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5 of the Best: Wedding Gift Registries

Written on March 2, 2011 by Bonnie in 5 of the best, Gifts, Wedding Registry

With so many options to choose from for your bridal registry, we’ve put together a truly unique top five. They’re perfect if you’re after gifts that really shine with taste and individuality, with each of these beautiful boutiques showcasing a stunning range.

5. Coco Republic
Create a beautiful home with Coco Republic’s range of furniture and homewares. Whatever your style, the choice is endless. Give your guests the option to gift you with unique homewares such as this gorgeous feather placemat or contribute to a piece of furniture from their comprehensive designer collection.

4. Whiteport
Another for simplistic styling is Whiteport which boasts lifestyle designs centered around a monochrome palette. Their range is refined and ultra chic with a French vintage finish, perfect if you love an elegant flair.

3. Alfresco Emporium

Alfresco Emporium is a really great choice if you’re looking to create an elegant and stylish setting that oozes luxury. They offer the best in chic lifestyle pieces reminiscent of Hamptons style luxe which will instantly transform your living space.

2. Dinosaur Designs
If you have a distinct taste for edgy homewares, Dinosaur Designs is your go-to for modern lifestyle pieces. Their current collection Bones features neutral tones and bold shapes. Stocking handcrafted Australian-made products, the colour, texture and form of each piece will leave you feeling inspired.

1. Orson & Blake
A love of contemporary furniture will see an instant attraction to Orson and Blake’s designs. Revamp your home by choosing from an extensive range of utterly sophisticated and elegant items from charming dinnerware to lavish lounges.

Where is your wedding registry? What would you recommend? We’d love to hear!

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5 of the best: Engagement party invitations

Written on February 3, 2011 by Bonnie in 5 of the best, Engagement, Stationery

Before a wedding comes the engagement party. You want a gorgeous invite of course, but this can be a great opportunity to go with something fun, bright or a bit different to what you would normally choose without worrying about the tone and formality of the wedding. All that fun is yet to come!

5. Alannah Rose ‘She Said Yes’ Invitation

Announce your news to the world with a classic black and white invite personalised for just the two of you.

From Alannah Rose

4. Paper & Cup ‘Chalkboard’ Invitation

Chic and unique, this chalkboard invite will be remembered by guests for years to come.

From Paper & Cup

3. Kate Spade ‘Be Bubbly’ Invitation

The fill-in detail is personal, the hand drawn illustration is casual with a quirky fun hint, while the gold detail is luxurious.

From Fine Stationery

2. Hello Tenfold ‘Storybook’ Invitation

Share the tale of how you met with your guests. Your sweet invite will become a sentimental keepsake for you and the those who where there for each special moment.

From Hello Tenfold

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5 of the Best: Wedding Registries

Written on September 23, 2009 by Bonnie in 5 of the best, Gifts, Wedding Registry

The options for wedding registries are endless however below are just five of my favourite wedding registries.

Each featured store stocks an exceptional range of products which will create a memorable start to your married lives with gifts you will always treasure.

Form + Design
Form + Design specialises in designer kitchenware, homewares, luggage, pens, art glass products from Australia and all over the world. Big name brands include Alessi, Rosenthal, Orrefors, Kosta Boda, Georg Jensen, Iittala, Bodum and designer luggage from Mandarina Duck and ZERO Halliburton as well as Molton Brown Beauty products.

If you can’t make it into the St Leonards (Sydney) store, Form + Design can have your purchases delivered to you anywhere in Australia and accept orders and payment via email, fax or telephone.

4.
Jimmy Possum Wedding Registry
Australian furniture company Jimmy Possum offers a wedding registry service, perfect for couples who have all the bits and pieces but none of the “big stuff”. Jimmy Possum is designed and manufactured in Australia and is a family business meaning you will have quality furniture which will become an heirloom for your own family one day.

Choose from an extensive range of dining furniture, occasional furniture, office and bedroom furniture, sofas, rugs, paintings, lamps and decor.

3.
Orson & Blake Wedding Registry
Orson & Blake offers a wide range of contemporary and inspiring products and ideas for the couple who wants to select from an extraordinary range of furniture and homewares from local and international designers including John Derian, David Edmonds and Jonathan Adler New York.

Products range from fabulous leather homeware, Villeroy & Boch, Diptique, Iittala, Missoni and a huge selection of furniture.

