This is truly amazing.   The Beautiful Blooms team knocked it out the park big time at the Philadelphia Flower Show.  Some think (as do I) that it was the most innovative and exciting exhibit at the Flower Show this year.   Maya came up with the original concept of creating a topographical map of a sea to glacier terrain out of hanging glass vases filled with colored water and perfectly chosen flowers.   From that freaky concept, the Beautiful Blooms team designed and planned a truly stop-in-your-tracks stunning exhibit.   Every time I walked by, there were people lined up, taking photos and talking about how amazing it is.

Here are some great photos by David Mielcarek of CINEMATICbyDavidM.

Small wonder Beautiful Blooms won the Flower Show’s “Award of Excellence,” eh?

Here are the initial drawings — I thought you might find this interesting:

Sometimes people create things that I love and just have to share.   My latest obsession are these great letterpress neighborhood cards created by the girl wonders at Two Paper Dolls.   I LOVE THESE.   But I need them to do one of Northern Liberties, yes?

You can get these from Two Paper Dolls at the place in Wayne or Pressed55 right here in the Piazza.   Or from their cool Etsy shop.

We are so excited about the first time an Eclatante event gets published in an international magazine.   And in Ireland, no less – a country rich in beauty with the most wonderful people I’ve ever met.

B Weddings Magazine, which is published in Dublin, Ireland caught wind of this gorgeous event we designed and planned at the Independent Seaport Museum which took place last April.  The client wanted to take their guests to the most beautiful cities of the world, so we set about to create a look, taste and feel of an around the world adventure for each of their amazed and delighted guests.

The team at Beautiful Blooms did an incredible job with the florals – Donna has traveled and lived in different parts of the world so she brought first-hand, true floral representation to the different table floral pieces.  You can see from the magazine’s pictorials that we executed a plan where the tables came from all over the world.   Even the table numbers reflected the style of the specific city we were representing on any particular table.   We did the same thing with the food, the entertainment and many of the amenities throughout the entire event.

We even had old European-style street performer that thrilled the guests to no end as they walked into the doors.   People are still talking about this extraordinary celebration – one of my favorites of all time!

Of course, for the international world to take notice of this incredible party, we had to have a great photographer, so we brought the fabulous Marie Labbancz along to capture every amazing moment.

Photo by Cliff Mautner

Photo by Amy Deputy

Photo by Tania Lezak

Photo by Tania Lezak

Photo by Laura Novak

Photo by Sandor Welsh

Photo by Therese Marie Wagner

Photo by Marie Labbancz

Photo by Marie Labbancz

Photo by Maggie Wallace Cullun

Photo by Tania Lezak

Photos by Alison Conklin

We have a tone of these amazing photos of kids at our weddings.   We might do this again someday!

We were so excited to be asked to showcase ourselves to the brides of the Please Touch Museum.    It is such a wonderful, unique and fun place in Philadelphia to have a really spectacular celebration.   It’s unusual to have a place in the City (other than a hotel) where so many people can be seated with room enough for a good size dance floor.   Plus, the place is just gorgeous and is a joy to work in.

photo from the Please Touch Museum website

What more can I say?  Oh yeah, it has a carousel!!

Sofia Negron took some wonderful photos of the table we created for the occasion. We did something a little different this time and people really loved it. Thank you so much Sofia!

We often get asked by our clients to create tablescapes instead of centerpieces — which is one of our very favorite things to do. We think these lovely red flowers (provided by Beautiful Blooms) are the perfect floral accent when you don’t want the flowers to dominate the decor.   And the napkins rings are perfect – they have a little hole to insert a single flower stem.   You can get a set for yourself at the Eclatante Boutique.

Lately, we’ve seen a bit more family-style service on the dinner tables. Here, we’re serving dessert family-style, on pretty plexiglass platforms filled with petals. Just a little different. And it gives the table some dimension and interest.

These individual little butterfly seating cards are among our favorite things in the Eclatante Boutique.  The birds are adorable, too.   People really really love them!   And guests are totally enchanted when there is one at their placesetting.

By the way, it’s taken me a long time to like stemless wine glasses.  I know I’m behind the curve on that, but I’m finally here.   I actually like them now!  Especially since we got a gorgeous set for Christmas.

Thanks to Kelley, Scott & Kimberly at Max & Me Catering!  It is pure pleasure working with everyone at Max & Me who really put this whole thing together!  Not only is their service and food absolutely amazing, their people are GREAT to work with!

We’ll do a more complete blog on the Please Touch Museum soon.  There is so much to that incredible place!

Come visit us at the open house for Max & Me Catering held at the Please Touch Museum on Wednesday, January 20th from 6-8 pm.   The Please Touch Museum is so amazing and unusual, I just don’t know where to start – but let’s got with this:

It has A REAL CAROUSEL you can ride!!!

We’ve been fortunate enough to have planned and designed a few weddings at the Please Touch Museum.  It’s an amazing place to have a wedding!   Check out some photos of some of the other fun things we’ve done there.

