OH HANNELI!

Dear Hanneli,

Could you be any more dreamworthy? 

This girl is absolutely killing it - and how we love her for it.

Hanneli.com

TWENTY-ONE AND UP FOR FUN

MY 21ST BIRTHDAY PARTY

I'd had my heart set on a bollywood themed party ever since I travelled to India at 18. I bought the pink and cerulean saree in Dehli and have kept it neatly folded in a drawer ever since, awaiting its occasion.

Three months of solid planning did I invest in this endeavour, and when the date finally rolled around, I couldn't quite believe it was actually happening. Guests came from far and wide to Edinburgh: London, France, Italy ... I can't tell you how touching it is when you see someone arriving in full regalia with a big grin on their face. It absolutely poured with rain for days before and for the duration of the party, and 15 minutes before my guests arrived I was up to my elbows in mud, desperately trying to salvage what remained of my set-up for a 'garden' party and on my knees in darkness in the tent, re-fusing a lighting rig damaged by rain. I've never gotten ready quicker in my life - 3 and a half minutes - a new record!

I was completely overwhelmed the whole night: by everyone's costumes, by the divine presents (including my beautiful Taj-esque cake hand baked by my sister) and the divine presences of people who have meant the world to me the last 21 years.  Ten hours disappeared in a bottle of Cobra beer and a waft of incense (I still had time to fit in an outfit change of course) and I woke up the next morning thinking 'Oh...it's over!' and wished I could do it all again, and pay better attention this time.

photographs by David Hall
The Indian tent is handmade in Rajasthan, provided by Delightfully Lavish Events. I would wholeheartedly recommend.

THE SUN ALSO RISES

The sun rises over Glastonbury on the morning of Friday 24th June 2011. 

Sometimes the most memorable moments are not those spent being crushed at the front of a large stage, watching your favourite bands most pure imperfections roll over you and five thousand others. Sometimes the most memorable festival moments are those shared with a group of hospitable strangers, over gin and tonics in dented plastic cups at 6 in the morning, in the dressing room of a travelling variety show. 

Yes, the sun also rises. I am back blogging now, I promise.