slug bug style

Our friend and talented photographer, Meredith Moran, worked her first styled shoot in May at The Barn at Evergreen Memorial Park. Her dad’s refurbished slug bug served as the inspiration behind the shoot. Of course, we love the red slug bug…and all the details to go along with. The pop of red. Vintage white dresser. Old school desk sprinkled with buttons. Antique china. Mason jar floral arrangements on antique books. And who doesn’t love a Radio flyer? For all you brides out there…you can rent those items and more for your wedding from Jessica at A Vintage Affair Rentals. If I could re-do anything from my wedding, I would rent Jessica’s entire warehouse.

Kudos to Meredith and Tiny Bubbles Event Design. We can’t wait to see what you come up with next.

For more lovely photos from the shoot, visit here.











VENDOR LOVE

Photography/Design:  Meredith Moran Photography
Planning/Coordination:  Tiny Bubbles Event Design
Vintage Furniture & Accessories:  A Vintage Affair Rentals
Paperware/Invitations: Fleur de Lis {a paperie}
Flowers:  The Ruffly Rose
Cake & Cupcakes: Goblin City Bakery
Dress: Kathy Ireland Weddings by 2 Be (get it at The Bridal Collection)\
Hair & Make up: Cory Bryant, Make Up By Cory
Flatware/Glassware/Chairs: All Well Rents
Lace Tablecloth: Linen Hero
Venue: The Barn at Evergreen Memorial Park
Models:  Jim & Kelli Goodwin

{images via Meredith Moran Photography}

spring fling

I totally admit that I’m addicted to sugar. I crave it, and need to get my cravings under control. BUT, before I do, I’m going to make this Spring Fling cake a few more times. I LOVE chocolate, and this cake doesn’t have an ounce/pinch/smidgen of it…and it’s still my FAVORITE cake. And with all the fruit, you can justify it being just a tad bit healthy for you!

I discovered The Market from a former co-worker/supervisor {Betsy, one of the coolest ladies ever…I was so lucky}. And, when I first had a piece of this cake, I was in heaven. A cake made with zucchini…who knew it could be so divine?

This recipe was posted in the Rocky Mountain News {a newspaper no longer in publication} a few years ago and it wasn’t until a few weeks ago, I was brave enough to make my own version. My laziness crept in as I called to order the cake 6 hours before a party, but my procrastination and over-budgeted wallet prevented me from buying, so I made it! I tweaked it a bit and recently made for my grandma’s Mother’s Day celebration. It was a hit!

Buon Appetito!

Spring Fling Cake
recipe adapted from The Market via Rocky Mountain News
serves 12-15 people

{I made this a double layer cake, but if you want to make it just like The Market does, make this a 3 layer cake…yummy}

Cake
2 1/2 cups finely shredded zucchini
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch salt
5 eggs

Frosting
{I double this recipe because this cake is best with thick layers of frosting in the middle of the zucchini cake layers}
1 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup butter
1 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fruit
1 pint strawberries, cleaned, stemmed and sliced
4 kiwi fruits, peeled and sliced
2 mangoes, peeled and sliced
1 pint blueberries

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease and flour a 10 inch cake pan {I’ve used round and square, and they both worked great}
In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded zucchini, eggs, sugar, oil, sour cream and vanilla
Combine the dry ingredients in another bowl, then add to the wet zucchini mixture
Pour batter into prepared cake pan and bake for 50-70 minutes
Cool on rack for 10 minutes, then remove from cake pan
Cake should look like this when removed from oven

To assemble cake, cut the cooled cake in half lengthwise {creating two or three layers}.
Inside the cake should look liked this…it’s so dense and yummy!

For frosting, whip the cream cheese with butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until combined
In another bowl, whip the cream until stiff, then fold the whipped cream and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla into the frosting mixture

Find the cake platter or dish you are going to serve the cake on – it’s too heavy to move once assembled.

Spread frosting over the first layer…be VERY generous with the frosting {I think it needs to be the same thickness, or slightly smaller, than the size of the cake layers}
Add a layer of fruit. I used mainly strawberries and kiwi inside the cake

Place the remaining cake layer on top and frost
The Market does not frost the sides; however I did and it was delicious
On the top of the cake, arrange the fruit to your liking


Jodi helped me decorate the cakes, and she made an N with blackberries for Nani

P.S. The cake can be made a day prior and refrigerated…and I’m told, and have to agree, leftovers of the cake the 2nd day, after being in the fridge, might be better than when freshly made.


heather + dennis

I saw this photo…
and was completely in love with this wedding…and I want to borrow the bride’s red shoes!
Heather and Dennis McMahon were married back in June 12, 2010 in Syracuse, New York. Living in Colorado and planning the wedding in New York was no small feat according to Heather, “but damn was it a good time, and a day that I would do over and over again, and never change a single detail.” 
Two years later, the classic ballroom/vintage style of this wedding is still timeless and an inspiration for today’s brides. Per Heather and Dennis’ request, their photographer Kelly Stremmel captured their day the way it unfolded, without too many shots being posed, but rather artistic shots that represent things the way they took place.  The artistic, natural shots Kelly captured was one of our favorite things about this wedding…and we’re happy to share it with you today.
After meeting at SUNY Oswego in New York their last semester of college, and joining mutual friends at a Dave Matthews Concert several weeks later, Heather and Dennis had an undeniable love connection. Having dated only 6 short months, the love birds moved Vail, Colorado and on their 4th anniversary Dennis popped the question at The Vail Plaza Hotel before a romantic dinner at LaTour. They married two years later, almost 6 years to the day of our “first date” at the Dave Matthews show.
In Heather’s words: It was very important to me that my bridesmaids be comfortable and have the ability to showcase their own style. I gave each girl black coque feathers to put in their hair however they desired once it was styled, and a vintage brooch to incorporate into their dress wherever they liked. 
We wanted to have a bit of Colorado inspiration in our wedding, but still pull off the ballroom vintage vibe. We placed hummingbird fly fishing flies in our calla lily boutonnieres for the guys as Dennis is a big fly fisherman and our guest book was a coffee table picture book filled with stunning images of Colorado. 
To see each other or not to see each other before the ceremony was a question Heather struggled with, but as she said, “I knew that if I didn’t see him and get all of those emotions out-of-the-way, the anticipation was going to leave me an emotional, blubbering wife-to-be. Dennis is my rock and I needed him with me for the emotional roller coaster that was our wedding day… and I simply could not wait to be with him! So, about an hour prior to the ceremony Dennis and I met on a street corner.
 
