Brenda's Wedding Blog | Fresh Ideas for Creative Weddings
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wedding blog + planning guide for creative weddings | inspiration for DIY Brides

Brenda's Wedding Blog is your online resource for planning your dream elegant wedding. Helping you find the "wow" in weddings.

Posts in Reviews
An Absolute Purple and Red Wedding Inspiration {with feathers + watercolor}

Wondering why today's purple and red wedding inspiration {with touches of grey} says it's "absolute"? Well, that would be because it was inspired by the Dyson Absolute. I recently had the amazing honor to receive the latest Cordless Dyson creation and have fallen in LOVE. This vacuum is a must-have registry item for all couples. The full scoop on why is below this gorgeous inspiration . . .

See below for the shopping links to the items featured in the inspiration board. Now, back to that Dyson Absolute. The vacuum is very eye-pleasing and pretty to have around with it's purple + red colors with sleek grey. This vacuum is cordless, mighty powerful and comes with a huge assortment of attachments {which I personally love to have}. It vacuums like a heavy duty upright, but it's super lightweight at 5 lbs. This vacuum features two Dyson-engineered cleaner heads and can collect everything in it's clear container — from large debris to fine dust — from the carpets to hard floors. It can even clean from the floor to the ceiling and converts super fast and easily to a handheld. It's HEPA filtration captures allergens and expels cleaner air. Are you ready to add the Dyson Absolute to your wedding registry?

Purple and Red Wedding Ideas

Purple and Red Feather Bouquet - for something completely unexpected and unique
Painted Glass Vases - absolutely ideal for DIY centerpieces
Red and Purple Watercolor Wedding Invitation - invite your guests with this handmade beauty
Red Favor Box - so cute for bridesmaids gifts or favors for the guests
Purple and Red Tie - great way for the guys to bring in the color palette of your wedding
Silver Amethyst Teardrop Crystal Earrings - gorgeous for the bride or bridesmaids, could even gift the bridesmaids with these earrings in the red favor box

PS: While I was gifted a Dyson Absolute, the opinions in this post are all mine. This post contains affiliate links to shops I'm happy to share with you.

Aqua Blue Tropical Wedding Inspiration with the Most Unique Wedding Gift, the iBoard Ironing Board

As the temperatures are getting chillier, the idea of a tropical wedding sounds absolutely wonderful. Today's wedding board was inspired by the most amazing ironing board {this is proof yet again, that inspiration really can come from anywhere}. This ironing board is called the iBoard and truly is one of the best wedding gifts if you are looking for something a bit out of the ordinary for the soon to be married {or even for yourself}. It's unique and unexpected, yet it's sure to be a favorite of the bride and groom. Huge thanks to iBoard for letting me try out their largest size - it really is squeak-free {not one little sound came out of it as I opened it up}. It's also super sturdy and doesn't shake back and forth as I'm ironing. Another great extra feature is the little pull out section that lets you rest your iron there to warm up {no more worrying about the iron falling over as you don't need to rest it on the ironing board itself}. Also, with this pull-out section, you can use it as a clothes hanger. Such a brilliant design. The cover is available in a tropical Hawaiian flower pattern in both aqua blue or grey and really does resemble a surf board. You can even purchase the special hanger they have so when the iBoard ironing board isn't in use, you can hang it up out of the way. {see below for the aqua blue tropical wedding inspiration board}

*** Frill Clothing is a member of the Wedding Vendors I ♥™ Guide

PS: I received an iBoard in exchange for a review, all comments and opinions are my own

Inspired by the Dyson DC59 Motorhead : a Modern Pink & Purple Wedding with Silver Accents

Today's wedding color palette was inspired by the all new and super powerful cordless Dyson DC59 Motorhead vacuum. Their latest vacuum is sure to be one that every couple will want to add to their wedding registry wish list. This cordless vacuum is lightweight, slim and beyond versatile. Just think, you can now vacuum your hardwood, linoleum, carpets, baseboards, every nook and cranny - all without the hassle of a cord. I was recently able to take the latest in vacuum technology from Dyson for a test run and I was in complete awe. From the color combo which actually had me written all over it {fuchsia pink, purple and silver} to the impressive power of the cordless Dyson. I have never known a cordless vacuum that could have so much power. For new couples moving into their first starter home or apartment, this Dyson DC59 Motorhead could easily serve as the primary vacuum. It's an upright and handheld canister in-one. Since I've received this vacuum, I can honestly say, there hasn't been a day when it hasn't been used :)

To read a bit more about the Dyson DC59 Motorhead including the nitty gritty yet fascinating facts on this amazing vacuum {along with seeing the image credits for the inspiration board above}  . . . please continue reading

• Powerful carpet pick up is no longer reserved for big, bulky cleaners. The only cordless vacuum with a direct-drive motor inside the cleaner head; Dyson Digital Slim™ DC59 Motorhead has no cord, yet out-cleans most full-size vacuums across hard floors and carpets*.

