These engagement photos are really different than the “urban chic” photoshoots we see a lot around here.   Instead, these are hip in a totally retro way – back to the ratpack and when cool was really REALLY cool.   I think Brian Lauer did a phenomenal job of getting to the essence of these two.  I love love love the skater shot that totally captured Shonta and if you knew Avner like we know Avner, you would share in our adoration of just how perfect these photos are!  I am quite sure the couple and everyone who loves them will cherish these forever.  I just had to show you!

Their wedding is coming up in October — I promise you, it will be amazing!!!

What a lovely memory it was to see this wedding featured in the  most recent issue of The Knot.

We erected a fabulous tent (by EventQuip) on the bank of the oh-so picturesque “Clenny Run” that winds through the amazing grounds at Winterthur.   The ceremony took place at the reflecting pool.   JUST BEAUTIFUL!!!  And, of course, the flowers by Beautiful Blooms were just stunning!

Thanks to Mike Kehr, we have incredible photos of this beautiful wedding!

While we love to create lavish, detailed and stunning affairs, there is another side to perfect hospitality.   Sometimes, creating something extraordinary can be really simple.

Case in point:  Last winter, Sara and I spent hours on fabric row playing with all sorts of beautiful material and notions as we were styling some of our upcoming celebrations.  After all the creating was complete, we had some fabric left over.  We decided to  very easy napkins out of our extra fabric to show you how simple it is to make a table extraordinary.  All the placesettings and accessories are pieces that came straight out of our kitchen cabinets.  The flowers came from my yard.   But the looks are truly special.

Geek Chic (As Maggie likes to call it!)

This napkin was super-simple to make. Just a simple swiss dot, cotton fabric, cut into squares and sewn back-to-back.

An easy summer picnic

We just tied together some flowers cut from my yard and threw them in a wood salad bowl. The effect was lovely!

Again, creating the napkin couldn't have been easier!

Breakfast at the Piazza

We thought it would be fun to just bring some things from the kitchen and set them up at the market tables under yellow umbrellas at the Piazza.   Nothing unusual going on here — except the homemade napkins.   But it really looks really special! What a lovely way to start a Sunday morning, eh?

Here, we simply used a contrasting fabric for the reverse side.

It’s hot.   Really really hot.  So hot that no one can speak an intelligible sentence about anything that doesn’t include the words “heat, oppressive, humidity or TURN UP THE DAMN A/C!!”

Aside from the beach (or the “shore,” depending on where you reside), there really are some wonderful things that only happen when the temperature rises above the tolerable. So, rather than dwell on the heat, let’s focus on the great things about summer and how to translate them into a wonderful summer party with friends. The key to a great summer fiesta:  SIMPLICITY.  I’m from the south (kinda), and there we learned at an early age that slow and easy is the path to great hospitality in the summer sun.

What to serve

WATERMELON!   I literally crave it — virtually without calories and certainly without fat, it is nature’s reward for not succumbing to road rage when you’re stuck in traffic on the way to the beach (a/k/a the “shore”).

There simply is no such thing as a great summer party without watermelon — in any form at all.   But here’s a great way to enjoy watermelon after hours (or, as my father used to say — “it’s noon somewhere!”)

Navan Watermelon Daquiri

Ingredients per serving

(make ahead of time in a pitcher and let it get really cold before serving)

• 1/2 oz  Navan (in case Navan is new to you, it’s a fabulous vanilla liqueur — better than any other — trust me on this)
• 1 oz 10Cane Rum
• 3 nice big chunks of fresh watermelon
• 1/2 oz Part simple syrup
• 1/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice

Muddle the watermelon.  Add Navan, 10Cane Rum, simple syrup and lemon juice.  Shake over ice and strain into a chilled martini glass (from pitcher).

What to place

Then, to continue to keep things as simple as possible, Mother Nature gives us the most charming flowers for the table that require no effort at all to be perfect!  When I see daisies in mason jars on a simply set table, it conjours up my favorite summer memories on picnic benches with the fam.   I have to admit, as simple as they are, there is just nothing as sweet and pretty as the white daisies that grow abundantly all summer long.   I just love them.

What to wear

And finally, while we’re spending a hot summer day, we must know that there’s just nothing more comfortable than a simple cotton sundress (this one is by Betsey Johnson) adorned with nothing but this wonderful straw hat we found at J.Crew.

Of course, I can’t help but add some flair to the ensemble by placing one of our great Emersonmade flowers (from the Eclatante Boutique) on the sun hat.   But that’s just me.

As many of you know, we have an amazing studio on Liberties Walk in the uber-chic section of Philadelphia known as Northern Liberties.  People just love it here — and so do we!!

