I am so excited to share this very cool Mexican Siesta second birthday party with you today.
I love Summer and this theme makes it just so easy to keep the party fun and colourful, especially because it is a kiddies party too. 

Sammy, Design Studio by SG, did such a great job in bringing in so many fun details and elements to really carry through the Mexican theme.  Personally I love all the music instruments and the Pinata!  

And I mean, little Mathèo just looks like he has been hired in - he compliments the theme so well!
Well done Mommy and Sammy! 

Enjoy the pictures.  

The biggest surprise and blessing of my and my husbands life, was the news that we are expecting twins.  
Thankfully, upon hearing the news, as first time expecting parents, we were clueless as to what is going to hit us once the muppet's arrived, so we just went about our business super excited!  Which was a blessing, because if parents of twins ever had to know what they were in for when two babies arrived at the same time, ha!  Pregnancy would be very a fearful period.

O boy, I am not going to lie.  I don't think I actually remember a thing of the first 6 months of their lives. It was a blur of feeding, burping, reflux, nappies, putting to sleep, all with very very very little sleep.  It was around month three that I realised and made peace with the fact, that my life, as I knew it, would never ever be the same again.  This was also a very important step, because I think someone once that realisation has been made, it is as if somehow, you suddenly cope better and just get on with it.

But, as all mom's say, it gets better. It gets so so much better. And suddenly you just cannot imagine life without these little guys. And they just bring so much JOY! 
So I had a blast planning their first birthday. We managed to keep them alive for one whole year! Well done us, that is worth a tripple celebration!  

Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed planning it, I am already thinking about our theme for next year.  

I fell in love with the Llama party bags the moment I saw them on Design Studio's Instagram page.  What a surprise to hear that Sammy made them them, when I requested where I could get my hands on some.

So today I am sharing with you how to make these very. very pretty party bags. The best part is that you will be able to customise these to fit any animal theme.

DIY Order and essentials
 
You’ll need

• Scissors
• Crafts Glue gun
• Pritt glue
• White paper bag 
• Pom Poms in theme colours
• White marker
• Tassel (optional)
• Llama party printable available to download. Available to download at the bottom of this post.

 
Instructions

1. Print out free llama printable preferably on 300g glossy paper as this will allow llama silhouette (or cutout) to hold up straight.
2. Cut out Llama silhouette, saddle and name tag – put to side.
3. Cut white paper bag in half and remove handles from top half.
4. Glue Llama silhouette, saddle and name tag cutouts onto bottom half of white paper bag. Do this with normal Pritt glue.
5. Use the glue gun to re-attached handles inside the white paper bag as well as the options tassel.
6. Use white marker to personalize party bags on glued on party pack.
7. Decorate with pom poms. 

 
Suppliers
       Design and Llama party printout  –   Designstudio by Sammy Gomes
       White paper bags and pom moms  –   Any party shop. I got mine from Newlands Accessories
       Glue gun, pritt, white marker, scissors – Any Crafts shop, I bought mine at Arts & Hobbies craft
       shop 
       Flowers in styled shoot Belle Fiore
       Thank you Marethe Grobler for the lovely photography

Just feast your eyes on the prettiest of pretty parties for a second birthday celebration. a Swan Soiree is definitely the correct term to use, swans to be seen everywhere!

I do not have any favourite items, I really love all of it.  The swan theme has been incorporated in such an understated, classical way, and though it is everywhere, it is tasteful and does not seem overwhelming at all.

The peach colour palette is also not something you come across everyday, well done to the team from GnT Designwww.gntdesign.co.za

Enjoy the pictures and happy Monday!

VENDORS

Concept, Styling + Stationery l G 'n T Design
Photographer l D'amor Photography
Flowers + Decor Hire l Bella Fiore
Sweet Treats l Mmm macarons
Cake l 180 Degrees Catering & Confectionery
Catering l Fat Barista
Teepee l MiGi Designs

This year for in celebration of Mother’s Day, we decided to give-away a ‘Mom & Daughter’ make-over and styled shoot.  Everyone was so excited, that once the winner, Melissa, was chosen, we planned, executed and, Marethe, finalised the images within a month!
 
Thank you to all our lovely sponsors who just made it such a great day and did such a fantastic job – you are all rock stars!
To the winner, Melissa, and Mom, it was so nice to treat you, you were a pleasure to work with and you are both just the sweetest ladies (Mothers!). 
 
