And The Winner Is.......

Yesterday's post and Competition featuring Jelly Tots & Dolly Mixtures was a huge success and I had a record number of hits to the blog.  As a new blogger I often gaze upon the 'big players' with blog envy. To be able to quote monthly page hits the size of those of Rock My Wedding  or to have interviews with big names in the wedding industry similar to those featured on Love My Dress and to be offering sponsorship packages like the fabulous English Wedding.   Maybe one day I will be able to say.."Rambling Rose Media Pack now available."
Yesterday's post has actually resulted in an email from a company wanting to be featured on the blog, so let the journey begin.....

Obviously building up a following takes time, effort, hard work and most importantly good content.  There is also the whole mind field of SEO's, Google Ads, RSS feeds etc. etc.  However, despite today's technically advanced world it would appear old fashioned methods to do still work. - "OFFER FREE CAKE!!!!"

So thank you to all who visited yesterday I hope you enjoyed the post and also a big thank you to those who took the time to enter the competition.

Without further a do, the winner of the gorgeous Jelly Tots and Dolly Mixtures Cakes is.........................LELA CRIBBIN!!!! Well done Lela, lady luck has been shining on you. I hope you enjoy your cakes!

There is lots more to come on the blog so I hope you will stop by again.  However, I can't promise there will always be free cake.

The Baking of an Empire

The tea is brewed and there are PLENTY of cakes so take a seat and join us for a chat with Louise from Jelly Tots and Dolly Mixtures
Her company came to my attention during the early part of 2010 when I noticed a shop very close to my home undergoing refurbishment.  I would frequently pass and watch as the shop was gutted and transformed from a drab unit into a beautiful pretty pink palace.  It's the kind of shop I wish I owned (my small issue of poor baking skills aside).

Louise's cupcake journey began after being made redundant from a career in forensics with the police.  She explains....."  I love baking and spent alot of time baking cakes while I was job hunting after my redundancy.  I made cupcakes for friends and family which proved very popular.  Whilst working for the Police Force in London I saw lots of cupcake boutiques but on my return to Manchester, noticed there was nothing like this.    I decided this was what I wanted to do."  Louise found the shop and refurbished it during terrible weather and snow.  It took a little longer than she thought to get the shop just as she wanted but by May 2010 it was perfect and ready to open.

With a beautiful product and her passion for customer service her business has grown from day one.  So what has been your proudest moment...." I think my proudest moment so far has been getting the contract to supply cupcakes to Selfridges.  With nothing to loose I contacted Selfridges and by July 2010 my cupcakes were in store."

And what are your plans for the future......."The future of the business is looking very exciting.  We have just agreed a huge contact with the high end supermarket Booths.  Our cupcakes will soon be stocked in the Knutsford branch, followed by Media City and gradually expanding to their 26 stores!! We are also in correspondence with other companies and we are looking into opening another shop."

As I have already mentioned Louise is passionate about customer service and when I asked her what is the best part of her job, she said........"After the baking which I will always love, it has to be meeting my customers.  Whether they are just popping in for one cupcake or booking their wedding, each cupcake and customer is special to us!"  No matter how busy Louise is she always makes time to go to the front of the shop and say hello and chat to her customers.

So let's tuck in and talk CAKES!! Jelly Tots & Dolly Mixtures create high end quality cupcakes for customers to enjoy everyday of the week and for those of you on diets - Please look away now!!

Louise admits her favourite flavour has to be the RED VELVET.  She temptingly says..."It is a deliciously light vanilla cupcake with just a hint of cocoa.  It really does have the texture of velvet and melts in the mouth.  It is topped with a smooth but rich cream cheese topping.  It is the best seller in our boutique and has also become the best seller for Selfridges.

For those of you who are now salivating and need a cupcake 'fix' Jelly Tots & Dolly Mixtures cupcakes  can be purchased from their beautiful pink boutique and in the food hall at Selfridges  in the Trafford Centre. Standard cupcakes are £1.80 and specials are £2.00.  Or treat friends and family and choose 12 from across their range of flavours for £20.  They also deliver so give them a call or check the website for details.

IT'S COMPETITION TIME !!! So Hands Up if you would like a cupcake.......?!!!!!!!!  ( Can't believe I just asked such a daft question!!!!)

We have a box of six absolutely gorgeous Jelly Tots and Dolly Mixtures cupcakes to give away to one lucky person.    However please note - As these cakes are delicate they cannot be posted and so this competition is open to the lovely folk of Greater Manchester and Cheshire.  Jelly Tots and dolly Mixtures have a large delivery area including up to Bolton and over to Knutsford  Big apologies farther flung friends!

