By Invitation Only.. 'Some enchanted evening'..

Hello my dears! Hope you are enjoying my little 'Christmas guest post series'! Weren't Emma and Maria's posts just lovely!?! I loved reading about their Christmas inspirations and I can't wait to share the rest of the line up of bloggers extraordinaire. But today I am pausing the series in order to participate in this month's 'By Invitation Only' blog party.

You see we (the 'BIO girls') have been invited to a virtual Christmas party at the amazing house (..to-be) of our dear friend Tina of 'The Enchanted Home'.
No expense has been spared - there will be live music, carolers, tuxedo clad help, exquisite foods, and the champagne will not stop flowing.

Our brief for today's post is to reveal what we will wear to this 'enchanted evening' and what we will bring as a 'hostess gift' for our dear Tina. 

So I poured myself a cup of tea and sat down to browse my favourite fashion sites in search for a dress. Having reviewed a whole raft of fab designers and pieces I settled for the 'Lifechanger' dress by Australian designer duo 'Sass & Bide'.

  Sarah- Jane Clarke (sass) & Heidi Middleton (bide)

I simply adore the girls behind the label, and their fresh take on fashion as a whole. The 'Lifechanger dress' has a full length gathered muslin skirt and an amazing embroidered bustier with a strong ethic / tribal feel. I love that it's simple yet unique, elegant yet quirky and formal whilst also being fun & different.

Underneath that gorgeous cascade of soft black muslin I would hide a pair of Gucci 'Houston' platform heels, that really would continue to emphasize that stunning vertical line of the dress (very flattering in these times of indulgence..ahem!).

My hair would be pulled up in a bun of some sort, and the make up mainly focused on dramatic eyes, and flawless glowing skin (all over). 

As for jewelry, I would layer quite a few chunky 'Smashed' bangles on my arm, thread on a pair of 'Pointed tip' earrings to balance the sleek hair, and also slip a black onyx 'Doodle' ring on my finger (all pieces by Orit London). 
Nothing whimsical or too ornate (I am not a girly-girl), just something to enhance the ethnicity of the dress and to add some subtle glitz. Or as Marsha puts it, "It is Christmas after all, and we must all sparkle"! I love you Marsha! xx

Apart from the full length, black 'Opera cloak' I would be wearing on top of the dress upon arrival, that is it. No more no less.. Well apart from the 'hostess gift' of course, which would be a lovely 24 karat gold plated 'Whish bone' from Sue de Chiara's wonderful e-boutique 'The Zhush'.

 

I simply love these and intend to get one for myself after the mad rush to Christmas. They look as lovely on the table as they do framed and hung on the wall! 

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Dear Tina, the night has truly been enchanting and I thank you for your kind invitation. Marsha darling we love your 'By Invitation Only' and thank you too for always bringing us such wonderful inspiration!

Don't forget to check out all the other 

'By Invitation Only' posts around the bloggosphere!

Big kisses from the North!

xx Charlotta

Entertain in neon..

Have a recent fetish for neon.. hence fell hard for this bright and cute kids' party theme.

When I showed Isabella these pictures she told me I wasn't allowed to use her plastic animals..! She did the same thing earlier this year when I showed her THIS.. and THIS..! :)

Happy rest of the weekend my dears.

Hope you are enjoying a marvelous one!

xx Charlotta


I marked these images as being sourced via Splendid Something but can't find the link.. help anyone?

One terribly charming party..

Don't you just love a good party!?! I certainly do, and I make a conscious effort to find excuses & reasons to celebrate - be it an extra effort made at school, an anniversary, a promotion, a holiday, a special event, or a birthday. Anything really, because  in my book life is too short and too beautiful not to make the most of!

NYC Party - HERE

To me, some of the most fun parties to plan and execute are the ones for the kids. Don't get me wrong though, I love (!) preparing adult parties too, but there is something with the freedom of imagination & boundless playfulness of children's events that get me very excited! I am a children's artist & designer, don't forget..! :)

One of my favourite go-to-sources for bright, fun and original kids' party ideas is 'One Charming Party'. 
Founded & run by Brittany Egbert and Sara Westbrook, this site sells the most creative and comprehensive 'party plans' you will ever come across! The plans come complete with pre-designed printable invitations, style guides, game ideas, DIY tutorials, menu suggestions and general implementation tips. All for a mere US$25 per plan people!!

Super Hero Party - HERE

Wonder Woman Party - HERE

All parties are styled to perfection by Sara & Brittany, and then captured in the most delicious way by fabulous photographer Nicole Hill Gerulat (and sometimes also by Sara!). Then they are put together in 'Issuu powered look-books' so that you can browse each theme before you buy. Simply brilliant!

Country Fair Party - HERE

Though the core of their business is 'children's parties', they recently did this wonderful 'Dog Party' that made me go Woof! (ha!) 
I really must get myself a dog now because I can't see my cat Bella Busk sharing anything this yummy! :)

 Dog Party - HERE

I hope this has gotten you as excited as me, and that you will head on over to 'One Charming Party' to browse their gallery. 
Never again will you be stomped for ideas, and just imagine the wonderful memories these parties will create for you & your kids..! Oh, and your dogs of course..! :)

xx Charlotta 

P.S. I can see how you might think that this is a sponsored post, but it isn't. I asked Brittany if I could feature them because I really am genuinely this excited & impressed by her & Sara!

The Shiny Pebble Finale Party.. (and give-away reminder!)

Today my friends I am inviting your all to a fabulous party in

honour of my dear friend Catherine Hopkins of 'The Shiny Pebble'.

