Paris to Provence - Melbourne French Festival

 Today we went to the Melbourne French Festival- Paris to Provence at Como House! We set out early, since we were worried about the weather reaching 30 degrees ... turns out while it was a bit warm for the time we were there it actually ended up raining on us a little! Good thing we had hats.

I wore my patisserie dress for comfort, since from what I could see the festival is mostly about food. And there were many things I needed to eat. There were some little shops with nicknacks and childrens clothes, but honestly we mostly walked around and sampled bread and cheese.

The man on stilts in mime make up said that I looked like a 'little French school girl'. Nailed it.

To start with I bought the most delicious little vanilla choux from A la Folie and for my lunch I had raclette! The man who ran the stall I think was the owner of 'Frencheese', who does specifically raclette catering for events and functions ... do you think I can have a function on my own and order raclette for say, twenty people? Maybe not ... haha. (it must be noted that googling frencheese gives some interesting results, I think that man has some sense of humour!)

I wanted to buy some cheese but I had such a little budget. After lunch I went looking for cheese and couldn't find much to suit my little purse. Fortunately for me (though I am sure the ticket price covers it somewhat) the event was sponsored by President, and they gave away free bags with a wedge of camembert and double brie! With some lavosh, raisins amongst other little things- all one had to do was find a baguette and a generous sample of wine and you could be set, as the couple at a near by table proved. This left me with some change and so I returned for more choux- this time raspberry, and strawberry and lime. They were delicious also, but the vanilla was my favourite. I wish I had some more ...

We came home quite early (before the real heat of the day began) but I had a lot of fun and I was glad we were able to make it this year, I really look forward to next year~ 

Thanks for looking~

Peppermint Fox 1st Anniversary Tea Party 2014

Last weekend was the Peppermint Fox 1st Anniversary Evening Tea Party! Here's a couple of pictures of the venue and food and another of me with the gift bag and prize table (because I did not really like my face in my outfit shot ... one day I will figure out what to do with it when someone is taking a photo!).

You can read the full report here!

♥

For the event, Thali and I chose to wear our favourite series from Peppermint Fox so far! My favourite is Gentle Fox, and Hidden Library is Thali's. It turned out best for the other to wear the others favourite though, with the coordinates we had in mind! I just really love Hidden Library with red details!

 

I am wearing:

Grimoire Verum Princess Portrait OTK Socks in Navy from Chiffon Rose Shop

Peppermint Fox Hidden Library Dress in Milk Tea and Austen Portrait Pin (not visible :<)

Offbrand Everything Else!

Thanks for looking~

Sydney for SMASH 2014

This last month I made my first proper trip to Sydney! Coming originally from Western Australia I'm a bit foreign to the east coast. Previously I had been through the airport on the way through to Japan, but this time I got to leave and might I just say that- the trains have TWO decks. 

TWO decks. I was amazed. I made us sit up the top!

On our first day in Sydney, Thali and I visited Kinokuniya, ate expensive Japanese and went to the Lindt cafe where her brother works. Can I just say that Lindt hot chocolate is really good!

After all that, I left Thali to catch an evening train from Sydney to Orange. It was about six hours or so by train and then coach. The reason for such lengths was that I was to visit my father and step mother! I haven't actually seen them since before I came to Melbourne so it's been some time. It was really lovely to see them again, even if only for a little while. I hope they'll come down to Melbourne sometime soon.

 

We had a nice lunch (strawberry iced milk! I had to toss up between it and banana ...) and I saw some of the sights around the area- such as Mt Canobolas, and extinct volcano where I picked up a glittery (just pyrite!) rock for Thali to add to her collection. The view was impressive, though it was very cold.

 While we were in Sydney as well, we took the chance to have lunch with Bridget! She's a former Adelaide lolita and the sweetest person, I was really glad to be able to get to catch up with her and the little tea place we went to was lovely.

Throughout the weekend we stayed with Thali's brother and I met his partner and Thali's niece! She was so so cute and cheeky!

The weekend meant SMASH. This year it ran for two days in a new location since its previous location was being renovated. I was a bit worried about what the turn out would be like because of this- turns out I didn't need to worry! We had a big selection of PepFox products as well as some more of Thali's art. SMASH was amazing. There were so many people and even though it seemed actually rather quiet, it also always seemed busy! SMASH actually ended up being one of our best conventions- I'm really grateful to Sydney for being so welcoming! And it was lovely to meet some people I'd spoken to online~

 Speaking of meeting new people, I got to meet the sweetest girls representing Magi Cat Street! They were just a few tables down from us and were so so lovely. The girl in pink (second from left) is the designer! I'd seen their garments going around online recently and so it was amazing to see them in person. I was impressed by the Camellia blouse (which I think the girl in CDC is wearing in this photo) as well as by the fabric used for Tiramisu, One More Piece! I'm really looking forward to what they bring out next- and maybe trying to grab something for myself some time! Apparently one of their friends who couldn't attend is a really big fan of PepFox! I don't think I caught her name, but I hope she liked the things her friends picked up for her ♥

As you can see, I dressed pretty casual on Sunday, though I had worn Gentle Fox again to rep for PepFox on the Saturday (and didn't get a photo again! I'll do the two convention coordinates up on the mannequin sometime!).