So to be in with a chance of winning simply add a comment to this post or email me or tweet me @rosaandco with the reason why you deserve this 'Sweet Treat'!! - Good Luck!

As for me I have really enjoyed my tea and cake, so "Thank you Louise" I say as I wipe my sticky fingers and the sweet crumbs from the side of my mouth.....oh go on then just one more....

Job Done

A little peek at some of Fridays wedding flowers ready to go to Rookery Hall ........

And the candy coloured germinis ready to dress Shaw Hill Golf and Country Club ......

The full story of these weddings will follow but both couples had fantastic days and were really thrilled with their flowers!

With the flowers for this weekends weddings successfully done, I think its time for a well earned sit down, cup of tea and not forgetting a lovely cake.

So stop by the blog tomorrow and I will be doing just that with the very lovely Louise from Jelly Tots & Dolly Mixtures  She will be sharing the story behind her gorgeous Cupcake Company and of course her gorgeous cakes.

(image and logo by Sixes and Sevens Design )

This Little Florist Went To Market.

Yesterday was an early start and a visit to the flower market.  I love this part of my job.  With so much to choose from it's like being a 'kid in a sweet shop'. 

It's always a temptation to get carried away and I  have to remind myself to stick to my shopping list!

Step away from the hydrangeas, as gorgeous as they are they are not on the list.......

So I have collected the flowers for the first of my weddings this week, they have been conditioned and ready are for use.......It's time to get to work!

The Devil Is In The Detail

So this week I am blogging about the preparations and work involved for this weekend's weddings.   It seems the motto is the same for florists as it is for painters and decorators. 'Preparation is everything' and cutting corners will show on the day.  Making a wedding day appear to have come together with ease, with everything running smoothly and looking perfect is what separates the 'men from the boys' in terms of wedding suppliers.

In a recent blog post  the lovely Kelly Hood from Boho Weddings and Events  listed just some of her duties which she carries out during - On the day co-ordination.  This long list does not include all her other duties she performs whilst preparing for a client's wedding.  But it is this attention to detail which creates a perfect day.  By the way Kelly....if you are reading this, if you ever need anyone to help with the 'opening champagne' role,  I am always available!

Also the gorgeous Janey Butler over at Sweet Days and Roses  takes so much time and care in her preparation for her clients' big day.  She will go that extra mile to source the perfect prop or accessory to make the day look perfect.

Here at Rosa one of our brides is having beautiful candelabras as her table centre pieces.  Now I could have given these a quick wipe down and assumed that guests would be so taken up with the day that they wouldn't notice the splodges of now hardened melted wax from a previous wedding.

 Or  I could pay attention to preparation and detail and take the candelabras apart and wash, clean and polish each piece.

Finally putting them all back together again and thread strings of pretty crystals on each one. 

Preparation complete......now it is time to dress them with arrangements made using champagne coloured vandella roses.

Sweet Like Chocolate

This week will be a busy one over at 'Casa Rosa', as we are preparing for weddings at Rookery Hall  Hall and  Shaw Hill Country Club .  We have enjoyed working with our brides and grooms and seeing their plans take shape.  We are now looking forward to being a part of their wedding days. 

One bride has chosen chocolate coloured bridesmaids dresses and we are working with a palette of creams and browns.

 Whilst the other has opted for soft candy shades of lemon, pink, blue and green.  We are sure both will be a 'sweet success'.

Flowers are ordered, vases are washed and candelabras have been cleaned and polished.  So it's aprons on and wires, tape & scissors at the ready !!

'Yes Please' to the Sleeve

So this week I have been looking at the trend for lace which was worn by both Kate Middleton and more recently Lily Allen.  Both gorgeous dresses and..... both had sleeves!!

I have been moaning for some considerable time now about how brides seem to go for very similar dresses, especially where the top half is concerned.   You and Your Wedding Magazine  editor Miranda Eason also recently expressed her pleasure in the return of the sleeve in her Editor's Letter from the current edition (July/August 2011) of the magazine.

So come on brides let's embrace the sleeve.  There are loads of stunning bridal gowns out there with sleeves from full length, 3/4, short or capped.  Again as with my earlier post I cannot blog about bridal dresses without discussing  Sassi Holford Bridal, who it has to be said is a real favourite of mine.

Here are my Sassi Holford picks for those of you considering sleeves.....

