You might have seen on my Instagram that I went to London last weekend. My oldest blogging friend Catherine, (and by oldest, I mean the blogging friend I’ve known the longest), was nominated for a Vuelio Blog Award. Her husband couldn’t make it, so I went as her plus one; her Instagram Husband. And jolly good fun it was too.
Lunch and Lights
Before the awards we went for lunch at Whyte and Brown, a quirky little restaurant in the heart of Carnaby.
We had a lot to catch up on, so it was dark by the time we finished. Carnaby Street Christmas lights are always that little bit different.
We wandered back to our hotel, stopping to smell the roses and admire the windows at Liberty and to enjoy the busy atmosphere on Oxford Street.
The Vuelio Blog Awards 2018
Of course we wanted to get some photos of our evening dresses, so we did a quick photoshoot in the reception area of our hotel. My dress is by Self Portrait, a designer I have long coveted. It was a birthday gift from Ian, (I know how incredibly lucky I am). It started life looking a little different though (see it at the foot of the post). The original straps were too short for me which meant the mesh at the top didn’t sit quite right. My friend Sue, a talented seamstress removed the mesh and put new straps on. I’m going to wear the dress again for an event in January so I’ll get some more photos then.
Catherine’s dress is vintage 1970s from Etsy.
The Vuelio Blog awards were held at the Bloomsbury Big Top. The room looked incredible.
And although Catherine didn’t win, we both loved every moment.
The Prettiest Brunch
The following morning we met another of our dear friends, Lisa, The Sequinist for a leisurely and very chatty brunch at Feya, a highly Instagrammable café in Marylebone.
It was an utterly fabulous 30 hours or so, and it was an honour to be Catherine’s Instagram Husband for the night.
My London Look
Love those photographs of your trip to London! Your dress is so stunning I love it!! You both look as if you are having a fabulous time. I love Catherine’s dress as well and will definitely be checking more vintage clothing out – I’m inspired!
Alison
xx
Author
Oh thank you so much Alison. We had a wonderful time- we always do when we manage to catch up. And yes, Catherine’s dress looked amazing. So unique and so very her! xxxx
It was so great to hang out with you two and try on glasses and have a brunch that almost became dinner! I wish we could make this a monthly thing. You looked amazing in that dress and in your fabulous sequin stripe trousers! Love to you xxxx
Author
Lisa, it is always such a pleasure to catch up with you. I wish I was in London more often though so that we could make it a monthly thing. And thank you for the lovely compliments xxxx
It looks like you had a wonderful time together! And you both looked incredible. That dress is SO YOU, Lizzy!!!
Hugs
Suzy xxx
Author
We had a ball Suzy and thank you so much. Yes, I fell in love with the dress at first sight but love it even more after the alterations!v xxx
Liz I couldn’t have enjoyed our couple of days more… you were a wonderful Instagram Husband!! 😉
Thank you again for coming, you looked absolutely incredible in that beautiful dress – it really didn’t matter about winning, we had a great time and that’s what mattered! As Lisa said above, I wish we could do this every month!!
Catherine x
Author
Oh it was fab wasn’t it. I wish we could all meet more often too. Always so much fun. And thank you once again for taking me xxxxx
My goodness you both look stunning (as always) and what a fun time you had. I love Carnaby Street and now have a hankering for a trip down to London!! Kareema xx
Author
Oh thank you so much Kareema. We had such an amazing time and Carnaby Street looked spectacular xxx
Wow, beautiful Lizzy! (You and the sights, lol) What a trip! – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Author
Awwwww! Thank you so much! xxx
I love the alteration you made to your dress! I have to do that quite often because being tall seems to always change how things fit me.
Author
Yes, I agree Nancy. I’m tall too and the dress was plenty long enough overall, but the straps were simply too short. I prefer the altered version and am so lucky to have a talented friend to do it! xxx
Christmas is such a great time in London. The decorations are always the best! I also love Marylebone. I has changed so much. I guess that ‘s London though. Always changing. Christine @ http://www.tnsck.blog
Author
I absolutely love London at Christmas time. I try to get down every year to soak up the atmosphere and to see the lights. And yes, it’s lovely to see the constant changes and evolutions xxx
I love your looks, I love your style … and I love the photo at the end of the post with Catherine and Lisa, a wonderful trio of beautiful, elegant women with personality.
Author
Oh that’s a lovely thing to say Josep-Maria. Catherine and Lisa are both wonderful women and such great friends xxx