The Royal Wedding through my eyes

The Monday after the Royal wedding had to be an all day chatter about every single move, smile, frown and outfit observed live on Tv by almost 2 billion people. From the american bubbly enthusiasm (that split the good old England in two) delivered by the flamboyant US Bishop Michael Curry and his iPad, to the sombre and bemused reaction of the Royals and their British guests.

19th of May 2018 was indeed a fascinating day when "Love was the only way" for Harry and Meghan.

Needless to say that I've started prepping for the big day early in the week, ordering the best food for the occasion paired with a 2011 red wine to match our wedding year and lots of tiny flags to mark the big "I will/We will" moment.

Nunta Regala dintre Harry si Meghan a fost subiectul principal de discutie al zilei de Luni. De la analiza atenta a tinutelor elegante pana la gafele si gesturile devenite deja glume in mass-media, nunta a fost de departe un eveniment inedit urmarit live de peste 2 miliarde de persoane din intreaga lume. Farmecul inedit si contrastul socio-cultural puternic al celor doua lumi despartite de un ocean a fost ilustrat in cel mai original mod de Preotul Michael Curry si celebrul sau iPad intr-o deja populara fraza : Iubirea este singura cale!

Pregatirile pentru ziua de Sambata au inceput devreme in saptamana, intrucat am decis sa ne bucuram de miracolul tehnologiei si al transmisiunilor live din comfortul casei noastre londoneze.

Rather than driving to Windsor 1 night in advance, parking 2 villages away from the official wedding route and making small talk with other Royal Wedding enthusiasts, we have opted for the comfort of our London home sofa. No regrets indeed as every close up of the live broadcast was unique and fascinating to watch . I've had to re-watch the wedding on the BBC Player twice Saturday night to make sure that Victoria Beckham hasn't smiled at all next to that gorgie husband of hers. Loved George and Amal natural fit and literally clapped when the Suits cast arrived at the church. On iPlayer of course, as I haven't recognised them on the live session.

When Meghan's car from the Queen's fleet pulled over outside the church, I almost fainted with anticipation of seeing what was about to be the superb classic Givenchy cut that Audrey Hepburn and other style icons have gracefully worn along the years. Now I love Meghan even more. Loved her long bridal veil with all the hidden floral symbols sewn in manually, all the love she's put in every prep detail and loved her even more when she changed in the Stella McCartney feminine evening gown for the wedding reception. The E Class Type Jag on my favourite shade of Blue that Harry drove his princess in, was just the cherry on top. That and "the something Blue" gift from Harry, on her finger-Diana's massive Asprey diamond ring. Loved Harry's nervousness when he saw his better half and loved their first shared kiss as husband and wife. Considering that for the next 15 -20 years we won't have another Royal Wedding, I've made the most of this one.

Sunday lazy morning came with more details about the two wedding receptions organised by The Queen and by Prince Charles and also pictures of the wedding cake reached my sight. That lemon elderflower royal masterpiece of a cake really got me dressed and out of the house in 30 minutes. My husband, himself a passionate Senior Sous Chef in London, found out for me that Claire Ptak, the London-based baker in charge with designing and executing the stylish cake owns "Violet Cakes" bakery.

S-a dovedit a fi o alegere inteleapta si intr-adevar atmosfera relaxata a caminului, compania placuta, cadrele apropiate si reluarile nocturne de pe BBC iPlayer mi-au permis sa ma bucur de o zi atat de speciala. Tinand cont de faptul ca in urmatorii 15-20 ani nu vom mai avea parte de o nunta Regala de asemenea amploare, am ales sa ne bucuram de moment in felul nostru. Revenind la invitati, raman in continuare intrigata de lipsa zambetului pe fata frumoasei Victoria Beckham, care ar trebui sa poarte un zambet permanent, cu un asemenea barbat langa ea. Preferatii mei si un cuplu conectat din toate punctele de vedere au fost George Clooney si Amal, o adevarata inspiratie de stil. Am adorat efectiv prezenta actorilor din Suits si tot glamour-ul Hollywood-ului mixat cu familia regala si ai ei invitati. Am asteptat cu emotii maxime, ca toate fashionistele inraite, momentul in care masina din flota Reginei a tras la scara bisericii. Recunosc ca rochia aleasa de Meghan a fost mult mai simpla decat ma asteptam, insa linia fina si clasicul consacrat al casei Givenchy, m-au dus cu gandul la Audrey Hepburn si alte celebritati care au impresionat mereu prin rafinamentul discret. Touche, Meghan! Pe langa pistruii adorabili, dorinta de a darui ceva inapoi societatii prin toate cauzele umanitare pentru care militeaza, inteligenta, frumusetea fizica si o caldura interioara care radiaza prin toti porii, faptul ca si- a gasit printul este doar cireasa de pe tort. A sfidat toate sabloanele nuntilor Casei regale cu rochia de seara semnata Stella McCartney si nu ne-a dezamagit nici cu Diamantul albastru daruit de Harry, care i-a apartinut Dianei sau cu romanticul old-fashion E-Type Jaguar in care s-au pierdut mirii la apus.

