This winter, we were thrilled to have the pleasure of working with one of our favorite families of all time to help them plan their son, Harry’s, Bar Mitzvah.   We’ll tell that amazing story soon, since it occurred during one of our historic blizzards.   But I digress.

Since then, Harry’s dad, Ivan, celebrated his 50th birthday.   His gorgeous wife Ann wanted to throw him a party he would never forget.   She asked Donna of Beautiful Blooms and Eclatante to help her get the details together and, of course, we were very happy to oblige!

Here’s a little back story:  Ann & Ivan are both British (with the most wonderful accents!).  Ann had no problem coming up with the perfect theme, since Ivan was born in 1960 — London in the 60’s!   How fun is that??

Eclatante’s own Maggie Ruder took these photos.

Eclatante was able to find a classic English black cab to to take the couple and other guests from their home to Duportail House for the party.  If you’ve ever been to London, you know these little cars are everywhere!

Even Donna and I dressed up for this one!   And we had to jump in the cab for a quick photo!   By the way, Claudia Seyler did our hair and makeup for the party.   I still miss the eyelashes!!!

We loved the gobo we had created to emulate the Tube in London.

And of COURSE, we had to have the famous British red telephone booth!   People were in and out of it all night!

LOVE these photos of Ann & Ivan.   Her absolutely PERFECT dress was specially made for the night by Janice Martin of Janice Martin Couture.  And I could not get over how Ivan nailed the look of his suit.  He had his tailor create the perfect trousers.   It was like going back in time!!  (Not that I remember the 60’s.)

Donna and I couldn’t resist jumping into the phone booth ourselves. I mean, who could?

We saw some great outfits that night!   Among them was certainly this Union Jack dress!

And just look at this fantastic jacket right off the Sargeant Pepper album!    The DJ immediately struck up The Lonely Heart’s Club Band the very moment this guest walked in the door — right on cue!

We loved the trolly cake from Cake Art Studio

Ann & Ivan had a fantastic time -- which, of course, is why we do what we do!

In late April, we introduced you all to the upcoming charity event known as Date with A Plate.  The event took place on the 4th & 5th of May and was just incredible. All of the designers and collectors who provided an insight into their interpretation of a fabulous table or entertainment scenario absolutely brought their A-game.  I do hope that a lot of you were able to make it out to see the amazing work that thrilled all of the guests. It was truly a feast for the eyes!!!

This year, the charity, known as the IMAJNZ Foundation –  which is the very innovative charity created by Judi Goodman and Sharyn Berman to support selected area charities – supported The Noreen O’Neill Foundation for Melanoma Research. It was an honor to step up for this particular charity as there is a history there for us.

We teamed up Beautiful Blooms to design and create our own interpretation of what would be a great night out with close friends. The inspiration began with a simple photo out of the January issue of InStyle Magazine.

And then the vision grew. We LOVED this beautiful combination of Sangria and White and decided that what we really needed to do was create wine and cheese party under the stars using this incredible contrast of colors. When we finally concluded what we were out to accomplish, we found the perfect name for our dining adventure:  ”Private Escape.”

Next came the ruffles –  which, until this year, I’ve never really found a place for in my heart. Now, suddenly, I LOVE THEM!  But not your grandmother’s ruffles, as you will soon see.

Beautiful Blooms has these awesome arbors created from beautiful wood beams.  We just had to use them!  Then we went in search of sangria colored ruffles, and WHITE ruffled plates.   No easy task, but a fun one nontheless!  And of course, being the detail crazies are, we lined everything out from drawings and measurements to make sure that our little plan would work.

Then, on the day of installation, the Beautiful Blooms and Eclatante teams carefully taped out the dimesions of our space, laid the the carpet, built the arbor, and carefully placed the linens and all of the other beautiful elements.

And here are the results!  These stunning photos were taken by David Mielcarek of CinematicbyDavidM.   He graciously agreed to shoot our display and we couldn’t have been more pleased.  His photos are wonderful!!!

People ADORED the ruffled chair backs and ruffled placemats. And so did we!

The chandelier is a phenomenal custom piece created out of square wine glasses.  Beautiful Blooms laced flowers all through the glassware.  The result was STUNNING!!!

Two Paper Dolls created the carefully designed Wine Tasting piece that explained the specific wine and cheese pairings to each guest.   Of course, choosing just the perfect wines was definitely one of the fun parts.

