Merry Christmas!!!

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and a 2019 filled with joy and peace!!!

And many thanks again to all of my supporters for making my creative journey what it is today.

"... the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."
Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)

DIY luscious Christmas desserts

If you don't know by now, let me tell you, I am a HUGE fan of desserts!  Not just eating them, but making them too.  So what better time for me to spoil my loved ones with luscious desserts than at Christmas.

So in the mayhem that the lead up to Christmas is for many, enjoy this luxurious roundup of desserts that will wow your guests at any time of the year.

1. Cherry ripe pavlova

2. Italian struffoli

3. Candy cane and brownie ice cream

4. Fruit-filled horns of plenty

She sells seashells by the seashore

I had the privilege this past week of working on a special bespoke order for a friend of mine, a little piece to help remind her daughter of their holiday.

This cute shell was collected as a memento of their holiday and is beautifully highlighted as it hangs on the satin-like cord necklace.
What holiday memento would you love to have turned into a piece of jewellery?

Melbourne's Jane Austen Convention

Melburnians, this post is for all the Jane Austen fans out there who despair at the lack of Jane Austen conventions being held in Australia, let alone Melbourne!

I will be appearing next month at the very first Austen Con being held in Melbourne, running a stall that will feature fan favourite Austen- and regency-inspired creations from both Two Cheeky Monkeys and Domum Vindemia.

So if you've been hoping for the chance to shop in person and enjoy a day of immersing yourself in regency times and Jane Austen's literature, head to the events link and book yourself a spot!

Where words fail, music speaks

Another post to inspire the music fans out there as well as those who have a music-loving bestie!  I was asked to make these bespoke hair barrettes by a music teacher, and I am LOVING how they turned out, even if I do say so myself.

The smaller, contemporary-looking barrettes feature a range of musical symbols, while the vintage-inspired barrettes highlight the all important treble and bass clefs.

Let me know below which style of barrettes you love best and what symbols or literary characters you would like to wear in your hair accessories!

Have yourself a very scented Christmas

Christmas lovers, it's that time of year when our nearest and dearest do their best to restrain our Christmas decorating enthusiasm to reasonable limits!

But never fear, I am here to enable you in your Christmas joie de vivre!!!

Although Mr Monkeys is adamant that we won't be pulling out the Christmas decor until December, I have been happily working on our brand new range of Christmas ornaments for Domum Vindemia.

Created from vintage doilies and table linens rescued from landfill, these Christmas tree-inspired ornaments not only look pretty, but will smell great too!

The tree's "trunk" is made from balsa wood which will deliciously hold your favourite scents just like a reed diffuser. 

All you have to do is add a few drops of your best essential oils to the trunk of the Christmas ornament and your home will be beautifully scented!

There will be three initial designs in this range, with more to be added as I can.  Let me know which design you love best!

Christmas Shipping Dates 2018

A short post today to quickly remind you all that our Christmas shipping cutoff dates are fast approaching!

So if you're planning to give the gift of handmade from Domum Vindemia and Two Cheeky Monkeys this Christmas, please note the dates below and head in-store to get your shopping done.

Australia: shop by 2nd December 2018

Asia, Europe and North America: shop by 12th November 2018

All purchases made after these dates will need to be shipped via Express Post, an option that can be selected at checkout.

Image credit: The Graphics Fairy

Keep calm and find your lost keys

As the calm before the Christmas shopping storm starts here at my little biz, I'm showing off more bespoke creations to inspire you!  As with most of my bespoke orders, these keychains were a tonne of fun to design and make. 

Yes, I really love taking my customers' ideas and turning them into special creations they'll love!!!

These keyrings were especially fun to make as the customer wanted different music-themed keychains as well as Star Wars and Alien/Predator themed ones too.

Drop me a line below and let me know what you would love to see featuring on a keychain.  Would it be something from your favourite movie or book, or something else all together?

