WEDDING HATS !!

Summer weddings are warm and sunny.  

They can be casual or formal, indoors or out. 

 Make a statement with a 

FABULOUS HAT !

VINTAGE STYLES

THE 1950'S WEDDING

VICTORIAN

GREAT GATSBY

1960'S PILLBOX

SUMMER WEDDING HATS

STRAW HAT FOR CASUAL WEDDING

COLOR!

ROMANTIC, SOFT AND FEMININE

GREAT GATSBY IN COLOR

SOFT BLUSH OR PINK

"GREEN WEDDING " HATS

FACINATORS FOR THE BRIDAL PARTY

 

CLASSIC!!

VINTAGE 1920'S WEDDING


HATS OFF TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL WEDDING DAY!

Have you considered wearing a hat, 
veil or beautiful flowers in your hair?

Leave a comment on your favorite look!

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HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

GOD BLESS THE MEN AND WOMEN 

WHO HAVE SERVED AND SACRIFICED

 SO MUCH FOR OUR COUNTRY

WE HONOR AND THANK YOU TODAY AND EVERYDAY

YOU ARE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS, THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Enjoy a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

During your picnics, BBQ's and festivities, 

take a moment to give THANKS to these Brave and Selfless 

Men and Women and their families.

STRAWBERRIES & SUMMER

                  

Nothing says Summer like STRAWBERRIES!

CELEBRATE SUMMER, STRAWBERRIES AND MEMORIAL DAY

Below are some recipes 

to include in your MEMORIAL DAY Get together!

STRAWBERRY TRIFLE

Red, White, and Blue Berry Trifle
     1 1/2 pounds raspberries or strawberries
     3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, divided
     1/4 cup cold water
     16 ounces mascarpone cheese
     2 cups cold heavy cream
     1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
     Fine salt
     20 to 24 ladyfingers
     3/4 pound blueberries

In a medium bowl, combine berries with 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar and water (if using strawberries, mince up into small pieces first). With the back of a fork, lightly mash berries to release their juices and let sit 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together mascarpone and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar until smooth. Whisk in cream, vanilla, and a pinch of salt and whisk until soft peaks form, about 4 minutes.
Cut one or two pieces parchment 1 inch taller than side of an 8-inch spring form pan and line inside of pan. Place half the ladyfingers in pan and top with half the berry mixture (you are going to have to cut up the ladyfingers so they fit). With a small offset or rubber spatula, spread half the whipped cream over berries. Tap pan gently on counter to remove air bubbles. Repeat with remaining ladyfingers, berries, and whipped cream. Top with blueberries and refrigerate until whipped cream is stiff and cookies have softened, about 3 hours (or, tightly cover with plastic, up to 3 days. To serve, unmold trifle and peel away parchment.

STRAWBERRY  SALAD

Red White and Blue Sweet Summer Salad

3 - 4 cups of fresh romaine lettuce, washed and torn

1/2 cup fresh blueberries

1/2 cup fresh strawberries, cut in small chunks

1 ounce crumbled Feta

1 tablespoon sweet poppy seed dressing

Wash, dry and prepare lettuce and fruit. Place the lettuce in a large bowl. Top with the blueberries, strawberries, and Feta. Drizzle the dressing over all. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

POPPY SEED DRESSING

3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 Tablespoons poppy seeds
salt and pepper
1/2 cup oil (I used sunflower)

Add all ingredients (except oil) into a jar & shake to mix ingredients.  Add oil, shake until emulsified.  Adjust vinegar, salt & pepper to taste.

FRESH STRAWBERRY SALSA

Strawberry Salsa

2 1/2 cups fresh strawberries. diced

2 green onions,, finely sliced

1 cup chopped green pepper

1 jalapeno, finely minced

Strawberry Salsa

Serve with tortilla chips or grilled chicken 

2 teaspoons fresh chopped parsley (or cilantro)*
1/3 cup Catalina salad dressing**
Splash hot sauce (optional)

Dice strawberries and vegetables finely and mix with the salad dressing. Add hot sauce if desired. Allow to set in refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours before serving.

*/** if you choose to use Cilantro, use a lime dressing

           juice and zest of 1 lime, 1/3 cup of olive oil, salt & pepper to taste

Servings: 16. Serving size: 1/4 cup. Per serving: 39 calories, 0.3 g protein, 3.2 g fat, 2.8 g carbohydrates, 0.8 g dietary fiber, 53 mg sodium, 1.6 g sugars

GRILLED STRAWBERRIES & BASIL KABOBS

Ingredients

16 medium to large Strawberries (firm but ripe)

1 bunch fresh Basil

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sea salt

Grape seed oil

Directions

Clean strawberries by wiping each one off with a damp paper towel.  Remove stems and cut each one in half, lengthwise.

