stephanie, the birthday girl (and her incredible wedding).

There are many people in the world who are precious to me, but few that are more precious to me than this girl. Today is her birthday.

Over the years I've had the privilege of going to school with her, singing beside her, writing songs with her, traveling with her, shopping with her, blogging with her, partying with her, road tripping with her, drinking coffee with her (although, weirdly, she orders a hot coffee and waits until it is ice cold before she'll drink it.), wrapping things in brown paper with her, freaking out with her, drinking red wine with her, giggling with her, talking until all hours of the night with her, praying with her and crying with her.

She is an incredible woman of God who is passionate, creative, confident and fiercely loyal, and I am so thankful to have her as a friend.

Although it is hard to chose, I think my favourite time spent with her was at her wedding. It was raw and honest and breezy and just lovely (Steph's all time favourite word). They had it in a little beachside town in a backyard that we transformed together into a magical land. It was this wedding that really started my love for weddings and for which I made my first ever wedding cake.

There are a million things I could tell you about this wedding, but I'll just let the photos speak for themselves. Click, click! 

(Photos by Jes of Ruth&Rose, Flowers by The Sisters)

the loveliest of kitchen teas

This is an event that I can take absolutely no credit for. It was mainly the handiwork of my dear friend Caity. But I had to show you because it was oh so pretty. Vintage tea cups, bunting, crocheted table cloths and flower wreaths... I know you've seen them all before, but they still get me every time!

i've missed you!

My dear friends,

I'm so sorry that I've been absent these last few weeks. I could say that I've been baking myself to death, but that would be a lie. I've really been adventuring across the USA.

Strolling Santa Monica pier,  crafting in Denver, kite-flying in Kansas, eating Amish cheese in Ohio, learning about history in Pennsylvania, throwing snowballs into Niagara Falls and meandering through brownstones in the big apple!Sure, the country was wonderful to visit, but it was really the people I went for - all my beautiful American friends who I don't see nearly as often as I wish I did.

I've planned a series of New York inspired posts, so don't fret, the baked goods are coming!
Click below for a couple of true American white, red & blue happy snaps. 

okay, fine, i'm thankful.

On the first of November my friend Caity asked me if I wanted to join her in doing 30 days of thankfulness. I responded with a disinterested, half-hearted "mm-okay" and proceeded to completely forget about it. But it seems that since then, everyone has jumped on the thanksgiving bandwagon and I have been totally overwhelmed by the thankfulness of the friends around me (check out this gal for an example.)

It's not that I'm not thankful for many things in my life - I guess I just haven't been intentional about it lately. So here I am, being intentional, and sharing with you just a couple of little things that I'm particularly thankful for at the moment.

a far away friend

Earlier this year I went on a holiday to stunning Tasmania with a dear friend. It was ten days of road tripping, misty mornings, berry picking, wine tasting, mountain climbing, super cute bed & breakfasts, exploring and cruising. (check out our video below.) But most of all, it was delightful because of this gal. She's wonderful. And today, all the way over in New York, it's her birthday.

Happy birthday, merry. I love you and wish you weren't so far away.

a wedding & a baker's dozen

Sometimes when people ask me what I do with my life, the words 'I'm a wedding planner' almost slip out! I'm not actually a wedding planner although it seems like I'm continuously involved in one wedding or another.

This wedding was particularly close to my heart, and I couldn't keep myself away from it. Check out these photos by the incredibly talented Linda Truong who captured all the magic!

Aren't they just lovely?

happy birthday, gabby

Dear Gabby,

I made you a birthday cake that I knew you would love. It's a double-layer honey & lavender cake with fluffy cream cheese icing. I was so looking forward to you eating it and loving it and sharing it with your friends.

But then...