Plaid Wedding Inspiration

Plaid patterns, one of my new favorite inspirations for all types of weddings!  When talking about plaids, we can associate them with Scottish and country styles. The vast array of colors, tones and shades found in so many plaid prints offer unlimited ways to use this effortlessly cool and classic pattern – from shoes and wraps for the bride to fashion for the groom.

Photo Credit: southernweddings.com

 For the ladies: 
 Photo Credits: societybride.com/inspiredbythis.com/projectwedding.com

For the Guys:
Photo Credits: southernweddings.com/inspiredbythis.com/weddingchicks.com

Adding plaid to your decorations & bouquet: 
Photo Credits: snippetandink.com/thebridescafe.com/southernweddings.com/fabmood.com

For the cake:   
Photo Credits: elizabethannedesigns.com/aweddingcakeblog.com/theknot.com/aweddingcakeblog.com

 For the favors:
Photo Credits: frostedpetticoatblog.com/weddingwindow.com  

 

Champagne Toast Wedding Inspiration!

Classic styles and color palettes are classics for a reason – they are timeless and harmonious, and just simply beautiful! The combination of creamy ivory, pink champagne and sparkling silver & gold is one that will never go out of style, and can be adjusted to suit so many different personalities and seasons throughout the year.

I thought with this being the most festive time of the year a Champagne color board would be perfect! Enjoy!

Cheers!
Angee


Photo Credits:
Tulle flowers
Wedding cake
Champagne print
Glam dresses
Cream soda and cupcake
Centerpiece
Cascading ruffle dress

Red, a Symbol of Love & Passion! A Color Board

Red is such a beautiful color for a wedding. Red is a symbol of love and passion. Whether you pair it with traditional white or cheery robin’s egg blue. Here are a few ways to add a touch of cherry to your wedding day. I have also seen a lot of red and pink weddings lately, and I’m a total fan.

 Cheers!
Angee

Not Your Mother's Vanilla Wedding Cake, 20 Cake Flavors to Consider!

Mocha– For the coffee lovers, this combo of espresso and chocolate flavors is a clear winner.

Red Velvet– Although this trend experienced a serious rise in popularity a couple of years ago, this has been a classic cake for quite some time due to its subtle cocoa flavor and rich cream cheese frosting.

Italian Cream– This delicious cake (and my personal favorite) is a blend of almonds (or pecans), coconut, and a touch of buttermilk for a nice tanginess. And when frosted with a mascarpone-based frosting, this cake is positively perfect!

Funfetti– One of the most popular trends this year, the most beloved cake of our grade school days has made a comeback.Definitely fun!
Coconut– A coconut cake with fluffy coconut icing is just about the prettiest cake ever.

Hummingbird–A Southern staple for decades, this unique cake combines banana, pineapple, pecans, and spices. Usually paired with a cream cheese frosting.

Chocolate Chip–Fun, but still formal, a chocolate chip cake and be paired with just about anything for a filling and icing. Try incorporating flavors of orange, raspberry, toffee, or caramel.

Carrot–Loving carrot cake is like loving Christmas fruitcake. Is it everybody’s favorite? No. But if you adore the combo of rich, moist carrot cake and decadent cream cheese frosting, you should go for it.

Lemon–This citrusy gem is ideal for a summer wedding, and can be accompanied by a wide variety of frostings, from key lime to milk chocolate.

Orange Blossom–It’s definitely one of the most delicate citrus wedding cakes.  Keep it simple with a lightly scented vanilla frosting or glaze.

Grasshopper– It’s like the power of the Andes mint in a cake. Mint and chocolate is a winning combination.

Spice– Perfect for autumn weddings, this soul-satisfying cake goes best with a rustic theme.

Pink Champagne– For those wanting to up the femininity quotient on their wedding day, this pink confection will suit you just fine! A great cake for a multi-layered ombre effect.

German Chocolate–Not just for groom’s cakes any longer, this dessert favorite will make your guests very happy.

Amaretto– Disaronno references aside, these cakes are refined, unique, and very addictive (you will sneak two pieces, trust me). Fantastic when paired with an apricot filling.

White Chocolate– When you want a perfectly white cake, but with something beyond vanilla flavoring, turn to white chocolate. Use a classic combo like raspberry, or go for a richer option like milk chocolate.

Peanut Butter– You can complement this cake with a variety of fillings, such as banana cream, dark chocolate ganache, or a simple custard.

Irish Cream– Wish you could extend cocktail hour? Try a Irish Cream flavored cake.

Nutella– Anyone who has tried this delectable spread knows how fantastic it is when chocolate and hazelnut come together.

Marble–Combine the best of both worlds with a chocolate and vanilla cake. Or blend together other flavors, such as peanut butter and chocolate or white chocolate and lemon. Just make sure that the colors are different enough to show off the marble effect.

So be creative and LET THEM EAT CAKE!!

Cheers!
Angee 

 

Credits: Rosebud//Pink funfetti//Red Velvet//Chocolate//Ombre

Spring 2014 Wedding Color Trends!

