Stephanie Lately.

Hello lovely readers of mine....
I just wanted to catch up and get my head back into Stephanie Dreams a bit, I feel like it's whirling off all over the place at the moment. I have very little style or lifestyle posts for you, which is more annoying for me, no doubt! Life has been a little hectic, generally with lots of work getting in the way (think of the money). I just wanted to let you know where I've been though ♥

01. Last weekend we went to a lovely evening wedding reception, we drink, danced and saw some good friends. I got to wear this amazing dress & feel super pretty. 

02. We've booked a venue for our engagement party, after being undecided for a few weeks, I'm glad we're going for it. A (hopefully) lovely summer BBQ at the end of June, I'm looking forward to catching up with friends & family....and showing my ring off too.

03. We've had Alfie and Tilly all week, while my parents are on holiday. Many walks down the canal & cuddles on the sofa have taken place. (Follow Alfie & Tilly on Instagram)

04. I have finally started my wedding blog, something that I've thought about doing for a while & even planning to start as a "before the ring" blog. I'm so happy with it and am feeling very inspired by it all. The lovely Paige did all the illustrations, so Thank you my lovely! 

Read & Follow Wedding Dreams

05. I got my ring back today! SO CHUFFED!!! I feel like I'm actually engaged now, and can't stop looking at it. 

06. I have missed Katy & Kim a huge amount this weekend, so I hope you girls have had a lovely time (not too much fun without me though).

I'm counting down the days until Friday already, next Weekend will be full of fun & pretty outfits. 

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The Story.

 May the 4th was a very special day to me, I still get giddy thinking about it now, and a huge smile crosses my face. My heart starts thumping, and I feel rather emotional....it's the day I got engaged ♥

The majority of you won't be aware of what a crazed fool I am, getting married is the one thing in life I dream of, and to marry my Best Friend is beyond anything in this world. I've known I want to marry Sam for years, and although in some ways I felt the time was coming, the proposal was a total shock. Such an over whelming, and special time. 

For Christmas, Sam had bought me an Afternoon Tea voucher, and as we were in London watching Viva Forever, we decided to make a Weekend of it & book the tea then. We arrived at a lovely hotel, and was seated early, all the way over in the corner with no one around. I of course had to take a photo of everything before we even sat down, and then when we were sat down. I was excited to take photos of the afternoon tea for Stephanie Dreams (they're not half as good as I wanted, the emotion got to me!) but then I had something else to get excited about. They bought our tea cups out, along with the platter of goodies, Sam must have felt years passing, but as I flipped over my tea cup, there laid a stunning engagement ring. My engagement ring. Everything else Sam said went into a whirl wind, exited, scared, over whelmed, over joyed. So many emotions crossed my mind. I didn't think it was real. 

The Champagne came out, and I just about managed a scone and cake. I kept looking down at my ring, and up to my fiancée. I felt that we were there for ages, but I just didn't want to leave, I wanted to stay there forever and soak up every special moment and memory.

We carried on celebrating through the Weekend, we managed to get awesome seats for Viva (which was fun, but you're not missing a lot!) and more Champagne at Hix with Sam's sister. 

Sam, you are my everything. My world and everything around it. You make me strong, and deal with my weakness's. I love you with every breath you take, you keep me real & sensible, you're always there for me and take my blog photos at a drop of hat. You're my best friend and my true love. 

*THIS WAY TO THE SICK BUCKET!*

I will soon be starting my Wedding blog, just a few little bits to get sorted, and then it can go live. It's something I'm feeling really excited about & can't wait to get blogging. I was going to start it as a "crazy lady, before the ring" type blog, but it's so lovely that I now get to share ideas, inspirations, events, fairs, DIY's and so much more with you.....from my actual wedding. Read & Follow Wedding Dreams

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Be my Buttercup now.

