Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Italian Wedding Gowns Go Romantic


In Italy wedding gowns go extreme...extreme couture, extreme romance and extreme color and cut.   Antonella Rossi's gowns are all that and more.  Sure, she makes the plain Jane white gowns too (well actually nothing Antonella's designs is 'plain') but her expertise is providing Italian brides (or anyone willing to travel to get one of her gowns) with a gown to 'WOW' everyone at their wedding. 

The dress above has a floral overlay with a pink underskirt.  Not exactly a typical dress by United States standards for sure!


The blue underskirt of the gown above certainly adds plenty of 'something blue' to your wedding day!  The blue underskirt and the blue on the bodice are sure to draw your guests eyes.  Antonella Rossi once again hits a home run.


Looking for a gown that's not white or even off white? This gown certainly does that.  Perfect for the older bride, for a second wedding, or even for a bridesmaid dress, this skin tone gown by Antonella
 Rossi perfectly combines color and cut in a style that is glamorous without sacrificing that Italian sense of style. 

Some say the French are the leaders in the fashion world, Rossi is well on her way to proving them wrong.  She designs for brides at all stages in their life, not just for a girl.  Head to Rossi's web site to see still more of her fashionable gowns for the bride as well as accessories.



Thursday, October 6, 2011

Italian Wedding Cookies With a Florentine Renaissance Touch


Italy and wedding cookies are synonymous.  But these are not your usual Italian Wedding Cookies. No white sugar coated anise flavored balls of dough here. These sugar cookies are decorated with Florentine wafer papers and gold accents.  They are perfect for a sweet table at a wedding with an Italian Renaissance theme, or any wedding looking for an upscale look. 

Want to give your cookie favors a high class look? Add gold accents (also sold at fancyflours) to the Florentine wafer topped cookies.  The beautiful Florentine design was inspired by traditional Renaissance patterns.  The sheets that come with your order can be used to decorate almost anything.

Where can you buy everything you need to make these fabulous cookies? fancyflours is a web site that is dedicated to providing discriminating bakers with top notch baking supplies.  You name it, they probably sell it.  Visit fancyflours site today.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Savory Italian Cupcakes Will Rock Your Wedding!

View more videos at: http://nbcchicago.com.


Cupcakes aren't just for dessert at your wedding anymore! Savory cupcakes can be served throughout your meal as a culinary surprise for your guests. This cupcake reminds me of Caprese Salad, and is one of my favorites. Serve it with soup or salad or add it to your wedding buffet. The recipe for this great cupcake is from NBC Chicago show shown above.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Olives and White Ranunculus Bouquet


White Ranunculus and olives on silvery branches combined with black ivy berries makes this bouquet by Martha Stewart romantic and perfect for your Italian wedding.  The wide striped ribbon on the handle perfects the look.  For the bride who loves black and white and who adores olives this is the perfect wedding bouquet. 

Friday, June 17, 2011

Sustainable Farmhouse Centerpiece



Why pay a small fortune for flowers in fancy containers? Instead head to your local farmer's market and load up of gorgeous veggies (or grow your own for even more savings!).  Add them to a wooden box and use them as a rustic centerpiece.  These boxes came from The Container Store, all less than $8.00 each. Photo courtesy of A Subtle Revelry.  For more great design inspirations head over to A Subtle Revelry and view the creative genius there!

Tuscan Farmhouse Wedding


Feel like having an Italian wedding? Why not decorate your tables like a Tuscan farm feast? Bread sticks, heirloom tomatoes, olives....the three varying heights entrance the eye and the colors and scents make everyone feel like they are in Tuscany, (even if they're really in Chicago!)    Serve with some hearty Tuscan fare for dinner and you are set!  A destination wedding without ever leaving home!  Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Potito's Bakery--South Philly's Finest



If you live in Philly and you've got a craving for a couple cannoli or other Italian bakery specialties, there's only one logical destination: Potito's Italian American Pastries. Winner of the 2011 Readers' Choice Awards for best cannoli and more, you can't not love this sugar haven. Eversave.com has a half price offer this week. Potitio's Italian American Pastries is located at 1614 West Ritner St., Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215-334-2996) not too far to take a short road trip for some goodies!

