Canmore Pitstop

Saturday morning we head to Canmore for the evening wedding celebration - a small cast of two dozen for an intimate ceremony followed by drinks and dinner at a new resort in Canmore, The Grande Rockies Resort (a new addition to the Metropolitan Hotels chain, so sure to be modern and comfy!). http://www.grandrockies.com/

The suites look beautiful - spacious, modern and with kitchens to house everything you need for your mountain getaway.

Drinks and dinner will take place in the newly appointed Habitat Restaurant - a fusion menu of both Asian and "Rockies" influence - I can't wait to check this restaurant out!

And as this hotel is just getting "off the ground", there are some great rates and packages to be had. All rooms are suites with full kitchens, patios with BBQs, etc, so my guess is that in the near future, The Grande Rockies will be a fractional ownership opportunity for those longing to spend their downtime in the beautiful Canadian Rockies.

If you are planning a quick getaway to the Rockies, it looks like a great place to hang your hat.  I also found a list of things to do (which includes restaurants, accommodations, etc) for Canmore from Trip Advisor:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g181727-Canmore_Alberta-Vacations.html#24949198

I am also quite interested in stopping into The Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company, on the main road, they serve a variety of organic wood-fired flatbreads.

Looks very appealing to dig into after a beautiful walk or hike in the mountains, or simply a stroll through the town.  Whatever your poison, Canmore looks like a great spot to spend a weekend, get away from the city noise and traffic and take in some beautiful scenery with a loved one, or in my case, two.  How lucky!

K

For Jamie

This blog's inspiration came directly from a conversation I had with my soon-to-be step-daughter-in-law (Jamie) last night as they stayed with us while enroute to their wedding destination in Canmore, Alberta!  As the wedding approaches, Jamie has decided to create her own bouquet with her wedding swat team.  I found some great ideas and tips a la Martha.  I hope you enjoy them, Jamie!

This is the CLASSIC style gathering:  A tight dome of roses is made even more beautiful when finished with an opulent satin ribbon and bow. A few more buds are sewn in the trailing ribbon ends.

This is an EXPOSED STEMS bouquet:  After taping stems just below the blooms, a length of ribbon is wrapped around the stems and finished with a crisscross of thinner velvet ribbon, secure with pin.

Then, a SQUARED stem arrangement:  Stems are completely wrapped in textured, patterned, or beaded fabrics, and embellished with ribbons and rosettes.

The ever-interesting and sentimental FABRIC COLLAR:  Using a beautiful handkerchief or napkin to wrap your wedding bouquet gives you a chance to show off a sentimental heirloom. The stitching is easily removed, and a solid wrapping of floral tape protects fabric from stains.

And finally, an ARCHED styling:  The arched contour of this arrangement is achieved by wiring both flowers and berries. Jewel-tone viburnum berries accentuate the fluttery lightness of the purple hybrid delphiniums, as slender brodiaea blooms hang from the bouquet’s edges. A vintage green satin ribbon adds a finishing touch.

I always believed that the stems of the flowers are as important as the blooms, and can be styled to represent anything from a modern-themed wedding to housing family heirlooms or a special gift from the groom to his bride, and everything in between!  Dressing your flower bouquet is a beautiful way to complete the brides look, from head to toe.

K

Mozzarella - easier than you think

I couldn't resist passing this on!  Courtesy of Luxirare, a short video on making fresh mozzarella - take a look!

http://vimeo.com/8345926

K

Photographic Art - Jess Knubis

Our stay at the Hotel Luca in Napa surrounded us with not only beautiful food, wine and scenery, but gorgeous artwork hanging on each wall of the hotel by a local photographer, Jess Knubis.  Though he has several collections of photography, I was taken with his Modern History Portfolio and couldn't wait to get more information on our return.

Take a look at his work

http://www.knubisphotoimage.com/

Here is one from his Modern History Collection (my favorite)

And one from the Napa Valley Series

And what chef wouldn't want these prints adorning their kitchen area?  From his Kitchen Series

You can contact Jeff directly through email and he will gladly send a print across the boarder for your enjoyment!  Expect about 10 - 14 days for delivery.

K

Travel Booking to California Wine Country

I have had some requests about blogging my travel tips for booking a Napa/Sonoma getaway.

First off, I found a long weekend (four days) was enough to explore, eat, drink and leave wanting more.  Secondly, what time of year?  Well, harvest time is October and although it is interesting, it is VERY crowded.  Our first trip to Sonoma was a Thursday-Sunday on the last weekend in September.  Our second trip to Napa was the Easter long weekend/first weekend in April from Friday to Monday.  Expect hot weather from May to October, while early spring is the rainy season.