Gently slide each strawberry onto a metal or wooden skewer (if you are using wooden, soak them in water for 10 minutes first). Alternate strawberry half and basil leaf.  Set aside.

In a small mixing bowl whisk together the honey, vinegar, vanilla, and a pinch of sea salt.  Set aside.

Preheat the grill or barbecue.  Brush a little grape seed oil onto the flat surface of each strawberry.

Once the grill is hot, place strawberry skewers on it, flat side down.  Make sure you hear a sizzling sound….if you don’t the grill needs to heat up more.  Grill about 30 seconds on each side.  Place skewers on a plate and while still hot brush with the glaze.Remove from skewers to serve.  This is amazing over Vanilla Bean ice-cream!!!  Enjoy!!!

      

PATRIOTIC  STRAWBERRIES

Red, White, and Blue Themed Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

1 pound of ripe strawberries
1 bag of white chocolate candy melts (or a bag of white chocolate chips)
1 cup of confectioner’s sugar
1 tablespoon of milk
1 tablespoon of light corn syrup
Blue food coloring
Wax paper

Wash and completely dry the strawberries. In a pot, simmer 1-2 inches of water and place a glass or metal bowl on top of the pot to create a double boiler. Slowly melt half a bag of the candy melts. When the melts are completely melted, remove from heat, add the second half of the candy melts, and incorporate until smooth. If the mixture has cooled down too much to melt everything nicely, simmer the pot of water again and let everything warm up a little bit.

Once the white chocolate is completed melted, dip strawberries about 3/4 of the way and then set on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper for chocolate to harden. After you’ve dipped all the strawberries, in a separate bowl, mix together the confectioner’s sugar, corn syrup and milk. Then add as much blue food coloring (two drops at at time) to get the right shade of blue you want. If you want a thicker icing, use less milk. And if you want a thinner icing, add more milk.

Then spoon icing into a piping bag (I used a ziplock bag). If you are using a ziplock bag, cut a very small hole in the corner. Once the chocolate on the strawberries is completely hardened, drizzle the icing back and forth on the strawberries until about half of the white chocolate area is covered. If it’s easier, hold the strawberry by the stem/top as you drizzle so you can rotate it easily to make smoother lines. Let the icing set, then grab one for yourself, take a big bite, and enjoy!

ENJOY A SWEET SUMMER!!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO ENJOY THIS SWEET SIGN OF SUMMER?

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FRIDAY FUNNIES BABY FACE

THESE ARE THE MOMENTS YOU WILL TREASURE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE

CAMERAS READY????

AND THAT'S JUST THE FIRST YEAR!

Show us your most precious pictures

ENJOY A WONDERFUL WEEKEND

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5 STRESS RELIEF TIPS FOR BRIDES

Brides always hear about the "STRESSFUL" Wedding planning process.  But it doesn't have to be that way.

 Here are 5 ways to beat the stress!

GATSBY VISION BOARD

1.  Make a list or vision board that consists of your budget by item with a additional 10% for "unexpected expenses".  It sounds overwhelming to do this BUT if you do it right from the beginning everything will easier down the road. But you must STICK TO IT!

2.  Hire a wedding planner.  You must still make your lists but a Wedding Planner will handle most of the details and legwork for you.  YOU still must have your vision and budget clearly defined before you visit with your Wedding Planner and let him or her fine tune the details.  This works well if you don't have the time for all of the phone calls and running around.  If you don't want or cannot afford a Wedding Planner, DELEGATE specific items/jobs to your family and Bridal Party. They will be honored to be involved.

3. Stay Focused on your Vision.  Take "friendly advice" in stride...everybody has an opinion  but it doesn't mean you have to take it to heart. Listen, be polite and move on.  This is the beginning of a new stage of life for you and your fiance...set that stage as a reflection of the two of you.

4. Take Care of Yourself.  Take some time for non-wedding related self-nurturing "time-outs". Go to the movies, get a mani/pedi, enjoy a relaxing massage or treat yourself to a shampoo and blowout.  Who doesn't feel great after having their hair done?!?! Eat well and don't skimp on sleep.  Feeling well nourished and well rested puts a whole new perspective on your day.

5. Exercise?!?!  Not everyone enjoys exercise and if you haven't done it in the past, DON'T feel obligated to get a gym membership!  Instead grab your honey's hand and go for long walks.  Rent bikes for the day and check out parks and small towns in your area.  Take your pooch for a walk...you will both enjoy the time together.  Try yoga, click on the link blow to see how Jennifer Aniston de-stresses. 

JENNIFER ANISTON TURNS TO YOGA


What do you do to relax and refocus?  Share your ideas for "less stress" wedding planning.

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