cookinuppoliticswithsheila: July 2009

Happy Hour: Mangorita

Ingredients

12 ounces tequila
4 ounces Triple Sec
1 cup peeled, sliced fresh mango (from 1 large or 2 medium mangoes; or substitute 1/2 pint mango sorbet)

Instructions

1. Chill 6 martini glasses.

2. Place all the ingredients in a blender full of ice and blend until smooth. Pour into chilled martini glasses and serve.

Engagement Shoot: Rebecca + Andi

Photography: Marianne Taylor Photography

Ivanka Trump announces engagement on Twitter

It’s official: Ivanka Trump is off the market!

The 27-year-old real estate heiress announced her engagement to New York Observer owner Jared Kushner, 28, on Twitter Thursday.

“I got engaged last night ... truly the happiest day of my life!!!” Trump tweeted.

A rep for Kushner confirmed to Gawker that the Twitter post was real.

The couple, who are both the offspring of wealthy real estate families, have been dating for two years, but split briefly early last year, reportedly because of Ivanka not being Jewish.

But it seems the heiress is appeasing the Orthodox Kushners, and since the July 2008 reconciliation, has been reportedly studying to convert to Judaism under Rabbi Haskel Lookstein at Kehilath Jeshurun Synagogue on the upper East Side.

While rumors circulated that Donald Trump was not happy about his daughter’s choice due to Jared’s dad Charles Kushner’s 2005 stint in jail for violations of tax and campaign-finance laws, Trump tells Us Magazine, "I'm very happy about it. They make a magnificent couple."

And it seems Ivanka thinks they’re perfect together as well.

"Jared and I are very similar in that we're very ambitious. That's what makes it so amazing to be in a relationship with someone who is supportive of that," Trump told New York Magazine. "I'm happy for him when he is in the office working late. I know how good that feels when you sit down and return e-mails."

Hopefully they will take some time to turn off their BlackBerries and plan what will surely be an out-of-this-world wedding! (Source)

Real Wedding Inspiration: Bridget & Justin

Photography: Jose Villa

Ani and Steve at the Four Seasons, Boston Part One

Posted by Mariah:

A little rest ... and Trish and I are ready to roll again...

this time Ani and Steve's venue is the beautiful 4 Seasons Hotel in Boston, directly across from the Boston Public Gardens... one of my favorite places in the city. The forecast looks great and we are ready for another fun day.

Winstons created this lovely bouquet of orchids for Ani.

Trish was on details for the day, so this is her pretty shot.

Are these amazing or what?! They are for the after-party, but I couldn't resist snapping them when Ani showed them to me.

More beautiful bouquets from Winstons.

Ani has the most beautiful silky brown hair. It's super shiny. I asked her what the secret is, but she says she doesn't have one... hmmmm....

Trish getting a nice ring detail... it's one of her specialties.

Ani slips into her dress, a summery light floaty dress from Vera Wang. It's perfect on her.

So pretty.

Time for a few portraits of our bride. We found this spot in the foyer near the elevators and I was insane for this wallpaper. Also, the hotel was nice enough to provide us with a giant window covered in white fabric... voila! homemade soft box! LOVE IT!

Of course having such a beautiful little model helps matters. This one is my fav.

Right?!

Ani was so excited and happy...

Ani and her cousins.

...and of course with dad.

Meanwhile, Trish is photographing Steve and company...he looks pretty happy too I'd say.

Here's the "company" congregating for their formals.

Lovely photo of Steve's family.

This is Donna, Steve's sister... she was a force of organization for this big day! Not only did she plan and orchestrate much of the event, she also preformed the ceremony! The day truly could not have happened without her. Hooray for Donna!

P.S. She also managed to do all this looking quite fetching I might add...

Steve and his best men...

A little clowning around... it's oneof Steve's specialties...

It's that time...

Isn't this amazing? It's South beach in Boston! Fitting because Ani is from Cuba originally and her family settled in Miami and that is where she met Steve.

This vases and blooms are suspended from the chuppa and form it's ceiling. This really knocked my socks off.

The big moment...

So exciting!

Isn't this gorgeous?! The beachy-ness is complete with a wooden boardwalk leading to the chuppa.

Ani's brother does a reading...

Ani had very sweet vows that she prepared for Steve. She talked about how she admires his commitment to his family.

The family all agrees...

Steve's vows were also sweet... and funny! He prepared them in Spanish which was a surprise for Ani and a treat for her family. He did a great job reading them and even invented a new word... "caliente-ness" which is a reference to Ani's um, beauty. :)