Monday, 4 February 2013
Ideas for Celbrating The Chinese New Year 2013
When is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year begins according to the Chinese calendar which consists of both Gregorian and lunar calendar systems. Because the tracking of the new moon changes from year to year, the Chinese New Year can begin anytime between late January and mid-February
Spring Festival, Lunar New Year or commonly referred to as just Chinese New Year will begin on Sunday 10th Feb 2013 with celebrations running for as long as 15 days until Sunday 24th Feb 2013.
Chinese Lanterns
The fifteenth day of the Chinese New Year is celebrated as Yuanxiao Festival or the Lantern Festival. Candles are lit outside houses and families will walk the streets carrying lanterns. This day marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities.
Traditional Chinese lanterns are usually red in colour and oval shaped, however at the Lantern Festival you can expect to see an array of bright and bold colours, elaborate designs and patterns, characters, dragons, animal and all different shapes and sizes!
Chinese Cuisine
Chinese Food can be found at all celebrations from rice to noodles and in a number of styles from Cantonese, Szechuan and even Mongolian cuisine! When celebrating the Chinese new year there will traditionally be a New Years Eve dinner that will be packed full with amazing foods and flavours including dishes of meat such as pork and chicken, and often include a hot pot to signify a family reuinion.
Chinese Zodiac
There is a 12-year cycle of the animal zodiac which relates a different animal to each year. Chinse Year 2013 is the Year of the Snake.
Previous Years and their symbolic meanings...
1972,1984,1996,2008 Year of the Rat
The RAT is the first sign of the zodiac. Typically people born under this sign will be a creative problem solver, imaginative a hyperactive worker respected for resourcefulness. Intuitive and with the ability to hold onto all things of value.
1973,1985,1997,2009 Year of the Ox
The OX is said to be an inspiring person that is easy-going and will possess a parent-like nature. They also have a tendency to have a bad temper, be quick to anger and very stubborn. They are however good listeners, yet don’t like to ask for help themselves. Most comfortable around Roosters.
1974,1986,1998,2010 Year of the Tiger
The TIGERs are contemplative, emotional and sensitive. Although they can have a short temper, quick tongue and may startle their inferiors. Widely respected for their courageousness, power is their natural gift. Compatible with Horses and Dragons.
1975,1987,1999,2011 Year of the Rabbit.
The RABBIT is often a private individual, a little introverted and sometimes withdrawn. People born to this sign would rather work behind the scenes and try not to be the centre of attention. With that said the rabbit is a friendly individual and enjoys the company of good friends.
1976,1988,2000,2012 Year of the Dragon.
The Dragon's personality tends to be that of a free spirit. Everything that dragon's do will be on a grand scale, they naturally express big ideas and offer ornate gestures. Dragons' generous personalities give them the ability to attract friends, but they can be rather solitary people at heart.
Years to come...
1978,1990,20002,2014 Year of the Horse
The HORSE is a popular person, cheerful and quick to compliment others. They are also hard working, bursting with energy an extrovert. Entertaining and humourous around all people born under this sign tend to be quick-witted and intelligent.
1979,1991,2003,2015 Year of the Goat
The GOAT tends to be a great artists. They will ask many questions, they like nice things and will be very wise, they do tend to like a bit of peace and quiet and can be very calm, easygoing and relaxed.
1980,1992,2004,2016 Year of the Monkey
MONKEYs tend to be very funny and can run circles around other people. Both curios and clever, they will catch on quickly and are able to accomplish most tasks. They appreciate difficult or challenging to stimulate and make them think.
1981,1993,2005,2017 Year of the Rooster
The ROOSTER can be flamboyant, feisty and obstinate in personality. Also an extrovert, proud of who they are and outwardly confident, the rooster is also trustworthy and hardworking.
1982,1994,2006, 2018 Year of the Dog
The DOG has a giving, compassionate and supportive personality. Is a good listener, always available to a friend in need and are incredible attentive.
1983,1995,2007,2019 Year of the Pig
The PIG can be fun and enlightening, while having patience and understanding. People born under this sign will enjoy life, their family and friends. Honest and thoughtful, they belive it is better to give than receive.
As well as the 12 year cycle of the animal zodiac, there is also a 5 year cycle of the chinese elements, each phase has a complex series of associations with different aspects of nature and the best way in which to remember the order that the phases take place are as follows...
1. Wood feeds Fire 2. Fire creates Earth (ash) 3. Earth bears Metal 4. Metal carries Water (as in a bucket) 5. Water nourishes Wood.
For Chinese New Year celebrations in other countries there may be some additional ways that you can add to your celebration. This year in Melbourne Australia there are a number of places that you can enjoy the festival. With displays of the traditional Chinese Lion Dance, firecrackers, folk music, martial artists and much more...
... To blend Australian culture with the Chinese New Year why not create party favours and gift ideas to give to your guests and visitors. Coolaz Stubby Holders can be designed with chinese characters and symbols, colours and photographic images to not only brighten up your event and match in with the theme but also they are practical for this summer time celebration in the southern hemisphere as they will keep your drinks cold! Here are some of our latest designs ...
Happy New Year!
Valentine's Day Gift Ideas on a Budget!
Often the word Valentine can be associated with expensive gifts, lavish nights out and flashy restaurants... and all this so soon after getting over the January pinch $$$!
Here at Coolaz the team have put together a 'recipe book' style feature flowing with recipes and cute gift ideas that will be sure to tantalise your tastebuds and wow your loved one this Valentine's Day!
