Big things are happening at Lovehair and I am on a mission to start updating our blog regulary in order to tell you more about what we get up to.

What I am. The stuff that matters and makes me tick..

Mum to 2 amazing children - I know everyone says that about their kids but mine genuinely are! They are my source of happiness and entertainment on tap. Nothing makes me happier than when we are all proper belly laughing at one thing or another..I’m lucky we have this so often!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Married to a man that pretty much holds it all together for me –he does more than his fair share so that I can do this! He makes me smile, and makes my belly flip regularly – In a good way. A sure sign that I love him! We’re hoping to renew our vows in 2014 in Cornwall to celebrate being married 10years. Not sure of the exact details but I know it will definitely involve the beach, surfing, some kind of shell fish & a man with a guitar – Because that’s how we roll.                                                                                           

 Hair stylist – I have been hairdressing since I was 16.When I was working in a salon all I wanted to do was the hair ups and the styling when no one else did. Now I feel lucky to work in a job that frankly doesn’t even feel like work, alongside talented and creative people. I am also lucky to have found my niche in bridal hair styling and to be recognised as a specialist in my industry.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Lover of new seasons- Doesn’t matter which one, I just love a change in season always feels like a fresh start 

I simply LOVE Cornwall..It’s my happy place. I love everything about it but mainly the way it makes me feel while I’m there.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              My absolute favourite thing to do is be with my family on the beach. We are all keen surfers (please note the use of the word keen) So we usually spend the day in the surf, followed by a simple BBQ usually sausages & franks in rolls, pitta and dips and a bottle of champagne. We literally do this every time we can get to a beach, even if it’s lashing down with rain. It’s our thing. Add a rounders bat or frisbee and I’ve got myself the perfect day.

Surfing & Running – Both give me a buzz and fill me with fresh air, happiness & satisfaction. Very important part of my work /life/family balance.

Learning new things - I am all for bettering ones self and being in charge of your own happiness. You and only you are to blame if things don’t work out the way you wanted. And only you can change it.

I am a true believer in if you want it enough, it’s yours for the taking! To gain confidence and give myself ‘head space’ I take myself off on lots of courses and set myself challenges. Over the last few years I have put my mind to: Sailing, computing courses, teaching, make up courses, jewellery making, creative nail courses, 10k  runs , tai chi, clay pigeon shooting, languages, advanced hair courses and accounting ..This year I will be doing a half marathon in May and a further teaching course. Phew..

Why are we so happy? Obviously it's always great to feel loved by such a gorgeous venue but actually because if we had our own little white book then Nonsuch would certainly be at the top of it.

The venue itself is not what you expect. It's stone wall exterior is a huge contrast to the warmth inside. Although it is luxuirius and interesting it is the perfect venue to put your own stamp on. No 2 weddings seem to look the same here, surely that's what you look for in a venue?

I love the little details in the decor and the luxurius finish that everything has. I have been lucky enough to work on a couple of shoots there recently, one of them was while they were decorating their Christmas tree...Wow. Would of loved to have seen that bad boy finished - What a beauty!

On a personal level I am chuffed to bits because I was brought up in a house a mere 10 minute walk from here, I learned to ride my bike in it's shadows, I climbed trees (That were forbidden! Shhh) in it's grounds and had childhood adventures with my brother in the park that it stands. As a child it was the grandest most magical place I knew and I always thought I would get married there, and that was before it was transformed into the beauty that it is today!

I didnt get married there as my lovely husband is Scottish so we chose Loch Lomond I (equally as magical but without the personal history) but I am so pleased to be working with brides that have chosen my special place as their own. It really is somewhere where happy memories are made.

Check out their website and chat to their super friendly team. www.nonsuchmansion.co.uk

 Hair :Emily Make up: Laura 
Hair : Jo Make up: Kerry

There are a few things to consider if you’re thinking about wearing your veil over your face remember that it will need to be attached higher on the head so that it is long enough to hang straight and even at the front so your hair will need to be styled to accommodate it. Either a low style, half up or all down to allow room for the veil to sit at the crown. 

