Oscar de la Renta at Saks Jandel!

Wedding Candy Displays {Halloween Is Here!}

RogueBride.com

I've done plenty of candy bars in my years of planning weddings. All-white candy bars, Easter candy bars, all-pink candy bars, all-gummi candy bars. You get the picture. But perhaps the most natural fit for a candy display is a Halloween candy bar. I mean, Halloween in its modern incarnation is pretty much all about getting candy. I love the very refined orange display with fabulous black pedestals but also totally dig the cauldrons of wrapped candy with pumpkin pails to fill.  Whether you go classy or kitschy, this is one place to have fun and let your imagination run wild!

WeddingRowGeorgia

Love this rustic Halloween dessert display featuring candy apples and mini burlap bags of treats!

Savethedateforcupcakes

A little more ghoulish but utterly fun. This will take adults back to their childhood (especially if you include some classic candies from their era)!

TheKnot.com

Sitting Pretty {Sarah's Stands}

Admittedly, the cake above is totally cool. But check out the stand it's sitting on! The sleek lines and crisp color really finish the look.  The cake would not look nearly as polished sitting on an aluminum disc or a fussy silver stand.  Sarah's Stands creates cake stands that you can customize in several sizes and colors.

I love the vivid colors you can choose. Not to mention the sizes.

I love the drama these stands add to the presentation of the cake.

Even a classic white stand makes a statement.

So check out Sarah's pretty stands to set your cake apart!

Styling Night at Hitched!

Hi Hitched Ladies!

Our Styling Nights have been such a hit ˆ we've added more!

Join us Wednesday, October 26th or Wednesday, December 7th for more fabulous fun working with the Hitched Gals to find the veils and jewelry that suit your big-day style. While our usual collection of baubles will be available for viewing, Hitched is so excited to also feature the amazing accessories from Enchanted Atelier There will be a plethora of belts, headbands, headpieces, fascinators, and birdcages at your disposal and Enchanted Atelier's designer, Liv, will be here to answer any questions and help you pull together your total "look."

What: Hitched Styling Night featuring accessories by Enchanted Atelier (Feel free to check out her fabulous array of bling and request certain pieces be brought in for the evening!)

When: Wednesday, October 26th, from 5pm to 8pm or

Wednesday, December 7th from 5pm to 8pm

Special Treat: As an added bonus, Hitched is offering 10% off all accessories purchased during the event!

RSVP: 202.333.6162 or appointments@hitchedsalon.com

(Please specify which date you'd like to RSVP for!)

Looking forward to seeing our Stylish Brides soon!

Best,

Carin & Julia

Hitched Owners

Take a sneak peek at Enchanted Atelier's offerings at their website! http://www.enchantedatelier.com/

Halloween Weddings {The Great Pumpkin}

WeddingDazed

I've seen some pretty interesting wedding interpretations of Halloween and, to be honest, most of them creep me out. I'm just not into the bride and groom dressed as zombies or covered in fake blood. Call me old-fashioned. But I do think these pretty pumpkins would be lovely for a Halloween wedding.

Little Inspirations

Family Style

Happy carving!

Death on the Aisle {Chapter Sixteen}

Chapter Sixteen

            “So what exactly did Fern say in his text?” Kate asked as I closed the door to my apartment behind us. 

            We had crept upstairs as quietly as possible so Leatrice wouldn’t know we were back. The last thing I needed after dealing with a dead body on the boat and a meeting with Debbie and Darla was my nosy neighbor who watched way too much CSI.

            “Just that he’s with the bride at her hide-out.”

            Kate scratched her head. “I didn’t know she had a hide-out.”

            “Wouldn’t you want a hide-out if you had a stepmother like Babs Barbery?”

            Kate dropped her purse on the floor and sank onto my couch, throwing her feet up onto the coffee table and knocking a pile of papers off the side. “Her first name is Babs?”

            I picked up the papers and gave Kate a pointed look. “Well, Barbara, I guess.”

            Kate laughed. “Barbara Barbery. It’s perfect!”

            “You know Barbery is her married name.”

            “I’ll bet she changed her name as fast as she changed the names on her rich husband’s checking accounts.” Kate had a grudging admiration for women who married well.

            “Well, whatever her name, the bride doesn’t want to be anywhere near her or the boat until the negative energy has been cleared out,” I said.

