2017… WHAT?!?
It is 2017… How did that happen? I can’t believe we’ve been open for four years and what a four years it has been! I am so, SO excited for the year ahead.
So, 2017 is a little different for me, I now have two kids, two and a half years and under and it’s crazy. I love my balance at the moment though, and to be totally honest – it’s probably taken me until now to get the right balance. When Daisy was born I felt guilty that I wasn’t working and was back to work so soon. However, I’m so glad Jack came along as whenever I had him – I realised how important those early days are and I was able to take MUCH longer off plus I had the added bonus of a one year old to entertain me, and boy does she entertain me. She is such a girl, she loves clothes, shoes and doing my make up… I love them with all.my.heart.
So I have had to get my life in order, and be organised and I have a few hints and tips for you all, as I am sure you are all ranging from a little stressed to mega stressed depending on what stage of your wedding planning you’re at. So here’s what I have done.
Online Shopping
Okay, so I know this is nothing new, but we’re so bad at buying food and then not eating it before it goes out of date and it’s such a waste – so we have started cooking meals out of Lean in 15, and we literally buy all the ingredients we need for that week, plus the essentials. Then I don’t have to think about what we’re cooking that night as we’ve already decided; of course I have a few chicken nuggets in the freezer just incase and the odd night where I’ve no clue what we’re making. Beans on toast anyone?
My Make up Organiser
I love this organiser I bought it off eBay… it holds all my make up that I need in the morning, and as long as Daisy hasn’t got her hands on it, it stays lovely and organized. Plus it only cost £10 on eBay. Here’s a link to one: http://bit.ly/2iMuDKC
Go Digital
It took me long enough, but I have moved my diary online… and I love Google Calendar, I can see how busy we are for the coming weeks. I can plan Designer Weekends, Sample Sales so easily and if a bride rings my mobile, I can let them know my availability easily. I highly recommend it. Oh and we are expanding Ivory & Pearl, so we now have the availability to offer extra appointments in the boutique, which are still private. boom.
Exercising
Okay, so I don’t exercise, I really should. Does standing up all day long count? Yes, I think so. However, Chris has just joined Pure Gym and rang me yesterday to tell me the best news.. I said unless he’s telling me that’s he’s coming to take the kids and has booked me in for a massage, it’s not exciting. And, no, it wasn’t that.. however, Pure Gym is coming to Lisburn.. right on our door step!
Well here’s to a Great 2017.. We have new designers coming in this month, lots and lots of trunk shows.. which will be the next blog so keep an eye out!
Love Kate
xxx
Filled Under : Blog , Inspiration
So the one night my daughter goes to bed at a normal bed time and my hubby wants an early night, I forget to bring my laptop home .. as I can always do some work! Apparently there’s a saying called ‘chill out’ but I’m just not very good at it!! I get so bored so quickly, but to be honest the weather is so bad at the moment I don’t want to step out my front door! Having a one and a half year old changes everything, getting showered, breakkie and out the door is a job in itself – never mind emptying the dish washer, hoovering and general tidying! Being a mum and a business owner, is always going to be busy! So I am extra prepared this Christmas – we have lots and lots of brides booked in for alterations for the New Year. My poor dress maker is getting some much needed rest before her absolutely crazy season starts again!
We have lots organised for the New Year. We have a big sample sale organised for the first weekend in February and lots of Designer Weekends already booked in (details below). And we will be continuing to add to Willow & Thread! I CANNOT wait to meet Baby Number 2, but I CANNOT wait to fit normal clothes again so I can wear the clothes from Willow & Thread!!!
Sample Sale
One date not to be missed if you want a bargain, is the Collaborative Sample Sale that we do every year with six other bridal boutiques! We will have hundreds of wedding dresses from as little as £100, as well as accessories, veils and brooch bouquets. It’ll be at Malone Lodge Hotel – keep your eye on our Facebook Page for more details.
7th February 2016
Designer Weekends
Sally Eagle : a beautiful American designer, who we will have in the boutique for a very limited time! This will be her first time in Ireland, so get an appointment quick.
22nd – 24th January 2016
Anna Campbell THE GOSSAMER COLLECTION : yes you read that right, we have the beautiful Anna Campbell Gossamer Collection in the boutique for one weekend only! We get soo many e-mails about this collection, we just can’t wait until this weekend!
29th – 31st January 2016
Catherine Deane
12th – 14th February 2016
Flora Bridal
19th – 21st February 2016
For now, though, let’s concentrate on Christmas (it’s the most wonderful time of the year).
Christmas Opening Hours
22nd : Open 10am – 5pm
23rd – 28th : Closed
29th : Open 10am – 5pm
30th : Closed
31st : Closed
1st : Closed
Then from the 2nd January on, we will be back to our normal opening hours!
Oh and did I mention there’s £120 Gift Voucher for Willow & Thread for every dress purchased in December. T&C apply.
Love Kate
xxx
Filled Under : Blog , Inspiration
Aiste’s Wedding in a Beautiful Anna Campbell Gown
Aiste recently got married in the Summer, in this stunning Anna Campbell gown. Aiste brought along her fiancé and her son to give their opinion, we are getting lots more men in the boutique recently and we love it!! Always nice to see their reaction, but to be honest, anything Aiste put on, she looked absolutely amazing in.
Sit back, and enjoy these photos!
Love Kate
xxx
Filled Under : Blog , Real Brides
Lime Park Photo Shoot
My o My, Lime Park is one of the most beautiful venues E.V.E.R, it really is a labour of love by Shelly and her brother, as they have devoted so much of their time to it, from the watering can tap (see photo below), to the hand made light bulbs, outdoor ceremony area, outdoor swing, this venue really is amazing. Shelly is so lovely, and the brides in the boutique can’t talk any more highly of her service!
Last year, I got involved in a photo shoot at Lime Park, to be honest though, I was a little over my head, this was the first time I had ever been involved in a photo shoot and I thought that you just find models, dresses, suits and *Wham Bam* the photographer takes the shots and they’re amazing… how wrong was I! Now I know, the endless hours that go into researching, getting the right look, keeping the theme throughout, the numerous Secret Pinterest Boards, and then of course, the staging, makeup artists, hair stylists, florists, photographers, editing, transportation to the venue, and then taking it all down, going home and sleeping for a week. Really, these photo shoots, take hours, days.. and thankfully I’ve become a lot better at contributing!
This shoot really did blow my mind, from seeing Lime Park for the first time, the styling by Mel at Mood Events and Grace from Grace & Saviour, and then seeing the final images from Ria at Creative Flux. She was actually ill on the day, so her partner, Paul (who isn’t even a photographer) captured the shots, with Ria later editing them.. he did such a smashing job!
The two shots I really love, are the watering can tap (of course) and Shelly’s car.. see below.. that is her actual car, and the wee photo of some of the team!!!
Love Kate
xxx
Wedding Dresses: Ivory & Pearl
Suits: SD Kells
Venue: Lime Park Cottages
Styling: Grace & Saviour / Mood Events
Make up: Make up by Tippy
Florist: Floral Earth
Photography: Creative Flux
Filled Under : Blog
Love and the Shoreline
Today I was involved in a photo shoot at Tullyveery House, with other amazing professionals within the bridal industry, honestly it blew my mind how spectacular everything looked, I cannot wait to share the entire shoot with you. However, in the mean time I thought I would share with you another shoot that Ivory & Pearl wedding dresses were used in last year! The photos are just outstanding by the extremely talented Paula O’Hara Photography! See all the other suppliers involved at the bottom <3
Filled Under : Blog
1st Floor, The Georgian House, 14 The Square, Comber, Co. Down, BT23 5DT, N. Ireland