Why Don't You. . .Propose with The James

The James Hotel, that is.

The James Hotel is a luxury, boutique hotel in downtown Chicago renowned for its exceptional service, modern aesthetic and style. And for a starting price of $60, 000, The James will help you make it official with your beloved. What all do you get for a mere $60, 000?One night's stay in the 1400 sq. ft. Penthouse Loft

A stunning Van Cleef & Arpels engagement ring<----I wonder what the size is???

A private dinner for two including your own personal Primehouse Chef, romantic private dining room experience and Chicago Symphony Orchestra string quartet

Spa Experience for two from THE SPA

One year anniversary gift from The James, which is a weekend stay in The James Penthouse LoftThis offer is only good until December 31, 2008. A 72 hour advance reservation is required. And you can't just phone the hotel and ask for the Proposal Package--it must be specially arranged through Jennifer Hampson at 312.337.1000 or jhampson{at}jameshotels.com. Who knew proposing could be this easy?

Any takers?

Why Don't You. . .Have a Gourmet Popcorn Bar??

Candy bars and buffets are very popular and have become an integral part of today's wedding receptions. I don't see any signs of this trend slowing down, either. I can see what's great about it, though:

It looks good as a part of the decor for the reception
It's interactive for the guests
Candy is a wedding favor that 95% of your guests will enjoy

So put a twist on the been-there-done-that candy buffet: why don't you offer a gourmet popcorn bar at your wedding?? It will still engage your guests, it can look fantastic inside your venue and it's tasty!

If I were to design a popcorn bar for one of my brides, I would start with Garrett's Popcorn out of Chicago. YUM!! There are only about seven flavors, so I wouldn't have to make very difficult decisions on what to choose. I would definitely have the CheeseCorn, the CaramelCrisp, the oh-so-popular Chicago Mix and round it out with the Plain and Buttery flavors. I would probably allot 1/4 to 1/3-gallon of popcorn per guest, but Garrett's popcorn is sooooo good that you may have to increase your order to avoid running out!

To save on costs, I would look for original and unique glass containers in places like Hobby Lobby, Ikea, thrift shops and antique stores. And there's always the option of renting containers. One trick that many miss is to limit the size of the containers. I would only use small to medium containers, with only one or two large containers. Five to seven small or medium containers definitely give the look of more goodies as opposed to three large containers, although it's holding the same amount of popcorn. Remember--presentation is everything!

I would liven up the table by adding premium linens or table runners that matched the colors and scheme of the rest of the reception. Votives, flower petals, seashells or scattered gems would also liven up the buffet. You really don't want it to look bland. It should be inviting and appealing to your guests. It should almost scream out: "Come scoop me. . ." Gilded frames for the signage would be beautiful touch, as well.

I would stage the containers at different heights on the table using lifts/risers. This makes access to the popcorn goodies easier, but it also adds drama to the table. I would definitely stage the favor bags and boxes, too, because they are a part of the presentation as well. Stainless steel or silver scoops would round out the look for my gourmet popcorn bar.

Your gourmet popcorn bar is sure to be a success at your next special event or wedding reception. Who doesn't like to pick and choose their own delicious take-home treats? What different ideas do you have for bars or buffets? We'd love to hear your ideas!
Photo Credit: Buttercup Popcorn, Country Confections

Why Don't You. . .Celebrate Earth Day Everyday??

Happy Earth Day!! Today, we celebrate Earth Day, when in reality, we should be celebrating it every day. I drive an SUV--so to make up for that, I try to use these 10 easy ways to go green in my home. It's the least I can do to reduce my impact on Mother Earth (or get another vehicle, which I'm trying to do right now!)
Courtesy of Domino Magazine, here are 10 stealthy ways to decrease the carbon footprint in your home life:

1. shut your tap

While brushing your teeth, remember to turn off the faucet. If you're scrubbing for the dentist-advised two minutes and your spigot puts out the average three gallons per minute, you'll save six gallons.

2. unplug it

It was revolutionary on MTV Unplugged, and it's still the way forward: Pull out cords for cell-phone chargers, microwaves and other "occasional" appliances when not in use.

3. buy in bulk

Packaging can be seductive, but it's clogging landfills. Cut down on the excess by buying either jumbo containers that hold more or from bins of loose flour, rice, etc. Bonus: fewer gas-guzzling trips to the market.

4. turn down the thermostat

Doing so not only conserves fuel and money (for every degree you lower it between 70° and 60°, you'll save about 5 percent on heating costs), but studies show it may also help you fall asleep more quickly and have a more restful night once you do.

5. ditch paper napkins

An elegant way to conserve, cloth napkins save both kinds of green (that's money and trees). Wash in cold water and line-dry for bonus points.

6. cell block

Cell phone reliably die at the worst possible moment, so don't go anywhere without Gaiam's inexpensive "SideWinder" portable charger. Two minutes of cranking yields five to six minutes of talk time. Seems crazy, but it works—and it's good exercise! Bonus feature: a small LED that's perfect for locating dropped keys in a dark movie theater.

