Oscars: What are you wearing?

I am still a bit undecided, but I think I will go with this Roksanda Ilincic beautiful gown. So effortlessly elegant. I wish...

Package Of The Day

It's no surprise that I enjoy shopping online and if there is a good deal out there, you can be sure I am on it. I receive packages on a regular basis at work, certainly more than any other colleague. In fact, if the others receive a package, it's usually work related stuff or at the very least a book. My latest purchase comes from my very beloved Orla Kiely. I may not live in a wonderful flat but that doesn't mean I shouldn't try to make it nicer!

Next package on the way!

Three Countries, One Wedding

Rob and I are getting a bit lost. Organising a wedding  is always a difficult task so imagine how much more complex it is to organise a wedding between two people from two different Countries, who now live in a third Country, but who will get married in another one. Are you confused? So are we! There is so much bureaucracy, so many things to do, so many directions to take. I am trying to stay calm but I can't wait to be done with this part and go back to the fun bits. I have still got shoes to buy, head-bands to look at, make-up to choose, flower arrangements to experiment...so much to do!! And today we are at minus-four months! Getting close!!

Valentino, I adore you

How simply fantastic is this dress from Valentino SS 2011?

London Fashion Week is here, just a couple of blocks from my office and...YES, I wish I was there!

Marimekko

 I have an urgent need to go to the Marimekko store in London and buy something!

A.P.C.

I have been in love with A.P.C. and A.P.C. Madras for quite a while now and yesterday I finally bought my first piece. This wonderful and super cute top. I wonder if I will be brave enough to wear it with velvet shorts, high-kneew socks and brogues! Very cool ensemble!

Men and Flowers

On my way home after work yesterday I passed by a lovely florist and smiled. It was full of men looking for flowers to bring to their Valentines. It made me smile to see so many men, of different age, browsing around and looking for the perfect flowers to surprise their partners.You should have seen their expressions, they were serious, satisfied with their choices and looking forward to joining their lovers. 

Did you receive any flower yesterday? Do you like flowers?

Rob came home with a nice bunch of twelve red roses and a card that said *For my wife*...

...soon, my love, soon!

(Happy) Valentine's Day!

 {photo: Marks&Spencer Rose Cake}

So, this is the day many people love and many other people hate. I personally, and I am sure it doesn't sound as a surprise to you, love it! 

I have always celebrated Valentine's Day, way before I had a lover, as a sort of second birthday. I have always celebrated my *name day* with a cake and gifts and I have always been looking forward  to it. Not only my boyfriend, but also my parents, relatives and friends have always given me gifts and they still call me to wish me a happy day. So, to me, it's a wonderful day.

As anticipated in my previous post, Rob and I decided to treat each other to a lovely lunch at The River Restaurant at the Savoy this year and I am very glad we did it. It was the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day. The Savoy really impressed me. From that understated entrance on The Strand, you would never imagine what beautiful world you'll find inside. The River Resaturant has been decorated with a very classy and modern decor, I loved the cream leather armchairs and the white orchids added a gorgeous extra touch. The service was outstanding and the food delicious. We both started with an asparagus and spinach soup, which was superb, and then Rob had fregola risotto with seafood and I had an amazing sea brass with potato pie and cucumber tagliatelle cooked in miso soup. I am still dreaming about this! 

I tried it and loved it. Can we go again, please?

I wish...

...I had enough money and proper occasions to buy and wear beautiful and full length gowns. I love  the Valentino dress Emma Watson has worn at this year Bafta Awards, it's gorgeous and I think it would make a beautiful  and unique wedding gown. Too bad I have bought mine already!

Valentine's Weekend

It has been a quite busy week and I am so looking forward to a nice weekend of relaxation and fun. 

First on the agenda is the Wedding Show at Battersea Park. Rob will be all day at a rugby match with Andrew tomorrow so I have opted for a girlie day out with my friends Natalie, Emma and Steph and what better choice than a wedding show to keep us all wow and uh-oh! I am really looking forward to this. Emma got engaged a week after us, so it will be fun to share thoughts with her. And I know Natalie and Steph will be the perfect companions! I hope to get inspired and spot a lot of interesting ideas.

On Sunday Rob and I will be treating ourselves to a nice lunch at the Savoy River Restaurant as a Valentine's Day gift to each other. Revived as part of the Savoy’s grandiose restoration programme, the River Restaurant has been given a glamorous contemporary look. I am expecting a lot from this. Fingers crossed for some lovely weather to complement lunch.

 

And what are you up to? How are you celebrating Valentine's Day? 

All you need is Love...Friends and Cross-Stich!

{photo from heartzeena}

Last night I hosted the first event of a series of *Learn How To* sessions. After a long day in meetings in Oxford, it was just what I needed. I got home around 5.30 and had about an hour to make the spread and set up the table. There were nibbles, drinks, Classical music, scented candles and of course colourful Aida fabrics, threads and cross-stich templates. I had a lot of fun teaching my girlfriends how to cross-stich and I was impressed with the results. They made me proud. It was a very relaxing evening, we chatted about everything, from movies to food, from education to travel and of course wedding, and clothes, and accessories...We ended the evening with a cup of lavender tea and delicious cookies made by my friend Tiffany. 

