My Wedding

A little glimpse into my wedding... {Seelbach Hilton Louisville, KY. 19 August 2006}

"Mama's little helper"..thank you Korbel. I've had some mighty fine times with you.

Our Mad Hatter...blueberry on top and bottom tier {think blueberry, as in one ginormous blueberry muffin}, with orange and cherry in the centre tier. Okay. I got married in Louisville KY in the middle of August. Anyone at all who has spent anytime there during the summer knows how hot and humid it gets. I was not trying to have a heavy; weighty cake that was layer upon layer of thick icing and cream and fondant. So, we went light and fruity and it was the most devine cake..ever.

The Tim Tam. If you're an Aussie, keep reading cause this will not hold any importance to you. I used individually wrapped packets of Tim Tams as my favour. Now, I'm sure you American's know what a Tim Tam is by now, seeing as how Kroger is carrying them via Pepperidge Farm. Let me just say that if it's not by Arnotts, and Pepperidge Farm is not Arnotts, then it's not a Tim Tam. I digress. TT's are a staple in every respectable Aussie cupboard...like Nutella {yuck} or Vegemite {double yuck}. They are crisp and creamy in the centre..full of chocolately goodness. If you haven't tasted an Aussie Tim Tam, you've not lived. Which is why they were my favour. My favour tag?: "From the land down under, for you a treat. It's a chocolate Aussie Tim Tam, and it's so yummy to eat." {Okay, typing that out, I realized just how corny that is.}

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough". Ain't no ocean great enough either because R and I endured 14 months of seperation while he was in Australia and I was in the US. Our entire relationship was spent living apart. Nothing was going to seperate us, which is why we chose that song as our processional.

My sister and I. I love her. Nuff said.

My sweet precious Hunter.

Posed? Yes. Still love the photo.

In all my tattooed-tattered- friendship- bracelet -that- Hunter- made- me-a-million-years-ago goodness. Holding my baby's hand. Yes. It was the perfect day indeed.

What's a Man, uh, Groom, to do?

Back when Rodney and I were planning our wedding, I likened the wedding day preparations for him, as like a big girly shopping trip where he would have to wait for me while I tried on countless of outfits in store after store, each time asking, "does this make my butt look too big"? Yeah, I never took him as the kind of guy who would have insane amounts of fun wrapping votives in decorative paper or really losing sleep over champagne types or the pro's and con's of fondant. He is the typical male when it comes to things like this....which is why I took care of the girly things, only letting him know what decisions I had made after I made them. It was safer that way {and alot less stressful}.

But do the girls ever stop to think that, "Hey, wait a minute. This is his wedding too. What if there are aspects about it that he might like to have a say in?" Just as I'm sure there were facets of the preparations that R would've liked to participate in, there might be facets of your own wedding planning that your fiancé might want to be a part of.

Here is a list of 20 things that, if they are going to be present in your wedding, let your man look after them. It'll make him feel included and what's more, he'll be ever so greatful that you trusted him enough to have his say so in certain aspects of the wedding day. After all, he's gonna be there too, right?

1) Asking his best friend to be his best man.

2) Designing your wedding website.

3) Working on the music playlist. {Especially if you are using your iPod.}

4) Picking out the appetizers.

5) Creating a wedding microbrew. {Hello? Fun for a guy? Yes.}

6) Choosing what he'll wear? {It's just 1 day ladies. You can let him do this for just 1 day.}

7) Comparing cake flavours.

8) Researching the honeymoon.

9) Figuring out the map/directions cards {We all know how good guys are at asking directions.}

10) Going to the menu tasting.

11) Proofreading the invitations; programs, etc. {Guys like finding mistakes.}

12) Wielding the scan gun as you register for gifts. {It'll make him feel like Dirty Harry.}

13) Getting a day-before massage. {With you, of course.}

14) Choosing your wedding day ride. {Cross your fingers it's not a Harley.}

15) Writing his vows.

16) Attending the Bachelor Party {Bucks Night} {& hopefully remembering it.}

17) Unwrapping presents.,

18) Deciding on the wines.