Top from Topshop| Skirt from AX Paris*| Buttercup zine from Paige Joanna Illustrations| Floral headband from Crown & Glory

After a busy Saturday, this Sunday was full of lounging around, slow dog walks & reading (wedding) magazines. I got to wear my cute little AX Paris skirt, the floral detail and casual style makes it super easy to wear. I paired it with my high tops, basic tee and Crown & Glory head band- just to cover my messy hair a little. 

Tilly I had some fun taking these blog post photos, after she had heard about the beautiful zine from Paige, she wanted to be involved some how (the fame is going to her head). "Buttercup" is a fantastic little magazine that Paige has designed and made- and everything in between. It's the perfect read to get away from the real world, and go into a dream land. The quality is amazing, the illustrations are perfection and it involves my face....I'm unsure what more you need. If you like something a little different, more personal and full of love then I can not recommend this buy. It will look more than lovely on the book shelf too.

These few weeks are rather busy, looking after the woofers and working a lot. I'm dreaming of some time where I can sip champagne while the sun shimmers on my face. 

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Flowers of Truth.

Dress from Wish Want Wear* (Temperely London)| Head chain from Little Teacup Jewellery*

There aren't many times in my life where I've been offered a beautiful hire dress, so when the opportunity comes a long, it's really unquestionable. Online Dress hire is never something that has crossed my mind before, but when I had a wedding reception to attend this month, I knew it would be the perfect excuse. The fit was just spot on, and the style is so flattering for my shape. The sleeves and the length all just fabulous for what I need, now I'm a chubster (I say now, I've been this way for some time!)

I decided to wear it with the stunning head chain, Chelsea's lovely little online shop is full of treasures and treats and I'd been after something like this for so long. I love how it looks, and with no other accessories with the bold print dress, I think it works really well.

Yesterday I went to the Etsy wedding event, it was literally perfect & so much fun. I hope to blog about it soon, but if you're a bride to be and one pops up again it is worth the admission for sure. Was such a lovely morning, and there was even a photobooth- life made. 

This week we have the dogs while my parents are off holidaying (again!) Canal walks, cuddles on the sofa and general madness will now take place.
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A Fairy Dream.

Skirt from Ebay| Tshirt from Newlook| Umbrella from Love Umbrellas*

I first saw this outfit on Rosie Glow, I literally fell in love & was set to re-create the wonderful look ♥

I now want all the skirts, in all of the colours, wear them all of them time, and prance a round like a fairy princess....please & thanks.

I couldn't wait to use my stunning heart umbrella too, I thought it would be perfect paired with the prettiness of the sun and pink lipstick. I think it will be an amazing prop for engagement shoots and having something a little different always excites me.

Engagement shoot you may be wondering? Over the Weekend Sam and I had a little trip to London, we planned Afternoon Tea and to watch Viva Forever. A lovely little trip turned into a dream come true & Sam proposed to me Saturday afternoon. Hiding under my tea cup was the most stunning ring I could have wished for.

This Saturday I shall also be in London, for the Etsy wedding show. Something that was booked "before the ring" but I'm even more excited for it now. I'll get to catch up with Chloe, Megan & look through wonderful wedding ideas.

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A Dreamers Wishlist.

There are times when I just want to buy everything in sight, not worry about the money or responsibility and just load a credit card up full of pretty and expensive dresses ♥

This of course would be silly and I will keep my eyes on the highstreet stores, while I day dream about what the world could really be like if there wasn't a money care in it. 

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The warm weather has got me lusting over the sun even more, give me a refreshing pool, high wasted bikini bottoms, bronzed skin and cocktails on tap. 

I adore the style & colour of the dress, I am very much a dress-fiend recently and the amazing shapes and patterns get me so excited. The sunglasses are a dream! I'm loving the round frames a little too much, what can I say, I'm just far too cool. 

Remember you can now order the amazing Buttercup Zine, super excited to get my copy and  share it with you all.

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Alfie & Tilly. Joules Pet Bed.

Joules Pet Beds*

When Tilly gets the chance to review an item for "Stephanie Dreams", I find it hard to say no. Alf & Tils are very much a part of my blog, and so it's only fair that they have the chance to lead the way some times. 