If you’re looking for the perfect venue and an amazing caterer for your wedding, you should plan to stop by this Open House next Wednesday.

Please RSVP to Kimberly at 215.578.5188 or kim@MaxandMeCatering.com.

One of our favorite parts of designing events is when we get to scout out great musicians and talented entertainers for our clients’ extraordinary celebrations.   That part of our jobs isn’t anything like work.  We get to sit down and listen to some incredible music.   How hard is that?

You’re welcome to come along on our next venture out to hear some amazing musicians perform.  We’re going to Beat Street in Manyunk  on Sunday (January 10th)  where Elan Artists will be showcasing some of their best musicians.   If you’re looking for some truly sophisticated, fun, great music for your affair (with absolutely no “LET’S PARTAAAYYY” cheese goin’ on),  you’ll find it there.   Trust me on this. Each band performs a cross section of music from classics to contemporary.  Hip, sophisticated, cool – just great, great music that you might just fall in love with.

Sunday January 10^th 2010
Beat Street Station

Prompt Start 5pm

Email info@elanartists.com to RSVP.

Beat Street Station
4401 Cresson Street
Manayunk, PA 19127

888.800.3526 or info@elanartists.com
Admission Free – RSVP Requested

www.dancebandshowcase.com

Preview groups at www.elanartists.com

The holidays can bring out the best in us.   It’s the perfect time to step just a little outside of the box and give people unique gifts that they may not be expecting.

One of the great advantages to having a little boutique is that we only have the items that we really love.   Chances are, you wouldn’t be able to find them anywhere else.

Take, for instance, this gorgeous back and white 5 x 7 frame ($35.95).   And one of our new favorite things in the Boutique is the Lotus hands tealight holders ($20).   They are really beautiful.

For stocking stuffers, we have totally fallen for these handmade flower brooches.   Everyone who sees them loves them.   People walk in the Boutique and buy them immediately — at $20, they are pretty irresistible.

And how cool is this?  It’s a fruit pyramid (ornaments look pretty amazing in it, too!).   It’s a great, chrome-platted spacesaver and  looks very chic on a counter or a table.   $24

These rose tealight holders are absolutely lovely. We have theme in light creme and bronze.   People are buying them up at $16.   Small wonder – they’re stunning.

As a truly elegant gift, we recommend this stunning Peacock Tray from Fringe ($55).  For your people that truly appreciate beautiful things, this tray will absolutely thrill them.  Likewise, the mercury glass gold apothecary jars are just gorgeous.  We have them in two sizes, 13″ ($33) and 16″ ($43).

Here’s another fun stocking stuffer – these little scottie salt and pepper shakers are adorable, and incredibly priced at $10 for the pair.

Finally — our latest obsession — Totally organic, 100% bamboo robes.   Not a synthetic thread to be found. So incredibly plush, you won’t want to take it off!   They feature a detailed shawl collar, cuffed long sleeves, two front patch pockets and they’re extremely durable.  You’ll also find them in luxury hotels and resorts. We couldn’t resist putting a few in the Boutique for the holidays!   A truly wonderful price at $70.

We have them in white and in chocolate brown.  

Of course, these are just a few of our favorite things.   We have so many more unique, fun and beautiful things at the Boutique.   You should come visit us and see it all!   We located at 1031 North 3rd Street on Liberties Walk, right next to the Piazza.  Parking is a piece of cake.  Of course, if you already know you want something, just give us a buzz at 215.925.9911 or email us at celebrate@eclatantedesign.com, and we’ll send it out to you.

Oh, and don’t forget to come down for the Holiday Shopping Crawl here in Northern Liberties on December 19th from 11 am to 8 pm. Just about all the shops are doing something really special for you, including offering some interesting incentives that you definitely make you very very jolly!   Our Boutique is going all out — as usual.   We’d love to see you!

The dream child of three amazing women who individually have spent years and years in the beauty industry, Tu Belleza Studio gives women a place to come where walking in the door is a relaxing experience.  Claudia, Tiffany and Kim have created a truly unique environment where it feels more like you’re drinking wine in your best friend’s living room than having an appointment at a salon. Together, they share an artistry, passion and talent for bringing out the beauty in each woman that walks in their very warm and entreating studio.

You’ll be happy to know Tu Belleza carries  Cass Luxury Shapewear, Aveda, and Sebastian and an amazing array of accessories you won’t find anywhere else.

And here are the ladies of Tu Belleza: Tiffany Lahn (hair extension maven), Kim Lancashire (Eye Lash Extension Diva) and Claudia Seyler (a magician with hair and makeup)

And lucky us!  They are right across the Walk from us in our own little block of Liberties Walk.   We couldn’t be happier.   More and more and more, I’m really happy we moved here!

Amy Deputy (Amy Deputy Photography), the one-of-a-kind absolutely INCREDIBLE photographer at our Bethany Beach wedding in September set up a truly unique and super-fun photo booth — of sorts — in the corner of the reception tent.

I don’t want to give too much about the wedding away just yet — but I just had to show you these great photos of Kelly & Liam’s adventurous guests.

