Wedding Inspiration :: Moroccan Wedding Cakes

After I wrote "What is all this Hookah talk about?" on my ChicagoNow blog, I was inspired to write about ideas for a Moroccan themed wedding.  I love and enjoy creating themed weddings and continuosly research and read about different cultures so that I can bring to life any theme that any bride and groom desires for their wedding.

Today I wanted to share Moroccan "inspired" Wedding Cakes.

Moroccan "inspired" Wedding Cakes collage
~photo courtesy of Kaylalee of The Wedding Cake blog

I found this Moroccan "inspired" Wedding Cake on Little Black Book's blog
Cake hand-painted by Owner Andrea of Sedona Cake Couture in Sedona, Arizona

For my birthday this year, I wanted my cake to be a Moroccan design because I love the henna design and the colors.  TipsyCake of Chicago did just that for me.

My Moroccan "inspired" Birthday Cake by TipsyCake

Beautiful Henna Design

Wedding Love & Hugs,



Related Articles:
What is all this Hookah talk about? (via ChicagoNow blog)

Coming up next:  Wedding Inspiration :: Moroccan "theme" Weddings (i.e., decor, colors, etc.) and
Wedding Inspiration :: Ideas for a Moroccan Wedding

Credits:

The Wedding Cake by Kaylalee
Little Black Book's blog (Sedona Wedding)
TipsyCake

Food Inspiration :: Caribbean Cuisine

Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE to eat.  Yesterday I attended a food tasting by the lovely Lucero Martinez of Lucero Caribbean Cuisine Catering at Lush Wine & Spirits in Chicago.  Guests were not disappointed.  Her food was strategically paired with the delicious wine from Lush Wine & Spirits so that they could compliment one another.  I also love the fact that her cuisine is authentic Latin flavor.  For dessert, we were adorned with truffles from Katherine Anne Confections, which is NEVER a disappointment.

"The distinct flavor of the Caribbean comes alive in Lucero’s kitchen. The meals are prepared traditionally with fresh ingredients enhanced by the islands’ spices and herbs. Lucero has selected in her menu the most popular regional meals encompassing every island’s style, culture and cooking techniques.

Let Lucero spice up your next event with her fiesta of Latin Caribbean flavors: bring the party to your guests’ taste buds; Lucero knows how to make them dance."

~Lucero Caribbean Cuisine Catering

With that being said, if you are looking for unique and authentic Latin Caribbean flavors for your wedding, my friends at Lucero Caribbean Cuisine Catering will most certainly oblige you with that! 

Salute!


photo credits: http://lucerochicago.com/gallery/culinary

Something Blue...

While on my mini vacation, I kept thinking about the 2011 Wedding Season and what I would blog about for the New Year.  What came to mind as I was shopping for shoes during my various shopping sprees was the familiar wedding tradition Something Blue.

It's tradition for every bride to find something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Derived from an English rhyme, the bride to be can choose a modern or traditional touch to the customary ritual.

For the bride looking for something blue and unique, these elegant cobalt blue satin Christian Louboutin Manolo Blahnik shoes (with silvertone hardware with a crystal broach detail on vamp) can be worn with your wedding gown.

Christian Louboutin Manolo Blahnik
4 1/4" covered heel. Made in Italy.

These stylish shoes can be worn with your white wedding gown of choice. 

When choosing Something Blue, it can be symbolic to the bride or something fun.  Whatever you choose, let it be unique and special to you.

Happy Planning...

P.S.  Check out Something Blue -- Part II on the ChicagoNow blog, click Wedding Scoop.


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Credits:
The Manola Blahnik shoes can be found at Neiman Marcus

Reflection & Inspiration for the New Year...

As I reflect on this year, I must admit and share that overall 2010 has been a GREAT year for me.  I have accomplished a lot in terms of my business growth and know exactly where it is headed in 2011.  2010 started off a little frustrating for me because of the "economy," but I was able to come out of that frustration from the support and encouragement of fellow colleagues and my good friend and business associate, Bryant Johnson of Steelelife. 

Another thing that helps me through difficult times and frustration are positive and inspiring quotes.  You will find me posting quotes all the time on my Facebook page.  Twitter has a  few individuals I follow who post quotes daily and I am always re-tweeting what I believe to be a quote of inspiration or truth and re-posting it on my Facebook page as well.

What I have learned since I started my own business is that it's VERY important to surround yourself with individuals who are positive, will motivate you and keep you encouraged.  If you do not have a support system and continue to surround yourself around negative individuals who are not at the same place you are, you will unfortunately fail.