Why not start with some Lunchbox Love...
If your sweetheart is off for a normal day at work and you are unable to share a romantic midday snack together then why not offer to make their lunch for them, pack it up into a cute little box full of extra special treats! Make sure that you whip up some gorgeous sandwiches packed full of your loved one's favourite fillings and cut them into heart shapes!
Move onto to a Romantic Dinner ...
Your Valetine's meal together doesn't have to be expensive and you don’t even have to go out! There are so many home cook dinners that you could make for eachother, whether you are a beginner in the kitchen or a wanna be gourmet chef there are so many step by step recipes out there, so set your very own masterchef challenge and wow your other half with something delicious this year - and remember presentation is everything!
Make sure that you plate everything up onto eco-friendly, biodegradable plates and use equally as green disposable utensils ... this will mean no arguments about the washing up, simply dispose of your eating tools into the correct recycling can! Then all that will be left it to do is simply sit back and relax!
Maybe your ideal dinner-in would be to cook together, put on your matching aprons and work as a team in the kitchen! One half could read the recipe while the other actively chops and prepares or you could have set tasks each to make things easier and then do the cooking bit together – how romantic! If you’d rather cook alone then I always find the "I'll cook, you clean" rule works pretty well. Or there is always the take-away option for a naughty but nice treat at home!
And finish up with some personalised gifts...
Get in touch with your crafty side and DIY some gifts this year, gather together your lover's favourite goodies, chocolate bars and more, bundle them together in a box or red bucket and fasten them with a cute ribbon!
Homemade cards are always great, it can be as fancy and creative or as simple as you like, you could simply cut out a heart shape from some red material and fasten it to the front of the card, after all it is the words inside that will be the important thing.
If your other half is fond of a cold beverage then why not order them a little something online, a wine or champagne bucket, or beer coolers with a difference. Be sure to check out some of our new designs like the ones shown below - you can grab personalised stubby holders either in a 'be my valentine' fashion or something completely different!
Check out our Top 5 Aphrodisiac Recipes!
Designed especially for a romantic night in for two and perfect for your special Valentine's dinner, there does seem to be a theme of heart shape things, red ideas and strawberries ...
1. Oysters Kilpatrick
Considered a natural aphrodisiac, why not make this as a starter for your romantic night in!
2 cups rock salt
24 oysters, shucked
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
175g thin rashers rindless bacon, diced
2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
lemon wedges, to serve
Preheat grill on medium-high heat. Place rock salt, in a thick layer, on a baking tray or heatproof plate. Arrange oysters (in their half-shells) on rock salt. Sprinkle Worcestershire sauce over oysters. Top with bacon. Grill, on the salt, for 5 to 8 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with lemon.
2. Strawberry and Feta Salad
This unusual combination of strawberries, feta cheese, toasted almonds and romaine lettuce in a sweet and tangy dressing is sure to be a winner - A guaranteed pleaser for your other half!
1 cup slivered almonds
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup raspberry vinegar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 head romaine lettuce, torn
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
Nice and simple – lightly toast the almonds first and set aside to cool. Prepare the dressing by whisking together the garlic, honey, Dijon mustard, raspberry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. In a large bowl, toss together the toasted almonds, romaine lettuce, strawberries, and feta cheese. Cover with the dressing mixture, and serve.
3. Wine Sauce Chicken
6 skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut
into 2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream
of mushroom soup
1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup slivered almonds for topping
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Place the chicken in a saucepan and add water to cover. Bring to a boil and simmer until the chicken pieces are no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the mushrooms; cook and stir until the mushrooms are lightly browned and have released their liquid, about 5 minutes. Place the chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish and add the sautéed mushrooms. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine and heat the soup, milk, Cheddar cheese and garlic powder. Remove from heat and add the white wine and mayonnaise. Pour mixture over the chicken and mushrooms. Top with slivered almonds and grated Parmesan cheese and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
4. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries (love bugs)
These cute dipped treats are a simple yet affective dessert or appertiser! You could even paint little faces on with white choc or an icing pen to make them into little love-bugs.
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 pint fresh strawberries with leaves
Cook chocolate until melted. Stir occasionally until chocolate is smooth. Holding berries by the stem, dip each one in molten chocolate, about three-quarters of the way to the stem. Place, stem side down, on wire rack and chill in refrigerator until hardened.
5. Strawberry Love heart Sponge Cakes
350g double unfilled round sponge cake
250g cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup thickened cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
250g strawberries, hulled, sliced
1/2 cup strawberry jam
1 tablespoon pure icing sugar
Place sponge cake layers on a chopping board. Using an 8cm heart-shaped cutter, cut 3 hearts from each cake. Using a sharp knife, gently split each heart in half. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add cream and vanilla. Beat until mixture thickens.Spread cream cheese mixture over sponge cake bases. Top with strawberry slices. Place jam in a heatproof, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high (100%) for 30 seconds or until warm and runny. Spoon warm jam over strawberries. Sandwich together with sponge tops. Dust with icing sugar and serve.
Top 5 - Love Potions
Assorted Champagne mixtures and yummy cocktails!
1. Sparkling Strawberry cocktail
30ml strawberry liqueur
2 large strawberries, washed, hulled, sliced
1 x 200ml btl chilled dry sparkling white wine
Divide the liqueur and strawberries evenly between 2 serving glasses.
