Perhaps you recognize this gorgeous photo from our Reveal Collaboration photoshoot? Well, we were all absolutely thrilled when Chicago Style Weddings Magazine caught sight of the photos and wanted to use one on their cover! The current issue is now on stands and can also be viewed online.
Tonight I had the unexpected freedom of a cancelled meeting, paired with an unlikely breezy and crisp July evening {The Man was out at the Cubs game}. My grill was beckoning, but I didn’t feel like a heavy meal {still recovering from the non-stop indulgence of my weekend away!}.
I decided to try something new…
I chopped a colorful red onion and got it started in my le creuset on a medium flame.
Meanwhile, I reduced a bit of aged balsamic vinegar so that it intensified the sweetness and cut the sour, a touch.
After the onions were on their way to being nice and caramelized, I added the syrupy balsamic along with a couple of {pre-cooked, lower-in-fat} crumbled pieces of bacon. {I imagine legit bacon, given the opportunity, would render nicely before the onions for even more deliciousness…}
I added just a bit more balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan, then removed the pot from the flame.
Next I had a pre-washed head of romaine lettuce. I sliced it straight down the middle and drizzled just a bit of extra virgin olive oil to the sliced edges before adding loads of fresh cracked pepper and a generous amount of sea salt. I threw the romaine halves face down on the eager grill and let them cook freely for just a bit.
When there seemed to be gorgeous action on the grill, I removed the decently charred lettuce heads and brought them back inside where I topped them with the balsamic onion/bacon mixture and salty salty English stilton bits.
A glass of wine, a back-issue of House Beautiful and a remarkable hearty salad on the balcony was just what the doctor ordered.
Many of you know of my serious obsession with The Elysian. The glamorous boutique hotel has truly nailed every detail.
The hotel’s decor has a classic, refined sophistication while still feeling utterly current and on trend.
The ballroom, albeit frustratingly quaint {read: too small for most of my clients’ weddings}, is elegantly appointed with graphite grey walls, antiqued mirrors and bright white molding.
When it comes to service for overnight guests {countless clients have decided to make The Elysian their wedding weekend home} the attention to detail continues to surpass most any other high end hotel.
The restaurant, Ria, was named best new restaurant, shortly after its opening {and is perfect for an unforgettable post-wedding brunch}. Balsan is a chic place to grab a quick brunch, light supper or late night bites – whether seated at the white marble-topped raw bar or tucked away in an intimate booth.
The staff – from the head valet to the catering managers – is not only pleasant and helpful but genuinely available to assist in relaxed and subtle manner. It seriously feels as though they take pleasure in our every request!
I thought I was intimately familiar with all that the hotel had to offer…that is until the spa and health club director invited me to experience the Elysian Spa. With my schedule packed with appointments, weddings, and paperwork, I can barely find the time to grocery shop, let alone carve out time for indulgent spa time…
But, when the opportunity was presented…I cleared my schedule…immediately.
I like to think that I’ve had exposure to many lovely spas and treatments over the years and would be able to provide constructive feedback, as requested. However, I’m quite certain that my experience at the Elysian Spa could not be beat.
The Spa lobby is glitzy, in a bright and peaceful way. The lounges are fully stocked with items that go well beyond necessity.
The soaking tub is perfect for relaxing before or after your services. The sauna or steam room really do encourage the art of decompressing.
And the services…My massage was quite simply put, The Best I’ve Had.
The Spa staff was approachable, expertly knowledgeable, kind and welcoming.
A visit to the Elysian Spa is perfect for pre-wedding beauty services {treat your girls to mani’s and pedi’s after a light lunch buffet arranged on the private pool deck}, a treat to yourself after a hard week {a major project is finally complete, hooray!}, or a relaxing respite for your over-shopped tootsies {Oak Street is just around the corner…troubs!}.
Just make sure to schedule enough time to take full advantage of all that the serene spa setting has to offer {including darling gifts and beauty products to take home with you!}…then make your way downstairs for a cocktail or the profiteroles!
Melissa and the Elysian Gang – thank you from the bottom of my {wonderfully pampered} heart.
I’ve just returned from a wonderfully relaxing trip to Tennessee to help celebrate my mother’s 60th birthday with family. A few days were spent at the lake with a combination of lazy sunning, rigorous tubing {compliments of my overzealous uncle at the wheel} and quite a few successful spins around the lake on skis/a ski! {proving athleticism is still possible…in your 30s}. We lounged, grilled, cocktailed and laughed…a lot.
Now it is back to reality, regaining focus in preparation of a delightful client wedding this weekend.
I will be postponing my {favorite!!!} Fourth of July traditions this year in order to share the day with a wonderful friend {and client} on her wedding day. It is going to be SO beautiful! Can’t wait!
The newest issue of CS Brides {the Chicago Brides’ go-to for all things dreamy in the local wedding world} is out! I was thrilled to have a favorite client wedding featured on their glossy pages.
The incredibly romantic wedding of gorgeous young couple Emma and Tom was too much fun to plan! The couple came to me in the very earliest stage of planning…post engagement. They had been to very few weddings, weren’t quite sure about colors and stylings and wanted a partner to help shape their New Years Eve wedding vision into something romantic, formal, wintry, festive and current…
{haha}
I had such a wonderful time working with the blissfully happy couple {and the brides’ incredibly fabulous mother} that I wanted to share a bit more about their day.
I started playing with a few color combinations to get conversations going. With only mere deliberation, we landed on a palette of creams, greys, dusty blush and golds. Here was the inspiration board I created to use as a planning tool throughout the process.
After quite the hunt, the couple fell in love with an intimate private club, The Racquet Club of Chicago, and thought it was the perfect location for their winter wedding. The club has such a charming, residential feel – absolutely perfect for the intimate guest count of 100.
