Move Over Cupcakes

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Cupcakes are still popular but the great American Pie may push the Cupcake aside this year. Pies can be savory, sweet or even better – a little of both! Comfort food such as Chicken Pot Pie, Steak and Potato Pie and Shepherds Pie will be served at the most upscale events. Mini pies for each guest to take home will be a fun change. Currently the most requested flavors, according to The Little Pie Company in New York are Sour Cream Apple Walnut, Pumpkin, Mississippi Mud and Southern Pecan. Key Lime Pie and Old-Fashioned Apple Pie are classic pies that will always be enjoyed. Pies will even stand in as wedding cake in 2011.

Old Fashioned Fun

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So much fun to bring Hot Dog On A Stick to your party. Who doesn’t love their lemonade and corndogs? This event was at a home in Brentwood.

Into the Sea in Santa Barbara

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The bride and groom paddling off into the Pacific moments after their wedding at The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara. Not too many brides have the pleasure of going into the ocean in their Monique Lhuillier gowns.

This is one couple who will never be “bored”.

The groom and groomsmen enjoyed an afternoon at the beach the day before the wedding. The amazing husband and wife team of Amy and Stuart shot this wedding.

Have A Seat

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Garden Markers with guest’s names written in chalk are a charming way to let guests know where they will be seated. These are surrounded by pots of flowering plants in trays covered with moss by Hidden Garden. We set the trays on tables in the garden for a wedding we planned at Ojai Valley Inn.

Tiny Pumpkins are a perfect way to display seating cards at a fall wedding
The cards can be inserted into the pumpkins or glued on.

These miniature Adirondack chairs bring thoughts of summer on Cape Cod. We provided these to guests at an event we planned at Shutters in Santa Monica. I like the fact that guests can use them as frames after the event.

Holiday Sweets

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Sugared fruits are as delicious as they are gorgeous. These are on display at the Grand Food Hall at Harrods in London. Find similar treats at Dean and Deluca


These colorful, festive holiday cookies bring back childhood memories. They are available at Susie Cakes in Brentwood.
Bite sized whoopie pies from Baking Whoopie are filled with mouth watering flavors such as banana with vanilla rum creme, peanut butter with salted caramel and Vermont Maple with cinnamon. They are the perfect dessert and can also be packaged in boxes to give as gifts.

Let’s Face It…

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Inside this gate one of the most amazing facialists in Los Angeles works her magic.

The products are fragrant without being overly scented and they feel light and natural

Some of Carmen’s wonderful products from Hungary

I don’t pamper myself too often but I do enjoy great facials. I recently had the pleasure of experiencing one of the best facials I have had in years. Carmen Mateescu has magical hands and her products are wonderful. She works with all natural Hungarian skincare products. My grandmother is from Hungary and growing up she always told me about the different plants and flowers her mother would use to turn into fragrant lotion. Now I can buy these delightful cleansers, moisturizers and creams. Carmen’s studio is tucked inside a charming salon on Civic Center Drive in Beverly Hills. The facial is pure relaxation – you deserve it! Carmen’s # is (310) 275-5401.

Rustic Charm

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Soft and romantic flowers are timeless

Subtle but charming Shepherd’s Hooks provide a rustic touch at this garden wedding.


This antique box is a unique place to store boutonnieres.

Fall was in the Air this Weekend

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We planned a wonderful wedding at the gorgeous Ojai Valley Inn on Saturday. The wedding ceremony took place in a lovely courtyard at the hotel. We worked with The Hidden Garden http://www.hiddengardenflowers.com/ to create the feel of Autumn.

Flowers and branches set the stage for the seating cards which were embellished with miniature fall leaves

Guests enjoyed piping hot roasted butternut squash soup – served in miniature pumpkins.

Sara and Ryan – the perfect pair.

The Wedding Cake carried out the feel of fall. Guests also enjoyed delicious ice cream sandwiches made to order.