2. Frozen mango and vodka cocktails
4 large mangoes, peeled, flesh chopped
125ml (1/2 cup) water
80g (1/2 cup, firmly packed) finely chopped palm sugar
240g (2 punnets) raspberries
500ml (2 cups) vodka Top each glass with the sparkling wine to serve.
Spread chopped mango over a tray. Place in freezer for 3 hours or until frozen. Meanwhile, combine the water and sugar in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to the boil. Boil, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until liquid reduces by one-third (see microwave tip). Remove from heat and set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly. Place raspberries and sugar mixture in the jug of a blender and blend until smooth. Place half the frozen mango and vodka in the jug of a blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to a large jug. Repeat with remaining mango and vodka. To serve, layer the mango and raspberry purees among serving glasses and serve immediately.
3. Champagne cocktails
1 litre frozen passionfruit sorbet (we used Weiss Frutia)
750ml sparkling white wine, chilled
Place half the sorbet in a blender with half the sparkling wine. Process until well combined. Pour into 4 chilled glasses. Repeat with remaining sorbet and sparkling wine. Fill 4 more glasses. Serve.
4. Pom-pom cocktails
200g berry sorbet
300ml pomegranate juice (or juice of 3 pomegranates), chilled (see Notes)
150ml vodka, chilled
Chill 4 martini glasses in the freezer. Whiz all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into the chilled martini glasses, then serve ice-cold.
5. Cosmopolitan Champagne
250ml (1 cup) cranberry juice
2 tbs Cointreau liqueur
2 tbs fresh lime juice
6 sugar cubes
1 x 750ml btl chilled pink Champagne
Place cranberry juice in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil over high heat. Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until reduced by two-thirds. Remove from heat and set aside for 30 minutes to cool. Combine the cranberry juice, Cointreau and lime juice in a small jug. Place a sugar cube in each serving glass. Pour the cranberry mixture over the sugar. Top with Champagne or sparkling wine and serve immediately.
Happy Valentines Day!
Here at Coolaz the team have put together a 'recipe book' style feature flowing with recipes and cute gift ideas that will be sure to tantalise your tastebuds and wow your loved one this Valentine's Day!
Why not start with some Lunchbox Love...
If your sweetheart is off for a normal day at work and you are unable to share a romantic midday snack together then why not offer to make their lunch for them, pack it up into a cute little box full of extra special treats! Make sure that you whip up some gorgeous sandwiches packed full of your loved one's favourite fillings and cut them into heart shapes!
Move onto to a Romantic Dinner ...
Your Valetine's meal together doesn't have to be expensive and you don’t even have to go out! There are so many home cook dinners that you could make for eachother, whether you are a beginner in the kitchen or a wanna be gourmet chef there are so many step by step recipes out there, so set your very own masterchef challenge and wow your other half with something delicious this year - and remember presentation is everything!
Make sure that you plate everything up onto eco-friendly, biodegradable plates and use equally as green disposable utensils ... this will mean no arguments about the washing up, simply dispose of your eating tools into the correct recycling can! Then all that will be left it to do is simply sit back and relax!
Maybe your ideal dinner-in would be to cook together, put on your matching aprons and work as a team in the kitchen! One half could read the recipe while the other actively chops and prepares or you could have set tasks each to make things easier and then do the cooking bit together – how romantic! If you’d rather cook alone then I always find the "I'll cook, you clean" rule works pretty well. Or there is always the take-away option for a naughty but nice treat at home!
And finish up with some personalised gifts...
Get in touch with your crafty side and DIY some gifts this year, gather together your lover's favourite goodies, chocolate bars and more, bundle them together in a box or red bucket and fasten them with a cute ribbon!
Homemade cards are always great, it can be as fancy and creative or as simple as you like, you could simply cut out a heart shape from some red material and fasten it to the front of the card, after all it is the words inside that will be the important thing.
If your other half is fond of a cold beverage then why not order them a little something online, a wine or champagne bucket, or beer coolers with a difference. Be sure to check out some of our new designs like the ones shown below - you can grab personalised stubby holders either in a 'be my valentine' fashion or something completely different!
Check out our Top 5 Aphrodisiac Recipes!
Designed especially for a romantic night in for two and perfect for your special Valentine's dinner, there does seem to be a theme of heart shape things, red ideas and strawberries ...
1. Oysters Kilpatrick
Considered a natural aphrodisiac, why not make this as a starter for your romantic night in!
2 cups rock salt
24 oysters, shucked
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
175g thin rashers rindless bacon, diced
2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
lemon wedges, to serve
Preheat grill on medium-high heat. Place rock salt, in a thick layer, on a baking tray or heatproof plate. Arrange oysters (in their half-shells) on rock salt. Sprinkle Worcestershire sauce over oysters. Top with bacon. Grill, on the salt, for 5 to 8 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with lemon.
2. Strawberry and Feta Salad
This unusual combination of strawberries, feta cheese, toasted almonds and romaine lettuce in a sweet and tangy dressing is sure to be a winner - A guaranteed pleaser for your other half!
1 cup slivered almonds
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup raspberry vinegar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 head romaine lettuce, torn
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
Nice and simple – lightly toast the almonds first and set aside to cool. Prepare the dressing by whisking together the garlic, honey, Dijon mustard, raspberry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. In a large bowl, toss together the toasted almonds, romaine lettuce, strawberries, and feta cheese. Cover with the dressing mixture, and serve.
