Bridal Shower II

This past weekend we hosted a couple's shower for two of our close friends who are getting married in late September. To make both the bride and groom happy, we went with a casual outdoor BBQ theme, and our favors coorresponded perfectly.

Homemade BBQ sauce. Delish!

Everyone commented on how nice and chill the evening was. We did make the Bride and Groom open gifts and play one little game, but we also drank beer and margaritas, played bacce and just hung out. It was a really nice way to include the groom and his friends in an event that is traditionally just for the gals.

More pics soon!

More from Jessi's shower

I thought I should post those photos I'd promised from Jessi's shower last weekend before moving on to the couple's shower my husband and I hosted this weekend. (It truly is the year or weddings AND babies!)

The blushing bride with all her loot. Tip: If you're throwing a wedding shower be sure to get the mother of the bride, mother of the groom and the beautiful bride little pin-on corsages. It's a lovely touch and always a wonderful little treat.



The panty poem...a classic shower event, and the only cheeky thing that I will enthusiastically support (because you end up with a load of awesome, rocking undies!) Click here for the version we used.



The gaggle of bridesmaids:


My BFFs (and my two maids of honor).

Monday Blog Lust {Big Sur Bride}

I discovered Big Sur Bride today, and I'm loving all the eye candy. It never stops! Each post is better than the next!

See! Check it out for yourself.

Wedding shower favors

My best friend is getting married in November, and we celebrated her upcoming nuptials with a ginormous wedding shower in Northern New Jersey this weekend. Sixty close friends and family fathered in 97-degree + heat for a Mexican fiesta. It sure felt like we were in Mexico!

I was in charge of favors/centerpieces, and with the incredible help of my other best friend, Lauren, was able to pull it off! We made over 20 dozen Mexican wedding cookies (delicious!) and wrapped them in bright, colorful tissue. The packages were then clustered on tables and it pulled the entire decor together.


More pics from the party soon!

Mmmm...peanut butter

It was hubs' birthday this weekend, and I have to confess... I think I have a new baking addiction.

I made my classic dark chocolate cup, but the frosting was new - cream cheese peanut butter. Oh...heaven.

So, I share the wealth:

12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter

To prepare the frosting: In a large mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese, butter and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add the powdered sugar and peanut butter and mix until smooth.

Check it out: The Library

Elizabeth Anne Designs is launching its new planning resource today, The Elizabeth Anne Designs Library. This new online resource is filled with hundreds of useful links, from photographers and shops to stationers and florists. It reminds me of Style Me Pretty's Little Black Book (which also has a FABULOUS new look)! The Library will help every bride find the vendors and inspiration she needs for a beautiful event.

Check it out!!

Real Wedding: Part II

Here are a few more of my favorite pics from Lindsay and Gene's big day, courtesy of Nate Weatherly.

(This picture of Gene just kills me. Such wonderful emotion.)

In the most romantic turn of events, the groom not only wrote a song for the bride, he coordinated with the band, practiced in advance and performed the song as a surprise at the wedding. And it was REALLY good!!

The gratuitous photo of the wedding planner ... here I am putting in the bride's flower.

Add this one to the list

I've falled in love with another photographer blog. You have to check out Leigh Miller's website and blog.


There are some amazing images! Here are a few of my favorites...

The last of the berries

Well, we've finally depleted our supply of strawberries. Last night, we indulged in homemade strawberry ice cream. It was the first time I made ice cream from a custard base, and while it added a bit of time to the process, the finished product was worth it!

Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream

{Gourmet}

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups heavy cream

3 (3- by 1-inch) strips fresh lemon zest

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1 lb strawberries (3 cups), trimmed and quartered

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Special equipment: an ice-cream maker and an instant-read thermometer

Combine cream, zest, and salt in a heavy saucepan and bring just to a boil. Remove from heat and discard zest.

Whisk eggs with 1/2 cup sugar in a bowl, then add hot cream in a slow stream, whisking. Pour back into saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened and an instant-read thermometer registers 170°F (do not let boil).

Immediately pour custard through a fine sieve into a metal bowl, then cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Chill, covered, at least until cold, about 2 hours, and up to 1 day.

While custard is chilling, purée strawberries with remaining 1/4 cup sugar and lemon juice in a blender until smooth, then force through fine sieve (to remove seeds) into chilled custard. Stir purée into custard.

Freeze in ice-cream maker, then transfer to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden.

Real Wedding: Part I

Finally, here are some of the fabulous professional photographs from my June wedding, courtesy of Nate Weatherly in Pittsburgh. We'll start with all the details, and tomorrow's post will feature the gorgeous bride and groom. You won't believe the magnificent location! The florist was none other than Philly's famous Robertson's.

Every girl loves a sale!

The Hula Bud Vases that I'm in love with are on sale at Red Envelope now for just $22! What do ya say? One of each color?

Etsy find: Oktak

So cute, right?

These would make for great bridal gifts, or a belated birthday present for me ... he he. Check out Oktak for more (including additional shapes and sizes!)

Wedding Announcements

Though nagged by my mother, I never actually got around to making/ordering wedding announcements. It would have been a great thing to do since we had a small wedding and weren't able to invite our large circle of family and loved ones. Take these, for example, from Wedding Paper Divas. I love them!! My wedding colors too...

Maybe I'll send out 1st anniversary cards instead?

Southern Weddings

Do you love them as much as I do? I am totally and completely obsessed. I have yet to pic up the magazine, but the weddings featured on the web site are phenominal! Take this one, for example:

But please don't take my word for it! Hop on over now and distract yourself for a few!

A dream garden

Happened upon this white picket fence and dream garden while on a walk at the Cape. I just couldn't resist snapping a few shots. You can't imagine the smell ... it was sublime!

I'm baaack...

Oh, meloncholy. We got back from the Cape last night. It was a WONDERFUL trip. Extremely relaxing and just gorgeous weather. And Winnie had a blast too! She's a swimmer!