once.daily.chic

Wedding fragrance

2012-03-05T13:04:00.000+11:00

Ben & i have both bought new fragrances to wear on our wedding day. I love the idea of wearing a new scent, so when you wear it in the future it reminds you of your wedding day :) Ben is wearing Verscace Man, which is really nice & fresh (he wears others from Versace at the moment) and I'm wearing Kai - it is seriously good! Smells just like gardenias in a freshly watered garden on a summer evening. You can get Kai at Mecca in Australia.

one week!!

2012-03-02T08:39:00.000+11:00

Im off this morning to do a bit of last minute accessory shopping.

Please cross your fingers that this time next week the weather is seriously different!!!!

Still wondering if we should have made our date in december so we could have had perfect white hydrangeas!

Merci!

2012-03-01T08:06:00.003+11:00

Merci to Typo for making quite possibly the cutest thank you card set ive ever seen!

Its like it was made just for me! In other news wtf is going on with this weather?!?!
I would be saying merci to mother nature if she could organise a day of sun next friday in
amongst the FLOODING & TORRENTIAL rain on the south coast at the moment. :(

My Kitchen Tea

2012-02-29T11:00:00.002+11:00

We had a fantastic afternoon on sunday celebrating with all my favorite ladies, lots of yummy food & bubbles! Mum & I kicked off the weekend at 6am on saturday with a trip to the flower markets, then home to set it all up while my dad finished building this outdoor area! Yes thats right he built the deck & the screening in the few weeks before the party - talented man! Lots of people bought yummy food, i seem to have amazing bakers as friends & family! I took a few photos of the set up before everyone came so i could share it with you :)

Have to say i was quite happy with how this white arrangement worked out:)

We used Hyacinths, dahilas & roses in some of my grandmothers antique silver which looked amazing.

My bridesmaid Aylie made this beautiful cake for me!

and yes, there were people there too....

My bridesmaids, me & my mum.

More girls & their bubbles! Oh & my bloggy bestie Sonja joined us too!

(& made her famous rocky road & cupcakes - which i have to say were yuuuum!)

We also played a few games! There was handbag weighing, a quizz, a guess the spice game for me (above)

& the 'create the ideal wedding dress with loo paper' game which was hilarious.

Holly in the middle ended up with quite a Vera Wang esq look...until it fell apart!

Aylie & i with a slice of her pink layer cake!

I received some fantastic pressies too! Including this disney princess tupperware from my cousin

(who claims everyone needs a bit of disney in their home haha)

T minus 2 weeks.....

2012-02-24T11:26:00.000+11:00

Its my kitchen tea this sunday - so looking forward to it! I know its a bit old fashioned but when do

we get an excuse to sit around with all your fav ladies young & older, family & friends, sip champagne,

drink tea & eat cakes! Not often thats for sure! So here are the last of my inspiration images.....

wow, cant believe im getting married in 2 weeks....

Wedding Stalker - Tessa James & Nate Myles

2012-02-22T10:36:00.000+11:00

Loving these images GM Photographics just put up on their facebook page of Tessa James (Home & Away) & Nate Myles (NRL player) wedding. Her gown was by Steven Khalil...

How divine do she & her sister look - the sisters dress is pretty darn cool!

Super stylish but also classic - me likey!

The rustic feel of the cake is gorgeous....although the height scares me!

also LOVE that she changed into this amazing short dress for the dancing!

Dont ignore the front door!

2012-02-21T07:45:00.001+11:00

Dont forget the area around your entry! Dont let it become a dumping ground for shoes/keys/junk mail/bags (ok ok im guilty of doing that a bit). Let these examples inspire you to give your a makeover! Given i realise we dont all have the amazing spaces to start with but dont let that stop you!

My total fav via Bear Hill Interiors

The Decorista

Maybe i just like this becuase it telss me bikes in the house are ok!

Via La Boom

Canadian House & Home

The Decorista

Where the sidewalk begins

Black Beauty

2012-02-20T09:13:00.000+11:00

Im still waiting for that client that lets me tile their whole bathroom in black mosaics! So dramatic & quite glam dont you think?! Especially with my fav venetian mirrors!

3 weeks!

2012-02-17T11:11:00.000+11:00

This time in 3 weeks ill be sipping some bubbles & getting ready to walk down the aisle.....whoa! Came up really fast...very slow at times but now it seems like time has flown! I think we are pretty organized, im trying to contain any ideas i have to do any ore DIY before the big day (ben has banned me with coming up with anything new, or changing my mind on anything!). The only thing we really need to do is work out the seating & a few small details....i hope! Im feeling pretty relaxed but then am having those dreams where its the day & you've forgotten to do a million things...So forgive me if im a bit slack on the posts in the next few weeks! I thought id share a little peek at our invitations with you..

Rooms im loving

2012-02-16T10:34:00.000+11:00

Loving these living rooms, the pops of pink & the huge pieces of art!

words of (lol) wisdom

2012-02-14T09:28:00.000+11:00

These were some answers kids gave when asked about love & dating...

Hens!

2012-02-10T08:22:00.001+11:00

(actually packing now - these are the essentials of course!)

Holy moly, is today really the start of my hens?! Feels a bit surreal to be honest! Having my hair trial this morning then around lunch time my girls are coming to collect me! They did endevour to keep the whole thing a secret from me but the word 'boat' accidentally slipped out & then someone accidentally emailed me the invitation to a lunch on sunday! So all i know is 'boat', the location of the lunch & that its a nautical theme! Although on the invitation they spelt it naughty-cal (hahahaha) - one of my bridemaids is a graphic designer & they made the cutest invite! Ill share it next week :) As the invite says; Sally is dropping her anchor & tying the knot!

Im off to celebrate!.....

Sneak Peak - Avalon Beach House

2012-02-09T14:29:00.000+11:00

For the past 18 months ive been working on an amazing house at Sydneys Avalon beach, a modest fibro shack that we gutted back to the framing, extended & added a lower level! Initially i was brought in to design & specify the 3 bathrooms, then got on so well with the clients i ended up doing the entire house! Lighting, electrical, all the joinery (wardrobes, cabinets, custom pieces, window seats etc!) a laundry/kitchenette, paint colours, some special custom pieces using reclaimed timber, found them a builder & project managed & have seen it through to (almost!) completion! This project has definitely been a challenge (& my first major project out on my own)! But my clients have impeccable taste & have been a joy to work with, the new builder was a gem & the house is almost done & is looking amaaazing! I took a few snaps on my phone when i was there last week & thought id give you a little look! Stay tuned for more :)

The guest bathroom - amazing wallpaper just in!

Even more amazing mirror still to be hung!

Those of you who have been to Armchair Collective may recognize this wallpaper!

One of the other bathrooms - excuse the plug, i pushed the plumber out of the way to take this! This gorgeous basin is so simple & elegant - looks fantastic installed - very happy with this choice!

