Help for Heroes tartan iPad cover via ScotlandShop

It was only two weeks ago that I was lusting after the Ted Baker iPad case but after seeing this baby, I’ve decided that my iPad case collection is going to resemble that of my bags, shoes and purses – you can never have too many!

What makes this case even better is that not only will it make your gadget look fab but you will also be helping to raise money for charity as a percentage of each sale is donated to Help for Heroes….

The perfect gift from Scotland supporting a great cause. Our Help for Heroes tartan iPad cover or sleeve protects your iPad in style.

The Help for Heroes tartan is designed and manufactured here in the Scottish Borders. Taking the recognised colours of the British Armed Forces including navy blue for the Royal Navy, the lighter blue of Royal Air Force and red for the Army. The result is a really striking tartan. 

Support our Heroes and raise some funds for a worthwhile cause. A percentage of every sale of the Help for Heroes tartan goes directly to the Charity.

Well that’s me sold! Expect my order at the end of the month – These iPad covers can be purchased online from the lovely guys at ScotlandShop.com

Much love,

Emma xXx

]]> http://militaryweddingdiscounts.com/friday-i-%e2%99%a5-help-for-heroes-tartan-ipad-cover/feed/ 0 http://militaryweddingdiscounts.com/very-inviting-vintage-romance-invitation-mandalay-wedding-invitations/ http://militaryweddingdiscounts.com/very-inviting-vintage-romance-invitation-mandalay-wedding-invitations/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 14:00:55 +0000 Emma ♥ http://militaryweddingdiscounts.com/?p=4611

Vintage, Romance Invitation – Mandalay Wedding Invitations

On-trend vintage lace wedding invitation design that can be personalised with your names and wedding date. Serene in pastel shades or dramatic in deep rich tones.

Aren’t they pretty!

The first time I came across Mandalay Wedding Invitations was back in 2005/2006 at the National Wedding Show. I picked up a few samples for a friend and remember thinking how impressed I was at the quality of card they used and sleek elegant designs. They must have left an impression if I remember them 6/7 years later!

Prices for these invitations start from £3.39 (151+) but you can save yourself some money by using their D.I.Y option which is just £2.39 per invite regardless of the number…

“The same great designs but you save money by printing the inserts at home and tying the ribbons around the invites yourself. The ribbon is included in the price, but if you’d like them pre-tied by us, you’ll need to add them to your order.”

Professional looking cards with the option of adding your own personal touch – perfect!

Much love,

Emma xXx

Debut Ivory Lace and Satin Bridal Dress – Debenhams

This ivory lace and satin bridal dress from Debut features a sheer lace top with long sleeves over its fitted bodice

♥ Fitted bodice

♥ Sheer lace top

♥ Romantic style

♥ PRICE

I nearly had a heart attack when I seen the price of this dress – this could be you dream gown for just £150 and it’s so beautiful too. The price certainly hasn’t compromised the style.

Has anyone purchased their dress from a high street shop? How did you find the fit? How did you arrange the alterations? (if they were necessary)

Much love,

Emma xXx

 I’ve just been reminded that I go on holiday next week – woohooo!!

After our failed attempts to get away for a bit of winter sun in February (darned snow!), we rebooked our mini break a while back so I’m heading off for a few days next Friday with my aunt and I can’t blooming wait!

Having realised that I’m lacking a few ‘essentials’ (see here for more about my holiday wardrobe fairies) I took to the laptop last night to find some new summer pieces with my intention being to start by looking at Very but thanks to their fab new Holiday Shop, I didn’t have to look any further!

Get a look at some of the bargains I found…..

♥ Sandals – £14.00

♥ Longline Vest Tops – £5.00

♥ Maxi Dress – £20.00

♥ Buckle Satchel – £22.00

♥ Printed Shortsuit – £18.00

♥ Lime Boyfriend Cardigan – £16.00

♥ Bandeau Swimsuit – £25.00

♥ Stripped Sun Dress – £14.00

So with the essentials now purchased all I have to think about now is trying to retain them for next time I go away!

Much love,

Emma xXx

Image Source

Since the last post, my husband has been back for his R&R and I had him all to myself for 10 whole days!

As the time for his leave was getting closer I found myself getting more and more nervous which I thought was very strange. I was feeling this over a man I had been with for nearly 10 years and married to for 6 – my best friend and the person I spent most of my time with, and I was getting anxious about seeing him.

Everyone would comment about how excited I must be getting and how I must be looking forward to having him home and of course I was, but there was just that niggle at the back of my mind that wouldn’t go away – the nerves.

How will he be? Will he still be the same man that went? Will he still remember to do all those things that used to make laugh? Will he even want to laugh??  Will he still fancy me? What happens if he hates my new hair cut? What if he’s changed?

It had been 3 months since I last seen him and I now had a new routine. I did my housework on a different day to what we did before he went, I had dinner at a different time, I had moved a few things around as it made things easier for me while he wasn’t there. What happens if he comes home and wants to change it all?

