Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

As we say goodbye to 2012, switch off our laptops and iPhones and close down our kitchen to take a long awaited (and needed) break on the beach, we would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to over 100 clients (many of whom are repeat clients and loyal followers) we have themed, styled, managed and catered for in the past 12 months. Without your continued loyal support The Inspired Occasion would not have had such a successful and busy year.

2012 has been a very exciting year for us, what started off as a home based, part time venture has grown into a fully-fledged thriving business.  This is in part due to a change in management, funding, direction, premises and branding all of which have led to exciting new opportunities and clients that have embraced the services we offer with open arms. 

During the year we have had the opportunity to work with some amazing companies and venues, it’s been great working with these guys and we look forward to continuing our association throughout 2013.

Little Big Company

Love JK

Westfield

Timeout Magazine
Lily Chic
Jo Studio

Brighton International

Lakeside Reception Centre

Smart Artz

Circus Spot

Parkview Equestrian Centre

OST Diner Richmond

Dolls Wardrobe

The success we have had this year wouldn’t have been possible without the support our suppliers and two special businesses Little Big Company and Love JK, thank you ladies for your continued support and friendship and very best wishes to you and your families for 2013.

One of our best “Feel Good” moments for 2012 was our ability to give something back to the community that has supported us, and many other families across Victoria throughout the year - Ronald McDonald House Parkville.  The Inspired Occasion along with Little Big Company and over 40 other very giving contributors banded together to create a fun filled day for 100 children and their Parents on 20 October. Information on this event, a list of contributors and images can be found here.

Other websites, Facebook Pages, blogs and media have also played an important part in our success this year, in particular we would like to thank the following for featuring and supporting our work.

Little Big Company 

Catch My Party

Little one Baby Magazine

Nine MSN

Amy Atlas

Les Enfants

Lily Chic

Marabous - Australia's Leading Source for Stylish Events

Bellenza

TomKat Studio

Hostess with the Mostess

Westfield
Timeout Magazine
Geelong Advertiser

On a more personal note we would like to send a very warm and special thank you to the people behind the scenes “The Inspired Occasion family”.  These people help make it all happen, they give us their time, advice, assistance and support.

Hazel our Blog Editor

Ellie our helping hand

Sheridan our supportive Timeout Magazine companion

Louisa from Little Big Company

Jen from Love JK

Beth our 2013 Intern

2012 has seen us surround ourselves with a fantastic group of trusted people, companies and clients.

Finally huge hugs and kisses to our husbands Kevin and Troy, our partners in crime who have encouraged us to fulfil our dreams and take The Inspired Occasion to the next level. Often the forgotten members of the team who you will always find helping, construct, administer and support us.

So what’s in store for 2013?

We will continue to grow the business model and brand and in early 2013 we will have a very exciting announcement to make, it’s killing us having to keep it a secret but until things are finalised and signed off the secret will have to remain within The Inspired Occasion Family.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

A Christmas message Our family to Yours "here"

Love

The Inspired Occasion

Xmas Luncheon

Competition - Best Dressed Christmas Tree

What joy our children have had over the years helping decorate our Christmas trees, from the real trees we have struggled to get into the car andthrough the door to the first tree we ever bought when I moved out of home and into a home of my own, a small fake green tree which we just can’t bring ourselves to throw away .

Over the years we have had many designer coordinated trees full of expensive baubles, ribbons and bows but these days I prefer a more simple tree, a tree that is full of memories, one that is filled with decorations my children have made and one that makes me reflect on the years past.

So today we thought we would run a competition "Best Dressed Christmas Tree"so that we can be inspired by your creations and get to know our readers a little better.

Submission are open now, submit your own Christmas Tree snap shot (max 2 trees per entrant) to info@theinspiredoccasion.com.au, we will upload them to the blog and to a Facebook album. At the end of the competition the lovely Louisa from Little Big Company will judge all entries and select what she feels are the 4 most creative and special trees from those submitted.

Whether it’s a designer tree that you slave over every year that looks like something that belongs in a department store, a tree full of popcorn and edible decorations or a tree full of Children's creations and hand me down sentimental decorations. Get your images in NOW!!

