Archive for the ‘ life ’ Category

I’ve got so much to share about the New York trip! We saw plenty of inspiring things to do with all things paper, fashion, art and party, but we also ate plenty of delicious food! The food was amazing, the venue’s beautiful and the service impeccable.

One of our favourite lunch spots was Balthazar. A bustling, beautiful restaurant in the heart of Soho, New York. This restaurant is always busy, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner, so book ahead, or be prepared to wait at the bar – champagne anyone?

I ordered the Warm Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onion Tart, and the Baby Beet Salad – both of which I’m still dreaming about, so I’m a little delighted that I just discovered you can purchase the Baltahazar Cookbook! It even has the beetroot salad!

They also cater for private functions – what a perfect spot for an event based around fine food, friends and old world charm.

If you are heading to New York, put this one on your list. x

I came across this sweet idea via Family Chic, so sweet and simple. I’ve always loved these little paper parasols, would be perfect for the front door to welcome little guests to a Rainbow Party. See how to make your own here.

Well here we are back from a lovely weekend and a fantastic and fun rainbow party!
Alannah had an amazing time, she was so happy the entire day, and I  thought I’d share the pics with you.

Keeping with our our rainbow theme and inspired by the book ‘You, Me and the Rainbow’ I introduced a heart element into the invitation design as well as some of the design elements in keeping with the rainbow ritual in the book ‘sending a rainbow from my heart to yours’.
We were both really excited about this theme, it was so much fun to work on.
Above: Our new ‘wrap me in rainbows’ party invitations created especially for this party; Miss Alannah loving every bit of her 6th Birthday; ‘wrap me in rainbows’ party hats
Above: Rainbow party hats – Alannah loves party hats, so these were a special request from her, now available as a printable party file;
Favours – guests were given ‘Cookie Love’ take home rainbow gingerbread hearts; The kids party table – one of my favourite things and a fabulous find that I used for this party were the garlands – you can’t see much of them in the pics, but I strung them all over the roof, mainly in white, with some bulk colour for the rainbows. These were not actually garlands, but strings of wool! Yes wool, it’s called snowball and you can purchase it in 25 metre lengths in a multitude of colours from Lincraft or Spotlight for around $3.50. A bargain!

Above: The Sweets and Candy Table – The hanging cloud with rainbow hearts was purchased from etsy seller The Rainbow Room, Clara very kindly adjusted the design to have hearts rather than rain drops for me; The Cake - I first saw the rainbow cake over at my lovely friends Hip Hooray, for instructions to make head on over to Whisk Kid. For our version I wanted Alannah to be involved – she finger knitted the wool decoration to wrap around the cake, and chose the unicorn on top out of selection of few cake toppers I found on etsy – this one came from the very talented Bunny with a Toolbelt. The number six was purchased from spotlight and I glued some printable paper with spray adhesive to the front so it would tie in with the other stationery pieces.

Above: The food - as we were having an afternoon party I didn’t want to make too many different dishes for the dessert bar, so we went with cupcakes – topped with the rounded tip of a candy cane, rainbow bark – white chocolate with crushed candy cane on top, heart shaped fairy bread – always a favourite, and rainbow striped gingerbread hearts – these took a fair bit of time to make, but I’m super pleased with the outcome even if I do say so myself! An assortment of coloured lollies were also added included smarties, jelly beans and twizzlers – rainbow coloured licorice!

Above: More sweet treats; Drink bottles – were dressed up with printable drink labels in our wrap me in rainbows theme

Above: The rainbow cake – it worked! It really is simple to make, and very effective – the papparazzi were in force!; Sweet Treats – I printed up little treat bags and filled with candy for guests to take home

Above: More Gifts - I couldn’t resist making up these  little personalised pocket mirrors to match the invitations. The poem on the hessian bag was ironed on with t-shirt transfer.

Entertainment - I wanted to sit back and enjoy the party this time around so I organised for Stephanie from Fairy Flutterby to entertain the guests. Stephanie is a fantastic entertainer and talented face painter. She kept the girls laughing with a magic show, dancing, games, facepainting and balloon sculpting – what more could you ask for! I highly recommend her.

More Details:

Stationery - All of the stationery items used in this party are now available for purchase through Alannah Rose as printable party files, you can view our ‘wrap me in rainbows’ printable party invitations and matching items here. So if you’re wanting to replicate this look, you can simply purchase the files and print off the paper pieces at home.

Twizzlers - from Sugar Station

Ribbon Cake stands from Tracey Lau

Rainbow Candy Cane - Big W

Cake Supplies – Wests

Rainbow Twine – The Twinery

Finally – A very special thank you to my mum, my husband, my two gorgeous girls that make me smile every day, my lovely friend Kerrin, and the mums that helped me on the day.

And finally to Amy Atlas who featured our little party on her blog today with the sweetest words – I’m so flattered! – I’m ever inspired by Amy’s work, and thrilled that she has featured one of our party’s again.

Today we’re getting ready for a little 6th birthday celebration for my daughter. The theme she’s chosen is rainbows, and whilst there’s so many rainbow parties around and it’s a popular choice, it’s a choice that’s dear to our hearts and especially special to her.

Last year when she started prep, we went through a lot of separation anxiety, two terms of it actually (in Australia that’s half a year), there were tears every morning at drop off, and I mean EVERY, which was distressing for me, distressing for her, and difficult for her teacher – a Mr – who handled her absolutely amazingly and took her on his knee each morning as I pried my fingers out of her grip.

