I've been following a few blogs of late and I must say, I don't know where people find the time to blog daily; here I am at the end of March wondering (yet again) where the month has gone and how do I fit it all into a few short paragraphs? I realise I seldom talk about my inspirations and I have mountains of notes to share on subjects ranging from save-the-date cards to 275 ways to use a monogram. I have also recently developed an interest in engagement announcements. Why? Well, yes, I am engaged...woop woop...pause to blush.So, this months blog is the first of a series of engagement blogs, it begins our journey to the altar (and will follow my quest NOT to turn into a bridezilla!).
I met Jon in a Tapas bar in Basingstoke. I went to school in Basingstoke, years before (erm...25 years actually) and whilst our schools backed onto each other we never met. We went to the same roller disco when we were eleven, when I was at art college in the 80's I'd get my bananarama inspired perm done in the salon where one of his best mates worked. Aside from the amusing coincidences we never met, until 2008, and I have to say it's so absolutely true that "when-you-know-you-know".
It was an odd time to meet; I had just bought an utterly gorgeous pad aka "spinster heights". I'd been through a lot of moving during the years prior, I'd had a terrible time with a flood almost wiping out my business and after two disasterous dating experiences with a couple of, well utter idiots, I was filled with a sense that my fate involved just me, only me. I loved my new home, a renovated part of a hospital wing, and I'd actually gotten quite good at not minding the "oooh what's a nice girl like you being single" comments. Most of all I loved my wedding and baby businesses, I've never been envious, I just thought it might be quite nice to experience it for myself. Enter romance!
Months and months on, when Jon stated we would be going on a mini break in March and asked me to choose between Florence or Venice. I chose Florence. One of the things I'm most grateful for, in my job, are the opportunities I've had to travel, I have been on some amazing trips over the last couple of years and I knew Florence and I would get along great.
Florence is the most amazing City, utterly divine, uber chic. It's an absorbing, wonderful experience, I would recommend it a million times over (see below for my top 3). It's just fabulous. Jon proposed on 20th March just past 1 o'clock, on a balcony overlooking the city, on one knee holding the most beautiful ring I have seen. I said yes.
My 'fiance' designed my engagement ring, a labour of love that had taken months of work and research. The ring is a brilliant diamond set in a lotus flower setting. The lotus flower, in Indian mythology, represents birth and beauty. The lotus seed is buried beneath muck and murky waters and in time grows out above the water and blooms. Fairly symbolic I thought.
My inspiration board, above, shows a few favourite bits from my trip and is really the starting point for my wedding planning. That's me bottom right and bottom left is the man of my dreams. There are so many possibilities and I must say, despite my experience of weddings, I am fairly scared by all the planning and preparation...at least I have my invitations sorted (I'll be posting my engagement announcement on here, just as soon as it's complete).
Well, celebrations aside, it's work, work, work here and next months blog is already planned. I have a new part of my business launching after Easter: Two by Two Express, which houses some great new lines. Our website is currently being updated and the new version is going online mid-April. Plus, the online store is almost complete and you'll be able to buy everything from greetings to announcements online. Phew!
Meantime, here are my 'new bride to be' recommendations thus far:
My top 3 best bits of Florence:
Angels restaurant, gorgeous restaurant a short walk from The Duomo.
Pitti Gola Cantina, an absolute must. We went three times! Loved their wine list and their fantastic service. If you are having an Italian wedding they ship too. See the website for more details.
Palazzo Galletti, our stunning hotel. Each room is named after a planet in the solar system and is beautifully decorated.
Finally, closer to home, my beautiful ring was hand made by Parchment Jewellers in Winchester by a rather lovely man called David, who's also getting married this year. I'm set to do a blog on Parchment street over the next months, well worth a visit if you are planning a day out in the south.
Right, I'm off. See you next month.
Mrs Ryan-to-be!
