love is deep (in spite of his sulkiness at being forced to buy in to Hallmark-generated events). 

Happy Friday to all the lovers. x

Wedding Dress Envy

Sofia Vergara wed ridiculously good looking werewolf / male stripper Joe Manganiello over the weekend in possibly one of the most-Instagrammed-by-a-bride celebrity weddings of all time. Colombian glamour-puss Sofia encased her curves in a white lace gown designed by Zuhair Murad (the brief was "sexy", which I think we can all safely agree was achieved).

 Vergara quickly changed from Princess Bride to Slinky Bride as she removed her detachable tulle skirt (FABULOUS!), to reveal the slim line, all-lace affair below.

I have mentioned in a previous post drooling over a Zuhair Murad gown that I had originally hoped to do something similar with my own wedding dress, but decided against it when the rather significant cost was quoted (I was a frugal bride!). While I still totally adore my wedding dress, when I look at the spectacular Sofia I am so glad to see what I had envisaged materialise so majestically. Who could achieve that but the daughter of a French lace distributor or a woman who cares not what she spends on her wedding dress? I think she looked utterly radiant, totally beautiful and madly in love. Just the way every bride should look.

To ease the sting of any wedding dress envy I may have had, it was my 2nd wedding anniversary yesterday and a chance to reflect on the real reason for a wedding. Don't get me wrong, the dress is important, but the person you marry is where it's at. Every day I feel grateful for the man I married. He is so kind, so considerate, so loving, so supportive, so dashing-in-a-suit and he makes me laugh. And that's really what it's all about.

I had the slim dress below the tulle - just not all that lace, and the tulle didn't detach. 

French lace... So divine

Happy days, big love

Weddings really are the best - especially your own. It remains the best day of my life. There is something very beautiful about being married. I highly recommend it.

Sofia's wedding pics courtesy of her Instagram account. My wedding pics courtesy of the extraordinarily talented and excellent Todd Hunter-McGaw. See more here.

Happy Happy Monday - Toward Marriage Equality #lovewins

#lovewins

In a historic ruling over the weekend, the United States Supreme Court made same-sex marriage a lawful right everywhere in America.

Justice Anthony M Kennedy wrote for the majority that "No longer may this liberty be denied. No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were."

Marriage is a "keystone of our social order" he wrote, adding that the plaintiffs in the case were seeking "equal dignity in the eyes of the law."

This decision marks the culmination of decades of litigation and activism on this most simple human right. The decision comes amid fast-moving changes in public opinion, with polls indicating that most Americans now approve of same-sex unions.

What better way to fight those in the dark corners of the globe by not only celebrating the freedoms we currently have, but by providing yet greater freedoms to those long-marginalised? This is what we fight for: hardwon, staunchly defended freedom. I hope our country can embrace similar ideals, but fear a few things may need to change around here before that can become reality.

But who cares? Today, love conquers all.

Picking Favourites

I adored this.

Chanel Iman looked stunning in Zuhair Murad couture. Note the skirt has an additional layer that provides that additional volume. It's amazing. For some useless trivia, when I was planning my wedding dress I had additionally wanted a detachable skirt similar to this, but pricing of lace sent the dress out of the ball park. Chanel saved on lace by not covering most of her cleavage ;o)

Happy Friday / Happy Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day to all the lovers out there! I am going ultra-romantic tomorrow and going to a WEDDING! I can't wait.

In other lurve related news, obviously the world is going bananas over the release of Fifty Shades of Grey. Having not read it because I am a LITERARY SNOB, I feel I can relax and go and see the film and not suffer the baggage of believing the film does not live up to the poorly-constructed story line. What a relief.

I am actually more concerned about flipping the switch in my head into believing that this Mr Grey fellow is a nice, somewhat kinky dreamboat and not the terrifying serial killer from The Fall. Jamie Dornan - Mr Grey - appeared most menacingly in the 2-season TV series The Fall and he is very bloody convincing.

Jamie Dornan looking adorable and probably not reading Fifty Shades of Grey

Reviewers appear to unanimously agree he is less than convincing in Grey, and that in fact there is next to zero chemistry between he and the leading, lip-chewing lady (Melanie Griffith's daughter). Frankly, I am not surprised. I caught his interview with Jimmy Fallon the other night and to say it was beige (worse than grey) would be an understatement. Jimmy Fallon is utterly adorable, and to see such a flat segment can only be Jamie's fault. I think he is lacking in personality. There! I said it. Anyway, I'm still going to see the film - even if it is alone. I have a feeling hubby will be less than enthused by this one.

*Note: There is a chance this is sexier than the actual film.

Have a sexy weekend.