Often, people stopped by to ask if we rent any of our space out for parties.  As the photos below show you, the answer is a resounding yes!   We’ve gotten enough requests now that I thought it was time to send a message to the world that if anyone would like to rent our studio out, we would be more than happy to make that happen.

If you need more space for a larger party, we can combine our space with the teaching studio at Beautiful Blooms Boutique as a kind of bundle where you could have both spaces and the Walk in between for an amazing party on the Walk.   Take a look at all the photos below to see how cool each possibility is.   The space rental fee includes the use of our incredible screens, too, where you can play a video of your own or watch a cool season finale or the World Series! Depending upon what configuration of space you choose to rent, your party could go anywhere from intimate (25 people) to 125 people.   The rental fee begins at $500 for a five hour event.

Give us a buzz if you’d like to talk about renting our little oasis.   We’ve had some incredible parties here!

I know I’ve been promising to update the blog with our 2010 events — and I will!   But when I see things like these totally irresistible paper cupcake cups, I swoon, melt — then have to share.

I found them on my latest favorite blog — Darlyblog.

I really need a cupcake in one of these adorable paper cups.

After a wonderful event in Princeton, I decided that it was too late and I was too tired to drive all the way home, so I spent the night at a friend’s house in Princeton.   Donna (of Beautiful Blooms fame) and I took Sunday morning off and hung out in super-charming downtown Princeton.   We stumbled across a fabulous little garden, outside of an adorable bar, filled with zinnias where we could sit and drink coffee.

I forgot how much I loved zinnias.   I took some photos with my brand new iPhone 4 and I was pretty impressed with the colors!  Just looking at them makes me happy, so I thought I’d spread the cheer.

We seriously <heart> Jackie Bayne of Love Shack Photos and the really cool stuff she does when photographing couples.   Case in point:  Jackie and this really great couple, Houn and Jon, decided to get their engagement photos taken around our beloved Northern Liberties.   Then to end the incredible day they were having, landed here at the Eclatante studio for the final shots.   It was a blast — as you can see.   Feel free to take a look on Love Shack’s blog site to see all the photos – I just put the teasers up here.

Philly Mag’s Bridal Bulletin just ran a feature on our wonderful program called “Kindness Blooms,” where our clients (and others) can donate the flowers they love from their incredible celebrations to people who could really use a little unexpected joy and beauty in their lives.   The Kindness Blooms page will tell you how you can help!

You may remember a couple years go when we first blogged about word starting to get around about Eclatante’s Kindness Blooms’ project in MainLine Today and Philly.com.

Since then so many floral arrangements have been provided to the Ronald McDonald House, Children’s Hospital, the Laurel House and several area retirement and nursing homes.   Its been pure pleasure being able to facilitate the joy that people get from truly beautiful flowers.   And, honestly, there are just no words to express how much better it is to donate the flowers than to see them trashed!

We are always looking for volunteers to help in our efforts.   Please take a look at our Kindness Blooms page and let  us know if  you can help!

One of the best things about summer is the jingle of that little white truck that we hear in sub and urban neighborhoods from the first day that the winter finally disappears through the last glorious heat wave.   It’s a sound that we can all link back to our childhoods, right?

When I came across these cards this morning by Fine Day Press on Etsy, I almost giggled.   Then I realized I had to share them!   They are truly happy cards!!!

It’s no secret that we are seriously in love with Winterthur Estate. Between the never-ending lush and beautiful gardens, the picturesque reflecting pool, the drop-dead gorgeous conservatory, and all the private paths in between, the options for you and your guests are endless. Every event there is personal and different than the last.   So, when Nicole from Winterthur asked us to design some Eclatante-style tablescapes to showcase to Winterthur’s favorite clients, we were very honored and thrilled to get to work.

As a leading event planning and design firm in the region, we understand exactly what it takes to create an event that will be flawlessly in sync  – from each detail of the aesthetics to the meticulously planned logistics that make it all flow beautifully from one step to the next in a way that allows your guests to feel that everything about the event is effortless and natural.   It’s an art and a craft, believe me!   I think that’s why we and Winterthur love working together so much — we all have the same philosophy of creating incredible weddings — that is, the secret to a perfect wedding is perfect harmony.

When we set out to design the tablescapes for Winterthur’s very special event, we knew each table should celebrate the beginning of summer in the context of Winterthur’s perfect setting. Not surprisingly, we chose to stray from the more typical concepts of reception table decor and instead, create three different looks, each one demonstrating Eclatante’s unique ability to capture their client’s personal style.  Using uplifting and vibrant colors, and with the incredibly talented Beautiful Blooms’ amazing florals,  we designed three completely different looks: Classic, Modern and Rustic.

