THE GREATEST WEDDING EVER

I've been teasing you about this for awhile, and I'm finally ready to deliver the goods. I'll let the pictures do most of the talking.

Some dear friends of mine eloped a few months ago. They're silly in love and adorable. They decided to have a party this summer for their family and friends to celebrate with them. What they managed to do was to throw not only the greatest wedding the world has ever known, but one of the greatest parties of all time.

There were pretzels and tomato pie. Homemade wine and kegs of great beer. Chickpea, Green bean and carrot salads in chinese take-out containers. Hand written signs labeled all the treats.

Decorations? Simply beautiful flowers in glass Ball jars and tea cups. Hand made bunting. It managed to be elegant, classy and casual all at once. The Bride and Groom looked lovely and dapper, respectively, without the traditional garb. I was fully impressed.

Dinner was served by Taco Truck. Honest Tom's Tacos. Chicken, or Grilled Sweet Potatoes. Crazy good Gucamole. And a drink they referred to as the "Arnoldo Palmer": Tamarindo juice mixed with lemonade. It was so refreshing my mind didn't quite know how to handle it.

And by now you should know about the desserts. Three different varieties of cupcakes, three different varieties of shortbread cookies, all VEGAN! We set up a dessert table that also included bowls of fruit candy and salt water taffy. Everyone really seemed to enjoy the desserts, and I was pleased with the way it all turned out.

The best part was the entertainment. Soulamite, a Philadelphia soul band that hasn't played together in a few years, got back together just for this party. They were still so tight, it's like they never stopped playing. And once they started playing, the party didn't stop dancing!

So for all you brides out there, take note. This wedding had everything a good party should: Great food, drinks and desserts, amazing music, beautiful decorations, and lots of love and good times had by all, without all that usual wedding stuffiness. Here's to a long and happy life together for Doc and Nicole!

Battling the Universe

Guys, I can't believe I made it. This past week was a constant battle with the Universe, which seemed hell-bent on dragging me down. I put up a pretty good fight, but at last check it was Colleen: 15, Universe: 20.  Let's talk about the highlights. 

I tried to go to the beach for a 2 day mini-vacation. I got a flat tire on the way. On the Garden State Parkway, you can't use your own road-side assistance (which is free), you have to call the state police, wait for them to send someone out, and then pay them. Are you kidding me? 

This also happens to be the month my license and inspection expire. Between the new tire, renewing my license, inspection and repairs for inspection, my car is costing me an obscene amount of money this month. Enough to make me want to trade it in for a bike and a Septa pass. 

I eventually made it to Sea Isle City, and got to chill out on the beach with sand between my toes. Also, in case you were wondering, 9 AM at the Jersey Shore is much more peaceful than 2:30 PM.

My birthday came on Friday, and I spent the whole day baking and shopping for display materials for my friend's wedding. The Universe really pulled out all the stops that day. The biggest challange was losing 3 dozen cupcakes and 3 hours of my day to wonky oven heat and batter gone awry, amongst other annoyances.

What the Universe didn't know is that I have awesome friends and a wonderful boyfriend. Ken had taken a couple of days off and was sweet and helpful and determined to make my birthday special. My closest and dearest friend Jackie came to visit, and didn't complain once while zesting, glazing or washing dishes. Without these two loves of my life, I don't know how I would have done it all. My heroes! I also got lots of love and birthday wishes by call, text, tweet and facebook. Thanks to everyone who sent their love, it was so very needed and appreciated!

Know what else helped me get through? Old episodes of Soul Train and Afro-Sheen commercials from the 70's. After hitting the 18-hour working mark, Ken, Jackie and I took a break and found some old episodes On Demand that worked like magic to ease my weary soul.

Saturday morning saw more baking, glazing and decorating, and finally the wedding was Saturday night. And let me tell you, it was THE GREATEST WEDDING EVER. I'll tell you all about it soon, but here's a quick preview of the cupcakes.

A Low-sugar option. Vanilla agave cupcakes with fresh strawberries.

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes. Lemon cupcake with fresh strawberry frosting.