I hope you enjoy the pictures for years to come – you both looked lovely X

Planning, coordination and styling:  @planmepretty
Thank you to @marethegrobler for beautiful photography
@thebeautybrand.co.za l Make-up
@simone.pretorius.90 l Hair
@urbanbistro.za l Food
@vintage_on_main l Room and Gardens
@bellafiore_styling l Flower arrangement and crowns

This cute Tutti Frutti birthday party was hosted by the lovely lady behind lifestyle blog, Ellie Love, Caley Rosenberg, for her little girl, Zoe's second birthday.  Caley is also a party planner and this is clear in all the fun details and fruit themed party decor used through out.

I think this is just such a fun theme for little kiddos, whether a boy or girl.

Some of my favourite details are the jelly lemon wedges, the party packs are super cute and the fruit-themed balloon garland adds a special touch.  
Enjoy the pictures.  

Venue: Family home
Planning & Styling: Caley 
Stationery: Kerryn from The Arty Party https://www.facebook.com/theartyparty1/
Cake & Treats: Jadi Clark https://www.instagram.com/jadiclark/
Food: Kim Shea – Suburban Café https://www.facebook.com/suburbancafe/
Photography: Heather Fitchet http://heatherfitchet.co.za

I love this trend of using bold, bright colors for special events at the moment. And this is exactly what this Mom ordered for her birthday breakfast, a color fest themed party.

The combination of yellow and deep pinks is just so pretty and unique.  Enjoy the pictures!

​SERVICE PROVIDER CREDITS
​
Function design and planning - Vintage Rose Weddings & Events
Photographer and Stationary - Spiekerish
Florals - Royal Functions & Flowers
Cakes -  CocoVanilla Foods
Caterers - Taste Cafê
Decor - Vintage Rose Weddings & Events

For the month of February we have a beautiful A3 desk calender for your to download, print and pop onto your desk.  Keep yourself super organised and up to date at a glance, with this one month calender.  It even has a little note section for you to write down your brilliant ideas or important reminders.  

I printed mine at Postnet, on the A3 Gloss sheet for a very reasonable R11.50.
Another idea is to print it on an A4 sheet and stick it into your diary or workbook, so that you can easily plan your month.  
Or pop it onto your fridge or on the wall in your office, 

Thank you to Nicole from Nicole and the Striped Flamingo for this absolutely stunning design, super yeah! 

This is such an original and creative theme for an artsy soul.  I love the use of so many colours, which makes it easy to find and fit together different décor pieces.  Literally like all the colors on a painters paint palette! 

​Enjoy the pictures.  

​SERVICE PROVIDER CREDITS
​
Function design and planning - Vintage Rose Weddings & Events
Photographer- Spiekerish
Petit Fours & Macaroons - Nicoles Macaroons
Chocolate thank you gifts -  De Villiers sjokolade
Flowers - Royal Functions and Flowers
Decor - Vintage Rose Weddings & Events

Debra from Bella Fiore, put together this fun, fruity and flower filled bridal shower. By playing with shades of pink, orange and yellow, Debra was able to accentuate the playful side of the Tutti Frutti theme, while at the same time creating a cohesive, elegant look and feel.  I also love the fact that so many different blooms were used, it creates variety and texture in each arrangement. 

The venue is the beautiful Iskia in Pretoria - a newly listed venue in the Plan Me Pretty directory.   

Awesome cake by Sweetly Detailed, Sumari never disappoints!

The stationery by Pistachio Designs is just perfect. I love all of it.

Venue l Iskia
Flowers, décor hire & styling l Bella Fiore
Photographer l Pistachio Photography
Stationery l Pistachio Designs
Cake l Sweetly Detailed 
Macarons l Nicole's Macaroons

More Bridal Shower Inspiration:

I say this every year and I am going to say it again, this festival remains one of my social event highlights of the year! I love going to the opening on the Friday and just being able to roam through the beautiful floral displays and getting lost in a room full of roses, while sipping on, this year specifically, delicious rose-infused Wilderer G&T's, Warwick wine and loads and loads of bubbly. 

The theme this year  was 'The House of Roses'.
The Rose Shed was divided into 8 'rooms': bedroom, kids room, bathroom, dining room, living room, bar, kitchen and the courtyard, with every room filled with thousands of roses, roses and more roses.

Ludwig's Roses also introduced a range of limited edition, rose inspired décor items and accessories. These included scatter cushions, napkins, doormats, bath products and earrings. 

