At Home with Valley & Co. Autumn

At Home with Valley & Co.—Fall Entertaining and Wedding Expertise 1

At Home with

Festive cocktail

Recipes

10 Effortless FALL

Entertaining ideas

ISSUE NO. 3 AUTUMN

Holiday DIY Projects

An interview with

Preston Bailey


ALEAH + NICK VALLEY

WEDDINGS | EVENTS | LIFESTYLE | PLANNING | DESIGN

and all of life’s finery.

Event design + logistics from the husband and wife wedding and

event planning and design duo™ since 2003.

SAN DIEGO | SEATTLE | PALM SPRINGS + BEYOND

valleyandco.com | [email protected]

valleyandcoblog.com | Twitter: valleyandco

From the Editors: We are grateful to celebrate

others’ special moments each and every day. We

thank all of our couples, clients, industry peers,

and our wonderful and incredible family and friends for supporting us and al-

lowing us to do what we truly love. Enjoy At Home with Valley & Co. | Au-

tumn—we hope you find creative inspiration for your lifestyle, entertaining,

weddings, and all of life’s special moments.

Envision Creativity. Experience Excellence.


CONTENTS

36

48

8

19 Modern Harvest Party

54 Preston Bailey

62 Fall-Inspired Stationery

64 Ace of Cakes

AU

TU

MN


CONTRIBUTORS

PRESTON BAILEY

CELEBRITY EVENT DESIGNER

AND FLORIST

LISA GISCZINSKI

ELLE G. PHOTOGRAPHY

AMANDA CURSARO

BACI DESIGNER

STATIONERY + EVENTS

TERRI RIPPEE

RIPPEE PHOTOGRAPHY

KIMBERLY SCHLEGEL WHITMAN

AUTHOR AND LIFESTYLE EXPERT

NICK & ALEAH VALLEY

PLANNERS AND LIFE-

STYLE EXPERTS


FALLING LEAVES


Fall has arrived in all its glory. Whether you live in a region where the new season comes in a flurry of gusty winds and fast falling golden and red leaves or somewhere where Fall is signified by a slight change in temperatures, we love what it means. The changing of the season is much like the changing of the guard. It means life anew, ideas aplenty, cozy time spent entertaining family and friends, and that the holidays are upon us. We hope you enjoy our Autumn Issue and the effortless entertaining tips, our glamorous harvest party, the hand-picked home ideas, and the wonderful interview with Preston Bailey and delicious cake piece with Charm City Cakes West. We designed this issue with hopes that you would enjoy it nestled by the fire with a cup of tea in hand savoring the entertaining ideas and DIY projects and feeling inspired for this new season.

Aleah & Nick Valley



LIBATIONS with Mr. valley


Warm you up spiked cider

You’ll need: 2 oz. of your favorite aged whiskey | 6 oz. apple cider |

cinnamon | cinnamon sticks

Put the whiskey and cider in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain

into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with a few dashes of cinnamon and cinna-

mon sticks.

COCKTAILS


Blackberry punch A perfectly magical concoction for your

Halloween bash


AS nights grow darker earlier and Halloween ap-

proaches, magical shadowy cocktails make the rounds delighting the taste

buds and spooking the senses. Serve up a mysterious concoction to your Hal-

loween party guests topped with blackberries that fizz when dropped into the

ghoulish brew.

You’ll need: 1 oz. of Crème de Cassis | 3 oz. of chilled champagne | sparkling

water | blackberries

Pour Crème de Cassis into a champagne flute and top with champagne. Finish

with sparkling water and three blackberries.


Cold weather Caipirinha

1.5 oz. Cachaca liquor | 2 apple slices | 2 lemon slices | 1/2 oz. of agave

nectar | unfiltered apple juice | sage leaf

In a cocktail shaker muddle the lemons, agave nectar and sage leaf. Add Ca-

chaca and shake vigorously and pour into a low-ball full of ice. Top with ice

and apple slice.


