Name: Blair

Location: New York, NY

Blog or Website: dirtymartinidiaries.blogspot.com

What do you do for a living?
In all honestly, I'm currently job hunting. I recently lost my job as an interior design project coordinator due to the economic downturn. I'm currently juggling the planning of our long-distance wedding (with HUGE heaps of assistance from Liene!) and the search for a new job. Fingers crossed that something amazing comes my way soon!

What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday? 
Waking up early, grabbing some "New York" style coffee with Ryan (extra milk and sugar), and then heading to our favorite neighborhood diner for a big breakfast. A stroll through Central Park to walk off the meal, then head out to all of our favorite food markets to grocery shop for the week (something we love to do together). We'd spend the afternoon doing food prep and cooking our meals for the week, and finish that up by cooking a nice dinner. We'd eat it in front of the TV (our little shoebox apartment doesn't have room for a dining table), and then catch up on reruns of Mad Men while enjoying a dirty martini nightcap. Bliss!

What is your dream vacation spot? 
The top of my list right now is definitely Greece. I'm at a loss for words every time I see photos in the travel magazines. That combination of turquoise waters, soft sand, and white-washed houses perched cliff side . . . Man oh man! Add in a heaping plate of yummy Greek food and I just don't know it could be topped.

What beauty item could you not live without? 
Right now, I'd have to say Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base. I have very temperamental skin, and this is the first moisturizer I've ever tried that seems to prevent me from breaking out. I could be set for life with that, a Shu Umura eyelash curler, some Maybelline Great Lash in Blackest Black. My beauty trifecta!

What two people (past or present) would you have as guests at a dinner party and why? 
My fiance's father passed away unexpectedly when my fiance was just 14, so I've never had the pleasure of meeting him. I'd love to spend an afternoon getting to know him, and learning a thing or 2 from him in the kitchen! He was an amazing chef, as well as a real riot, I've been told. I'd bring my fiance with me, so his father could see what a fine young man he's grown up to be!

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received? 
My family's motto is "Work as hard as you play, play as hard as you work." It always reminds me that there is a time to buckle down, focus, and get straight to business . . . but that you need to balance your life by stopping to smell the roses every once in a while.

What are your three favorite blogs besides blueorchidblog.com?
Yikes! This is a toughie . . . if I can't cop out by saying Google Reader (I have about 30 blogs I follow on a daily basis) I'd have to say the following:

Snippet and Ink - Total eye candy! I bet 90% of my wedding inspiration has come straight from that site.

Dooce - I just love the way Heather Armstrong explains her life on a day-to-day basis, and am totally smitten by the monthly "Dear Leta" letters she writes to her young daughter. I hope to do that when I become a parent someday.

Nina Knows Best - One of my new blogger gal pals, Nina, always seems to come up with the most entertaining finds! Great gift ideas, craft projects, and an infectiously bubbly personality to top it all off. I *adore* her weekly segment "What's In My Inbox?" I'm always curious to see what amazing shopping deals and interesting e-mails she has lurking in there.

There is a ton of content in the Blue Orchid Designs blog archives, so if you're short on time, here is an at-a-glance list of some of the professional advice and tips related to your wedding photography that we've covered in the past couple of years:

*What to Expect from Your Photographer After the Wedding with guest blogger Melissa Jill.

*Wedding Makeup Tips so you can look your best for the camera (and your groom)!

*How to Hold Your Wedding Bouquet and keep your dress in the limelight.

*Decoding Your Photo Contract with insight from Chris and Tammie at Largo Photography.

*Bring Hangers for Your Wedding Photos. Who wants a tacky drycleaner's hanger in their wedding album for all of eternity?

What's your favorite piece of advice for wedding photos? Share in the comments below!

I am absolutely loving that the matchy-matchy wedding is a thing of the past, especially when it comes to bridesmaids. Gone are the days of the exact same dress, hair style or shoes.

In order to stay within her wedding's color scheme, but to give a little creative freedom, one of our brides told her bridesmaids to choose yellow shoes in a style they loved. They can wear the shoes again, and it added some fun to her wedding photos.