Mi-a placut la nebunie originalitatea si nota personala a celor doi in fiecare detaliu, de la voalul brodat manual cu florile tuturor statelor ce fac parte din Commonwealth, pana la florile din gradinile regale de pe tortul nuptial. Peste 150 de bujori si trandafiri in nuante de alb si crem au decorat tortul conceput de Claire Ptak, patiserul stabilit la Londra si crescut in California, la fel ca si Meghan.

M-am trezit Duminica dimineata cu imagini ale tortului cu aroma de lamaie si soc si a trebuit sa facem ceva inedit in privinta asta. Sotul meu, un pasionat Senior Sous Chef pe scena londoneza, mi-a facut placerea sa sune la "Violet Cake", patiseria detinuta de Claire, selectata personal de Meghan sa le livreze tortul nuntii. O munca la nivel de arta pentru care Claire si echipa ei au folosit doar produse organice, 200 lamai Amalfi, 20 kg zahar, 20kg unt, 10 sticle de socata de pe domeniile regale si nu mai putin de 500 oua ca sa redea aroma de vara a cremei de lamaie si soc.

"Violet Cakes" bakery was 1 hour driving from us and we've invited our sparkling God-daughter Eva, 5 years old, to join us chasing the home made deserts fantasy. I was really fancying something similar to the spring-inspired wedding cake so we've rang "Violet" to make sure they would be opened late this Sunday .

Patiseria "Violet Cakes" a fost la o ora distanta de condus si nu se putea sa mergem intr-o aventura culinara fara sa o invitam cu noi pe Eva, fina noastra in varsta de 5 ani, care adora dulciurile de casa si care este partenera mea in ale " copilariei."

The lemon curd and elderflower flavoured Royal Wedding cake was all covered in buttercream Swiss meringue and superbly decorated with over 150 roses and peonies from the Royal Gardens. Claire and her team of six other bakers used 200 Amalfi lemons, 20 kg of butter, 20 kg of sugar, 500 organic eggs from Suffolk and 10 bottles of Sandringham elderflower cordial when prepping the cake.

Imagine my sweet tooth after reading all the details.

Once arrived at the home-made deserts "scene" it all felt so beautifully simple and ethereal. Definitely wearing the Californian brought-up Claire magic signature, "Violet Cakes" is a small and chic bakery, similar to a well-loved home kitchen. Staffed with friendly faces, the bakery has a very relaxed and bohemian vibe, ideal for an early Summer day. We've indulged in a variety of desserts joined by a fresh home-made lemonade and lots of laughter.

Odata ajunsi la patiseria "Violet Cakes" ne-am rasfatat cu deserturi de casa, socata si limonada care mi-au amintit de anii copilariei. Am reusit sa regasesc crema de lamaie si aroma de soc din tortul regal in creatile casei marca Claire Ptak. Un loc intim, simplu, cu un farmec boem si nepretentios care livreaza deserturile bunicii. M-am indragostit si am salvat adresa pentru viitoarele escapade culinare.

Violet Cakes Bakery, London Claire Ptek Baker

The Royal Wedding baker Claire Ptek Bakery "Violet Cakes"

Violet Cakes Bakery, London by Claire Ptek baker

When in London, please go back in time to your childhood cakes, making sure you visit Claire's "home". From now on, every lemon curd and elderflower flavour will remind me of a beautiful Royal love story, a sunny afternoon and two Californian girls who knew how to dream big: Meghan and Claire. Proud of you girls!

Cand veti avea ocazia, va recomand sa treceti pe la "Violet Cakes" in Londra, sa gustati deserturile magice facute de Claire si sa reproduceti gustul regal al unei zile de neuitat cu aroma de lamaie si soc. Cand indraznim sa visam, totul este posibil asa cum ne-au demonstart-o doua fete frumoase din California: Meghan si Claire!