Hello December...

Just quietly, is anyone else struggling to fathom the fact that today is the last day of November? Honestly, where has the year gone? If I look back on my planner for this month, I can see a long string of busy days, double shifts and the beginning of Christmas parties.

I have a feeling though that this December is definitely going to be one to remember, so from now until New Years Eve...watch this space!

PS. I wish everyone luck in...
...creating a beautiful Christmas tree
...dodging crazy holiday shoppers
...finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones, and
...ending 2010 with a bang!

Wedding Lookbook 2...

- I'll Have What She's Having -

Here is the second post in a series of unique weddings looks taken from the blog- Style Notes. I'd like to call this inspiring wedding..."I'll have what she's having".

If you thought this might be an intimate wedding reception for 20 guests, you'd be jealously mistaken. This is in fact the table that one lucky bride and a few of her special friends dinned at for breakfast on the morning of the wedding. Draped in yards of turquoise material, with a hedge of perfectly formed phalianopsis orchids and crystal perfume bottles which doubled as party favours and place cards, combined to create a refreshing table setting. If this is the way the bride chose to start her day, I can only imagine what other breathtaking surprises she had in store.

Wedding Lookbook...

Single, taken, engaged or already married, you'd be hard pressed to find a female who hasn't thought about their special day and the type of wedding they want. The extent of this obviously varies, with some women hiding a scrapbook of clippings under their bed while others rest with vague thoughts floating around in their head. One thing that's for sure however, is it's never too early to start looking for inspiration, even if it's just for a little bit of fun.

So out of my own interest, I bring you the first post in a catalogue of unique wedding looks from women who knew what they wanted and have executed it beautifully. If this research process has taught me one thing, it's that a wedding can be whatever you want it to be. Churches, gardens, backyards or even an old rooftop parking lot (yes, it's been done), we are all limited by our imagination.

This weeks wedding was set at a seventeenth-century French chateau with dinner set at a single, long table built for 300 guests. The attention to detail in this wedding is incredible, with an organic feel created with wild berries, candles nestled in tree logs and a gorgeous mix of browns, white and pistachio green. The flowers work beautifully with the desired aesthetic and the whole table, while filled with countless bits and pieces manages to remain refined. The brides dress instantly made me think of Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady and guests were treated to delicate boxes filled with scrumptious treats from the world famous patisserie house- Laduree.

Life's Simple Delights...

...a morning read.

What I'm Loving Right Now...

...art with a meaning.

...a little bit of bling...or maybe a lot.

...old Hollywood glamour.

...pretty cupcakes.

...personalised crockery.

Movie Review: The Social Network

As mentioned in My Happy 10, movies are one of my ultimate indulgences and I try to catch a flick on the big screen as often as I can. The other week I went to see The Social Network. The film is surrounded by Oscar buzz, with breakthrough performances from its very young and seemingly inexperienced cast, yet beneath the snappy script and sharp editing is the underlying message of the psychological power of the internet and more importantly, why we feed it as much as it feeds us.

The Social Network follows the story behind the inspiration and creation of the Internet phenomenon that is Facebook and while the film had the potential to be bland and boring, script writer Aaron Sorkin has succeeded in making it not only entertaining, but gripping. The blisteringly sharp dialogue is fast and witty and while it requires a level of concentration the convincing performances make it palatable.

This film is unquestionably carried by the outstanding cast that bring these characters to life. Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook is played by the awkwardly brilliant Jesse Eisenberg, who's prior acting experience fell in the realm of comedy in films such as Zombieland and Adventureland. With intense closeups and lines delivered with conviction, Eisenberg portrays Zuckerberg as a cold, calculated and determined genius who is incredibly comfortable with his talents and will stop at nothing to prove it.

Zuckerberg's best friend and the original financier of Facebook is Saverin, played superbly by Andrew Garfield. Saverin is a far more sympathetic character, warm and inviting, which only ignites the audiences' apathy towards him when Zuckerberg's betrayal of their friendship lands them in a feuding legal battle.

The underlying beauty of this film however, is not the incredible creation of an online social network but rather a story of friendship, ambition and betrayal. It is a character study of an incredibly fascinating individual whose actions both positively and negatively affect his life.

