Eat Drink Chic

This summer I'm loving...

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So apparently this is Summer in San Francisco, huh? It's a bit hit n' miss in terms of the California sunshine we've heard so much about!  I'm hoping, however, that whatever the season and wherever you may be, these colourful finds will put you in a Summer party mood! :)

flowers | napkins | cake stand | bowl | pillow | dress | platter | party horns | elephant candle

Only a week or so to go! Usually around this time the panic starts to set in. Thankfully, I'm a bit more organised with my Christmas prep this year! I have to admit, however, I am fast slipping into a 'Holiday Daze'. I'm finding it increasingly hard to think straight...

Despite this condition, I have managed to pop another gift tag printable up in my shop!

Add a burst of bright colour to your holiday projects- gifts, table-settings, you name it- with these 'painterly' tags. I've actually supplied three variations within the one PDF- "Joyeux Noel", "Noel" and "Happy Holidays". Just $2 (USD) for the digital file. Print as many times as you like!

Grab your printables right here!

Adore Home magazine recently asked me to create a festive holiday project for their annual printed issue and so I designed these mini toucan printables!  They make cute place-setting cards for tropical-themed summer luncheons, gift tags or even tree decorations for the festive season!

You can check out the full project with instructions in the gorgeous Adore Home annual printed issue available here or in select newsagencies across Australia.

(photo: Adore Home)

Download the free printable right here!

When West Elm recently sent me their clear, rectangle acrylic tray and asked me how I would style it, my mind was flush with all the possibilies! I've secretly had my eye on it for awhile so was thrilled when presented with the opportunity. I love mixing different materials when I style and as the decor in our home is predominantly wood and ceramic, the clear acrylic adds a wonderful new element to the mix.

My first thought was that it would be great as a drinks tray, perfect to accommodate my brand new acrylic Baci Milano champagne flutes (a recent purchase from Terrace Outdoor Living) and also my growing spoon and stirrer collection. I added a festive touch with colourful pom poms from Fenton and Fenton.

Secondly, I'm hopelessly addicted to collecting pretty stationery items, (some, admittedly, that I never actually use but just like to gawk at!) and the clear tray provides a beautiful way to display some of my favourites.

Finally, I had an idea to simply use the tray to stack large coffee-table books. I think it creates a nice alternative to bookends without blocking view of them and it also neatly separates them from other styled elements on display on a sideboard. 

Think of any other creative uses? Let me know!

So I only stumbled upon UNELEFANTE very recently and had to make note of it on le blog. I am completely in love with their art-inspired chocolate bars made in collaboration with Chef Jorge Llanderal. They also have a wonderful collection of other colourful Mexican made goodies to check out.

The chocolate bars would make such great treats for an art-themed party, doncha think? 

{ photos from UNELEFANTE website }

Just a random jumble of happy snaps to kick off the new year...

Organised Chaos- the state halfway between a complete mess and perfect order- is an acceptable place to reside... 

My 92 year old grandmother unexpectedly attended our Christmas family do. Still a twinkle in her eye...

Prep for a holiday 'Oh Happy Day' project shoot...

A rug for the wishlist. From Weylandts...

Christmas decorations for a family do at ours...

Organised Chaos...

A much needed post Xmas-day nap...

Tasty meal at the Weylandts Kitchen...

Organised Chaos...

Organised Chaos...

Our living room- still a work in progress...

Another event (Xmas) brings forth yet another Sundae Bar. Naturally...

Organised chaos. (Yes, I have a lot of stuff)...

Happy New Year! x

T2 have got me, yet again, with the swoon-worthy packaging for their latest collection "Curious".  This collection is packed with all things shiny and I LOVE how they've incorporated the recent irridescent trend in their loose leaf tea boxes.

How ace are these mega-shiny cannisters?!

