Issue Number Four: The anniversary

This one became a bit of a non-issue, as time went by, but I'm blogging about it anyway, as it was lovely.

I was worrying because I wanted it to be special for Liam, as I knew that he would make it special for me. As it transpired, he still has not received his present (he will soon, and he knows what it is and that it will be worth waiting for - I hope!) and he had to wait until after work to even get his card! I was making him one, and needed to use pure cotton, as of course, the second anniversary is cotton.

When I woke up, one of the first things Liam did (after about an hour of cuddling me, probably trying to wake me up) was to give m my card. It is beautiful, and he always things of something wonderful to write inside.
He also spoiled me, by giving me some perfume - Gucci Rush, which comes in the ugliest bottle ever! - and some makeup. He seems to be a fan of the YSL makeup, I must admit sit is very good stuff, and the gold box probably sways me further... He also had bought some beautiful underwear for me, and a lovely dress. The dress was given to me about a week before though, with the dress he gave me for my birthday, when he was worried about sizing and my body issues.

Somehow, despite the masses of time I had available that evening, I still managed to be late in getting ready. I blame the bag and Gok Wan. Gok has shown me how to make a plain bag look super, and the dress I was wearing that night (the early birthday present one) deserved a super bag. I bought a small handbag from Claire's accessories. It was a plain black, slightly shiny material, with a small handle and a tiny bow. I used a long black satin belt and made a big bow, which I stitched in place over the tiny bow, with the 'tail' bits dangling down long. I then cut off the handle, and had a pretty clutch!

I used my new makeup, new perfume and black and white silk dress. I straightened my hair and wore it down. I used a silver necklace with a pendant I had made specially after we were married. It is a silver leaf; it's actually a copy made from a leaf in bouquet, and one of my most personally valuable pieces of jewelery now. Liam had heard me mention a leafy bracelet from Asda that I had been looking at, and he bought it for me on the way home! What a star.

I feel guilty now, as Liam forgot to bring his cuff-links home from work, and I was slightly chaste in my attitude towards him after that. He had smart trousers and a crisp white shirt, but no jacket, and he had to roll up his shirt sleeves! All of a sudden I felt over dressed, as he seemed so casual.
This is because I panic. If we were going to Pizza Hut I might just about be ok, but somewhere slightly different, like Quincey's for eg, and I'd worry that I'm over dressed! I don't go out very often and so it's all a big deal to me. The OXO tower restaurant certainly seemed like a big deal to me, it's a posh place and expensive too, central London and all those things make me nervous.

But as I said to Liam once we got there, just having a drink, or a quick walk around probably would calm me. We went for the former, and had a quick drink in the bar joined to the restaurant. In this bar I got mistaken for a singer! Which was quite nice, I assume she wasn't ugly anyway lol! I'd Love to know who it was singing there now, we just missed her.

The dinner was scrummy. We did have to wait a while, but it was a lovely place to wait! WE got moved to a window seat, which was perfect, and even the table bread was delicious and more tasty than usual! I had lobster for starters, and salmon with crispy oyster as my main. The waiter brought out a square plate before our main meal, which had beautiful chocolate writing - 'Happy Anniversary' - and some gorgeous vanilla ice cream, all compliments of the chef.
The desert was the best ever - I had an Eton Mess, which was cream, strawberries, meringue and all sorts of lovely stuff in a tall glass with some fruity sorbet on shortbread to one side and some absolutely A-star *fantastic* jammy dodgers on the other side! Well, not jammy dodgers of course, but they look just like them in shape and style, only completely melt in the mouth and divine. I'd pay good money for a box of them!
The deserts all had drinks recommended to go with them, and I chose to have mine (Liam didn't drink any alcohol all night), it was a Moet Rose Champagne, and boy was that stuff happy juice! I only drunk it slowly, and yes, the whole atmosphere of a perfect night definitely added to it, but for a good hour or two after I had cheek-ache as I had been grinning for ages like I had a hanger in my mouth!

After we had eaten and paid, we went out on to the balcony to admire the view. You can see right over the Thames, and there were a few other couples out there with the same idea. We hung around and enjoyed the moment for some time, then I offered to take a photo for a couple near us, with the cunning plan that maybe they could take one of us too. They were delighted with this idea, but looking back on it I should have asked them to take one with Liam's camera phone too, as I never know if I'll ever receive the one they took on their camera. Ah well.

We went for a walk along the river, and ended up walking all the way home. On the way we went past the Tate Modern and The Globe. I went half way over the millenium bridge (Liam doesn't like bridges and doesn't like this one AT ALL) and took a good look at the view. It was amazing - if you face one way you see the St Paul's Cathedral in all it's splendour. At night it is lit up with a slightly blue glow, and kind of looks like salvation made in to a building. If you turn to face the other way, you see the Tate Modern, which at the moment has a HUGE mural, one picture, the one that catches your eye instantly, is of a young black man, holding a gun right in your face. It's a very emotive picture, and it kind of captures a lot of worries of those living in London at the moment. It seemed so poignant to have the two extremes on either end of the bridge, and all this passing water below.
That bridge is magnificent, I've never been on it before so I don't know what it is like in the daytime but I know that when I stood on it the other night I felt completely in awe and very very lucky to be living in London, so close to all these landmarks. It's so beautiful.

It was lovely to walk home hand in hand, and we didn't really have far to go. It was a fantastic night and I enjoyed it more than I've enjoyed anything for quite some time. Thank you Liam xx