December 23, 2013

last minute driftwood inspiration

Really, it's Christmas Eve Eve already?! So it appears I blinked and December went! Got a few beautiful driftwood pieces hanging around the house (oh the joys of living beachside!) so here's a few last minute Christmas Tree thoughts..



Source: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/517773288381039871/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/217087644507761670/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/301741243754790067/

December 05, 2013

November 07, 2013

pretty post

Not quite sure where I came across London based illustrator Amy Isla's gorgeous little drawings (just found her name scrawled on an old diary page!) but after a brief google recap it's clear why I was keen to take note! Beautiful, delicate and oh so special!


October 30, 2013

läckra…that's swedish for yummy don't you know

Love it when a new cafe pops up in your neighbourhood! Beautifully styled and simple yummy food, this has to be a new fave!


October 08, 2013

the bride of bendooley

Even before you turn into the driveway of the Bendooley Estate, Southern Highlands, you sense you have arrived somewhere very special. Whether you have grown up on the beaches of Sydney, in the Yarra Valley or a town far far away, you feel like you feel like you have come home. This sensation is attributed, in part, to the gentle nature of the rolling land as it rises and falls, welcoming and glorious but more tangibly to the hospitable grace of Katja Berkelouw.

Katja, wife of Paul Berkelouw of the Berkelouw Book dynasty lives and works on Bendooley Estate and last month Lula & Bella caught up with her at her Berrima home.



Strolling across the beautifully manicured lawns, Labradors by her side, Katja’s smile reaches you before she does and it doesn’t take long to realise that the elegance and warmth that radiates from the Estate is an extension of her and the Berkelouw family values.

On a crisp Spring day a blanket of dew cloaks the private lawns, bestrewn with towering, ancient European trees. Before you know it you are picturing the drapes of a white marquee, guests milling round the rose garden, champagne in hand, a stolen newlywed kiss on the jetty of the lake... I do I do!



Stepping foot in the Book Barn is enough to make you squeal with delight. The log fire crackles, wine glasses clink over the noise of cheerful dinners, the intimacy is happy and relaxed. Exposed beams, leather- bound books and iron chandeliers invoke old world nostalgia while, impeccable service, attention to detail and a seasonal menu provide a fine dining experience.

Whether you are a bookworm, a wine lover or simply enjoy beautiful things done properly, Lula and Bella cannot recommend Katja Berkelouw and her team at the Bendooley Estate more highly for your wedding day. 

Visit their facebook page here or have a look at the website here.

October 05, 2013

cheese. cake. yes...a real cheese cake...

Savory lovers eat your heart out, dare to ditch the traditional wedding cake...and replace it with cheese!  I can't help but salivate just looking at them...I mean who doesn't love cheese?! These devine gooey towers are handcrafted by talented Australian artisan cheese specialists Farmgate Cheeses. Check them out here!







Styling - Natalie James

September 05, 2013

say hello to cuteness

Having a week where we keep stumbling across amazing illustration...so we thought we'd share todays find, UK based children's illustrator Ashley Percival. Just love the quirky characters, patterns and use of colour!


August 30, 2013

spying the spotted quoll

Think these cushions by The Spotted Quoll Studio are just fab! AND they are organic, ethically made and limited edition! ...One shop I'll definitely be visiting when I finally get to Tasmanian!


August 20, 2013

sloth so good

Ever since stumbling across a documentary about baby sloths on a plane (...as you do) I've had a complete fascination with them! In my mind they are one of the most endearing and comical creatures to have ever walked this earth (albeit slowly)! So when we went for a Lula & Bella lunch today at the divine Belgrave Cartel, I could have squealed with joy at the display of sloth illustrations that surrounded us! Such a colourful, delicate display of such charming characters! All of which have been created by the amazingly talented local artist Laura Ives. Here are a few more pieces of Laura's work, love love love it! Definitely worth a visit if you are in the Manly area...and while you are there try Cartel's gnocchi ragu too...seriously yum!



August 15, 2013

typography du jour

Lots of the work we've been doing recently has been typographic led...which has been amazing! I love any excuse to play with typography! Here's a few of my favourite finds today...



