2011 Farah Angsana Bridal collection

Always fresh and uniquely modern, Farah Angsana Bridal Couture exudes femininity, elegance with a timeless sensuality.  Meeting Farah is always a joy.  Her energy and laugh is contagious and her design are what dreams are made of.

This season she decided she wanted a more intimate editor viewing experience, which is pretty rare in the industry.  “I want editors to understand my work, to see the details up-close and feel the quality of the fabrics I use.  One simply can’t see that as models are racing down the runway.”  How right she is.
Her silk felt like melted butter; so creamy soft is her silk charmeuse the fabric could be your most comfy pajamas.  You really wouldn’t want to take your bridal gown off.  Farah also showcases various parts for her brides: A crystal neckline, pleated bust line, or a sweetheart bodice added to the exquisite details that she has become known for.

Things to love (beyond her obvious talent) she designs and creates for all sizes and how perfect that her models reflected a range of them.

 Having viewed her extensive ready-to-wear collection, I’m amazed that her bridal is so different.  Where does she find the time to create two very distinct collections?  While I can’t answer the question, I’m sure glad she did

To see more photographs of her collection, please visit my Facebook page and look in the photo section for Farah

Wine Wednesday: Skyy Vodak goes goolish for halloween

Gather your “groan-up” friends and family for a “spooktacular” night of hauntingly delicious spirits, featuring a collection of easy concoctions perfect for any All Hallow’s Eve celebration.  Whether you’re planning a chilling house party or headed out for a night of flirtatious fun, these sweet tricks will add some pizzazz to your Halloween celebration -- and you’ll be in for a real treat!

All Natural SKYY Infusions are the perfect base for a variety of sinfully festive cocktails designed to really put you and your guests in the Halloween spirit.  In honor of HBO’s wickedly good “True Blood,” get your guests’ blood pumping with the “Vampire’s Punch,” or for those with a real sweet tooth, indulge in a cocktail inspired by an old Halloween favorite like the eye-catching “Candy Corn Cocktail.”

No matter how you celebrate this Halloween, there is no doubt that your guests will happily drink in the spooky spirit of the season with these bewitching cocktails.  
Cocktails created by Alex Straus, Suite 700 at the Hotel Shangri-La in Los Angeles 

Vampire’s Punch
Serves 12    //   
18 oz. SKYY Infusions Cherry
8 oz. Lime Juice
6 oz. Cranberry Juice
2.5 oz. Grenadine
7UP

Fresh cherries, pits removed
 
Wash and remove pits and stems from fresh cherries, and muddle in cocktail shaker.  Combine the rest of the ingredients except 7UP in bowl and stir.  Top with 7UP and muddled cherries. 

Pumpkin Spice

2 oz. SKYY Infusions Ginger
0.5 oz. Lime Juice
1 oz. Pumpkin Puree
Splash of Honey Water*
Slice of Fresh Ginger
 
Combine all ingredients except ginger slice in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously.  Strain over fresh ice into a Collins glass. Add long slice of ginger into glass lengthwise for garnish.  
 
*Honey Water is made using equal parts honey and water.  

Candy Corn Cocktail

2 oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple

1.5 oz. Orange Sherbet, softened
1 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 oz. Milk
1 oz. Simple Syrup
 
Combine SKYY Infusions Pineapple and pineapple juice in cocktail shaker with ice.  Strain over fresh ice into a clear Collins glass.  Combine softened orange sherbet and ice in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.  Strain, and pour over bar spoon to layer in the rocks glass.  Then, combine simple syrup and milk in cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.  Layer milk mixture on top of sorbet mixture. 

 Ghostly Coolada

2 oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple 

 
1 oz. Cream of Coconut or Coconut Milk
 

0.5 oz. Lime Juice
 

2 Circular Chocolates
 
Place all ingredients except chocolate in cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously.  Strain into a cocktail glass, and float chocolate circles on the top of the drink for your Ghostly Coolada’s eyes

What's Halloween cocktails with out a little apple treat - not a real day at all, I say.  So here is a fun, easy to make treat for you and your sweetheart.

