Showing posts with label Vegan. Show all posts

Valentines Day

Thursday, February 14, 2013

You know when you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t sleep because your heart is beating to sight of heart-shaped balloons, pink lipstick and retro hair styles? I do! This is where this sweet & simple styled shoot began. As a wedding designer, love is my life! {pinch me, I am so lucky} I could not help but want to style a shoot that was just simple, sweet, light-hearted..what love is!

I started sketching a simplistic, yet adorable, idea of mint and blush focused around Cupid’s big day. The planning began, vendors were contacted, I bought a white statue of a poodle (doesn't every shoot need a white statue of a poodle? We named him Fluffy)...and in a couple days it was scheduled to be brought to life. I dyed a vintage petticoat and modern dress baby pink and combined them together for a feminine-meets-retro look. Dudley's Desserts made sparkling, vegan cupcakes and donuts that were displayed on a pink cake stand and made us all drool. Somehow 10 heart heart-shaped balloons fit in the back of my car and were placed behind Rusty Love's mint green bench. The awesome retro-inspired hair & makeup from Behind the Veil painted the final touch on the day. Our beautiful and playful model, Lori,was unbelievably perfect for the vision as Dani Leigh Photography shot the fun!

We had a ball! See it featured on the fabulous Capitol Romance here!

Team of Lovelies:

Photography: Dani Leigh Photography

Design,Styling, Props: Elle Ellinghaus Designs <-yippee

Desserts: Dudley's Desserts

Hair & Makeup: Behind the Veil

Location, bench & pillows: Rusty Love Vintage Rentals
Model: Lori Finestine

Happy Holidays

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Dear Friends, Followers, Clients and our beautiful Couples,

We will be closed through December 26th and we wish you and your families a very special holiday season! May it be filled with laughter, presents and yummy drinks! Hope you enjoy this recipe! See you on the 27th.

Lots of love,

Elle & the 'Pretty Planning' Team

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Martini

...4 cups pineapple juice (chilled)

...2 cups vanilla flavored vodka (I used Svedka)

...6 dashes grenadine syrup

...12 pineapple (wedges)

...12 maraschino cherries

...cinnamon stick
...splash of coconut milk for creamier texture!

}}makes 12 servings{{

Dip glass in syrup and dip into sprinkles to rim glass.

{Cheers!}

Design: Dudley's Desserts

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

When Dudley's Desserts asked me to design their dessert table at the Etsy Show, I thought it should give off an almost vintage candy store-vibe and an adorable boutique feel. Most of all, I wanted it to be the first table you noticed amongst the Fall colors of everyone else’s table. (I had a hunch people would be fading into the surroundings during pumpkin and falling leaves season, I was right).
mm

Pulling up and/or walking in, you saw her displays first no matter where you entered! I always stress the importance of branding, so I wanted something memorable for her amazing desserts and something that guests would know was her easily at other shows! Tons of glass stands, pinks, chalk and a few elements from the fab Rusty Love, and it was sweet heaven.
mm
It was a cold, windy day and we set up very early in the morning! I am not sure how tiny, little Abby made it through the cold shivers, but with pretty much everything sold out (so not surprised), it was a successful day! They tasted, they bought, they licked their lips, and they made yummy noises.

Desserts: Dudley's Desserts

Photos, Backdrop & Design: elleDesigns

Table & Chalkboard: Rusty Love Vintage Rentals

Dudley's Desserts

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Everyone has that friend that we expect something from at every gathering or get-together. There is one person who is going to be crazy as Ms. Hostess with décor and adorably labeled food & drinks (a.k.a. Elle Ellinghaus). You have the adorable couple that always announces they are expecting another bundle of joy sitting next to the debonair Bachelor with his flavor of the month. Then there is that person who you can always count on to bring those drool-worthy desserts. You know, the desserts that you can smell the moment they walk in the door and make the girls think “Ehh, diet will start again Monday”. However, the person that brings those desserts to your party is very different from the person who brings those desserts to my parties. The girl at my party owns Dudley’s Desserts.

You can’t help but shake your head as you see everyone sneak one to 15 treats in their mouth before appetizers are even out. One of those things you can always count on and wait to happen. However, can you really blame anyone when there is a peanut butter, pretzel, white chocolate cookie staring at them in the face?

