Friday, 22 June, 2012
A couple of weeks ago, the lovely Sara from Under The Vintage Veil (www.underthevintageveil.com) put her business well and truly on the wedding radar with her very own party to celebrate the blog’s first birthday.
We may have arrived in Brighton to pouring rain, but it did nothing to dampen our spirits. As Sara and her army of suppliers got things underway at the venue, Sangeeta and I slipped across the road to local pub, The Bristol Arms, to soak up the soggy sea views and relax a little before the evening’s events. A slice of homemade asparagus pie and a few drinks later, it was time to get dressed in all our finery and party. And boy, what a party it was.
The evening kicked off with a fabulous catwalk show put together by Sara herself and a number of helpers. Many of the dresses came from Froufrou Bridal Boutique www.froufroubride.co.uk (a seriously chic boutique in the heart of Tunbridge Wells – be sure to check it out). We had a chance to chat to owners Nicole and Helena before the event and they’re both lovely ladies with a real passion for what they do. The gowns they supplied from the likes of Lyn Ashworth, David Fielden and Belle & Bunty were simply stunning and looked great on the runway.
Also on show was a gorgeous collection of gowns by Charlotte Bridal www.charlottebridal.co.uk who creates her own bespoke pieces. She was also responsible for Sara’s rather wonderful outfit.
And, of course, Olivier and Sangeeta were delighted to see their headpieces on show. I’m sure you’ll agree, each and every piece looked amazing up there on the runway and worked with the gowns spectacularly. You can see more of the new collection at www.olivierlaudus.com
Here are just a few of the catwalk shots captured by Emma Lucy Photography www.emmalucyphotography.com … enjoy!
Gown by Charlotte Bridal, headpiece by Olivier Laudus
Gown by Charlotte Bridal, headpiece by Olivier Laudus
Gown by Charlotte Bridal, headpiece by Olivier Laudus, shoes by Shoes Of Prey and bouquet by The Finer Details
Gown by Lyn Ashworth at Froufrou Bridal Boutique, headpiece by Olivier Laudus and bouquet by The Finer Details
Gown by Belle & Bunty at Froufrou Bridal Boutique, headpiece by Olivier Laudus
Gown by Sarah Seven at Froufrou Bridal Boutique, headpiece by Olivier Laudus
Gown by Sarah Seven at Froufrou Bridal Boutique, headpiece by Olivier Laudus
Gown by Lyn Ashworth at Froufrou Bridal Boutique, headpiece by Olivier Laudus
Gown by Ivy & Aster at Froufrou Bridal Boutique, headpiece by Olivier Laudus
The rest of the evening was no less eventful. The drinks were flowing, the music was pumping and almost everyone had a bag of pick’n’mix in one hand by the end of the night thanks to the rather nostalgic candy buffet located in one corner of the room. There were hairstyling and blow-drying sessions going on in the pop-up parlour, thanks to the team at Hairport UK (www.hairportuk.com) and even chillaxing neck and shoulder massages. Yup, like I said, a party like no other.
Olivier & Sangeeta
Sangeeta & I enjoying a drink or two
And not forgetting, of course, the never-ending source of fun that was the photo booth. Kindly supplied by Stuart Edgar from Retro Me (www.retro-me.co.uk) the booth provided endless entertainment for guests all night. I’m telling you, I could have spent the entire evening in this thing…
Thanks again Sara for inviting us to be part of such a wonderful event. Roll on Under The Vintage Veil’s second birthday!
Danielle x
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Sunday, 17 June, 2012
Model wears Olivier Laudus' Celine headband
Having met Sara of wedding blog Under The Vintage Veil (www.underthevintageveil.com) a few times before, we were thrilled to be asked to provide accessories for the catwalk show at her blog’s 1st birthday bash in Brighton last Sunday. Sara is one of the sweetest people in the industry and certainly deserves the success her business has had in its first year.
We were looking forward to our day trip down to the coast but needless to say, the weather wasn’t quite playing ball. That said, it’s all about the company and, as always, catching up with our blog editor Danielle, who travelled down in the car with us, was a lot of fun.
Here are just a few ‘behind the scenes’ shots for your enjoyment before Danielle posts her thoughts on the party very soon!
