Enchanted Christmas Weddings

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  So why don't more people get married around Christmas time?  Here at Sunshine Daydream Events, we love the idea and know that Wisconsin is the perfect place for your magical Christmas wedding!

Here are some fun photos I found to share to show you just how beautiful and special a Christmas wedding in Wisconsin can be!

Love the poinsettias for wedding flowers!

Snowflakes are so fun!

So fun! You can go modern or vintage with this look, and it's so easy!

Love the greenery with white lights. Classic Christmas look.

Fur muffs instead of bouquets for bridesmaids.

Precious

Red and white always look good together :)

The colors are so pretty but I did you see the pine cones?!

White/silver-clean and classy

Rustic wedding by The Wedding Community

"I'm dreaming of a white wedding..."

Aren't you? Contact us at design@sunshinedaydreamevents.com

Have a ridiculously fabulous evening! xo

Delayed...

Sorry for the delay in posting!  This holiday weekend ended up being a working weekend for me and unfortunately now I'm sick as a dog!  For today I am focused on resting and getting back my  voice (at this point, I can only whisper).  I'll be curled up on the couch with a cup of tea and my little cuddle buddy while watching the classic Oscar winning film, A Streetcar Named Desire.

My afternoon:

My little nugget!

xoxo 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving mes amis! May your day be filled with love and turkey!

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

When I entertain for holidays, especially the one that revolve mostly around  the traditional foods we all love- I try and go the homemade route. Not tricky, fancy homemade but simple and good homemade.  Your guests will notice the extra effort and will enjoy that special touch that you bring to the table.  

I stumbled upon a homemade cranberry sauce recipe and my mom says, "It doesn't even compare to the canned version!  In a good way that is, dear."  So after I tried it earlier this week,  I decided to make another batch to bring to Thanksgiving tomorrow.  It is cooling on the counter as we speak.  

Here's what you need:

• 1 bag (12 ounces) cranberries
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 cup water

Rinse the cranberries.  I love the color of cranberry- even my nails are cranberry!

In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, lemon zest, and water; bring to a boil

Reduce to a simmer; cook until cranberries are soft, about 10 minutes.  At this point, I use a wooden spoon to kind of mash them against the pot. It creates a thicker consistency but less chunky.  

My adorable little helper, Kira!

Transfer to a bowl, and let cool to room temperature.

If you are entertaining for Thanksgiving tomorrow, be sure to pick up some cranberries and try this easy, yet delicious homemade cranberry sauce recipe!

It's also great for the Christmas season! Trust me, your guests will not be disappointed!

Northwind Perennial Farm- A touch of Christmas magic!

Ok, so having lived in southern California for the last 8 years, I was unaware of the way my hometown, Lake Geneva, WI has blossomed!  Local towns and their businesses are really making an effort to appeal to shoppers- both local and tourist.  I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when my mom and I went on a leisurely hunt for some Christmas treasures- presents, decor, stocking stuffers... and we decided that we were going to check out the local shops and support the small businesses.  We went to some great shops in downtown Williams Bay, WI and Lake Geneva but my absolute new favorite place EVER is Northwind Perennial Farms!

 This 10 acre farmstead out in  the rolling country hills was originally a 19th century dairy farm and many of the original structures still stand (including a chicken coop-with real chickens!)  A snippet from their website, "Northwind Perennial Farm is a local landmark and a premier destination spot for gardeners and lovers of nature alike, offering an uncommon selection of hardy field-grown perennials, native plants, ornamental grasses, shrub roses, garden accents and landscape design services. "  Typically closed for the cold Wisconsin winters, Northwind opens up for a few weeks before Christmas to offer shoppers unique holiday decor and gifts.  It is really a whimsical dream filled with garlands and berries and soaps and candles and unique antiques and I could go on and on!  They had a camp fire going outside complete with chairs and sticks for roasting marshmallows.  Once you got through the stunning old barn that is now the gift shop you find yourself in a tiny hallway walking into the old silo where they have a beautiful Christmas tree all lit up. Words can't even describe.

They have some of the best greenery in the area for all your decorating needs this holiday season. They have unique branches and berries and greens and have them in the most spectacular displays so you can walk out of there inspired to decorate your own home in a unique outdoor Wisconsin way.  And if you want to come in and warm up, just wind your way through the barn and at the end, near the old cattle stalls, you'll see a discreet littler door that opens up into the old milk room- complete with coffee and cookies for your enjoyment!