At the corners of the arbor, there were lovely large teardrop glass vases hung containing Japanese sweet peas, Japanese white long stem gloriosa lilies and white peonies.  It was a perfect softening touch.

We were so pleased to have Starr Events work with us. They created a gorgeous cheese and fruit platter and Frank’s Union Wine Mart helped us choose the perfect wine!  The wine and cheese pairings were absolutely amazing.

Thanks also go to Moore Events for lighting our display with uplights and pinspots. It truly made the difference by having this lighting installed.

The guests were thrilled to discover that this incredible “Private Escape” could be their reality — if they bid high enough!  Apparently, there was quite a little bidding war over our Private Escape.  We don’t know who won, but we can’t wait  recreate this look on Liberties Walk for one lucky winner and their friends.  Starr Events will create a lovely wine tasting menu for 8 and Frank’s Union Wine Mart will provide the wine for the event. What could be more wonderful than dining under the stars with great friends in their own “Pefect Escape.”

Our parting shots are the team photo!

From left to right: Maya (BB), Donna (BB), Kendall (EED) and Sara (EED)

I stumbled upon these when doing some research and I fell irretrievably in love.   I simply had to share!  I found them on dieline.com.

Look for these in Eclatante’s future!

We’re very happy to share this post on the ultimate wedding blog –  Style Me Pretty – of one of our very favorite weddings in 2009.   We invite you to explore this very very pretty wedding (Part 1 and Part 2) and our favorite Maid of Honor toasts of all time,  Beautiful Blooms did an outrageous job with the florals. Gorgeous.   Marie Labbancz was thir photographer.

People often ask us, “Where do you come up with these things??”    And the answer is that we don’t have a single source for ideas or details — we run all over sometimes, from flea markets to fine retailers and fabulous manufacturers to find just the right thing for each of our amazing events.

Today, Sara and I spent some time shopping on Fabric Row in Philly.    We have so many unusual events and photoshoots coming up and each of them has a completely different feel.   We had a very successful trip!

Among the zillions of fabric shops, you can find just about anything!

These wonderful folks at La' Grants were so helpful!

Sara falls in love with almost every bolt she sees!

Stay tuned for the results.   We bought some amazing fabrics for napkins, upholstering, incredible trim for lamp shades — you’ll see these things intermixed in several of our upcoming events!

Assuming your mother is extraordinary, we thought you would appreciate it if we brought a few amazing gifts that would suit your mom perfectly.

From Emersonmade, we are selling some of the most amazing gifts that will likely thrill your mom no end.  The hand-dyed and hand-stitched blooms and accessories are simply beautiful — like nothing she’s ever seen.  And everything comes so beautifully packaged.   You won’t want to wrap it!

Who wouldn't love these wonderful shoe flowers? They are amazing. We fell in love with them at first sight and have already placed our first reorder so we'll be sure to keep up with the demand for Mother's Day! And they're only $36 for the pair.

Next up, this wonderful little fabric clutch adorned with one absolutely beautiful dahlia.   LOVE!    For only $58 (and they won’t die in week!)

We absolute ADORE these tiny floral “poppers.”   We’ve thought of several ways your mom could use them.   As a super-cute lapel pin or even as a napkin adornment.   (They also make unbelievable tie pins — perfect for Father’s Day — hint, hint).

These wonderful fabric handmade flowers are $9 each or a beautifully boxed set of six for $56

Finally, we just fell totally in love with these linens.   The table runners are amazing, as are the napkins.

We have “E A T” linens and napkins in the Boutique now, but we can order whatever you want!

The table runner is $58 and the napkins are $42 for a set of six.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!

This Sunday, our little piece of the planet is going to be host to one of the most exciting events in Philadelphia.  The region’s largest GLBT street festival is taking place  at Philadelphia’s chic new open-air plaza in Northern Liberties and down the wonderful Walk where we live!

Sure, there are parties.  And there are dances.  But there is culture and education as well.

The International Equality Forum is bringing it’s own amazing art of celebration to us and we are proud to be able to play a part.   Come down and enjoy the party!

Free round-trip shuttle available every 15 minutes from Knock, corner of 12th & Locust Streets.

Admission: $10 Adults, $5 Students

For more information visit, http://equalityforum.com/2010/event.cfm?id=107

The word is out all around the country that Sunday OUT! at the Piazza and Out for a Walk is the day and the event not to miss.  So I urge you to go to their website and pick the events that appeal most to you and by all means participate.

