frankly speaking

Great cake tasting last night at Bittersweet. Tori and Angelo decided on Combination of Chocolate Fudge cake and Banana Cake with chocolate chips. Filling is Dark Chocolate Fudge Mousse. Cake will be “quilted” in fondant accented with silver drageaes. Beth from Anna Held will decorate the cake with fresh flowers.

We stayed for a bite to eat afterwards. We all had the Turkey/Havartiand Grilled Onion Sandwiches. Bittersweet always does a quiche of the day, (we all noshed on the ham and cheese) as well as soups (Last night was carrot corriander and cold cucumber) as well as salads. The menu is limited and changes daily, but consistantly great. www.bittersweetpastry.com

I was then off to James Ciccotti Bridal Accessories for their 10 year celebration, but didn’t make it. James has what I feel is the best selection of bridal shoes in Chicago. He has done the shoes for many of my brides. www.jamesciccotti.com Congrats James, and thanks for taking such good care of my brides!

Had a great tasting at Sarah’s Pasteries on Oak Street for my upcoming Trump Clients. They chose Sarah’s Red Velvet Cake with Chocolate Mousee and Pistachio Cake with Carmel Creme Brulee Mousse. The deisgn will be simple, plain fondant with a ribbon base of Brown and Orange. The cake will be decorated in Fresh Flower by the florist chosen for this wedding, Beth Tenney of Anna Held Flower Shop.

For those of you who don’t know these awesome vendors, they do an incredible job and am thrilled to refer them to my clients. Both Beth and Sarah have such passion about what they do, something I require them to have to refer them!

I received this from one of my past clients that I still keep in close touch with. I guess I am just keep doing things the way I do, in my caring passionate way.

From: Heather Huntington
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2009 15:22:57 -0700
To: Frank Andonoplas
Subject: how we love you

My darling Frank,

Josh and I just got back from my cousin’s wedding, in which I was the MOH. She had a planner who was so disorganized and such a bitch that we all (and by ‘we all’ I mean all the family members that had been at Josh’s and my wedding in addition to this one) were reminiscing about how wonderful you were. This one was mostly rude and bitchy to the wedding party/family, but even directed some of it at at the bride - amongst other things.

I won’t bother going into the details about her that make me furious, but let’s just say that even though we always knew how marvelous you were, it was a nice little added reminder of how lucky we were to find you. Hope you are having a terrific spring, my darling. Are you going to be our way anytime soon? xoxoxo H

–
Heather Huntington
Writer

Fresh from the New York Stationery Show, I now have several new lines of cards for my couples!

Will you be my?? / Thanks for being my…

Maid of Honor
Matron of Honor
Best Man
Groomsman
Flower Girl
Bridesmaid
Jr. Bridesmaid

Notes for parents and each other as well!

Also wonderful notes for your vendors, to say thank you for going the extra mile. I know a note means more to me than anything after the wedding.. I have 3 huge volumes of these in my almost 18 years of planning weddings.

I also carry same sex wedding, anniversary and baby cards. Something that is not that easy to find.

Please make sure to ask to see these, or give me a call if you are not working with me to see the lines. I am not in the studio regular hours, and am by appointment.

Prices vary, 3.50- 7.00 per card.

I am always overwhelmed by the thank you notes and gifts I receive from my clients. Yesterday, I used a gift certificate from a dear client from last year. A Men’s Half Day at the SPA at the Peninsula Hotel. The spa is very comforting. It reminded me of being at a mountain retreat.

My day began with a workout (Great Gym) and then a Sauna/Steam. The eucylptus fragrance was just wondeful! I am usually one who gets in and gets out of a steamroom quite quickly, but the temp was just right, and I really relaxed. I could feel the toxins being released.

After munching on some dried fruit and nuts, I relaxed and finally reviewed the new issue of CS Brides. (I know, I was there to relax and get away from work).

Then I had an hour long massage. One of the best I have ever received. The only bad thing was that I could hear an exercise class going on thru the wall, and so did my massage therapist, Don, who immediately stopped and relocated us to another room. He was annoyed as well.

From there I went for an hour facial, with technician Dana. As when I usually get a facial, the tech always says what great skin I have, and they don’t need to do much. Thank you to drinking lots of water everyday, and a variety of product use! When I told her my age, she was surprised. Made a older guy feel good! I know it will catch up w/ me soon. ug.

Anyway, highly recommend the SPA at the Peninsula. I’d go back.