Fingerprint Tree

I recently attended an engagement party for a lovely couple &, instead of a Guest Book, they had a Fingerprint Tree. This was the first time I had seen this, but I've recently also noticed it on Pinterest, so it's not a new idea - but a very creative one.

The idea is that you have a tree printed on a sheet of paper (A4 or A3 are a good size) & you also have an ink pad where guests can ink their finger, then apply their fingerprint somewhere on the tree. You then write your name next to the fingerprint & the couple are left with a beautiful memento of all the guests at their engagement. (Having a packet of wet wipes handy is a good idea, so guests can remove the ink afterwards).

Here's the Fingerprint Tree that I put my fingerprint on:

This is such a clever idea for many other special functions too, such as weddings, kitchen teas, baby showers, birthdays, christenings & so many more, where you might previously have used a Guest Book.

I think a fantastic idea would be to create a Family Tree similar to the Fingerprint Tree (I don't know if this has been done yet - it probably has). With the Family Tree, your family members can put their fingerprints on the tree & then you can frame it & hang it on the wall in your home, along with your family photos.

It's beautiful. What do you think of the Fingerprint Tree? Do you like it as much as I do?

High Tea at Sofi's at the Hotel Sofitel-Melbourne

My friend & I visited the Hotel Sofitel in Melbourne yesterday for High Tea at Sofi's Lounge. We were celebrating her birthday so I was hoping it would be a memorable experience. It was! She was thrilled!

After doing much research on Afternoon/High Teas in Melbourne, I decided to take her to Sofi's Lounge at the Sofitel because they were one of a few places that provide gluten-free options & a beautiful atmosphere. Also, the weekend afternoon tea at Sofi's is a buffet, so you are welcome to go back for seconds, & thirds...

From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel very welcome. We started with a glass of sparkling wine & from there, the delicious afternoon began.

Here are some photos from our experience:

There were tables with a variety of sweets, including panna cotta, creme brulee, opera slice, fruit scones, & a multitude of cakes. Also on offer was a decadent chocolate fountain with different options for dipping, such as fruit, turkish delight & marshmallows.

As if that wasn't enough, there was a pancake station, where a chef was cooking fresh crepes & pancakes, with accompaniments of berry coulis, warm caramel sauce & thick cream.

Also on the menu were hot & cold savoury items, including mini shepherd's pies (which my girlfriend loved), cream cheese & cucumber sandwiches, egg & mayonnaise sandwiches & mini quiches. The sandwiches were so fresh & soft that I lost count of how many I ate.

As my friend has a gluten-free diet, she was given a 3-tiered stand with a selection of gluten-free savoury & sweet items, in addition to all that was on offer.

There was also unlimited coffee & tea, & a pianist was playing beautiful music in the background.
To top it all off, one of the songs he played was Happy Birthday & at that moment, several waiters came out with plates of cake with a birthday candle for the people celebrating their birthdays. Such a nice surprise!

High Tea at Sofi's was a  beautiful afternoon to celebrate the birthday of a beautiful friend. For anyone struggling for ideas on how to make someone feel special, consider a High Tea. It's such a treat & it's nice to spoil or be spoiled every once in a while.

My new George Clooney coffee machine

I love a good cup of coffee (cappucinos & cafe lattes are my favourites), but a good home-made cup of coffee is rare. I haven't had a good one in quite some time....until now.

Hubby was generous on the weekend (he had some rewards points he wanted to use up!) so while we were all out on a shopping trip, he decided to also purchase a DeLonghi Nespresso Latissima+ coffee machine, which I lovingly refer to as the George Clooney coffee machine.

This coffee machine is wonderful. You pop in a coffee pod, press a button or 2 (depending on what coffee you're making) & your latte, cappucino or short black is ready so quickly that there's no time for multi-tasking.

Cleaning the frother is ultra-easy, as all you need to do is press a button & it's done for you. Any milk left in the frother can go straight in the fridge, to be used within 2 days.

I am yet to work out how to make a hot chocolate, but I've been told it can be done. I'm sure you could even make a cup of tea, but I'll have to experiment a bit. My first task is to learn how to make a baby-cino for my Little Miss, so she can join me when I have my "mummy-cino".

Thanks to one of my gorgeous girlfriends, who happened to visit last week, & who recommended her Nespresso machine. A week later, after quite a bit of research, I'm finally enjoying cappucinos at home.

A special thank you to George....oops, I mean hubby! And the red colour makes it extra special.

Has anyone else bought or received anything lately that has made life easier or sweeter? Feel free to share. I'd love to hear about it.