Getting ready – always an important part of the story!

Made by yours truly! Quite impressed if I do say so myself!

Fiona also stocks gorgeous hair accessories – they are so beautiful I don’t know how anyone could choose – in fact how anyone can choose one particular style for their wedding and not change their mind a hundred times is beyond me!

This is one of my favourites I think. Also it was my favourite dress. SO pretty.

Loving this one as well! Erika looks so pretty and the birdcage veil is FAB.

Well, had to get another shot of my bouquet!

And it wasn’t just posed – what a shame you can’t hear anything from a photo because Erika played beautifully!

And lastly, the lovely Fiona of the shop itself.

To learn more about the Wedding Boutique Cheshire, visit the site at http://www.weddingboutiquecheshire.co.uk/

The shop is at Heyrose Golf Club which is only a few minutes drive from Knutsford. The beautiful dresses, tiaras, veils, hair accessories and friendly service are well worth a visit!

A x

I’m having quite a time deciding what pics to include so I’ll put a few more on my FB page at some point if you want to go have a nose there too.

This was one of our first, “warming up” pictures so I was surprised one made it into my favourites! Loving the way the light hits the side of Olivia’s face and her shoulder.

Beware. Some of these stones wobble, as we found out. Thank goodness for camera straps, that’s all I can say.

My plan was to make a mini-map of our Manchester meamble through photos of signs but I think we only ended up with two – I was constantly distracted by the next picture jumping out at me.

Oh I can’t remember what this shop is.  No matter, I like the colours and Olivia’s expression!

I love this one – Olivia’s profile, her reflection and the nice golden thingymajig, whatever it is. I think it’s part of the window display.

Groovy background eh?! Courtesy of Louis Vuitton, dontcha know.

And here we move onto Market Street. I think this might be my favourite shot of the day! Not just because of David Beckhams, er, lunchbox, but just the randomness and because it made me laugh that people were giving us strange looks as they went past. And the colours  in contrast to David’s black and white.

No, THIS is my favourite shot. Definitely.

I love this one too although I kind of wish I had included more of Olivia’s shadow, or taken another one of it and maybe just her feet. I want her shoes.

On our way to St Peter’s Square, we thought it might look good if we took a picture with a train coming towards us. We had to be snappy (ha!) so Olivia hid my handwarmers behind her back for a quick pic. The metro driver must’ve got a tad annoyed as he was blasting us with his horn. It was ages away! We ran.

And then we moved to Albert Square, after causing an incident that must stay between myself and Olivia. And the security cameras.

LOVING the chinese lanterns!

Isn’t it funny how the most natural of movements can be so striking?

Sometimes simple is best. Eyes, lips, hair.

Isn’t she gorgeous?

For some reason this reminds me of an advert in a magazine. I’m not sure why.

I think this is the street between the Town Hall and the Library. Again, just liked the black and white contrasting with Olivia’s vibrant hair.

Time to stop for coffee. Well it was actually time to stop, fullstop, but I couldn’t. And I’m glad I didn’t as the next picture is one of my favourites.

Who would’ve thought Starbucks would be such a good place for a pic?

Blue nails too!

Back to Victoria to go homeward. The red curly bits caught my eye.

As did this shiny hot dog stand. There are some pictures I really like for reasons unknown. This is one of them.

Sorry Olivia – it was these last few pictures that made you late for your train. I think they were worth it though! Thank you and hope to see you again soooon!

A x

Anyway never mind all that, introducing the lovely Eleanor. Isn’t she gorge? She is one of my previous brides, you will find her Alice-in-Wonderland themed wedding in a previous post, most likely.

Lips, eyes. That’s what this pic is about!

Ooh I still love black and white. Am surprising myself recently though by keeping most things in colour.

Think this might be my favourite of the bunch. The angle of Eleanor’s head, leaning on the hand, the sultry eyes, the fallen-down strap and the RED lips! Beautiful.

Looks Marilyn Monroe-ish to me on this one.

I love how light and shadows make this pic.

Really like the silhouette of Eleanor through the nightie on this one. So pretty.

LOVE. The nightie. THIS is real vintage. Had no idea why I was buying it last year from a vintage fayre in Alderley Edge, NOW I know why – this picture!

Loving the giggles! Every ounce real as well – I had to crop this pic as in the original you could see my baby girl’s hand in the middle of Eleanor’s chest – she was helping, you see. She’ll be a great assistant one day soon.