There was no way Amy was going to escape without getting a taste of her own medicine.  Rarely do you get to see the bride and photographer – but with these two, it’s not surprising at all!

And our very favorite photos of all are of the adorable, fun-loving couple that got married on that gorgeous day on the beach in Bethany!

Stay tuned for the photos of Kelly & Liam’s extraordinary wedding on the beach.    Stunning.   Truly.  You’ll soon see why Amy Deputy has been named one of the ten best wedding photographers in the United States by American PHOTO.

When we moved into our new home here on the Walk, we asked Two Paper Dolls to create our new business cards with the idea that they should reflect what was going on in our world.  The result was absolutely perfect.  We love them so much, we just had to share them with you!

Our die-cut business card has a silk finish which adds richness to the feel and look of the card.  The logo is foil-stamped in gold, which makes it leap off the card, as you can see.   One of my favorite elements of our old cards was that there were two rounded corners and two squared corners imitating the curves and points of our logo design (also created by the Dolls).   So I had to keep that for our new cards.

GOTTA LOVE THOSE DOLLS!!!

Succulents are a very interesting way to bring something unexpected and beautiful to your celebration

Here’s a little background on succulents for all of those who are not versed in these lovely plants.  Succulents (or “succose”, which is Latin for juice or sap) are water-storing plants that give a thickened or fleshy look to their leaves, stems and roots. These plants come from dry areas of the tropics and subtropic regions of the world.   They are a durable, low-maintenance and eco-friendly alternative to flower arrangements that you can beautifully and easily incorporate into your own wedding day or any other party you’re hosting!

Here’s the part you all really love — the pictures!

Photo by http://www.erinheartscourt.com/, (Succulentlove designs): http://succulentlovedesigns.com/

From Utterly Engaged

Photos by http://www.erinheartscourt.com/

Succy Stuff’s Etsy Store

Horticopia’s Etsy Store

Thanks to Beautiful Blooms!

How cute is this?!?!?!  From Style Me Pretty

From Utterly Engaged

Thanks to Beautiful Blooms!

Photo by: http://sukrachand.com/wedding/

Okay, I don’t really mean that.   Especially since we’re lucky enough to be a block away from Brown Betty — creators of the the best cupcakes in the entire world!   One could never burn out on their cupcakes!

BUT, if you want to see what alternatives there are to cupcakes — take a look at these amazing dessert delights (churros, croissants (chocolate and otherwise), brioche and eclairs) – if this doesn’t inspire you to think outside the cake pan, nothing will!

These stunning eclairs are from Fauchon - a chic French Patisserie from where you can order these gorgeous morsels.

If you’re having an event with a Latin flair – look at the amazing delights — they’re dessert churros from Xooro (pronounced Sure-oh) — so yum!

Then again, there’s Patisserie Claude in the West Village in New York (187 W. 4th St., near Barrow St.).  The desserts there are so good it’s hard to believe it’s really possible!  Croissants,  brioche – simple things done extraordinarily well.   It would be well worth a trip to NYC to grab enough for the most amazing brunch or rehearsal dinner, dinner parties  or any other smaller gathering.   Your guests will never forget you!

Today, our great friend Caroline Tiger featured our really beautiful monogrammed candles in the LifeStyle section of the Philadelphia Inquirer.   We LOVE these candles!

NY Daily News

Sylvia Weinstock is really one of a kind.  I just don’t think there’s another person on the planet quite like her.   Thirty years ago, she totally broke the mold of cake design resulting in cakes that reach the outer limits of the imagination of most of us.   She started this amazing cake trend —  all with buttercream — not a drop of fondant.  

Thanks to Rosemary, Donna O’Brien’s long-time friend from Manhattan who has worked with Sylvia in the past, Donna (of Beautiful Blooms fame) and I were invited up to Sylvia’s incredible cake studio where her masterpieces are created. Donna blogged about our incredible meeting and talked all about how just gorgeous everything was, and incredibly delicious. (Donna’s favorite filling was the apricot, but I’m still thinking about the caramel.  UnBelieveable. Her cakes are not only the most beautiful cakes you will ever see, they are to-die-for divine!)

I want to add that Sylvia spent a lot of time talking about the special events industry in general.   She’s been doing this incredible cake thing for over 30 years — long before cable television!   She has seen it all.   And with an infectious enthusiasm, she loves our industry every bit as much as she did thirty years ago when she started “this crazy thing.”  She even shared with us some of her preliminary sketches that she does for her clients; her sketches alone are incredible and it will never cease to amaze me that her works of art are created out of sugar. Just sugar.  Sigh.  

Now for pics.  I think, first I’d like to share Sylvia’s famous flowers.   She ducks credit and gives it all to her talented and dedicated team of artists who take pride in every single detail — look for yourself!

Here I am with Rosemary, getting every morsel of that incredible caramel filling from my fork

Finally, our last shot with Sylvia:

More news about Sylvia coming soon!!  Oh, and you should absolutely check out Sylvia’s book about her masterpiece cakes:  Sylvia Weinstock’s Sensational Cakes