Friday 2 August 2013

Putting on the Ritz

On my what an amazing day M and I had to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary last week. Thank you all so much for the sweet comments and well wishes you left on my last post. I thought I would pop in today to share some photos of our beloved London.
 Warning this is another of my very photo heavy blogs so grab a cuppa first. If you have just come to look at my card it is at the bottom of this post.

We started the day with a ride on the Air Line, the new Emirates cable car which spans the River Thames at Greenwich. As you can see the sky was quite threatening at the start of our day but as the day went on the sun broke though and by mid afternoon it was just glorious.

You can use your Oyster card to save on the fare too. We were lucky as it was virtually empty and we had a whole pod just for the 2 of us.



You are able to see the O2, the city skyline in the distance, City Airport and the Thames Barrier. A really fun ride.
We noticed that there is also a jetty for taking the Thames Clipper into London and decided that rather than wander around Greenwich that we would take the boat trip to Embankment. We did not regret it..it was terrific. I am ashamed to say that in all the years I have lived in, worked in and lived nearby to London I have never taken a trip down the Thames on a boat. I have been missing a real treat. The Clippers are catamarans and are so smooth too.
We were lucky to get a seat just inside by the window so we had a perfect view and I was able to take some great snaps as we passed by the many landmarks.
The O2
Greenwich Barracks
Tower Bridge
It was amazing to pass right underneath the bridges, something you don't get to do very often!

The Shard, the tallest building in London at the moment, often the top is shrouded in cloud
Tate Modern
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
The Millennium bridge
St. Paul's Cathedral
and finally the London Eye
before docking at Embankment
If you ever come to London I would put a clipper ride on your bucket list. It was superb and again there is a discount using either  your oyster card or your travel card. Such a bargain for around £5.
Having reached the centre of London in the sunshine we decided to visit Temple and the Strand but I will save those photos for another time.

However I do want to share today our amazing meal at the Ritz. We started our evening with a drink each in the Rivoli Bar. M chose a Gin and Lime.
I chose a  cocktail named Blossom which was made with gin, rose and cucumber essence and champagne. It honestly was the best cocktail I have ever been served and so pretty too. Mmm just looking at the photo makes my lips water.
The bar is Art Deco style and has plenty of Lalique glass panels.The waiters are just how you want a waiter to be, friendly, helpful and attentive. They all looked so smart too.


After our drinks we moved into the stunning dining room which is decorated in the style of Louis XV1 and our menu was printed with the date, a perfect keepsake.
I had the lobster followed by the monk fish and finished with the oh so light apricot souffle.





We finished off with petits four and tea and then we were so taken aback because our Waiter brought this out under a cover...
How sweet, our very own mini anniversary cake. Now by this stage we were so full up that there was no room for the cake. That was no problem..they boxed it up for us to take home ;0)
Do I look ever so slightly happy ;0)

2 very tired but happy souls then caught the tube from Green Park to Victoria. We then caught the train
home and were indoors within the hour. What a special day we had and yes again I know I am a very lucky and spoilt girl. Thanks my darling M for 32 glorious years of marriage ;0) If you look closely I am wearing my Birdie necklace he bought for me and I showed you all on my post here

So on to my card challenge...well it has to be the card I made a for a very special friend's daughter's wedding. I think the blue and gold china of the Ritz is a good match.
It's an easel card
Here is the inside  in close up

There were touches of Paris in the card, an Eiffel Tower and champagne charm; as this is where the couple got engaged. I used lots of Cheery Lynn exotic butterfly die cuts and one of their lace dies too. The papers are Raspberry Road. I added some pretty pearls from The Hobby House. The image is Wedding Nikki from Ladybug Crafts Ink and I glittered up her dress and added Glossy Accents to her bouquet. I really did enjoy making this card.

I made a special blue and cream box for it too and it was sent with lots of love x

I would like to enter it into the following Challenges;

Cheery Lynn hot time in the summer
Sentimental Sundays anything with wings
Papercrafting Journey dies/punches
Totally Papercrafts inspired by a song my song for my card is Bruno Mars' "Marry Me" it was played at my daughter's wedding last year and I just love it!
Simon Says Stamp anything goes
Cute Card Thursday Anything goes
Make it Monday linky party 151
Divas By Design favourite colour combo I love this gorgeous lavender blue and it goes so well with cream and white
Live and Love Crafts warm or cool colours my main colour is blue which is obviously from the cool part of the colour wheel.
Crafts-too challenge you summer fun, twist 1 fun in the sun I love summer weddings and was lucky enough to attend one this year. My own wedding (in 1981)was a summer one too and I can think of nothing better for a hot sunny day! Champagne, dancing and celebrating, a heady mix ;0)


If you haven't already entered time is running out for my giveaway here, you could win my super sparkly necklace. Everyone is welcome, just pop over to that post and leave a comment.
I am having a giveway
After the incredible heat of yesterday (32c...phew) temperatures are due to be a little more normal over the weekend and we may even have a couple of welcome showers to water my garden. Here we are already in August but at least we had a some good summer weather, even though it took it's time arriving.

Have a lovely weekend, I hope to get out into the garden as my veggies and flowers are coming on a treat.
Thanks as always for your kind visits and sweet comments.