What non-traditional or not so matchy-matchy elements are you having at your wedding?



{photo by Darby Elizabeth Photography}

We've all seen great wedding videos, but here is a glimpse into all the work and coordination that goes into all the pretty photos gracing the wedding blogs and magazines.

Amber from Amber Events in California sent me this time lapse video with a behind the scenes peek into one of her wedding days. For this wedding, they had to flip the room the ceremony was held in for the dinner reception all while the guests were in a different area for cocktail hour.


You can view a higher quality version here.

My inbox has been full of fun things to let you know about, not the least of which are these two events taking place in New York City this week.  If you're in the area and need something to do in the city that never sleeps, be sure to check these out (and report back to us of course with your Blue Orchid inspired on-the-town stories - the rest of us need to live vicariously through you!):


First up is Giambattista Valli’s debut Spring 2009 Bridal Collection. Here's their invitation to you:

You'll have the opportunity to view and purchase any one of these thirteen stunningly elegant gowns straight from the runway at an upcoming trunk show taking place at luxury retailer Bergdorf Goodman on October 28th and 29th from 10am to 4pm. This will be the exclusive launch of Valli’s debut bridal collection, so the gowns will not be available in any other stores!

I got to see the entire collection and not to spoil any surprises here, but there are some wedding dresses with pockets! I am totally smitten! Be sure to make your way to the seventh floor of Bergdorf Goodman for this couture trunk show.



Also happening on October 28th is the launch of interior designer Carolyne Roehme's ninth book, A Passion for Blue and White. The signing is from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Archivia Books, which is located at 993 Lexington Avenue (between 71st and 72nd Street). You may remember some of Carolyne's work from this post on wedding design as art.




{Photos from Giambattista Valli and Carolyne Roehm}

Congratulations to Sarah, our 19th commenter, for winning a copy of Sylvia Weinstock's new book, Sensational Cakes!

For this giveaway we asked you to share your wedding cake flavors, and the winner was chosen using the integer generator from random.org.   Sarah said:

"Funfetti!  I'm considering the Halloween version since my colors are black, white and orange. We won't be using the funfetti icing with bat shaped sprinkles of course!"

Congratulations again, Sarah!  Email us at info{at}blueorchidweddings.com with "I'm a Winner!" in the subject line to claim your prize!

Name: Emily Perello

Location: Mountain View, California

Blog or Website: emilytakesphotos.com

What do you do for a living? 
Photography student and swimming instructor.

What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday? 
Grocery shopping with my boyfriend - it makes me feel like such a grown up!

What is your dream vacation spot? 
Anywhere my cell phone has no reception and where the drinks are included.

What beauty item could you not live without? 
Sunscreen. SPF 1000. I'm white.

What two people (past or present) would you have as guests at a dinner party and why? 
Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords because they are funny and would possibly serenade me at the end of the evening (one can hope).

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received? 
A high school counselor encouraged me to test out of school early and take time off before going to college. Best thing I've ever done.

What are your three favorite blogs besides blueorchidblog.com?
A Practical Wedding, for the wonderful wedding advice Meg dishes out, Stuff White People Like, where I can really get to know my roots, and Garfield Minus Garfield, for making me feel better about myself as a person.

Laura Hooper needs no introduction, but to those of you who may be recently engaged and new to the world of weddings, this talented lady is a calligrapher and artist based in California whose work has graced the wedding stationery of brides nationwide. In addition to her beautiful calligraphy, Laura hand draws wedding maps, complete with icons that are sentimental to both the bride and groom.

One of our couples commissioned Laura to create a save the date map for their upcoming Spring wedding, which is shown above.

Maps are reflective of Blair and Ryan's relationship because they've both lived overseas and while dating much of their time was spent apart due to their careers. So while they decided they wanted a map, the next task was to decide which icons they wanted Laura to incorporate. Here is a bit of the exchange, as Blair shares it:

Blair: We need to think of fun things we like to do together to put on the map for save the dates. What are our interests?
Ryan: We have lots of interests!
Blair: Like??
(Insert solid minute of awkward contemplative silence)
Ryan: We like to ride bikes.
Blair: Ryan, we’ve never ridden bicycles together before. I haven’t been on a bike in at least 5 years.
Ryan: Um . . . Well . . .We like to go to London together . . . and we like hiking . . . .
Blair: We’ve only done both of those once. And I don’t really know how to put Phoenix next to London on a map.
Ryan: Skiing and snowboarding?
Blair: Again, not so fitting on a map of the desert.

