Modern Flourishes at Obamas’ State Dinner

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP9J4xnTJnIg9TVUCY-OPHkmoZCnrSrTvsBcpDQNuIgh0Jv__nHuB4dRzvkfV1jcv620_P45sPKToeYy643pOXD5TwDglKtSgJxbbCkO-ZxH6dP8yeDQsu1v1CGAeRqU-0lBKQG88J0e3/s1600/31759108.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408288865405689586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP9J4xnTJnIg9TVUCY-OPHkmoZCnrSrTvsBcpDQNuIgh0Jv__nHuB4dRzvkfV1jcv620_P45sPKToeYy643pOXD5TwDglKtSgJxbbCkO-ZxH6dP8yeDQsu1v1CGAeRqU-0lBKQG88J0e3/s400/31759108.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript">function getSharePasskey() { return 'ex=1416891600&en=bda61441ab69fec1&ei=5124';}</script> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript"> function getShareURL() { return encodeURIComponent('http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/25/us/politics/25dinner.html'); } function getShareHeadline() { return encodeURIComponent('Modern Flourishes at Obamas’ State Dinner'); } function getShareDescription() { return encodeURIComponent('India’s leader was the guest of honor at the Obamas’ first state dinner, which they infused with distinctive touches.'); } function getShareKeywords() { return encodeURIComponent('White House (Washington, DC),Cooking and Cookbooks,Barack Obama,Michelle Obama,Manmohan Singh,Marcus Samuelsson'); } function getShareSection() { return encodeURIComponent('us'); } function getShareSectionDisplay() { return encodeURIComponent('U.S. / Politics'); } function getShareSubSection() { return encodeURIComponent('politics'); } function getShareByline() { return encodeURIComponent('By RACHEL L. SWARNS'); } function getSharePubdate() { return encodeURIComponent('November 25, 2009'); </script>By <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/rachel_l_swarns/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More Articles by Rachel L. Swarns">RACHEL L. SWARNS</a><nyt_byline style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic;" version="1.0" type=" "> </nyt_byline> <!--NYT_INLINE_IMAGE_POSITION1 --> <nyt_correction_top style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> </nyt_correction_top> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">WASHINGTON — It is an old tradition, a White House dinner governed by ritual and protocol that happens to be this city’s hottest social event. But at their first state dinner on Tuesday night, <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/o/barack_obama/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Barack Obama.">President Obama</a> and his wife, <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/o/michelle_obama/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Michelle Obama.">Michelle</a>, made sure to infuse the glittering gala with distinctive touches.<br /></p><div style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" class="inlineVideo left brightcove"><!--NYT video player embed code *ends here* -->They hired a new florist, Laura Dowling, who bedecked the tented outdoor dining room with locally grown, sustainably harvested magnolia branches and ivy. They selected a guest chef, <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/marcus_samuelsson/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Marcus Samuelsson.">Marcus Samuelsson</a> of Aquavit in New York, an American citizen who was born in Ethiopia, reared in Sweden and cooks up melting pots of flavors and cuisines.</div> <!--brightcove player ends --> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">They invited local students to witness the arrival of the guests of honor, Prime Minister <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/manmohan_singh/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Manmohan Singh.">Manmohan Singh</a> of India and his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and presented a mélange of musical entertainment, including the <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/n/national_symphony_orchestra/index.html?inline=nyt-org" title="More articles about National Symphony Orchestra">National Symphony Orchestra</a>; Jennifer Hudson, the singer and actress; Kurt Elling, the jazz musician from Chicago; and <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/r/a_r_rahman/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about A. R. Rahman.">A. R. Rahman</a>, the Indian composer who wrote the score to the movie “Slumdog Millionaire.”</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">And at the tables, the meatless menu included a mix of Indian and American favorites, including some African-American standards. Collard greens and curried prawns, chickpeas and okra, nan and cornbread were served to the 320 guests — including some well-known Republicans and prominent Indian-Americans — who started off with arugula from the White House garden and finished up with <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/p/pumpkins/recipes/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="More articles about pumpkin recipes.">pumpkin</a> pie tart. (After a tasting at the White House on Sunday, the Obamas gave the dishes their stamp of approval, Mr. Samuelsson said.)