Tonight we clebrate 8 weeks of delightful diningroom designs and the contributions

of all of those who took part, who watched & commented. Here are the designers,

yours truly included, as well the lovely and warm Marsha over at the wonderful

'Splendarosa Gems on Glamour' who designed 8 stunning outfits to go with each 

of the designs. Thank you everyone - it has been such a pleasure to meet you all!

Raina Cox (If The Lampshade Fits)

Christina Fluegge (Greige)

Beth Connolly (Chinoiserie Chic)

Amy Forshew (Pemberley Style)

Charlotta Ward (Space for Inspiration)

Leigha Oak (Elle Oh )

Kellie Collis (Ada and Darcy)

Gwen Driscoll (Ragland Hill Social)

So my dears it's party time - pack your bags and head on over to Sweden..

 

My party will take place in the grounds of 'Yxtaholms Castle' - the very place my

parents organised a fabulous wedding ceremony & reception for me and my huz

after we had to cancel our first celebration. (A long story I will tell you another time.. )
Despite being a castle, there is nothing overly formal about this place. It's elegant

in a warm & friendly manner which makes me feel at home every time I go there.  

So please join me at this truly magical place that is set on a pittoresque little island
in the middle of a Waterlily-clad lake, complete with a small boat house that hosts a traditional Swedish sauna. Heavenly to use before you jump into the cooling lake!

I want this event to roll across a couple of days so that we all get plenty of time to hang

out together. The focus will be to finally get to meet you all face to face! I would also love
to meet your families so please bring your kids & partners! After you check in to your
rooms in either the castle wings or in the refurbished stables, please dress casually and
join me on the slopes leading down towards the lake for a summery garden party.

L to R from top - 1. Dog'n'Bird, 2. Lisa Warninger, 3 & 6. Luna & Chloe, 4. Mochatini, 5. unknown, 
7. A Cup of Jo, 8. The Wedding Pantry, 9. Helen Norman Etsy, 10. Utterly Engaged, 11. the Wedding Style Guide
 
We will keep this part of our party light and breezy with bubbly & fresh Summer drinks,
yummy treats for all ages and lots of fun games, and activities to keep everyone happy.

 Also please don't forget to write down a personal messages for any of our guests that
our toast master will share with everyone during dinner. There will be many for sure..

 image via Martha Stewart Weddings

As the sun starts to cast the famous golden glow of Swedish midsummer nights
we break up temporarily to get ready for a fabulous dinner & party inside the castle.

 unknown

I asked my dear friend Marsha to help me pick an outfit for this evening event and in her usual
generous manner she gave me a wardrobe of options to choose from. All equally beautiful.
Thank you Marsha! xx

 1, 3 & 5 Chanel, 4 & 6 Ralph Lauren and 2. Givenchy

As much as I love (!) that first Chanel outfit, I think I will go with no 4. - the white Ralph

Lauren creation (though I would probably have to take off the jacket as of course the
weather will be perfect and warm!). I choose this outfit as Swedish summer is all about
the light and we love dressing in white to celebrate the divine sunlight at mid-summer.
The below red/white vintage Balenciaga gown is also very tempting. Perhaps next time.. 

1. Mark Shaw, 2. Unknown, 3. Luna & Chloe Weddings

The evening will offer a parade of wonderful foods, drinks and music. I happen to love

old school jazz and what better way to enjoy this than through the divine voice of my old

time bestie Eva, who not only is a doctor of music but is a frequent solo artist in Sweden.
I shall formally introduce you to her at a later stage. She is truly special & I love her!

 1 & 2. From Me To You, 3. Unknown

Wake up to another beautiful day and start it off by a walk or morning ride in the lovely
surrounding forests and meadows. The nearby stables have a large family of stunning 
Arabian full bloods for you to choose from, and what better way to start the day right!?! 
(..and of course we all feel like doing this in the early hours after a long party..! :) 

 1. Coco & Cox UK, 2. IS Weddings, 3. Martha Stewart

 Then please join me for a lovely long breakfast before we break up and head for our next
adventure in this wonderful world that we live in. I hope you had fun - I know I did!.

Thank you once more to Catherine for hosting this initiative, to the lovely girls
who designed so splendidly for her dining room, to Marsha for her beautiful
outfits, and to all of you dear friends for coming!

 xx Charlotta


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 GIVE AWAY REMINDER!

Dear US/Canadian friends. 
Please enter my give-away before 
midnight on Saturday (Sydney time)!

 image via Gemma Comas

Click HERE to go to the give-away post, 
or simply scroll down to the next post! 

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Amy Atlas - Poolside bliss in the Hamptons

She has done it again!

An absolutely beautiful party buffet
in crisp apple green and creamy taupe,
which I think looks particularly amazing
against the turquoise water in the pool.

The 'intimate family gathering' was created
to celebrate the birthdays of the mother
as well as the son of the family.
In usual Atlas-style, the detail were planned
with precision and there were specially
designed treats and sweets for both
guests of honour.

Read more HERE.

xCharlotta

Ondine Karady & James Rutenberg's Wedding

I have had a link to the NY Magazine's amazing pictures of

Ondine Karady & James Rutenberg's wedding
on my side bar for a little while.

As I am removing that link,
I thought I would bring the photo stream
into this area in case you didn't see it.


Love the decor and art direction!

xCharlotta

Fortune Teller Cups

Just saw this cute idea on Martha Stewart's blog..

Click here to view see Martha's post and to download
instructions on how to make a 'fortune teller'.

xCharlotta

The Perfect Party

Amy Atlas
Crisp event magic with a modern graphic twist.