Lace and Feathers and Tulle - Oh My!

With so many wedding gown looks to choose from, its hard to wrap our mind around just one! From fabrics to fits, we have seen it all! - We thought that we would share just a few of our favorite looks with you!

These beautiful lace gowns are to die for! - We love the keyhole back on the left and the simplicity of the lace illusion neckline on the right!

We are loving this fitted gown with a touch of feathered flare on the bottom!

Tulle is such a soft and elegant material that we absolutely adore! These two gowns are leaving us speechless! 

xo, 

 A&K

    [sources: dexhat.blogspot.com;chatfa.com;onewed.com;raihan-wed.com]

Tasty Tuesday

It's Tasty Tuesday and we have found another delicious bit-sized recipe sure to please everyone! The crunchy French bread served with a scrumptious avocado mixture overflowing with fresh lime juice, ripe tomatoes and chopped cilantro will have everyone asking for more.

Guacamole Bruschetta 


Ingredients: 
1/2 loaf French bread
1 clove garlic
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 tomatoes, medium chopped
2 avocados, medium chopped
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions:
Preheat the over to 400. Slice the French bread on the diagnoal into 1/2 inch rounds and place on a baking sheet. Toast the sliced bread in the over for 3 minutes, then flip each piece over and toast an additional three minutes.

Remove the toasted bread from the oven and immediately rub with the clove of garlic (it works best to first cut t cut a small tip off the garlic clove so that the oils will seep out). Brush the tops of the garlic-rubbed toasts with olive oil and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, avocado, onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Mix together gently making sure the avocado is well coated in the lime juice. Spoon a portion of the mixture onto each of the garlic toasts and serve.

Enjoy!

xo,
 A&K



[sources: justatast.com/2009/02/guacamole-bruschetta/]

Congratulations Priscilla and Mark

What a beautiful surprise for Priscilla and Mark! Their secret ceremony, with 100 close family and friends, held in their home Saturday was a surprise even to the guests! After meeting at Harvard, the college sweethearts tied the knot in their quiet home in California. 

Their wedding was just the icing on the cake after the last month. As of Friday, Mark took Facebook public and Priscilla recently graduated from medical school at the University of California.

In our opinion, the couple looked absolutely adorable together! She looked beautiful, and oh so happy, in a Claire Pettibone laser cut floral gown. The intimate and sweet nature of the gown perfectly complimented the couple’s private ceremony. And Mark didn't look to shabby himself! He ditched his controversial hoodie for the evening's event and wore a handsome, black suit which fit him perfectly. 

After the ceremony, guests sat down for a family-style meal from the newlyweds' favorite restaurants, Palo Alto Sol and Fuki Sushi. For dessert they had chocolate mice from Burdick Chocolate, what Mark and Priscilla ate on their first date.

And how sweet is Mark?! According to US Weekly, Mark personally designed his bride's simple ruby cut ring himself!


xo, 
 A&K


[sources: usmagazine.com]

Tasty Tuesday

Today's recipe is perfect for a sweet wedding shower in May.  With strawberry season in full swing, these delicious crumb bars are sure to please any guest!

Strawberry Crumb Bars


Ingredients
1½ cups sugar, divided
1 tsp baking powder
3 cups all-purpose flour
¼ tsp salt
Zest of 1 lemon
2 sticks (½ lb) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 large egg
4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
4 tsp cornstarch
Juice of 1 lemon

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375° F.  Grease a 13×9 inch pan; set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of the sugar, the baking powder and flour.  Mix in the salt and the lemon zest, and stir together with a fork.  Cut in the butter and egg with a pastry blender (or two knives if you don’t have one) until the largest chunks are about pea-sized.  The mixture should be crumbly without much loose flour.  Spread about half of the dough mixture in an even layer over the bottom of the prepared pan and press down firmly to form the bottom crust.

In another bowl, stir together the remaining sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice.  Gently mix in the strawberries with a rubber spatula until combined.  Spread the berry mixture evenly over the bottom crust.  Crumble the remaining dough over the top of the berries.  Bake for about 45 minutes or until the top is slightly golden brown.  Cool completely before cutting into squares and serving.

Enjoy!

xo,
 A&K


[sources: http://smittenkitchen.com/recipes/; http://smells-like-home.com/2011/05/strawberry-crumb-bars/]

Attention To Detail

Ladies, we believe it's all in the details.

xo,
 A&K


[sources: stylemepretty.com; http://upliftphotography.blogspot.com/]

Bario-Neal Jewlery

Just one glimpse at their website and you will be completely sold. The jewelry is handcrafted and made from reclaimed precious metals and ethically-sources stones.  Their unique designs are absolutely gorgeous and you are sure to want one of everything!! Bario-Neal has one of a kind engagement rings, beautiful bands and lots of pretty bridesmaid and bridal jewelry.  Just one look at these spectacular pieces and you'll completely understand our new found obsession!

Gorgeous right!? Every piece is custom made so you are sure to have a one of a kind masterpiece! There are so many beautiful pieces we couldn't even pick one favorite. And not only do they create beautiful rings, but Bario-Neal also has custom made earnings, necklaces, bracelets, cufflinks, and hair pieces.
 
Go check them out today! Not only are their pieces absolutely gorgeous but they are a great price too! We'd love to hear which one is your favorite.

xo,
 A&K

[sources: http://bario-neal.com/bn/]

It's All About The Veil

From traditional to three dimensional, two tiered, feathers, birdcage veils and fascinators, there are so many looks to choose from! Whichever look you go for, the veil is the perfect touch to the most beautiful wedding gown. For ages women have been wearing long traditional veils, some longer than their train. Recently it has become more popular and accepting to put a twist on the traditional look. Two tiered bouffant veils are making their return and are a popular trend for 2012. One of our personal favorites is the birdcage veil along with feather fascinators for a more modern look.

Although these new trends are exceptionally beautiful, we are still forever in love with the long flowing traditional veil that every little girl dreams of! We love all of the new trends but there is definitely something to be said about the beauty in simplicity!  

Whether you're a traditional girl or prefer the modern touch, either way, it's all about the veil!

xo,

  A&K 

[sources: theveilartist.hubpages.com; veiltrends.com; bellainbindyland.blogspot.com]