Just when I was starting to fear I was too old and lame [and pregnant!] for concerts…
Coldplay swoops in and saves the day with an awesome set-list, seemingly kid-inspired gimmicks and effects that were so simple and beautiful I found myself with a perma-grin plastered on my face from the moment they went on stage, and a group of musicians that clearly have HEAPS of fun performing for their adoring fans.
The night could have only been better with a Gwynnie sighting.
Well, well, well! I wasn’t certain I’d see the day – the light at the end of the tunnel! Yet – here it is…staring me straight on! My lastwedding of the summer is this weekend – and I can’t wait for it to come together!
As you’ve certainly noticed, life has gotten the best of me lately. Both with a summer jam-packed with dreamy client weddings as well as the early preparations for our first bébe later this fall…However, I am excited to get back in the swing of things with The Art of the Occasion!
And oh, I’ve missed you so…
And, so, I can’t think of a better way to get my feet wet again, then by dedicating a post to our darling new website – unveiled this summer.
You MUST pop on by and check it out! Here are some of my favorite features:
Just another day at the office…
And so we’re now three! Learn more about Renny, Katie and I here…
So…what IS Bliss?
Be sure to peruse the updated photo gallery featuring our wonderful weddings and clever events!
Hear about the Bliss Experience – straight from former clients…
Love our adorable contact page. How mad-lib of us!
The website was an absolute labor of love – Renny absolutely logged the most hours – at all hours of the day – but we hope you love it as much as we do!
[And a VERY special thanks to the insanely talented team at Cheree Berry – there was no one better fit for the job!]
This weekend I have another DREAMY client wedding – the bride has become an absolute favorite client…impeccable style, appreciation for detail and charm, a personality bubbling with grace and humor…and all of this with priorities falling perfectly into position and a practical head on her gorgeous shoulders [which can’t be said for all brides]!
This weekend, the traditional ceremony will take place at St. Josaphat with dinner and celebration to follow at the Union League Club.
The formal ballroom room is often viewed as masculine – and we’ve got just the solution: Bountiful blooms in Creams, dusty blushes, punchy rhubarb and perfect peaches. Formal and classic details like crystal, rented china, ornate goblets and beautiful printables will help add the brides undeniable ladylike touch.
This weekend will mark the end of [toooo-many] back-to-back weddings. While I still have a few more weddings before Baby S makes his debut this fall, I hope to have a little more downtime soon, as I’ve been collection some photos from this years weddings that I hope to share in the near future!
Babies, babies, babies! Babies are on the brain and I can’t blame it [all] on my little bun in the oven! Handfuls of dear friends are welcoming new ones left and right!
While I can’t pretend to be an expert on the first few weeks of mommyhood, I can only imagine that there is little time for sleep, for healthy eating or any relaxation.
When a girlfriend recently had her baby girl, I was dying for a visit – but one must not arrive without an armful of goodies – so I put together this quick and easy collection:
A hearty, but healthy meal that would last a couple of days, making great left-overs. My dinner-in-a-bag consisted of:
1. Lowfat Turkey Chili
Lean ground turkey
Canned fire-roasted tomatoes
Cannelini beans, black beans, kidney beans or beans of your preference [I often mix the varieties]
Diced and quickly sautéed onions
Minced garlic
Grill roasted corn kernels [always from the cob!]
Diced yellow paper
Chopped Yellow squash or zucchini
Add garlic salt, cumin, chili powder, cayenne and red paper flakes [mama needs some heat!] to taste.
I absolutely cheat and use the small blue boxes that Jiffy makes and add diced fresh jalapeño for extra zing
4. Easy compound butter for the cornbread
I made a brown sugar/honey butter this time 5. Vino! Necessary for a little relaxation strategically fit between naps and nursing.
My sweet aunt and uncle live on a farm and keep chickens and are always trying to share the wealth – lucky us! So I also brought a handful of farm-fresh eggs to help with a quick breakfast [omelet, scrambled eggs] lunch [baby spinach salad with poached egg] or hardboiled for protein in a flash!
And, finally, as clothes and gifts may be piling up by the day for the grateful family, I brought just a little something for the new babe: Stationary and a pink pen to scribe the many thank-you notes that will surely help mommy fill her afternoons.
Congratulations to all the new mamas out there! Any advice about what YOU’D like to receive from any visitors??
Joel and I are expecting our first child – a little boy – later this autumn!
Joel and I found out if we were having a girl or a boy earlier this week and kept the precious little secret to ourselves for a couple of days.
Last evening, our amazing immediate family came over for a little reveal celebration. We requested everyone arrive donning the color that represents their best guess: Bambino or Belle. The group was pretty split! [And we may have had a couple of cheaters in both pink and blue…]
After a seemingly endless dinner, we brought out dessert: A delicious creation from Sweet Mandy B’s. After cutting into the blue ombré layers there were cheers and tears followed by hugs and kisses.
**After all, we are having a boy**
[To say that Joel is over the moon would be a massive understatement…]
And now the fun begins…Finally at 5 months pregnant, we’re starting to really accept that this has finally happened for us. We’re letting ourselves dream and get excited. We’ve got loads to plan: Name! Nursery! Relocated Office! Ah!
Perhaps you’ve scoured the pages of the newest issue of CS Brides and noticed the humbling presence of Bliss! If not – you must check it out! If you’re unable to get your hands on a hard copy, check out the digital edition here!
One of my favorite projects of this year was a photoshoot that the editors of CS asked us to be a part of. The challenge was to put together a celebratory scene using the colors blood orange and tangerine. The interpretations among the three planners were pretty fun to see!
While I’m still waiting for heaps more photos from the shoot, I wanted to share the few I have. Check out the feature here on page 170!
The late spring day was spectacular! When approached to be involved, we immediately claimed my favorite little locale – Ava Terrace at Public.
The beautiful vintage china, flatware and glassware was from a favorite new vendor, Small Masterpiece, who flew in from LA for our shoot.
It will be a weekend of celebration for our clients – a fantastic harmony of the groom’s Hindu tradition paired with the brides’ Christian background.
After dual ceremony rehearsals, we start with a Mehndi celebration for the ladies, leading into the Garba, a welcome celebration with loads of action.
Saturday [hair and make-up starts at 6:00am!] the festivities begin with the Baraat – a parade following the groom on horse down the blocked off streets of LaSalle and Adams.
A traditional Hindu ceremony follows with beautiful decor in rich jewel-toned hues.
After another round of hair and make-up and a complete wardrobe change into gowns and tuxedos, [gone are the embellished sari’s] we will host a Christian Ceremony followed by quite possibly the coolest cocktail party ever and an evening of dinner and dancing.
The weekend concludes with a celebratory brunch for hundreds, a time to rehash all of the gorgeous details of the special weekend.
The above inspiration board was something I created months ago to help guide the style of the western vision. We’ve included some elements that are quite mod, paired with gorgeous metallic and pops of raspberry.
My weddings this season have been those of dreams. And I’ll tell you the secret: Fabulous clients! [Sounds so easy, right?] I had another wonderful wedding yesterday and while I can barely walk, I must put on a game-face for a friends’ bridal shower, shortly…
In the meantime, I adore this photo of a darling get-away car, as it reminded me of last nights Bridal Escape:
The bride and groom drove off in the warm summer evening air in *my absolute favorite ride* a snappy cream colored vintage mercedes convertible. [I’ve been saving my tips for years…it’s only a matter of time, right?!….HA!]
I will have a handful of exciting updates as some fun press features are released, recent wedding photos are posted, big news is shared and as my brain starts to feels less like mush – so please check back now and again in the next couple of weeks!
