Naiads & Jaguars

#8: Home Again

2010-08-23T14:14:00.002+08:00

Hi all,

Haven't written for a while as I have been enjoying a small sojourn back to Tassie and Melbourne. It was lovely to catch up with my family and friends for a couple of weeks before settling back into uni - there is no shortage of opinions there! Parents, siblings, friends, randoms at the pub - they all have their own ideas about what makes a wedding great. I was given plenty ideas let me assure you!

For the moment however, I must unpack and eat much toast (famished)!!! Will write a proper post ASAP!

Much love!

Emily x

#7: My new Favourite

2010-07-29T21:12:00.001+08:00

I discovered a new blog that is awesome.

REFLECTIONS OF A FUTURE SHAMAN

The only problem is its new. I want more content! Check it out and hassle the dude with me - lets make him write more!!

Cheers!

Emily x

#6: Quaint (but awesome) Presents OR why I am the best Aunt in the World...

2010-07-28T07:07:00.003+08:00

Beatrix Potter came yesterday!

I'm so excited. My brother and his partner recently had a child (the first grandchild in my family) and I haven't been able to get home to meet her! Which feels weird and wrong and just...well, wrong.

BUT I am going home early next month to meet my darling niece and see my family. I can't wait.

I also haven't been able to get her any cool presents as the postage is ludicrous; just a few onsies and beanies etc. So, knowing that I was going home I ordered the Complete Works of Beatrix Potter and it came yesterday!

I know its trite and old school but our parents used to read the stories to us when we were kids and there are ongoing jokes in my family about Jemima Puddleduck; Jeremy Fischer and Tabitha Twitchit.

My parents and bro and sis even let me name the cat (I'm the youngest) and I named her Moppet (I was 7)! Then when I got my own cat (at 11) I named her Mittens. We never were allowed to get boy cats or I would have had a Tom Kitten too!

I've never lived it down.

ANYWAY, the point is, I am excited and The Jaguar is snoring his head off so I thought I'd share. I'm off to hunt for more presents.

Oh crap, I have to clean the bedroom...

AND, its my turn to do the dishes...

Oh poo, there is washing on the line...

And I believe this is all supposed to be about organising a wedding.

And bollocks, I have a degree to finish.

All that being said...a little hunt for childish goodness wont hurt, I'm sure. Anyway, The Jaguar is still asleep which basically means I could still be asleep which means really, I don't have to do anything.

Good logic.

Will report back if I find anything awesome.

Emily x

#5: Spin the Bottle Just Got Serious...

2010-07-27T11:00:00.002+08:00

Was just reminded of a plan The Jaguar and I came up with the other night by a post I stumbled across.

Speeches, to me, seem like a bit of a hassle and there are so many reasons why.

1. People (at least in my family) LOATHE speaking in formal settings. It doesn't matter if the audience is predominately other family members or loved ones, as soon as focus and expectation is placed upon these people, they feel uncomfortable. I don't want the word 'uncomfortable' to come up in any context with our wedding. I would like an organic, natural flow of genuine words rather than nerve-induced clichés.

2. Some people ENJOY speaking in formal settings much too much. Our wedding and rehearsal dinner is for fun, family and love - not for endless diatribes about all the years that led to this point or awkward jokes.

3. People can feel isolated or bored when it comes to formality. Including me.

4. All of the above can lead to over-consumption of alcohol. If I am bored, I will 'sip' champagne. If I am embarrassed, I will 'sip' champagne. If I am trying to look nonchalant, I will 'sip' champagne. If I am nervous, I will 'sip' champagne... This applies to other people too and I don't want to have to order a maxi-taxi to get rid of early inebriates.

Taking all these things into account, The Jaguar and I came up with the idea of 'Speech Spin the Bottle'.

Bearing in mind, we are also toying with idea of only having 3 speeches at the actual reception.

1. Best Man

2. Maid of Honour

3. The Jaguar and I together

Sooooooooooooo...

The Speech Spin the Bottle would be applied at the rehearsal dinner. An intimate gathering of immediate family members and wedding party (about 20 people all up). All these people know each other and know us VERY well.

This way the pressure is removed from the speech palaver and it becomes a bit more friendly and jovial. Everyone will be required to speak for up to about 3 minutes and heckling is encouraged.

Just an idea we came up with but we were pretty happy with it.

Good food, good wine, beautiful people and no pressure?

Lovely.

Emily. x

#4: Hollybank, Tasmania

2010-07-27T10:41:00.009+08:00

I have been trying to think of potential wedding locations in Tasmania for the past few weeks.

