Color Day Themes: Turkey Day Delight

Since 1863, Thanksgiving has been celebrated each year in the United States.  Often overshadowed by Christmas, Thanksgiving doesn't typically get enough credit and many might look at it as the day they can finally start playing their Mariah Carey X-mas CD.  While we do love Christmas, we think Thanksgiving is just wonderful and deserves equal celebration.  Tell the people in your life you're thankful for them and go ahead and gobble up some yummy food.  Traditional thanksgiving day foods like turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce that is shaped like the can, delicious pies -- these are things we look forward to all year!  Don't forget to wear your stretchy leggings so you have plenty of room for that extra helping of stuffing!

Thanksgiving Inspiration Board

Images from: The Sweet Occasion, Manolo Brides, Our Wedding Plus, Raina Dawn Events, The Allan House, The Budget Minded Bride, Inspiredbythis, RitzyBee, Le Bride, Weddingbee, Social Couture, West Elm, Sophie's Favors



Have a Happy Turkey Day!



XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Halloween Planning: More Treats, Less Tricks

Halloween is one of our favorite times of years, and it's only a week away! Almost every year we throw a Halloween party with all our friends, who have the most amazing, over-the-top costumes. And when you have serious Halloween costumes, then you need serious Halloween treats. Here are some ideas on how to get creative and express the true spirit of Halloween:

This looks disgusting, but it's actually delicious! It's just shortbread cookies topped with almonds and a little bit of red dessert sauce. The hardest part is getting the shape right, and adding in the authentic finger lines. But if you can pull it off, then this will be one grossly yummy snack!

Halloween cupcakes are one of the most creative treats to make. The smooth, rounded surfaces makes for a great palette, and there are endless options available online. Rather than provide an exhaustive list, we decided to feature these cupcakes that are to die for! We're not entirely sure how they made the little knives on top, our guess is that they took some card stock, cut it shape, and threw some icing on top. Of course, an all edible version would be perfect, so if you have any ideas how to do this, please let us know! 

If you're not much of a baker, then these vampire cupcakes are for you. We like this cupcake style because it's simple, a little creepy, and a little artsy. Plus they're super simple to make: all you need is vanilla icing and some red gel, and voilà! You have your own mini Edward Cullen, sorta. 

Halloween doesn't have to only be about candy! Check out these creepy teeth made from healthy and delicious apples! All you need is a half a dozen apples, a sharp knife, and maybe some lemon juice to keep it looking fresh. On second thought, the apple turning brown will make it that much creepier! 

There are many ways to make creepy eyeball snacks (cupcakes, deviled eggs, fresh mozzarella) but we love how squish and slimy these lichee eyeballs look! They're pretty easy to make, you just need some fresh lichees, strawberry jam, and blueberries. Of course, we're not sure how many of your guests will want to actually eat these... they look a little too real.

Another simple, but very festive option, are these blood test tube shots. Fill them with anything you want, fruit punch, jello shots, what have you, and throw in some little gummy spiders to add some extra spook to it.

These tombstone pudding cups are very detailed, but require very few ingredients! You just need some dark chocolate pudding, cookie crumbs, cookies, and some chocolate icing. The little flowers are a good touch, but if you're feeling especially morbid, you can also throw in some little skeleton hands!

Happy Halloween!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Fall Wedding Tips: It's All in the Details

Traditionally, June has been the favorite month for wedding planning, but we've noticed that fall weddings are becoming increasingly popular.  Perhaps it's the warm colors, the cool weather that keeps your hair looking fierce, or the cheaper venue rental prices, but whatever the reason, we love this trend.  As we always say, details make the event.  With fall weddings, we feel like you can get very creative in planning your wedding and add little seasonal touches to really emphasize your theme.  From food to decor, here are our thoughts on how to make your fall wedding extra special:

We posted before how soup shots are a great appetizer, but how about soup instead of salad as part of your however-many-course dinner?  It's perfect for the crisp fall weather, and you can opt for a traditional type of soups (i.e. Italian wedding) or go for something more consistent with your theme (like butternut squash or pumpkin soup).  Your guests will feel comfy and cozy in no time, and the pumpkin soup looks so yummy we want to bathe in it!

Sticking with food, we've talked about how many brides are choosing cake alternatives for dessert on their big day.  Our favorite non-cake dessert is definitely pie, which is perfect for the fall.  Hot apple pie and delicious pumpkin pie are fall staples that everyone loves, and are best served in the fall.  So forgo the traditional wedding cake and opt instead for a pie table! Or, if you want a little bit of everything, then how about mini apple tarts and pumpkin pies? It's your wedding, so have fun with it. Your guests will definitely appreciate it. 