3. Wine Sauce Chicken
6 skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut
into 2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream
of mushroom soup
1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup slivered almonds for topping
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Place the chicken in a saucepan and add water to cover. Bring to a boil and simmer until the chicken pieces are no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the mushrooms; cook and stir until the mushrooms are lightly browned and have released their liquid, about 5 minutes. Place the chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish and add the sautéed mushrooms. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine and heat the soup, milk, Cheddar cheese and garlic powder. Remove from heat and add the white wine and mayonnaise. Pour mixture over the chicken and mushrooms. Top with slivered almonds and grated Parmesan cheese and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
4. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries (love bugs)
These cute dipped treats are a simple yet affective dessert or appertiser! You could even paint little faces on with white choc or an icing pen to make them into little love-bugs.
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 pint fresh strawberries with leaves
Cook chocolate until melted. Stir occasionally until chocolate is smooth. Holding berries by the stem, dip each one in molten chocolate, about three-quarters of the way to the stem. Place, stem side down, on wire rack and chill in refrigerator until hardened.
5. Strawberry Love heart Sponge Cakes
350g double unfilled round sponge cake
250g cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup thickened cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
250g strawberries, hulled, sliced
1/2 cup strawberry jam
1 tablespoon pure icing sugar
Place sponge cake layers on a chopping board. Using an 8cm heart-shaped cutter, cut 3 hearts from each cake. Using a sharp knife, gently split each heart in half. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add cream and vanilla. Beat until mixture thickens.Spread cream cheese mixture over sponge cake bases. Top with strawberry slices. Place jam in a heatproof, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high (100%) for 30 seconds or until warm and runny. Spoon warm jam over strawberries. Sandwich together with sponge tops. Dust with icing sugar and serve.
Top 5 - Love Potions
Assorted Champagne mixtures and yummy cocktails!
1. Sparkling Strawberry cocktail
30ml strawberry liqueur
2 large strawberries, washed, hulled, sliced
1 x 200ml btl chilled dry sparkling white wine
Divide the liqueur and strawberries evenly between 2 serving glasses.
2. Frozen mango and vodka cocktails
4 large mangoes, peeled, flesh chopped
125ml (1/2 cup) water
80g (1/2 cup, firmly packed) finely chopped palm sugar
240g (2 punnets) raspberries
500ml (2 cups) vodka Top each glass with the sparkling wine to serve.
Spread chopped mango over a tray. Place in freezer for 3 hours or until frozen. Meanwhile, combine the water and sugar in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to the boil. Boil, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until liquid reduces by one-third (see microwave tip). Remove from heat and set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly. Place raspberries and sugar mixture in the jug of a blender and blend until smooth. Place half the frozen mango and vodka in the jug of a blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to a large jug. Repeat with remaining mango and vodka. To serve, layer the mango and raspberry purees among serving glasses and serve immediately.
3. Champagne cocktails
1 litre frozen passionfruit sorbet (we used Weiss Frutia)
750ml sparkling white wine, chilled
Place half the sorbet in a blender with half the sparkling wine. Process until well combined. Pour into 4 chilled glasses. Repeat with remaining sorbet and sparkling wine. Fill 4 more glasses. Serve.
4. Pom-pom cocktails
200g berry sorbet
300ml pomegranate juice (or juice of 3 pomegranates), chilled (see Notes)
150ml vodka, chilled
Chill 4 martini glasses in the freezer. Whiz all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into the chilled martini glasses, then serve ice-cold.
5. Cosmopolitan Champagne
250ml (1 cup) cranberry juice
2 tbs Cointreau liqueur
2 tbs fresh lime juice
6 sugar cubes
1 x 750ml btl chilled pink Champagne
Place cranberry juice in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil over high heat. Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until reduced by two-thirds. Remove from heat and set aside for 30 minutes to cool. Combine the cranberry juice, Cointreau and lime juice in a small jug. Place a sugar cube in each serving glass. Pour the cranberry mixture over the sugar. Top with Champagne or sparkling wine and serve immediately.
Happy Valentines Day!
Monday, 14 January 2013
Australia's Northern Territory! Great place for a Wed
From the coast to the red centre the Nothern Territory has so much to offer! With a landscape like no other stretching from Australia's famous monolith Uluru, to the Barkly tablelands and the tropical north where wetlands and waterfalls cut through the national parks to create a stunning backdrop for any wedding photograph! Make sure that you take some time out to meet the locals and soack in the rich aboriginal culture and history, be mindful to watch out for some other locals like the crocodile!
Darwin & Surround With its tropical outdoor lifestyle, beautiful harbour scenery, surrounded with WWII history and its cuisine heavily influenced by its near by Asian neighbours, Darwin is a true adventure paradise for you and your guests. Renowned for it’s sunset markets, if you need to pick up a last minute gift for the bride and groom, or grab some final wedding decorations then you’ve come to the right place as you can expect to see arts and crafts in abundance here!
For a truly unique wedding experience you could take in a Darwin Harbour Cruise or discover the Melville and Bathurst Islands, (Tiwi Islands) on tropical sailing journey. Say 'I Do' onboard a private catamaran! Check our Arafura Sailing Adventures for more ideas! If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground then Darwin also has some amazing hotels and resorts that can cater for all of your needs to create the perfect wedding in Darwin! The amazing SkyCity has some fantastic wedding packages on offer to help you plan your big day!
