Piece de Resistance: A Novel Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been aching to read Sandra Byrd's "Piece de Resistance". This wonderful novel picks up where "Bon Apetit" left off. Lexi has returned to Seattle from her bakery training in Paris to run the latest Delacroix Bakery. She is running into some challenges and is unsure if she can do it. She hopes that her interpretation of events and her study of Philippians is leading her in the right direction. She is also at a crossroads in her love life. Will she choose Dan, the Seattle lawyer, who makes her heart skip a beat when he enters a room? Or Philippe, the exotic Frenchman with the beautiful little Celine, who has captured Lexi's heart?
Byrd's writing sparkles like the Bijoux Bakery. I was riveted from cover to cover. The suspense builds as the story progresses, drawing the reader into a deep investment into Lexi's personal and professional choices. You'll believe that these characters live right next door to you.

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Having earned her chef's hat, Lexi Stuart bids au revoir to her glamorous and deliciously satisfying pastry mentorship outside of Paris and returns to her hometown of Seattle, Washington. There, she finds life unexpectedly complicated.She's put in charge of a high-end catering bakery called Bijoux, which should be her dream job, but there's a catch: She has to make this lavish bakery into a successful business in just a few, short months, which will require more than her ability to make an amazing wedding cake. In over her head and at a loss for creative marketing ideas, Lexi isn't sure what the recipe for success needs to be. Stir in a complicated relationship with her French beau Philippe and his daughter, Celine, then add a dash of romance with down-to-earth lawyer Dan, and life suddenly contains more ooh la la than Lexi can handle. With the fate of her career and her love life hanging by a thread, the phrase "piece of cake" has never been more daunting. Lexi learns that she must trust the dreams in her heart and the God who put them there.

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The Bride & Groom's Wedding Checklist & Planner Guide: With Companion CD-ROM Review

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(More customer reviews)I would highly recommend this book for someone planning a wedding. Although, I feel it is written a bit awkward at times, this book is a definite plus for planning a wedding. I can't think of a thing that was left out. Even the latter half of the traditional use of the old adage "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" is incorporated. It was nice to see the "special reading" suggestions noted. These beautiful examples provide great options for the wedding ceremony. The checklist at the end of every chapter reiterated in the appendices keeps everything on track.
I liked it that the writer directed the reader to bridal websites and magazines for current hairstyle and other trends, even though she didn't use that term. Trends change quickly, so it could have outdated the book in short order. One thing I never saw mentioned was the potential replacement of the bride's maid/matron of honor for the "man of honor," which recently arrived on the wedding scene. This may become a new staple in wedding ceremonies.
Something I thought was somewhat curious was that the wedding stationery chapter was placed at the end of the book. The book states that these should be ordered six months in advance, even before visiting the groom's wedding party attire. Overall, though, the book provides thorough pre- through post-wedding details, direction and information.

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This book was inspired by every bride and groom who has woken up more than two months from their wedding in a cold sweat wondering if there is anything else they could have possibly forgotten. You will learn how to start the entire process off on a good foot by telling your families and finishing the engagement process. Ring selection, engagement parties, and the expectations of family and friends should be your first priority before any other planning begins. You will then start the process by setting budget parameters, outlining who will be paying for what, and creating guest lists for seating, catering, and further planning. You will learn how to compromise and not expect everything to be done your way when there are so many people involved, but how to still be happy with the end result. Wedding planners and successfully married couples have been interviewed and their stories have been included to provide you with their insight into the world of the planning from start to finish. You will learn how to develop a successful wedding plan and how to decide if you need professional help or not. This book even covers the ins and outs of choosing a religious or civil service, and how to finalize and set the date. Everything you need for your big day will be laid out in a detailed checklist, including transportation, locations, reception options, catering, protocol, photography, guest services, the dress, the groom s tux, the rings, the gifts, the cake, the best man and maid of honor, and ultimately, the honeymoon. For every freshly engaged couple preparing for their big day, this book and companion CD-ROM will be a guiding force in setting and establishing your wedding plan and checklist.

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Oneida Culinaria Oval Vegetable Bowl Review

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(More customer reviews)My wife chose this color to match the sea colors in our beach retirement home. I do the cooking and like it very well. Good solid durable stuff. Just had a piece under the broiler, with no issues.
I am not sure how long Oneida will keep the product line going, so we bought enough for our needs. We have a LOT of experience buying dinnerwear in stages and not completing the set before the pattern changed.
This bowl is great for spaghetti for four (with sauce.) If we have more people that that we use the Italian spaghetti set we bought in Italy twenty years ago - the one without matching dinner and dessert pieces...