Instead of coffee with your dessert, try apple cider! It's delicious, goes with the theme, and looks too cute with the cinnamon sticks! Of course, you can always serve this during cocktail hour as well, to help keep your guests nice and cozy. 

While fall wedding colors tend to be bold and vibrant, you can still have a seasonal theme minus the orange and red.  Instead of pumpkins and applies, think harvests and crops. We love this wheat centerpiece, which is so delicate and beautiful, and provides a more muted palette for your fall wedding.

 As for your bridal bouquet, try tying it with some twine rather than with ribbon.  It will give a more rustic, country feel, and add charm to your wedding.  The (slightly major) downside is that twine is so itchy and uncomfortable! Which means while it may look shabby chic, you'll definitely be ready to toss the bouquet at evening's end.  While most brides usually don't carry around their bouquet all night anyway, this is definitely something to consider before adopting this look.

While we do think pumpkins at fall weddings are very typical, be careful not to go too far. Keep it simple with these mini pumpkin candles that help create some ambience around your center piece. It's definitely better than having legit jack-on-lanterns at your wedding, but it adds to your theme and we think it's cute and quirky.  We do think, however, that this look would look better with less bold colored flowers.  Also, use it to decorate the gift table, the card table, or any other surfaces to pull your theme together.

Another fall wedding staple are autumn leaves.  Yes, we know it's fall which means leaves are falling, and it's very cute and all, but we're aware that too many fall looks can be overkill. With that said, we think these tea lights wrapped in bright fall leaves are so beautiful and understated. It works great if your surfaces are light colored, as shown above, because it really makes the color pop without making it look cluttered. 

Here's to falling in love!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Wedding Planning: Desserts

And finally, a party wouldn't be complete without some sweet treats to enjoy.  As far as weddings go, many view the wedding cake as being the pièce de résistance, and we don't disagree -- cake is delicious. However many brides are opting for desserts other than cake, or in addition to cake, and we can't argue with that either. Like your dinner menu, your dessert menu reflects your style, theme, and budget, so don't feel constrained by tradition when deciding what to do. While we always look forward to the cake cutting ceremony (and checking out the adorable cake toppers), our motto is: Let them eat cake... and pie, and cookies, and ice cream, and souffles...

1. Assorted Pies: If you're not a cake eater, then you are probably a pie eater. Pies at weddings are one of our new favorite trends. They make a wedding seem more intimate and personal, as if the bride's grandmother is actually standing in the back kitchen preparing every single pie served at the wedding. It's a nice change of pace from wedding cake, and allows you to incorporate seasonal fruits that go with your wedding theme.  Feeling fancy? Make it a la mode!

2. Ice Cream Bar: Yes ice cream bars sound like they might be a bit juvenile, but really they are incredibly fun and delicious! You can have gourmet flavors, tons of different toppings, and serve them in mini cones or bowls. They are perfect for summer weddings, and everyone loves a little bit of nostalgia. Don't forget to put the cherry on top!

3. Cookie Station: We catered a wedding a few years back where the bride asked her close friends and family to bake two dozen of their favorite cookies for her wedding. The rules were simple: it must be homemade and it must be made with love for the bride and groom. We were touched by the sweet sentiment of having your loved ones help make your big day just a little bit sweeter, and the rows of glass cookie jars really made a beautiful sight. Even if you have the cookies catered, or bake them all yourself, we think this is a great idea -- just be sure to remember that if you give your guests a cookie, they're going to want some milk to go with it!

4. Cupcakes: We know, we know, cupcakes are "technically" mini cakes, and the point of this post is to give you ideas other than cakes. But we view cupcakes as an entirely separate entity from regular cakes. They are just the perfect amount of deliciousness that fits into the palm of our hands. We love how they look with their delicate little cupcake wrappers, small pile of frosting, and ample amount of sprinkles, and we are definitely of the school of thought that cupcakes make every gathering that much better. Cupcakes seem a bit whimsical and innocent, but that's what we love about them. Coordinate them to go with your wedding colors, experiment with gourmet flavors, and enjoy!

5. The Chocolate Fountain: Dipping your sweets in chocolate makes them, well, sweeter! Whether you choose milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate the chocolate fountain is a sure-fire way to get your guests interacting and having fun.  Marshmallows, Rice Crispy treats, pretzels, all kinds of wonderful fruits on sticks - your guests will go on a dipping frenzy and love every second of it!  

