I’m never really too sure how much you would like to know about me and sometimes it’s a little difficult putting together really personal posts but.. i’ll give it a go…

I’m in love with colours, patterns, light, moments, get really quite excited about textures, eyelashes, smiles, hands, little things that constantly surround me. I’m not sure if it’s something i’ve always done…but I realised quite awhile ago that everything around me is something I want to treasure, if I can only take the time to notice it.

I read a book when I was 16 years old, that I feel as I grow older has stayed with me… It’s a simple book about a man and his journey to find happiness and peace.

One of my favourite quotes from the book ‘the way of the peaceful warrior’ reads…“you can live a whole life time never being awake.”

Feeling alive is something I really try not to take for granted… here’s a funny fact about me, I shiver… a lot. Really not because it’s cold, because I realise the things that are all around.

It’s a way for me to feel things, see things and record the moments.

http://instagram.com/jobilham

Wonderful photo’s from our good friend Jaye at Tux and Tales Photography

Hair – Kizzy at Charisma Bridal Hair dressing

Makeup – Jo Bilham

Seriously cool image from James Melia

Model – Hannah

Styling – CocoBoo

Hair – Kizzy Edkins at Charisma

Makeup – Jo Bilham

Images from James Melia

The most beautiful dresses from Hayley at Glory Days Vintage

Brilliant natural garden creations from fiona at Firenza Floral design

Makeup by me

Here’s just a few images from the fun day we had last week together with Laura and her husband Simon! Really can’t wait to show you all her beautiful details from her gorgeous winter wonderland/cinderella wedding day.. here’s a few hints.. there was a twinkly and truly stunning Ian Stuart dress, the most delicate veil, a cloak.. sparkly shoes, a hobby horse.. oh and so much more !

Jo xx

Just a few words from me about an incredible lady.

Yesterday we celebrated the life of Victoria.

I only really had the chance to spend a little time with Vicky in the days of her wedding to the most wonderful man Fynn back in November 2011. At that point VIcky had been diagnosed with a rare type of cancer that was terminal.

The first time I spoke with Vicky was just the week before her wedding, when we were chattering over text about concealer and the usual makeup things! She was bright and funny even in our first few messages, she gave as much as she could, I very much enjoyed listening to her replies.

There were incredible moments throughout their wedding day that i’ve thought about so many times..and when I think about it, it was just like each and every wedding I am privileged to be a part of, getting ready, chatting with grandma about her beautiful sparkling rings at the kitchen table, watching the dogs play in the garden, drinking tea, listening to a very proud mum talk about her beautiful daughters,  yet everything on that day was just so very real.. almost like time was turning so much more slowly.

I guess there’s always moments that you never forget.. and for me it was the day before. We’d arrived to take some natural shots of Vicky and Fynn,  they had finished the rehearsals in the beautiful church where they married,  and where yesterday we all stood again to celebrate her life.

What I do is by nature about beauty… As much as I love all the pretty containers full of beautiful products, for me.. it is about the person I am with and how they feel. The days and weeks before I’d tried not to get too caught up in Vicky’s illness. I really wanted to just meet her, spend time there and give all I could. We sat at the kitchen table with a cup of tea and I sat next to her to start preparing for makeup.  I love to see everyone for exactly who they are and work along with them. A lot of what I do is trying to see a little deeper.  It is incredibly personal to me and when I meet people for the first time, within minutes I’m looking straight into their eyes, holding their face in my hands.

I will never forget that moment with Vicky, gently holding her smiling freckled face, she has an incredible way of transferring her soul. I felt everything from the moment I looked into her beautiful eyes, her courage, her strength and her love.

In the following days I watched as the family held on to each other, smiled, laughed, danced and cried together and in the midst of all this I experienced the love of Victoria and Fynn. So very much in love, just simply realising, that is all it’s about.

The tiny things, the big things.. what ever it is that you are and can do, that you CAN do it, and really…do it now.

Yesterday Fynn talked of their experiences in the past two years, walking their dog, swimming with dolphins, singing along together at a musical.. watching an orchestra, running up the sand dunes.. and many many more.. and the one thing I know for sure is they did it all with passion and enjoyed every second of it.

Fynn along with Vicky’s family and some amazing friends set up the ‘imagine it’ foundation where they help everyone who is willing to ‘live in the moment’ It is an incredible and simple idea.

http://www.imagineit.org.uk

You can be inspired by Vicky’s remarkable story while you read her honest and beautifully written diary in her blog ‘poppies and epiphanies’

http://poppiesandepiphanies.blogspot.co.uk

Her family strongly encourage support for the University of Michigan in their research into a cure for Adrenal Cortical Cancer. They welcome donations to be made in Victoria’s memory on the following link: http://www.imagineit.org.uk/#/acc-sponsorship/4569195532.

