Snowy

Tuesday, December 31, 2013


Aren't these crystal-covered Jimmy Choo peep toes divine? Almost like you brought the snow inside with you! They're be fabulous for a New Years Eve celebration like the one I'm bringing to you tomorrow–happy 2014, and cheers to you and yours!


Image by Caroline Tran.

Winter White

Monday, December 30, 2013


Well, I'm back! And before I jump into a recap of our Christmas holiday or another wonderful week of weddings, I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for reading, for writing, for sharing in my love of weddings and for your friendships. I hope with all my heart that 2014 will be a banner year for each and every one of you. And now for our Texas tales!


John and I headed to Texas on Thursday, December 19th, short about 1/2 a front tooth–John's that is! He'd gotten into a bicycle accident on his way home Wednesday night, so our departure was a bit more harried than usual, but we made it into DFW Thursday night without any other crises. We spent Friday morning in the dentist's office, where John got what he really wanted for Christmas–two whole front teeth, of course–and then prepped for Saturday's main event, a big holiday cocktail party. We'd invited John's high school pals, his younger brother Mike invited his friends and we even welcomed the neighborhood to join us. We whipped up Chatham Artillery Punch, Boston Eggnog and served enough bubbly to put nearly everyone out of commission on Sunday!

My baby brother arrived on Monday morning a few hours before my mom, so we brought him home to meet John's family and indulged in a big Mexican lunch at our favorite place in Grapevine, Esparza's. By the time Charlie had napped off his steak fajitas, my Mama was en route, and we all got a chance to catch up in the Brittons' homey kitchen. I spent the better part of Christmas Eve with my family picking up last minute Christmas presents before visiting a few of John's friends and sharing a sumptuous supper with our cousins in Dallas.

John and I cooked up a traditional breakfast–roasted potatoes, soft-scrambled eggs with fresh herbs and plenty of coffee to wash it all down with–on Christmas morning, and after opening gifts, returned to the kitchen where we all set to cooking a fabulous dinner, including a 20lb roast turkey, mustard-rubbed beef tenderloin, homemade rolls, stuffing, mashed potatoes and the like. It was such a treat to have both our families together, laughing and telling stories–even the ones I wished they hadn't recounted! We curled up after dinner to watch movies and Charlie ended up falling asleep on the Brittons' cozy sofa, which was possibly the perfect ending to a wonderful celebration.

The next morning, the Britton boys, Charlie and I headed to a local firing range with John's new toy, a beautiful over-under shotgun. The instructor was attentive–at times, perhaps overly so–and my shoulder was pretty bruised up the next day, but it was a beautiful day for some outdoor activity. Char headed to the airport soon after and my Mom was on a flight out the next morning, but John and I had one more day in Texas, which we spent hanging out on the back porch, running errands and eating sushi from a family favorite. And best of all? We made it back home in time to order Indian food, keeping our Friday night tradition alive!


Tell me, how was your holiday? I can't wait to hear about your favorite presents, most joyful moments and all the craziness of your Christmas!


Image by Archetype Studio Inc, bouquet by Floral Events.

Happy Holidays!

Monday, December 23, 2013


My baby brother just arrived in DFW and my Mama's close on his heels, so I'm signing off for the week. I'll be taking this time to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, but I'll be back before the New Year with one gorgeous week of inspiration you won't want to miss. Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday, and all the best in 2014–cheers!

Spiced Milk Punch

Friday, December 20, 2013


Eggnog, with its heavy cream and raw egg, doesn't do it for everyone–I usually limit myself to a sip or two–but this spiced milk punch is a different story altogether. I think it would be a perfect eggnog alternative for the holiday party we're throwing tomorrow night!


Spiced Milk Punch 

1 1/2 oz spiced rum 
3/4 oz simple syrup
1 dash vanilla extract (optional)
3 oz milk

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice; shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

Notes: Spiced rum is the centerpiece of this festive cocktail; a bottle of the homemade stuff would be a terrific stocking stuffer and sure to be drunk before the new year, but you can also pick up a bottle at your local liquor store if you're pressed for time–cheers!


Bowtied

Thursday, December 19, 2013


This week I'm loving festive holiday bowties, packing our bags (we're headed to DFW this afternoon!) and all this gorgeous inspiration–how about you? 

Image by Jen Huang.

Karima and Mike

Wednesday, December 18, 2013






























My grandfather and his brother built a charming log cabin in Chester, VT, and we'd spend every holiday weekend there when I was growing up–so when I saw Karima and Mike's winter wedding, held mere miles from our family cabin, I couldn't wait to share it! The couple and their families grew up skiing, so a snowy celebration at the Equinox Resort near the bride's favorite resort, Stratton (which just happens to have been our favorite, too!) was the perfect place to tie the knot.

Karima wore a tulle Vera Wang confection with a striking black grosgrain sash; her vintage fur shrug from Who is Sylvia? kept her cozy during outdoor portraits. In keeping with his bride's designer of choice, Mike and his groomsmen wore a classic tuxedos from Black by Vera Wang, while bridesmaids wore dusty purple gowns in various styles from Monique Lhuillier and carried winter white rose and dusty miller posies by Flowers, Flowers.

