I recently had the great privilege of working with the super talented Rachel Simpson on her brand new company launch of high street shoes, Agnes and Norman. I worked on a branding concept, look book and box design and it was a dream project that complimented my style perfectly! Below is a few little peeks from the look book…

This morning the website has gone live and all these beautiful shoes are now available to buy!

“Captured in a stunning collection of images by Emma Case Photography, shoe designer Rachel Simpson collaborated with bridal gown designer and vintage expert Elizabeth Avey to create looks inspired by the true beauty and effortlessness of years gone by, but that can be worn just as easily today”

http://www.agnesandnorman.co.uk/

Even better news is for a limited time you can get 20% off using the code LAUNCH20

Happy shoe shopping!

L xx

I’m very excitedly awaiting the release of She and Him - Volume 3 and this track is currently on repeat in the studio. Happy summery loveliness. I love their new album design too - it has a very Abigail Warner feel to it!

Happy Tuesday.

L xx

6 fictional girly businesses full of whimsy and unrealistic notions.

You know it. It’s the ultimate escapism for aspiring businesses owners. You are watching a film and suddenly feel full of romantic notions of how wonderful being your own boss might be. I totally had it too before I took the plunge. Now I ask questions like ‘Who’s doing the accounting for this sham?’ and ‘No way would their turnover support their premises’ and occasionally ‘She works like 2 hours a day she’s owns thirty pairs of Bhlaniks!’ (I’m looking at you Bradshaw).

It’s always usually followed by a little stabby growl.

But not to be a total sourpuss and in the true spirit of fun on a Monday morning lets look at six of the best fictional sisters doin it for themselves and why it all seems so appealing…

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Twister

Running around the country looking a little bit grubby but cool and very cute whilst chasing storms for your job. Stopping for lunch at your sweet old aunts house, getting the guy and literally watching your evil competitors/copiers get blown up. It’s the dream people.

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Will and Grace

I would be be walking on air if I had a Manhattan design business that I ran myself solely (discounting the drunk assistant who come in to amuse me for no pay) and yet be able to afford an amazing studio in the heart of the city not work all that often, be home in time to play pictionery and lounge about in my jams. What’s not to love?!

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Romy and Michelle

What luck that your high school crush has more money than sense and loans it to you and your bestie to open a shop in Beverly Hills of all places. It’s busy too by the looks of it. No admin, no accounting, no stock taking - just a lot of fun and scarf folding. Hurrah. Much more chic than inventing post-its.

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You’ve got Mail

It’s all just so romantic it should be in soft focus. So sweet it will make your eyes water and you know you let out a little heartless chuckle when she goes under. But lets face it - the whole business should have all girls cooing in delight especially when she wears a princess hat and tells the well behaved kiddies a magical story. Well Kathleen you’re in the real world now - stop all the twee twirling nonsense and go and stack some shelves like the rest of us.

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Enchanted

I think I’d dance and clap all day with a massive premises like that in New York City and life can be pretty beautiful when you can get pigeons and rodents to be part of your work force. It looks like a small animal sweat shop in there. Don’t even get me started on how she managed to get a work visa.

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Sex and the City

You can almost hear the real-life PRs tutting with the absurdity of it all. PR is just a big party right? Money is thrown at you? You have amazing clothes, apartment in the trendiest part of the city, you attend all the fabulous events you ‘work’ at and date (ahem) all your clients right? RIGHT?… No?….  Really?… damn.

I could mention Bradshaw too but we’ve already been over this disgrace of a freelancer before. See here.

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The one that re-buffs the trend: Bridesmaids

You really just want this one to work. You spend the whole film willing her to go back into business and although the end is great it really needed the re-opening of Cake Baby to make it complete. Bring back Cake Babyyyy.

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There’s my faves. If you are a boy the same whimsy applies with Jerry Maguire, Forrest Gump, Ghost busters, Batman and Tony Stark. All pretty cool and made a ton of fictional cash doing amazing stuff that boys love (I would like to be the first girl Ghost buster though).

All us real business owners know life is not quite like it is depicted in our favorite films and on TV shows. We work ridiculously hard, we work long long hours, we never truly switch off and we have times when we wonder why we do it… but of course there are always plenty of those whimsical moments when we realise our dreams have become real.

L xx

The film clip above shows how no choice is perfect and in the funniest possible way. It’s genius.

Happy bank holiday weekend all

L xx

Niagra in the snow.

Anyone who knows me knows that I get nearly all my inspiration and creativity from life experience and travel. I would not be creative if I couldn’t turn my computer off and just live life even if it’s just making time for day to day mini adventures. I would like to share with you as a regular feature snap shots of the places that have inspired my work and helped shape my brand. Today I was thinking how annoying our extended winter has become but I tried to think less negatively and remember when snow and ice was been the most spectacular to me - my trip to Niagra Falls in the winter of 2004 immediately came to mind. The photo above has not been enhanced I was just taking my usual touristy snaps when the sun broke through the clouds. That was a wow moment.