Would make such pretty gifts for the upcoming holidays! *swoon*

So, it's occurred to me that I've never actually designed a Halloween freebie before. I guess it's because we rarely celebrate this holiday down here in Australia... When we moved from our inner-city apartment to our house in the 'burbs, a couple of years ago, we expected a sudden surge in trick-or-treaters knocking at our door but there have been absolutely ZILCH the entire time we've lived here! :(

Having said that, I think it's a pretty awesome holiday so this year I've designed (kinda last minute, I know) these candy bag toppers. I've abandoned the traditional orange and black with this project. Yep, it's pink and red again (I know, I know. Promise to give up on this colour scheme soon. I think). Warning: Lots of Happy Lab candy was devoured in the making of this project! :)

CONTINUE for instructions and to download your freebie!

Really loving this beautiful and oh-so-clever modular tableware. 

By Earnest Studio and Dana Cannam Design.

P.S. Make sure to watch the video to see it in action!

{ photos All of a Piece website }

Isn't this awesome? A silicone mould that creates a 2.5" slow-melting ice ball. So elegant! You can also create them in different colours to accompany your various drinks. Comes in a pack of 2. Grab it here!

I don't know about you but I'm not a huge fan of occasions overflowing with too much elegance and formality. My ideal party consists of mixing sophisticated elements with a whole lot of colour and whimsy... 

brass trivet | DIY surprise ball | tea glass | sparklers | DIY escort card | trolley bar | cocktail stirrers | decanters | crystal sticks

No doubt you've noticed the current trend of geometric shapes, pastel hues and gold accents...

Here are a couple of my favourites in this area:

These coasters by Rissa Sandman...

...and this unique wedding styling concept on 100 Layer Cake with Concept and Art direction by Indie Wed and Photography by Amanda Megan Miller Photography  (see post for full list of credits and pics)... so beautiful!

You've probably already deduced that my inspiration for this Party Mix is The Great Gatsby. I only just saw the movie recently and so my thoughts are flush with lavish and decadent soirees dripping with gilded decor, art deco motifs and free flowing confetti and cocktails...

balloon | card | pinata | tag | dress | cushion | stopper | champagne bucket | book | iphone | table

Here's a mid-week dose of colour and sparkle for you. Festive items that will brighten up your homes, your parties and your pretty selves! 

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Thought sharing this might be a festive way to kick-off the week! Pretty wooden bunting by Cubbylove. Such a cute name too, doncha think?

See all their other colourful goodies in their shop.

{ photos from Cubbylove website }

I'm always on the lookout these days for interesting vessels for flowers or plants, so it was such a thrill to find this in my inbox! So many beautiful modern vases from Chive. Can you pick a favourite? I've found myself drawn to the wall dots - lots of pretty colours to choose from!

shoes | escort card | star dominoes | shades | tumbler | girl's dress | postcard | paperweight | vase

Don't these images put you in a party mood?

Top left: Loving these fashion editorial pics for the latest issue of Rue Magazine. (Photography by Lara Rossignol. Fashion styling by Kate Riney for Aim Artists. Props created and styled by Jess Hammer.)

Top right: The most adorable photo of a dog I have ever seen! ( via Creature Comforts )

Bottom left: Bonbon Balloons- these are simply awesome.

Bottom right: Neon fabric bonbons by Wholehearted Studio- A lovely blog, by the way.

For our Australia Day BBQ back in Jan, I put together this little Ice-Cream Sundae bar. (Yes, I am obsessed with Sundae bars.) It is now a permanent fixture in our home.

It may appear to be intended for small children but no, it, in fact, catered for full-grown adults. All of the objects I've used to style it are part of my own collection because, basically, I am a large child. This table design is totally a manifestion of my colourful, eclectic and exceedingly infantile mind. 

And yes, perhaps including a pic of Audrey Hepburn these days is a tad cliché, but I don't care, she's awesome. (It was a toss up between her and Audrey Tautou.)

Oh and, by the way, if you ever plan to use plastic amber bottle dispensers for your toppings, don't get anything too thick- it will be a massive fail :(

I'm so in love with my test tube rack of colourful sprinkles! (I've re-used some old Happy Lab tubes.)

Confetti sprinkles are the bomb.

Happy Easter/Passover weekend everybody! :)