The Glossy Life

With Christmas fast looming (5 weeks and 2 days to be exact!) it's time to start thinking of neat little gifts for your closest girlfriends. If, like me, they like to read, like to splurge (on important things of course) and need a few survival tips on setting realistic financial goals, overcoming emotional spending, shopping addiction (I tell myself there are worse things you can be addicted to!) and how to save, then Marianne Vicelich's The Glossy Life is just what they need. Chapters such as 'Make your wish and make it come true', 'From Prada to nada: How to cope with poverty', 'Small things make you happy' and 'You Inc' aim to point you in the right direction for achieving your financial dreams. All seems pretty easy to me! The book is available at select bookstores nationally and retails for $34.95. Visit www.booktopia.com.au to purchase online!

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Royal News

It came as no surprise this morning to hear Prince William has finally popped the question to his girlfriend of seven years, Kate Middleton. This means a Royal wedding! After months of speculation William asked Kate to marry him on holiday in Kenya back in October. To seal the deal he proposed with his late Mother, Diana's, engagement ring given to her by his Father, Prince Charles, in February 1981 to celebrate their engagement. The 18ct white gold Garrard Jewelers ring, consisting of a blue oval sapphire surrounded by 14 smaller diamonds, has started a world-wide frenzy and many jewellers have already become inundated with requests for exact copies of the ring. William and Kate are expected to marry in the English spring/summer of 2011. Stay tunned!
Photo's courtesty of telegraph.co.uk & yahoo.com

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Thrills with Quills

Have you heard of quilling? It's a traditional craft whereby fine strips of paper are wound around a pen-of-sorts to make the paper curl. I've been interested in this process for a while but after seeing this wedding certificate example over at Oh So Beautiful Paper, I think I may need to look into it a little further.







I've seen the little paper strips in Lincraft before if you wanted to give it a go. We'd love to see the results.

Posted by Jane Cameron

Sealed with Love

Long before adhesive envelopes were invented, wax seals were used to prevent document and letter tampering. Although not used nearly as frequently today, wax seals are a romantic (think Jane Austin's Pride & Prejudice) and personal way to send off important mail. The Wax Seal Shop have some great symbol, single and double letter seals on offer. They can even custom make seals to include logo's or other designs. If you're considering a monogram as part of your stationery design a wax seal is a great way to include this on any wedding-related correspondence. Ranging in price, basic seals start at AUD$34.95 ranging up to around $150 for custom designed seals. They also have a great range of wax colours available and will have all the tools of the trade you need to get started. They even offer free shipping on orders over $39 so visit www.waxsealshop.com.au for all the details.

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Donna Hay's General Store

Great news - the online version of the Donna Hay General Store is now open for business. Lots of lovely styling pieces.






Posted by Jane Cameron

A Sparkling Combination

In a world-first, Waterford Crystal has announced a truly unique collaboration with Australia's premier fashion designer Alex Perry. Having collaborated with international design heavyweights John Rocha, Jasper Conran and Marc Jacobs in the past to create amazing stemware, never before has it been applied in a fashion context. Demonstrating the creative possibility of using Waterford Crystal in fashion, Perry created three gowns, each beautifully embellished with the illuminating shimmer only found in Waterford's crystal. Feminine and unashamedly romantic, the three Waterford Crystal gowns, in their pretty colour palette of lilac and nude, bear trademarks only known to Perry's work - refined elegance, prestige and luxury. The dramatic silhouettes feature hundreds of metres of lilac and nude tulle cascading over underwired corseted bodices. The tulle has then been swathed and wrapped, then embellished with sparkling Waterford Crystal.

