Markets and Weddings

What else could they throw at us?  Who would have predicted that the Royals would organise a wedding to take place on the evening (local Brisbane time) of our Twilight Market?  And to add insult to injury, we were hit with not one but two severe storm fronts over the course of the evening.

Water-logged King George Square - even the free bikes were abandoned.

But we are a tough breed in BrisStyle Land.  We simply relocated to the covered deck area in King George Square, dispensed with our marquees and snuggled into much cosier spaces.

Setting up

Mr Fudge wisely brought his Kindle along with him.

Despite all the odds stacked against us, the crowds quickly built up during the next few hours and our market worked its traditional magic on the buyers.

Luckily my stock stayed dry.

I had the best of neighbours:

lovely mum-to-be Samantha of Jetta's Nest, and

the effervescent Sophie of Strat Designs.

And there was music.

I am kicking myself for not taking photos of the two raging storms, but I was too busy hiding under the table. 

A lovely English visitor in Brisbane for a conference stopped by for a friendly chat.  She was really impressed by the high standard of our market.  As a regular visitor to the top markets in London, she expressed the opinion that our BrisStyle market was far superior.   Music to my ears.

On the way home we pulled into the local  McDonalds (I know, I know, but we were very tired and very hungry) and arrived home clutching our burgers and chips in time to see the newly-weds on their way back to Buckingham Palace.  We toasted the happy couple with red wine and we stayed with the live broadcast until The Kiss.  We then watched the first part of the wedding which we had pre-recorded until way after midnight before staggering off to bed.  All in all a very busy and satisfying day. 

Oh, and I LOVED the dress, very reminiscent of Princess Grace. 

Friday's Big Event

Friday 29 April.  Where would you rather be?  At a wedding in London or the BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market in King George Square, 5.00 - 9.00pm?  I know where I'd rather be.

 





















Time for that last-minute check list:

Dresses: check.

Skirts: check.

Cushions: check.

Bunting: check.

Tomorrow will be spent checking in more items and furiously whipping my poor sewing machine into a last-minute frenzy. 

For those torn between watching the wedding (if you must) or coming to the Twilight Market, don't forget that you can record the wedding, whereas once you miss the market, that's it.  No reverse buttons, no play-back buttons, no fast-forward buttons, and best of all, no commercials!  It's a no brainer I know.

Anzac Day

Back in 1986 we were travelling through France with our three young children.  In our possession were copies of letters written by Private William O'Brien, given to us by one of his relatives.  We were on our way to Vaulx Australian Field Ambulance Cemetery, at Vaulx-Vraucourt in Northern France.

Vaulx Australian Field Ambulance Cemetery at Vaulx-Vraucourt

Our daughter, then 13, was reading the letters out loud as we drove through the countryside in an attempt to find his grave.  As she was reading his final letter, out of the corn fields this little cemetery appeared.  The whole experience was so moving that I still remember it as vividly as if it was yesterday.

Willie O'Brien was one of 10 children whose widowed mother struggled to keep the family business afloat in the early 1900s.  His remarkable story can be read here.  The family business survived, no thanks to the banks which in those days thought a widow with ten children was perhaps a poor risk.  The company was Defiance Flour Milling Company, soon to become a Queensland icon.

So here's to the memory of a remarkable young Australian, Willie O'Brien, who died 94 years ago last Friday, at the tender age of 20.  Lest we forget.

Happy Easter

It's Good Friday and we are just back from an overflowing St Stephen's Cathedral in Brisbane.  I don't think I've seen so many young people, children and babies in a long time.  Perhaps I should have packed a few business cards in my bag!

I am taking a short break to spend time with family over the holiday weekend.  However, that doesn't mean that you can't do a little shopping.  Here are some lovely Easter goodies available from BrisStyle artisans:

3 girls + a goat

Collecting Feathers

CROSS your HEART

Enticing Icing

Retro Bird

Kellie Christie

And last but not least:

Hot Fudge

Have a very happy and safe Easter with your loved ones.

Let's Go Shopping

If it's Saturday it must be time to go shopping.  It's a little dreary here in Brisbane this morning, so orange is definitely needed to brighten up the day.

Moose and Bird

I really need a new pincushion, so it has to be top of my list.

Dash Robin

If I had lovely long tresses I would have to have this gorgeous hair clip.

Shazzabeth

A stunning new ring is just the thing.

Bon Tons

Ah ... time for a cup of tea.

Enticing Icing

With a little cupcake perhaps ...

Bamboo Belle

... and a bib to catch the crumbs.  Bliss.

All these delightful items are creations of just a few of the talented members of BrisStyle.   If you need more ideas for your fill of Saturday shopping, hop on over here and feast your eyes on some lovely and tempting handmade goodness. 

Thank Heaven for Little Girls

All photos courtesy of Boutique Baby Photography

Little girls are so adorable, particularly when they are dressed up for a special occasion. 

Maurice Chevalier sang these lyrics way back when in that charming movie Gig and the words still ring true today. 

Hot Fudge Bow Dress

Hot Fudge Knot Dress

 








































I know I'm being indulgent, but I simply love this darling little model who makes my dresses come to life.

'Nuff said.

Market Fever

If by chance you are the proud parents of twin girls aged between six and twelve months, and they happen to have sisters aged one, two and three, have I got a deal for you.

They are available in my Etsy shop and I'll also be selling them at the BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market at King George Square, Brisbane on 29 April.  Of course, if you are only blessed with one little girl, you don't have to buy the lot!

The Twilight Market is shaping up to be nothing short of brilliant, as you can see from just a few of the participants:

Kimono Reincarnate

Strat Designs

Mary Jade Made

Retro Bird

Sybella Boutique

Meggy Green

Spun Mud

Moose and Bird

Enticing Icing

It's time to indulge yourself, so start putting away some extra cash in readiness for market fever.

Let's hear it for the boys

Photo: Maz Dixon

What's a boy to do when his big sister has 16 of her close personal fairy ballerina friends over for a party?  You lie low on the lounge and observe in wonder.

And when the big fairy ballerina makes her entrance, even your baby brother is gobsmacked.

When the fairy dust comes out, it's time to head for the hills.

Now if we boys had a party, here are a few of our favourite things.  First of all we'd send out invitations.

EK Web Designs

We'd have lots of bunting.

Hot Fudge

All our mates would come dressed in their Buzz Lightyear gear.

Blu Moon Design

Or maybe we could all wear this pirate t-shirt.  Cool.

Cute as Buttons

If we could choose our own gifts, here are a few random ideas:

A Blanket Buddie is a must.

Nan's Garden

How could we resist this great wall poster - just like our Dad's Kombi.

Erics Easel

As for the cake - what else?

Gingerbread Artist

All these great finds are available on Etsy - check them out.

Meanwhile, big sister is in seventh heaven after all her friends have left, re-living every moment.  Girls.