Six years and 500 million online friends later, Mark Zuckerberg is the youngest billionaire in history. However, the irony remains that despite wealth, fame and a life-defining invention, Mr Facebook is utterly friendless and seeks the one thing that unites us all as humans- our quest for love and acceptance.

Life's Simple Delights...

...eating chocolate cake.

Green With Envy...

On my quest for table-setting inspiration, I came across some colour boards designed by Style Notes creator Camille. Her company Camille Style Events is responsible for some amazing looks and I for one believe that when you come across a good thing, it's only fair to share...

I love this colour combination. In fact black, white and citrus green was the colour scheme for my 21st birthday party. I think its a very fresh and modern look to bring you out of the winter months and kick-start summer. It's also the perfect time of year for green hydrangea or cymbidium orchids. If this were my party, I'd be serving Mojitos on tap and having a dessert buffet that looks something like this...

Life's Simple Delights...

...having your fingernails painted.

Bedroom Bliss...

Lately, I've been enthralled by Channel 9's- The Block, where 4 couples renovate and decorate their own appartment in a block of flats. While watching, I can't help but find myself agreeing or disagreeing with their design choices.The show's concept got me thinking about what style I'd choose for my own place if given the oportunity? So, in my bid to search for the perfect bedroom as a starting point, I decided to look for inspiration and this is what I found...

I'm a black and white girl at heart and sometimes without even knowing it I'm drawn towards rooms with a neutral palette like this one here. I love so much about this room, but the huge windows would have to be my favourite feature. It's got a New York style 5th Ave penthouse feel to it, don't you think ? The only thing that threw my eye out a little was the three prints hanging above the bed. The whole look is polished and cohesive, and these paintings seem to throw the balance out a bit. But maybe that was the point? I think the photograhs hanging above the bed in the picture below would have worked a little better?

This room proves that there's no reason to be affraid of grey. From the rug to the quilt and the colour on the walls, this is the perfect example of how a room can be both masculine and feminine. The bed-head, rug and headboard all scream 'bachelor pad', while the mirror finish of the bedside table and the floral print on the quilt soften it slightly. My favourite piece in this room however are the 3 photographs above the bed. I love photography displayed as pieces of art, especially when they're shots you've taken yourself.

This room is simply lush. I love the accents of plum against the crisp white walls, sheets and animal skin on the floor. There is a cleaver mix between rustic and polished in this room, with the bedside table a complete style contrast to the standing stainless steel lamp. My favourite piece however is the sketch of the female body hanging on the wall. It's sexy without being too much.

Flowers- check. A great print or photograph- check. Books, candles and personal touches- check, check, check. This to me is the perfect bedside table.

The bedroom is my favourite room of the house. I think it's the one space that I can create and mould especailly for me, without fearing if it suits the rest of the aesthetic in my family's home. Bedrooms can be personal, romantic, a retreat away from the craziness of life, but above all, they are a direct reflction of the person who calls it their own. It's the first thing you see when you wakeup in the morning and the last before you close your eyes at night, so in my mind, why not make it into something that starts your day with a smile?

Life's Simple Delights...

...Butterflies. Lots and lots of Butterflies.

Stocking Stuffers...

While traveling through the US around November and December last year, it seemed like wherever I turned, every retailer from Crate&Barrel to Victoria's Secret had an endless selection of stocking stuffers. It's a Christmas concept that I feel is lacking a little in Australia, especially when it makes so much sense.

They're cheap, small and practical gift ideas which are perfect for the person who has just about everything, to add that little bit extra to someone's present or as a party-favour for all those upcoming Christmas dinners.

With the Australian dollar so strong at the moment, why not do a little online shopping and treat your friends and family to a stocking filled with thoughtful bits and pieces.

Here are a few ideas I've got my eye on...

