Brisbane :: Crust & Company Artisan Baking

Crust & Company, Newmarket, is a very well established bakery in our neighbourhood. Their breads and pastries don't need a superfluous write-up - they are delicious and that is that. We wholeheartedly agree with this 5-star review on their facebook page: "My advice is don't go in there. You won't just walk out with one pastries [sic]. I had the almond croissant and pistachio croissants [sic] wish I never tried them [sic] I want them everyday now. Great range of pastries [sic] good weekend treat". If you're ever in the Newmarket area, do yourself a favour and enjoy a treat or two from Crust & Company. This is the pastry that my husband is guaranteed to walk out with when he goes in. :-D

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In other news, you will find us featured over here today. We are very excited to be growing and stretching ourselves this year. We are surrounded with such great talent to draw inspiration from, too. We will keep you posted with links as the project progresses throughout the coming year.

Self-portrait, 2018

Meet Bridal Designer, Vanessa!

Happy New Year! We are going to welcome the new year in by introducing outstanding local vendors. We can't wait to share their stories with you. Today you will meet Vanessa, a Brisbane bridal designer. Vanessa has provided dresses for our couples previously and we have found her to be a dream to work with (just like her luxurious, stylish and bespoke gowns!). She is surprisingly down-to-earth and very relatable despite an impressive resume that includes New York Fashion Week and Australian Bridal Fashion Week. We have a little toddler and Vanessa wasted no time sharing funny stories from her parenting journey... ask her about caffeinated babyccinos. Here is Vanessa's story.

Image supplied by Vanessa Hoe

Tell us about yourself: My name is Vanessa Hoe and I am the designer of When Freddie met Lilly. I love travelling, music, crafts and family - which are just some of the things that inspire me.

Why did you choose Bridal?: I started my career in suiting and eventually started adding the women's wear to my store range. Much more fun and creative!

Who in Bridal inspires you?: Definitely Vera Wang. She's the best of the best.

Any misconceptions about your industry that you would like to dispel?: Well, especially in the bespoke side of things - it's a very special process which not many people understand as they have usually only shopped off the rack before. My bespoke designing allows the bride so much more individuality and her gown is made only for her. All in her measurements, her favourite lace, whatever shape and style she chooses. Hence the price tag can usually be a little more than the $1.5K most girls can justify spending. Nothing is mass made or produced so it is very time consuming and creative. Well worth putting a little extra aside in the budget for something so perfect for your vision and personality!

Do you have any tips for those of us who aren't experts?: It's best to have some sort of idea of what you would like in your Bridal gown before coming along to a bespoke appointment. This way we can focus down on the detail without becoming too overwhelmed! It is meant to be a fun and unforgettable experience after all.

Why should couples choose you for their big day?: When Freddie met Lilly can look after the whole Bridal party with our personalised service and private studio. You won't have to go anywhere else! We also run a promotion - buy your Bridal Gown with us and receive 20% off your Bridesmaid gowns.

You will find Vanessa's instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/whenfreddiemetlilly/. You can call 0408 079 707 or book via email (whenfreddiemetlilly@gmail.com) or online at https://www.whenfreddiemetlilly.com.au/.

2017 // Year in Review

Happy New Year! We wanted to celebrate by sharing some of our favourite images from 2017. We're looking forward to comparing our posts in the coming years. <3

Armstrong Family <3

Isabeau <3

Florence <3

Josh & Jo <3

Lucinda & Sean <3

Caitlyn <3

Leonardo <3

Johnré <3

Upma <3

Lynsey <3

Merry Christmas from Poppy & Sage Photography

Merry Christmas from Poppy & Sage Photography! We hope you have a wonderful day with your family and/or friends. This is the first year that our little girl, Chloe, has been old enough to participate in and enjoy Christmas (17-months-old). We don't have any established Christmas traditions around here yet. However, as of this year, we are now going to incorporate a gingerbread house tradition in amongst our general Christmas festivities. We have made one from time to time previously and it seems to have always been a challenge for us. We have a long way to go for an effortless experience BUT we love a good challenge! ...and we were never going to include images of the blood, sweat and tears that also featured during the process. ;-)

We aren't gingerbread experts by any stretch of the imagination but we do have one tip we would like to share. If you're stuck for decoration inspiration, you are guaranteed to find the solution at Tom's Confectionary Warehouse, Hendra (https://www.confectionerywarehouse.com.au/). Tom's Confectionary Warehouse looks unassuming from the outside but there is nothing unassuming about the range inside! It has to be seen to be believed.