Enjoy!
Sangeeta x
Above (and below) models wear Talia headband by Olivier Laudus
Sara in hair and make-up
One last drink in The Bristol Arms before heading over to the party...
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Tuesday, 12 June, 2012
With Britain taking centre stage this summer following the amazing celebrations we’ve all enjoyed for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympic Games fast approaching, what better time to celebrate the best of British talent?
We are thrilled to be working with some fantastic British designers and proud to announce the addition of some gorgeous new pieces to our Artisan Collection; a range of quintessentially British bridal accessories all made by hand and stamped with our stunning new logo: Made In Britain With Love.
From dreamy bracelets and earrings to vintage-inspired necklaces and statement headpieces, the focus is on understated and affordable luxury, with the designs featuring crystallised Swarovski Elements, freshwater pearls, beautifully cut diamante stones and lace.
All the pieces are made to order and can take up to four weeks. Prices start at £17.99 for earrings, with headbands between £65 and £199.
Here are just a few of my favourite pieces – both bestsellers and new designs – from the Artisan Collection. View the full collection on our website www.olivierlaudus.com or call 020 8374 1239 to book a consultation at our London studio.
Talia headband, image courtesy of www.fionakellyphoto.com
Lorraine cuff
Acacia headband, image courtesy of www.fionakellyphoto.com
Apollonia headband
Celine headband
Orla earrings
Talia headband
Sangeeta x
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Tuesday, 5 June, 2012
As we approach the 1st birthday of The White Diaries, it seemed the right time to take a step back and evaluate how we’ve done so far, as well as how we should move forward. It got me thinking that perhaps it was time we put together a mission statement.
I hadn’t really heard of or understood what a mission statement was until recently. And, to be honest, it did seem somewhat unnecessary for our little blog. But one of the amazing things about working for a large corporate company (as you know, I’m a lawyer by day) is that it gives you an incredible opportunity to learn how a successful business is run. I attended a meeting a few months back about the launch of a new service and was fascinated to hear that it all began with a mission statement. Along the way, at each step of the project, when the team behind it had to answer questions or deal with problems, they would refer back to the mission statement. For example, when wondering whether or not they should develop the look of their website further, they were stopped by their mission statement, which emphasised that being the first in the market to offer such a service was the goal and that too many aesthetic changes might cause them to lose momentum and not achieve what they set out to do.
It struck me just how important a mission statement can be for a business or project – big or small – and we definitely needed one. It was then I set about writing one and it proved much harder than I thought, after all, each concept had to mean something if we’d be referring back to it along the way. So, after a lot of re-writing, I came up with the below (drum roll please)…
The White Diaries Mission Statement
Our aim is to bring brides-to-be weekly inspiration by highlighting the latest wedding trends and ideas, and showcasing fantastic suppliers, to help you plan the perfect big day. We also hope to provide you with an insight into the people behind Olivier Laudus, how we built our business and our brand, and our hopes for the future, as well as informing you of our latest news and offers. Integrity is paramount to us; we promise to be honest and fair.
Both Danielle and I are completely committed to being true to this statement and look forward to the year ahead. If this year is anything to go by, we hope to have a lot of fun in the process as we endeavor to discover all that is fabulous about the wedding industry. Here are just a couple of snapshots of what we’ve been up to since starting the blog last June.
Sangeeta & Danielle
The White Diaries team xxx
Getting our afternoon tea on at The Hempel
Working the red carpet at the Ariella Couture show
Hogging the photo booth at The Savoy
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Friday, 27 April, 2012
Last week Sangeeta and I watched as one of the labels at the forefront of British fashion, Ariella Couture, unveiled its new designer collection. Already famed for its gorgeous range of cocktail, evening and occasion wear and worn by the likes of Kelly Rowland, Holly Willoughby, Myleene Klass and Leona Lewis, the collection featured a stunning selection of gowns just perfect for brides, bridesmaids and mothers-of-the-bride.
While half the evening was spent watching the spectacular catwalk show, the other was spent celeb-spotting, sipping champagne and enjoying a canape or two. Leona Lewis arrived with boyfriend Dennis Jauch looking stunning in an emerald green maxi teamed with a white blazer, and other stars included Jessica Wright (The Only Way is Essex), singer Dionne Bromfield, TV presenters Laura Whitmore and Kate Walsh, and fashion expert Brix Smith-Start.
