clever girl (but not in the scary JP way)

As if my ovaries weren't already slightly excited.*

I now seriously want a clever little girl like Bean.

I asked this question about my father.

Her advice has got me thinking. I think I should talk to my father before deciding for him. I should at least give him the option of declining or accepting.

What do you think?

Gosh he looked like a bruiser!

*I got to play with my almost 2nd cousin (Bean's cousin's baby)

oh how i wish...

...I could turn back time.

I thought I had found the perfect dress here, oh how I was wrong.

It's not the chicest of dresses. Indeed I adore the fact it is not perfect. Just like me. Also like me it costs a fabulous $450. If only it would fit me. If only I had found it months ago and asked my mother to reproduce the prettiness. But tears are for losers. Maybe it could be your dress? Please? For me?

source

i had no idea...

....I had such a flair for melodrama. (Although Bean may disagree!)

One of my favourite photographs. My cousin, myself and my little brother waiting for the DLR.

Although my brother does seem to be winning in the drama stakes! 

Bless his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle bumbag!

So sorry for my tears. Last night was the worst night I have had in months. I felt so very sick. Nothing seems to be going right.

Our comedy of errors so far-

~ Our darling photographers had to cancel, although we have solved this with a just as fabulous photographer

~ Our venue somewhat burnt down

~ We lost our DJ and some other live entertainment

~ My dress may be rubbish (also included in that is my lack of beautifulness)

and more but I just can't bring myself to think about it.

It just seems anything I don't have actual control of has gone wrong! (Well save the hideousness)

To tell the truth I have been feeling really quite unwell over the past few weeks and have been asked to stand down from my job for a few months.

Depression really is a bitch. Just when you think you are doing well and almost "there" it comes back with a vengeance. In most ways it is nothing to do with the wedding but I dare say wedding stress has not helped. However my blackness runs far deeper. Yet these things take time. The first step for me is to try and be positive. So let me be positive for but a moment.

~ I am marrying a delicious Bean and it will happen by the end of this year

~ We have two adorable kittens living with us

~ I will get better and back to work

~ I had a great hair and make-up trial on friday (I now need to start looking at myself and not get physically repulsed)

~ I had a great time this weekend with my hens

~ We don't need a DJ, our cheese will suffice

I now have remembered that a wedding is not the end of my life yet simply another beginning. 

If the wedding all goes to shit, well fuck it. It's not the bloody end of the world. 

The wedding will not be blog worthy and well maybe that is just fine. 

So sorry for my tears last night. I think I just needed to get them out of my system.

Thank you. One and all. I really do mean it.

tears from anna

I think this may be my last post, maybe forever.

I am quite disenchanted by the whole wedding business just now.

I want to curl up and forget I ever wanted a hoopla.

Not sure if I will be missed but I will miss you.

cluck cluck

Eeek! I really am getting married.

Tis the weekend of my hen.

So nervous. 

Completely not used to being the centre of attention.

Wish me luck!

papa do preach?

So I have discussed my father a couple of times before.

As the wedding draws closer (almost less than a month now - could this be the cause of my constant heartburn?) I find myself becoming increasingly enthralled by tradition or is this just me turning into a reluctant conformist? That is a whole other story.

So this is my father. Sitting with my great Uncle Hugo.* Yes, he looks like a cheeky boy. He still is rather cheeky but with the aforementioned grumpiness.

What is my quandary? Up until this point I am yet to really talk about the wedding with him. I love my father, he's generally a good guy albeit a little irritating on occasion. My family, and I include myself in this, rarely discuss emotions and weddings apparently involve emotions. He does think spending money on a wedding is a complete waste of time. So there be a little friction.

Problems are twofold.

1. Should he walk me down the aisle? Do I need someone to walk me down the aisle? For stability in outrageous heels perhaps? If he cares not for the way in I am to be married should he have the honour?

2. Should he be allowed to orate? I worry for drunkenness (well certainly he shall be boozed up by the time for speeches.) Also I really would rather he thought about a speech rather than just making it up on the spot. I have listened to many a beautiful speech from jubilant fathers and do fear for rather mean grumpy slurred words. On the other hand, it is likely to be funny, albeit at my expense.

I know I should probably have made up my own mind but I really know not what to do. Please do tell me what you think I should do. I simply do not know. I think I know what I should do....but....

P.S. I may also be asking the tiny wedding planner.

*I love my pseudonyms!

oh happy day

source*

Today is the day the delightful Rebecca of Daydreams in Lace marries her James.

I wish them both health and happiness.

Have the most fantabulous day my lovely.

I cannot wait to hear all about it. The diy reveals will be breathtaking I'm sure.

Love anna xxx

*I spent hours scouring the internet to find the right picture. Imagine a long hot summer in Cumbria and this is how I see Rebecca whiling away the hours. A true daydream in lace.

hello i am a genius...#1

...or perhaps more accurately "learn from my mistakes."

I most likely fell off this tree stump as soon as this photograph was taken.

This may turn into a daily occurrence for I am not always the cleverest bunny (much to Bean and my family's amusement).

"Ha ha," I thought I as I bought the prettiest of pretty earrings for the wedding. "Ha ha, I am so organised, ha ha, these babies are beautiful but also chic and a little cool."

Ha ha how wrong was I? Now many of you may now think I am uber stupid for this not crossing my mind but anyhoo.

