Coffee Talk Monday... Sneak Peak at the Winemaker's Dinner

While everyone is buzzing this morning about their top picks from the Oscar's last night, I thought I would leave it to them to recap the best and worst in fashion and share with you all a few teaser pics from the Winemaker's dinner at Jonathan Edward's Winery on Saturday night.  We can't wait to share with you a full recap of the event this week but for now on this rainy Monday, as I am still dreaming of being on the beaches of Puerto Rico, I'll leave you with a little sunshine to start the week. 

Paper Moss

Hana Floral Design

** Photos by Anna Sawin Photography**

Friday Wine Tasting... Irony Russian River Pinot Noir

Wine of the Week
Irony Russian River Pinot Noir
$16.79

This week's Friday wine tasting is coming from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  It is going to be so hard to leave after having the most incredible week in paradise.  Sister and I ventured out the other night to what was one of the most amazing restaurants, Pikayo, at the Conrad Hotel (a must visit).  From the ahi tuna lolipops at the bar, beet salad and scallops, prepared to perfection for dinner, to the chocolate souffle and espresso for dessert, it was amazing!  As was the wine!  We tried a bottle of the Irony Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, which I couldn't get enough of. Definitely a new favorite.

Happy Weekend Everyone! Cheers.

From the Winery: The 2009 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is medium-bodied with complex aromas of raspberry, strawberry, lemon thyme and caramel with hints of earthy sauteed mushroom.  Fresh berry fruit, dark blackberry, baked rhubarb, caramel and a touch of bacon fat round out the concentrated palate, balanced by firm, fresh acidity and silky tannins.

Inspiration from Anywhere: Wine Makers Dinner

We are so excited to team up with the best of the best to create an inspiring space for Jonathan Edwards' Wine Makers Dinner this Saturday night. With a scrumptious meal prepared by the incredibly talented chefs at the Ocean House, flowers from the lovely Yumiko at Hana Floral Design, photography by Anna Sawin, paper by Paper Moss, event design by yours truly and the beautiful Jonathan Edwards Winery as our back drop...we have ants in our pants to see it all come together.

For those of us in New England, the winter has been in a word - long. So we decided to put a little color in our design and perhaps force spring a bit. Playing off the silver tanks at the winery (holding some of my favorite vino) the adorable yellow and gray palette just seems to be a perfect fit. What do you think?

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We'll let you know how it all comes together!

Wedding Wednesday: Engagement Shoot Giveaway!

We generally love Wedding Wednesdays, but this one is even better than normal. Why you ask? Well the darling Karen Schlink is offering one of our lucky readers a free (yes free) 2 hour engagement session complete with a disk full of photos!! She is such a doll that Karen. Already married? Feel free to enter as well!

Entering is easy - in the comments below, tell us a little about your engagement story. We'll go through them to determine which one we love, and next Wedding Wednesday we'll announce a winner. 

What are you waiting for?

Tuesday Shoesday

As you may know, Miss Sarah is on a well-deserved sunny vacation this week. I may be just a little jealous, and I keep finding myself day dreaming about warm weather outfits. That's when I came across these beauties at Jimmy Choo. They have Tuesday Shoesday written all over them.

Serious shoe and vacation envy going on over here. Happy Tuesday!

Coffee Talk Monday: Michelle Rahn at the Wedding Library

Happy Monday! For me, there is no better way to start the week than with talk of pretty dresses. Even better when those dresses are GORGEOUS. Such is the case with Michelle Rahn's brand spanking new collection for next season. So instead of hoarding the information, we thought we would share a fabulous event for all you brides to be (or people like me that cannot get enough of beautiful gowns...)


The Details (invite & teaser sketches below as well!):

• Feb 24th-27th, by appointment
• Michelle Rahn Trunk show at the Wedding Library in NYC
• Michelle will be debuting her brand new collection for next season, literally hot out of production
• Michelle will be meeting and consulting personally with each bride, helping her shop the collection, styling her look, and also offering our signature services - allowing the bride to make changes to her gown to perfectly suit her taste and style
• Offering 10% towards purchases!
• For more information click here (or on the image)

Michelle Rahn

Friday Wine Tasting... Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir

Wine of the Week
Willamette Valley Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir
$24

This was a new wine we tried on Valentine's Night.  I have been stuck on Cabs lately so it was a real treat to try a delicious Pinot Noir from Oregon.  I can't take the credit for finding this one but so glad husband came home with it.  One of the best I have had in a while, great fruit balanced with a smokiness, and a really soft finish.  Happy Friday wine tasting!!  Cheers!

p.s. I also recently stumbled upon a great blog that talks all about wine.