This competition is only open to non-professionals and Melbourne readers only

First Prize: Themed and Styled Dessert Station for 20 guests 

(*Conditions apply)

Second Prize: DIY Complete Dessert Station Party Kit for 20 guests

(*Conditions apply)

Third Prize: Edibles Party Pack valued at $150

(*Conditions apply)

Fourth Prize: 2 Dozen Cupcakes Values at $84

(*Condition apply)

3 simple steps to go in the running

1. Submit a picture of your Christmas tree (max 2 trees) with a short blurb on the tree theme to info@theinspiredoccasion.com.au

2. Make sure to leave your name and contact details in the email.

3. Follow this blog as we upload and announce the winners of this competition (Submissions close New Years Eve December 31st 2012) and winners announced on 10 January 2013 at 7pm (Australian Time)

This competition is only available to our Melbourne blog readers.

Terms and Conditions:

• Due to Facebook terms and condition we can only accept entries via the blog. 
• This competition is being hosted on the blog http://www.theinspiredoccasion.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/competition-best-dressed-christmas-tree.html and is no way affiliated, sponsored, endorsed or administered with or by Facebook. 
• Entries are open until 31st December 2012 with announcement on 10th January 2013 via the blog and via email as to winners. 
• All photo submission are submitted via email and the blog and entrants release facebook for any photos that are showcased here, with the competition and any announcement being run and announced on the blog.
• Please note we are located in Melbourne, Australia, and only those located in Melbourne will be eligible for prizes.
•  *Prizes No: 2, 3 & 4 require collection and return (eg: party kit hire items need to be collected and returned,  baked items will also need to be collected). 
• *Prize No:1, 2, & 3 are limited to the themes on our website shop/hire
• Any entrants who, in the opinion of The Inspired Occasion tamper or interfere with the entry process in any way, or who do not properly comply with the entry process, will be ineligible to win.
• All prizes must be taken as stated.
• Prizes are not transferable. divisible or exchangeable and connot be redeemed for cash.
•  The Inspired Occasion reserves the right to supply an alternative prize of similar monetary value.
• The judges result is final and binding and no correspondence will be entereed into.
• Please email info@theinspiredoccasion.com.au if there are any questions.

The Inspired Occasion

Xmas Tree Submissions Below

My traditionally themed Christmas Tree. Annette

I have attached my entry for your competition please.
We needed new lights this year as ours stopped working one week before last Christmas, so my daughter chose "rainbow lights" and we used decorations in mostly those same colours!
Thank you Charmaine

Fletcher Family Tree
Created by my dad or the kids pa. He is totally colour blind and has no patience but he was extremely proud of his effort and the kids thought it was beautiful. Sometimes simple is best. 
Thank you

We have a very tiny house that doesn't really permit room for a traditional tree so I purchased some willow and put these little decorations on it. To my surprise, I've had a number of positive comments. I love Christmas.

Holliday Family Tree
Although it is not perfect it was put together with love. The tinsel is not quite long enough but it symbolises to us that sometimes life is cut short but doesn't mean it is still not beautiful. The butterflies symbolise hope and it has plenty of the kids homemade ornaments too. A tree full of memories that will last a lifetime.

This Tree not only was decorated by my 2 children but also almost each and every decoration is hand crafted, painted or glued my angles. They are so proud off all their decorations. The Patane Family....

I take no credit in the decorating of this tree, my two beautiful cheeky little girls loved decorating this tree with their dad!!! Rebecca

WINNER THIRD PRIZE
Attached is our labour of love! The kids and I spend hours every year setting up the tree with an arrangement of orimental glass baubles to hand made items from the kids. The both know who colour coordinated I am and the decorations are always either red or silver - so sweet!
I hope you like.
Rxx

WINNER SECOND PRIZE
The single working gals christmas tree

My christmas tree is not great because of it's boughs heavily laden with ornaments, family heirlooms, tinsel or lights, it is not stacked heavily with gifts, nor is it likely to make the neighbours jealous. It is however printed on a high grade matt paper, able to be sent in the post and dismantled in 25 secs the day after Christmas. 

