Posted by In-House Writer: Michael Shindler

A few short months ago the ever changing world of bridal style waited with baited breath over what the future Queen of England was going to wear to her ceremony, and after everyone watched it on TV or YouTube, everyone was delighted to find that she had managed to get a hold of a couture dress by Sarah Burton, who as we all know is an heir to the Mqueen throne (whose shoes she was wearing under her dress). But what style implications does Kate’s dress have on the average bride? Or better yet, the average American bride? Well, as a start we can all certainly expect tiaras to make a comeback, even though the average bride might not be able to get her hands on anything like Kate’s ( made in 1963 by Cartier and given to the Queen Mother as an 18th birthday present.)

Another trend that might make a comeback are the full lace sleeves inspired by Kate’s dress, mirroring those that Grace Kelly wore in the 50s.  Other, less notable trends from the royal weddings do not come from Kate, but rather from the attendees.  Until recently it was a tradition to maintain white as a color only for the bride, but traditions change, especially if the bridesmaid dress is designed by Sarah Burton. Another trend that popped up and suprised a grate deal of Americans were the hair fascinators that some of the guests wore, even though, the trend may not be widespread, they certainly are a way to draw attention to oneself.

Courtesy of http://www.osochic.com

In conclusion, no matter what you might choose to do for your wedding, create you own look; or take an inspiration from the royal wedding and incorporate it into your style.  However, do not just wear an exact copy of Kate’s dress like thousands of her other fans did all over Britain and America.  Make your wedding as well as your dress, a unique experience that you can remember, not as an almost exact copy of some celebrity wedding, or the dress you wore as just like this person’s dress. Pick and choose ideas and themes from across the spectrum to create your own unique wedding.

Couture Bridal Hair Flower DIY – Flowers- Eventbrite.

Come, kick your heels off, relax, and have fun!  Make your own Couture Wedding Head Piece!  In an hour!

All materials and tools will be provided at no cost.

Date: Wednesday, July 6th

Time: 7pm – 8pm

Place: Bryant Park, 42nd street, call for more info.

Contact: Irina Floret (347) 248-2837, or IrinaFloret@yahoo.com

Admission: $18,   please register: http://diybridalflower.eventbrite.com/

Space is Limited: We only have 18 tickets available, so please make sure to reserve your space in advance to let the instructor know how much material to bring.

We will learn to make unique and fun hair blooms ready to wear on your Big Day!  : )

Notes: Please let us know your color, material preferences.  Feel free to bring your own fabric to class if you want to match it to your dress.

Milchig Deserts: Scones

2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated white sugar or honey (cooking_with_honey)
1-1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup  (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2/3 – 3/4 cup buttermilk

Optional:

1/2 cup  milk or semi sweet chocolate chips or chunks
1/2 cup dried cherries, cranberries, raisins, or crushed walnuts

Combine all dry ingredients in one bowl: flour, sugar,  powder, soda, salt, and cut in butter using a pastry blender then add chocolate chips, raisins, or nuts. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in refrigerator if needed.

In a separate bowl combine all liquids: buttermilk, vanilla extract and honey if using it instead of sugar.

Preheat oven to 400° F    (200 C).  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or cover with olive oil.

Mix liquid ingredients into dry and using a table spoon, portion them about 3/4 to 1 inch apart.
Egg glaze (optional) Mix one egg yolk with 1 teaspoon of lukewarm water and lightly brush the tops of scones. It will give scones a nice golden color.

Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes.  Test with a toothpick if they are ready inside.

Tips: use less liquid if using honey instead of sugar.

Enjoy!

~Floreti

Pareve Deserts: Homestyle Fruit Cobbler

Streusel Topping:

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup butter (for pareve recipe substitute with dairy-free margarine)
1-1/2 cups light brown sugar or honey (cooking_with_honey)

Cake:

1-1/2 cups butter, softened (for pareve recipe substitute with dairy-free margarine)
1-1/2 cups sugar or honey (cooking_with_honey)
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, whisked
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
4-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 cups milk (use almond milk for pareve recipe)
5-6 cups fresh or frozen fruit

Streusel Topping:

Blend flour and butter together.   Add sugar and continue blending until mixture balls, being careful not to overmix.  Add more flour, if using honey.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Cake:

Preheat oven to 375°F.  Combine butter, sugar, and salt in mixer and blend on high speed fro 3 minutes.  Add eggs and vanilla; continue beating on high speed for an additional 1 minute.  Combine flour and baking powder. Add to butter mixture in 3 batches, alternating with milk. spread evenly into a 10 x13 non-stick baking pan and top with fruit. Sprinkle fruit evenly with streusel mixture.  Bake 1 hour until golden brown.  Serve immediately with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Makes about 16 servings.

Tips: use less liquid if using honey instead of sugar.

Enjoy!

~Floreti

Whimsical, playful, summer garden comes to life in the paintings of MarSvetlana.  Visit her lively studio here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/marsvetlana

Purple flower girl watercolor original painting

Medium: watercolor pencils
8-1/4 x 11-3/4 inches

~Floreti

Copyright © All images are original artwork by MarSvetlana.

Sweet Salsa: Strawberry, Kiwi, Mango, and Banana

Ingredients:
15 strawberries
2 kiwis, peeled and chopped
1/2 medium mango, peeled and diced
1-2 bananas, peeled and diced
fresh chopped basil and chili powder to taste
3-4 (12 inch) flour tortillas
cooking spray
1-1/2 cup honey
2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Preparation:
Mix kiwi, mango, banana, cili powder and basil in a bowl. Liquefy strawberries in a blender and pour over fruit mixture.
Stir to coat and refrigerate.

Coat both sides of each tortilla with the cooking spray. Cut them into triangle-shaped wedges and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle honey over chips and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Bake in pre-heated oven until golden-brown, about 10 minutes.

Allow to cool and serve with the fruit mixture.

Yields: 5-10 servings.

~Floreti

This is a short guide on how to wear hair combs. I hope you will find it helpful.

Hair Comb Wedding Veil

It is recommended to practice wearing a veil a few times before a visit to the hair stylist. (Some hair stylists may even help attach the veil.)

1. Gather up your hair in a desired hair style.
2. Place the comb upside down atop your hair, at the spot where you would like to wear it.
3. Then flip it right side up as you are pushing it into the hair style. Sometimes it helps to rock it back and forth or sideways to make sure the comb sits well in the hair. Your hand movements should be gentle and short. Even though that should be enough, many hair stylists also like to use a bobby pin or invisible hair pins to lock the comb in hair.

Swarovski Crystal Wedding Veil Hair Combs

Wedding Veil Attachment Options

Swarovski Crystal Wedding Veil Hair Combs

Attaching a Veil Using Bobby Pins

Tip: When you push the comb in, it should go against your hair, not along it; unless you are tucking it into a ponytail or chignon type of updo.

Let me know if you have any questions, or comments. : )

~Floreti