• Always check your profile when trying your veil with your hair style.  Ideally the look should flow, imagine drawing your eye up from your cheek bone, following the sweep of the hair if its up and  then to your veil.  It should either sit high on the crown,  just above the occipital bone (the bump at the back of your head) or if wanting it below your hair style then on the nape - although you won’t be able to wear it over your face from here

•  If you are wearing your hair in a side bun but would also like a veil, wear it slightly higher so that it covers the hair. This will stop it looking uneven or flat in the photos.

• Your veil should be longer than your hair if you are wearing your hair down, not peaking underneath.

• If you have short hair, a short volumous  veil can add height, complementing the style rather than drowning it.

• Even if you are convinced a veil is not for you, just try one on. You never know you might love it! If you choose the right one a veil can ‘pull’ a look together gorgeously.

• Lace veils have become extremely popular since brides such as Kate Moss, Lily Allen and Catherine Middleton opted for a vintage lace style. The more vintage savvy among you will love the cap veils that cover the head to the hair line, have lots of pretty lace details and look amazing with hair worn in loose waves.

• Birdcage veils are also very popular and have that vintage feel but look better with hair worn up in a low chignon for a retro feel. You can also add accessories to these to bring out the pearl or sparkle in your dress or just to add some detail.

• Ribbon edged veils add an instant cool retro feel and look great when worn slightly stiffer so they don’t fall but add a little height. They look great with a chignon or side bun or a simple blowdry

• Diamante details are great for adding sparkle to a simple dress.

• When choosing the length of your veil think also about your hair and it’s thickness. If you have very fine hair I wouldn’t choose a cathedral length veil as it may be heavy and pull your hair or be difficult to keep in.

• When you are taking your veil out always do so in front of a mirror or with a friend to help.

• Place one hand above the veil and gently pull the comb out in one movement to cause as little disruption as possible. Keep a couple of grips and a mini hairspray handy to tuck in any stray hairs.

• If you have something beautiful in your hair that you don’t want to hide, opt for a sheer one layer veil so that you can still see the hair beneath for the best of both worlds.

I should admit now that I'm totally biased. The Ruby Tones played at my brothers wedding, so it was going to be one of the best nights anyway. But these guys transformed a beautiful old ban into a real party, with a great choice of classic tunes they injected energy into the room that kept the dance floor filled until the end.

We found out today that they've launched a new website, so please check them out. And if you lucky enough to be able to book these guys, make sure you say hi from Jo at lovehair.

We think the RubyTones are Awesome!

Visit The Ruby Tones website

Check out the Ruby Tones amazing videos

Meet the Ruby Tones

Ruby Tones - Beat It

Valarie

One Way or Another

Streetlife

It really is too easy.



This particular look was one of the styles we covered in our hair up course last week 'A messy side bun with a plait' As it's such a popular hair style with brides and bridesmaids alike I thought I’d show you how it’s also possible and very effective with short hair using hair extensions 

 The front was then brushed into a side parting and french plaited.

We used 2 wefts of hair extensions which I sourced from a company on her behalf. One of the extensions was used to bulk out the hair and create the ‘bun’ shape the second was plaited and wrapped around to hide any 'joins' or obvious changes in hair colour.

Leyla finished the look beautifully with a birdcage veil and feather hair accessory to compliment her chic vintage style wedding

Hope you like! ...xx



My youngest son has suffered from Asthma from a young age which we coped with, it gets worse in extreme changes in weather and temperature  but at the age of just 18 months he had a feberal convulsion – well 4 feberal convulsions actually, and they rocked our little world.

 My husband and I are the same age bar 4 weeks so planned to take our 2 children away for our joint 30^th’s . We were going to go on a ‘Team Irving’ adventure to Thailand for 3 weeks.  We had our children fairly young  and got married at the grand old age of 25 so felt this was something to celebrate with them. It was going to be epic !

