WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO

It has been a busy start to 2012 for Marilyn Grace so we thought we’d share a couple of images with you so you can see what we’ve been up to.

Tuesday 6 March saw a celebration of cool around the launch of HUNT NO MORE in Sydney. The aim of the evening was to create a very sleek, fun atmosphere to showcase the brand to the city’s cool set.

A very NYC styled bar – Since I Left You on Kent Street– provided the perfect venue for the evening with its moody interiors, raw outdoor spaces, side laneway, sandstone entrance and wrought iron gates. The exposed brick walls offered the perfect backdrop to project the brand’s campaign, still imagery and short movies for guests.

The courtyard, and a beautiful balmy night, created a great party atmosphere, highlighted by the custom ‘Dagger’ cocktails, DJ tunes and hot models swanning around the glamorous crowd.

From the city we headed to the beach for the Sydney Carnival Media Launch at North Bondi Italian.

It was jammed packed for a Monday morning, with Cam William acting as MC interviewing the beautiful ambassadors, Jescinta Campbell and Kelly Smythe, The Minister for Tourism, The Hon. George Souris MP, the Chairman of the Australian Turf Club and leading jockeys Kathy O’Hara and Corey Brown. Here the crowd got to hear the insiders guide to the upcoming autumn Carnival, including the hottest styling and racing tips.

And if that wasn’t enough, there was plenty of horse action surrounding the event with legendary racehorse Takeover Target gracing the shores of Bondi Beach on a picture perfect Sydney day.

INSPIRATIONS

We have just got back from Paris on a sourcing trip for some of our very special upcoming weddings, and so far our best find is an amazing supplier for charger plates.

Charger plates would have to be one of my favourite editions to a tabletop. They can transform a simple table to a very chic, classic setting, or provide a great pop of colour in seconds.

Here’s a look at my favourite examples of perfect use of a charger plate.

Dress the table…EASTER

Easter is our favourite holiday of the year. We think it has something to do with the fact that it involves a lot of chocolate and hot cross buns…but the bunnies, pastel colours and cute decorations play a huge part as well!

We’ve put together what we hope you will consider a gorgeous Easter table, to provide you with some inspiration. And if you want to achieve this look for your Easter lunch, we’ve supplied a list of our favourite products to help you along the way. 

Moss Bunnies from the General Trading Company in Double Bay

Decorative tin eggs from Sweet William in Paddington

Painted eggs from Scrumptious in Double Bay

Moss bird nests from Papier D’Amour in Double Bay

Dress the table...VALENTINES DAY

Valentines Day is a celebration of love and affection where lovers express their love for each other with flowers, confectionary and love letters. But, if you want to do something really special for your Valentine this year…why not throw them a Valentine dinner at home with a themed menu and a beautifully decorated table?

You can make this evening as detailed or as simple as you like, follow our tips below to add some Valentines magic to your home.

 And if there isn’t a special Valentine this year, you can just as easily action these tips and enjoy with friends!

1.     A Valentine themed menu – starting with a rich tomato bruschetta in the shape of love hearts. Simply grab a loaf of bread, a heart shaped cookie cutter and you’re on your way. From there you can serve their favourite dish for a main and finish with some red velvet cupcakes topped with heart shaped candies.

2.     Red accents on your table top – simply add some red ribbon around your napkins or go all out by sourcing antique silver goblets and fill them with rich red roses.

3. Table centrepieces – if you’re feeling like a little DIY project, buy some Ivy vines from your local florist and shape the Ivy into a love heart to act as a table centrepiece. Using a thin wire attached to the underneath of the Ivy will help you create this shape. From there, place the wreath on the table and then fill the centre of the love heart with red pillar candles at different heights.

4. Statement glassware – head to your local homeware haunts to buy stunning cut crystal wine goblets in ruby red, or perhaps with a bit of gold gilt on the rim of the glasses. This is our favourite touch to any table top.

5. Candles – what is more romantic t than candles? Not only do they create moody lighting but they can also be used in unique ways to make a big impact.

These are a few of our favourite products for our Valentines Day table tops…

Red glass votives from www.ikea.com.au

Love candle votives available at www.potterybarn.com (yes they ship to Australia!)

Waterford Clarendon Ruby Martini set available at www.petersofkensington.com.au

Love Affair cupcake wrappers and Baked with Love party packs available from www.robertgordonaustralia.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...to us!

This month we are celebrating the first year of operation of MARILYN GRACE and what a year it has been!

We’ve  been lucky enough to have created some incredible events for our fabulous clients over the past 12 months -  from dinner for 100 guests on the beautiful white sands of Cable Beach, to the once in a lifetime marquee at Lachlan Swamp in Centennial Park – we have had an amazing time.

So before we head off to start some very exciting projects in 2012, let’s look back at some of our most memorable events of 2011.

     For the first time ever, 100 guests dined on one long table on Cable Beach during the 2011 Paspaley Polo Event in Broome.

     An ice sculpture took on a whole new meaning when we decided to use it to display beauty products at the Restylane Skin Care launch at a private home in Bondi.

     One of our favourite weddings of the year that came with a number of challenges. We faced unseasonal rains - which isn’t exactly ideal when your are constructing a marquee in swamp land – resulting in bogged trucks, wet feet and a lot of heavy lifting. But on the day Sydney’s weather turned it on for a truly magnificent wedding!

 On a perfect November day we took Hamptons Chic to Palm Beach Sydney, for a stunning engagement party that was enjoyed by all well into the night.

So be sure to keep checking in to see what we are up to!