Following on from the first Blog on I do I do wedding expo (part 1)  recently…we are going to share our experiences of behind the scenes. I must say, the delightful Melinda, “extraordinaire” and  fashion stylist was wonderful to work with  and helped in choosing the outfits on the catwalk to suit each little “La Toriana”  model.  Melinda is the “backbone” behind the event and amazing make up artist.  Melinda Keighran Freelance makeup

The I do I do wedding expo is a major event in Central Victroia and there are many great exhibitors and representation from many facets to do with weddings, and to help brides  stress less on their big day.  Here are some of the lead up to the major fashion parade which we were involved with, along with some amazing businesses too. 

 More and more brides are looking towards “non” traditional flower girl dresses and designer girls clothing for special occassions that the girls would be able to use again.  Lets face it… the traditional white satin does look lovely, however is costly and do they ever get to wear the dresses again?  Having the little girls dressed in unique designer dresses and outfits are totally stunning, captivating and the costs are normally cheaper… plus they can wear them to many different events and special occassions.

On the morning of the I do I do bridal expo the  gorgeous 4 little “La Toriana” models were pampered by an amazing business …   essenZIA mobile hair & makeup artistry.  Each little girl was beaming with excitement as their hair and make up were made up.

I personally would like to thank the essenZIA team… Cindy & Gabrielle,  they were gorgeous pampering our little models and made them feel special, look like little girls and was tastefully and stylishly made up. 

If you are part of a  bridal party, you deserve to be pampered and feel beautiful on the wedding day.  The essenZIA  award winning team will come to you in central Victoria and Melbourne, as well as offer an in-salon service at “Tu To Per Te”  in Castlemaine.  

“Tu To Per Te” located at 145 Mostyn St, Castlemaine & Essenzia Mobile Hair Artistry Bendigo or visit the website  www.essenzia.weebly.com  M:  0411 323 697

The girls at essenZIA  were so professional I am so pleased they were allocated to do our models hair and make up…. could not find an easier, professional and friendlier couple of ladies!!!   THANK SO MUCH girls!!!

A quick interview with Cindy from essenZIA… this is what she had to say …

“Essenzia Mobile Hair & Make Up is all about giving our clients the look they desire, in the comfort & space of their choice! We specialise in wedding & fashion shoots as well as catwalk shows. We find most brides these days don’t want to leave their home or b & b to get ready, so we come to them! We travel all over Central & Northern Victoria, and anywhere we get asked to go. We use products such as Napoleon & De Lorenzo to give a quality and lasting finish.”

“The I do I do Wedding Expo Catwalk show was an awesome opportunity to partner with Elizabeth from La Toriana to showcase the stunning dresses & accessories on offer. The models were just so gorgeous, and the most well behaved we have ever done! It was fabulous to be able to help showcase alternative and unique (and in my opinion so much more beautiful!) options for Flower Girl wear. You could just tell that the girls LOVED wearing them as well. I can’t wait to work with La Toriana in the future!”

 

   ~ Cindy   (Owner, essenZIA)

 

The La Toriana models… they were so so excited.  They loved every part of it…  from their clothing, accessories and the whole buzz!!  Lots of photo’s were taken behind the scenes… mainly from the models themselves!  It was an absolute pleasure to have these 4 gorgeous girls model for La Toriana! 

I love this pic of the girls taking photo’s of the girls taking photo’s!!

here are a few more behind the scenes shots.

Some of the outfits you have seen here that the girls modelled.  Designers included:  Tea Princess, Bethany’s Child, Dolly Up, Princess ratbag, Tippie Toes Couture and Princess Allure.

 La Toriana’s FACEBOOK  Profile       

 Our labels include, Alimrose, annieB, Lambykins, Princess Allure, FairyFloss Creations, Eternal Creation, Vanchi, TikiBoo Kids, Little Pearls for Little Girls, Tea Princess, Three Little trees, Tummbear, Dolly Up, babyjo bamboo baby wear, nest organics, early birds premature baby clothes, teeny weeny premmie baby wear, Extreem Glass, Oopsidaisi, boxy design, anamalz, Briit design, Bump buddy, cheeky little soles, Sounds for silence, Deshabille, eco peko, fINNIGAN fINN, gertie and me, Hey baby, huggalugs, i candy, lazybones, Knuffle Kid, Ogilvies Designs, Bethany’s Child, locolili, miniwhisk, mon tresor, nana huchy, nanny pickle, OOBI baby, penny scallan, Tabitha Emma, Tippie Toes, Robert Gordon Australia, Sweetie Pie, Princess Ratbag, Alannah Rose stationary, Mulberry Muse, Vintage Kid, Wild Things of Noosa, YmamaY, Xanna,  and so many more!

