Welcome Totes

Loving this monogrammed vintage tote from Wedding Chicks! What a nice surprise this would be to have this waiting for out-of- town guests in their hotel room when they arrive!  

Price:  $36.00

Pronovias 2011

Just a little sneak peak from the Pronovias 2011 collection! 

Paris Hilton Footwear

A popular favorite this days are these ivory satin, peep-toe platform pumps with bow by Paris Hilton Footwear. Nicely priced at $120.00

Fantasy Jewelry Box

How darling are these earrings by Fantasy Jewelry Box? Set in .925 Sterling Silver this makes a lovely gift for a bridesmaid and dainty enough for a flower girl.

Retail price: $39.95

Have a Cool Weekend!

Get your weekend started with the very cool Frozen White Chocolate drink! See you Monday!

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup (2 ounces) white chocolate liqueur

1/4 cup (2 ounces) Irish cream liqueur

2 tablespoons (1 ounce) clear crème de cacao

3 cups vanilla ice cream

PREPARATION

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Yield: Makes 3 1/2 cups

{Thanks to Julia Rutland, Senior Editor of Coastal Living. Recipe can be found at MyRecipes.com}

Christian Louboutin Satin Bow Kiss-Lock Clutch

Check out the Satin Bow Kiss-Lock Clutch from Christian Louboutin resembling a ribbon used in gift wrapping. This clutch is made from satin and it features a large bow detail with a gold-tone framed top with signature red-soled pump kiss-lock closure, which would show red lining with an open pocket on the inside. Also available in colors pink and black. How darling!

Retail price: $895.00

Fancy Cupcake Decor!

Bella Cupcake Couture  are cupcake wrappers made with durable, heavy-stock recycled linen paper and soy-based inks. They're meant to make cupcakes look fancy rather than looking bland in the standard cups that cupcakes are usually baked in. Bella Cupcake Couture wrappers come 12 to a package and retail for $12.

Tea for Two!

Tea for Two anyone? The Hermes Teapot is a wonderful gift for the happy couple.

Retail price: $395.00

Cake Stands by Clara French

These cake standsby Clara French are beautiful. This is a wonderful way to display your wedding cake and the cake stand. The cake stand can also be personalized for you and they are for purchase as well as for rent. Check out some of the different styles!

Thanks Dad!

Don't forget Father's Day! Try this Chocolate Bread Parfaits recipe from renown chef Lidia Bastianich. This will certainly make it a sweet day for dear old Dad!

Total Time: 30 minutes

6 Servings

Melt 8 ounces of finely chopped bittersweet chocolate

In heatproof bowl, mix 1/2 cup brewed espresso with 2 tablespoons each of sugar and dark rum; whisk into the chocolate.

Add 6 cups crust less, 1-inch Pullman bread cubes and let stand for 5 minutes.

Whip 1 1/2 cups heavy cream.

Spoon half of the soaked bread and excess chocolate into 6 parfait glasses.

Top with half of the whipped cream and 1/2 cup toast slivered almonds.

Repeat the layering, then serve.

Bling- Bling Napkin Rings

Add some Bling-Bling to you table! Check out these colored crystal napkin rings from JAF Gifts.

 

...and these from Susan Murray International

Southern Charm: Castleton Farms

Displaying an abundance of charm and elegance, Castleton Farms Castleton Farms is home to a Greek Revival Antebellum Manor modeled after the New Orleans Plantation, Houmas House. Located in beautiful Loudon, Tennesee. For more information contact 865-376-9040.

Christian Louboutin Bow T Dorcet Shoes

How about these beautiful Christian Louboutin Bow T Dorcet is a crepe satin d’orsay pump with rouched peep toe and side bow detail? These are a perfect fit for a bridesmaid or Mother of the Bride!  Available in fushcia, white and black.

Retail price:  $895.00

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Diane Von Furstenberg Bridal Gown

Stop traffic in this bridal silhouette by Diane Von Furstenberg! This classic white ruched silk-chiffon bustier gown with a boned bodice will certainly turn heads.

Retail price:  $2,200.00

Gucci Goes Green!

Gucci is going green. We love a designer company that works to save the environment!

An Understated Wedding Dress

Cut from fluid silk-charmeuse, Lanvin ivory shift dress with exposed zip fastening makes a beautiful alternative to a classic wedding gown. With draped back panels and a high-cut neck, this modern look proves that less is definitely more!

Retail price: $3,535.00

Lanvin Chain Pompom Necklace

Lavishly embellished with raw-trimmed off-white silk-chiffon pompoms and natural Swarovski glass pearls, Lanvin's long burnished gold-tone metal chain necklace is a truly extraordinary wedding-day accessory.

Retail price:  $696.50

Sweet Decadence: Triple Chocolate-Cookie Trifle Pie

INGREDIENTS

3 1/4 cups heavy cream, divided

1 1/2 (4-oz.) bittersweet chocolate baking bars, chopped

1 (4-oz.) white chocolate baking bar, chopped

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 (12.5-oz.) package assorted cookies

2 tablespoons mocha liqueur (optional)

2 (6-oz.) containers fresh raspberries

PREPARATION

1. Microwave 1/2 cup cream at HIGH 30 seconds to 1 minute or until hot (do not boil). Place bittersweet chocolate in a large bowl. Pour hot cream over chocolate, and stir until smooth. Repeat procedure with 1/4 cup cream and white chocolate. (If chocolate does not melt completely after stirring, microwave at HIGH for 10-second intervals just until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.) Stir 1/2 tsp. vanilla into each chocolate mixture until well blended. Cool 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, let 2 1/2 cups cream stand at room temperature 20 minutes.

3. Beat 1 1/2 cups cream at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until medium peaks form. Gently fold one-fourth of whipped cream into cool bittersweet chocolate mixture. Repeat procedure with remaining whipped cream.

4. Beat remaining 1 cup cream at medium-high speed until medium peaks form. Gently fold one-fourth of whipped cream into cool white chocolate mixture. Repeat procedure with remaining whipped cream.

5. Crush 6 to 7 cookies to equal 1/2 cup crumbs. Sprinkle on bottom of a lightly greased 9-inch springform pan. Spread half of bittersweet chocolate mixture over crushed cookies in pan. Arrange cookies around sides of pan (about 19 cookies). Spread white chocolate mixture over bittersweet chocolate mixture.

6. Crush remaining cookies, and sprinkle over white chocolate mixture in springform pan. Drizzle with liqueur, if desired. Spread remaining bittersweet chocolate mixture over crushed cookies. Cover and chill 8 to 24 hours.

7. Remove sides from pan. Mound raspberries in center of trifle; brush with Raspberry Glaze. Serve immediately.

RASBERRY GLAZE

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons seedless raspberry jam

2 teaspoons water

Raspberry Glaze: Combine 3 Tbsp. seedless raspberry jam and 2 tsp. water in a small glass bowl. Microwave at HIGH 10 to 15 seconds or until smooth.

Prep: 25 min., Cool: 20 min., Chill: 8 hr.

Yield: Makes 10 to 12 servings

{Courtesy of Southen Living}

The Matilda Collection: The Orchid

Matilda Rivero designed this gown her favorite flower in mind--the orchid. This silk satin mermaid strapless gown with circular and triangular bias Swarovski beaded detail at bust. Bias details on triangular insets on front, sides and train on dress.  Available in sizes 2 -18.

Retail price:  $3410-$3875.

Bridesmaid or Mother of the Bride Gown

Glide through the evening in Temperley London's exquisitely embellished raspberry asymmetric silk gown. This is a nice alternative of a bridesmaid or Mother of the Bride gown.

Retail price:  $3,295.00