August 20th, 2010
A few weeks ago, I was having drinks with one of Vassar’s friends who is presently planning her upcoming nuptials, and she chatted about how there is so much pressure to make a wedding unique and different. Yet, every wedding sort of takes the same shape, there is some sort of a rehearsal dinner, then a ceremony and finally there is a reception, in which you are supposed to show to all of your guests just who you two are as a couple, how creative you can be at showing that and make sure that those guys and gals have fun too! As I always believe, it’s in the details. It’s the little things that make a celebration stand out – because anyone can pick that venue, what time of year and those colors.
Which brings me to a wedding which I am honored to say that I was able to participate in over the weekend of July 17th – the wedding of Amanda and Chris! Amanda’s wedding was so perfectly… Amanda. That is honestly the best way to describe the lovely series of events that surrounded Amanda and Chris’s super fun, incredibly moving, and absolutely pretty weekend.
It started with an idyllic venue – Belle Haven Yacht Club.
And a stunning bride.
Nantucket baskets of blue and white flowers for the cutest flower girls!
Look at pretty Lilly amongst the perfectly set tables.
I love that instead of table numbers, guests were assigned to different cities with photos of Amanda and Chris in each one.
In lieu of favors, guests were given shells and a donation was made to a fund affiliated with one of Chris’ army guys. Such a touching personal detail.
The wedding party – so much fun!
Congratulations to such an amazing couple! I can’t wait to visit you both (and Colby – yes, the new dog is named COLBY) in Vegas!
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August 10th, 2010
Happy Birthday to The Prettier Party! I can’t believe where I was a year ago and where I am now – it seems like almost everything has changed in such interesting and wonderful ways.
THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of my friends and followers – you make it so much fun to share my thoughts and tid-bits with the cyber world. (Just a side note, if one of you wanted to send me one of those cakes, you’d become my favorite).
Image via The Paris Apartment.
Posted in birthday, thank you | 4 Comments »
August 6th, 2010
For this week’s happy hour fix, I defer to CT Bites (thank you Ellie for sending this great site). They have gone in search of what the cool “people are drinking” and found it amongst several creative Connecticut bloggers. I am obsessed with the cucumber watermelon garnish!
Posted in cocktail, happy hour friday | 2 Comments »
August 3rd, 2010
In all of my new found “free time,” I took it upon myself to catch up on one of my most favorite blogs, Elements of Style. Always an eye pleaser and a fun read – I had about three wonderful weeks of design, furniture, fashion and other interesting tid-bits to catch up on. While browsing, I picked up on three awesome weeks of really cool dining room spaces that I would just DIE (figuratively) to entertain in. Each has a totally different style and most lack any form of “traditional” but all would be a really special backdrop in which to have a dinner party.
From July 14th: A turquoise infused dining room with amazing ceilings and a fabulous chandelier. I love the pops of color grounded by dark smooth surfaces and mirrors. Personally, I would be so nervous to combine all those different patterns and textures. Looks like designer Sarah Richardson could design your next unique place to eat and imbibe!
From July 12th: Al Fresco dining at his cutest! Maybe you’re only entertaining a few people around this table, but could it be any quainter? You must click over to the EOS post – the entire house (which was featured in House Beautiful, go figure) is just perfectly cheerful.
And from July1st: Another amazing ceiling with a stunning chandelier. There are so many great juxtapositions in this space – the pop art sharing a wall with the traditional sconces, jet black country kitchen chairs against a contemporary white table. I envision many a jovial evening at this spacious table perfect for a slew of guests.
And if you don’t already, you should follow Elements of Style for chic dining spaces and other continuous eye candy.
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July 30th, 2010
There are just so many things to blog about!! My list of blog topics far out weighs my time in which to write and that leaves me with a conundrum: how does one make more time? To the genius who has this figured out, I will pay you in cupcakes and smiles for your advice. Where to start? Baby showers, weddings, birthdays, the birth of America…
For the sake of chronology and the honor of a new life in the world – I will take you back to May, when a shower was thrown for a very pretty mother-to-be in honor of the little bean just waiting to pop out. The wonderful Jennifer threw the most perfect baby shower for her sister Jamie at the Delamar Hotel in Greenwich. It was understated, delicate beauty, with pink infused details, and peonies! (Side note: I LOVE peonies).
Presents and petits fours – could you ask for anything more?
These are just too too cute! Baby bottles, safety pins, rattles and baby slippers adorned these delicious little treats.
Almost as important as the party – the guests! There’s nothing like Colby alums celebrating the birth of a future Mule.
For pictures of the now born Beanlet (who’s real name is Walden, but it is going to take a lot of effort to not forever refer to her as a little bean) you must go to Jamie’s blog, dear butterbean. She’s such a little muffin!
Posted in baby shower, beanlet, jamie, jennifer | 4 Comments »
July 16th, 2010
In honor of Amanda’s wedding THIS WEEKEND (so excited), it is only appropriate today’s happy hour treat is a drink that was consumed for the bride-to-be’s bachelorette party at Barcelona. Refreshing in red or white, fruity and flavorful without being too sweet (if it’s done right), sangria is one of my favorite summer sips. Plus, with all that fruit, it’s almost healthy!
Cheers to Amanda & Chris and a long, fulfilling and happy life together!
Posted in cocktail, happy hour friday, sangria | 1 Comment »
July 2nd, 2010
The happiest Fridays are those before a holiday weekend. The excitement has been brewing since about mid-day yesterday and can only I hope that my distraction has not been too obvious! It’s official, I am completely checked out and ready for a weekend of red, white, and blue.
The Laura Keeler cocktail of choice for July 4th, 2010 is the Berry Sucker, a slight adjustment from Rachel Ray’s Strawberry Sucker, which incorporates my fruit of the moment – blueberries. Who would have thought that adding my favorite berry would make this the perfect color combo for sipping as we celebrate the states?
What and who are you celebrating with this weekend?
Posted in 4th of july, happy hour friday | No Comments »
June 30th, 2010
I am a very lucky girl. Today, as I checked my mail, I discovered the prettiest surprise – a gorgeous Chelsea Gwynne lantern necklace! These beautiful jewels in the cutest packaging have totally made my day.
Here’s a bit of an awkward self-photo – but look how delicate yet bold (I love the colors) my new necklace looks on!
Make sure you add Chelsea to your Google Reader to keep up with all of her new designs – she’s been busy with lots of fresh designs recently and hopefully you’ll find yourself the perfect treat!
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June 29th, 2010
4 days ’til the best weekend of the year! The anticipation is building for the 4th Annual Fourth of July in OG and I can already smell the firework remnants falling over the Greenwich Cove and taste this beautiful “secret” flag cake! Every summer, Annie out does herself with Martha’s magic making a delectable dessert to celebrate the USA, but this one might just take the cake.
Pop over to A Stove With a House Around It for the recipe to this masterpiece. Yum yum – more reasons I can’t wait for 5 o’clock on Friday!
Posted in 4th of july, annie, baking, cake | No Comments »
June 7th, 2010
…for my favorite celebration of the year! With less than a month until the 4th Annual 4th of July celebration in Old Greenwich, it was time for invitations to be dispersed. A trip to Paper Source and an artsy crafty weekend and handwritten invites for all my domestic guests are en route!
Posted in 4th of july, invitations | No Comments »
