For those of you who has been following my blog for the past year or so (thank you BTW!), you probably know how much I adored these guys. I had the privilege to be on the forefront of their lenses last year and I loved every single minute of it.

Today, this inimitable duo will celebrate their 4th Birthday & I couldn’t think of a better way to congratulate (& thank) them than to write about my experience from a subject’s point of view.

As I sift through the photos, I remember fondly the moments and the time it took to capture each and every images.

The November wind chill, the morning sun torturing our eye-sights, but most of all how crazily enthusiastic our photographers were, and how they went to great lengths to do their best for us.

And for that we are eternally grateful!

They say a picture tells a thousand words, but what these picture may not tell you however- was that I was extremely sick when they took my engagement photos. On the days leading up to my wedding I was stricken with a 39°C fever, so much so that even on my wedding day, I was still somewhat delusional from the fever & found it really hard to keep up with all the craziness around me.

True to form, no pics of my snotty nose ever made it back to me…

These guys were beyond superb. They made sure I was comfortable after every shot, they ran up & down La Perouse’s cliffs to take the best angles- angles that sometimes made us wonder why in amusement, but turned out to be exceptional!

People often tell me of the ‘hot’ new photographer in town, the ‘super-duper (expensive) talented’ one or the ‘ground-breaking’ guys, but seriously at the end of the day, it comes down to you as the subject and what you value in a photograph.

For me & Mr. PM it was about capturing the moments leading up to & during the biggest day of our life. We wanted the photos to be timeless as well as affectionate, honest and fun, we wanted to capture the essence of our youth, of two people meeting and falling in love.

I can tell you now that they were those qualities and more…

So in case you’re not yet convinced – go to their newly revamped site (www.theuppermost.com) and check it out for yourself.

now excuse me while I grab a kleenex…

Bisou-bisou;

x

Time sure flies…

But this post isn’t about me, or my baby for that matter – I’m looking forward to another birthday celebration in July for the 2 people whose passion I hold very close to my heart. On the 7th of July THEUPPERMOST team will be celebrating their 4th birthday & they’re celebrating it in style!

From the 1st to the 6th of July, seven lucky couples will get the chance to upsize their package for free! How awesome is that??

Make sure you get into contact with them early & book- trust me you won’t be disappointed!

Bisou-bisou;

x

But as you all know, budgets and time are forces to be reckoned with. I didn’t have time to do most of the little niggly things (like personalised napkins) and I certainly didn’t have budget for a personalised gift basket for 250 guests…

Well- I did tell my friends that keeping to a theme is a good start. And that, given the chance, I would love to do it all over again in a completely different fashion. Just to indulge in my passion for weddings…

So I thought what better way to inspire you than to share my well-laid plans for wedding themes! Let’s start with my favourite inspiration, where else but Grand ol’ Paris!

EAT: Lindt Delice about AUD$2.80 each – Basically macarons, Lindt just prefer to call them Delices. Two halves of a meringue with butter cream filling describes my ideal Parisian snack… of course, always get Pierre Hermé or Ladurée ones when possible.

Must-have: Christian Louboutin Sexy Strass 100 Swarovski crystal peep-toe pumps GBP£2,012.02/pair – for those of you who think money is no object when it comes to shoes. This glitter studded stunner offers a sparkle that can match your engagement ring (and a price tag that comes close to it!)

GIVE: La Tour Eiffel Tower Bottle Opener AUD$4.95 each – love this kitsch wedding souvenir! Everyone needs a bottle opener at some point, and I bet everyone would love keep this little trinket handy in their top kitchen drawer!

LISTEN: Stacey Kent from AUD$1.69/song – Ok so she may be a New Yorker, but crop-haired Jazz singer is my absolute favorite! I just love her voice! Try listening to anything in her Raconte-moi album & fall in love…

WEAR: Alencon Lace Bolero USD$295 each – nothing shouts out France better than a couture piece, but failing that anything lacey would do. I was lucky enough to wear a Vera Wang on my big day & it was draped in full alencon lace, it was love at first sight & the alencon lace seals the deal nicely. If you can’t get a full dress- then a lace bolero is the next best option.

Bisou-bisou;

x

Over the years, I’ve amassed countless amount of (mostly) bad souvenirs from weddings here & abroad. Some couple really took the time to think over what their guests would be able to use again (& it shows!), while some decisions seemed like they were destined to increase landfill from day one.

The sure-fire bonbonniere option is of course, chocolate, because after all how many people do you know could resist the temptation of an after-dinner chocolate (or two) to cleanse the palate? But chocolate favours has become de rigueur at weddings lately that I can’t help but think that it’s a boring and predictable option for couples who can’t be bothered.

Well, let me offer you some chic alternatives that would be the highlight of your wedding and I can guarantee your guests won’t dare throw away!