</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">And don’t forget the dinner plates. For an administration that publicly prizes bipartisanship, what could be finer than an eclectic mix of Clinton and Bush china?</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The Obamas promptly distinguished themselves from their immediate predecessors by holding their dinner under a grand tent on the South Lawn to allow for a more expansive guest list. And they emphasized some of their favorite themes, including bipartisanship, diversity and a focus on healthy meals.</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Mrs. Obama made a splash by showcasing deep, rich colors — apple green for the tablecloths and varying shades of plum, purple and fuchsia in the hydrangea, roses and sweet peas in the centerpieces. </p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5I796xABEuo4I4WQQ8_7gSi6a712iEl9eC0qCpRLW8ji_3FH48JEsyy81ECzZ0wAk3nrPg4VrZnWScVeHONmL9Z7XBaoumGJtDem1pZE1prtPBWYhEBfTf5X1Uw19yiasiIvujSfO3CP/s1600/r1007869091.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408287021394920738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5I796xABEuo4I4WQQ8_7gSi6a712iEl9eC0qCpRLW8ji_3FH48JEsyy81ECzZ0wAk3nrPg4VrZnWScVeHONmL9Z7XBaoumGJtDem1pZE1prtPBWYhEBfTf5X1Uw19yiasiIvujSfO3CP/s400/r1007869091.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQQoNhjgy2JAFcxkdsOtO16m73i3xAnyosVh2im60ADmfXKfAhOp_QClACAveXYKTNjsq0BVp5kvyDsBomtsSBX_Uu-es77FGxC0sdLV_OIKmILycapujmEoAgc8KI85ZZosqQKTFXxn5/s1600/capt.photo_1259101363707-1-0.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408287041256332370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQQoNhjgy2JAFcxkdsOtO16m73i3xAnyosVh2im60ADmfXKfAhOp_QClACAveXYKTNjsq0BVp5kvyDsBomtsSBX_Uu-es77FGxC0sdLV_OIKmILycapujmEoAgc8KI85ZZosqQKTFXxn5/s400/capt.photo_1259101363707-1-0.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 287px;" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50tBsKL1FmTmEBtO2jlIrNedhixnpM2A__BqG-rNqEpNgdSd8Cx5cUx7A4CnTRENEsiim5Lu1XctF0fja1oKIBydgIr1eqm2uEdhcw5-DvIZcJaodJ1t6ghBHiZVhz6M5Tgt1z4vDOOxI/s1600/31755327.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408287044741297794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50tBsKL1FmTmEBtO2jlIrNedhixnpM2A__BqG-rNqEpNgdSd8Cx5cUx7A4CnTRENEsiim5Lu1XctF0fja1oKIBydgIr1eqm2uEdhcw5-DvIZcJaodJ1t6ghBHiZVhz6M5Tgt1z4vDOOxI/s400/31755327.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" /></a></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">There was White House honey and sage from the garden and a menu that gave vegetables and beans — including eggplants and lentils — top billing. (For a White House keen on promoting fresh fruits and vegetables, what could be more serendipitous than a guest of honor who happens to be a <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/v/vegetarianism/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="More articles about vegetarianism.">vegetarian</a>?) And the Obamas shook things up by serving, among other dishes, Indian food to an Indian delegation, typically a no-no.<br /></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lyv9VG9aSI1a-JiFnCOdPdwjhDpYaMX021Jiws64eD8G2bNxsEKKanaw3CrXUvAutLRiMMAQZryU24KU26cux0I8w1pIipIXOIBBmHOT3d8XtzofSDjkostLUFAd7JDJj6EGThRc9zi3/s1600/r3404671938.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408287030798459554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lyv9VG9aSI1a-JiFnCOdPdwjhDpYaMX021Jiws64eD8G2bNxsEKKanaw3CrXUvAutLRiMMAQZryU24KU26cux0I8w1pIipIXOIBBmHOT3d8XtzofSDjkostLUFAd7JDJj6EGThRc9zi3/s400/r3404671938.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 292px;" /></a></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“You wouldn’t try to outdo the Indians; that would not be typical,” said Anita McBride, who served as <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/laura_bush/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Laura Bush.">Laura Bush</a>’s chief of staff and took pains to praise Mrs. Obama as moving in a new direction. “It’s the perfect combination of American food with a nod to the visiting country.” </p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">As for the dozens of schoolchildren invited to participate in the day’s events, many savored the chance to see the White House up close. One group of young women spent time with Mrs. Obama in the State Dining Room and learned about the history of American state dinners and sampled some pumpkin pie.</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> “These events probably seem like they’re miles and miles away, like they’re just untouchable,” said Mrs. Obama to the young women, some wearing sneakers and short sleeves.</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">She said she hoped this would inspire them to think harder about their place in the world around them.</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">“Who knows, maybe one of you all sitting at this table, one of our little mentees, will be living and studying somewhere in India — maybe New Delhi or Mumbai or Bangalore,” the first lady said. “Just imagine that. Start thinking about your future in that way. This visit at this table is the beginning of that for all of you.”</p>