Final Fitting

2012-02-08T09:19:00.000+11:00

I had my final wedding dress fitting yesterday (no this is not my dress but this image almost made me want to change my choice of dress!) At my first fitting i had an attack of the 'unsure' - did i still like it? did it make me look fat? should i have gone with the style i thought i originally wanted??!! I think this is normal to be second guessing yourself at some point right? But yesterday i was really happy with it! Its now safely hanging up at my in laws place down the road (so i can get to it quickly should i want a peek!). My dress was designed by Karen Willis Holmes & i had the pleasure of meeting her at both my fittings to help me make some design decisions as we actually combined two different dresses into one - hey, i liked bits of both of them so why not! And now im the only person who'll have this dress! You must watch This gorgeous video on Karen Willis Holmes & their dress design process - its divine!

Now i just need to decide on wearing my hair up or down on my hair trial on friday & make it through my hens alive!

Birthday Weekend!

2012-02-07T13:48:00.000+11:00

What a great weekend! Was fairly laid back but busy! Really did make me realise what amazing family i have, good friends & an awesome fiance i am so lucky to have in my life!

On friday night Ben told me to be ready at 5...i was curious to say the least? Nanna dinner time?! We headed to Golden Century (AWESOME chinese restaurant in Chinatown - i would go as far as to say best chinese in Sydney! Has a chefs hat too!) then he took me to see 'Love Never Dies' the sequel to Phantom of the Opera at the Capitol Theatre! What a surprise, i loved Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals when i was younger (could probably recite Les Miserables word for word at the age of 10 haha), but its not something Ben & i have done together & was fun to get dressed up & have dinner & go to a show!

Whole (from the tank!) steamed Barramundi (a must!)

On Saturday mother nature spoilt me by deciding it was time to shine some sun on Sydney!

We headed to Clontarf beach for a picnic with family & friends.

There was frisbee, cricket, food, bubbles & a huge cake!

And I was very spoilt with some gorgeous pressies!!!

On Saturday night Ben & i headed to a great new local French restaurant Cafe Lyon with our parents to celebrate the 90th birthday weekend - on sunday it was Bens mums 60th! So sunday morning we headed to beautiful Clarks point on Sydney harbor for a another picnic!

Once again the sun was shinning!

Great weekend! Feeling good!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

This week is crazy - Have my final wedding dress fitting today, hair trial on friday & my hens this weekend!

Im 30! (tomorrow)

2012-02-03T09:16:00.000+11:00

Turning 30 tomorrow! woohoo!

I havent really thought much about it till today as theres been so much other stuff going on, but im actually excited about it! Working for myself, marrying the love of my life in 5 weeks - Life is good! Feeling a bit like this chick! (but not blurry!)

The plans for celebrations are a picnic tomorrow at a Sydney beach with family & a few friends

(yes sydney siders, i hear you say, are you kidding? have you looked outside! It supposed to clear up tomorrow - cross your fingers for me!), then out to dinner tomorrow night with Bens parents as its his mums 60th on Sunday!

Go aquarians! Maybe i should by myself a chunk of Amethyst to celebrate?!

The celebrations are actually starting tonight - ive been told by ben to be 'dressed up & ready to go at 5pm'...

hmmmm i have no idea whats happening! As someone else pointed out he cant be proposing, he did that last year!

In any case im going to rock out these Michael Kors heels i bought when we were in LA!

Console love

2012-02-01T19:22:00.000+11:00

Ok, first new post on the 'new & improved' once daily chic (still tweaking - feel free to comment on anything that needs to be fixed up!) I have to apologize for just rabbeting on about wedding 'stuff' for ages....its kind of consumed my mind! With only 5 weeks (holy crap...) to go you dont have long to wait for me to shut up about my inspirations for this & that! To tie you over here are some of my fav console's of late - console tables are one of my other favourite things! These seem to have a theme - chic black & white with pops of colour! How amazing is the artwork in the first image! Anyone know what it is?! Ohhh how nice are the bigger images!

Lonny

Playing!

2012-01-30T19:17:00.000+11:00

Ok so ive decided to try to use my limited graphic design skills to attempt to re design the blog myself!

Stick with me while it changes every 5 minutes - and feel free to comment! Trying to work out the right size to design the header in photoshop - anyone know the exact size?!

sal x

Blog Makeover

2012-01-30T09:03:00.000+11:00

So - one of my new years resolutions (oh must post about those!) is to give once daily chic a bit of a makeover! I really just do it for fun, so its a tad sloppy (sometimes pictures bleed off the page, the header is enormous, i think i might blind a few of you with the background colour...you get the drift!) Now that im working for myself & will be putting work on it & my blog is also getting a few more readers (thanks!) i thought as a favour to myself & to you, id like to spiff it up a bit! I just used a simple template when i started it & it really hasnt changed much at all since! Id love to know of anyone who's designed blogs or who you got to do yours? Fire em at me! Do you design them yourself?! Help! Oh this is a bit exciting!

New Blog (& giveaway) Space Healer

2012-01-27T09:07:00.002+11:00

A lovely freind of mine & extremely talented interior designer Bron from Complete Pad & Touch Interiors (you may have seen her work in Belle & Adore!) has just launched her blog Space Healer. She's only just getting started but im loving what im seeing so far - if this womans style is anything to go by it is going to be a fabulaous blog! To celebrate her new blog Bron is giving away one of these amazing Tree Of Life artworks! Go become a follower & enter - you've got fairly good odds! Tell her i sent you :)

Summer Brights!

2012-01-26T09:55:00.000+11:00

Simple Pleasures

2012-01-24T16:37:00.000+11:00

True! Ive really been enjoying my cycling lately! Really need to be too - if i have any hope of getting up those french mountains!

New Years Wardrobe Edit!

2012-01-23T12:07:00.000+11:00

Ok, so at the risk of sounding totally OCD (which i admit i am...just a little bit!) i find cleaning out my wardrobe quite satisfying! It also doesnt help that we live in a tiny one bedroom apartment with a tiny wardrobe (that i share with the man!). It actually makes you feel really good! Not only do you free up space, but you find things you may have forgotten about, see things in a new light, and get rid of stuff to either good cause (Vinnies or the charity bins) OR make some extra cash by selling things on ebay or holding a market stall! I do Kirribilli markets maybe once or twice a year with a girlfriend & not only is it a fun day out, but we usually come home with a few hundred bucks, all from stuff we'd never wear again! When i saw this on Mimi & Meg i thought it was a great place to start or inspire you to clean out your wardrobe! Its a bit small to read well here so click on it & see the larger version & off you go!

Looking forward to 2012 thats for sure!

2012-01-22T16:22:00.001+11:00

Honeymoon Freakout. Help!

2012-01-19T10:21:00.000+11:00

Ummmmm, so how did it get to mid January & we havent booked or planned anything for our honeymoon?! I guess planning a wedding, quitting your job, starting your own business, health scares & random trips to America will do that to you!

The rough plan is France, Italy & maybe Spain. About 4 weeks (or whatever the budget, which is not a lot, permits!). I know i want to spend at least 5 days in Paris & we have locked in a cycling tour in the French Alps for 8 days. Apart from that.... no plans! Italy - Tuscany, Amalfi, Cinque Terre? Spain - Barcelona?

