My First Restaurant Review {30 Day Challenge}

{A photo of your favourite place to eat}

When it comes to fine dining, I admittedly enjoy the high life. When Rod and I met, I was a simple girl from Kempton Park. But, thanks to Rod, over the years I have been lucky enough to have tried some of the best restaurants in Johannesburg, and have discovered that lingering beneath the rough exterior of this girl was a foodie waiting to get out! When Rod first took me to Coachman's Inn, I was blown away! The food was perfect - the best Duck L'Orange I have ever tasted - the ambience intimate but not stifling, and the interior so beautiful I wanted to weep! This old Tudor style house has everything within its walls to charm the socks off even the toughest critic!

Retail Therapy {30 Day Challenge}

{A photo of the last item you purchased}

I'm not what one would call a big spender. It's not that I'm a stingy person, by no means, I just require a few less material items than the average Joburger, I guess. But, as luck would have it, I happen to be the proud new owner of a couple things bought only a few days ago!

Mood Music {30 Day Challenge}

{A song to match your mood}

I've decided that today is going to be a good day, come hell or high water, so here's some German irony for you! It always puts things in perspective.

Until tomorrow!

Peace and Love!

The Big Day {30 Day Challenge}

{Your dream wedding}

As you know (or at least I assume you do by now), I'm already married. But that doesn't stop a girl from dreaming... Don't get me wrong, I loved my wedding! It was a nice size at 80 guests, the food was good, and the best part, of course, was that I married my Roddy. That doesn't mean that there aren't a few things I would change though...

Look! It's us!

The Perfect Pet {30 Day Challenge}

{A photo of an animal you'd like to keep as a pet}

Christmas Day 2011

Okay. In the true tradition of interwebs hyperbole, I know I’m supposed to be sharing some or other ridiculously cutesy picture of some or other awesome animal that I would never in the real world be legally able to own, such as a liger…

{Inspiration} Yellow & Grey

A lovely combination for a summer wedding! The brightness of the yellow is beautifully highlighted by the neutrality of the grey, softer than black but with as much impact!

2010 Revisited {30 Day Challenge}

{A photo of yourself two years ago}

{DISCLAIMER: Geez, okay, this challenge requires a fair amount of vanity! More than I am accustomed to! Maybe that's the challenge... I think it calms down a bit after this one!}

This is a photo of my sister-in-law Terri and I at my 25th birthday party. I was crazy about the WWE at this point, so I decided to have a themed dress-up party! I figured the next big one was 30 and by then I'd have kids, so go big or go home! (A dash of irony - this party was, in fact, held at my home...)

Besties For Life! {30 Day Challenge}

{Your favourite photo of your best friend}

Yes, I know it says "friend" - singular - but there are three people I want to give a shout out to!

My hubby, Roddles! - 25 February 2010

Rod and I met at the end of 2004 when I was 19. We started dating (Going out? How juvenile sounding!) a few months later. This photo of Rod always makes me smile. It was taken the day before we got engaged in 2010, and he just looks so happy and relaxed. I love my man with his long hair, but this photo has to be my favourite. Rod has a winning smile, but my favourite is when there's a chuckle behind that smile :)

Care For a Date? {30 Day Challenge}

{Your idea of the perfect first date}

Now this is a really tough one for me... See, I've never dated, in the awkward dinner / movie / drinks sense of the word. In my 27 years I've only ever had six boyfriends (the jury's still out on whether it's me or all mankind that is picky), and all of those relationships (however short-lived some of them have been) started out as friendships (and, I'm not afraid to say, many should have stayed that way!).

{Inspiration} Black & White

You can't go wrong with this classic colour combination.

Here I combined classic elements with a bit of quirkiness to create a unique look ripe for any season!

What's on YOUR plate? {30 Day Challenge}

{A picture of something you ate today}

It's was sooooo yummy!!

Okay, I know this is not everyone's cup of tea, but I loves me my liver! Rod hates it, so I only get to eat it once a month when he has a date night with his sister - after payday every month he takes her out for dinner (usually to some or other Italian place), and so I take the opportunity to indulge in some Greek-style ox liver! Yes, as with everything Greek, it's supposed to be lamb liver, but that's not always readily available...

If there's one thing I despise it's liver that's been cooked until it's dead, so this recipe is perfect for me. Because I feel that everyone should try this at least once in their lives, here's the how-to!

{Inspiration} Silver & Blush Vintage

How You Doin'? {30 Day Challenge}

{A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was}

I know this is not the most flattering photo I could have chosen, but bear with me! I chose this photo because it was the perfect photo to accompany this post. It was taken in September of last year, about a month before my wedding. My bestie Kes and I had just had our make-up trials for the Big Day. If you look closely you can see the imprint of my Celtic tiara on my forehead - I hadn't got the shape just perfect yet! As soon as Pam (our make-up artist and friend) left we dove right in to wedding decor prep - hence the gloves. We had to wash an eight kilo bag of white pebbles for my centrepieces (I was the ultimate DIY bride!) and spit shine nine large glass cube vases and about a million small glass fishbowls! When we finished I was a hundred years old.

Blogger's Challenge!

Write, write and write some more - that seems to be Stephen King's motto. And it seems to have worked well for him! So if I want to get better at this blogging thing, I need to WRITE SOME MORE!

A buddy of mine, Emma over at Random Ramblings, did this 30-day challenge - a post a day for 30 days - and it seemed like it could be a bit of fun! So I'm going to have some fun! Yes, it's not technically wedding related, but this girl has many interests and, in the spirit of full disclosure, it's maybe time I told you a little more about myself anyway!

