Birthday Wishes

Thank-you all for your lovely birthday wishes.

I love these party images of Kylie celebrating her birthday in true style. Kylie and I have a lot of common we are about the same age and both grew up in Melbourne. We are also both blond, petite and love dancing - where we differ is that I can't sing to save myself and my birthday, just gone, was nothing like Kylie's. In fact, I had no glittery party hat, party frock or birthday cake. I even decided I would cook rather than go out to eat as the little country retreat my husband took me to was way out of town. Having said all of that, I had the loveliest time in the cutest of cottages. It was beautifully set up for a romantic getaway with fresh flowers, heavenly scented candles and dining in style so we took advantage of our luxurious surroundings and dined in on fresh seafood, smoked salmon and vintage Moet Rose. So although my birthday celebrations were very low key I think I had just as much fun as Kylie! 

Marie Antoniette Style

Be inspired by the film 'Marie Antoinette' - get your friends together, dress up and throw a lavish afternoon tea party. If you are into history, costume design, fashion and all things French and you haven't seen the film already then hire it on DVD one rainy afternoon. It's a refreshingly modern take on history directed by Sofia Coppola. It's a visual feast of silk, feathers, ruffles, lace, corsets, delicate pastries, extravagant cakes and sumptuous set designs. Here are few stills taken from the movie.

Following a few images from a fashion shoot inspired by the film 'Marie Antoinette' think iced cupcakes, meringues, macaroons, fresh strawberries, layered cakes and of course French champagne!

Australia Day

Today is Australia Day - it's the middle of summer and a public holiday so the best way to celebrate is to gather some friends, fire up the barbecue, kick back for the afternoon and enjoy the sunshine. Whip up a pavlova and top it with fresh strawberries and cream, make some homemade lamingtons and serve up some mini meat pies topped with an 'aussie' flag. It might not be the most sophisticated of parties but it will sure to be a load of fun. Go on, throw another prawn on the barbie!

An aussie style boatshed

Food images via Donna Hay

If you are feeling energetic here a few ideas to host an extra special Australia Day beach barbecue. Send out some red, white and blue invitations. Fill up some big ice buckets with cold drinks, hang the Australian flag from the balcony, hand out pairs of thongs with Aussie gift tags to your guests, bundle up knives and forks with a serviette and tie them with red and white striped ribbon. It's amazing how much more fun your friends with have if you put in that little bit of extra effort!  

  

Images via styleguide.com

Let's Celebrate

Now that summer is well and truly here it makes me feel like celebrating. I love a good party and an excuse will do - birthday, anniversary, promotion, going away, new born or simply just for fun of it. Go that extra mile and fill the house with balloons, hand out some sparklers, open up some French champagne, play some good music, mix up a batch of your favourite cocktail and sprinkle around some confetti. You guests are bound to have a an extra good time and a night they will remember...or maybe not!

Decorate the house

Order some helium balloons

Sprinkle confetti around

Add a little sparkle

Open a bottle of bubbly

Make a birthday cake

Happy New Year!!!

To be perfectly honest I did not spend my New Year's Eve at a glamorous party in a pair of heels, dressed in a party number with a glass of bubbly in hand. Nor was I surrounded by stylish people with the sound of champagne corks popping loudly in the background. Instead, I spent New Year's Eve in true 'aussie' style down at our local beach with kids in tow. It was a hot summer's night so the dress code for the evening was shorts and summer dresses while kids raced around in the sand in bare feet. Cocktails and canapes were replaced by a sausage in one hand a plastic wine glass in the other but having said that the air was full of the sound of kids laughing, the waves crashing on the beach, fireworks, cicadas humming and a good time was had by all. Maybe next week year I will do some thing a little more glamorous 'sans' kids! 

Party Time

I love throwing a good party. I always start with a theme in mind, this can be as simple as a single colour. Then apply that colour or theme to flowers, place-cards, serviettes, party decorations, balloons, personalised gift boxes and printed menus...if you can be bothered taking it that far. I think it's this attention to detail and a tightly co-ordinated colour palette that makes all the difference. 

The icing on the cake!

Depending on your creative skills, time and energy will determine how much effort you go to but even a few little bit of effort can add a lot of magic to a special occasion!

Here are a few images that I find inspiring.

Fresh & simple

Flowers on mass make a bold statement

Decorate a birthday cake to suit the theme

Party Treats

Handmade invitation & party hat

Goody Bags

A striking red & aqua theme

Attention to detail