Modern Flourishes at Obamas’ State Dinner

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Kirstie Kelly Sample Sale

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1I4s7FmAIuYiySRRb3ch1GWxWU0IMyYMBRNNmYmDdJ2Fic4S5-eYX884UPzLUwdNaNFoMNurVgi6bVC_1uHHa9OlWKuL5QfSUNil43drVcpP5CNoMlYvpdVmqHLSk-JKzj_5ejQN0Jtba/s1600/016_primary.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407909990613006594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1I4s7FmAIuYiySRRb3ch1GWxWU0IMyYMBRNNmYmDdJ2Fic4S5-eYX884UPzLUwdNaNFoMNurVgi6bVC_1uHHa9OlWKuL5QfSUNil43drVcpP5CNoMlYvpdVmqHLSk-JKzj_5ejQN0Jtba/s400/016_primary.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 340px;" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwN2WtQwEHmow6ewU694Al7poIKElTkMSEvhsc0Ck1d8-BUvzb7kuIyY14M_xwE_GgE3N8VVmhBvQlVq6y8ua9BetDTiODt42Z6sZrBomJIUhcaOJ_O3fLtUsS4DhdQrJtYrpxplkrSdiA/s1600/00K.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407910375659254962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwN2WtQwEHmow6ewU694Al7poIKElTkMSEvhsc0Ck1d8-BUvzb7kuIyY14M_xwE_GgE3N8VVmhBvQlVq6y8ua9BetDTiODt42Z6sZrBomJIUhcaOJ_O3fLtUsS4DhdQrJtYrpxplkrSdiA/s400/00K.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 340px;" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kpMCoXNRQGIikchXM7o94E2LaDO1OC7mUnjciCNUlcmLwUGq-O5vnzAbH249A415o4Q5UbqQcfYI3-ZAMjilv0XLcDL-TGbiJjYk8C16ome2qvorXAK2sCIwM5UBXI3DJE2naz9uVzuR/s1600/032_primary.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407911120416560226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kpMCoXNRQGIikchXM7o94E2LaDO1OC7mUnjciCNUlcmLwUGq-O5vnzAbH249A415o4Q5UbqQcfYI3-ZAMjilv0XLcDL-TGbiJjYk8C16ome2qvorXAK2sCIwM5UBXI3DJE2naz9uVzuR/s400/032_primary.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 340px;" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNfYkuWXSGaGkZExrjiReFZqHc7je378mc3pnWLXUhDMx2sysGWPNs7chFTFufeP5GxIO0ClEPEV2hBf4buVcDihPW2hOiQC2AXbZWxTHJsHLnKfR5nAq8vWuRwDZ2KQeRr-N4i-SBsgg/s1600/002_primary.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407909977291353138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNfYkuWXSGaGkZExrjiReFZqHc7je378mc3pnWLXUhDMx2sysGWPNs7chFTFufeP5GxIO0ClEPEV2hBf4buVcDihPW2hOiQC2AXbZWxTHJsHLnKfR5nAq8vWuRwDZ2KQeRr-N4i-SBsgg/s400/002_primary.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 340px;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><a href="http://www.kirstiekelly.com/"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Kirstie Kelly</span></a> is having a sample sale at her LA flagship! For the budget-savvy shoppers with shall we say, amazing taste...</span> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">When: November 28^th and 29^th</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">10 AM to 6PM</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Where: Kirstie Kelly Salon</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">131 South Barrington Place, Ste 100</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> What: Bridal Gowns starting at $400</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> Bridesmaids, cocktail and flowergirl starting at $100</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> Jewelry starting at $30</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> 50-80% off !!!</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> How: Call for Appointment or just stop by</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> 310-471-5711 or email erin@kirstiekelly.com </p>