And with 24 minutes of fade-free cleaning time, it is quick and easy to maneuver between high, low and hard to reach spaces. No more fiddling with plugs or bulky machines, period.

• James Dyson said,Existing cordless machines simply do not deliver on carpets. By putting a motor directly in the brush bar, we’re able to push bristles deeper into carpets for superior performance, while maintaining the versatility of a handheld machine.”

 • 75% more brush power: A newly configured cleaner head with a direct-drive motor creates 75% more brush bar power than DC59 Animal to better agitate carpet pile and tackle ground-in spills and stains.

 • All floor performance: While nylon bristles dig into carpets, carbon fiber filaments reduce the build-up of static charge, aiding in the capture of fine dust on hard floors.

 • Integrated motor technology: 1.5 times more powerful than its predecessor, the Dyson digital motor V6 draws power more efficiently from the battery. Nothing wasted.  

 • 2 Tier Radial™ cyclones: 15 cyclones work in parallel across two tiers to increase airflow to capture fine dust.

• Light, versatile and easy to store: A small, light motor in the hand, instead of at the floor, makes it easy to clean up top, down low and in between spaces. The lightweight aluminum wand can be detached for stairs, upholstery, cars and other compact spaces. And storage is hassle free with a wall mounted docking station.

• Clean time: 24 minutes
• Hygienic bin emptying: Just push the button to release the dirt directly into the bin.
• Weight: 4.96 lbs.
• Guarantee: The machine comes with a 2 year parts and labor warranty.
• Price: $549.99


While I was gifted a Dyson DC59 Motorhead to review,
the opinions & thoughts in this post are all my own.

A Berry Brunch with a Printable Invitation and Strawberry Rolls with Vanilla Glaze

I have a fun post for you today - my popular Strawberry Invitation that's available as a customized Print at Home File is now also in my etsy shop as an instant download. You can now choose to download it as a Fill-In Printable Strawberry Party Invitation and start customizing it immediately yourself. You can either hand-write in the details or bring the file into you favorite photo editing program and add in the type before printing. Celebrating any strawberry themed party just got a whole lot easier with this Strawberry Invitation Printable.

Speaking of strawberry parties - how about having a bridal shower brunch that's strawberry themed and serving these delicious Strawberry Rolls with Vanilla Glaze from the photo filled cookbook, Sally's Baking Addiction? Sally is the editor of the popular blog SallysBakingAddiction.com and her new cookbook is filled with so many amazing and "Irresistible Cookies, Cupcakes & Desserts for your Sweet-Tooth Fix". Today, Sally is here to share her recipe for the Strawberry Rolls with Vanilla Glaze.

Strawberry Rolls with Vanilla Glaze | from Sally's Baking Addiction | as seen on Brenda's Wedding Blog

Strawberry Rolls with Vanilla Glaze Recipe

Prep time: 30 minutes • Total time: 2 hours, 25 minutes • Makes: 10–11 rolls

Filling
1 1/2 cups (190g) finely chopped strawberries
1/3 cup (70g) granulated sugar
1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch

Dough
2 3/4 cups (345g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
2 1/4 tsp instant dry yeast (1 standard packet)
1/2 cup (120ml) water
1/4 cup (60ml) milk
2 1/2 tbsp (40g) butter
1 egg

Glaze
1 cup (120g) confectioners' sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp (30ml) heavy cream or milk

1. Make the filling: Warm the diced strawberries in a small saucepan over a medium heat. Stir constantly for 4 minutes until the strawberry juices have been released. Add the granulated sugar and cornstarch and continue to stir for another 2 minutes. The mixture will thicken. Remove from the heat and chill until ready to use. The filling must be very cold.

2. Make the dough: In a large bowl, toss 2 1/4 cups flour, the granulated sugar, salt, and yeast together until evenly dispersed. Set aside.

3. Heat the water, milk, and butter together in the microwave until the butter is melted and the mixture is hot to touch—about 125-130 degrees F. Stir the butter mixture into the flour mixture. Add the egg and add at least 1/3 cup of additional flour to make a soft dough. You may need up to 1/2 cup if your dough is too wet. The dough will be ready when it gently pulls away from the side of the bowl and has an elastic consistency.