The best wines are the ones we drink with friends

Thanks to one of my gorgeous cousins, I have been having so much fun creating bespoke wine glass charms with some very fun themes! 

When I was approached to create these wine charms, I was SO excited because they were different from the styles I usually create and included themes that I adore.

The first set is one that many bookworms will love, a set of Harry Potter-themed charms featuring some of the most well known symbols from JK Rowling's books and the film adaptations of them.

The remaining sets are all music-themed, which is appropriate given that my cousin and I, and most of the cousins in our family, are amateur or professional musicians.  Are you musicians and/or Harry Potter fans? And let me know, which sets do you love best?

Thomas & Friends

Mamas, you've been asking when Domum Vindemia's popular Thomas & Friends buntings will be re-stocked, and I'm excited to announce that our re-stock has finally happened this week!

There are currently three Thomas the tank engine buntings in-store, with another two to be in-store soon.  There's a fun Christmas-themed Thomas bunting, perfect for getting your little one's room ready for the festive season, and the other buntings will feature Thomas and various others of the favourite characters.

So comment below, which Thomas & Friends characters do your little ones love (other than Thomas)?

I could never love anyone as I love my sisters

About a year ago I was excited to add Little Women-inspired lockets to Two Cheeky Monkeys, featuring a heartfelt quote from Jo March: I could never love anyone as I love my sisters.  These locket necklaces have been popular with Louisa May Alcott fans, and this past month I had the pleasure of creating matching bespoke necklaces for a customer.  

A little different from our usual Little Women necklaces, these bespoke necklaces were created with beads that matched the two sisters' birthstones, further representing their bond with each other!  I thought this was the sweetest idea, and it's a great opportunity to let all my customers know that I am more than happy to customise our existing designs to create something unique for you.

So tell me, would you choose necklaces with your birthstones on them, or would you rather beads in your favourite colours?

Thai-inspired sausage rolls

The Cheeky Monkeys and I aren't huge fans of sandwiches, unless they're filled with "fancy" or "gourmet" ingredients.  I'm not sure if this is because of my Chinese heritage, or if it's because we're a bit high maintenance, but it does make filling school lunchboxes a little more complicated.

So, almost every school holidays we spend a day baking up batches of sausage rolls to freeze and then pull out as needed when the school term starts again.  If your own cheeky monkeys love something other than sandwiches in their lunchboxes and love the flavours of Thai food, then you'll definitely want to give this recipe a try.

Makes 20.

Ingredients

- 500g minced pork

- 500g minced beef

- 1-2 carrots, grated

- 1 clove garlic, crushed

- half a stick of lemongrass, finely chopped

- 1-2 Tb of store bought Thai green curry paste

- 1/2 tsp of salt

- 1 egg, lightly beaten

- 5 sheets of butter puff pastry, thawed 

- 1 egg, extra, lightly beaten

- sesame seeds (optional)

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 200⁰ C (390⁰ F). Line two trays with greaseproof baking paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together all ingredients except for the puff pastry.

3. Cut a pastry square in half, lengthwise, to give you two rectangles.  

4. Place spoonfuls of sausage mix along one long edge of a pastry rectangle.  Roll up the pastry to firmly enclose the sausage mix.  Cut the large sausage roll into two smaller rolls.  Place on tray.

5. Repeat step 4 with the remaining pastry sheets and sausage mix.

6. Brush the sausage rolls with the extra egg and sprinkle with the sesame seeds, if using.

7. Bake the sausage rolls  for 20-30 minutes, or until pastry is golden and filling is cooked through.

8. If you're freezing the sausage rolls for a rainy day, leave them on wire racks to cool completely.  Otherwise, enjoy them with a green salad and some chilli or tomato sauce on top!

If you share photos of your sausage rolls on Instagram, don't forget to tag @domumvindemia or @twocheekymonkeysdesigns so that I can see your delicious baking efforts.