POMEGRANATE OLIVE OIL | TE-

MECULA OLIVE OIL $16.99 MANCHEGO + MEMBRILLO |

DEAN + DELUCA $40 | $8

TASTY FALL DELIGHTS

SPICED PECAN PUMPKIN

WAFFLE + PANCAKE MIX |

WILLIAMS-SONOMA $14.95

FINDS

BLUE HILL HUDSON VALLEY HONEY

| BLUE HILL $7.50


FINDS

DRESS UP your home

PURPLE LUSTER GLASSWARE

| PIER ONE IMPORTS $5-$6

PAPER WHITE COPPER POT KIT |

AMERICAN MEADOWS $19.95

VINTAGE STEPLADDER | HINDSVIK ON ETSY

$60


MOJAVE LETTERPRESS COASTERS | IN HAUS

PRESS ON ETSY $10

Cozy Up

ART OF TEA | FAIR TRADE TEA SAMPLE $19 COZY CABLE-KNIT THROW |

POTTERY BARN $119

FINDS

ANTLER WALL HOOK |

Z GALLERIE $29.95


HOSTESS GIFTS

PLATINUM STRIPES STEMWARE | PIER ONE

$10 each

MULLING SPICES KIT | DEAN AND DELUCA $38

FINDS

HEIRLOOM TOMATO CANDLE |

SEAGRASS $24


LULU’S PICKS

PUMPKIN OAT TREATS | PAWS

GOURMET $9

DOUBLE DONUT BED | PAW DIGS $169

CROCHET CHEW SQUEAKY TOY | PETSMART

$9.95

FINDS



RUSTIC GLAMOUR Behind the scenes:

our entertaining spread san Diego magazine October 2011

Photos by rippee photography for valley & co.


Harvest season should give you the

perfect excuse to throw a rustically

glamorous party. Our harvest party

for San Diego Magazine is the defini-

tion of fresh seasonal goodness: we

used red apples spilling out of crystal

footed bowls as our focus décor,

wheat grass tails in glass beakers as a

nod to fall, and chocolate velvet-

wrapped silverware for an unex-

pected touch.

Create your own seasonal fall menu

by mixing cheeses, herbs, vegetables,

and a hearty protein. Dress up your

tabletop with dramatic taper candles,

beautiful rimmed china, and heir-

loom napkins and lace as a runner.

Paint the picture of a magical harvest

setting by pairing vintage pieces with

sparkly china and silverware Mixing

and matching elements will fill your

canvas with unexpected elements

and touches.

_______________________


As the chilly air sets in, pass out rolled

up shawls and blankets for guests to

use and stay cozy. Encourage the ladies

and gents to stay and nestle up and be

merry all night. Light up an outdoor fire

and let it roar: bring out Mr. Valley’s

Warm You Up Spiked Cider and enjoy!



Frozen Grape Skewers: Place

fresh grapes {red or green will work

equally well} on a wooden skewer

soaked in water for at least 20 min-

utes. Skewer six grapes for a garnish

in a drink served in a goblet. Place

skewers in a freezer for thirty min-

utes, or until nice and frozen. Place

in a cocktail as a garnish or greet

your holiday party guests with fro-

zen grape bites for a frosty taste of

winter.


I created a macaroon picnic that was

casual but sweet and highlighted

some of my favorite things: lace bun-

ting, pink lemonade, vintage finds,

and of course macaroons!

A mixture of fanciful lanterns and Ball

jars filled with candles marries rustic

and elegant touches and radiant candle-

light.




Bon Voyage: send your guests

home with mini berry or apple pies or

cobblers cinched with velvet ribbon

and topped with a fork for late-night

noshing. If you’re feeling extra gener-

ous you can include that top-secret

recipe card!




With the holidays upon us metallic bursts bring a sense of effortless regality to h

spirit and create eco-friendly vases by emptying a variety of short and tall tin cans

paint with metallic craft paint made for metal.

Use a sponge brush for easy application and coat three times for even coverage. F

as a centerpiece or on your mantle.

1 metallic painted tin cans

Ten effortless fall PHOTOS BY ELLE G. PHOTOGRAPHY FOR VALLEY &


home décor and entertaining ideas, no matter how simple or ornate. Get in the

s. Remove the label and trim and excess metal from the top. Dry thoroughly and

Fill with eucalyptus leaves, a sprig from a pine tree, or a bunch of ruffled blooms

entertaining ideas CO.


2 spa-like welcome bags for hol


liday guests

The holidays usually mean travel over the river and through the woods {or on

planes, trains, or automobiles} and a flurry of jolly house guests. We just love

when we get to welcome guests who come to visit and greet them with plush

hotel slippers, deluxe mini travel soaps and candles, stationery so they can

write home, a good book, and bottled water. Not only will they feel at home,

but they appreciate the gesture from their thoughtful hosts.


3 eerie centerpieces for

Halloween haunting


Halloween is just

around the cobweb-covered cor-

ner. Spook your dinner guests at a

cocktail celebration with vin-

tage crystal bowls overflowing

with blackberries and dark black

plums. Accent with a dripping of

moss and towering candlesticks

with jet black taper candles drip-

ping glittery wax. Wrap black

napkins with cheesecloth any

mummy would envy and

serve up our mystical black-

berry punch.