I love this one. And it’s only a bedside lamp causing that lovely warm glow. I love our wallpaper too – not that you can really see it, but that really must be vintage, it’s been that that long.

Ooooooh, saucy shoes.

Back to this chuffin window, thinks Eleanor. There’s only so many times I can stare at the same old trees.

Ok so these last 2 aren’t in the boudoir, clearly. Nice though! I think Eleanor looks like a film star from a bygone time.

So there we are, shoot at an end. Thank you Eleanor, for letting me use these gorgeous pictures, and for the delicious cupcakes!

Just so you know, Eleanor has her own business – Elouise Designs, making handmade wedding stationery. It is truly gorgeous and well worth a visit to her website, http://www.elouisedesigns.co.uk/

I will be doing a post dedicated to her stationery at a not-too-distant future date so WATCH OUT for it.

Back soooooooon

A x

I’m supremely impressed with myself with this one! Yes it’s a little crazy but I like it like that and it fits Perfectly! It took a lot of trying on and then altering, trying on and altering but I got there in the end. The only mistake I may have made is not washing the fabric first. It’s quite snug so if it shrinks in the wash I’ve had it.

This is the first time I’ve put a zip in anything I think. Pretty neat eh!!I didn’t actually use a pattern either. I used a book called “Yeah! I made it myself” by Eithne Farry – it’s described as DIY fashion for the not very domestic goddess. And it’s great!

Made this to hang on a door – before this, our many millions of gloves, scarves, hats and handwarmers were stuffed in a too-small box and constantly being pulled out by little hands. Not perfect but very practical. However I won’t be making one again in a hurry, not in this material anyway – it was HORRIBLE to sew – its that oil-cloth-like, shiny tablecloth fabric and I had to pull it through the sewing machine.

Actually, strictly this was the work of last year – I made it and a couple of others for some special little girlies including my fairy god daughters. It’s SO EASY to make and so effective! You can find tutorials for making your own no-sew tutu on youtube. Yep that’s right, NO SEW.

Cheating again, I made this last year too but thought it deserved to be included as I have now run out of craft pics. Little hearts hanging over the fireplace.

Right that’s it for now. I assure you I am still a photography blog and not a craft blog! For a real craft blog I would direct you to the following.

http://marypoppins-homesweethome.blogspot.com/

Gowwwwwwwwjus!

A x

Lymm Cross is a sandstone Grade I listed structure featured in the village centre. Apparently these type of crosses used to be commonplace across the country, but the one in Lymm is one of the last few remaining of it’s kind. The actual purpose of the cross is a mystery… for now, it is Lymm’s most well-known landmark and irresistable to children to scamper up to the top – I remember.

The stocks are replica ones. The original ones apparently dated back to 1775. I wonder how many people have posed for pictures here…

I like this. Hopefully a bit different to all the normal shots of Lymm Cross.

This is my favourite shot. I had to get into a weird crouched neck-craning position whilst asking Bailey nicely not to go crazily chasing after any other dogs just at that moment. Luckily he complied.

A x

As Oscar’s lovely mummy Mary is a bit of an Instagram fan, I thought I would give some of the pics a bit of a retro filter. Love this shade of sky!

Right, come down now Oscar, lets see that cutie pie close up!

THERE he is.

SO glad we did it last weekend and not this one. The sun was perfect. This weekend has been grey and miserable and we would have been blown away. I was aiming to get lots of hazy, dreamy pictures, by shooting into the light and purposely creating some glare. Oh now what’s it called? I want to say DU JOUR but I don’t think I’m quite right. Come on brain.

CONTRE JOUR! Means “against light.” That’s it. Oh and I didn’t even get it from Google. My brain does still work! I love this one – cheeky little smile.

The aforementioned stick collecting commences.

Little boy + sticks + tree = the above photo.

This one looks to me like a little soldier, marching with his rifle.

Oscar and his collection of sticks.

Perfect little log table. Oscar wanted to take them home and volunteered Mary and I to do so. Needless to say, they stayed put.

I’m loving that light.

How much do you love that pocket hankie!

And he’s off again. Boys.

I love this one. I love the glare. Flare? You know, that sunny hazy effect. The way that long blade of grass to the right is all illuminated. Actually, it might be one of my hairs? Either way, I think it looks nice!

