Pages

Monday, September 23, 2013

EMMY FASHION FORWARD COLOR TRENDS

BLUE!!! IN ALL OF IT'S GORGEOUS HUES TOOK THE EMMY HOME!

COOL ICY BLUE......
 AEGEAN BLUE.....
DEEP MEDITERRANEAN BLUE.....


 "MYKONOS BLUE"  PANTONE'S COLOR FOR FALL



(Click below to watch a video of the FALL/WINTER color palette.)
NOT BLUE, BUT ACAI IS ANOTHER OF PANTONE'S COLORS FOR FALL/WINTER 2013

Carrie Underwood in ACAI

LOOK AT THIS GORGEOUSNESS!!!
Kerry Washington in a STUNNING Blush MARCHESA, straight from the runway
 for SPRING 2014!!
If you are planning a Spring/Summer 2014, this Blush chiffon with floral motifs and a bit of gold lace is so ethereal...so Romantic...so perfect!!!



Visit our HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE for Great Gifts!

Black & White Wedding Photography


Have you considered
 BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS OF YOUR WEDDING DAY?
Of course you want to remember every detail of your beautiful wedding day.  Color is certainly important,  your bridal party, flowers and reception venue and theme come alive in vibrant color. 
 But, there is something special about a BLACK AND WHITE photo.
 It evokes a mood, an emotion.  The focus is on the action only.
Sometimes color photography competes with itself and there is just so much to take in.

 LOOK AT THIS PHOTO

I see only PASSION and DEEP LOVE and JOY.  
Where it took place doesn't matter, its the feeling I get when I look at it. 
 It's the feeling  of that moment I want to feel!



This wedding could have been taken in the "60 or just yesterday, but the feeling of a casual "flower child "   love infused wedding is evident by the VW Van, so popular back in the day. 
 The BLACK & WHITE photo really enhances the retro theme
'60 VIBE WEDDING


I love the random moment captured in the photo.  It may be a moment that the bride or groom didn't see first hand, but says so much about what others were experiencing during their wedding.  Of course they would want a candid picture of these adorable young men!  The BLACK & WHITE enhances the charm and elegance of what was obviously an enchanting venue, 
Photography: Kevin Mullins


This may have been staged by the photographer, but it feels like a private, intimate moment, 
that the Bride and Groom shared, alone. 
 It captures all of the hopes and dreams of the journey they are travelling together. 


How to choose what moments should be photographed in color or Black and White:
COLOR versus BLACK and WHITE Photos for your WEDDING

What do you think of BLACK and WHITE photos for your Wedding album? What key moments would you want captured in this timeless form of creating memories?



Our new HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE is open. 
 New holiday party favors and gifts are arriving daily!


/





Friday, September 20, 2013

FALL FUN



VISIT AN APPLE ORCHARD.  NO ORCHARDS IN THE AREA?  CHECK OUT A FARMER'S MARKET OF LOCAL PRODUCE STAND.  ENJOY THE CRISPNESS "NAKED"  IN IT'S WHOLE DELICIOS FORM OR BAKE SOMETHING YUMMY

BAKED APPLES
Easy Autumn Baked Apples
4 apples (recommended: Fuji or McIntosh)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup chopped pecans or almonds
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup maple syrup
Slice the top of each apple off, then hollow the center of the apples out with a paring knife.  Brush lemon juice across the top of the apples to keep them from turning brown. Place the apples in a baking dish. 
In a large bowl, combine flour, butter, sugar, oats, pecans, and cinnamon.  Use a fork to combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Spoon the mixture generously into each apple.  Drizzle each with maple syrup.
Place about 1/4 inch of water into the bottom of the baking dish.  Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or until the crumble on top of the apples is golden brown, and the apples are soft.
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if serving for dessert. 
Ingredients
  • 1/4 gallon of apple cider
  • 1/2 cup of dark rum
  • 1/2 cup of cinnamon schnapps
  • Granny Smith apple, peeled , chopped into 1" cubes
  • 1/2 cup of lemon juice

Mix all liquid ingedients amd chill.  
Roll apple chinks in cinnamon, skewer 3-4 cubes and serve with each drink

VISIT THE PUMPKIN PATCH  CHOOSE PUMPKINS FOR PIE MAKING OR DECORATING.


MARTHA STEWART (of course) CARVED PUMPKINS

Chipotle Pumpkin Soup Recipe

If canned chipotle in adobo is not available, you can use chipotle powder, start with one teaspoon and increase to taste. If chipotle powder is not available, use 1/2 teaspoon of regular chili powder, increasing to taste, and a dash of liquid smoke. Note that fresh pumpkins vary in their moisture content, so you may need to add more liquid, either water or stock, to get to the consistency you want, depending on how thick or thin you would like your soup to be.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1-2 chipotle peppers (canned in adobo, 1 for mild, 2 for spicy), chopped
  • 8 cups chopped, cooked pumpkin* (1 7-8 pound cooking pumpkin to yield 8 cups cooked pumpkin, or 3 15-ounce cans of canned pumpkin)
  • 4 to 6 cups chicken stock, depending on desired thickness and how thick your pumpkin purée is (use vegetable stock for vegetarian option, can sub water for some of the stock)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
  • 2 teaspoons salt, more to taste
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice
Garnishes:
  • Toasted, shelled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • Cilantro
  • Creme fresca, creme fraiche or sour cream thinned with a little water so that it's runny
*To cook fresh pumpkin, use a good cooking pumpkin (i.e. sugar pumpkin, fairytale pumpkin, hubbard, or kabocha pumpkin), cut in half, scoop out the seeds, place the pumpkin cut side down on a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for about an hour, or until soft. Scoop out the pumpkin flesh or cut away the skin. Let cool. Freeze for long term storage.