I would like to share a few quotes that inspired me this year:

"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher."  ~Oprah

"Ask for what YOU want and be prepared to get it!" ~Maya Angelou

"If you're not moving forward, then you're standing still."  ~Unknown

I have learned that many doors may close but there are always an unlimited amount of doors (new opportunities) waiting to be opened. It might not be so easy to do because WE are ATTACHED to the OLD and FAMILIAR and FEAR the NEW and UNKNOWN. The popular saying goes, "When one door closes another one opens."

As we enter a New Year, think about how you will free yourself from past attachments to bring yourself to realize to enter the new doors that are waiting to open for you.

Wishing everyone a Happy & Prosperous New Year and remember “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” ~Wayne Dyer

Cheers!

Coming Soon:  I will host a seminar regarding inspiration, how to stay focus in your business, the importance of networking, resources and social media.  If you would like more information, please email me at candace@eventsbycandace.net or call 312-469-0171.

Words of encouragement: "Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength."

2011 Inspiration: Sangria

As I continue to watch the snow fall in Chicago, I continue to fantasize about warm weather and summer drinks.  One of my favorite drinks in the summer are Sangrias!  This would also be a great signature drink for your wedding.

Today's inspiration comes from the Inspiring Brides blog by Carly.  I love her collage (below) entitled Sangria -- shade of pink!  Carly put together this collage for a bride who requested Sangria bridesmaids dresses.  The bride wanted to use shades of pink and purple for the flowers and use pink/purple orchids (a personal favorite of mine!)

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Credits:  Inspiring Brides

Are you too busy to plan your wedding?

WHY HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER IS IMPORTANT...

Engagement season has officially started and the 2011 wedding season is fast approaching.  I am finding that more and more couples (and NOT just brides anymore but grooms too) are choosing to hire wedding planners for their important day.

Weddings can take more than 250 hours to plan.  A wedding consultant can not only help with the planning, coordinating and design, but can help you find the most cost-effective way to have EVERYTHING you want, within your budget. At Events by Candace, we offer a variety of wedding services to compliment your budget and needs and we strive to work hard on your behalf to get exactly what you deserve on your special day.

On my website under the FAQS section, you will find answers to all of the most common questions that I am asked.  Below, I have listed some of the most common questions that I am frequently asked...

How do you charge for your services?
Generally, we charge a flat fee. This is based on hours and the complexity of the event as well as the services needed to accomplish the clients’ needs.

What exactly is included in your service?

We are a full service wedding and event planning company and have the ability to meet any of your expectations. Our two popular services include the following: Luxury, which entails full service wedding coordination and Elegance, which entails the “Day of” and begins 30 days before your wedding date.

NOTE: More couples are opting for Day of services. I am offering a special to any couples who hire Events by Candace by the end of the year for their day of wedding needs. You may contact me personally for further details.

Can you recommend reputable vendors?

Yes.  We ally ourselves with the most reputable of vendors throughout the Chicagoland area.  Our extensive research team is always on the look out for vendors that will enhance our clients’ events.

What is your style? How creative can you be?

Our style is considered traditional with a creative and modern flair and can be as creative and unique as you, the client, would want us to be. The key is to understand what you want and promote it with a sense of style, elegance and continuity.

Why Should I Hire YOU?

I have over 15 years of experience working planning special events, social parties and weddings. I have been in business I believe in making your dreams come true and I am committed to helping you create your dream wedding.  I will listen to your needs, desires, and brainstorm with you to make the day even more special and will share my creative ideas so that we can bring them to life while also reflecting individuality, family traditions and spiritual beliefs.

My philosophy is simple, I am committed to putting a creative, stylish and personal touch on each and every event that I have the honor of being a part of.

Please contact me TODAY ... I would LOVE to meet with you for your wedding needs. I have availability in the afternoons, evenings and weekends to meet with you.  Until then...

Ciao for now,

Consulting . Planning . Creating . Executing

Planning Events that Accentuate Your Needs …

Serving the Chicagoland Area & Beyond…

ph: 312.469.0171

e: candace@eventsbycandace.net

w: www.eventsbycandace.net

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Check out the latest Wedding Scoop on

our ChicagoNow blog at http://chicagonow.com/weddingscoop

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2011 Wedding Inspiration :: A Glimpse of Vera Wang's 2011 Spring & Fall Bridal Collection

Vera Wang is one of my personal favorite designers in the wedding industry.  I wanted to share her Spring and Fall 2011 Bridal Collection.  She creates beautiful shapes and textures out of tulle and chiffon.  Her wedding gowns are definitely far from conventional, but not too avant-garde as to make them too non-traditional and not wearable by a bride. 