Here's a Halloween treat that will please people who love apples as well as those who love candy. Use the smallest apples you can find. Lady apples are great, but small (no bigger than a tangerine). McIntosh, Empire, and Granny Smith apples will also work. Coat the caramel with whatever candy you like. I like the candies listed here for the way they taste or look: Toffee bars are universally appealing; Reese's Pieces come in seasonal fall colors of orange, yellow, and brown; the cinnamon flavor of Red Hots complements the apples; and candy corn just says Halloween.  Serves 8

 One 1.4 oz. chocolate-and-toffee bar such as Skor, crushed
One 1.5 oz. bag Reese's Pieces
1/4 cup candy corn
1/4 cup Red Hots
8 small apples, washed and dried
One 14-oz. bag Kraft caramels
1/4 cup heavy cream

Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Place the candies in separate small bowls. Insert a craft stick into the stem end of each apple.

Put unwrapped caramels and heavy cream in a medium-size, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat and stir until the caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth.

Hold an apple by its stick over the pot of caramel and spoon the caramel over the apple to coat, allowing the excess to drip back into the pot (if the caramel gets too stiff to spoon, reheat for a minute or two to loosen). Press the candy into the apple and place, stick side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining apples, coating two apples in each type of candy. Let stand until the caramel has cooled, about 10 minutes. The apples will keep, loosely covered with plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Jenny Packham bridal collection 2011 beautiful for brides worldwide

What a lucky person am I to have had the pleasure and privilege to see Jenny Packham twice in a 4-week time span?  From her New York City Fashion Week début to her 2011 bridal collection, I am a total fan.

This 2011 collection is inspired by the Ballet Russes, a Midsummer Night’s Dream, and 1930’s Paris.  It is all about unbridled decadence, sculptured femininity and fluid movement.  There are luxurious layers of Cascading tulle, soft and dreamy silhouettes and romantically sexy pleated tulle corsetry.

You may have seen but not known her designs.  From ‘Sex and the City’, ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ to ‘James Bonds Casino Royal’ and ‘Die Another Day‘, she designs clothes that make you drool! As if she didn’t have enough to do, she has also created an accessories (bejeweled headdresses, bracelets and earrings) and lingerie line.  Both capture Jenny’s glamorous philosophy.

Honestly if Jenny had re-run her ready-to-wear collection from a few weeks ago, I would have been just as happy.  Her 2011 Spring RTW collection was breathtaking and could have easily been a bridal collection as well.  In my opinion, it was flawless and perfect for a night on the town or your wedding day.  I can honestly say that Jenny Packham is my can of Pringles.  I don’t want just one.

If you care to see all 40 pieces in her collection, please check out the photos in on my FB page "Yours in bridal"

2011 Angel Sanchez bridal couture

This season Angel Sánchez gave me a gift.  What was it? The gift of a photographers’ angel.  I caught a glimpse of the models backstage as well as an understandably nervous Angel peeking out from behind the partition looking into the crowd. Of course you don’t expect a man who has created countless collections would still get nervous but I think it simply shows his humility and charm.  Angel Sánchez is a designer who is passionate about his designs, a superstar in the industry yet extremely humble and modest.

So who is the Angel Sánchez bride?  She is confident in her own skin.  She loves being a woman and her femininity shows in everything she wears.  Most importantly, she is a woman who wears the dress, not the other way around.

Modified ball gowns and trumpet skirts with detailed accents ruled the collection. The banded skirt and a beautiful keyhole neckline is my personal favorite.  Angel spoke at an event just two nights prior and wondered aloud what the reaction of this collection would be.  I can say, at least for me…Perfection.

Color Trends:  Ivory, Off-White, Nude, and Dusty Rose

 Fabric Trends: Torchon Embroidered, Screen printed Silk,Triplex Gazar, Tulle, Lace, Crepe, Lace Overlay, Sequins, Organza

Style Trends: Trumpet gown, Flare Bottom, Banded Skirt and Keyhole at neckline (too dreamy!!), Bateau Illusion neckline, Corseted bodice, Scallop edging on skirt, Lace bow detail at neckline and Ribbon detail at natural waist