Help!!!!!! Places to go, places to stay & eat! Hit me with your suggestions! I dont mind the big cities but its the smaller places id love to hear about too, great little towns with amazing cheap local restaurants & markets, all that kind of thing!

Kitchen Tea!

2012-01-17T09:51:00.000+11:00

I have to say i am quite excited about my kitchen tea! Could there be anything more fun than an afternoon with all your favourite family & friends drinking tea & champagne & eating yummy morsels while chit chatting about weddings, life & all the things to look forward to? Im sure a lot of people would beg to differ, but personally i cant wait! Im especially looking forward to going to the flower markets & borrowing some divine crockery from Bens cousin who works for Royal Doulton (how lucky am i!). Mum & i did the invites on the weekend, they are Christina Re & as soon as i saw them i grabbed them .....even though i know im not supposed to be doing this stuff for myself i couldnt help myself (yes control freak here!) Mum will probably kill me for putting a photo of her on here (sorry mum!)

Mum & the gorgeous invites!

And heres some more from the 'inspiration files'!

How cool are the chevron napkins against the pink!

And the gold cutlery! omg!

(100 layer cake)

Divine crockery!

How beautiful if you were having a sit down occasion

I am obsessed with this cake!

I think this image appeals to my ocd side!

Gorgeous!

Maybe we will make punch & have flowers in the ice?

hmmm, wonder if i can convince mum she needs a new fridge for the occasion!

Dear Sydney - Where the &#*% is the sun?!?!?!

2012-01-16T14:14:00.000+11:00

Dear Mother nature - excuse my not so lady like language but seriously...WTF?!?!?! Part of the fun of living in Australia is a hot sunny Christmas - so what the hell are you playing at lady? Plus i had planned to lie by the in laws pool over january to get nice & 'glowy' before the big day. Sort it out!

Vintage Luxe

Anantara Maldives

Soho House Miami

THE SHOES ARE HERE!

2012-01-13T10:28:00.001+11:00

I literally was just pulling up outside our apartment & a DHL truck pulled up & out of the back came a 'Barneys' box...and over to our letterbox he went....my shoes are here! I feel like after all the blabbing on & on ive done about finding these bloody shoes i should give you a little sneak peak (no theyre not the miu miu ones, someone sensible pointed out that at 15cm heel was only going to end badly!) Oh...and 8 weeks today ill be sitting having my makeup & hair done about to walk down the aisle...wow....where did the time go...crazy! You'll have to excuse my random posting & the fact that my blog has been taken over by wedding 'thoughts' lately...i feel like my head is about to explode with ideas, to do lists, needing to go to the gym, needing to start training (yes training!!) for our cycling honeymoon....

oh, yeah...and work! aaahhhh

Find Your Seat

2012-01-11T10:16:00.000+11:00

Im trying to work out a cool way to show people to their seats at our wedding - i THINK ive decided (much to bens amusment - he thinks im a bit nuts) but here are some of the things that have been in my 'ideas' folder. Argh weddings, i think its taken over my brain - im actually feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all - i seem to do a lot of thinking about things & have so many freaking ideas but havent managed to control them all into a cohesive plan...and the wedding is less than 2 months away now. OMG.

This is cool but im not sure how our parents would think about drinking wine out of jars all night haha

Have always liked this idea too - must be the architectural elements!

This ribbony idea is fun?!

ohhh this is pretty!

Love this look - suits our colours too!

would take forver to nail all those hooks into a board!

This looks beautiful, but then, practically what do you do with the keys once you get to your table?

This looks great & is made with paint chips!

Thats quite fun! And would suit my profession! :)

Groomsnem

2012-01-05T17:13:00.001+11:00

With all this planning i havent really posted much about grooms inspiration! I think the groom & his guys sometimes get a bit forgotten about & its all about the girls & their dresses! We finally went & organized their suits last week - they look pretty sharp i reckon! Ben got his suit while we were in LA actually, but we got the boys here so they are a bit different! Ben actually said he 'wanted to channel chuck bass' on our wedding day - i was really hoping he meant the style & not his behaviour haha.

Puppy Love

2012-01-02T13:35:00.000+11:00

We are looking after our dog (who is rather large & lives with bens parents since we bought our tiny apartment) at the moment & im loving having his company...i find myself having long conversations with him while bens at work! He is a alaskan malamute x golden retriever & is basically a giant furry sook! Love this image below! So true - makes you want to go hug your dog doesn't it?!

NYE!

2011-12-31T09:49:00.003+11:00

Wow where did 2011 go? Its been a big one for me, got engaged (& spent the majority of the year over thinking wedding things!) & left my job & went out on my own. We made a surprise trip to America to see Bens brother & ive had a major health scare. There have been some challenging times, but i think they have taught me a lot, despite the stress & upset they cause. I also had our apartment photographed for Real Living Magazine (all the way back in Feb, which was what i was excited about but couldn't tell you the day before ben popped the question & it hasnt been in the mag yet - ill keep you posted!) and met Louise from Table Tonic, Sonja from Tied with a bouw & Pam from Red Ticking (all the way over in Seattle!) Heres to 2012 & an amazing year ahead! Mines going to start with turning 30 on the 4th of feb (hmmm when did i get to 30!?) & then marrying the love of my life on the 9th of March - not a bad way to kick it off eh! What are you up to tonight? We are heading to a friends apartment to watch the sydney fireworks from their balcony while feasting on greek food (my friend married a greek guy!) & bubbles! Have a great one wherever you are!

xxx

Come to me miu miu * UPDATE

2011-12-29T10:20:00.002+11:00

Your thoughts?

They have a 13cm heel & a 1cm platform....am i going to be able to walk?? The highest pair of heels i currently own is 12cm with a 2cm platform....

Wedding Wednesday - Bikes!

2011-12-28T08:17:00.000+11:00

You know it!

One Sleep!

2011-12-24T10:52:00.000+11:00

Happy Christmas Eve!

I love this image so have been saving it for today!

What are you all up to tonight? This year we are having dinner with my parents & my step brothers & sisters as my parents decided they'd taken themselves off to Bali for a holiday on xmas day! Good on them! We will see them for breakfast before they head off! Its the first year in 6 years that ben has has xmas eve & xmas day off work so i am really looking forward to being able to spend the day with him! Im just about to start working out my table setting & then go & get the groceries for our breakfast feast! Oh & i might also be listening to the new mariah carey xmas album lol

Wrap it up!

2011-12-23T08:16:00.000+11:00

Are you all still finishing off your Christmas shopping? We are trying to finish ours off today but i seem to be stumped on a few people this year! If like me you still done & need some last minute wrapping inspiration here are some of my fav wrapping images of the year!

Wedding wednesday - drinks!

2011-12-21T08:37:00.000+11:00

How cool is this idea for your drinks at an outdoor wedding - or any party for that matter! Would also be great for xmas or a new years party too!