Beautiful boxes bound in grey velvet ribbons awaited guests that traveled from near {the brides’ dearest friends and family were from Indiana} and afar {quite the trip for the grooms’ friends and family who traveled from England}. The boxes contained indulgent treats hand-picked by the couple including a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, Garretts Popcorn, Luna Bars, nuts, mints and much much much more…
The bride wore a dramatic full gown by Vera Wang and her ladies wore Jenny Yoo in a gorgeous slate grey {my favorite alternative to black}. The brides’ bouquet was inspired by the bouquet her mother carried years ago and was composed of individual white phalaenopsis orchid blossoms. Her bridesmaids had petite bouquets of cream garden roses, dusty pink lisianthus, velvety grey dusty miller and subtle hints of winter green.
The groom, wanting to dress as a proper Englishman, wore tails.
We arranged for the couple to have their first meeting in the charming and intimate library of the private club where the wedding ceremony and reception took place.
The ceremony was held in the card room at the Club. My dear friend and fabulous designer, Jesse Deckard of Event Creative, took care of all floral, lighting and decor. Here, Jesse’s staff custom built a shelving unit to perfectly slip into the window frame, allowing us to display copious amounts of candles to provide the romantic evening ceremony backdrop.
The couple floated on air, as they recessed as husband and wife.
Both the cocktail hour and dancing took place in the living room, walls of windows overlooking the gorgeous Gold Coast residential street.
The dining room featured two exaggerated, long tables, each set for 50. The heavy beams above were cascading with suspended candles, twinkling above guests as they dined.
The tables were dressed in grey damask linens and topped with countless candles and floral arrangements in containers ranging from cut crystal and vintage silver to white peeling birch bark. Florals included a creme collection of hydrangea, garden roses and orchids, subtly accented with dusty pink pepper berry and lisianthus, bleached peacock feathers and snow-tipped pine cones.
Unique flocked succulents adorned the tabletop, with worn votive cups flickering in the backdrop.
Because there were only two tables from which to assign guests their seats, we had each menu card hand calligraphied with each guests’ name. Guests were encouraged to wander the room, taking in the insanely gorgeous setting, as they found their seats.
Charming signs reminded the couple of their location.
The main bar was set in the library after the couples’ first meeting. Jesse custom designed this bar to look as if it was a piece of furniture – perfectly fit for the charming setting.
A gorgeous and indulgent spread awaited guests after dinner, set in front of the fabulous trophy case. Cupcakes were from Sweet Mandy Bs, petite fours, home made marshmallows, macarons and a croquembouche were done by Vanille Patisserie… and that only supplemented the heaps of candies I also arranged for!
Following a loving toast from the groom, waiters passed out flutes of champagne and individual packs of golden confetti. As the clock struck twelve, everyone celebrated to a rowdy version of old lang syne {a decidedly English tradition}.
This young couple is simply mad about one another. Their will be no secrete to their success – they’ll always have each other {and the memories of their fantastic affair on New Years Eve!}
Today is my husband’s 30th! I surprised him a few weeks ago with an early day of celebration. After a round of golf with some of his best buddies {to get him out of the house??}, he came home to our condo with a little note describing why we weren’t having a romantic dinner pour deux, as planned.
Instead, I had planned for a low key party at our home, but because I had to keep the plans from him, I had to purchase and set everything up during his round! There wasn’t a flower in the place, but plenty of pretty candies and treats for our Cake and Cocktails evening…Here are just a few pics from the offerings:
Delish cupcakes were dressed with little flags.
Confetti Cookies from Sweet Mandy B’s {may have been for ME!}
Sugar-dusted donut holes.
A tower of Oreos was paired with chilled milk for dunking.
Cutie Whoopie Pies were yet another chocolate tribute to the birthday boy.
Rock candy in the perfect shades…
Jelly candies {again, for color and for Kara!}.
Suckers were secured in milk glass vases filled with sugar for a pretty presentation.
White chocolate covered graham bits were a hit!
Sweet Mandy B’s also did the rich and velvety chocolate cake.
Gorgeous seasonal berries were accompanied by fresh whipped cream.
Manly mason jars were dressed up with stripey straws and flags I made by hand.
Instead of a full bar, I offered a blueberry vodka lemonade…
Old man beers…
And cigars…
Happy Birthday, Joel! Can’t wait to share the next 30+ with you by my side!
The Fairytale begins with a bride, as most stories do. In this vision though, blue cotton candy grows on trees, pink tutus adorn pirouetting ballerinas, and white candles fervently flicker as she dreams about her wedding…
Here are a few more images from the dreamy project that showcases our avant-garde yet whimsical interpretation of a woman’s evolution into a bride.
With a mere blink of an eye, elfin ballerinas appear to gracefully tend to our bride as she begins to dress for her wedding.
The exaggerated fullness of the gown requires the additional aid of a golden ladder.
A frenzy of fluffing.
The entourage is on the move…
With a few more top-like twirls, we approach the ceremony.
Followed by a cloud of feathers, she makes her way down the illusory aisle.
An abundant bouquet of subtly sweet lavender sweet pea sends her thoughts spinning…
And suddenly our bride finds herself in her dream-spun reception. A bouquet of cotton candy in hand.
Where to begin?
Perhaps at a table set for two, dressed in confections and crystal and fanciful flowers under the shaded protection of a tree – canopy dense with teal tufts of cotton candy.
Only then, in another flurry of feathers…has she found: Her Prince.
May you all find your prince…and live happily {and oh so indulgently} ever after.
It was on the Hinsdale Garden Walk years ago when I really fell head over heels for this charming and slightly whimsical home in my neighborhood. It’s so rare that you see such a use of accessories outside of a home. Love the darling bold choice!