Kakadu & Arnhem Land In this stunning location you can witness world Heritage-listed scenery and outstanding rock art, Australia's largest national park boast cascading waterfalls, giant crocs and exotic birds! Check out the Wilderness Safari Retreat for some exclusive bush luxury... you can speak to the lodge team about arranging your wedding in Bamurru Plains, an amazing marriage amongst the wildlife.
Perhaps for the more adventurous this is somewhere to consider for your honeymoon, you could hire a campervan and takes the Nature's Way Tourism Drive for a romantic adventure! Experience the Mamukala Wetlands, Nourlangie Rock, Jim Jim and Twin Falls along the way, what an amazing way to start your married lives together.
Katherine & Surrounds The Katherine region extends from the QLD border in the east to the Kimberly region in the west and is a wonderful gateway to nature and adventure. Perhaps the more remote areas like Elsley National Park would not be ideal for your ceremony but certainly your honeymoon of adventure might start with a bushwalk over the spectacular Katherine Gorge! You could hire a car and go on the drive of your life, crossing the Daley river and onto the Douglas Daley area, off into Butterfly Gorge and explore the many waterholes and hot springs that natures beauty has to offer.
There are heaps of wedding venues in the area including Knotts Crossing, secluded amongst tropical gardens near Katherine River is the perfect location for your wedding in the Northern territory.
Alice Springs & Uluru Famous for the personality of it's locals, their love for contemporary art and traditional aboriginal influence along with all the natural wonders around it, Alice Springs is the gateway to your outback adventure and truly Australian wedding location. You could consider a romantic hot air balloon ride over the West McDonnell Ranges for a truly unique red centre experience! Maybe you could convince your Alice Springs celebrant to go up with you and say your vows in the sky! Venture out to the spiritual heart of Australia and experience the one true gemstone that is Uluru, also known by the name Ayers rock this awesome sight is a must see. With its extraordinary display of ever changing colours, you cannot miss the natural show at both sunset and sunrise, just amazing!
Voyages/Ayers Rock resort offers a choice of apartments, a luxury wilderness camp, hotel, backpacker rooms or campground accommodation! You can choose whichever style suits your needs, however the Longitude 131° offers a truly unique experience for your nuptials! In 5-star luxury you and your guests will have private views of the sunset and sunrise over Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, what an amazing way to start your married lives together!
Check out our location design like this awesome Uluru background, just click on the image to take you to some great desigsn, and don't forget if you can't find what you're looking for then you can email our friendly team and they will see what they can find for you!
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Weddings in Adelaide and South Australia!
The
entire state of South Australia boasts long, warm summers from December
to February and mild temperatures throughout autumn and winter. The
state’s capitol Adelaide is the gateway to the Flinders Ranges and
Kangaroo Island, and is easily accessible by air. It is also home to a
small population of only slightly more than a million people Adelaide is
classed as one of the most liveable cities in Australia.
Adelaide City
With
its café culture lifestyle and diverse mix of people the city has a
modern feel and an amazing variety of cuisine on offer. With the choice
of the Hills and Beach within half an hour drive of the ci
ty
and state heritage listed parklands surrounding it this wonderful place
can make a fabulous destination location for your wedding.
The
city prides itself on the many ‘green’ initiatives that they set up in
Australia’s most sustainable city; this is therefore the ideal place to
hold an ecofriendly wedding.
Bring
in some natural elements to your big day, think outside the box, make
sure that you pick native flowers that are in season, beeswax or soy
candles for your decorations and choose bomboniere gift ideas that your
guests can take home and use time and time again to minimise their
negative impact on the environment, like coolaz wedding stubby holders a
personalised gift that is also a long-lasting product.
Adelaide Hills, Barossa & Clare Valley
With
stunning views across the Valleys the Adelaide Hills has so much to
offer, known as one of the finest areas for cool-climate grapes there
are charming boutique wineries in abundance. The Lane Vineyard,
Bridgewater Mill and the Stirling Hotel are amongst the many places that
make the Adelaide hills the perfect spot for your wedding or reception
venue.
The
fresh produce is just one of the things that might pull you towards the
Barossa Valley for your wedding venue! You can also follow the butcher,
baker & winemaker trails to check out some of the culinary delights
on offer in this special place – a great excuse for a trip to SA before
the big day!
Looking
for a more intimate setting for your wedding ceremony, then head to the
Care Valley, there are many cure B&Bs in this area and some
stunning locations to get those perfect shots of you in your wedding
dress in the South Australia scenery!
Flinders Ranges & The Outback
Perhaps
for the more adventurous this will be on the list of possible
destinations for your adventure honeymoon! Pack up the camper-trailer
and head off into the dusty red desert! Keep your e
yes
open for wedge-tailed eagles and lazy lizards along your journey into
the wilderness and you will be sure to get some fantastic photographs of
the bush backdrop.
Maybe
you are a couple that just love the country, if an outback setting for
your wedding is more up your street then why not seek somewhere like the
Arkaba Station, a wild bush luxury resort on the southern edge of the
Finders Range National Park.
Choose
for your wedding in the ranges from a ridge top dinner to a woolshed
venue, or boutique heritage homestead to a deluxe swag for two and
camping under the stars! And with 4WD trips, hot air balloon rides,
viewing the local wildlife, mountain biking and many other adventurous
activities to keep your guests amused this is the perfect location for
your intimate outback destination wedding.