Via the Stefan Sisters Wedding Blog

Christmas Brunch Table Inspiration

2011-12-20T09:30:00.000+11:00

I am really quite excited as we are hosting our first xmas day event this year! I have to say im quite looking forward to when we have kids & can have the whole family over to our house (when we have a house!). Our place is tiny so its not the whole family, but we are having both our parents & my nanna for xmas day brunch - It'll be on the balcony so im praying (but not that optimistic) the weather will improve. I am loving these images from Instyle for my inspiration - how simple is the idea of the branch with some crystals or decorations hanging off it! Im also totally into pretty much everything Fleur Wood had on her 'get the look' page - confetti system garlands, pink champagne, and beautiful crockery..could it get any better?! By the way if your stuck for a xmas pressie for someone who likes fashion & entertaining the Fleur Wood 'Food, Fashion, Friends' book is fab!

Balsam Hill Wreath Winner

2011-12-18T16:01:00.000+11:00

The winner of the Balsam Hill Giveaway is 'Ballet Flats'!

As usual i draw the winner the old fashioned way - names in a hat & drawn out!

Congrats - i will email you to pass your details on to Balsam Hill!

Dear Santa...

2011-12-15T13:19:00.001+11:00

Dear Santa - if you need some suggestions.....

Some new County Road Cushions to update the couch!

Love this 'Osma' Cushion

(ps country road is 25% off for the next 3 days!)

A Cocoa & Hearts Painting

Zimmerman Avery Frill Bikini

(no tan lines this summer - preparing for the wedding dress!)

Some T2 goodies to add to my collection - particularly loving these ones. T2 is such a great place to look for xmas gifts - there is really something for pretty much everyone & its so well priced!

sass & bide the introduction pants! hello colour!

A subscription to Delicious mag

To inspire new cooking ideas in 2012

Prada Rose Infusion Perfume

Maybe just cause the packaging is so divine!

Or some Jo Malone Orange Blossom - i fell in love with this while we were in the states, dont know why i didnt buy some!

This Sportsgirl embroidered canvas tote bag

Which for the record i think looks very sass & bide'ish! But is only $29.95!

Sass & Bide Information age wrist wrap

I dont wear bracelets much or a watch, but i love this yellow!

Balsam Hill Christmas Wreath Giveaway!

2011-12-14T19:21:00.000+11:00

Firstly, before all my Aussie readers get to excited, that unfortunately this ones only for my American based readers - sorry guys! I am a tad obsessed with Christmas & i count down the days till the 1st of December when i can put up my decorations! Even though we live in an apartment i still insist on putting up a wreath on the front door & love walks around the area i live in (there are some pretty stunning houses) to look at the way people have done their front doors! Doesn't coming home to a wreath on the door make you smile?

Balsam Hill is a great online shop that has 100's of amazing artificial Christmas tree's, wreaths, garlands & decorations. Its online only so really easy to shop from home (or work hehe). And its Balsam Hill you will see decorating the set of shows like Ellen, Oprah & Rachel Ray at this time of year! Im quite excited to be able to giveaway something that brings me such joy - christmas decorations of course! The lovely folks at Balsam Hill would like to give one of my readers either;

24 or 30inch Colorado Mountain Spruce Wreath

or....

a 30inch Sugarlands spuce wreath!

They are so realistic & come prelit with clear fairy lights! How cool is that! All you have to do is become a follower of once daily chic & leave a comment to let me know what your favorite way to decorate for Christmas is! Do you have any traditions? I like to put my tree up while having a glass of champagne :) The winner will be drawn this friday!

Anna Spiro = Christmas Inspiration

2011-12-13T16:44:00.001+11:00

When i think xmas i think sunny warm weather, that warm fuzzy feeling, champagne & fairy lights, seafood & rum balls and lots of gorgeous bright colours & flowers. This year Anna Spriro's decorating style has me really inspired! Im loving her xmas tree & the way she recently wrapped presents for her cousins wedding. Strips of fabric are a great idea for wrapping presents & decorating the tree dont you think?

Wedding + Trees...im obsessed.

2011-12-12T10:52:00.000+11:00

I am ~~a tad~~ a lot obsessed with having some of our wedding pictures under a giant tree. We are both lovers of the great outdoors & for me this is the ultimate 'wedding portrait'....i'll have to send this post to our photographer I think! Marissa?! Can we scope out a tree?!

Summer Loving

2011-12-09T09:18:00.000+11:00

Another week gone & another week of totally #%*& weather in Sydney! No joke im wearing clothes i was wearing in chilly Seattle 4 weeks ago! December in sydney usually means sleepless boiling hot nights, swims in the pool after work & trips to the beach on the weekends.....NOT wearing trackies & putting the heater on & not being able to do anything outsider because it wont stop raining! SERIOUSLY WHERE IS SUMMER!!!! So i am posting this random assortment of images to remind us sydney siders what summer is like! :) Lets all do a friday sun dance! Come on mother nature get yourself together woman!

Ada & Darcy

79 Ideas

In A Designer Home (& Giveaway!)

2011-12-08T10:59:00.000+11:00

I was recently invited to the launch of new interiors & homewares online store In A Designer Home. Unfortunately i couldn't make it as we were in America at the time, but i had a good browse though the site & am loving their products! I always like to support new Australian businesses too. Check out IDH for some stylish xmas ideas! Here are some of my favourite products. And make sure you read right to the bottom for details of the giveaway~

Robert Plumb Foxy 2 seater - great for your balcony dont you think?!

Robert Plumb Bella Arm chair - great pop of summer colour!

Crossbones Driftwood Artwork

Dinosaur Designs Platters

A great range of Sixhands tea towels - i like this Jane Doe design

Gorgeous 'The Dots' oak hooks - have a very Scandinavian look - great by themselves or for hats, jewelry etc!

Stak Bookshelves - i have one of these & it always gets comments! Not only does it look great, but for a small space its a great option for a bookshelf as it takes up very little room!

In A designer Home have also been kind enough to offer a little Christmas pressie to a Once.Daily.Chic reader anywhere in the world! All you have to do is like In A Designer Home on facebook here before the 31st January 2012 and you'll go into the draw to win one of Sixhands beautifully designed tea towels in a design of your choice! When liking IDH you will need to leave a comment on their page telling them which design you'd like & that you found them through Once.Daily.Chic! (and while you on facebook you can also like Once.Daily.Chic here!)

Weddng Shoe Hunting

2011-12-07T08:11:00.000+11:00

While i was in America i was on a mission! Special/awesome wedding shoes were my target....

Unfortunately i came home empty handed (Ben got his whole wedding outfit though so that was good!)....ironic that the one time in my life i am allowed to buy an expensive pair of shoes that are usually not justified, i cant find a pair i love! Seriously 99% of them were foul?! What the hell?? My gorgeous other half has always wanted to buy me a special pair of wedding shoes. Don't get me wrong i saw a few that were pretty cool & almost made the cut, but i just didn't LOVE LOVE any of them.....one pair were pretty close to being purchased, but it was 7pm on our last night & i couldn't bring myself to impulse buy something so pricey. I guess i can get them online of i decide they are the ones...so im not going to tell you just incase!

Cheese cake.

