This is the Satura Cakes in Palo Alto 5 minutes after they closed for the evening. I was so bummed. I don't make it out to Palo Alto very often and had hoped to pop in and pick up some yummies... I did do a blog post last year about my trip to this location. Yes I was disappointed but that's ok because soon I'll have a Satura Cakes right around the corner from my PO Box.
Now this is exciting. Seriously really big news. Satura Cakes is opening a new location in Downtown Campbell. This will be the closest shop to where I live meaning I'll be able to make a Satura run pretty much any time I want to... I predict it will become the new place I'll meet up with people. How could it not? Their desserts are FABULOUS! I'll have to find out when they are opening and be first in line on the big day!
Currently their two locations in the Bay Area are in Los Altos and Palo Alto.
They also have bakeries in Hawaii.
So if you're too impatient to wait for them to open in Campbell you can visit one of their other locations right now! Well that is as long as you get there before closing time. LOL
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Satura Cakes Opening Soon In Campbell California
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Raspberry Mousse Cake, Oh YUM!
This is my favorite dessert along with my new second runner up when I visit Cocola Bakery. Some of the desserts are hit and miss but most I've had so far have been good. I highly recommend these two. If you don't like them you can always bring me the leftovers :P
This is my new second favorite...
Latest Flirty Event Ideas
Some very cool ideas for a fun and flirty wedding. Click on any of the images to view the corresponding idea page on The Flirty Guide.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Weddings at Thomas Fogarty Winery
It was a gorgeous day! Blue skies and a gentle warm breeze made my first trip to Fogarty Winery pure pleasure. Have you ever been up to their vineyards? It's sooooo pretty! This time of year the hills are covered with rows of grapevines just beginning to fill in with their first spring leaves. I'd been invited to attend a small, industry luncheon giving me the opportunity to tour this famous venue.
As I entered the property I stopped for this picture of the vineyards and a pond. When it comes to atmosphere I can tell you that the air is sweeter, the mood calmer, and your psyche just lets out a big sigh of relief as you pull through their main gate. Well, mine did at least :o) Surrounded by natural beauty I could literally feel my cares drift away as I cleard my mind and left my worries behind and prepared to enjoy a wonderful afternoon! LOL I literally felt like that woman in the old Calgon bath commercials. 
Out on a small bluff is the outdoor ceremony area. With a view of the valley (that I should have taken a better picture of) it's a gorgeous panorama just a hop-skip-and-a-jump from HWY 280. Yesterday it was set up in a whimsical flirty style! I've also seen photos of the bluff set up with a more traditional arch or gazebo swathed in white or yellow flowers. The option of which style is up to each bride to transform the space into the their perfect vision.
And get this... They are pet-friendly and ALLOW DOGS to be part of the ceremony! So if you're like me and want your dog to be the Mutt of Honor it can happen at Thomas Fogarty. After the ceremony your crated pooch can take a nice long nap in the quiet of the bride's room.
The Terrace is where lunch was served. Also with a view, the room was intimate and beautifully set up for us to enjoy a lunch prepared by Componere Fine Catering. More on the menu later when I play amateur food critic with a rave review... The Terrace, part of a larger building, is perfect for indoor events both personal and corporate.
The gorgeous centerpieces, some classic and romantic, others more artistic, had been provided by Amy Burke floral design.
The unusual horse tail reed in this centerpiece caught everyones attention.
Beautiful!
OH DROOL!!! The lunch menu...
Both Ethan and Tisa Mantle of Componere Fine Catering were there. Ethan, the executive chef, and his talented staff treated us to an amazing lunch! I got to chat with Tisa a bit upon my arrival. They are a very kind and friendly couple who, like Chuck and Jewel Savadelis and Natalie and Jung Wi, prove that couples can be both life and work partners creating companies that are wildly successful because they share the same or similar passions.
"Oooops" I hadn't read the menu card and accidently ate a bite of this delicious appetizer filled with crab, which was bad only because I am allergic to shellfish. I figured one bite wouldn't hurt though. With deep regret I scraped out the delicious crab filling and ate the beets and greens which were also very good. I had a few little spots on my legs last night but nothing major. LOL Here are the details: 1st Course: Dungeness Crab with Fennel, Apple, Roasted Beet, Hydro Cress and Green Almonds ...paired with Thomas Fogarty's 2005 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay
Next came the main course. Now, those of you who read my Surprise Sushi Night post may remember that as a general rule I choose not to eat raw fish, pork or beef and I'm allergic to shellfish and mollusks. But when I had my first opportunity to try Componere's food several months ago raw ahi and tiny pork sandwiches were my choices, so I tried them. I just couldn't not sample them I'd heard such amazing things about their food. Well yesterday's lunch was probably the only time I'll be eating pork this year. And I have to tell you if you're going to break a self imposed food rule, dining on world class food is the only way to do it! 2nd Course: Hills Farm Pork Tenderloin with Caramelized Onion Spatzle, Artichoke Puree, Asparagus and Crispy Sunchokes... paired with Thosmas Fogarty's 2005 Michaud Vineyard Pinot Noir
My final review of lunch is that I was not worthy. It was simply the most delicious meal I'd had all year. Each bite of each course was perfection. You may think I'm being generous in my comments but if anything they are understated. If you are ever fortunate enough to attend any event catered by Componere you'll see what I mean. And if you're ever seeking a caterer for an event you're hosting? They should definitely be on the short list you're considering. The final course, dessert, OMG it was so delicious! Chilled Strawberry Soup with Roasted Pineapple and Vanilla Bean Gelato with Crushed Pink Peppercorn... paired with Thomas Fogarty's 2003 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer
The crushed pink peppercorn to sprinkle on the dessert.