SundayOUT! at The Piazza

OUT for a Walk

Sunday, May 2, 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The Piazza & Liberties Walk
North 2nd Street & Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA

There are some things that we are really proud of — our involvement with this event is absolutely among them!   This is going to be an incredible event full of the most amazing eye-candy you can imagine presented our area’s most talented and creative designers and collectors.   On top of which you will be treated to the delights of Steven Starr.   All to benefit one my most cherished charities — the Noreen Foundation for Melanoma Research.  Their work is very near and dear to my heart.

This is a two-day event, you can participate in one or both — take a look at the invitations below.   You really should go.  I promise you’ll be glad you did!

Men don’t really get to play too much when it comes to wedding fashion, although there is some changes on the horizon out there (more on that later, I promise!).   Meanwhile, there is some fun to be had when choosing a great tie.    Don’t just settle for quick black or silver tie that works with the tux — have some fun with it!

www.etsy.com/shop/toybreaker

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MeandMatilda

Personally (shhhh! Don’t tell my florist friends) I REALLY love pocket squares.   Take a walk into a great fabric shop on Fabric Row in Old City and find a fabulous silk the works beautifully with the ties you’ve chosen.   If you’re anything like me, you’ll need to get your favorite seamstress to create the very easy pocket squares; or, maybe, you make them yourself.   I LOVE a great combination between a phenomenal tie and a perfectly coordinated pocket square. A note on form:  It is not cool to have your guys wear both a boutonniere and a pocket square.

(I’m really trying hard not to say the words “hip to be square.”)

When folding a pocket square, don’t let it get to complicated.  You’ll want to be able to replicate the fold easily.

Then again, wouldn’t it be cool to combine both?

from junebugweddings.com/blog

And don’t forget about how much fun you can have with cufflinks.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cufflinks

***

And we love these great cufflinks Zack wore at his wedding last June.  PERFECT for him:

Photo by Laura Eaton

Have a great time putting your guys’ attire together!

If you follow our blog, you know that we have an obsession with Winterthur.   Apparently, we’re in good company.

Martha Stewart filmed a lovely segment explaining to her adoring public just how amazing the Winterthur Estate, Museum and Gardens really are.   Log on here to get a tour from Martha Stewart herself.

The one thing missing from Martha's tour was how incredible weddings are there. Here are a few photos that we love from things we've done at Winterthur.

Photo by Mike Kehr

Photo by Mike Kehr

Photo by Marie Labbancz

Photo by Marie Labbancz

Photo by Marie Labbancz

Photo by Marie Labbancz

Photo by Marie Labbancz

This is an amazing time of year at Winterthur.   Absolutely STUNNING.   If you haven’t seen it, you definitely should.   Such an oasis.

We have a couple weddings coming up there and I can hardly wait.   I’m sure the photos will be beautiful!

Our love of spring continues with our favorite candles of all time.   People adore these candles – and we couldn’t agree more.  They smell absolutely, but subtly, delicious.   We have to reorder and restock these candles more often than almost anything else in the Boutique, just to keep up.   But we don’t mind.   We’re happy to share our discovery.

Voluspa was founded in 1999 by Troy and Traci Arntsen, both of whom have a great passion for the art of fragrance.

Heather Fowler took this great photos the of the Voluspa candles in the Boutique so we could share them with you.   Thank you so much, Heather!!

Soleil – 3 wick tin $18
Dahlia Orange Bloom – 3 wick tin $18
Panjore Lychee – 3 wick tin $18

Hawaiian maile vine – 4oz tin $8
Sake lemon flower – 4oz tin $8

Santiago Huckleberry – 4.5oz $8  and ceramic pedestal $16
French Cade & Lavender – 4.5oz $8  and ceramic pedestal $16

The rest of the photos were taken by our own Maggie Ruder — who just seems to have a wealth of hidden talents!

Laguna 2-Wick Tin $15

Lemon Lily Boxed Mini Ceramic Candle $12

Truffle White Cocoa Mini Tin $6.50

Pagoda Boxed 3-Wick Opulence Bowl $36

Theses candles are perfect housewarming or hostess gifts — even if they’re warming your own home.   Come visit us and pick up a few.   Don’t worry about us running out — we can get more!

Click here for directions

One of our favorite things is to discover and work at new venues. We’ve known about the Skybox at the 24/24 Studios for a while, but this is our first opportunity to work there.

As you can see from these great photos by Kevin York, the place is amazing!   It’s 6,200 square feet of open space with 30′ ceilings, skylights and gorgeous hardwood floors.  It sits within an incredible community of artists’ lofts and has an ambience of pure creativity.