"There was also a long diatribe about how the hobby “going out” basically translated to “we like to drink”, and how it probably wasn’t very classy to highlight “Hi! We’re Blair and Ryan! We’re getting married and we like to booze it up!” on a wedding-related event."

Fortunately, Laura was able to tell the story of the Arizona milestones this couple shares, such as where they met, their first date at Postino Wine Cafe, the engagement proposal at the Ritz Carlton while they were back visiting for New Year's, and the Arizona Biltmore - Ryan and Blair's favorite spot in Phoenix and the venue where they'll have their wedding reception. The resulting Save the Date embodies their personalities perfectly and is a great way to set the tone for an upscale yet not stuffy affair.

Laura Hooper is launching a new blog this Fall that will be dedicated solely to wedding maps. And if that fun wasn't enough, she is also offering 25% off the design fee for Save the Dates booked between October 20th and December 1st! You can check out more of her artwork at her website and on her blog.



{Don't forget to enter our Blue Orchid Giveaway by this Friday for your chance to win a copy of Sylvia Weinstock's new book, Sensational Cakes!}

While at Engage!08: The Encore last week, I received an advance copy of Sylvia Weinstock's new book, Sensational Cakes, set to release in November.  Then this week I received another copy in the mail from the publisher, so we're giving away one of the books, valued at $45, here on the Blue Orchid Designs blog!

Last week, Sylvia shared that a cake should taste good as well as be beautiful because otherwise it was "just like a handsome man who opened his mouth and was stupid", an analogy of which I'm sure we can all relate.  And although this book isn't a cookbook, Sylvia shares several of her cake and icing recipes for you to try out in your own kitchen.   Just like all of Sylvia's cakes, this book is well-crafted and her attention to detail is showcased throughout in both the photos and even the way the book is set up.  If you want some wedding inspiration, this book is sure to do the trick!

Having recently celebrated her sixtieth wedding anniversary, Sylvia is still going strong and has no plans of retiring. In fact she's even mastered the Blackberry and refuses to let success go to her head. I was struck by how gracious she is last Summer when I interviewed her for our Over a Cup of Coffee series.  

To enter for your chance to win a copy of Sensational Cakes, simply leave a comment on this post telling us what flavors you are going to have or did have for your wedding cake.  Didn't have a cake but served something else instead?  Share that, too! Any dessert is good in our eyes.

Here are the official details:
{1} Contest will close Friday, October 24th at 11:59 pm PST and is open to anyone - brides, vendors, random blog visitors, etc.
{2} Comments must be made on this post and the winner will be chosen randomly. Check back here on Tuesday, October 28th to see if you won and for instructions on how to claim your prize.
{3} Limit one entry per person.

Good luck!

Cranberries are another Fall and Winter staple and this Cranberry Orange Mousse from Baking Obsession are the perfect dessert to serve at a bridal shower, especially if pink is part of your decor.

Cranberry Orange Mousse

1 ½ cups fresh cranberries
6 tbsp granulated sugar
¼ cup water
zest of 1 medium orange
1 tbsp Grand Marnier
3 oz white chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup whipping cream

In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and becomes a jam-like, about 8-10 minutes total. Strain the mixture through a fine strainer into a medium bowl, pressing hard onto the solids. Add the orange zest and liqueur, stir. Cool to room temperature.

Place the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl. Bring 1 inch of water to a simmer in a wide skillet. Turn the burner off (if your stove is electric, remove the skillet from the burner) and wait for 30 seconds, then set the bowl of chocolate in the hot water. Stir constantly until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove the bowl of chocolate from the hot water. Let the chocolate cool to about 85 F (a small dab on your upper lip should feel slightly cool, not cold). If the chocolate mixture is too cold, the mousse may turn out grainy; if necessary, set the bowl in the pan of warm water for a few seconds before the next step.

