Since I got engaged I've had the idea to have a candy/sweets bar for the guests.  I love the way the photos come out, it makes decor, and I love candy and sweets.

I have found quite a few things that I want to put on/in the bar but one that I expecially love is Hammond's Candies.  They make the most adorable lollipops, you remember those good old twisty round ones?  I remember getting covered in stickiness when eating these as a child when you were trying to get to the middle of the lollipop.  They also sell a mix of other candies - like candy canes in cute colors, that ribbon candy your grandma always had, and even some all-natural candies for you health-eco chic-ers.

I think you could get any of their colored confections to match your special day.  I can't wait to see the pink and brown ones in person.  I'm noticing quite a few of the other colors we'd thought of for our scheme too!

These are the all natural ones...

Here is the 1lb. BIG size, not as many colors, but not sure I'd want them that big.

Here is the main selection - look at all these options.

These are so great for weddings - especiall one on Valentine's Day - they are in the shape of hearts.

I'm not sure what selection and colors I will chose yet - I have had a brainstorm about displaying them though.  I thought I'd find some great pos - I'm not sure on the color or style yet but making "lollipop trees" on the candy bar for guests to take from.  I think it would look adorable.  Or perhaps since these are so striking - I could find some long, rectangular planters - and plant them in grass for the centerpieces on the rectangular tables.

Something kind of like this...but in a better color.  I'm going to do some searching but a quick google search pulled this pot Simply Planters.

I also found this at Simply Planters, it looks like concrete but it's actually resin so it wouldn't be too heavy.

So in my quest to find a place to have my wedding I am falling more and more in love with the BIG APPLE.

We're deciding between several fantastic locations in and around the city. My fiance was raised in Westchester, which has some venues, but I feel that if I'm going to get married in New York - it's gotta be the city. It's just deciding between the lofty - modern space, the sweet evening in the garden, or whatever else...

Here are some of the magnificent locations I've found so far...

The New York Botanical Garden

The Lighthouse, or Pier Sixty, at Chelsea Piers on the Hudson.

The Lighthouse

Pier 60

The Tappan Hill Mansion - which is actually in Tarrytown (Westchester) rather than the city.

The nice thing about these few places, is that the caterer, Abigail Kirsch, who is a renowned NY area caterer - is the exclusive caterer for all these venues, so while I make up my mind about which venue to choose - I can know that I won't have to meet with upteen different people. I can do it once and get it out of the way and move on to the next step in the planning. I like also like the idea of an exclusive caterer because they will know these venues inside and out, are familiar with the facilities, and I can really trust their recommendations. The company even has several cookbooks...I got two of them as an engagement present from my future mother-in-law who knew I was considering her as a caterer and that I love to entertain. Check them out, I think cookbooks make a great gift for any newly engaged or married couple, one's called the The Bride & Groom's Menu Cookbook. The other is The Bride & Groom's First Cookbook.

Tribeca Rooftop is another stand out in my mind, I can't remember how I came across this place but I LOVE IT! It gives me the feeling of a quintessential NY wedding.

Stay tuned...there are so many other venues that I want to look at, I'll need some help deciding.

Since I was a child - I have had a love affair with...ok wait for it...POP-TARTS! I know, you thought I was going to say weddings, or a fairy tale dress, or something right. LOL

In an attempt to not look like an oompa-lompa (spelling?) on my wedding day I've been avoiding them like the plaque but I had a thought. How cute would it be to have sent those out with our save the date cards, or maybe include them in the out of town guest bags, or go all out and offer them as favors to all the guests? And with our colors being pink and brown, we could do strawberry and brown suger cinnamon (which of course is my favorite).

I of course had to Google them to learn more about this treasured treat...this is what I found on Wikipedia, which as we all know, is always right?!?

Pop-Tarts is the brand name for a flat rectangular toaster pastry approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm) by 5.5 inches (14 cm) made by the Kellogg Company. Pop-Tarts have a sugary filling sealed inside two layers of rectangular, thin pastry crust; each layer of this crust is about 0.1 inches (2.5 mm) thick. Most varieties have frosting, but some do not. They can be eaten without being warmed, but are often warmed inside a toaster. They can also be microwaved but only for a few seconds or else the filling hardens into a solid. Recently, certain varieties have been marketed as tasting best when left to cool in the freezer. They are usually sold in pairs inside foil packages, and do not require refrigeration.