Happy Friday: (Mini) Summer Holiday

On Sunday Lovely Hubby and I will be celebrating our first wedding anniversary. It seems so long ago since that day: a balmy afternoon in country Queensland, when we made our vows, and we tried to give our close friends and family a little glimpse in to our secret, happy world of love. Weddings are pretty special. It's still the best day of my life.

So of course you can't let a day so memorable go by without a little celebration! This afternoon we're sneaking away early for a mini beach break. Sunshine, champagne, croissants and Japanese food. I can't wait!

Happy Friday x

Happy Friday: Always On the Run

Hel-LO ladies!

I am back! And invigorated after 5 glorious weeks in the theme park that is Europe in Summer. (More on that later). After jet setting in a serious way (we visited so many countries it would make your head spin), I returned to ... more flying. The novelty of airports has seriously worn off. The only thing that could make me want to get to an airport slightly earlier would be if they put a Country Road store in there. Please retail sector, just do it!

This weekend we're road tripping to a wedding - our 3rd in 6 weeks. All set to jump on yet another plane on Monday morning.

I will travel momentous distances for a wedding

I hope you have a beautiful weekend planned. Happy Friday x

Black Swan / White Swan: Cannes Cannes Cannes

                       

 

Cate Blanchett knocks it out of the park in this stunning one-shouldered gown by Ralph Lauren, looking, dare I say it, a wee bit Galadriel-ish...

One word: flawless.

But the ladies in black were pretty amazing too...

If all else fails, you can of course mix the colours as Milla Jovovich did in Chanel.

Zuhair Murad Bridal

Is it wrong that I still look at wedding dresses, even though I've done my bridal dash? It's strange, but now that I have long since departed the wedding aisle, I am strangely more curious about wedding dresses than ever before. If someone tells me they're getting married, I now need ALL the details, whereas in the past I was barely vaguely listening about guest list dramas, meddling mothers and tiresome Bridezillas.

 

These bridal gowns from Zuhair Murad are gorgeous. I love the golden leaf belt incorporated in to most of the dresses, and I love the dreamy cascades of florals. My dress had a speckling of flowers in the skirt, and I kinda wish I'd had more now that I look at these dresses.

 



The skirt on this one is quite similar to my own. I asked my delightful dressmaker to
create this shadow effect - the slimmer silk layer with a dreamy tulle over the top. J'adore.

The Circle of Amazon Wish Lists

As I was adding yet more books to my Amazon wish list, I clicked onwards to see what else was on my wish list. Strangely, funnily, or completely-not-a-coincidence-at-all-and-stop-reading-into-things I had a massive pile of things added to my wish list this day one exact year ago.

On 11 March 2013, it is quite clear I was having a monster of a freak-out about decorations for my wedding, hence the truckloads of gorgeous drinks dispensers you'd find at an all-American 4th July party, striped straws, apothecary jars, ribbons, decorative paper pom poms, and basically everything in Martha Stewart's craft range. It really was over the top. Thankfully, I didn't buy any of these things (although a couple were sourced from eBay - ALWAYS CHEAPER).

It's funny to pause for a moment and think about what you wanted, or felt that you desperately needed, a year or more ago. It's more interesting to realize that you didn't get it, and you survived. My wedding was fine without the presence of Martha Stewart's many and varied range of craft goodies. My life was complete without buying "The Homemade Wedding" (actually pretty sure my stress levels were reduced as a result of not owning this book).

As Hubby and I search for homes for our wedding gifts and the assorted items we've each collected over the 30 years we existed on this planet before meeting each other, it's caused us to evaluate the value of "stuff". Some of our stuff is of huge sentimental value, others valuable financially.
But the items we have realized we value more than most is space and time. You can buy space (but you tend to fill it unless you live conscientiously), but you can't buy time. We stare at each other across a room of boxes, and feel this understanding swimming about us. I just can't figure out if this shadowy object swimming by is a friendly dolphin with a peace-loving message to deliver, or a stabby stingray who just wants to harm us with reality. 

There is a wonderful quote from Charles Bukowski that sums up this concept that I've been toying with recently absolutely perfectly: "The less I needed, the better I felt".



I am starting to realize the power in saying "no" - no to myself to buy a pink jacket which I am sure would make me really happy, but would serve no other purpose than the one already filled by countless other jackets. Saying no to going to an event that will leave me unfulfilled, exhausted, bored and possibly feeling fat after watching a parade of skinny 20-somethings glide by. And in knowing what will truly aid me, and saying no to what will impede, harm or simply sap my finances, I see there is power in this. Power in knowing, power in "no" and power in prioritizing.

Have you had a startling life realization lately? As a genuine shopaholic, I am quite amazed that I don't need stuff, and that when I don't have it and when I reflect upon not having it, I actually kinda feel better. Weird.