 Arcadia Candle- US$16.95

 From: Crate&Barrel

Luggage Tag- US$4.95

From: Crate&Barrel

 Set of 4 Stainless Steel Measuring Cups US$19.95
From: Crate&Barrel

 Honey- US$4.95
From: Crate&Barrel

Waiters Corkscrew- US$19.95

From: Crate&Barrel

Travel Sudoku- US$7.95
From: Crate&Barrel

 Shea Bath and Shower Cream- $12.95
From: The Body Shop

Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Butter- $29.95
From: The Body Shop

Spiced Vanilla Reed Diffuser- $44.95
From: The Body Shop










You can find more great ideas at the following sites...
Crate&Barrel
Pottery Barn
The Body Shop

Some Things Are Just Worth Sharing...

...and this is one of them.

Come Dine With Me...

With the lead-up to Christmas in full swing, the natural 'party-planner' in me has begun thinking about what theme my Christmas table will take on this year. I generally like to coordinate it with the wrapping paper, and this year mum bought a very chic black, white and silver print. So with ideas of name cards, runners, flowers and personal touches floating around in my mind, I thought I'd turn to the queen of all things gorgeous- Ms. Martha Stewart for some inspiration.

Here are a couple of ideas from her website as well as other beautiful settings I managed to find...



This is one of my favourite table settings of all time. Although it maybe not be ideal for Christmas day, if I was attending a dinner party on a cold winters night and walked into a room only to see this laid out before me, I'd be nothing short of impressed. It's dark, moody and a little mysterious. Black crockery isn't something many of us would buy, but in all honesty, how does it really differ from the stock-standard white sets that most of us own? Both are neutral colours and as can be seen in this example, it's the flowers which carry the table and set the mood. I love everything about this- full stop.



I like this setting purely for the centerpiece. Carnations are one of the cheapest and most versatile flowers you can get yet when arranged in this pedestal bowl, they look nothing short of gorgeous. This flower centerpiece is also one that you can put together yourself and add to any existing bowl or vase you've got lying around the house. With a block of OASIS to hold the flowers in place, it's just a matter of time and patience to make sure you create that perfect sphere.

This table screams personality, creativity and comfort with colour. It wasn't until I discovered who's setting it was that I thought "ahh yes, now it all makes sense". If you've got an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner at Diane Von Furstenberg's house this year, then this is the table you can expect to dine at. Although I'm not loving the selection of flowers, I think the jewel tones on the plates are divine, almost as though you're eating off one of her infamous wrap dresses. While this may not be the most conventional Christmas table, it definitely packs a punch.

The advantage of a round table is that everyone can see each other equally and you have the ability to select one feature piece and work outwards, creating perfect symmetry. The brown and yellow contrast each other perfectly and while pine cones are a popular choice at Christmas, this is a fresh and clean way of displaying them.

This table is elegant and  intimate and while it may not be practical for a family with kids, it is a beautiful example of how less can be more. Simple crockery, crystal glass wear, candles and a posy of roses is all you need to bring a touch of glam to any dinner.

Life's Simple Delights...

...the perfect lunch.

The Silly Season Has Begun...

It's no secret to those who know me best, and I'm proud to admit that I'm a bit of a Christmas geek. It is without a doubt my favourite holiday of the year, and in my books, November is a completely acceptable time to start dusting off the decorations and put up the tree. Besides, when it's made with a little bit of love, why would you want something so pretty up for only a couple of weeks?

Our family's Christmas tree is covered in memories. Sure, it may not all match, but each year when my sisters and I decorate the tree, we can't help but laugh and reminisce about the stories behind home-made ornaments and bits and pieces created back when we were at kindergarten.

However, the time will come soon enough when I invest in my own tree, and until I have little Natalie's to get handy with arts and crafts, I think I want it to look something like these...

[Decorations can follow any theme, like this example of clocks with touches of pink and gold]

[Matching tubs is a clean way of storing presents under the tree and is a cleaver way to collate them by family]

[A tree which matches your room acts like a new piece of furniture]



[Country chic. I can see this tree in a big British countryside home]



And for the more design conscious...

Wrapping paper is the perfect way to make the whole look cohesive, so buy your paper first, then a bunch of silver, gold or neutral decorations and each year interchange a theme colour to match. You can do it as extravagant or cheap as you like, and can achieve a great look by simply purchasing a roll of ribbon and tying bows onto the stems.

Whatever look you're going for, I hope you all take pleasure in making your christmas tree glowing and gorgeous! Enjoy.