Here is is your opportunity to get some recognition for a deserving employee or supplier.

The Rotary Club of Maroubra will present a local  ‘Pride of Workmanship’ Award on On Monday, 29 March. The Award acknowledges the diligence and competence of a business person or trades person in the workplace.

We all have opportunities to notice the good service and /or excellent workmanship of people in every-day activities.  Rotary requests that you to nominate a worthy candidate you may know for consideration for this Award.

To nomimate an employee or supplier, all you need to do is provide the name & contact number of the person you wish to nominate. You can do this by contacting Patricia Collier on 9344 3893 or patricia.collier6@bigpond.com. Patricia will organise the rest.

Donna & Nathan’s Favourite Images

Donna & Nathan couldn’t choose just one favourite image. Donna said “I could not decide on just one so I thought I would try to get away with choosing two. I like the first image as it is really intimate and has little else in the photo to draw the attention away from this. I love the second image as it also shows one of my most favourite places in the whole world, Sydney Harbour, which I never get tired of seeing. Whilst the first image is still and quiet the second image portrays movement and my smile is only reinforced by Luna Park in the background!”

Advice from Donna & Nathan

“Firstly, don’t forget to have fun while you plan your wedding. Secondly, it’s all abou you & your future husband so don’t try and please everyone else. Lastly, just think of all the things that you enjoy at a wedding and aim for that in yours.”

What we loved….

We loved that Donna & Nathan were clearly smitten by each other. From the first time we met with them, their love and affection for each other was very clear and we just could not wait to capture this for them.

We just adored Donna’s big beautiful relaxed smile, starting right from when she was getting ready. It was clear this was going to be a perfect day. And, it would be remiss not to mention the amazing looks of love and huge smile of both Donna & Nathan’s faces during and after their ceremony.

Last of all, we also loved the simple elegance of Donna & Nathan’s day – their outfits, accessories, their beautiful ceremony at Hickson Rd Reserve, the walk around the Rocks for location shots and the reception at the Italian Village.

The Finer Details

Donna says about her rings “I love my engagement and wedding band as they are simple & elegant. I opted for three diamonds on my engagement ring, with a princess cut in the centre and a trillard either side. Despite their simplicity I still stare at them a hundred times a day.”

Donna worked overseas for 8 months & she saw a picure of a Jan Logan ring in a magazine. She had mentioned this to Nathan but didn’t think anything else of it, until Nathan surprised her with it as a gift for their wedding. “It is a gorgeous 18ct white gold, black agate and diamond ring. It matched the black of the bridesmaids cocktail dresses”!

Nathan chose his wedding band & it had several diamonds in it. Donna said this is “really funny because I never picked him for wanting bling.”

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Donna describes her dress as “Elegant. It leaned towards a vintage look due to the colour of the silk and beading, but it was also fresh & modern. It really tied in with the wedding location” (the Rocks).

What a gorgeous smile – Donna wore this smile all day!

Donna & her party got ready at the Park Hyatt. What a fabulous place – just look at these images before we left. The Park Hyatt was an obvious choice for Donna given the ceremony was at Hickson Rd Reserve & the location shots around the Rocks but it was also a perfect match to their Modern Vintage theme.

Donna’s hair style was so natural & elegant at the same time. She said “I opted for a style that I wouldn’t normally wear, which was on the side. We put a soft curl through my hair, which was then woven towards one side with several curls hanging loose from the bottom of a loose braid. We opted for a small silver and marcasite comb in the same of a little bow, which was placed on the side that my hair fell to. I chose marcasite as it kept with the vintage look. My veil was very fine tuille in ivory. ”

The Ceremony

Donna & Nathan said what they loved most about their ceremony was “the location – it was perfect overlooking the harbour. Also it was very relaxed and the celebrant (Frances Kneil) made it very personal for us.”

We just love the contrast of these 2 shots – the one above with Nathan clowning around with the guys, then the one below where he is anxiously checking his watch.

Donna & Nathan had 4 attendants each and 2 gorgeous page boys. We just love this shot of the page boys walking proudly down the aisle – it really is very serious work too you know:)

Let the radiant smiles begin all over again!

There is something about the image above that says absolute unity. Both Donna & Nathan stepping out with the same foot holding hands with a look of ‘we’ve done it’ all over their faces! It’s also very glamorous in a very natural way – Donna’s gown looks so shiny & satiny, her veil blowing off to the side & Nathan looking rather suave & cool in his suit and shades.