I had a great time and can't wait for our next session. In such a complicated  and hectic world, it is nice from time to time to stop and appreciate the little things, like friendship, tea and, why not, cross-stich!

House Search On Hold

After three months of house-hunting Rob and I have decided to put the house search on hold for a little while. With the wedding approaching and a series of other things to take care of, our search for the perfect house was becoming a bit too stressful, especially because it's proving to be impossibile to find a *perfect* house here in London. Well, first of all, when I say house, I really mean flat and a very small flat even. With our budget, which by the way I don't think is that low, we are finding it quite difficult to find a two bedroom flat with possibly an extra WC room or shower room in a decent location. 

Over the last couple of months we have been looking, almost every Saturday and almost every weekend we got very frustrated thinking of what London offers us in terms of accommodation. Don't get me wrong, I love London, I think it's a fantastic city but unless you have a budget of at least 700,000£ you can't really afford much! 

So the options are:

1) accept the London standards and buy a tiny two-bed flat in a dodgy area

2) keep renting but moving to a bigger and better place

3) keep renting where we are

4) move outside London

5) move elsewhere

None of these options is ideal. Number one is not even an option, really. We certainly don't live in the best of areas already but we are renting and it's not forever! We have no intention whatsoever to put our lives, and perhaps the life of our children, in danger. Option number two may be the best option really but this means paying almost double in rent of what we are paying now, so no chances of buying anytime soon. Option number three is scary! I am done living where we are. Originally, we thought we would stay in that flat for just a year and then we, somehow, got lazy and stuck. When we were looking for a place to rent more than four years ago Rob had just started his new job in London and I was still a student, so our monthly budget wasn't really high. Now we live quite confortably there as the montly rent is affordable but we are running out of space, I am bored with the place and we are not super happy with the neighbourhood. Option number four: a one hour-two hour commute? Are you kidding me? Not me, I am just not able to wake up and function early in the morning. Plus, if I had to live outside London in the countryside, what would be the reason for being in London then? I would miss all the vibe and all the good things that attracted me to London in the first place.  I am a city person, not a suburban housewife. Out of the question! Option number five: where then? Rob and I are incapable to find an alternative, a good alternative. We have been exploring our options but nothing seems too intriguing.

We have a pickle here, as you can see.

What would you do? Any wise advice?

I Have Zero Talent

Tonight I spent the evening with my very good friend Elena and had a super lovely time. We started off with a very good meal at Olives and then headed to the Royal Albert Hall to see Totem, produced by Cirque Du Soleil. This was my first time at the Royal Albert Hall (I know, I have been living in London for 6 years! But there are so many things to do here!) and the first time experiencing Cique Du Soleil. Both impressed me equally. The Hall is simply a fascinating building, it reminded me of a beautiful Opera Theatre in my hometown I used to go to when I was little; Totem on the other hand is a very pleasant show, time just flew. The music was just amazing and so was the whole scenography. The gymnasts in particular were very talented and really impressed me. 

After seeing so much talent, I had to wonder...where is my talent? I can't sing, I can't professionally dance, I definitely have no physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, balance and all the things that a gymnast masters so easily! So, what can I do? 

I'll have to think about this properly and make a list of my strengths in order to start doing something meaningful with my life. Right now, I don't mind saying it, I feel a bit useless and talentless!

Bow Bangles

How cute are these bangles? From Ted Baker.

More Wedding Cakes

Two other wonderful wedding cakes. It's going to be very difficult to choose!

{both from Maisie Fantasie}

Trench Hunt

Spring is on its way (we hope!) and I am starting to look for the perfect trench. I have bought a few trench coats before in the past and I still have a couple in my wardrobe but this time I would like to invest a little bit of money to have something that will last a long time and it will always be current.

So, should I go for the classic Burberry trench?

Or should I opt for a darker, longer military look?

Long or short?

And yes, Burberry does it best. But how about this more feminine Miu Miu option?


Need your help here!

Ode to Giambattista Valli

On my way to work this morning, my very good friend Gaia texted me that she was going to Paris for one of Giambattista Valli's fittings. So, while sitting at my desk today, in my not very inspiring office, working on my geeky projects, all I could think of was: "Why don't I work in fashion too?".

Giambattista Valli's summer 2011 collection is simply beautiful and very romantic. I love the long black ruffled dress, I saw the white version too and it would make an amazing wedding gown! I wouldn't mind to own the short pink and black dress either, it's just delicious!

Gaia, can you bring me with you next time?

Valentine's Pop-Up Shop

Love is in the air and Valentine's Day is slowly approaching.
I am very excited to say that valeasc treats will be displayed and available to buy at the lovely Valentine's Pop-Up Shop organised by The Create Place this Saturday, February-5th, from 10am to 5pm. Make sure to pop by, lots of wonderful handmade gifts and cards to choose from, your beloved ones deserve the best!