Showing posts with label food decoration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food decoration. Show all posts

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Dolce Bella Chocolates










I hadn't tried Dolce Bella Chocolates before the San Francisco Chocolate Salon, and I'm so glad I have now. As you know, I'm more of a purist when it comes to chocolate, but Audrey Vaggione's smooth ganache fillings are to die for. Dolce Bella was definitely on my scorecard at the Chocolate Salon.

Audrey Vaggione, chocolatier and pastry chef , was at the show with lots of different samples of her elegant, smooth, truffles and chocolates. She graduated from the California Culinary Academy in Baking and Pastry Arts in 2005 and, after
gaining experience in several Bay Area pastry kitchens, launched Vaggione Pastries, making custom desserts, wedding cakes, and chocolates. She found making chocolates melded her interests: growing fresh food, cooking, decorating, and science, and she soon began shipping chocolates, making them in rented space in a commercial kitchen and selling at farmers- markets. Suddenly every "for lease" sign was calling out to her and the search for her own space began. The new Dolce Bella Chocolates kitchen and store location is in Saratoga on Cox Avenue across from the garden in which Audrey grows most of the flavor ingredients in her creations. Dolce Bella Chocolates takes freshness to a whole new level. Berries, citrus, flowers, and herbs are picked the very morning, sometimes within minutes of being incorporated into cream and butter ganache and piped into a molded chocolate shell. The results are fresh flavors rarely found out of the garden.


Even traditional ingredients such as caramel are made from scratch; no extracts, preservatives, or artificial colorings are used in the making of the chocolates. Contrasting chocolate or gold luster dust, a ground mineral powder, are used for decoration.



Dolce Bella uses E-Guittard chocolate, locally made with old-world traditional methods since the 1860s.

Dolce Bella Chocolates Store, 18828 Cox Ave, Saratoga, California 9507, Phone (408) 866-8351Can't make it to Dolce Bella or a local farmers' market (Mountain View and Saratoga), order online.




Monday, April 27, 2009

April 09 - Notices










We are happy to announce the following important news.



 



At a meeting of the Board of Nomination held on Wednesday 18 March 2009, the members unanimously voted to appoint the Rev George T W Davison as Rector of St Nicholas- Church.



 



George is presently Rector of Kinawley & Holy Trinity Parish in the Diocese of Kilmore and Archdeacon of Kilmore Diocese.  The provisional date given by the Bishop for the Institution here in St Nicholas- Church has been given as Monday 29 June 2009.



 



May we, the Nominators, thank you for your prayers of support during our time of interviewing,  We would ask you to pray for George, wife Nadine, daughter Erin and son Jamie in this time of upheaval in their lives.  Pray for them as they prepare to move here and give them a warm welcome when you meet.                                                                                    Ted McAuley on behalf of the Nominators



 



 



 



HOLY WEEK SERVICES



Mission Carrickfergus has arranged united services for Holy Week. They will be held in ChristChurch on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights and there will also be a sunrise service on Easter Day.



 



Wednesday 8 April, 8 pm                            "”All Age Multi-Media Event



Thursday 9 April, 7.30 pm                         "”Communion & speaker Pastor Lindsay Allen



Friday 10 April, 7.30 pm                            "”Speaker: Rev Trevor Johnston



Sunday 12 April, 7am                                   "”Sunrise Service  at Castle & breakfast afterwards in North Street Presbyterian



 



It is always enriching meeting with members of other denominations during Holy Week.  We invite you to join us and perhaps to invite someone to go with you who isn-t a Christian.  Someone may be secretly hoping to get an invite.



 



PLEASE REMEMBER



We have our own morning devotions in the Church at 8 am Monday to Friday of Holy Week and also our Family Service on Good Friday at 11 am.



 



 



DECORATION OF CHURCH FOR EASTER



We will be decorating the Church for Easter on Saturday 11th April from 9 am ONWARDS.  All gifts of flowers etc., should be brought to the Church that morning.  Also, any time that can be given to help arrange things will be appreciated.



 



 



Church Openings "“ April



 



On Saturday 11th April, following its decoration with Easter



Flowers, the church will be open for anyone wishing to have a time of silent prayer from Noon until 2.00pm. 



