Complimentary

Thursday, January 30, 2014


This week I'm loving all things ballet (I got John and I tickets to Giselle for Valentine's Day), fresh blooms and fresh starts–to say nothing of the tonnage of beautiful weddings featured this week! Tell me, what are you loving?


I can't say no to a gorgeous gown or beautiful blooms, both photographed by Stewart Leishman and featured on Ruffled.



This rustic Vermont wedding photographed by Jen Huang from Grey Likes Weddings has me dreaming of alfresco suppers and s'mores.

OnceWed and Tec Petaja have perfected autumn inspiration with this San Ysidro Ranch wedding.
Michael Radford Photography, C
Michael Radford Photography, C


Heather & Nikolas

Wednesday, January 29, 2014





































Glamorous, Gothic and Greek–this wedding is absolutely spectacular! Both the bride and groom work for Disney, and they used Beauty and the Beast and the Vienna Secession as inspiration. Wedding designer and coordinator Sugar & Fluff Design House also created the romantic black and gold letterpress suite calligraphed by Betsy Dunlap and printed by lilikoi, and incorporated Heather and Nikolas' favorite colors, books and wine into an evening celebration that won't soon be forgotten.

Heather wore a stunning white Vera Wang gown, a pair of red Christian Louboutin peep toes, vintage drop earrings and a simple tulle veil for their traditional Greek ceremony; she changed into a dramatic black gown (also by Vera Wang) for the reception. Bridesmaids wore glamorous BCBG Max Azria gowns while the groom and his pals looked handsome in black suits; guests joined in and also wore black, at the couple's request!

Cocktail hour, catered by The Cocktail Concierge, was held in Vibiana's mezzanine; a custom bar and antique furniture from disregarden created an alluring space. Event designer Sugar & Fluff pulled back curtains to reveal the romantic reception space to the newlyweds and their guests, who discovered long wooden tables covered in gold candelabras, lush arrangements from Floral Occasions and ivy. After a five-course supper from The Food Matters and sweets, including a four-tier confection, from Sweet and Saucy Shop, a Greek band began playing and soon everyone was dancing. The grand finale of the evening included flying bills and breaking plates–a perfectly over-the-top ending to a fabulous fête! 


Many thanks to Braedon Flynn of Braedon Photography for sharing his beautiful images with me; tell me, what's your favorite detail from this spectacular celebration?

Soleful

Tuesday, January 28, 2014


There's nothing quite like that little bit of red to make a girl smile, is there?


Image by Jemma Keech, shoes by Christian Louboutin.

Seductive

Monday, January 27, 2014


With Valentine's Day approaching, all I can think of is little love notes, lacy lingerie, boxes of chocolate and shades of red and pink; this week's a little naughty, but the other'll be sweet!

John was working the Exploratorium's Science of the Cocktail event on Friday night, so I did what any girl with an apartment to herself (and a long week behind her) would–put on my pjs and open up a bottle of wine! My little brother's girlfriend dropped by to grab some of his mail and ended up staying to catch up a bit over a glass of white Burgundy; after saying goodnight, I watched the latest Downton Abbey episodes and grabbed John downtown once the event was done.

Despite the late night, we were up early the next morning and decided to take advantage of the gorgeous day by breakfasting alfresco at a local café. Over coffee and chipotle eggs Benedict, we planned a morning of house cleaning and beer brewing–because that's what Saturdays are for! We managed to tackle the scrubbing, dusting and sweeping in record time, so I edited some gorgeous weddings while John practiced his favorite French repertoire. We enjoyed our traditional Friday night Indian food feast on Saturday night, along with SOMM, a documentary about egotistical Master Sommelier candidates, and for the first time in what seemed like months, I fell asleep before John (who's usually snoring while I make anxious mental lists in the dark).

