I think it's long overdue that I tell you more about the very lovely Lily - one of our official crew members.  You've no doubt already met Lily at one of our events, or see her picture on our Instagram feed, but here's some things you probably don't know about her...

Tell us a little bit about what you do
My name is Lily Dudley and I am a graduate Textiles Designer. I have studied at UCA for the past five years graduating with a BA Honors Degree. As a textile designer I design prints and surface designs for fashion and interiors, but what people don’t realise is that textile designers will design for other areas such as graphic designs for websites or products, architectural design, installations and many more. For me my passion lies in designing for fashion and interiors. I specialist skill is hand printing. The majority of the designs that I produce I will print using traditional hand processes such as silkscreen printing, but I always try and take a contemporary twist on this.
 
What was the last picture you took on your phone?
The last photographs I took on my phone is my desk after handing in my final collection for my degree. This was a very proud moment for me, as I have produced a printed fashion collection (Six Outfits) in six months, hand printed and hand made by me!

We packed up our mobile haberdashery, our crockery and cakes, and headed off to Clerkenwell for a hen party.

These lovely ladies had a beautiful appartment booked, and while they settled in and unpacked their bags, I set up a delicious afternoon tea, on our vintage and mismatched crockery.

Once all the cake had been eaten, the crafting began. Trays full of ribbons, sequins, lace and embellishments were laid out for the ladies to choose from, and they each set about customising their knickers in their own unique way!

Crafternoons are a great activity for a hen party, especially if you don't all know each other - relax over tea and cake, and get chatting while you create :-)

for more information, please send us an email, telling us a little more about your preferred date, location and activity - if you aren't sure what you'd like to do, we can help! contactus@chicncheerful.co.uk

I'd like to introduce you to Emma, a wonderful documentary wedding photographer.  Here are some questions I sent her recently...

Tell us a little bit about what you do
I'm a creative documentary wedding photographer which for me means that the crux of my coverage is seen from a guests perspective, so you get real moments, from the bride getting ready right up until the dancing! I do also provide portraits for the couple which I shoot in an intimate, natural and creative way - basically no cheese! ;)

What was the last picture you took on your phone?
My dogs in the snow! It was Dougie's first time seeing snow so it was so cute watching try to work out what it was.

What’s your motto, or favourite saying?
I have a cheeky streak in me and so i've always said 'you don't ask, you don't get!' and I believe this to be true, they can only say no right? I also believe you can 'make your own luck', with the right ideas, hard work and determination - you can go far.

What does a perfect day look like to you?
A hot day (I'm a summer baby and I don't do well in the cold!) with my hubby and my dogs chilling out, grass (or sand) between my toes, sharing a cold beer whilst listening to Lana Del Rey, watching the sun go down. Can you tell I'm hankering for Summer?!

If you could witness any event (past, present or future), what would it be?
I have absolutely no idea! 

What skill would you like to learn?
Spanish. I've wanted to learn it fluently for sometime now. It's such a beautiful language.

What do you feel most proud of?
(who) My Mum. She's the kindest person i know.

Why did you choose your profession?
I've been obsessed with photography since I was little, I'd go through my Nan's albums on every visit and be fascinated by how she looked and how things were so different. My Nan was a bit of a glamour puss in her day. There is a picture of her in Cornwall sitting against a brick wall in a field with my Grandad, she had her top slighting off her shoulder, victory rolls, pearls and cat eye glasses. 
Thats what I love about my job, I'm creating memories for children of the future. I love how moments can be captured and cherished for years to come. 

How do you spend your free time?
We are big movie fans. My taste is quite if eclectic, zombie, tarantino, sci-fi.... we've pretty much run out of films to watch now so last night we watched Drive for the 2nd time. One of my fave films for many different reasons, music, cinematography, Ryan Gosling! haha. I watch a lot of films for the cinematography. 

What are your top favourite three books, and why?
I dont read very much anymore - movies are my books.

If I could browse through your music collection, what would be your guilty pleasure?  
Mariah carey?! not the ballad stuff though.

Take a look at Emma's beautiful work:
www.els-design.com

www.facebook.com/ElsWeddingPhotographyKent

 We are often asked, sometimes a little sheepishly (which makes me sad!), about gluten and lactose free food, vegetarian and vegan options, and if we can cater for those - the answer is a big loud YES!

Not only can we cater for different dietary requirements, we are more than happy to do so.  It's not an inconvenience, it's a pleasure, to be able to provide yummy food to your guests, who are probably anticipating an average meal.  (We take this so seriously, we've done specialist training on food allergies)

We can provide a full afternoon tea (above) for anyone with dietary requirements, and do our very best to provide the same options as everyone else, including an extremely moist and delicious chocolate fudge brownie, and a mouth watering lemon and poppy seed drizzle cake.

We are also delighted to be able to create celebration cakes for people with special reqiurements, such as this dairy and egg-free birthday cake, for a special little girl.  Mum asked for not too much sugar, and no colouring, so the cake had a lovely layer of 'buttercream' icing, just on the top - it was a hit!

#glutenfree #dairyfree #vegan #vegetarian #dietaryrequirements

On a wet and windy weekend in February, I headed off to Uxbridge with boxes packed full of ribbons, roses, buttons and bows - and this lovely group of Hens transformed them into some truely unique knickers!

Our Crafternoons are a great activity for a Hen parties - ideal for Aunties, best friends, friends from work, and old school friends!

