Honeymooning!

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This post should have come long before this blog was even created, so in the words of Justin Bieber – Is it too late now to say sorry? Did I just quote the Biebs? What the hell is happening to me!

The apology is of course to our amazing honeymoon planner, Sangeeta Sehmi. We owed you this testimonial and thank you when we boarded that plane to our destinations 2 years ago. So to make up for the delay, I thought I’d write a blog post instead!

Now I’m not going to lie guys, I wasn’t even aware that honeymoon planners existed. I mean, you can just plan it yourself right? Bit of google, bit of Expedia, bit of Trip Advisor, bish, bosh, bash! Right? Probably, and I’m sure that works perfectly for most people.

However, if like me and the mister, you’re confused about where to go, or you’ve had a fairly full on time planning the wedding, or you work extremely busy schedules, or you just want to enjoy a luxury trip away and not worry about the nitty gritty details involved in planning transfers or booking multi-destination trips for once – then, this lovely lady is the only call you need to make. Phew.

I can’t remember how we found her, but I do recall sighing heavily with relief when we did. I was grateful that we could avoid muddling through uncertainty and disagreements with each other to book something we would love.

We had so many different ideas and it wasn’t until we spoke with Sangeeta over many patient discussions, ideas and itineraries, that we realised we actually just wanted to relax – (normally not the ‘sit on a beach and do nothing’ types so took us a while to realise and give into it!).

However, Sangeeta made it so easy. She was available on email and on the phone on evenings and on weekends (which was very helpful as I was working on A+E at the time) and she was easy to talk to. She sent us different options within the budget we pitched and it was as easy as choosing the one that was the best fit. A real personalised service based on our suggestions.

All the itineraries we discussed were tempting, but we finally agreed on a multi-destination love affair with Thailand (Bangkok and Chiang Mai) and the Maldives. Here are my favourite bits.

First stop, the Banyan Tree Hotel in Bangkok. A beautiful luxury hotel right in the centre with an absolute must visit rooftop bar and restaurant, whether you stay there or not. It also had its own spa and afternoon tea areas which we were able to access thanks to an upgrade organised by Sangeeta.  My favourite part of this trip was the Apsara River Cruise, run by the hotel itself. A wonderful evening with incredible sights and the best Thai food I’ve ever had.

Next stop, the Shangri-La Hotel in Chiang Mai. This was a lovely hotel but we didn’t spend a huge amount of time enjoying the hotel as we had lots we wanted to do! We went to Tiger Kingdom, did some elephant trekking and the absolute must-do here, the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. Needless to say, I shopped till HE dropped. Oops.

Our final (and my favourite) stop, Conrad Island, Rangali, Maldives! Oh I can but dream that we will meet again,sweet Rangali.  There is just too much to say so I’ll let the pictures do most of the talking. The resort is set over two islands connected by a footbridge and we were lucky enough to stay in one of the water villas. There were so many restaurants to choose from, including their most famous one, Ithaa – the underwater restaurant. Overall, it was quite expensive and I’m not sure we would have enjoyed it as much if we didn’t have the half board deal and the extras we had organised by Sangeeta. Highlights would have to be THE most incredible hot stone massage of our lives that we still talk about today. It was in a therapy room set on the middle of the ocean, I mean, imagine looking down through the face hole on the massage table and staring at the clear blue crystal ocean below a glass floor. It was the epitome of tranquility and sums up this trip perfectly.

Now, I often get raised eyebrows when I recommend a honeymoon planner to people (the bish, bosh, bash types, bear in mind this is includes me) but I can honestly say that I have recommended Sangeeta to my friends, my work colleagues and family and no one has been disappointed.

She booked everything for us, threw in a few classy extras and even included transfers. The latter was incredible by the way – no ringing around taxis, no need to chase our tails, we just turned up at the scheduled time and enjoyed being whisked away to our next destination. It really was smooth sailing and I’d pay it all again for that. Except wait, we didn’t pay. Her advice and expertise will cost you nothing. She was professional, accessible and not to mention super friendly and delivered an incredible service from our first consultation to our return trip home.

If the photos above aren’t convincing enough, or the wide grins across our faces, I hope my words are. She was responsible for the best trip of our lives and we are eternally grateful (especially, as we probably won’t enjoy another like it for ooo, I’d say another 25 years if we’re lucky!)

So what are you waiting for? Go and check her out (www.sangeetasehmi.com) if you’re planning any of the moons (honey/mini/baby) or you’re due a luxury holiday or you just want to treat yourself.

Happy travels!

Love,  L

xxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wedding rewind!

This time 2 years ago, me and my then new husband breathed a huge sigh of relief as we wrapped up 2 weeks of wedding celebrations with 3 events (not recommended)! Hub and I had been together for 9 years at the time of wedding planning so all we did know is a big party was a must. Him being Hindu and me being Catholic, we soon found having an interfaith affair became quite the task – one we couldn’t have done without our families.

We arranged to have a Catholic wedding in Tuscany with close family and friends and a big Hindu wedding and reception back in the UK. Looking back, it was manic but good manic – I think or at least that what I tell myself and our bank balance anyway!

