HAPPY EASTER!!

Photo Credits: Hokuli'i Images

Gorgeous Shoes!

{christian louboutin}

it's mid-week and sometimes, gorgeous shoes are just what a girl need to make to friday :) enjoy!

{diane von furstenberg}

{fendi}

{christian louboutin}

{christian louboutin}

{giuseppe zanotti}

{valentino}

{images: netaporter.com}

Perfect Tulips

on thursday my mom and i are hosting a baby shower for my sister. she's having a boy! i am so excited! we just finalized the menu over the weekend (a wonderful butter lettuce salad with champagne dressing to start--it's amazing!) and this week will put together the tablescape. i think we are going to go with bunches of tulips for the flowers. so sweet, so pretty and perfect for a baby shower, don't you think? i found this wonderful DIY project from Brancoprata. wonderfully fresh and simple. love it! check out their post for the complete instructions.

Endless combinations...

good morning!
oooh, these are so fun! bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, weddings...i feel like making up a reason to buy them :)


{images from Imagine and Make via Chewing the Cud blog}

VIVA'S BOOK CLUB - WEDDINGS BY TARA GUERARD

Since opening the doors of Soiree by Tara Guerard in Charleston South Carolina over a decade ago, Tara has been noted as a leading arbiter of entertaining and style. She was selected as a Top 25 Trendsetter by Modern Bride Magazine and Soiree's work has been featured by a wide range of media including InStyle Weddings, Town & Country Weddings, and Martha Stewart Weddings.

In her latest book Weddings By Tara Guerard (January 2010), Tara takes you on a guided tour through twelve dream weddings and shares the tools and tricks of the trade from over a decade in the industry. The book is filled with ideas and inspiration, and each chapter overflows with beautiful photography and details to incorporate into your own wedding.

Here are a few tips from Tara for a successful Soirée:

▪ Hire a great photographer. You want someone who can capture the ambiance, the details and the memories.

▪ Choose colors and foods that reflect a time of year.

▪ Never do a seated dinner around a dance floor. Define each space - one area for cocktails, one for dinner, and another for dancing.

▪ Let your personalities show through at your reception.
▪ Try a 4X4 foot table for 8 - it's a guarantee that people will talk to each other.
▪ Offer guests a signature drink as a welcome. It is a personal detail and prevents that initial backup at the bar.
▪ For outdoor weddings, always remember... if you don't have a backup plan IT WILL RAIN!

Gown Friday!

hollywood glam is what Jenny Packham does best and her 2010 fall collection is no exception. complete with sleek and traditional silhouettes, her designs offer a dramatic, feminine look that i have always loved. what do you think? do you like her contemporary vintage style?
hope you have a wonderful weekend, and i will see you on monday!!














{images: coutorture}

Charming Eco-Chic

there are some amazingly sweet, and wonderfully eco-chic invitation sets over at Chewing the Cud right now! i just can't get enough of the English Rose design up above. so adorably charming!




{images: Chewing the Cud}

Watters & Watters

not interested in the LBD for your bridesmaid dresses? go with color! Watters & Watters collection has beautiful options in a wonderful range of colors and styles. it is soo hard to find a maids dress that works for all your girls--different sizes, shapes, and styles...but a colorful dress will brighten up your wedding party and give your ladies something fresh and modern to wear out later!

{wtoo}

{images from brides.com}

BAKE ME A CUPCAKE

Who knew that when the cupcake craze hit Ottawa a few years back it would turn out to be more than just a passing fad lasting a season or two at best. Whether they're replacing the traditional cake at your wedding or simply being served as part of the late night buffet, cupcakes are here to stay.

The cupcake has really evolved over time. From the mouth watering choices in flavours of cake and icing to the many creative ways to decorate and display them, there's no such thing as the "standard" cupcake anymore.

Along with the evolution of the cupcake is the evolution of places you can now get them. The Ottawa area is full of great shops that create these yummy treats!! Here are just a few - The Cupcake Lounge, The Flour Shoppe, The Girl With The Most Cake, Isobels, Little Cakes and The Lush Cake.

Enjoy!!

A Sweet Wonderland

have you seen Alice in Wonderland yet? oh, it was good, ladies! my hubbie and i saw the other weekend and absolutely loved it. so captivating--i definitely want to see it again so i can find all the details and crazy dialogue i missed the first time--Johnny Depp was amazing!

design has been taken down the same magical journey into Alice's Wonderland, as runways, couture, home & hotel decor and of course weddings have popped up all over the place with whimsically fashioned creations in all sorts of crazy colors, disorienting patterns and fanciful embellishments in large proportions. i personally would shy away from the sort of dark, twisted tone of Tim Burton's take on this tale for a wedding. but if you are as inspired as the rest of us are by the mad hatter tea party, this cake could bring a sweeter (ha!) element to your wedding than some crazed rabbit with a tendency to throw dishes at you (as seen in the movie :)). the detailing is exquisite, don't you think?! add teacups, baby's breath & cherry blossoms, embroidered table cloths, antique clocks and even fanciful hats to your decor and you've joined the party!

for more of this cake and other lovely ideas check out this issue of Utterly Engaged!