For flights, I lucked out using my Aeroplan points for both trips.  http://www.aeroplan.com/ Expect to pay about $120 for taxes per person, but you can fly direct, non-stop from Edmonton to San Fran in under 3 hours, and the flight times are very sensible!  Otherwise, expect to pay about $500 for a direct, non-stop return ticket.  http://www.aircanada.com/

When I have my dates set, it is off to http://www.expedia.ca/ to book a car rental ASAP!  Good thing, no "pay up front" for the car reservation, and if you book in advance, you can snag a convertible for just a few more dollars a day than a regular sedan!

Where to stay.  Your choices: Hotel, Inn, B&B or Motel.  My husband likes new and modern so we generally look at Inns and Hotels.  There are many luxury accommodations to choose from with varying price tags, but be forewarned, Napa will not provide 5 stars for a steal!  Also, B&Bs are beautiful in both valleys and offer some great weekend packages.  Most accommodations offer perks like full breakfasts, wine tastings or drinks and appetizers in the evening.  Maybe even a cookie on your pillow before bedtime!

My first electronic stop is http://www.luxurylink.com/  Here, you can either buy or bid on accommodation packages, all of which you would feel comfortable recommending to friends and family.  I was the lucky winner of a stay at The Vintner's Inn for our Sonoma trip and The Hotel Luca for our Napa trip.  I saved about 60% and we had breakfast, discounts at restaurants, wine tastings and evening treats thrown into the deal!  One note of caution: read the auction restrictions carefully!  Some have blackout dates where they will not accept a reservation, others will state a Sunday through Thursday stay only.  When you find something you want to bid on, phone the reservations desk at the hotel of choice to see if they have availability for your dates before bidding on the package - wouldn't want to be the proud winner of a hotel auction only to find out that on the weekend you are travelling there is no room at the Inn!

(Vintner's Inn, Sonoma Valley http://www.vintnersinn.com/ )

If nothing appeals to me on Luxury Link, I always try the http://www.expedia.ca/ back-up and often cross-reference the expedia rankings with a google search titled "luxury hotel in Napa" or "best places to stay in Napa".  Then you are on your way!

As for eating establishments, Zagat offers their rankings of best restaurants, however following that list twice a day will leave a big dent in your wallet!  I also google "best restaurants" and the area, cross-referencing them with a food magazine's top picks.  I recommend hitting the bistros for lunch and dinner.  You will find fantastic locally grown fare at great prices.  If you are wandering through a town in the valley and come across a high-end restaurant, they often provide a lunch menu that resembles the larger dinner menu but at reasonable prices - knock yourself out!  We did - several times!

Wine tastings.  This is also good to google search, but we found our best bet was to ask the resident wine expert at our hotel of his/her preference.  You will never get the same answer twice!  The recommendation is to plan 3-4 tastings a day.  Sometimes we went with recommendations, sometimes it was a drive-by that looked of interest and other times you strike a conversation with others at the tastings and go to their previous destination.  There is no rhyme or reason here, just get out and enjoy it!  One recommendation for Sonoma is the Ferrari-Carano Winery - absolutely beautiful grounds with multiple tastings.  This is the winery associated with The Vintner's Inn.  And for Napa, Hall Winery for it's modern design and great wine;  Frank Gehry designed tasting room and enthusiastic staff.

Cheers!

Washington Street Part 2: Bottega

Michael Chiarello.  Southern-Italian roots, American chef.  Runner-up on Top Chef Masters.  Countless cookbooks and Food Television Chef.  What you might not know, is that not only does he have an amazing store celebrating all that is Napa and food, aptly called Napa Style, and his family produces fantastic wine in the Valley, but Chef Chiarello has recently moved away from building his brand empire and gone back to basics - last year he threw on the crocs and beloved chef jacket and headed into the kitchen.  From this, Bottega was born.  After just a few months open, Bottega was ranked the best new restaurant in the Napa Valley, Top Italian Restaurant and is competiting for the top space of Best Restaurant.

Napa Style, the Chiarello Family Vineyards and Bottega are all convienently located on the same piece of prime real estate (also the oldest vineyard in the valley) on Washington Avenue!  In fact, I couldn't help but notice Keller's empire is on one side of the road and Chiarello's is on the other!  For now, they live in harmony on this power-packed main street.

