Rubber Stamp & Pear fun

Last weekend's wedding featured pears as a motif.  As a parting gift to our guests, we stacked up tissue wrapped pears with a sign that read "Bonne Nuit" - good night in french.  Here is how I made them :

We had a rubber stamp made from her monogram that was used on the invitations and menus.  How?  We had the stationery designer send me a jpg of the invitations and we cropped it and ordered it from rubberstamps.com - easy!

I used the back side of a shiny silver tissue that was cut into 9 in squares.  I liked the matte finish side of the tissue rather than the shiny silver.   I used a bronze ink pad from Paper-Source that has a subtle shine.  

Sorry for the blurry close-up.  I'll post a photo of how they were displayed at the reception soon!

Only 43 more to go!
I also used the stamp on the welcome boxes for the hotel rooms...

French Heirloom Chic Wedding

Sorry it has been so long since I last blogged! I've been crazy busy with an INCREDIBLE wedding that took place Sunday at The Intercontinental. Here are some unofficial photos (forgive my poor photog skills) - the photographer's photos should be ready soon!

BELOW : Don't you love the super long head table?  The linen is an Ivory Sorento - we mixed 3 different ivory linens on all of the tables to create an "heirloom" type feeling.  Studio Dan Meiners did an amazing job with the room, the flowers, the linens, the chairs... I could go on and on!  

BELOW : Family portraits in the Rooftop Bar at The Intercontinental.  Here you can see a glimpse of the dresses and bridal flowers - more detail photos to come!  Paul from Van Deusen Photography was great to work with - I can not wait to see his images.
BELOW : A very French-Romantic cake created by Natasha's Mulberry & Mott.  My piece was almond cake with raspberry cream!  Again, notice the mixed linens - the cake table was done in Platinum Lamour, as were the napkins.

I'll be posting some step-by-step guides to putting this wedding together, some details and behind the scenes photos, too!

Floral Design Workshop with Dan Meiners

An excerpt from Studio Dan Meiners' Newsletter...

"Our last flower arranging class was such a success that we have decided to offer it to you again.

Treat yourself to an entertaining and informative afternoon where you will learn from Dan and our design team the basics of floral construction while enjoying wine and light hors d'oeuvres. Best of all, you'll walk out with a beautiful arrangement just in time for the weekend!

Seating is limited to 10 participants, so call today to reserve your spot!"

Floral Design Workshop with Studio Dan Meiners

Friday, June 12th

4:00pm-6:30pm

$95 per person

$85 per person for 2 or more

Happy Tape!

I'm not quite sure why, but I think this is SO fabulous.  It is brightly colored/patterned/striped/embellished masking tape called Happy Tape!  I know, a little strange, not sure how I'd use it - but I really really like it.  I'm brainstorming right now about how I could incorporate it into a wedding favor...  I think all of the colors and color combos are fantastic. 

Dinner : Pasta Pesto with Grilled Shrimp

In the next couple of weeks I'll be launching a new and exciting website/blog.  It will combine The Bliss List and OccasionsKC, and be a home for both!  I've been brainstorming name ideas... what do you think?

Below are sample names for new Lifestyle website : recipes, home, remodeling, gardening, fashion, wedding, entertaining... and tid-bits from my life : )

Life on Fairway Lane, www.lifeonfairwaylane.com

Life at Fairway Place, www.lifeatfairwayplace.com

Jenny Steffens, jennysteffens.com

JL Steffens, jlsteffens.com

JS at Home, www.jsathome.com

Ugh... still thinking!  I'd love to hear your suggestions : )

Anyway, part of the new lifestyle site will include easy recipes and dinner ideas, sooo... 

Delish Dinner : Pasta Pesto with Grilled Shrimp

*inspired by a Barefoot Contessa menu from "Parties"

BELOW: table set with fresh lilacs - 'borrowed' from a bush on the country club next door.  shhh!  That gorgeous french loaf is (gasp) a pilsbury french loaf from a (gasp) can!  Bake with olive oil, sea salt & pepper on top - it is so so good.    In my tablesettings, I like to mix vintage with new, fancy with rustic, casual with elegant, expensive with cheap... 

blue plates : target  |  gold rimmed bread plates : mary carol garrity's nell hills collection  | napkins : brown ticking stripe (love ticking stripe!) from pottery barn  |  leaf salad bowl : walmart.com

BELOW : I mixed together a pitcher of fresh squeezed spritzers.  Lemon, lime and oranges with white wine and sugar.  Served really really cold.   This photo is taken on a built in hutch in my kitchen - it is painted a deep grayish blue.  

BELOW : Love this salad.  Field Greens, Hearts of Palm, Red Pepper, Red Onion, Cucumbers - all sliced really really thinly.  Dressing is olive oil, white wine vinegar, dijon, sugar, garlic and salt and pepper.   Topped with shaved parmesan.  So good!
BELOW : Pesto Pasta with Grilled Shrimp.
BELOW : Peanut Butter Brownies for dessert.  

Cinco de Mayo Workshop - Tomorrow

Sign up for the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Class tomorrow night!  Call Jet at a Thyme for Everything for more info!  www.athymeforeverything.com

The Carriage Club

Last week, I, along with other KC Wedding Designers, was invited to attend an open house at The Carriage Club.  It was FABULOUS.  The Club put together an amazing tasting for us complete with 7 table settings to show off the space.  

The Carriage Club, located at 54th Street & Stateline, is one of Kansas City's oldest and most prestigious 'members only' clubs.  They've recently decided to waive the event sponsorship rules and now... The Carriage Club is open to the public for private events!

Here are some shots from the Open House...