On with the show
One thing that particularly surprised me about the collection was its amazing wearability. Fabrics included a range of traditional silk chiffon and lacquered lace, all accentuated with ruching, draping and peplum cuts. Very much inspired by old Hollywood glamour, the silhouettes featured stunning hourglass designs to empire lines, pretty prom skirts to dramatic fishtails, making the dresses perfect for women of all shapes and sizes.
The colours ranged from bold yellows and fuchsia to jet black and navy.
The collection of ivory gowns is just perfect for modern brides not afraid to push the boundaries.
For more information, and to view more of the new collection, visit www.ariellacouture.com
Danielle x
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Tuesday, 20 March, 2012
I apologise for the delay – this post has certainly been a long time coming! Earlier in the month, luxury wedding and event planners Temple Gregory hosted a rather glamorous party at the Savoy, London, to celebrate the re-branding of its company website – and, boy, what a party it was.
As guests gathered in the stunning Lancaster Ballroom to be greeted with champagne, cocktails and canapes, singer Kevin Fitzsimmons warbled some light jazz and swing in the background. The beautiful art deco interior was complemented with elegant and striking flower displays created by the talented Emma Lappin (www.emmalappinflowers.com) and Euphoric Flowers (www.euphoricflowers.co.uk), while the most amazing pink and white dessert table stood at one end, filled with the prettiest cupcakes and cakepops, delicious fudge, marshmallows and jars of other childhood favourites, not to mention the gorgeous ruffle cake centrepiece, all lovingly created by Crumbs! Couture (www.cupcakeslondon.com).
We were also delighted to see that some guests opted to wear headpieces and jewellery from the recent Olivier Laudus collections.
Here are a few images from the event taken by Chanelle & Craig from Segerius Bruce (www.segeriusbruceblog.com)…
Anna from Far From The Wedding Crowd
The stunning dessert table by Crumbs! Couture, London
Pretty cocktail menus, courtesy of Borrowed Blue Press
Beckie and Svetlana from Temple Gregory, with Beckie sporting a stunning Olivier Laudus headpiece
Chrissie Reeves from OK! magazine
Needless to say, the strawberry daiquiris went down a storm...
Stunning blooms by Emma Lappin and Euphoric Flowers
The lovely lady herself, Emma Lappin
The talented Harri from Crumbs! Couture
Photographer Kat Hill and blogger Ciara from Wed In London, also seen wearing a beautiful Olivier Laudus headpiece
Luxury cake designer Janet Mohapi-Banks
Lester from No10 Weddings
Pippa from Wedding Ideas magazine also looked beautiful in some Oliver Laudus pieces
Sangeeta from Olivier Laudus
Sara from wedding blog Under The Vintage Veil
And the surprise of the evening? Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor from none other than Strictly Come Dancing did the rumba! It was certainly an evening to remember… congratulations to Beckie and Svetlana from Temple Gregory, who organised the whole event. You really are the cream of the party planning crop, ladies…
You may (or may not!) have noticed there aren’t any photos of me. I’d obviously managed to slip the camera, probably spending far too much time at the dessert table and/or cocktail bar. That was until Sangeeta and I discovered the photobooth of course, courtesy of www.hellofotobooths.co.uk. We had far too much fun doing this…
Danielle x
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Friday, 17 February, 2012
Every year we hope to attend the Wedding Ideas Awards and every year something else gets placed in the diary for the same day, or we are unable to go for one reason or another. However, this year we were thrilled to finally be able to go along and see what has been keeping the Twitterati so excited in the months leading up to them. It was the 7th year for the awards and I hear they just keep getting better and better each time. We were not disappointed; the team at Wedding Ideas certainly knows how to throw a party! We were also flattered and delighted that some of our pieces were showcased on the night by the lovely Kim from The Wedding Community, who was also on the judging panel, and the equally lovely Pippa and Lucinda from Wedding Ideas magazine. All three ladies looked stunning.