And a Mango-lime Cupcake. Mango cupcake with mango jam filling and lime buttercream.

On Sunday we woke at a ridiculously late hour, and finally got around to celebrating my birthday. I wanted to keep it simple, and we went to the Philadelphia Magic Gardens on South Street to putz around and look at the beautiful chaos. 

If you've never been, it's a cool way to waste an hour or so. Also a cheap date idea!

We grabbed some delicious (but expensive) microbrews at the Foodery, met with some friends for all-you-can-eat dim sum at New Harmony Vegetarian, and finished the night with a coconut flavored soda from the Franklin Fountain. Overall, a pretty swell day. 

So, in the battle of Colleen vs. the Universe last week, the Universe totally had the upperhand: flat tires, ridiculous mechanic bills, ruined cupcakes and and other baking disasters. The good news is that my life usually balances out in the end, so I'm hoping it's only uphill from here for the rest of this week. A girl can dream!

Birthdays and Weddings!

It's August! Which happens to be my favorite month! Because my birthday is on Friday! Hooray for another year older and wiser! Exclamation points!

I'm just going to be honest with all of you: I'm a total princess for my birthday. I generally celebrate for around a week, but usually at least an entire weekend. This year things are going to be a little different. I'm making the desserts for my friend's wedding this coming Saturday, and my birthday is the day before. That means I'll be spending the day in the kitchen baking, and frosting, and washing dishes, and all kinds of prep work.

Not that I mind. I'm so honored and thrilled that Doc and Nicole entrusted me with the desserts for their WEDDING, and I couldn't be happier to give them the gift of tasty treats! It also helps that my nearest and dearest friend Jackie will be coming to visit on Friday to keep me company and act as sous chef. Ken says he has some things planned for the following week, and maybe if we're not all too hung over on Sunday, I can gather some friends for some celebrating. (Brunch? Dinner and Drinks? Another Picnicing club meeting? PRIVATE ROOM KARAOKE? Please discuss...)

It also doesn't hurt that this party is probably going to be the greatest wedding anyone has ever known. The two love birds already eloped in California a few months ago, so this is just a big party for everyone to celebrate. It's happening in a theater/gallery. With live soul music. There will be pretzels and a keg of beer. Dinner is being catered by a TACO TRUCK. And to finish, a dessert table with grapefruit, key lime and lemon shortbreads, and cupcakes with flavors like mango and lime. Equal parts casual, classy, and awesome. I've never been more excited for a wedding in my life!

Now, back to my birthday. Because I know some of you are thinking, "I just don't know what to get her!" (Mom, I'm looking right at you). There's some things on my wishlist I hope I get. Here's some kitchen-related highlights:

1. Ice Cream Maker- Um, I don't think I need to explain why I'd want this, but just in case, here's 3 reasons: vegan ice cream, vegan gelato and vegan sorbet. I hear that kitchen aid has an attachment, but I'm really partial to this Cuisinart. Also, if I get an ice cream maker, everybody wins!
2. The Vegan Scoop- I'll need some vegan ice cream recipes to go with that new ice cream maker!
3. This Necklace- WANT. I can has? Also, this one's pretty darn cute too!
4. Vegan White chocolate chips- They're so elusive. Can they be purchased in Philly? I haven't found them yet. And I've been wary of purchasing anything chocolate online in the summertime.
5. Good quality Extracts- Vanilla, Almond, Strawberry, Coffee, I'll take whatever! 
6. Vanilla bean paste- I've heard rumors about this stuff. I think I need to investigate further. 
7. Tofu Press- Seriously, do you know how much easier this would make my life? 

Since I spend most of my time in the kitchen these days, it only makes sense that these are the kind of birthday gifts I'm drooling over. I'm also kind of hoping I get "fancy birthday" dinner from Ken, either at Horizons or Blue Sage, but I'd settle for New Harmony Vegetarian in Chinatown too. Also, I'm not really a fan of cake, so if someone could make me a birthday pie, that'd be great. Thanks!

For now, I'm off to get crackin' on those cookies. But I'm curious: what's your favorite way to spend your birthday?