Happy Fri-Style Friday.

I received a message this week that fits perfectly for Fri-Style Friday’s close out:  “Don’t be afraid of the problem..and more importantly, don’t be afraid of the solution.”  There are many resources out there to get inspiration and ideas for your big day.

Today’s tip of the day is wrapped up in an charming organza and sage gift box from the savvy decor insiders of Better Homes & Gardens.

Many brides often ask me for dream palette advice but aren’t really sure of their colors.  If you need some ideas on really vibrant and bold color combinations, they’ve got some lovely color ideas.  As a matter of fact, one of their gorgeous bouquets was included in the spring green dream palette yesterday.  Sometimes all you need is that right color palette to kick things off.  But then, I was excited to find that BHG.com offers more than color inspiration.

From photos and videos of wedding flowers (including bridal bouquets, corsages, table  decorations and tips on how to choose a floral designer)…

….to ideas and recipes from classy wedding cakes.  I particularly love this Eiffel tower wedding cake:

(Above: All images via BHG.com)

By the way, you can get the recipe for the Eiffel tower cake,  here.

love, love, LOVE IT!    And that’s the tip of the day.

Spicyhugs,

Fri

So, I’m constantly amazed by the wealth of design ideas out there for dessert buffets.  Amy Atlas for one, never fails to inspire a wide range of emotions from whimsical youth to romantic nostalgia, in her inventive designs.  She’s the queen of modern eye candy when it comes to envisioning your dream dessert buffet.

Readers of Wedding Nouveau aren’t just interested in fabulous style, they want to find alternatives to fit their specific needs or cultural backgrounds.

Challenge: When creating the ideal dessert buffet, how do you fuse modern colors and a sophisticated aesthetic with traditional pastries?

How You do it: Pick a simple theme and go from there.  Whether it’s color, emotion or texture…the sky’s the limit.

Here are three very different inspiration palettes, as well as possible global dessert.  Using Amy Atlas’ creations as an inspirational launch pad was a no-brainer.  Each featured dessert comes from a different part of the world:-)  Enjoy!

Inspiration: The Dessert Buffet

(Above: Image Source)

Dream Palette # 21: GLOBAL DESSERTS  n’ COMFORT

-Based on Color-

(Above: Dessert Buffet by © Amy Atlas; 1) Powdered Beignet- New Orleans [Recipe/ Image source]; 2) Creme Puffs- Wisconsin (Recipe/ Image source]; 3) Ghreyba- Egypt (Recipe/ Image source); 4) Bem Casado- Brazil (Recipe/ Image Source); 5) Sfijas- Armenian/Argentinian or Middle Eastern (Recipe/ Image source]; 6) Date & Roasted Almond Ice cream- Middle East [Recipe/ Image Source].

Dream Palette #22: GLOBAL DESSERTS n’ CONFECTIONS

-Based on Emotion-

(Above: Dessert Buffet by © Amy Atlas; 1) Dates- Middle East [Recipe/ Image Source]; 2)Hjortronparfait- Sweden [Recipe/ Image Source] 3) Ciastka Kurche- Poland [Recipe/ Image Source]; 4) Colorful Candy from here; 5) Coupe Mount Kenya- Kenya [Recipe/ Image Source]; 6) Gingerbread Roulade & Dulce De Leche- Chile [Recipe/ Image Resource]; 7) Mango & Coconut Sago- Hong Kong [Recipe/ Image Source]; 8) Cotton Candy Image from here; 9) Manju- Japan [Recipe/ Image Source]; 10) Rice Pudding- Nepal [Recipe/ Image Source]; 11) Puff Puff- Cameroon & Nigeria [Recipe/ Image Source]).

Dream Palette # 22: GLOBAL DESSERTS n’ SERENITY

-Based on Texture-

(Above: Dessert Buffet by © Amy Atlas; 1) Koeksister- South Africa [Recipe/ Image Source]; 2) Loukoumi- Cyprus/ Turkey [Recipe/ Image Source] 3) Spiced Cinnamon Cookies- Mexico [Recipe/ Image Source]; 4) Lamington- Australia [Recipe/ Image Source]; 5) Mandazi- Kenya [Recipe/ Image Source] ).

By the way…I’m always a fan of anything desserts.  I cast a wide net of global treats for this feature.  If I neglected to included your personal favorite, it’s not personal…but please do let me know:-)

How much am I lovin’ these colorful cakes from San Francisco baker, Tracy Auseklis of The Buttercream Studio?  They’re to die for…or rather, say “I Do” for.

(ABOVE: All cakes by The Buttercream Studio)

With flavors as decadent as Rich Belgian Dark Chocolate, Passion for Pistachio and “Carrot Like-Your-Mom-Made”…how could you not love their menu?  Just another sugar n’ spicy Thursday on Wedding Nouveau.