Solved! The Tri-Fold Invitation

With so much information to parlay to your guests today, from directions to accomodations to multiple parties, invitation designers are trying to keep up. Necessity is the mother of invention, after all: if you're planning a wedding with many weekend events, I urge you to consider picking an invite with an organizing system. There are tons with self-enclosed folders to neatly contain multiple cards and other designs placed on tri-fold cards, like these by Just Ink on Paper. Regardless, a wedding website is a must for keeping guests in the know (especially those travelling to a destination). Check out the designs at http://www.wed-o-rama.com/.

Freshly-Squeezed Wedding

This snowy day has me jonesing for a bit of delicious, sugary sunshine. My remedy? Freshly- squeezed citrus inspiration from TheKnot.com's Real Weddings Gallery. From Meyer Lemon centerpieces to pineapple cake filling to margarita & caprihiana bars, yellow is the hottest hue in weddings according to The Knot editors. Hope these inspiring images brighten your day!

(All Photos from TheKnot.com; photographers are cited in the gallery)

Dreaming of a White (Edible) Christmas

This photo from a recent Domino spread served as the inspiration for the dessert buffet at a recent Chandelier Events holiday party. The pastry mega-talents at Thomas Preti Caterers took my vision and whipped up a "Snowed In" dessert winterscape beyond my wildest White Christmas dreams! Here are some of the highlights (and a few inspirations that you can pull off in your own kitchen this weekend):

• Croquembouche Christmas Trees: Hand-made meringue and the traditional profiterole spun with caramel & sugar (see photo), this customary French Wedding Cake doubled as snowtipped trees on our display.


• Individual Fondue: Guests were served gourmet hot dark and white chocolate sauces in their own ramekins, and selected fruits, pretzels, marshmellows, pound cake, and brownies in a gift-box display (brilliant idea from the chefs at Thomas Preti that wowed guests ... and curbed double dipping).


• Chocolate Pudding Shots: Even Jello chocolate pudding can be dressed up by serving it in shot glasses! Top with fresh whip cream (cool whip will do in a hurry!) and top with a dust of cinnamon.


• White Chocolate Raspberry Trifle: Serve your own spin on this layered dessert with vanilla pudding, raspberry sauce and chocolate cookie crumble in martini glasses!

** A big dose of delicious gratitude to Jessica, Jen and the amazing crew from Thomas Preti for their fabulous, fresh ideas...and top notch service.

Check back soon. More photos to come!

Out of the Box Confections

While browsing bridal shower cakes online, I stumbled (I mean, "Googled") upon Pink Cake Box in Denville, NJ. Being a Jersey girl myself, I was pleasantly surprised to see such talent based outside of New York City where many of my vendors reside. Big score for my Jersey clients!

Their wedding cakes span the range, from traditional to chic to downright whimsical, and if you're looking for a grooms cake -- look no further! From bulldogs with oreo filling to Nintendo Wii's, their strength is definitely in their theme cakes. Cupcake towers are absolutely adorable.

My favorite? This Hula-inspired confection for a 2nd birthday. I mean, really, does it get any cuter than that? Check it out at pinkcakebox.com.

Recipe Report Card

I survived--with aplomb. I'm proud of my tiny Brooklyn brownstone kitchen.
Recipes get an A+.

A few tips:

* Butternut & Granny Smith Apple Soup: easy, easy, easy to make...but requires a lot of chopping. So make sure you've got a really good knife. And try to buy the butternut squash pre-cut. Make sure the package says 3 lbs. I bought 1.87 pounds and had to cut up another one at the last minute (only used 1/2 of another one). Sprinkle nutmeg as a garnish.

* Broccoli with bread crumble: I used Progresso Italian breadcrumbs instead of the white breadcrumbs...works just as well, extra tasty. Save the leftover breadcrumbs in the fridge (remember, you used butter!) and make turkey cutlets the weekend after T-giving.

* Turkey with Sage Butter: INSANE! Absolutely delicious.

My Thanksgiving Menu

Just finished whipping up a fabulous (and easy...ok, after all the chopping...easy) Butternut Squash & Granny Smith Apple Soup and geesh! now I know why soups win challenges on Bravo's Top Chef.

Here are the staples of my Thanksgiving meal ... add the sweet potato casserole, the pumpkin pie, and the Wyatt Pinot Noir ... and you're golden.

• Sage Butter Oven Roasted Chicken with Cornbread & Caramelized Onion Stuffing (a la Tyler Florence)


• Cream of Butternut Squash and Apple Soup (williams-sonoma.com)


• Broccoli with a Crunchy Crumb Topping

PS: Thanks for reading my blog! Happy Thanksgiving. xoxo, Amy

Playful Placecards

Browsing Etsy, I came upon these super cute, super chic cootie catcher placecards. I mean, how ridiculously cute -- and they're ideal for weddings and bridal showers.

The creator will actually personalize each placecard with questions about you and your fiancé -- so your guests get to know more about you two as a couple while they find their seat and mingle. There's space on the outer corners for your guest's name and/or table number. For an extra fee, she'll even work from your guest list to print your guests' names directly onto the Cootie Catchers. Several colors and types of quality paper readily available. They ship to you *flat* with instructions for folding. They'll fold them for you at an additional cost.

First 25 = $25 (1 each); each additional up to 100 (add $.65/each), each additional over 100 (add $.50/each).