Bottega is a modern Italian setting, a bustling restaurant with warm decor and open kitchen where Chef Chiarello was in his comfort zone standing at "The Pass" while his chefs knocked out his creations.  A showcase of signature bold Italian flavors. Bottega's menu highlights the bounty of artisanal and house made ingredients, as well as local produce. Pure Napa, pure Italy rolled up into one fantastic experience!


Our server was a wealth of information, obviously in the industry for years, but as casual and laid back as the guests around us.  We soon found that he came out of retirement when he was contacted by Chiarello, his former employer, and told of Bottega.  He had as much fun as we did, telling his guests about regional food and his life adventures - a definite bonus to our Bottega experience!  Upon his recommendations we experienced some fantastic plates...

I have to interject this story by telling you that I love Italian food for it's basic principles: good quality and simple food.  I love the lifestyle in Italy and it's relationship with the food grown, and because of this, I couldn't wait to see what our plates looked like!  Out came our appetizer: a long plate with house-made prosciutto slices and melon, but next to that were substantial "balls" that resembled donuts.  It was actually pasta dough deep-fried and immediately rolled in Parmesan cheese.  Next to that, a simple bowl of red wine.  The server told us with great delight to take the warm dough, punch a hole in it with your thumb and place a cube of melon inside.  Then, wrap the dough with a slice of prosciutto, dip in the wine and transport yourself to heaven!  Incredible!  You will have to excuse me, as I couldn't tell you the name of the appetizer - I am still at a stage where I am recognizing the ingredients and as long as the combination is interesting, the chef can surprise me with the application! (especially when it is in Italian!)

The other dish to rave about was our pasta (primi) course.  My husband and I decide to share a house made gnocchi.  Light and fluffy, dressed with seasonal sweet peas, fava beans and meyer lemons.  I dream of this dish.  The final two courses were equally as inventive and executed superbly.  As we were out celebrating my husband's birthday, I asked the server to pair a wine with each course for my husband.  Not only was he happy to do so, but seemingly had a very heavy hand and generous measure - hubby was pleased!

All in all, this was a wonderful experience from the food to the decor and ambiance.  I would happily repeat it again and again.  And, unlike French Laundry, it was affordable with an energy worthy of lingering around on the patio for a nightcap or two.  As much as I love food and restaurants, French Laundry is something to appreciate in theory, not reality.  Bottega is real: budget-friendly, lively, innovative and just plain fun.

Washington Street, Yountville: The Yellow Brick Road For Foodies Part 1

Washington Street is the main drag in a small but beautiful town in the Napa Valley, called Yountville.  Just north of Napa, Yountville is a picturesque area with beautiful vineyard scenery, rolling hills, pretty bridges and homes, and it happens to be a mecca for foodies!  (The previously mentioned hotel of choice, Hotel Luca, resides on Washington Street.) But it wasn't until my husband and I went for a walk the following morning after our arrival that we realized it's significance to California wine and cuisine - Foodie Nirvana.

As we walked a few hundred yards from the hotel, we noticed a slice of land, approximately two home lots large that have been converted into a huge vegetable garden.

We stopped to admire the care and hard work, but also to contemplate the value of such real estate. Who did this?  What a fantastic idea to showcase the town's relationship with food. Then it came over me - I turned around to see the opposite side of the road...

Ah!  French Laundry! For those that are not aware of this eating establishment, French Laundry has been consistently ranked one of the top restaurants in the world for years. Thomas Keller's flagship restaurant, impossible to get a reservation, and if you are one of the chosen ones to dine here, you have only two pieces of information to give on arrival: your choice of the carnivore or vegetarian meal, and drinks a la carte or wine pairings. The menu changes daily based on the produce, the season and the mood of the chef.  And this large vegetable garden supplies fresh produce to the restaurant - heaven!


As my husband dragged me, heels digging in and camera in hand down the road, I recuperated just in time to come across Chef Keller's  french bistro, Bouchon Bistro, which is, of course, next door to his famous french-inspired bakery, Bouchon Bakery. At this point, I am on my knees from both the anticipation and the ethereal smell of freshly baked pastries and french chocolate. I am coming here to die. But then,  I went to taste. I had to stand in line for 1/2 hour at 9am on a Saturday morning, but it was worth it!  Pain au chocolat, lemon tarts, madeleines..... It is one of the happiest places on earth.

The family of Keller restaurants and world domination does not end here.  If you hike down the road a few more blocks you will come across Ad Hoc.  A celebration of American food in true Keller style: a small cozy restaurant with kitchy displays of the almighty hog and one set menu which changes daily.  The grab: a four
course meal with price of $49USD.  Not bad at all!  I survive this experience - only because we had reservations the following night, and it did not disappoint!