That's it for now, I think! I'm really looking forward to SMASH again next year too! Hopefully we can stay a bit longer next time~

♥

Peppermint Fox on Facebook

Peppermint Fox on Tumblr

Peppermint Fox Online Shop

Thali on Tumblr

Thali Art Online Shop

Magicatstreet on Facebook

Thanks for looking~

AVCon 2014

I should have written this post earlier, now everything I wanted to say has slipped my mind.

The weekend was a little touch and go, AVCon is three days including Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday. It's a big con and one of the few for it's genre (Japanese culture and video games, essentially) left of its size (despite people's efforts to get them to 'embrace' pop culture- come on guys you have a Supanova in every city and OZ Comic Con, leave us something..). I always love the crowd at AVCon and it was not different this year.

Friday is usually a set up day for artists and vendors, I made the mistake of leaving all our stuff behind because I forgot we had to tag things so we mostly attempted to help out at Berrie Cute, ran some errands and headed off to the dinner the Adelaide lolita comm organised. I think I wrote about that earlier though! So on to the weekend.

Saturday morning saw us up early to make ourselves and then our table presentable. I think we did a pretty good job since we were travelling, no? Unfortunately not long after set up I started to feel unwell. Despite my inital protestations, we decided I should go home. I ended up spending most of the day sleeping it off and trying to drink more water. A big shout out to Lauren and Riana for helping out Thali at the table! Saturday is often hellishly busy, I felt awful. Thankfully without me there to scare off customers, we manage to do alright.

Saturday night I felt better and rugged up to go join the others for the dinner I had organised with my friends. We arrived a bit later than everyone else so I was shunted down the end of the table! I still wasn't feeling 100% but I tried to chat a little to everyone, especially people I hadn't been able to meet up with during the week. Afterwards we grabbed an ice cream, chatted a little more and then headed home. It was nice, even if it seemed like I was the only one who liked their food! Somehow it seemed like people weren't very used to Indian? Ah well.

Sunday was a better day, with even more rest Thali, Lauren and I headed in to set up again. Sunday was a bit more relaxed for us. I dressed up in Gentle Fox to be Peppermint Fox's representative in the parade (since Thali doesn't really like to do that sort of thing at all). Since we were the only one in the designer category .. we won by default. It was nice to participate though! When I lived in Adelaide I didn't often get to make it to meets because of work and since I left there have been a number of new faces in the comm and while waiting for marshalling I got a chance to talk more with some of them. Everyone I spoke to was lovely! Even though I'm a bit shy girls I hadn't met stepped over to say hi and I got to chat with a few old friends as well!

After the parade I headed back to the table so that Thali could go join some girls for a cute little high tea organised by the comm. It sounded like it was a good little event- Thali bought me back her brownie (since it was too rich for her, I loved it however and am now even more addicted to them) and Kairii and Angela were kind enough to stop by and give me a post card and note~

For the weekend, we stayed with Lauren who helped us out after hours with the table (we'd grabbed her an exhibitor pass) and after we'd packed up and said goodbyes on Sunday we rolled ourselves home and grabbed some take out and watched Korra!

Overall the weekend went well, so I look forward to returning next year (as with every year) though I do hope we can get back to Adelaide again before another year is up! Thankfully some friends are going to visit us really soon for another exciting event, I'm really looking forward to it! ♥

*All the photos here show the Peppermint Fox table at AVCon on Sunday and include items from Peppermint Fox as well as some art goods by our resident artist- Thali!*

Peppermint Fox on Facebook
Peppermint Fox on Tumblr
Peppermint Fox Online Shop
Thali on Tumblr
Thali Art Online Shop

Thanks for looking~

Supanova Melbourne

 Last week we really put our backs into getting everything ready for- Supanova! Supanova is a pop culture convention that travels around Australia, we attended the Melbourne event as a vendor in the artist alley. Everytime we attend and event, our table set up improves- so because of that I wanted to show off all our hard work and cute wares!

 Our full table for the Saturday! Unfortunately I forgot my camera on the Sunday, so most of the pictures are from then. It is probably fortunate as the table looked a bit bare on Sunday.

