A FABULOUS BRIDAL EVENT YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS

When it comes to digital and print wedding magazines there are tons of options to choose from, but one of our personal favorites is Portland Bride & Groom. Not only does this premier magazine connect you with local PDX vendors and wedding professionals, it also offers a great deal of design + style inspiration and advice on how to make your big day fabulously memorable. Another reason we love Portland Bride & Groom is because of the amazing bridal events they host, one of which is coming up this September...

Sunday, September 29th, Portland Bride & Groom and Bridgeport Village are hosting 'Very Engaging Bridal Event' from 11am to 3pm at the Bridgeport Village in SW Portland. 

There will be 100+ retailers and wedding professionals present from wedding planners to florists to  photographers/videographers and more! Along with the many vendors, there will be a Brides For A Cause Charity Wedding Dress Sale with 50% of all proceeds going to Wish Upon A Wedding. 

This event is free, however they do ask that you RSVP. Click here to get your ticket and learn more about the event.

Wedding Day Emergency Kit

I found this bridal emergency kit idea on the web and thought is was a fantastic idea! The kit can be easily used for all your special occasions and you can add whatever else you think you might need. Never know when trouble might hit! Be prepared.

Emergency Kits

Pumpkin-hazelnut tea cake

This tasty treat can make the perfect healthy addition to your fall bridal party get-togethers.

Roast a small pie pumpkin and puree the flesh in a blender or food processor for this loaf cake. Otherwise, use canned pumpkin. This cake makes a nice holiday gift.

Ingredients
3 tablespoons canola oil
3/4 cup homemade or canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup honey
3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup whole-wheat (whole-meal) flour
1/2 cup all-purpose (plain) flour
2 tablespoons flaxseed
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts (filberts)

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly coat an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on low speed, beat together the canola oil, pumpkin puree, honey, brown sugar and eggs until well blended.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the flours, flaxseed, baking powder, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture and, using the electric mixer on medium speed, beat until well blended.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the hazelnuts evenly over the top and press down gently to lodge the nuts into the batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 50 to 55 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Turn the loaf out of the pan onto the rack and let cool completely.
5. Cut into 12 slices to serve.

Nutritional Analysis
(per serving) Serving size: 1 slice, Calories 176, Cholesterol 35 mg, Protein 4 g, Sodium 80 mg, Carbohydrate 28 g, Fiber 3 g, Total fat 6 g, Potassium 134 mg, Saturated fat 1 g, Calcium 27 mg, Monounsaturated fat 3 g

Source: www.mayoclinic.com

Create a healthy bridal party luncheon

My Twitter buddy at the Foodalogue has posted what she calls "5 small meals".

Not sure about the octopus salad... but these could be made into a wonderful healthy luncheon or get-together for members of your bridal party:

Individual Spinach & Artichoke Omelet Muffin (shown above)

Garbanzo & Israeli Couscous Salad

Adult Chicken Fingers with Cilantro Dipping Sauce

Tomato Surprise

Get recipes...