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The commons and a recipe for mulled wine

Super excited to be working with a couple who'll be getting hitched at The Commons in a few weeks.
The venue is filled with character and the menu is just divine. Jump over and check it out! I highly recommend you drop in for a Sunday lunch or a cosy midweek dinner.

On the topic of cosiness, we recently went on a little trip to the Southern Highlands. Our accommodation consisted of a huge barn on top of the hill in Mittagong. Gorgeous views and lovely huge open fire completed the experience. After days spent antiquing (and freezing our butts off!), there was nothing better than sitting around the fire drinking mulled wine. Here is the recipe I used, just go easy on the brandy!!

• 1 x 750ml btl dry red wine
• 225g (1 cup) white sugar
• 125ml (1/2 cup) brandy
• 125ml (1/2 cup) water
• 2 oranges, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 2 x 7cm cinnamon sticks,
• lightly crushed
• 6 whole cloves
• Pinch of grated nutmeg

Place all ingredients in a large saucepan and stir over a gentle heat for 15 minutes. Strain into glasses and enjoy!

P.s thanks to my twitter pals esp Joanna for recipe tips!

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Portobello Markets

Via so many different sources, but eventually here.

Unfortunately it appears, due to unforeseen circumstances  the Markets will not be taking place this August in Sydney.

Such a shame, but good to know they're not cancelled, just postponed.

Will keep you all in the loop for sure xx

To market

At risk of sounding like a Nanna and saying 'back in the day', I'm going to say, back in the day when I was planning my own wedding (all of two years ago) I struggled.

 There was so so much gorgeous inspiration on all the fab wedding blogs, such as Polkadotbride, Style me pretty, Portobello bride, The Lane etc etc. 

But, for the life of me I couldn't source any vendors or suppliers here in Sydney with a similar aesthetic. 

My BM's dragged me (ok, I dragged them) to a bridal expo, that almost drove me to elope.

 I just couldn't relate to any of the suppliers, and felt most rude just walking past them all with a look of disinterest on my face. 

I'm sure I could hear them whisper bridezilla, as I ignored one after the other.

It wasn't that they weren't good and talented. 

They just weren't what I was looking for.

To top it all off as we left we walked past Salvatore Coco .

Spruiking his services as a wedding MC. 

This, for me was the final straw. I loved Con Bordino in heartbreak high. And to see him at this expo, with that look of desperation in his eye, it just.............well, broke my heart!

So, it is very exciting to see markets like this being held in Sydney, for all those couples that are after something a little different. A little eclectic or bohemian. Not only will it be a great opportunity to meet some fab vendors, but as it is a market (yes, my all time fav way to spend a lazy Saturday) you'll be able to buy stuff.

These pics by Kate Robinson are from the Melbourne Markets. Sydney will be just as fab I'm sure!

More info available at Portobello Bride

Clever Kozue

Personalisation city. These stamps made by Kozue and featured over at elsiecake take the idea of diy to a whole new level. How realistic is the print? Amazeballs.

Or you could pretend to be one of those super important people, too busy to sign their name. Just stamp it! Cute to forever immortalise a child's script also.

These are my all time fav. Just yesterday I bought this stamp from papersource of the dog I wish I had. Little did I know that Kozue could make one of the dog I actually have.

 
                          

Lucky coops can't read. Don't think she'd appreciate the comment above!

special delivery

Boots and Gus

Blues and Branches

Via

Today was my lucky day. I received some excellent news about the future of Oscar and Ruby, and a huge box of blue mason jars arrived on my door step.

Mason jars are EVERYWHERE in America and all over the wedding blogs. But they're just too gorgeous to be put off by that. I'm dreaming and scheming of different ways to utilise them, &

looking forward to hiring them out to my equally gorgeous brides.

Candy shoot

I'm so fortunate to get the opportunity in my job to work with some fantastic photographers.

Here is a sneak peek of yesterday's shoot with Marissa from The Simple Things Studio.

Although, this pic is not hers! 

(it's an instagram -- anything can look great when it has been 'instagramed' don't you think?!)

We have another shoot currently being edited, that was shot by Nadean.

Can't wait to share those with you, but it's all a bit secret squirrel right now.

Have a great weekend, I'm off to Finders Keepers today. 

Perhaps I'll see some of you there???