4 The sweetest holiday DIY


Handmade ornaments are the epitome of a thoughtful and

cheery holiday gift. Personalize a set of ornaments to give to your loved ones or

as a hostess gift based on what the recipient enjoys. Dream up sandy orna-

ments, a classic tinsel-filled globe, or a sparkly sphere filled with colored gems.

At your annual holiday cocktail party spice it up with a creative make-your-own

ornament table with colored beads and glitter. Serve up cocktails and the recipe

spells holiday fun!


Filled with a sprinkling of

sparkly glitter, our festive snow globes

bring out the kid in all of us.

For our wintry snow

globe ornament you’ll need:

Empty glass ornaments {sold in sets at craft

stores} + festive twine + scissors + hot glue

gun + fine grade glitter

Take an empty ornament and remove the

metal top. Spoon glitter into the ornament

{with a teaspoon} about 1/3 of the way.

Place the top back on and cut twine into a

6” piece. Dab a bead of hot glue on side of

the metal cap and secure the twine in

place.

Wrap around and around the cap {dabbing

glue as needed} and secure with another

bead of glue. Tie an 8” piece of twine and

loop around the hanger to make a secure

hanging loop.


5 to the sea

A charming ornament DIY


The perfect keepsake, shell or sea glass-filled ornaments can hold

memories of summertime vacations or weekend trips tightly. Make a batch for

your family from sweet mermaid’s tears from your last trip and adorn your holi-

day tree with the delightfully whimsical memories.

You’ll need: Sea glass and tiny shells + 12” velvet ribbon +

empty glass ornaments

Fill ornament with sea glass and shell remnants and close the top.

Feed the two ends of the ribbon through the loop in the hanger and pull nearly

through. Bring them over and under the loop and pull tightly.



1

6 hand-stamped burlap placema

You’ll need: Burlap + fabric paint

+ paint brush + print press stamps

Perfectly rustic, the place mat sets the framework for a festive dinner party and

marks where your guest will be enjoying dinner and conversation. Monogram

your place mats so they serve as double duty: pastoral décor and a seating as-

signment. To make:

1. Cut a piece of burlap to 12” x 10”

2. Lay burlap flat and choose your corner for the stamp. Paint a thick coat of

paint on your stamps.

3. Carefully turn stamps over and lay 1/2” from the edge of your mat. Put pres-

sure on each stamp. Remove and fill in any gaps in the paint with your brush.


2

ats for your fall table top

3


Stamp your place mats with bright colors based on the occasion or setting they’ll be used in.


7 a Grown-Up Sundae Bar


____________________

We all love ice cream, especially

when it’s dressed up with whiskey

butterscotch, toasted peanuts,

blackberries, hot chocolate sauce,

and crispy Belgian wafers.

Create a perfectly warm and cozy

serve yourself fall sundae bar to

comfort your family and bring a

smile to their faces.

____________________

You’ll need:

Vintage spoons + ice cream bowls + whiskey butterscotch sauce + chocolate

sauce + waffle cookies + blackberries + toasted peanuts

To make the whiskey butterscotch sauce: take 2 oz. of whiskey and simmer in 4

oz. of butterscotch for 15 minutes. Don’t let bubble or burn. A simmer will

meld the two ingredients.



8 decadent drinking chocolate for

What better way to get warm and toasty than by snuggling up by the fire

watching a movie, playing a board game, or reading a book with a mug of pip-

ing hot drinking chocolate? Set the tone for a relaxing evening by dressing up

homemade chocolate chip cookies by wrapping them in Kraft paper strips

and twine. Serve up mugs of drinking chocolate adorned with mini marsh-

mallow skewers and bask in the chilly night ambiance.


r two


9 decorative toothpicks


Dress up your fall entertaining repertoire with festive toothpicks nodding to the

coast. Tiny sea shells add flair to crudités or olives and are just so dainty and

fun! Top

You’ll need: Toothpicks +hot glue + mini sea shells {cleaned}

Simply dab a bead of hot glue inside each shell and place securely on the tip of

a toothpick. Wrap in ribbon for a great hostess gift.


10 sweet and savory baked pu


umpkin seeds

Sweet Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Crunchy, spiced, sweet, and flavorful, these autumn gems are pops of

goodness in a seed. Bake up large batches of this holiday treat and give as

neighborhood gifts presented in mini paper bags cinched with a twine

bow.

You’ll need:

1 cup pumpkin seeds {double or triple this recipe guest count dependent} -

store-bought seeds are readily available and dried

1 tablespoon melted butter | 1 tablespoon granulated sugar | ½ - 1 tea-

spoon of cinnamon | ¼ teaspoon nutmeg | ¼ teaspoon all spice

Toss all ingredients in a bowl together. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees until lightly brown and crunchy, about 40 min-utes, stirring about halfway through.