 We introduced a bunch of new Tiny Companions, this little guy is called Klaus. He's a fine specimen, I think.

 A clearer look at the items we had for sale. I was so overwhelmed by the response of all the kind customers who stopped by our table. Everyone was so sweet!

 Little Mabel enjoyed popularity over the weekend, and how could anyone resist such a cute face?

 Mostly our table was dedicated to Peppermint Fox items, but we also set aside a little space for our side projects. Pokemon Energy badges and other pop type accessories from me, and adorable art prints and art goods by Thali (art goods not pictured).

 

 And surprise! Much to our delight we had two lovely customers stop by wearing Peppermint Fox designs! My heart almost stopped! I think it's one thing to know you have made things and sent them out into the world, and another to see them. They both looked absolutely darling ♥

 Over the weekend, I bought a few things and of course kept a fairy energy brooch for myself. I couldn't turn down BMO.

 

Overall it was a very long weekend and I was very tired, but I had so much fun and couldn't stop smiling at all the lovely people who came to see us. Of course, we can't do so well without them, it's difficult to express my gratitude intelligently, but I hope that they all know that it is there!

A final peek at little Thomson, my favourite of the kittens. I cannot get over his sweet little face! 

I'll post my outfit from Saturday (I did not take any good photos from Sunday, alas!) in a moment.

♥

Thanks for looking~

Sweet Coconut Morning Tea

As I said, I set up a morning tea for Thali and R (I joined too!) with a sweet coconut theme. I bought the scones, since I am not good at making them, and I made everything else myself. 

 The Menu included:

Egg Salad and Cucumber Sandwiches

Coconut and Chocolate Mousse

Coconut Cake
Scones with Honey, Jam and Cream

Pikelets

Honey and Honey and Chocolate Hedgehog Cookies

Tbar Chocolat-T Tea with Coconut Sugar

Everything was very cute and tasy, even though it was a bit last minute when it came to decorations. The mousse was eggless and made with cream and chocolate (my favourite way to make it) but I think it was a little rich for the others in such a quantity. I'll remember next time and also not panic so much. I thought I wouldn't have enough so I made pikelets, as it turned out I needn't have worried!

It was nice to sit and hear about the good time my guests had at the circus. As wonderful as it sounded, I think I prefered my evening of baking more! 

Christmas Tea Party 2012

 It's been so long, I haven't even talked about last Christmas. Better late than never, especially when the food looks this good.

Often I really look forward to Christmas, but this year was not really the best. Thankfully I have amazing friends. Lauren hosted Thali and I for a Christmas tea party. Adorable Mini joined us as well, I think she was quite impressed. 

Lauren organised a veritable banquet for us! And there was trifle! With sprinkles. We bought each other smallish gifts- I was so very grateful to be thought of.

We feasted into the afternoon and then Lauren had us sit down to play some Wii. I played a Kirby game that I now wish I owned (we don't have a tv though) and then started me on watching Once Upon a Time (which I have now finished watching the first season of, haha!).

It was a truly lovely day, despite the heat and as silly as it sounds my heart was glad to spend it with such amazing people and delicious food.

British Bon Voyage Tea Party

Not so long ago but probably longer enough that I am sure Kairii will be back with us soon, we had a little bon voyage tea party! We sent Kairii off to Europe to join Angii for a little while. She'll stop by Hong Kong on the way, and then head home to us! It was a lot of fun, even though it was really hot. Kairii and Thali made the food, Lauren and I got to turn up and eat, which was nice. I think they did really well, I especially liked Kairii's pies.

If you read this Kairii, wherever you are, I hope you are having fun! xoxo

Birthday Teaparty - 27th October 2012

Last Monday was my birthday (23!) and in the first part of November it will also be Waffles birthday. To celebrate I decided to hold a tea party for a few of my friends in my back yard! It was not as stressful as I thought, though I did have a moment where I was quite frustrated with cake... I baked pretty much everything from scratch except for the tart cases, which I cheated with and my mum was kind enough to make the scones! Thali helped with the macarons and sandwiches as well, which made everything that little bit easier. Waffles was sweet enough to gift me some fabulous eyelashes and some chocolate tea; pretty much the best thing ever. It's like a hot chocolate, but it's tea. You can almost pretend it's healthy. Almost. If you don't have two sugars.

In the end everything went smashing, I think. We spent about six hours just milling around, chatting, we played a Unicorn board game that Rachael had been dying to play and then we paired up to play scattergories. I think next time I will leave a bit of a break before I throw food at people, something to think of next time I suppose. 

