Steampunk Fashion

Today we are revisiting the gorgeous dessert tables that Bright Occasions designed and shared with us last week! Margo & Mounia decided to let us see the behind the scenes DIY that went into creating a few of the sweet snacks. These treats are both party favorites and super easy to make! Your guests will love the salty-sweet combination of the chocolate Dipped Pretzels. These can be wonderful add-ons for a dessert or candy table. Golden Oreos are prettier versions of our favorite little cookies. You can use vanilla or chocolate Oreo cookies and a variety of edible color sprays. These DIY ideas can also be used as favors.

Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods

What You’ll Need:

Utensils: Double Boiler, Baking Sheet, Chopsticks, Parchment Paper
10 oz. bag of Pretzel Rods, yields approximately 2 dozen per bag
12 oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips or melting chocolate (covers about 4 dozen pretzels)
4 oz. Edible Pearlized Gold Sugar Crystals
Optional: chopped nuts, flaked coconut, or sprinkles can be substituted for the gold sugar crystals

Directions:

Pour several tablespoons of water in the bottom of your double boiler and place over heat
Add chocolate chips in the top portion of the double boiler and place over the bottom layer
Next to the stove place parchment paper or tin foil on a baking sheet, have chopsticks nearby to rest the pretzels on
Pour edible pearlized gold sugar crystals in a bowl next to the baking sheet. When chocolate starts to melt stir and lower heat to medium
After chocolate is melted lower heat to low or off and use your hands to dip the pretzel rod into the chocolate approximately 1/3 to 1/2 way down. Keep dipping the pretzel until the bottom portion is covered.
Tap the pretzel on the size of the double boiler to remove the excess chocolate.
Sprinkle the gold sugar crystals around the chocolate covered pretzel
Rest on the baking sheet –using the chopsticks to keep the chocolate portion off the sheet
Wait 1 hour or until chocolate is hard, then serve

DIY Dessert Table Treats | Bright Occasions

Golden Oreos

Supplies:

Utensils: Baking Sheet & Paper Towels
1 lb bag of vanilla or classic Oreos (the edible spray will show up much more visibly on vanilla)
1.5 oz can of edible gold colored spray, such as Color Mist™ Food Color Spray at Michael’s

Directions:

Add a layer of paper towels on a baking sheet
Add individual Oreo cookies onto the paper towel; keep the cookies approximately 1 inch apart
Shake can of edible gold colored spray and follow directions to spray each cookie
Leave approximately 30 minutes in between coats to let dry, do 1 to 2 coats per side of cookie

All images by Kate Fine Art Photography

Wedding Vendors

DIY Shoot Coordinator: Margo of Bright Occasions

DIY Shoot Coordinator: Mounia of Paperwhite Events

Brian Atwood has always held a special place in my sky-high-shoe-loving heart… His designs always hit the perfect balance between flirty and sexy, and add a definite “wow-factor” to any outfit…

This said, I was beyond thrilled to hear Brian Atwood was launching a bridal collection. We previewed the line at Bridal Fashion Week , but had to hold on sharing all the juicy details until now. After all, the 13 styles won’t be hitting stores until June 1st, and I’m not ever one to tease.

The uber-glam collection will range in price from $895 to $5,295 and will be available in stores and online . Click through the slideshow for a look at the entire collection – and tell me, which would you rock on your wedding day?

xx,

Jackie

Tribeca
Photo: Image courtesy of Brian Atwood
Sigrid
Photo: Image courtesy of Brian Atwood
Sasha
Photo: Image courtesy of Brian Atwood
Obsession
Photo: Image courtesy of Brian Atwood
Nausica
Photo: Image courtesy of Brian Atwood
Martina
Photo: Image courtesy of Brian Atwood
Madison
Photo: Image courtesy of Brian Atwood
Liuba
Photo: Image courtesy of Brian Atwood
Aurora in White
Photo: Image courtesy of Brian Atwood
Aurora
Photo: Image courtesy of Brian Atwood

To say today’s engagement session is a treat would be an understatement… With all of the chic, fashionable {Parisian!} style in Michelle and Joel’s shoot - it’s definitely the highlight of our blogging week!

This fun New York City couple decided to pack their bags and have a 23-hour long engagement session {yes, you read that right!} in the City of Lights. Luckily, they hired the ever-energetic and talented Cengiz and Amina of Adagion Studio Photography as their photographers. Not only are the resulting images tres magnifique, but the bride also shared their story with Merci New York . Read on for Michelle’s take on a truly magical day!

From the bride, Michelle: Flying back to New York City from Paris a few days ago, Joel and I couldn’t stop thinking about the whirlwind 28-hour Parisian adventure we had just completed. Yes, you read correctly. 28 hours. And that’s on just a few hours of sleep.

But let’s start at the beginning: Initially, the idea was to do the more traditional 2-3 hour engagement photos around our hometown, New York City … When one day, we got this crazy idea–to do something special, remarkable, and utterly different! Something we’d remember forever and where the act of getting our engagement pictures taken would be an experience of itself.

