a treat....
trick....
treat...
probably tastes delish...but for a wedding?
yum, definitely a treat...
treat...
what on earth is going on...
this is getting absurd...
thats better...
yes, much better...
4. Cake Central
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wine a bit...Wednesday
Dreaming Tree by Dave Matthews
California
...right now a bunch of girls with DMB stickers on their cars...and my sister-in-law...just peed their pants.
What do you get when you combine Mr. Make-girls-weak-at the-knees singer, Dave Matthews, with ever-so talented wine maker, Steve Reeder? Dreaming Tree Wines. This collaboration is causing some excitment to the wine and music world. Oh, and one more thing that will make the girlies squeal with excitement, the red North Coast blend is called, "Crush". Alright, Alright, I hear you from here…*
In case you didn't know, Dave is no stranger to the wine industry. In 2000 he established Blenheim Winery in Virginia, but "Dreaming Tree" has "Dave Matthews" all over it. The website & wines are pretty, interesting, unique and definitely that DMB style. The site says that when Dave and Steve met they found out they both had a passion for drinking wine and wine-making…and the rest is history. There are 3 wines being introduced (not soon enough according to the the industry) in Maryland next week: “Crush” which is a red blend of merlot with 30-something % of zinfandel popped in there for some raspberry jam; citrus & spicey North Coast Chardonnay; and toasty Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon loaded with blackberry. They wanted approachable wines that were ready to drink and not to be put on the shelf for years later. I have mentioned what an oh-so-perfect name…*
Now, if someone asked me if I liked Dave Matthews Band, I would roll my eyes and say, No. (I know, I know, but keep reading..) However, no matter what DMB song comes on the radio I do not even think twice before rolling down the windows, turning the volume on full blast, and slowly bouncing my head to his heart-melting lyrics with a silly grin on my face as though he was singing to me (note to the boys: DMB {wink}). So, okay, I guess I actually am a DMB-lover, per se. Now, I am even more because his love of the environment!
KUDOS Dave! To all the planet-lovers, such as myself, get ready for this. The bottles weigh 50% less than typical wine bottles so it takes less fuel to get the cases to the stores. The grapes are not sprayed with ANY pesticides. They don’t cut down trees to make their labels; the labels are made from 100% recycled brown paper. The corks are sustainably grown. *
Oh, Dave Matthews, you sure know the way to a tree-huggers heart. What do you say we go to the car, roll down the windows, and you sing "Satellite" to me…?
* My husband had a 3 hour lunch with Steve Reeder, the winemaker of Dreaming Tree, this past weekend in California. My information is spot-on...if you will. And in Dave's exact words he wants "Crush" to taste like a "berry pie."
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
elleDesigns featured on Capitol Romance!
Capitol Romance is the awesome Washington DC Wedding blog and if you haven't seen the blog you need to! It is "a creative cure for DC's wedding bore" as she puts and full of awesome details and amazing weddings. They just recently did a feature on elleDesigns! I am so excited and represents elleDesigns so well I wanted to share! Thanks so much Capitol Romance!!
-Capitol Romance on elleDESIGNS
Bree is the talent behind Capitol Romance and not only is she one heck of a writer, but she is an awesome, awesome girl who is trying to spread the word on uniquely gorgeous weddings throughout DC. Serious Kudos!!
{click to read the feature}
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wine a bit...Wednesday
Spiced Cinnamon Apple Sangria
In honor of Fall and apple season swooping in this week, I thought it was only necessary to have a "Wine a bit Wednesday" that fits. I know I do Sangria all the time, but honestly who can get enough Sangria? Picture this...you and your love sitting on your back porch cuddled under a blanket, watching the leaves fall, sharing a over-sized glass of Spiced Cinnamon Apple Sangria. OK, no good? How about you and your dog plop down on the comfy couch to watch the new Fall shows with a glass of Spiced Cinnamon Apple Sangria?! Great! It is easy enough to make and it is amazingly apple-luscious. Chill it and enjoy....OR heat it up for a warm treat! Yup...I said heat it up!!
What you need:
2 bottles of Riesling-any type will do. I usually use a semi-dry so it is not a sugar over-kill
1 quart of Apple Cider
A couple of apples-sliced or diced
1 orange-sliced
A few Cinnamon Sticks
1 & 3/4 cups Spiced Rum
(brown sugar can be added to taste)
Now for the very hard, intricate instructions:
dump into a pitcher and chill for an hour.
Do enjoy and Happy Fall!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
tuesday shoesday
Since this is the last week of fall, I thought it was only right get into cooler weather mode...
but who says you can't be cold....and fabulous.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Bridesmaid "Thank You" Gifts that are totallly...Clutch.