Tilly
"My main hobbies include sleeping, swimming, eating & annoying Alfie. So when Steph said that, her people, were sending me a new dog bed I was rather excited, I think I even let out a little tail wag. The bed is very pretty, just like me, it is also very comfortable for when the floor just isn't good enough. I first tried my bed out in the garden, the weather has been so sunny recently, so me and Alfie were just snoozing in the garden while the people were tending to the flowers. The print is fab, I think it would really work well in my rustic country home (this is the house I own that the people don't know about). The size is perfect for me, but it is a size Large and I am pretty small. I'm not sure how the Collie, Lab's and Great Danes of the world will be able to squeeze into this one. I do hear Joules do other sizes though, and other gorgeous pieces that may be worth a look. I like to sleep, relax, receive belly rubs while in the bed, so it's very multi-functional. I'm hoping we can review a picnic basket or blanket next, I do like a little stroll by the canal with a little picnic, or two.

Thanks for reading along, and make sure to always spoil your canine friends. Tilly-Dog"

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Flowers in my Hair. Flowers in my Basket.

I always stick to my blog being a "Style Diary" and Lifestyle blog. The outfits you see I actually wear out in real life, I don't dress for my blog or for the photos you see, I blog around my style and what I'm wearing in my every day life. This doesn't mean I don't like to have fun and be a little creative, finding blogging has really helped my (very small) creative side. When Katy popped over for soggy bread & a little sleep over last month, I thought it would be the perfect time for her to shoot some silly and fun photos for my blog. 

I'm a huge photo whore, and looking back on these just truly make me smile. That's what my blog is all about, sharing my photographs with you, how ever real, silly, beautiful or boring ♥

This Weekend is full packed for Sam & I, a few cheeky drinks tonight are followed by a night in London. We're watching Viva Forever (my Birthday present) and drinking afternoon tea (my Christmas present) I'm hoping to fit in a cheeky champagne cocktail at Selfridges  too.

I hope you all have a wonderful Bank Holiday Weekend.

What homely items are you lusting after?
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Homely Loves ♥

We have just reached 6 months of being in our "new" flat, so along with the gorgeous weather, this is making me want to spring clean (everything) and look for new lovelies for our home.
Recently a John Lewis Home has opened up near me, I could spend day after day looking through the amazing kitchen wares, lovely decorative items & awesome electronics. 

1.2.3.4

1. It would not be summer without a picnic, and although not technically home ware, I still think this stunning basket would look amazing popped anywhere in the room. I used to always think about skipping down the park with a basket....this would be the dream basket.

2. Photos are my everything, I adore them and still like to print my favourites out, arranged in my wonderful coloured and printed albums. Hanging photos on the wall & standing them, so all can see just makes me smile. This frame has wonderful character, good old shabby chic.

3. Wonderful storage box. I love whites & creams, so this is just right on. Our bedroom is rather large & bare, something like this would help it feel a little more homely and cosy.

4. No one can say no to throws and blankets, even in the warming months I love to snuggle up. This floral printed throw is the prettiest thing, looks amazing & does the job.

What homely items are you lusting after?

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Blue for a Birthday.

Dress from Zalando*| Necklace from Newlook

This Weekend has been a rather relaxed (some would say dull!) one. I stayed in my pyjama's the majority of it, ate cereal for tea and lounged on the sofa. Sam was off walking 50miles, and with little money or petrol I just enjoyed my time doing nothing. The next two Weekends are slightly different, with visiting London and a wedding reception. So, although I don't like wasting my precious time off, some times I think it's okay just to lounge the days away.

Today I decided I should get dressed, and this gorgeous bright blue dress was my pick of the day. I love the casual look and feel of it, but the netting skirt & colour just make it a little something different. I love the it can be easily dressed up & down too, for someone who doesn't need to dress up a lot, it's handy to have the option every now & again ♥

As you may have noticed for my photo's, Zalando are celebrating their 2nd Birthday. Happy Birthday Zalando, you can celebrate with them too with the discounts and offers they have online. 

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