Farewell Shad Pad!

Ok, so I haven't exactly been honest with you recently. Perhaps I've been in denial, I don't know. But whatever the excuse, it's time to come clean.

So, my beau and I moved out of our beautiful apartment last week. After 2 years (5 1/2 for him) I bid farewell to the Shad Pad. It was an emotional week, after all, this fabulous apartment has played host to pretty much everyone we know, to some crazy dinner parties and a few rather huge parties (our engagement party probably holds the record - we got 110 of our nearest and dearest in to our living room!).

Let's play tribute to Miss Magpie and her beau's first home together...

Our living room - movie nights, pre-dinner cocktails, Miss Magpie's 'office'...What couldn't we do here?

The most used kitchen in London? The hub of Shad Pad life.

 Just enough space don't you think?

Our boudoir, complete with cuddly pig (just a reminder to my beau that if he doesn't behave, I've always got something else to snuggle up to!)

 My dressing room (part of) - when you grow out of this room, you know you either need to move or get rid of some stuff. I've done both!

The hot tub: If those mirror tiles could talk...well, you'd be in for a treat!

Spare room - sisters, brothers, friends, strangers...they've all had a turn

Other spare room - housing the most comfortable bed EVER, it's quite a surprise that anyway stayed awake long enough to create a baby. But that they did. Baby Rio (now 4 or 5) was conceived right there!!

Thank you for letting me indulge myself! We will miss this home terribly...but we're moving on to more exciting stuff...

...yes, dear readers, it's time for me to let you in on a rather big secret...

WE ARE MOVING FROM HERE:

TO HERE:

Can you guess what it is yet?

That's right, HONG KONG!!

Yes, we're making the rather large move to the other side of the world. In fact, my beau has been out there for 2 months and is just waiting for me to follow. I'll be heading over in 4 weeks time.

Imagine what Miss Magpie can report on from there...this is not an end, but a new beginning, and I hope that you will all follow me on my adventure? Please say yes!

See you in Hong Kong (and a bit in London before then)...

Bisoux xxx

Looking chic on the piste

A few weekends ago, my beau and I hit the slopes of Chamonix for some skiing action. Since this was my second time on the piste - the first time having gone pretty well - I thought I should inject some 'cool' in to my ski look. The hotchpotch of clothing I borrowed last time was not exactly chic!

Where did I head for the very best in outdoor clothing? Luckily, my bestie's daddy owns an outdoor clothing shop and I'm not being biased, but I really wouldn't shop anywhere else! From thermals to salopettes, and gloves to goggles, he has it all.

If you want to look as 'cool' as moi (the one in the purple, though Lauren in red looks pretty hot too), head to Cover, 52-54 High St Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 5SJ, 020 8440 5775.

Introducing the fabulous Friswells...

As promised, Miss Magpie is here to fill you in on all the highlights of my last month...and we all know how much I love a wedding, so let's begin right there.

My beau's bestie, James (a.k.a. Friz), popped the question to his now wife Jennie, watching the sun set on the scenic cliffs of Jersey last August. Jennie sprung in to action and before we knew it, we were watching them tie the knot!

Daddy's girl

One of my favourite moments of a wedding is the bride being walked in by her father - perhaps because I am such a daddy's girl and have always dreamed of sharing that moment with my pa. You can always guarantee a few tears welling up in my eyes! Jennie looked sensational in her voluminous white dress and poker straight bob.

The Friswells!

Friz and Jennie looked so wonderfully happy and perfect for each other, don't you think?!

Change of a dress

As a Chinese bride, Jennie would traditionally have to change 5 times during the day (that's even a shocker for me!)...but in these days of modernity, Jennie only changed a mere 3 times. This was her traditional Chinese dress (sadly, I don't have a picture of the final number). I LOVE this pale green sparkle-tastic gown. Jennie looked radiant and ultra-glam!

Poor old Friz didn't get a single outfit change - much to his relief I am sure.

To celebrate Jennie's Chinese heritage, the wedding breakfast (a 9 course feast!) took place at a Chinese restaurant in Wandsworth. I was totally loving all the attention to detail...

Personalised chopsticks as the name places = GENIUS!

Vibrant hanging lanterns 

Amazing origami swans made by Jennie's sister

It was truly a remarkable day and a first for many of us. And as if all this wasn't enough, the bride and groom treated us to a choreographed tap dance for their first dance as husband and wife. It was so good, that even my beau agreed to having dancing lessons!

So, how did we dress for this fabulous occasion?

While my beau opted for the trad morning suit, I thought colour was the order of the day and decided to bring some of my Indian heritage to the occasion. This sari was given to me by my soon-to-be in-laws during my engagement. I've just had the blouse made to my exact specifications, so I was tres excited to debut it...

...I hope you like it!

Having asked permission from the bride to change my outfit (a full day in a sari is something I am yet to get used to - though I probably should, as my big day is not so far away!), I slipped in to something a little more comfortable for the evening...

...me and my nearly sister-in-law were just loving the pink!

I know you've all seen this dress before (Lanvin for H&M), but once in a while a girl has to wear a dress more than once!

CONGRATULATIONS TO MR & MRS FRISWELL!!!

Miss Magpie is back!

Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry! That's all I can say. It's been a crazy few weeks and Miss Magpie has been in multi-tasking hell. Sadly, one thing that had to fall by the way-side for a teeny-weeny bit was Style State. But I never stopped thinking about all my readers and I promise I'll be back on top form asap!

I will be filling you in on all my latest news and fashion fun over the next few days...but in the mean time I thought I would leave you with this fashion fabulous photo:

That's right; my beau and my grandfather wearing exactly the same outfit! There has to be something wrong with this...and since my nana has been around a lot longer than my man, I'm awarding him the style prize. My beau, on the other hand, is going to be taken on a highly intensive shopping trip very soon!

Watch out for my catch-up posts...coming very soon!