Lovin' Leopard (Leslie Getting Married 2.0)

Leslie and Yashaar have set the date for May 2010! She has already booked a gorgeous venue in Palm Springs and now she is checking and gathering inspiration from every wedding blog, site and book imaginable! She sent me a few links and I just died over a few of them. One to note was from Style Me Pretty a site with an infinite number of ideas!
We loved some of the color combinations that bride´s have submitted. This peacock inspired page definitely caught my eye. Gorgeous detail like the lime centerpieces (easier on the budget than flowers!) I also love a bright or printed shoe detail. The Sex and The City Manolos are perfect! These colors are perfect for the vibrant, summer bride.
As we move into Fall it inspires me to experiment with some darker, velvety textures, flowers and themes. I am always a huge fan of animal prints and exotic leathers: leopard, cheetah, python, zebra. And I am excited to report that I will not be alone this year. Leopard is "in" full force. So here is my inspiration board for a party with leopard influences.

Photo du Jour

Ahh Miss Diane Kruger is stunning again! She looked phenomonal last night at the permiere of Inglourious Basterds. She was just dazzling. I loved the matte red lip; a look I am desperately trying to achieve before Fall!
I also love her simple, yet chic hair style with the visible bobby pins. This is something I can handle. If you need me I will be at home practicing the hair and the never-smeared lips.
Images from popsugar.com

Set the Mood.

The flowers have been delivered, the linens pressed, the menu set and the table is half-way to looking like you live at a Michelin restaurant. You are about to pour your glass of wine and -oh god- we don't have music! Well here are my top ten pics for some moody dinner music:

1) Please Don't Leave Me, Pink. New chart topper, we hostesses have to be relevant to the time!
2) God Only Knows, The Beach Boys. What can I say I am a California girl!
3) Ooh Wee and Valerie, Mark Ronson. It's easy and sexy.
4) A Change is Gonna Come, Seal. His whole new album Soul is perfect for dinner.
5) The Way You Look Tonight, Frank Sinatra. You have to include this one, even if you only play it for yourself!
6) This Woman´s Worth, Maxwell. An old fav, sad but so romantic.
7) You've Got The Love, The Source ft Candi Stanton. Sex and the City Finale, American in Paris, Part Deux. You get it.
8)My Love is Your Love, Whitney Houston.
9) She Wolf, Shakira. Can't help it, its a new good one.
10) Knock You Down, Keri Hilsen with Kanye West & Ne-Yo

Another great tool is the celebrity playlist feature on itunes. Go ahead stalk your favorite celeb and copy them!

Bon appetit!

Summer Wines

One thing I love about living in a climate that has seasons is that you can really appreciate different wines at all times of the year. Although you can drink a full-bodied red at anytime, there is something special about white in the summer and red when it is cold and snowy outside.

Here are some of my favorites for this summer:

1) Ca'bertaldo Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Brut (121 NOK) Deilig!!! 100% Prosecco grape. Light in gold color, fresh, apple, pear, tropical fruit, nice finish. A perfect summer apéritif. From the Veneto region.

2) Montresor Soave Classico 2008 (114 NOK) Very Fresh, consume now- don't save! (Love that!) Light minerality with tastes of crisp nectarine, touch of orange and nut- perhaps peanut or almond.

3) Corte Giara Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2007 (129 NOK) The name is a mouthful, but it is worth it to get to the wine. Drink now until 2011. Very light, sturdy, yet soft with ice cream hints (?!). When you drink it, you'll get it. It is very nice and reasonably priced. Also, from the Veneto region where the wines are processed twice!

4) Leitz Rüdesheimer Bischofsberg Riesling Spätlese Trocken 2008 (136 NOK) Not your typical Riesling! Interesing and dry. Pale yellow in color, a well balanced white with a floral nose, honeyed aromas of lime, lemon and spice.

5) Domaine de Tariquet le Rosé 2008 (100 NOK) Cheap and drinkable! Clean, fresh, tasting of blueberry, cherry and raspberry.


Skål!

Sister's San Diego Wedding

My sisters' wedding was so lovely and perfectly suited her and D. She looked amazing and they looked so happy. It was a really fun party and I think everyone had a great time. Soirée Parfaite did some of the last minute details- escort cards and table cards. And my sister was really happy with them. Unfortunately, I was too busy being there for the bride and forgot to take pictures. Typical me. So I have to wait for the professional shots!

Here are some teasers (excuse the quality!)