Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Edible Fruit Bouquets

This fresh fruit bouquet, by Plan the Perfect Baby Shower, is an amazing fruit centerpiece with easy to follow step-by-step directions. You can use these same techniques to make fabulous bridal shower centerpieces. A similar fruit bouquet from Edible Arrangements (“A delicious bouquet blooming with fresh strawberries, pineapple daisies, cantaloupe and grapes.”) retails for $59 and up.

One large pineapple, 2 pounds of strawberries, 1 cantaloupe, 50 grapes and a handful of parsley is all you need to get started.






















Using a cookie cutter, press each slice of pineapple and cut out a flower of pineapple.

















Using a melon baller, scoop out one ball of cantaloupe for every 2 pineapple flowers. Cut the cantaloupe ball in half and lay the flat side of one half against one pineapple flower.






























Take each pineapple flower and stick a bamboo skewer through the center. Make sure your skewer pokes through the pineapple about 1/2 inch. Now stick that part of the skewer onto a cantaloupe ball, but don't let the skewer stick out the other end of the cantaloupe ball. Do this for each pineapple flower.
















Wash your strawberries (you can remove the strawberry leaves if you want). Then take each one and stick a bamboo skewer into the top of it, but don't let the skewer poke out the other side.


















Take a bamboo skewer and stick it through about 6-7 grapes. When you stick one grape on, slide it down to make room for the next one. Repeat this until your last grape. Make sure that the skewer doesn't stick out of the one on top). Then slide each grape up the skewer until they touch the grape just above it.


















Now you should have all of your fruit on skewers. Place each skewer into foam or playdough at various angles. You will want to create a spherical shape to the bouquet, so place the outermost skewers on a large angle and make them shorter than the center skewers. The key to this step is to adjust your skewer lengths. Make sure you have plenty of fruit. Having too few fruit skewers makes your fruit bouquet look bare and skimpy.


Monday, June 29, 2009

Homemade Bath Salts & Soaks

After a stressful day of wedding planning, why not soak in a soothing bath made of simple ingredients found in your own kitchen? Soaking in a tub full of hot water with a cup or two of Epsom Salts is known for relaxing muscles and drawing toxins from the body. The reason? They are made of the mineral magnesium sulfate—a sedative for the nervous system.
When magnesium sulfate is absorbed through the skin, it reduces swelling, relaxes muscles, is a natural emollient and exfoliator.
























Before mixing the recipes, make sure that any herbs or oatmeal added are first ground finely (use a food processor if possible).

Mix the ingredients well, store in airtight plastic containers or sterilized jars (such as mason jars or pretty jam jars). Shake the jar well before using. Add anywhere from 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup to your bath and enjoy!

Cinnamon Soak

1 cup powdered milk
1 cup baking soda
3 TBS cornstarch
2 TBS cream of tartar
1 1/2 TBS cinnamon


Soothing Bath Soak

4 cups Epsom salts
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup sea salt
2 TBS dried herbs (finely ground)

Oatmeal & Cinnamon Milk Soak

1 1/2 cups powdered milk
3/4 cup baking soda
3/4 cup oatmeal (finely grind it first)
3 TBS cornstarch
2 tsp cream of tartar
2 tsp cinnamon

Herbal Salts

1 1/2 cups Epsom salts
3/4 cup baking soda
3/4 cup dried herbs (finely ground)

recipes courtesy of tipnut

To read more visit Homemade Beauty

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Ring Bearer Pillow Ideas

If you’re looking for a unique ring bearer pillow and an artist who might be willing to design one especially with you in mind, Etsy is a fabulous place to shop. Etsy is where super crafty people go to sell their handmade items and most are open to suggestions about size, colors and materials. You can look at each seller’s rating, how long they have been selling, and how many items they offer. Another great way to accessorize with rhinestone brooches!



























1. EmiciBridal
2. NutfieldWeaver
3. YANDEBRIDAL
4. weddingsandsuch
5. Karenyee
6. BrassPaperclip



Saturday, June 27, 2009

Famous Brooches

The only person I know more obsessed with brooches than me. When asked what kind of mood she was in, the former US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright would simply say, "read my pins."









Her famous pins are now displayed at New York's Museum of Arts & Design. In the 200 piece collection are the golden snake pin she got after Saddam Hussein called her a "serpent," a bee brooch she wore whenever she thought she was walking into a "sting," and the balloon pin she chose if talks were likely to go well. When feeling patriotic she was known to wear a gold eagle brooch, and a dove brooch when giving speeches in the Middle East. The show might tour for as long as two years -- the perfect excuse for Albright to get more brooches!

When she's sipping a pint on St. Paddy's Day, may we suggest our:




Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Gourmet Cookie Wedding Favors

If you are unfamiliar with Etsy, it is a website that allows users to buy and sell handmade items. The company has a listing fee of 20 cents for every item and takes a commission of 3.5% off all items sold. There we found Cakebox Cookies and some amazing gourmet cookie wedding favors. Most measure 4 x 4.5 inches, weigh 1/4 pound each, and are sold at $39.95 per dozen. They come individually wrapped in a cellophane bag and tied with the ribbon color of your choice.





























































Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Alfred Angelo Bridesmaid Dresses

It’s hard not to respect someone who has been in the bridal business for 75 years. And even more importantly, the people at Alfred Angelo seem to be aware that every bride isn’t made of money, and that times are hard for many anxious to get married. Recently, they donated 386 wedding gowns made available to military service women and brides-to-be of military service men. Starting this year, all military brides can receive a 15% discount on any Alfred Angelo bridal gown and $25 off bridesmaid gowns at the time of their bridal gown purchase. With 55 color options and sizes from 2 to 28W, Alfred Angelo is a name you can trust.




































































































Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes

For smooth, baby-soft skin before your wedding, gently rub these homemade body scrubs all over your body (not face) to exfoliate and remove dead skin.


