The awards were held at The Brewery, London, not too far from where I work as a lawyer. It’s not a venue I’d been to before but would absolutely recommend it for parties, product launches and even weddings. The space was transformed into a gorgeous ballroom with pink lighting, pretty candelabra, flower displays and an ice sculpture which doubled up as a vodka luge in the shape of a giraffe (the magazine’s mascot!), it was all simply breathtaking.
Image courtesy of www.wildaboutweddings.com
Image courtesy of www.supertography.com
The lovely Lucinda, above, wearing our Martha chandelier diamante earrings http://www.olivierlaudus.com/html/display_items.php?id=947&keywords=martha&page_number=1&item_name=Martha%20Chandelier%20Diamante%20Earrings
Image courtesy of www.supertography.com
Much like a wedding, there was a seating plan, and we were lucky to be on a table with Sandra and Richard from Wedding Ideas and the team from Mandalay Stationery, amongst others. After dinner entertainment was provided by the hilarious and rather unique Rob Deering before the awards commenced. They were presented by Rachel Southwood who founded Wedding Ideas in her back room (so legend has it!), a lovely lady who is an inspiration to us all. Not only has she managed to create a hugely successful magazine and brand but she also has a very special bond with her team. You get the feeling she really cares about their development and job satisfaction, and in turn her employees not only see their role as a job but also as an innate loyalty to Rachel and the brand.
Image courtesy of www.wildaboutweddings.com
Above: Wedding Ideas editor, Rachel Morgan
Image courtesy of www.wildaboutweddings.com
Above: Entertainment from Rob Deering
More on the wonderful awards and who-won-what can be found on the Wedding Ideas website www.weddingideasmag.com , however, I did want to mention the Special Achievement Award which was won by Military Wedding Discounts http://militaryweddingdiscounts.com. Set up by military wife Emma to help members of the Armed Forces in the UK and USA save money on their weddings, it was a truly deserved recognition. When Emma went up to collect her award, a surprise video message from her husband Noel (currently serving in Afghanistan) was played. His touching message was a strong reminder of the sacrafice our military have made being so far from their loved ones. In fact, it was difficult for most people in the room to hold back the tears while watching it.
Above, left: Kim from The Wedding Community wearing our Rebecca Sunburst necklace http://www.olivierlaudus.com/html/display_items.php?id=959&category=146&sub_cat=159&page_number=2&item_name=Rebecca%20Sunburst%20Flower%20Necklace%20Set
Above: Pippa from Wedding Ideas wearing our Natasha floral cuff http://www.olivierlaudus.com/html/display_items.php?id=614&keywords=natasha&page_number=1&item_name=Natasha%20Floral%20Cuff%20Bridal%20Bracelet
When the ceremony was over, we got the chance to catch up with old friends, as well as make some new ones. With more than 350 wedding industry folk at the do, it really was a fantastic night. A big well done to Wedding Ideas and congratulations to all the winners. I’m very much looking forward to next year’s awards and, who knows, maybe we’ll even be up for one ourselves next time!
Sangeeta x
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Monday, 23 January, 2012
One of my resolutions for 2012 was to stop and reflect over the year that has passed before rushing headlong into this one. When you run your own business, have a busy day job and want to be there for family and friends there is always something more to be done and time is most definitely at a premium.
So, for my first blogpost, what could be more appropriate than to look back over the year that was? Not to mention, of course, publishing it around Chinese New Year. I think the timing feels just right.
The highlights
Our central London studio
For me, the ultimate achievement last year was opening our studio in central London. It had always been a dream of mine but not one I had ever really seriously entertained (as a cautious lawyer it was easier to think of the reasons not to do it). So, when we opened our doors in July it was a dream come true. We had been meeting clients for consultations on an ad hoc basis, so to finally have our own space to showcase our pieces – not to mention in a wonderful location just behind Selfridges – has been fantastic. It’s also been great to see Olivier meeting clients and getting great feedback from brides about how useful the whole process has been for them. There is obviously a lot more we want to do with the studio, such as offering refreshments and hosting special evenings for our clients with additional services and products. In fact, we are really looking forward to putting some of these plans into action this year.
