Let's talk (big) Bridal...

It's been a while since I have posted anything here about our forthcoming Wedding... and it really is forthcoming, now, only 7 weeks away! (yikes, how did THAT happen!)


I have been mulling over whether to blog about this or not, but it's something that I have really come up against when putting together my look for the Wedding, and I'm just going to say it, it's not easy being a plus size bride!!! Sometimes, it just feels like an uphill struggle! 


I am 6ft tall, in my flats, and wear a size 22/24 UK (yes, I said it) and it is impossible to find any inspiring, beautiful images of brides online that I can relate to... plenty that I relate to in terms of their style, absolutely, but not in terms of their shape and size. I found myself scanning pinterest for a 'chunkier' lady to see what I might look like dressed head-to-toe in the kind of pale tones I usually avoid...and when I found someone in the sea of size 6's, they were probably a 12/14 MAX, and that scared me a little... if they looked 'chunky' in their bridal whites, am I going to look like moby-dick?! I did a fair bit of internal crying at this stage...


I would love, love, to be like these uber-fashion bloggers who are part of the 'fat-acceptance movement' (where basically, they dress as if they weren't bigger, and have no issue wearing raised hemlines, exposing their skin etc and areas that would normally be expected to be covered up if you're bigger) but I'm not... I like to dress to really flatter my body shape, and like to dress to make myself look smaller (if possible). There are parts I like to draw attention away from, and parts I would NEVER expose.


To this end, I am designing my own wedding dress and having Ryan's talented aunt, Lynne, make it for me -- but, this lack of beautiful larger, taller, curvier, chunkier brides is so missing for me online it did make me quake in my size 9's a little... oh yeah, I have massive feet too, so this makes bridal shoe shopping equally gruelling!


I just thought I would throw this out there - there is SUCH a lack of appropriate, inspiring, beautiful dresses and shoes for someone my size and height, it just rather takes the fun out of that side of things. I'll never have that moment in a bridal shop, or quirky vintage boutique, of finding 'the dress' because I frankly don't want a sleeveless, backless, corseted job and can't fit in to a size 6 dress for someone who is 5ft1" tall... granted, the road I am on may end up more fun in the end, and indeed give better results, but it's a difficult one no less and one that has made me wish for a magic lamp to rub to shrink myself a good half foot on more than one occasion! ;))


Does anyone else out there relate?!
Abigail xo!

Wholefoods Glasgow aka Heaven!

This evening, ahead of scooting back home to Belfast tomorrow morning, we nipped to Wholefoods in Giffnock, Glasgow and oh-my we were not disappointed!

I had only ever been to one in California, and Ryan was a Wholefoods virgin but we have been taunted with tales from friends in London and Glasgow ever since it opened in the uk! Beautiful fresh, vibrant fruit and vegetables... Impeccably presented meat and fish counters, beautiful blue and green eggs from organic free range happy chickens! Really inviting produce, much of which was competitively priced, especially basics like artisan bread, milk and butter. We were wowed by the patisserie section, and spent a lot of time browsing the confectionery aisle. If we hadn't been getting on a boat tomorrow morning, we would have done a LOT more damage!

I think Wholefoods acts as an amazing example to other UK supermarkets, not only in terms of variety and quality of produce (where, let's face it, they are leading the pack!) but also with store merchandising and design - it's no accident the shelves are a very pleasing colour of matt green, the signage inventively and bespokely created from found objects, but all these things make the experience feel special and unique! The staff work hard keeping the store looking good, and many other supermarkets could take a leaf out their book...

Now all they need to do is open one in Belfast and my world will be complete! Please?!

A@a*r

Bloom...

Lisa Solomon / Poppytalk BOOK Giveaway...

Image courtesy of Lisa Solomon and taken from the Poppytalk blog!


Hi friends!


We wanted to stop in to let you know our lovely friend, and all round talented artist, Lisa Solomon had added 'author' to the list of her talents and achievements... her new book, 'Knot Thread Stitch' just launched and she is running a give-away over on the Poppytalk blog to celebrate...


Now, we are telling you all this not only because the book is AMAZING, and anyone would be super lucky to win one, BUT, our tea-towels are used in the book for a lovely embroidery project, and so, along with the book, you will also receive one of our Sycamore tea-towels in Mustard. 


We are also incredibly excited because Abigail's signature Sycamore seeds, embroidered on and embellished by Lisa, actually made the cover of the book! How cool is that!?


Lisa very kindly sent us a copy of the book, so we will be doing another post on it VERY soon, showing you our favourite bits from inside - but we wanted to get this little newsbit out right away, so you could all have a chance of winning your own goody bag!


Good luck everyone :)

On our table this past week...

Packing and stacking...

Some exciting parcels left a*r HQ last week, most notably, one for our first stockist in Australia!! Can't wait to share details when their site launches, till then... here is a little of what we sent!

Sycamore Mountain...

Last night we were very busy bees finishing off an order heading out to a new stockist... our signature Sycamore Scallop pattern Cushions in Coral & Seafoam and Heather & Olive, such pretty pale shades with a cheeky hint of neon. Perfect for Summer!

Courier will be here soon and then they will be getting whisked off, soon to adorn the sofas of lots of lovely new owners ;)

A@a*r