This Takes the Cake... singing opera....

Cake Opera Co.

Warning: eye candy ahead!! Danger, Danger!

(Click on images to see them in a larger view)

White, Dark and Milk Chocolate Tablets

Nougatine Montelimer

Petite Gateau (sounds so much prettier than cupcakes)

Ingredients:

Pink peppercorn, pistachio, flaked coconut white chocolate tablets, lavender, toasted almonds and cocoa nibs milk chocolate tablets, pink sea salt, white sesame and crystallized ginger tablets.

Nougatine Montelimar

French, chewy, candied fruits and toasted nuts

Petite Gateau

Each a taste sensation enrobed in beauty

~Just a teeny tiny selection of their confections~



Cake Opera's Establishment

1136 Eglinton avenue west (north side)

Torontom Ontario Canada

M6C2E2

Tel. 647-347-2626

Here's what the owners, Alexandria Pellegrino and Jessica Smith have to say about their creative process. Imagine yourself for a moment standing in a dimly lit room. Walls of towering shelves surround...thick with the dust of time. Each shelf is crowded with bell jars containing history's more extraordinary and exotic specimens....this is the world of wonders in which Cake Opera Co. finds its muse. Reminds us of one of our favorite decor volumes...The New Eighteenth-Century Style by Lalande and Trillard. 

This is their Piratess Cake! Think 17th century tall ships. The delicate hand painting on each layer is incredible. They are like so many premier craftsmen of our day, it's all in the details and the execution.

The proprietors

Alexandria and Jessica-you rock!

Their header says it all...these ladies have a sense of self, history, creativity, amusement and folly.

The Moretto Mask cake

18th century French figurines finding their way into cake form. This particular cake reminds us of  masquerade balls during this era of history.

The Artist

The Baker

It's no wonder celebrities are searching out Opera Cake Co. to make their wedding cakes (do you remember pictures of the Nicole Richie/Joel Madden's cake)? We just thought you might be inspired by these two entrepreneurs.  Publications like Grace Ormonde, a well turned out bridal magazine feature them often. 

Look them up: http://www.cakeoperaco.com/

all images cake opera

The next Royal Wedding

~We were enchanted~

Remember this wedding? It was like a fairy tale come-to-real-life right before our very eyes.

Did you receive your invitation yet?

Didn't your heart melt when William explained his decision to give Catherine his mother's wedding ring?

Their radiant faces say it all.

~I do~

William has grown to become the handsome prince marrying his true love!!! We wish them a forever, loving, happy marriage. Catherine is just gorgeous!

What a great photo!

Remember when Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer became engaged? We truly hoped it would last forever.

If Diana were alive today~if only she were still here....we miss her presence...her death came too soon..tragic really...but her son has shown the world that she is still remembered today...her ring is now shared with her future daughter in law and they both share a very special young man...William of Wales.  

Anthro Wedding Gowns

A bombshell dropped on the "wedding world", February 14, 2011

BHLDN.com

(beholden -- Dutch meaning to keep)

Anthropologie has entered the bridal and special events world. Until recent years, we were also enscounced in that world~so w-e-d-d-i-n-g-s still grab our attention! How exciting to see the winds of changes blowing through this institution at a record rate! Cookie cutter weddings are falling fast by the wayside. Have you seen blogs like, 100 layer cakes or ritzy bee? Couples are really infusing who they are into their wedding and being true to themselves, budget and all. In the end that's much more meaningful and endearing. This new addition to Anthro postures them right into the "now" mix. By the end of the year they will have  ventured into wedding receptions and the special events arena also.

What's cool about BHLDN is that their approach is similiar to the Urban Outfitter organizations model on design and lifestyle. Their website allows you to browse through times past weddings, become further inspired, and find your style be it Nostalgic Romantic, Neo-Sophisticate, La Bohemienne, or Lady With a Twist. You can view, gowns, dresses, shoes, lingerie, jewelry, coverups, hair adornments and accessories within each of those muse type categories or go with an even more eclectic selection on your own.

They plan to not only to utilize their own designers, but feature guest designers as well. Each season they will develop their line of vintage, heirloom quality, bougie wedding designs. Gowns are priced from $1,000.00 to $4,000.00 and bridesmaids or special occasion dresses will be placed at around $200.00 to $600.00. You can check it all out at BHLDN.com. 

 Sift through BHLDN's collection of past weddings for inspiration.

Do you know anyone getting married? Do they have that individualistic flair about them? Be sure to tell them about BHLDN.com

In the Bu

Beckwith Road was off this weekend at a wedding. Yes, I know we said we hung up our wedding hat, but we dusted it off just this one last time and gave assistance to some dear friends, whose only son was married to the love of his life. The setting was beyond beautiful, on a private sprawling estate in the Bu (for those outside our area-that's Malibu). We could hear the waves crashing below and as the afternoon faded into evening, the sunset spanned the sky with golden splendor.