We have welcomed a lovely Japanese homestay student into our family recently. Mayuko helped to make the gingerbread and was in charge of decoration. It was Mayuko's first gingerbread house and she did an outstanding job! We navigated some structural issues and battled Brisbane humidity with the royal icing but the final product was unanimously deemed a great success.

Meet Makeup Artist, Gabrielle!

We are going to close this year out and welcome the new year in by introducing outstanding local vendors. We can't wait to share their stories with you. Today you will meet Gabrielle, a Brisbane makeup artist. We have worked together previously and we have found Gabrielle to go above and beyond. We have found it easy to brainstorm ideas and looks with Gabrielle and, most importantly, she executes the final product flawlessly. It helps that she has a sweet personality and relatable nature, too! Here is her story.

Tell us about yourself: My name is Gabrielle Garner and I am a small town gal from the south coast of NSW. I recently moved to Brisbane originally for university but took a more creative path to do my Diploma in Screen and Media Specialised Makeup Services, which is definitely something I have always been interested in.

Why did you choose to become a makeup artist?: It kind of came to me one night that I wasn’t happy with my current study at university and I no longer had any interest in what I was doing. I have always loved makeup and my friends and family always told me that I should look into beauty/makeup, and so I did! It was a very last minute decision. I was looking on the internet and I came across the Australian Institute of Creative Design in Fortitude Valley. They had the perfect course for me. I signed up straight away and commenced study within a few weeks!

How did your interest in makeup artistry start?: I remember my first spark of interest within the makeup/beauty industry was at a very young age. I think I was about 12 at the time and I was in Sydney with my family. I remember seeing an advertisement somewhere about an open day for Ella Bache College and I was insistent that I would go. It was an amazing experience and that was definitely the pinnacle point for me in realising my interest was in the makeup and beauty industry. From there on I learnt a lot of tips for and tricks of makeup and beauty from watching a lot a Youtube videos and following makeup Youtubers. Each year I developed my skills further and I would occasionally practise on my friends and family. At this point in my life I was still a teenager and only saw makeup as a hobby.

Who inspires you in makeup artistry?: I would definitely say my first makeup trainer I ever had which was Samara Nilsson, owner of Boss Beauty Business in Brisbane. It inspires me to watch her build her own beauty empire and her personality is contagious. She is such a talented makeup artist and boss lady and I’m so glad I have had the pleasure of meeting her and working with her. Another makeup artist that inspires me is Penny Antuar, who is also a local Brisbane gal. Her skill set is amazing and her makeup is always flawless. She is such a creative force and is so versatile when working with different complexions.

Any misconceptions you would like to clear up?: I think people don’t always realise how much skill and knowledge goes into being a makeup artist. It’s not just a matter of putting makeup on someone’s face and making them look pretty. It requires knowledge about anatomy and physiology of the skin, product ingredients and their chemical makeup, and how they react to the skin. It’s about knowing the colour wheel. It is also about making someone FEEL good, not just look good. Applying makeup is an art form and I think that is something that people overlook.

Any tips you would be happy to share?: If you are just a beginner and wanting to know a bit more about makeup, I would definitely recommend just watching a couple of YouTube videos - that’s where I started! Plus there are always workshops that you can attend to get some one on one advice and training on makeup. I will be a part of the Boss Beauty Business team who is running these types of workshops starting February next year. If you’re looking to learn some more, you should definitely come along!

Why should couples choose you for their big day?: My main aim in my work is to make you feel and look beautiful. Providing that service for someone on their special day is so rewarding for me. I want to take the stress away from worrying about how they will look on the day and let them trust me 100%. I will deliver the result of feeling and looking their most beautiful on their special day.

How do you set yourself apart?: I believe being a makeup artist comes in two parts: skill and personality. I am confident with my skill set so I try to focus more on creating a comfortable environment for my clients and making them feel special. Asking your client questions about themselves and their interests is so important as it is a way of getting on their level and finding things that you can both relate to. Creating a relationship with your clients is so important as it can assist in them coming back to you time and time again for the services you provide!

You will find Gabrielle's instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/_makeupby_gigi/. You can book her through gabsiegarner@hotmail.com or SMS/call on 0477076122.