Its a little difficult, living in Perth and planning to marry in Tas - there are so many beautiful spots, I will have to go back and re-visit them all.

One I keep coming back to is Hollybank Reserve, a forestry reserve in Northern Tasmania. Growing up in Tassie, I visited it a lot as a child. The forest canopies, stone walls, lush, waxy foliage and babbling creeks make Hollybank an unforgettable and irresistible location. I can't wait to visit Tassie next month to scope it out again!

I came across some pics in google so thank-you to those who did all the hard work!

Emily. x

http://www.about-australia.com/travel-guides/tasmania/launceston-tamar-valley/attractions/natural/hollybank-forest-reserve/

http://www.lilydaletas.net/loac.htm

http://www.lilydaletas.net/tourism1.htm

#3: Sleepless Musings

2010-07-27T08:51:00.003+08:00

Didn't sleep last night. Ended up becoming fascinated by various fun things to play with re: blogging. Now I can't sleep as I have an appointment in less than 4 hours so...

I am watching trashy morning programmes having given up on attempting to be creative or poetic. So tired of trawling through moments of genius from Dylan, Cohen, Bronte, Lawrence or Elliot - though it has convinced me that perhaps I should never write again.

The Jaguar hasn't slept either. He is working solidly in his studio but we reconvene every hour or so for more coffee and cigarettes. The lack of sleep makes everything tasteless but I secretly revel in these seedy mornings knowing that one day our freedoms will be replaced with (joyous) responsibilities. (Never thought I'd be that girl who has decided on the order of our children, their genders, names, personalities, similarities etc... I suppose when you're stupidly in love these things creep up on you...if you want them).

The television (or rather the people on it as it would be rather frightening if the television started speaking to me) is telling me that 'people' have decided that the Romantic Comedy genre is gradually destroying real relationships by setting unrealistic precedence.

Bollocks.

When I watch Romantic Comedy I generally feel nauseated. Why would I want to find a stupidly foppish and weak man, have some distressing/life changing moments, have to make an extreme decision and then be stalked by aforementioned foppish, weakling only to marry him because it would be preferable to the decision that I was uncomfortable about to begin with?

Sigh.

Unfortunately The Jaguar is much more romantic than I am. Perhaps he should be writing on here.

Anyway ... being unwarrantedly cynical.

I have been going through some wedding mags (some that I brought in the first flush of engagement then forgot about) and have discovered some beautiful dresses that I just KNOW wont suit me. Trying to figure out ways that I can put my bridesmaids in more elaborate dresses than mine without getting jealous...

I have realised that I really must go in to a boutique and try on all the dresses that they have just so I can discover what kind of dresses really suit me so I can negate all the gowns that I love but just wont work on a short-arse with huge curls.

Do you guys have any recommendations re: finding the right style of gown?

I don't want to look like Katie Price, god love 'er.

Emily. x

#2: A Reason to Move to London...

2010-07-25T09:20:00.020+08:00

I was wading through websites attempting to get SOME idea of what kind of dress I want to be wearing on my wedding day when I came across one of the most beautiful collections I have ever seen!

www.thevintageweddingdresscompany.com is (unfortunately)

a London based company who specialise in Vintage pieces ranging from the 1900s - 1970s.

www.thevintageweddingdresscompany.com was founded by stylist Charlie Brear who was apparently working to provide busy potential brides with amazing one-off pieces, saving them the hassle of sourcing or restoring these stunning gowns.

Sadly they do not accept web based orders for their dresses but they do provide eye candy and inspiration for those of us not able to skip of to London to try on a dress!

I definitely recommend you check this page out. Be prepared to fall in love with the gorgeous gowns and have a look at the real life (I am assuming) photos available - you might find

yourself stealing ideas...

Enjoy!

Emily x

#1: A Little About Me

2010-07-25T04:07:00.005+08:00

I am a 23 year old living in Perth, WA who has recently become engaged to my favourite person.

I am currently studying Religion and History but hope to return to Tassie to complete the last year of my Theatre degree as well. My fiancé and I plan on returning to Tassie (via Melbourne) and buying a large property that will become our Permaculture Paradise equipped with a Food Forrest, ducks, goats and cats!

I am writing this blog as I have never organised my own wedding before and, while I have about 2 years to plan, I find myself a little overwhelmed by options! Im interested in sharing my thoughts and findings with others out there and desperate to hear any opinions, tips or experiences as well!

Will post soon!

Emily x