Early signs

We’re still in the middle of Winter here in England, but I’ve been out in the garden to see whether any plants have survived the cold season. Surprisingly, there were a few flowers still blooming, and there were also early signs of Spring and regrowth. I look forward to keeping an eye on developments over the coming months.

Colourful fruits of labour

For my younger sister’s wedding day we thought it would be a nice touch to have a fruit table for the guests. We asked the catering company if they would be able to provide one for us but at a price of £400 (for fruit!) we said thanks, but no thanks! So, me and my older sister decided to have a go ourselves and as me and my sisters are quite a creative anyway

The day before the wedding day, my sister and I went to the local grocers and fruit stalls in our area and brought a whole range of fruits to give us different shapes, colours and sizes for our table.

As my sister’s wedding was an evening affair, my older sister and I got together in the morning of the wedding day and started prepping the fruit. We washed and cut up the fruit to make it easy and ready to eat

fruit

We then started placing the prepared fruit neatly in flat plastic trays that would help make the fruit not only look good but also make it easy to transport to the wedding venue.

We added small bunches of grapes and slices of oranges to the cut pieces of watermelon and melon, to add colour and also help fill the gaps.

My sister also had a good idea to make small cups of fuit that people can just take away. We used the leftover bits of watermelon, melons and grapes and added strawberries on top. She did this in a rainbow colour order which I thought looked great.

We had asked the venue to provide us with a couple of extra tables with tablecloths for us to use for our fruit. I got to the venue early and set this up before the guests arrived.

At previous parties and events my sisters have always set up a pretty sweet table for guests to enjoy. They decided they would like to do one for the wedding too to sit alongside the fruit table. In the weeks running up to the wedding we all kept an eye out for any sweets that fit our colour theme; red, gold and white (to match the bride). We then put them in colour blocks in various clear pots we had to make it all look neat when put together. I think the birdcages with the roses threaded through them are an especially nice touch and help bring the whole table together.

I think we did a good job (even if I do say so myself) and I think the bride was happy and the guests enjoyed it too, as most of it was eaten. We learnt that we can use our creative ideas to put together something that is well presented and enjoyed by all, at the fraction of the cost. I’d love to hear what you think of our efforts and if you have any other good ideas.

Focus on the edge

tulip

I fancied posting a pic of something bright and colourful today, especially as we are having cloudy, grey days in London at the moment. I really like this photo of a tulip and how the vivid purple petals are in sharp focus, up close to the lens, with a softer focus on the bright green leaves in the background, adding a splash of color. The white space makes the green and purple stand out in contrast making for a simple yet striking image.

Up and out

IMG_1097
I’m not sure what these pretty flowers are called but they make me think they could be a type of thistle. I love the unusual shaped petals and the varying colours of the flowers and how they shoots out outwards and upwards. Do you have any idea what these are called?