6. Candy Bar: A lot of weddings we've attended have had a candy bar on the side. While it's usually not served as the main dessert, it's fun, colorful, and very decorative. You can go for an old fashioned candy shoppe look (pictured above) or only serve candies that correspond with your wedding colors. This is a huge hit with kids, but don't be surprised to see you Great Aunt Esther filling up her bag with treats too!

7. Mini Desserts: If you love everything on the list, but don't know what to choose, why not choose everything? Have a dessert table filled with a number of different mini pies, tarts, cookies, brownies, chocolates, fruit, and everything you can possibly think of.  Not only is this a huge crowd favorite, you can finally stop stressing about having to make another decision. Just pick your top 10 favorite desserts, reduce them to miniature form, and you are all set.

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Wedding Planning: Cocktail Hour

We've decided to make this week's posts food centered. Why?  Well, we'd hardly call ourselves gluttons but we're certainly not afraid to admit how much we love to eat!  And, when planning a party or event the hardest thing trying to figure out what you'll be feeding your guests. If you have bad decor that is one thing people can forget, but have bad food (or music!!) and your guests will be talking about it for years to come, and not in a good way. Recently we've been to a bunch of weddings and we both agree on one thing - one of the best things about a wedding (in addition to seeing two people celebrate starting their lives together, blah blah blah) is the cocktail hour!

 The cocktail hour tends to feature some of the best food of the night, and is a great way for couples to experiment and really treat their guests to a delicious smorgasbord. The trick to a great cocktail hour is tasty food that requires minimal silverware, can be eaten while standing up, and won't spill all over you.  And, as always, this applies to any event or party, not just weddings.  Think birthdays, anniversary parties, New Year's Eve, casual dinner parties - the opportunities to showcase these fun foods are endless!



Here are a few suggestions on how to make your cocktail hour as yummy as you are:

1. French Fry Bar: While french fries don't instinctively seem to be wedding appropriate, they are delicious, easy to serve, and a big hit among guests. They can be served in a number of different ways, such as the traditional funnel (pictured above), in little shot glasses, in small baskets, or just buffet style. And don't forget to throw in a number of different dipping sauces a la Pommes Frites. 

Ketchup is so passé.

2. Chinese Food Take-Out: We were recently at a wedding where one of the appetizers was Chinese food served in take-out boxes! It was ingenious: chefs prepared either noodles or rice with stir fry veggies, shrimp or beef, dumped them in a takeout container, and voilà! Pure deliciousness AND it's easy eating for the guests -- just grab a set of chop sticks and you're free to mingle.

3. Pasta Bar: If lo mein isn't your type of noodle, how about some penne? A delicious wedding trend is setting up a pasta station, where guests can choose their type of noodle, sauce, and cheese for a delicious pre-wedding treat! While we do foresee potential red sauce disasters, our motto is no stain, no gain. We love this idea because not only are there so many options to choose from, but it's a good idea for guests to start carb-ing up before they hit the open bar!

4. Sushi: Serving sushi for 200+ people can be very expensive, but we just LOVE it so we had to add it to our list. Which means if you happen to have a sushi at your event, pretty please invite us! There's a variety of different types of sushi to choose from, so have fun with it! Just remember to throw in some veggie options for your vegetarian guests, as well as guests who are more hesitant to give raw fish a try!  If you can't afford to supply a whole bar, selecting one or two rolls to have passed would be a great alternative.

5. Soup in Shot Glasses: One idea that we both love, especially for fall and winter weddings, is soup served in shot glasses or espresso cups.  Think how nice it would be to have a warm sip of butternut squash soup on a chilly evening. But to take it a step even further, you can serve small portions of tomato soup with little grilled cheese bites! We think this is very cute and creative, plus very kid friendly!

6. Fried Macaroni Balls: Another kid friendly option is to serve mini fried macaroni balls! Words cannot describe how yummy they are, plus they are perfect finger food. We love old fashioned macaroni and cheese, but if you want to go a little fancier, you can opt for fried risotto balls, which are equally delicious and just a tad bit more classy.

7.  Pretty much anything miniature: Hamburgers, milkshakes, tacos, cheese steaks, crab cakes - seriously anything that can be made into a small finger sized version is sure to be a big hit with your guests.  People love these fattening and delicious staples for meals, but of course no one would eat something large and messy during cocktail hour. Make it mini and you're good to go.  Guests will love the fact that it is tiny and neat plus they'll think your awesome for  including these "comfort" kinds of foods.