Kangaroo Island
Just
a ‘Kangaroos jump’ away from Adelaide this island is a true sanctuary
of wildlife and tranquillity with untouched bushland and immaculate
beaches, the perfect location for your wedding in South Australia. You
can choose from a waterfront location or head to the West of the island
to the Wilderness Retreat for an intimate ceremony.
You
can also rest assured that your guests will be well fed and watered on
this amazing island, due to its location in South Australia a state that
is renowned for its produce and preparation, Kangaroo Island is one of
the ‘must do’ food and wine experiences in Australia that you and your
guests will remember for years to come.
The Murray River
There
are two river regions on the Murray in South Australia, known as the
‘Riverland’ and the ‘Murraylands’ both great locations to begin your
adventure. Why not experience the romance of this mysterious river
aboard a houseboat – you can hire your own for an intimate celebration
or take all of your guests on board a serviced boat like the Proud Mary,
get married and hold your reception on the Murray!
This is such an amazing place for all of the family, consider it one big waterpark with boat ramps alon
g
the way for you to launch your own or hire a boat, jet-ski, water skis
or wakeboard. For the more relaxed approach grab your kayak or canoe and
drift down stream in the wonderful outdoors!
Planning your wedding in South Australia
So
you’ve chosen the state and made your regional choice, now that you
have picked the perfect location and venue for your wedding you can
start to organise the fun stuff! Whether you are based in South
Australia or interstate there are so many resources available to you for
your wedding dress choice, decoration ideas and of course your
bomboniere personalised gifts – be sure to check out Coolaz’s direct
postage service so that if you are travelling you can arrange for your
wedding stubby holder gifts to be there when you arrive.
Happy Planning!
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Weddings in Perth, WA and Beyond!
Weddings in Perth, WA and Beyond!
Australia's North West from Exmouth to Broome and beyond! The Northern winter or dry season is April-Sept and boasts long days of blue skies and beautiful sunshine, some would say this is the perfect WA weather! However many European visitors will wait for the summer wet season where the temperatures are in the mid-30s and you can experience a balmy combination of heat, humidity and sunshine!
Below the Tropic of Capricorn in the south the weather is far less dramatic that the tropical north, with Perth enjoying more sunny days in a year than any other capitol city in the country! Because of this beautiful weather Western Australia has built up a reputation for fine food and world famous wine regions, and overall needs no explanation as to why it would be the perfect place for you to organise your destination wedding. Whether you are from Western Australia, based interstate or abroad there are so many advantages to getting married in Perth or the surrounding state, the internet is a wonderful place and you can do a little research to find out about Perth and WA to choose the perfect wedding venue and location for your big day!
The Coral Coast
Experience the whitest sand and the bluest ocean that plays host to some of the most breathtaking and exotic marine life in the world! You can find Ningaloo Reef, the world heritage listed site that is awesome for fishing and diving, this coast is also one of the few places that you can swim with a whale shark... be sure to extend your wedding in WA into a honeymoon... what an amazing thing to do after your big day!
With a wide selection of fabulous wedding venues and accommodation options to suit your personalities and number of guests you will be sure to have plenty of choice for your Coral Coast wedding!
North West Australia
Australia's North West is home to the world-famous Kimberley, a true desert wilderness that offers an amazing outback adventure for those 4WD junkies! Be sure to stop off at the Bungle Bungle Range, the Karijiini National Park and Lake Argyle on your tour of this region!
Maybe you will choose The Billi Resort or Cable Beach Club in the north west near the town of Broome. These beautiful venues offer an outstanding ceremony and reception setting for your celebration.
South West Australia
When you hear the name Margaret River the first thing that springs to mind is top-class wineries and the scrumptious local produce! The perfect location for a wedding this wine region boasts spectacular views and idyllic settings for your ceremony and reception venue!
This region is also great for family holidays, with the Southern Forests towering in the Valley of Giants for some tree-top adventures! A great place to spend some time with the family after the excitement of your wedding.
Perth
Perth is the gateway to the west with direct flights to Perth airport making it easily accessible from all around Australia. You can also arrive in the western capital via rail, taking the Indian pacific service that spans the entire country from sea to sea, you can hop on at Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide and the whole journey would take 3 days... might be the way to travel back after your wedding, a short honeymoon journey for the newly-weds!
Alternatively, if you are getting married in the summer months you can get on board a coastal cruise as part of your honeymoon, much of WA including Perth, Broome and Esperance will feature on a world cruise itinerary.
Once
you arrive in Perth this relaxed city spends most of its time with sunny
blue skies and has so much to offer, with an exciting and young vibe
you will be able to find something to suit you and all of your guests
and create a truly unique experience for your wedding in Perth, WA.
You can choose from a beach or garden wedding and from an extensive list of venues from the Northbridge Hotel to the Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club . You can also take the trip over to Rottnest Island, an increasingly popular destination for weddings there is a Chapel or Catholic Church as well as a selection of beautiful outdoor locations for your ceremony. The Rottnest Island Lodge and Aristos Waterfront venues can cater for all your reception needs.
Maybe you
will venture inland to the Swan Valley where you will encounter the
oldest wine region in Western Australia, also a fabulous location for a
wedding in WA.
