Vintage Shindig

These parties are via the gorgeous blog of Daisy and were created by Rachel Ashwell. The top party was created for one of Pamela Anderson's sons.

Tulle Skirts & Chiffon Icing

Photography by Roland Bello.

Cupcake Case Garland

Here's another little DIY cupcake case tutorial: Flatten cupcake cases (these spotted cases are from Donna Hay's new store) and pierce a small hole in the centre. Tie a knot in a long piece of string or twine and slide 3-4 cupcake cases onto it (put some cases on upside down if you want a softer colour palette). Tie another knot and slide on the next few cases. Hang over a doorway to greet party guests.

Girls Will Be Girls...

Orange, green and pink is such a winning combination. Images by Jose Villa via Party Perfect.

...and boys will be boys. This gorgeous pirate / Peter Pan inspired party is by illustrator Merrilee Liddiard. See more here and here.

Thirty One

Image made up empty bottles of things I have used this past year, things I have received, accumulated, broken and bought. Recycling at it's prettiest? p.s. can't wait to share with you some of the amazingly thoughtful and original gifts I received today.

The '3' - Crabtree and Evelyn rose body wash (empty), Norsca deodorant (empty), Burt's Bees decolletage cream (empty), Decleor eye cream (empty, need more), porcelain Easter gift from mum which I superglued back together when it fell from my shelf when doing another pad reshuffle with candles from I don't know where and ribbon from Paper2, Moxie's, flower used in my profile pic, skull and felt cake broach, Chanel ring was a 30th gift (lucky me), broken iPod shuffle (too much running in the rain) have barely run at all this past year, not a step since the half marathon last October, plastic blue fan from The Society Inc., fake Rolex bought in Bali last year (broken), porcelain bird was a gift from my best friend (broken, the friendship not the bird), porcelain feather from The Society Inc., 30th birthday tag from my sis (still obsessed with Paris), vase from Industria Melbourne with dried flower (from bunch mum bought me as a housewarming gift), plastic ice cream cone (emptied of candy) via my nephew, pink sea urchin from The Society Inc. on Decleor moisturiser (empty), vintage pastry baking shells and pink striped mints from Donna Hay Cornerstore.

The '1' - Claus Porto soap packaged in vintage Portuguese paper, French bottle from Noosa, Cedel Hairspray (empty - love the colour of the bottle and the smell reminds me of getting ready for ballet), Daisy perfume from my angry little brother who bought me this for my 30th, a note from my little sis, a Paris post it note pad, a dried hydrangea from mum's garden.

31 today...

...and goodness do I need a new camera...mine currently vibrates, buzzes and blurs all at the same time resulting in terribly cloudy pics. Looks like I'm not the only thing getting older around here. I have the day off today and have been planning for a while to have a dreamy day... sleep in a little, go for a walk, have a coffee at Single Origin, a cafe so good it only opens during the week. It is here that I will enviously people-watch those whom sit in cafes all day with their laptops for a living. Yep, I'm having a morning of the life I want followed by a long lunch with a few glasses of icy wine and a delicious cake of any description before heading home for a family dinner and mum's amazing cooking.

Banners & Biscuits

Row 1 from Emma Cassi. Rows 2 & 3 from Famille Summerville. All images styled by Emma Cassi. Banner and tapes from Famille Summerville.

Biscuits, Plastic Plates & Tower Cakes

It's a week of birthdays this week - my nephew Oscar turns 3 on Wednesday and I turn the day after, so the next few days are devoted to kid's parties...such amazing stuff is out there (remember how good fairy bread is?) View more of Martine's amazing food temples and installation buffets on my foodie blog.

images from Martine Camillieri.

Ranch Wedding

This is what it looks like when graphic designer Danni Hong takes her camera to a wedding in her home town of Orange County California created for her friend by her friends. Love the personalised wooden crates filled with bright tulips and citrus colours.

images from oh, hello friend. flickr.

Order in The House

I am totally obsessed with this blog. Why? For her pretty collections shot from above (my current obsession), her use of graph paper and paper doilies (my other current love), her love for her boy (see the little book below she made for him containing pockets of love notes in little envelopes). I love the packaging pics (mmm, candy striped twine) of her pretty creations and I envy the order in which she keeps her blog, sticking to a schedule of Inspiration Monday, Link love Wednesday, and Lovely goods Friday. Wonder what she gets up to on Tuesday? Perhaps she assembles her comprehensive collections. I'd like to think I'll order my blog in the not too distant future, just as soon as I get off my a&se...um, on it rather and get my mind in order...hmm, don't hold your breath. shop here.

all images from oh, hello friend.

O-Check

I am currently obsessed with little collections of unrelated things. These are from o-check, a Korean company and possibly the best stationary company I've come across. Their notebooks have little pockets throughout and unique images and sketches on every page. I was in Paper2 for hours deciding which notebook to get and I decided on this one...it was the Paris envelope that was the clincher. Their whole range is incredible.

images from o-check website & online store.

Chocoholic

Now I know Easter is (well & truly) over but ever since I broke that chocolate seal I haven't been able to patch it up again. I continue to merrily make my way through these gorgeous gold flecked eggs.