Photo from the Skybox website

When Culinary Concepts asked us to design a photoshoot at the new Skybox, we jumped at the chance.  Together with Beautiful Blooms (whose stunning florals were perfect), we were able to create an amazing soiree that was perfectly suited for this amazing, cool loft-space very conveniently located in the City.

We chose beautiful aqua shimmer linens that inspired Beautiful Blooms to create coordinated florals of bamboo, dendrobium orchids and mokara orchids.  Other tables had three vibrant vases with tight bundles of roses, hydrangea and  spider mums. LOVE.

As you can see, the lighting was key to producing the dramatic effect we were looking to achieve.  Using LEDs projected across the room (rather than uplighting from the floor) we were able to achieve a stunning color the color saturation on the walls.

The cocktail area was created to reflect the ambiance of the whole room — the divine furniture from Busy Bee was perfect — I totally love their extraordinary furniture!

The bride’s room upstairs is a wonderful sanctuary for someone to collect themslves as their guests begin to arrive.  I <heart> this room. It’s so peaceful.

(See the gorgeous gown hanging on the wardrobe at the far end of the room.)

A ceremony in the round invokes a wonderful intimacy that works beautifully in this space.   We designed the ceremony area around a great wrought iron structure that Beautiful Blooms brought and adorned with lots and lots of ribbons and candles.

We’re very happy to introduce you to this fabulous new venue in Philadelphia.  I can’t wait to show you some of our events there!

Ahhhhh!   PLEASE forgive me!!! I’m so late posting this entry about the scrumptious cakes from Doughmain Baked Goods in Rosemont. You get to vote for the one that will be presented at Faye & Matt’s wedding at the Independent Seaport Museum on May 23rd!  You only have a day to cast your vote for one of these three yummy  cakes!  They are each so different from one another you will likely find your clear favorite.

CAKE OPTION #1 is the “whimsical” choice with five white offset square cakes with alternating textures on each layer, bedecked with fabric bows and ribbon. It’s a very fun cake that pleased Faye & Matt no end!

CAKE OPTION #2 is a modern design with four round cakes bordered with black ribbon and decorated with black butter cream stencil work.  Faye and Matt loved this one from the moment they saw it.   The intricacies of the lace and other flourishes are gorgeous in person.    The not-too-formal vibe is a perfect fit with Faye & Matt’s wedding!

CAKE OPTION #3 is a traditional and romantic cake of three offset square cakes adorned with bright, fresh raspberries. Faye optimistically refers to this option as the healthy cake!    Faye & Matt  loved how the bold color of the berries popped against the white of the cake and the simplicity of the design.

All three cakes will have the same wonderful combo of flavors:  the bottom, layer will be chocolate cake with chocolate mousse and raspberry puree; the middle layer will be a traditional yellow cake with a raspberry filling, and the top layer will be a banana cake with cream cheese filling.

So, hurry up and VOTE for one of these three.   Voting ends tomorrow.  And it’s really close!   So your vote really could make a difference!

In Part 1, we told you about how this wonderful couple overcame the snowy elements for a joyous pre-ceremony experience.   Now, Carolyn & Steven come in from the cold for their touching and beautiful ceremony at St Clements Episcopal Church in Philadelphia (as seen through the lens of Marie Labbancz’s magic camera).

The little flower girls were absolutely adorable — and beautifully accessorized by these flower purses created by Beautiful Blooms.

Don't you just love how this little girl has learned to admonish the little boy to shhhhhh!

After the ceremony, the celebration commenced at the historic Franklin Institute.   The lighting and decor plan came together beautifully.   Beautiful Bloom’ did an amazing job on the floral centerpieces.

And the dancing went on all night long.   Everyone had a fantastic time — especially the bride and groom!

All’s well that end’s well.   In spite of the wintery weather, this was a beautiful and joyous wedding we always remember!

It doesn’t have to be complicated, or expensive, to insert some pretty, unique details into your spring parties.  Here are some wonderful ideas that will absolutely delight your guests.

Once again, Heather Fowler shot the wonderful photos of the items in our Boutique. See for yourself what a great job she does with details.

A set of six placecards is only $9.

We love these adorable hand-crafted paper placecards that flutter right onto your stemware at each placesetting. They make for great conversation-starters. Handwrite your guests’ names (or have them calligraphed) and slip the notch over rim of water goblets or wine glasses for a lovely dinner party accessory.