emily rose + salty

emily and salty in a traditional front-stoop photo on their wedding morning

my sister tied the knot! what a joyous day. in an effort to keep some things intimate, especially those events that are other's to share...her day, although juicy with design and details will go un-posted.

at this point i'm thinking dessert tables will need to have their own label on this blog. they seem to be an ongoing interest. it was just 6 months ago that i was planning for evia's 2nd birthday dessert table and with this month's festive event, emily and salty's wedding, it seemed only fitting they have a beautiful table as well. my sister's middle name is rose. as a child my dad called her rosebud. her "now" husband's name is salty. often asked if it's his real name (it is), it's completely unique and a perfect compliment to a "rose" theme dessert table (a perfect compliment to my sweet sister as well). emily and i went to work, planning all the elements that would make-up this delicious and beautiful table. the party was an intimate celebration at my parent's home, where the couple's two worlds could celebrate together. their co-workers could toast them and meet one another and a few family members and friends sprinkled in to join in the festivities. the dining room table was where my mom requested the dessert table be set-up and it wound up being an amazing backdrop for the beautiful treats. i once read on amy atlas' blog that seeing your space is so essential to planning the table. often what is already there is a perfect base for your creativity. in this case, above the dining room table is a large wrought iron and crystal chandelier (could be seen as salty and em, yes?). behind the dining room table a large round mirror, a wonderful blank canvas for lipstick art. the result a table that screamed french boudoir.

at the wedding only weeks ago, we arranged jessica foster confections to create a truffle that was rose infused dark chocolate with sea salt atop. she makes a delectable rose truffle and the salt just made for a tasty addition. we decided to take this same rose and salt theme and expand it with various sweets. funny enough we didn't do anything rose flavored, but went for rose hues, rose decor and rose packaging. our first purchase, while i was at our local market, de la rosa candies. anyone who has grown up with these knows, when you see the rosebud on the plastic wrapper, you're in for a treat. made up of peanuts and sugar, it's very similar to marzipan...but with peanuts - so good. the next purchase was from lazy acres bakery, where the extremely helpful manager adriana came up with putting fresh roses on the cupcake order instead of frosting. i spoke with the flower merchant, also at lazy acres and he made sure to order the red and pink spray roses that friday and supply the bakery with the perfect amount. they turned out so lovely and were beyond tasty. it was such a pleasure to get sweet cakes made of wholesome goodness and be so gorge! the last element to represent the "emily" aspect of the table were chocolates from chocolats du cali bressan. a local chocoletier. although the selection wasn't roses, they were red lips and seemed fitting to include in our pink, red and white table. these amazing bonbons were called "french bisous" and made up of dark, milk and white chocolate with tangerine liquour.

on to salty delicacies. what better from our beach town, then salt water taffy from the wharf? peppermint flavored and so good. another favorite the turbinado and sea salt morsels from trader joes, dark chocolate covered almonds. and would a dessert table be complete without macarons? i think not. caramel-sea-salt and raspberry for some added pink flare. the best place in town for macarons, renaud's patisserie.

to finish the design a himalayan rose sea salt poured directly on the table in the shape of a heart. i think my favorite visual of the space. my mom had mercury glass and gorgeous roses to make it all sparkle that night. the evening was a delight and the table just added to the already special ambiance. we had so much fun with this one i can't wait for the next dessert table in our future!  

emily and i (+ one mini-helper) at work finishing the sea-salt heart

my sisters and i, on the wedding day at san ysidro ranch

yes to the dress

the month of october is a special one in our family. my parents anniversary, our anniversary and soon to join, my dear sister emily and her fiance salty. yesterday was the perfect way to start the month - wedding dress shopping for the bride. in an effort to make her nuptials and events proceeding, no frills just simple, sweet and lovely my sister requested that a day of shopping was her ideal for pre-wedding festivities. my mom, em, m, e and myself left sb at 8am, dropped e off in ventura with her auntie and favorite cousin and headed to la. we started at neiman marcus where we met our la resident sissy anna. the items selected off the racks were nothing short of spectacular. i have to say, as i sat in the dressing room, now a mama, nursing the littlest z and gazing at various shades of white dresses that hung on the rack, the girl in me couldn't help but be envious. this was such a special experience and i was so happy to witness it. needless to say, she found "the one." that was one productive hour. our day ahead was pleasantly altered as we realized lunching and accessorizing were the details now on the agenda. and as the sales woman so perfectly stated when she saw my sister in the perfect number "[it was] divine!"

next anna took us to a newer eatery, son of a gun, on 3rd. this inconspicuous looking joint was bustling with patrons by 1 o'clock. the menu - fabulous, the staff - so friendly and the decor tastefully nautical. dark wood tables, white linen napkins, jelly jar glassware and antique ship paraphanealia on the walls. again divine! highlights from the menu were the fried chicken sandwich with spice bbq sauce pickle slaw, heirloom tomato salad, roasted chiles with garlic aioli and bonito flakes along with what my mom said were the best fries she had ever had. the ladies sipped rose and espresso and i enjoyed a delicious arnold palmer (simple syrup for sure!). o.m.g it was all so fab.

on our drive home we followed a pink and purple sky as the 90 degree day came to a close and to make sure we had a slice of reality mila cried almost the entire journey. she was one shopped out muffin and had been the mellow apple of my eye all day long. evia had the best time with auntie, tio and cousin - we're so blessed to have our family. diegas fed us all upon our return with homemade cioppino and crusty bread. with the wedding approaching and the dress in possession, i think my sister slept well...truthfully after such a lovely day, i think we all did. so excited for you emi!

nieman's: a good sign - the mannequins are dancing

deelish menu

fried chicken sandwich i'll now dream about, peppers, rose and arnold palmer

beautiful bride to be and our sweet mama

evia helping to pick up her big boy cousin from kindergarten