Wedding Moments by Adrienne Maples

Adrienne Maples, Bliss List Member, has created a new (fabulous!) blog, www.amaplesblog.com.  One of her first posts is called "Favorite Wedding Moments"... I love thinking of a wedding day as a collection of 'moments'.  The moment when your soon-to-be sees you at the end of the aisle, the moment your Dad takes his first step down the aisle, the moment your Mom stands proudly as you begin the processional, the moment your best friend/sister takes a deep breath before she begins her speech... I could go on and on!  The entire day is filled with special, special moments.  A great photographer documents (doesn't create!) those moments for you to treasure.  Take a peek at some of Adrienne's Favorite Wedding Moments on her new blog.   

Here are some of MY favorites of Adrienne's favorites...

"I sometimes find myself fascinated with a particular person at a wedding.  On this wedding day, I found myself watching this little flower girl.  She spent a good portion of the day by herself immersed in her own thoughts.  I could tell she took great pride in being dressed up & appointed the prized position of ‘flower girl.’  As the bride lined up to go meet her groom, this little girl took her position.  I felt like her tiny smile lit up the entire room!"   ...from amaplesblog.com 

"Above is a moment caught between two sisters, Alicia (the bride) & Audrey.   This is the fond smile of a proud older sister.  I caught so many wonderful moments at this wedding… I think I might have to go back & create a brand new post of only ‘Alicia’ moments!"  ...from amaplesblog.com 

Cinco de Mayo Workshop

I'm so thrilled about my upcoming class/workshop at A Thyme For Everything... on Cinco de Mayo!  These photos are my inspiration...  

Here is what I'll be preparing for the class :

Baja Steak Tacos

Seared Flat Iron Steak in warm corn tortillas - inspired by our trip to Seaside.

Shrimp & Avocado Salad

Served in fun and creative ways

Sweet & Spicy Slaw

Classic Cole Slaw with a Mexican twist

Spinach Queso

Learn how to make this favorite!

Fresh Squeezed Margarita Pie

Our favorite drink turned into a dessert... perfect!

To sign up for the class, call Jet at A Thyme for Everything at 816-554-3755.  See you there!

Design Board : Lemon Mint

This design board features sweet colors of Lemon, Mint & Sage...  Perfect for a small Spring affair.

Cake : Natasha's Mulberry & Mott - Bliss List Member |  DIY Lace Clutches & Coursage : Martha Stewart Weddings |  Bouquet : White, Cream & Yellow Peonies  |  Stationery : Lilah Papers - Bliss List Member |  Dress : Reem Acra "Belle" 

Color Palette - Navy, Pool, Peony & Butter

I love this color palette featured on The Bride's Guide today...  click HERE to read the entire entry.  

STUDIO Dan Meiners - New Newsletter

The following is an excerpt from Studio Dan Meiners' new email newsletter. To sign up click here or visit The Studio's website, www.studiodanmeiners.com.

Dear Jenny,

I recently returned from an amazing trip to New Zealand and Australia, and I am struck by the deep impression the raw beauty and vibrancy of the land has left on me. Being abroad also made me realize the importance of staying connected to family and friends through the emails, and it spurred me to connect with you more regularly through our new on-line newsletter. Once or twice a month we will be reaching out and saying thank you for all of your support and business by offering you exclusive specials on new designs and products, inviting you to attend events, classes and special sales in our showroom, and keeping you up-to-date on the latest news in flower, design, and horticultural trends.

Traveling is always food for the soul, and this trip has invigorated me with so many new ideas for the events and designs we are working on at the Studio. Unexpected color combinations inspired by the meadows and lush mountains of New Zealand, textures that mirror the local flora and the bounty of the land and sea, and forms that recall the architectural drama of Sydney. I hope you enjoy the new designs we are creating, and that they bring a little inspiration to your daily living.

Cheers,

Dan Meiners

ABOVE : On the Glacier at Milford Sound, New Zealand

BELOW : The STUDIO is having a...

Prop & Inventory Sale

Saturday April 25th

7:00 am to 5:00 pm

Freesia

We love the delicate beauty, light fragrance and crisp elegance of freesia flowers, and when we saw these pretty blooms at market, we knew that they would be the perfect centerpiece for our spring designs.  Native to South Africa, Freesias were first brought to Europe in the late 1800's and have become a world wide sensation, valued not only as a long-lasting cut flower, but also for the sweet scent boasted by many of the species.  Some varieties are grown specifically for their fragrance, and are often used as a middle note in perfumes rounding out the scent recipe. You have probably smelled it in such popular fragrances as Happy by Clinique, Beautiful by Estee Lauder, Red Door by Elizabeth Arden, and Eternity by Calvin Klein, where it blends with the other floral notes to help create a perfect scent profile. In the symbolic language of flowers, Freesia signifies friendship, trust and grace under pressure, making it a great choice for a co-worker or friend. It also presses beautifully between the pages of a heavy book, where once dried, it holds its color for up to three years.

Fresh for the Season...

Beautiful Florals featuring fresh freesia and other Spring blooms. 

April in Paris... in Kansas City

If you plan to be in town this weekend, you MUST put this on your 'to do' list... April in Paris.  A group of chic antique dealers and artists are getting together for a shop and show event Friday & Saturday.  I'm so excited to get some fun, and original loot for the new house!