So this blog might lead you to believe that Thomas Keller owns and reigns the glorious Washington Street of Yountville.  Though he has been here since opening French Laundry and you have to give him some credit for putting this beautiful town on the food map, another master chef also calls Washington Street his stomping grounds: Chef Michael Chiarello, the Italian master.  So many choices, so little time.

New Hotel, Lots of Possibilities!

For my husband's birthday in April, I surprised him with an early birthday gift and swept him away to the Napa Valley for the Easter long weekend.  We had spent a long weekend in the Fall in Sonoma and had a great time, so I was determined to see the adjacent wine valley in the Napa area.  Also selfishly, we could partake in some wonderful culinary adventures in Yountville which have been on my wish list for years!!

On searching one of my favorite hotel websites, luxury link (http://www.luxurylink.com/) I was able to find a new Italian boutique hotel that was offering a package on auction.  Opened since November 2009, it was a great opportunity to stay at a luxury hotel before it became busy, translation: while they were still offering great deals to build business, AND it had a few months operation under it's belt to work out the expected kinks.  We booked, we stayed, we fell in love!

http://www.hotellucanapa.com/
A stylish, modern hotel based in must-stay Yountville, the Hotel Luca looks suspiciously like a small town in Italy.  All suites look into a beautifully designed courtyard filled with flowers, fountains and even outdoor fireplaces.  Small in size but big on style, walking into your suite felt like walking into a Restoration Hardware show suite!  All the hardware is supplied by the home giant as well as expected Italian touches like travertine floors and bathrooms.  This was also the hotel suite that supplied us with our first Nespresso - need I say more?

Hotel Luca oozes Italian style with modern comforts but you never forget you are in Napa, especially when you see the photographic art of Jess Knubis hanging on every wall and wine-themed decor far as the eye can see.  There is also a fantastic restaurant/bar, Cantinetta Piero, keeping in the theme of Luca and inspired by the open-air lifestyle of Tuscany - great Italian wines to chose from with a mix of traditional Italian fare and Napa-Italian fusion.  Spectacular!  My husband and I shared some appetizers and fresh pasta on our arrival and kept talking about it the entire trip!

So if luck is on your side and you happen to find yourself in the Napa Valley, take a quick look on Luxury Link to see if you can score a package with the Hotel Luca - you will not be disappointed.  Great service, luxurious suites and fantastic food - I am sure it will not stay reasonably priced for long!

K

Fall 2010 has arrived!

I have mixed emotions here.  On one hand, it feels like we have had one long spring in Edmonton and are impatiently awaiting summer to show up any day now.  On the other hand, I adore fall fashion!  On Friday, Stella and Dot released their Fall 2010 lineup to stylists in North America, and yes, I have already placed an order for the line!

If you'd like to preview the new line, take a peek on my website:

www.stelladot.com/sites/thegoods1

And, if you are interested in getting a group together for coffee or drinks to view the new collection, I would be thrilled to set a date with you!  Not to sound like a pushy saleswoman, but there are many advantages of "hostessing" an event, including free swag!

My order is expected to arrive in about a week along with new Look Books and currently booking into late August!

That's enough pitching for this blog...K

Weekend BBQ

We have invited another family over to our patio this weekend for a BBQ.  Once a staple during summer in Edmonton, now this year we can't seem to get enough time for the patio to dry in between storms!  That said, we are out to have a good time, and what better to serve a large group of people than BBQ chicken!  I know, chicken sounds a bit mundane, but I like to search my cookbooks and the Internet for new ideas - chicken is never the same at our house!

Considering the terrible weather here today, I am inspired to head south of the border for inspiration, keeping in mind an audience of both adults and kids.  Thanks to the Food Network and California-Mexi inspired Guy Fieri, I think I have it:

Chipotle Mango BBQ Chicken

Ingredients


1 1/2 cups mango, peeled, pitted and roughly chopped

3/4 cup fresh cilantro (loose pack, not chopped, stems and all)

2 chipotle peppers in adobo, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce

2 tablespoons unseasoned rice wine vinegar

4 cloves garlic, peeled

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon canola oil, plus extra for grill

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

2 pounds chicken thighs and drumsticks, bone in, skin on

Directions

Put the mango, cilantro, chipotle, vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of oil and salt and pepper, in a food processor and puree until smooth. Adjust seasonings, to taste.
Add the chicken with half the mango mixture to a resealable plastic bag, and massage to coat the chicken with the sauce. Refrigerate at least 6 hours to marinate.
Put the other half of the mango mixture into a small saucepan and simmer over low heat until thick, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Set some of the simmered chipotle-mango sauce aside to serve on the side and baste the chicken every few minutes with the rest of the sauce.
Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and brush with canola oil. Remove the chicken from the marinade and put on the grill.
Grill the chicken turning and basting about every 5 minutes until cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and serve with the reserved mango sauce.