Graceful Goddesses, Sleeved Stunners and Structured Sirens: Oscars Round-Up

Red carpet season really is the best, and this year's Oscars have certainly delivered in the elegance stakes this year. There have been scarcely any daring outfits - it seems every lady on the red carpet has opted for muted elegance... Including Lady Gaga which was both strange and oddly lovely to see her dressed demurely. (Last time I paid much attention to her she was on stage at Brisbane Convention Centre wearing a G-string leotard, torn fishnets and a leather jacket).



She didn't even do anything crazy with her hair... I hope she's feeling OK.

 

What really stood out amongst the trends on the red carpet were only a few things: the rise of the sleeve (capped or long, it didn't matter); the goddess gown in all its gloriously full-skirt; and the structured, slim-line dress that showed off the waist and elongated the torsos.

 

 

Taking out the sleeve stakes in terms of length was definitely Angelina Jolie (she is so ridiculously beautiful)...

 

 

... but my favourite take on the sleeve trend was the capped sleeve on Naomi Watts and Calista Flockhart (in rather similar dresses, it must be acknowledged).

 

 

 

Not to make this Oscars round-up all about me, but I think I love the capped sleeve so much because I almost bought a Collette Dinnigan wedding dress in this style. The weird thing is, I just couldn't get my head around not wearing a strapless gown... Is that weird? I felt like I was passing up an opportunity to show off my arms and boobs. So I went strapless. The dress wasn't as tacky as I just made it sound, by the way. Hats off to these ladies for exercising EXTREME RESTRAINT when given the opportunity to show off their fabulous figures.

 

Next up is the goddess-y, dreamy, full-skirted gown. These were all delightful in their simplicity and muted tones. It was either a pastel (pretty pink for Penelope Cruz and stunning pastel blue for Lupita Nyong'o) or a really lovely oyster colour with sparkles.

 

 

Here are some of my favourites:

It's always so hard to choose a favourite, but Kate Hudson was a serious stand-out for me

 

 

Next up, we had the more structured dresses which really paid tribute to the female form.

 

Ann Hathaway really copped it for this dress, but I don't think it's totally dreadful.

Um... LOVE!

Another favourite

 What didn't we see on the red carpet this year? Thigh high splits, crazy chandelier jewellery and certainly an absence of too much bosom. All around, this was slightly dull for the lack of daringness, but beautiful for those of us who love a classic evening gown.

 



The Long Hiatus

My God, I can't believe it's been almost a year since my last post. Where have I been? I sometimes wonder that myself.

Planning a wedding, changing cities, juggling new jobs, moving in with lovely boyfriends who become exciting fiances who become glorious husbands, trying to stay in touch with friends... But mainly planning a wedding and living in 2 cities.

I can't believe I didn't blog about planning a wedding! How did I miss that?! Actually, I know exactly how I missed it - because I became a crazy wedding blog stalker (briefly) which stressed me way the heck out. WHO ARE THESE WOMEN WHO HAVE TIME/INTEREST/SKILL TO HANDMAKE PRACTICALLY EVERY DETAIL OF THEIR WEDDING?? Who are you? Do you have full time jobs? You stress every other bride to be out with your gorgeous bunting and delectable bohemian hair pieces! So I banned myself from wedding sites, and I became a much calmer bride. I had a moment where I fell of the wagon, and veered dangerously into bridezilla territory, but I gave the horse a carrot, corrected the wagon and resumed transmission minus blogs. (Although I did really get into Pinterest for a while there).

So naturally, being thoroughly scarred by blogs, I didn't blog for the longest time.

It wasn't quite like this...

Anyway, now that it's all done and dusted, I truly hope to be back to blogging. It gives me such joy, and I actually do weirdly feel connected to something when I do it. To be honest, the jetsetting is getting to me a little. For a change, I'm sitting in the airport lounge smiling. *phew*

How Much Time

How much time did we spend wondering? I can admit to huge chunks of my mid- to late 20s, and certainly a decent whack of my 30th year pondering this question. It was a mindless curiousity, a pleasant place for my mind to wander to. Having a crush on a fantasy is so easy - you don't have fights, you don't live away from each other, and you don't have to worry about whose turn it is to pack the dishwasher.

These days, I don't have that pleasant escape. Instead I have a husband! And I think a husband in the flesh, the real thing, is actually more lovely than the fantasy (even if he hasn't packed the dishwasher or whatever other silly gripe there may be). Your husband can tell you what he's doing, and you can blissfully surrender to the joy of 100% trust and knowing that he is real, his life is real, and he wants you in it.

But time is finite, for everyone and everything. So enjoy what you have right now, ponder the joys of the future, but love that which is real and before you the most. Don't waste time.

Heavenly Creatures

Spring/Summer 2013 couture collections are on their way, and as always they are making me yearn for next summer, before this summer is even over. The delicacy of the lace, the subtle yet strong colours, the lady-like cut. This is all perfection. And seriously. Is there anything better than pockets in a dress?