I hope everyone is enjoying their time celebrating over the holiday season. To say it's been a wet few weeks here in Brisbane is an understatement. We've been laying low, sleeping, reading and watching movies. Exactly what we needed I think.
I wanted to share with you all these images taken by Naomi V Photography of the Christmas Cookie Bar I styled for the Christmas edition of Peekaboo Magazine. All printables were designed by Polkadot Prints.
I wanted to create a Christmas Eve Cookie Bar that was kid and adult friendly. So for the kids I made up miniture cookie bags (Jordon from Polkadot used iron on transfers for the graphic) and used our signature mini glass bottle to house the milk.
And for Mums and Dads a Baileys Shot with a handmade liquor chocolate. Exactly what you need to help you get through all that wrapping Christmas Eve!
If you would like help creating a fabulous party of your own contact me about our event styling services. You can also purchase many items I use in my parties here.
I've got some super exciting news to share with you all.
Just this past Friday I styled and event for Oprah. Actually it was a Baby Shower she hosted for an expectant Melbourne Mum, Catherine Schrank at Bebe Online, a baby shop in South Yarra.
What an absolute honour it was to prepare this event for both Oprah and Catherine. The show will got to air sometime in January and I'll be sure to let you know the date and time when that information is available. I'll also be able to share photos of the entire event with you then, along with all the generous and talented people that helped make this event fabulous.
But until then this photo will have to do!
I'm off to Sydney tomorrow to see the taping of the show! Talk to you all on my return.
It's been a frantic week with two trips to Melbourne down and two more to go before the end of next week. Added to that school and kindy break ups and heaps of lovely new products arriving each day and you could say I've been kept on my toes all week.
I'd love to share with you the newest additions to our range.
First up are these sweet little compotes in an array of pretty colours.
They can used for so many things. Dessert, candy, sweets, a small posy of flowers or even place a plate on top for an instant cake stand. Available here.
Next up are two new cake stands with a sweet scalloped edge. The are both hand made here in Australia, as are the compotes above.
Round stands from here, Square stand available here.
As you know I love a little ruffle edge. So I was thrilled when I spotted these gorgeous plates.
And something festive and fun for the silly season. A set of two chalkboard Christmas Trees. Available here.
I'm so happy to announce that the first of our Beverage Dispenser collection has arrived.
This stunning Apothecary Drink Dispenser is of the highest quality. The glass has been mouth blown and hand cut and boasts a brass spigot.
To celebrate we are offering 20% off the RRP from now until the 10th December 2010. Just enter SDD20 at checkout to receive discount.
Click here to view in our shop.
I really love the idea of giving from the heart. Something that you have made with love and want to share with your nearest and dearest. I also love presenting my gifts beautifully.
Here is a easy and cost effective gift you (and the kids) can make this Christmas.
What you will need:
Gift label and co-ordinating ribbon
Your favourite cookie recipe
Guillotine
Hot glue gun
Double sided sticky tape
Steps:
Bake your favourite cookie. I used the Martha Stewart Basic Sugar Cookie recipe and added our choc beans for a little colour.
Take our flint jar and fill with your favourite cookies once they have cooled. The kids helped me bake ours and were very proud of themselves.
Select a gift label you like. I used two different ones here. The pink and red is from Style Me Gorgeous and can be purchased here. The green and red design is from Fairydust Design. Toni's website is currently getting a makeover, however you can email Toni if you would like to purchase. Toni's email is toni@fairydustdesign.net.
Select a ribbon that coordinates with the label and cut a piece long enough to wrap around the jar from the lid to the base. You will need extra for the bow.
Use the glue gun to secure the ribbon to the base and the lid. Then take the remaining ribbon and tie a neat bow and secure with hot glue.
If you are printing out the labels yourself you will need a colour printer and guillotine. Cut out your labels and place double sided tape on the blank side. Make sure you place the tape right up to the edge of the gift tag so it doesn't come away from the jar. Secure firmly on the jar.
There you have it. A beautifully presented gift made with love!
We have limited stock available of these fun Christmas Tree shaped glass candy jars. Be quick, they won't last long.
Pick up is available if you are in Brisbane. Just choose that option at checkout.
You can purchase them here.
During my time spent in NY recently one of the things I loved to do was wander the streets and marvel at the beautiful shop windows. Bergdorf Goodman was one that gave me plenty of eye candy. I've just read at Habitually Chic that a new book from Assouline, Windows at Bergdorf Goodman has been released.
Like HC, I won't be purchasing it (it's $550 and I'd rather pay for my kids to visit the dentist for that sort of money) but I thought I'd share with you a stunning window created using only Delft.
My mum and grandmother had a few pieces of blue and white china and I treasure the one piece that I have that was passed down to me from my great nana. I have no idea of the value however I suspect it's worth no more than a cup of coffee. I love it just the same.