Buy some cupcakes or other delicacies...my mouth is watering as I write this! (Video from You Tube via Eversave.com.) You have to experience their chocolate dipped cannoli--yum! My personal favorites! So head down to South Philly and find some bakery goodies (yeah I know you're on a diet for the wedding, but you can eat JUST ONE and consider it research for your wedding sweet table! See I've given you a good REASON (see reason NOT excuse) to let yourself have one! See you there!
Photo by Mark Louis Photography
Potito’s Bakery is also pleased to announce that they are now specializing in wedding cakes and custom cakes. Potito’s Bakery has contracted two of the finest wedding cake decorators in the city. Their designs range from traditional to ultra modern.

All wedding cake inquires and orders are handled personally by one of the owners. Free in person consultations are also provided. Wow! Another reason for a trip to South Philly! Go today, eat the cannoli tonight!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Happy Memorial Day!

Just wanted to wish all my readers a Happy Memorial Day! Enjoy your cookouts or beach trips or the day at the pool. See you tomorrow! Nancy&Bill

Thursday, May 19, 2011

7 Layer Cookies--Color Coordinated For Your Wedding Day


We are all familiar with the green, white and pink chocolate covered 7 Layer Cookies found in Italian bakeries around the world, but on the blog Diary of A Mad Hausfrau you'll find versions of these traditional cookies in unique color and flavor combinations.  By changing the colors and sometimes the fillings of these cookies the writer has given every bride ideas on how to color coordinate these cookies to match her wedding colors.  The recipe for the two new versions of these cookies can be found on her blog.  The pink and green versions can be found on earlier posts of this blog. 


Which version you choose will be up to you.  You can choose the traditional cookies (shown above) or some of the more up to date versions in assorted colors, some more spring-like, some for fall.  OK, so I stuck you with one more decision to make, just what you needed right?


Sunday, March 20, 2011

Panna Cotta-- A Dessert Dream Come True To Serve At Your Wedding


Panna Cotta, a silky yet elegant Italian custard that can be served in a variety of ways and with assorted toppings to change it's flavor, texture and color is highlighted as a great wedding dessert offering on OnceWed.com.  They give you a recipe from the New York Times but there are a variety of recipes out there so you can create just the texture and flavor you want for your wedding day in case you are a DIY bride who doesn't want to leave the cooking to your caterer.

Serve this elegant dessert at your Italian wedding.  You can make it ahead of time and serve it in shot glasses for easy serving. Why not offer a panna cotta bar for dessert?  Offer your guests a variety of toppings in different colors to suit every palate. 

If you're looking for some good recipes for panna cotta, Amazon.com offers Panna Cotta: Italy's Elegant Custard Made Easy by Camilla Saulsbury.  This book not only gives you recipes for this upscale dessert but recipes for topping as well.  What more could you ask for?



Friday, March 11, 2011

Unique Cannolis

Grasshopper Cannolis From Stuffed Artisan Cannolis

Some like their drinks served on the rocks, others served neat, but I know that the very best cocktails are served in cannoli form! So head over the Stuffed Artisan Cannolis on the Lower East Side. If you aren't heading into the city and live in Long Island/NYC area there are seven Whole Foods locations that sell Stuffed Artisan Cannolis. Only in NY! And I thought bagels and cheesecake were the best reason to love New York! Add these great flavored cannolis to the list!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Cherry Tomatoes - Bocconcini Lollipops

Photo and recipe from: http://moogieland.blogspot.com/

Looking for something a little different for an appetizer? Try this easy to make but attractive recipe that is based on caprese salad. This pairing of mozzarella and tomatoes is a perfect combination for picnic weddings or appetizers anytime of year.
Photos courtesy of Dahan Caterers Washington DC

Moogie from Moogie and Pap's web site suggests using black rice inside a tall glass to stabilize the skewers, but you could easily serve this on a base of seen above of grass, inserting the skewer into the field of green.

Ingredients:

12 cherry tomatoes (stems removed) You can use regular cherry tomatoes or Trader Joe's sells heirloom cherry tomatoes.

12 bocconcine (baby Mozzarella)

2 tablespoons virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon Italian seasonings

1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley

Directions:

1. With a sharp knife, remove the top 1/4 inch of each tomato.

2. Skewer the bottom of each tomato with a large wooden or bamboo skewer. For the most eye-catching presentation, stand the lollipops in tall glasses. (I put black rice inside my glass to help stabilize the lollipops)

3. In a bowl, combine the seasoning and olive oil, and parsley. Drizzle a little over each tomato before serving.