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Party Food Displays

We love throwing parties for all our friends, and usually have a ton of food involved. But now that we're growing up, a good party is more than just chips and guacamole (although we always have chips and guac!) A good party is all about presentation, which is why we decided to share some cute and functional ways to display your culinary genius. Hopefully, this post will inspire you to go out out, buy some cute serving dishes, and invite us over for a soiree!

When you're hosting a movie night or game night, the food is always in demand, but sometimes space can be tight. A Lazy Susan is always a good cure for this problem, as you can stash a variety of different food on a small place, allowing all your guests to have easy access. The thing about Lazy Susans is that they aren't the most attractive table setting, but this Lazy Susan made from an old wine barrel is simple and classy, and will surely compliment every spread.

Every party needs some delicious, homemade cupcakes! Show off your icing skills by displaying your cupcakes on this cute tiered cupcake rack by Crate and Barrel.

If you're like Saira, then deviled eggs are a staple for every Super Bowl party. But transporting the eggs can be a pain, which is why we love this deviled egg tray by Cordon Bleu, which is specifically designed to hold 24 deviled eggs. Slippery eggs are a thing of the past!

We've had our eye on this two-tiered tray by Liberty of London, and were heartbroken when we found it it was sold out! But never fear, it is currently available to order at Target, and will be ready to ship in about a week! 

To serve small snacks, such as nuts and pretzels, check out this dual goldfish serving dish. Fill it with your favorite candy, or put dip on one side and crackers in the other, for a fun and simple platter.

For a retro look, display your delicious cakes in this glass pedestal cake stand! The removable lid keeps your cakes fresh, and it can always double to serve pastries, pies, and fresh fruit! Available at Sur la Table.

Or, for a more modern look, try out this glass cake stand available at Fish's Eddy. It comes in a number of different sizes, and we love the art deco look it has going. This is not your grandmother's baking, that's for sure!

Happy serving!

XOXO,

Jen & Saira

Bespoke Chocolates NYC

The Blond and I were walking from the East Village towards Elizabeth Street when we spotted the sign directing towards Bespoke Chocolates in an alley we've never noticed before (reason 7592 why I love New York). Artisan-made chocolate is one of the things neither one of us can resist, and this kind of store is my favorite- the chocolatier, Rachel Zoe Insler (no, not that Rachel Zoe. Can you even imagine?) works right there and you can watch her make the truffles while swooning from the delicious scent.

We tried several of the chocolates and all of them were excellent. My favorite one was Chai Spice: milk chocolate, black tea blend of ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. I'd wear a perfume with these notes, but eating it was just as good.

Address: 6 Extra Place, New York, NY (closed Monday). Extra Place is a tiny, sign-less alley in the East Village that runs north from East 1st Street between the Bowery and 2nd Avenue

Photos: bespokechocolates.com and The New York Times

Hidden Gems: Little Pleasures From Two Sides Of The Globe

Or: Thinking Outside The Mall

Fall is here in all its glory. It's the perfect season to go out of the City, take a drive somewhere pretty and discover something new.

When my friend Helg from Perfume Shrine and I first started discussing the idea of writing about our favorite "hidden gems", the focus, naturally, was perfume. But we soon realized that we wanted to do something a bit different, to bring a little local and seasonal color (after all, Helg hails from Greece while I come from the New York Metro area). We both have interests that go beyond the bottle but fall under the lifestyle/culture category, and besides: so many of our readers are fragrance enthusiasts and have searched the globe for fabulous scents. It'd be hard to surprise you.

The list offers a little of everything, a local flavor and some fun suggestions. I'd love to hear from you about your favorite hidden gems, regional or other. Please share them in the comments.

Makeup: Alison Raffaele
There are many lines by famous makeup artists and Alison Raffaele is among the very best. Her previous range, Skin By Alison Raffaele, has sadly been discontinued (though still available on the web site under "Last Looks"), and her new products focus on a perfect complexions. If you can find a makeup artist who works with her products you're in for a treat. There's a store locator on the site, and it's worth checking so you can go in person and find your match. I'm Skin Tone #3.

Perfume:
The veteran fragrance affictionados might yawn here, because you've smelled it all before. Still, I'd like to mention a few items that deserve a little more attention, and also a local creative nose that makes perfumes that smell like nothing else.

L'Occitane tend to put all their marketing money on the new releases and the snazzy bottles (sadly, I'm not a fan of any of those), but there are a couple of older very well done scents. Amber is a beautifully balanced, satisfying yet transparent sweet amber, while Eau D'Iparie is a unisex myrrh and incense combo that doesn't smell like anything you'd expect to find at the mall. The best part? Both come in travel o.68 oz bottles (20 ml) for $17.

