Focus on Photography: Amber Johns...a sneak peek!

I am SO excited for today's announcement!

Amber Johns, a photographer based in upstate New York, sent me an email wayyyyy back in July (July, people!!!) with the subject line "Love Your Blog!".  After an intro like that, how could I not love Amber?  After several email exchanges, Amber and I have decided to team up.  Amber will do a portrait session for me specifically for the blog and I'll be featuring her photography on HVG. What an awesome partnering opportunity! 

I'll feature Amber in an upcoming post soon but here's a quick sneak peek just to keep you wanting more...  :)

(c) Amber J Photography
This is one of the cutest photos ever...and it doesn't hurt that every. single. one. of these girls is totally beautiful!

(c) Amber J Photography

For more info about Amber and her work, please visit Amber's websites, http://amberjphoto.com/ and http://amberj-photography.blogspot.com/! And stay tuned for more on Amber!

Happy Planning, 

Lizzie

Farm to Table

If you are lucky enough to call the Hudson Valley your home, you probably already know that the Valley is host to a variety of farms and orchards which produce an amazing array of fruits, vegetables,  cheese, yogurt, and meats. 

And if you are reside in the Hudson Valley, you most likely have come across The Valley Table, a quarterly publication dedicated to sustainable agriculture, food, and cuisine in our region.  The Valley Table is such a phenomenal resource for those who are looking to source more of their diet from local farms, orchards, and wineries.  If you are planning an event and are searching for a "farm to table" caterer, pick up an issue of The Valley Table.  It is chock full of fantastic information and because of the publication's focus, restaurants and caterers from all over the region advertise in the magazine and on The Valley Table's website.

(c) Hudson Valley Green
Gratuitous photo of sugar snap pea plants in Lizzie's Garden. 

As I perused the most recent issue of The Valley Table, I realized it was high time to update our "Local Vendors" page with new caterers who focus on serving high quality, deliciously prepared local foods.  So here are a few more eco-conscious caterers in the Hudson Valley:

Harvest Real Food Catering
4496 Route 209, Stone Ridge (Ulster County)
http://harvestrealfoodcatering.com/

Main Course Catering

175 Main Street, New Paltz (Ulster County)

http://www.maincoursecatering.com/

Oliver Kita Fine Catering

18 West Market Street, Rhinebeck (Dutchess County)

http://www.oliverkitafinecatering.com/

Red Devon

108 Hunns Lake Road, Bangall (Dutchess County)

http://www.reddevonrestaurant.com/

For additional "farm to table" caterers, please visit our "Local Vendors" link at the top of this page (or just click here).  If you know of any caterers who should be included in our list, please email hvgreenblog@gmail.com and let us know!

Happy Planning...and Happy Eating, 

Lizzie

FYI: Subscriptions to The Valley Table are $20 but several restaurants, libraries, and other public venues have issues free for the taking! 

Behind the Veil: Brides and Their Dresses

Few things in life are more beautiful than a bride in her dress...whether it's hippy and bohemian to big and pouffy, a wedding dress is truly a work of art. To celebrate the wedding dress, the American Textile History Museum (a must-visit if you are super creative and love to sew*) will explore the fashions and trends of these great gowns over the past 100 years in their upcoming exhibit "Behind the Veil: Brides and Their Dresses". 

The "Behind the Veil" exhibit is running now through August 11th, 2013 and will feature the amazing Lori Del Genis of Conscious Elegance.  Lori will discuss sustainable wedding attire and how she creates masterpieces using reclaimed fabrics from castaway dresses on Saturday, May 4th at the museum (learn more about Lori in this HVG post).

(c) Conscious Elegance

The American Textile History Museum is located in Lowell, Massachusetts (only about 3 hrs from the Hudson Valley!). For more information about the "Behind the Veil" exhibit, visit http://www.athm.org/exhibitions/current_exhibitions/behind-the-veil-exhibition.php.  

And if you are in the market for an eco-friendly wedding dress, please visit Conscious Elegance...you won't be disappointed! 

(c) Conscious Elegance

Happy Planning, 

Lizzie

Disclaimer: I'm not creative and I hate sewing (like "hate" with a capital H!!!)...but I know my mom, who painstakingly remade my grandmother's wedding gown for me, would absolutely love this museum. :)