2011-12-06T07:04:00.000+11:00

My friend Sian had a 'cheese cake' for her wedding a few years ago & it was the first time id seen one! I know they are popping up all over the joint these days but how divine does this one look! The black plate is so striking. Putting this in my kitchen tea ideas file :)

Maxi

2011-12-05T09:38:00.000+11:00

Ive been a lover of a maxi skirt or dress for ever & am so happy maxi skirts have made a come back! I have LIVED in maxi dresses for the past few years - cannot get enough - despite the fact that my fiance hates them...think he'd prefer a short skirt! Hmpf! Men! How much do these images make you want to go straight out & get one! A few months ago i got an amazing champagne colored pleated maxi from Country Road - it has the most amazing flow to it! Uh oh.... this post has given me the urge to go shopping.....

Wedding + Trees

2011-12-02T22:38:00.000+11:00

Dont need to say much really, this shot is divine!

Once like a spark Photography via Once Wed

TGIF.

2011-12-02T08:57:00.000+11:00

Very glad its friday this week - no particular reason, it just felt like a bit of a rubbish week! Is about to get better though, as im getting out of the office early & am off to lunch with a girlfriend at a new yum cha place that is rumored to have free champagne! Yum Cha & Free champagne?!?! Does it get any better :)

Then on saturday, Im off to be support crew at a 24hr mountain bike race...i know 24 HOURS CONTINUOUS! Who does that?! My fiance apparently! Although he's a little less crazy as he's doing it in a team of 4...and one of his team members is Sam from Black Velvet Chairs hubby! Small world huh!

Christmas is coming!

2011-12-01T08:35:00.000+11:00

Its my favourite time of the year again! whoop!

December 1st - thats right people your allowed to put the tree up!

Wedding Wednesday - Rustic tables

2011-11-30T08:41:00.000+11:00

In my trawling of all the great wedding blogs out there in the past year ive come across some amazing table settings. Loving these rustic but glamourous looks. Maybe even some inspiration for your xmas table or next dinner party perhaps?

Jonas Peterson

In Spaces Between

Green Wedding Shoes

Style Me Pretty

P.I.M.P

2011-11-28T18:16:00.000+11:00

Ummmmm how A-mazing is this camera!

Envelope Love

2011-11-28T09:25:00.000+11:00

Im a sucker for packaging - and that includes mail! Plus i always get excited when i receive something hand addressed in the mail, dont you? On the weekend i addressed our wedding invites! I was inspired by some of these images. I did look into having them done in calligraphy by a pro - but it was approx $5 per envelope!!! Yikes. People tell me i have nice handwriting (even though im not so sure) so i thought id do them myself. I think/hope i got a similar look, that ended up just costing me a few hours of my time! Plus was nice to do them myself. I have to say americans are spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful stamps - we aussies have nothing like the gorgeous designs you guys have in the states!

Oh So Beautiful Paper

Grey & White Love

2011-11-25T08:13:00.000+11:00

so so so in love with this colour scheme! serene & elegant

The flowers, the candles, that fabric, the driftwood!!!!!!!

I die!

Meeting Pam from Red Ticking!

2011-11-24T07:41:00.000+11:00

So, the day after i got out of hospital i had a great 'bloggy' moment! Last time i was in Seattle 2 years ago, my mother-in-law to be & i went into this great little homewares shop called Red Ticking (think amazing rustic french antiques & piles & piles of amazing fabrics) almost every day on our way for a morning coffee. Then a few months after getting home i started this blog....then a few weeks later someone called Pam commented on a post - i looked at her profile....and what do you know, she was the owner of Red Ticking (& blog of the same name!!) What are the chances! I emailed her to tell her to tell her about the 6 degree's of separation & we became bloggy friends! So of course this time on my visit to Seattle we had to meet! Here are some piccys! Pam is so so gorgeous (as is her DIVINE shop!), how lucky i am to be able to have met such great people through this little blog! Thanks for all the restaurant recommendations too Pam :)

If you are ever in Seattle go check out Red Ticking at 2802 East Madison...and go have a Crepe at La Cote across the road after, thanks for the tip Pam!

Im Back!

2011-11-23T09:20:00.000+11:00

Hi! Im back from our surprise trip to America! As i mentioned in a previous post we went to surprise Bens brother who lives in Seattle for his 30th birthday. We spent 10 days in Seattle & then had 3 days in LA. Was a great little break.....apart from the previously mentioned hospital stay! We left sydney along with Bens mum....

Flew for 15 hrs, 4 hrs in LA, 3hr flight to seattle & executed our surprise! We let bens brother & sister in law pick sue up from the airport while we had something to eat & then got a cab to their place to throw nic off the scent! Then knocked on their front door an hour later! Then that night we headed out to see their ACDC cover band American Thighs! That bens bro on the right & sister in law in the middle! Great fun! Home to bed at 2:30am....40hrs or so with no sleep!............

Woke up the next day feeling like id been hit by a truck...just jet lagged? Then i started to throw up.....all day...my blood sugars went sky high (i have type one diabetes & am on an insulin pump).....by that night we decided we should make the trip to emergency at the hospital which was literally 50m from their house.....turns out it was very lucky we made that decision. I had a condition called DKA which is basically when your blood sugar levels are so high your blood turns acidic, which is extremely dangerous and can quite often result in going into a coma...or much worse. In 20 years of having diabetes it'd never happened to me! The doctors thought maybe i had a stomach bug causing the vomiting & then that had sent my blood high, they then took chest x rays & told me i had pneumonia (which they later changed their minds about!), i was also checked for blood clots.

I was so dehydrated my veins had shrunk to nothing & there were some very traumatic hours involving 8 different people trying to get drips in & take blood. I was then taken to intensive care at another hospital where i spent 3 days. This was a bit of a shock really, i knew i felt horrible but i dont think i realised i was that sick. The nurses & doctors were amazing, although i was told i was very sick i never felt unsafe & they were wonderful caring people (one night in particular was rough & my nurse was so lovely). We finally worked out that the canula where my insulin pump is attached to me was bent inside me meaning that i wasn't getting any insulin. As soon as we put a new one in within 3 hours i was back to having normal blood sugars, spent one more night in a normal ward & finally got out of there. I wont freak you out by posting any photos where you can see too may tubes etc (i had 6 canulas in my right arm) but here i am with Ben at the point where i was able to joke around a bit!

I guess there is something to take away from this experiance!

1. Take your health conditions seriously! I do, but its taught me that i need to keep a more diligent eye on my blood sugars even when life is busy.

2. Dont take your fully functioning body for granted! Look after yourself - there are plenty of people (some of whom who i saw in intensive care) who's bodys fail them & would do anything to be healthy.

3. TRAVEL INSURANCE. Get it! You never know what will happen to you when you are abroad! Had i not had it i would be in a world of trouble right now! Im guessing the bill from that 3 day stay would be in the 100's of thousands. The $200 or so you pay for travel insurance is well worth it.

The rest of the trip was awesome - we literally ate & shopped our way around - much more fun than this post! Ill be back tomorrow to show you the fun stuff!

