Dreams of Sweets…MY San Francisco Treat!
Miette’s owner, Megan Ray, originally started the company at a farmers market. She notes influences from candy stores in Vienna to the wild blackberries growing around her home. Her ingredients {oh the joy of living in Northern California} come from local, family owned farms and mills and are most often organic and sustainably produced.
Miette is known for many things – among them their gorgeous house-made desserts: cakes, cupcakes, tarts, cookies to name a few. In fact, unbeknownst to my love-at-first-sight {and bite}, Conde Nast named Miette one of the Top Ten Pastry Shops in the World! Sweet Goodness – what an accolade!!!
Here is some more eye candy…
Oooh…the macarons. Even though famed Paulette Macaron is less than two blocks away, I have to say Miette’s macarons were absolutely noteworthy!
A childhood favorite: Cotton Candy! The adorable boutique also creates the crave-worthy airy confection made-to-order! My favorite was the vanilla bean.
These crispy house-made graham crackers were to die for with a chilled glass of milk!
{Sigh.} Well, lucky for me {and not my thighs}, their cookies, macarons and confections are all available for mail order. Perhaps we should make it a weekly delivery?
Sweet Dreaming…
{image credits} images taken from miette website. cotton candy image from martha stewart
Bella Bell’occhio!
Real Event…For Your Perfect Picnic!
Celebrate Love – For a Happy Anniversary!
The Sport of Shopping {Fit For Brides!}
While I must admit the majority of my clients will register at the usual suspects: Bloomingdale’s Home, Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma etc. {all of which I think are wonderful options}…I do get excited about the more unexpected options {Ok, ok, so we may have registered for Cutco knives, but that’s not what this is about…}.
Well..Dressed Hairdo!
As the wedding industry continues to boom…it seems as though nothing can be too customized, too chic or too fashion forward. Seemingly an infinite amount of choices need to be considered by any average bride…
Colors – it’s not just pink and green or an all white wedding anymore. Brides are selecting color palettes that are unique combinations reflecting themselves, the season or their moods.
Dresses – first it was Vera, then Monique…now dozens of dress designers are creating gowns fit for any fashionista – and at any budget!
Dinner Tables – round tables were the norm just a few years back – but not only have square and {my favorite!} rectangular tables become almost common, there are even more to choose from now. Rental companies are now offering taller tables where guests are seated on custom stool-like chairs to add yet another layer of texture and dimension to your setting. Decor firms are moving forward with handfuls of customized table options – whether mirrored or even inlaid with a custom fabric (or gorgeous patterned wallpaper!), brides are able to ensure their special day is unlike any of their girlfriends.
Accessories are no exception. If you’re not familiar, please let me introduce a new obsession…ban.do! Started by two stylists in LA, ban.do is a super-duper charming lot of {mainly, but not exclusively} hair accessories like headbands, pins and bows. Each even comes with it’s very own haiku!
The pieces are not limited to brides, however, many would make a gorgeous accent for girls who choose not to wear a veil – but still want some drama {yipee! tiara’s are not the only non-veiled option!}
Savvy Style with Stella & Dot!
Cute accessories will always catch my attention. Interesting, fresh ideas and inspired drive seem to always also catch my attention.
When I initially stumbled across Stella & Dot, I fell in love with a handful of their reasonably priced pieces. I have found their jewelry to be the perfect pick-me-up for an old stand-by stuffed in the back of your closet or the perfect gift for a girlfriend, your mom or even your bridesmaids.
After reading a bit more about the company, I also fell in love with the concept. Stella & Dot was founded by Jessica Herrin – who also co-founded weddingchannel.com {at age 24!}. Stella & Dot took the old tupperware party concept and applied it to modern day – with local stylists hosting trunk-shows and managing ecommerce sites positioned around the country – modern women have found a way to balance life and career. Along with the help of chief creative designer, Blythe Harris, – who previously gained experience designing for names like {practical favorite} Banana Republic and {less practical favorite} Cartier – Stella & Dot has rapidly become a celeb favorite and have gained accolades in nearly all popular magazines.
Forever a Bargain
I had quickly fallen head over heels for this dramatic Lanvin necklace I found at Barneys a bit ago. While I didn’t have the nearly $3,000 to spare for the piece, my heart still fluttered each time I saw it. {I adore simple, updated-classic clothing paired with bold accessories and thought this necklace was simply dreamy!}
Then, last evening – inspired by the summer heat that so quickly hit Chicago, I went looking for a few bargains at Forever 21.
While I was initially hunting for cutie dresses to wear on the 4th of July – my absolute favorite holiday! – I did, however, come home with a heaping sack of fantastic designer-inspired statement necklaces. Here were a few of my favorites – each ranging from $7-$16!:
These necklaces are perfect for a chic dinner in the city or dressing up your rehearsal dinner ensemb, or even paired with a simple cotton maxi dress to turn heads while shopping at the farmers market!
While my heart is still in a tizzy for the beautiful Lanvin piece, my craving for drama is temporarily satisfied with my pouch full of purchases from Forever 21…
{photo credits: lanvin necklace from barneys.com; apricot, white and blue necklaces from forever21.com}
Kara’s Current Obsession…Iomoi!
You may have received a heart-shaped choker, a paperweight in the shape of an over-sized dazzling diamond ring or perhaps you even got a pink flask with the brides’ wedding date stamped front and center…All you know is that the gifts you’ve received as a dedicated bridesmaid have hardly been worthy of all of your adoring attention and unwavering support. After all, you did personally assist by fishing the wilted spinach from her teeth before her close-up, you did hold her dress high above her head as she not-so-discretely ‘powdered her nose’, and you even humored her when she insisted that pepto-pink, floor-length organza bridesmaid dresses would truly complete her vision…
Alternatively, these custom Lucite bar trays are a totally chic addition to a worthy friends bar-cart, kitchen island or coffee table! Add a few matching/contrasting coasters and she will be having the happiest happy hour ever! **Note: These gifts can be great for the guys too – choose more masculine colors and patterns!
I’m obsessed.