Baking NAKED!

Just after a few year stint of wedding cakes becoming more and more intricate, blowing up on TV shows such as 'Cake Boss', and taking center stage at weddings such as Kaley Cuoco's (who can forget the Big Bang Theory's star's gravity-defying chandelier cake?), a new trend is taking shape thanks to originator Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar in New York.

The trend that I'm about to uncover? The Naked Cake! That's right. A cake that is baring all and leaving nothing to the imagination. Layers and layers of fruity and creamy fillings just waiting to be gobbled up are what lie before you on display. The idea behind this new fad may've come from the trending rustic theme becoming more and more popular where weddings take place outdoors, in barns, and are streamlined with burlap. The beauty of the cake lies in the way it is perfectly stacked and the colors and flavors that are used throughout.

Photo via Edible Art Cakes

Bakers now face a new challenge as they are not able to hide any mistakes with fondant or keep the cake from going stale with buttercream. The appeal is in the bareness and focus is more on flavor which can also be a great thing for bakers who enjoy their craft and guests who enjoy their food! Talk about natural beauty!

Photo via Anna Hardy

Photo via Cassidy Tuttle

Photo via 4 Eyes Photography

BUMmed OUT Bridesmaids!

I'm trying to write this article with no buns…I mean "puns"…intended,  but it's difficult to  write anything butt…haha. Seriously though, I like to think I'm as out-of-the-box as possible when it comes to weddings, but  this is one trend rearing (I can't help it) it's ugly head that I am not in   agreement with.

A while back I saw what I thought was a really cute picture taken by groomsmen who were on a beach, trousers down, and their titles on their boxer briefs. After looking at the picture, I thought it could be a little degrading towards the wedding itself. At the same time though, I felt it was probably unique to the personality of those in the group and would totally make for great memories and 8x10s!

Well, as we turn the other cheek so-to-speak, we are noticing a trend in the industry of bridesmaids' booties! Maybe they've felt as though they've gotten the ass-end of the deal for too long wearing those silly gowns! haha. Okay, I'll definitely stop now with the jokes especially because I don't think this is funny. 

I hope my opinion doesn't appear sexist since I thought the guys looked "cute" in their Fruit of the Loom, and I'm all for women's lib, BUTT (there I go again) I think it is so extremely tasteless and classless for these women to be baring their underwear and rears for one of the most special days of a girl's life. Cheeky? Not even. I don't think it's funny or attractive. I think it's disgraceful. In the day of Pinterest where so many neat bridesmaid photo ideas can be shared, this is one idea that I hope doesn't spread. 

Keep it clASSy, people! 

From Cabo with Love - Lauren Conrad's Bachelorette Party

From Laguna to the Hills to Cabo. Next stop will be the aisle for Lauren Conrad to say her “I Dos”, but before hitting the nuptials, she had an uber cute time with her besties on her Bachelorette Getaway in Cabo, and her pictures, as always, show why she is one of my favorite trendsetters!

Yes, I am proud to admit, I follow former 'Laguna Beach' and 'Hills' star "LC" on Instagram. How can you not? She posts some of the most amazing eye candy from cupcakes to flowers, and her whole entire history on the site is posted in the what appears to be the same filter - she's definitely great at her craft and has a keen eye for what looks good! 

So when I saw a picture of what appeared to be her at her Bachelorette Party/Getaway, I couldn't help but keep up-to-date on the happenings. She made it super easy too by creating a cute hashtag #donttellmrtell (her hubby-to-be is Mr. Tell). As usual, I was not disappointed as I tagged along for the trip.

From the darling pictures of her and her best friends Lo Bosworth, who you might remember from the reality shows also, and Jilly Hendrix playing in the water, or the bestie shot of the three of them facing the ocean with their backs to the camera, they played this trip up right! 

Really cute cookies were passed around, Lauren was sure to standout in her ginormous bow headband letting the world know she's the bride-to-be, and my personal favorite - a washable tattoo was placed on all the girls' wrists. Can you stand it?

This getaway before the nuptials was absolutely picture perfect! Next stop? The aisle where I see lots of handcrafted cuteness and jaw-dropping beauty!