AWOL

2011-11-17T17:47:00.000+11:00

Sorry I haven't posted for a while! Seems my I pad won't let me load images ( anyone know how to do this???) I am currently in LA in the last days of our trip & staying at the uber cool Viceroy Hotel. I am sooooo smitten with this place, I think poor Ben is a little amused at my obsession with it & need to photograph every nook & cranny! Our trip has definitely been eventful that's for sure- in the last 10 days we have surprised bens brother by flying across the world & appearing on his doorstep, eaten ourselves silly, met up with Pam of Red Ticking at her amazing seattle shop, shopped like crazy, partied at one of the coolest bars I've ever been to........and unfortunately I also sampled the American health system after ending up In intensive care for 3 days with serious diabetic complications... No joke. But they were amazing & I'm back on my feet now. I'll fill you all in on all of the above in a series of posts once we get home! Right now I need to go & fall into a food coma. Duck pizza, squid, pork belly & margaritas fo dinner - yummo! Bridal diet? What bridal diet?

Surprise! We're in Seattle!

2011-11-05T17:17:00.001+11:00

Aaaaahhhh I've been so excited about this but haven't been able to say anything! We flew into Seattle this afternoon to surprise bens brother for his 30th! it's been so hard to keep to myself! We are here for 11 days & then heading to LA for 3 days on the way home AND super excited as I booked us into the uber cool Viceroy at Santa Monica (well as far as I can see design wise!). We have been he once before so kinda know our way around but if anyone has any tips, great shops (I'm on the hunt for wedding shoe & accessories etc) etc please let me know!! Whoop, even though we are a tad jet lagged we are off to see my soon to be brother & sister in laws band (they have an acdc cover band her in Seattle called American thighs if your a local Seattle.ite!) can't work out how to get photos to load from my I pad so I'll have to figure that out while I'm here or my posts will be a bit boring!

Feeling Sparkly!

2011-11-04T08:41:00.000+11:00

Hoping today is somewhat sparklier than yesterday!

via a minute away from snowing

s#*t house day!

2011-11-03T22:37:00.000+11:00

Via A minute away from snowing

I have had a day thats way up there with one of the most stressful i think ive ever had.....still feeling so tense i might implode. Working for yourself & being responsible for building an entire house & coordinating everyone & everything has been very challenging this week. My (now ex) boss told me this avo (i still work in the office with him - we keep each other company!) that the only way to learn & be really good at your job is to absorb as much as you can (which ive done from him over the last 6 years) & then get chucked in at the deep end. I said "i guess im learning the hard way", and he said "no your learning the real way".....true words. My one goal is that my clients love their houses & things run smoothly for them - which is sure a challenge sometimes! But i guess you dont get anything without a lot of hard work right? Hopefully tomorrow is a better day!

Book Love

2011-11-03T07:15:00.000+11:00

I recently read a great book (easy reading!) called 'An Italian Wedding' which i managed to knock off in one day while down the south coast (& then had insane cravings for piles of italian food!) Apart from that, I havent really read a good book for ages - any suggestions?

Heart Beat Oz

Love me a colourcoded bookshelf!

actually ill just take this whole room thanks!

This is one rocking space!

The Glow via Table Tonic

Modern Calligraphy

2011-11-02T10:49:00.002+11:00

Throughout the wedding planning process ive become a little obsessed with modern calligraphy - not the old stuffy kind, but the cool, big, fun & quirky but still elegant kind! Also teaming calligraphy with bold colours gives it that little extra wow factor - Allow me to demonstrate.....

100 Layer Cake

Green Wedding Shoes

Rifle Paper Co

Karolin Schnoor

Rifle Paper Co

Minted

Via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Akimbo

Cup day table setting

2011-11-01T08:14:00.000+11:00

Happy Melbourne cup day!

This could be a fun table setting for a cup day lunch i think!

Office Love

2011-10-31T09:42:00.000+11:00

Hard at work this monday morning so here are some more great office/work spaces!

Arianna Belle

La Boom

Lonny

My Ideal Home

Desire to Inspire

Luxe & Lillies

Decor8

Brick pattern tiles

2011-10-28T09:14:00.000+11:00

After yesterdays post i was thinking how its amazing how the way you lay out tiles can give you a totally different look, laying tiles in a brick pattern (sometimes called butchers or subway tiles) always gives a classic or more rustic feel. You can make it slightly more modern by choosing rectified tiles (flat with sharp edges) or more rustic by having beveled edges.

Classic Kitchen

2011-10-27T08:32:00.000+11:00

Im designing a classic style kitchen for a new client at the moment - heres a few from the inspiration files!

Ada & Darcy

Gingerella

Kristie Michelini

La Belle Vie

La Dolce Vita

Walking Around Where the Sidewalk Begins

How To Stay Creative

2011-10-25T13:54:00.000+11:00

(one of) my best freinds wedding!

2011-10-22T15:21:00.000+11:00

Quite excited as its one of my best friends weddings tomorrow, we met on our first day of university over 10 years ago- im maid of honour so just a little bit excited! Hair is cut & coloured, we went & got a full body scrub & a bit of a spray tan yesterday (still a bit pasty - summer has only just arrived here in Sydney!) and we are ready to go! She is marrying a great guy who is greek so the wedding will be in a greek church which will be amazing and something i have never experianced before (looking forward to a bit of greek dancing too!) & then the reception is at the Wharf Restaurant on the harbour! Its such a divine weekend i think its going to be an amazing day! The wharf has a real rustic elegance about it. It was quite hard to find any images of it on the web so ill be sure to share some next week!

This was another wedding that was featured on Real Weddings - worth a look - its gorgeous!

The view - not bad eh!

The simple rustic elegance of the interior.

Babys Breath - cool again?

2011-10-20T08:44:00.001+11:00

Has anyone else noticed the once un-cool babies breath has made a comeback?! One reserved for bad 80's wedding photos it seems to have come back with a vengence & now looks delicate & sweet not daggy & stuck in a timewarp!

Pink

2011-10-19T09:31:00.000+11:00

Wearing my bright pink zara shirt today...feeling pink!

Kelly Green

High Gloss Mag

Cafe De Butta

Cherry Blossom Girl

(does anyone know who on earth this girl is who keeps popping up wearing amazing outfts walking her cool dog?)

Style Crush

2011-10-18T08:27:00.000+11:00

Christine Centenera (Fashion editor for Harpers Bazaar)

Seriously - does this girl ever look bad?

What i would do to raid her wardrobe!

Inspiration

2011-10-17T08:03:00.000+11:00

Im sure ive posted this before...and i know its a bit fuzzy...annnd i have no idea where it came from but good lord do i love it! I look at it & get all inspired & that warm fuzzy 'hell yeah i love being a designer' feeling!

True that!

2011-10-15T13:38:00.000+11:00

I love Kimora - she cracks me up!

Her & Blair Waldorf lol

and if that was me i might wear something a bit like this!