So they're open from now until Dec. 11th this year so get up and get there! You absolutely won't regret it!  Check them out at http://northwindperennialfarm.com/main.html

I can't even imagine what it looks like in summer if it looks this good now! But, I did my research and found out that they do offer extremely unique and gorgeous weddings in the amazing gardens that make up the whole property. So for all you Sunshine Daydreamy brides out there, this is your ideal destination if you want beautiful, rustic, charm in an outdoor wedding setting with tons of sun!

Contact us at Sunshine Daydream Events by emailing me at stacey@sunshinedaydreamevents.com   We'd love to plan you the wedding of your dreams!

It's Entertaining Season- and I Love it!

I'm  a YES girl.  Cannot say no to a good party. Themed? Cocktail? Birthday? HOLIDAY?! Yes, yes, yes!  So naturally I keep an eye on all types of holiday decorating tips.  And of course, am always jonesing for something a little different. A little out-of-the-ordinary if you will...

Here's a few ideas that will create the perfect holiday setting and  just may get you (and your guests) in the perfect holiday party mode!

Cranberries make for a beautiful and easy centerpiece.

For the non-traditional...

I would maybe add some cranberries to the bottom of the glass or else a sprig of berry branch or some other red flower.  Or, another option would be to make the tea light candles red to bring some more Christmas color to the table.

Pomegranate lime sangria? Dying to try this.

Classic and elegant.

Just spray paint fake fruit (from the dollar store!) and then bring on the glitter! Affordable, easy, and FUN!

Sparkling pear and cranberry cocktail- Made with Moscato

So pretty. Light and whimsical.

OBSESSED with the winter white look. 

Au naturale... White, wood, pine cones.

But of course, no holiday party is complete without the bubbly!

Madame Lilly Bollinger once said:

"I drink champagne when I'm happy and when I'm sad.  Sometimes I drink it when I'm alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory.  I trifle with it if I'm not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it-- unless I'm thirsty."

Hope you had a great Monday.  Be fabulous this week!

It's Party Season! Time to play Dress Up!

Bonjour mes amis!

I have to say, one of my most favorite parts of the season is picking just the right dress for each and every fabulous event to attend!  Let's take a look at some of our options this season...

My #1: This sequined silk chiffon gown by Rachel Gilbert is pricey but an absolute stunner. If I could, I WOULD! Perfect for pretty much any body type.

And a few others...

Like this Aerial Merriment dress, which is different and a bit unexpected.

Love this sweet LBD by ModCloth, and it's totally affordable!

I'm all about RED for the holidays! Tuck shift dress on Topshop.com

Obsessed with this Platinum Paiette cocktail dress by Scala

One shoulder sequined mini? Yes, Please! Theoutnet.com    Perfect for NYE!

So elegant and classy in Alberta Ferretti

Silk satin halter by JCrew. Classic and simple.

So fun and festive!!  Marla dress in gardenia jacquard.

D'accord, c'est tout  aujourd'hui!  But coming up soon is a feature on a close friend of mine and her sweet 11/11/11 non-traditional wedding! Stay tuned!

The Season is upon us...

As much as I don't want to admit it, Christmas time is here. It seems like it starts earlier and earlier every year! Don't get me wrong; I'm no Scrooge.  In fact, I adore the Christmas season .  It's just that I'd like to have my turkey and green bean casserole before I start trimming the tree- you know what I mean?

But there is one thing I do not mind about the season starting early... Christmas shopping!  The older I get the more I appreciate being done with all the shopping hoopla before things get crazy out there.    A nice pair of gloves, a scarf, candle, pajamas, etc. are all fine and dandy but what about really getting personal with it? I love to find that perfect little something that makes a person's face light up.  That's when you know you did well.  So here's a few gift ideas that I've come across from my girl Gwyneth Paltrow (long time celebrity girl crush)  that are a little bit more unique!

These are custom rings by Carolina Bucci. Pricey but unique and very personal.

Juniper Cook's Books Set

Retro handsets by Yubz! Totally want one! Doesn't it remind you of early Carrie Bradshaw?

Classy, vintage, chic silver trays by Greenhouse Design Studio. 

My all time fave- state necklaces by Maya Brenner. I want to give these to all my California girls!  She also does  letters, numbers, and zodiac signs. 

This is adorable and so personal. Loves.

Corsett ring by Auralee Jewelry

Northern Hemisphere highball glasses by Marc Blackwell.  Putting a twist on the normal highball.  Love it.

Well that is all for today my pets.  Off to be lazy on this oddly warm November Sunday.  Football day! Go Bears!

xo