Do You Take Kate Spade? I DO!

I'm in love with the bridal items Kate Spade has! Not only does Kate Spade carry wedding gowns and the glitziest of shoes, but they have some of the most precious accessories that can be given as gifts to those special ladies in your life! Whether you're the bride looking for bridesmaid gifts or you're looking for a special gift for the bride, Kate Spade has some really unique items to celebrate women all around through an engagement to a wedding day.

The popular idiom bracelets are adorable as they usually hold special messages inside. Kate Spade has sayings from "I Do" to "Something Blue" which would make pretty gifts for the bride! 

At the same time, there are special idiom bracelets that would be perfect gifts for the Maid or Matron of Honor and bridemsaids.  

Something like the "Best Friend Ever" idiom bracelet which displays messages such as "Peas in a Pod" and "Partners in Crime" is an adorable way to let your BFFs know how much they mean to you. And then, of course, is the "You and Me" idiom bracelet that has cute sayings like "The Hocus to my Pocus" which would make a special gift for the Maid or Matron of Honor to cherish. You can find these bracelets in silver, gold, and rose gold colors, and as necklaces too!


The "Taken" necklace is a perfect engagement gift!

 The "Marry Me" Clutch is really different. With the looks of a romantic novel, this clutch is very chic!

A white watch that says "MRS" is such a special gift for the bride - it would look perfect on her tanned wrist when she's visiting the islands during her honeymoon.

Can you imagine? She can wear the watch to be sure she's on time when she uses her passport holder as she begins her "Happily Ever After"! It all just marries together perfectly!

www.katespade.com

Ryan's Quest Valentine Ball 2014

Once Upon a Time…February 8th to be exact…The Westin Princeton opened it's doors to one of my favorite events - this year's Ryan's Quest Valentine Ball - The Enchanted Garden.

The night sponsored by First Choice Bank was a huge success and a dream come true really. With events such as charity galas, we rely a great deal on talents from others who can donate time and services in an effort to raise as much money as possible for the cause. When the time, talent, and services exceed your expectations, as a planner, you cannot help but feel your heart grow! 

This event was proof that love CAN conquer all! 

I'm grateful that photographer Erica Haller and her assistant Albert both of Erica Haller Photography captured incredible shots that we can forever cherish as we look back to see what helped us to get one step closer to finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Upon entering Cocktail Hour, which was gorgeously decorated by In Full Bloom, you could not help but be awed by the handmade decor and pieces crafted out of wood. As you grabbed a signature 'Fairy-Tail' Appletini, you may have noticed some woodland and fairytale creatures prancing around or on display. Five salons were asked to help create wow-factors to add to the enchantment. Salon Artigiano, Salon Pure, VC Salon, Great Looks, and Salon G were all on board for the task, and believe me, they WOWed us!

Salon Artigiano's 'Heirshroom'

VC Salon's 'Believe'

Salon Pure's 'Enchanted Fawn'

 In the background, sounds from Tutti Dolce came from the trio's strings. From classical to current hits - they added to the magical mood of the event. 

Passed hors d'oeuvres were a plenty.

A Silent Auction made up of over 70 amazing prize packages from Disney Vacations to Once in a Lifetime Experiences adorned a room that was full of special contests and raffles - some of which were provided by Trent Jewelers.

Creative centerpieces by In Full Bloom helped to make our garden even more enchanted while menus by Darling and Pearl were specially customized for the event. From the stars on the ceilings and branches along the walls, Xplosive Entertainment enveloped us in a beautiful whimsical ambience.

Two very special women were awarded the Ryan's Quest Hero Award - Jenn McNary and Christine McSherry! This came after the premier of a trailer provided by the Wider Brothers.

The magic continued as Jason Liberatore and Dan Miller provided exquisite acoustic renditions of 'He's My Son' and 'Demons' in which the amazing Tyler Stewart performed a moving contemporary dance with grace and excellence portraying the struggle of this awful disease and overcoming it.