Kirstie Kelly Sample Sale

Kirstie Kelly is having a sample sale at her LA flagship! For the budget-savvy shoppers with shall we say, amazing taste... When: November 28th and 29th 10 AM to 6PM Where: Kirstie Kelly Salon 131 South Barrington Place, Ste 100 What: Bridal Gowns starting at $400 Bridesmaids, cocktail and flow…

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DYI...Letterpress

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymPrGNivyJ9EKHm2Xa8ki-hIMjQnuT0wYVXfkmEizMLov3gOO8AG4k6cysPqBXzH3kLoGaA6n0XtAoqrFPVDqZggCNpj1sidvyeU2J5hOhsC4_YyBmWq9mk7b7ocz8at0frPNOOUTLJ0-/s1600/letterpress.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407598213397343698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymPrGNivyJ9EKHm2Xa8ki-hIMjQnuT0wYVXfkmEizMLov3gOO8AG4k6cysPqBXzH3kLoGaA6n0XtAoqrFPVDqZggCNpj1sidvyeU2J5hOhsC4_YyBmWq9mk7b7ocz8at0frPNOOUTLJ0-/s400/letterpress.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 239px;" /></a> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic;">How great is this new affordable letterpress machine from <a href="http://www.paper-source.com/"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">Paper Source</span></a>? It includes everything you need to create cards and crafts!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-style: italic;">where to purchase: <a href="http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/item/Letterpress-Machine/2903_018/40077890.html"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">Paper Source</span></a> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>$149.99</span></span>

DYI...Letterpress

How great is this new affordable letterpress machine from Paper Source? It includes everything you need to create cards and crafts! where to purchase: Paper Source $149.99…

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Faux-Bois Fun!

<a href="http://amyatlas.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Amy Atlas</span></a> create a fall-inspired dessert bar with faux-bois and acorns, just in time for Thanksgiving.<br /><br />For desserts, they made almond fondant cakes placed on tree trunk cake stands. They also created pistachio cinnamon meringue and tuiles filled with spiced-apple custard.<br /><br />To get the recipe for pistachio cinnamon meringue check out her <a href="http://amyatlas.blogspot.com/2009/09/cinnamon-pistachio-meringue-recipe.html"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);">blog</span></a>!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwizfuKr5pCeTz6OWFZIMD6D2D7_nQXlxJt5OuJVXSqchgLahyphenhyphenFdDJecIFetnGC6f7YmTiDBQfuhm0TsNsKQgcpuVuu45BBNujs0ugWJ5NuR0mkyB-fm4ZJgWj7EmsAJxZ6JCv_RsjJvJJ/s1600/Fall06.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404915791548141522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwizfuKr5pCeTz6OWFZIMD6D2D7_nQXlxJt5OuJVXSqchgLahyphenhyphenFdDJecIFetnGC6f7YmTiDBQfuhm0TsNsKQgcpuVuu45BBNujs0ugWJ5NuR0mkyB-fm4ZJgWj7EmsAJxZ6JCv_RsjJvJJ/s400/Fall06.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy9SczVlRShj7eCpOkleOkqURFwtmhz3xzTheBsGEEXlChCSr50MMpWd1IpkccY2gwdF4JSL75zBoLlQom4dyeIjx_7JjMpPNT4nR7ZaazMX5X_WpGfhOwhApU2WxTT-v64uSiuC2wrwc/s1600/Fall05.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404915787785909202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy9SczVlRShj7eCpOkleOkqURFwtmhz3xzTheBsGEEXlChCSr50MMpWd1IpkccY2gwdF4JSL75zBoLlQom4dyeIjx_7JjMpPNT4nR7ZaazMX5X_WpGfhOwhApU2WxTT-v64uSiuC2wrwc/s400/Fall05.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0L-6wWQ3SH94j5lnqrtKerWK-BlvO5Tc3uwbyyoQZ4a8clFto2K8tAVswjMRRDYYK879e6LyU7RzntnCyOmFSJNWwP6uuzy9KgfbqRMJTJ3PAgqHwwA2dBjcVIPQAG6E-AMwoaT6F25h/s1600/Fall03.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404915780341602210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0L-6wWQ3SH94j5lnqrtKerWK-BlvO5Tc3uwbyyoQZ4a8clFto2K8tAVswjMRRDYYK879e6LyU7RzntnCyOmFSJNWwP6uuzy9KgfbqRMJTJ3PAgqHwwA2dBjcVIPQAG6E-AMwoaT6F25h/s400/Fall03.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANBMXvdNXkkVJCCUFB1bPUZy6asG8ITIP03x53qGj70_B_W1y-Txe5-xOWM-YgfcrJS8qn86YNb5OUImdwugtoOVsTkmiT6-zp_g-vhlNWDE_lNQ6L6lclFmo7DmjfOpiQsWoKLKqIz8N/s1600/Fall01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404915778349485858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANBMXvdNXkkVJCCUFB1bPUZy6asG8ITIP03x53qGj70_B_W1y-Txe5-xOWM-YgfcrJS8qn86YNb5OUImdwugtoOVsTkmiT6-zp_g-vhlNWDE_lNQ6L6lclFmo7DmjfOpiQsWoKLKqIz8N/s400/Fall01.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 312px;" /></a><br /></div>

