The holidays are in full-swing and Aldie Mansion is particularly beautiful during this time of year.  I love seeing the snow on the roof and the lights twinkling inside.  I love the sound of the floors creaking beneath my feet and the warmth that envelopes me as I walk in thru the stately front entrance.

Aldie Mansion was built in 1927 by William Mercer Jr. (brother of Henry Mercer) and his wife, Martha Dana of Boston and replaced the previous structure handed down to them by William Jr.’s parents.  Martha continued to live in the house after William passed away and was well known for throwing lavish Christmas parties.  Her most famous Christmas party was held in 1941 when the Von Trapp family sang in the great hall.

Martha died in 1960 and bequeathed Aldie Mansion to the Catholic Archdiocese, which used the mansion first as a seminary and later as a drug and alcohol treatment center.  In the 1980′s, Aldie was abandoned, vandalized and burned.  After many changes of hands, Genuardi Markets, Inc and Vesterra Corporation sold the property to the Heritage Conservancy for $1.  In 1991, the Conservancy, with the support of the community, complete a 3-year capital campaign to restore the mansion.  Aldie now houses the business offices of the Heritage Conservancy and is rented for weddings, receptions, meetings and community events.

Since we are now Doylestown community members, my family and I recently attended the annual Christmas at Aldie Community night where we indulged ourselves on sweets, listened to the local high-school choir sing Christmas carols, made a Christmas ornament, learned how to make a bat house, watched a rescue dog presentation and played instruments at a sing along.  I’m so thankful to the Heritage Conservancy and the community for resurrecting Aldie so that we can enjoy it today.

To schedule your holiday event at Aldie and dine on exclusive caterer Jeffrey Miller’s cuisine, contact Kimberly Bates or Shelley Nohowel.

Please join me at the Cairnwood Estate in Bryn Athyn, PA on December 1, 2009 at 9 am while I photograph the Annual Cairnwood Trim the Tree Event!  Enjoy a light breakfast and holiday decorating that will make the breathtaking Beaux Art Cairnwood Estate sparkle!  Take home your own handmade holiday keepsake.

The Team:

the venue |  cairnwood estate

the caterer | peachtree & ward catering

the flowers | beautiful blooms

Ventresca Ltd., Bucks County's Finest Clothing Store for Men

Amanda Soler, Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce Deputy Executive Director of Operations and Editor of Who, What, Where, When (W4) asked me to photograph Ventresca Ltd., Bucks County’s finest clothing store for men, for an upcoming issue of W4.

As I photographed the store, I could see that Ventresca Ltd. deserved its national reputation built on the old fashion tenants of superior quality, service and value.  As I watched co-owner, Frank Ventresca work with his customers, it was also evident that Ventresca Ltd.’s primary goal is to create the greatest shopping experience for each person that walks thru their doors.

Ventresca Ltd.’s top of the line selection in clothing and footwear ranges from classic to contemporary.  All clothing is expertly fitted and Ventresca Ltd. offers complimentary tailoring by European trained tailors.  Only the finest furnishings and accessories are available to complete your personal look.

Visit Ventresca Ltd., the Men’s Clothing store in Doylestown, for the ultimate dressing experience.

Bijan Bakery Pirate's Treasure Chest Cake

I was blown away yesterday when I saw my son’s Pirate Treasure Chest Cake at Bijan Bakery in Saratoga, CA.  He was thrilled with the design and it tied in perfectly with his pirate-themed birthday party.

We work with Mitra and Bijan Bakery on both a professional and personal level.  No matter the reason for the visit, Mitra and the rest of the staff go out of their way to make us feel like superstars.  The entire process is utterly enjoyable, down to the last bite of cake.

When I was ready to place the order for my son’s birthday cake, I drove him to Bijan’s Saratoga location (they also have a gorgeous new location in downtown San Jose, pictured above) for a tasting.  After several pieces of cake, he chose the smooth Chocolate Mousse cake (although he already knew that’s what he wanted before we even got there).  The only request I had was that the cake match the theme of the party and gave Bijan’s creative power.

I had no idea what to expect when we arrived to pick up the cake, but I was obviously ecstatic about the result!