GETTING CREATIVE with Preston Bailey

Celebrity EvENT Designer

and Florist

The name Preston Bailey is synonymous with impeccable artistry, breathtak-

ing floral design, and show-stopping ideas that continually dazzle and sur-

prise guests at every turn. We chatted with Preston about what inspires him

and what he loves most about celebrations.


1 Creativity is everywhere you look. Where do you

draw your deepest inspiration from and find inspi-

ration at?

Most of my creativity comes from nature. There’s nothing more dramatic than

the abundance and beauty of Mother Nature. That being said, I’m always find-

ing new things to be inspired by; I attended fashion week in Paris this year, and

that was also incredibly inspiring. I know I’m not a clothing designer, but that

doesn’t mean I can’t still be inspired by the amazing things they do . The cut of

a jacket or the print of a skirt just might inspire my next wedding table or cen-

terpiece!

2

As a pioneer in weddings and

events, what is the best sage ad-

vice you can pass along to as-

piring businesses and artists?

What about clients?

Always do business with your heart! (And never with greed.) Open yourself up to what feels right in your heart; if you do you’ll always be able to feel good about yourself and your work.

3

Aside from your keen and incredible eye for design,

what makes a Preston Bailey event so special?

I always try to create a feast for the senses. I want guests to be amazed and

_______________________

My goal is to transport guests into another world for a magical evening

_______________________


4

We would love to hear your favorite story

about a design you love or a special event that

you still hold dear.

There is one special design that had a tremendous impact on my business:

Winter Wonderland. I created a winter wonderland wedding for Joan Rivers’

daughter, Melissa Rivers, almost fifteen years ago. Clients still request winter

wonderland for their own weddings. Melissa’s wedding was really incredible,

and I not only became close friends with her and Joan, but I also reached a

whole new level of creation with winter wonderland. It was a wonderful

time for me and my work.

5

Can you please share a few fall and holiday en-

tertaining décor tips that our readers can use at

home?

Personally, I think the true heart of fall is the leaves. They’re cost effective,

colorful, and plentiful. With just a bunch of leaves and a glue gun, you can

create beautiful table runners and placemats. Or why not cover a simple, in-

expensive basket with leaves and fill the basket with small pumpkins,

squash, and a candelabra for a gorgeous centerpiece? Let your imagination

run wild. And when Christmas rolls around, do the same with pinecones!


Preston’s Winter Wonderland vision for

Melissa Rivers’ wedding is brought to life

with magical trees, whimsical lighting, and

surreal details that appease the senses.



6

What do you love most about events and what you

do?

What I love most is that each event is different. Each client is different. I am al-

ways facing exciting and new creative challenges.

7

You are a very busy man with events across the

world! What keeps you energetic and going?

Exercise and meditation. I train for triathlons, which I love because I usually come up with my best ideas when I’m running, swimming, or biking. Medita-tion helps me quiet my restless mind when life gets too loud.

8

During your years in the event industry what have

you seen change for better or worse, what can we

all learn from that?

Our industry doesn’t always work well together. Vendors need to collaborate

with one another. Remember, when you’re putting on an event with lots of

other vendors you’re all on the same team. I think we forget that sometimes.

The most important lesson, which I am still in the process of learning, is to

learn not only your own craft but also have a thorough understanding of what

all of the event vendors do. I’m not a wedding planner or a lighting designer,

but I’ve spent a lot of time studying what wedding planners and lighting de-

signers do. Now I can truly appreciate what they bring to the table and am bet-

ter able to respond to their needs.


9

We had the great privilege of attending and visit-

ing with you at your last book launch party for

Celebrations in NYC. The setting and space were in-

credible! When you entertain and host events what

do you focus on?

I use a very simple formula consisting of just

two parts for my own events. First, I try to

incorporate and stimulate all five senses.

Second, I invite lots of amazing and talented

people who many not otherwise cross paths

with one another: it doesn’t matter if you’re

gay, straight, rich, poor, cross-dressing, or

transgender. I love the special dynamic that

happens when all these folks get to know

each other a little better.

10

The last question is whatever want it to be. Is

there anything you want to tell or share with our

readers?

Always remember that creativity is active. Set time aside every single day to

create. That’s the secret to success!

