Desserts in a Jar

I love these desserts in a jar I saw on the Gaia Restaurant website! I love the idea of the logo stickers too. How cute would these be for a wedding?

Most Amazing Pastries Spread Ever!

I know it's been a long time since i've last posted, but I promise you, this is a good one. I was recently lent a Japanese magazine filled with the most beautiful pastry spread i've ever seen. They included gorgeous shots of the heavenly pastries from the world's most famous patisseries in Paris, Brussels, etc. (Please excuse the quality of the pics as I took photos, as not to damage the magazine from scanning) Delicious versions of the choux pastry above.

I haven't seen macaroons this way!

Gorgeous variations of eclairs
The beautiful simplicity of Baumkuchen cake ("Queen of cakes")

Pottery Barn Party Ideas

If you're ever stuck for a party idea, visit Pottery Barn's brilliant "Entertain" section on their website. There are tons of helpful ideas like how to create extra seating. Here are some of my favourite ideas:
Wine Tasting Party

I love this "How to throw a clambake" article. I love the idea of each person getting a personal "clambake kit" with lemon, colanders and other tools.

These chalk covered pots are a great twist to the traditional printed place cards.

Catering Trends

With my own wedding menu submission deadline coming up, i've been trying to find new and innovative catering ideas. According to the writers at BFF Bridal.com, the top three trends in catering are: 1. Go Mini, 2. Go Global and 3. Go Organic. You can read more from their article here. In the mean time, i'm leaving you with some of the juciest, freshest food ideas i've seen lately! Simple watermelon cut into rounds with a savoury cheese topping by Abigail Kirsch (above). There are just too many good ideas on Taste Catering's website. Here are some of my favourites below: Taste Catering takes the trend of mini's to a whole new level!Paper cones are just such a quick and easy way to add polish to your presentation. I once created a snackbar by making paper cones and filling them with various easy to make items like spiced popcorn, gummies and chips. Savoury truffles by Abigail Kirsch.
I am so jealous of this bride & groom who had their wedding reception catered by Thomas Keller himself at Per Se! How many people can say they had their reception at a Michelin star restaurant! The bride has chronicled her journey online here. Above- she describes their hors d'oeuvres and advises couples to ask their caterers/venues to set aside hors d'oeuvres, since you will be busy greeting guests. Above- "Cornet of marinated salmon, Gruyere cheese Gougeres, Foie Gras, Roulade of Liberty Valley Peking Duck, and Lemon Arancini"
Above, Per Se's signature "coffee and donuts" a sugar donut with espresso semi-freddo. I love the idea of taking something otherwise ordinary and re-creating the idea with a polished presentation.

Celebrating A Baby Boy in Blue and Green

On May 10, my mother and sister hosted a baby shower to celebrate the upcoming arrival of my little boy. The theme?! Blue and green. Attention to detail, and execution of the colour scheme, was evident in all aspects of the shower including the floral centerpieces, table tops adorned with adorable stuffed toys, napkins folded as diapers, hand decorated cupcakes and cookies, speciality drinks, and favours. Baby items were even incorporated into the centerpieces!

Guests were treated to a buffet of finger foods and a beautiful dessert display including a watermelon baby carriage! They were entertained with a "name that baby" photo game, and a golf-themed story guest book (perfectly suited to the Hilton Head Island location!).


















It was the perfect celebration for this loved little boy.



By: N. Roberts

Real Wedding: It's All About the Guests

It's the long weekend and I finally had time to pick which gorgeous pics from Christina and Tom's wedding to post. The wedding took place at the Scarboro Golf Club in Toronto, featuring shades of fresh spring greens accented with tones of chocolate. Christina honoured both her Chinese culture and her husband's Korean culture by wearing traditional dresses in addition to her white gown. Thanks to our 'faithful' reader Christina for sharing your wedding with us!!

Her Wedding in Her Own Words:
Our wedding was the perfect extension of the dinner parties we host in our 648sq ft condo. Whenever we have dinner parties, we always obsess over little things we think our guests would appreciate, so we figured, why should our wedding be different? For my husband and I, the overriding theme was a simple dinner party...for 140 of our closest family and friends. Our venue was perfect for it. It was old and intimate, but large enough for us to have the ceremony, cocktails and reception all at one location. Smaller single-purpose rooms made the difference. The cocktail in the main sitting area equipped with a baby grand, the formality of dinner in the main dining room, and a separate ballroom for the dance set the tone for each stage of the day. A few little things we hoped they enjoyed: Guest boutonnières to honour everyone who came to celebrate; homemade jars of apple wine jelly favours that also doubled as table seating cards; four rounds of toasting the tables to make sure everyone’s glass was always full; a bride-and-groom speech that kicked off the reception so that all the formal stuff was out of the way and our guests were relaxed right when the first course was served.

Wedding Program Ideas from The Knot

I was searching the Knot for some programs ideas and thought i'd post up some of my favourites.

I love these tailored black & white programs tied with a simple twine tassle.
It's always great to stay organized for your wedding helpers and find a nice basket or container for your programs. The bonus is that it adds decor to your receiving table!

These programs double as a fan for your guests as well as the program. I love the look of these straw fans tied with turquoise ribbon!
These adorable little linen bags had rose petals to shower the couple with as well as programs attached to the outside!

I love this idea of pre-hanging colourful programs on the back of the ceremony chairs because it decorates otherwise drab white garden chairs.

Chinese Weddings By The Knot

For everyone who has opted to have Chinese wedding details incorporated into their wedding, you have to go to the Knot's new site, Chinese Weddings by the Knot. There are elegant decor ideas as well as info about traditional Chinese customs and dress. Though the site is still small, it will most likely grow as fast as the market.

"Prince & Princess" First Birthday Party

A couple weeks ago I attended an adorable "Prince & Princess" first birthday party. The birthday boy's aunt prepared little magnet invitations and carried the logo throughout the whole party. (Notice the little fondant crowns atop carrot cupcakes!). Fare also included a buffet of healthy salads and baby burgers, of course. Another great idea were these printed "cutlery envelopes", pre-stuffed with cutlery and coloured napkins. Happy birthday Caleb!

A Bridal Shower in Pink and White

On May 3rd, I hosted a bridal shower for my sister-in-law. The theme was designed to suit her favourite hobby- shopping! The theme was carried out in shades of pink and white, complete with shopping inspired details! Floral centerpieces were placed in pink shopping bags and surrounded by tissue paper.

The pink and white food was displayed on feminine pink linens, and surrounded a purse shaped chocolate cake covered with tiny fondant cherry blossoms.

Each guest was offered a mini fresh fruit smoothie (pink of course!) hand delivered on a tray.

Guests, all dressed in pink and white, signed a reversible shopping tote to leave their mark on the event, and the bride was presented with a handmade purse to carry all of her gift cards home with her at the end of the event.

To create a special record of the event, each guest posed with the bride for two photos: one for memories, and one to show her the love they feel for her. It was a special event. Kim is going to make one stunning bride.

Photos by S. Roberts