St. Barths

As the weather is getting cooler, and I am ready to take off for warmer ground... I am reminded of many of my favorite travel destinations - St. Barths is a HUGE favorite!

Map of Hotels via The Insiders' Guide

Eden Rock is a favorite place to stay amongst visitors who opt for a
Hotel versus Villa Vacation. I have eaten but not stayed here.

I have stayed at the hotel below- The Hotel Guanahani

I love the way The Guanahani uses color throughout their Hotel. I have a painting from the Hotel Gift Shop which is in my guest bathroom that is full of all of these great colors. I fell in love with the painting while we were in St. Barths and my husband surprised me with it when we got home!

The Carl Gustaf Hotel is another great choice- if you don't stay here --go for dinner

One caveat regarding St. Barths ....If you are squirmish about flying this may not be the best destination for you. My front lawn is bigger than the runway!

Feature Sample Sale Dress | Grace by Amy Michelson

Grace by Amy Michelson is a Romantic Dress in Ivory Silk Organza over a Nude Lining . The Bodice is adorned in Gorgeous Alencon Lace
Size 8
Retails for $5400
Sample available for $2800

Wedding Cake Pops

Aren't these Cake Pops so Adorable? Bakerella does it again. Want to know how to make them yourself? Read the full story on the blog.

Halloween Cocktails

Just for grown-up goblins: Serve up a little black magic -- in the form of cocktails made with vodka that's as dark as night.

Ghost in the Graveyard
Serves 1
2 ounces black vodka
2 ounces creme de cacao or coffee-flavored liqueur
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
Pinch of finely grated nutmeg, for garnish

In a glass, combine vodka and creme de cacao, and set aside. Place a scoop of ice cream in a highball glass, and slowly pour vodka mixture over ice cream. Garnish with nutmeg; serve immediately.

Screwed-Up Screwdriver
Serves 1
1/4 cup ice
1/2 cup freshly squeezed tangerine juice
1 1/2 ounces black vodka
1 black licorice twist, for serving

Place ice in a tall glass. Pour juice into glass. Pour vodka over the back of a cocktail spoon into glass so it sits on top of juice and creates a layer of black. Slice 1/4 inch off each end of licorice, and use as a straw. Serve immediately.

Berry Scary Martini
Serves 1
1 cup ice
1 ounce black vodka
2 ounces cherry juice
Fresh raspberries and blueberries, for garnish

Combine ice, vodka, and cherry juice in a cocktail shaker; shake vigorously. Pour into a martini glass. Thread raspberries and blueberries onto a cocktail skewer, and place in drink. Serve immediately.

Bubbling Cocktails

Test friends' courage with this green experiment turned fizzy drink. The beverages (actually kiwi-based refreshers) look pleasingly poisonous in any glass, but chemistry flasks -- available online from lab suppliers for a few dollars apiece -- suit them best.

1. In a glass measuring cup, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 cup sugar. Stir until sugar has dissolved; refrigerate until cool.

2. Puree 2 cups packed mint leaves (1 small bunch) with 1/4 cup cooled syrup in a blender. Add 6 peeled, quartered kiwis, and blend until just smooth. Add remaining syrup.

3. Pour through a cheesecloth-lined fine sieve into a pitcher; discard solids. Stir in ice and 1 liter sparkling water or club soda. (For a cocktail version, add 1 cup vodka.) Pour into flasks, and serve with straws. Makes 8 drinks.

Great Cocktail Recipes and Photographs via Martha Stewart

Evite

I recently used Evite to invite guests to our Halloween Party we are hosting in Florida. It had been a long time since I used this service and I was amazed at the very talented designers they feature on this site. The art work is fantastic.

This is the one I chose for our party. I am going as Medusa this year.

Feature Sample Sale Dress | Laura by Rosa Clara

Laura by Rosa Clara is a magnificent dress made of exquisite macrame
Size 10
Retails for $4200
Sample available at $1,900

Top Ten Tips for an Outdoor Ceremony

Is there anything more beautiful than to have a ceremony in your own backyard? This was a shot we got during set up of a ceremony last weekend. I adore outdoor ceremonies but there is quite a lot of planning that goes into making it work well.


1. Always have a Tent on stand-by. ALWAYS!

2. Invite Guests 30 minutes prior to ceremony start time. It is challenging to settle guests when they are not in a house of worship - so don't fight it. Give them time to say hello to old and new friends/family.

3. Make sure you offer your guests a fun and refreshing beverage before service , non-alcoholic please!

4. Notify all neighbors in advance of wedding. A thoughtful note and bottle of wine go a long way. Your neighbor mowing his /her lawn during vows or kids splashing in a pool would be less than ideal.

5. Amplify. Amplify music and the service itself.

6. If Ceremony is outside , your Reception probably is as well- Your event team will need to adjust their load-in schedules so that this is complete prior to ceremony call time. This might mean some overtime charges but at least you won't see the band rolling in as your guests are seated.

7. Have bathrooms easily accessible to Ceremony. Rent if necessary.

8. Mow and spray for bugs the day before the Ceremony.

9. During Rehearsal, have your Bridesmaids and Mothers/Grandmothers walk down the aisle in the shoes they will be wearing on your wedding day. Wedges and flats are an outdoor girls best friend.

10. If driveway is anywhere near Ceremony site make sure your valet team stops cars or last minute deliveries before they can be seen/heard.

Pablo Neruda

Sonnet XVII

I do not love you as if you were a salt rose, or topaz
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
So I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

Pablo Neruda