Fabulous Aisle Ideas

I love a beautiful wedding aisle!

Photos courtesy of David Turner Photography, Design Fabulous, David Tutera, Charlotte Geary Photography

Memorial Day Recipe: The Grilled Lamb Sandwich by Bobby Flay

GRILLED LAMB SANDWICHES WITH GRILLED SPRING ONIONS WITH SAGE AIOLI AND SUNDRIED TOMATO TAPENADE

INGREDIENTS

1 (3 pound) butterflied boned leg of lamb

6 cloves garlic, finely sliced

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

1/2 cup olive oil

2 bunches spring onions, trimmed

2 French bread baguettes, each cut crosswise into five 4-inch pieces

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Using a sharp knife, cut 1/2-inch slits all over lamb. Insert garlic slices into slits. Brush the lamb with 1/4 cup of the olive oil and sprinkle with herbs. Place in a baking dish, cover and let marinate in the refrigerator over night.

Preheat grill. Brush green onions with some of the remaining oil and and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until almost cooked through. Remove to a plate.

Remove lamb from marinade and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill the lamb until the thickest part registers 135 degrees F. for medium rare, turning occasionally, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a platter and tent with foil. Let stand 10 minutes.

Brush bread with some of the olive oil and grill, cut side down for until lightly golden brown, about 1 minute.

Chop onions. Cut lamb diagonally into thin slices. Serves with green onions, aioli and tapenade.

SAGE AIOLI

3 ounces oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon capers, drained

5 ounces pitted Nicoise olives

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe Copyright 1999 by Bobby Flay. All rights reserved.

Designer Style: Lusan Mandongus

I'm loving these new designs from Hong Kong's based designer Lusan Mandongus! Mr. Mandongus caters specially for women with an appreciation for high level of style and couture-like details and is reputed for custom-making its gown to fit the bride perfectly according to the chosen design.

"Fairytale Land"

The name of this sandal, “Fairytale” says it all. This whimsical shoe from Valentino is definitely a dream come true! Utterly feminine, this open-toe design takes the romantic approach with a silk organza rose corsage blooming from ankle to toe. And then in the back the shoe features a lace-up corset detail, which gives these amazing sandals a sexy touch!

A Wedding Dress for the City Girl!

Sculpt a modern bridal silhouette in Lanvin's strapless ivory silk-gazar dress with tiered layered ruffles and an internal boned corset. With a shorter length and intentionally unfinished edges this unique gown makes a contemporary choice for a city wedding. Retail price: $4,960.00

Ooh La-La Lace!

The Dior Lace Poudrier Dentelle Illumination Lace Effect Powder is a fantastic addition to your bridal bag! Inspired by the soft, feminine lace of the 1920’s, the Dior Lace Color Collection features shades that will flatter every femme. From lace-embossed powders and eyeshadows to rose-colored lips, the face of spring is elegant and sensual.

Ana Paz Cakes

How fabulous are these mini cakes? This is a creative alternative to the traditional wedding cake. Designed by Miami's own Ana Paz.

Limoncello Cream Cupcakes

Cupcakes:

18 1/4 ounces super moist white cake mix (I used Betty Crocker)

1/2 cup frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1 cup sour cream

3 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)

3 egg whites

2 tablespoons of lemon zest (no pith)

Frosting:

1 (12 ounce) can whipped cream frosting (Betty Crocker)

2 tablespoons Limoncello

Garnish:

Lemon zest

Directions:

• 
  
  Preheat oven to 350.
• 
  
  In a large bowl combine cake mix, lemonade concentrate, sour cream, cream cheese and egg whites. Beat with mixer until blended. Stir in zest.
• 
  
  Spoon batter into paper lined muffin pan or muffin pans sprayed well with Pam Baking spray.
• 
  
  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until tester comes out of the center of a cupcake clean. Immediately do next step.
• 
  
  While cupcakes are baking scrape all the frosting out of the can with a spatula into a medium bowl. Add two tablespoons Limoncello and stir till creamy.
• 
  
  Refrigerate.
• 
  
   Cool cupcakes completely and then frost and sprinkle with zest!

*For more recipes like this one go to Recipe Zaar

Weekend Inspiration

It's gonna be a scorcher this weekend so try to keep cool. Have a great weekend! See you on Monday! 

Wedding Jackets, Boleros and Shrugs

{Enzoani}

There are many reasons to why a bride might chose to wear a wedding dress with jacket. One of the main reasons is that the day of her wedding is chilly and therefore she will need a complementing jacket to go with her gown. Usually, jackets are designed to ward off the chill; it can cover the entire bodice of your wedding gown. Because of this, the jackets are more often than not embroidered of made to look sophisticated to make sure that it can be worn in and out of church.

{Enzoani}

One of the biggest trends on the runway for 2010 brides was cover ups over the gowns. Shrugs are in style, as are jackets and boleros. An elegant little cover up can be the perfect piece to transition your wedding gown from ceremony to reception.

{Enzoani}

{Enzoani}

The great thing about wearing a little cover up over your wedding gown is that it allows you to have a conservative or traditional appearance for your ceremony, and then to lighten things up for the party to follow in a strapless or spaghetti strap dress. Having a removable jacket is also a way to indulge in the trend of changing your outfit between the service and the reception without the expense of actually purchasing a second dress. All you would need to do is take off the jacket, let your hair down, and trade in traditional accessories for a chic set of crystal bridal jewelry, and voila! Instant transformation.

Happy Weekend!

Curling up with a good book this weekend. See you Monday!

Inspiration Board: Vineyard Wedding

For those of you that dream of celebrating your wedding on a vineyard--here's some inspiration for you!

Bobo Wrapping Scarf

Here's a unique way to wrap a gift. Introducing the Bobo Wrapping Scarf. The wrapping scarf is an Asian tradition. This is a great way to save you from annoyance of gift wrapping paper. The Bobo comin sizes small, medium and large and starts at a reasonable price of $22.00

A Shabby Chic/Southern Wedding

I love theme weddings! How about a Shabby Chic Wedding with a Southern feel. Look at this wedding designed by Beth Helmstetter Events at the Hotel Bel Air. The magnolia branches and faux magnolia "trees" decorated the spaces along with pink and cream roses, hydrangeas, and tiny pink rose sprays in silver vases and mint julep cups. It's all in the details is what I say! One of the highlights are the antique silver serving trays used to display the escort cards.