This is Sassi Holford's Samantha dress (image belongs to Sassi Holford)

Or if you want to keep the sleeves short have a look at Sassi Holford's Georgie dress (image belongs to Sassi Holford)

Sassi Holford's Willow dress would be perfect for 'country' themed weddings teamed with a relaxed country style hand tied bouquet....Think pale roses, scented stocks and herbs.  (Image belongs to Sassi Holford)

And finally the Roseanna Dress which would be stunning for a winter wedding teamed with a posy of red roses. (image belongs to Sassi Holford)

So happy dress hunting ladies and please....consider the sleeve!

Lace for Lily

With both the Duchess of Cambridge and now Lily Allen choosing lace for their wedding gowns, it is definitely a growing trend to watch.  Lace is pretty, delicate and feminine and is a beautiful addition to bridal gowns from vintage to full on princess styles.

It can also be used in the styling of your day from accessories, to your wedding stationery design, even on your cakes and favours.  Here are some of our Lacy favourites....

Suzanne Neville's Classical gown. For more information go to Suzanne Neville. (image by Suzanne Neville)

Sassi Holford's Daisy. For more information go to Sassi Holford (image by Sassi Holford)

Peggy Porschen's Oscar de la Renta Cake. For more information go to Peggy Porschen (image by Peggy Porschen)

Vintage Lace Parasol and Vintage Lace Fan both by Francesca & Florence at Not on the High Street.Com (images by not on the high street.com)

ROSA'S TIP......Add vintage roses or beautiful orchids to these accessories as an alternative to a traditional bouquet !! 

Lorenza Wedding Stationery by Strawberry Sorbet. For more information go to Strawberry Sorbet (image by Strawberry Sorbet)

So if you are thinking of following this trend.....have fun looking for lace!!

Let There Be White

I wanted to share with you my love for white.  I'm a bit obsessed with it really. White makes everything seem spacious, calm and peaceful. White is...fluffy clouds on a summer day, a soft blanket on a winter morning.  It's sweet meringues and quite literally...the icing on the cake!  It can sometimes be overlooked and considered plain and boring.  So I am on a mission to champion the cause for white and this is the first of what will probably be many posts on the subject.  Also, in view of the fact that the Duchess of Cambridge opted for white for her wedding flowers, it is fair to say white will prove to be popular for weddings in 2012.

But before we embark on all things white for weddings, I just wanted to share with you one of my favourite blogs, dedicated to all things white.   The White Approach is by the very lovely and very stylish Karen Jones.

Her blog is the story of her home and how she has transformed it with a wave of her 'white' magic wand.   She has a gift for spotting the perfect vintage and shabby chic pieces and lovingly restores and paints her brilliant furniture finds.  You can even buy some of her stunning finds and furniture.  So take a peek at her blog and put some white in your life......

She has also recently added another string to her impressive bow in the form of her VINTAGE CHINA RENTAL SERVICE.

The gorgeous vintage china she has carefully collected can now be rented for weddings, hen events, birthday parties and baby showers.  Karen will set up for you or also offers a collection service only. Prices are for a 3 day hire and she doesn't even ask that you wash up before returning everything to her ! .....  I did say she has a magic wand.   For full details of prices and terms go to  The White approach  or email her at info@thewhiteapproach.com.  It will transform your event.

So is a white wedding for you?  White translates into all styles whether you go for modern and minimal.....

( image by James Christianson)

Beautiful and elegant.......

 (Images belong to You and Your Wedding and  Robbie Honey)

Or Vintage Inspired.....

(image by 100 layer cake)

So no matter what your style why not go for the ultimate  'WHITE WEDDING'.....

Champagne Charlie

This is Charlie.....Who very nearly stole the show when his Dad, Tom married his Mum, Katy......

That was until Katy arrived and then all eyes were most definitely on her.  She looked absolutely beautiful.

Katy and Tom married in May at Cottons Hotel & Spa Knutsford.  As she walked down the aisle with her very proud Dad, friends and family looked on together with a very nervous Tom......

His nerves soon vanished after a kiss from his gorgeous bride.........

Katy chose a lovely soft palette of creams, taupe and champagne for her wedding day.  The bridesmaids looked pretty in soft taupe strapless dresses with cream trim.  I used champagne coloured Vandella roses for their bouquets and added small pearls.  Katy's bouquet was made using small spray vandella roses, cream lisianthus and lots of ivory freesia.  It was finished with trailing french ruscus and a small diamond butterfly.

These colours together with the butterfly theme were incorporated into the venue flowers and the stunning cake.  Katy chose a tower of cupcakes with a cutting cake top made by Love-cupcakes which were beautifully decorated with roses and butterflies.

This beautiful and memorable day was captured by Pete at Something New Photography