How to select the right necklace length

Necklaces are believed to be one of the first types of adornments humans chose to wear and have been worn for a variety of reasons over millenia.  Nowadays they are usually considered a beautiful and fun way to complement an outfit or even to express one's personality.
But with such a large range of necklace lengths to choose from, how do you choose one that will suit your outfit, personal style, body shape and practical needs?

1. Measurements

 

The first and most important step is to measure your neck circumference and length carefully. Neck circumference is the really important one, as you don't want to end up purchasing a necklace that leaves you feeling like you're suffocating.
If you love wearing choker-style necklaces, add approximately 5 cm/2 in to your neck circumference for a comfortable necklace.  For the versatile average length necklace, adding approximately 10 cm/4 in to your neck size to give a good length.
(Image credit: https://bit.ly/2PN8GJ3)

Another neck measurement to consider is your neck length.  While I'm all for wearing pieces you love no matter your size or shape, taking into account which styles look best for your neck shape can take a necklace from simply pretty to beautifully flattering.
Choker and collar style necklaces are more suited to longer, slender necks, while thinner chains and longer necklaces are generally more flattering for wider and shorter necks.
(Image credit: https://bit.ly/2PfL12X)

2. Body size and shape
As with my comments regarding neck length and width, matching necklace lengths to your body and face shape are general recommendations only.  If you can pull off a necklace style that might not normally suit your size or shape, then go ahead and wear it!  And likewise, don't feel you have to follow the latest necklace trends if you know the style is unflattering on you.

Those who are on the shorter side (160 cm/5 ft 4 in or shorter) may find that long and chunky necklaces look overwhelming on their smaller frames, while long necklaces can accentuate and complement the height of those lucky enough to have it (175 cm/5 ft 9 in and taller). 

Necklaces can emphasise your figure in all its glory, so if you don't want to highlight certain areas, then avoid necklaces that will draw attention to them.
For example, long necklaces that fall around the bust area may not hang properly on those with fuller figures.  Instead, choose a necklace that will sit higher up on the neckline, approximately 45-55 cm/18-22 in long.  And conversely, long and layered necklaces will flatter the figure of those with smaller busts and/or slender necks.

3. Clothing
The perfect necklace length to wear will also depend on your outfit for the day.  Shorter necklaces such as chokers go beautifully with open neck clothing, but do not sit well with high necked outfits or turtlenecks.

 

 

High neck outfits are beautifully complemented by long chains and opera length necklaces (26-35 in/65-90 cm long), and long strands of pearls or gorgeous glass beads look especially flattering with evening dresses and gowns.

So let me know in the comments below, what is your favourite necklace length to wear?

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams

Today I am continuing the locket theme for the fans of Two Cheeky Monkeys' inspirational quote lockets!  This new addition to our popular range features a quote which is a paraphrase of Henry David Thoreau's writings in his Walden writings.

While I know that we can't always achieve our dreams, I think this quote is a beautiful encouragement for someone starting a new, exciting or possibly scary chapter of their lives, such as a graduate or someone making a sea change.  Follow the link above to see our full range of literary and quote lockets, or commission a piece with a special quote just for you!

Live your life by a compass

I am continually thankful for how much my customers love Two Cheeky Monkeys' bookish locket necklaces.  And this past fortnight I've been blessed to have a fun and inspirational bespoke piece to work on for a customer.

The request was for a bespoke locket featuring the quote "Live your life by a compass not a clock", an inspirational quote accredited to Stephen R. Covey, the author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  It's always a pleasure to create our jewellery inset with quotes special to our customers - what's your favourite quote?  Comment below!

How to operate your pocket watch

You've purchased yourself a book-themed watch necklace or pocket watch necklace from Two Cheeky Monkeys but you've never owned a watch necklace before.  So what now?

I've been wearing and creating watch and pocket watch necklaces for many years now, and it can be easy to forget that not everyone is accustomed to these accessories.

Here are our answers to your frequently asked questions about our popular necklace range to help you wear your new necklace in glamour and style.

1. How do I open my pocket watch?

This can easily be done equally while you're wearing your pocket watch necklace or when it's sitting on your bedside table.

