Penmanship

I've been practicing my penmanship and these gorgeous calligraphy invitations have me feeling inspired to pull out my ink and my nibs! Other links I'm loving this week include:


This gorgeous garden wedding captured by Nicola Inglis from Magnolia Rouge. 

Honeymoon inspiration by Ann Street Studio.

A bow tie wedding photographed by Ryan Ray and featured on Green Wedding Shoes. 

A White by Vera Wang gown for a Glee-ful wedding.

A classic black tie fête snapped by Amanda Watson Photography via Reverie Magazine.

Fabulous advice on choosing your wedding photographer from A Thousand Threads.
 

Image by Eli Murray Photography, invitation suite from The Social Type.

Erika and Andreas

There's a lot to love about this wedding–that gorgeous convertible gown, the perfectly simple tablescapes and those amazing portraits, for starters–but what caught my attention were the photos of the couple getting ready. Lately I've noticed brides and grooms dressing together for their big day; it's not a convential choice, but I'm absolutely wild about it. 

Do you think you'd let your sweetheart zip you into your wedding gown, or do you dream about sharing that moment with your Mama and your best girlfriends? 

Images: Smallpigart Photography, Venue: Carhälls Gård in central Stockholm, Gown: Ida Sjöstedt.

Splurge

 Gucci Gucci, Louis Louis, Fendi Fendi, Prada...

Fendi peep toe portrait by Troy Glover Photographers.

Serenade

John announced our plans for Friday evening as we walked out of the office–Indian food, maybe a few episodes of Frasier and bed before 10. He was right down to the hour we fell asleep, and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect night to end the work week!

John woke me up early on Saturday coming back from a morning run, but I talked him into a little snuggling–after a hot shower. We poached eggs and made a little bistro salad for breakfast, then I slaved over my editorial calendar for this spring and summer (holy weddings!) while John practiced. That afternoon we pulled on our coats and headed out to run a few errands–files boxes from The Container Store, a few new calligraphy nibs for me from Flax and laundry–before we made our way to Fillmore Street for an early dinner. I ordered the 5-spice chicken and John, the sardine banh mi, and we split a basket for sweet potato fries at Bun Mee, then we somehow found room for a Valrhona chocolate frozen yogurt and an espresso across the street at Fraîche. We strolled around the neighborhood for a bit, then headed back home just in time to catch a gorgeous sunset over the Pacific. I caught up with my baby brother while John took advantage of a few more practice hours, then the two of us crawled into bed with a DVD of Riccardo Muti's 2006 Don Pasquale. We both fell asleep during Ernesto's nighttime serenade (it was very convincing!) and woke up during the final quartet! 

I stayed in bed while John ran some very early morning errands–and he surprised me by coming home with bags full of groceries! We feasted on fresh croissants and berries while reviewing Mastering the Art of French Cooking's coq au vin recipe. Still sipping his morning coffee, John started peeling pearl onions and slicing mushrooms for dinner, and we had pans simmering before 11am! John spent nearly the entire day cooking, save our midday run to the beer store for Saison ingredients, leaving me to find inspiration for the week ahead and wonder what I'd ever done to get so lucky. We thoroughly enjoyed the products of his labor just after 4pm and kicked back with a bottle of pinot noir and Capote–our own Oscars celebration. After that decadent meal we cleaned house, took an evening stroll and curled up in bed with our computers–a quiet end to a wonderful weekend.


Tell me, what were you up to this weekend? Were you cheering for Oscar-winners, trying new recipes or catching up on sleep?

Portrait by Otto Schulze Photographers, gown by Lela Rose via anna bé bridal boutique.

Grasshopper Hot Chocolate

Whatever the weather, I think it's always a good time for hot chocolate–especially when that cocoa is a little boozy!


Grasshopper Hot Chocolate

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup cold water

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup half-and-half

2 1/2 cups milk

1/3 cup crème de menthe, or to taste

2 tablespoons crème de cacao, or to taste

whipped cream and shaved bittersweet chocolate for garnish

Combine cocoa, sugar, water, vanilla and a pinch of salt in a heavy saucepan; cook under low heat, whisking until the cocoa is dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Gradually add half-and-half and milk and simmer, then add crème de menthe and cacao. Divide into 4-6 mugs and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. 


So what do you think? Has your week warranted a spiked mug of cocoa–or something stronger? Cheers! 

Image by Romulo Yanes for Gourmet.

Ice Box

Today I'm mad about this Mad Men-era grasshopper icebox cake from Magnolia Bakery, anything mint chocolate and these links:

A heavenly spring wedding photographed by Jemma Keech and featured on OnceWed.

Inspiration for my next birthday party.

J.Crew's One and Only Wedding event–get 20% off using the discount code LOVE!

Tips on getting your wedding published from Reverie.

A sweet springtime fête shot by Mandy Mayberry via Ruffled.

A gorgeous dove gray wedding gown snapped by Samm Blake from Grey Likes Weddings.

Image from Martha Stewart Weddings. 

Iwona and Francois

Tree of Life Films.

Have you ever seen New York quite as lovely as this?

When two European expats living in the Big Apple decide to tie the knot, a winter wedding in their adopted hometown is a classic, albeit unconventional choice. Wedding invitations, designed by the bride and printed by The Paper Boutique, echoed the event's quiet elegance and directed the 100 guests to New York State's oldest Catholic church, St Peter's, where the pair was married in a traditional Catholic Mass. After the ceremony, the newlyweds posed for a photo with their guests on the steps of the church before making a grand exit in a vintage cream-colored Rolls Royce.

 Iwona wore a crystal trimmed gown by Angel Sanchez paired with Giuseppe Zanotti sandals, a veil from Kleinfeld and gems from Adorn. Wrapped in a vintage fur stole and opera-length gloves from M&J Bridal Salon, she stayed warm in the gently falling snow. Francois wore a traditional morning suit, and their 1-year old son looked handsome in a gray tweed vest and matching short pants. 

 

Teissia and Alia of Firefly Events worked with the couple to create an elegant evening reception at the beautiful Bowery Hotel, where many of the guests were meeting for the very first time! Tables were illuminated by tapers and votives and covered in soft arrangements of garden roses, ranunculus and anemones by Rebecca Shepherd Floral Design. Each place setting featured wedding portraits and family photos that doubled as menus for the three course Italian meal from Gemma at The Bowery Hotel, and for dessert guests enjoyed slices of vanilla and chocolate wedding cake from A Simple Cake as well as traditional Italian pastries and tarts.

Lucky for us, Elisabeth Millay Photography and Tree Of Life Films were on-hand to capture every gorgeous moment of this wintery wedding–a big thank you for letting me feature your stunning work!