And all that jazz....

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This weekend I had the pleasure of celebrating the 40 year anniversary of my old dancing school.

The organisers went all out in decorating with what seemed like hundreds of old dancing costumes, programmes and grainy video footage from the 1970's. The place was littered with sequins, feathers, character costumes, wigs, face masks and tutus. The smell of hair spray and heavy make-up instantly filled my nostrils.

You see, each year our dancing teachers organise an end-of-year concert. Each and every year for the last 40 years. Apparently, when I was younger the concert didn't bother me. I shook my hips and head in apparent sync with the other five year olds and had the time of my life. However, as I got older, that confidence waned and eventually dwindled away completely as I started to freak out more and more at the prospect of performing in front of people. If I wasn't backstage throwing up between dances, I was missing them all together.

This is the main reason that I don't dance any more, the sheer panic of performing.

I loved dancing though. I still love dancing.

As soon as a show tune starts to play, I can't not start tapping my foot and waving my hands around madly. But who doesn't love a show tune, right?

I took dance classes for 19 years. My main style was ballet, however, I tried my hand at modern, tap and jazz....quiet unsuccessfully I might add. But had fun giving it a red hot go nonetheless.

My dancing teachers are incredible ladies. They have a serious passion for dance and teaching it to others. They have always felt like family.

I learnt a lot under their expert tutelage but the best thing to come out of my 19 years are the relationships that I have made. Some of my closest friends I met at dance class and I wouldn't be without them.

I haven't danced for 11 years now. I can't believe it has been that long. I have still gone along to watch every concert, with the exception of last year when I was heavily pregnant and extremely uncomfortable with my little man. That was always the only way to get out of concert...be heavily pregnant.

It was lovely to spend this night reminiscing and talking of favourite times from days gone by. I cherish them so much.

Do you like to perform?

Or are you like me, a big scaredy cat?

Celebrate good times...again!

Yesterday we attended the wedding of our good friends Dan and Jessie.

I have known Dan for over 20 years (shit that makes us sound old). I have never seen him happier than when he met Jessie, which makes me so happy for him.

Jessie's friends echoed this sentiment about her since meeting Dan. It seems this two were literally made for each other.

The wedding ceremony was stunning, set against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour.

Image from here

A short walk from the ceremony to Bathers Pavilion had us arriving at the cocktail style ceremony.

Image from here

The food was amazing and plentiful, including chilled oyster with cucumber-miso, lacquered duck, spring onion and hoisin pancake, fish and chips, red chicken curry with lime leaf and jasmine rice, beef ragoût with mushroom and red wine.

Speeches were made by Jessie's Dad, Dan's Mum, Dan's brother, Jessie's bridesmaid, Jessie and Dan - and of course I cried. Dan talked about the moment he knew that he would spend the rest of his life with Jessie and my heart melted - it is a wonderful feeling to see one of your friends so happy and in love with an amazing person.

Congratulations on your marriage Dan and Jessie, thank you so much for inviting us to share in your special day. We wish you all the happiness in the world.

How was your weekend? Did you celebrate good times?

Celebrate good times....COME ON!

The weekend started off a little grey and rainy....but the clouds cleared and  the sun shone for our friends Glen and Jessica, who were married on Saturday.

Glen and Jessica are very well suited to each other, both compassionate, eco-friendly types. Having met many years ago at work, Glen held onto the hope that one day they would be together....and as fate has it they are now husband and wife.

They were married in a church in the leafy Sydney suburbs and the reception overlooked a beautifully curated golf course.

Glen is very retro, as said in the speeches he should have been born in the 50's and he would have given James Dean a run for his money. He is also very passionate about old American cars - consequently gorgeous Cadillacs were the car of the day. I think his plan was to convince Jess that it was a good idea for them to get one - I am pretty sure she has other plans though.

The motif that decorated the day was the gum leaf. It adorned the invites, the church pews, the service books, the menus, and the bonbonniere. It was mixed with the flowers and seemed to float on the name tags.

The food was delicious, of course! Alternate courses were served of tart or tuna, lamb or salmon, panacotta or chocolate coconut tart - I admit to cheating on my diabetes diet and trying the dessert.

The speeches were wonderful, the parents of the bride and groom were all brimming with pride and love for both Glen and Jess - which of course had me in tears. Glen and Jess also spoke of their pride and love for their families and each other. I said to Hubby I hope our children say such wonderful things about us in their wedding speeches.

Together Glen and Jess made their bonbonniere, a CD with their favourite music -  I thought this was such a lovely idea and the tracks they chose really showcase their personalities and love for one another. I will be listening to it in the car for many years to come.

As the night came to a close the happily married couple danced together to Just the Two of Us. 

Congratulations on your marriage Glen and Jess, thank you so much for inviting us to share in your special day. We wish you all the happiness in the world.

How was your weekend? Did you celebrate good times?