The Caketress - Lori Hutchinson Designs

I don't know about all of you, but I am something of a TLC fiend... I don't know what it is about cake decorating that gets me so incredibly hooked, but I adore Cake Boss, Ultimate Cake Off and DC Cupcakes. Although I have a mega salty-tooth, with one mention of the word "buttercream" it's over.

It sends me into a cupcake craving CRAZE!

All you lucky brides-to-be get to choose some marvelous sweets for your big day *jealous*!

From moist spongecake with mousse filling and purees to whipped cream topped and fondant perfection... it just doesn't get much better than choosing your wedding cake!

*MEGA DROOL*

That's why I'm all about cake decorator Lori Hutchinson (a.k.a. the Caketress)... making gorgeous sugar coated creations even Marie Antoinette herself would die to savor!

Based out of Ontario, Lori has made every cake imaginable and always with the utmost elegance, sophistication and skill... each their own masterpiece and creative genius.

I am seriously considering buying my own small wedding-like cake to keep in the freezer for whenever those shows come on... I think it could be a rather great idea ;).

The demand for creative, personality-reflecting cakes has gotten so high that customers are willing to pay as high as $10,000 for a cake (and I'm sure some even more than that)!

While this may sound crazy, cake decorating is definitely becoming more than just a mere addition to any celebration - it is the centerpiece for "ooohhs" and "ahhhhsss" and "how did they make that".

An undeniable edible art!

What a foxy cake!

So boudoir ladies, let me ask you this;

What is your to-die-for cake flavor?
What would you be willing to spend on a cake of this grandeur?
What style would you choose for your dream cake?

(I seriously need a cupcake right now... cake and icing overload - making my mouth water)

xox

Fashionista 514

Chandelier Accents

There's nothing quite like a gorgeous chandelier centerpiece to really right up a room (no pun intended - I swear)!

Be it in your bedroom, boudoir or dining room, no matter what the style (and oh how there are so many beautiful ones to choose from), an instant touch of class and sophistication is immediately applied.

As much as I adore the old-school candle chandeliers (think Dracula's castle... quite the fire hazard) and the romanticism they bring, there are so many modern designs out there that really up the ante of personal interior style and make your pad unforgettable.

Make your own out of old milk bottles and wine glasses, create beautifully transparent shapes with paper and cutouts, or snag a gorgeous vintage steal on eBay!

Enjoy the imagery ;)

Always remember ladies and gentlemen... glam is good - so let it out!

xox

Fashionista 514

High Tea at Le Maitre Chocolatiere!

Hot damn it's been humid this week!

No better excuse to hide out in a beautifully decorated tea room with good company and enjoy some succulent hand made chocolates and pastries...

... it must have been wonderful to be Marie Antoinette don't you think?

I met the beautiful Maddy K at Le Maitre Chocolatiere (1612 Sherbrooke West) for some fine chocolate/macaron/truffle/tarte/meringue dining.

Since the humidity this week has been a tad overwhelming, we modified our hot tea option for some of the best iced tea I've ever had (and ladies and gents, that's saying a lot - if there is one thing I do know, it's good tea).

Everything was fresh and tasted amazing (and everything from the chocolate itself to the fillings and deserts is made in house - secret recipes that make for some insatiable specialties)!

So much yumminess, so much class with the interior design, and so much wonderful chit chatter between girls!

Perfect ambiance for an intimate event, and an even cooler regular hangout... I look forward to many more coffee dates surrounded by sugar...

... speaking of sugar...

I'm getting hungry again just looking at these pics as I type... gotta wrap up this post before my cravings get the best of me!

YUMS! What can I say, you won't believe how good it is until you try it for yourself...

xox

Fashionista 514

The Seductive Appeal of Agent Provocateur

We all know the intense draw we women feel towards exceptionally beautiful and fragile things... something about the french lace, the blindfolds, the naughty but delicate fluidity that we ourselves possess as well... and something about companies that are equally able to capture that essence and continuously deliver a product that we cannot imagine ourselves living without!

