[st patrick's day festivities]

Regardless of whether of not you have Irish heritage, many Australians will be donning green and celebrating with a few beers, good friends and sing-a-long pub songs this St Patrick's Day.

If, however drinking Guinness in a green velour top hat at O'Malley's isn't your thing, why not simply add a few of these pretties to your weekend festivities.

St Patrick's Day style tips:

1. Rethink your green: Add deeper shades for a sophisticated look or a lighter mint or sage for a fresh, sweet take on the scheme.
2. Adorn your front door with a themed wreath - we're in the tail end of the Hydrangea season which make for a beautiful full green wreath.
3. Add plenty of foliage to your blooms - an easy boost of green!
4. Get creative with your styling with props such as horseshoes, clovers, gold coins, Claddagh symbols and tartans.

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Post also featured on Show and Tell.

[wedding styling - yandina station]

Last week I assisted Kara Rosenlund in styling this beautiful wedding at Yandina Station.
Here's a few of Kara's stunning shots from the day...

The mega floral wreath hanging behind the bridal table was the creation of Twig & Grace - beautifully symbolic and complemented the rust covered barn wall so perfectly!

If you'd like to see a little more of this amazing wedding, stop by Kara's blog here.
Jx

images via Kara Rosenlund

[australia day styling]

With Australia Day just around the corner, I thought I’d share a few last minute styling tips.  Australia day typically is a relaxed affair with good friends, food and music. This however doesn’t mean that you can’t add a little flair to your lunch table.

Here are a few of my tips for a casual, chic Australia Day celebration:

• Set the scene on your veranda, patio, by the pool or under the shade of a tree – it’s all about the best “room” in the house.
• Choose your scheme: Try to stick with only one dominant colour and tone back the other i.e. if you were wanting a “green and gold” theme, consider yellow with a hint of softer mint green.
• As for fresh blooms, stick to Australian natives and keep it simple! A full vase of gum leaves may be all you need to bring the table to life.
• When choosing serving ware and table decorations, introduce a touch of nostalgia with things like blue rimmed enamelware, recycled tins and crates or a billy can for a vase.

Here’s some of my favourite pics to get you inspired…

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Happy Australia Day everyone!

Jx

Oh and P.S... 

I'm thrilled to announce I've been asked to be a contributor for Show and Tell!  I'll definitely continue posting here but pop over and check out this truly refreshing site for divine recipes, brilliant "on the couch" interviews and, of course, a bit of home love.

Post also featured on Show and Tell.

[croquet engagement brunch]

My little sister Sarah is engaged!
To celebrate this happy occasion, we threw her and her fiancé Chris an engagement party.  Rather than your typical evening soiree, we held a Sunday brunch at a sweet little croquet club.
I had a friend of mine who's an aspiring florist to create the beautiful arrangements for the brunch table and had a few family members and Sarah's other bridesmaids to help with the tasty morsels.
It was truly a perfect winter's morning here in sunny Brisbane!

The lovely Rachel Evans created these stunning blooms, complementing the mint green and yellow theme beautifully with dewy succulents and billy buttons.

Gluten Free Banana Cake with Passionfruit Icing.

(Made by yours truly)

I discovered this completely divine recipe over at My Darling Lemon Thyme - a fantastic food blog full of delish gluten free goodness.

Clockwise from the top, Sarah, me (her MOH) and her lovely bridesmaids.

Me and my bearded husband.

Long time friends Brooke and Britney looking the part for a morning of croquet.

and the happy couple.

I love these shots,

they're a bit cute.

And so the planning begins.

Jx

[a romantic wedding shoot]

A few months ago now, I styled a wedding shoot for Sugar Blush Photography.
These are a few of my favourites from the day...

Photography: Sugar Blush Photography

Furniture: Moments in Vintage

Decor: Adorn Event Hire

Gowns: White Lily Couture

Flowers: Alba Roses

Stationery: Sarah Alison

Model: Estelle Allen

Stylist: Jane Holmes (your's truly :)

To see more of Sugar Blush Photography's beautiful shoot, stop by Style Me Pretty here!

Would love to know what you think!

Jx

[highgate house - my wonderful week of work experience]

This week I was fortunate enough to spend time at Highgate House for work experience!
Interior designer Leigh Boswell and her creative team were so welcoming and kindly involved me in their busy days!
I did stocktake, sorted, tidied, coffee-d, chose fabrics and trims, unpacked, repacked and restyled to my little heart's content.  It was wonderful!

My experience there reaffirmed my decision to change career paths and enter the creative world of interior design.  It has made me so very excited for the study I have ahead of me (which incidentally begins on Monday!)

Exciting, colourful, aesthetic challenges are awaiting and I'm so excited to meet them!

For more information on Highgate House, see here, and follow their beautiful feed on Instagram @highgatehouse.

Jx

[coming up - wedding shoot styling!]

My creative year/life ahead begins with styling a wedding shoot!
Late last year my lovely wedding photographer, Yena, asked if I would collaborate with her in a mock wedding shoot she would be photographing this year.
I had loved styling our own wedding and was thrilled to be given a chance to create something beautiful all over again!
Yesterday I met up with Yena at Woolloongabba Antique Centre to talk decorative details and to begin sourcing bits and pieces we would need.

These little bone handled butter knives ended up coming home with me.

They may or may not make an appearance but they were calling my name!

(Mustn't do that every time)

Looking forward to sharing the final product with you all!

Stay tuned!

Jx

First image via patyenas Instagram