The Final Touch

Gone for a while.

I hate to say this, but I will be gone for a while. Some things in life are needing my attention at the moment. I will miss communicating with you. But I will be back soon, with lots of new inspiring entertaining ideas.

I love you all!

Zina's Getting Married - The Dress

Don't despair Zina :-) You'll find your dress! Next Tuesday Zina's picking her invitations with her mother-in-law and fiancé! Stay tuned.

Quick Tip: How To Adress A Single Person Invitation

When inviting a single guest, always adress it this way: " Mr. John White and Guest " . Let your single guest the choice to decide wether he ( or she ) will be bringing a date. 

Tree Wedding Theme

I got inspired by these little tree favors, that I found absolutely adorable to create the stationery for a tree themed wedding. Trees represent life, and what is more beautiful than a wedding that takes life as a symbol.

I designed the invitations using tree illustrations, and a light beige pocket to re-create the feel of a tree.

The escort cards are hanging from branches with stiches gros grain ribbon ( I love this ribbon )

I can just picture a huge vase filled with branches at the entrance of a hall, and all the escort hanging, prestigious!

Giving little trees as a favor will make your guests smile. It is thoughtful, unique, and carries a lot of meaning. They will think of you when planting it, and while watching it grow.

Use all shades of greens, they all match. Forest green, lime green, mustard green, khaki green, mint green. For toning down, you can use chocolate browns and beiges, these remind me of the wood. Don't worry about coordinating, green is the colour of nature, and nature is perfect the way it is. Take a walk down a forrest or park, and look around you. You will be amazed at how many shades of green and browns there is.

If you want to use a color for accents, I will personally use a red.

Sweetness The Patisserie's Marshmallows

Are you thinking I am nuts about Marshmallows? Well, yes I am.  I am also nuts about Donna Hay. And in one of her latest issues ( the one above ) she was mentionning the marshmallows of Sweetness The Patisserie. I wrote to Gena Karpf ( the woman behind Sweetness ), and the next day, she calls me. I was surprised, and oh, so happy!. And, I fell in love. First with Gena, how sweet can she be! Then with what she had to say: she will be providing Donna Hay's new store with her marshmallows, and finally with the whole re-visited marshmallow concept.

We talked, and talked and talked some more. Gena is so easy to talk to! So much passion in her voice, and so much kindness. The type of person, I just love working with. She asked about my business, and sent me samples to taste. Yes, all the way from Australia. Even the post office clerk was amused : " These marshmallows better be good! They travelled quite a bit! " . I didn't give him any to taste. I wanted to be the first one! I was so excited with the parcel. I felt like a little kid receiving a christmas gift. And, when I opened the box, I was even more excited. Colours, colours, colours! I can't describe how great they taste, and so many flavors: vanilla, raspberry, passion fruit, chocolate, blueberry, coconut... I was spoiled. Thank you Gena! Thank you, thank you!

I made a little favor box ( the one in the collage ) to show you how cute these can be as wedding favors. Especially the white ones. 

Zina's Getting Married - On Vacation

I think I forgot to tell you that this is Zina's first winter in Montreal. Well, she froze! And decided to take off and warm herself up for a week, under the sun, on a Mexican beach.

She will get back to planning her wedding next Tuesday! Stay tuned.

It's My Birthday!

I did a quick search on who else shares my birthday, and I was so proud to find out the following:

• 1904   Dr. Seuss, American author
• 1919   Jennifer Jones, American actress
• 1942   John Irving, American author
• 1962   Jon Bon Jovi, American musician
• 1976   Lorena Rossi, Canadian artist (I had to!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to everyone born on March 2nd.

Almond Biscotti

I am sure that each one of you, when thinking of your mom, picture her doing something particular. Mine is a baking angel. Whenever I smell baking, warm childhood memories come back and somehow it relaxes me. I associate baking with comfort and love. I remember her standing in the kitchen for hours, beating, mixing, frothing. And what I remember as well is the taste of all these bites of heaven, warm and fresh. That buttery smell, the different textures, in one word: pleasure!

I  often visit Mamma for "bake dates". I spent last friday at her house, baking with her. We made almond biscottis ( I am not sure if I ever told you I was italian, you might have guessed though, my name doesn't really hide it! )

Here is the recipe. My Mamma's recipe :) I took a picture of her recipe book to show you. That book is a little treasure, and hopefully (if she allows it ), I will be sharing more of these recipes with you. 

Make yourself a good cappucino, and enjoy this traditionnal italian treat!

Ingredients

• 6 eggs
  
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
  
• 1 cup of oil
  
• 4 cups flour
  
• 4 tsp baking powder
  
• 4 ounzes chopped almonds
  
• 1 lemon - zest and juice
  

Preparation

1. Beat eggs and sugar with a mixer 
2. Add oil, lemon zest, lemon juice and almonds. 
3. In another bowl, mix flour and baking powder and add it to the yet mix. 
4. On a large surface, put flour (to avoid stickiness) and  shape 2 logs.
5. Place on a baking sheet over parchment paper. 
6. Bake at 375 degrees celcius until golden.
7. Remove from the oven and let them cool. 
8. Slice, while still warm, and place on baking sheet. 
9. Bake again until the edges are golden brown.