If you’ve got a spare 5 mins please now go and ‘LIKE’ the imagine it facebook page

On the day Mikaler was all smiles and just full of excitement for her day! As Kizzy and I worked with each of he bridal ladies we all enjoyed watching as the final looks came together.

As Milkalers stunning gown and all of the bridesmaid gowns were created by Linda, I had the great honour of helping her into the dress!

On the day we had the  fun and friendly Rob Booker keeping us all laughing and taking pictures and the most amazing flowers from Sarah at Leafy Couture.

Hi there!

I can’t honestly believe we’re in the middle of January already!! 2012 for me was the most incredible year for my business and I just wanted to say a HUGE heart filled THANK YOU THANK YOU to you all for your support and kindness, for allowing me to be a part of your world for a moment, for sharing your dreams for your wedding day or just for having a few giggles while we chat about our makeup love!

I’ve had a little update on the blog and really hope that you like her new pale, pretty and rose filled look!..

There’s a few new projects coming up in 2013 which I am soooooo very excited about! and to be able to share them with you is getting me all giddy inside! I hope, crossing all my fingers and squeezing my eyes closed tight , that you will love what is coming up and that you will get that fluttery feeling too when you see what’s happening! One of my first projects will be creating some fun and friendly makeup workshops… watch this space….

I have always been a bit over excited about working with people, which ever industry i’ve been in, I’ve always enjoyed getting to know about each different person’s life, their hopes, day to day things, children, music, any loves.. and of course makeup! I find it’s my little way in to helping with confidence and having a bit of fun along the way. This year i’m looking forward to meeting all of my lovely brides to be!!  I can’t wait to hear all your ideas and get excited along with you about your wedding day plans!

So here’s to 2013!! I never really make any new years resolutions, however this years thoughts are a lot stronger than usual so… I very much intend to treasure every moment with my little boys, embrace every new opportunity that comes my way with as much enthusiasm as my giddy self can handle, and paint as many beautiful faces as I can!

Simple, I thought!

Thanks for taking a bit of time out to listen, Have a wonderful weekend!

Jo xx

The details of their wedding were more than I ever imagined and it was so much fun being a part of all their celebrations! (Yay, this time I got to stay ALL day!)

Abbey asked for simple makeup with more definition for her eyes. We tried a few different options before we came to the final look which even at the end of the night, I was still really rather proud of.. Abbey you looked absolutely breath-taking!

I’ll not go on forever and a day because i’m pretty sure the photographs will help you to see the story of their wonderful day! In short there were hearts and little tweed suits, sparkles and red high heels, A big red bus, bundles of smiley faces, picnic hampers, mountains of strawberries and cream cakes a carousel and a huge bouncy cushion….. Congratulations Abbey & Ryan! Was a pleasure to be a little part of your special day!

Love jo x

Beautiful Photographs from James Melia 

There’s no hurrying around on the morning of your wedding, I arrive, say “hey” and get all excited about your day along with you! I set up all my well loved makeup kit and steal the best lit area of the room, and then all the while make sure you are happy and relaxed, check you have a coffee/tea/glass of something lovely! Of course it may well be time for makeup after all…

It’s so exciting to come along on your wedding day, I truly believe I have the best job in the world… Spending time with you, your family and friends on such a wonderful and emotion filled day is something I will never forget…and i’m pretty sure that you won’t either!

This year I have been a little part of around 50 weddings, all of them memorable in their personal little ways, a lot of which I often find are unexpected. There’s nothing more heart warming than perhaps a great aunt asking for makeup like she wore in the 60′s and being oh so excited when she see’s it or feeling the mother of the bride finally relax in my chair as I chat to her about her daughter when she was young and seeing her smile. The are so many moments of your day that are to be cherished… while you let me help you to feel like the most beautiful woman!

Just a few words from a very kind vanessa -

‘hi Jo, just wanted to say a massive thank you for everything you did in the lead up and on the day for our wedding. We honestly couldn’t have done without your help and it was lovely having you there and getting to know you. Most importantly for your fabulous makeup skills, lots of people commented on how great you were and i will be sure to recommend you, thanks again’

Here are a few images from Vanessa & Gary’s wedding….. Love love love!

Photographs from the oh so talented James Melia

Jo xxx