 



On Saturday 25th April the church will be open in conjunction with the Women-s Fellowship Coffee Morning



from 10.00am until Noon.



 



Tour Guides will be in attendance on both dates.



 



 



PRAYER MINISTRY HEALING GROUP



On the third Sunday of each month at Evening Service, following Holy Communion, anyone wishing to receive prayer and the "˜laying on of hands- for healing may come to the communion rail.   They can receive for a loved one, a friend or oneself.



 



We have a prayer list (Christian names only) which is read out each Sunday for those who are ill.



 



We find that quite a few people do not know about the Prayer Ministry Group.  In this group we have approximately 30 intercessors who are each given a short list of names to pray for each day.   We ask our Lord Jesus to come into that person-s situation, it could be for an operation, treatment, tests or very many anxious times.



 



Anyone feeling the need for Prayer Ministry please contact either the ministers, Maureen McAuley, Stella Neill or anyone known to be involved with the Prayer Group.  Contact telephone numbers are in the church porch.   The names will be kept on the list for 6 months and can be taken off when asked.



 



 



 



CONFIRMATION CLASSES



 



Youth Confirmation classes will commence



Sunday 5 April at 8.30 pm in the Church Halls.



 



For details of adult confirmation classes,



please telephone Andrew on 07832 133885



 



 



Coffee Morning



Saturday 25 April 10am "“ 12:30pm



St Nicholas- Women-s Fellowship



Cros





Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The Ultimate Wedding Decoration Guide for Australian Brides Buying Online









I am asked every day by brides what my recommendations are for buying decorations in Australia. I thought it was time to put together a list of wonderful Australian websites selling decorations that are perfect for weddings and just about every other fantastic event you are hosting. Here is my ultimate guide to buying wedding decorations online in Australia:



Chandeliers for Hire and Purchase






Chandeliers are such a beautiful decorative item for weddings and other special occasions such as corporate balls and charity events. There is a company based in Sydney called Chandeliers Australia that hires a magnificent range of chandeliers from subtle and elegant to truly OTT Dynasty style crystal lighting. They freight their chandeliers anywhere in Australia when you are purchasing, and if you are in the Sydney area (yes, this includes Canberra and the South Coast) they will quote on installation and hire for your wedding and special event.



Feathers for Tables, Stationery and Fashion Accessories






Image: A Lavish Affair



The fabulous Narelle at www.feather.com.au is the guru of all things feather in Australia. Her online store is brimming with every type of feather decoration and accessory you can imagine. Use feathers as elaborate table centrepieces (we are creating some magnificent feather tables soon that we-ll share online soon). If you-re a DIY-type bride, she also has great millinary supplies so you can create your very own bridal headpiece that is unique as you are!



Table Centrepieces, Pretty Crystals and Other Table Scatter Ideas



Putting together a beautiful table centerpiece is a hard task. You have the option of having your florist or venue organise your centerpiece with a vase and flowers, or you could use feathers, decorative branches (available from florists) strung with fairy lights. And what then? Here are some of the great ideas we love using:






Water Pearls: pretty polymer water beads that have a pearl-like effect. Use them in vases and other vessels to create a pretty centrepiece that won-t break the bank. In colours for just about every theme including black, white, crystal clear, pink and aqua.






Miniature Birds Nests: for spring, Easter, love-bird and garden themed weddings, we adore these miniature natural birds nests which can be both a lovely table decoration and a wedding favor for guests.






Crystal Table Scatters: make your table truly glamorous with these pretty crystal table scatters. They are sold in sets of six in various sizes, and you scatter them around your table for pretty bling against the candlelight. You can also use them inside vases to hide ugly stems. This is a very special effect for vases.






Water Activated Diamond Lights: these little beauties we use at so many events. They are an LED light that is activated in water so they light up vases which you can colour with food die for a gorgeous effect.






Christmas Decorations as Wedding Decorations: My favourite idea is to use Christmas decorations on your wedding tables. There are some amazing Christmas decorations that you can find out of Christmas season (read: on SALE!) that can be used to create stunning wedding decorations. These incredible pearl miniature wreaths are the perfect example. We have used these as aisle decorations as well as on wedding reception tables as a pretty candle wreath. Breathtaking!



