Stop by your local Neiman Marcus store and pick up a copy of the catalog (pg. 39!) or log on to NeimanMarcus.com or Horchow.com to purchase the Panna Dolce Macaron Collection online. This custom gift will make anyone’s holiday a sweet one!

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Check out this article from the Paper Passionista showing the fabulous Panna Dolce macaron favors at the Nordstrom Wedding Suite!  You can find the article here.

A couple of the treat items provided to the Wedding Suite open house attendees

A couple weeks ago I mentioned Paper Passionista was attending the opening event for the new “Wedding Suite” at Nordstrom’s downtown Seattle flagship store.  I did attend and have been waiting for a break in my invitation appointments and other wedding shows to report on the details of what I learned.  I had a delightful visit with one of the three Wedding Stylists at the Wedding Suite, Jenny Van Norstrand.  With such a full house I was honored to be given a one-on-one tour and run-down of all their lines and services. Jenny is clearly enthusiastic about the new wedding department, and wanted to make sure I knew that for all of them service is key!  She said all wedding stylists love to work with brides, even if they get their gowns elsewhere and just come there for all the wonderful add-ons they have available.

The range of dresses available for both brides and bridesmaids was impressive, and even more amazing was the extremely reasonable pricing of the gowns.  Bridal gowns currently in stock range from $200 – $1400, and even the least expensive gown is very nice.  There are long gowns, short gowns, sleeves or not, and designer names that most anyone who follows fashion will recognize. The two gowns below represent the least expensive and the most expensive options:

This ivory gown by JS Collections (shown front and back) is an amazing $198

This lovely patterned white gown by Nicole Miller is most expensive at only $1320

If a short more casual dress is your preference there are plenty of darling options for you

More short options for both the bride and her bridesmaids

I was shown the backroom where there are lovely spacious dressing rooms, a consultation desk, a large mirror and sitting area for those with appointments to get comfy, and accessory displays perfectly completing “the look”.  The even more amazing thing Jenny shared with me is they encourage brides to take photos of dresses they’re considering for their bridesmaids and themselves as they’re trying on.  This is completely opposite of many gown salons you hear about that allow no photos until after a gown has been purchased.  The typical length of the gown appointment is 90 minutes.  There are many gowns available to choose from in stock, but even more can be purchased by viewing the gowns online.  I asked about availability of gowns for the plus size bride and was assured there are gowns both online and a couple of in-stock gowns in this size range as well.  Then there are dresses for moms of the bride and groom, and even options available for flower girls and ring bearers.

Above are a couple views of the “backroom” where fitting and selecting take place.

If you have a bridesmaid interested in a “signature” piece,  this darling red ruffled dress from Notte by Marchesa is sure to be remembered.  Short and strapless with swirly ruffles on the skirt, it is $795.

For dresses available in multiple styles and colors in a versatile elegant chiffon, Jenny’s personal favorite is the dress selection below from Amsale, reasonably priced starting at $280-$290

The motto for the Wedding Suite is “Love is all you need. We take care of the rest.” After seeing all they have available I know you’re in good hands.  In closing here are a few more photos of the many accessory items available for you, including shoes, jewelry, wraps, and hair accents.  If you don’t see it, just ask.  They seem to have it all covered!

To schedule your appointment with one of the Nordstrom Wedding Stylists call 206.628.2111, extension 1730 or 1.888.300.1295. To schedule online visit nordstrom.com/weddings.  You can also get personalized service from a Wedding Stylist via Live Chat, email or on the phone.

One side note: All photography for this piece was done by me, and photography isn’t my area of expertise, so please make an appointment and go visit the Wedding Suite at Nordstrom in person for a much better view and expert personalized friendly service.

You may have been under the impression that Chef Lauren and Chef Katharine are miracle workers, it’s simply not the case (well, maybe they work mini-miracles with their irresistible flavors…let’s just go with that). However, the thousands of French Macarons and hundreds of Cookies and Brownies that fly out of the bakery each week are not produced by only two bakers. The Panna Dolce family is a huge one: comprised of special helpers (thanks to our friends and moms!), delivery gurus, and super-duper-talented interns. We’re going to take some time to recognize a few very special interns who willingly donate their time and baking skills to Panna Dolce nearly everyday.