Hustle - Dan Duarte  /  Ever After - Marco Fesyuk  /  London - Pablo & Co  /  Cool - Matt Vergotis  /  Born and Raised - Carl Fredrik  /  Riding - Sindy Salas  /  Love What You Do - Lucas Young

June 24, 2013

10 minutes with... georgie k from simply georgeous occasions

Alright, maybe a little longer that 10 minutes, but I can assure you the inspired Georgie is well worth getting to know! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us Georgie.

 
Georgie with her fiance and daughter, little Isabelle. And Georgie with some of her Georgeous team. x 

How do you start your day?
Well things have changed a little in the last 12 months in this area as rather than heading to the gym, I now play with my gorgeous daughter Isabelle. Although the body shape is suffering a little, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Where do you go for inspiration?
Where do I start…I literally gain inspiration from everywhere. Be it graffiti on an alley wall, a magazine, a website, a café or a movie, there really is inspiration everywhere you look. Simply people watching provides wonderful inspiration.

What is it that continues to excite or energise you about running your own business?
Being surrounded by my incredibly talented and passionate team. Closely followed by my amazing suppliers…all of whom without, Georgeous simply would not exist.

We are also so spoilt with our wonderful clients. They put such huge trust in us and our vision that it is always so exciting to see the end result. We work with them as though they are a member of our team. This is how we always ensure there are no misunderstandings and all their visuals are brought to life seamlessly.

Being in Melbourne is, what I believe, also very exciting. We are so fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful and special spaces. These, combined with the aforementioned world class artisans, always provides us with much excitement.

Tell us a bit about your creative path, have you taken breaks or worked in other mediums/industries?
While I have always been in the hospitality industry, the creative side of events really only began about 10 years ago. I decided I wanted to be in the ever exciting and evolving events and hospitality industry when I was still in high school. This led me to working in restaurants and hotels during my Hospitality Diploma in Hobart. Two years of overseas travel, saw me back at University completing a Business Degree. The year 2000 saw me move from my home town of Hobart to the big smoke of Melbourne. Spending the next 5 years with Peter Rowland Catering gave me incredible experience and insight into the many realms of this fun industry. Be that at the Grand Prix, a marquee wedding in the country, or a corporate dinner at the National Gallery of Victoria, I was extremely spoilt with my exposure to such occasions.

It was then I fell in love with, and was inspired by, ensuring each element of an occasion was carefully considered and thought of. Be that staff uniforms, platters for food service or the hand towels in the bathrooms, every little detail must be considered. It is in these details that memories are made.

We are all increasingly time poor so the investment made in such events needs to be quantified by ensuring guests are temporarily transported into an experience rather than a room with tables.

This is what I truly love…the role of styling a space to put a smile on my guests’ faces. It is not until I see this smile I feel my job and role has been achieved.

What has been your best work and why?
The “Paper” Wedding at the beautiful fortyfivedownstairs gallery. 

More pics of Catherine & Nick's wedding on facebook here.

Love the looks on the guests faces as the enter the gallery!

Doob & Dave’s wedding at Fitzroy Town Hall.
Watch it all come together in the video here, more pics on facebook here, and Jesse Hisco’s beautiful photography here.

Lucy & Jason’s wedding at Carousel
Watch the video of how it all came together here.

World’s Longest Lunch at Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

Watch the video of how it all came together here and more pics on facebook here.

Georgie and he team hard at work. Fresh produce placed around strawberry plants in brown bags, love!

Our carparks at the races
See some more pics on facebook here and here

David Jones Marquee at Caulfield Cup 2012

Herald Sun Marquee at Melbourne Cup Carnival 2011 & 2012
And see more pics on facebook here.

VIP Dinner at David Bromley’s Gallery “A Day On Earth”

Adelene & Jiaheng’s Wedding

And see more pics on facebook here.

The bight colours and geometric patterns contrast beautifully with the trees and grass... a little picnic oasis.
 
Gaby & Mikey’s Wedding in Sydney
See Gaby's style guide in Real Weddings Style here

Did you have a vision of what you wanted to focus your career on after leaving school? And did you always know you’d start your own business at some point?
Yes. It was always hospitality and events. As my Father has always been an entrepreneur, I guess I always had the ultimate goal of having something of my own. It was all about the timing, and nearly 7 years ago, the timing felt right.