Hmmm... what to serve with this?  On first thoughts, maybe some grilled sweet potato wedges and a slaw with Jicama.  Sounds like a Bobby Flay search!

We all know that the wedding industry has a license to print money.  But what I am happy to report is to see some major players in the "everyday" fashion world bridge the gap between tacky prom dresses hanging in the mall and designer gowns with mortgage-sized price tags.  I really think that couples are moving away from the expensive all-out weddings and focusing on having a more tailored and personal event that represents the couple, not what the latest Bridal magazine suggests.  Thank goodness, logic prevails! 

With that, for those about to say "I do" (and I wish this was around for our nuptials) be empowered by the almighty J. Crew.  Yes, I completely understand what I just wrote, and no, I did not have a seizure - Leave it to J. Crew to seam the gap between wedding attire and fashion. Its latest Fall 2010 wedding collection is the ultimate line for brides and everyone in the bridal party. Brides will undoubtedly fall head over heels in love with the brand’s top-notch fabrics—which hail from Europe’s most famous mills—and spectacular hand-made embroidery. And in true J Crew marketing style, as you browse the collection on the website, it offers you everything down to shorts and sneakers for the honeymoon!

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Wedding.jsp

The downside: for those who want the "try on the dress with the girls experience", the bridal boutique is located in New York.  That said, I can think of worse things than having to jet over to NYC for a few days to go shopping!  With the current seat sales (check out http://www.travelalerts.ca/) and lack of inspiration sometimes found in our local stores, it's a great option!

Here is a snapshot on what J. Crew offers in their Fall 2010 line:

A beautiful embossed organza gown

A silk chiffon, dreamy dress

Silk taffeta for the more traditional

A silk tricotine gown

I wonder what mastermind line will be next to break the barrier and offer those brides-to-be alternatives for their special day?  Until then, way to go J. Crew!

Coffee Magic in the Making

So, I am not a big coffee fan. In fact, though my husband fuels himself every morning, I typically only enjoy a coffee when on vacation: in Mexico, it's cafe con leche and in Europe, a Cappuccino. Regardless, I secretly dream of a beautifully designed, compact espresso maker glistening on my kitchen counter! Just think, how convenient to whip up a fantastic cappuccino on demand.

On a recent weekend getaway to the Napa Valley, we stayed in a modern Italian-owned hotel, The Hotel Luca. Every room had a coffeemaker, but not just a drip, a Nespresso. Next to the stylish machine was a beautiful box that had several variety sample "pods" of different coffee to try! I am very sceptical of the whole "coffee pod" industry - when I want coffee, I want good, fresh coffee. But much to my delight, it was superb! We had three to chose from: a dark espresso roast, a mid-intensity lungo (cappuccino or latte worthy) and a decaf.

Of course, on arrival home I was on the computer searching for these incredible mini-machines. I found several different varieties that you can purchase at Home Outfitters here in Edmonton but with one catch - the pods have to be ordered on-line! You can buy the machines and accessories at your local store, but not the coffee!

Nespresso is after world domination of the classic-home-coffee-maker-space, and in doing so, has celebrities like George Clooney in their advertisement, a very user-friendly website explaining all that is coffee, amazingly fast shipping of products and customer service in line with good old Restoration Hardware! Impressive. It's a winning combination. Now, the machine itself will set you back anywhere from $299-600, but considering that huge coffee gap between the typical $50-100 drip machines to the $1000+ espresso makers, it's a wise marketing move.

As for the pods, when you purchase a machine, you get a sample of each coffee in their line: 16 in total, a combination of Espressos, Lungos, Pure Origins and Decafs, as well as a binder that explains the regions, mix and notes in each coffee - think wine appreciation for the caffeine addict! My husband and I tried each pod and ranked our favorite. I was quick to make note of any bitter coffee and banished it forever, opting for a mix of dark coffees, two favorite lungos and a decaf for those guests who enjoy a coffee after dinner.

