Event Clothing, Diamond Jubilee...

No matter what your thoughts are of the British Monarchy you cannot for second knock the ladies of the Royal Family for sporting some great clothes for the Floatilla celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this past weekend.  Not to forget that her rein as Queen is the second longest political reign of all time, quite impressive!  I watched the spectacle for a few hours on Sunday because I know this event will never happen again in my life time.  It was quite a show that is for sure!

Here is a closer look at the classy ROYAL ladies!

The Queen in white!  Wearing designer, Angela Kelly, said to have taken a year to make.  I personally loved this hat; never seen anything like it before.  The Daily Mail said this "The only note of dishevelment was that her solid Launer of London handbag was open (Camilla soon told her to snap it shut); the sole sign of her advanced age a cashmere square for warmth later."

The Duchess wearing Alexander McQueen (wedding dress designer) with a Phillip Treacy hat.  A little note, this same dress has been worn my Kim Kardashian last year.

  Pippa was wearing a very nautical inspired outfit by Orla Keily.

Princess Eugenie wore a Roland Mouret dress and a Stephen Jones hat.  
I didn't like the lace bolero, kinda 'walmart-ish' for my taste.

Princess Beatrice wore a bespoke Fifties-style dress by London couturier Suzannah

and a Stephen Jones hat.

Images {DailyMail}

GRIPE...

Today's GRIPE is a rarity cause it involves the ever stylish and gorgeous Duchess of Cambridge; but unlike most people I did not like the hat she wore on Remembrance Day.

The Jane Corbett hat reminded me of a Salvation Army Bell Ringer around the holidays, circa the movie Guys and Dolls.  Now you might disagree, from the looks of the blog-world, I am the only person who was not rejoicing over the choice.  But it's my blog and I can GRIPE if I want too. lol.

To me it just didn't it like it.  Simple right.  It didn't float my boat.  That is today's GRIPE.

 {Image}

Adore...

The Official Royal engagement picture, taken by Mario Testino, was a perfect picture that captivated the world.  And the earrings sported by the now Duchess were the ‘Hope’ earrings from {Links of London}.

 {Image}

In Cambridge, Ont resides my Aunt Mary-Ann, thousands of miles away from the royal couple.  After having a conversation with her niece Katie about a bracelet she had recently purchased from {Links of London} on her holiday in the UK.  My Aunt checked out their website to see what other pieces they sold and to find out which Holt Renfrew stores were the carrier for them.  Upon her surprise when she logged into the website a pop-up appeared to join the waiting list for the HOPE earrings.  She signed up, why not she thought.

A week or so later she was in Montreal and decided to go into a Holt Renfrew to shop.  She walked in and with perfect serendipity; first thing she saw was the {Links of London} counter.  She began a conversation with the associate about the earrings who then told her that only 16 pairs of the HOPE earring were shipped to Canada, she was sure they were already sold out; my Aunt left her name and number anyway.  Hours later she decided to go back to the store to see if they had by chance located a pair.  Sure enough, THEY HAD!  And they happened to be the LAST PAIR IN CANADA!!!

Another week went by and then they arrived.  My Aunt is now a proud owner of the elusive and exclusive {Links of London} HOPE earrings. Here she is sporting them at the family dinner we had on Wednesday night.  These white topaz jewels are just perfect.  They are dressy yet not over the top, may I even say perhaps, the perfect earring?  Plus anything good enough for Royalty is good enough for our family. lol

The reason for the family dinner was my Aunt Pat’s 65^th birthday party.  Below is a picture of my mum with her sisters at the dinner.  They are quite remarkable women, and seeing them together for a perfect picture is priceless.  All three of you are stunning, strong and beyond Royal in my eyes!

 Aunt Pat, my mum, Aunt Mary