Have a safe and fun Halloween! Image from Martha Stewart.
The winner of Sensational Cakes is June 6, 2009 bride. Congratulations! For those of you who did not win or missed the deadline, please check back often as we continue to do more contests! Image from Amazon.
My husband and I have had a super busy past two weeks and haven’t seen much of each other. Yesterday, he called and asked if I’d like to go out to dinner with him because he missed me! I promptly made reservations for Ruth’s Chris. Given the Ruth’s Chris name, you know that our food was amazing and the view at the Arlington location can’t be beat. While the photo below doesn’t give it justice, we sat facing Reagan National Airport and watched the planes land and take off. This is a great after proposal dinner location. Image from Ruth’s Chris.
Last week I visited Nicole at Mellon Auditorium. This is a really unique venue, in that it is one of the few in DC (besides hotels) that can hold a large scale event. It is absolutely stunning with its grand entrance and floor to ceiling columns. Images from Mellon Auditorium.
Aubrey M. is a fantastic photographer who does some really interesting work. She does travel for weddings too. Images from Aubrey M.
While at the Engaged! luncheon on Monday, I picked up a copy of Sylvia Weinstock’s Sensational Cakes. I had her sign it and I’m now giving it away! To enter, leave a comment below. I’ll randomly select a winner on Thursday October 30. Good luck! Image from Amazon.
Yesterday I hinted at the dessert I had at the Engaged! luncheon honoring Sylvia Weinstock. I’m sure you guessed I had cupcakes! Four different companies highlighted their cupcakes: Couture Cupcakes, Fancy Cakes by Leslie, Patty Cakes and K. Rose Fine Cakes. I enjoyed a couple for dessert and also brought one home. Image from K. Rose Fine Cakes.
Yesterday I attended a fabulous luncheon hosted by Engaged! Magazine, honoring the launch of Sylvia Weinstock’s new book, Sensational Cakes. The event was held at Oxon Hill Manor and the venue was highlighted beautifully with rentals from Select and catering by Occasions. The morning started off with mango mimosas (with a slice of ginger) and passed hors d’oeuvres of quail egg topped with caviar. We sat down to a lunch of terrine of golden beet and chevre, with smoked quail. The main course was filet of black bass with pomme puree and green beans with sauteed persimmons. You can only guess what dessert was-my favorite sweet I post about all the time.
You absolutely must get a contract from every vendor you hire for your event. If the vendor does not “do” contracts”, or their “word” is their contract, then most likely you are dealing with a vendor who engages in bad business practices. I hear many times that people trusted the vendor or really liked them, so was ok with not getting a contract. Keep in mind that a majority of vendors who will not sign contracts are not licensed or insured, and if they don’t have a license, they are doing business illegally. A contract protects not only you but the vendor as well. If the vendor does not value their business enough to protect themselves, then why would you trust them?
Carine’s Bridal Atelier is holding a trunk show featuring Carolina Herrera, today and tomorrow. Herrera’s gowns are fabulous. (She was Jackie O’s stylist for the last 12 years of Onassis’s life.) Image from Carine’s Bridal Atelier.