Simply push the button at the top of your pocketwatch and the decorative and protective cover should pop open for you to make sure you're on time!

2. How do I set the time on my watch?

For both watch and pocketwatch necklaces, the time is set with the little knob at the top or side of your watch.

Gently pull on the knob until you hear a click, then turn it clockwise until you have the time you want.

Push the knob back into the watch, and when it clicks in place, you should have the time set.

3. How do I replace my watch's battery?

This is best done by professionals at a jewellery store, watch maker's store or battery supplier, such as Mister Minit. 

But if you have a watch opening tool or thin pen-knife, you can prise off the watch backing and replace the battery yourself, making sure that you have double checked the battery type you need.

5 clever ideas for a book-themed wedding

There is no denying that the skill of reading is a precious one which brings not just entertainment into our lives, but also knowledge, safety and the ability to function on a day to day basis.

So what better way to celebrate your love of reading or your profession as an English or Literature teacher than to incorporate it as a theme at your wedding!

Many handmade and commercial businesses are now supplying brides and grooms with unique items for a book-themed wedding, and there are many ideas on the internet for simple DIY ideas your loved ones could help you to create.

Here are 5 clever ideas to inspire you to include much-loved books on your wedding day.

1. The Cake

This is often a big deal for weddings, which brides and grooms research and order up to a year in advance to ensure they have their ideal cake and cake baker.

I love this non-traditional offering by cakelava - a cake that looks like a stack of vintage books!  Obviously there are plenty of design options for this theme, so have fun working on a design and style that will fit your budget and wedding ambience.

2. Bouquets and boutonnieres

As beautiful as real flower bouquets and boutonnieres are on your actual wedding day, they don't last long after your big day and are hard to preserve as a wedding keepsake.

So why not opt for a book page bouquet for the women in the bridal party and book page boutonnieres for the gents!  Not only will you be free of the hassle of putting the flowers in water in between photos, your entire bridal party will have something special to remember your day.

And take the whole book bouquet one step further with a bouquet pin featuring your favourite literary character!  Even better if the bouquet pin character matches the book pages used for the bouquet.

3. Centrepiece
Beautiful table centrepieces can be a great ice breaker for guests who may not know each other to ooh and ahh over, especially if it's a clever book-themed one!

There are so many different ways you can use books as a centrepiece, from simply a vintage look display stand for your floral centrepiece through to a clever way of displaying the table number at your wedding reception.

4. Bonbonniere/Party favours

Now it wouldn't be a book-themed wedding without some bookish party favours, or bonbonnieres, for your treasured guests.

There are so many fun ideas you could use for literary party favours, like fridge magnets taken from a page of your guest's favourite book, or surprise them with a brown paper package tied up in string and hiding the latest books from the New York Times bestseller list!

5. Backdrop/Wedding arch

For those of you wanting to make a statement as you say your vows, nothing says "wow factor" like a gorgeous wedding arch or backdrop.

You could go as simple as attaching book pages to the wall behind where you'll be standing, or go all out with a stunning bookshelf-inspired arch like the one pictured.

So do you love the idea of a book-themed wedding?  Comment below!  And if you're looking for more bookish inspiration for your big day, have a look at our book themed wedding inspiration board over on Pinterest.

(First image credit: https://bit.ly/2vtd3Rj)

8 Ways To Thank Your Bridal Party

Bridal parties, that group of friends or family who know you best.  They have celebrated your triumphs in life, mourned with you in your sorrows and supported you through the cold feet/bridezilla/wedding planning ups and downs and will be standing by you on your big day.  So how do you thank them, even in a small way, for their unconditional love and support?  Here are five ideas to get you started.

For the ladies

Most girls love bling of some style, even if they're not self-confessed "girly girls", and a jewellery piece chosen specifically for each bridesmaid is a thoughtful gift idea.  Think about what each lady loves - does she love to rock a boho look, is she a fan of vintage-styled pieces, or does she prefer whatever modern style is currently on trend?  Or gift her with a piece that features her favourite literary fiction and personalise further with her initials or birthstone.