It's always fun to see friends and meet new people. Here are Michelle Barrionuevo-Mazzini from MB Design and Events, Pavan Kochar of Alia Designs, and Jubilee Lau of Jubilee Lau Events. Pavan and I had met a year ago, only for an introduction, at an industry event. It was nice to be able to chat with her a bit to learn more about her luxury correspondence company Alia Designs. 
Here is one of Pavan's beautiful invtations.
The outdoor Pavilion can be used for ceremonies, receptions and even a cocktail hour. Our luncheon began and ended in the Pavilion.
Here, event coordinators Nicole D'Ambra, Jean Marks and Duncan Reyes posed for a quick pic in the Pavilion.Later I had a great conversation chatting the afternoon away with florist Amy Burke and Harpist Krista Strader. It was the second time I'd heard Krista play her harp. The first was two weeks ago at the Una Bella Sera event. Her music is as beautiful as she is, and after talking to her yesterday, found out that she, like myself, is also an animal lover adopting her pets through rescue. *Insert warm fuzzy feeling here* Here is photo of her performing at Una Bella Sera.
Chocolate and Flowers... For me?
So imagine how happy I was last week when both chocolate and flowers were given to me as gifts! LOL... And neither by my husband. Ha ha ha...
When my friend recently went to Belgium on vacation with her hubby, they brought back some chocolate just for me... From Belgium. Now, if you've never had chocolate from Europe, and by Europe I specifically mean Belgium, Switzerland and France, you've never had some of the best chocolate in the entire world. Seriously, you don't know what you're missing out on. To quote Mr. T "I pity the fool" who has never had the opportunity to experience authentic European chocolate. What makes my love for chocolate kind of out of the ordinary is that as a child? I hated chocolate. Especially chocolate cake. I couldn't stand the stuff. Now? I Looooooooooove chocolate anything! Yes, "Love" with a capital "L."
So the week started out well with chocolate and ended with flowers! I came home Friday to find this GORGEOUS arrangement on my doorstep. I couldn't imagine who they were from. Though I was pretty sure they weren't from my hubby because he's not really a flowers kind of guy unless it's one of his own roses he grew here at the house. So back to my great day, I came home and found these beautiful flowers on my doorstep from one of my web clients who I had helped out of a bit of a jam a couple of weeks ago. I was so surprised! I Loooooooove my flowers! The mixed arrangement even had three of my favorites: Lilacs, Peonies and Tulips.
To top it off I'm almost over the cold I've had for the past 3.5 weeks. Yes, last week was a very good week in my flirty little world.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Win a Flirty Caketopper!
I've decided to try something new. The Treasure Hunt contest is evolving. Rather then 1 $50 prize each week I'm upping the stakes to 1 $300 prize per month. Well for this month at least. This month you can enter the contest once per week. At the end of the month I will draw one name to win one of my The Flirty Bride, Loop-d-Loop Flowers with Swarovski Crystal Centers, Custom Cake Toppers in your choice of custom colors.
If you've never played the Treasure Hunt just CLICK HERE to find out how!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Una Bella Sera
An elegant program by Cards De Luxe
Not too shabby. I took this photo from the car as we pulled in.
The "Amber Room" is a bride's dream. Set up as if for a wedding this room was stunning!
At the end of the aisle is a ginormous limestone fireplace.
Your name in lights. At most weddings it's the bride and groom's names in lights on the dance floor. Here the name of the event was beautifully scripted by Enhanced Lighting and Sound.
Another gorgeous lighting effect. Here autumnal branches and leaves create a subtle yet dramatic effect on the walls. From simple wall washes to shapes and objects a custom lighting company like Enhanced Lighting and Sound can create a pattern to fit the theme of your wedding.
Here a combination of lighting within and in front of the tent created a stunning visual that had everyone oooohing and ahhhhhhing.
This beautiful display designed by Amazae' Special Events was a crowd favorite. The chandeliers above are a recent addition to Enhanced Lighting and Sound's inventory.
Nicole went all out. Is this centerpiece decadent or what?
There was champagne . . .
And orange water. . . Guess which I had? LOL I will say this, the oranges were a nice change from the typical lemon or cucumber in a glass of water. It's definitely my new favorite lightly flavored water.
That's me out in the courtyard with Nicole Ha, one of the show designers, and Flirty Guide photographer Claudia Akers.
Finally! I was able to capture some close ups of one of the table covers by Wildflower Linens.
Have you ever seen anything like this before? As a tablecloth? It was so amazingly gorgeous!
This pink paillette table cover was one of my favorites. Probably from all of the years I've worked with beads I have an affinity for these unusual sequins and love when I see them because they are pretty rare. I once found an evening bag at a second hand shop made up of green, square paillettes. I bought it, took it home and cut all of the sequins off. I haven't used them for anything yet but someday I will.
I ran into Armando from Get Your Do Up! and wedding photographer Augie Chang on my way out with my show gift box. I already knew one item in the boxes given to each guest as they left.
There it is! Tucked beneath the other goodies . . .
A set of our Flirty Guide postcards!
It was a wonderful afternoon that I thoroughly enjoyed. I'd also highly recommend going to take a peek at Casa Real especially for couples planning a large wedding. This spacious venue will not disappoint in it's beautiful details and well designed floor plan that can accommodate both ceremony and reception indoors and has a large, gorgeous courtyard that will allow your event to spill outdoors to enjoy a beautiful summer evening .
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