L xx

US Clothing label Ruche has been a favourite of mine for a while now because of their super cute pieces and soft pretty colour palettes. Their spring collection is to die for. I think if my designs ever could be translated into clothing this would be it.

I have shared some of my favourite pics below from their Spring lookbook (fluffy bunnies and pastel clothing - is there anything better?!) and I can say a purchase here is definitely worth the custom fees :)

Lots of shabby pastel Friday love.

L xx

Today I’m forgetting our freezing weather and dreaming of summer! Long walks, warm hazy days and fun road trips. This song/video perfectly accompanies my daydreams and is playing today in the studio.

Happy Thursday!

L xx

A really beautiful rustic vintage Bridal Files today. One of my few local couples I have had the privilege of meeting Claire and Scott a few times over the time I was working with them. I just loved them instantly and they come across as such a lovely happy couple. When they sent me their wedding pictures I was totally blown away - Claire just looked  stunning and the whole day was absolutely beautiful. Claire and put her heart and soul into the details and it really shows.

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Wedding date and venue: 12.08.12 The Pavilion, Ringwood Hall, Derbyshire.

Give me a summary of your wedding day and the theme you decided to go for.
As both Scott and I are not religious, we were keen to have a secular wedding ceremony that would be sentimental and personal to us.  Choosing an outside wedding venue was a risk due to the unpredictable British Summer but we were very fortunate to have lovely weather for our garden pavilion wedding ceremony.

When planning the day we both knew that we wanted to stick with a neutral and elegant colour scheme with the typical vintage twists of so many weddings today. All of the ‘finishing touches’ to our day were in colours of white, ivory and brown.

In the buildup to the day, many friends and family would often ask the usual questions such as ‘Have you found THE dress?’ and ‘What venue have you chosen?’ but for me I think the best part of planning the day was in creating the little personal touches.  Organising the ring warming ceremony…a harpist to play our favourite songs during the day…the same photographer as my mum and dad had for their wedding …having guests blow bubbles instead of using confetti…having my mum’s dress sewn in to mine …cupcake favours that played on our ‘melon’ surname…a saxophonist from our favourite bar to accompany the DJ…flip flops for the ladies as they danced in the evening…and of course personalised stationery.

What design did you go for? A collection or bespoke? Did you alter the colours to match your theme?
The Silent Film collection had the simplicity and elegance we were looking for in our stationery. We changed the colours to match our theme, suing dark brown and white for the invitations.

For the ‘on the day’ stationery we went for a lighter hessian and brown paper theme to match our summer outdoor wedding. Lucy helped to create our seating plan (with retro style baby pictures), table numbers, menu cards and sweetie table signs, whilst the bridesmaids and I created the brown paper and doilie favour bags.  


Why did you decide to order professional stationery instead of going down the DIY route?
Lucy’s stationery helped to pull the theme of the whole day together, with a shabby chic yet natural style.

It also meant that the stationery had the ‘professional’ look of which many guests commented on. Whilst I did a bit of DIY bits for the day, I certainly could not have created the same professional look that Lucy designed and made for the main stationery focal points.

How do you think it enhanced your day?
From the invites to the thank you cards, Lucy’s stationery gave our wedding day the look that we wanted and reflected our personalities. Not only that but most of the stationery has ended up being lovely keepsakes of the day…with things like our seating plan being framed.

For such an important day in our lives, it was nice to have the ability to help in creating our stationery without the stress of doing it all myself or worrying that it won’t look good enough. 

What made you book with me and were you happy with the service and design?
Lucy was recommended through a friend and when I saw her website I knew that Lucy was able to offer the stationery we wanted, which to me was such an important part of tying our day together.

Lucy was great in understanding my ideas for the day and helped to put them in to reality. I have already recommended Lucy to friends soon to be married and I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Lucy to others.

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I am so happy to say Claire and Scott are currently expecting their first baby! I wish them all the happiness as they prepare for their next big adventure and I’m going to have to get a move on with my baby range so I get to see them again!!! Big thanks to them both for such a lovely review.

Lxx

All images copyright Andrew Seaman of Seaman Photographers + Paul Canziani (cousin of the Bride)

I‘m happy to say I now have a growing collection of greeting cards available to trade so please contact me on greetings@lucyledger.com to apply for a catalogue. Over the coming weeks the cards will be on sale though my website to the public so watch this space! Here is a little taster of the ranges on offer!

L xxx

I have created a exclusive limited selection of postcard style invitations printed on beautiful 320gsm textured card for brides and groom in a hurry or on a budget. With a delivery time of 7-10 working days these invites are perfect for anyone wanting a quick turnaround.

All of the designs are best sellers with a standard design and have space for you to write your own details. I have a full co-ordinating collection of stationery to accompany them should you wish to order further items for your big day. Sold in packs of 25 (£1.75 each including rustic envelope) and 50 (£1.50 each including rustic envelope) plus £8.00 postage.

Buy them direct from the website!

L xx