Sonia Rykiel has a couple of my favorite fashion designer perfumes. Le Parfum (look for the EDP version) is a cozy, rich scent, an oriental with a classic feel and an almost chypery kick (though there's no oakmoss listed). Easy to find online, and if you're in Europe also in stores. Rykiel Woman (also known as Not For Men!) is about leather, incense and cozy cashmere. It's lovely and very wearable while differing greatly from mainstream and designer fragrances.

Tiffany EDP is only available at the jewelry store. It's a sweet floriental, a bit big around the shoulders and quite luxurious. It's one of my personal staples and has been so for years. A perfect date scent.

From the "(almost) only in Paris" department, here's a little-known gem: Memo is a French line featuring four perfumes that are supposed to evoke exotic destinations. The store also offers home fragrance and a bath & body line, all are very pretty. My favorite is Lalibela, a very dark rose with a lot of incense. It's so goth you'll find yourself reaching for the black nail polish (a review coming soon). Available in Paris and Harvey Nichols in the UK.

CB I Hate Perfume is not exactly news for the perfume enthusiasts community ("crazy perfume people" to the rest of the world). But if you haven't begun sniffing outside Sephora or the regular department stores, there's a good chance you've never heard of Christopher Brosius and his transcendental creations. They are small journeys in a bottle, designed to touch your memories and emotions. If you're visiting NYC, a detour to Williamsburg is highly recommended for the food, fashion and to visit CB's gallery (93 Wythe Avenue Williamsburg Brooklyn, between North 10th and North 11th). It's the only location where you can get not just the perfumes, but also his special accords, many more than what you see on the web site (I think I need the Soap-Tabac).


Jewelry: Tilly Bloom
A Brooklyn artist that makes fun, quirky jewelry with a vintage feel and a sense of humor. I fell in love with her t-shirts.

Household Products: Caldrea
Making housework into an (almost) aromatherapy session. The lavender-pine line is especially wonderful. A countertop cleanser that smells luxurious can sometimes make my day.

TV Show: Pushing Daisies
It's probably the best show you don't watch. A little fantasy (a guy who can wake the dead), a little love story (the girl whom he brought back from the other side) and the occasional murder mystery. Beautifully filmed, the colors and frames are very retro, as is the fashion. And occasionally, you'll hear Kristin Chenoweth and Ellen Greene sing.


Old Movie: Cactus Flower
Ingrid Bergman, Walter Matthau and heartbreakingly young Goldie Hawn. A joy to watch.

Book: The Lost Legends Of New Jersey by Frederick Reiken
Coming of age in Suburban New Jersey of the late 70s-early 80s. You don't need to be from the Tri-State area to enjoy this sensitive story. One of my all-time favorites.

Restaurant: 4coursevegan
I know vegan food has a bad rap. You immediately think of weird textures and lacking flavors. This couldn't be further from Chef Matteo's creations, which are among the most creative and delicious meals you can find. Matteo serves a four course (plus extras) dinner every Saturday night. The guests are seated at a few communal tables, enjoying the food and the conversation. If you're planning to be in the area, consider making a reservation. For food lovers, not just vegans/vegetarians. Bring your own bottle of wine.

Bakery: Jean-Claude's Patisserie
Warwick, NY has pretty Victorian houses, a farmer's market and a couple of antique stores. But the reason I like to visit is Jean-Claude's French patisserie. They have buttery, flaky mini quiches, beautiful cakes, pies and cookie platters. The coffee is great and the service friendly. If I were to get married again, I'd order my cake from them. It's probably the best place to stop if you're on your way to shop at Woodbury Common.

Radio Station: WFUV
There are very few radio stations today that focus on alternative music, old and new. WFUV from Fordham University, NY is a member supported public station (which means no commercials and a very limited budget). They've introduced me to many of my current favorite artists and can always be counted on to have knowledgable DJs, an interesting lineup and a web site full of content, including live streaming you can enjoy online, no matter where in the world you are. This week is their Fall Membership Drive. If you're a listener, please consider becoming a member and supporting this wonderful gem.

Music: The Chapin Sisters
Haunting voices, sensitive lyrics, beautiful music. Gothic folk? Folksy goth? who cares. You can also find them on iTunes.

Please visit Perfume Shrine for more suggestions and a completely different take that's also off the beaten path, and share your local favorites in the comments.

All photos are mine, copyrighted, etc.. That's what fall in New Jersey looks like.