The 590-room non functioning hotel was built in 1924 and has character and charm like no other. The floor to ceiling windows offer a picturesque view of the city, the stunning vintage gold chandeliers everywhere create an incredibly romantic ambiance, and on the 10th floor is the Grand Ballroom…perfect for our reception. 
In Heather’s words: The Dave Matthews Band was what sparked our fiery romance, and therefore their music served as inspiration on our wedding day. Our first dance was to none other than the DMB song, “You and Me.” Dennis picked me up when Dave sings “…teach them to fly…” And we leaned back and forth on each other singing “…we could do better than anything that we did, you know that you and me, we could do anything,” with a stratigic high five and then I did my happy dance. 
Per Heather and Dennis, their DJ handed our “flair” toward the end of the night, which brought out the silly in everyone.
And, who wouldn’t want to run in the rain at the end of your wedding night? How romantic and fun…the perfect send-off if you ask me!
 
VENDOR LOVE
Bridal gown: Maggie Sottero Amour Brooch, purchased at Spy Baby Bridal Boutique in Syracuse, New York
Bridal shoes: Nina
Photographer: Kelly Stremmel
Makeup: Gina Scammell {Ginascammell@yahoo.com}
Hair:Tiffany DeWald {tiffanydewald@ymail.com}
Wedding Planner/Day of Coordinator: Amy Preble {miller5401@hotmail.com}
Ceremony Venue: The Most Holy Rosary Syracuse, New York
Reception Venue: The Hotel Syracuse Syracuse, New York
Cake: Pascale Bake House, Syracuse, New York
Desert Bar: DIY {Do-It-Yourself}
Stationery: DIY

all aboard

Sawyer is an adorable little boy who loves Thomas the Train. So, for his 2nd birthday, Sawyer’s talented and creative mom {Sara} threw a fantastic train-themed party.  It was darling. With the backdrop of an old train, the bright blue and red printables from Anders Ruff, and all the DIY-train details including ‘diesel fuel beverage,’ train boxes from Ikea, spray-painted frames from the Dollar Tree and a candy bar that treated guests to swedish fish, airheads, aqua swirl suckers and york peppermint Hershey drops, it was a 2nd birthday to remember. ZoomWorks captured all the choo choo fun.

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: ZoomWorks
Venue: Camp Toccoa in Georgia
Printables: Anders Ruff

{images via ZoomWorks}

sweet succulent love

My latest obsession is succulents. Oh my goodness, I love them. And, they are everywhere – from the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens and real weddings featured in bridal magazines, to their latest debut – my dining room! I am so into them right now. Experts tell me they are easy to maintain – let’s hope so for the sake of my newly planted succulent garden.

Succulents have been popular in floral decor at weddings for a couple of seasons now, and they continue to thrive. I love the variety of succulents and the texture they bring into floral centerpieces.

Look at these gorgeous bouquets. From the bride to her maids, succulents ‘complete’ the look of these bouquets. Who knew a ‘cactus plant’ would look so good next to a pink peony?

I’m trying to find a reason to throw a party just to give away a succulent favor. These make wonderful gifts for friends and family, they are an easy and affordable DIY and make a lovely table display before guests take them home.

A cake that combines Succulents and Chevron… I’m in love.

Last but not least, a DIY Succulent Table by Far Out Flora. I love that Succulents remain a permanent centerpiece.

centerpiece images via: Elizabeth Anne Designs {Large Orange, Peace, White and Succulent Centerpiece}, Wedding Chicks {Neutral and Anthropologie-looking Centerpiece} Ruffled Blog {Succulents and Vintage Silver}, The Sweetest Occasion {Single Succulent next to Birch Vases}, Elizabeth Anne Designs {Succulents with White Rocks and Hydrangea with Single Succulent Centerpieces}, Erin Hearts Court {Billy Ball and Succulent Centerpiece} and Martha Stewart Weddings {Succulent Centerpiece with Blue and White Plates}

 bouquet images via: Wedding Chicks {Bridesmaids Bouquets} It’s a Bride’s Life {Succulents and bright Peonies}, Bride Finds {Succulent Bouquet on the top right}, Erin Hearts Court {Yellow Billy Balls and Succulents Bouquet}, Greer Loves {large Succulent in middle of bouquet}, Bleu Style {Peach, Light Pink and Succulent Bouquet} and Style Me Pretty {Succulent Bouquet in Vase}

favor images via: Love and Lavender {Terra-Cotta painted pots}, Green Wedding Shoes {Salsa Can Succulent Favors}, Elizabeth Anne Designs {Single Succulent on Napkin and Single Succulent in Rust-Colored Bucket}, Emmaline Bride {Succulents in Tea Cups}, Frolic! Blog {Succulent Favors in Buckets with Names}

{Other images via Caroline Tran PhotographySweet and Saucy Shop and Far Out Flora}