The Team

...we'll get t-shirts. Promise.  

(All pictures by the immensely talented Lucy Stendall, who, if it weren't weird, we would ask to track us on a daily basis so we could have more photos like these).  

Clare...

Clare is a master of self-deprecation. Don’t let her modesty fool you, she is ridiculously beautiful* (but doesn’t know it), with a cut-glass accent masking the most absurd sense of humour known to man. She’ll sing cheesy, CHEESY songs with you at top volume without being embarrassed. Or in tune. She currently lives in Kuala Lumpur, and mixes a jet-set international lifestyle with a habit of eating breadsticks straight from the packet. Upon meeting her you instantly want to be her best friend, and also borrow her makeup collection. She would drive your getaway car, is completely unshakable and has a gift of telling hilarious stories with a straight face whilst you slide off your chair in fits of laughter. She’s the most courageous woman you’ll ever meet, unless you eat her last packet of Mini Eggs. Then she’s a big wimp.

Clare married Andy in November 2010, in a venue that made Aisling cry it was so beautiful. But the venue paled into insignificance when compared to the bride. The dress, the smile, the cowboy boots worn with the dress, the antique diamond ring...she was a picture. And the picture was completed by A Very Happy Groom. Clare and Andy had their first (gorgeous) baby in December. Aisling and Anna are surrogate Aunties. 

* see above for cast-iron proof of Clare's looks.  Upon meeting her, I (Anna) immediately wanted to get a facelift. 


Aisling...

Aisling looks like a catwalk model.  But don’t let that put you off, she’s also very clumsy.  We say that to make ourselves feel better because she lives in a cottage straight out of Home and Garden, bakes mouthwatering cakes and can drape a scarf like no other (as the resident AOW Style Guru).  She also writes ridiculously eloquently, tells a story until you are in pain from laughing, has the right advice whatever the crisis, always has your back and would, without question rescue you from a fire (and still emerge looking stylish).  She's the kind of person you wish you could have sleepovers with every week, but you know her husband might mind, so you don't ask.  But that is the only reason you don't ask. In addition to all this wondrousness, Aisling's real talent is her ability to make words become images in your mind. And they are images that once there, will stay forever.

She got married to Phil in June 2010, in one of the most popular weddings on the UK blogosphere EVER (here, here and...here), customising a vintage dress (as you do) and standing IN A STREAM.  In her back garden.  Mere hours after single-handedly delivering four baby kittens.  We aren’t in awe, at all.


Anna...

Anna has a natural pout to rival that of every Restalyn-injected footballers girlfriend. Her standard expression is Vogue-meets-unnervingly-analytical, which comes in handy in her job as a spy.* As does her mild OCD... She’s wise and knowledgeable and generous and patient beyond her years and when you become her friend you know in your bones that she will be the one you call on in your of need, whenever that might be. And that she will never let you down.She is passionate about life. About Mr K and their families, about her friends and her job. About cupcakes, reading, lasagne, the REAL London, rambling butterscotch roses and cats that have lived their 9 lives. About make-up that calls to her from the halls of Selfridges, about batshit crazy forms of tortutous ‘exercise’, about excellent shoes and the rights of women. And men and children. Her passion makes others passionate and it is this that so.very.wonderful about her. As well as every other thing about her.

Anna married Mr K in June of 2009 (here and here). She was a knockout beauty, a classic bride and you’ll never see elegance more personified. Mr K was a bit of alright, too! There were owls and rich red roses, cupcakes and mirrored stairways and Anna, barefoot in her wedding dress, running through a fountain. As one does.

* but she's not really a spy. Apparently.


You, The Readers... 

You, the readers, come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds, ideals, stories and opinions. Some of you want weddings, some of you don't. Some of you are single, some of you aren't. Some of you are just here for the community. Each and every one of you is welcome. 

The one thing you do have in common is this: you listen, but you don't judge, you offer advice, but you don't preach. You're smart, grounded, and make this blog what it is, a space for people to share ideas and stories and problems without fear or shame, and a place for laughter and friendships as we all figure out together how to get by, married or not, female or not, in today's world.

And we'd drink wine and share life stories with each and every one of you. And, you know, talk about shoes.