DESTINATION WEDDING // The Elandra Mission Beach

Traveling is always a privilege and being able to see so many beautiful parts of the world is a blessing. It's often taken for granted what beauty we have in our own back yard in Australia and that was glaringly evident as we drove through the wet tropic region of Far North Queensland en route to The Elandra Mission Beach.

Lush tropical rainforest loomed large on the approach and as the gates appeared I knew that this place was very special. 'Where safari meets the sea' loosely describes the style of The Elandra however amazing pieces hand picked from across the globe take inspiration from Africa, India and Asia against a backdrop of pure white. 

No detail has been left to chance and it is evident that this bespoke experience, both in style and personality, is what The Elandra is all about. Available only for exclusive bookings, the resort is the perfect wedding backdrop, the most inspiring conference setting and the ultimate getaway with friends. 

Perched on fifteen acres, the view is perfection from the pool deck with rainforest rolling down to the resort's private beach - Lovers Beach - and across to Dunk Island. There is also access to Lugger bay, a gorgeous driftwood strewn beach that is almost completely deserted. Sunset and sunrise, I have no words for, breathtaking at minimum.

The Elandra team have been hand picked and are truly wonderful. The food was a gastronomic experience, cocktails were fabulous and service was impeccable. Once you arrive you really have no reason to leave - I know I didn't want to!

Below are just a few stunning pictures taken during my stay and I have to point out what you see is exactly as it is! 

http://www.elandraresorts.com/
https://www.facebook.com/elandramissionbeach

Ending with my favourite shot of the trip beneath the fairy floss sunset

ART // MSG - A Colourful Life

Urban, edgy, colourful and so very cool - these words describe the work of Maurice Golotta aka MSG. Taking a tour of his studio recently I was lucky enough to see not only some of his fantastic new work but I was also privy to the heartland of the artist's creative space. Neon splattered walls, works in progress and the most colourful toilet I've ever seen!

With his popularity accelerating you may have seen some of MSG's work appear on The Block and in one my fave Melbourne furniture stores Fenton & Fenton. With roots in graffiti and graphic design MSG's artwork is often bold and colourful with a strong emphasis on design.  As a kid growing up in the 80’s he was a sponge for pop culture and the golden era of graphic design (pre computers) where things still had a handmade/ hand finished quality to them. His work reflects this sense of nostalgia more often than not especially in his pop art body of work.

Working with a range of different mediums from Acrylics, oils, spray paint, screenprinting and resins. At the other end of MSG’s graphic pop art work is his Abstract paintings, where colours bleed, blend and crash into each other creating mountainous geometrical colour landscapes.

‘Colours are like people, everyone has a different relationship with one another. Some compliment each other while others clash.’ MSG

Catching my eye were the canvas tiles, an eclectic mix of hand crafted screen prints on canvas with a super high gloss resin coating. With over 80 different designs in the collection you can put together your own unique selection of tiles to create a mosaic style artwork. From urns to sculls, Italian playing cards to his signature hand (to name just a few), the tiles can be arranged in an infinite number of ways.

Many of MSG's pieces salute his Italian heritage with a pop art twist, his series of Italian posters come in various urn and colour options and have attracted a wide following. Taking a step in the other direction I also love his 'Colourful Life' skeletal hand, an iconic MSG piece he has become known for.

Not only capturing the intangible essence of cool, MSG's work also has a sense of fun and a unique vibrancy. Taking the concept of one of his static pieces into a live environment with the 'Disco with the Lot' VIP room at a recent music festival saw this essence captured and catapulted into life.

Below are a selection of images taken in the studio and a small sample of his work. The MSG Gallery is open by appointment and located at 126 Bay St in Brighton.
http://www.msggallery.com.au/

Ending with the most colourful cubical I have ever seen! 

POLLON FLOWERS by Nicholas Minton-Connell | Flinders Lane, Melbourne

I paid a fun visit to my favourite man in town, Nicholas Minton-Connell at Pollon Flowers today. I have had the pleasure of working with Nicholas for quite a few years now and we have created many fabulous events together - always beautiful, always fun and always innovative. 

Pollon is one of my favourite stops when in the city and I am pleased to share with you some gorgeous snaps from his Flinders Lane floristry at Chapter House. His window installations are always fabulous and set the tone for the shop, a little bit of whimsical magic mixed with the beauty of fresh blooms inside.

Nicholas began creating displays for David Jones in the early nineties before moving to Hong Kong where he worked for five years with the team at Dior developing window installations and visual merchandise solutions across their Asia-Pacific store locations. He returned to Melbourne in the late nineties, having decided to focus his creative energy on developing a florist and events consultancy. For over a decade his floral creations have become celebrated for their originality and creativity. And we are very happy to have him back here!

You can find his floral creations at high end fashion houses Chanel and Burberry as well as boutique hotels such as the Adelphi and the Olsen and he will also be the florist in residence at the soon to be launched Sheraton Melbourne. He has made the days of brides of all over the country (including mine!) and has beautified corporate and social events alike.

I hope you enjoy the images below, you can visit Pollon at 1/199 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

www.pollonflowers.com.au

Ending with a shot of the handsome man himself!