In preparation I went searching for some tea cups and few other things I didn't have (the glasses and plates, which I picked up from IKEA) namely the tea cups that I got from an op shop for just $8. Unfortunately someone else had claimed two of the tea cups from the set of eight, which meant there were only six. Before I got those however, I had been considering buying these pretty butterfly tea cups from T2. In the end Thali gifted me this pink one (which I ended up using, and am using right now). It's so pretty and it's not quite silver, more of the gunmetal colour which is one of my favourites.

Magical floating watermelon~

I set out some cheese and crackers and some fruit and biscuits for the first arrivals to tide them over. Then once everyone arrived we set out the sandwiches and the vol-au-vents. I kind of made... a lot of food. Maybe too much because I was worried.  My father brought me roses from their (now old) houses garden so that I could decorate a little. They were the perfect touch in some miniature glass milk bottles.

Then I brought out all the sweets. All of them. There were scones with raspberry jam; three types of tarts (rose cream, green tea cream and plain); brown sugar swiss roll; rose and green tea filled choux pastry; tuiles;  baked rose custards; cream and mousseline trifles (that stupid cake somehow saved) and macarons! Green tea and rose and plain rose. Obviously, it was far too much for my poor guests to eat at once. But I was eager to sit down with everyone, so it all went out together. It was easier, but as I said, I think I will wait longer between savouries and sweets.

I have an outfit photo, but I didn't like my face in it! So I hope Kairii doesn't mind me using this photo, it's one of my favourites! Most of the pictures from the day turned out rather silly actually. I guess that means we were too busy having a good time or something! My outfit was pretty basic anyway, despite my theme of mint and pink, I went with Cherry Berry Bunny because it was what I felt like wearing. Sadly my birthday present to myself, Rose Toilette in mint, would not arrive in time. Next time, I suppose I shall wear it. 

 After we eaten a bit we chatted and were generally silly. We served two types of tea from T2; green rose and french earl grey. They were both delicious. On top of that I served a kind of punch which was a combination of Apple and Grapefruit Mineral Water, Lime Soda Water, Lemonade and a dash of mixed berry cordial. I froze some lemon and lime slices as well to add to it and of course there were strawberries. I specifically mixed it in the hopes it would come out a charming pink clear pink colour, which is why there was no fruit juice.

For the first time ever for me, we played scattergories. We didn't have the board game itself, so we sort of grabbed some note pads and pens and came up with some categories and went for it. It was an interesting game, I think I need to purchase it to bring along properly for our next get together.

Overall I had an amazing day, it was well worth the days work beforehand to be able to spend those precious hours with my friends laughing and chatting and eating. Lauren stayed afterwards to help us clean up, which I was grateful for. Dishes are my arch nemesis after all. I should also mention that most if not all of these pictures are thanks to Thali, who I passed my camera off to, thankfully. Otherwise I would have nothing to show you!

For my actually birthday day, I didn't have to work for the first time in six years! It was fabulous and the perfect end to one of the best birthday weekends ever. I think for the first time I did something for myself, and I invited along my very close friends who probably expect the least of me and are just a joy to entertain. I think that really helped, not having to live up to anyone's expectations as well as having a group of very happy, chatty girls. Secretly, I think it was really great to not have any boys around- you can be more free in the things you say and speak about! It's nice to have a space to yourself sometimes.

An Afternoon Tea at Thali's

Last month Thali hosted a tea party for a few of us for no reason other than she could because it's a tea party. Do you really need a reason to eat cute food, drink delicious tea and chat with fabulous ladies? I think not.

I did not really get a lot of pictures, I was really far too busy enjoying myself. As you can see though, everything was amazing. Thali was a fantastic hostess and we all descended into sugar induced comas after giggling ourselves silly over some very interesting stick figure drawing. Lauren and I wore Honey Cake, but I completely forgot to get an outfit photo, so you'll just have to imagine something. Hopefully something awesome? I wore a blonde wig, which has quickly become my favourite, despite the fact I've never had much luck with it. I'm going to wear it again this coming weekend, with any luck I will actually remember to take an outfit snap!

2011 Osaka X Sannomiya Angelic Pretty Tea Party

Since I removed all my old posts in a giant clean up, I thought I would repost a few things, hence this post. These photos are from the Tea Party held by Angelic Pretty Osaka and Sannomiya last year when I was on  exchange. Long time readers will remember my excited post. Though I couldn't follow along well, I could eat and pull tickets out of a box, so I had a lot of fun and since the event was run by the shop staff they were as accommodating as they always are, which put me at ease. I can completely see how Angelic Pretty manage to inspire loyalty amongst their customers!

Has anyone else attended a tea party hosted by one of the brands before? What did you think? I've heard about a lot of differences between areas and brands. I think it's really interesting!