With over 75, exhibitors the I do I do Wedding Expo is simply the best way to shop, plan, sample, or simply gather information. For Brides-To-Be or newly engaged couples, planning a wedding is a step by step process and visiting the I do I do Wedding Expo is a critical component in the planning of the perfect wedding day.  If you ever get the opportunity to attend.. you MUST. 

Join their facebook page and jump on their website to learn more about it and when the next wedding expo is being held.

The girls showing and selling the I do I do wedding creations magazine.  Do you have YOUR copy?

I do I do Creations Magazine is for brides and grooms planning weddings in the Bendigo, Castlemaine, Kyneton, Daylesford, Woodend, Ballarat, Echuca and Shepparton areas.
It is available in all major newsagencies and online at www.idoidocreations.com

here are a couple of my favourites from that day… mind you there were plenty… but these were outstanding on the day for all sorts of reasons.

anouk.

wow… I was drawn to this stand and the delightful girls each time I walked around the exhibitors.  These flowers, arrangements and whole aura exuded style, class and uniqueness.  The designs were fresh and stately and ideal for any function.  I am sure to be using them soon myself!  anouk ~ interior stylist and floral design.  Shp 4/ Chancery Lane Bendigo VIC 3550.  ph: 03 5443  5510

Alana Conway ~ Singer

Alana was stunning beautiful, and her voice amazing.  Proud parents above held the forte whilst Alana was getting ready or singing, and did a great job mingling with brides who may have been interested in Alana to sing or play at their wedding.  Connect with Alana on her facebook page

 Alana Conway…. amazing singer…  Classical to Contemporary
Weddings, Anthems & Special Occasions
Also plays the Harp & Piano

 Stunning gown too! (this photo taken by Annie Warren)

Rubii Design Photography

Mel here is a talented photographer and was a pleasure catching up with her here.  Love the logo, but also stunning wedding photography too! Rubbii Design Photography.  After chatting with Mel, and seeing her website and work, I just know what a talented, friendly and stylish photographer and person she is.  If I was getting married all over again, I would have no hesitation in having Mel as MY photographer!

Cinderella’s

looking for fairytale bridal gowns and gorgeous bridal shoes?  then Cinderella’s is the place for you!  I especially loved the arrangement of amazing shoes… with so many different shapes and sizes and make… call them and tell them the type of shoe you are after and they will get it!!  yep easy.  60 High Street, Eaglehawk 3556
(03) 5446 8789  cinderellas@cvweb.com.au  cindy@cvweb.com.au   www.cvweb.com.au

There were so many more gorgeous displays on show, however  cannot show them all.

next post… look out for the gorgeous “LaToriana” models.  Part 2 is where we show who are models are and some behind the scenes shots before their catwalk debut.  They are gorgeous!!!

see you then!

warmly Elizabeth xx

 La Toriana’s FACEBOOK  Profile       

 Our labels include, Alimrose, annieB, Lambykins, Princess Allure, FairyFloss Creations, Eternal Creation, Vanchi, TikiBoo Kids, Little Pearls for Little Girls, Tea Princess, Three Little trees, Tummbear, Dolly Up, babyjo bamboo baby wear, nest organics, early birds premature baby clothes, teeny weeny premmie baby wear, Extreem Glass, Oopsidaisi, boxy design, anamalz, Briit design, Bump buddy, cheeky little soles, Sounds for silence, Deshabille, eco peko, fINNIGAN fINN, gertie and me, Hey baby, huggalugs, i candy, lazybones, Knuffle Kid, Ogilvies Designs, Bethany’s Child, locolili, miniwhisk, mon tresor, nana huchy, nanny pickle, OOBI baby, penny scallan, Tabitha Emma, Tippie Toes, Robert Gordon Australia, Sweetie Pie, Princess Ratbag, Alannah Rose stationary, Mulberry Muse, Vintage Kid, Wild Things of Noosa, YmamaY, Xanna,  and so many more!

What is ‘The Smile Project’?

 Our smiles are a reflection of the joy we feel in our spirit. For most of us, while we don’t always feel like smiling, can when the mood strikes us.

But what if we couldn’t?

 What if that experience, that physical joy of feeling our lips twitch and move up as our joy pours out of us and onto our lips, our cheeks, our eyes, for the world to see was literally cut from our faces?

This brutal image is a reality for many women in Africa and from the first moment I saw not only the devastation of this reality, but also the joy and hope in a woman whose smile was restored through a program developed by watoto  called  Living Hope

my heart to find a way to support this incredible program and help restore the smiles and lives of these women whilst capturing the smiles of your lives, your families, your precious moments as your friend and photographer was born.