Vera Wang's Spring 2011 Bridal collection (below) features her trademark silhouettes, but in whites and safe pastel colors and even some splash of gray for the not so traditional bride.

On the Chicago Style Weddings Blog, they said it best in describing Vera Wang's 2011 Fall Bridal Collection.  "Vera Wang wedding dresses are the epitome of modern femininity...and her Fall 2011 bridal collection is no exception."

Vera Wangs inspiration for this collection is "grace in motion making the bride feel ethereal both for her entrance and exit."  As you can see from the collection, she has gowns for the more traditional bride and for the brides looking for a less traditional look, she has some more beautiful gray gowns for the fall as well.  As you can see above in her Spring collection, she introduced the gray wedding gown which is simply gorgeous.  Below is her Fall 2011 bridal collection.

Two words to describe Vera Wang's 2011 Spring & Fall Bridal Collection...fabulous & elegant!

Ciao for now...

P.S.  Check out recent Vera Wang interview, click "20 tips learned over 20 years"

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Daily Inspiration for 2011 :: Music {The Look of Love}

Greetings,

I wanted to share some music that inspires me through my wedding planning journey.  These songs put me in the "wedding" mood when I'm responding to emails, writing to clients, as I'm preparing for an event, or even while I'm writing on my blog.

• Music is a form of ART which plays an important part of our everyday life.
• Music helps you concentrate and relax
• Music motivates you 

 Music does all of the above for me and more.  Enjoy!


Dusty Springfield, The Look of Love

Brian McKnight, Never Felt this Way Before

Roberta Flack, First Time Ever I saw Your Face

Johann Pachelbel Canon in D is one of my absolute favorite wedding songs.

We all need to be motivated and inspired by something and music is a sure way to motivate and inspire us while we work or even when it's time to relax after a long day of work.  I have been called corny for listening to these songs, but what can I say I'm a hopeless romantic...

Ciao for now,

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Daily Inspiration for 2011::FoodieRegistry.com

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Ben Reid, owner of foodieregistry.com at a networking event that Carasco Photography was hosting.  Foodie Registry is a gift registry for Chicago upscale restaurants.  What makes Foodie Registry unique is that...

1. it's the only known registry of this kind in the U.S.;
2. it's FREE; and
3. if YOU and your significant other do not want to register for wedding gifts from a Bath Bed and Beyond, Macy's, etc., because you two already have all those "traditional" items that guests bring to weddings, then Foodie Registry would be a GREAT idea for you and yours.

Who is Foodie Registry...

"Foodie Registry was started by a couple of Chicago foodies who love nothing more than the experience of a great meal at a fabulous restaurant. The company is based on two simple ideas. First most couples already own many of the items found on a traditional registry. Second, people love good food. Put that together and what do you get? A restaurant gift registry. For foodies. A Foodie Registry.

Whether you’re building your own registry or buying gifts from someone else’s, Foodie Registry is absolutely FREE. It’s very simple to use because it works just like a traditional registry, except we let you register for romantic nights at some of the hottest and most delicious restaurants in Chicago.

Plus, you don’t have to be getting married to use Foodie Registry. You can create a registry for any occasion you like, or no occasion at all. It can simply be a handy way to let your friends and family know the restaurants that are on “your list”. So have fun and start registering for the gift of good tastes."

-- foodieregistry.com

***
"Just because you're not dating anymore doesn't mean you can't go on a date.  Foodie Registry lets YOU create a wedding registry for restaurant gift certificate instead of the same bland kitchen gadgets."  Foodie Registry is not just limited to weddings, great gift idea for birthdays, employees, etc.  Create yours at foodieregistry.com TODAY, but for now...

Cheers!



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Daily Inspiration for 2011::Wedding Gowns

As the 2010 Wedding Season comes to a close, I decided to write daily about my 2011 inspirations for the 2011 Wedding Season. I am excited and looking forward to the 2011 Wedding Season. I came across this video on YouTube of various designers 2011 Spring Wedding Gown collections and wanted to share with YOU...OMG! two words to describe these gowns, Simply Gorgeous...Enjoy!!!

I hope you enjoyed what's to come for the 2011 Wedding Season. I will return again soon with more inspirations for 2011, but for now...

Cheers!



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