So many things to be thankful for….

Gobble Gobble everyone!!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your families and the ones you love. I have ate so much the past few days, I swear I’m about to burst! It was nice enjoying the holiday because it’s been a problematic few weeks for myself - - two car accidents for me, lost a dear friend in a car accident, and my grandma had a mild stroke a few days before Thanksgiving. I am happy to report she is okay and we are taking steps to better her health. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

It takes going through the valleys to appreciate being on top in life. Never miss the opportunity to tell the ones you love how you feel. You never know when the chance won’t be there anymore.

Moving on to something a little more up beat and catching you up on the life of Confero. It’s been a busy few weeks since my last blog. Great new things in the works! I’m launching an entirely new website in the next couple weeks. It’s going to be fantastic! I have also found a space to call home for my new office. I am so excited to share in the Heidi Elnora Birmingham Gallery. The past few weeks have been spent giving the space a little facelift, and this week we will be adding the final few touches to polish off the space. Heidi & I are going to have an open house early 2010 to show off the new look. Stay tuned for more info!

From my table to yours.

Coming off of the Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to share with you a family recipe that I have adapted to be apart of my tradition each year. My Grandmother Bea lives in Tennessee and runs her own natural farm. She introduced me to this wonderful recipe and she is so knowledgeable about healthy food, and the way to grow healthy things. Check out her website or follow her blog! Both are super interesting and have wonderful information on them.

Sage Hill Farms

Bea's Beatitude's Blog

I know most people enjoy the traditional cranberry sauce with their turkey, but we always go for something a bit more fresh – cranberry chutney. It’s so simple and yummy, I hope you enjoy it! Here are the recipes for both the chutney and then my favorite way to eat it.. on a leftover turkey sandwich with some brie.

Cranberry Relish

2 cups washed raw cranberries

2 cored tart apples

1 large, whole orange, cut into sections

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

1. Place fruit in a food processor, but be very careful not to over-pulse, or you'll end up with mush. Use the entire (seedless) orange, peels, pith and all.

2. Mix in the sugar. Let sit at room temperature until sugar dissolves, about 45 minutes.

Store in the refrigerator and served chilled.

And then for the leftovers - - sandwich up some sliced turkey, brie, add a little of the chutney... grill it until the brie melts and it is fabulous!

Wedding Rewind.

Wrapping up this holiday entry, I wanted to share with you a few photos from my latest beautiful wedding. The ceremony took place at the Matt Jones Art Gallery, and the colors were Tiffany Blue, Espresso & White accented with acrylic details that made the event shine! Professional photos by RJK Photography are to come, but for now a few snaps from my handy dandy iphone.

This was a small and intimate family wedding, which was so special for my bride and groom.

I designed large family style tables so the guests would feel at home and relaxed.

As the guests left the reception, they were treated to a buffet of sweet treats

that were packaged in super cute white boxes that resembled a ring box.

Confero always ties in every detail!

To meld with the art gallery feel, we used a book of local photography art as the sign-in book.

The beautiful cake by Amanda Combs.

Designed by Ferruccio Laviani for Kartell, this baroque styled lamp has three layers that cross over each other, and the shade is made to create a thousand reflections when lit.

Two of these lamps flanked the bar to illuminate the drink menu framed in acrylic boxes.

Can you say, fabulous!?

Last but not least, a very special Happy Birthday to my dear best friend, Blaine Johnson!

My hair is greying - yours is thinning, but happy 25!

a snapshot of the screen as I was previewing my Signature Style photos.

Blaine graced my shoot as resident pianist. An amazing talent!

Be sure to pick up the current issue of Birmingham Home & Garden. Confero's personal christmas party is featured, along with tablescape ideas from the 2009 BHG preview party at B&A Warehouse.

Cheers everyone! Happy holidays!

I'm BACK!

Oh my gosh! It has been TOO long since I have sat down and blogged! Shame on me! I have been so busy, but that is always a good thing. I want to know how everyone's holiday weekend went! Let me know.

Catching you up in the life of Confero...

The Elnora case has been closed! Two weekends ago, my dear friend and colleague, Heidi Elnora, and her present husband tied the knot to become Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Baker. Of course, Confero was by her side the entire way from fluffing out her gorgeous, self-designed gown to waving goodbye as they drove from the reception. By now, Im sure you know there were one million and one details in between. The ceremony was held at Mt. Brook Community Church where we had sweeping garlands of baby’s breath strung from the altar and other soft, feminine touches to keep the special moment warm and personal.

Later that evening at the Alabama Theatre, we created a Masquerade Bal with guests and servers alike donning masks and navigating through the labyrinth of hallways and nooks within the upper mezzanines of the theatre. There was everything that spoke of Heidi and Jeff! Southern comfort breakfast and supper bars, Jeff's family tie to the dairy industry with mini Barber's milk cartons & Krispy Kream doughnuts, a Trick-or-Treat room to show Heidi's love for Halloween and a Ball Park Kids Station with mini corn dogs, burgers and chips. SO cute and So personal. Yours truly even sported a mask in spirit of the evening!

The early morning set up of the ceremony.

Who do you see WAY up high?!

Fluffing Heidi's dress for the day's photos! Such a beautiful gown!

Personal touches make all the difference.

Heidi's grandmother's antique Singer sewing machine sat along side the sign in table and showcased family photos.

Ceremony view from the balcony of the church.

The marquee of the Alabama Theatre set the tone for the evening as guests arrived.

What a SPECTACULAR gown!

Myself and Mandy Majerik showing off our custom masks!

Posing for a photo with Tracy and Michelle of Alabama Weddings Magazine.

Thank you to Angela Karen Photography for all the beautiful photos.

These were just a sneak peak,

So many more amazing ones to come in publications all across the U.S.

Below is a link to the sneak peak video by Holloway Productions!

It's a FABULOUS video go check it out!

Heidi Elnora Wedding Teaser from Holloway Productions on Vimeo.

Having brought that evening to an end, it was time to begin looking to my next wedding which is indeed this coming weekend! Exciting and pretty things are pulling together of course! I’ve grown quite fond of this bride these past several months and I cannot wait to give her the wedding for which she has been waiting. A little teaser.... Nothing speaks feminine luxe like Tiffany Blue!

I also had the chance last weekend to create a chic and sexy lounge for Crown Royal for the Magic City Classic, a local festival held every year here in Birmingham. Sharp acrylic tables and great lighting were implemented in true Confero style. I don’t stop just for a holiday weekend!

All in the middle of all my event bliss, I have been trying to pack and move and eat and breathe. You know I never stop! I had an interesting Halloween to boot, with a stop at a friend’s Halloween soiree with a “Wicked” theme where I got the chance to catch up with my dear Alicia Clavell as we sipped her concocted “Popular” punch. I found my deepest inner-youth and even dressed up as a soccer player for the night. Not to say I’m the athletic superstar, but at least it gave me the chance to wear one of my brand new Christopher Confero staff shirts, which I am extremely excited about! Nothing wrong with a little advertising right?

Tablescape by Ricky Whitley. Such fun spooky things!

Last but not least I have been nominated as one of Birmingham's top industry professionals in the Fox6 Upick Contest. Please take a moment and go vote for me! Thank you to everyone who has shown your support!

Link to Vote for Christopher!

Time to hop off here and get back to the grind.

Fabulous weddings don’t just happen on their own!

Best!