Welcome my darlings to the magical world of Agent Provocateur! A land of pin-ups, dominatrix vixens and flirtatious nymphs are all waiting to be discovered... a brand sugarcoated in to-die-for sex.

Not only are their styles and cuts impeccable, but the quality is pretty hard to top (Vivienne Westwood taught her son (one of the brand's owners and creators) right)!

I am now the owner of multiple AP bras, bustiers, nipple pasties and knickers and they all most definitely top my lingerie list. They make you feel like a doll... all dressed up in her best apparel, and well, I would be lying if I said that my boyfriend doesn't appreciate it ;).

Be sure to check out their summer collection and swimsuits (and stay tuned in for their sales - mega worth it)! If you're getting married, their bridal lingerie is TO DIE FOR!

Now go - spread the word my lovelies!

xox

Fashionista 514

Your Dream Gown

I find that the reality of your dream gown and what you can afford are usually 2 different things. A friend of mine just told me that she spent $2000 on a gown, and it was definitely a steal of deal! But maybe because I'm surrounded by the industry, I think that's a great price. Most people don't see it as such.
They think, why would I spend that much on my wedding day - sure it's a valid point, but that's how much they cost.

So what's your dream gown - is there a designer you've always loved but know it's out of the price range? For me it's Pnina Tornai - exclusive designer at Kleinfeld's and just an amazing talent!
Although I don't have a dress picked out from Pnina, I always envisioned it to be something like:

Stunning, isn't it? Her dresses usually range in the $7000 + category, so really.... it's a dream dress not a "gonna pick it up" dress.

Let me know what your DREAM DRESS IS! Who's your favourite designer, what are you dreams when it comes to the perfect wedding dress?

Have a great weekend,

Valerie

How to avoid becoming a Bridezilla

Alright, now I have a bone to pick... ladies, why do some of you get SO obsessed with your weddings as to go to the point of turning into a total and utter Bridezilla?!?

Does it really matter if the the napkin shades are off a tad? Do you need to bring out the attitude just because you spotted one dirty glass? I'm not sure I will ever understand the fascination behind the obsession, but here are a few tips to avoid terrorizing everyone involved in your bridal party...

• Don't be a control freak. Yes you want to get what you pay for, but be realistic. Some things will always be out of your control and last minute - don't let these things get to you and ruin your day as well as others.
  
  

• Remember what the day is really about. It's not about the cake having the perfect amount of flowers, the dress upstaging everyone else's or any of the material things surrounding you. It is about you committing to someone else for the rest of your life and promising to always be there for them. Start being the significant other that can handle reality from day one.
  
  

• Leave your ego at the door please. Yes, this day is about you... no, you are not God. Just because you will be the center of attention does not give you the right to step on other people or belittle them. Keep your head grounded no many how many wishes, congrats and compliments you may receive. Being humble is strongly underrated.
  
  

Hope these tips and tricks help you walk down the aisle with class and grace on your big day... nobody wants to be the bride everyone remembered as



BRIDEZILLA.... (ahhhhhhhhh!)



xox



Fashionista 514

Your Summer time Fragrance, Sex and the City Inspired!

So I've been seeing this scent everywhere lately, and that's no surprise at the Sex and the City 2 is coming THIS WEEK! (Some of the amazing ladies from Maddy K are attending the preview, including myself!! Yes, I'll blog about it!!!)

Sarah Jessica Parker explains the scent here:

"A large part of the inspiration was what I now understand to be people's impressions of seeing Carrie Bradshaw walk down the street and what feelings that evokes for her and for them -- a real sense of freedom and possibilities, a love for the city around her and, of course, fashion, but the most surprising aspect [of SJP NYC] is the strawberry note that looms nicely at the top of the fragrance," Parker continued. "The reason it surprises me is because I have this idea in my head that strawberry is very youthful and juvenile, but this fragrance doesn't smell candy sweet. It amazes me that this essence of strawberry mixes so beautifully with the more sophisticated floral notes and the musks that I love and will always have as part of my fragrances. In a million years I would never think, 'Let's work around strawberry.'"

It's just fabulous as a daily scent and definitely something that's great as a little gift for one of your best girlfriends or... .bridesmaids! :)