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x



25 comments:

  1. What a brilliant day out, we'll have to try the cable cars next time we're in London! Last time we were there we took the boat trip, it was great and I too enjoyed going underneath Tower Bridge. Your meal at the Ritz looked wonderful, everything was so perfect and I loved the little cake. So glad you both had a great day!
    As for the card, well, it is totalling amazing, L&J loved it, I loved it and it has been admired by all who saw it! Thank you so much my dear friend, it was much appreciated! :)
    Happy weekend,
    V xxx

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  2. what a very special day for you Jane and some gorgeous photo's and loved the cocktail too, great card almost as pretty as the flower on the cocktail :) ps have you hopped over to the HH challenge blog recently
    Hugs Kate xx

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  3. Wow, looks like a fun vacation! I am glad I came over from MIM to see your blog. Love the card and its box. NancyD

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  4. Wow!!! Great pixs and gorgeous card! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful creation with us at MIM! Good luck!
    Rene :D

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  5. Looks like you had a wonderful day! Dinner at the Ritz looked amazing and so did your sightseeing, sometimes it's nice to appreciate the everyday sights around us! Glad you enjoyed your Clipper ride - that's something else ticked off the list!
    Pretty wedding card, love the delicate colour combo and lots of gorgeous details! Hugs, Lisa x

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  6. Many congrats on your anniversary!

    What a splendid day out, and what a coincidence - I treated my DH to a day out in London as part of our 25th wedding anniversary celebrations! And we had a cruise on the river too!

    I didn't know about the cable car, I would really like to try that out.

    Helenxx

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  7. Thank you for joining us at Crafts-Too Challenge You with your work of art Jane. Your special friend's daughter can only be thrilled to receive your creation.
    Carol
    C2cu DT

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  8. That was a fabulous time in London! How wonderful for you!! Your card is gorgeous, love your embellishments and the image is so sweet. I am glad you shared all this with us!
    Thank you for joining us at Divas by Design.
    Hugs kelly

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  9. Oh my.. such a memorable and classy anniversary you had! I could only dream of going there.. did hubby surprise you with something special? He is very wonderful to you! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  10. Hi Jane! I'm so happy to see how amazing day you had in London! Thank you for sharing your lovely photos and special celebration! What a sweet surprise after the dinner!
    Your wedding card is so beautiful and stylish!
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    x Teje
    Ps. Mia's birds have travelled around the world and now had also dinner at Ritz!

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  11. So much to learn about you from you blog. Very fancy card that is really pretty. Thank you for joining us this week with Cheery Lynn and best of luck.

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  12. Hello dear Jane,

    This post brought some (happy)tears into my eyes, you look so happy admiring that little cake! Congratulations still once, dear friend! And oh how special day you had, thank you for sharing it with us. I can't believe you have all that just a tube-ride away!

    And that card is such a special too! Just perfect for that happy couple with Paris-theme and all... Beautiful!

    Enjoy your hot weather, we're quite close (!!) as we have +26C here too...I'm loving it!

    Happy weekend!

    Yours,
    MIa

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  13. Such a beautiful card. Love the blues and wonderful details. Fab song choice. Thanks for joining us at Totally Papercrafts.
    Hugs Sue W.

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  14. How lovely! So great seeing the inspiration for your card as well - so elegant! So glad that you joined us this week at the Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge and good luck!
    hugs,
    Gini

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  15. It looks like you had a wonderful day. Good for you! And thanks for sharing it with the rest of us too. A lovely card as always!

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  16. Love all your wonderful pictures Jane! :)

    Stunning inspiration and just a gorgeous, gorgeous card! :)

    Thanks so much for joining us at Cheery Lynn Designs,

    hugs

    xxalisonxx

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  17. Wow! your card is really beautiful Jane… I love the pretty colours and the embellishments are absolutely stunning!
    Love all your photos…glad you had a fab time for your Wedding Anniversary! :-)
    Thanks for joining us at Divas by Design this week!
    Hugs Sue B xx

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  18. What an amazing day celebrating your anniversary! I love spending time in London too, and your pictures are lovely. The pictures of your treat at the Ritz are very special.....I love the little cake!! What a unique card you made for that very special wedding......so many beautiful details and a really romantic design!
    Wishing you a happy week.
    Helen x

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  19. Goodness gracious, my eyes are teary at seeing your lovely photos, Jane. The happiness in your pic is palpable and it is wonderful that the two of you had such a fabulous anniversary celebration! What wonderful photos - I shall put the Clipper on my bucket list!! And I would love to enjoy a drink and dinner at the Ritz...ahhhh someday! :) Thank you for allowing me to partake in a visual vacation. I'm so happy that everything turned out so well and you had such a great time. As always, I just want to thank you so much for your wonderful visits to my blog. I apologize for such delays in response..for some reason, the work work is big right now..which is good, but it doesn't allow a lot of time for my blog-enjoyment! Take good care and have a lovely rest of the week Jane!

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  20. What a marvelous tour of London, Jane. Brings back many happy memories of our family visit a few year's ago. Will definitely try out the clipper and all on our next visit.

    I am so glad you and M could have a special time at the RItz. Thanks for the tour of London!!
    Here's to many more happy years together!!(Your necklace looks amazing)

    Thinking of you,
    Anne
    PlumCreek22

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  21. Gorgeous card! Just stunning! Fab work!!

    Amazing photos too!! Now I need to go to London!

    Thank you very much for joining us this week at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!

    hugs...
    Melissa

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  22. Oh I love visiting London, so much history and looks like you had a fabulous time and Wow the Ritz, lucky you. Gorgeous card. Thanks for joining us at LLC.
    Hugs Tracy x

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  23. Stunning work thanks for playing at crafts too challenge you hugs Rebekah xx

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  24. Hi Jane!
    Oh Wow! Those were some amazing pictures you´ve shared with us of London! Im going to soon so Im more than intrigued ;)

    Besides your card is supercute :) Love the blue nuances and your details are amazing :)

    Thank you so much for joining us at LLC :)
    Welcome back!
    Hugs Louise

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  25. I'm so glad you had such a special day and the card you made is fabulous, so many layers and details. Makes me think I should make more of an effort to get into London myself, it's just so hard with the boys and no babysitter. Will have to give my Sister a nudge, I'm sure there's an opera she must want to see ;) Bethx

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Jane x