Happy Birthday, Duchess Kate!

"My policy on cake is pro having it and pro eating it."

~Boris Johnson

Happy Birthday to The Duchess of Cambridge!

She's had quite a year, bringing George into the world.

I hope this coming year continues to bring her opportunities

for service in her role as Princess, as well as,

all she hopes for for herself and her family.

.

.

.

.

Fashion Friday.

"The finest clothing made is a person's own skin,

but, of course, society demands something more than this."

~Mark Twain

Doesn't Helen Mirren look stunning in this red frock? The jury is out with regard to the length, though. I think I would have like it more if it had been a few inches longer or about six inches short, just below her knee. Nevertheless, I think she looks great. The color, the neckline, sleeve-length, all of it. I approve. She wore this for the "Red 2" premiere at Odeon Leicester Square in London. Fitting, to wear red for "Red 2."

Photo found here.

And of course HRH Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge won my heart in her beautiful periwinkle with white polka dots, a bespoke Jenny Packham piece, which she emerged in as she and Will introduced their new baby to the world in front of Lindo Wing at St. Mary's hospital in London.

Photo found here.

I thought the blue was a nice touch to honor her new son and the polka dots, a nice homage to Diana, William's mother, who also wore a dress with polka dots when William was born. I also love the fact that she did not try to hide her post-baby belly. All women know that the swollen belly does not immediately shrink when you have a baby, but so many new mothers have body image concerns and try desperately to cover up or wear their pre-pregnancy clothes immediately. I appreciate that Kate embraced her body and did not shy away from showing the world her normal post-birth figure.

Kate in empire-waisted bespoke Jenny Packham dress.
Photo found here.

Kate is definitely no stranger to Jenny Packham. In fact, whenever she wants a full red-carpet punch, she turns to Jenny Packham. Take a look at these other past Packham choices.

Photo found here.

Photo found here.

Kate has worn Jenny Packham on many occasions.

That's it on fashion for this Friday. Any favorites of yours this week?

.

.

.

.

While I cook up an actual blog post...

"God has promised forgiveness to your repentance,

but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination."

~Augustine of Hippo

So, I've not been intentionally procrastinating all the posts I want to share with you... it just has happened that way. So, during this "down time" here are a few things you can think about, laugh at, roll yours eyes at, or whatever it is you choose to do while I'm procrastinating posting pictures of my new house. Yes, I said, my new house. :)

My cousin Lindsay sent me me this link a long time ago and I just found it again. Enjoy.

I've made this recipe twice since I found it nearly two weeks ago. If you're ever looking for a pretty yummy, quick, and easy recipe when you're wanting something sweet fast and you don't want to have to work very hard for it, try this. :) Like that ever happens. What? :) Now go ahead and click on it and make it. You'll thank me.

Oh, and this one. This one you don't want to miss. I've been meaning to post it for some time, but keep forgetting. I've been reading this girl's Name updates for a couple of years now. Hilarious. Seriously, I can't make this stuff up. Ha...but people do! People MAKE UP THESE NAMES AND GIVE THEM TO THEIR CHILDREN FOR THE REST OF TIME! Gosh. I won't pretend to say that I understand the heavy weight parents must feel as they choose a word (a name) by which this new human being will be known for the rest of eternity. Heavy stuff. But with that weight on your shoulders, you went ahead and chose Reggie Tayzlie? Seriously? Or Razdyn? Gosh. I know I may have unusual ideas for names (maybe it's good I don't have children), but at least they aren't a combination of letters arbitrarily put together. I LIKE unusual names, people. Trust me. My name is Emery, for heaven's sake. I LIKE having a fairly unique name. Trust me. I'm all about being the only "Emery" around (had a near identity crisis when I read that in 2005 "Emery" entered the top 1000 names for baby girls receiving SSNs in the U.S.--about near died.) But my name isn't made up. It's a name. It's spelled correctly. But Arkadian? I looked it up--it's an Xbox game. Seriously people? And Kasten? Sure as heck you won't catch me castin' my vote for Kasten. Heh. I'm funny. Anyway, enough. Check out the link here.

Speaking of babies, my friends D&S are having one, so I've had them on the mind. I saw this supercool airplane contraption. SO cool. I like it. But they're sold out. Put myself on the waiting list in case they get more in stock. Maybe by that time, I'll have a baby to put in it. :) Here's hoping.

And lastly, my love for the Royal Family (okay, my love for the Duchess of Cambridge) has not waned and I   often go to this website to see her latest sartorial picks or this website. Both are good. I mean anywhere you can see this Kaleidoscope Kate is worth visiting regularly. :)

Well, that's it for now. More later. Lots more hopefully. Pray that procrastination doesn't get the best of me.
.
.
.
.