I was pleasantly surprised at the ease of ordering the pods. A quick sign up and selection and presto chango, pods in the mailbox within three days! Reasonable priced (from 40-68 cents each) they come in sleeves of ten and every few months, the standard 16 varieties to choose from increases with "limited releases". Trust me, they are limited - once they are gone, they are gone forever (I was quickly informed by other Nespresso owners).

As for the actual technology: Nespresso's hermetically sealed capsules are made of aluminium foil. When the capsule is inserted into the machine, the top of the capsule is pierced (some machines make a single large hole, and others make a number of smaller ones). When the machine is activated, the machine pumps in hot water under high pressure. This causes the base of the capsule to bow out, as it is made of thinner foil than the rest of the capsule. The base of the capsule holder (on which the capsule sits) has a number of raised squares, which causes the foil to rupture at these points, and the brewed coffee then exits the capsule, and flows into the cup. (There is a pressure release valve inside the brewing chamber, which prevents an explosion occurring if the small holes in the base of the holder become blocked.) Depending on the particular machine being used, the spent capsule may then be ejected into a holding chamber within the machine. This ejection process is automated on certain higher-end machines.

The power of Nespresso has spread internationally, to offer specialty stores in prime locations around the world where you can enjoy tastings and purchase products. Unfortunately, this boutique has not made it to Edmonton just yet! I believe sometime in 2011 we should expect a Nespresso Boutique to pop up somewhere in town. Before the craze takes over our fine city, take a look and a taste in Home Outfitters or on their website for further enlightenment!

http://www.nespresso.com/

K

Celebrate with Flowers - It's time for a Wedding!

Much to our family's excitement, my husband's oldest son recently announced that he and his girlfriend are getting married THIS July 31st!  Needless to say, we are thrilled!  We love them both and they have a beautiful seven month old little boy that fills our world with another level of joy!

I have to say, this couple is very level-headed and laid-back over the whole event - no Bridezillas here!  And the guest list comprises of about twenty guests that will witness the two exchanging vows in a simple but beautiful ceremony in Canmore, Alberta! I think it will be an intimate and loving exchange that my husband and I are honoured to be a part of.

Well, one of the first things I think of when I hear wedding besides food, is FLOWERS!  I love flowers!  Flowers have the ability to lighten your spirit and mood with one glance, transform a room or simple table, fill a garden with a beautiful aroma or deliver a symbolic message to a loved one.  And when I think of wedding and flowers, good ol' Martha Stewart comes to mind!  Now, I know Martha is the cornerstone of many jokes and gets mocked with her OCD behaviour, but I knew Martha back in the days when she was a well-known caterer in New England and began writing cookbooks.  Our relationship began when I read an article on Christmas dinner and continued for many years!  In fact, it is her perfectionism and OCD that makes her a reliable source - if you need a great cookie recipe, Martha will have one.  If by chance an ingredient has the wrong measurement, feel comforted at night that a head or two rolled for that error.  But I digress...

Martha Stewart does weddings that are beautiful, elegant, well thought of, imaginative and comfortable!  Take a look at her website and you will experience everything from the Victorian bride to the Modern bride; centerpieces by tradition, with branches, fruit, vegetables and candles just to name a few.  I have included some beautiful examples of floral centerpieces that really set the mood for such an occasion.

Consider a mix of traditional pinks with something not-so-traditional, like cherry blossoms

A beautiful spring wedding lends itself perfectly to the Tulip - the first sign of spring.  A symbolic statement is made here, as a couple enters into something new, being reborn or an awakening

Not big on frilly flowers and trying to keep the cost down, consider going modern.  What a stunning arrangement using branches and vases.  The various heights on the branches and delicate blossoms are truly a work of art

Here is a wonderful summer arrangement done free form, perfect for the deconstructed wedding, a casual outdoor gathering or a dinner alfresco in the mountains

How about focusing on your guests and combining the centerpieces as favors for them to take home?

A stunning red centerpiece with candles in between

How about adding some fruit in the mix?

Or try a green centerpiece that brings the outdoors, inside

For something more intimate, I love a collection of smaller arrangements

Try this look with a number of flowers: peonies, lilacs or roses but keep the arrangement to a single variety - it has more impact!  Also consider a variety of containers, pending the theme of the wedding: terracotta pots for an Italian outdoors celebration, a selection of latte bowls, various sized silver vases for something more elegant or even an eco-friendly container!

The list is endless, only by the restrictions of geography, time of year and the wallet book!

James and Jamie, enjoy this time together, thank you for sharing this special day with us and we wish you all the happiness in the world!