Michelle, Le Premier Macaron Mama

Our very first intern, Michelle, a California native and graduate of The French Pastry School, Chicago, IL, knocked on our door a year ago. Unknowing of who we were, Michelle knew she loved the little French Macaron pastry. We took her in as an apprentice and after one week, she was piping out perfect little Macaron shells like a pro. Her passion and knowledge took Panna Dolce to the next level, helping us achieve uncharted production levels. A month ago, Michelle moved to her Southern California home to pursue her dreams of being a pastry chef. We miss her dearly and wish her the very best of luck. Michelle: you were our very favorite pastry-hipster…keep rockin’

Lindsay, Intern-ational Dough-nator Extroidinaire

A 2011 graduate of the The French Pastry School in Chicago, IL, Lindsay’s deep love for French Macarons led her to Panna Dolce. Lindsay mastered the art of French Macaron piping very early on, in fact, she has piped and baked over 10,000 Macarons! Go, Lindsay, Go! Lindsay is skilled at more than just Macaron-making.Tarts, breads, and delectable cookies are just a few of Lindsay’s specialties. Thank you, Lindsay for being a passionate, skilled, and all-around awesome at what you do for PD! We heart the hell outta you!

Stephen, Pipin’ Hot Pastry Papa

Enthusiastic is the best word to describe Stephen! A passion for food, baking, and fun drove Stephen to the Panna Dolce kitchen. A graduate of Boston College, Stephen has always had a passion for fine cuisine and sweet pastry. Whether he’s baking for Panna Dolce, or baking breads at home, Stephen truly keeps on the pulse of the pastry industry. Stephen’s knowledge of flavor trends is invaluable, our team appreciates all of his guidance and technical knowledge! Stephen: you pipe every Macaron as if it’s one of your little babies, so for that, you are the “Pastry-Papa”!

We love all of our interns, THANK YOU and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love,
Katharine and Lauren

Do you need your order by the holidays?

The cut-off order date for holiday delivery is:

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Contact us today if you need help planning your holiday order or would like something custom!

After many months of planning and baking we are proud to announce that you can now find Panna Dolce French Macarons in stores at Whole Foods. We are thrilled to be a part of the Whole Foods family of products and could not be more proud to be featured in Whole Foods stores throughout the midwest.

We are starting with several Chicago and midwest stores including the Whole Foods Lincoln Park store and Whole Foods South Loop and will be expanding as demand grows.

Check out our PD Events page for upcoming tastings and free macarons. Check out Facebook and Twitter for updates and new information.

Leave us a message and let us know what you think? We would love to hear from you!

Panna Dolce: Our favorite macarons cover Neiman Marcus’ holiday catalog

Kat Greis became obsessed with French macaroons macarons while traveling through France and Italy with then-boyfriend Justin Greis — so much so that she spent years perfecting a recipe that could (and does) rival the famed delicacies at Ladurée. With help from culinarily-gifted friend Lauren Robin and Greis (who she now calls husband), Kat turned her hobby into a moneymaker, launching online-based macaron store Panna Dolce in 2009.

And this month, Panna Dolce has snagged the coveted cover of the Neiman Marcus Holiday Entertaining catalogue, whose $150 sage-rubbed turkeys come second only to the $6,000 ukeleles offered in this years Christmas Book.

We have been lucky enough to taste almost every classic flavor of macaron from the Panna Dolce lineup, and now Style Section L.A. readers can indulge at a 20 percent discount by entering “stylela20” at checkout on www.pannadolce.com.

— Caitlin Monaghan

Source: Style Section L.A.

It’s finally here! The Neiman Marcus Gourmet Epicure Book 2010. Click the catalog cover below to check us out in the book (and place your orders).

Click To View The Catalog

Now we love candy as much as the next person, but we wanted to remind everyone to trick-or-treat safely this year. Our friends at the CDC gave us some tips below that can keep you and your family safe.

PS – Like our new Halloween macaron mascot? Reply below and give us your suggestions for a name…if you dare…mu ha ha ha ha!!!