4. On a lightly floured work surface, knead the dough for 3 minutes. Lightly spray a bowl with non-stick spray and set the dough inside. Let rest for 10 minutes.

5. After 10 minutes, roll the dough out into a 14 x 8in rectangle. Spread the strawberry filling on top. Roll up the dough tightly along the long edge. Cut into 10-11 even pieces and arrange them in a lightly greased, 9-in, round or square pan. Loosely cover the rolls with aluminum foil and allow to rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-1 1/2 hours. **

6. After the rolls have doubled in size, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake for 25–30 minutes until lightly browned. After 15 minutes, rotate the pan in the oven and loosely cover the rolls with aluminum foil to avoid heavy browning.

7. Make the glaze: Mix the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and cream together until smooth and drizzle over the rolls immediately before serving. These rolls taste best served on the same day. Unglazed rolls may be frozen for up to 2 months.

** Sally Has Included This Note: The rolls must rise in a warm environment. When it’s time for rising, I preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Then I turn the oven off and place the rolls inside. After 1–1 1/2 hours, the rolls will be puffy and ready to bake. To make the night before, simply cover the rolls and allow to rise. Then leave out at room temperature until they’re ready to bake in the morning.
4 Amazing Wedding Cakes {Go Ahead & Enjoy} . . . Then Work Off the Sweet Calories with Crunch Live
I have come across some amazing wedding cakes recently while browsing pinterest and rather than just looking at the cakes at the next event you attend, you can actually enjoy them. How you ask? Well, there a great new at-home workout program that will get you moving around and working off those sweet calories in no time. It's called Crunch Live and it's under $10 a month for access to a huge selection of workouts for men and women {different levels and length of time}. I'll have more on Crunch Live in just a bit, first up - here's the cakes I've had my eye on lately . . .
Black and White Striped Wedding Cake with Brightly Colored Sugar Flowers | from www.wildorchidbaking.com | seen on www.brendasweddingblog.com {found via cakecentral.com}

Black and White Striped Wedding Cake with Brightly Colored Sugar Flowers | from www.wildorchidbaking.com | seen on www.brendasweddingblog.com {found via cakecentral.com}

Nautical Wedding Cake with Stripes and a Yellow Bow, Topped with an Anchor | from sweetdreamconfections.com ~ photo by marie-photography.com | seen on BrendasWeddingBlog.com {found via theperfectpalette.com}

Nautical Wedding Cake with Stripes and a Yellow Bow, Topped with an Anchor | from sweetdreamconfections.com ~ photo by marie-photography.com | seen on BrendasWeddingBlog.com {found via theperfectpalette.com}

A Berry Covered Wedding Cake | from thekitchenmccabe.com | seen on BrendasWeddingBlog.com

A Berry Covered Wedding Cake | from thekitchenmccabe.com | seen on BrendasWeddingBlog.com

Victorian Themed Wedding Cake with Lace and Beaded Garlands by www.emilyjanecakes.co.uk ~ photo by www.mbishopphotography.co.uk | seen on BrendasWeddingBlog.com {found via english-wedding.com}

Victorian Themed Wedding Cake with Lace and Beaded Garlands by www.emilyjanecakes.co.uk ~ photo by www.mbishopphotography.co.uk | seen on BrendasWeddingBlog.com {found via english-wedding.com}

Now, it's time to work off all those sweet calories :) If you don't have as much time to spend at the gym as you'd like, then you will love the online platform Crunch Live. I've recently had the privilege of checking the exercise videos from the first national gym brand to roll out a digital extension. And, I have to say . . . I LOVED IT!!!! I was so excited for my next workout to see which one I would choose next. PS: There's also a free trial :)
Crunch Live - at home workouts with real Crunch instructors - from quick 15 minute workouts to 60 minutes
At Crunch Live you will find workout videos of some of the popular classes their gym has come to be known for like Yoga Body Sculpt, Stiletto Strength, Brazilian Body Blast, Cardio Kickboxing, Aerobics with Attitude and more! It's only $9.99 per month and features real Crunch instructors teaching the class so you can now make time for an authentic fitness experience anywhere. The subscription includes full-length workouts with classes as long as 60 minutes as well as a few "quickie workouts" which are only 15-minutes and perfect for sneaking in a dose of exercise. What I also loved about these workouts is that since we have Apple TV, I was able to have the videos play from my ipad directly onto the tv which made the workouts super easy to do. Ready to have a fun workout in the comfort of your own home? You can try out Crunch Live here and there's even a free trial if you want to give a test run, but I have a feeling you will be back for more.