Portobello Bride 'Girls Night In' Morning Tea

Last Tuesday we held a 'Girls Night In' party to raise vital funds for Women's Cancer. It was the first one I have organised, and I loved every minute. I am already looking forward to next years. It's the perfect occasion to gather together your girlfriends, taking time out of your busy lives to celebrate friendship and womanhood whilst offering support and awareness to a very relevant and important cause.

I had decided on a Bright Pink and Daffodil Yellow theme, the colours of the "Girls Night In" charity.  I called on lovely Portobello Bride Members to help me create a morning tea like like no other my friends had experienced.

First on my 'To Do' list was the invitations. Samone, one half of Cake Ink, created an original stationery suite for us. I wanted something in bright pink, that was very 'Portobello'. The first design Samone sent me was perfect, the Bottoms Up coasters were the most talked about detail of the day, the girls loved them!

Lucky you, we will be providing a free printable version of the Stationery suite for you with compliments from Cake Ink! Check back soon...

The most important detail of the day, the Sweets was next! Juli from One Sweet Girl went above and beyond anything I imagined for our dessert buffet. There were chocolate cake pops, brownies, cupcakes, marshmallows, cookies and the piéce de resistance, a white chocolate ganache with fresh raspberry ribbon cake. 

Flowers are a must have when ever I am entertaining. I called on the lovely Virginia of The Bouquets of Ascha Jolie to arrange the most beautiful pink and yellow blooms for the party. Everyone commented on them, and I really appreciated the extra loose bunches Virginia provided for me to use throughout my home to complement our Girls Night In spread. That's what I love about all our members, the service they offer is simply exceptional.

The finishing touch was the pretty vintage glassware and crockery we hired from A Vintage Affair. Lee Elizabeth George from A Vintage Affair provided the perfect ensemble of coupette glasses for our champagne and daiquiris, cake plates and the cutest cake forks I have ever seen.

Floral arrangements by The Bouquets of Ascha Jolie

I placed photographs of the important women in my life throughout the desserts by One Sweet Girl.  

My favourite sweet of the day, chocolate brownies with raspberry icing.

Bottoms Up! Cake Ink printable coasters- you can get yours here soon!

Pretty drinks in pretty glassware by A Vintage Affair!

My niece, Eliza Valentine sneaking a cake pop!

 

Not forgetting the reason for our fabulous do! The girls donated generously to our 'Girls Night In' fundraiser. Thank you xx

The most divine cake I have ever tasted. Juli is certainly One Talented Sweet Girl!

The ever cheeky Lucy, kicking up her pretty heels!

I must make a special mention to Lisa of Who's A Clever Girl? Photography who travelled to my home on the Peninsula from Melbourne to photograph our event for you all to see. Lisa worked her magic around us all, blending in and capturing so many sweet moments.

Thank you also to all who donated online to our Portobello Bride page on The Girls Night In website. We raised just over $500, and we look forward to raising more in the coming year. The winner of our two tickets to a Portobello Bride event in 2012 is, Kylie Blake. Congratulations Kylie, and thank you again. 

all images captured by Lisa Kerr-Atkinson of Who's A Clever Girl? Photography

Getting to Know... A Vintage Affair

A Vintage Affair | South Melbourne VIC | Website | Blog | Facebook

What’s your favourite part of your job?
Wow so many things….. I get to spend my days travelling to quaint little country towns, treasure hunting for beautiful vintage pieces, what could be better than that?  All my clients are embarking on the happiest time of their lives, it is really special to be able to share that time with them.

What are you reading at the moment?
My French Life by Vicki Archer.  Not so much reading but looking at the pictures with envy!

What are you lusting after at the moment?
A gorgeous 1950s cocktail dress on www.lovemissdaisy.com – a UK site that sells amazing vintage frocks.

Top three songs on your play list?
The Hotel Costes series on random shuffle, 
L.O.V.E. by Nat King Cole 
and anything by Hall and Oates (sad but true!). 

What is your favourite moment during a wedding?
The anticipation right before the bride is about to enter. It’s the culmination of all that preparation, it’s that one magic moment in a wedding when it’s all about the bride... the atmosphere is electric!

Who inspires you? 
All the gorgeous artisans I get to work with, other stylists, photographers, catering geniuses that make each wedding so personal and truly stunning. The creativity and style within the boutique wedding space is amazing and they are all such wonderful people. And Parisians who are so stylish even if they are only popping out for milk and bread.

Favourite Cocktail?
If it’s the beginning of the night, French champagne. If it’s close to the end of the night, an Espresso Martini, so that it’s not almost the end of the night anymore.
 
What does it take to impress you?
People who are true to themselves and forge their path by doing what they love to do, not what they think they should.

What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Happiness is up to you.

Favourite way to spend a Sunday?
A slow breakfast at a small café, coffee and baked eggs reading both Sunday papers cover to cover, a drive through the countryside listening to jazz, discovering unexpected treasures at flea markets or small country towns, followed by a big Sunday roast and red wine with friends.

Black Tie or Casual?
Black Tie always

Your suggestion for a new name for ‘Hens party’.
I wish I had one.  ‘Hen’s party’ just conjures up terrible images of stretch Hummers, sparkly pink veils, sambuca shots and bad strippers.  I love that ladies are now hosting a High Tea for Bridal Showers and Kitchen Teas, it is such an elegant way to celebrate.

Your favourite hostess gift to give?
French Champagne.

What’s the best gift you have ever received?
My antique emerald and diamond engagement ring from a small antique store in Paris. It makes me smile every time I look at it.

Three words that describe you best.
Champagne and red lipstick.

A Vintage Affair Stepford Wives Kitchen Tea Party

Portobello Bride Member A Vintage Affair is a wonderful resource for Brides, and Brides-to-be, offering gorgeous vintage crockery for hire! One of their clients recently held a Stepford Wives Kitchen Tea Party for which they hired some beautiful A Vintage Affair pieces!

What a fun idea for a kitchen tea, hens day or bridal shower!

To view the gorgeous range of crockery for hire visit the A Vintage Affair website or come along to the Boutique Wedding Market at St Kilda Town Hall this weekend and visit them in person! Buy your Tickets here.