            “So now we’re supposed to clear negative energy, too?” Kate sighed. “Just add that to the weird list of things people ask us to do.” She snapped her fingers. “Remember that awful bride, what was her name . . . Angel, Angie?”

            “The one who ordered us to clean her kitchen and take out her trash?” I asked, sitting down next to Kate.

            “Could you believe that? She didn’t even ask nicely.” Kate folded her arms over her chest. “I’d like to tell her where she could put those rubber gloves.”

            “It’s not as bad as having to give a grandmother of a bride a pedicure,” I said.

            Kate made a face. “Please, don’t remind me. That woman ruined feet for me forever.”

            “Not all of them are like that,” I reminded her. “Some of them we love.”

            “You’re right,” Kate said. “But it’s the evil ones that seem to be seared into my brain forever.”

            I pulled my hair out of its ponytail and ran my fingers through it. “At least this bride is sweet.”

            “Sure, but with a stepmother from hell.”

            “You can’t win them all,” I said, elbowing Kate in the side.

            “But could we win most?” Kate looked at me with puppy dog eyes. “I’d really like to win most.”

            “Annabelle? When did you get home?” A deep voice with a Scottish accent said from behind us. Kate screamed while I spun my head around.

            “Ian?” I stood up while Kate managed to fall to the floor in an effort to run to the door or hide. “What are you doing here?”

            “I wanted to surprise you and Leatrice let me in.” Ian wore black leather pants and a white T-shirt that was worn soft so that I could see the outline of his muscles underneath and the tattoos on his upper arms. His blond hair had gotten longer and curled around the nape of his neck. Everything about him screamed 'bad boy' so it still surprised me that, at heart, he was a nice guy.  It was the nice guy that I'd fallen for but the bad boy that made my heart race.

            "Of course she did," Kate said. Leatrice adored Ian, partly because he was a man with a heartbeat who liked me and partly because he helped when she needed things done around the house.  I was grateful she no longer felt the need to set me up with every delivery man that came to our building.

            “Well, you surprised me,” I said, trying to slow my heartbeat. I looked away from his tight shirt, hoping that would help.

            Kate pulled herself up onto the couch. “Are you crazy? I thought you were an intruder.” She sniffed and pushed her hair out of her face. “You’re lucky I didn’t have a weapon.”

            I knew that Kate would never carry a gun until they came out with a designer version that could fit in a Kate Spade clutch and breathed a sigh of relief that that day was a long way off. If the world was lucky, that day would never arrive.

            Ian held up his hands. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He smiled at me and raised his eyebrows. “I thought I might catch you alone, love.”

            I felt my pulse quicken a bit. I was a sucker for accents and his soft Scottish brogue could make me melt. It was almost enough to wipe away the thoughts of Reese that had been playing in my mind since I’d seen him.

            Ian walked over to me and took my hand, then raised it to his lips. "I've missed you."

           I felt myself blush and couldn't help breaking out in a huge smile.

            Kate looked between the two of us. “Maybe I should run out for coffee?” She scooped her purse off the floor and batted her eyelashes at me. “Can I get you anything? Frappucino? Muffin?”

            I shot her a look but she just smiled and blew me a kiss. My Blackberry beeped inside my purse and we all stopped.

            “Ignore it.” Kate and Ian both said.

            I cringed. “I can’t ignore it.” I gave Ian an apologetic look. “It’s probably nothing.”

            “Then I’ll check it,” Kate said, lunging for my bag.  She pulled it out and punched a few buttons. I saw her eyes grow wide and then she rolled them.

            I held my hand out for the phone. “What? Who is it?”

            “Richard,” Kate sighed. “Apparently the bride didn’t stay in her hide out. She and Fern just showed up on the boat with a space healer.” She read more. “They’re trying to remove anything with negative vibrations.”

            I imagined Jeremy Johns and Mrs. Barbery being carried out and put on the dock by a spiritual healer dressed in flowing purple robes. This I had to see.  I could only hope that Fern was not dressed as a spiritual healer wearing purple robes.

            Ian’s eyebrows disappeared under his choppy bangs. “A space healer? What kind of wedding is this?”

            “The insane kind,” I ran a hand through my hair. “Is there any other?”

           

           

           

           

           

Hitched Styling Night!

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, October 26th or Wednesday, December 7th for more fabulous fun working with the Hitched Gals to find the veils and jewelry that suit your big-day style.