The festival ran on the 6th and 7th of October, so unfortunately you missed it, but as a consolation prize, here are some beautiful pictures of the show, by the very talented Marethe Grobler. 
Also note the beautiful Nomzano rose, a coral beauty, that was unveiled.

Don't miss out next year, there is loads to do for the whole family and literally thousands and thousands (maybe millions?) of roses in bloom!

This was such a special celebration for me.  After three years of marriage, my hubby and I were blessed by falling pregnant with twin boys. As I am writing this, the two munschkins have arrived and they will be 8 weeks old this coming Sunday and they are just too beautiful for words.

What made this day so special for me is just seeing and experiencing how excited and happy all my friends and family was for us. I just felt so extremely loved, adored and indulged and that is something that I am so grateful for and will remember always.  

Even now when I potter around in the babes' room, and I see all the baby things and clothes, I am  amazed how spoiled the boys were.  I was literally showered with gifts and love, what more could any girl ask for?! Everything and everyone just made my heart swell with HAPPINESS. 

My shower was organised by my sister and two of my best friends. They got it so right!  There are few things that I enjoy more than an afternoon spent in the sun, bum on grass, yummy picnic spread and a cold glass of bubbly with a group of my besties. (Obviously I got the alcoholic-free kind)
And the theme? Bunnies, always bunnies for me. Paired with decor that was earthy and understated, I loved it. 

Some of my favourite details?
The canvas 'guest book' - where each guest had to leave a finger print, which now hangs in my baby room. 
The 'Milestone' wine tags.  Each guest had to bring a bottle of wine and attach a milestone card with a message.
The cheesecake! 

Enjoy the pictures, and download all the printables at the bottom of this post.

Feast your eyes on this beautifully styled gold and pink, twinkle, twinkle, little star, themed first birthday celebration by Outlandish Events.  

My favourite details?
- The cake!
- The star and flower candy table backdrop
- The star shaped pinata!

​Enjoy and be inspired. 

We finally have some pretty pictures of the winner of our 'Win-your-Party'competition last year.  Happy birthday Princess Lenieke - hope you had a great first birthday!

Hope you can put together something pretty and special for your Mom this Mothers Day by using our free printable set.

Thank you to Nadine from Sstudio Stationery and Design.

Download the printable's by clicking on the link below

This year for Mother's Day I am making a meringue lollipop for each guest which I will serve with some strawberry ice-cream, topped with sliced strawberries. You can use any fruit of your choice, or drizzle with a nice salted caramel dessert.

Four tips I can share:
1.  Follow the recipe to the letter.  I did and the meringues come out nice and crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside.
2. You can do them using a handheld beater, I did, and all went well!

Needed:
3 Large Eggs
150gr Castor Sugar (no other sugar)
Hand/bowl mixer
Gel Coloring
Piping Bags
Wax Paper
Piping nozzles to get different patterns in the meringue.
I used a large star tip nozzle to pipe the lollipop and small nozzles to add the detail.

Recipe:
​I used the very famous recipe by the Meringue Girls. 
The 150gr sugar with 75gr egg whites is the ratio I used and will be enough to do your meringue pops..
Once the meringue is perfectly mixed and not grainy anymore, transfer your meringue into a large piping bag with large star nozzle.
Pipe your pops from left to right onto a piece of baking paper.
Once piped, press your stick in (remember to pre-soak your sticks in water, and when piping, keep in mind how your lollipops on sticks is going to fit into the oven)
Remember to keep a little meringue separate to color for your detailed elements.
Carefully fold the coloring into the meringue.  Pipe detail and then add your sprinkles before popping into the oven.
Switch off your oven when meringues are done and let them cool in the oven.
Add your gold leave and Immediately transfer to a air tight container.  

We are halfway though Autumn, and Winter is just around the corner.  This is the perfect time of the year to incorporate the color of the year,
​Ultra Violet, into your special function/celebrations' color scheme.
It is warm and inviting and really just looks lovely!

I have a put together a mood board to inspire you in planning your Winter event.  
For images sources and more inspiration, please go to our pinterest board.  

Today I am just sharing a few images of this beautiful garden, set-up. for a special bride-to-be! 
​Enjoy the pictures and your week!

I have set this calender as my mobile phone and laptop wallpaper, and all I can say is that these tones of ultra violet and plum, make me happy every time I look at it! 

To help alleviate the Autumn blues, download and set as you wallpaper immediately.