Day 2 across the water and it was time to meet up with some of my favourite style bloggers...a gorgeous group of girls that I've gotten to know over the past 2 years via social media and a blogger Facebook group. Even though we talk daily on the group about blogging issues (and more often about non-blogging issues!), I still found it a bit scary walking into a room with everyone there. But it was a different story once I had a glass of bubbles in my hand and all the introductions were done. One of the 11 who attended was Marlene from Chocolate Cookies & Candies who brought along her 'don't mess with me' camera and graciously photographed us all throughout the day.
What a girl...she hardly got a rest all afternoon but look at the stunning results......
Click on a name to see the blog!
1: Donna & Fiona, 2: Frances & Sue, 3: Helen & Joanna
4: Natalie & Kat 5: Michelle & Marlene
What to wear to such an event? It wasn't just a case of looking stylish, the outfit needed to be London-proof and 'carry-on-bag' compatible! Not an easy feat I can tell you. But the day before I left, I met up with Nic from Strawberry Blonde Beauty Blog for a quick chat and as we were meeting right beside Benetton on the Lisburn Road, we decide to have a peep at the last of the sale stock.
An unusual cape/jacket caught my eye and cried out to be taken to London with me! I liked that it was a bit different. Not as dressy as a blazer style jacket but dressier than a coat. It was reduced from £85 to £28..so it would have been rude not to!
Benetton doesn't have an online shop but Harrison on the Lisburn Road, who own the franchise here do hold some Benneton stock in their online shop - my jacket is out of stock though.
What a girl...she hardly got a rest all afternoon but look at the stunning results......
Click on a name to see the blog!
1: Donna & Fiona, 2: Frances & Sue, 3: Helen & Joanna
4: Natalie & Kat 5: Michelle & Marlene
What to wear to such an event? It wasn't just a case of looking stylish, the outfit needed to be London-proof and 'carry-on-bag' compatible! Not an easy feat I can tell you. But the day before I left, I met up with Nic from Strawberry Blonde Beauty Blog for a quick chat and as we were meeting right beside Benetton on the Lisburn Road, we decide to have a peep at the last of the sale stock.
An unusual cape/jacket caught my eye and cried out to be taken to London with me! I liked that it was a bit different. Not as dressy as a blazer style jacket but dressier than a coat. It was reduced from £85 to £28..so it would have been rude not to!
Benetton doesn't have an online shop but Harrison on the Lisburn Road, who own the franchise here do hold some Benneton stock in their online shop - my jacket is out of stock though.
Cape Jacket - Benetton @ Harrison Belfast
Jeans - M&S Autograph (past season-similar)
Black Ankle Boots - Seven Boot Lane (past season-similar)
Cream Blouse - M&S Autograph (current season)
Grey Wool Scarf - Benetton
Marlene always tells me that there's no photographic magic involved and that she barely touches up the shots but there can be no doubt that the right camera in the right hands makes a difference. However, while taking our photos, Marlene was struck by how hard we all found it to see our own beauty. So she wrote this great piece about her experience photographing us all and it really got me thinking...especially as a mum of girls.
Jeans - M&S Autograph (past season-similar)
Black Ankle Boots - Seven Boot Lane (past season-similar)
Cream Blouse - M&S Autograph (current season)
Grey Wool Scarf - Benetton
Marlene always tells me that there's no photographic magic involved and that she barely touches up the shots but there can be no doubt that the right camera in the right hands makes a difference. However, while taking our photos, Marlene was struck by how hard we all found it to see our own beauty. So she wrote this great piece about her experience photographing us all and it really got me thinking...especially as a mum of girls.
After the photos were taken, needing a break from prosecco, Natalie and I went shopping. Despite trying on lots, all I bought was a jumper from the Gap sale that I'll show you soon and a Merino crew neck from Uniqlo for my husband, to thank him for holding the fort all weekend. Oxford & Regent Street were both mobbed so it was a relief to get back to the restaurant for Round 2!
It all ended just after midnight and with faces sore from laughing and feeling just a little bit tipsy, we went our separate ways with a firm commitment to do it all again soon and perhaps next time on this side of the Irish Sea...watch out Dublin!
Ax
Oh this is brilliant - I am reliving the moments via your blog. You looked amazing in flesh as you do in the photographs and it was my absolute pleasure to have you look after me once the prosecco kicked in - nearly ran over by taxi remember?!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat grey cape/coat is gorgeous and you looked effortlessly stylish on both days
Fiona
xx
Oh Fiona - that was so funny...I couldn't work out where you were going in the middle of the road :) Was so lovely sharing the hotel room with you - really enjoyed putting the world to rights the next morning. Can't wait to meet up again lovely lady x
DeleteThis post has me smiling too! You looked great as always ... and wasn't Marlene wonderful to spend time taking all our photos? Here's to our next meet up in Dublin *clink*
ReplyDeleteShe was an absolute star...and yes, roll on Dublin and the ability to bring a TON of clothes with me to chose from...let the rest of them deal with Sleazy Jet and Ryan Air's crappola hand baggage allowance *evil cackle*
DeleteYou were so fabulous-so Avril.....your cape was just amazing, styled so beautifully with your hat and scarf!! Had one of my best days ever....it was so lovely to be a part of this superb group! I had a ball! Hope this scenario is repeated many times over!! Thank you x
ReplyDeleteAw..thank you Michelle - just amazing to meet up at long last. You're even more stylish and lovely in real life, and that's saying something. Hoping we can catch up when I'm down your direction in July x
DeleteWhat a fantastic weekend you had! You all looked wonderful too. Lynne x
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynne - really was lovely. A great break from the routine! x
DeleteLooking fabulous in London Baby, and looks like you had a fab time too! Love the pics! X
ReplyDeleteThank you Niamh! Best place to look fabulous I reckon x
DeleteThank you for the shout out, Avril. As I've mentioned before, it was an honor to photograph all of you. Thank you for the wonderful weekend. The best thing about blogging is the wonderful friends that I've made.
