Monday Typefaces...Coffee

I will be needing many cups of this today!!

Created by Handmade Font.

Friday Wine Tasting...Great Easter Wine

Wine of the Week
EL Hada Verdejo 2008
$9.99


With the onset of spring and summer I have been on the hunt for the perfect white house wine that pairs well with food, works as an apertif and doesn't cost a fortune. On my trip into Country Roads yesterday I came across this fantastic little gem. This wine is from Rueda and is made from 50% Verdejo and 50% Viura, which is the local name for Macabeo (one of the grapes used in Cava). It is packed with grapefruit, white peaches, and lemon zest. It also has a great crispness which makes it ideal for pairing with food, hot off the grill. Delish!

From Stephen Tanzer's International Wne Cellar: "Light yellow. Spicy, mineral-dominated aromas of lemon zest, peach pit and green banana, with a tangy, chalky undercurrent. Racy and firm, with juicy citrus flavors and slow-building salty minerality. Crisp, refreshing and a steal." (Jul/Aug '08) Also listed as a "Best Buy White Wines $20 and Under" by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Feb. 2008)

Betsy Dunlap... The art of addressing the outter envelope

*Mosaic of Betsy Dunlap's Work

Recently I started working with a bride, Miss Gillian, that could easily pass for my sister. From the minute she said that she was a "yellow" bride we just totally hit it off. It was like we had known each other for years. I can't believe I have two brides this year that love yellow. I am so excited for the details of her wedding as everything is starting to come together. She is capturing the whole process and experience of planning her wedding on the pages of her very own blog, such a great idea and keepsake for her to look back on in years to come.

Her wedding is in October at the Boston Harbor Hotel, Erica of Adeline and Grace will capture the day in photography, DJ Renzo will be behind the music, Kelly from Beautiful Blooms will bring in pops of color in the flowers, Erin from Lucky Luxe is creating her save the dates and invitations, and the latest addition to our amazing team is Betsy Dunlap.

Betsy is a designer that I truly have been in awe of since the first time I saw one of her envelopes. Her calligraphy styles are unique, full of energy, really provoke emotion, and set the tone for what is inside. She describes her style as "quirky, organic and never stuffy, it appears almost alive"

If I was to receive one of her envelopes addressed to me it would be one I would be sure to keep, truly a piece of art.

Easter Inspiration...Martha-Chicks & Eggs

Everyone needs a little martha inspiration during Easter.

1. Sugar Coated Marshmallow Chicks

2. Real Chocolate Eggs

3. Chocolate Nests

4. Candy Nests

TRUE & WESSON Philosophy # 11

Believe it or not, these eggs are made of white clay by the very talented Paloma's Nest on Etsy. Each egg is hand stamped one letter at a time, so no two eggs are exactly alike. The egg arrives in its own little nest tucked inside a sweet gift box. And the quote...the quote is from Abraham Lincoln.

Easter Basket Inspiration....books

Easter is by far my favorite holiday, (not the religious one but the fabulous commercial one). The chocolate, the jelly beans, the colored eggs and most importantly the hunt. Growing up at the Smith house, the Easter Bunny put on an extremely serious hunt. The bunny did not discriminate in size or age and jelly beans and chocolate eggs were so well hidden that they were often found at Christmas. My favorite book at Easter is one that my mom passed down to me, "The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes". It is truly a book that was ahead of its time. Written in the thirties, (and written by a man), it is really the only book out there that sends the message to girls and women, that you can be anything you want to be. It is a book that I lovingly pass down to all my friends daughters. I have now passed it down to my son who is enraptured by the beautiful illustrations and that someone could have 21 children.

It makes a perfect addition to the Easter basket (or Birthday Gift) and can be found in hard cover at The Land of Nod.

Monday Typefaces...Bunnies

Found on Etsy

Great Gatsby Inspiration... Katie and Ben

*Color Inspiration Board via 100 Layer Cake

Today I am so excited to share with you some of the details for one of my favorite couples, Katie and Ben, and their upcoming fall wedding. They are getting married in September at the Branford House Mansion, a gorgeous venue on the Connecticut shoreline. Guests will arrive for cocktail hour in the mansion then be escorted outside under the stars to a tent perched in the middle of the great lawn, surrounded by 180 degree views of the water. Katie loves the romanticism and elegance of the Great Gatsby, and the flair and sophistication of French fashion and European style, combined with the modern elegance and whimsy of the Art Deco movement, all of which have been sources of inspiration as we are starting to design this incredible affair.

Recently we started working with Erin from Lucky Luxe who captured the essence of this era perfectly in the design of the save the date. This postcard is the first taste of what is to come.

Friday Wine Tasting... Zola Bonardo

Wine of the Week
Zolo Bonarda
$9.95
My sister introduced me to this fabulous red wine from Argentina last week while we were visiting the windy city. It is incredibly smooth, with great body and great fruit. It is perfect any day of the week but on a particularly wet rainy Friday it will make staying in that much more enjoyable. This is one you will definitely want to try!

Tasting Notes:

The Zolo Bonarda with its ultra-aromatic complexity is made for those special occasions when one needs a wine to "knock your hat off." Argentina's most planted varietal, the Argentine Bonarda, like the Malbec , is on fire in the U.S.. This wine highlights the grape's characteristically raspberry aromas and strawberry jam. Smooth with soft sweet tannins, finishing with toasty barrel notes. (via hitimewine.net)

Jonathan Edwards Winery... The perfect venue for an outdoor affair

We are excited to feature Jonathan Edwards Winery today, another one of Connecticut's amazing vineyards and a premiere destination spot for hosting your wedding or private event. Connecticut really has some of the most unique venues on the east coast. Most of the weddings and big events at Jonathan Edwards are held outside underneath a tent set amongst the vines. However, there is also the option of reserving the barrel room, as pictured above, for a rehearsal dinner, small wedding or intimate dinner party. It is one of the most beautiful venues in the state and Erica the face in the tasting room and behind events at the winery is an absolute joy to work with in the process.

The vineyard also hosts daily tours and tastings in the tasting room along with an incredible calendar of events all year long. For an up to date schedule check out their events calendar online.