What couldn’t you live without?
My fiancé Stu and daughter Isabelle…oh and maybe chocolate!

What’s your most favourite thing on your desk?

At the moment, it would be the beautiful hand painted sign Cara made for me last week after Stu proposed. The girls are so so amazingly clever and thoughtful.

What is the strangest thing you have ever found yourself doing on a project?
Putting 16 tonne of sand on the floor in a marquee at the Portsea Polo…fun!

What do you see as the unique challenges that women face in their own business or careers?
The infamous work/life balance. Managing the guilt of being away from your children too often. It kills me every morning.

What has surprised you about the way your business has developed?
The way it has evolved from Event Management & a “touch” of styling into almost all styling with a “touch” of Event Management. Love it!

What are some of the lessons you have learnt as a woman running an independent business?

I doubt this question would vary between men or women. It is very hard work, very satisfying and fun. You have to have fun. It is (bloody) stressful at times, and managing cash flow & finances is an added challenge for any small business. Managing growth and a larger team is also a big part of small business and working hard at picking the right people to “fit” into the culture and ethic of your business. I have no doubt I am probably not “tough” enough but I also have no desire to micro-manage or to question the team about everything they do. I want them to all have autonomy and the confidence in making their own decisions, which only stems from me having confidence in them.

I have made some bad decisions and am quite sure I will make many, many more. Being a group of girls, it is incredible how one person can impact the entire team. We all work so hard, it is absolutely imperative we are all working as one 24/7, not as individuals. If someone is showing signs of not being part of the team and respecting ALL those we work with then it is time for them to move on. Plain & simple.

Your bags are packed, your ticket in hand! Where are you going and why?
Hobart to see my friends and family…closely followed by some stunning old town in the heart of Europe. A true escape! The small towns of France or Italy sound pretty good to me.


June 03, 2013

shop til you drop!

We are so excited to feature in this months SHOP Wedding Edition! Get your copy. x


May 01, 2013

love to lovehate

Looking at these super cute icy pole enamel earings by LoveHate made me think...boo I don't want summer to end! We've had such amazing weather here in Sydney recently despite the Autumn chill approaching! Geometrical shapes are totes the rage right now and boy do LoveHate do them well!


April 29, 2013

weeee

So excited to be featured in this month's Gardening Australia Magazine! Such beautiful Autumn colours too!


April 15, 2013

mothers day

eeeee we are loving the magnitude of amazing gifts at hardtofind, you are preeetty much guaranteed to find a perfect little something for your beloved Mum! They have everything from prints to scarfs, shoes to ceramics.....consider the gift hunt over!

April 10, 2013

lula & bella HQ

Here's a little sneak peek at the Lula & Bella HQ! We love our creative haven and have just put up one of our new giant wall decals! Super happy with it! We'll be launching our new range of chalkboard vinyls and wall decals very soon...so watch this space!



April 04, 2013

fandango kambamboo

L&B are loving the bold, natural designs from Kambamboo! Based in Byron, these guys strive to use durable and eco-friendly materials wherever possible…their cushions and pillows are made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles! Check out their website to see their bright new Autumn collection.
p.s I want me that yellow and blue chair!


March 22, 2013

clifftop boutique

A clifftop boutique wedding styled by Georgeous, Nina and Nick couldn't go wrong! Set on Philip Island about 140 km south-southeast from Melbourne, the stunning view and perfect weather was matched with whimsical styling and decor. Jam jar cocktails and hanging paper lanterns lost in leafy garlands draped from the ceiling... and so much more.
Watch this stunning wedding appear from nowhere...



... and then disappear... like a dream. x

Event Management & Concept Design & Styling | Georgeous
Floral | Cecilia Fox
Chuppah | Greg Hatton
Marquee | The Marquee People
Lighting & AV | Select AV
Photography | Steve Gourlay

March 19, 2013

lighting up my day

In the market for some new lighting I went in search of something with a little je ne sais quoi...and unearthed these guys! Empirical Style are based in Melbourne and offer the most fabulous range of vintage lighting! I just love the Edison bulbs...ok I'm kinda biased...after all I share the great man's surname (if only we were related I'd have a warehouse full of these right?!). A truly ambient and inspiring collection...nice work Empirical Style!x



March 18, 2013

wedding registry extraordinaire...

