The End of Summer: Perms, Festivals and Weddings

Whenever there's a big hiatus between blog posts it means one of two things - I'm deep in a writing pit and a story is unfolding, and/or my personal life is full of socialising. 

In this case it's both! 

 

The busyness of this collage feels emblematic of how crazy the last few weeks have been. Festivals and weddings mostly, (okay, so technically one festival and two weddings - but with two kids under 2 and a job it feels like a lot)! Ciphered in between those events, I've also been sending one story out to literary agents, in the hope of finding representation, and working on a new story idea, that's taking shape.  

On the first weekend of September the largest free festival in Europe - BUNKFEST, took place in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. Me and my dear friend Adelle, (who literally knew all of the vendors there), got together for the last night and had a marvellous time eating chips and watching live performances. I had a complete fan girl moment watching Fleetwood Bac, a tribute band to the iconic Fleetwood Mac, and thoroughly enjoyed dancing by myself until Adelle arrived. 

On the first day of Bunkfest my husband and I had tried to take our girls round in the hope we'd get to enjoy it. We lasted about 3 hours before the heat, (it was roasting, despite how overcast this picture looks), and toddler tantrums defeated us. Before then we attended a morning Ceilidh, watched Morris dancers and a belly dancing troop, ate ice cream, looked around the stalls and even saw a pet parrot out for the day on his owner's shoulder! 

How spectacular was the sunset?! As I was childfree on Sunday night I got to stay out late chatting with my friends and honestly, it was so wonderful for a few hours to be Sophia the person, not just Sophia the mom. I love motherhood and how much joy its given me, but even the things we love and enjoy we need to take breaks from! 

In the second week of September we attended my husband's, sister's wedding(s)...you read that right, in Yoruba tradition there is the traditional Nigerian ceremony, the 'trad' and then what they call the 'English wedding.' At the trad wedding I only managed to get this photo as my husband was more involved with the ceremony, which meant I was solo parenting. I had a traditional dress made for me in Lagos in the bride's colours. In Nigeria you wear the colour decided by whether you are part of the bride or groom's family. As I was team bride I got to wear a lovely colour of pink which my hubby and kids represented in. I know you can't see their faces but trust me, my girls looked so cute! 

My dress was utterly stunning but I don't think it was ever intended to be used to chase after a one year old and a toddler! 

At the English wedding I was able to pick my own outfit, so opted for this second hand, whimsy goth style velvet dress. I scooped it up for a measly £9 off of Vinted. Despite me absolutely loving the design of this dress - oh boy did it gave me trouble! Not only did I wear velvet ON THE HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR, it also ripped on the arse right before the ceremony began! Luckily for me, my Mom who attended happened to buy a sewing kit and managed to fix it. 

Here I am with my lovely mother in law and her younger sister, (the incredible Auntie Deola). My shades were £10 from Bunkfest which I'd rushed out to buy when my toddler broke my last 90s style pair! 

How cute do my parents and my in laws look together?! I'm very fortunate that not only are they lovely to me, they also really like each other. Weird fact - both sets of parents got married, on the same day, same year, one in England, one in Nigeria! 

When I realised how hot it was going to be on the wedding day, I decided I'd try to tie my hair up. It's actually too short to put up in a bun, but I managed to find a hack on Pinterest that involves making two pony tails which you then blend together to give the effect of an updo. I accessorised with flowers from a wilting bouquet I had lying around and voila! I think I nailed the romantic whimsy goth look which I was aiming for! 

The venue was Offley House in Hertfordshire, which was absolutely stunning in the sunshine.

 I wish I had taken more photos inside because it was honestly gorgeous. Speaking of gorgeous, I can't tell you how stunning my sister in law looked. I'm not sure she's sharing her wedding pictures yet otherwise I'd have been plastering her face all over this blog! 

Amongst attending events and writing, I've managed to sneak in a cheeky chazza shop! Here are my unearthed treasures:

How cute are these 70's sunflower mugs? I love a bit of 70s pottery! I bought two for 50p each. 

For £1.50 I also snaffled this lovely beaded necklace, I'm a sucker for turquoise so this was put in my shopping trolley instantly! 

Always a sucker for a mug I found another 70's offering, this is part of a set which I snapped up for a couple of quid. I also bought two gothic looking candlesticks for £2 but haven't found the perfect location for them yet. 

Anyway that's enough rambling for one day. 

Blog you later! 

Love 

Sophia x