My love affair with the neckline known as 'boat neck' or 'bateau neckline' is a long one but, following the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Saturday, I imagine it's going to be a lot easier to find that style in high street stores than it has been in recent years! Inspired... Continue Reading →
On marriage and name changes
I started planning this post months ago, when I was first writing about getting married, but it somehow slipped off my To Do list until something reminded me last week. A colleague who I don't see all that often (I work for a very large organisation) asked me for my email address, "because you've changed... Continue Reading →
How to plan a very small (secret) wedding
Anyone who follows me on social media will have noticed that I am now a married woman. After 19 years with the wonderful Mr Topper, I asked if he'd like to celebrate knowing me for half of his life by getting married. He said yes and so, last summer, we started to make plans... in... Continue Reading →
The Super Humans of 2017
Every December since 2011, I have been publishing an annual list of people who have had positive impact on my life in the previous 12 months and, in my opinion, deserve an award for their greatness. These are the super humans who have shaped my life and brought me joy and inspiration - I want... Continue Reading →
The A-to-Z of Accessories: Hats
My wedding-themed week seemed like the perfect time to restart my A-to-Z of Accessories, because we're up to H... for hats! Classic wedding guest attire, and an essential for the mother of the bride, hats are now something for her daughter to consider too. As the traditional veil has fallen out of favour, many brides... Continue Reading →
In defence of Bridezilla
I was talking to a friend recently about a perfectly reasonable minor wedding-related annoyance, and as we spoke I felt the need to backtrack, to explain how I wasn't really that annoyed, how it wasn't a big deal. After all, what could be more humiliating than realising you've turned into a Bridezilla, right? The ultimate... Continue Reading →
Five luxurious bridal lingerie brands
A wedding themed week can't happen on Rarely Wears Lipstick without a quick look at some suitable underwear. Using the internet as my guide, I have compiled a short list of five stunning luxurious brands who produce lingerie that will make any bride feel like a million dollars. Fleur of England Delicate silk and lace... Continue Reading →
Wedding Week: Vintage wedding inspiration
As some very dear friends of mine are getting hitched this weekend - in a gorgeous outdoor Humanist ceremony - I thought I'd finally do what I've been pondering all summer... have a wedding week on Rarely Wears Lipstick! Aside from one guest post that's already been scheduled in, the rest of this week's content... Continue Reading →
Have your say on equal marriage
Comments on the news today from religious organisations about opening up marriage to same sex couples shouldn't be surprising, but they are still saddening. As if the Church of England being created so that a king could get divorced didn't irrevocably change society. As if men and women marrying and then divorcing within weeks, pretending... Continue Reading →
No flag, no country!
I know many people hated the Royal Wedding with a passion and, despite being quite keen on seeing the new Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, I wasn't really terribly fussed about the whole thing myself. However, there was one aspect that did unexpectedly delight me, and that was the flags. Strip the union flag of... Continue Reading →