Faux-Bois Fun!

Amy Atlas create a fall-inspired dessert bar with faux-bois and acorns, just in time for Thanksgiving.For desserts, they made almond fondant cakes placed on tree trunk cake stands. They also created pistachio cinnamon meringue and tuiles filled with spiced-apple custard.To get the recipe for pistach…

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Fashion Fridays: Autumn Romance

<div><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/autumn_wedding/set?.mid=embed&id=11969471"><img alt="Autumn Wedding" border="0" height="400" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFlRtTE1CSmljM2hHTFExQnM4YXd6RVEAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" title="Autumn Wedding" width="400" /></a><br /><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/autumn_wedding/set?.mid=embed&id=11969471">Autumn Wedding</a> by <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.mid=embed&id=1503">gokarm</a> featuring <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/giambattista_valli_dresses/shop?brand=Giambattista+Valli&category_id=3">Giambattista Valli dresses</a></small></div><br /><div style="font-size: 0.75em;"><b>Items in this set: </b><br /><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/strapless_petal_print_dress/thing?.mid=embed&id=6835996">Giambattista Valli dress</a>, 3,765 GBP<br /><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/hyper_priv_patent_pump/thing?.mid=embed&id=6033496">Brownsfashion.com shoes</a>, 465 GBP<br /><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/anthony_david_evening_bag_with/thing?.mid=embed&id=6083646">Allthingstrendy.com bag</a>, $180<br /><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/raw_cube_diamond_ring_in/thing?.mid=embed&id=9094896">Todd Reed ring</a>, $1,890<br /><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/amber_waves_grain_necklace/thing?.mid=embed&id=5363219">Modcloth.com necklace</a>, $15</div>

Fashion Fridays: Autumn Romance

Autumn Wedding by gokarm featuring Giambattista Valli dressesItems in this set: Giambattista Valli dress, 3,765 GBPBrownsfashion.com shoes, 465 GBPAllthingstrendy.com bag, $180Todd Reed ring, $1,890Modcloth.com necklace, $15…

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$200.00 Shopping Spree – Winter Giveaway

<a href="http://www.favorsbyserendipity.com/"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Favors By Serendipity</span></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">is offering a </span><strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">$200.00 Shopping Spree</strong><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> towards anything on their site – including Cake Jewelry, Bridesmaids Gifts, Bridal Shower Favors, Wedding and Party Favors, Candy Buffet Packaging and more…..just for giving your opinion.</span> <p style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">With Winter approaching, they want to know if you will be using winter theme favors or what your favorite favor is and would love to win. Visit</span><strong> <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.favorsbyserendipity.com/');" href="http://www.favorsbyserendipity.com/">Favors By Serendipity </a></strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">and then</span><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> post a comment at </span><a href="http://yourweddingwhisperer.com/"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">yourweddingwhisperer.com</span></a> </strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">and be entered into the drawing.</span></p><p style="font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DrBsXZMtvDw7szvI1yZVdnjjMhC2MkW9cODq7MPf-3gxa7VF1n587Zbunbw-svfx2SY_TiLgq3Lv2SlDX5poTIXbjCQu0GRRT1bCxnaFEkGIaCS8Cu2W36_iSQuWHwx_1QVvZYTlKEbv/s1600-h/eb2133_regular.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403125413197493586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DrBsXZMtvDw7szvI1yZVdnjjMhC2MkW9cODq7MPf-3gxa7VF1n587Zbunbw-svfx2SY_TiLgq3Lv2SlDX5poTIXbjCQu0GRRT1bCxnaFEkGIaCS8Cu2W36_iSQuWHwx_1QVvZYTlKEbv/s400/eb2133_regular.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 249px;" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu2l5gx5uEn8o6GVwB-7L8wroeC03XHMWA3BpZByPKgTO_pvtlQRhihhwkPb3KdgnRyUDPnsuvxgfz8XtnyTrDyKNeY3Svt0q-Eu9YCXxh9Dku-BT9Z0J_ubmfNW7xVotuZfNVE9RNzJe/s1600-h/eb2125.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403125408505377170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu2l5gx5uEn8o6GVwB-7L8wroeC03XHMWA3BpZByPKgTO_pvtlQRhihhwkPb3KdgnRyUDPnsuvxgfz8XtnyTrDyKNeY3Svt0q-Eu9YCXxh9Dku-BT9Z0J_ubmfNW7xVotuZfNVE9RNzJe/s400/eb2125.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 250px;" /></a></p> <p style="font-style: italic;"><strong>Giveaway ends November 20 at midnight PST.</strong></p>

