Thursday, September 30, 2010

Bridal Style: BCBGeneration Toledo

The Toledo is a chic, dressy quarter strap sandal perfect for a classy evening on the town. Features twin adjustable ankle straps for a secure fit. Ultra-slim straps fashion a sleek patent leather sandal perched on a lofty wrapped 4 inch heel.
Price: $49.97 at Piperlime

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Celebrity Wedding: Brian White and Paula Da Silva


One of my favorite hunky actors is officially off the market. Brian White from the television show "Men of a Certain Age" married his longtime girlfriend Paula Da Silva in Beverly Hills on August 28, 2010. Don't they make a beautiful couple. The bride's dress is from R. Mine Bridal.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Have a Great Week!


Happy Monday! We're happy to announce that you'll soon find us on The Wedding Chicks and Get Married. Also look for us in the Fall/Winter issue of Weddings Illustrated! Have a great week!


Thursday, September 23, 2010

A Luxe Body Cream


 The ultimate luxury in skin treatment, Fredric Fekkai Creme Luxuense has a soft, fresh unique scent - and lasts most of the day. Shea butter and lavish botanicals blanket skin with intensive, soothing hydration to renew, revitalize, and transform skin. Enriched with soothing aloe and calming botanicals.Featured as a "Oprah's Favorite Things" several years ago. I've been hooked ever since.
$65.00

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Don't Forget to Include Your Pet

Photo courtesy of Amanda Rae Photography
I saw this picture and couldn't resist--Don't forget to include your family pet in the wedding ceremony! 

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Healthy Eating Series: Chocolate Angel Food Cake w/ Fruit & Maple Yogurt


INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 egg whites (or 1 1/2 cups prepackaged egg whites
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups fresh strawberries
4 cups fresh raspberries
1/4 cup peach nectar
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup plain lowfat yogurt
2 tablespoons maple syrup


PREPARATION

Transfer the oven rack to the lowest level. Preheat oven to 325°F. Sift 1 cup sugar with flour, cocoa, and salt; set aside. Using an electric mixer set at medium-high speed, whip egg whites, lemon juice, and vanilla in a medium-sized bowl until peaks form. Set mixer to high speed and whip in remaining 1/2 cup sugar until semistiff peaks form (do not overbeat). With a plastic spatula, slowly fold in the remaining dry ingredients, 1/4 cup at a time, until flour mix disappears. Scoop batter into a 10" ungreased tube pan and spread evenly. Bake until cake springs back when touched, 45 to 55 minutes. Remove from oven, invert cake pan, and place upside down on a cooling rack. Thoroughly wash and dry berries. Combine berries, nectar, and honey in a small bowl. Mix slowly, being careful not to crush the berries. In a separate bowl, combine yogurt and syrup until blended. Remove cake gently from pan and cut into 8 slices. Serve each slice with fruit and a dollop of maple yogurt.

                                                            {Courtesy of Epicurious}                                                              

Monday, September 20, 2010

What About My Nails?


Not sure what color nail polish you should wear for the wedding? As a manicurist, I can tell you the standard is french manicure but if you want to shake things up a bit, here are a few to get you started. Tell us what your favorites are! 


Vintage Vamp by MAC Cosmetics


Fuschia Power by Sally Hansen


Angelica Blush by Borghese


Going Nude, Eh? by Sephora by OPI
 

Friday, September 17, 2010

Honoring Yom Kippur: Cheese Blintz Souffle


INGREDIENTS

8 oz. softened cream cheese
2 c. small-curd cottage cheese
2 egg-yolks
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla 

*Combine until smooth; set aside*

Beat:

6 eggs
1 1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. orange juice
1/2 c. soft butter

Add:

1 c. flour
1/3 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. grated orange rind

Blend until smooth; pour half of batter into 9x13 greased pan; spoon cheese mixture evenly over batter; spread with knife; pour remaining batter on top; bake 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes until puffy and golden; serve immediately with blueberry sauce.

Sauce:

2/3 c. sugar
2 tbsp. cornstarch
Dash of cinnamon and nutmeg
1 c. water
2 c. fresh blueberries
2 tbsp. lemon juice
 
Combine first 4 ingredients; stir in water; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it boils for 1 minute. Add berries and juice; serve warm.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Stella McCartny: Thigh High Satin Boots


Stella McCartney's thigh-grazing gray satin boots. 4.5 inches of love! Although I feel like I need to keep my workout going in order to fit these boots over my big thighs!
Price: $1,045.00

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Wedluxe Inspiration: Classic Romance


Loving this inspiration board designed by our friends at Wedluxe. We especially love the Tiffany & Co. earrings and necklace. Gowns by Monique Lhuillier (Spring 2010 Collection). Shoes by Valentino.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Healthy Eating Series: Garden-Style Lasagna


Vegetable lasagna is a crowd-pleaser and a classic make-ahead dish.