Dudley’s Desserts was started by owner, Abby Cobb, because of a love of sweets…pure, sweet and simple. I dare you not to lick your lips and have your eyes grow wide with a plate of her treats in front of you. Not only does she bake some devilishly good cookies, truffles and sweet treats, but she can also creates beautiful cakes....fondant, buttercream, gumpaste flowers...whole kit n kaboodle!

Now for me, I am never the one picking at the desserts before dinner time, or after dinner time for that matter, in fact I usually huddle around the veggie platters {big smile}. As most of you know and I have no problem shouting from the roof-tops, I am vegan. Cake, cookies, muffins….no matter how yummy they look, doesn’t matter to me, I won't be eating them. However, when Abby walks in, I can be first in line, hand out…big smile....gimme, gimme!!

Abby and I agree about not telling anyone that something is vegan until after their yummy noises. So, I will be honest, part of me hated to say this here because some people hear “dairy free” or “vegan” and think “oh never mind”. However, for the ladies and gents out there with dairy allergies, who want sweet & healthier treats, have vegan lifestyles, or any dietary restrictions…it needed to be announced for them! This, actually, is why they are so unbelievably good, in fact! She spent years and years perfecting recipes that would satisfy her taste buds because of her own allergies. She didn't want to sacrifice taste for her own sweet tooth and she especially did not want to have anyone be able to tell her baked goods were different. Success! Success x's about a thousand...

Dudley’s Desserts is a dairy-free bakery that kicks any regular bakeries bottom. So dairy-free or dairy-full lifestyle, Dudley's Desserts is amazing for any occasion, any wedding, any gathering!

You know me, when I find something I love love love, I share...

be sure to ask her who the Dudley in Dudley's Desserts is, too :-)

Visit their website

fashionista

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

jeans shirt: 2dayslook.com

earrings: pinterest

lipgloss: zuzu luxe vegan lip gloss

nailpolish: deborah lippmann vegan polish

belt: cliff's cork belts

pants: shopbop.com

heels: lulus.com

purse: modcloth.com

hey, hot cocoa, lookin' snazzy!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Dress up your Hot Cocoa

photo from Martha Stewart

… great for Holiday Parties!

You can make your marshmallows from scratch by clicking here, but if you do not have time, go the easy way and melt your store bought marshmallows, I have 2 favorite brands. One is Sweet & Sara found here and the other is Dandies I find at Wegmans. Yes, they are cruelty-free/vegan, so I am biased, but I swear these kick regular marshmallow's tushy!

Directions:

1. Put marshmallows in a large bowl, add 2 tablespoons of water per bag and melt for 45 seconds, stir, then melt again until it becomes lump free.

2. Dust glass/metal pan with confectioner's sugar, and pour melted marshmallows into pan.

3. Sprinkles top with confectioner's sugar.

4. Let set over night to until dry.

5. Using fun cookie cutters, get creative an cut out some shapes!

Display these next to the hot cocoa ( my fav recipe is found here) for some extra holiday cuteness!

tuesday shoesday

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

ring? get down on one knee and have these in your hand....

lulus.com

...and they're vegan!

Saturday Morning Breakfast

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Yummy Vegan French Toast

from 'the Kind Life' by the too fantastic Alicia Silverstone

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Total time: 15 minutes

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

-1 1/2 cup(s) of firm tofu

-2 Yeast-free bread slices (French Meadow Summer Bread or whole spelt bread are good options) 

-1 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon

-2 tbsp. of rice syrup 

-1/2 cup(s) of soy milk 

-1/2 tsp. of sea salt 

-1 tbsp. of corn oil 

-1 tsp. of vanilla 

-1 tsp. of or 2 splashes of Oil of your choice (olive, safflower, sunflower, etc.) for frying  

Steps:

1.Blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy.

If too thick, add more soy milk.  
0
2.Dip bread in batter and fry in hot oiled skillet until browned on both sides.   
0

3.Topping: Serve with organic maple syrup.

Or you can make a great cinnamon butter by mixing cinnamon together with Earth Balance to taste.

You can also make a maple/flax syrup by mixing 1/2 cup maple syrup and 2 teaspoons flax seed oil (that kind of ratio, because you don't want to make more syrup/flax than you will use)

Mix them together well. The oil adds a nice layer to the syrup.

Happy Saturday!

New Catering Trend I Love...Healthy & Vegetarian!