The NERDS than took the stage and had the dance floor packed! They were so good that it seemed as though their sound was heard as far as Philly as one of its main residents ended up crashing the event! Yes, the Philly Phanatic stopped by for some added fun and laughs!

Xplosive Entertainment continued to keep the guests dancing to their favorites and were amazing emcees as well!

Some guests dressed to fit the theme - all guests enjoyed the enchanted evening filled with love!

                                     

Over a dozen bakers donated scrumptious desserts for our 

Garden of Sweets! 
   

These Elderflower Panna Cottas were provided by Pastry Chef  Randi Sabine

   

Whimsical cupcakes were sent to us from Puddin's Cake Corner

Artistic cake pops were a vision of Little Ladies Sweet Treats

Other amazing goodies were provided by: Sue's Sweets, Coco's Cakery, Dana's Custom Cakes, Dillicious Cupcakes, Lynn Crutchley, Jennifer's Couture Cupcakes, How Sweet it Is by Melissa, Terri Kent, Chrissy's Creations, and Carella's Chocolates

Dave and Maria Schultz, founders of Ryan's Quest and parents to Ryan Schultz, ironically stand in front of a clock that was used for decor. To them, the clock symbolizes every second of every day for while dealing with the realities of Duchenne muscular dystrophy which is a 100% fatal disease that occurs mainly in boys - one being their son. Boys with Duchenne lose their ability to walk between the ages of 8-12, require respiratory assistance in their teens, and survive only in to their twenties. Racing against the clock is what everyone in the Duchenne community does every day as every day two boys are lost to this villain! It doesn't have to be this way. Especially not now when treatments are out there - treatments that are being held captive by the FDA.

I was so happy with such a successful event made possible by so many! It truly was "All The Rave", and as a planner and coordinator, I couldn't be more grateful by the help of so many vendors, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and guests! My goal throughout this event and one to keep in mind is that we need to continue to fight and race against the clock so that these boys and their families can LIVE

"Happily Ever After"!

The End 

of Duchenne

Gems of the Night

Jewel-tones and pretty off-whites covered the red carpet at the 65th Emmy Awards. A few of these beauties shined the brightest! While I wasn't overly impressed with this year's Emmy fashion, there were some actresses who stayed consistent from previous red carpets, and of course, there are those designers who fail to disappoint! 

Kaley Cuocco made a "big bang" in a cranberry Vera Wang gown.   

Photo by Jason Merritt 

Julie Louis-Dryfes's sparkly strapless sequin gown by Monique Lhuillier was absolutely one of my favorites! 

Photo by Scott Kirkland

Heidi Klum wore a "pomegranate" sequin/beaded number in Versace. It was very costumey, but if anyone can pull it off, it's definitely Heidi Klum! 

                                                                                         Photo by John Shearer  

Giuliana Rancic is always gorgeous. Her mermaid was by Tadashi Shoji. For her first time in blue on the red carpet, I would say the color was a bit underwhelming for me. I wish it was a tad bit more in the purple or grey family to go with her skin tone and "Nutella" hair, but all the same, she was exquisite!

Photo by Scott Kirkland

One of the most stunning gowns on the red carpet by far was by Donna Karan Atelier, and giving it great justice as it was worn gracefully, was Linda Cardellini. 

Photo by Jason Merritt 

Connie Britton is shown here in Naeem Khan. The velvet turquoise gown embellished with gold, was very regal and very pretty.

Photo by Scott Kirkland

Kerry Washington is someone who is always consistently gorgeous on the red carpet. She wore a flowing intricate tricolor gown by Marchesa! Captivating!

            Photo by Michael Buckner     

Sarah Hyland wore a very flattering shade of green laced in black by Carolina Herrera. 

                                                                                       Photo by Jason Merritt   

 Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi was dressed simple in Kaufman Franco, but was definitely a cut above the rest! And, the cut above the waist...super cute! Perfectly accessorized with gold jewelry!

Photo by Jeff Vespa

My favorite gown of the evening was another by Marchesa. Malin Akerman wore this very light grey, almost white gown with incredible detail. Very much red carpet-worthy!

Photo by Scott Kirkland