A Dress Made For Two

This girl was feeling a touch of the blogger's block when a friend suggested a few topics to get my creative juices flowing again (Thanks, Nicky!). One of those topics was maternity bridal wear. I'll be honest, despite the fact that I have been a bridesmaid for a preggie bride, this is not something that I'd ever given much thought. But it captured my imagination and so I began my search...

Sticky Things for Your Wedding!

Good morning, beautiful people!

It's a chilly day here in good ol' Jo'burg, by I've found something that is making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Wedding stickers!

I know when I was planning my wedding I was all about the finer details, so this is right up my alley, and I know I'm not the only one!

Sticky Things has a great range of stickers that can be easily customised to your wedding style and colour scheme, and they look great! They can be applied to just about any flat, untextured surface including vases, mirrors, candles, and even your dance floor and your shoes!! If you're a DIY bride like me, use them for your invitations and menus too, they're that versatile!

{Inspiration} Cake, Cake, and More Cake!

I'm not going to say much, I'm just going to give you a ton of wedding cake inspiration!
Enjoy the feast!

{Inspiration} Candy Buffets

If you've chosen a less formal affair with a fun edge, this trend is for you!  Instead of a plated dessert that may not cater to everyone's taste, a candy buffet offers a variety of sweet treats that guests can pick at.  Candy matching the colour scheme of your wedding can add to the look of your day and extend your decor beyond just overlays and flowers.  It is a good idea though, I believe, to keep it simple.  Unless you're planning on having a rainbow coloured wedding, stick to a few colours  that will compliment your decor, or it could end up detracting from the overall effect!

{Advice} Part 10: Bits and Bobs

To end off this advice series, I'm going to touch on a few points that are often forgotten. They are in no particular order of importance, so sit back and enjoy!

One of the most important things I can tell you is this - it is never to early to start planning! Time flies by and you want to be sure everything is done and in the way you want it!

Wedding cakes are ridiculously expensive, so if you know someone who can bake well ask if they can help you out with a cake. Also consider a flavour and filling that will get eaten - most people despise fruit cake, so it will likely go to waste. Alternatively, consider a cake with each tier in a different flavour, or a variety of cupcakes, or even a selection of bonbons or truffles. Regardless of what route you choose, always have a tasting beforehand!

{Advice} Part 9: Stationery and Favours

Stationery

This is one of the all-time hidden costs of any wedding! No one really considers how much wedding stationery costs, but it can easily work out to the thousands.

Your wedding invitation is the first glimpse your guests get of your wedding, and you want it to make an impression! My advice - if you feel you aren't willing to shell out thousands for professionally made invitations, don't settle for the generic, store-bought variety. If you are artistic or feeling brave, you can create beautiful invitations at home for a percentage of the cost. Enlist a friend's help f you're feeling stumped, or look out for DIY invitation kits at craft shops or stationers. These go for around R350 and can help you create professional-looking stationery on your home PC. Alternatively, you can join a variety of online sites for free to get tips, clipart, ideas and templates for free. Just fill in your wording and print! If you do choose this option, be sure that the paper you choose is compatible with your printer. And be sure of your design before you hit "print", or you could end up wasting time and money!

{Advice} Part 8: Music and Entertainment

When it comes to music and entertainment at weddings, more and more couples are using DJs for both their ceremony and reception. This option allows for great flexibility with regards to your music choices for all those special moments. Like many good service providers, good DJs are booked early, so waste no time in finding one. After the formalities of the ceremony, and after the meal, people want to relax and have fun, so your music is essential in creating this atmosphere!

{Advice} Part 7: Photography and Videography

Finding a good photographer is like finding the perfect dress - difficult, but worth the wait! You want someone who is passionate about their work, who doesn't view your wedding as "just another day at the office". You also want to find someone who will capture the special moments without intruding on them, and someone who can do all of the above without costing an arm and a leg!

Most photographers have online portfolios of their work - view them! And send out for as many quotes as possible! This will give you an idea of what photographers cost and what is included in their packages. Regard only those photographers that fall within your price range - it is a myth that all good photographers are ridiculously expensive. It is entirely possible to find a great photographer within the confines of your budget.

Once you've decided what you would like included in your wedding package, what your budget is, and what style of photography you prefer, the list of photographers can be narrowed down to those who can offer you exactly what you want. Make appointments to meet with these photographers. This meeting is less about their work (by now you have an idea if they are good or not) and more about finding out if yo can work with this person. For example, if you are usually a sensitive person, chances are you will be even more sensitive on your wedding day, so find someone who will understand that and put you at ease. If you like to take charge, find someone who can take direction well without losing their spontaneity. These things will become apparent in discussion, and a good photographer what their working style is without you having to guess.

These are things to also consider when choosing a videographer. If you choose to have a wedding video made, be sure that you and your groom will be comfortable in front of the camera, or it could end up looking stiff and forced.

Some photographers offer both photography and videography, and often offer packages that include both, and most photographers offer tailor-made packages to suit your needs and budget, so discuss this with them. Even if it seems they have only set packages, ask. These are tough times and they need the business.

As with ministers, their busiest times are October to December but remember, photographers don't only do weddings. If you want someone, book them as soon as possible - you don't want to wait and risk losing them!

Don't miss tommorow's post - Part 8: Music and Entertainment