Then Teddy had his fit, he stopped breathing for nearly 2 minutes (my whole life!) and lay floppy with his eyes open in my arms. You can imagine what we thought. He was fine, thank fully it looks a hell of a lot worse than it is but that night I made my journey to being the most paranoid over protective mum on the planet and as we sat in the hospital we promised each other we wouldn’t take them to Thailand. Not any time soon anyway. We spent many a night in the hospital after that one.

Many months later when it came to deciding what we were going to do, something for them that they would love and after many hours searching the internet and watching ‘Echo Beach’ We decided to book a uber cool luxury break to Cornwall of all places.  And so the transformation of our family begins…

Within a day of being there we knew it was going to be an amazing holiday.

Georgia and Teddy played in the sand, rock pools and beaches and  body boarded in the surf with enthusiasm that I have never seen in them before.  The English weather did not deterre us, we had BBQ’s on the beach in the rain, sipping champagne with the kids in their wellies not caring if it rained or shined! Ted’s asthma disappeared, his manner changed completely, I relaxed, Craig smiled, joked and laughed and little G threw herself into the waves and kept telling us how happy she was.

Cornwall is our happy place. It is a all encompassing happy feeling in my belly and my heart  that makes me smile from ear to ear.

3 years on and we are all surfing, Campervan obsessed Cornwall wannabe’s. We have been back  over 10 times since for my work or with friends and family who just have to see what all the fuss is about…

What’s not to love? Beaches, Surfing, Pasties, Ice creams, Crabbing, Campervan spotting but most of all serious quality time with my quality family.

So why am I telling you this? Because next summer I am lucky enough to be relocating to my ‘happy place’ for the whole summer holidays !! My little dudes and I are Cornwall bound renting a house near the beach, where we will do our thing. At the weekends however, I am taking bookings for weddings in Cornwall. So if you are a London Bride getting married in Cornwall then I’d love to hear from you.

PLUS All London brides getting married in Cornwall get a free trial (usually £65) in Surrey.

Flexibility- sometimes you need to take control, other times you need to take a step back, you need to be patient and calm. As part of someone big day it’s important to listen, interpret the situation, stick to a schedule and ensure everyone else sticks to theirs  as well as boosting the mood when feelings are low.

We wear many caps on the day of the wedding so finding the ‘perfect’ stylist, one that I’m confident will do all of these things to the best of her or his ability is difficult. But not impossible.

 I got this email the other day and I wanted to share it with you. I must say a feel a little like a proud mum!! 

''Hi Jo,

 I have just yesterday only returned from my honeymoon hence the slight delay in getting this email sent!

I booked Simone through you for my wedding a few weeks ago, I told Simone before she left but felt I had to write and tell you that not only did Simone create hairstyles for the Bridesmaids that were commented on by many of my guests as "stunning" and for me, an elegant and down style that was just me, and just what I was looking for, however I also truly feel that Simone wasn't just the hairdresser, she came so early on the day as she knew I was a bit nervous about traffic as it was the British Golf Open only a couple of miles away and just became a friend and settled in immediately, helping me with family that were arriving, taking pics, offering advice, even taking 5 mins to spruce my Nans hair up as she is no longer able to manage it herself, and charged me no more. The only heatbreaker was the weather which unfotunately made mne fall out fairly quick as I got wet walking to the marquee, but it just wasnt an issue! The bridesmaids held right to the end of the night!

 Simone - you are a true professional who just understands how emotions run high and things go wrong and you just fit in perfectly as well as went above and beyond and delivered fantastic results, I thank you Simone so much for everything on the morning of my wedding, you truly were outstanding and I honestly don't think it would have run so smoothly or been such the giggle it was without you!

 Jo - an excellent company with faultless customer service throughout, from rescuing me at the start by responding to my plee for help instantly, to introducing me to Simone, a really useful and comforting hair trial and perfect styles on the day. I will recommend your company to anyone that asks or anywhere I can ''