$200.00 Shopping Spree – Winter Giveaway

Favors By Serendipity is offering a $200.00 Shopping Spree towards anything on their site – including Cake Jewelry, Bridesmaids Gifts, Bridal Shower Favors, Wedding and Party Favors, Candy Buffet Packaging and more…..just for giving your opinion. With Winter approaching, they want to know if you wi…

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Ceci New York

<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I spent a lovely few days in Manhattan! Perfect weather, great food, spectacular shopping!</span> <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br />I was lucky enough to visit </span><a style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 51, 102);" href="http://www.cecinewyork.com/">Ceci<span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"> New York</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">.</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Each letterpress piece was </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">exquisite, </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">unique, and defined elegant. Thank you to Brooke, who took such great care of my bride!</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2XwcdqaPPKJ9c6FltASodPTEd3W82Hf9gPEJeN7sQujvSG0Hbj_lL17tR8B21IjAwTDt6jD1DkGnDH-C4Qb0M437CggaBuvPiIfSF_Uu9Aw7H_AhoLgfJI9y_-MEaQAc5m9JKeS6FWS8/s1600-h/24-ceci-letterpress-wedding-invitation.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402024927980611986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2XwcdqaPPKJ9c6FltASodPTEd3W82Hf9gPEJeN7sQujvSG0Hbj_lL17tR8B21IjAwTDt6jD1DkGnDH-C4Qb0M437CggaBuvPiIfSF_Uu9Aw7H_AhoLgfJI9y_-MEaQAc5m9JKeS6FWS8/s400/24-ceci-letterpress-wedding-invitation.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 356px;" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiYR4rqrEnbGod06HqwTjQLao2HSfIB6P-G-jzIHL7mpU68Bv6RjoOxbHoIX6DDf3UVhO5RgIdHq4P3Cp-Km3Ix_HUTUL5q9gDf6Dskz-G6SVOZmBWg53cH3Tmy7o7x3RxSWwFS6BiLF7/s1600-h/3814052856_681c849877.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402024425493631154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiYR4rqrEnbGod06HqwTjQLao2HSfIB6P-G-jzIHL7mpU68Bv6RjoOxbHoIX6DDf3UVhO5RgIdHq4P3Cp-Km3Ix_HUTUL5q9gDf6Dskz-G6SVOZmBWg53cH3Tmy7o7x3RxSWwFS6BiLF7/s400/3814052856_681c849877.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 356px;" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVRo8Csy7fIlfRAZguril9ROBENXTvYGJv7siG53bmHLIfsKgXjEEELoxthPRFqyGh10po8HzdhjrQ5Gtarp1zbtAo7rxDz687N3Z_W1OrebleE98MnVvxNmw_UGwurNFN9LJI1SZvWbs/s1600-h/6-ceci-letterpress-wedding-invitation.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402024423537368370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVRo8Csy7fIlfRAZguril9ROBENXTvYGJv7siG53bmHLIfsKgXjEEELoxthPRFqyGh10po8HzdhjrQ5Gtarp1zbtAo7rxDz687N3Z_W1OrebleE98MnVvxNmw_UGwurNFN9LJI1SZvWbs/s400/6-ceci-letterpress-wedding-invitation.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" /></a>

Ceci New York

I spent a lovely few days in Manhattan! Perfect weather, great food, spectacular shopping! I was lucky enough to visit Ceci New York. Each letterpress piece was exquisite, unique, and defined elegant. Thank you to Brooke, who took such great care of my bride!…

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