Our Logo is ready!

After much anticipation and many alterations, additions and subtractions...our logo has finally emerged, and we couldn't be happier!  Designed by James at Red Rag Media, the logo is fresh, elegant and timeless.  Tell us what you think!

The second half of the year is proving to be quite busy, with a couple of exciting ventures coming up...including set design at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). Fefu and Her Friends opens 6th August and promises to be a thought provoking production which explores gender roles, sexuality, love between women, and insanity - it revels in the theatre of the absurd, slap stick and surrealism.  Come along and enjoy the set design (as well as the acting!!).

Weddings also abound, with two interstate adventures coming my way, and a wedding that promises to deliver some very intriguing photos due to its rather bizarre and very cool reception venue (sorry, can't say anymore than that on pain of death!!).  Stay tuned for some great photos.

Sophie B Photography and GLR are teaming up for a bridal/wedding photo shoot at St Andrews Cathedral in Sydney.  It will be a fun day full of coffee, beautiful flowers and stunning photography from one of Sydney's newest talents.  Models required, so feel free to recommend or submit yourselves!!!

Winter Lovelies

Winter comes to town every year, and try as we might, it's hard sometimes to bring ourselves to take off the ugg boots, swear off the hot chocolate and marshmallows, and start drinking luke warm water infused with sliced lemon...
Maybe that's a bit far fetched...bottom line is, mustering the motivation is not always easy!  I find my mind more alive and inspired if I have fresh flowers in the house.
There are two things I love most about winter in Australia...cymbidium orchids, and peach/pear/cherry (fruit) blossom 'en masse' and placed in a sunny part of the house to maximise the life of the branches.  Cymbidiums can last up to 2 or 3 weeks, blossom branches...sometimes even longer!!!

If you are having an issue with the weather, bring the garden inside, and look forward to a view of flowering blossoms every morning - in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the dining room.  Go nuts, it doesn't take much!

Lest We Forget

The last week has seen our nation lose three of it's finest young men.  It brings to light the vulnerability of our warriors, as well as the strength shown by both friends and family when the person they love dearly is KIA (Killed In Action).
Today I attended the memorial service for Brett Wood, and try as I might, was still moved to tears despite willing myself to "be strong for her...be strong for Elvie".  For the first time ever, the wife of a fallen brother stood up and spoke of her thanks for the support of her family by defence personnel and Brett's mates.  Until this moment, I thought I was pretty strong myself!  But to stand in front of a crowd of soldiers and close family members and express your thanks in a voice that is screaming pain and sorrow, takes more guts and courage than I could ever muster in such a circumstance.  I have been taught a valuable lesson today.  No matter how far you think you are sinking in sorrow and despair, there is always enough courage inside your vulnerable exterior to stand up and do the right thing.  I know Brett would have been immensely proud of his wife.  She is a true inspiration.
I was given the honour to create the wreaths for this service, and the funeral on Friday.  Here are a sample...Lest We Forget.

If it's broke, sometimes it pays to fix it!

A friend of mine was moving house, and as you do, decided to throw out the old, unused items that she no longer wanted to keep 'just in case'.  We all do it, the opportunity to clean out the soul (as well as the house) is sometimes a huge factor in the success of any move.  You get the chance to 'spring clean' your house and can be ruthless where before you might have been 'careful'.
I was luckily there the day my darling friend decided she no longer wanted these antique keys.  She used to collect them, and has kept hold of them for many years.  My favourite is the tiny little key that demonstrates the perfect shape, age and story that any old key must have.  Where did it originate?  What was it's purpose?  Did it hold the secrets of a small diary or safe? This is one of the things about antiques that I love...the possibility of romanticism is hard to resist.  Thus I have become a collector.  A collector of unwanted small furniture items (furniture restoration opportunities!), jewellery (valuable or not...), garden furniture/pots (I draw the line at gnomes) and even old fabrics or shoes.

My husband is rolling his eyes and gritting his teeth.  His prized garage and 'tool shed' is about to be converted into a restoration studio for ambitious projects undertaken with fabulous flowers to match.  Look out world, Jules is on the prowl for curb side chuck outs...If anyone lives in Balmain, do let me know when yours is next!!  Ta

Sugar Bee Flowers: Pink David Austin bouquet

Sugar Bee Flowers: Pink David Austin bouquet: "I can't believe I haven't shared this one on my blog yet! sugar bee flowers - pink rose bouquet Although this is from a while ago, this..."

Studio Impressions « Bringing photography to life

Four out of the top ten photographers in the world are Aussies! Wonderful news, and testament to our blooming bridal industry - flowers, photography, food and wine...it all produces a fantastic environment in which to fully enjoy your special day...even ten years down the track!

Studio Impressions « Bringing photography to life

Modern elegance

The beauty of orchids (especially in winter), is that they can last for up to two weeks in a vase!  Team just one stem of phalaenopsis with some lush tropical foliage and natural fibres, and you have a stunning arrangement that showcases the crisp, clean lines of the beautiful blooms.