Martha Watch Out

Wine glass lamps you say?
why yes - this is a fabo idea to use at a dinner party or perhaps on an escort card table or near the guest book at your next wedding. Think of all the options!
I love it!!
Found on Charles and Marie to purchase for $20.

Made out of fragile parchment, each set contains 3 different shades with cute and whimsical designs that are printed in a faint white. All you need to do is take them out of the package, roll them up, drop a candle into a wine glass and add the lampshade. That's it. Instantly the white pattern is transformed to a darker shade (as if it were a shadow) and a wine glass is turned into a sweet miniature lamp.

or as a DIYer try this:
Materials
8-1/2″ x 11″ sheets of vellum (one per lamp)
Scissors
Scissors with decorative blades
Decorative paper punch in desired shape
Glue pen
Wineglass
Votive candle or a LED Battery Operated Tea Light

1.Lampshade Pattern (PDF file click here)

2. Trace the lampshade pattern onto the sheet of vellum. Cut the straight ends and the inner curve using plain scissors with decorative blades.

2. Punch designs about 1″ from the lower edge, spacing the designs evenly.

3. Apply a thin line of glue (a glue pen works well for this) to one straight end. Lap the other end over the glued end, forming the shade.

4. Drop the candle in the glass and set the lampshade on top. Voila!


Thank you to Jane and The Event Essentials for showing pictures and instructions on how to do this.

SPANX

How many of you love SPANX??

Sometimes I don't know how I lived with out them - I wear them with skirts, pants, dresses, anything I want to feel good or better in.

Body shaping tights, body smoothers and power panties. These are also perfect for under your wedding dress.

From now till tomorrow they are offering free ground shipping.
Use code:
SPX071CATE

and get slimming....

Never be boring again!

Here is another very cool bridesmaids gift (or heck since the holidays are coming up - a general great gift idea)!!

Check out www.maxsui.com

They are colorful belts, about 1 1/2 inches. Sarah will customize one just for you in your theme, colors and fabric. Cute inner labels with your name or event on it can be added for more customization.

She also has some standard belts available pre made for $45.

Are you Delighted?

So I have been blogging for a few months now and I was just curious to see if I am writing about what you want to hear or read about. Am I touching on good ideas and helpful hints?

Do you have any suggestions on other topics?

I encourage you to leave comments and let me know how I am doing.

thanks

Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

Putting some thought into how you ask your bridesmaids to stand up for you at your wedding will really let them know how much they mean to you. It will also set an example of how fun and unique your event will be.

Something simple:
A small note card that asks the question - this gives you a good opportunity to write a few personal words.

Toast to your friendship - buy a bottle of champagne for each lady, attach a little note to each that 'pops' the question.

Customized cookies that asks the question with icing - Check out the new look from Weddingish $8.50 eachHow about a Maids Mix - a custom cd that has lots of your favorite songs on it - have the label say 'will you be my bridesmaid?'


Something a little more extravagant and in lieu of a bridesmaids gift given closer to the wedding.
Put together a little gift bag and enclose some spa items, a journal or maybe a beach towel and flops. Invite all the ladies to dinner and present them with their gift that will surely get them excited.

Order the Lands End canvas bag $15.50 or 19.50 or even a cute colorful bag from Beau-Coup $25.


You don't have to give the ladies all the same thing - how about customize with a monogrammed bracelet, a small purse or cosmetic bag.

Monogrammed purse from Ballard Designs $19.50 for petite size
Cosmetic bag from Pottery Barn - only $25

Speciality Drinks

So I just love having some sort of specialty or signature drink available at a party, let it be a Halloween Party, book club or even a wedding.

If your ceremony is taking place outside in mid Oct - try offering this to your guests as they enter, it will keep them warm during your vows:

Spiced Apple Cider (16 cups)
32 whole allspice berries
24 cinnamon sticks
24 cardamom pods
12 whole cloves
12 strips of orange zest (about 3 oranges)
1 gallon apple cider

Combine all ingredients in a pot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, and cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Cider can be kept warm over a low heat. Strain before serving, reserving cinnamon sticks for garnish.

Enjoy

New Halloween Tradition

So last night I was Ghosted!
My neighborhood is the best - I heard a knock at the door and when I opened it there was a bucket of candy and a ghost sign.

Here is what it said -

You've Been Ghosted

-Now it's your turn to 'ghost' one other house in our neighborhood
-You should 'ghost' this house within in 2 days of receiving your treat
-Hang the ghost on your front door so that everyone can see that you have been 'ghosted' and will not ghost you again. This will also let you know who you can ghost
-Fill 1 bag with candy and treats. Copy this letter and the ghost. Include treats, letter and ghost in your bag of goodies for the neighbor that you choose
-After dark, and only with an adult, 'ghost' your neighbor. Do not let the person that you are 'ghosting' see you, for it adds to the fun of it all. Place the treat bag on the doorstep, ring the doorbell and run!
-It will be fun to see how many ghosts will appear in our neighborhood by Hall0ween.

This is soo cool - What a great way to encourage a cozy fun neighborhood.

Now when I went to Target to get candy today I noticed that Hershey's is promoting this same thing - calling it Booed. They even had ready made containers to give out and encouraged this with your coworkers, neighbors or friends at school.

So go have a spooktacular Halloween!

Your Senses to Create a Memory

You want to have an elegant and sensational wedding??

In order to set the mood and wow your guests you picked brown velvet linens(touch), hired a lighting company(sight), tasted chocolate ganache for your cake(taste) and taken dance lessons to your favorite song(hear). Well what about smell?? Lets knock the socks off your guests - literally!

David Tutera is big on this - he is always offering suggestions on using all 5 of your senses to create your event or wedding.