Oscar and a tree, Instagram style. Well I think it is – I don’t actually have an Iphone but anyway, I like the effect.

The bow tie is just the best, no?

Wow – a real model pose!

Wouldn’t have had that sky this weekend.

Cheeky Oscar. Sat on a fence.

My first black and white picture of this post. I’m surprised at myself because ordinarily I love black and white above anything else. But something about the light and haziness I thought was shown better in colour on most of these pictures.

My last few shots were sneaky as really, Oscar had had enough. There’s only so much running round, stick collecting and tree hitting one little boy can take!

A x

Safe in mummy’s arms

Teeny toes, I love them!

She’s not sure…

She’s even less sure…

Oh no! Don’t cry!

There’s something so special about newborns! Brand new and wrinkly, the world is so new for them and everything must be so strange after their watery home. I love photographing them, little fingers and toes and their random expressions. Thank you Felicity!

A x

I made a lot of these pictures high contrast and a bit desaturated. I only meant to do it to a few of them but then the others just looked too normal! I love how it makes an image so striking.

The girls thought it was hilarious to fall backwards onto the bed. It made for good pics too!

Oh I just LOVE those little curls!!

I love this chair! Florence looks like she’s right out of a Laura Ashley catalogue.

My first thought was, oh they;re not all looking at the camera. My second thought was, oh I’m glad they’re not! I think baby Florence nibbling on her big sister’s arm is just great.

I love Imogen’s eyes, hair and hat on this one! And the twinkly lights of the Christmas tree. A nice Christmas portrait, if I do say so!

little baby feet!

Can’t leave Bea out of the family portraits!

Lovely to photograph you, Morris family. See you again soon!

I’m loving the hat!

Twins trimming tree – ooh, good alliteration, no? Ah,or maybe not. Maybe it would have to be Twins Twimming Twee. I forget. English lessons were a long time ago.

How’s this for a model look from Grace?!

Ah, the dreamy look…

Watch out Ed Sheeran. Er, does Ed Sheeran play guitar? I’m sure he does.

I think this is my favourite!

There we have it, watch out for some future musicians to take the world by storm. Thank you twins, see you again soooon!

Ax

One resolution I am determined to keep is TAKE MORE PHOTOS, and one way in which I plan to do this is do a 365-day photo project. I am uploading these into an album on my facebook page so do have a nosy every now and then!

So following on from my fab coffee cup lens, I thought I would photograph a few other Christmas gifts and plans for the year…

It’s a old film roll. And a memory stick! Almost as good as my coffee cup lense. And probably more useful. But won’t wake me up in the morning.

This dinosaur randomly accompanied my coffee cup lens and film roll memory stick. He doesn’t have a hidden use, that I can fathom, but deserves a photo nonetheless.

Ah, my lovely cuffs from the lovely Zoe. Brightens up any outfit, and as she pointed out, great for when your jumper shrinks!

My oh-so-pretty handwarmers from the oh-so-clever Abi, my good friend at Dilly Dally Bunting. I’m not sure if she sells these on her site but I know there are lots more fab things on there. Even better she made some baby versions for my little poppet, and I would have photographed them but I’ve put them in a random pocket and they tend to hide for up to 2 days until I find the aforementioned pocket. I will snap them when they appear next.

Oooh! Now this is exciting. Another of my resolutions – make clothes instead of buying them! I keep thinking I just need to concentrate really hard to understand the patterns but they are actually really hard to understand?? However, I am on dress number 1 and will share the results, whatever they may be.

Attempting to insert a zip. What a lovely pincushion!

Ah, now this was, until now, my guilty secret. I bought it from a vintage fair with the half-intention of using it as a Christmas gift but I accidentally “forgot” about it. Isn’t it pretty?! Its made by Lisa-Kay of Vintage Belle Candles – a lovely lady who sells her beautiful wares at Botany Bay and she has an Etsy shop.

Ah, yes, my tin, another guilty purchase. When Nick sees it, he will say “But what’s it FOR?” And I will defensively retort, “TO PUT THINGS IN!”

Ah, another new book! It’s fabulous! I don’t know what appealed to me more – the photos, the divine recipes, the vintage fonts or the hair instructions for making victory rolls. If I attempt it I will again share the results!

Last and not least, a mouthful of apple. Bet you were wondering, weren’t you?