walk away in style

love these shoes from Sue London.

Happy Weekend!

simple but dramatic centerpiece

A cluster of vases such as this one from Jamali Garden would make a great centerpiece. I'm loving the details yet simplistic vintage look. This would look great on a table with a single flower in it for your next party.

Recycled Favor Tags

Loving these 100% recycled GP plantable heart tags from Green Post on Etsy. Each tag is unique and individually made with a screen and then shaped and hand-cut into a heart and measures approx. 3" in circumference. They have a quilted like appearance and the seeds are visible giving the tags loads of visual appeal! They have been triple pressed, hot pressed and dried indoors to preserve the color. All the content is 100% recycled.

Red Velvet Woopies Pies

Looking for something different to make your loved ones this Valentines Day? Instead of red velvet cupcakes try red velvet woopies pies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 1 ounce semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 ounce milk chocolate, chopped
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise and seeds scraped

Directions

Make the cookies: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine the semisweet and milk chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 50 percent power until melted, about 2 minutes. Whisk until smooth.

Whisk the melted butter, sour cream, eggs, vinegar, vanilla and food coloring in a bowl until combined. In another bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in four equal batches, whisking each batch completely before adding the next. Stir in the melted chocolate.

Scoop heaping tablespoonfuls of batter onto the prepared baking sheets and smooth the tops with a damp finger. Bake until the cookies spring back when lightly pressed, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the filling: Beat the cream cheese and butter with a mixer until smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla seeds. Sandwich a heaping tablespoonful of filling between 2 cookies; repeat with the remaining cookies and filling. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.

Recipe: Foodnetwork.com

color inspiration: pink and grey

I'm loving this color combination. Grey with all shades of pink. Another option with grey is yellow. Very romantic and soft.

upcoming events bridal open house

If you've just got engaged. I would recommend this bridal Open House presented by Chef's Expressions.

Saturday, January 30th, 2010 • 11am to 2pm
George Peabody Library
17 East Mount Vernon Place
Baltimore, Maryland
Kindly RSVP by January 25th

Sunday, February 28th, 2010 • 11am to 2pm
Evergreen Carriage House
4545 N. Charles Street
The Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
Kindly RSVP by February 22nd

For more information and to RSVP: (410) 561-2433 • www.chefsexpressions.com

January Newsletter

Read all about it. January Newsletter is posted.

Hot off the press: Baby Announcments

We designed these cute baby announcements which have vellum wrapped around the actual card with the baby's initials on the sticker. This is a great way to send out a cost effective but great looking baby announcements.

the behind scenes of a photo shoot

So you may wonder what it takes to set up a photoshoot? A lot of hard work and a great team of professionals. From our perspective this is what went into the details for the photo shoot that was featured in Baltimore Bride.

Scooping out the area, in this case the barn.

To the drawing board, brainstorming on ideas for the stationery that captures the feeling, style, location of the event.

Day of photo shoot. Setup and delivery of products

Finished design ready to be photographed

Spread featured in Baltimore Bride

Event professional featured in this photoshoot:
Tablescape design by Bradshaw Styling. Florals by Fleur de Lis Florist. Cake by Artistic Desserts. Paper pieces by Carla David Design. Rentals by Party Renta Ltd. Linen by Gala Clothes. Chandelier from Accent on Events. Rug from Second Chance.

tips for addressing your envelopes

{Etiquette for addressing}

I'm always asked about addressing envelopes...below are some tips for social titles when addressing the outer and inner envelopes.

Full names with the appropriate titles should always be written on the outer envelope. The inner envelope names/titles will differ depending on the formality of the event.

Social Titles

Married couple - formal:

{outer} Mr. and Mrs. Micah Cohen
{inner} Mr and Mrs. Cohen

Married couple - informal:

{outer} Loren and Dina Nelson
{inner} Loren and Dina

Married couple formal/Children under 18 living at home:

{outer} Mr. and Mrs. Karl Carter
{inner} Mr. and Mrs. Karl Carter
Miss Zoe Carter

Married couple, different last names - the woman in addressed first in this case

{outer} Ms. Ariana Rothstein Fisch-Field
(and) Mr. Greggory Field
{inner} Ms. Rothstein Fisch-Field
Mr. Field

Married couple, both are doctors, different last names:

{outer} Doctor Christina Yang
(and) Doctor Preston Burke
{inner} Doctor Yang
(and) Doctor Burke

Tip: Formal titles, such as Doctor or Lieutenant, should always be spelled out and not abbreviated

Single woman, with or without guest:

{outer} Miss/Ms. Nichole Lewis
{inner} Miss/Ms. Nichole Lewis
Or
Miss Lewis and Guest
or
Miss Lewis
Mr. Cordero

Tip: The direct guest's name is the only one that appears on the outer envelope. On the inner envelope, however, write their name followed by "and Guest." If you know whom he or she will be bringing, it's more personal to include that person's name, on a separate line

Another look at the Tablescape featured in Balitmore Bride

Featured in Baltimore Bride

Happy New Year! We are back and in business after a nice break.

On newstands is the new Baltimore Bride and we are featured twice. Check out the awesome tablescapes and find other amazing ideas for your upcoming wedding.