Weddings with style and flair

I'm supposed to be studying I know I know...

but I stumbled across Robert Sukrachand's blog featuring the photos of one of the most beautifully styled weddings I have seen. I'm by no means venturing towards such an event myself but I have attended and been involved in my fair share and I tell you, I am a sucker for uniquely designed weddings.

I have always hoped that I would be able to inject my own personality and style into the proceedings of the wedding and avoid as much of the 'cookie-cutter' approaches to some of those I've attended...not saying they were not beautiful too but to make something like this truly reflect the two personalities of the two individuals being celebrated on that day? that's what really the essence of what I hope to achieve one day and what I think this couple achieved.

I love the small details such as the paper cranes - such a fan of origami, the cookie table and the popcorn! And the rustic feel having the wedding set outdoors in a camping ground...I am so impressed...sigh...so nice...

Kay

The Commoner

Cool cafe, eclectic... with good-looking patrons...

Walked in on a Sunday midday with two Perth friends in tow. We had all been to a friend's wedding the night before. I had wanted to try the Provincial on the cnr of Johnston and Brunswick but the "pub smell" was a turn-off on this fine Sunday so we crossed over to the other corner to The Commoner. This cafe slash bar is quite perfect to show off to visitors - it's emblematic of all that's cool about Melbourne especially for image conscious Gen X'ers... clean walls decorated with bric and brac and chalkboards, wooden tables and souvenir spoons for the sugar.

We snagged the big square wooden table in the front. There's a bar/kitchen bit in the middle and then at the back, an outdoor dining area with a big woodfired oven in the open. A bit like a house set up. The dunnies out the back were spacious... except in the cubicles themselves! What's that about? You know when you have to squeeze in between the toilet and side wall to close the door? That's small.

Anyway. Food. After 12pm there's was choice of lunch or breakfast.

I went with breaky - the Potato Rosti with poached egg and asparagus. The boy went with Mussels. One of our hungry Perth friends went with the lamb with asparagus and thick (funny) orange potato chips. It was definitely better than the normal "eggs on toast" type breakfast.

Verdict: Loved it. Coffee was good, brunch dishes were small, but satisfying, service was good, great for a solo flyer or smallish groups. Looks like this place takes maybe one table of 8 to 10. Definitely worth a visit on a weekend.

PS. This place is in the cheap eats guide - in the "quality for the price" sub-category as distinct from you know, david and camys... It's like getting quality restaurant fare at cafe prices.

The Commoner, 122 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

Deenie

Serengeti Safari Dreaming

I just returned from an amazing East African trip to Kenya and Tanzania covering safari tours through Lake Nakuru and Ngorongoro Crater to name but a few! Our accommodation on our trip was an array of different quality campsites (I'm not complaining, it was great, I promise!) but on one evening we were fortunate enough to visit Seronera Wildlife Lodge in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania to witness the sunset from their beautiful open terrace.

This lovely lodge is built from deep dark redwood

and glass right on the 'kopjes' or rocky outcrops of the mountain with amazing views over the 'endless plains' of the Serengeti wilderness. Designed in the 60's with a modern retro feel, this whole place has an amazing Japanese aesthetic with it's open spaces and wooden beams. There are 75 double rooms available and facilities including the spacious restaurant and bar areas with views all around.

Residents are also able to organise hot air balloon rides over the Serengeti, complete with a champagne breakfast laid out by attentive staff in the open plains of the grasslands. What a beautiful way to complete your trip to Africa!

The lodge is built in an unfenced conservation area of the park so wildlife are free to roam the grounds. This includes the resident rock hyraxes that run around freely throughout the lodge premises. Seeing as they were the original inhabitants of the

kopjes, I suppose the lodge has somewhat invaded their home.

Just be careful not to tread on one as they can sometimes resemble a rock on the path! Totally adorable though, I couldn't get enough of watching them protectively huddle, bottoms together on the rocks.

This lodge would be your accommodation in the Serengeti if you take the Tanzania Lodge Safari trip with GAP adventures. I'm so jealous!

Kay