Whip the cream in a medium bowl until soft peaks form. Fold about a third of the whipped cream into the cranberry mixture. Then fold in the melted chocolate. Fold in the rest of the whipped cream. Spoon or pipe into the serving glasses or bowls. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Cover with plastic wrap without touching the surface if refrigerating longer.

Serves 8.

Yum!



{photo and recipe via Baking Obsession}

Name: Kristin

Location: Midland, MI

Blog or Website: bridalbuzz.blogspot.com and rsvp-invitations.com

What do you do for a living?
Graphic Designer in the health promotions field, and owner of rsvp invitations.

What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday?
Watching a movie in my pajamas with my husband, while slow-cooking dinner, and catching up with my endless craft projects.

What is your dream vacation spot? 
I’m a wine fanatic, and I love European style, so I would really appreciate an unforgettable vacation to Italy!

What beauty item could you not live without?
Mascara! I have such light-colored eyelashes, that if I don’t use it I fear that I will look like a boy!

What two people (past or present) would you have as guests at a dinner party and why?
My dearest Dad, who passed away almost a year ago, and my lovely Husband. The three of us had so much in common, and my husband really didn’t get to experience much of that since my dad passed on merely four months after our wedding. I’m sure we would talk about exciting vacation plans for the future, technical computer lingo, the latest inappropriate jokes, and the meaning of life.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
"Learn to hear what people are saying when they talk." – Grandpa Little

What are your three favorite blogs besides blueorchidblog.com?
Pearls Events, Housemartin, and Elizabeth Anne Designs

I just have some quick housekeeping announcements to make today and we'll resume our normal blogging schedule tomorrow with our weekly Meet the Readers segment!


Engage!08: The Encore was earlier this week and I have been out of the office attending that.  Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce of Engaging Concepts (who have easily become two of my favorite people in the world over the last year of knowing them) have done such an amazing job with these conferences - they truly are the best in the industry.  If you work in the wedding field or are aspiring to, make sure you make attending the next Engage! a priority.  They are more pricey than most of the other wedding business conferences, but as we all know: you get what you pay for.  You can check out my recap of the first Engage in June here, here and here and of the Encore today over at The Smart Planner. 



Nicki Ritz, our Client Services Director, becomes Nicki Myers on Saturday as she is getting married herself!  She's doing all those last minute bride things for the rest of this week and is off on her honeymoon next week.  While she cares about your wedding and loves hearing all the details, it is safe to say that this week you will be the furthest thing from her mind as she's enjoying newlywedded bliss.  So if you need to reach our offices, please email info{at}blueorchidweddings.com instead of emailing Nicki directly.

If you're new to the Blue Orchid Designs blog, grab a Pumpkin Spice Latte and dig through the archives.  There is a ton of wedding planning info tucked away in there: everything from wedding linen size charts to bridal shower recipes to what to look for in an officiant.  Need a head start?  Check out our 30 Days to Plan a Wedding series that ran last Winter.

If you'd like to subscribe to our blog so you can be notified whenever we update it, you can do so by signing up here.  If you'd like to receive updates via email (you know - in case you read at work and don't want your boss to know), you can do that as well.  We won't spam you and you'll get a new email with fresh blog material most days around mid-morning.

Being engaged and heading into the holiday season is a recipe for stress, so take your fiance on a date this weekend and make a pact to not bring up the wedding at all so that you can just enjoy each other's company.  


{Photos by Donna Von Bruening and Darby Elizabeth Photography}

Serving comfort food at a wedding is a hot trend right now, and nothing gets snapped up more off the dessert table than Oatmeal Creme Pies. This twist on these classic treats are perfect for Fall weddings as a midnight snack or at a bridal shower with milk shooters.

Pumpkin Creme Pies

3 cups All Purpose Flour
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 - 15 oz. can of pumpkin
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat together brown sugar, sugar, oil and pumpkin. Add eggs one at time, mixing well after each addition, followed by the vanilla. In a separate bowl, shift together the dry ingredients. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.

