Holiday Wishes from Sterling Engagements

Star's Inspirations: DIY Holiday Gift Wrapping

The holidays are just around the corner and I couldn't be more excited!  This past weekend I went to start the gift wrapping process and realized that I didn't have any holiday wapping paper.  I did however; have plenty of white butcher paper, ribbons and colored paper so I figured I'd get creative.  I had seen some great gift wrapping ideas on Pinterest and was excited to give some of them a try.

Some of our family members celebrate Christmas and others celebrate Hanukkah, so I decided to go with two themes.  For Christmas, I chose traditional red and white, bringing yarn wrapped news paper into the mix.  For Hanukkah I went with a peacock theme, playing off the turquoise and black in the peacock feathers.

Once I got started, my imagination (and glue gun) went wild.  I had so much fun trying different things - paper curls, yarn balls, wrapping ribbon and paper flowers (which were the most fun to make!  Keep your eye out for more on these :)  Here is what I came up with.

For Christmas

As you can see, I used a variety of papers, textiles, and embellishments

I used my Cricut to cut out tags and initals

The wine bottle wrapping idea came from Martha Stewart via Pinterest

I love the combination of red ribbons, white butcher paper and newspaper!  

The newspaper idea came from Allora Handmade via Pinterest.

The yarn pom-pom idea came from Poppy Talk via Pinterest

Check out these adorable wine labels by Martha Stewart (purchased at JoAnns).
What a great way to dress up a wine bottle for the holidays!

For Hanukkah

As you can see, the focus is on the peacock feathers with paper flower and textured ribbon accents

There is something very festive about peacock feathers, don't you think?

As you can see, my Holiday wrapping was all about resourcefulness and using what I had on hand.  Its amazing what homemade gift wrap you can come up with when scrounging through your odds and ends.  Let your odds and ends be your inspiration!

Below are some other wrapping ideas I've found.  I hope to try these out soon!

Photo courtesy of Ellinee

Photo courtesy of Older and Wisor

Photo courtesy of Design Sponge

Happy Holidays,

Star

Star's Inspirations: Pets At Weddings

While perusing one of my favorite sites, Pinterest, I came across the below photo on their "Weddings & Events" board.  It has to be one of the most adorable wedding photos I've ever seen, and it brought a huge smile to my face.  I just had to share it with you guys!

Photo courtesy of Picasa (Chelsea Caldwell Bridal) via Pinterest 

When I got married three years ago, we didn't have a dog.  We have since welcomed a yellow lab, Charger, into our home.  He has become a huge part of our lives and is considered a member of our family.  How neat it would have been to have had him in our wedding!  Charger is now two years old and we love him dearly, but he has lots of energy and gets into a lot of trouble.  Even if we'd had him when we got married, I don't think it would have worked to have him be a part of our wedding; but I must admit, I like the idea of having a couple's furry friend join in on their special day.  It definitely adds an extra layer of logistics to the day, but their participation sure makes for some memorable photos!

Photo courtesy of USA Today 

Photo courtesy of The Wall Street Journal

Photo courtesy of USA Today 

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Check this one out... the pup has the bride's panties!

Photo courtesy of Wedpix Magazine

I hope you enjoyed these photos as much as I did!  So, I'm wondering... have you ever been to a wedding where a pet was involved? What were your thoughts?  Would you ever consider having your pet participate in your wedding?

xoxo,
Star

Shoe Shot Sunday: Marissa + Ricardo

Marissa and Ricardo were married at the lovely Strawberry Farms in Orange County last spring.  I love spring weddings because of the gorgeous color palettes that come together like this one incorporating whites, yellows, creams and blushes.  Often times with an assortment of colors like this, you find the shoes to be very dainty, playful and fun and these wedding shoes are exactly that!

Check them out...

The wedding was captured by the awesome Floataway Studios, to see more sweet images from Marissa and Ricardo's day, be sure to visit the Floataway blog!

Inspired by Phalaenopsis Orchids!

 Photo courtesy of Orchidaceous Orchid

Phalaenopsis Orchids aka Phals or Phalies as I like to call them are one of my favorite types of orchids and flowers period.  They are elegant and sophisticated, tall, sexy, exotic and just oh so gorgeous.  The glamor and overall look they bring to any arrangement or bouquet is just stunning and that's why I am forever fond of them.   

Here are some of the photos that show off these incredible orchids and showcase them in the finest way!

Photo courtesy of Preston Bailey

Photo courtesy of Natural Beauties

One of my the most unique designs I've seen in a long time was this extraordinary orchid cloud about a chuppah.  How beautiful is this?

Photo courtesy of Mood Flowers

 Photo courtesy of Jose Designs

Last but far from least, Karen Tran is a San Diego based floral designer and his a true gift with the incredible designs she creates using Phals.  Every time I see her work I'm more and more in love... check out some of my favorites...

 

Photos courtesy of Karen Tran Floral Design

Photo courtesy of Hours of Flowers

 

One of the best things about Phalaenopsis Orchids too is that you can use them sparingly or in an abundance and they always give an impact.  My favorite color are the fuchsia phals, what are yours?

Shoe Shot Sunday: Becca + Robby

Becca and Robby were married in Clovis, CA at Wolf Lakes Park.  It was a beautiful fall inspired rustic wedding and her cranberry shoes stole my heart.  Since I was so busy this week making my famous cranberry sauce with Thanksgiving on my mind, I knew I had to find a fall inspired shoe for today's post.  When I saw these shoes on Jennifer Eileen Photography's blog I knew they were the one.  Plus I loved the style and enthusiasm from the bridal party!

Check it out... and how great are these dresses!

Hope you had a fantastic holiday weekend!

