pois de senteur

Tick-tock-tick-tock..
Ever had the feeling time is running out and every moment count? Yes you may say “ALL the timeee” like when you’re running late for your doctor’s appointment, or that important meeting at work, or when you have to plan a proper wedding ceremony and reception in less than 2 months!! Say what?? Less than TWO MONTHS to plan a summer wedding??

Ah yes, lets do a quick flashback to my clients, Romina and James. I remember receiving the bride’s first phonecall, it was something like this,

Romina: “Hello, my fiancé and I are getting married in 2 months. Can you help us?”
Me: “What have you got planned so far?”
Romina: “uh.. nothing”
Me: “of courseeee I can help you..” - insert:widest smile ever

I saw a challenge and I embraced it. We tackled the wedding planning military-style. I flicked through the pages of my black book and planned planned planned! So many issues and roadblocks came our way, no I mean seriously, on top of the other issues of finding suppliers to make this wedding happen in less than two months, we had to face four (4) major roadblocks on the day as the two biggest sisters cruiseship, and .. oh let me just paste an article from SMH: “The Government is urging Sydneysiders to leave their cars at home and take public transport this weekend, with four major events taking place in the city. Two biggest ship liners, the Queen Victoria and the Queen Elizabeth 2, will rendezvous in Sydney on Sunday before leaving together at 6pm, this may bring the city to a standstill. There is a pre-Mardi Gras party on the western side of Mrs Macquaries Point. Gridlock is expected at Moore Park as the A-League soccer grand final takes place at the Sydney Football Stadium in tandem with a one-day cricket match between India and Australia at the SCG..” ha?!!

But happily ever after for these two lovebirds prevailed, and on one of the most perfect summer day too! Romina and James exchanged vows in the charming gazebo of Observatory Hill, The Rocks, followed by reception at L’Aqua, Cockle Bay Wharf in Darling Harbour.

Photographs by picturesandhearts

Oh gosh, so I have only recently blogged but I do have to say, being absent from an actual dedicated cyber time made me miss pouring my heart out onto a medium accessible by complete strangers. Does that even make sense to you all? Back on course, I have been away due to *drum roll* the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Sydney 2011!! Let’s refer to it as MBFF from now on. The MBFF week commenced on 23 August 2011 and was held at the Sydney Town Hall and to sum up, it is a schedule of fashion events showcasing the contemporary Spring Summer Collections of Australia’s leading designer brands and retailers and is accessible by ANYONE by purchasing tickets off Ticketek. The atmosphere of the MBFF was pretty much direct opposite of its big sister’s Fashion Week, meaning it is very relaxed if compared. Does this mean I worked less? uhm nope, lack of sleep and malnutrition was still an integral part of my week. Psst a little bird told me, this isn’t anywhere close to being my last taste of fashion runway production muahaha.. I will tell you more of what’s on my agenda as the days go by. As for now, I need to get some much needed rest and nutrition.

It is with blissful joy that I share Ivan and Cecilia’s wedding with you all. I used the term ‘blissful joy’ because flicking through their photos literally makes me swoon like a kid in a candy store. I love pink, NO its not my favorite color but still, I love pink! The entire day of this wedding could be likened to a gorgeous color palette filled with romantic shades of blush and pink, cleverly diffused into various elements of the event. A lot of thoughts were put into details such as individual menu wrapped with pink-satin ribbon clipped with round diamante pieces, pink-crystal embossed table linen overlay, silver tiffany chairs and pink-hued up lighting in all corners of the ballroom, all made for a sweet and chic setting. So lets put together a beachfront five-star hotel and a beautiful autumn day plus a clear-blue water view, there is no better combination of a perfect setting for their special day. Actually, there is. Let’s add to the already perfect equation, a dress so gorgeous, Mattel Barbie has one in its platinum collection. Yes, the beautiful bride wore the famous ‘swanlake’ dress by Monique Lhuiller.

Photographs by Leigh Miller.

The prestigious annual event of The Prix de marie claire Awards absolutely radiated an aura of decadence and glamour. A Parisian-style garden setting was created in the Commemorative Pavilion of the Fox studio backlot for the black tie ball. It took twelve-months to plan this ultra-chic event, four weeks just to build this amazing set, a production team of 250, truckloads of roses and a waterfall supply of champagne.