Popular flavors include blueberry, strawberry, brown sugar cinnamon, cherry, Hot Fudge Sundae, s'mores, and mixed versions of these flavors. But Strawberry seems to be the most popular.

Pop-Tarts are Kellogg's most popular brand to date, with more than 2 billion Pop-Tarts sold each year. They are distributed mainly in the United States, but also in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Canada. To some extent, the brand name "Pop-Tart" has become a genericized trademark describing any toaster pastry.

After reading up on my favorite treat (David loves them too, it's a passion we share), I found a few interesting recipes to make them at home! How awesome would that be...because I have so much time to do that before my wedding, but that's an oversight right now. I'm sidetracked by the amazing photos of frosted, warm, fruity, sugary goodness! And as we all know - the frosted ones are the only way to go!

I found this cooking blog called Genesis of a Cook and I am so pumped to try and make these.

Doesn't that just make you smile on the inside?!?

Apparently the Genesis Cook got the the idea from this site...Culinary Concoctions by Peabody, their's look pretty amazing as well.

Now that I've gotten you all hungry - here's the recipe for you to try.

Wouldn't it be cool to, not only include a pack of store-bought or homemade Pop-Tarts as a thank you to your guests, but how about the recipe for them to make their own.

Genesis Cook's Recipe
For Pie Crust
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 tbsp. cold water

For Filling
Jam (your choice)

For Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
milk to thin

Sprinkles

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Add shortening and butter and blend with a fork, pastry cutter, or your hands. Blend until mixture is fairly coarse. Add water, 1 tbsp. at a time, gently mixing dough after each addiction until dough forms a ball.

2. Place dough on a lightly floured surface and roll into a square/rectangle. To about 1/8 thickness. Cut out long strips about 2 inches wide and 3 inches long. Repeat until dough runs out.

3. Take one pie crust rectangle and lace 1 tsp. of jam on top. Cover with another piece of pie crust and crimp all four edges. Repeat with the rest of dough. Place Pop-tarts on a baking sheet with parchment paper, and bake for 7-8 minutes.

4. While pop-tarts are baking, make glaze. Place powdered sugar in a bowl. Pour milk slowing until it has a consistancy of really thick syrup. 1/2 a tbsp. to 1 tbsp. might be enough.

5. Once pop-tarts are done and cooled, top with glaze. Sprinkle and decorate with colorful sprinkle

ALL I CAN SAY IS...AMAZING!

Alright what's the deal?!? I found that amazing cake lady in Canada and through her site navigated off to a wedding planner's site that was terrific. Full of great ideas and awesome photos. I think I might just be changing wedding venues to some place in Canada...not really what you've think of as a wedding destination place but with all these fantastic vendorsI just might consider it.

The planner's name is Cynthia Martin. She's only been in the biz for about 5 years, but seems like she's really found her niche.

Check out her site and some of her work.

So today in my daily wedding cruise of the net I happened across this cake designer...SO AWESOME! It's so funny that I find the best things when I'm least expecting it...kind of like my David (are you gagging?!?).

Anyway - the name of the shop is Papillon Cakes.

Her work looks amazing - unfortunately for me she is based in Canada and unable to help me here, but I think I stared at her site for at least an hour, gathering ideas, oh and ahing, and just basically oogling over her tremendous works of "cake art".

Look at these creations...

Okay - I know what you're thinking, yet another pink and brown cake. It's such a great cake though.

Here are some more...

We've finally decided onour wedding theme/color scheme...ready for it, pink (light pink, not the hideous - makes you think of babies pink) - and chocolate brown! I know totally awesome right!?!

Found this cake and I so want to copy it. It was supereasy to find too...I was browsing the local cake vendors, and happened across this bakery called Frosted Pumpkin. This was the picture they had as their icon on the listing page.

I can't wait to see it in person at my reception!