ReplyDeleteRight back atchya lovely...roll on July - unless you make it over her sooner than that?! x
DeleteHi Avril,
ReplyDeleteyou look great in that outfit. hope you found some fashion steals on your trip to London that you can share with us all !
How do you get your hair to look so great at that length? Is it the result of straightners on that day? My hair is a similar length to yours and I find myself wearing it up all the time as i feel it looks lack lustre when it's down. I'm loathe to cut it, as it has taken so long to grow! If you could share any hair styling tips that would be fab!
Cath x
Hi Cath! Hope you're well. Thanks for your lovely comment. For me, it's about buying the best shampoo/conditioner you can afford. I swear by Salon Professional's colour one and I also use the Luxe Oil when it's wet. I only wash it once every 6 days (sounds ming but I'm lucky that mine doesn't need it and it's good for your hair - dry shampoo is your friend!), therefore I only straighten it once a week approx. Heat & colour kill your hair so I never do home colours anymore...learned my lesson there. For London, I did have it blowdried before I left but she only ran the straighteners through it briefly. Really helps if you have it done properly...have you a blowdry bar near you? I only pay £8-£10 and it just helps to get me through those weeks when it's not sitting well and driving me mad. Hope that helps Cath xx
DeleteThanks for your reply Avril. I can't believe you straighten it only once a week! It looks as if you straighten it daily! Sadly no blowdry bar but will follow some of your other tips and see if I can avoid the unflattering pony tail that I seem to have resigned myself to! x
DeleteYou all look fabulous, looks like a great day. I love your cape Avril, so unusual
ReplyDeleteAbbi x
Thank you Abbi! It was a brilliant day...wish we could do it again this weekend! x
DeleteSuch a lovely account of the day, it was so fabulous to meet you all. You look stunning in the photos but are actually even more beautiful and luminous in real life, I am most envious! I love the grey cape coat it looked super chic on you as did your lovely cream blouse (on my list to buy with 20% discount I have just seen in the post!) Really looking forward to the next meet and Dublin would be perfect! x
ReplyDeleteThanks Frances....it was just fantastic to meet you. I really enjoyed your company and cannot wait to meet up again. ADORE your style too...wish I'd had a closer look at your trainers. They are fab. Hopefully we can catch up when I'm in Berkshire in July x
DeleteGorgeous pictures Avril, would of felt very inferior against you gorgeous gals! x
ReplyDeleteNot a bit of it Sharron - you'd have been on top of the world after a photo from Marlene. Seriously, you should see some of the photos we took on our phones indoors...messy & far from stylish! You're coming next time - even if we have to come get you! :) x
DeleteHi my dear!! Marlene's photos of you all are fabulous and every one looks so chic and stylish- loving your new cape jacket too ! xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Sharon - it was such a great day and what a difference a pro photographer makes! x
DeleteOh this is lovely are amazing are Marlene's Photo's, sound like you all had a ball! p.s love the cape and how you styled it with the scarf. x
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann Marie! It was a great day - so lovely to sit down and chat properly with everyone face to face...we missed you x
DeleteYou all look fantastic Avril - love the cape and your hair looks amazing! Brilliant photos - just had a read of Marlene's post and good grief it's so true - must make an effort to not pull myself down (I do it all the time!) xx
ReplyDeleteAmazing Avril, stunning photos of everyone. Love your cape! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely summary of the weekend and it's lovely to see us all captured here again. And it was wonderful to be able to catch up with you and have a proper chat this time. Hope to come to Dublin to see you next time!
ReplyDeleteLove all the pics Avril, every single one of look luminous! That Cape I'd gorgeous, I knew it had to be a new purchase. You have styled it perfectly as usual, and I second the comment above your hair is looking gorgeous at the minute!!
ReplyDeleteLovely post Avril & I'm in love with your cape. Such gorgeous pictures of all of you, it sounds like a lot of fun & prosecco was had by all ;-)
ReplyDeleteJane xx
www.mymidlifefashion.com
Great blog post. You all look radiant and I think that would have shone through even with a teeny tiny camera. Marlene is certainly a fantastic photographer though. I am so glad you all had a fab time. I have only met Michelle and FIona and I know how lovely they are. I hope I can get to meet the rest of you sometime in the near future. H xx
ReplyDeleteOh I love this post - the photos are great & you all looked amazing. I really love how you've styled your cape & thank you for giving me a wee mention!
ReplyDeleteSee you soon
Nic xx
We didn't get to see the blouse. Will there be a part 3 Avril? X
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos, she has a great eye. Loving the cape to.
ReplyDeleteX x
So that is where your cape is from! Kept meaning to ask as I loved it. Great post as always Avril, thank you for sharing and meeting up with us all, it was a blast x
ReplyDeleteThanks Natalie x
DeleteOh wow, you all look great, sounds like an amazing time :)
ReplyDeleteYou all look so amazing & hats off to Marlene for capturing you all so perfectly! I'm so sad I couldn't make it but wouldn't mind a jolly in Dublin next year thats for sure! The cape is gorgeous on you & styled perfectly! Ax
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea - wish you could have come. Thanks for your lovely comment x
DeleteHi, I have a style blog too and was wondering if I can join jour Facebook page and other fun?
ReplyDeleteLaura (likeyourstyletoday.blogspot.co.uk)
Hi Laura, best advice I can give you is to connect with all the bloggers on this page - comment, tweet, link up, re-tweet, so that everyone gets to know you and your blog over then next month or two. I'll certainly mention your blog to the admins in the meantime x
Delete