The Black Beauty Roses were stunning against the cream colored background, the bride was perfection, head-to-toe.

The cake colors tell the story, yes this is the color palette befitting the young groom who is a member of a Grammy nominated band. Deep black toned roses and calla lilies, black bands of silk around the cream colored cake. Even exotic peacock feathers grounded with lush black- red Ecuadorian roses placed in large, black, vintage vases adorned the tables designed by an Anthropologie visuals alumni. Overhead asian inspired creamy colored globes lit the expansive tent, lighting was provided from the band's own gear and a DJ spun tunes into the late hours. This was truly a very happy event!

The view at dusk. The ocean visible through the palm trees. This was a day to remember!

Wedding Cake Inspiration

Beckwith Roadies...

Weddings stir our creative senses. We've worked on them for eons and never tire of the imagination some couples put into them.

(This brides hem matches her grooms pants)

The hand-made bird topper on the cake below, has all the charm that we would expect from a uniquely designed wedding. Note also the mini wedding cakes and thin, multi-colored layers of wedding cake. Unusual and unexpected..not the norm. It's the unexpected, personal details that are memorable.

We love the elegance of these incredible wedding cakes.

We are especially taken with the gold number. Don't you just want to cut into this "delectable delight". We've been thinking about it since we saw it! Wow!

Planning a Wedding

Princess Grace and Prince Rainier

As a past wedding director & coordinator, I wanted to share some tips for would-be brides (and grooms) planning to marry.

When you begin your journey to marry, set a budget and a realistic date to meet that budget. This is especially important if you don't already have savings or parents to help you pay for it. You won't have to cut corners this way.

Realize that the planning and details can at times be stressful. To avoid that as much as possible, have all your plans in a wedding binder with a check off list of all the wedding details and a timeline. Make sure you are finished with everything at least one month before your wedding so you can relax and get ready for the most wonderful day together. Doing everything last minute is a disaster.

The focus of your wedding is you as a couple. It is not pageantry! (I can't say enough about how the media has created an unrealistic appetite for couples to have over-the-top weddings~save that for the celebrities)!

Don't forget to consider the comforts of your guests. The elderly are sensitive to heat and standing in long lines. Make sure you have adequate coverage and seating.

Your wedding does not have to be extravagant. You can have a wedding on any budget! Incorporate you into all the details~don't try to pattern yourself after anyone else. The colors you choose and the decor should be recognized as your special touch. There are lots of wedding blogs for inspiration.

Realize that weddings rarely go off without a hitch! The day of your wedding, things will unfold as they will~you will not be able to control everything! Go with the flow and know that those around you want only the best for you.

Determine what you want your wedding day to be like. For instance, if you are thinking about your soon to be spouse, thankful for all the support of your family and friends, willing your day to be beautiful, it will. Be positive! You will remember this special day for years to come as you grow old together.

We love Chi-n-ese (salad) if- you- please!

Click on pictures to see in larger format.

Classic Chinese Chicken Salad

I once served this salad in mini individual won ton cups for 300 guests at a friends wedding. Don't be alarmed at the amount of salt in this dressing. The salad itself doesn't get salted. Trust me, unless you have health issues, be brave and try it! Then modify as you like. Make it your own.

SALAD:

1 Whole pre-cooked chicken found at the market, de-boned and shredded

1 head Napa cabbage, washed, outer leaves removed and sliced into shreds

1 head Romaine lettuce, washed, outer leaves removed and slice into shreds

1 bunch green onions, washed, remove 1/2 of the top green parts and slice thinly

Shredded carrots, I buy pre-washed, ready to go. Use to your liking. 

Toasted Almonds (I buy mine at Trader Joe's already toasted) Use the amount you would like.

1 15-ounce can mandarin oranges, drained

1 small package won ton wrappers (found in the cold case at your market)

Canola oil to cook won tons

DRESSING:

1/4 cup granulated sugar (make sure it is a full measurement)

2 teaspoons salt

1-teaspoon ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

2 tablespoons sesame oil (found in the oil or Asian section of your market)

6 tablespoons rice wine vinegar (no substitutions please, must be rice wine vinegar)

1/2 cup canola oil

Step 1:

Make won ton strips. Cut 1/2 of the won ton wrappers into 4 strips each. You can cut a bunch at a time. 

Using a small deep saucepan, over medium high heat, add 2 inches of canola oil. Test the hotness of oil with 1 won ton strip. When oil turns won tons golden brown, remove  and drain on paper towels. THIS WILL GO QUICKLY! 

Make the dressing in a lidded jar (shake well) or blender. 

Add 1/2 of the dressing to the salad. Mix well. Taste to see if you have enough dressing. Add more dressing if needed. Be sure to mix in the toasty won ton strips. 

Interesting Fact:

USC and UCLA ran studies on diets that were rich in salads and raw vegetables. They found those studied had folic acid, vitamins C & E, lycopene, and alpha and beta carotene in their blood streams. This shows the quickness of our bodies to assimilate healthy foods.