The next morning was too sunny and warm to waste, so we opened up the windows and started our day early. Though I'm not usually a fan of sweets at breakfast, we whipped up French toast, along with roasted fingerlings to satisfy my craving for savory in the morning. John headed across the Bay for a lesson while I curled up at home with a biography of Zelda Fitzgerald and a cup of tea, then caught up with my Mama. John returned home just as we were saying goodbye, and then the two of us worked on our brewing project and strolled to our local co-op for supplies. We curled up with cookies and tea for a mid-afternoon break as the fog rolled in, followed by his and hers workouts–John's grunting was accompanied by some Ravel art songs while I cursed Mary Helen Bowers and her chipper tone. Then we set our sights on supper; spicy garlic pasta was perfect with the last glass of the white Burgundy I'd opened Friday night, and a few dramatic episodes of The West Wing.


Tell me, what were you up to this weekend? Hitting the slopes, perhaps, or dreaming of an exotic vacation to a warm locale?


Image by Jen Huang Photography for Rêverie, Spring 2013.

Atty Cocktail

Friday, January 24, 2014


This classic Savoy cocktail is light enough on the booze to make it brunch-appropriate, but complex enough to make it a divine after-dinner drink–and worth trying this weekend.


Atty Cocktail

1 1/2 oz gin
3/4 oz dry vermouth
1/2 tsp absinthe
1/2 tsp crème de violette
 lemon peel for garnish 

Combine gin, vermouth, absinthe and crème de violette in a shaker with ice; shake for 5-10 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lemon peel. 

Notes: I've been a long time fan of Plymouth gin, but I'd reach for St. George's Botanivoire, which was heavenly in a Mississippi Mule just last weekend, when shaking up the Atty cocktail, along with their acclaimed absinthe. We're Dolin drinkers, but Noilly Prat is also a popular choice for dry vermouth, and as for crème de violette, Rothman & Winter is the gold standard. Cheers!


Float & Spring

Thursday, January 23, 2014


This week I'm loving long holiday weekends, my humble guy's big accomplishments (catch him and his cocktail recipes at the Exploratorium's Science of Cocktails event tomorrow night!) and lots of lovely fêtes! Tell me, what are you loving this week?


This wintry Carolina wedding photographed by Perry Vaile Adams and featured on Southern Weddings is downright charming.

Speaking of Southern Weddings, have you been reading their posts on Southern Living's The Daily South?

This romantic rooftop celebration captured by Lindsay Madden from Elizabeth Anne Designs is the perfect marriage of urban and elegant.

Snippet & Ink featured a classic celebration photographed by Kate Headley that I just can't get enough of.


Whitney & Andrew

Wednesday, January 22, 2014


































Classic and timeless, Whitney and Andrew's Windy City wedding is positively irresistible. The couple kept tradition in the forefront of their mind when they planned their big day, from the antique-inspired letterpress invitations by The Aerialist Press to their first dance beneath Architectural Artifacts's stunning atrium as husband and wife. 
The bride wore a tulle confection from Vera Wang reminiscent of her late grandmother's high school prom dress; she completed the look with vintage pearl drop earrings, pewter Fendi sandals, a structured evening bag and her dapper groom. Her white lilac, hydrangea and calla lily bouquet by florist StemLine Creative was decidedly bridal, while her bridesmaids carried colorful bouquets in shades of lavender and peach. Whitney paid special attention to styling her maids, collecting vintage baubles and suggesting elegant black gowns that contrasted smartly with the groomsmen's ivory dinner jackets.

After exchanging vows at Bethany United Church of Christ, the newlyweds and their guests headed to Architectural Artifacts, a fitting venue for a family of antique enthusiasts. Their day-of coordinator, Camille Victoria Weddings, and florist StemLine Creative brought the earliest signs of spring to the architectural atrium, and filled the space with vintage brass and crystal candlesticks and flickering votive candles. A sumptuous feast from Catered Productions was following by a decadent four-tier confection by Lovin Oven Cakery, and late-night quesadillas kept guests dancing well into the evening on the night Andrew and Whitney became Mr and Mrs. 


A big thank you to the couple's talented photographer, Clary Photo, who captured Whitney and Andrew's wedding so artfully and was kind of enough to share her images with me. Tell me, what's your favorite image or detail from this classic Chicago celebration?
 

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