1. MOR 60g / 2.1 oz Soapette AUD$9.95 each – petite & presented in chic tin casing- all you need to do is drop them on the table & Voilà! 2. Custom M&Ms from USD$4.19/tin, minimum order of 20 tins – for those who really-really want chocolate favors. This personalised M&Ms can only be ordered from the USA which is a pain, but you can put your faces & wedding date on them for extra awesomeness! 3. Personalised Wine Labels from AUD$12.00 for a set of 8 labels – for those who love the finer things in life. The wines adds extra costs on top, so this may only work if you have unlimited budget or a smaller number of guests in attendance. 4. Photo Frosted Glass Coasters from AUD$3.80 for a set of 2 coasters – you may not realise how important coasters are. Well- slip in a Thank-you note or a tasteful photo alternative & you’re away! 5. Luggage Tags from AUD$6.95 each – for those globe-trotter guests & you know there are lots of them these days

Bisou-bisou;

x

So when I came across this gorgeous little street-café on Saturday, aptly named “My Sweet Memory” in Sydney’s suburb of Strathfield, I walked right into it dragging Mr.PM behind me.

The café doubles as a stationery store selling pens & paper goods from Korea & Japan – even my favorite illustrator Shinzi Katoh was dutifully represented in the mix!

I was literally, in stationery heaven… The kind of heaven that I didn’t know exists in plain ol’ Sydney!

I didn’t have my camera with me at the time so these shots are taken from my iPhone – so please bear with the dodgy colors. But just take a look at all the stuff they have- myriads of postcards, journals, calendars, maps (yes- maps!) and even Fuji Instax photo albums!!! How adorable!!!

They don’t just sell stationery, there’s also a good selection of cheap make-up & nail polish, as well as some Jetoy pouches & accessories. I would’ve gladly bought the entire shop if I had the money, but I ended up buying a set of Jetoy hand-warmers to battle the Sydney chill (below, 2nd pic).

I spent so long in the shop my green tea latte was cold by the time I realised it. Mr PM wasn’t angry, (thank God!) as our little puppy kept him entertained with his antics all that time

His name is Chewbacca- and here’s a photo of him smiling next to my shopping bag:

If you’re ever stuck for an hour or two in Strathfield, make sure you drop by My Sweet Memory & who knows, you might end up with more shopping bags than I do!

My Sweet Memory
3&4 Symond Arcade
12 Churchill Ave
Strathfield NSW 2135

Bondi bliss…

x

Oh yes! This little habit of mine was developed early on in life & I cannot possibly life without any less than 10 post-it notes packet in my desk drawer at any one time. Go ask Mr. PM if you don’t believe me.

One of my most loved category within the stationary realm would be letter-pressing. Letterpress printing is the art of relief printing of text and image – the end result will have these elements seemingly indented on the paper medium. So it’ll look something like this:

I cannot think of a more sophisticated & luxurious (albeit rather grandiose) way to treat 2 of my favourite inanimate subjects, typography and paper. So I found it a bit of a let-down when I realised that Australia is really lacking a good letterpress company. There are only few in existence (even in Sydney) and the quality ones are even fewer & further in between.

Well, too bad I came across the Bespoke Letterpress Boutique rather late (roughly 6 months past our wedding now?); they would have been a strong contender for producing our wedding invites. Take a look at a selection of their superb works;

What I love most about the are of letterpress is how the paper and its embossing feels so stimulating as you run your fingers through them. When you think of invitations, one tends to focus only on aesthetic appearance and thus, on relying so heavily on the sense of sight. But what of the other senses? I love invites that tries to satisfy my other senses at the same time – the weight of the paper stock, the relief work, the smell of paper and ink- oooohhh… it’s like paper porn…

If you love them just as much as I do – do get in contact them before their Winter 2011 dates completely booked out:

Bespoke Letterpress Boutique
E-mail: info@bespokepress.com.au
Web: www.bespokepress.com.au
Blog: www.bespokepress.blogspot.com

I might just put in an order for my baby shower invites with them *wink wink*

Bisou-bisou;

x

1. BUGABOO Meets Missonni – from their special collection (Cameleon + Missoni accessory set), 2. Malebranche Macaron – for my baby’s sweet tooth, 3. MOR Lip Macaron– for my winter chapped lips, 4. Replica of Philippe Starck’s Mademoiselle Chair – because we need a few new chairs (seriously), 5. Ban.Do’s Happy Jeweled Headband – add an extra sparkle to any weekend parties!

Bisou-bisou;

x

Mr PM and I haven’t been on a honeymoon yet and Turkey was one of those destinations that we would love to visit for our honeymoon.

Needless to say I’ve been pouring over her photographs ever since she got back from her trip to feed off my super hungry travelling bug, and may I say- Turkey looks STUNNING!!

Don’t you just love that gentlemen in his traditional garb??

Well I really don’t know what to expect – but I was certainly blown away by all the natural & man-made beauty that Turkey has to offer. I mean, how can you not gape when you see waters like these:

(excuse the random couple that decided to photobomb the shot at the last minute…)

And I heard they were initially worried about waking up at 4am to do this hot air balloon trip, well- I bet all their worries went up in a puff of hot air when they realised they get to see views like these!!

I mean how could you not fall in love with Turkey?

The people, the cultures, the colours & the view – it’s all BRILLIANT!!! I’m definitely saving up for a trip to Turkey soon.

I could already smell that ancient heritage & it smells AWESOME!!!

Bisou-bisou;

x

Mr PM & I tied the knot, move house & now *drumroll please* – we’re expecting our first baby!!!!

I’m almost 5 months now & words cannot express the mixture of emotions we feel towards this new addition to the family.

I promise to be more proactive to my loyal readers & start sharing some of the awesome stuff that has happened in the past year, so please be patient while I go prepare…

Bisou-bisou;

x