METHOD

1 Heat oil in a large pot (8-quart) on medium high heat. Add the onions and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic, cumin, and chipotle, cook for 1 minute more.
2 Add the pumpkin, chicken stock, oregano, and salt. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, partially covered.
3 If you are working with raw pumpkin seeds, now would be a good time to toast them. (If your pumpkin seeds are already toasted, skip this step.) Just spread them out in an even layer in a frying pan on medium high heat. Stir with a wooden spoon while toasting, until the pumpkin seeds are fragrant and are lightly browned. Remove to a bowl.
4 Remove the soup from heat. Working in batches of 2 cups each, purée the soup in batches, holding down the lid the your blender tightly while puréeing, and starting on a slow speed. Return the puréed soup to the pot.
5 Add lime juice. Adjust seasonings to taste, adding more salt, cumin, oregano, or chipotle to taste. If the soup is too thick, add more stock or water to desired consistency.
Serve with toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas), crema fresca drizzled over the top, and chopped cilantro.
Yield: Makes 2 to 2 1/2 quarts.

VISIT A CORN MAZE

TAKE A WALK!  PICK LEAVES IN DIFFERENT COLORS AND SIZES FOR YOUR HOME DECOR

HOW DO YOU ENJOY THESE BEAUTIFUL DAYS OF FALL?


The holidays are fast approaching!  Looking for unique gift ideas?  
Visit our HOLIDAY GIFT BOUTIQUE.  New items are arriving everyday.




Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Tamra's Wedding DETAILS

Did you watch Tamra's wedding on The Real Housewives of Orange County

 I admit I am Real Housewives of anywhere fan and I especially love a TV wedding. 
 Actually I love weddings! The pure joy and enthusiastic dreams of a future with a fantastic partner always makes me happy and of course I DO love the beauty of the Wedding, itself!

BLUSH and BLING were front and center.
(Love the blush, but think its too soft for Fall or a Winter wedding?
Pair it with grey, for the perfect compliment.)

Rhinestone encrusted Wedding Invitation
Hand delivered with a GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE!!

 What really caught my eye were some of the unique details that Tamra (or her wedding planner) put together.  Although Tamra's budget (or Bravo's) budget was off the diamond encrusted chain, we all can incorporate many of these elegant and sparkling details within our own budget. These were my favorite inspirations.....


LOTS OF FLOWERS, CANDLES AND BLING

TAMRA'S EDIBLE DIAMOND WEDDING CAKE
A SUSPENDED WEDDING CAKE!  We know the wedding cake is a focal point of the reception, and this was truly AMAZING!  Of course the $2,500 cake actually cost close to $25,000 (allegedly) because of the edible diamond bling! 

GROOM'S BICYCLE THEME CAKE

We all know the groom is usually not involved in planning the details of the wedding.  What a beautiful surprise to honor the man you will spend the rest of your life with.
He will be THRILLED by your thoughtfulness!


THE "Bouquet"



This wrist "corsage" was my favorite detail of the entire wedding!  White orchids entwined with crystals (or were they diamonds?) was so elegant, so feminine, SO UNUSUAL!  
I would totally do this!  WOULD YOU?

THEN... of course, there were the wedding dresses.  3 OF THEM!


Your Wedding just may be the biggest party you ever host.  
So, why not three dresses?  
Are you considering a dress change 
from your ceremony to your reception?









Tuesday, September 10, 2013

BLUE WINTER WEDDING IDEAS

PANTONE suggests "MYKONOS BLUE" for Fall and Winter Weddings!




Imagine the deep jewel tones of the MEDITERRANEAN and AEGEAN SEAS.


For the FALL DESTINATION WEDDING
NAUTICAL


 
NAUTICAL WEDDING INVITATIONS
FROSTED TEA LIGHT WEDDING FAVORS

SEMAPHORE PLACE CARDS



Nautical Wedding Cake.  Notice the POP of color. SPICY ORANGE FLOWERS tie your Nautical theme into FALL.


For the WINTER WEDDING
COOL ICY BLUES




BEADED SNOWFLAKE ORNAMENT FAVOR

SILVERY BLUE WINTER WEDDING RECEPTION


Add silver threads and crystals to boutonnieres and bouquets



      





BRIDESMAID DRESSES



What do you think of MYKONOS BLUE?  You can bring the romance of the Mediterranean to you Fall or Winter wedding  Do you have ideas for color combinations for this beautiful blue?