He had been away fighting a war for 12 weeks – will he be upset when he comes home? Will he adapt to ‘normal’ life again quickly? Will he be able to relax at all? Will he have nightmares?

I was driving myself mad with all these questions and really worrying about the ‘what if’s?’ – Life for the last 3 months had been very different for both of us, would we just be able to pick up again from where we were when he left on Boxing Day and start again?

He was due home between 10.30m-11.30pm on that Monday evening and I had that day planned with military precision (he would have been so proud lol). I distracted myself by going shopping in the morning and then I  met Hayley and Steve for lunch. It was great seeing Hayley that day as being a military wife herself she could relate to how I was feeling which helped calm the nerves and then Steve always makes you smile!

After lunch it was off home to chill for a couple of hours and watch a film (this always helps me unwind) and then a full on pampering afternoon, a few phonecalls and a long soak in the bath.

Luckily I was a bit ahead of schedule (which anyone who knows me will know that it’s a rare occurrence!) as at 9.10pm (a whole hour and 20 mins early) I head the key in the door!! I was so overwhelmed with happiness and relief to see him that all those previous worries just disappeared and the only thing I could say was ‘I haven’t painted my nails yet’ – that was the last thing on my ‘to-do’ list for the day lol.

We had the most amazing 10 days. We didn’t go anywhere special or do anything out of the ordinary but just having him home made everything seem ‘normal’ again. He was home with me and everything was just right again and exactly how it should be.

It was VERY hard to say goodbye again, harder than the first time I felt but the relief that we were half way through and on the last part made it a bit better.

The countdown to his return has started and I am MEGA excited this time but I have realised that the nerves are only natural and to tell you the truth, I am fully expecting them to kick in again in around 8 weeks time. The joys of being a Military Wife!

Have you experienced the same thing? What do you do to help settle your nerves?

Much love,

Emma xXx

Musings of a Military Wife is back and will be on the site every Monday at 4.00pm

Neon Stripe Jumper – George, Asda

I’m going on holiday and I’m soooooooo excited!! It really can’t come quick enough. After our disaster of a trip (or lack of) in February, this mini break is long over due.

Now, I go abroad once, maybe twice a year and EVERY time I go I need new clothes – I don’t understand it?? Without fail, each time I buy new vest tops/boob tubes/linen trousers etc (the basics) so why can I never find them all the next time I’m packing?

Over the past 4 years I must have bought enough clothes to see me through peak season in Ibiza with a different outfit daily, yet last week, I found myself in George@Asda’s lusting over this gorgeous jumper pictured above and justifying my purchase ‘because I will need something for the evening if it gets nippy’. I could have sworn I bought a stonewash denim jacket, nautical stripped cardigan AND a pink hoody for those ‘nippy’ circumstances back in January!

Anyways, back to this gorgeous Neon Stripe Jumper – isn’t it lovely! It’s a great length, fab vibrant colours and will really compliment a tan too BUT the best thing is that it was a complete bargain at just £14!!

I couldn’t say no to that.

Much love,

Emma xXx

Company Name: Simply Elegant Ltd

What inspired you to start your business?

I would say that the business found me really; I spent 13 years as a senior manager in the banking sector before taking 6 months out to have some time with my girls.  During this time busy friends asked me to help organise some weddings, parties and christenings and I loved it.

I was used to leading large teams of people to work together and of managing substantial, logistically complex projects, but this also allowed me to be creative and to work with people on a more personal level. 

I didn’t realise initially that this was what Wedding Planning was – my only knowledge of a planner being Franck from Father of the Bride – and I was far too down-to-earth for all that, so I decided to find out more by studying the business formally with the UKAWP and went on to launch Simply Elegant.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The variety of tasks is fantastic, but I really enjoy building relationships with clients, colleagues and suppliers.   I am always meeting new and interesting people and am invited into one of their most personal moments – I don’t think there’s been a wedding yet where I haven’t filled up just at that moment where the bride leaves to walk up the aisle.

What has been the best moment of your business?

I planned a large marquee wedding in a remote part of Kent in November; everything went perfectly – right down to the first flakes of snow beginning to fall as guests were leaving.  I felt very proud of the day and really appreciated the importance of having such a fantastic team working with me. 

The time at every wedding when the first dance is underway, because at that point I know we’ve done it! 

What are your business plans for the future?

I would like to do more city weddings, I love my marquees but we have some amazing buildings in London that I would like to use.  This year I also planned the first overseas wedding in New York, and I would definitely like to start working internationally over the next 5 years.

Can you give us a ‘Typical day in the life of….’?

No not really, and that’s what I love about it.  One day I might be in the most beautiful and glamorous venue for a viewing, the next I could be in the middle of a field in my wellies discussing the best location for mobile toilets, bearing in mind their weight before and after the event.  Then there are days where I don’t leave the office because I’m working on admin for clients and the business.