Monday, October 10, 2011

    This past weekend, Sir Paul McCartney got married to Nancy Shevell and served an organic, vegetarian, three course meal at their wedding. Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi served only vegan food at their wedding in 2008. Chelsea Clinton & Marc Mezvinsky,... Alicia Silverstone & Christopher Jarecki, ...Woody Harrelson & Laura Louie, ...Casey Affleck & Summer Phoenix, ...Emily Deschanel & David Hornsby, ...Crystal Bowersox & Brian Walker, ...Russell Brand & Katy Perry...I could on...but I'm a little tired of looking up the exact spelling of names.

   I just want to say Ku-dos to this new trend.  The list of  bride & groom's who contact me wanting vegan and organic weddings or even just incorporating some of their vegetarian lifestyle in it, is growing. Vegan weddings are not just for the famous anymore, now its for the everyday bride & groom who live in that lifestyle

   Caterers are becoming vegan and vegetarian-friendly and there are tons of bakeries in every area that are vegan. Dress makers are straying from silk and using more Eco-friendly materials. I just love it and think this trend is an awesome one. (Much better then the wedding trend of puffy sleeves...honestly where did that come from??) It isn't too surprising since each year there are more studies and books about the benefits of veganism, vegetarianism, and eating organic. Health guru Bob Harper on "The Biggest Loser" advertises his vegan lifestyle. "Skinny Bitch" created an amazing following and turned thousands and thousands vegan. And can I say Wow... a

book about veganism becoming a New York Times Best Seller..the world is obviously interested.

As weddings become more unique and non-traditional (which you know I love love love), it is no shock that the food will too. Quoted from an article about Sir Paul McCartney's choice to serve only vegetarian at their wedding, "As a vegetarian himself, Paul wanted to make sure his lifestyle was reflected through the food that was also largely organic." (Foodista.com) Good Point Sir! Why should a vegetarian bride & groom serve non-vegetarian food at their wedding? You do not go to an Italian wedding and get served Indian food do you?

Sticky Fingers Bakery-Washington DC

As health in America is getting back on track (and in my always-optimistic opinion I really think it is) the phrase, "Oh, I'll splurge just this once" is dying out. It is starting to make sense that no one should be putting crap in their bodies (except candy corn, I LOVE candy corn!). If you could buy any designer purse you wanted, you would wouldn't you? You wouldn't buy the fake, yucky version that will cause an irritation on your arm, or the one that falls apart and gets holes in it...you would buy the real gorgeous thing and wear it proudly! This is my sad, girly attempt at a metaphor for food choices. Did it work? No...yea well I have never been very good at metaphors...

Ok, where is this coming from? This is like "Chatter of a Wedding Planner" gone wild! I'll be honest, the reason vegan weddings have a soft spot in my heart is because I am vegan and my own wedding wasn't. I begged and begged for it to be vegetarian but since I wasn't paying for it, I did not have a 100% choice and I had to compromise. I have had tears in my eyes over this many times and to this day it kills me.. but probably always will. If I could go back in time and beg some more, or pay for a vegetarian caterer myself, I would in a heartbeat. I don't mean to get all sappy, but I would have loved for my guests to see how amazing and delicious a vegetarian display of food can be. I just wanted to write this in celebration of those couples all over the world who are showing their guests what an amazingly yummy and rewarding lifestyle being a vegetarian is! Kudos! So to counteract my guilt, I offer vegan and green wedding discounts for those that chose to do so..

Back to reality because this isn't for everyone of course. I love doing weddings of all kinds and all themes and I always say a wedding should represent the bride & groom, 100%. Trust me, I understand how it could be hard convincing the families! I have been there, done that, and unfortunetly still deal with that every family dinner and vacation. So again do what you think will make you the happiest on your day. The only rule I always have for my brides is : Incorporate your loves and none of your dislikes :-)

Happy Planning!

If you happen to be interested in some ideas, here are some of my favs:

the Vegetarian Chick's Wedding:

Sticky Fingers Bakery-Wedding Cakes!

Washington DC

www.stickyfingersbakery.com/

Vegan Treats Bakery Bakery- Wedding Cakes!

Bethlehem, PA

www.vegantreats.com/

Land of Kush-Vegan Caterer

Baltimore, MD

http://www.thelandofkush.com/