While their usual collection of baubles will be available for viewing, Hitched is so excited to also feature the amazing accessories from Enchanted Atelier There will be a plethora of belts, headbands, headpieces, fascinators, and birdcages at your disposal and Enchanted Atelier's designer, Liv, will be here to answer any questions and help you pull together your total "look."

What: Hitched Styling Night featuring accessories by Enchanted Atelier (Feel free to check out her fabulous array of bling and request certain pieces be brought in for the evening!)

When: Wednesday, October 26th, from 5pm to 8pm or
Wednesday, December 7th from 5pm to 8pm

Special Treat: As an added bonus, Hitched is offering 10% off all accessories purchased during the event!

RSVP: 202.333.6162 or appointments@hitchedsalon.com
(Please specify which date you'd like to RSVP for!)


Take a sneak peek at Enchanted Atelier's offerings at their website! http://www.enchantedatelier.com/

Croquembouche {French Wedding Cake}

BuzzyBeesWorld

Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending time with the delightful Alison DeWit of Distinctive Floral Designs. Although Alison creates floral designs and not pastry, she shared with me a hilarious story of a collapsing croquembouche at a wedding, which got me thinking about the classic French dessert.

 Camillestyle

I've had many croquembouches at weddings. Some were the primary cake and some were a part of a larger dessert display.  Technically speaking, it is a high cone of profiteroles that can be dipped in chocolate or caramel and bound with caramel then decorated with threads of caramel, spun sugar or chocolate.

DCEat

They aren't simple to construct but when they are done properly, they're stunning. If they're not done properly, well, you'll have to ask Alison!

Amsale Trunk Show {Hitched Salon}

This is no trick—have we got a treat for you! Before you dress up like a wizard or witch, why not stop by and preview yourself as a beautiful bride? 

We hope you'll join the ladies of Hitched for the ever-popular Amsale Bridal Gown Trunk Show, coming up on Friday, October 28th & Saturday, October 29th! Designer Amsale Aberra's gowns are some of the prettiest we've ever seen, and her latest collection is no exception. You've seen her modern-yet-timeless designs go down the aisle on some of your favorite TV shows (Grey's Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters) and on the big screen ( When In Rome, 27 Dresses)—but now's your chance to see the stunning collection in person!

This trunk show is sure to fill up fast, so book your appointment today!

What: Amsale Bridal Trunk Show

When: Friday, October 28th & Saturday,October 29th

RSVP: 202.333.6162 or appointments@hitchedsalon.com
(Please remember, gown trials are by appointment only!)

Special Treat:  You'll have the chance to try on the latest gowns from Amsale, straight from the runway! Hitched will also be offering a 10% discount on all Amsale gowns purchased during the event!

Pimento Cheese {Fun Food Trend}

www.gracesgoodness.wordpress.com

One of this year's hot food trends (according to everyone from Bon Apetit to Nation's Restaurant News) is pimento cheese. If you don't hail from the South, you may not be familiar with this traditional spread but if, like me, you grew up below the Mason-Dixon pimento cheese is practically a staple.  Made primarily from cheddar cheese, chopped pimentos and mayonnaise, this tangy concoction is served everywhere from lunchboxes to garden parties.  In the South, you can find it in grocery stores but purists make their own (I know I do).

www.foodandwine.com

Now pimento cheese is making an appearance all over the country, on caterers menus and at weddings. Like all great comfort food, pimento cheese can be dressed up or down so creative chefs are putting it in everything from crostinis to gourmet macaroni and cheese to savory cheesecakes. I've even seen goat gouda versions of pimento cheese. 

www.gourmet.com

I love the photo at the top of the blog of tiny pimento cheese favors. How fun to send guests home with samples of delicious pimento cheese!  

For those who want to try their hand at homemade pimento cheese, here is my favorite recipe courtesy of the fabulous North Carolina cook, Molly Weston. It is quick and easy and so yummy!

Pimento Cheese

3/4 lb. sharp Cheddar, grated
3/4 lb. sharp white Cheddar, grated
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 jar roasted red peppers, drained
1 tsp sugar
salt & pepper to taste
Tabasco to taste
1 cup Duke's mayonnaise (approx.)

Mix cheeses until blended. (I use food processor.) Add peppers (chopped if not using food processor),
sugar, salt & pepper, and Tabasco. Add enough mayonnaise to make mixture spreading consistency.
Refrigerate till about 1 hour before serving.