Using a pastry bag with a round tip, or a big zip top plastic bag with one corner snipped, squeeze out concentric circles of batter, starting from the middle and working outward until the circles are about 2 inches in diameter. Bake for 11 minutes and cool on a rack.

Cream Cheese Filling

1 - 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened
1 stick of unsalted butter, room temperature
1 - 16 oz. package of powdered sugar
about a capful of vanilla extract
a pinch of cinnamon (to taste)

Beat together cream cheese and butter. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Frost flat side of half the pies and top with another piece.

Enjoy right away or chill overnight. Makes 12-14.



{Photo and recipe via Dreamy Desserts}

For all of you in the New York area with time to spare on a Saturday, be sure to get to 125 West 21st, between 6th and 7th, tomorrow for a major bridal sale.

The lovely Anne Chertoff from Brides.com and From I Will to I Do (and creator of the super fab Russell + Hazel Wedding Organizer) will be there to help you find your wedding dress, along with the ever-fab wedding planner Marcy Blum (author of Wedding Planning for Dummies) as well as other bridal industry insiders.

The sale will take place from 11 am - 2 pm, but you have a better chance of finding your perfect dress if you show up early. A portion of the proceeds will go to charity.

You can find more details on the sale here.  Have fun and if you find your dream dress, let us know!

Name: Mary

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Website: myweddingfilm.com and darbyelizabethphotography.com

What do you do for a living?
Studio Manager for My Wedding Film and Darby Elizabeth Photography

What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday?
I love spending time with my husband and little bundle of joy, Makenna (she is actually not LITTLE at all!). We love to relax, eat fatty foods and watch a great movie or a baseball game. Sounds like heaven to me!

What is your dream vacation spot?
It is not so much a SPOT as I would like to tour all of the baseball stadiums in the MLB. There are 30 total and some are in random cities that I don't know are my dream cities to vacation - think Arlington, TX - but I think it would be incredible, nonetheless. While I do love a man in tight little baseball pants, I really am a fan of the game first!

What beauty item could you not live without?
I am obsessed with lip gloss and my favorite right now is Chanel's Glossimer in Spark.

What two people (past or present) would you have as guests at a dinner party and why?
Hmm, tough question. I probably would not be having a dinner party seeing as how I am incredibly intimidated by pots, pans, and pretty much everything to do with the kitchen. With that said, I would love to dine out with Sara Blakely (creator of Spanx, and no, I do not want to meet her because I worship her product. She is just an incredible entrepreneur who has had much success at a young age.) My second guest would be Eleanor Roosevelt because she was apparently a hoot!

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Not really sure why I like this saying so much . . . maybe it has something to do with the fact that it is 115 degrees outside and I am craving a nice cold glass!

What are your three favorite blogs besides blueorchidblog.com?
Hostess Blog, Elizabeth Anne Designs, and Bakerella.

While doing some stationery sourcing for a client recently, I came across a gallery of real invitations that a designer had produced.  They were beautiful, but a line at the bottom of a few of the reception information cards caught my eye: "Please Bring $10 for Valet".

Which caused me to choke on my coffee and then I died.

And then I came to, and still could not believe what I saw.  Now, I am all about creating a wedding that is fun and unique, and I realize that certain matters of etiquette are no longer necessary (the double envelope on an invitation, for example).  Choosing to be rude, however, is never an option.

It is NEVER okay to ask your guests to shell out for any part of the wedding festivities you have planned.  Never ever.  This applies to a rehearsal dinner "cover charge", cash bar, the bon voyage brunch, mandatory valet, etc.  They are already paying for airfare, accommodations, rental cars, new outfits depending on the formality of your event, a gift, etc.  Asking them to help foot the bill for any portion of your party is out of the question. 

Wedding invitation designer Kelly Ashworth recently touched on similar etiquette topics, like the "dreaded registry card" and you can check them out on her blog under the category 'Be Nice'. 

