Star's Favorite Things: Perfect Peonies

The Peony is without a doubt my favorite flower!  With their full and fluffy rounded bloom, peonies ooze romance.  They are sweet, elegant, sophisticated, and oh so versatile.  Peonies are the perfect flower for a intimate garden wedding, yet are equally as lovely showcased at a large glitzy affair.  According to The Flower Expert, peonies symbolize "a happy life, happy marriage, good health and prosperity."  That being said, I can't think of a more perfect wedding flower!  I prefer the gorgeous simplicity of peonies bunched together; however, they also look beautiful when combined with other flowers.  

Drew Barrymore recently used a variety of colorful peonies in her bridal bouquet for her June wedding in Montecito. 

Photo courtesy of People Magazine

Here are some other bridal bouquets bursting with perfect peonies

Photo courtesy of Plants World

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Anne Designs

Photo courtesy of LI Weddings

Photo courtesy of Style Me Pretty

Photo courtesy of Wedding Bee

Photo courtesy of One Wed

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Photo courtesy of Arabia Weddings

And for the Groom...

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

I love these centerpieces showcasing gorgeous peonies too!

Photo courtesy of The Posh Event

Photo courtesy of Glendalough Manor Bride

Photo courtesy of Bridge Water Gardens

Photo courtesy of Fiance 2 Wife

I love the simplicity of a single peony adorning this wedding cake, it is just gorgeous.  I also love the ribbon background... I love ribbons in general.  Check out my previous blog post "Smitten with Ribbons" for more ribbon love!

Photo courtesy of Green Wedding Shoes  

As you can see, I'm in peony love and am thrilled they are more accessible than ever.  They seem to be everywhere from grocery stores, to farmer's markets, to road side flower stands so you can enjoy them not just at your wedding or special event but also in your kitchen window.  I love every color, but if I had to choose, I think light pink peonies would have to be my favorite!  Check out the beautiful bunch I just picked up from my local grocer.  Simply perfect!

Always,

Star

Sneak Peek: Mirella + Scott Say I Do at Vibiana

Mirella and Scott were married at Vibiana on a lovely Friday in April.  We were so honored to be a part of their day as they are just the sweetest of couples and so so in love. 

With an awesome team that included favorites like Room Forty, Peony and Plum, Ryan Phillips Photography and Designer Specialty Linens... We knew this wedding would translate perfectly on film with all the extra special love that was put into the planning of it.

Here's a sneak peek from Rustic Red Studios

Star's Favorite Sweets: Blue Moon Cupcakes

The weather is warming up, summer is in full bloom and BBQ season calls for fun recipes!  I'm not normally a beer drinker but I really enjoy a cold Blue Moon this time of year.  When I came across this recipe for Blue Moon Cupcakes on Pinterest, I knew I had to try it!  These little cakes are exactly what they sound like: yummy cupcakes that look and taste like delicious Blue Moon Belgian Ale. The cake has a slight citrus flavor and you can taste a hint of the wheat in the background from the beer.  The frosting is absolutely delicious!  It is light and fluffy, just like the foam on top of the beer.  The frosting truly is my favorite part of the cupcake and I plan to use it for many various types of cupcakes in the future.  This is such a fun recipe - I just had to share it with you!  

I have now taken these cupcakes to a few different events and they are always a crowd pleaser.  They are a great treat to whip up for summer time events and I can guarantee that the men in your life will be in awe!  Make sure you bring along some beers (Blue Moons, of course) to complete the experience!

Isn't this a beautiful cupcake?!  It just begs to be eaten... and washed down with a cold Blue Moon!