Whichever location you choose for your wedding in the west you can be assured that you and your guests will experience a wealth of fantastic scenery, blue skies and hours of sunshine! This alone can give you inspiration for your wedding stubby holders, you could include a photograph of where you are getting married, your favourite beach location or simply your names and the date to match your wedding colours. Here are some of our location designs and suggestions below:
Australia's North West from Exmouth to Broome and beyond! The Northern winter or dry season is April-Sept and boasts long days of blue skies and beautiful sunshine, some would say this is the perfect WA weather! However many European visitors will wait for the summer wet season where the temperatures are in the mid-30s and you can experience a balmy combination of heat, humidity and sunshine!
Below the Tropic of Capricorn in the south the weather is far less dramatic that the tropical north, with Perth enjoying more sunny days in a year than any other capitol city in the country! Because of this beautiful weather Western Australia has built up a reputation for fine food and world famous wine regions, and overall needs no explanation as to why it would be the perfect place for you to organise your destination wedding. Whether you are from Western Australia, based interstate or abroad there are so many advantages to getting married in Perth or the surrounding state, the internet is a wonderful place and you can do a little research to find out about Perth and WA to choose the perfect wedding venue and location for your big day!
Experience the whitest sand and the bluest ocean that plays host to some of the most breathtaking and exotic marine life in the world! You can find Ningaloo Reef, the world heritage listed site that is awesome for fishing and diving, this coast is also one of the few places that you can swim with a whale shark... be sure to extend your wedding in WA into a honeymoon... what an amazing thing to do after your big day!
With a wide selection of fabulous wedding venues and accommodation options to suit your personalities and number of guests you will be sure to have plenty of choice for your Coral Coast wedding!
Australia's North West is home to the world-famous Kimberley, a true desert wilderness that offers an amazing outback adventure for those 4WD junkies! Be sure to stop off at the Bungle Bungle Range, the Karijiini National Park and Lake Argyle on your tour of this region!
Maybe you will choose The Billi Resort or Cable Beach Club in the north west near the town of Broome. These beautiful venues offer an outstanding ceremony and reception setting for your celebration.
When you hear the name Margaret River the first thing that springs to mind is top-class wineries and the scrumptious local produce! The perfect location for a wedding this wine region boasts spectacular views and idyllic settings for your ceremony and reception venue!
This region is also great for family holidays, with the Southern Forests towering in the Valley of Giants for some tree-top adventures! A great place to spend some time with the family after the excitement of your wedding.
Perth is the gateway to the west with direct flights to Perth airport making it easily accessible from all around Australia. You can also arrive in the western capital via rail, taking the Indian pacific service that spans the entire country from sea to sea, you can hop on at Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide and the whole journey would take 3 days... might be the way to travel back after your wedding, a short honeymoon journey for the newly-weds!
Alternatively, if you are getting married in the summer months you can get on board a coastal cruise as part of your honeymoon, much of WA including Perth, Broome and Esperance will feature on a world cruise itinerary.
You can choose from a beach or garden wedding and from an extensive list of venues from the Northbridge Hotel to the Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club . You can also take the trip over to Rottnest Island, an increasingly popular destination for weddings there is a Chapel or Catholic Church as well as a selection of beautiful outdoor locations for your ceremony. The Rottnest Island Lodge and Aristos Waterfront venues can cater for all your reception needs.
Whichever location you choose for your wedding in the west you can be assured that you and your guests will experience a wealth of fantastic scenery, blue skies and hours of sunshine! This alone can give you inspiration for your wedding stubby holders, you could include a photograph of where you are getting married, your favourite beach location or simply your names and the date to match your wedding colours. Here are some of our location designs and suggestions below:
Sunday, 18 November 2012
Engagement Shoot Ideas For Your Save the Dates and Wedding Invitations!
A modern way of gathering some fantastic ideas for your Save the
Dates and Wedding Invitations is to have an Engagement Shoot! Not only
can this help you get some super images for your stationery and
bomboniere gift ideas but will also give you a chance to meet your
wedding photographer and make sure that you are going to be able to work
together to create some amazing photographs to take home from your big
day!
When trying to find out about wedding photography, the best place to start is by taking a look at the photographer's photos and portfolio, this will be a great way to gather some ideas and see what styles you like.
When arranging your engagement photo shoot specifically for your wedding stationery try to think about the impression you would like to make, will you take the fun approach to let people know that you will be having a more casual style wedding, perhaps you will have some outdoor shots to represent the location you may be getting married, such as a garden or beach wedding or you could go for some traditional portraits that can be used for other events and be framed for display or as gifts for family.
The
best type of engagement photography is that which captures the
personalities of the couple and can come from their own inspirations and
ideas, many brides these days are enlisting in the help of pinterest
so that they can create pin boards of lovely images that they like or
ideas that trigger their senses! The internet is a wonderful place and
it is great that you can now ‘pin’ stuff somewhere and have a point of
reference to show your photographer the style of wedding pictures that
you like.
You might get your creative flare or dress style from a particular era, perhaps you are a fan of retro colours and patterns or maybe you are thinking of a particular movie like lady and the tramp sharing spaghetti or Mr & Mrs Smith black cocktail dress & tuxedo shoot.
We found some great shots that we liked where couples had written their wedding date or save the date on the bottom of their shoes, an awesome and unique idea for your photographs!!
Many
couples these days are choosing to send Save the Dates as a notice for
guests to mark their calendars before they have even chosen their
ceremony or reception venue! Your wording for a save the date can be
less formal than that of your wedding invitations, however this can
depend on the personalities of the bride and groom of course, you can be
as formal or as free as you so desire, it is your wedding day after
all...!
