Wednesday 23 June 2010

Cupcake Toppers

Another way of cleverly dressing up delicious cupcakes is by using toppers! And I am delighted to introduce great new toppers designed and produced by Haz Workz. His design spans all 'genres' - from cool to elegant to masculine....cos really, cupcakes dont always have to just be cute and pretty!

He is collaborating with Mariah & Sham to produce designs which are complementary to our isle themes and such...but should you visit his blog, you'll be able to place topper orders for your own cupcakes or even muffins for that matter. By the way, he is also a personalised stationery specialist...so yup you can order those too....

So anyway, you can bake your own cupcakes or muffins, spread some nutella (or icing - for the more initiated ones :)) and add some toppers (with our matching cupcake wrappers, perhaps) for a great and fuss free presentation. Just be sure to harmonize the whole "look" though. That's the fun part!

This way, you can have your delicious cakes and eat'em too...

Elegant Monogram

Cool design!

Funky and cheerful!

Looking chic in stripes and monogram.

                                                           Fairy princesses for the princess!

Sunday 20 June 2010

Of food styling, dessert isles and pedestals

Great food stylists firmly believe that food should look (and of course, taste) like it's meant to be eaten...not too overly manicured, coloured, dressed or composed. That is to say, when creating a dessert isle, high tea buffet etc, the main focus should be on the food itself.

That’s why Mariah & Sham always takes the approach of working the décor around the food, and not the other way around. Beauty should always have a soul.

While some treats can be styled, we are always wary of overworking them. We believe good buffets normally have a spread of suitable and enjoyable food that are presented as they are, but complemented gorgeously with the right accessories and décor. This way, one can have a non-intimidating, visually stunning buffet and yet actually enjoy eating off it!

Our use of cupcake wrappers and toppers is just one simple testimony to our belief. We try keeping the cupcakes uncomplicated so they’ll be much easier and nicer to eat…and we dress them up with gorgeous wrappers and toppers or place them on gorgeous stands or pack them up nicely, in order to blend them into any particular themes.

We also love using stands and decorative accents. Which is why, I’m totally in love with the vintage inspired handmade dessert pedestals created by the very talented Linda Smith from Burlap + Blue

She creates and sells the most unique and gorgeous pedestals! I've looked around for awhile, and I inexorably find hers to be very tastefully done! I was therefore delighted when she agreed to ship them to me all the way from the States. Thanx again Linda!!

I love the way she matches the pedestal colors with that of the plates, and the way she harmonizes the form, shape and texture of the plates with the complementing pedestals.

Anyone can fix a pedestal to a plate, but hey it takes a very keen eye for design to come up with tasteful ones. Her pedestals are simple yet stunning, and will make any treats look great.

Every piece of work seems very well thought of…and I know, after our enjoyable long chat on FB, why this is so…Her all-or-nothing attitude leaves no room for compromise. She gives her best to turn her vintage crafts into the best that they possibly can be – detailed, balanced and perfectly crafted - yet still exuding the warm genuine worn look that gives vintage its character. Great job Linda!!

Her dessert pedestals will be made available at Mariah & Sham Living’s soft launch, together with some other decorative elements and accents. So yes, if you share our passion for entertaining – and therefore sharing with family and friends - you will soon be able to own these lovelies and other décor pieces (cake stands, glass jars etc) to set up your own buffet table with!

Our cupcake wrappers will also be made available to shoppers (hint: not just online) really soon. So do look out for our announcement ;)

Meanwhile, here are some of Linda’s gorgeous works….


Linda's right! Who doesn't love polka dots?!

Love the colour!


Old English with a modern twist.

I love the blue-brown patterns on the plate - matched with the blue pedestal - which if you notice, is round and therefore harmonizes with the blue spirals. It just looks right and balanced!

Notice how she matches her glass plate with a glass pedestal?

Very mod indeed. A curved simple white plate on a sleek black pedestal.


Wednesday 16 June 2010

Baby shower by Lollipop Events & Design

Check out the baby shower by Lollipop Events & Design. Loving their eclectic use of colour, design and concept.

The original french window and old brick wall backdrop gave the table design a worn and unpretentious vintage look. Then spruced up with chandeliers, silver candle holders and crystals, the set-up exuded class and luxury. Black stripes and french inspired sketches were integrated to elicit a modern and french feel. Yet all the drama, exuberance and rustiness were cleverly softened by the non-overbearing pink cream tones of the fresh floral arrangements and laced umbrellas. A lavish and dreamy french inspired soiree, I can agree no less... 



Sunday 13 June 2010

11th June 2010

It was a significant date. We handed over our keys to the new home owners. It was an emotional experience I must say, and I surely didn't expect the kids to cry...but they did. Too many fond memories we had there, in our small and humble but cosy and fun white castle.

"We're moving into a bigger and more comfortable home" I explained to them.

"But I love this home....." Fazli retorted wailingly.

"I love this home too. But this is a happy home because we love and cherish one another. So no matter where we go, even if it's a mud hut, we'll always be happy as long as we share and care for one another k....we'll remember what we had here, but move on and make new fond memories together" I promised the kids.

It was quite painful, but their innocence gave me comfort...cos maybe we've brought them up right after all...

So anyway, we're currently recuperating from all the house moving hassle and rush, and despite the lack of updates, we're still doing business as usual.

We had the pleasure of preparing the wedding hantaran for a beautiful couple - Norhafizah and Khairul Anwar on 12th June.

It was understandably rushed, what with all the moving and birthing happening at Mariah & Sham, but Mum was admirably well-composed as always. And we're glad we took Fiza's order in too, cos she's just warm, nice, happy and gorgeous like that.

So here, with a For Him hantaran, we did a more masculine design. No doubt, our clients love our fresh floral arrangements, but used inappropriately, the type and colour of the flowers may negate the mood and purpose of the presentation. So after meeting up with them and understanding their preferences, I suggested using only dashes of purplish light pink and white hydrangea instead of having the whole hantaran in white and purple ...since most of the items come in black, brown and maroon anyway. Then to add in more dashes of purple to the design, we added in personalised tags in that shade...amidst the maroon velvet ribbon, champaigne velvet covers, black roman vases and green masculine pine leaves. We've never seen hantarans with personalised tags before, but the idea was welcomed by Fiza. So we're glad for that. Let's see if our idea catches on.











 







Wishing Khairul Anwar & Norhafizah a blessed life together.