[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

[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

[christmas day - part two]

Christmas day lunch was another small gathering held at Mum's place and this year's theme was Rustic Neon!

 

The table runner was a hessian piece I had painted little neon triangles on, or if you squint, little Christmas trees.

I reused our wedding ceremony candles added a little pink twine (rather than have them collecting dust), and you'll see scattered throughout, those little neon ornaments I'd given a facelift a few weeks back.

Place on a large oval mirror and throw in a few pinecones, tea lights, pretty pink flowers and holly and you've got yourself a table!



Oh and it was my first Christmas with my husband!!
Speaking of which, I'll be sharing with you our beautiful wedding photos very soon so stay tuned!
Jx

P.S. If you liked the look of the Garden Salad with Figs and Pomegranate, find it here. Don't tell anyone but it's healthy too ;)

[christmas day - part one]

On Christmas day we hosted a family brekky at our little unit.

Just a simple gathering of six.

After picking up this oh so sweet table cloth for a steal at Ikea, I thought run with it and go a little kitsch for the morning.

So sunny yellow, polkadots, paper straws and sunflowers it was.

And for the menu...

Lychee and apple juice

Red rooibos iced tisane

Fresh fruit salad

Ham, cheese and tomato croissants

Raspberry and vanilla coulis

Natural yoghurt

Homemade gluten free toasted muesli

The muesli was really delicious!

It was my first ever attempt at gluten free muesli and the finished product was a blend of a few different recipes I'd come across.

It was a big hit with the gluten intolerant folk!

Here's my version for those of you playing at home...

Gluten Free Toasted Muesli

1/3 cup coconut oil

1/3 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp all spice

1 cup quinoa flakes

1 cup rice flakes

1/4 cup pepitas

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1/3 cup flaxseeds

1 cup slivered almonds

1/2 cup macadamia nuts (chopped)

1/2 cup hazelnuts (chopped)

1/4 cup goji berries

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup dried apricots (chopped)

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees.

Line a few trays with baking paper.

In a small saucepan, heat honey and oil over low heat until runny.

Mix in vanilla and spices.

In a large bowl, mix together the quinoa, rice flakes, nuts and seeds.

Pour over the spiced honey mixture and stir in well.

Divide amongst the trays.

Bake for 10mins, remove and mix and repeat until lovely and brown.

Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Stir in dried fruit.

And you're done!

Enjoy! Jx

Stay tuned for part two x

[mother's day brunching]

Happy Mother's Day Mum!!!

This was how we celebrated this morning...

Jenny Jenny's

Mother's Day Brunch Menu:

Spinach, Basil and Parmasen Mini Muffins

with Light Philly

Warm Roast Pumpkin Tarts

with Persian Feta and Olives

Homemade Toasted Muesli

(My complete and utter favourite!)

with Natural Yoghurt and Cinnamon

Baked Cinnamon Ricotta with Honey Drizzle, Berries and Fresh Figs

served with Warm Mini Brioche

As well as a splash of sparkling

and a cup or two of Melbourne Breakfast tea.

Hope all you wonderful mothers out there are having one fabulous day! Jx

[so frenchy dinner party]

Last night I had myself a little dinner party with some lovely girlfriends of mine.  I love any opportunity to get creative with table settings.
I was attempting french cuisine for the first time and wanted the table to tie in with the menu.

 Lucky for me our Ikea cross-back chairs look a little french provincial.

 I found these very sweet shallow bowls at a great price at Target which added a vintage feel.

I used a strip of cream hessian from Lincraft and frayed the edges a little for a table runner.

 I picked up these amazing Dahlias from the local market.

The small stems looked so sweet in Nan's bud vases!

 And now for the food...

Entrée

Goats Cheese Soufflé

with Spinach and Walnut Salad

Main

Slow cooked Lamb Shanks

with Tomato, Cannellini Beans and Thyme

Dessert

Warm Cherry Almond Clafoutis

served with Creme Fraiche

They were all really delicious and easy recipes to follow!

Find them here, here and here!

We also made sure to have a drop of Champagne as yesterday was 6 months until our wedding day!

Speaking of weddings, I'm off to one now.

Best start getting ready! Jx