Jenna Lou Designs is a crafty Southern Minnesota gal who loves color and design. As a wedding planner, I am always looking for unique and adorable ideas for my brides (and ok, myself, too). When I stumbled across her store on etsy she became a favorite! Jenna Lou Designs customizes clutches & wristlets in 3 sizes with your choice of hundreds of fabrics. Design your own for bridal parties or family gifts! Her store on etsy is not only adorable, but her prices are unbeatable. She makes each one herself & sews with industrial machines and designer fabrics; "Handmade with love" as she says on her store. She gives you a link where you can pick and choose your fabric and lets you customize all the details. You can even add a personalized woven message in each clutch for just $1. Definitely a must check out!!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
All the leaves are falling...
Well it seems somewhere in the past week, Summer packed it's bags without so much as a goodbye and Fall forcefully arrived in my hometown of Charm City. Baltimorians look forward to September for turning the AC off and opening the windows; convertible tops and car windows down; 75 degree perfect days with the "grab that j.crew cardigan" cool nights...but Mr. Weather seemed to forget what month it was! The past few days show max highs in the 60's. Dear Flip flops and sandals, farewell until next year. To my bare arms and legs, time to cover up. To the brides, let's dive into some Fall wedding inspiration, shall we?
credit
Friday, September 16, 2011
Love, Milk & Honey
I am completely obsessed with this blog called Love, Milk & Honey. Many beautiful blogs that own real estate in the wonderful web are for the bride-to-be's and how to have a fabulous wedding, but what about when the bouquet has been tossed and the dress packed away? The answer is Love, Milk & Honey.
"A holistic online community for couples beginning the journey of marriage together. I offer guidance and encouragement alongside laughter and caffeinated ramblings from the heart. Stay for a while, I'd love to hear your story"-love, milk & honey
It is a charming and engaging site that shares beautiful stories, overcoming struggles, and all things in the world of newlywed bliss. Also, I can not forget to mention that it is covered in gorgeous, pretty photography! Lauren Kelly is the blogger and has an addicting personality and a sweet way with words. She has a love of design and it shows through her flawless taste. There are so many wonderful posts and adorabley named sections that you can stay on the blog for days. Thank you for being a new obsession!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Wine a bit...Wednesday
Molly Dooker
Carinval of Love Shiraz
McLaren Vale
The name "Carnival of Love" is deliciously fitting because I am having a steamy, sexy love affair with this bottle of Shiraz. The famous Molly Dooker wines have been taking the wine world by storm since it exploded on the scene in 2006. When reviewed by the best of the best in the wine biz, it gets high points, great ratings, and almost perfect scores. Carnival of Love is over $90 and well worth every single leg dripping down the glass. [WQ:"Legs" on wine mean alcohol content. It runs down the side of the glass and shows just how much alcohol is in it.] With that said, even the Molly Dooker wines in the $25 range are kiss you on the lips and faint on the floor good. The grapes are from Aussie vineyards including the boss, McLaren Vale. I know these can be hard to get, so I looked up at interview with Sparky Marquis who is the winemaker. He said that the USA gets 90% of the wine production, 5% to Australia, and 5% to the rest of the world. (Click here for interview)Lucky for us! Sorry "rest of the world".
Back to my spicy, little affair with my Aussie, Carnival of Love. In the glass it looks like purple silk. The smells you get on the nose are the hypnotizing and match that deep, purple color. Rich and almost sweet plums, hints of violet…oh my gosh you could smell and swirl this glass for hours! Of course, then you would miss the best part, the sip. Molly Dooker prides themselves on "fruit weight". If you don't understand what that means, you will when you taste this wine. The flavors of spice and mocha hit every millimeter of your mouth making your taste buds yell, "do it to me again Ms. Dooker!" Be aware though that this bottle of wine is 15.5% alcohol which is on the very high end of the alcohol spectrum. If you are not careful,it kisses your lips, gives you a night a pleasure and leaves you lying on the curb. Of course, it is so good, you are readily available the next time it calls to do it again...
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Gala for Maryland Children Alliance
Yesterday, September 8th, I had the honor of decorating a gala at the Baltimore Convention Center for the Maryland Children's Alliance. Their devotion to helpless, abused, and neglected children brings a smile to my heart. Their colors are Blue, Yellow and Red. Instead of yellow, I hand painted gold on vases and wine glasses to make the "white tablecloth" event a little more fancy-shmancy and sparkly; red roses; and painted my signature vintage decor a teal blue. Oh, and the donation boxes were...hat boxes! {giggles to herself} It was lovely working with Mandi, thank you again!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Gone vintage...be back later...
LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!! Vintage Bridesmaid Dresses!!! I am thoroughly overjoyed!
AHHH!!! Show me MORE!!
My GOODNESS! Have you ever seen anything so tack-ily delicious!?!??! I want
one in every color!! Oh, guess what? They hand-dye
it for you...so you have 1001 colors to pick from!
I just can't get enough of this cuteness!
I want to hate it, but the tacky girl inside just can not!
It gets better... they make
WEDDING DRESSES!!!!
That's it!! My heart can't take anymore...I am too overjoyed with excitement....Ok...a few more!
Click & Visit them!!!
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