Location Shots

At our final design consultation with our couples (about 2 weeks out from their wedding day) we always suggest having a bit of a ‘chill out’ with a cool drink between the ceremony & hitting the location shots. You know to really unwind & celebrate you’ve just exchanged vows in front of your family & friends. You are now Mr & Mrs….

The images below are a perfect example of why we recommend this – just take a look at these beautiful moments between Donna & Nathan. These images say a thousand words about how they were feeling. Do you think in 10 years time they would have been able to remember this feeling without these images?

As you can see from these location shots, Donna & Nathan really had loads of fun on their day. It was an absolute pleasure & honour to be part of.

The Reception

Donna & Nathan hosted a beautiful cocktail party for their guests at the Italian Village. The venue and location really lends itself to a fun atmosphere. It’s spacious and has a multi million dollar view as a backdrop. And because of this view, Donna & Nathan’s night came complete with fireworks on the harbour! What more than good food, great company & spectacular fire works could you ask for?

This venue has plenty of room for everyone to PARTY!

Donna & Nathan’s Illuminating Team

Photography: Sami Gale

Dress & Veil: Johanna Johnson Paddington – 02 9360 9411

Hair: Claudia a friend from high school. If you would like to contact Claudia, please contact Israel Smith Photographers

Makeup: Blue Lotus Make Up – 0413181285 (Melissa)

Shoes: Joanne Mercer

Rings: Engagement – Andreys Bondi Junction; Wedding Bands – Larsen’s Jewellery The Strand Arcade; Cocktail Ring – Jan Logan Jewellery Double Bay

Grooms outfits:  Suit – Messini Black Label, The Galeries Victoria, George St, Sydney. Shirt & Shoes Messini Black Label 284 Oxford Street, Paddington.

Florist: Rococo Flowers East Sydney – 02 9357 6688

Cake: Sweet Art Paddington – 02 9361 6617

Stationery: Alannah Rose

Celebrant: Frances Kneil – 02 9542 8184

Ceremony Location: Hickson Rd Reserve – The Rocks Sydney, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority

Reception venue: The Italian Village – Co-ordinated by the Dockside Group 02 9247 3666

Music: DJ Vincent Turner – 02 8213 9399

Wedding Aisle: Outdoor Wedding Aisles – Ann Erdogan 0438 233 552

Furniture Hire for Ceremony – Hollywood For Hire – 02 9989 8934

Decorations: Rose Baker Events – 02 9531 0434

Funny how a Christmas Carol / Story can have such an impact on a little ones mind.

Over 2 tonnes of disposable nappies are dumped into landfill from birth to toilet training for every child. Each nappy is estimated to take 500 years to fully break down.

That is why we decided to open our own store which would stock environmentally sustainable nappies & accessories we believe in. Products we had used, washed & dried and had proven themselves in battle! So was born My Little Cuddle Monkey! www.cuddlemonkey.com.au

We know huge savings can be made by using cloth. We use them at home, on holidays and when we are out & about. New styles and fabrics mean they can be as versatile as you and your lifestyle need them to be. We like to call the process: Baby in, Velcro on, Done.

Have a look at our Trial and Starter Kits for great savings.
We hope others will consider even part time cloth nappy use as every nappy saved from landfill is less waste we leave for our children and future generations.

- Chinese proverb

We chose this because we feel this is exactly what we need to be doing to ensure the generations of the future get to enjoy the environment as much as we have.

Being she learnt the hard way, she thought she should share this tip with others – Don’t wear lace underwear in the bush.

To deal with the bull ant bites, she used cold compress packs.

1. Seep thyme in cup of water & then discard the thyme to keep the liquid.
2. Mix half a cup of the mixture with half a cup of honey.
3. Shake until mixed really well.
4. Give 3 teaspoons a day & sore throat goes quickly.

This tip is to have a bottle of Eucalyptus Oil in your cupboard. It’s seriously liquid gold. Evidently not only does it remove texta, it removes glue left behind by labels, is good to put on pimples and of course, great for colds. These are just a few of the uses – Google Eucalyptus Oil to find out more.

How very true!

I just love this quote. It really summarises what everyone of us is capable of – we are all capable of making a difference that lives way beyond our own time here.