From vintage bikes to letterpress coasters, dinnerware to picnicware Wedding List Co have EVERYTHING! There is nothing bog standard about this wedding registry! Such an amazing collection of designer pieces, and with a store in nearly every major city in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Perth) they are definitely worth checking out! You can also visit their website here. Inspirational shopping at it's best...enjoy!x


March 13, 2013

10 minutes with... briar stanley from sunday collector



As fellow Manly locals we are often on the other side of Briar's morning coffee, stylist and blogger of the beautiful blog Sunday Collector. We managed to get 10 minutes of her time - between styling, blogging and mumming - for a bit of Q&A with the inspired treasure finder...  

Hi Briar, please introduce yourself.
I'm a Sydney based Props Buyer and Interior Stylist who works in film and magazines. I'm married to Mark and Mum to Sunday, our 10 month old baby girl. I write a blog called Sunday Collector with my own photography that documents my sourcing travels, food, restaurants, handy suppliers and (lately) new baby adventures. 

How do you start your day?
Early. I've always been an early riser - which is guaranteed now with a baby. I'd love to say I start my day with a glass of hot water and a squeeze of lemon juice, but reality is it's a very big coffee - I can't start my day without one.

Where do you go for inspiration?
Lately, it's Instagram. I follow people (stylists, artists, chefs, even my Mum) from all around the world and love how instantly you are connected through the little photo squares. I also love blogs. I have too many favourites to list, but some are:

Ché & Fidel
Oh Happy Day
A Beautiful Mess
One Claire Day
The Beetleshack
Oh Joy!

Tell us a bit about your creative path, have you taken breaks or worked in other mediums/industries?
I originally studied Graphic Design at Enmore Design Centre for three years, and my first job was working at an advertising agency as a graphic designer for clients such as Telstra and KFC. I ended up on the set of a few television commercials with the client and spotted the 'set decorator person' amongst the film crew having what looked like a lot of fun. I had never considered the role as a career direction but realised I really wanted to give it a crack. At age 24, I left my full time job and got a job at a restaurant as a waitress. During the day, I worked for free on any film and television job I could. After about 2 months of work experience, I got my first paid job as a Junior Props Buyer on a Channel 10 telemovie. Jobs in film and television are rarely advertised, so it's really word of mouth in Sydney. I often work with the same crew, we just move around as freelancers from job to job.

What couldn't you live without?
Besides my husband and baby - I'd say (in no particular order): coffee, pedicures, stripes, polka dots and avocados.

What was your best find or best project?
Best project to date was my role as a Senior Buyer on the film 'The Great Gatsby' - due to be be released in May. In magazine land, I'm always pleased when my stories make front cover - see attached for examples. On a more personal level, I loved decorating Sunday's nursery while I was pregnant.

Have you been offered any professional opportunities due to the popularity of your blog that have surprised you?
I originally started my blog as a creative outlet as I was taking lots of photos, but doing nothing with them. As corny as it sounds, I find writing a blog recharges me and my thoughts. Any thing else gained is really just a bonus eg. Back in 2011, I was thrilled to be a guest blogger for a week on one of my favourite blogs The Design Files (click here to see the posts). Also through my blog, I was approached a few years ago by the boutique butchers Victor Churchill to create some window displays for their Woollahra store (see hereand I was once given a Ford Focus car for a week to test drive and review, which was very unexpected but good fun (see here).

What has been the strangest thing you have ever sourced or blogged about?
That's what I love about my job -  the strangest items can appear in a script from day to day, and there is nothing like the 'thrill' of sourcing something after going on the hunt. eg. While working on the television series Underbelly, I had to source a '1970's toy gun cigarette lighter'. I luckily found a collector about three hours out of Sydney that had over 20 original designs in his collection. No day is ever the same in my job, that's for sure. Re. my blog - I was surprised at how popular my week blogging about my trip to Bali became - I still get emails from strangers thanking me for the travel tips (click here to see Briar's Bali blog).