19) Organizing pyrotechnics {fireworks, sparklers, etc}.

20) Practicing the first kiss.

Letting your man take charge of at least some of these aspects of your big day, it'll take the stress off of you {always a plus} and make him feel included & that his wants are taken into consideration. Putting you both, in a win-win situation.

Amy Butler Fabrics

If you have any sort of affinity for fabric, whether you know how to sew or not, you absolutely can not go past Amy Butler. Her fabric design skills are second to none! The colours; textures, and patterns are ridiculously fantastic! I especially love her latest collection called, simply, "Love". Perfect! Just in time for Valentines Day. From flannels, to fabrics sturdy enough for Home Décor, to fabrics light and airy enough for a sun dress, the colours and patterns in her newest collection are to die for.

Any one of these patterns I can easily see being a focal point pattern on a bright Saturday wedding... for table linens, to wrap around the floral bouquets, to sew into ribbons to hang escort cards from...you name it!

Try as I might, I simply can not pick a favourite. My only wish? That I could find paper that looked just. like. this.

Rainbow gateau

Does this really even need an explanation? Uh. No.

Thanks to Poppytalk for this photo. Visit the Poppytalk blog for more goodness about everything.

Vintage Labels

Anyone who knows me, knows my deep love for all things vintage. So, when I spent a few minutes perusing the genius site that is i do it yourself, I ran into these, and fell head over heals.

Feel free to use these for your gorgeous little vintage bottles, as address labels, or as gift labels.

Pomegranate Perfection

Weddings come in all shapes and sizes, but, let's be honest. We've all seen some themes of weddings way to many times. The same red rose centrepieces, the same white 3-tierd cakes, the same steak and chicken dinner...same...same...same...boring. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong w/ red roses or white 3-tiered cakes, but, lets mix it up a bit. Add a little bit of extraordinary into your day.

Which is why I love this Style Me Pretty post. It's fun, it's vintage, it's flirty...and best of all, it showcases a beautifully rich and velvety shade of pink..Pomegranate. Not to mention it's chock full of tons of "take away" ideas that you can use in your own wedding. What I think is so spectacular about this table set up, is that all of the glass bottles were purchased from the Salvation Army! How's that for DIY chic?

Thank you to Style Me Pretty for this fantastic post.

Notecards for Haiti Relief

In the wake of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti last week, I was left speechless and feeling very heartbroken and helpless. All I wanted to do was hop on the first plane out of Melbourne, heading straight for Haiti. Desperate times call for desperate measures right? Then, the realistic side of my brain kicked in and I realized that a flight was just not possible. How could I help? Agencies were saying, "don't give food or clothes or blankets." Then, what am I supposed to do? I had to do something. I likened this disaster to Mother Nature's version of 11 September...only in some ways, worse.

This past Sunday, my husband; daughter, and I, went to Rod Laver Arena, where the Australian Open is being held, and attended a charity fundraiser match organized by Roger Federer. "Hit for Haiti", it was called. He organized an event to raise funds, and he's going to be doing what he does best, and loves most: playing tennis. That's when the idea hit me: I love designing and creating, why not create notecards to raise money for relief efforts?

Needless to say, I have been at the computer for almost 2 days straight drafting and designing and creating and doing it all over again. And I couldn't be happier.

These notecards will be sold for a limited time only. With 10 designs to choose from {all 10 designs are shown on my website}, the notecards are sold in packs of 5 for $15 or 10 for $25, they come with matching plain envelopes and are blank inside for your own personal note. What I really like about these cards is that I designed them with an inspirational quote on the front. But what I like BEST about these cards is that 100% of the money raised will go directly to Haiti relief efforts. That's right, you read correctly: 100%. Meaning, I will make NO money for these cards...and I wouldn't have it any other way. The notecards can either be purchased from my Etsy store here, or on my website here. Please don't forget to specify the colour of card/envelope you want {white or cream} and the design{s}.

I would love to raise at least $500 {but secretly, I'm hoping for much more}. So please help me reach and exceed this goal!

Thank you so much for your support.
xoxo Autumn