 

Blue Moon Cupcakes

3/4 c unsalted butter, softened

1 3/4 c sugar

2 1/2 c flour

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3 eggs, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla

2 drops red food coloring

10 drops yellow food coloring

1/2 tsp orange zest

1 c Blue Moon beer

1/4 c milk

Frothy White Frosting [recipe follows]

small orange slices, for garnish

Directions:
1. Line 24 cupcake trays with liners. [Use white liners if you can, they become translucent during baking and really sell the mini Blue Moon image]. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking power and salt.
2. In a large bowl beat butter on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar a little bit at a time, beating well. Once it's all added beat for 2 more minutes.
3. Add eggs, beating after each.
4. Add vanilla, food coloring and orange zest and beat.
5. Mix beer and milk in a measuring cup. Alternatively add beer / milk mixture and flour mixture to butter mixture in the large bowl, beating after each. End on the flour mixture.
6. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake for 18 minutes at 375 degrees F until cupcakes are golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Once cool, frost each cupcake with a generous amount of frosting. Just before serving, garnish each with a small orange slice.

Frothy White Frosting

2 egg whites, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp orange juice

1 c sugar

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

1/3 c water

Directions:
1. In a saucepan, mix sugar, water and cream of tartar. Cook on medium heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture is bubbly.
2. In a large bowl, beat egg whites, vanilla and orange juice until soft peaks form. Slowly add hot sugar mixture, beating continuously. Beat for 7 minutes until stiff peaks form.

Recipe courtesy of Miss Make

Happy Baking,
Star

Festive Fridays: Amazing Proposal Video!

So it's the start of a weekend following a holiday so I knew today's Festive Friday ppst had to be a good one. This video is one for the books.  It's romantic, a grand jesture, fun, sweet and a real tear jerker if you're a hopeless romantic like me.  Tori and I watched this one in the office together and by the end were seriously crying our eyes out.  Well she teared, I maybe have let out the waterworks...

Anyway, super excited to share this one with you.  Isaac, the one proposing is truly a creative and really knocked this one out of the park!  Not only because he rallied a village for his proposal but also because he picked the perfect song and made his fiance's moment perfectly unique!  It's just too sweet not to share!  



Hope you enjoyed this one as much as we did. 

Star's Inspirations: The Written Word

Whether expressed through a favorite book, a poem, a story, a love letter, a sonnet, or a classic novel, the written word has a romantic and almost nostalgic feeling.  Incorporating the written word in your wedding decor is a unique way to personalize your wedding.  

Are you or your fiance lovers of the written word?  Was it the written word that helped bring you together?  Maybe you were college sweethearts and met in a Shakespeare class or are known for sharing romantic poems with one another.  If so, you may want to consider incorporating your favorites via printed pages at your wedding.  This can be accomplished in many unique yet simple ways.  Start by tearing out pages from your favorite book, break out your scissors (or Cricut, in my case) and get creative.  Some of my favorites are illustrated below.  I find these images utterly romantic and so sweet. 

Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Photo courtesy of Krista Sew Inspired

Pretty garlands made with book pages...

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Photo courtesy of La Papeterie Diva

Photo courtesy of All Things Girly and Beautiful

Photo courtesy of I.Wed.Style.

Love this heart garland made with book pages.  Beautiful and an easy project for the DIY bride.  I posted a tutorial on how to make these hearts in my previous blog post "DIY with Star: Paper Hearts"

Incorporating vintage books in your decor is also a beautiful addition.  They can be stacked  as part of a centerpiece or used as table numbers.

Photos courtesy of Simply Perfect Weddings

Photo courtesy of Ruffled

Book pages on a wedding cake.  How pretty is this!?

Photo courtesy of Brides.com 

Using edible Scrabble tiles is also really fun way to share a message, especially if you are a couple that is really into playing board games!  There are so many great ways to incorporate Scrabble tiles into your wedding decor.

Scrabble tiles as table numbers...

Photo courtesy of A Design of My Own

And as place cards...

Photo courtesy of Style Me Pretty

Photo courtesy of Intimate Weddings

Photo courtesy of Pinterest  

I love these cakes!  If they are little too unconventional for you as a wedding cake, they could be perfect for a Groom's Cake or a rehearsal dinner dessert.

Photo courtesy of United With Love

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

These cakes are a little more traditional but still have the fun Scrabble spin...

Photo courtesy of Blog.Celebration.CO.ZA

Photo courtesy of the Ritzy Bee Blog

Xoxo,

Star