Needless to say, Paris is the perfect location for couples who want it all–love, passion, and a touch of mystery! They say Paris is the most romantic city on the planet and we could not agree more. Rain, snow, or sunshine, the City of Lights energizes and seemingly infuses you with discovery buds you never thought you had.

Our incredible photography team took over as soon as we arrived at the Mon Hotel near the Arc de Triomphe. Adagion Studio’s Cengiz Ozelsel, and his twin sister Amina, were the perfect companions to discover Paris; they are intimately familiar with the city and speak French fluently. You could clearly tell that this was not their first time in Paris and that they had prepared well.

It was fascinating to see their twin-power creative genius at work; 1 + 1 was really more than the proverbial sum of the parts. It seemed like they fed off of each other’s respective (and abundant I may add) energy. In fact, it was clear from the first moment that they would be more than photographers–essentially fun friends with whom to have a blast with. After all, when you are having fun, it’s easier to get awesome photos, right?

We shot at twelve locations, changed outfits five times, stopped at seemingly every Parisian Patisserie imaginable, and, best of all, got to build our kissing stamina. Yes, I knew we would have plenty of opportunity to perfect our kiss, but kissing in Paris along the Seine River or in front of the Eiffel Tower just feels a touch better.

Cengiz and Amina presented us with some wildly entertaining (and crazy) tasks over the course of our adventure. The mantra was: “if you want to get photos that nobody else has, you need to be prepared to do what most people wouldn’t.” Made sense at the time and now makes more sense than ever. For instance, we were asked to jump into a freezing cold pool at La Defense, and (illegally) scale the railing of the Lover’s Bridge (Pont des Arts) overlooking the Seine River. And how about popping a bottle of Champagne at the (in)famous Moulin Rouge in front of countless onlookers? Speaking of shedding your inhibitions … In summary, we loved every minute of our trip, and now can’t wait to re-join forces with Adagion Studio for our wedding in August!

All photos courtesy of Adagion Studio Photography .

In keeping with what all of us Bayside ladies are thinking about this weekend, we felt it was only right to feature a backyard wedding. Why on earth are we thinking about backyard weddings you may ask? Well, our very own Natalie Franke is getting married in her fiancés family backyard in TWO DAYS! There is something so magical about having a wedding in the home where you grew up… the home that you brought him or her home to when you introduced them to the parents. It’s as if everything comes full circle- the place where you started is where you are also starting your new journey! Jenny and Zach of We Are The Hoffmans are such a talented duo that they not only photographed the wedding, but also did the videography!

Enjoy all of the perfectly southern details! Our favorite detail of al fresco weddings is always & forever string lights! Just wait until you see the dance floor lit up with hundreds of hanging bulbs, you’ll fall in love with them too!

Wedding Vendors

Photographer & Videographer: We Are The Hoffmans

Bridesmaid Dresses: David's Bridal

Groomsmen Attire: Gregory's Formal Wear

Flower Girl Attire: Hand sewn by the bride's mother

Makeup Artist: Jillian Babb

Hairstylist: Michelle Smith

Catering, Flowers & Rentals: Garden Cafe

Cake Baker: Cheesy Eddies

Ceremony Officiant: Sammy Rhodes

If you’re heading to the beach this Memorial Day weekend, chances are you’re packing your bag with a great bikini, cute little maxi dress, and some sunnies to complete your look. But what about a great beach hat? I’m always in the market for one… A fab hat is a summertime staple that not only looks chic, but also protects your pretty little noggin from the sun’s harmful rays.

1. Chloe ; 2. Jackie ; 3. Jill ; 4. Olga ; 5. Lucy .

This month, my quest for a killer sun hat came to a halt. I had the chance to partner with Hat Attack to create a one-of-a-kind design that’s great for beach, pool, garden parties, and all kinds of summertime fun. Better yet – it’s being sold for a cause on their site … all proceeds benefit the Skin Cancer Foundation.

How did it work? Hat Attack rounded up their favorite “style mavens” {there are also awesome styles from the ladies at Refinery 29, The Today Show, Cosmopolitan and more}, then told us to get creative… I chose a uber-dramtic floppy hat that screamed “poolside glam” and paired with with some graphic and gold trim. I think it will be awesome with a black bikini.

Check out all of our designs here , and remember that you’ll be shopping for a cause! All proceeds to benefit the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Happy {sun-safe} shopping!

xx,

Jackie

Ampersand Photography captured this beautiful, classic wedding in Northern Virginia. Sarah of Ampersand said that this wedding was all about family,

“It was a sweet, family-centered celebration in Historic Fredericksburg, Virginia. John & Jennie had mostly family in their wedding party, and Jennie’s son was her ring-bearer. Jennie’s aunt was their officiant. She used lace from her grandmother’s wedding dress to wrap around each of her bridesmaid’s bouquets. A perfect elegant wedding, complete with horse-drawn carriage in an old historic venue.”