Brown Sugar Scrub

1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup of almond oil
1/4 cup of liquid Ivory hand soap
1/4 tsp of vanilla

Lemon Sugar Scrub

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 T lemon zest (grated)

Lavender & Rosewood Scrub

1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup almond oil
1/2 tsp vitamin E
6 drops rosewood essential oil
4 drops lavender essential oil

Coffee & Brown Sugar Scrub

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
3 T fresh coffee grounds
5 tsp almond oil
5 tsp jojoba oil
2 tsp honey1 tsp vitamin E
1 tsp vanilla

Tea Sugar Scrub

2 cups white sugar
1 cup honey
2 TBS tea
5 drops vanilla

Yogurt Sugar Scrub

3 T baby oil
1 T yogurt
1 T white sugar

Directions: Mix ingredients and use as a body scrub/exfoliator.

recipes courtesy of tipnut

Monday, June 15, 2009

Jessica McClintock Veils

Low priced designer veils are here from Jessica McClintock! And more A A Bridal veils are on the way. What makes these so special? Affordability. You want your wedding to be perfect in every way but you just can see spending $300 on a designer veil. At Beautiful Bridal you don’t have to. Embroidered veils, Swarovski crystal veils and pearl edge veils are yours starting at only $68!

Ribbon Edge Veil

Thursday, June 11, 2009

A A Bridal

Since 1995 we have partnered with A A Bridal to bring you fabulous bridal tiaras and wedding veils at discount prices. We have continually added new products, but sometimes it’s just hard to keep up. That’s why we want you to know that all of their accessories, past and present, are available to you from Beautiful Bridal. Occasionally, they discontinue products but that's the exception rather than the rule. Here are some of their best:

Tiara and Matching Jewelry B9792

Tiara and Jewelry Sets






Monday, June 8, 2009

Lovely Red Bridal Gown

“Perfection is everything.”

Fifteen years ago, Wen Wu traveled from bridal store to bridal store, selling gowns from the trunk of his car. Now the House of Wu annually ships about 250,000 gowns to more than 2,800 retail outlets in North and South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Wu's designs, including those from his Christina Wu Collection, appear regularly in national magazines such as Brides, Modern Bride, and The Knot. If you want to be wed in red, this is your dress!


To read more visit Red Wedding Gowns - Should You Wear One? and Better Wed in Red

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Wedding Biscotti

Chock-full of flavor without the calories or fat, Katie Lee Joel from the Food Network developed this recipe, sensational for a bridal shower and remarkable at a rehearsal dinner. Save money by dressing these tasty treats up in cellophane with a hand-tied satin ribbon and give them out affordable cookie wedding favors.


Ingredients

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup dried currants

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, and rosemary. Set aside.

Using an electric mixer and a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, incorporating each egg fully before adding the next. Add the vanilla. and gently stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Stir in currants.

Cut dough in half and shape into 2 logs. They should be about a 12-inches long; and 1-inch thick.

Bake until just starting to brown at the edges, about 35 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets. While the biscotti logs are still warm, cut each log into 1/2-inch wide slices on the diagonal. Place the slices back on the baking sheet (using 2 baking sheets if necessary to fit all the slices). Bake for 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the baking sheets from the oven. Turn the biscotti over and bake for an additional 7 to 8 minutes, until the biscotti are crisp.

Let the biscotti cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet(s). Serve when cooled to room temperature, or store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

To read more visit Wedding Cake Cookies

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Personalized Cookie Favors for Fall

Our friends at Beau-coup have an exclusive line of fall-themed cookie favors that are hand-decorated, and can include a special personalized message on each. Leaf, acorn, pumpkin and wedding cake cookies are available in two sizes and have a shelf life of three months. Individually wrapped in cellophane and tied with a matching ribbon, your guests will fall in love with these petite pumpkins and adorable acorns from Beau-coup.


To read more visit Fall Wedding Cake Ideas and Sweets For Sweethearts

Monday, June 1, 2009

British Bridal Exhibition 2009

The annual Bridal Buyer Awards, held in Harrogate during the March British Bridal Exhibition was a big hit as close to 600 guests gathered together to toast the very best in the business. Our English cousins certainly know how to have a great time at the Champagne Bar…



The Winners

Best Bridalwear Retailer: Mamfii Bridal, Knaphill, Surrey
Best Mens Formalwear Retailer: Tux ‘n’ Tails, London
Best New Retailer: The Bridal Gallery Group, North West England
Best Retail Display: The Confetti Box, Eccles
Best Retail Website: Quello, Kenilworth
Best British Bridal Designer: Suzanne Neville
Best Bridal Manufacturer: Benjamin Roberts
Best Groomswear Supplier: Cameron Ross
Best Bridesmaid Collection: Dessy
Best Headdress Designer: Liza
Wedding Dress of the Year: Maggie Sottero’s Ireland

(photo courtesy of Maggie Sottero)

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