Here are the photos taken by the amazing Jim Graham.   We hope you enjoy them!

Classic

Modern:

Rustic:

We just love it when are couples are featured in The Knot.   It lets them know that their vision was truly wonderful!

Sometimes Dads don’t get the attention or credit they deserve — even though they are so worthy of their own holiday. New Dad, Dads who have it down pat, Grandfathers and “like a Dad to me” Dads deserve the best or a least a little something special to make them feel that way.

At Eclatante Boutique, we’ve got the best idea for all Dads.   It is something they would never think of —  something only a loving mother, wife, sister, or daughter could ever conjure up —  something that will make all those Dads shine all day (and well into the future!) — something that let them know that they are so special, handsome, celebrated and most of all, loved.

Its just a little something..but it makes a big impact…..let us introduce you to EmersonMade Tiny Poppers. Little splashes of color and style that can be pinned to a tie, a suit jacket or right on to a shirt. The Dads may not get it but I know they will love all the attention they will get by wearing one. So pick one up for you Pops and make his day.

Beautifully packaged (as only Eclatante would do!) and extraordinarily well-priced at $35 for a set of six.

You know where we are!   We have a few sets left.   Or, of course, you can call and we’ll get them out to you in time for his day!

Click here for directions

I’ve made you all wait FAR too long (sorry about that — it’s been a truly hectic couple of weeks!!) to enjoy Part 2 of the fabulous Red Dress Fashion Show that the American Heart Association put on on Eclatante’s and Beautiful Blooms’ our little piece of the planet as part of AHA’s 2010 Go Red for Women Campaign.

In Part 1, we introduced you to the event and the cast of amazing characters we had milling around here that day. Along with the gorgeous weather, more than 200 people were treated to a fantastic array of absolutely beautiful dresses designed and created by the extraordinarily talented women of the Philadelphia University’s fashion design program.   We were really blown away by their designs and their stories.

Thanks again to Heather Fowler for taking these great photos!

When we left off in Part 1, you saw the beautiful models lining up for the Fashion Show.   Bill Henley (of NBC10’s “the 10! Show”) was a great Master of Ceremonies.

From the very first dress, we were in love!

After the final walk, the judges deliberated on their choice for the runner up and the winner.

Heather took a great photo of all the models and the designers in the green room (a/k/a Heather's Studio) waiting for the judges' decisions

It was great anticipation, that the winners were announced

Third place went to this gorgeous dress:

Second place was awarded to this incredibly fun dress that I fell totally in love with:

And the winner is (drumroll, please)….

We had an absolutely wonderful time that night.   From the looks of it, so did everyone else.   I hope you enjoyed our first fashion show on our Walk (the first of many, I hope).

The Ladies of Eclatante and the Beautiful Blooms’ girls had WAY too much fun on this one.   I’m not sure we could really call it work!!!

L to R: Jeannie, Maggie, Sara, Kendall, Claire and Chrissy

L to R: Donna, Alicia, Lisa and Maggie

And be sure to check out The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Campaign.  NOTHING is more important than a woman’s heart.

Eclatante and Beautiful Blooms were honored and excited to be asked by the American Heart Association to host their annual Go Red for Women Preview Party.

Heather Fowler agreed, not only to let her studio be turned into a dressing room, but to shoot this wonderful event.

The event showcased some of the most talented young women I have ever met.   Young fashion designers from Philadelphia University’s fashion design program competing at a drop-dead amazing fashion show on our Walk.   All the dresses were, of course, red.   But even more incredible, each designer was inspired by the story of a person close to them who had experienced heart disease in a very real way.   The stories were beautiful — just like the dresses that were exhibited that evening.

In attendance were about 200 women (well, mostly women) who have a heart for this incredible campaign.    As they arrived, they were treated to delicious treats from Max & Me Catering and served wonderful beverages.  And All Around Entertainment created the perfect musical atmosphere for the evening.

Of course, we added our own special touches everywhere!

Donna and I were thriled to introduce the participants

The emcees were Biil Henley and Lori Wilson, hosts of the daily NBC10 10! show.  The judges were Jenice Armstrong of the Philadelphia Daily News, Kristin Munro of Philadelphia Style Magazine and Tiffany Hill, B101 Radio.

While all that was going on, the models were getting ready on the next block in Heather Fowler’s studio.  Their hair and makeup was expertly accomplished by Phoenix Salon & Spa and Salon 201.

until it was time to line up for the fashion show

In Part 2, you’ll see the parade of these beautiful dresses and the winners of the 2010 Go Red For Women Red Dress Fashion Show.