Inspiration from Anywhere: San Juan Puerto Rico

La Concha, San Juan Puerto Rico

Next week sister and I are going on vacation.  Whoo Hoo! We are heading to the beach and I am counting down the days.  It has been a really long winter filled with snow, freezing temperatures and more snow!  So this trip couldn't have been planned for a better time! I am so excited I can't help but daydream about being on the beach, so I am pulling inspiration from our vacation.  This would be such an amazing color palette for a beach wedding, orange, coral, yellow and varying shades of blue. 
p.s. the swimsuit in the board is my new Vix purchase and the cover up a must have I got here.

Wedding Wednesday: Saltwater Farm Vintage Wedding

All Images by Alice Proujansky Photography

All Images by Alice Proujansky Photography

Venue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard (Stonington, CT)

Mood/Details: Tova and Harris wanted a wedding that was whimsical and fun, combining vintage, rustic details.  The color palette was a mix of bold colors, from turquoise to yellow bringing an incredible energy into the space.

Collaboration:
Photography:Alice Proujansky

Lighting:Power Posse

Catering: Gourmet Galley
Flowers: Gira LLC.
Music: Dexter Lake Club Band
Hair/Makeup: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library
Rentals: Rentals Unlimited

Inspiration from Anywhere: New England Coastal Wedding

Created via Style Me Pretty

Yesterday was the launch of one of the most anticipated wedding lines in a long time.  The buzz had been building for over a year about Anthropologie's new bridal collection.  And it is absolutely amazing!!  So in honor of the launch of BHLDN, I thought I would create a board that was inspired by one of my favorite outfits in their collection.  The most adorable, nautical inspired dress, and fabulous tiffany blue heels.  This would be such a fun wedding to create on the shoreline here in New England.

Coffee Talk Monday.... Fine and Dandy Event with Marcey Brownstein Catering

All Images by Belathee Photography

Last week I was so delighted to attend an event that the ladies of Marcey Brownstein Catering hosted at 620 Loft & Garden.  It was such a treat to have a reason to get dressed up and head out for the night in the city.  The space was completely transformed by the uber talented Frank Alexander.  I couldn't stop staring at the wall of paper flowers he created, it was just gorgeous!  Marcey and Leslie and the rest of the crew totally out did themselves with an incredible menu of passed hors d'ouevres and cocktails that were presented in the most fantastic ways!  I especially loved the fire and ice martini (infused jalapeno vodka), mini deviled eggs and shelves of small plates.  The presentation was spectacular!
And I must mention the incredible dessert display from One Girl Cookie, the angel food cake with coconut was such a treat.  At center stage, Elan Artists- Lapis Luna and Alexis Foxe played well into the night, setting the tone for a magical evening.  It was so much fun to catch up with old friends and meet new ones in a room filled with so much talent.  These are all vendors you will want to know.

COLABORATION:

620 LOFT AND GARDEN/
FRANK ALEXANDER NYC/
ONE GIRL COOKIES
ELAN ARTISTS
SEPTEMBER WINES
BOOTLEGGER 21 NY VODKA
BROADWAY FAMOUS PARTY RENTALS
DJ SIR SHORTY
MODERN NOSTALGIA LA, HANDCRAFTED ACCOUTREMENT
CHRISTOPHER DRUMMOND BEAUTY
ANTOINE BRECHU HAIR
EVENT LIGHTS
SLOANE DESIGN BY PRESS NEW YORK
MAGNOLIA PHOTO BOOTH
EMBURY COCKTAILS
BELATHEE PHOTOGRAPHY

Friday Wine Tasting... Jonathan Edwards Winery 2008 Napa Valley Merlot

Wine of the Week
Jonathan Edwards 2008 Napa Valley Merlot
$25

Last Week Abby and I had the chance to visit Jonathan Edwards Winery to discuss the design for their upcoming Winemaker's Dinner, catered by the Ocean House. We were so honored to be asked to collaborate with them on this big event. And while we were there we couldn't pass through the tasting room without sampling some of their latest releases, one of which has become a new favorite, their 2008 Napa Valley Merlot. I took home a bottle and husband and I enjoyed it with our Valentines Dinner on Saturday night. This is a local wine you will definitely want to try!

Inspiration from Anywhere: Love

Really, isn't love the best inspiration of all? We are big fans.

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Any big valentine's day plans? Do share.

xoxo,
Abby

Wedding Wednesday: Featured in The Knot- Vanessa and Campbell's Greenwich Wedding

 

 

 

 

Full Article on the Knot.com- A Beach Wedding in Greenwich, CT

Tuesday Shoesday

Because today just feels like it needs pink shoes {doesn't every day?}, and Kate Spade makes even the rainiest days sunny again - today's Tuesday Shoesday provides the perfect little punch of some much needed pink. I also need to see these fabulous, color-infused pumps {top left} on a bride in the near future please...

