Hello Monday! Okay Australian readers fess up- did your team win or lose – or like me did you just enjoy the chance to eat really bad food that should never enter the human body – and yet somehow we always eat it around grand final day!

Let’s kick off Monday morning with a little piece of eye candy from one of our amazing directory members. We really do have some fantastic vendors in our directory and I am so thrilled to have them all on board supporting our little polka dot dream!

This week’s vendor of the week is designer Culture Bridal Couture! Culture Bridal Couture creates some absolutely stunning gowns using amazing fabrics- from obis and kimonos to Indian Saris.

Formerly known as Culture Shock, the evolution of the brand has seen Culture Bridal Couture take shape in 2010 under designer Lisa Merton with a new look but the same beautiful designs. Each gown is designed to be very individual and personal to the bride- hinting at their loves, life and cultural background.

To learn a little more about Culture Bridal Couture, we asked designer Lisa five questions in five minutes!

What is your favourite after five drink?

Well, that depends on my mood, the season, and the kind of day I have had!!

SPRING/ SUMMER – a tangy Mojito, or a Campari and Soda with fresh lime…. MMmmmmm!

AUTUMN/ WINTER – a lovely glass of Red wine, like a Gartelmann Shiraz from the Hunter Valley, or a spicy Bloody Mary with plenty of Tabasco!

Your favourite weekend getaway?

In a perfect world- jet-setting off to Paris or Tokyo (sigh – wouldn’t that be FAB!)… in reality – a leisurely drive up to Lake Macquarie with my partner and our cheeky Schnauzer puppy named “Miss Trixie”- she loves frolicking in the calm waters up there!

Favourite restaurant?

Locally speaking, I love Oscillate Wildly in Newtown –fabulous food and great atmosphere, even though it’s always jam-packed and hard to get a table! Last weekend I was up in Cairns, FNQ, and went to an awesome Balinese-inspired bar/ restaurant called “Salt House” which blew my mind – totally stylish, cool DJs spinning tunes, a feel-good live band and amazing food.

What can we find you eating for breakfast on a Sunday morning?

Yummy home baked treats and Earl Grey tea served from a teapot snugly wrapped in a woolly tea-cosy  – at Petty Cash Café opposite Enmore Park- I love it’s funky Retro vibe and friendly staff, plus Miss Trixie is always welcome at the outdoor tables!

Your favourite wedding story?

So many over the years – but my favourite is one of my best friends, whose husband proposed to her in the fancy-pants restaurant atop the Eiffel Tower in Paris, even though he is TERRIFIED of heights! But even better, when they were dating, he discovered she has a major shoe fetish, so he bought her an amazing pair of sexy red leather cowboy boots. He couriered the left boot to her workplace, with a note saying to get the other one, she had to go out on another date with him – TOUCHE !! They are now happily married with a gorgeous daughter – aaaawww!

Visit Culture Bridal Couture to find out more about our Vendor Of The Week! Culture Bridal Couture is a member of Ms Polka Dot’s Directory