The impressive Waterford Crystal haute couture gowns by Alex Perry will each go on exclusive display in the Waterford Crystal departments of David Jones flagship stores including Market Street, Sydney; Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne; and Hay Street Mall, Perth from 20th January to 27th February 2011. Additionally, to celebrate this iconic fashion collaboration, Waterford Crystal is offering David Jones customers the exclusive opportunity to WIN their very own Alex Perry Couture Evening or Bridal Gown, valued at a whopping $15,000. This amazing prize also includes a personal design consultation with Alex himself. To enter, simply purchase Waterford Crystal or list a minimum of $200 worth of Waterford Crystal on your David Jones Bridal Gift Registry between 20th January and 31st March 2011 to enter the draw. See in-store for further details or call 1300 852 022 (toll free) or visit www.waterfordcrystal.com.au

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Wu Me

If you're a bit of a fan of designer Jason Wu you will be a wee bit excited to hear he's now putting his hand to designing wedding dresses. Wu has signed on to create five bridal looks, which will be sold on Net-A-Porter, as part of a one year deal. Ranging from USD$800 up to USD$4,000 they are very reasonably priced for a designer such as himself. Having dressed celebrities from Jessica Alba, Diane Kruger and Blake Lively it's safe to say he's very well respected. He was even responsible for Michelle Obama's gorgeous white gown she wore to the 2009 Inauguration Ball. Amazing! The collection of ivory gowns launches this January.

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Image courtesy of cocoperez.com

Stationery Delight

These days your are spoilt for choice if you fancy the idea of purchasing invitiations online. With so many options available, narrowing the field can be quite the challenge. I was sent an email today showcasing PostScript Brooklyn, a new online wedding invitation store for the "urban and sophisticated bride and groom". Founder Melinda Morris, visionary of both PostScript Brooklyn and Lion in the Sun, also shared her tips of what's hot for next spring/summer 2011/12.

1. COLORS: Grey, Navy and Moss Green
2. DESIGNS: Architecture - Buildings and bridges help to tell “your” story. Botanical: Classically romantic, rich images of leaves, tress and branches never go out of style.
3. FONTS: Vintage/handwritten, degraded typewriter, A mix of quirky, offbeat styles.

There is simply a gorgeous selection of pieces on offer and with our dollar faring so well at the moment it's never been cheaper to purchase directly from the USA. Prices for invitations range from USD$5 - USD$16 per set and can be purchased online at www.psbrooklyn.com.

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Damn You Alexis

For a long time voluptuous girls have been disheartened by the lack of designers who create stylish, comfortable yet sexy pieces for the more fuller figured. Be disheartened no more, Sydney based Damn You Alexis has hit the shelves! Focused on bringing designer asthetics to the plus size market, Megan Moir Pardy's designs feature strong silhouettes, luxurious fabrics and quality craftsmanship. Ranging in sizes from 16 - 24, the collection has an eclectic style that is a little bit rock chic, glamorous, strong and modern all at the same time. Pieces range very reasonably in price from $49 for The Basic tank up to $359 for The Ombre dress. Visit www.damnyoualexis.com.au to view the collection and start shopping up a storm!

Posted by Emilie Harrison

*Kailis Jewellery Competition*

Here's a friendly reminder to all our fabulous blog readers - be sure to enter our super duper Kailis competiton! Be in the running to win your choice of one of four prizes valued at over $4,500. Could Kailis be anymore wonderful?! Entering is easy - simply visit our website, go to the Kailis competition page and tell us in 25 words or less what you are dreaming of. Entries close Tuesday 30th November. Visit www.styleguide.com.au for terms and conditions and be sure to visit Kailis at www.kailisjewellery.com.au to view their simply amazing pieces. Good luck!

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Table Numbers

Loving these brown bottle stensiled vases and tags from LetterboxCo. Use the tags with some twine around napkins to show guests which table is which or use the bottles as table number vases, they only need one or two blooms to make a stunning centrepiece.The brown bottles start at $5 each and the tags $12 for 10 plus postage.

Posted by Emma Henderson

*Fake Bake Competition Winners*

A big thank you to all our lovely blog readers who entered our Fake Bake blog competiton last week. We're thrilled to announce that our winners are:

L Biggins of VIC
K Desmond of WA
M Angus of SA
E Griffiths of NSW
S Whyatt NSW

Again, a big thank you to everyone who entered and told us what they'd like to see more of on the Style Guide Blog. Winners, enjoy your Fake Bake!

Posted by Emilie Harrison