Weddings in Newport, Rhode Island

The weekend before last my husband and I went to Newport, Rhode Island for a little getaway and stayed at the historic Francis Malbone House. With delicious gourmet breakfasts and afternoon tea and treats that can be enjoyed in front of a crackling fire, it was truly a relaxing weekend away.

On our second day in Newport, we visited The Breakers, one of the Newport Mansions (only 3 are open for tours in the winter months). While walking thru the mansion it felt like I was inside one of the historical romance novels I love to read. I can just picture the galas held in the ballroom with the star of the event walking down the grand staircase to meet her guests. I found out that the Rosecliff mansion [circa 1902] (where The Great Gatsby movie was filmed) can be rented for weddings. Imagine having your wedding in a ballroom surrounded by Gilded Age beauty. We didn't have enough time during our stay to tour Rosecliff, but I have a feeling we'll be back to Newport. To read about having your wedding at Rosecliff, please visit the Newport Mansions web site.

The Newport Mansions also have 4 Caterers of Choice to make your wedding truly special:
Blackstone Caterers
Fine Catering by Russell Morin
Plantation Catering
Regency Caterers by Hyatt

And, if you're looking to have your rehearsal dinner in Newport, RI, The Preservation Society of Newport County suggests The Chinese Tea House and the Marble House Terrace.

PS - I'll have another post on Newport later this week.

Sugar Rush on Food Network

Received an email today and wanted to let everyone know that tonight (Wednesday 1-25-06) Elisa Strauss of Confetti Cakes will be on The Food Network show Sugar Rush at 9:30pm ET/PT.

This episode is called Dessert for all Seasons
Show Description: Be inspired to share dessert during every season in this episode of Sugar Rush. Visit Confetti Cakes in New York, where Elisa Strauss constructs a life-like barrel cake. Next, Richard Ruskell at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach summons summer with his intricate sugar sculpture of the beach. Watch as Kate Sullivan decorates a cake with winterland creatures.

Additional Air Times for the Sugar Rush Episode SA0112:
January 26, 2006 1:30 AM ET/PT
January 29, 2006 7:30 PM ET/PT

Lighting the way to love

We all know how romantic a room lit with candles can be. I found some unique candles that would be extra special for Valentine's Day either as gifts or adding a bit of ambiance (maybe both?).

I love the Box of Petit Fours candle confections - they look just like the real thing - minus the calories. Four come in a heart shaped box and are each inside ruffled red paper. The Chocolate Votive Gift Set contains 3 scented candles in white chocolate, chocolate raspberry and orange chocolate. They come in a pink paisley box. The Cinnamon Floating Hearts have a tiny spicy cinnamon scent, just like the tiny valentine candies.

The Floating Heart Conversation Candles are reminiscent of the popular sweetheart candy. These candles feature messages like "Be Mine", "I Love You". They come six in a pack and are perfect to float in a bowl of water for a Valentine's centerpiece.

These are just a few of the many candles available for purchase at Illuminations and Plum Party.

Special Offer for my readers:
Illuminations is offering 20% off orders of $50 or more + Free Shipping on orders of $65 or more.

For the Love of Sweets

I've done some searching around for the cutest and most adorable packaging that contains everything for those who crave a sweet goodie. I personally love Valentine's Day not only for sharing the special day with the one I love, but I absolutely adore all the reds and pinks. They're happy and bright colors, I can't help but smile when I see them. At Plum Party I found Sweethearts Marshmallow Treats which contain heart shaped marshmallow treats inside a beautiful package tied with a pink ribbon.

For those who like cookies there is the Lover's Chocolate Sampler from Mrs. Beasley's. These brand new gourmet cookies are packaged in 2-tier keepsake floating heart boxes. You will receive 6 Caramel Pecan, 6 Chocolate Chunk Pecan and 2 iced heart cookies in the bottom layer. The top tier contains 25 crunchy Chocolate Chip Mini-Cookies.
Special Offer for visitors to this blog: when you shop at Mrs. Beasley's you will receive 15% off your order with coupon code PERF. On the site you can also view the Valentine's Day catalog that is filled with lots of yummy treats.

And then there is the dark chocolates, which set the mood for romance, and Godiva is offering the 27-pc. Valentine's Day All Dark Chocolate Assortment. Plus, there are many other chocolates to select from at Godiva.com. And, don't forget to enter the Chocolate and Diamonds Sweepstakes.

Chocolate and Diamonds Sweepstakes

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and I want to start sharing with you some great gift ideas for the special someone in your life. I'm always receiving emails announcing new products and special offers and I figured the blog was the best place to pass along the information to you (plus, I have quite a bit of current promotions listed on our wedding sales page at BestWeddingSites.com).

I'll start off with a special Chocolate and Diamonds Sweepstakes from Godiva.com. To celebrate their 80th anniversary and Valentine's Day, Godiva Chocolatier is giving away an $80,000 shopping spree at H. Stern Jewelers! Specially marked Godiva Valentine's Day gift boxes contain a chance to win! For more information and official sweepstakes rules, please visit Godiva.com.

Top 10 Most Romantic Historic Inns

I received an email this morning that contained links to the Top Ten Most Romantic American Historic Inns for 2006 according to American Historic Inns, where "romance is in the air at these spectacular bed & breakfasts and country inns". I wanted to share them with you in case your planning a honeymoon or romantic getaway and needed some ideas. Here they are:

The Inn at Bowman’s Hill in New Hope, PA
Sea Crest by the Sea in Spring Lake, NJ
Brampton Bed & Breakfast Inn in Chestertown, MD
Bissell House Bed & Breakfast in South Pasadena, CA
Adobe Grand Villas in Sedona, AZ
Grand Victorian B&B Inn in Bellaire, MI
Butler House on Grand in Des Moines, IA
Savory Inn & Cooking School in Vail, CO
Santa Ynez Inn in Santa Ynez, CA
Washington Plantation Bed & Breakfast in Washington, GA

BEAUTY REVIEW: Emani Makeup

I recently started using the Emani mineral makeup (foundation, eye shadow and blush) to see if I liked it compared to Bare Escentuals. I love the mineral makeups because they are free of irritants and harmful dyes, aren't tested on animals, pore friendly, and include a natural SPF. I was actually surprised when I started using the Emani Powder Foundation in the vanilla shade as I've never used foundation before. I had been using the Bare Escentuals Bisque, but the coverage wasn't all that good. With the Emani Foundation I get great coverage all over (plus when a little extra is needed for those occasional breakouts).

For my blush, I've been using the Emani Crushed Mineral Cheek Color in Panama Mama (a little on the brush goes a long way and looks like natural rosy cheeks).

For my eyes I've been applying the Emani Crushed Minerals Color Dust in White Gold directly under my eyebrows for that highlighted lift. I then apply Emani Crushed Minerals Color Dust in Ubanized to the eyelid and then with another brand of eyeshadow in black, I lightly line the bottom of my eyelid near my lashes and darken the outer edge of my eyelid. Then I apply my eyeliner. The nice thing about the Emani eyehadow is that it is definitely noticeable, but not at all heavy and looks very natural. I saw on the PlanetBeauty.com web site they compare Emani to M.A.C., Bobbie Brown, Stila and Benefit. But, Emani has very affordable prices attached to their products.