Getting ready for a new pup

In 5 days we'll be bringing a new member of the family home with us. I'm so excited I could burst!

We've been wanting a dog for what seems like forever, so when my parent's dog Boo had a date with a very handsome chap called Bow a few months ago, we knew that one of the Boo/Bow babies would be ours.

They're such cuties... it was hard to choose but we've made our selection! 

We've been collecting all the bits and bobs we need for our little pal, including a hot water bottle to keep him snug over Winter. He's also going to be the hippest pup in town wearing his polkadot bandana which was a present from some friends. The crate is set up in place too... and as it's by the kitchen door, we needed a draught excluder. I'd searched around a few shops but they really weren't very attractive so I made one tonight. I bought a load of wadding from the fabric shop in town for about £3 and used some left over fabric from the wedding bunting. So easy to make and looks great in the kitchen... We just need to train little one to not chew it to shreds!

All we need now is for him to get here!

I'll introduce him to the world of blogging next week once he's settled in... but for now, here we are 3 weeks ago. 

I'm totally smitten.

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Cotesbach Barn

Harry was away on a friend's stag weekend last month so I nipped back to Leicestershire for a couple of nights. I'd worked a ridiculously long week at work so there wasn't much on the agenda aside from hanging out with family and seeing one of my closest friends turn 30.

After a lie in and amazing sleep, mum and I decided to pop out for a few hours on Sunday. We went to the barn at Cotesbach for a mooch about and a sandwich. We had visited last December for some Christmas shopping and hot chocolates but this time round it was beautiful sunshine, so we walked around the garden admiring all the lovely decor for a while. It's such a photogenic place I had to share!

Inside is just as exciting... so much to look at! 

As well as all the amazing items for sale they hire out many items as Wedding props. 

We headed towards the counter. I bought a card for a friend's new baby, ordered some food and had a peek at the delicious cakes... then we sat outside in the sunshine with our drinks. 

They also have a new space with lots of sheds ... I'm a bit of a shed nerd it turns out (see my Pinterest board ) They're all decorated differently to give you ideas of how to work with the small spaces. I got some serious shed envy... We need a bigger garden! 

I'd definitely recommend a trip to Cotesbach Barn. As it gets chillier, head there for a hot chocolate and get yourself a seat by the log burner!

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Wedfest - Part Two

As I walked into the church I can't remember seeing any faces. I focused on my breathing and tried not to cry. As I walked up the couple of steps to the Alter, I saw Harry. My tears disappeared and I just remember grinning from then on in. 

We left the church as Mr and Mrs and walked up the road to the marquee...

We did some posing...

My cousin is a designer for Lego and made a lego Lucy and Harry for us... amazing!

I did my speech!

And so did the others...

My Goddaughter posed for many a photo and loved every minute.

And one of my brother's did his party piece rendition of Phil Collins & Phil Bailey - Easy Lover. 

Totally nailed it ... As always.

And this is where I'm going to leave the photos. We were lucky enough to have my cousin Ollie film the whole day for us, so I thought I'd share with you his wonderful work. 

http://vimeo.com/101875518

The first song played on the video is Van Morrison 'Into the Mystic' which was our first dance.

BEST DAY EVER

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Wedfest - Part One

I woke up at 6am after a few hours sleep. It'd been a late one the night before and a hectic week as I mentioned in my previous post. I was shattered but my big day was finally here! I'd been checking the weather report all week, it didn't look too great but as I stood looking out to the garden and field from the kitchen, the sun was out and the birds were singing... had the Met Office got it wrong? I made a huge cup of tea, put my hoody and wellies on over my pyjamas and headed back to the marquee. 

I had quite a few last minute bits to do and only a couple of hours do them in as I was having my hair and makeup done at 9am. It was actually weirdly calming being in there on my own, pottering about, listening to music and thinking about the day ahead. I finished off the entrance way, put the guestbook out, checked name tags, cleaned up mess and made sure the bar was all ready. I was also being sneaky... I had been thinking about doing a speech for ages but I was so worried about crying that I hadn't told anyone just incase I bottled it. I made a deal with myself, if I kept it together during the service then I could totally manage a speech in front of everyone, so I jotted a few notes down and hid them under my chair for later. 

This is the only photo I took before heading back to the house. I was pretty chuffed with all of our efforts and couldn't wait for everyone to see it! 

The sun then went behind a cloud and the rain started. It then carried on for hours.

Our wonderful photographer Matt Horan arrived and started snapping away.

(The pictures featured from now on are from Matt)

Harry's lovely cousin Julie did my hair whilst the girls made me cups of tea and force fed me toast. I then had my make up done by Dimple, an old work colleague who worked her wonderful magic on my tired face. 

Matt then popped over to Foxton where Harry and the boys were all getting ready at the Lodge. My brothers went over to join them, have a beer and make sure their future Brother in law was ready for the big day! 

Back at the house everyone was getting ready... I waited though as didn't want to sit around in my dress, so I made everyone a drink and poured myself a very large one. 

It was then my turn...The girls were all ready and waiting to help me into my precious dress. 

My brothers came upstairs to see me followed by Dad... 

As we were all getting ready, the sun broke through the clouds and the rain stopped! 

My beautiful little Goddaughter arrived so we had some photos taken outside and then walked the 60 metres down the road to the church...

At this moment I started to cry. The build up of every little detail of the morning and what was about to happen suddenly hit me... My maid of honour was on hand with a tissue to save my makeup, my dad cracked a joke to snap me out of it, I took a few deep breaths and walked in to marry Harry. 

To be continued...

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