Friday, December 14, 2012

Frock Fridays: Serious Sparkle

I love it when the theme {av} gives us matches up with what's going on in my life!  Okay, yes, linking up is fun regardless - but I feel like we're in a mind meld when her suggestion works with my calendar.

God, sometimes I am such a creeper.  Sorry!  Let's distract ourselves with the fashion, shall we?  Onward to some serious sparkle...

My two weeks in England over Christmas are primarily going to be spent in Suffolk; we'll be there with Jon's family from December 24th through the 27th and the 30th through January 2nd.  That only leaves four days in London, but you know me - I'm going to pack them to the brim! (That may be a mixed metaphor, but I can't remember the other half of either so we'll just have to agree that we all know what I mean.)  One of my favorite winter activities in London is taking in the sights while ice skating.  Can you imagine anything more romantic?

[ image sources: SH from LONDONSHOTS / NHM / ToL ]

Actually, I first went to the rink at the Natural History Museum with the little girl I babysat when I was a student in London in 2008, so my memories of that experience revolve around a tantrum.  (As soon as we got on the ice, she decided she didn't want to go ice skating; she wanted to see the dinosaurs.  After all the faff we went through to get there and the ordeal of putting on the skates... oof.)  And Jon and I tried to go to the Tower of London for ice skating last winter, but we'd bought the tickets well in advance and the whole city flooded the week we were supposed to go, so that was a bust.  The real romance, in my experience, is at the Somerset House rink.  In our first few treacly months of dating, Jon and I went to Somerset House to ice skate - it's right next to his old university and in an absolutely beautiful courtyard.  We took full advantage of our honeymoon phase by holding hands as we skated in the glow of the towering Christmas tree and whispering sweet nothings over hot chocolate in the Tiffany's café tent.  I bet we were totally obnoxious, to be honest.

But we're going back this year!  You do have to book tickets ahead of time as the popular dates and times sell out quickly, so we snapped ours up last week for the evening of Friday, December 28th.  We've sent an email around to some friends, inviting them to join us, and then we'll head out to a swankyish bar for the rest of the night.  (You're more than welcome to come too, dear readers!)  I'd love to wear something like this:

serious sparkle

I've got all of these pieces (or variations thereon) except for the dress.  I found it on Rent the Runway which means that it's definitely doable in terms of my budget, but the shipping timings won't work because I'll be abroad.  So hello, after-Christmas sales!

24 comments:

  1. I don't know what I want more - the coat, the light pink accessories, or the four days in London! Would so love to see it at Christmas. Take lots of pictures and have an amazing time!


    :D KCS ahappyeverafter.com

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  2. I really need to put a "do not read from phone" on your blog, since I can't figure out commenting there. (Partly because I can never remember my Disqus password...)

    But lovely outfit!! Also, I am still INSANELY jealous over your Christmas in England. I was jealous reading my FB newsfeed that was all about treacherous ice and "be careful" warnings from Harrogate this morning. Pathetic, I know.

    I'm debating a Rent the Runway for the first time. I'm intrigued by this feeling fancy thing.

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  3. I loved reading your ice skating memories! That dress is gorgeous... I've really got to consider using Rent the Runway sometime. (:

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  4. This sounds like the most amazing evening - and what a perfect outfit for it! (Also, is the Somerset House also where the Courtauld Gallery is? It seems familiar. One of my favorite places I've visited in London, and even better now that I see how lovely the skating rink is too! Such a lovely place.)

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  5. do! I haven't actually used it yet, but it seems really promising.

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  6. you should go sometimes! it's gorgeous, even when it's raining :) not that I'm biased or anything... haha

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  7. thank you! yes LOOK at these photos a blogfriend took of the frost-encrusted spiderwebs on his shed in the shire (can't remember which shire...) http://airnicetolivelands.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-ice-webs.html

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  8. why thank you! and yes, it is! it's gorgeous - they use it as a filming location for a lot of period movies :)

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  9. Gorgeous!! Reminds me of this post as well: http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.com/2012/12/frosty-england.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FeyqMc+%28happy+homemaker+uk%29
    *sigh* GB really knows how to do winter/Christmas, don't they?!

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  10. The ice rink looks seriously gorgeous and romantic. I would quickly make it look otherwise though, I'm sure, I am pretty clumsy ;)

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  11. haha - it happens to the best of us! soooooomeone fell down more often than I did, but I went down with him to make him feel better about it :) that's my story and I'm sticking with it!

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  12. London at Christmastime sounds magical! Great outfit! I adore that coat and the pink touches!

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  13. love this look! those gloves are perfect.



    xox emily
    www.onceinablueroom.com

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  14. I'm seriously in love with those heels. I love that pink!

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  15. What a chic ice skating outfit! I'm going ice skating in Glasgow's equivalent, George Square, and this post has given me some inspiration to dress up a bit.

    Also, been reading your blog for a bit but never have commented before. Lovely blog!

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  16. This is perfect! I've never been ice skating before, it's always on our list of things to do in the winter but it just never happens. There's always this year! GA has an indoor rink we may check out. This dress is so pretty! xoxo, eliza

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  17. Hope you have a lovely time in London, Betsy! Fabulous choice of coat and accessories, especially love the little bag! Really like your blog, will read more from the Archive as well! Happy holidays, Chilla from London (LS)

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  18. yes, do! but you might need to come north for the real experience of frozen toes and fingers, haha

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  19. well thank you - I'm glad you've come out of the woodwork :) I've never been to Glasgow and must add it to my "to visit" list!

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  20. me too! now, to pray for dry(ish) weather...

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  21. That wrap dress would look gorgeous on you! Keeping my fingers crossed you find it in the sales :)

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  22. why thank you! ruching hides all manner of sins :)

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  23. It's definitely on my to-travel list! :D

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