Bridesmaid dresses can put a large dent into a lady's budget, even if they're being hired or are dresses that can be worn again for another occasion.  So you might like to consider paying for your girlfriends' dresses or hiring gowns for your big day instead of committing to purchasing them.

Purses are another thing that most girls love, and a clutch bag for a night out on the town is a fun way to thank your bridesmaids.  You could organise purses that match their bridesmaid gowns so that they can easily carry their makeup and bridal party necessities on your special day.  Or, gift them a special purse that suits their style and fill it with their favourite chocolate or jewellery!

Living in a country like Australia where UV levels are high and can be very harsh on skin, a pamper pack of skincare products is always appreciated by the discerning woman.  Make sure to take into account your bridesmaids' individual scent preferences and the particular skin type of each lady to ensure that her pack suits her perfectly.

For the gentlemen

What could be more dashingly elegant than a man in a smart suit, French cuff shirt and unique cuff links!  Spoil your groomsmen (and please their significant others) with a gift of special cuff links they can wear on your wedding day and keep wearing to work or other special occasions too.

As with the ladies of your bridal party, suit hire or purchase is not a cheap endeavour for the gentlemen of your party.  So, consider the option of hiring suits for your groomsmen, or ordering off the rack suits they can re-wear for work or functions they attend.

  

Some ladies may love their man's beard, but others, like me, are all for clean shaven men!  Whatever your groosmen's facial hair choices, gifting them with a high quality shaving or beard care kit is a great way to pamper men who don't traditionally take care of themselves in such ways (unless they're hipsters!)

With the rise in popularity of craft and artisanal beers, you can get your groomsmen started on their beer brewing journey with a craft brewing kit.  And maybe you can enjoy their efforts when you get back from your honeymoon!

Secret Subscriber Sale

Two Cheeky Monkeys and Domum Vindemia fans, today is a quick post to tease you with our secret subscriber sale!  Until Sunday 5th of August, I am offering all subscribers to our newsletter a super 25% off orders of USD$50 or more.

Want to be let in on our secret sale details and stock up on gifts for your loved ones and yourself?  If you're already a subscriber, simply check your inbox for our fornightly newsletter for full details.  And if you're not already subscribed, then HEAD HERE to sign up for our news and special events updates and look out for our email in your inbox!

Party favour ideas for a little one's birthday

With the birthday season well and truly in swing at Two Cheeky Monkeys HQ, today's post is a timely one for all those mums and dads who are tired of handing out party favours full of sugared up treats that have little ones bouncing off the walls and rotting their teeth!

If you're so exhausted from parenting and party planning that you can't even begin to research alternative party favours, then this is for you!!!  This list of party favour ideas is full of easy, affordable and, most importantly, fun and useful gifts to thank little guests that will make them and their parents smile.

1. Animal themed terrariums

Terrariums are a great idea for older children, and can even be created as one of the party activities!

2. Adjustable floral rings

What could be easier and more adorable for a little girl's party than adjustable floral rings for party favours?

3. Bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles

Small bottles or tubes of bubble mixture are possibly the most affordable party favour you can find and will provide hours of fun to boys and girls of all ages.

4. Temporary tattoos

All kids seem to love temporary tattoos - why not give guests a packet of tattoos matched to the party's theme?  

5. Children's books

This gift not only thanks your guests for coming along to your party, but also encourages the important love of books at a young age.  Children's classics such as Little Golden Books or the Mr Men and Little Miss series are easy to find and afford, but be sure to have a range of books to give in case a guest already owns one of your offerings.

6. Stickers

Last, but not least, is the perennial favourite, stickers!  You can opt for commercial brand stickers from department stores and $2 shops, but if you've planned ahead enough, order some specially handmade stickers to suit your party's theme. 

Image credit: Lolly bag