Not Just Weddings: First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Mommy with a baby carriage!

King of the Jungle Baby Shower!
Oh what fun to plan a baby shower ... I was given a theme to work with (King of the Jungle), a location, and a few basic requests (i.e. mommy-to-be wanted to incorporate some kind of plant)... other than that, I had a blank canvas to work with... and work I did.

Allow me to introduce: His Royal Highness, The King of the Jungle, in all his glory atop a two-tiered cake. The design of the cake was inspired by the invitations.

With the invitations, we included quilting blocks and a note inviting each guest to personalize a square for the baby. The fabric blocks were collected at the event. People seemed to really enjoy this activity as they were able to give something of themselves that will be cherished for many years.

Table decor included three-tiered diaper cakes as the centerpiece, jungle inspired decorative accents flanking the centerpiece, advice cards, menus, and edible favors for friends and family to take home.

The edible favors were custom made to match the theme. We alternated King of the Jungle sugar cookies and cupcakes topped with miniature animal shaped sugar cookies.

In order to give the mommy-to-be the plant element she wanted, I decided to use a tall grass with animals tucked in to carry out the idea of jungle animals roaming the savanna. Both the diaper cakes and jungle animals are being put to good use... the jungle animals will help decorate the nursery and the diapers.... well, we all know what those are for ; )

Congratulations to the expectant parents!

Special thanks to Golosinas Confections for all the help with the favors!

Source of Inspiration: The Eugenia; Bangkok, Thailand

Sometimes I encounter places, events, moments, or items that are difficult to describe with words and can’t help but feel inspired by them. One such place was a small hotel hidden in the chaos that is Bangkok. The name: The Eugenia, a beautifully restored home, turned boutique hotel with only 12 suites, outstanding service, and attention to detail.

The inspiration for me came from the many old treasures the hotel proudly displayed, giving a sense of comfort, personality, and uniqueness to the space.
Items from the past, particularly heirlooms, offer a certain feel that is sometimes difficult to achieve with newly purchased items. The good news is that we all have heirlooms in some shape or form… jewelry, frames, recipes, traditions, photographs, etc.
Next time you are planning a special event, try incorporating some of those treasures you or your family members have kept close to your hearts. You’ll be sure to have a personalized and unique event that all will notice and appreciate.


P.S. The Eugenia isn't too shabby a spot for couples looking for romance while visiting Bangkok. ;) Enjoy!

Photos sourced from: www.theeugenia.com

Girls Night Out Fundraising Event!

Cocktails, Hors' d'oeuvres, Music & Shopping...
Look for our goodies in your goody bag!

Thursday October 8, 2009 5:30pm - 10:30pm
Coral Gables Women's Club · 1001 E. Ponce de Leon Blvd.

Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Proceeds to benefit The League Against Cancer
(Liga Contra el Cancer)

Update: For the event, I teamed up with Elena M. Cusano of Golosinas Confections to set up a joint table. Turn out for the event was great ... over $6,000 raised for a worthy cause!

Green (and fabulously chic)!

Here’s an easy idea for going green on your wedding day: Pick shoes that you’ll be able to use again.

Going green is about cutting down on waste, so why buy a pair of shoes that you’ll only be able to wear once when there are so many gorgeous shoes out there that you’ll be able to continue enjoying after the wedding?

Make it your something blue…. or pink, or zebra print!

Clockwise, starting from left: BP Platinum Shoes, Boutique 9, Jimmy Choo, Kate Spade, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin

Ahhh, the outdoors!

What a beautiful thought… looking into the eyes of your beloved with the sunset as your backdrop, a soft breeze against your blushing cheeks, and perhaps the sound of the waves in the distance. Many of us have dreamt of these perfect images and imagine making them a reality as the background for our big day.

The truth is, while Mother Nature provides us with so many picturesque settings to choose from, she also likes to stir things up a bit from time to time. Did your dreams ever include cold snaps, rain, heat, soggy grounds, or pesky mosquitoes? Probably not.
The key to keeping your dream alive is to think ahead. Make sure your vendors have what you need to be prepared for any surprises. Have a back-up plan in place with your venue should your event need to be moved indoors. As the saying goes, “hope for the best, plan for the worst.” With good planning and organization, that day you’ve been envisioning will look just as spectacular played out… no matter what happens (and no one will ever know with the exception of you and your vendors).

Fall 2009 Color Palette

Still unsure about what colors to use for your fall wedding? This year's fall pallette is all about the warm EARTHY hues for a sense of comfort (think wet sandy beaches and lattes), as well as contrasting colors that pop! Want to go bold???? Try a deep, mid-night blue or a rich shade of purple. These intense colors are excellent choices in setting the stage for formal affairs. Don’t feel intimidated by the idea of using these deep shades ... done properly, a purple tablescape can be absolutely stunning! Flowers come in all shades of purples and violets; use a variety of them to add depth to your arrangements.

Did you have something more subtle in mind? Try using a palette of soft nude tones combined with a blush or a burnt sienna for a more romantic feel.... perfect for any wedding.

For the contemporary couple, consider a slate gray with a splash of yellow–green. The splash of green introduces a fresh element to a potentially understated color.

There you have them, the 10 "official" shades of Fall '09. Use them for inspiration but decide on the colors that match your personality best for a true, perfect match.