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Fat Daddio's Anodized Aluminum Square Cake Pans Review

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(More customer reviews)It's very hard to get yeast breads to rise when you cook gluten free and when they do rise, they will fall in traditional bread pans. This little pan is extra high and supports the dough as it rises so the bread doesn't fall. It makes a very nice slice of bread that can be halved for a small sandwich. The anodized aluminum also makes for a very nicely browned loaf.
I have these pans in the 4X4, 6X6, and 8X8 sizes. They are all great for yeast breads, sweet breads and cakes. And baked goods don't stick to them easily. I love them.

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Martha Stewart's Cupcakes: 175 Inspired Ideas for Everyone's Favorite Treat Review

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(More customer reviews)i *love* Martha Stewart's cupcake book! for years i've been searching her web site for cupcake ideas for baby showers and my kids' birthday parties. this book is chock full of wonderfully creative cupcakes for all seasons, holidays and special occasions! i've already made the shark and beach parasol cupcakes for my son's ocean-themed birthday party and the beautiful buttercream chrysanthemum cupcakes for a baby shower. you may think you need some special talent to pull her creations off, but all you need is a little practice and patience! there is no way you can leaf through this book without getting inspired...and drooling! After 287 pages of pics of and recipes for mouth-watering cupcakes, she includes informative pages on tools for baking, how to prepare a piping bag, working with fondant and marzipan, pastry tips and even how to display your treats. my husband agrees that this was a wonderful investment since he's seen how many of her baking ideas have come to fruition in our home...plus he's hoping i make him those yummy tiramisu or choc. salted-caramel mini cupcakes for his birthday! ;) yummo! ENJOY!

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The perfect cupcake for every occasion.Swirled and sprinkled, dipped and glazed, or otherwise fancifully decorated, cupcakes are the treats that make everyone smile. They are the star attraction for special days, such as birthdays, showers, and holidays, as well as perfect everyday goodies. In Martha Stewart's Cupcakes, the editors of Martha Stewart Living share 175 ideas for simple to spectacular creations–with cakes, frostings, fillings, toppings, and embellishments that can be mixed and matched to produce just the right cupcake for any occasion. Alongside traditional favorites like yellow buttermilk cupcakes swirled with fluffy vanilla frosting and devil's food cupcakes crowned with rich, dark chocolate buttercream, there are also sweet surprises such as peanut butter and jelly cupcakes, dainty delights like tiny almond-cherry tea cakes, and festive showstoppers topped with marizpan ladybugs or candy clowns. The book features cupcakes for everyone, every season, and every event: Celebrations (monogram heart cupcakes perfect for an elegant wedding); Birthdays (starfish-on-the-beach cupcakes sure to be a hit at children's parties); Holidays (gumdrop candy ghouls and goblins ideal for Halloween revelers); and Any Day (red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for a picnic, or caramel-filled mini chocolate cakes for grown-up gatherings).In singular Martha Stewart style, the pages are both stunning in design–with a photograph of each finished treat–and brimming with helpful how-to information, from step-by-step photographs for decorating techniques to ideas for packaging and presenting your cupcakes. Whether for any day or special days, the treats in Martha Stewart's Cupcakes will delight one and all.From the Trade Paperback edition.--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Mikasa Love Story Pie-Cake Serving Set Review

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(More customer reviews)When the product arrived, there was a large scratch across one of the handles. The scratch was not from the shipping process, it appeared to have been shipped with the scratch. The return process was easy. The next set arrived, and they were just as beautiful as the first set minus any scratches. I am not able to give reviews on the products function, my wedding is two months away. Great price, great product!

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Beautiful Bridal Accessories You Can Make Review

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(More customer reviews)My daughter is getting married next spring and I was hoping to find some unique ideas and get some inspiration. But, in my daughter's case, there was virtually nothing a older 20's something would like. The styles were very traditional and not particularly distinctive.
Most of the general information on sewing techniques (both hand and machine) were pretty basic. I'd say if you were an intermediate sewer you probably already know much of this info. But, if you less experienced with "dressy" fabrics (satins, lace, etc.), this book would be very informational or a good refresher of techniques you might have forgotten. Good illustrations with pictures and descriptions.
You could also use these ideas for a "renewal of vows" ceremony or a special anniversary.
Best of success with your Bridal sewing!

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Beautiful Bridal Accessories You Can Make shows readers how to create stylish bridal accessories that will capture the heart and personalised gifts and keepsakes that will make a special day even more memorable. Readers will learn how to create elegant veils, luxurious wraps, decorated handbags, fashionable hair accessories, stylish shoes and more that will let their personal style shine through. In addition to personal accessories for the bride, there are projects to make accessories for the entire wedding party including hair accessories, ring pillows, a memory quilt, a fabric covered memory box and gifts for the attendants. These are easy projects for brides, mothers, grandmothers, attendants and friends to make using embellishing techniques that often involve nothing more complicated than a hot glue gun. Other projects involve basic sewing techniques that any beginner can master. Each project is showcased with step-by-step colour photos and comprehensive instructions.

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