Introducing THE GLASS SLIPPER'S Newest Contributor...

It is my pleasure to introduce the newest contributor to the Glass Slipper, Sarah Jenks of The Breathtaking Bride. Based out of New York City - Sarah, a bride-to-be herself will enlighten you with a fresh perspective on health, wellness and lifestyle. Sarah will also be divulging the details of her journey as a bride, along with her tips & hints to being the best bride you can be, NYC trends & so much more...

Sarah Jenks is on a mission to change the way brides prepare for their wedding. She believes that too many women feel pressure to starve themselves for months just to be thin and perfect for one day… only to feel stressed, deprived, depleted and ready to gain all the weight back on the honeymoon.

A seasoned nutrition consultant and weight loss coach, Sarah brings her expertise in helping women cultivate their ideal body and life to the bridal community. She feels that brides are in a very unique and complicated time in their lives and need support around health and lifestyle more than ever.

Sarah Jenks is not your typical nutrition consultant. She believes that the true secret to lasting health is not to create fool proof diet plans and spend hours discussing the importance of working out, but to examine the reasons behind each woman’s choice of what she eats. Our relationships, career, pleasure, confidence, history and our connection with our bodies all create our relationship with food. Sarah believes that you can talk about the benefits of broccoli until you are blue in the face, but real change won’t happen until we pull back the veil of fad diets and calorie counting to reveal the true cause of our over eating.

Stay tuned for insight, inspiration & knowledge from Sarah; The Breathtaking Bride...

Modern Day Wedding Chuppah

Traditionally used in Jewish weddings, the Chuppah has become a modern day decor trend around the world. It consists of a cloth or sheet — stretched or supported over four poles. Not only does the structure add depth & visual interest it also represents a deeper meaning - as the Chuppah symbolizes the home the couple will build together.

The concept of the traditional Chuppah can be customized to fit your wedding design, vision and budget. Be sure to assess the altar space of your venue, take measurements and calculate your budget costs. Current trends for Chuppahs involve a rustic feel made with branches/bark or using trees to tie the canopy on. Other trends involve super chic fabrics and candlelight. It all depends on your ceremony space and how you want to represent this special altarpiece.

Take a look at some of my favourite Chuppah inspirations:

The Newest Centrepiece Trend. The Chandelier.

Chandeliers can be a magnificent addition to your wedding decor, be it hanging from the ceiling or even more chic, adorning your table tops as the ultimate rebirth of the centrepiece. More than likely, your venue will breathe a sigh of relief if you choose the latter.

Originally used as light fixtures, today’s chandelier has become so much more. In the days of old, the elite used astounding designs to demonstrate wealth and class – a concept that has not altogether diminished. Even today, chandeliers have retained a opulent and elegant connotation. Chandeliers of all shapes, sizes and colors have the unique ability to transform any room into a glamorous, modern, vintage or even shabby chic setting.

here comes the bride.

Looking for what you’ll walk down the aisle on? How about Eco-Runners, custom aisle runners by Customized Wedding Creations, made from 100% recycled fabric. Believe it or not, the fabric is actually made from recycled plastic bottles that are melted down and the fiber strands are then woven into a recycled polyester fabric (yet they feel just like the standard fabric aisle runners – no one will notice the difference!) The runners are then hand-painted with 100% organic, water-based paints with no VOC's. This means the entire runner is 100% eco-friendly. Very cool! But don’t stop there - once the wedding is over, cut out the monogrammed portion of your runner and frame it so it's reused, doesn't go to waste, and gives you a gift of the memory that promises to last.

New York Style. The Ardour Collection by Chloe & Reese.

The Ardour Collection by New York's Chloe & Reese is a fun, flirty line of party dresses that are perfect for the modern bridesmaids. Wear white/off-white silk faille as a gorgeous traditional bridal gown alternative. Have fun. Be stylish. Go short.

Where to find Chloe & Reese:

Sash & Bustle, Toronto. www.sashandbustle.com

To Mom, with love.

Mothers, hope you had a wonderful love filled weekend, and readers find the time to love on and appreciate your mothers this week!

Happy Mothers Day

destination...wedding activities

If you're asking the majority of your guests to travel for your wedding, it's a thoughtful gesture to offer ideas for how to spend down time. Even better than a list of local sights or hot spots is a prearranged outing or activity -- this way, guests can get to know each other before the big day. Here are 10 fun ideas for groups at a destination wedding.