Jamie & Michelle, this pair of lovebirds makes an incredible joy to share with you all. So visibly giddy in love and absolutely head over heels for one another. I’m a sucker for the vintage and delicate elements of baby’s breath bouquets, little candles placed in jam jars and adorable pear place cards with transparency film name-tags, hand-tied to the stem with black and white baker’s twine *heart*

I honestly think in today’s society, Michelle qualifies as a representative of a complete beauty, inside and out. She wore the ‘Diagonal Dancer Dress’ by Marnie Skilings, who created this dress for Earth Hour. Here’s an extract of the designer’s take on creating the ‘diagonal dancer dress’ for Earth Hour: “Our own seemingly small actions can help our earth in a big way. That’s why we are thrilled to be helping WWF promote Earth Hour by creating a dress. We used all recycled fabrics – scraps of silk, lace, tulle and florals remind us that something precious can be derived from what may be perceived by some as waste.” For your reference, the Diagonal Dancer Dress is a gorgeous silk, lace and tulle creation with a bias fit through the body. The silk leopard print lining subtly shows through the full, fun silk tulle skirt. The body of the dress is made up of panels of stretch, silk crepe, French lace cut-outs and folded silk georgette edging.

I promised the bride that I won’t post much pictures of her because she’s quite the shy one, but I can’t help myself cos she’s so beautiful!! Sorry Mich!

Photographs by Natasja Kremers

Australian Fashion Week is the Asia Pacific’s stop on the international fashion week circuit joining Paris, Milan, New York and London.This year, Rosemount Australian Fashion Week took place on 2 – 6 May 2011 at the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) at Circular Quay, Sydney.

A runway show at RAFW lasts an average of 12 minutes. But those mere moments were the product of a backstage chaos made up of an army of staging and production team, countless models, hair stylists, make-up artists, delegates, publicists and media. And if you think the production team had a hard time managing all aspects as it is, the ante was surely upped when a large white snake python joined the team. Yes this python (i’m sure its a sweet python) reacted quite aggressively to the lights on the catwalk. And sure enough, there were quite a few people backstage who were squealing (guilty!) and wouldn’t go backstage while it was there. Talk about adrenalin on the job.

The Fashion Week certainly gave off a different kind of buzz to any other events I have ever produced and it was gone in the blink of an eye. It was great awesome fun and I felt very fortunate to be involved in the production team, met so many new interesting people in the industry and not to mention being across the room from plentiful of famous faces. Can’t wait for another taste of runway production. Look out for Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival 2011 which is approaching real soon peeps!

Browsing through the early pages of my event portfolio, I stumbled upon the wedding of Gunawan and Caroline. Their wedding ceremony took place at the magnificent St Mary’s Cathedral, followed by a ballroom reception at The Westin Sydney. Warm palette of neutrals in shades of pink, peach and soft gold at the reception were complimented by abundance of candlelight which was scattered around the lush flower centrepieces, overflowing from their Bohemia crystal vases. I remember the wedding being a lavish soiree, rich with elements evoking grandeur and elegance, truly is a reflection of Caroline’s peculiar taste and style. The stunning bride wore a beautiful mermaid-dress by the one and only Vera Wang.

Photographs by picturesandhearts

Bringing you a few of my faves from Ruth’s baby shower celebration. The event was held at Blackwattle Café, such a hidden gem located in Glebe, a sweet little cottage with a classic terrace veranda + green grassed area for outdoor eating and magnificent views of the water, city skylines and Anzac Bridge.

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon in July with soul-warming pots of coffees and yummy cakes, plentiful of red lips and laughter. Such a relaxed and laidback gathering, surrounded by their friends who love them to bits. 

To their soon-to-arrive baby Reuben - know that you are so loved already.

Hope everybody is having a great week so far!

Much love, xx

I am delighted to share with you this cosy little baby shower which took place at Le Pain Quotidien, which is easily one of my favourite chill-out places. Of course, every life that comes into this world is a miracle, worthy of wonder and awe. But for my friend, Ve, and her husband, this is such an immense and overwhelming blessing because they have waited so long for this baby. It has been a difficult and trying road. Over the course of the past few years, as they would smile as well-intentioned friends and acquaintances asked when they would “finally” have some kids, they probably did wonder. So they prayed and trusted and hoped and waited and the Lord heard their prayers and now Ve, is only weeks away until she meets her sweet baby, who is so wanted, so anticipated.