Birthdays and milestones are important to me. On these days time stands still to celebrate an age, a victory or a well earned certificate or acknowledgement for a job well done. They are momentous and they are worth marking in history. Life is filled with challenges, mountains to climb and flags to fly on our mountain to say ‘I made it’! I reached a goal, a dream and I pushed through the hard times and most of all I didn’t give up. I am here and golly gosh I am going to make an occasion of it. The icing on the cake is that you get to invite those that mean the most to you, have supported, encouraged and continued to love you. A party really is about being with the ones you love whether it is with ‘your’ person or a whole ballroom filled with people. It is what you make of it whether it is big or small, grand or humble, home-cooked or catered – my only rule is to have fun!

As an event stylist I have styled many birthdays, weddings and christenings. When it comes to my own celebrations I feel pressure (self imposed) to come up with something fabulous and as a perfectionist I am my biggest critic. There it is I said it that dreaded P word P E R F E C T I O N I S T. It has followed me around like a shadow. I guess it comes with being a creative. Creatives share something so personal in such a public way. Where there are artists you will find art critics. There seems to be a critic and an expert for everything these days and you can find them with a few taps of the keyboard. As I grow older and wiser I realise that perfection is not real. We create our own ideal of what perfect is. There is a lot of truth in the saying beauty is in the eye of the beholder – what is perfect to one may be imperfect to another. I am now kinder to myself and just be the best I can be.

I love the Organic Belvoir Cordials from the UK. My favourite flavour is the Rose and Raspberry just add it to sparkling water for a non alcoholic refreshment.

This was my first attempt at fancy icing. It took forever but was worth all this prettiness. I will do a tutorial on this darling paper bunting to make your next celebration cake extra special. Continuing the bunting theme I sewed fabric bunting in an assortment of fabrics in shades of pink, stripes, polka dots and florals. These little favour boxes are a signature design from my stationery and favour collection at Rosebud Designs. Guests filled these with candy to take home.

These are baby rolls of menthos I recovered in polka dot and striped paper. Tied with strips of fabric cut with pinking shears. 

Who wants a boring bowl of sugared almonds? I gussied these up in little bags, with matching floral, polka dot and striped paper – finished off with a little pink and white striped bow.

Fancy glass jars filled with candy and chocolate in pinks, aquas and whites. Attached to each sweet was a printed tag each one secured with pink and white twine.

I love all things girly and pretty so I could not resist serving high tea at our restaurant. My brother and I designed a high tea menu of savoury and sweet delights to serve for birthday’s, hen’s and baby showers. All this organic goodness was served with fresh pots of tea, cocktails and moscato. I found beautiful Limoges inspired china, white damask clothes and fresh flowers adorned the tables. To complete the look I handmade fabric napkins in an assortment of patterns all in pink of course! With all this beauty I had to have a high tea birthday party with my girlfriends at Agape Organic Restaurant. With the addition of a ‘dress up’ rack of clothes and accessories, a perfume station and a candy bar we were ready to celebrate.

My gorgeous friend Anni Payne from Milk and Honey Photography came along and captured these dreamy images from the day. Anni is the loveliest, calmest, seriously patient and talented photographers in the industry. Believe me you need these virtues as a wedding and portrait photographer. Along with her husband Matthew Duchesne they are award winning photographers and are amongst Australia’s leading wedding photographers. They have an eye for detail and are an amazing team. Their website is so sweet. You must visit it to swoon over the photos or just to see the beautiful illustrations by artist Nikki Catalano.

I encourage you to celebrate the moments, make them magical and memorable with those that bring joy and beauty to your world.

In all things beautiful,

Lyn xx

Polka Dot Bride featured my High Tea Party here. 

{High Tea} Inspiration + Styling + Photography

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The year 2014 was a big year for my family both my sister and I got married. Kathryn and Todd had dated for several years and on New Years Eve 2013 they got engaged. My baby sister was getting married – it seemed only yesterday that she was a 5 year old monkey playing with my make-up and now she was all grown up and was about to become a wife!

After many years of creating bespoke styled weddings it was incredibly special for me to be asked by my sister to style something unique for her and Todd. They wanted a relaxed, pretty and vintage look for the day. The only catch was I was going on tour with my husband for our honeymoon and we would be away for one month. We literally arrived back in Sydney late Friday and the wedding was on the Sunday. It was a stealth operation. Everything was made, ordered or booked before I flew out. Except last minute details such as flowers, escort cards, place cards and of course the room and table styling.

Kathryn has a great group of girlfriends and they all came to set up the day before the wedding. Looking back I am not sure how I stayed awake for 2 days with 4 hours sleep and jet lag! Our brother is Organic Chef Simon Lawson and he designed a delicious lunch for the daytime reception at Agape Organic Restaurant in Botany. His passion for organics and creative skills in marrying flavours together is a gift. Wedding photographer Karen Buckle flew down from the Sunshine Coast to capture the day. A big thank you to her as she had an evening wedding the night before and came in on the first flight to arrive by 10am! Karen photographed my engagement and wedding – and my sister fell in love with her work. She is such a breeze to work with and I can totally relax knowing her eye for detail and light is impeccable.

It was a perfect Spring day and my sister was radiant in a beautiful lace Rosa Clara dress from Bare Faced Bride. The best way to share the beauty of the day is with pictures. Images by Karen Buckle Photography some styling images were taken by me. All styling, flowers, handmade details and stationery by me – {Rosebud Designs + Tessa Rose Handmade}. Wishing my little sis and her husband a lifetime of wonderful memories and may their marriage be always blessed with love, trust and happiness.

Karen Buckle Photography and Calli Burnett are running The Wedding Photography Workshop on the Sunshine Coast in May 2015. For more details visit The Wedding Photography Workshop.

In all things beautiful,

Lyn xx

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