Get sporty. In the months leading up to your wedding, let everyone know you'll be arranging a softball game, tennis round-robin, golf tournament or bowling competition and invite all to play. Find out in advance who plans to participate so you can arrange the matches. Increase team spirit by having T-shirts made and announcing a prize for the winners.

Paint the town. If your locale has a great art museum or historical site, arrange for your crowd to take a private tour led by a docent. Stir up some fun. Plan a cooking lesson for your group that's inspired by your setting: Think seafood for a beach wedding, fresh pasta in Italy, or organic greenmarket cuisine in California. For a festive extra touch, include monogrammed aprons in guests' welcome bags.

Stretch in sync. If you have a friend or relative who's a trained pro in Pilates or yoga, ask if she can lead your group in a morning workout session. Reward everyone's efforts with a healthy breakfast station featuring fruit, yogurt, whole-grain waffles and other good-for-you favorites.

Get fired up. Welcome guests with a midday barbecue featuring foods that are typical of your wedding destination -- and hand out color-coded "wedding genealogy charts" (http://melangerienyc.com/portfolio/whoswho.html) to show how everyone is related to the bride and groom. Spice things up with entertainment by a local musician, magician or street performer.

Go for grape expectations. If there are vineyards in the area where you're marrying, turn everyone into oenophiles with a wine-tasting event that introduces them to a range of varietals. Consider giving a split of one of the favorite vinos as your wedding favor.

Eat, play, polish. Let female guests know you have reserved space at a local spa for anyone who would like to book manicures, hair appointments or spa treatments the day of the wedding. Make the getting-ready time extra special by providing champagne and light hors d'oeuvres.

Arrange an active endeavor. Challenge your crowd to a high-octane adventure that's popular in your wedding locale, such as parasailing in the Caribbean or skiing a black-diamond slope in Colorado. Consider hiring a photographer to come along so you can include an action shot of the guest in his or her thank-you note after the wedding.

Explore the countryside. Get your group together for a scenic bicycle ride or horseback excursion, followed by a picnic lunch.

Create a sweet memory. Plan an old-fashioned ice-cream social at a well-known spot in town or offer a tour (and tasting!) at a local chocolate factory or doughnut bakery.

may flowers.

April showers... bring May flowers

These centrepiece ideas, courtesy of marthastewart.com are sure to dress up your wedding, bridal shower or dinner party while giving guests a lovely & in some cases delicious take away gift. Incorporate your favourite Spring flowers & colours to personalize this idea & make it your own.

My favourite pick: edible chocolate centrepieces. A fun DIY project. Tweak the recipe or experiment with other yummy dessert recipes to create a fun & delicious surprise for your guests.

Give guests sprightly bouquets of their own: arrangements of 'Ping Pong' mums, chamomile, and lady's mantle (or other blooms to fit your color scheme). The flowers are held in small plastic floral tubes filled with water.

A cluster of potted zinnias adds charm to the table at a country or casual wedding, bridal shower or event. A sign next to the display asks guests to "Please pick one." The pots are painted with acrylic paint to match the flowers. The theme that inspires the favor continues at each place setting: Seeds packaged in glassine bags are attached to each of the tented place cards with yellow twine that is inserted through two small punched holes, then tied in a bow. Directions for planting are printed inside the cards.

This delectable display starts with votive candleholders filled with chocolate pudding and topped with crushed-cookie "dirt." Lemon verbena, lavender, and basil flowers sprout from each pot. Serve your treats with wooden ice cream spoons stamped with initials to resemble plant tags.

DIY: "Potted" Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients

Makes 20 three-ounce servings (5 1/2 cups)

• 3/4 pint sugar
• 6 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• Pinch of salt
• 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 12 ounces best-quality semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits
• 14 chocolate cookies, ground fine
• 20 sprigs edible, organic flowering herbs

Directions

1. Whisk sugar, cornstarch, cocoa, and salt in a medium pan. Combine cream, milk, and vanilla in a large measuring cup. Whisk 2 cups liquid into dry ingredients until cornstarch is completely dissolved. Whisk in remaining cream mixture until smooth.
2. Place pan over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until mixture comes to a boil and thickens, 7 to 8 minutes. Add chocolate; cook, whisking until melted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; whisk in butter until melted. Divide pudding between glasses, leaving about 1/2 inch at the top. Refrigerate until completely set, about 1 hour; chill until ready to serve.
3. Just before serving, top each with 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed cookies, and "plant" an herb sprig. Serve cold.