And the most exciting part?  Natasha's Mulberry & Mott will be there with Box Lunches (served in berry boxes - how cute is that?) containing Croque Monsieur and other Parisian treats.  Delish.   

Miss Frenchie's
April in Paris
Opening Night,
Friday, April 17, 6-9 p.m.
$5.00 admission (For the Alexander Majors Fund)

Saturday, April 18, 2008
10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
$2.00 admission (For the Alexander Majors Fund)

Alexander Majors Barn (and Historical House)
8201 State Line Rd
Kansas City, MO 64114

Visit http://missfrenchies.blogspot.com/ for more info.

April Showers

Last night, I taught a class at gourmet kitchen store A Thyme For Everything - April Showers : Baby & Bridal Showers. It was so much fun.... Thanks to all of my students that attended!

MENU : Petite BATs (Bacon, Avocado & Tomato), Goat Cheese Tarts, Greens topped with a Lemon Vinaigrette and Chocolate Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream. 

BELOW : The Flower Pot Cupcake Favors - Chocolate cupcakes topped with Strawberry Buttercream and rolled in crushed Oreo cookies.  

BELOW : I snipped these crab apple blooming branches from my yard.  The "linens" are drapery panels... a fun way to find great linens!  These were from Target. 

BELOW : The placecards were cupcakes with garden tags and a sweet little flower.

BELOW : Another placecard at the 'Bliss List' table.

BELOW : A photo of the place setting and recipe cards that I created for the class.

Dan Meiners - New Photos to Share!

Dan Meiners & his Studio crew have updated their website with fresh new photos from their recent work.  It is definitely worth a look - so inspirational!

www.studiodanmeiners.com

Tables That Bloom, Part I

I'm participating in a fundraiser for the Delta Gamma (my sorority) Kansas City alumni organization called Tables that Bloom.  I'm sponsoring/decorating 2 tables - 1 for occasionskc.com and 1 for The Bliss List.  

The occasions kc table will be Easter themed!  So... today, I dyed 10 dozen eggs.  Yow-zah!  Stay tuned for photos of the tables - I plan to fill my apothecary jar collection full of eggs.  Natasha and Vicki from Natasha's Mulberry & Mott are going to provide Easter Egg and Chick sugar cookies for each place setting.  

BELOW: Egg Boiling station ready to go...  Mr. Darcy is getting in on the action.

BELOW : 1/4 of the eggs ready for dying.  I mixed 70% blue dye, 20% green dye, and 10% red dye to get the perfect "Bliss List Blue" - mixing all of the colors mutes the blue slightly for a more natural looking color.  

 

BELOW : Done!  The rooster salt & pepper shakers approve.  

Personalize with Style - Guest Bloggers from Soiree Event Designs

Text Written by Danielle & Megan from Soiree Event Designs, Bliss List Members

Photos selected by me, Jenny Steffens.

The prospect of planning the biggest day of your life in a unique way can be an intimidating project. You want your guests to see your personality and style throughout the event. Here are a few simple ideas that we have found can help you to achieve that personal touch.

Old family wedding photos on your guestbook table or mounted on your table cards -
It is fun for everyone to see how the wedding attire styles have changed throughout the years and it can be a functional way to honor your family members at your reception.

BELOW : My parents on their wedding day!

Use your parents’ vintage bride and groom wedding topper – The vintage toppers have become a popular item for wedding cakes recently so why not use your parents’ that has a sentimental value.



Borrow your veil or jewelry from a friend or family member – You can take care of your something borrowed while creating a meaningful connection with the person you borrowed it from. You never know what you might find in grandma’s jewelry box!

BELOW : Veil by Oh My Dear



Personalize the little things – Have a signature cocktail and give it a name that is unique to you and the groom, or give your tables names that signify something meaningful to you.

BELOW : Champagne cocktails... maybe "Kate's Royale" or "Bill-ini"

The truth is you don’t have to go overboard, and you don’t have to get caught up in incorporating the same themes with every element of the wedding. Add just enough that there are some unique and interesting elements that can tell short story about you and the groom. Everyone will leave feeling that they have attended a thoughtful event that celebrated you and your husband from ceremony to reception.

BELOW : This Bride used her family ring to make wax seal impressions on her invitations and programs.

Brunch is a Breeze - Featured in the KC Star!

Stacey Downs, a KC Star House & Home editor, featured details from my recent "Easter Brunch Workshop."  Read an excerpt from the article below!

Hosting a Springtime Brunch can be a Breeze

KC Star, House & Home, April 5th

Stacey Downs

"Hosting an elegant brunch can be easy.

That’s because you can do so much of the prep work the night before, says Jenny Steffens of Fairway, owner of Occasions Entertaining and the Bliss List, a wedding-vendor blog in Kansas City. Flowers can be purchased and arranged. And much of the food can be assembled in advance.

At A Thyme for Everything, a gourmet store in downtown Lee’s Summit, Steffens recently demonstrated how to make a four-course brunch. The dishes are special enough for Easter but can work for any late-morning spring day.

“When I think of brunch, I want something that’s going to fill me up until I have popcorn at eight o’clock at night,” she says. “But like the Barefoot Contessa says, I want it to be simple so I can have fun, too..."

Read the entire article on The Kansas City Star's website, here.