Decorative Lanterns






Another big favourite of mine is the decorative lantern. Paper lanterns pack a decorating punch for very little spend. You can find an almost limitless amount of colours and styles. Some great stores for lanterns online in Australia are Vivid Room, Pink Frosting and Chinatown Communications.



Decorative Candles, Candelabra and Candle Holders



The most popular wedding table decoration is the candle and for good reason. Candles are a beautiful way to create a warm atmosphere for your wedding without spending too much money. Even the humble tealight candle with no other decoration can be pretty on a table if clustered closely together. Imagine hundreds of them twinkling on the bridal table to really set the scene.



You can buy candles at your local $2 shop, Big W, Spotlight and any craft shop. If you-re after something a bit more luxe, then here are some ideas:






Crystal Tealight Holders: these pretty crystal tealight holders can be scattered around tables to create a more elaborate effect and can also be used as a lovely favor for guests.






Personalised Luminaries: make a statement on your tables with a personalised luminaria. These vellum paper candle covers have been specially designed and printed with the couple-s wedding details. Gorgeous, aren-t they?






Candle Bags or Luminaries: We just adore using candle bags or luminaries for every event held at dusk or night. They frame the driveaway, pathways, stairs and outdoor entertaining area. They bathe the area in soft light and if you have a decorated candle bag, they can also really enhance your theme.






Votive Holders: there are so many different styles of votive candle holders on the market. For pretty ideas, visit Dusk, Pink Frosting, and Candles By Night.



Rose Petals, Dried Petals and Other Floral Accessories






One of my favourite online wedding shops is Simply Rose Petals. Sarah and her team have the most magnificent range of rose petals in just about any style and colour you desire available all year around. They have a wonderful reputation for quality and customer service too.



Wedding Parasols as Decorations






Image: I Do Weddings Whitsundays



You may not have thought of using wedding parasols as a decoration, but they make wonderful aisle decorations, lantern substitutes and hanging decorations from the ceiling of marquees. The most extensive range of wedding parasols in Australia is available at Pink Frosting-s online wedding parasol shop.



Wedding Place Card Holders and Table Number Holders



Placecard holders and table number holders have become incredibly fun over the past few years. You have the choice of photo frame holders, traditional wire holders with fun themed bases and personalised and printed versions in a vast array of colours and styles. These are some that we really love right now:






Shining Sails Sailboat Place Card Holders at Pink Frosting-s online wedding decoration shop.






Small contemporary wire vase placecard holders at the Pink Frosting online wedding decoration shop.






Antique Acrylic Placecard Frames at Pink Frosting-s online wedding decoration shop.



Vases and Other Decorative Vessels






You can readily hire vases from your local event hire business - a google search should bring up everyone close to you. If you want to buy rather than hire, the best options online are Dusk, Pink Frosting and Home and Beyond.



Personalised Clings, Signs and Wedding Graffiti






Decorating your wedding with a personal message, motif or monogram has never been easier than right now. There is an extensive range of truly beautiful designs to personalise your directional signage, guest book signing station, dance floors, ceremony site and more. I just adore the range of Wonderful Wedding Graffiti at Pink Frosting-s online wedding shop. It is so versatile and a surprise "pop" for your wedding day.



Decorating Your Candy or Lolly Table or Buffet






I did a whole post on decorating your candy and lolly buffet late last year. This fantastic idea will delight everyone at your wedding. Simply create a buffet of lollies on a table for guests to serve themselves into beautiful boxes, take away containers or lolly bags (these can be purchased at Pink Frosting-s online wedding favor shop). For the best lollies online, visit



The Best Beach Wedding Decorations






Shells, starfish and coral make amazing beach wedding decorations. You can use them on your tables, scattered down your aisle and throughout the venue as hanging decorations (fishing line and starfish make a wonderful combination!). You can buy shells, starfish and coral online. Be very careful about purchasing any natural product from overseas as you may not be able to import them into Australia with our strict customs laws. Here are some great options online in Australia: Australian Seashells, Pink Frosting-s online beach wedding shop, and Spectrum Shells for more specialty products.



I really hope these

 
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