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.

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