Bummer! Ebay losses...

If only i lived in Tassie..

Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda....

Owl did this happen...?

So I was perusing through the current Frankie Magazine and their collectors section featured OWLS!!

My first owl was a wooden fridge magnet which came off a cute Kikki K birthday card given to me from JD a few years ago.
From then, whenever I op-shopped or fossic at markets I'd look out for them. Funny how that happens.. I develop a new obsession and make it my secret mission to find more and more!!


I don't tell family and friends because then I end up with 100 ugly tragic "Copperart" looking owl figurines for every birthday and Christmas present onwards.


I went through this same obsession with: wooden shoe lasts (3), retro cannisters (3 sets), vintage oil paintings (3), retro electrical fans (3) apothecary jars (too many!) industrial/wooden ladders (3) retro or ornate lamps (more than there are power points in our flat!!) wooden desk trays (5) butter dishes (3) wooden signage letters (3) and list goes on and on.. My overcrowded flat is evidence of this!!!


That explains how the name for the blog came about..


Any hoo-t, I thought I would share my collection of owls (5 and counting)..

This guy was at our paar-tay!

This was kindly added to the collection by my sister

This wall art is made of ceramic tiles - very cute!

This is Archie

This is a polaroid I took of him lazying around on the balcony one a sunny afternoon.

JD bought him for me as a surprise birthday present 2 years ago.

The birthday card read; "Spot, Fido, Benji.. Whatever you decide its a boy!"

And JD hands me a gift bag with a white dog soft toy.

We live in a 2 bedroom flat with a small balcony and as there were no prior discussions if we wanted or if we could have a pet, I sighed with relief thinking he was just messing with me.

But then this tiny white adorable puppy stumbles through, barely able to find his feet he was just like his little fluffy toy counterpart. A BIG surprise.

He's a funny, sweet, playful little guy. Feisty at times, I think he has a case of small dog syndrome, but I now can't imagine life without him.

Food, glorious food!

J's Paper Cup Napkin Folding

Vietnamese Chicken Prawn Colesaw Salad Cups

One of the biggest compliments we received at our engagement party was that the food was delilcious!!

We could not have achieved without the amazing efforts of our friends and family! And in particular my awesome sister and her fabulous friends, who took care of everything on the night!!

We initially intended to get caterers to relieve the stress, however in the end cost, of course, became the issue. The cheapest piece of finger food was $3 a piece, and well, multiply that by 150 people came to $450 for 1 measley morsel!!

So collectively our AMAZING friends & family all pitched in and made the finger food and desserts.

JD created his own method of folding napkins to sit around the salad paper cups, which held the cute wooden forks. I guess he found his inner Martha Stewart & Donna Hay... A couple of session of napkin folding in front of the TV and presto 200 cups done! He jokingly said he should copyright it... but I think he was half serious.

Finger food:

• Homemade Humus, Spinach, Beetroot Dip & Turkish Bread
• Fresh Oysters
• Prawn & Pork Rice Paper Rolls w Hoisin Sauce
• Tofu Rice Paper Rolls w Hoisin Sauce
• Vietnamese Chicken Prawn Colesaw with Prawn crackers
• Mini Burgers w Beetroot & Orange Relish
• Dill Mayo, Chicken & Cucumber Sandwiches
• Roast Pumpkin, Caramelised Onion, & Fetta Crusty Rolls
• Smoked Trout Dip in Crispy Wontons
• Corn Fritters with Avocado Salsa
• Zuchini Frittata w Capsicum Relish
• Homemade Pasties & Sausage Rolls w Tomato Relish
  

Dessert:

• Mini Chocolate Tortes
• Ginger Butterfly Cupcakes
• Mini Apple Crumble Slice
• Match Sticks
• Mini Meringues
• Lemon Curd Tartlets
  

We were able to get our nice champagne, beer & wine ridiculously well priced through our good friends Batels & D and served Pimms which was perfect for a sunny afternoon of lawn bowls.

polaroids & pegs...

Vignette of vases & collectables on the table at the entrance

How cute are these chairs? They belonged to the bowls club

The polaroids & fabric booth was a hit!

Sanderson "Merrick Park" fabric used for our photo booth

To the left of the cool retro chairs was our fabric photobooth suspended from the ceiling. JD's dad is an upholsterer & gave us a roll of this cute Sanderson hydrangea fabric.

I was quite surprised that everyone embraced the fabric photobooth. I expected some guests to look at it and think "what on earth is this for?" and was prepared that some just wouldn't "get it" but most voluntarily jumped in front of it and snapped away..

I used the same fabric to make cushions for the benches inside. They really helped in making the place look cosy.

My ceramic owl, (a previous op-shop buy) held the pegs used to hang our polaroid photos onto the ribbon pinned to the board.

Weeks leading up to the party we kept our eyes peeled for vintage ceramic vases, jars, tea light holders and vintage plates for church candles, which were scattered around on the tables.

I bought a variety of white, green foliage & flowers from a wholesaler who sells to the public, and they were conveniently located nearby the venue. I bought 14 bunches for $130 in the morning of the party, an bargain!!! They were arranged very casually, it looked absolutely perfect!!

More photos to come....

love love love...

Here's a sneaky peak!

Well, what a fabulous day & night it turned out to be!! I'm still buzzing!!