The studio
Mentions in magazines, blogs and more…
I still remember when one of our ring cushions was first featured in a magazine in 2006 – I was so excited to see our name in print, I was smiling all week! To be honest, that excitement has not dissipated and we have been lucky over the years to have been featured in lots of lovely publications. Our press page showcases just some of these great features and the plan is to update it with some of our most recent cuttings and blogposts. We were particularly thrilled to see one of our pieces in Vogue Gioielli, and also to be featured by the number of wedding bloggers out there. Articles such as this one on English Wedding Blog (http://english-wedding.com/2011/04/affordable-bridal-accessories-from-a-business-thats-fit-for-a-princess have really made my year.
In fact, integrity – as those who know me will testify – is hugely important to me. We care a great deal about our customers and want to ensure they always get the best possible service from us. To be recognised in the wedding industry for such services really is the icing on the cake.
I was also thrilled to be asked to appear as an accessories expert on wedding planning website http://www.theweddingcommunity.com/56/Expert-Advice/Wedding-Jewellery-and-Accessories-Advice and I hope my monthly articles continue to help brides trying to perfect their wedding day look.
Twitter
How did we ever survive without Twitter? A simple concept, yet something so incredibly powerful. I have met so many wonderful people via Twitter that it would be impossible to name everyone – and this is without mentioning the people I haven’t met (yet!) but who I have spoken to virtually.
The studio launch
The studio launch
The studio launch
Our recent press day
The Secret Garden shoot
Through Twitter we were lucky enough to be involved in a fantastic styled shoot brought together by fabulous photographer Fiona Kelly. Rather than list all the individual companies involved in the shoot, I can point you in the direction of a wonderful write up on this wedding blog http://whimsicalwonderlandweddings.com/2011/07/an-ethereal-magical-grecian-secret-garden-bridal-shoot.html
We certainly hope to be involved in more collaborations later on in the year!
Our blog
The launch of this blog, together with the help of my good friend and wedding journalist Danielle Wilkins, was also a highlight. Our aim was to give something more to brides browsing our website, as well as showcase some of the wonderful suppliers we have met. It’s great to have Danielle on board and I know she can inspire and assist our brides along the way. Another reason we were keen to have her involved is to give the blog some impartiality – after all, I didn’t want it all to be about us. Hopefully it’s providing some useful inspiration, but if there is something you’d like to see more of, please let us know!
Our clients
So, why do we do what we do? Of course, it’s important for us to grow a successful business but it’s not just about that. We want to be able to offer beautiful finishing touches at affordable prices; to help brides look and feel amazing. We also want to give something back, which is why our charity ring cushion is so important to us… http://www.olivierlaudus.com/html/display_items.php?id=437&category=25&sub_cat=24&page_number=1&item_name=Sunflower
We are thrilled to receive so many thank you messages and cards from happy clients – we even received some wedding cake once! To be part of someone’s special day in this way is a privilege and, as competition within the accessories industry has increased so much over the years, we feel even more honoured when brides choose our products.
The not-so highlights
As with every business, there are challenges. The first package of products sent to Vogue in Milan for the shoot mentioned above was stolen in transit, in fact, we almost didn’t have time to get another box over before the shoot.
And while we have met so many amazing people in the wedding industry, there will always be a handful who aren’t quite so honest or pleasant to deal with. As someone who values integrity, I’ll admit that meeting people who come across as rude, as having an agenda, or even fake, is hard for me to cope with. However, there is a lesson to be learnt from it, I’m sure. I believe you should stay true to yourself, and that is what I intend to do.
Of course, there is also the old chestnut of not having enough time, and last year was no exception. Even now, I wish I had the magic formula to master my to-do list. There are things I could have done better, people I would have loved to have met, events that would have been wonderful to attend, exciting opportunities to follow up – but sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day.
On a more personal level, there was acute sadness for both Olivier and I. We started 2011 with the loss of my grandmother and it ended with the passing of Olivier’s grandmother in December. I don’t think I have ever experienced such a painful ache as I did for these special ladies. Both were so different, yet such fun characters who showed us the meaning of unconditional love.
There’s no denying 2011 was an incredibly busy year for us and, having written this, I realise the importance of looking back before moving forward. After all, if you don’t know where you have just come from, how do you know where it is you want to go?
Wishing you all a happy and prosperous 2012!