_____________________________________________

_____________________

I love the special dynamic that

happens when all these folks

get to know each other a little

better

_____________________


FALL STATIONERY INSPIRATION

Baci DESIGNER sta


ationery + events

FALL STATIONERY INSPIRATION


Tasty fun with char

We are just pleased as pie {or cake!} that Duff Goldman from Food Net-

work’s Ace of Cakes has opened up shop in Southern California. His newest

endeavor—Charm City Cakes

West—is wowing cake enthusi-

asts up and down the coast with

fresh flavors, incredible designs,

and a fun staff that truly makes

tasting and designing cakes an art

form.

Ace of Cakes brought cake art-

istry and funky designs to the

mainstream and, in what is now a sea of cake shows, the reruns are still a

must-watch. With a new shop in a Southern California market always wanting

stunning and bigger and better, the Charm City Cakes West crew is pushing

the creative fondant and edible gold dust-topped envelope yet again.


rm city cakes west

Artistry takes root in the Charm

City Cakes West studio where virtu-

ally anything you name springs to

life in the form of edible delicious-

ness. From a trout to Star Wars

characters and decadent wedding

cakes, a hamburger or a dog, or an

architectural marvel, the designs

are impeccable.

_______________


With flavors like Italian Orange

and Vanilla, Beurre Noisette,

Cardamom and Pistachio, and

Peaches and Cream, Charm City

Cakes West has something for

everyone.

Plus, who wouldn’t love an

original work of art crafted

from fondant and power tools?

_________________



An elegant seaside setting from Kimbe

We love the painted seashells for

a pop of metallic zest!


erly schlegel whitman

Fall coastal elegance at

its best, the vibrant gold

seashells and pops of

coral hinting from the

hand-stitched napkins

and artful porcelain

plates come together to

create a relaxing setting.

Deck out a teak table

with artful dishes, sea

grass planted in a sandy

vessels to create your

own coastal fête.


HONEYMOONING: MAUI, HAWAII

Maui, Hawaii is one of those magical

places that oozes enchantment. Perhaps

Hawaii’s most diverse terrain, a hike up

Iao Valley is an afternoon trip to another

world. A jungly, exotic plant-filled world

where dipping into icy mountain streams

will clear the senses and recharge the

soul. A trip to Maui isn’t complete with-

out a stroll through Lahaina and stops its

candy shops, shave ice stalls, and art gal-

leries.


Travel Tips: for turtle sighting-rich snorkeling, visit the area of Napili. Head to the

Gazebo for an early breakfast {the line gets long quickly} and walk south about

1/2 mile to Turtle Cove.

The Old Lahaina Luau is like no other. With traditional island-inspired dishes and

storytelling like no other, it’s one touristy activity to see.


HONEYMOONING: NICE, FRANCE

Nice, France is a culture-rich seaport situ-

ated on the Mediterranean Sea in the

South of France. It oozes style and archi-

tecture and is known for its central market

and gourmet restaurants where dining al

fresco, even in the cold months, and peo-

ple watching behind a tower of pasta and

seafood is a must. Rent an oceanfront ca-

bana and enjoy fresh French cuisine and

beverages brought to you all day as you

bask in the Mediterranean sun.


Travel tips: Bring along a day bag and purchase fresh cured olives, rustic breads

and cheeses, and a delicious bottle of wine from the markets for a picnic along the

promenade. Catch the train for a day trip to glamorous Monaco or tiny little Italian

villages with authentic food and the freshest frutti di mare around.


Late summer ocean side romPhotos by one love photo for valley & co.


mance

Megan and Logan’s Long-

branch wedding was late sum-

mer perfection. The sweet de-

tails: a darling short frock, a

custom made wooden beer

bar, a spotted cow photo

booth, and an eclectic roaming

dinner complete with gourmet

tacos and soba noodles served

up in take-out boxes!

To top off the tear jerking nup-

tials, nuptials, Nick had the

honor of ringing a yacht bell to

seal the deal.

Megan was the definition of a glowing bride

and she and Logan were over the moon being

surrounded by their loved ones, many whom

arrived via boat. A roaming dinner set the tone

for an evening of noshing, visiting, and danc-

ing. Guests enjoyed gourmet street tacos, soba

noodles and shrimp in take-out boxes, and Pa-

cific Northwest fare.


Megan’s dad wore this

silly mask while toast-

ing the happy couple!




ALEAH + NICK VALLEY

Event design + planning from the husband and wife wedding

and event planning and design duo™ since 2003.

SAN DIEGO | SEATTLE | PALM SPRINGS + BEYOND

valleyandco.com | [email protected]

valleyandcoblog.com

Tel. 858.349.9900 | 206.250.2055

ENVISION CREATIVITY. EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE.

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At Home with Valley & Co. Autumn