Happy Anniversary, William and Kate!

"Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction."
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

.
.
.
.

Letizia. Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Asturias.

"A beautiful dress may look beautiful on a hanger, but that means nothing. It must be seen on the shoulders, with the movement of the arms, the legs, and the waist."
~Coco Chanel

So, remember how much I loved the recent royal nuptials? Well, I did. And there's the link, in case you missed it. Let's face it, half of the fun was all about what everyone was wearing.

One of my favorite dresses of the day was worn by the beautiful Spanish princess, Letizia, Princess of Asturias. She is married to Felipe, the heir apparent to the Spanish throne. Yes, I've done my royal homework...

The dress is a lovely muted rose color with such beautiful details. I really loved it, so I had to share a few photos. Oh, and the hat. What a great choice! Love it.

.
.
.
.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Wed.

"If you find someone you love in your life, then hang on to that love."
~Princess Diana

William and Kate's wedding was just stunningly elegant. I loved everything I saw. I have to admit I've been looking forward to this for awhile. Remember how excited I was when their engagement was officially announced?

Well, the months of anticipation has truly paid off. Kate looked absolutely beautiful. I seriously can't stop looking at pictures and videos. So I'm posting a few of my favorites so that I can look back and remember. She was just so elegant and regal. The few public intimate exchanges between the two of them were just wonderful to see. I loved the double kiss. And I loved the looks they exchanged in Westminster Abbey.

Okay, so that was more than a few. But it was worth it, wasn't it? Even if you're seeing them all again... worth it.
.
.
.
.

Kate Middleton and Prince William Make It Official.

"Without love, what are we worth?
Eighty-nine cents! Eighty-nine cents worth of chemicals walking around lonely."
~Hawkeye on M*A*S*H

So I'm just a little bit giddy about this.

Kate Middleton and Prince William
posing at their official engagement announcement in
The State Apartments of the St James Palace on November 16, 2010 in London, England.

I'm so excited about the upcoming royal wedding of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton, which may seem silly to you, since I don't even know them personally. It may even seem a bit elementary, or even naïvely dreamy, but it's much more about the pomp and circumstance which will surround this event which piques my interest. It likely stems from the same reason I like people watching (and maybe also something to do with my admiration of performance and being on stage, myself). I enjoy seeing how people choose to present themselves, how they choose to act, what version of themselves they choose to portray to the world.

Maybe it also stems from the fact that, as a three year-old, I am certain that I watched the widely televised wedding of Charles and Diana, as she walked down the aisle with her 25-foot long train. Who could forget that? (I'm sure I watched it again when I was around ten, so maybe that helped the memory, also.)

Or maybe I'm just living vicariously through them? I suppose there is something to be said for this suggestion. I haven't had a wedding of my own, nor ever announced my own engagement, so it's sort of fun to watch someone else doing it all.

Or maybe it's a lure that's genetically inherited. My grandmother, to whom I am often compared, had a real fascination with the royal family, and I guess I just also find their ways and their lives intriguing. I am always drawn to finding out why people do the things they do, and the royal family has undeniable appeal when it comes to determining motivations. Think about it, there are always so many things you begin asking as soon as your start hearing about the royals and the way they do things:  By what title will Kate (or any other new royal) be known? How do they determine places in the line of succession to the throne? When do they use Her Majesty versus Her Royal Highness? The questions abound. (You can find a lot of answers--and squander away heaps of time--at the Royal Family's official website, here.)

But the clincher? The royal family would have nothing short of famously elegant wedding and I do like elegance. I also like wedding dresses. I like a handsome man in a suit (and William is not half bad--the Diana half, that is). I like seeing happy people finding each other and choosing to make a commitment to each other and embrace and own that commitment by telling the world. And... I like sapphires wrapped in diamonds.

William gave Kate his mother's engagement ring.
We haven't seen it in public since Princess Diana and Charles announced their separation.

Wow. Simply beautiful. And totally my style, in case you're wondering.

I've heard also that Kate and William want this want to really be a wedding for the people of Britain. They've vowed to ensure that their families pick up the bill for all the events surrounding the wedding, so it should not cost the citizens anything. Also, they've decided to invite 100 random citizens to the events, as a way to show their interest in including the public. Wouldn't you love to one of the lucky 100 chosen at random to attend? You could see all the glamour up close and rub shoulders with all of the who's who guests. Oh, pick me. I can certainly pull of a wicked British accent for a day. What do you say?

All pictures found at zimbio.

.
.
.
.