7. say no to vampire power

Intriguing as it sounds, "vampire power" sucks. A computer that's been turned off still drains the lifeblood from outlets, accounting for up to 10 percent of home-electricity use. Smart Home's new-generation Smart Power Strip actually stops the current, saving money and energy.

8. the convection connection

Spacious and sophisticated enough to roast a chicken or bake a soufflé, Cuisinart's "Exact Heat" convection oven saves energy by preheating and cooking faster than conventional ovens.

9. 'n sink

A tea-drinker's dream: instant boiling water! The InSinkErator faucet, which connects to an under-sink tank, offers instant gratification and energy efficiency that beats the old stove-and-kettle method.

10. healthy venting

Regulating temperature in a large room can be difficult. To keep the air fresh without letting in a draft, Honeywell offers a special fan called a heat recovery ventilator that sucks in and warms outside air before pumping it throughout the space.

Can you commit to at least one or two of these?

Why Don't You. . .Have an All-White Wedding Cake??

Weddings this year are all about color--bright, bold colors: deep reds, bright pinks, warm oranges and intense purples, to name a few. Give your reception a twist by having an all-white wedding cake. White is the traditional color for weddings and using it only for your sugarpaste or fondant confection while going bright and bold for everything else will surely make your cake cutting ceremony unforgettable.











You can opt for a classic cake or a modern cake. Go for rounds or squares or even oblongs when picking your tier shape. Choose ornate decorations or simple decorations. Just make sure the icing and adornments stay pristine. Using different shades of white on your cake design can provide a sense of depth. Think creams, ivories and off-white embellishments on top of stark white fondant.







An all-white wedding cake is also your cue to go all out with texture. Three-dimensional sugarpaste flowers, fondant draping and sophisticated piping can all accentuate the look of your all-white dessert. Add color from the inside out. Imagine cutting into an all-white dream only to see rich devil's food cake, orange-flavored cake, cherry cake or red velvet cake? Skip the colored pin-lighting as well. Quite often, white weddings cakes are accented with colored pin-lighting to change the appearance and color of the cake. This time, you want to show off your cake in its unspoiled, all-white glory.









Any cake design or pattern can be made in the all-white palette. See a particular colorful cake you like? Take a picture to your baker and ask her to recreate it in your neutral color scheme. Experiment with the textures, flavors and embellishments and you're sure to come up with a winner. Anyone like the all-white wedding cake idea at a color-laden wedding celebration? We'd love to hear your thoughts about it--please leave your comments below. Here's to doing something unexpected at your reception!
Photo Credits: Martha Stewart, Kakes by Karen, Cake Channel, Jane the Cake Artist, Collette's Cakes

Why Don't You. . .Propose to Your Man??

This week will give us an extra day in February. Yup—2008 is a Leap Year. As legend has it, February 29th is the only acceptable day that women can pop to question to men.

It is thought that this tradition came out of 5th century Ireland because of a complaining St. Bridget. Her complaint?? Women had to wait too long for a man to propose to them in the more strict days of courtship. St. Patrick’s compromise to her was to allow these earnest women to propose on this one day in February that only came around every four years.

Today, women propose to their men all the time and no one bats nary an eye at the thought of it (well--no one except MY grandmother). But wouldn’t it be fun to follow a legend! If you already know that he’s the one, or at least the prototype, ask him to be yours forever on this Friday. Now what kind of engagement rock will you give him??

Why Don't You. . .Skip the Monogram Cake Topper??

We know that monograms and logos are all the rage for theme weddings. I like monograms, I really do. . .but I also like that custom logos are creeping up on them and taking over in popularity.
So, for the sake of being a little different and ultra-fab at your wedding, why don't you skip the monogram cake topper and go for some cake jewelry that's a little more avant-garde.

I love crystals and sparkle and bling, but I believe you can have it on your cake and it not be in the shape of a K or a W.

I found some pretty cake jewelry at Favor Ideas. They have a large selection that can fit into almost any atmosphere of wedding.

One of my fave sites is Couture Cake Jewelry. The crystal bands are stunning, if not a little on the expensive side.
One of my absolutely favorite wedding cakes is a cake made here in Indy by Classic Cakes. When it was showcased at a November wedding that I worked, I fell in love! It was so sparkly and crystal-y and beautiful that it didn't need any additional adornment on the cake or the cake table. When the uplighting changed colors, the color of the cake also changed. Simply marvelous! It was delicious to eat but far too gorgeous to even want to cut! Pictured below is a smaller version.

Dare to be a little different and dare to make your wedding your own. What kind of cake jewelry or embellishments will you have on your wedding cake? Drop me a line!
Photos courtesy of Favor Ideas, Classic Cakes and Couture Cake Jewelry