A most beautiful dress

Tell me this is not the most beautiful dress you have ever seen? I am emailing frantically to find out it's origin. Photography is by Lizelle and I discovered this object of beauty via Kate at magnolia rouge

summer cleanse

So perhaps I am a bit behind on this one, but I've just stumbled across this clever and informative little blog.

It is full of inspiring and non-preachy ways to get your body clean and healthy.

Here is an easy juice recipe they have over there

Apple, mint & lime juice
3-4 Granny Smith apples
2 sprigs of mint
¼ lime

I'm seriously looking into their cleansing juices too. They look responsible and full of nutrients, unlike the lemon detox I'm slightly sick of hearing about!

Let it snow

so, even though our Christmas is more BBQ's and Aeroguard than snow flakes and mistletoe, these simple homemade snow globes are easy to make and simply stunning. And don't need to be hidden away in the roof space until December. 

A canny DIY couple could even use them as wedding favours. *

Instructions as follows:

 You will need to buy/beg/steal

*A jar of your choice (with a lid)

*Figurines or jewellery

*Anti-rust sealant for metal pieces

*Clear-drying epoxy  

*Distilled water

*Dash of glycerin

*Large silver or white glitter (smaller versions will float at the top)

Steps:

1. Use clear-drying epoxy to adhere your piece to the inside of the lid. Let dry per  instructions.

2. After the epoxy dries completely, fill your jar with distilled or boiled water (at room temperature, of course).

3. Add just a dash of glycerin so the "snow" falls slowly.

4. Add as much glitter as you like. If you don't like the look of glitter, you can usually find faux snow at craft and haberdashery stores.

5. Screw your lid on tightly and enjoy your snow globe

Courtesy of Nicole

* I'd be one happy camper to receive one of these at a wedding. Especially the butterfly one!

Supporters support

I always liked the idea of giving Steve a really thoughtful gift on the morning of our wedding. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way this intention fell by the way side. I figured me just showing up on the day would be special enough* .

When I stumbled across these precious drawings by Pepper, I realised I had struck gold! As I am quite possibly the least interested person in rugby league on this planet, I think he would quite appreciate the gesture. Steve is a huge** Tigers fan, but no tacky paraphernalia is allowed in our house (I'm such a dragon). This drawing that Pepper is going to do of/for him will however, be accepted.

*kidding

** I once found a tigers championship ring in a bargain bin somewhere. I gave it to Steve as a joke. He wears it to every game. His friends kiss it for luck. {!}

engagement shoot

Tomorrow I'm off to style an engagement shoot in Wisemans Ferry. Fingers crossed it doesn't rain (much). 

The couple have requested a picnic shoot, and, as the proposal happened in Japan, I'm hoping to introduce some Japanese elements too. How fun!! 

Above are some inspiration pics to help us stay on track.

The super talented Andrew of Follan Photography will be behind the lens, so stay tuned for some lovely pics.

Information overload

So, you're engaged and are planning the 'destination' wedding you've always dreamed of. 

I use the word 'destination' loosely, because personally, any venue that is more than an hours drive away or requires a map is classified 'destination'. 

Planning a wedding that is out of town comes with responsibilities. 

If you would like your guests to travel to celebrate* then you need to provide them with a fair amount of specific information. Everything from accommodation suggestions, transport information and most importantly directions need to be included on the invite to not only ensure your guests arrive on time, but also in one piece**.  

Providing all this information can get messy. I'll put my hand up and admit I ALWAYS lose parts of invites that we are sent and ALWAYS end up at the last minute scrambling around phoning people trying to get the details of time/address/dress code.

How appreciative would your guests be if you very kindly included all necessary info in one neat little book?

You could even play out your life long dream of becoming published and include any little short stories/poems/song lyrics to your beloved you've been squirrelling away.

Amazing.

For some great examples check out 

here (It's a date event design)

here ( Ice Cream social)

or here ( green quince)

*read drink

**not on the verge of divorce/break-up/homicide due to lack of clear and specific directions on how to get to/dress for/behave at your wedding

My parents were awesome

It's funny to think that, before they were parents our, ah, parents were just regular people. Just like Steve and I are now.

They had lives and passions and hopes and dreams. Loved all the things that we are probably taking for granted right now, as newlyweds pre children. I loved scanning through this website, checking out other peoples parents, before they were parents. I wonder what our future children will think of us as we are now? How long will it take for them to realise we were once young and carefree? Think I might prepare a little photo book of our lives right now, so I can prove to them that yes, we were once awesome too.

My parents were awesome found via a cup of jo