What’s your most favourite thing on your desk?Definitely a moodboard - I have always found it a handy inspiration tool. It enables me to illustrate visually the direction of style I invariably end up pursuing. Or, it can be just be simply something visually pretty and inspiring - in the case of me having a more permanent one in front of me at my workspace at home. As an alternative to corkboard, I had an inexpensive pegboard cut down to size at Bunnings.
 

Your bags are packed, your ticket in hand! Where are you going and why?
A trip to New York with no expense spared. Why? For obvious reasons - the food, the shopping, the museums and galleries. Sigh…one day. 





February 26, 2013

well hello may!

We are very excited to feature yet again on the HELLO MAY bridal blog. We love the navy blue version of the Suitcase invitation we did for Adrienne and Rob's lake side wedding, another very special day to have been involved in.
HELLO MAY is "a new kind of bridal blog + magazine + directory" and fast becoming a must bookmark for the planning bride. Have a look, it's full of whimsical ideas, and beautiful weddings... Thank you very much!





February 13, 2013

love february sale

Check out our online shop, if you like what you see now is the time to buy! x


February 11, 2013

behold the bright

Oh the colour! Once again no detail is overlooked by the girls of Georgeous. From the bright yellow love bench and maracas for the bride and groom to the ribbon draped ceiling, Lucy & Jason's carousel wedding was an explosion of life and colour. See more pictures here


Full Wedding Planning & Styling | Georgeous 
Floral Splendour | Cecilia Fox
Venue & Caterer | Food & Desire @ Carousel
Photography | Sarah Wood

February 10, 2013

st valentines x

Oh Valentines! Here we are again but this year we decided to spread more love by personalising a facebook card for you and your lover (see below)! Visit our facebook post and comment your names, we'll be putting them up on Valentines day for you to share.



February 09, 2013

a proper high tea

Not long now till our next Lula & Bella high tea feedback session! We are in the early stages of planning so you can imagine our sheer delight when we stumbled over this little gem!!! Jam jars, birdcages, tea sets, crystal vases, china plates, cake stands and the list goes on! All for hire! Everything you could possibly need to host a vintage affair can be found! It's glorious! If you are in Melbourne you should most definitely look them up - A Vintage Affair - they are lovely!

Ps. Apologies for the deluge of "!!!'s" but really!!!!!


February 07, 2013

just georgeous

Yes it is! We have totally fallen for the quirky, fresh styling of boutique wedding planning/styling company Georgeous. The girls have an eye for detail and a love of all things pretty, as you can see from Isabel & Rob's wedding featured below, one of our favorites from last year! Thanks girls, love your work!



4 April 2012 · Taken at Montalto Winery
Styling | Georgeous,
Venue | Montalto Winery, Red Hill
Photography | Steve Gourlay

January 28, 2013

cam & andrea

Ta-dah!...Presenting our latest Save the Date EDM for the lovely Cam & Andrea! With Cam being Australian and Andrea Irish, they sprung upon the chance to get married half way between their native homes in their favourite city, New York! ...And with this in mind, they chose our travel themed stationery suite 'Suitcase'!

With limited time on their hands, we decided an EDM Save the Date campaign would be the best way forward and to use a photo of the iconic NY skyline to instantly reveal the proposed location. Keeping within the suite's vintage theme we converted the photo to black & white and added some 'grain' to the shot, creating the impression that it had been taken with an old SLR film camera. Using a night scene also helped convey an element of romance with the beautiful twinkling lights! We also kept the fonts that will be used on their invitation to retain consistency within their suite.

With that sent and the invitation being crafted as we speak, we wait to see what adventures the big apple holds for them!x


January 15, 2013

polka dot fancy

From handpainted waste timber beads to handmade scarves...Andrea Shaw's talents know no end! We love her experimental nature! For more of Stampel's pretty things check out their site here.

Photos: Stampel

January 14, 2013

luca & eve

We recently came across fellow stall holders luca & eve at Balmain Markets...we love love love their trinkets and pretty things! My favs being their resin horns (which are so realistic!!). Check out their online store!