Silly anna* forgot she rarely wears statement earrings (insert your new purchase here) and her ears were not ready for such monsters. Oh the pain, the pain. Thank very goodness I wanted to dance around the flat wearing my new babies otherwise probably would not have bothered until the day. 

So ladies, when you buy your magnificent jewels please remember to wear them to get a feel for them. Your ears, hair, wrists or fingers will offer you praise for your forward thinking

No need to thank me. It's all part of the anna and the ring service.

Would love for you to email me your moments of clarity (whether they be related to weddings or not) to annaandtheringlondon{at}gmail.com

*Must stop referring to myself in the third person.

oh no, i think i found my wedding dress

With less than 2 months* to go before our wedding I guess it is not the time to think about dresses other than my own. 

However if I had a spare £9000 to drop on a dress (oh how my eyes are far too big for my purse)....

via net-a-porter

...the little cap sleeves
...the colour
...the intricately detailed sexy back
...the movement created by the printed fabric
...the unusual square neckline
...the little puddle train (well maybe a little longer on me)

How I love thee.

What do you think? Do you have an uber dream dress other than your own?

*Bean and I did get a little freaked out last night thinking about it.

because it made me happy...

...how about you?

Via I have seen the whole of the internet

One minute of glee.

au revoir toots et pierre

This weekend was a hard weekend.

It was the weekend we had to say goodbye to our little foster kitten.

I knew it was inevitable she would leave our home but that made it no easier.

For those who had not met her before, here she is again, my first baby.

I know it is ridiculous to call her my baby but in many ways she was. She was the first pet I have looked after as if I were a parent. 

In these short weeks I have learnt so very much.

1. I love cats more than words can say. (Luckily I got to look after my parent's cats this weekend.)

2. Whilst I do like a British Short Hair my heart will always belong to my huge fluffy monsters. (Mongrel Maine Coons rescue cats for the win!)

3. I love being called Mummy.

4. I love calling Bean, Daddy.

5. Calling each other Mummy and Daddy is going to be hard habit to break.

6. I will be the one who gets up at 4am if we do have a baby, Bean says, "that's why you get maternity leave." Oh the joys of him being the most consummate sleeper and bloody rude.

7. After months of wondering I am coming round to the idea of motherhood.

It is crazy what one little kitten can do. Thank you, Toots, we shall miss you so.

previously on bean and anna

Bean and anna, Dec 2000*

This time 10 years ago one young Bean and one young anna met in their halls at University. They really "met" over a game of spin the bottle. Their little kiss was meant to last but a couple of seconds yet it has lasted for 10 years.

I love you Bean. I love you so very much. I cannot wait to be your wife. I adore you and your kisses.

What does 10.10.10 mean to you?

* Apologies for the tiny photograph I stole it from facebook.

marquee de Sadness

and breathe anna..it's not a big deal....but...

(Also I mean no disrespect to those who love a traditional marquee but I really do not.)

So they finally answered our questions about the marquee, to say there would be tears would be lying but I am close. (I know it would be uber pathetic but it's my party...).

So it appears we have no choice in marquee. This be the marquee we will have. It has been present since the fire and is starting to look a little shabby.

See my problem?

1. I love my grey but a grey carpet? A grey carpet which looks like it has seen better days. 

2. I did expect a wooden dance floor, even if it were tiny!

3. Also I would expect tablecloths which graze the floor. Ugly table legs should be neither seen nor heard.

4. Well, certainly no chair covers for us (not a problem!)

5. A rather pathetic excuse for lighting.

6. It generally screams cheap (and checking on the suppliers website, it is!)

However I think I still want to use the marquee. Maybe? Or should I just be satisfied with my lot and cope with everything in here? This is our ceremony cum dining cum dancing room. (Check out the curtains!)

Admittedly, for me, this room is loverly but grumpoles anna wanted the more than one room extravaganza.

Should I just lower my expectations and just get on with it?

Bugger. Why can I not just decide?

We either settle for the somewhat hideous marquee which I fear cannot be made to look awesome (and sort of makes me feel a little queasy) or suck it up and decorate the hell out of the ceremony room after we have said "i do". Yet who do I ask to help decorate? 

I am sure I don't want to do it myself and I don't really want to ask others to do something that could have easily been done the night before by myself and others (as per the original plan) when we are meant to be having fun? Also at this point I do not trust the venue to be particularly helpful with regard to decor.* 

There definitely will be time for a room layout and decor change around as we shall be entertaining our guests with a "champagne" reception. 

Help? What do I do, my gut is being particularly unhelpful. 

Also is not getting what I want ok? It means I cannot possibly strive for perfection and will always know I could have had a better day? For me that's a good thing. (Yes my brain is a little screwed up.)

*Oh yes, bitch anna is coming into play now and yes I realise that was a rather tame statement, you should hear my actual potty mouth, not so pretty even in a British accent!

oh to married

It's my wedding next month!!! Booyah!

I know it's a cliché, but how can it be October already?

Totally time to get my craftiness on, much like my 2 year old self!

Also maybe sort out my hair, it is desperate need of a cut although probably not as I did in the days before this photograph was taken. I believe I sat on the potty with a pair a scissors and went oh so asymmetrical. 

Mother was not happy.

(So want to know about my diy projects?)