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Coffee Talk Monday.... Steelers Inspiration Board

In honor of the Superbowl even though the Steelers didn't win yesterday, I couldn't resist sharing one of my favorite inspiration boards Miss Wesson and I created a few years back.  This would be a True Event!  Happy Monday Everyone!


Black and yellow tablescape by Bliss Events and Isari Flower Studio, photos via Lucky Me,
Invitations - Matzinger by Wiley Valentine, “Just Married” Taxi – Kirk Photo on Flickr, Satin Yellow Heels & Flats – Jcrew, Zebra rug pattern - source unknown, Favors via Style Me Pretty, Champagne glasses by Brides.com, Chandelier, White Flower Balls with Yellow Ribbon, Cake, Via Style Me Pretty, Hotel Room Viceroy Palm Springs

Friday Wine Tasting... 90+ Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine of the week
90 + Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 32
$15.99

Super excited for Friday Wine Tasting today!  What a week of snow, sleet, ice and messy weather we have had here in Connecticut (and most of the country)!  It is the perfect weather for curling up on the couch in front of the fire with a bottle of wine, which is exactly what we did the other night (well minus the fire).  Husband brought home this wine from the wine store and was intrigued by the concept of the wines. They are able to source some of the best wines from wineries all over the world and bottle them for the consumer at such great prices, because they are a virtual winery.  This is a label you will want to try!  Cheers to the weekend!

About the Wine: This lot is a perfect blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec. We sourced this wine from a world class vineyard located at an elevation of 2,000 ft on the Sonoma Valley side of Mount Veeder. The steep, southern-facing slopes consist of soils called the Sonoma Volcanics, these soils result in small, concentrated flavored grapes with pure flavors and a pronounced sense of place. This is a special occasion, weekend wine that now you can enjoy any day!

Taste: This wine offers rich flavors of cassis and mocha enhanced by smoky notes. The velvety mouthfeel and long, elegant finish add style to this classic Cabernet Sauvignon, which is perfect for pairing with herb-crusted roasted rack of lamb, grilled rib eye steak and hearty cheeses. Fire up the grill and open a bottle!

From the Winery: 

The wines we purchase must have a pedigree of 90 or higher ratings, best buy or gold medal accolades from a respected wine authority or publication.
Other companies with a similar concept are usually buying the winery's excess or distressed wine. We are buying a winery's best and most highly rated finished wine, which they would normally sell under their own label. Wineries are willing to work with us because they either produced more than they need or sales have slowed. In return, they are promised complete anonymity, which we take very seriously.
The wines of 90+Cellars are great values because we are a virtual winery, we don't own any land or bottling facility. In fact, the source wineries bottle and label our wines for us. We simply search out world class wine, negotiate a great price and then pass the savings on to our customers. 

While we don’t necessarily advocate buying wines based on their ratings (because everyone’s personal taste is different), we think only selecting wines that are well-structured enough to earn a 90+ rating in the first place is a great place to start. When you purchase a 90+ Cellars wine, you’re getting premium quality at value pricing–a great way to win over sophisticated wine buyers on a budget.- 


90+ Cellars is now sold in over 20 states.

Inspiration from Anywhere: The Zebra

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This week we are inspired by the wild, exotic stripes of a zebra, which can be found in the home, in fashion, or at your event. And we thought we would give a little sneak peak as to how that zebra inspiration is coming to life on our new site that is currently in the works. 

We sat down last week with Alex of (a)squared studio to talk about the initial round of designs for our new website.  And while we loved the clean, modern, fresh look of the site it was important to us to keep some of the "branding" details we have on our existing site.  One of which is the zebra pattern.  Taking that pattern and blending it into the site in a modern way we decided to try it as the background for the landing page in a tonal grey!  Perfection!  We have just about nailed the design, now we just need to build the pages that will live on the new site.  Alex tells us 7 to 8 weeks and we will be live!  So until then we are obsessing about all things zebra and excited to share with you a little clipping of our new site: 

 

Do It Yourself Wedding Guide... Martha Stewart and Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty has teamed up with Martha Stewart Weddings for a special offer to all of their readers.  Martha Stewart Weddings is offering a one year magazine subscription for $12. That is a a savings of 49% off the newsstand price. Sign us up! Not only that, but there happens to be a fabulous DIY Guide from Martha Stewart Weddings and Style Me Pretty available instantly online when you sign up for a magazine subscription, and we are featured!  If only I would have known my hands were going to be featured with Martha Stewart I would have made sure to have gotten a manicure.