Sangeeta xx
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Monday, 18 July, 2011
The studio
It was canapes and champers galore a couple of weeks back, when Olivier Laudus opened the doors to its new studio in the heart of London.
Olivier and Sangeeta were joined by a number of press, bloggers and fellow wedding industry friends as they showed off the new studio which is based within the award-winning Jordan Burr hair salon, just a few minutes’ walk from Bond Street tube (www.jordanburr.com). The stylish salon has a fabulous reputation for friendly and professional client care and has won a wealth of awards for its work in the past, and Sangeeta and Olivier told me they couldn’t think of a nicer environment to welcome their brides.
“We love having the opportunity to meet our clients and give them the personal care and attention that they deserve,” adds Sangeeta. “We’re also really looking forward to new collaborations with the Jordan Burr salon.”
Guests were served champagne on arrival
Sangeeta with the lovely Janet Mohapi-Banks
And the studio is certainly a sight to behold. In keeping with Olivier Laudus’ chic and contemporary feel, it’s decorated in black and cream flock wallpaper with luxurious seating, pretty blooms and even a vintage-inspired dresser. Brides can choose to try on any of the beautiful accessories on display, as well as discuss their bespoke needs with Sangeeta or Olivier for their forthcoming wedding.
In true London style, the party got off to a great start with a red carpet and a glass of champagne welcoming guests on arrival. Delicious canapes were served throughout the evening (I can vouch for how amazing they tasted – I ate more than my fair share) and specially commissioned luxury cakes from Janet Mohapi-Banks (www.janetmohapibanks.com) finished off the chic theme perfectly. When asked to create something modern that would fit with the black and cream colour scheme of the studio, Janet presented the team with these stunning miniatures made using edible diamonds. And they tasted wonderful. At the end of the night, each guest took home a goodie bag that included a great selection of hair products from Matrix and Indian-inspired chocolate favours from Devnaa (www.devnaa.com)
Luxury cakes from Janet Mohapi-Banks
The gorgeous models were the envy of everyone there, beautifully showcasing a selection of Olivier Laudus accessories. Their hair was styled by Jordan Burr
Well done to everyone who helped make the evening a success, I for one had a brilliant time.
Olivier, Sangeeta and salon owner Glen Burr with Olivier Laudus interns past and present
A special thank you also goes to London photographer Mark Osborne for taking pictures throughout the evening. Mark specialises in capturing natural, emotive images for weddings, parties or just friends having fun. For more information, and to see his portfolio, visit www.markosbornephotography.com
For more information about the new Olivier Laudus consultation studio, or to make an appointment, contact Olivier on 0208 374 1239 or email info@olivierlaudus.com
Danielle x
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Monday, 11 April, 2011
There's nothing quite like a cup of Earl Grey and a cupcake in a quiet corner of The Haymarket Hotel
Welcome to The White Diaries – the Olivier Laudus blog. This is our chance to share our latest news and collections with you as well as style tips, features on fabulous companies we get to work with, all the latest bridal trends and lots of pictures from gorgeous real-life weddings.
When we launched our first collection of wedding ring cushions in 2004 at The National Wedding Show, Olympia, we never imagined how infatuated we would become with the world of weddings. It’s a lovely industry to work in and we feel so privileged to be helping clients find their perfect big day look. The thank you cards, the lovely testimonials (and even the occasional piece of wedding cake!) that we receive from clients has made the whole thing worthwhile.
We are delighted to have Danielle Wilkins on board as The White Diaries editor and are so excited to get her thoughts and insider tips to share with you. Danielle has been working in the magazine industry for four-and-a-half years, starting her career on women’s lifestyle magazines and more recently as an editor for a well-known wedding magazine. In her own words, she says:
“There is just so much to love about the bridal industry, it doesn’t matter if I’m interviewing a designer about their most recent collection, or chatting to a bride about her own big day.”
We do hope that you enjoy the blog. Please feel free to comment on our posts and let us know what you think. Otherwise, you can contact Danielle or I on daniellewilkinseditorial@yahoo.co.uk or sangeeta@olivierlaudus.com
Happy reading!
Sangeeta x
Sangeeta Laudus, Co-Founder Olivier Laudus
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The White Diaries