Being super into DIY details, this sort of overtook each part of the wedding – I had my in laws, my parents, fiancé, my sister and sister in law in a little jam making conveyor belt at one point! Apart from having just worked night shift 5 of 5 and almost falling asleep mid stir, it was lots of fun!

It’s almost hard to believe we have only celebrated our second year anniversary as so much has happened in this time. Nostalgia hit us hard as it’s difficult to remember a time without Sophia and Oscar.

Thankfully, we can always rely on our wedding photos to transport us back to those special couple of weeks. So one tip for any newly engaged couple – research your photographer, choose wisely and spend a little more – after all, once the day is over, what you’re left with are the memories you hold in your heart and those incredible moments that stand still in a photo for a lifetime. (Thank you Anushé Low Photography [www.anushe.com] and X-Quisite Photography! [www.x-quisite.co.uk])

So here it is, wedding spam alert – you’ve been warned! I’m going to share a few (ok, more than a few) of my favourite photos and use this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone that shared these couple of weeks with us. You know who you are and we love you so much!

Which leaves me with just one thing to say and he knows it’s coming, dearest husband of mine, where is that wedding album I was promised!? Stiillllll waiting!

Our Catholic Wedding

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Our Hindu Wedding 

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Our wedding reception

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A Love Letter

Being my sole motivator and supporter, I felt it only apt that my first post be about him, so…

To my husband on your first birthday as a father x

Over 11 years, we have weathered many storms together and watched several rainbows appear following but I think it’s fair to say that this past year has been our most eventful.

And I’d do it all again, as long you are right where you are, beside me.

Becoming parents has been both the hardest and best thing we have ever done. Over these last few months, no one forgets to ask how I’ve been doing or how Sophia is or even how Oscar is! But not everyone remembers you, the Geneva to the international crisis behind our front door.

So this is my way of saying, I remember. And thank you, for all these things and more.

Dear S,

Happy birthday daddy!

A year ago today, I had just told you our big news! Procrastinating from revising for a fairly important exam, I found out something that would and has changed our lives forever. Our happy accident.

I was blessed with a pretty wonderful pregnancy and I’d go as far as saying I enjoyed it, hell I kinda miss my bump a little. Reflecting on this past year, I know I enjoyed it because of you.

So here lies a multitude of forgotten or ‘not said nearly enough times’ thank you’s x

When I was with bump:

Thank you for entertaining my promise to not fall asleep after starting a movie when the pregnancy tiredness was too much to go out.

Thank you for not being mad when I did anyway at 7 minutes in.

Thank you for taking over with feeding/walking/washing Oscar when I couldn’t stand the smell of him.

Thank you for letting me nag you with no complaint when my nesting monster reared her ugly head.

Thank you for helping me create a beautiful nursery and patiently putting up the wall decal despite my dictator-esque direction.

Thank you for all the foot rubs, bubble baths, delicious homemade meals, breakfasts in bed and constant fetching of my mislaid phone/charger/laptop/remote control.

Thank you for never judging my frequent need for an Oreo milkshake and making them at home for me.

Thank you for laughing with me as I danced with Oscar to Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake it off’ at some ridiculous hour of night, just because!

Thank you for holding me when all I wanted to do was cry. And I had no real reason.

Thank you for never doubting my ability to be a mother whenever I questioned it.

During labour….

Thank you for not making a fuss when I asked for my mother to be there when that wasn’t the original plan.

Thank you for trying to feed me and keep me hydrated and play our favourite music to keep me calm.

Thank you for not taking it personally when I told you how stupid it was to try playing a Kevin Hart movie while I was in the pool.

Thank you for encouraging me to use the gas and air. And knowing when to duck when I threw it back in your direction.

Thank you for allowing me to push and pull you when the pain was too much.

Thank you for asking for the wheelchair when the midwife thought I could walk down the corridor to the high risk room fully dilated and contracting.

Thank you for never leaving my side and for welcoming our daughter into the world with me.

Thank you for giving her the most impressive head of hair and longest eyelashes in the world ever.

Thank you for being so proud of me.

And now…

Thank you for staying up countless nights with us and helping me stay calm when Breastfeeding wasn’t going very well.

Thank you for taking those beautiful and precious newborn photos of our little girl.

Thank you for looking after Sophia in the mornings so that I can shower – and for letting me have ridiculously long ones (I now live for these).

Thank you for daddy, mummy, Sophia and Oscar walkies.

Thank you for pointing out subtly that my ‘things I will get done today’ lists are unrealistic.

Thank you for not saying ‘I told you so’ when I don’t even finish point one on said list.

Thank you for never saying no when I ask for your help even when you’re busy.

Thank you for always making me feel like I’m doing a good job. Especially when I’m not.

Thank you for pretending not to notice my unwashed hair or my unthreaded brows.

Thank you for making me feel beautiful despite the above.

Thank you for always smiling and for always making Sophia smile whenever she sees you.

Thank you for making this the most wonderful chapter in our story.

Thank you for being an amazing husband, a phenomenal father and my best friend.

Happy birthday. I love you more than I ever thought possible. Here’s to even more incredible memories x

Everloving x L

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