Create your (style) story.

Don’t you get so excited when you see a bride who brings it all together perfectly, like to the point you clip and save the photo even though you don’t know her? That sheer perfection of styling comes from two simple principles:

1) Your look should be a reflection of your personality. Although that ball gown may be exciting to try on, if you are a sex-pot glamazon, work it on your wedding day in a mermaid style that has them all swooning. The pictures will tell the truth.

2) Create a story. A perfect dress is one thing. But coordinating the accessories and details is what wraps your guests in a mythical event with you as the fairy-tale heroine.

Below are three ways to carry it through from head to toe:

Us girly girls don’t shy from pink, or ruffles or flowers, or all of them jumbled together in one frou frou outfit. It’s ok! You can embrace this look on your wedding day. Embellishment is key here, like the floral rosette bodice on this Elizabeth Dye gown. Paired with a vintage silk cardigan from Jcrew, you can add just a touch of vintage inspiration. An over the top flower from Ban.Do, thank you very much. And if you have had sugary overload by this point, hand off the girly baton to your bridesmaids in this ruffly frock from Ruche and cut flower platforms by Badgley Mischka. How cute would plastic printed floralsunglasses be for your bridesmaids gifts! That quirky element pokes a little fun at this sweet overload.

You va-va voomers know how to work those curves. This Lea Ann Belter dress does most of the work for you…it could give a soda can a waistline! To cover up? Spring or Fall, fur for all. Who can resist this cute one from Etsy? For a real vintage throwback, feathers must be present. Lauren Christensen of Lo Boheme creates the most amazing hair pieces, and each new line just gets better! And for your girls? Jenny Yoo captures the modest but still glamorous look of the fifties in silk shantung. Red was our fav here, especially to pick up the red in a pair of killer Louboutins for the bride. A good way to tie it all pretty with color. And notice the subtle pattern in those shoes. It’s those little vintage inspired details that make it all come to life. Lastly, glamour bags for your girls…talk about a gift that keeps on giving!

You can still look casual and glamorous on your wedding day. Consider cotton, like this cotton crochet dress by Watters. For a cool summer night, a sweater shrug is great, but the gold sequins make it perfect. There is no reason a casual bride can’t shine…as a matter of fact, sequins and glitter, like thisMiu Miu sliver wedge, it what makes the look YOU but notched up 20%. Your girls should be in cotton sundresses, and if you are daring, mis-match them. Add some fauna to their hair, like this great Twigs and Honey piece. And lastly, do something thoughtful for their bridesmaids gifts, like these custom made Megan Greene Jewelry rings. Each one is made custom to order and can be designed to match each girls personality.

Creating a story that reflects your personality will keep the guests buzzing about your beauty. And remember, even if you are nonchalant about your style, dial it up to a 2.0 version of yourself on your wedding day. It’s fun to give your new husband a little gasp as you walk down the aisle.

Picnic. Perfect.

Make the most of the wide open fields and long summer days this season by indulging in a sophisticated, chic picnic party.

I love when friends and family come together to enjoy good food and great company. Whether it is a gathering of the masses or a romantic getaway for two - Let the great outdoors serve as your venue (and decor). Keep things simple and sophisticated with local market goods, delicious and refreshing white wine spritzers, and chill tunes on the iPod.

With practical storage solutions and a waste-not ethos, (chic) dining outside is a walk in the park.

1. Sit in Style,
A natural woven mat is comfy to lounge on, durable, and light enough to tote when rolled up and tied with a rope. If you have a spare hand, take along a pillow or two for extra cushioning.

2. Toss or Reuse,
For food packaging, strike a balance between convenient disposables and eco-friendly reusables. Take-out cartons are great for sides. Compostable cutlery has more heft than plastic without the environmental impact. And checkerboard sandwich wrappers make any old combination feel fresh.

3. Upgrade to Cloth,
It's worth forgoing paper napkins in favour of pretty cotton ones you can use again and again. Slip them into easy-to-sew pockets, which double as mats -- a surprising, elegant touch.

4. Keep Things Chill,
Cold soup travels well in a sealed pitcher. Just pour it into cups, wrapped in paper and secured with rubber bands, for spoon-free serving. Here's a trick for keeping it chilled: Freeze ice cubes of soup and add to the pitcher.

Need a great gift idea? Why not put together a personalized picnic package. Great for anniversaries, special occasions, and just because.


Images and inspiration from tigerinajar.blogspot.com
Checkout some picnic perfect recipes at MarthaStewart.com

Meet me in Paris.

I had the pleasure of watching Midnight in Paris (Woody Allen’s romantic/comedy film) this past weekend. Now I can’t help but want to be Marion Cotillard (the captivating muse who wooed every 1920s expatriate in the City of Light) and to drink delicious champagne (endlessly).

If you aren’t jet-setting to Paris this summer - Channel your inner Francophile on Bastille Day (next Thursday) by hosting a party with a French twist. Be inspired and whip up simple, classic recipes from French Revolution blogger, chef Kerry Saretsky (featured on Daily Candy).

For French-inspired recipes and information on Saretsky, go to frenchrevolutionfood.com.

Bon Appétit.

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Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Ice Cream Sundae Profiteroles
French Revolution
serves 4

INGREDIENTS
½ cup water
½ stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Pinch salt
½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 eggs, room temperature
1 pint strawberry ice cream (recommended: Haagen Dazs Five)
½ cup heavy cream
3.5 ounces 70% dark chocolate

PROCEDURE
Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a saucepot over high heat, add the water and butter, sugar and salt. Cover, and bring to a boil.

Take the pan off the heat, and add in all the flour at once. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until the flour absorbs all the water. Return the pot to low heat, and continue stirring for 30 to 60 seconds, until the dough forms a ball, and pulls away from the sides of the pot.
Turn the dough out into a medium bowl. (Soak that pot now, thank me later!) Add one egg, and stir vigorously with the wooden spoon until it is completely absorbed and the dough is smooth. Repeat with the second egg. The dough will be smooth and sticky.

Use an ice cream scoop to make 4 equal mounds of dough on a Silpat-lined baking sheet. Dip your finger in water, and pat down any rough edges that might burn in the oven. Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes, then lower the heat to 350°F for another 40 minutes, until the profiterole shells are puffed, golden, and crisp. Carefully remove the shells to a rack to cool, and gently puncture the bottom of each puff with a skewer to let any steam escape.

When the profiteroles are completely cooled, take the ice cream out of the freezer to defrost.
Make the chocolate sauce by whisking together the cream and chocolate over medium-low heat, until thick, shiny, and melted. Use a serrated knife to slice each profiterole in half horizontally, then sandwich the shell around a big scoop of strawberry ice cream. Pour chocolate sauce over the profiteroles, and eat greedily.

NOTE
If you want to thin out your chocolate sauce, add 1 tablespoon very hot water from the tap.