At some stage amongst all the tears I had a chat with my Aunty, a school teacher who had just been to a talk by Petria King – a well-known author, inspirational keynote speaker, teacher and facilitator. Petria’s talk was about the rainbow ritual and accompanying story book You, Me and the Rainbow. A story and ritual developed by Petria to help children deal with challenging, sad or distressing news. My Aunty thought it might be worth a try with our separation anxiety, so I ordered the book and away we went.

Well, within a week of reading the book every night and doing the rainbow ritual, Alannah was going off to school, wrapped in a rainbow and not a tear in sight!

Since then, she’s been obsessed with rainbows, we talk about them a lot, and every now and then when she’s feeling a little unsure, I send her rainbow from my heart to hers, and it’s enough to give her a little more confidence to head off to whatever it is she’s doing.

I highly recommend the book, it’s a beautiful story with a purpose, and it’s certainly one that’s become special in our home. So tomorrow, we’ll be sending rainbows around, I hope you all catch one too.

Stay tuned for the pics – we’ve had so much fun with the theme rainbow, Alannah has even finger knitted some of the decorations, which is so incredibly sweet.

For more information on Petria King, the Rainbow Ritual and You, Me and the Rainbow, please click here.

This week I was thrilled to attend a little soiree held by the lovely girls at Bride to Be magazine. Held at the Pavillion at Como House, it was a lovely afternoon. I’ve fallen in love with the Pavillion, it’s an intimate room, simply decorated to provide a blank canvas for your own theme, and it looks out over some of the beautiful gardens at Como House. It’s perfect for engagement parties, small cocktail style weddings, birthday parties, bridal or baby showers and events.

Catered functions are run by Bursaria Fine Foods, and I can testify that the fare I tasted this week was simply delicious. I found this sweet image on their gallery, so pretty!

Well it’s officially December. The girls and I put the Christmas Tree up yesterday to much excitement and I have made a start (albeit slow) at wrapping presents. This is how I’m using our La La La Bird Christmas Tags this year, don’t forget to get your orders in for these, they are disappearing fast!

I posted a while ago about Michi Girls first Book ‘Like I give a Frock’ so I’m excited to share with you today the news that it’s companion ‘What on Earth are you Wearing‘ has just been released. Just in time for Christmas, this little book is a perfect gift for your girlfriends, bridesmaids, sisters or even yourself. Michi’s take on fashion is hilariously funny and the illustrations divine. Get it at Michi’s online shop here, or selected booksellers.

It’s racing season in Melbourne, which generally means spring weather and sunshine right? Well not if today is anything to go by, 14 and rain…. so if you’ve got a few races to attend it might be smart to have a warmer option on hand. I love this feathered cloche from Anthropologie, smart, chic and a little more suited to wild gusty winds….

Don’t forget this time of year is also perfect to look for bridesmaid outfits as the stores have all of their gorgeous wares out for the racing season.

You thought I was looking for fashion advice didn’t you! But I bet you didn’t think I’d be getting it from a bunny….

Today’s find is the ever so fashionable book – What Shall I Wear Today? by Fifi Lapin.

For those not familiar with Fifi Lapin, head on over here to her blog.

According to Elle Magazine, Fifi Lapin “is the world’s most stylish bunny”. And who’s to argue? She’s graced the pages of Vogue, attends all of THE runway shows and has a wardrobe that even Sex in the City’s Carrie would envy. Just take a look at this Marni outfit….

I’ve been a long time fan of the Fifi Lapin illustrations, I own one of her gorgeous prints, so I’m thrilled that she now has her very own book.

I’ve only recently discovered Urban Outfitters ship to Australia, and for an ever so cheap price – where have I been? Under a rock? Possibly.
I’m really loving the Waterfall Ruffle series – take a look at this shower curtain….

Shower curtain I hear you say? Well I don’t have any uses for shower curtains, but take a closer look – it could make a gorgeous table skirt for a party – or a backdrop for a photobooth or dessert table, and it comes in lots of beautiful colours. Think outside the square and you’ll find inspiration everywhere.
Suzi xx

I’m pretty excited about today’s find – I’ve long be searching for a perfect mascara, I’ve tried quite a few different ones, they clump, they flake, all of these things that you don’t want to happen on a daily basis, let alone on your wedding day!

Sooo, finally I think I’ve found the perfect one! Kevin Aucoin’s Curling Mascara. (also available is a volumizing one). I purchased it this week from Mecca Cosmetica, and I love it! It glides on, no clumping and it doesn’t budge – I work long hours and have two small children, I rub my eyes a bit… you get what I mean. I highly recommend trying it out.

You can find Kevyn Aucoin Mascara in Australia at Mecca Cosmetica.

Ok, so today’s find isn’t really a new find for me, – I’ve pretty much been a frequent diner since they opened – but it’s one I thought I’d share as it’s such a cold day in Melbourne today, Capital Kitchen really is the perfect place for a cold lazy Sunday.

I love good food and good coffee and Capital Kitchen never disappoints me – relatively new at Chadstone, this gorgeous cafe is oozing with charm and atmosphere.

Image Source: Hotpod

I love the grey, white and yellow colour palette with a rustic vintage feel, and I love how sometimes they change the table decorations – for mothers day they had daffodils in grey gumboots on the tables a simple yet effective idea.

It’s an inspiring space, and the coffee and food are delicious – the poached chicken wrap and the quince and raspberry muffins being my favourites. The kids love the $5.00 milkshake and cookie deal and a cup of yellow jellybeans on the way out the door is always a treat.

Happy Sunday!
xx