2.
Whiteport Wedding Registry

Whiteport is an online homewares store offering lifestyle accessories themed around a stylish white palette. Whiteport offers inspiring gift suggestions and is a one-stop shop for home décor and furnishings.

Make selections from tableware, linens, French Country homewares and home accessories including a stunning range of photo frames, clocks, candlesticks and vases.

1.
Wedding List Co.

Wedding List Co a world of choice when it comes to setting up a wedding registry. Ideal for the modern couple, you can choose gifts from over 300 brands, experiences with Red Balloon vouchers and even contribution funds for your honeymoon, home renovations or a charity of your choice.

Wedding List Co stocks all the most popular dinnerware and kitchenware brands as well as Coco Republic, Legnoart, Christofle, Georj Jensen, Nintendo, Magpie and Florence Broadhurst… the list goes on and on!

A couple of tips;

Select items of a varying range of prices to accommodate your guests who will have various budgets.
Don’t be shy to put a couple of big-ticket items on your list; your parents might be looking for a meaningful gift or groups of friends sometimes like to club together to get a bigger gift.
Two registries is fine especially if you have a favourite store but also want the accessibility and range of a department store like Myer, David Jones or Peters of Kensington.

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5 of the best: Dinnerware Collections (Wedding China)

Written on September 1, 2009 by Bonnie in 5 of the best, Gifts, Wedding Registry

Choosing your ‘Wedding China’ is one of the many decisions you will make when deciding on your wedding registry when creating your new life together. Even if you have been living with your partner for some time it is unlikely that you will own a dinner set as special or as meaningful as this.

With this in mind I have compiled a few of my personal favourites.

Only the dinner sets are pictured however each design is accompanied by a large range of platters, frames, teapots, serving bowls and in some cases crystal glassware.
Image: Apartment Therapy

Monique Lhuillier for Royal Doulton

Inspired by the luxurious fabrics that go into the the create of a Monique Lhuillier gown; opulent silks, lace and tulle, the Monique Lhuillier for Royal Doulton table range features exquisite workmanship and will suit every occasion.
” Sharing a meal, exchanging gifts, these are life’s greatest pleasures. With this in mind, we created this collection, hoping it will inspire you and everyone you love to come together for great food and conversation. We wish you a lifetime of happy and beautiful celebrations. Enjoy!” – Monique Lhuillier.

Pictured ranges (from left to right); Femme Fatale, Etoile, Dentelle Place, Point d’Esprit.

4.
Kate Spade for Royal Doulton

The Kate Spade range of American-designed luxury homewares is stylishly functional.
Laughter spills into the front room as guests arrive.
Children clamour to push their chairs back from the table.
Conversations linger in the air long after the dishes are done.

Pictured ranges (from left to right); Kate Spade Belle Boulevard, Kate Spade Library Lane, Kate Spade June Lane in Platinum and also Gold.

3.
Jasper Conran for Waterford Wedgewood
Jasper Conran is one of London’s foremost fashion designers. His trademark is simplicity – in form, function and in style. Structure and proportion are everything to Jasper Conran because without function and usefulness, he believes that beauty has no purpose*.

Jasper Conran Chinoiserie, Jasper Conran Pinstripe, Jasper Conran Platinum Lined Dinnerware, complemented by Platinum Striped accent plates and cup and saucer.
*copy from Waterford Wedgewood.

2. Vera Wang for Waterford Wedgewood
Drawing inspiration from her famous wedding gowns and ‘Seven Days a Week I Love You’ jewellery range, Vera Wang has created a range of stunning dinnerware.

Pictured ranges (from left to right); Vera Wang Blanc Sur Blanc, Vera Wang- Vera Lace, Vera Wang With Love, Vera Wang Grosgrain.
The Vera Wang by Waterford Wedgewood can be added to your registry at Myer, David Jones, Peters of Kensington and The Wedding List Company.

1. Legle Porcelain de Limoges
Porcelaine LEGLE is a famous family from the French city of Legle that has worked for over one century to continue the family tradition; a timeless passion for china. Ceramists and enamellers work with the same meticulousness, continuing a prestigious know-how, while using state-of-the-art processes, which are Porcelaine LEGLE’s trademark.

Pictured ranges (from left to right); Limoges Sous le Soleil in either Platinum and Gold rimmed, Limoges Alliance, Limoges Carbone, Limoges Pastille.
Images: Limoges

The Wedgewood,Royal Doulton ranges can be added to your registry at Myer, David Jones, Peters of Kensington and The Wedding List Company.
The Wedding List Company and Peters of Kensington has Limoges available as does boutique homewares stores.