Ive died & gone to girly bathroom heaven

2011-10-14T09:56:00.000+11:00

I was out seeing a tile supplier yesterday & they had just re-done the ladies bathroom in the showroom. I almost fell over myself! The star of the show is the floral bissaza mural tile. Im sure you've guessed it's not exactly budget friendly ;)

Wisdom

2011-10-13T09:08:00.000+11:00

Nice font to....wow, only us design weirdo's would think of that ;)

Kitchen Tea

2011-10-12T13:04:00.000+11:00

Had my friends kitchen tea on sunday which was really fun! I think her kitchen will be well & truly decked out & her mum made the most amazing array of cakes including a red velvet cake that i really need to get the recipe for! Its no got me day dreaming about my own kitchen tea which i guess will be some time in february! Its now less than 5 months till our wedding....where did the time go?! Speaking of which ( & cakes) i went & re-joined the gym today ;)

Yummy Yellow

2011-10-11T08:56:00.000+11:00

This week may just become an ode to all my favourite colours! Not just in fashion but in interiors, art & nature! Just to confuse those who predicted a turquoise wedding or bridesmaids dresses after yesterdays post....lets drool over all kinds yellow yumminess today ;)

Makes you feel all summery right?

Happenstance Home

Roam Hawaii

via Savvy Home

ooohh Sass & Bide you are colour genius's

Wellness Warrior

Bright Bazarr

Last but not least. This one has been in my files for aaages. I love this happy fresh space, how amazing is the impact of the yellow curtains! Maybe it should have had its own post?!

Tribute to Turquiose

2011-10-10T08:13:00.000+11:00

Heart Beat Oz

This ottoman is seriously good. It & that chevron rug - wow!

Cute bathroom makeover & a smart idea!

2011-10-07T09:39:00.000+11:00

I love seagrass wallpaper - it seems to be way more popular in America than in Australia though - or maybe its just that those Americans are a bit braver than us! I loved this little makeover done by Brynn Alexandra that she shared on her blog a while back. And what a great idea for storing matches (below) for your bathroom candles! Not only do they stay dry, they look graphic in the jar & the stip on the bottom for easy lighting!

speaking of brave + seagrass check this baby out!

via Elle Decor

Spotted at NYFW

2011-10-06T06:50:00.000+11:00

Spotted at New York Fashion week.

Sequin Pants, Louboutins, leather jacket & Hot bag.

So much awesomeness in one outfit!

Via The Glitter Guide

Bathroom warm fuzzies

2011-10-04T09:17:00.001+11:00

Now that im out on my own im trying to get all motivated & inpired!

These few images i just found in my old inspirtion files gave me a bit of that warm fuzzy feeling!

Bathrooms tend to do that to me.....

Photo: Richard Powers

House of Turquoise

Things That Sparkle

Interiors Porn

Elle Decor

News. Wish me luck

2011-09-29T08:03:00.001+10:00

Big things...scary things...and maybe really cool things are happening. Today is my last day of being a full time employee. As of tomorrow i will be officially 100% self employed. The world of high end residential architectural work has been up & down (hmmm, actually, mostly down) for a few years & i am going from full time to doing contract work with my current job. This is both scary & also maybe the push i needed to make a full time effort with my own work under MY name. My side work has been going pretty well & i ve had a steady steam of jobs that ive been doing around my full time job. 'Side' jobs no more! Now ill be able to work during the day (& not all night after an 8hr day at the office), get jobs done faster & move onto new ones & actually proactively go & put myself out there (so far all the work ive been doing has been word of mouth which of course is fantastic!) I know they say one door closes & another opens. This is my chance to make a real go of it & see if i can be my own boss 'for real'. Scary stuff with a wedding coming up & a morgage to pay, but hey you never know if you never try right? Wish me luck.

yikes!

Loving this office below & the quote on the magazine page its come from (you might have to look closely) i SO agree.maybe soon ill be able to make that amazing office im always ~~dreaming~~ banging on about....

Image via Heartbeatoz

console love

2011-09-28T11:44:00.001+10:00

Am i a weirdo for having a strange love of a good console table/sideboard? Here are some of my recent fav's that all seem to be a bit monochrome (maybe with a tiny pop of colour!)

Lonny Mag

Desire to Inspire

Savvy Home

DecorPad

Made By Girl

Nooiiice stuff :)

2011-09-27T12:50:00.001+10:00

Just felt like posting some random picture that make me smile today. Enjoy x

Minted Wedding Invites Winner!

2011-09-26T10:11:00.000+10:00

Happy Monday everyone! Im still recovering after 2hrs of sleep on saturday after my friends hens night! So...i wont keep you in suspense any longer, as always, i draw my giveaways the old fashioned way - everyones names into a hat!

............drumroll please.............the winner of the 75 Wedding Invites from Minted valued at $198 from Minted is......Amanda! Who said she 'loved the Fall Carving Invites & had had her eye on them for a while'!

Amanda i will pass your details on to Minted who will be in contact with you! Congratulations!!

You will have to let me know what invites you end up going with & maybe share a wedding picture or 2 with us!

Thanks to everyone for entering - its been really fun seeing what & why people love different styles!

Hens Time!

2011-09-23T08:11:00.000+10:00

Does this picture just make you feel like getting your best party dress on, painting your nails pink & drinking champagne!? Well thats what im doing tomorrow night! Its one of my best mates hens parties! Hope she has a great night - we are having cocktails & bubbles at our hotel & playing some games in the afternoon & then heading into chinatown for a banquet dinner at Golden Century (one of the best places in china town - its even got a chefs hat!). I spent last night making the 'funnest' playlist of music for the night - i spent a bit of time dancing around the living room - woohooo! Im off today to buy the wine for dinner & get cocktail ingredients........

Before i sign off for the weekend just a reminder to enter the Minted Wedding Invitation Giveaway - ill be drawing the winner on monday!

Divine table settings

2011-09-22T07:19:00.000+10:00

How divine are these two table settings.

One for the brights & one neutral.

Both with lots of glassware & crystal & flowers.

swoon!

Wedding Wednesday - We have Cake!

2011-09-21T07:58:00.001+10:00

We have now decided on our wedding cake! I have to say it was the easiest & one of most fun parts of the wedding planning so far (is that weird?). We went met Patricia from Yummy Cupcakes & Cakes & had a lovely hour looking at designs, sizes, colours & then most importantly - tasting them! I took a few photos while we were there so thought i might share them as it was really quite fun & this is the sort of thing i always used to enjoy hearing about before it was me doing it myself! Ben enjoyed it too so it was great doing something together & both finding it really easy to decide on what we wanted! Not that im going to tell you what it is! But i will say its simple & elegant.

Lots of cakes to look at!

Patricias gorgeous sideboard set up with lots of mags for inspiration & a plate of cakes to taste (& a much needed jug of water to wash them all down with!)

Now to the fun bit! Tasting them - and they were all pretty yum! The flavours included choc & white choc mud, caramel, bannana, coconut & indonesian sponge.....

and yes, we did eat them all!

By this stage all the choices had been made! (and I felt a bit ill!)

and you can see in the background the foam shapes she has so you can play with them & get an idea for size & scale of your cake - very helpful! I had also ordered a cake plate from Bountiful a few months ago so we took that along too to use it to see what would look 'right' sitting on it!