Fancy weddings are fun and they pay my bills.  But having a fancy wedding is not the point.  Spending the rest of your life with the one person you don't want to go through life without is why you choose to get married.  Please don't get so caught up in throwing the party of the century that you lose sight of what they day is really about.

For all of you in the New Orleans area, Destination I Do Magazine and W Hotels are teaming up to bring you Operation Aisle Style! Here is your invitation and more details:


WHO You! Plus press, fashionistas, event planners, trendsetters, other brides-to-be,
local luminaries, hipsters and Page 6-ers.

WHAT W Hotels knows how to add WOW to your vows, and how to do it just a little bit differently. Operation Aisle Style is a party, a fashion show and an epicurean adventure inspired by intrepid travelers, libertines, alterna-wedding wunderkinds, Carolyn Gerin, creator of the best-selling Anti-Bride series by Chronicle Books, and Jennifer Stein, publisher of Destination I Do Magazine, the premiere international romance travel magazine in partnership with the uber-hip, chicly romantic, W New Orleans – French Quarter.

WHEN Thursday, October 30, 2008, 7 pm – 10 pm

WHERE W New Orleans - French Quarter, 316 Rue Chartres


WOW! Romance, mystery, and old world glamour await you at the W New Orleans – French Quarter.
Includes: Fashion show with signature styles by Project Runways Austin Scarlett, makeup tips and tricks area, professional photo session, libations and nibbles in the Courtyard, a raffle of coveted items for your trousseau and swag bags with booty for your beauty.

Let us take you behind the scenes to your picture perfect day:

• Sip signature cocktails created especially for the bride and groom featuring X-Rated Fusion Liqueur and divine wines with pairings by the wine makers of Somerston Winery, featuring Napa Valley’s notorious Bad Habit and High Flyer wines with the inspired cuisine of our W - New Orleans chefs.

• At the stroke of 7 pm, witness the “Operation Aisle Style” bridal fashion show bringing you the hippest bridal styles hot off the runway from our prince of aisle style, Project Runways Austin Scarlett and more, and then onto the most regal and rockin’ reception of the year in the W's wildly romantic French Quarter Courtyard.

• Event participants/Co-promoters: Chronicle Books (publisher of Anti-Bride series and Cooking Up a Storm), Avant Guides (creator of Avant Guides, New Orleans edition), Destination I Do Magazine, Anti-Bride Productions, Somerston Wines, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, Celebrity Make-up Artist Brandy from bgdmakeupartistry.com, W New Orleans – French Quarter and more will make it the high profile event of the season.

• Help us donate dollars to Sweet Home New Orleans, an organization dedicated to rebuilding the homes of New Orleans’ beloved musical community, lost to hurricane Katrina.

• Fabulous Prizes furnished by: Avant Guides, Chronicle Books, Destination I Do Magazine, W New Orleans – French Quarter, and Somerston Wines.

• Prepare to be tagged by our roving photojournalists and noticed on all the social sites right after the party in a fabulous photo essay documenting the revelry.

Click here for more info on the event. Click here to RSVP via email.

You must be 21 to enter and tickets are $10 at the door.  Proceeds go to Sweet Home New Orleans.

It's October, which means that winter is officially around the corner! Visions of cozy sweaters and cute coats are dancing through my head, and of course, hot cocoa! For those of you domestic diva types, you'll love this recipe for homemade marshmallows. You can mix and match flavorings to add some variety and set up your own signature hot chocolate bar at your next holiday soiree!

Homemade Marshmallows

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1 cup cold water, divided
3 1/4-ounce envelopes unflavored gelatin
2 cups sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup potato starch (also known as potato flour)
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Line 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan with foil.

Coat foil lightly with nonstick spray. Pour 1/2 cup cold water into bowl of heavy-duty mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Sprinkle gelatin over water. Let stand until gelatin softens and absorbs water, at least 15 minutes.

Combine 2 cups sugar, corn syrup, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup cold water in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over mediumlow heat until sugar dissolves, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush. Attach candy thermometer to side of pan. Increase heat and bring syrup to boil. Boil, without stirring, until syrup reaches 240°F, about 8 minutes.