10% off any wedding planning service 10% off any items hired through our sister company Simply Elegant Hire When you quote MWD10

Ted Baker Toolia Bow iPad Case – via John Lewis

Nope, your eyes are not playing tricks and no, you haven’t somehow slept through 4 days and woke up on Friday. It’s my fault for scheduling the post incorrectly last week (duh!) but I really didn’t want to have to pass on sharing this gorgeous specimen of a case with you lovely peeps so just thought, for one week only, Tuesday can be a Friday too!

I have been DYING to get an iPad for soooooooooooooo long. I have driven everyone I know demented by either talking about them or dragging them into a shop to have a play around with one at every opportunity so I finally bit the bullet and ordered one and I am VERY excited!

I still have a couple of weeks before it’s due to be delivered so decided that I was going to learn from my mistakes with the iPhone and invest in a cover before the iPad arrives. I only had my iPhone 2 days when it fell off the kitchen side and the back of it smashed to pieces. I was so gutted! Luckily it was just the back so I was able to cover it with a case but I won’t be taking my chances on it happening again.

I am going to get one of the magnetic cases but just didn’t feel it was going to protect it enough so set about trying find a pretty case and I think I hit the jackpot when I found the Ted Baker Toolia - isn’t it just gorgeous!!! So blooming cute. It will protect the iPad while making it look pretty – perfect!

It’s priced at £39 which I thought was pretty reasonable and available in Yellow, Pink, Orange, White and Black.

Has anyone got an iPad case they can recommend? Would love to hear from you!

Much love,

Emma xXx

Bluebell Wedding Dress – Very

This Bluebell wedding dress is a romantic choice that will make you feel princess-pretty on your big day.

This parachute wedding dress features a sweetheart neckline and detachable straps for versatile styling. This tafetta weding dress has diamante detail to the bodice, and the chiffon stole really softens this look with it’s fluid style. This Bluebell wedding dress has a net underskirt for added volume, and the gathered detail to the skirt gives this wedding dress an unusual texture.

I’m a big fan of Very, they make shopping so easy!

Whatever the occasion, I have always been able to take a look at the Very site and find something suitable, add to my basket, pay and have it delivered more often than not within 24 hours. Shopping doesn’t get any better than that.

Thanks to Very, it’s not just the guests that can kitted via their site – the bridesmaids and even the bride herself can now find a brilliant range of dresses to suit every theme and budget without compromising on style or value.

With wedding dresses starting from just £150, you can have your dream gown without breaking the bank.

See here for the full range of wedding and bridesmaid dresses.

Much love,

Emma xXx

]]> http://militaryweddingdiscounts.com/dreamy-dresses-bluebell-wedding-dress-very/feed/ 0 http://militaryweddingdiscounts.com/supplier-spotlight-my-postcard-heaven/ http://militaryweddingdiscounts.com/supplier-spotlight-my-postcard-heaven/#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 11:12:24 +0000 Emma ♥ http://militaryweddingdiscounts.com/?p=4463

Company Name: MY POSTCARD HEAVEN

What inspired you to start your business?

I have discovered a creative streak I never knew I had and discovered a love for what I do.

I spent many years working for an airline, being an employee and this is so different.

I wanted to start my own business again and due to family changes and commitments it had to be something flexible and allowed me to work the hours I could and wanted to.

I ran a very successful cake business for 4 years and as we moved to Wiltshire I wanted to start a new venture which I felt could grow and develop that involved my love for creating and colour.

I’ve always had a love of stationery and paper goods.

Postcards are much easier to mail than cakes!

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The creativity and the joy that the process brings, working the hours I want to and that can be very late into the night and that’s ok because I would love for it to become a very successful business.

Getting a little spark of inspiration from somewhere and saying ah yes, that would maybe work is part of the fun too!

Seeing my designs come to life in print and putting the whole package together is so exciting.

I love what I am doing right now and does not feel like work.

Plus being my own boss!

What has been the best moment of your business?

Getting my initial designs back from the printers, putting it all together with envelopes and packaging and seeing the final product take shape.

Although having said that I am never completely satisfied and always thinking of how I can do it better, prettier and smarter.

What are your business plans for the future?

To gain more interest in the business and see it grow from there in an organic way.

I am driven to make this a success and it’s hard sometimes wondering if it will work, but I am patient too. I know a good business takes time to grow.

I want to grow the online sales and expand my range of products. I have lots of ideas I would like to see developed.

I would like people to find the fun and pleasure in sending social stationery of all types through the post in this techno-driven world.

I would like very happy clients and for them to get great pleasure from my products.

Can you give us a ‘Typical day in the life of….’?

I guess a typical day is me pinned to the lap top answering emails,phone calls, designing, researching and being social too on twitter/facebook/pinterest.

I spend an awful lot of time researching products to go with my designs such as packaging at the moment.

I always try to take a break though as I can get very consumed by the business and feel it helps to refocus me.

I think it’s very important to take some breathing space in a creative business, to allow your mind space to think and grow.

Click here to view the full range of GORGEOUS cards at My Postcard Heaven!

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