The most marginalised and wounded people in Africa are women. Left abandoned or widowed and many of them HIV+, they are destitute fearing that their children will soon join the ranks of Africa’s countless orphans. The Living Hope project is making a difference in the lives of many of these women.

How can you be involved in ‘The Smile Project’?

There are a couple ways to support and light to these courageous women and in both these opportunities I am seeking to bless you and your loved ones as well.

 Enter The Smile Project competition:

The Smile Project competition is your opportunity to win a lifestyle photography session with me and image box collection to the value of $2000. 

See here for more details and information on the Smile Project

I was explaining to Tiana (7 yrs) about ANZAC Day. 

Being the inquisitive soul she is asked a lot of questions.  Some I could answer… some I couldnt.  I like to be able to answer correctly and give her answers that she can understand without being too complicated.  Together we did some research to find out.  Did you know why?

• wearing poppies is significant
• fly the flag at half mast
• the sounding of  The Last Post represents
• why we have a period of silence

We are off to make our own poppy to wear on ANZAC Day.  You might like to make one too!  Download this great craft idea and you and the kids can make it together and talk about why its so important to keep the ANZAC spirit alive.

Tiana also made this for me.  ran around the garden to get some Rosemary to remember the ANZACs and why we have a special day to pay tribute to them and the poppies in the fields.  Its a special one and I am so very pleased she just went and did it as a present for me… no prompting at all!!

MAKE YOUR OWN POPPY

(source for this blog is from Australian War Memorial  &  ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee website)

 Enjoy a wonderful Day

warmly Elizabeth xx

The Children’s Rose - NPF Fundraiser

This is a very special rose… one that is so sweetly perfumed and blooms so well in the garden.  A bush rose that has long stems and softest pink flowers. If you love roses, consider this one… it is one to remember the children.

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NPF are having this as a fundraiser to help raise money.  Please help them if you can.

Purchase a rose for yourself, as a gift for a family member or friend currently in the Neonatal Intensive care unit, or to support the work of the National Premmie Foundation. Then plant your rose and watch it flourish as it flowers and grows over the years. These special roses help raise funds to support the work of the National Premmie Foundation.

Important note:  unable to deliver to TAS due to quarantine restrictions

Price: $16.00 per rose

Postage: $10.00 for 1 rose, $4.00 per each additional rose

When: Roses are delivered in the month of July 2010 directly to your nominated address.

ORDER HERE

A couple years ago when I was doing some volunteer work for National Premmie Day,  I was given a couple of these plants from Amanda who was then the president of Loddon Mallee Kids.  July marks the anniversary of my gorgeous premmie baby girls Lara and Victoria  and so it has extreme significance to me this rose.  It will be 9 years this year, I just cannot believe it.

Since having planted it, The Children’s Rose looks beautiful and has grown beautifully and its a very special way to remember my precious premature baby girls all 3 of them, but also reminds me of my beautiful friend  Amanda who gave them to me.    I will always remember her kindness ….

Never under estimate the power of a simple gesture.

Thanks Amanda (left) with Belinda and Bianca.

There are many people in our and YOUR community who do amazing things to help others.  Those like  the 3 girls who have done amazing things with Loddon Mallee Kids and National Premmie Foundation, are often unsung hero’s.

NOW is your chance to nominate someone you know for the Local Premmie Hero awards.

Time is running out and submissions will close very soon… so please, make your way over and nominate someone you think is deserving of this award.

La Toriana are fast becoming a leader in providing stylish, affordable quality premmie baby clothing, premmie baby comforters and premature baby accessories to family and friends touched by the birth of a premmie baby.

At La Toriana we have a dedicated category for premmie babies called“Premmie Baby” online on our website.

We have one of the largest and most stylish, affordable collection of premmie baby clothing, premature baby gifts and newborn baby keepsakes available to buy online. If you have a baby born early, or are a friend/family looking to give a premmie baby gift… contact me and I can help you to choose the right baby gift for them.

At La Toriana we showcase great Australian and New Zealand designers as well as neonatal and NICU appropriate baby clothing as well as organic premmie clothes and accessories.  Checkout our vast range of premmie wear and newborn baby items in our secure online baby boutique.  If you are looking for a  premmie baby keepsake doll, or organic baby wear for a bub that has been born prematurely, then you have come to the right online store.  La Toriana specialise in providing great quality, stylish and affordable designer label products for low weight babies and babies born early.

 La Toriana’s FACEBOOK  Profile       

  Premature baby clothing and accessory labels available online at La Toriana include Earlybirds organic premmie baby range,  Lambykins organic premature baby range, TeenyWeeny, Cuski, The Zaky, Tummybear keepsake dolls, Alimrose Design, Let Them Have Wings art, Little ONE baby magzine subscription, plus many more