If you'd like more information on our Crafternoons (also available as Crafternoon Teas) please just get in contact!

We all know that Strawberries and cream go together like a dream, but have you ever sprinkled ground black pepper over fresh strawberries? it's a taste sensation, as the pepper really enhances the strawberries (Balsamic vinegar is incredible too) and it takes strawberry jam to a whole new level.  Take a look at my Seriously Jammin' Strawberry Jam recipe...

We teamed up with Creative Brides, who've created these gorgeous jam jar labels for you too.

One of the things I love about my job, is that I get to meet so many different people - not just our lovely customers, but also some wonderful suppliers too.  I really would love for you all to 'meet' Amanda, of Distinctly Floral.

Amanda was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule, to answer a few questions for me, so you can get to know her:

Tell us a little bit about what you do:
 We are a bespoke wedding and event florist that loves designing individual and striking floral arrangements.  We like to  spend time getting to know our couples and finding out more about their likes and dislikes; we then turn their ideas into a perfect reality using the highest quality flowers combined with our ever expanding treasure trove of accessories.  Our aim is to make each couples’ day unique and truly beautiful.  Nothing is too “wacky, too much trouble, or too small.  We’re never bored, dismissive or anything other than energised and excited about our weddings (sometimes a little over-excited).  We have fun as a team and believe we provide the best of all worlds...we are passionate about our flowers, we’re perfectionists, our knowledge is unsurpassed, and above all, we are completely professional and trustworthy.
What was the last picture you took on your phone?
The last picture I took on my phone was of Highland Cattle on a dog walk.  They’re such stunning creatures and the colours looked beautiful.
What's your motto, or favourite saying?
I’m often heard to say “be careful what you wish for”, or “onwards and upwards”.  Not a motto but both apply in lots of situations.
What does a perfect day look like to you?
A perfect day would involve flowers, dogs, walks, wine, cake and David Attenborough…so perhaps a walk in a bluebell wood with the dogs and David Attenborough followed by afternoon tea with a glass of wine.  Can I go now?!
If you could witness any event, past, present or future, what would it be?
I have never considered what event I’d like to witness…I never look back so I will have to give a very “touchy feely” aspirational answer which is that I would love to witness an end to the pointless wars and violence that we’re witnessing at the moment.  Probably a bit of a Miss World answer, but seeing World Peace would be truly amazing.
What skill would you like to learn?
I’d love to learn to fly a plane
What do you feel most proud of?
I’m so proud of building a business that continues to bring happiness to so many people.  I work so hard to make everything perfect and very individual for each and every couple and I am beyond happy when I get the feedback that it was everything they wanted and more.
Why did you choose your profession?
My profession chose me!  I worked at a very senior level in international companies in the Finance Sector and didn’t have the chance to use my creativity.  My husband bought me a Masterclass with the late Jane Packer who truly inspired me to go on further and do more and more training.  When I had an opportunity to exit the very stressful role I was in with some additional finance, I took the chance to give it a go and see whether I could make an alternative career.  So from high Finance, designer clothes, a large salary and sports cars, I’m now elbow deep in bleach, cold water and fabulous flowers, wearing old and cheap clothes, earning below the minimum wage and driving a van….and I couldn’t be happier!
How do you spend your free time?
In my very rare spare time (I am a workaholic), I walk my dogs, read, do some wildlife photography where possible and bake.
What are your favourite three books, and why?
It’s impossible to choose just three books as I’ve read thousands over the years in all genres.  I’m a bit of a bookworm and am reading autobiographies at the moment.  But there are two books that have been read several times and will be read again and they are Brideshead Revisited (Evelyn Waugh) and the Horse Dancer (Jojo Moyes)… the latter is a hark back to my equestrian background and has me in tears every time.
If I could browse through your music collection, what would be your guilty pleasure?
I’ve just gone back through all the music on my phone and nothing qualifies as a guilty pleasure really.  I love music and listen to everything from Florence and the Machine, Catfish and the Bottlemen to Ella Fitzgerald, Van Morrison, Caro Emerald and everything in between.  So I’ve dug deep and included two songs that really make me dance around the kitchen which annoy everyone around me…they are “Can’t Speak French”  by Girls Aloud and The Ketchup Song – Las Ketchup (I’m a sucker for a dance routine!).

Please do take a look at the Distinctly Floral website, or find them on Facebook 

This Christmas, I went along to a couple of Christmas Fairs, so I could meet some new people and introduce Chic'n'Cheerful.  I took along some of our vintage and mismatched crockery, and managed to let myself part with a few items!

Our teacup bird feeders were very popular, so I hope we've helped to fill a few feathered tummies :-)

We had a call from Dan at the Original Pop-Up Festival Company, inviting us to come and take a look at their new site in Tunbridge Wells.

Today, we me with Millie, and chatted through all the lovely things we have to offer, from catering, to our vintage caravan mobile bar, from Rusty, to our crochet hay bale blankets... It was really nice to talk about everything we do!

I'm now on a mission to tidy up our Pinterest board, with examples of all our products and services.

We left some triple chocolate brownies with Millie and Dan, to help them through a busy day :-)

We've teamed up with Creative Brides to offer you a fantastic prize... the chance to win Rusty as your chauffeur driven wedding car!

​Head on over to their website, and take a look for all the details, then be sure to send us an email with your competition entry.  Good luck! 

​#weddingcar #vw #splitscreen