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5 of the best: Sydney Wedding Cakes

Written on July 30, 2009 by Bonnie in 5 of the best, Cakes

First of all, apologies for this Sydney-centric post. As a Sydney-sider I am obviously more familiar with local suppliers. I’d love to hear from you about great cake-makers and bakeries in other areas.

5.
Sweet Art

Sweet Art’s gorgeous Paddington showroom is filled with inspiration for events, stationery, flowers and of course cakes. Motivated by the Sweet Art motto; “If you can imagine it, Sweet Art will create it” some of their creations have to be seen to be believed. A meeting with their friendly staff involves the obligatory cake tasting, a colourful sketch of your potential cake and a quote.
Flavours include dark or white chocolate, hazelnut, carrot, banana, orange-poppy seed or traditional fruit cake. Each is layered and covered in a delicious blanket of either dark or white chocolate ganache.

4.
Planet Cake
The Planet Cake Book, popular decorating school as well as a record of creating cakes for high-profile clients such as Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban has led to Planet Cake being widely regarded as an authority for all things cake.
Planet Cake is the original home of the ‘Funky Couple’, the cute and iconic figurines that can be created to reflect the couple’s individuality.
Planet Cake clients are offered a complimentary 1 hour consultation and a flavour sample box to take away.
Flavours include chocolate, orange poppy, banana, carrot and almond praline as well as options for allergy sufferers and even a Kosher cake.

3.
Simmone Logue
Simmone Logue was inspired by her Nana Logue to create delicious cakes which in turn led to her successful catering business. Each Simmone Logue cake is made with natural ingredients and contains no artificial colours or flavours. Simmone’s speciality is decorating with fresh flowers for a natural and rustic look.
The mouthwatering flavours include banana cake with passion fruit icing, carrot cake with fresh mango and cream cheese, chocolate fudge cake with layers of chocolate ganache, citrus and poppy seed with lime zest and cream cheese icing, flourless orange and almond torte with mascarpone cream, flourless chocolate cake and traditional fruit cake with fondant icing.

2.
Faye Cahill Cake Design
Faye has over 14 years experience in creating unique and original cakes. Her work is frequently featured in magazines, films and television programmes. I first discovered Faye when several of her cakes graced my wedding inspiration board. I was inspired by the wonderful detail and the different colours each cake featured.

Faye Cahill Cake Design also do cakes for birthdays, christenings, corporate and other special occassions.

1.
Polkadot Cookies & Cakes
Speaking with Libby of Polka Dot Cookies and Cakes is an experience I can highly recommend! Libby’s passion for creating stunning cakes is inspiring and contagious. Her unique designs are a sight to behold. Libby’s attention to detail is second to none and the result is an exquisite masterpiece you won’t want to cut it… until you taste the mouth-watering flavours for yourself. Vanilla bean and white chocolate, Queen of Sheba chocolate torte, hazelnut ricotta torte, lemon and lavender with lemon buttercream, hazelnut praline, raspberries and cream, chocolate raspberry liqueur, banana, cranberry and white Chocolate, tropical carrot and Coconut.

P.S Yes- I am biased as Polka Dot Cookies and Cakes created my stunning wedding cakes in conjunction with Rouba of Angel’s Dreaming.

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5 of the best: Coloured wedding gowns

Written on June 1, 2009 by Bonnie in 5 of the best, Dresses

For the bride who prefers colour to tradition, more and more bridal fashion designers are including coloured gowns in their collections; from black, pink, red and ice-blue there is almost every colour of the rainbow to choose from.

5
Culture Shock
Unique designs for the ‘untraditional’ bride who wants to look her best but wants to put a spin on it!

4
Provonias
This Spanish label is lesser known in Australia but there are plenty of stockists. The quality is amazing and the with their wide range there is something to suit every bride.

3 Alex Perry
The self-described king of the corset creates gowns that create the most stunning of silhouettes.

2

Tea Rose

Feminine designs, luxurious swiss fabrics in the prettiest of pinks

Mariana Hardwick
Channel a star on the red-carpet with these stunning Mariana Hardwick gowns.