The text can be simple with the words Save the Date, the bride and groom names and the date of the planned wedding or you can also add quirky captions or more information, we really like these
- Bride & Groom - Finally tying the knot!
- He stole my heart, so I'm stealing his surname! Make sure you're there to see it!
- Bride & Groom are getting married!!! Not sure where but this is when...
- Mark your calendars, it's happening, formal invite to follow!
- Eat, Drink and Be Married!
There are some really different ideas you can put together yourselves without photography too, you could consider a crossword puzzle or scrabble style element with a twist of vintage! These ideas can be used for your invites, stationery and wedding bomboniere gift ideas!
The Coolaz design team would be only too happy to help you design a unique save the date or wedding invitation magnet along with your gift style stubby holders for all of your guests - you can even double these up as place cards and print an individual guest name on each one!
When trying to find out about wedding photography, the best place to start is by taking a look at the photographer's photos and portfolio, this will be a great way to gather some ideas and see what styles you like.
When arranging your engagement photo shoot specifically for your wedding stationery try to think about the impression you would like to make, will you take the fun approach to let people know that you will be having a more casual style wedding, perhaps you will have some outdoor shots to represent the location you may be getting married, such as a garden or beach wedding or you could go for some traditional portraits that can be used for other events and be framed for display or as gifts for family.
You might get your creative flare or dress style from a particular era, perhaps you are a fan of retro colours and patterns or maybe you are thinking of a particular movie like lady and the tramp sharing spaghetti or Mr & Mrs Smith black cocktail dress & tuxedo shoot.
We found some great shots that we liked where couples had written their wedding date or save the date on the bottom of their shoes, an awesome and unique idea for your photographs!!
The text can be simple with the words Save the Date, the bride and groom names and the date of the planned wedding or you can also add quirky captions or more information, we really like these
- Bride & Groom - Finally tying the knot!
- He stole my heart, so I'm stealing his surname! Make sure you're there to see it!
- Bride & Groom are getting married!!! Not sure where but this is when...
- Mark your calendars, it's happening, formal invite to follow!
- Eat, Drink and Be Married!
There are some really different ideas you can put together yourselves without photography too, you could consider a crossword puzzle or scrabble style element with a twist of vintage! These ideas can be used for your invites, stationery and wedding bomboniere gift ideas!
The Coolaz design team would be only too happy to help you design a unique save the date or wedding invitation magnet along with your gift style stubby holders for all of your guests - you can even double these up as place cards and print an individual guest name on each one!
Happy Planning!
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Band Names, Logos and Ideas for Promotional Merchandise!
If you and your mates are starting a band the first thing to consider is the sheer statement that you will make with the name that you choose and how you will be represented by your logo design! Perhaps you have some ideas or are a fan of a particular icon, style or image and can create a name based around that? Maybe there is a certain phrase or meaning of a name that will spark some interest or failing that you can always hop onto a name generator website - I tried this out today and got some pretty Cool-az results for our potential company band ... my top five:
Coolaz Nation And The Fixed Sign
Coolaz Impulse
Coolaz Skank And The Dump
Cranking Coolaz And The Grenades
Coolaz Of Aftermath - for our death metal band :)
For all music artists the name they choose will be very important, not only will this represent who they are and what they're about but it will also be how they are recognised and will form a link to their music and the basis of their celebrity status! This should all be brought to the table when designing a band's logo or merch design, take the Rolling Stones iconic lips and tongue or Jamiroqui's indian buffalo hat silhouette - these designs certainly hold their own in the music industry, no need for text, slogans or even the band's name, whenever you see these logos you know exactly who they belong too.
Then
there are those designs that cleverly use the band name as a hook for
their entire logo, it is amazing how a single font like Bootle font used
in The Beatles logo or Squealer font for ACDC can be so familiar and
how the arrow symbol with custom font for The Who go hand in hand, all
recognised by music buffs all over the world...!
These logos and symbols will be plastered all over the bands promotional merchandise including rock clothes, printed tees, band shirts, CD covers and gifts like pens, mugs and promotional stubby holders! All great ideas to help raise some extra funds for the band's next gig or to buy the drinks for the after party!
With youtube taking the world by storm and the rise in social media you really should make the most of this when designing your merchandise, you can engage your fans by printing QR codes that link direct to your facebook page or online videos posted to youtube or your gig guide printed in an online music mag. You can also make these promotional codes unique, ideal for competitions, exclusive tickets and giveaways or simply for pushing your fans to a particular part of your website, myspace or facebook page!
With full colour digital printing you can give your merchandise a vibrant and modern look, take advantage of the fact that you can include photographs of your band rocking out on stage or crowd surfing! With the protective matt laminate on the surface of the coolers they can be written on with a permanent marker pen making a fantastic signable fan memento! Plus with them coming to you flat they are ideal for transporting when you have limited room on your tour bus.
Perhaps you could even take a leaf out of Eddie Vedder's book and print a different design for each venue you play, like he did with posters for his solo tour around Australia in 2011, a great way to give your fans a truely unique keepsake from your tour or individual gig!
We fully understand the pressures of touring and have developed a fast turnaround service that will help you if you need more band merchandise quickly. So if you sell out fast you can just give us a shout, we'll not only make them super fast for you but will also ship direct to your next venue so that you can pick them up when you arrive!
Email your logo and ideas to coolaz@coolaz.com.au for a quote and more information about Coolaz promotional stubby holders!
Rock on!
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