Karima and Mike were married in a traditional ceremony at the First Congregational Church in Manchester, and wasted no time celebrating with their guests at the Equinox's Colonnade ballroom. In keeping with the Save the Date lift tickets Mike designed, vintage ski signage brought a bit of whimsy to the spectacular space, and guests signed a pair of vintage skis in lieu of a guestbook. After supper and a slice of Irene's Cakes by Design four-tiered confection, everyone went a little crazy on the dance floor with their Boston-based band–and if anyone had a little too much fun, it was only a short, snowy tumble to bed! 


A big thank you to Jessica of A Brit & A Blonde for sharing these lovely images with me, and taking me back to Vermont for the day! Tell me, would you ever have a winter wedding, or are you a peonies in June kind of girl?

Gilded

Tuesday, December 17, 2013


I love a classic. 


Hand-Tied

Monday, December 16, 2013


So excited for a week of wintry evergreen images–it is the most wonderful time of the year, after all!

John met me at the office on Friday afternoon, and after running a few errands, we headed to our Friday night restaurant for an Indian feast, including a pumpkin dosa and dishes of spicy curries. After sharing a chai and a bowl of rice pudding, we bundled up and headed home, where we jumped into our favorite flannel pjs and spent the evening with The Family Stone.

I was up early on Saturday morning, but not early enough to catch John on his way to do laundry. He returned home with breakfast provisions, and while he fluffed and folded, I roasted and poached. After breakfast and a bit of housekeeping, we dug into a brewing project that took up the better part of the day–luckily, the pace was slow enough that I had plenty of time to draft a Christmas packing list, craft homemade stocking stuffers and finish my latest read. We got cleaned up in time for a dinner party with our dear friends, and talked the hero's journey and politics over roasted chicken and pumpkin ice cream.

For the first time I can remember, I was awake before John on Sunday morning; after delighting in the unusual role reversal, I curled up with a little inspiration while my sweetheart dozed. John put away the evidence of Saturday's brewing project while I ran errands and picked up empanadas from Hollow, and after breakfast, we took a stroll through the neighborhood. John headed to the distillery after our walk, leaving me to my own devices for the rest of the afternoon–I cleared out my blog reader, did a little Christmas crafting and curled up with a new book and a cup of tea. John arrived home with supplies for the week just as I was finishing some pilates, and the two of us started on dinner–spicy sweet potato stew with cous cous and naan. Then we curled up with a shared glass of Sauvignon blanc to watch a true holiday classic–Home Alone!


Tell me, how did you spend your weekend? Hustling to finish your holiday shopping, catching a Golden Globe-nominated film or wrapping up big projects before the end of the year?



Cin cin!

Friday, December 13, 2013


No cocktail today–thanks to this decadent image, I'm in the mood for a big glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a baguette and a salty snack like Fatted Calf's incredible duck rillettes or sopressetta! Tell me, what will you be indulging in this weekend–a Champagne cocktail, or a glass of eggnog perhaps?


Image by Tartelette.

Topped

Thursday, December 12, 2013


This week I'm loving Oscar de la Renta's collection for Paperless Post, the space heater I picked up to keep our insulation-free apartment above 50º, your wonderful feedback on Monday's post and these gorgeous celebrations–what are you loving?


This elegant autumnal fête photographed by Lindsay Madden via Elizabeth Anne Designs might just make you think differently about The Garden State. 

 This classic Christmas celebration captured by A Bryan Photo and featured on Southern Weddings is nothing short of perfection.


Speaking of styled shoots, this beauty photographed by Odalys Mendez from Magnolia Rouge is full of irresistible inspiration.



Odalys Mendez Photography,
Odalys Mendez Photography,

Image by SMS Photography, confection by Polkadots Cake.

Serena and Marcos

Wednesday, December 11, 2013








































So many little girls who grew up with Father of the Bride dreamed of an elegant wedding at home–and Serena's childhood dream came true when she married Marcos at her family's summer home in Little Compton, Rhode Island. The couple was introduced by mutual friends at a New Years Eve party, and when they returned to New York, discovered that they lived within five blocks of each other! Soon they were inseparable, and when Marcos proposed after a private screening of Serena's favorite movie, she knew there was only one place for them to tie the knot. Serena and her mom worked with Stasia Anthony from Exquisite Events to craft an intimate celebration that complimented the beauty of their family's home and the harvest hues of the season, starting with a playful invitation from Mr. Boddington’s Studio.

Serena wore a gauzy one-shouldered Vera Wang gown, a crystal bracelet and drop earrings; delicate silk flowers and a cathedral length veil tucked into her loose updo and a bouquet of ivory roses and anemones by Sayles Livingston Design completed her romantic bridal look. Bridesmaids wore floor-length Jenny Yoo gowns in three different wine shades and floral crowns full of berries, while Marcos and his groomsmen wore handsome navy suits and pink ties from Alexander Olch.

After a ceremony on the lawn overlooking the Atlantic, guests enjoyed cocktails and games on the lawn before dinner beneath an elegant white tent. Sayles Livingston Design filled the space with romantic floral arrangements that incorporated berries and branches from the property, live moss, pomegranates, and chandeliers, candles and twinkling lights bathed the tent in warm light. Chanterelle Boutique Catering laid out a sumptuous spread and guests indulged in slices of wedding cake from Kennedy Confections before taking home sweet mementos of Serena and Marcos' wedding day–honey from the bride's mother's bee hives.


A big thank you to Raquel Reis Photography for sharing these gorgeous images with me; tell me, do you have a favorite detail or photo from Serena and Marcos' Rhode Island wedding?
 

A Crimson Kiss – Timeless Events and Classic Cocktails by Ana Degenaar : Blogger