INGREDIENTS

Cooking spray
2 cups chopped onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
2 cups chopped zucchini (about 8 ounces)
2 cups chopped yellow squash (about 8 ounces)
2 cups thinly sliced carrot (about 8 ounces)
2 cups chopped broccoli (about 6 ounces)
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 ounces)
3 1/2 cups 1% low-fat milk
1 cup (4 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Dash of nutmeg
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 1/2 cups 1% low-fat cottage cheese
2 cups (8 ounces) preshredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
12 precooked lasagna noodles, divided



PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 375°.

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion to pan; sauté 4 minutes or until lightly browned. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Spoon onion mixture into a large bowl.

Heat 1 teaspoon oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and yellow squash; sauté 4 minutes or until tender and just beginning to brown. Add to onion mixture.

Heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced carrot; sauté 4 minutes or until tender. Add chopped broccoli; sauté 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add to onion mixture. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt; toss well to combine.

Place flour in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook 2 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add 1/2 cup Parmesan, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg; stir until smooth. Stir in spinach.

Combine cottage cheese and 1 1/2 cups mozzarella; stir well. Spread 1/2 cup spinach mixture in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 4 noodles over spinach mixture in dish; top with half of cottage cheese mixture (about 1 1/2 cups), half of vegetable mixture (about 2 1/2 cups), and about 1 cup spinach mixture. Repeat layers, ending with noodles. Spread remaining spinach mixture over noodles; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan and remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella.

Cover and bake at 375° for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving

Monday, September 13, 2010

Van Gogh Impressionist Cake

     

 Look at how the baker captured Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night. That's what I call amazing!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

A Wedding at Wild Dunes Resort








Here we have the destination beach wedding of Jenn and Micah that took place at the charming Wild Dunes Resort in Charleston, SC.

 Photography:  Marni Rothschild
Event and Floral Design:  Distinctive Events
Invitations:  Mary Hopple & Co.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Healthy Eating: Prosciutto Wrapped Pears


5 firm ripe pears
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
10 thin slices prosciutto (about 1/4 pound)

Cut pears in half lengthwise. Use a sharp knife to remove to cores. Cut each pear half lengthwise into six wedges. Stir vinegar and brown sugar in a small saucepan and simmer until the mixture reduces by 50 percent and thickens into a syrup, about 20 minutes. Cut each prosciutto slice into six strips. Wrap each pear wedge in a piece of prosciutto. Arrange on a serving platter and drizzle with syrup.

{Recipe courtesy of  Essence Magazine}

Sunday, September 5, 2010

"Keep it Together" Tote by Mindy Weiss


From celebrity event planner, Mindy Weiss, these totes are a great way to carry all of you wedding inspiration from place to place. You can choose from two styles To Have and To Hold or Bride.
Price: $34.00/each 

Friday, September 3, 2010

Groom's Cake


Here's an original idea for a "Groom's Cake".  This particular couple are big fans of the Texas Longhorns.  The fabulous folks at Coco Paloma created a phenomenally accurate construction of the UT Stadium.
How awesome is that!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Fall 2010: Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine


On stands now!

Luxe Hotel: Esperanza, An Auberge Resort




Looking for a fabulous location for your wedding? Well, nothing spells extravagence when is comes to this hotel. Gorgeous ocean view suites, rich decor, eclectic cuisine, efficient personnel, and amenities made to pamper mind and body. Relaxation options include a luxurious swimming pool with a bar, and outdoor activities include marine sports and golf. Esperanza, An Auberge Resort was recently named by Travel + Leisure Magazine the "Best in Mexico 2010". Rated #1 Resort, Spa and Service.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The Search for Perfect Skin



Are you searching for perfect skin?  Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is the newest secret beauty weapon that women in the know have been using for a while. The product has been described as "amazing" and does everything a foundation is supposed to do, it goes on lightly and smoothly and allows foundation to go on flawlessly. For a really natural look, the "velvety-smooth" formula can also be worn alone.
Price: $36.00