It would make Martha Stewart cry, but for me, I'm light on time and light on family, but heavy on the sense of humor and have places to be darrrrrrrlllling. 

It's also a perfect example of why I need a desert table for my next birthday, clearly I couldn't bake if the fate of the world depended on it.

WINNER FIRST PRIZE
My Christmas Tree
"A VERY MERRY BRIGHT CHRISTMAS"
Thanks for the competition,
Merry Chrissy
Tonya

A little tree for a little house!! There maybe only 2 of us now but we still put up a little something for our grandchildren and Santa may even stop by... Tracey

WINNER EQUAL FOURTH PRIZE
Since my first daughter was born I began to create a village under the tree with a new piece each year. By the time my girls have children of their own (20 years min!), I am hoping to have a beautiful village that they have created each year.
I hope you also like it Venessa

WINNER EQUAL FOURTH PRIZEHere is our handmade tree! It's our daughters 1st Christmas & at 11 months she is very curious so I thought instead of saying "no...don't touch" all day, I would make her a tree that she could enjoy decorating over & over & over again! I had so much fun making all the decorations & Harper (& all her little friends) had a great time exploring it! 

It might be 4 days before Christmas but we finally have a decorated tree. Thanks to Maddy who decorated whole thing by herself 

Christmas Luncheon affair - Pink, White, Silver and blue

This white, pink, blue and silver Christmas was for an end of year Christmas luncheon affair here in Melbourne, Australia. A few special ladies came together to celebrate with their children.

A fun filled luncheon affair!!

The Inspired Occasion collaborated with Little Big Company, LOVE JK, Memories of Mine

Photography and The Eleventh Flower to make this beautiful luncheon a pastel and white Christmas affair with hints of silver.

We love collaborating with Louisa from Little Big Company. Weeks of collaboration set her a challenge to show others that with a few styling tips and tricks you can really do a "budget" table setting that looks wonderful. She sourced christmas chocolate boxes for $2, Silver Charger Plates $2 and Sparkling reindeers from Kmart all $2. The white dinner plates were from IKEA Australia for $2. The glass vintage looking dessert plates were 70c each from a local $2 dollar store and we bought from Safeway christmas puddings which we decorated with vintage brooches from our local opportunity shop aswell as vintage cutlery which were $2 for a bunch of mismatching forks and knives. The tablecloth was from a remnants warehouse for $15.

Melbourne Australia is known for it's array of multicultural food so the challenge was set for The Inspired Occasion.  We made the Christmas pudding covered in pink fondant, pink and silver cupcakes, pink and silver christmas cookies in the shape of Christmas Trees and snowflakes, melting moments covered in edible toppers designed by LOVE JK , macarons, sparkling glitter cake pops, Christmas ruffle cake, stollen cake, pink meringues and Panettone alla Milanese (traditional Italian Christmas Cake), Chocolate cupcakes from Belgium and toffee from UK were also features on the table.

Rose from the Eleventh Flower designed all the floral centrepieces with peonies and

David Austin roses on the day and decorated the pudding and cakes with fleurs. 

Melissa from Memories of Mine photography came with her daughter too to enjoy the day and captured all the beautiful touches on the day.

Jen from Love JK made all the Christmas party paperie, Christmas cracker labels and her designs were printed on edible paper that we placed on fondant to decorate the melting moments.

The children came along and enjoyed making and decorating the gingerbread

houses on the table. The gingerbread making kits were from Aldi Australia.

The lace tablecloth was from a vintage store for $5.

This was a fun filled affair enjoyed by all.

We hope you enjoy these photos as much as we enjoyed our day!!

 

Joint Collaboration with all the following Vendors:

Styling by Little Big Company/The Inspired Occasion

All Sweet Treats by The Inspired Occasion

All Party paperie by LOVE Jk, buffet labels, Christmas bunting, Christmas

buffet labels, christmas cracker labels

All fleurs and floral centrepieces The Eleventh Flower

All photography by Memories of Mine Photography.

The Inspired Occasion