The next big thing: Whoopie Pies October 30, 2009

There is a new trend brewing in desserts that will be making its way to bakeries, weddings and event tables this next year.  I’m calling it now, you heard it here first, i’m seeing these things pop up in magazines and blogs here and there and it’s just bound to erupt.  The next trend is whoopie pies.  That’s right, whoopie pies.  They look like mini macarons, yet they have the texture of cake with filling in the centre but they are called a pie.  Creative bakers can go to town on this delightful little treat playing around with filling and shell flavours.

If you don’t know what they are here is a look at the hot new trend, and check out some recipes here, here and here.

via the shopping vine

via the sweet escape

via one ordinary day

via raisin cake

Halloween Decor Ideas October 28, 2009

I can’t believe it’s almost the end of October.  Where did this month go?  October always flies in this house because of birthdays, thanksgiving and Halloween.  It’s non stop entertaining.  This Saturday is Halloween and a great opportunity to entertain with friends and family.  I have been roaming the blogs and internet for ideas and here are a couple of my favourites to help spark some creative thinking for your table or home. 

via vintage mint

 

via apartment therapy

 

via all hallows design

via hostess blog

via good house keeping

BED: Matthew Robbins October 27, 2009

Matthew Robbins is very deserving of a Beautiful Event Design feature on Out of the Event and is a name you should familiarize yourself with  if you are into learning from the best to inspire your own events.

A bit about Matthew: His educational background in art not only complements and illuminates his floral and event designs but has also helped him create the successful event design company which runs with a team stacked with talent in New York.  To highlight some of Matthew’s successes and accolades, Matthew is a regular contributor on the Bride’s Guide and has been featured countless times in Martha Stewart’s Weddings magazine as well as on the show and has worked on events around the US and the globe. 

To get some insight into what makes a great event and what inspires Matthew to do what he does, check out this great interview with Matthew Robbins on blog, The Bride Cafe here, or you can check out his posts on the Bride’s Guide here.   I have some pictures to share with you but they really do not do his work justice and I would recommend browsing his portfolio on the company website here.

via the bride cafe blog

 

via the last detail blog

via the bride guide by darcy miller

 

via the bride cafe

via NY Daily News

Flour Fancies October 27, 2009

I am a big supporter of anyone who has gone through Bonnie Gordon’s cake school and who has come out the other end with a business up and running!

Here is one of Bonnie’s students, Samantha Lee, who started Flour Fancies a couple years ago in Toronto and seems to be doing pretty well racking up press in national wedding magazines.

Samantha offers cakes and cookies all available for order on her website/by appointment.   Her artistic eye and skill result in a great looking (*and i’m sure great tasting) product!   

via flour fancies

via bride.ca

 

via flour fancies

Letterpress in Toronto: I found it! October 27, 2009

Why is it so hard to find letterpress in the city if you are looking for something bespoke and not mass market? 

Just when I was giving up hope on finding letterpress resources in Toronto for invitations and personal stationery, I found Pantry Press Inc hiding in a stable in the west end of the city.  The two designers who run Pantry Press Inc. bring over 15 years of letterpress experience and run the whole operation at home by appointment only!  Now I have not seen these products in the flesh but I am hoping they are a hidden gem and produce great work.  Toronto is in desperate need of creativity when it comes to paper products and invitations.  So here is a new resource to support.

Check out their work on their website (link above) or on their blog here.

via etsy

poster via etsy

Cori Cook Floral Design October 23, 2009

I have not done a BED post in a while and I thought this person who I stumbled across tonight was deserving.  Denver, Colorado’s Cori Cook has an eye for colour, events and photography.  I stumbled across her blog this evening and after giving it good read through, I decided that she get’s some exposure for her work and her passion for flowers!

What particularly stood out for me was her coordination and planning of the lime and cantaloupe colour themed wedding she did. See post here.  I have included some highlights below but you can read more about here event and floral design on her blog here.

via cori cook

via cori cook

via cori cook

midnight wedding snack: buddha dog October 16, 2009

There were a lot of things that I loved about the wedding I attended last weekend at Hart House (University of Toronto campus).  This post is dedicated to the most creative thing that I saw grace the tables just before midnight: Buddha Dog.  The bride and groom treated guests to make your own hotdogs for a late evening snack and what better hotdogs to select than Buddha Dog.  They are all natural, fresh and locally produced unlike the usual street meat. 

via collingwood-bluemountain

 Buddha Dog is a Prince Edward County born hot dog shop that was created to promote all things local.  From the site, their mission was to “to bring together the best local suppliers – Farmers, Dairies, Bakers, Butchers, Chefs, etc – to make exceptional hotdogs and let it represent the best of their region and culinary tradition.”  From Prince Edward County, they expanded to Toronto and are taking taste buds by storm.   I first visited Buddha Dog last year at their Picton, Ontario depot and had a very tasty dog with some flavour bursting condiments/sauces.  I was really surprised to see Buddha Dog being rolled out at a wedding but hey, why not get creative and expose + treat your guests to your favourite local, small business.  It’s great for business and great for guests alike.  Truly win-win for brand exposure.  Great idea guys!

via acqtaste

dee’s mini doughnuts: a cake alternative October 16, 2009

Last weekend, I attended a wedding for a business school classmate of mine at the Hart House in Toronto and I was surprised to see a full wedding cake on the head table.  These days, I see more cupcake towers than real cakes which is ironic, so it is no wonder that I actually made a mental note that having a “real” cake was something new.  That being said, is it possible that the cupcake tower fad is dying out?  Have wedding cupcakes reached their saturation point?  Only time will tell I guess but it got me thinking about dessert at weddings.  Now, I would never admit this myself because I love cupcakes and think they are great for parties, but for those of you who are feeling the wedding cupcake thing is a bit overdone,  here is a cute idea for a cake alternative.  It’s important to push the bar and be open minded to new things!

via michelle-s

Dee’s Mini Organic Doughnuts are cute, small, portable, come in different colours and are , get this- organic!  And just who is Dee and where do you find her doughnuts?  Dee’s Mini Organic Doughnuts was founded by ex-retail marketer, Diana Firmage.  She created the recipes from scratch using local ingredients instead of opting for a pre-packaged, processed mix.  The company is slowly expanding locations outside of Marin, California including one that is supposed to be opening in San Fran (I am not sure if it is already open yet).  In a post where Diana was interviewed (read interview here) she states that “their blend (doughnut recipe) is clean and wholesome” and they use whole wheat flour- non traditional for doughnuts.  

via orthogonal thought

I saw a post on Green Wedding Shoes about a couple who chose a doughnut tower for their wedding cake alternative using Dee’s Mini Doughnuts and the end product looked just as great as if they had chosen cupcakes or a full cake.    

Here are a couple other examples of doughnut cakes (doughnuts not from dee’s)

via wedding paper divas

One more example:

via your best wedding

Creative Invoice October 11, 2009

Just when you thought invoices had nothing to do with events and design think again.  The fabulous font and graphic designers of House Industries in Delaware came up with a creative application of an invoice for their company.  If I was to receive an invoice like that, the beauty alone  would encourage me to pay on-time!  Be sure to check out their website, they have a lot of great designs if you are into bold, strong, colourful graphics.

 

via house industries

Picnic Flowers October 11, 2009

With autumn upon us, I thought this flower arrangement idea that I saw posted on my favourite food blog, Sunday Suppers,  was a great  if you have any lingering of flowers left in your back yard that you would like to salvage for a table top dinner.  Mis match old glass jars, interesting vases or in this case, salt and pepper shakers.  So sweet!

via sunday supper