During the time I spent with Anna Spiro whilst designing the interior of our home, her love of blue and white certainly took hold of me. I have a nice collection of it now, along with some beautiful white milk glass and pink Hull pottery. I love the thrill of finding a new piece at an obscure little second hand store.
What do you love collecting?
Martha has done it again. For those wanting to bake and gift this Christmas here are some of the many pretty packaging options available. All available via Two Peas in a Bucket.
Have you had a chance to check out what Ikea have on offer this Christmas? The simple colour palette of navy, red and white (with a touch of silver) lends itself well to the hot Aussie Christmas. And because it's Ikea you'll get big impact for little cash!
Here are a few of my favourite paper products.
I'm happy to announce that we now stock four single coloured smartie look-a-likes in our store. They come packaged in 500gram lots in a resealable cello bag with our signature sticker on front.
I'll be be back over the weekend to show you some simple yet visually beautiful yummy treats to make with them for Christmas.
My recent trip OS started in San Fran. Glory and I spent 5 full on days together talking, drinking coffee (pumpkin lattes for me), talking, shopping, shopping, talking, shopping, talking, coffee, macarons, cupcakes .... you get the picture.
What was it like meeting someone that I have known for three or so years but have never met in person. It was amazing. Was I a little nervous? Sure. But we got on like a house on fire. We are totally different gals, but we share a passion that has enabled us to become best of friends. Each day we would make a pact to get to bed at a reasonable hour, however at 1am we were still chatting away!
Glory made my trip so special. We had been communicating back and forth for months getting our list of must see places together. She made this great map with all our destinations pin pointed so we wouldn't waste anytime back tracking. I was also lucky enough to try her chocolate cupcakes. Have to say they are better than mine. And that frosting! YUM!
I can not wait to visit the USA again and spend more time with you Glory. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Life has been hectic over the past few weeks however I wouldn't have it any other way. It's not like it's been so crazy that I'm out of control, but crazy enough that something's got to give and so the blog usually draws the short straw.
This week is no exception. However I thought I would start posting a few photos from my trip to San Fran and the big apple. To say I had a good time is an understatement. Without getting all Eat, Pray, Love on you my trip was quite cleansing for my soul. I had time to just be me. To reflect and to assess where I've been and where I'm headed.
There were not so good times too, like when I lost my bag in NY with my laptop and medication. That was not fun. And no, I still haven't had it returned. So with the laptop went all my photos from San Fran. And there were some good photos in there. Not great technically but great memories. Luckily I have a good memory hey?
So here's where I bore you with holiday snaps. I think I'll just post random ones. Cause that's just how I roll.
I'm going to start with the most impressive. I was fortunate to meet up with Amy Atlas while in NY. She is genuine and welcoming. I didn't feel at all intimidated by her. She was very complimentary to us party gals in Australia. She thinks there must be something in the water cause we all produce such well designed tables! Her book is due in the spring of 2012 and I for one cannot wait to get my hands on a copy.
So after we took this photo and I looked at the camera screen I realised how HUGE I looked in relation to Amy. She is tiny, tiny, tiny! So I sang her a little song and it went a little something like this.
"Fatty and skinny went for a race, up and down the pencil case. Fatty fell over and skinny won the race." You had to be there, it was pretty damn funny.
Thank you Amy for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me. I truly appreciate it.
I'll be back with more happy snaps soon.
for new and exciting dessert table goodies for you!
I know how much joy you get from creating beautiful parties for your family and friends because I get the same joy out of it too.
I also know it can be hard to locate the items you need to help you create a beautiful dessert table.
That's why I'm asking you my loyal readers and appreciated customers what you would like to see stocked in my shop. What can't you find at the moment that you just have to have?
For every reader that sends me an email with a suggestion of product, I'll send you a gift voucher to use in my store.
Please send your suggestions to me directly at sharnel@sharneldollardesigns.com.au. This way I can email you your gift voucher directly.
Thank you for your time. I'm really looking forward to reading all your suggestions.
I'm back as promised sharing with you one of our latest dessert table designs. Earlier this week millions of Australians celebrated the Melbourne Cup with fashion, food and bubbles. I'm sure there were a few sore heads Wednesday morning and lots of calls into the office.
I was asked to design a dessert table for a group of gorgeous gals who celebrate Melbourne Cup with a lunch each year. The design was completely left up to me which is always makes me happy.
Hope you enjoy viewing this beautiful images captured by Naomi from Naomi V Photography.
Delicious Details:
Bulk pink choc beans are available for purchase here. We also have blue available now and red and green will be available next week.
Candy Jars available for purchase here.
Backdrop was custom designed for me by Style Me Gorgeous. As were the chocolate bar wrappers, cupcake toppers and signage.
I had the tablecloth custom made as well.
I think it's important to consider your guests dietary needs. Include at least one gluten free dessert in your designs. More depending on the number of guests.
Also ensure you use tongs and food safe gloves when handling any food.
Happy Designing xox
If you would like help creating a fabulous party of your own contact me about our event styling services. You can also purchase many items I use in my parties here.