Star's Favorite Things: Holiday Cocktail "Eggnog-Arita"

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying precious time with family and friends.  Well, it's Black Friday and after all that shopping I bet you could use a cocktail!  I know I sure could, but that is something I’ll have to skip until the bun is out of the oven.  As I’ve mentioned, I subscribe to a number of food magazines and although they all have listed recipes for holiday cocktails, one in particular caught my eye.  Food Network Magazine’s “Eggnog-Arita” created by Elizabeth Falkner.  Out of the entire bunch, this is the one I really wish I could try!  I love homemade Egg Nog (not the stuff from a carton), the real thing!  This looks like an amazing recipe for a twist on the old classic, and oh so pretty.  Please try this holiday cocktail and let me know how it is so I can live vicariously through you J

Photo courtesy of Food Network

EGGNOG-ARITAS

MAKES: 8 drinks

FOR THE CREAM ANGLAISE

2 cups half-and-half

½ whole nutmeg, crushed with a heavy pan

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped out

6 large egg yolks

½ cup sugar

FOR THE COCKTAILS

½ cup sugar

½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

2 ounces brandy

2 ounces rum

2 ounces burbon

1.     Make the crème anglaise: Combine the half-and-half, crushed nutmeg, and vanilla pod and seeds in a medium saucepan and bring just to a boil over medium heat.  Remove the heat and let steep 5 minutes.

2.     Wisk the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl.  Slowly whisk in the warm half-and-half mixture, then pour the egg mixture into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the crème anglaise just begins to thicken, about 10 minutes.  Strain and refrigerate until cold, about 4 hours.

3.     Make the cocktails: Combine the sugar and grated nutmeg on a plate.  Dip the rims of 8 cocktails in water, then the sugar mixture.  Combine half each the crème anglaise, brandy, rum and bourbon in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake well and strain into 4 glasses.  Repeat to make 4 more cocktails.

  

      Happy Holidays,

                Star

Festive Fridays: Happily Engaged!

Quite some time ago I was at Disneyland, coming out of a ride and noticed one of my favorite fairytale lines ever just happened to be printed on the wall.  I took a quick photo with my phone at the time, with every intention of blogging it, as it's too sweet not to share.  Being a hopeless romantic, I'm always amused and inspired by sweet nothings like this... Some time after I replaced my phone and gone went that image.  From time to time I would think about this and always hoped to find an image showcasing it.  Today I did just that!

So I'm thrilled to share with you a super sweet, magical, fairytale inspired photo for today's Festive Friday.  Aimee and Dantonio took their engagement photos at the "happiest place on earth" and I'm so stoked they did so I could share this with you!  Thanks to Brandon Wong for sharing these great images and allowing me to finally post this sweet line!

Now that holiday season is in full gear with Thanksgiving behind us and more holidays near, more and more of you will be getting engaged.  Interestingly enough, 40% of couples get engaged between Thanksgiving and Valentine's day.  I always love the holiday season not just for the amazing spirit, yummy scents and gorgeous decor but also because I get the opportunity to meet with so many of you newly engaged couples.  Hearing all your sweet proposal stories and your engagement glow makes this time of year even better!

Hope you have a very happy day and weekend too!

Sterling Engagements Wishes: Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo Courtesy of Bittersweet Primitve Dolls

Today is such a special day and one of my favorite holidays all year, not just because it kicks off the start of holiday season but because I am thankful for so much both personally and professionally.  I love the celebration, the quality time I spend with friends & family and of course all the special recipes I prepare for them!

I came across this photo earlier this week and fell in love.  Elizabeth Messina really stole my heart with this one... 

Photo Courtesy of Kiss the Groom and The Maili Files

I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday and enjoy the nice extra long weekend.  If your a Black Friday shopper, good luck tomorrow! 

Sterling Buzz: Featured in Bride and Bloom Magazine, The Bridal Bar Blog & South Asian Bride Magazine

I'm so excited to share with you today all of the recent press we've received over an incredible photo shoot we were a part of with Shawna Yamamoto Event Design for Bride and Bloom Magazine.

The concept was built around a tribute the magazine was doing on iconic fashion designers.  We were assigned to the ever so extraordinary Alexander McQueen.  I was thrilled about this as it really opened up an amazing platform to be different and go crazy in the best way possible.

When Shawna and I collaborate, I often feel as though we are unstoppable and there is no limit.  Once we got started and discussed what color palette we'd be working with, I created these really fun inspiration boards.  Check them out along with a few of my favorite photos from each look, captured by the amazing Ashleigh Taylor of Ashleigh Taylor Photography. 

 

Fabulous Vendors who Contributed
Custom Linens & Chairs: Designer Specialty Linens
Floral Design: Shawna Yamamoto Event Design 
Gold Table: FormDecor
Photographery: Ashleigh Taylor Photography
Planner: Sterling Engagements
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals  
Stationary: Prim & Pixie
Sweets: Fantasy Frostings
Venue: The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

 

Fabulous Vendors who Contributed
Cake: Fantasy Frostings
Custom Linens & Chairs: Designer Specialty Linens
Floral Design: Shawna Yamamoto Event Design 

Photographery: Ashleigh Taylor Photography
Planner: Sterling Engagements
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals  

Stationary: Prim & Pixie
Venue: Hilton Checkers, Downtown LA

It was such a pleasure to be a part of such an epic shoot and I'm ecstatic over some of the wonderful feedback we've received too!

We were so honored when Harmony Walton of The Bridal Bar recently blogged the Gold and Coral table.  Check out the full post on The Bridal Bar Blog.

The very next day, South Asian Bride Magazine blogged about both tables as well!  Be sure to take a visit to their website and check out the wonderful tribute post as well.