With mixer running at low speed, slowly pour hot syrup into gelatin mixture in thin stream down side of bowl (avoid pouring syrup onto whisk, as it may splash). Gradually increase speed to high and beat until mixture is very thick and stiff, about 15 minutes. Add vanilla and beat to blend, about 30 seconds longer.

Scrape marshmallow mixture into prepared pan. Smooth top with wet spatula. Let stand uncovered at room temperature until firm, about 4 hours.

Stir potato starch and powdered sugar in small bowl to blend. Sift generous dusting of starch-sugar mixture onto work surface, forming rectangle slightly larger than 13x9 inches. Turn marshmallow slab out onto starch-sugar mixture; peel off foil. Sift more starch-sugar mixture over marshmallow slab. Coat large sharp knife (or cookie cutters) with nonstick spray. Cut marshmallows into squares or other shapes. Toss each in remaining starch-sugar mixture to coat. Transfer marshmallows to rack, shaking off excess mixture.

Yum!



{photo and recipe from Bon Appetit via Epicurious}

Name: Amber

Location: Brooklyn, New York. We just moved from the suburbs of Connecticut, and I'm having a lot of fun!

Blog or Website: TheAmberShow.net

What do you do for a living?
I'm primarily a housewife, but I've just accepted some freelance online PR work, where I will be marketing self-published writers to online media venues. I also will be helping my husband with his new media production business.

My ultimate dream is to be a professional art photographer and a mom at the same time.

What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday?
Hanging out with my husband, Rob. We'd shlub around in jammas until eleven, go to brunch locally with friends, take Matty, Leeloo and Tino to the dog park for the afternoon, and then come home and make supper. Then we would veg out in front of the TV with our food and laptops.

What is your dream vacation spot?
If I could go anywhere, it would be to Puerto Rico to meet the workers of Manos por Patas (Hands for Paws). When I was there last year, Rob and I came across a stray that was lame in the back legs and had been laying helplessly under a truck for days, abandoned without food or water. A Google search lead me to Manos for Patas, and I called. They found him, took him to the vet to get fixed up, and then helped us adopt him! He is now my Tino, the littlest guy of the bunch at 17 pounds.

Since this is my "dream vacation", I would present them with a huge check that I got from winning the lotto, and then I would hang out down there for a few months helping to build an awesome dog shelter.

What beauty item could you not live without?
A toothbrush. I'm on a mission to use less products on my body, so this is an unexciting answer. Some sort of simple, unfragranced lotion is a close second. I have pretty bad dry skin.

What two people (past or present) would you have as guests at a dinner party and why?

1) Barack Obama; I want to get a good look at him and ask him important questions. I plan on voting for him, and I'd love the chance to talk to him in depth, one-on-one, about the issues that are important to me.

2) Heather Armstong, the writer of Dooce. She's so cool!

I would invite their children and spouses, too, of course, and make it a barbeque.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
"Live your life the way it makes sense to you." I came up with that when I was twelve, and I've been sticking to it more or less ever since! Also, similarly, "Focus only on what is important."

What are your three favorite blogs besides blueorchidblog.com?

1) Oh Happy Day written by Jordan Ferny. She has wonderful taste!

2) PostSecret. It takes my breath away weekly. There never seem to be enough secrets posted to keep me happy. I get to the end and say, "Oh man. That's it?" Frank Warren, I'm looking at you. More secrets, please!

3) Lolcats. I don't know why I think they're so funny! There are mornings that I read them while drinking coffee, and those darn cats make me laugh so hard it squirts out of my nose! Ouch!

Finding and maintaining balance during wedding planning can be a difficult task for many brides. Earlier this year, I wrote about this topic for a series at the Elizabeth Anne Designs blog.

This subject has come up a few times recently in my personal conversations with people, so I am reposting the link to that article. You can read the original article here.

Planning a wedding doesn't have to throw your life into a spiral, there is no such thing as perfection, and it is possible to enjoy this season and your fiance.

I shared this video last year, but it is still funny and I thought some of you may need a mental break from all of the stress of wedding planning. Enjoy!