Genevieve Harlow gown

Ambrosia gown

Juiet Montparnase gown

Images from the designers websites

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5 of the best: Red Carpet Updos

Written on February 11, 2009 by Bonnie in 5 of the best, Hair

Updos are a wedding classic and there is no better inspiration than the red-carpet! (I am running a little behind with this post as many of the pics are from the Golden Globes- which were ages ago!!)

1
Kate Beckinsale

What I like about Kate’s simple, slicked style is that her look isn’t really about the hair. She kept the hair uncomplicated so that those fabulous earrings steal the show! The hair and earrings complement rather than detract from the over-size ruffle.

2.
Angelina Jolie
So chic! Perfect for if you are wearing a veil… or want to showcase your tough-stickers like Anj.

3.
Katherine Heigl
Known for her ‘Old Hollywood’ look she is the epitome of elegance and refinement.

4.
Eva Longoria
I have to admit that I don’t love the front however the back is a sophisticated style.

Amanda Seyfreid

This style is all in the detail at the back

I will be posting some ‘real’ bride styles soon so stay tuned for more inspiration images- perfect to take along to your trial appointment.

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Tinsley Mortimer’s engagement ring

Written on December 30, 2008 by Bonnie in 5 of the best, Celeb-spiration

How gorgeous is socialite Tinsley Mortimer’s yellow diamond ring?

Definitely on my wishlist for Right Handed Bling.

The Citrine is definitely my favourite and would be beautiful for evening.

This would be the only time I would be able to bear not wearing the ring already occupying the ring finger on my right hand. It is a Bvlgari B.zero1 ring which is a much loved birthday gift from a few years ago, and was on my wishlist for a couple of years before that! (I am a 1 ring on each hand at a time kinda girl).

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5 of the best: celeb engagement rings

Written on December 22, 2008 by Bonnie in 5 of the best, Celeb-spiration

I’m not one for celebrity gossip mags, but give me pics of their homes, rings or weddings and I am in! (forget the break-ups, make-ups and cellulite/no make-up pics).

These are 5 of my current favourite celeb engagement rings

5. Katie Holmes
Katie’s solitaire oval is about 5 carats and is of art-deco design. The stone is flawless and D colour however the ring has received criticism from jewellers for being too big a design for Katie’s slight hands.

3. Ashley Simpson
Pete Wentz proposed with this Asscher cut, 4 carat diamond reportedly valued at $100,000. The clarity is thought to be IF and colour E.

3. Sarah Jessica Parker
I am possibly one of the few women in the world who actually prefers SJP’s style to that of her alter-ego Carrie Bradshaw. I love SJP’s classic, elegant look and her engagement ring is no exception. The emerald cut diamond weighs in at 5.5 carats, is E colour with VVS2 clarity.
2. Kristy Hinze
Has kept very quiet on the details of her engagement to billionaire Jim Clark. I imagine this is mostly due to the media interest in their relationship being mostly due to the fact that as well as being Jim’s 4th wife, there is an age difference of 35 years.
Regardless of all that they seem so genuinely in love and her ring is just stunning.

1. Eva Longoria
This beautiful 3 stone Emerald cut ring is my favourite, favourite celeb ring, and probably ring in general (apart from my own of course… which incidentally is a 3 stone Emerald shape).
Trey Parker chose well with this Flawless, D colour, 5 carat ring which is set off beautifully with a platinum band.

All images and ring statistics from Ring Envy

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5 of the best: Invitations

Written on November 17, 2008 by Bonnie in 5 of the best, Stationery

Introducing- 5 of the best, a new series of my Top 5 favourites for all wedding related items. First up- Invitations and stationery. I was one of those kids who LOVED back to school stationery shopping and still love an adventure to Officeworks and so out of everything for the wedding (aside from my dress!) I think I am most excited about picking stationery.

There are so many choices; the wording, the stock, design, font, printing process and the stationery really sets the tone and theme for the whole event.

So, without further ado- my top 5 stationery and invitation companies:

5. Alannah Rose
Paddington based invite company who also offer custom design.

4. Bella Figura
New York based company who offer online shopping and delivery to Australia.

3. Angels Dreaming
Events and invitations that will set the tone and theme for your event. The quality and presentation is beyond compare.

2. Artisan Press
This small company based in Lane Cove offers a personalised service re-creating the old-fashioned art of letterpress.

1. Dori Ann’s Stationary Boutique
This was a tough decision as I am personally obsessed with letterpress however I just love the original designs of these invites and their sense of fun. Dori Ann has something for every occasion in the Wedding Calendar.