Today I’m highlighting the yummy and beautiful food provided by Marcey Brownstein Catering for my recent book party at 632 on Hudson. I worked closely with Leslie from Marcey Brownstein to create a beautiful selection of appetizers, main courses and more in my book so it was an obvious and perfect choice for Marcey & team to recreate this food for my party! I loved food stylist Michele Ammon’s bountiful table of beautiful bread, produce and savory nibbles! Michele worked on the food shots for my book and they were all perfect with her help. Check out the great images below to see details of the different things Marcey Brownstein Catering created for the party. They provided plenty of very healthy vegan options for myself as well! I can’t thank Leslie enough for all of her hard work, energy and inspiration!

Dessert treats were provided by my good friend Dawn from One Girl Cookies in Brooklyn. She’s so lovely, amazing and sweet…just like all of her fabulous creations! Dawn & team created the most incredible cookie bar with endless cookies to enjoy throughout the night! Have a look at the images for all of the details of her delicious treats. I had my own special table in a very quiet corner filled with vegan desserts from Babycakes NY!

A huge THANK YOU to Marcey Brownstein Catering & One Girl Cookies for creating such a beautiful menu for our guests!

I’m so excited to finally have a little time to share some images from our recent party to celebrate my new book! As every good party starts with a beautiful invitation I must start by posting images of the incredibly dreamy invite, favors and other goodies created by my super talented, lovely friends at Arak Kanofsky Studios. The invitation received so many rave reviews and I will cherish it forever. There were also these incredible blocks covered and printed with images from the book…so fabulous and truly special. Everything was branded to perfection….even cocktail napkins in a beautiful blue tone with our custom Nancy Howell calligraphed “inspired” from the cover printed on each one. I love collaborating with Arak Kanofsky. They are true artists and I’m always inspired by their work. My book is filled with their custom creations. These insanely beautiful images are by the talented Jack Jeffries of Christian Oth Studio! Enjoy! My next post will focus on the delicious food and the amazing venue!! Stay tuned for more…

Last week I had a rare window of time to run over to Dumbo, Brooklyn to see my friend Dawn in her beautiful new shop! One Girl Cookies is a favorite of anyone who knows chic, delicious treats in the event world and I’m a big fan of their work. Dawn’s new place is absolutely gorgeous and I’m so proud of her new home for One Girl. If you are in her neighborhood be sure to stop by for a treat or even a delicious cup of tea. They also create fabulous cakes for any event…including weddings! Here are images from my recent visit!

I recently spent some time in beautiful Wilmington, North Carolina where I had the pleasure of speaking at a fundraiser for The Lower Cape Fear Hospice. I also taped a great tv segment in Raleigh on My Carolina Today and had a wonderful lunch with the lovely Whitney from Southern Weddings Magazine! The presentation for the fundraiser was incredibly fun and inspiring…over 300 guests filled the ballroom and I was delighted so many of the attendees purchased my book! I had a great time signing books and meeting many wonderful people. My good friend Jean Rosenberg invited me down for this event and I can’t wait to return next year! Here are a few images from the trip…enjoy!

I have always wanted to go to Nashville, but never had the chance. When I heard we had a segment in the “country” capital I knew I was in for a treat. I was a little nervous that I was expecting too much and I would be disappointed…NOPE. Nashville was everything I hoped it would be and more. From the moment we landed in the airport and were greeted by George Straight over the intercom I knew this was my kind of town. I have always had a little country in me, and I couldn’t wait to explore. We immediately referred to a post Gwyneth Paltrow did on her blog while filming “Country Strong” in Nashville featuring all of her must sees. She didn’t lead us astray. First stop was to The Family Wash in East Nashville. Oh. My. Goodness. Not only was the little restaurant more charming than we could have imagined, the veggie shepherds pie was just as good as Gwyneth promised. It was Pie and Pint Tuesday, and we truly felt like we had died and gone to heaven. YUM. After delicious cake (moist yet light…not sure how they pulled that off) and a quick set from the local talent we decided we better capitalize on being in Nashville for just one night. We headed downtown to Roberts Western World, home of the honky tonk. If you are looking for some good old country dancing-this is the place. Old school country (yes please!) and quite the collection of cowboy boots, this place alone would have been worth the trip.

Oh right, work. Matthew and I had been brainstorming, shopping and crafting all week to prepare for the segment in Nashville. We taped one segment full of  ideas for spring (which will air in the next few months), here is a quick teaser from that segment, but stay tuned for the full video.

Before (crafting away)

After!!

We presented some fun DIY escort card table and favor ideas inspired by my own wedding and the Portuguese bead chapter in the book. Let’s just say the glue gun and “mod podge” got some good use this trip.

Our live segment was centered around inexpensive ideas for winter inspired table décor. We created a wreath made of all woodland inspired materials. How much do you love the way that bleached/dried baby’s breath looks like snow. This type of wreath could hang on a door or could be placed on a table with pillar candles to become a lush centerpiece. Next, we displayed some inexpensive white candies, cookies, and treats on some vintage silver trays and in classic clear glass vases. We found some great glittered wrapping paper at the local craft store which made for a fab runner. I love the simple, clean palette and who doesn’t love to work with glitter and doilies!

On set we met the charming Jesse from the famous Loveless Café. He made a cobbler on set that filled the whole studio with the most savory smell.

We chatted with Jesse and immediately got directions to the café. We couldn’t leave Nashville without trying some of his fresh and famous biscuits. Loveless is a favorite of Martha Stewart, Gwyneth, Nashville locals Tim McGraw and Faith Hill…and now Kimmy Crosby and Matthew Robbins.  Our sweet waitress Virginia (who Matthew and I fell in love with) took great care of us during our visit! I am ashamed to say I had never had REAL fried chicken before, once Virginia learned this she insisted this was the place to do it. She was right, it was insane. Crispy, yet somehow light and unbelievably moist. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Other favorites from Loveless? Their famous biscuits were heaven on a plate, each jam was sweet perfection (we each came home with a jar) and the fried okra was delicious. If you go…and you should go…don’t skip over the creamed corn, I promise you wont regret it. Matthew enjoyed the okra, grits and fried green tomatoes!

Also, stop by their online store for some great gifts for valentines day. We both loaded up, I cant wait to send these tea towels to my sisters on Feb 14!

Nashville, we love you!!! We will be back soon!