We were delighted to plan Sara and Ryan’s wedding at The fantastic Ojai Valley Inn this weekend. Sara and Ryan are a fun, young couple. It was important to them that their guests enjoy an intimate weekend together outside of Los Angeles.
Guests began the weekend at a rehearsal dinner held outdoors at a local restaurant in town. On Saturday morning the men in the wedding party enjoyed “hot towel” shaves at an old fashioned barber shop while the women had breakfast together in the bride’s suite. The couple took gorgeous photos around the property with the amazingly talented Amy & Stuart http://www.amyandstuart.com before meeting their wedding party for pictures on the golf course.
Their ceremony was held under a simple, beautiful Huppah in a courtyard overlooking the mountains. The Hidden Garden did an amazing job with all of the flowers. After cocktails outdoors guests entered the ballroom to the fight songs of The University of Southern California and The University of Texas . The grand Hacienda Ballroom glowed with projections of fall leaves on the walls and ceiling and dramatic flowers incorporating leaves and fall colors. The couple began the evening with a standard first dance that turned into a choreographed, elaborate surprise featuring the weddng party as well as their families. An energetic Hora followed and the party never slowed down. After an evening of fine dining, dancing and even a Limbo contest (the bride is a Limbo champion) the night ended with comfort food served on the dance floor before Sara and Ryan were whisked away in the hotel’s custom Bentley golf cart.

Fun and Colorful at Ojai Valley Inn

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The traditional Indian Mandap created by The Hidden Garden was simple and lovely.Indian Kathak dancing was followed by a fun Bollywood dance that involved all of the wedding guests

Dining under the stars on Saturday evening – before heading into the lounge for dancing.

We had the pleasure of planning a delightful wedding at The Ojai Valley Inn this past weekend. The bride is Indian and the groom grew up in England. We had so much fun combining the two cultures.

Friday began with a golf tournament for the men at the resort. The women were treated to Mehendi (colorful Indian Henna) and manicures at the private home we rented for the weekend. The estate is the personal home of the owners of the hotel and it’s quite beautiful.

The first ceremony was held on Friday evening- “The Zoroastrian Blessing Ceremony”. The sunset over the mountains was quite dramatic as guests witnessed this gorgeous ritual. A poolside feast of Indian and English cuisine was followed by mystical Kathak dancing.

Saturday began with a lovely ceremony at the hotel in the Herb Garden followed by cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres under the wisteria covered pergola. Guests hopped on shuttles and were whisked to a “secret” location. They were delighted to arrive at the Ranch owned by the resort. After dining outdoors on Amalfi tables overflowing with wild flowers – a new area was revealed. We transformed the existing barn into an eclectic lounge combining colorful Indian accents and old world European decor. The fantastic space featured custom furniture, dramatic lighting and floor to ceiling draping. Guests danced the night away.

The weekend concluded with brunch at The Herb Garden Pool. Mostly everyone stayed at the hotel over night and as they departed on Sunday they were given lavender filled sachets by the valet staff with the sentiment “when the scent is no more it is time to return to The Ojai Valley Inn”. I am sure the guests can’t wait to return.

Magical Wedding at Beverly Hills Hotel

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The Crystal Garden – Romantic and Gorgeous

The Crystal Ballroom – Dramatic and Elegant

The Eight Tiered Sylvia Weinstock Wedding Cake
We planned a gorgeous wedding at The Beverly Hills Hotel this weekend. When guests walked down the grand staircase which was covered in hydrangeas and roses they had a glimpse of the beauty to follow. The Garden was breathtaking in romantic shades of vibrant color. Crystal chandeliers and clusters of delicate flowers hung from the trees. The bride walked down the aisle to the theme from “Legends of the Fall” played by an orchestra featuring a baby grand piano. The Crystal Ballroom was transformed into a magical setting with Magnolia trees, a round white dance floor, breathtaking flowers, and heirloom silver candleabras. The bride enjoyed playing dress-up in two custom Oscar de la Renta gowns and a hand embroidered silk gown that was patterened after her grandmother’s gown. Guests enjoyed a multi course meal followed by an eight tiered Sylvia Weinstock Cake flown in from New York. Long after the band finished the after party continued in The Crystal with D J Johnny Knight.