Cake = tick!

and here are some more random pictures from my inspiration files!

How gorgeous is this! Perfect if you were having a woodland theme wedding - or at a mushroom farm!

lol (sorry that was a bad joke)

Ritzy Bee

Divine, classic cake - those flowers are to die for!

Super cool!

Style me pretty

Love this mexican fiesta inspired cake! The succulents are such a great addition to it aswell.

I love the ruffly flowers on this one! Some cakes are more like a pirce of ary i think! I decided that in the end our cake was going to be like a part of our decorations!

Via Style me pretty

Tom Binns

2011-09-20T08:24:00.000+10:00

Have recently discovered the genius of jewelry designer Tom Binns

enough said

find it on Net A Porter

Minted Wedding Invitation Giveaway!

2011-09-19T07:56:00.000+10:00

Happy Monday Everyone!

Thought we'd start it off with something really cool - especially for those of you who are planning a wedding (or know someone who is & would like to give them something awesome!). Soon after we got engaged i discovered Minted. Minted is an amazing website that has 100's of some of the most unique wedding invitations ive ever seen! All their designs are sourced from independent designers all over the world who enter design challenges with them. What's great about Minted is that you have different colour options for most invites & can plug in all your information & see what it will look like before you decide on anything. WARNING - Hours & hours of time may disappear as you play with this feature! Not only do they have the invites, but all the matching items that go with them! You can check out their wedding invitations here & their save the date cards here!

Minted now ship to Australia (yay!) & are giving me 75 flat printed wedding invitations to giveaway to one of my readers (value $198)! I know from your comments that im not the only one planning a wedding at the moment, so im really excited for one of you guys to win this!

All you have to do is become a follower & then head to the Minted site & come back & tell me what your favorite wedding invite design is & why. Extra entries for sharing this giveaway on facebook or your blog (just let me know you have) Ive picked out some of my favorite designs to get you inspired!

La Fete

Midnight Vineyard

So elegant & classic - i think i love this one because it reminds me of one of my favorite things...fairy lights!

Fall Carving

gorgeous & organic - perfect for lovers of the great outdoors

Banner & Branches.

One of my absolute favorites - this whole suite is amazing!

Lovely Knot

Modern & fresh!

Stephanie

Elegant & classic yet modern.

Jennifer

Beautiful colours & i love the lace motif. The backer pattern is pretty cool too & a great juxtaposition to the classic tone of the front of the invite!

Fracas

Fresh & Modern! I love a bit of chevron (as you might remember from our engagement invites!)

Bibliotheque

How cool is the graph paper look of this one! The illustrated look of the flowers is gorgeous & it has kind of a feminine industrial feel to it!

Winged Specimen (i loooove this one!)

Um - Divine! Not much else i can say - just beautiful!

Love & Marriage

So get to it! Head over & pick your favorite...

I will announce the winner next monday the 26th September

Immature i know....

2011-09-16T17:19:00.000+10:00

But this cracks me up - i dont even know where i found these pictures but everytime i look at them i start laughing. Save them to your computer for when you need a laugh too ;) Happy Weekend!

Bedroom Heaven

2011-09-16T07:54:00.000+10:00

Dont these images just beg you to make over your bedroom?? For years ive been 'thinking' about wallpapering or painting the wall behind our bed but just never got around to it...(possibly because i quite love our 'all white' bedroom with one pop of pink from the 'For Like Ever' print).....ditto to finding a huge piece of equine art! Droooolllll.....

Belle Maison

Heartbeatoz

La Belle Vie

Watch

2011-09-15T07:55:00.000+10:00

I dont wear a watch but if i did it'd be something like this!

Get it here from Triwa

oh my mr louboutin!

2011-09-14T08:09:00.000+10:00

mmmmmm more CL goodness!

These ones were custom made for the bride with blue soles instead of the signature red ones!. LOVE!

You know what im thinking dont you????

;)

The Raw Brownie Revolution

2011-09-13T08:07:00.000+10:00

Lately ive been feeling like ive lost my cooking mojo - just feeling uninspired (i usually love cooking). So on the weekend i decided to try a few things i'd seen around the traps lately - one of which being the raw brownie which i had seen here & here - origionating from here! I have to say it does live up to the hype! The 5 ingrediants being dates, almonds, walnuts & pure cacao all have great health benifits (read about them on My New Roots where the recipie origionated)- but watch out - they are still high calorie...but in an antioxidant rich kinda way ;) I may never make brownies the old way again!

Id love to hear any more of your favourite healthy recipies as im now on the 6 month countdown (as of last friday!) to our wedding & trying to be more disiplined (what can i say - i love cheese & wine!).

Dinner party anyone?

2011-09-12T07:26:00.000+10:00

I bought myself the Fleur Wood, 'Food Fashion & Friends' book on the weekend - its fantastic! Supercool styling & great recipes. Broken into about 8 different theme'd dinner parties, picnics & high tea style themes. The book itself is gorgeous too, great graphic design & the cover has a beautiful texture. Straight to the coffee table!

Its got me in the mood for a dinner party!

Here are some tables that make you want to entertain!

Snippet & Ink

a-mazing!

(jonas peterson photogrpahy)

House of Turquoise

How to store perfume..

2011-09-09T09:45:00.000+10:00

Are you a perfume horder with one for every day on display? Or are you like me & use one bottle till its finished & move onto the next? Ive just finished 3 lots of Gucci Flora which i LOVE and have moved onto a bottle of Vera Wang Princess (my nanna gave it to me after we got engaged). I also adore KAI - its not easy to find but its stocked at Mecca & has the most amazing gardenia scent. Whats your favourite?

I read a really interesting article in a recent Madison Magazine about fragrance & perfumes. It included a section on the optimum way to store your perfume, and its not what you really want to hear....

"Keep your fragrances, including perfume, eau de parfum, cologne and eau de toilette away from heat. Most importantly, protect them from direct light, especially sunlight. Light affects the chemical makeup of a fragrance and will change its color which affects the dynamics of how it combines (so that means that keeping our beautiful perfumes out on display is really not the best idea - i think im going to have to ignore this advice! Interetsing though!) Perfume also hates humidy - so the bathroom is not the best place for it (damn - thats where mine lives!).

It is best to keep the fragrances in their original containers, if possible, and with the tops tightly closed to avoid exposure to air. If given a choice, opt for bottles with spray dispensers as opposed to ones with open tops or roller balls. Spray dispensers better protect the fragrance from exposure to dirt, dust and air, and have a longer shelf life, too. Don't be too quick to throw away bottles of perfume that you think may be too old to use, as long as they have been stored properly over the years.

Tiffany Blue in the kitchen

2011-09-08T07:45:00.000+10:00

gorgeous gorgeous

(& the same colour as yesterdays shoes!)

loving the striped rug in this space too - really makes it pop!

Wedding Wednesday - Something Blue?

2011-09-07T06:47:00.000+10:00

super cool...and my fav colour....