Preston Bailey is one of my all time favorite event designers!  The way he can transform an old warehouse into a royal masterpiece or a hotel ballroom into a tropical jungle still amazes me!  Next month Mr. Bailey will be gracing the Fall/Winter 2011 cover of Munaluchi Bride, a stylish bridal magazine that caters to women of color.  For the cover, Preston created a BEAUTIFUL Marchesa-inspired ball gown using fresh white phalaenopsis orchids, hydrangeas, and pink and white tibet roses.

 

You can order the Fall/Winter 2011 issue of Munaluchi Bride online now or pick up your copy at newsstands nationwide on September 6th.  I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!!

 

XOXOXO,

 

~Ebony

 

All of my family and friends know that I am, undoubtedly, Beyonce’s #1 fan!!! (We’re actually sisters… but I don’t think she knows yet!)  When I caught a glimpse of her baby bump on the red carpet during MTV’s Video Music Awards last night, I was ecstatic to say the least! A rush of emotions came over me… I was super excited, almost in tears, and at a lost for words!!

 

She’s gorgeous!  And if that wasn’t enough, Beyonce’s performance of “Love On Top” definitely stole the show!  My inner “Sasha Fierce” evolved and my living room became a stage.  I performed and sang along with Bey until she opened up her sparkly blazer and rubbed her baby bump AGAIN!  OMG!  I’m still feeling all warm and tingly on the inside!  I couldn’t be happier for Beyonce and and her hubby, Jay-Z!!  His backstage reaction was priceless!  #TeamCarter all the way!

 

 

The photo and video are courtesy of MTV.

 

As an event planner, my creative juices immediately started flowing!  A FABULOUS baby shower is well on its way.  I can see the details now… Jeweled-encrusted pampers and baby Manolo booties!!

 

Be on the lookout for Beyonce’s Baby Shower inspiration board  coming soon!!

 

*Cheers* to Babies, Bottles, & Booties!!

 

~Ebony

 

Yesterday was my Hubby’s 31st birthday and part 2 of the *surprise* activities!  I was very adamant about getting to our “activity” on time yesterday.  As we rode around, I was peeking at Jovan out of the corner of my eye.  His facial expression let me know that he had no idea where we were going.  Great!  After driving for a little while, we ended up at Painting with a Twist.  Painting with a Twist is an art class held at various studios around the country.  An artist teaches a group of students, step by step, how to create the choice painting for the evening.  The “twist” is that you can bring wine and snacks!  We had a nice bottle of Riesling and some of our favorite treats.

 

This was our first trip to Painting with a Twist.  I chose the studio in Grapevine, TX and our painting for the evening was “Love Birds.”  This was a great place for us to let our creative juices flow and the wine assisted in taking the edge off of our perfectionist attitudes.

 

 

I would definitely suggest Painting with a Twist for your next date night or outing with your friends!  Jovan and I are looking forward to our next class!

 

XOXOXO,

 

~Ebony

 

Today is a VERY special day in the Wordlaw household.  It’s Jovan’s 31st birthday!! I can’t thank God enough for bringing us together and allowing my Hubby to see another year!  Here’s a picture of the yummy Cookies & Cream birthday cake that Jovan shared with his coworkers this afternoon!

I have planned some fun *surprise* activities for us to do this week.  The festivities began yesterday evening at DUO: All Things Culinary.  I signed us up for a cooking class with Jason Czaja, Chef de Cuisine at Shinsei.  The topic for the evening was New Orleans style cuisine!  Delicious doesn’t even begin to describe the dishes that we were introduced to!!

Crawfish and Oyster Bisque, Dirty Rice with Shrimp and Green Chiles, and Natchitoches Meat Pies with Mustard Vinaigrette were all on the menu!  *YUMMY*

 

Jovan and I are looking forward to trying one of these tasty recipes at home.  I’ll be sure to let you all know how it turns out!!

 

The birthday festivities continue this evening with another *surprise* activity!  Be sure to check out tomorrow’s blog post for details and pictures!!

 

XOXOXO,

 

~Ebony

 

A.K.A. – The Birthday Boy’s Wife!

 

I can’t believe the weekend is here already!  It’s supposed to be 100+ degrees and sunny in DFW Metroplex so here’s a little yellow wedding inspiration to get you through the BRIGHT weekend ahead!

 

Poolside Party:  Wildflower Linen | Tablescape:  Chezaray Photography

 

Cake:  Colette’s Catering Extraordinaire | Watch:  BCBG

 

Shoes:  Guess (via The Knot) | Lemon Souflle:  Martha Stewart

 

Sparkling Alter:  Elizabeth Anne Designs | Place Setting:  Style Me Pretty

 

Bouquet:  Luna and Chloe Weddings

 

Have a fun and festive weekend!!

 

XOXO,

 

Ebony

 

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Karaoke Lyrics

Today is National Watermelon Day!  I know, there’s a holiday for everything now, right?  Watermelon is one of my favorite fruits and is definitely worth celebrating!  I can’t get enough of its refreshing, sweet taste, especially on hot days like today!  In honor of this delicious holiday I’d like to share a yummy recipe that I came across while reading the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

Fat-Free Watermelon Sherbet

 

(Prep Time:  25 minutes / Freeze Time:  8 hours)

 

Ingredients:

 

2 cups cubed, seeded watermelon

 

1/2 cup sugar

 

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

 

1/3 cup cranberry juice cocktail

 

 

Recipe and Photo Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

 

Directions:

 

* Place watermelon cubes in a blender and blend until smooth.

 

* Stir in sugar.

 

* In small saucepan, combine gelatin and cranberry juice.  Let stand for 5 minutes and then stir over low heat until gelatin is dissolved.

 

* Stir gelatin into the melon mixture.

 

* Pour into an 8x2x2 inch baking pan.

 

* Cover and freeze for 2 hours or until firm.

 

* Break up frozen mixture and place in mixing bowl.  Beat with an electric mixture on medium until mixture is fluffy.

 

* Return to pan and freeze for 6 hours or until firm.

 

Makes 8 (1/2 cup) servings.  For nutritional information, check out Better Homes and Gardens.

 

 

I haven’t tired this recipe yet but with watermelon and sherbet, how can one go wrong?!  I think I’ll break out my mixer and try it out today!

 

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

 

~Ebony

 

They say that some like it hot!  If this saying fits you, then you should definitely be in Dallas this week.  Records are breaking and the temperature continues to rise!

Here’s a little red hot inspiration to get you through today’s 110 degree heat wave:

 

Red Tablescape:  Wildflower Linen

Red Bouquet:  Colin Cowie

Red Napkin with Bling:  Wildflower Linen

Strapless Satin Dress:  Priscilla of Boston

Red Chandelier:  The Home Depot

Red Lipstick:  NARS Cosmetics

Double Swirl Glassware:  Pier 1 Imports

Satin Chair Cover:  Wildflower Linen

Ruffle Bow Clutch:  Nordstrom

Rhinestone Platform Pumps:  Nine West

Cuff Links:  Tiffany & Co.

Boutonniere:  The Knot

Beamline Charger:  Pier 1 Imports

Red Lounge:  Preston Bailey Designs

Keep the AC on blast!  Drink lots of water.  Take a dip in the pool and be sure to protect your skin.

Enjoy the heat while it lasts!

~Ebony