A spring wedding evokes the idea of fresh new love, brightly colored flowers and all the beauty of a spring day. Traditional spring weddings often stick to tried-and-true pastel color schemes. However, while pastels are beautiful, there are many elements to consider when choosing the color scheme for this once-in-a-lifetime event.

If you haven’t picked a specific color scheme yet, check this color palette from Pantone with 2014 spring color trends.

I've added some wedding inspiration boards here which can give you some inspiration. Be bold and creative, but most importantly...BE YOU!

Cheers!
Angee

Happy Holidays - DIY Greeetings Party

Happy Holiday!  It’s been awhile, and I’ve missed you. Hello to all subscribers; welcome to the party! I know you’re looking for a good excuse to hunker down with your girlfriends, and I ’ve got one–it’s the holidays, after all. We all have too many errands to do this time of year, so why not get one done together? 

This season, throw a Holiday Greetings party for your closest pals. Invite everyone to your place and provide a comfortable space for them to address and sign their Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa cards. It’s a great way to make a tedious task more fun and catch up with your girlfriends at the same time. You can easily throw this party together and have it this week, leaving you plenty of time to mail those cards out.



Setting and Setup
This is an easy party to set up. You’ll want to make sure everyone has enough tabletop space to comfortably write their cards. Holiday decorations will help put everyone in a festive mood, so try to get that done ahead of time. Holiday music is a must–especially if you can come up with something a little different. Try the Great Women of Christmas CD for some classic holiday cheer by some powerful women. A Very Special Christmas Vol. 1 is classic pop fun, and A Charlie Brown Christmas brings a moody instrumental flair to your party. But since holiday music selections are endless, and run the gamut from celtic to swing to punk, get what you and your friends like. Don’t forget to light a fire in the fireplace, or some candles to add a holiday glow. Simmer a pot of cinnamon sticks on the stove for a decidedly welcoming atmosphere.

Invitations
You’ll want to make sure your invitation gets noticed in the flurry of holiday mail. So instead of a typical holiday invitation, do something a little different. Buy small holiday memo pads at the dollar store, and write the invitation details on the first page. Place the pad in an envelope and mail for a invitation that comes in handy too.  Or, find the girliest pink invitation you can and send that–it will really stand out among the reds, greens, silvers and blues. On the invitation, remind your girlfriends to bring their invitations, address book, stamps, address labels, and a writing instrument. (If you are really last-minute, just call or use Evite.)

Food and Drink
Whatever you serve, make sure you have some warm offerings to match the warm feelings of the season. A simple supper of soup and bread would be divine. Or, ask each girlfriend to bring a warm appetizer. Hot chocolate (spiked with peppermint schnapps, if desired) or apple cider, mulled wine, or coffee drinks are all apropros. This recipe for a warm-cider-based Indian Summer sounds intriguing and easy. You may want ask your girlfriends to keep food and drink off the table you are using to write invites (to prevent staining someone’s holiday greeting), but that’s up to you.

Making Connections
As you work on your cards, you’ll no doubt be catching up on all the latest girlfriend news. But during conversation lulls, try some of these conversation starters having to do with holiday cards and traditions–or make up some of your own. You can even write the questions on cards or slips of paper and take turns drawing them from a hat. You’ll learn some interesting tidbits about your gal pals!

• Who has been on your holiday card list the longest?
• Who lives the farthest away on your list?
• When did you first start sending your own holiday cards?
• How do you display holiday cards?
• What is your favorite holiday song?
• What is your most cherished holiday decoration?
• What is your favorite holiday tradition?
• What do you hate about the holidays?
• What is your most memorable holiday gift?
• Do you re-use gift bags? Wrapping paper?

Party Favors 
The "write" favor for this party would be a special pen. Purchase a nice selection at a party supply or card store, choosing either a holiday theme or a feminine one.  Let your guests pick out one to use at the party (if desired) and take home. 

There-wasn’t that simple? You got your cards done and had fun. What your girlfriends will remember is not how clean your house was, or how sophisticated your appetizers were, but that you gave them a warm welcome and an opportunity to enjoy each other, away from the pressures of the holiday season.

I  hope you have a December full of peace, joy and friendship.

Cheers!
Angee

Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa!

Baby it's cold outside! Warm up with some Hot Chocolate! Try this recipe out. 

Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa

1 cup vanilla chips (I used Guittard Choc-Au-Lait Chips)
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 ½ cups milk
¼ tsp. cream of tartar (it’s what helps a snickerdoodle have its flavor)
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg

For the Cup:
¼ cup vanilla chips
¼ cup cinnamon sugar mix
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mix onto a plate.

On a plate sprinkle the ¼ cup vanilla chips, heat in microwave until they melt (about a minute).

Dip cup rim into melted chips and then into the cinnamon sugar mix. Let set up.
Combine the vanilla chips, cream, and milk in a heavy saucepan. Heat up slowly, not going higher than low-medium.

Cheers!
Angee