Start with a smell you want to remind you of your wedding day, does it match your colors, your theme, your food? As Reece said in Legally Blond with her pink scented resume - you want to 'give it that extra something'' You want to subtly have this scent everywhere - from the Save the date cards to the favors.

There aren't great places to get scented paper but in making your save the date cards or invitations, you could spray the paper lightly with room spray before stuffing envelopes. Or use drawer liners from Crabtree and Evelyn. Another way to introduce that scent is to enclose an item; a sprig of rosemary or eucalyptus, rose petals, mint, a leaf or cinnamon sticks.

Add it to a signature drink; lavender lemonade, mojito, cinnamon cider, a licorice stick in a martini. Have your florist add something to your flowers; fruit etc. This may not work for centerpieces because you don't want to take away from the food smells but any aisle decor or even a wreath on the church doors.

If you do want something in your reception you could look for a scent machine. www.scentevents.com and about $300 for a small discreet devise that would work for hours in a hotel ballroom.

Other ways to make your wedding scent-sational:
Enclose a candle or other scented item in the out of town gift bags, use reed difusers in the restrooms, put candles everywhere. If your scent is food related, incorporate it in the favor; cinnamon snicker doodle cookies, olive oil infused with rosemary or caramel apples.


Scents bring back memories -Now every time someone smells cinnamon or lemon verbena - they will think of you, your wedding and be reminded of the love you showed that day.

Environment Friendly Parties

Today is Blog Action Day so I thought I would write a little about ways to have an environmentally friendly party. Millions of bloggers will write today in hopes of making a difference.

The easiest things to do start at home - change out your light bulbs to be more efficient, use more soy candles, put dimmers in most rooms and turn the lights out when you leave the room. This also translates to your parties:
For your dinner parties set the mood with candle light, for weddings dim the big ballroom chandelier lights. Want flowers down the aisle of your outdoor wedding: use potted plants that you can replant at home. Centerpiece ideas- mix flowers and locally grown produce. Put small containers of herbs that your guests can then take home - double duty as favors. Reuse items you have around the house instead of buying new. Take roses from your rose garden to set at the place settings during your intimate dinner party.

Enjoy the great outdoors and the perfect weather - have a spring or early fall wedding so you cut down on air conditioning. If you have your ceremony and reception at the same venue - this cuts down on the carbon emissions from cars.

And a few other things: Consider using recycled paper for your invitations. Consider wearing your mothers dress or using her veil as part of your wedding day attire. Reuse items, borrow from a friend.

If this whole making your wedding green thing overwhelms you more then regular wedding planning, its ok, just do what you can. Think of some of the little ways you can make a difference.

Pumpkin Carving Ideas

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS IDEA - Create a monogram or initial on a pumpkin! Use this idea for your doorstep to greet trick or treaters, have it line the aisle at your next outdoor wedding ceremony or even use the smaller size as a centerpiece.

Click here for instructions from www.marthastewart.com

Right now Michaels and AC Moore have carvable pumpkins that you can keep year to year. You can't use real candles inside but you could put battery operated white lights. I am making mine today!

little girls

So what do you dress your little flower girl in?? I often get asked this question - my advice is to make sure the dress suits the girls style and age and also the time of year and formality of the wedding.

I was doing some research for a client and came across some beautiful dresses.
Joan Calabrese available in Philadelphia, Ardmore and Malvern. She uses great fabric combinations and beautiful trims.
How about this for Fall (a joan calabrese)
Or something more formal (a joan calabrese)

US Angels available all across PA including Philadelphia, Wayne, Ambler and Bensalem. A little more traditional but perfect for the young flower girl. This dress comes in chocolate for a fall wedding or lighter colors for that perfect outdoor affair.

and I just love this pink and brown dress as seen in the latest Martha Stewart Magazine.
Lady Bug Collection

I have been Tagged!

I was just tagged by my friend Shayna with Weddings by Shayna in Williamsburg, VA. The deal is I am supposed to write 8 interesting things about me then tag someone else!
so here goes:

1- I used to dress the dining table and set up the napkins in interesting ways when my parents had dinner parties. One year I even bought everyone green St. Patty's hats, my mom thought I was taking it a little far.

2- I met my husband at a wedding - yep I was working as the wedding planner and he was a groomsmen!

3- I was an All American Cheerleader in HS and cheered at the 1992 Aloha Bowl in Hawaii.

4- I have spent every Christmas at my grandparents in NC, never at the home I grew up in. It was a good time to get ALL the family together.

5- I have an obsession with taking clippings from plants, rooting and making baby plants from them. Especially with aloe.

6- Every year I make my own Christmas cards. I love going to the craft stores and looking through magazines to get ideas and design my own card to send to family and friends.

7- This may not be all that interesting but I absolutely love the beach, any beach - I love listening to the waves, the seagulls and the kids playing in the waves.

8- I have 4 sets of everyday dishes. Brown for fall, Green swirl for spring, snowflakes for winter and white with fish design for summer. I even have glasses and place mats to match. My husband thinks I am weird, but I must change things up a little.


Ok now its your turn - You've been tagged:
Romanza Events

Fete Perfection

A Friend of the Bride

NBC & Martha Stewart do it again!

Jessica and Cody are married!! A beautiful wedding on the plaza then they headed of to Tiffany and Co for their reception.

I just watched the coverage - what a beautiful ceremony - pinks and yellows. Then then reception set up; all the Tiffany inspired details- the long tables, the rose topiaries, the ghost chairs, champagne ice bar, the saltwater taffies at each place setting, the mini pancakes and other yummy breakfast foods. Wow!! Darcy really did an awesome job. Did you see the fabric flowers? I am sure her blog will have more pictures as the day goes on.

Click here to see more pictures and full coverage.
Today Throws a Martha Stewart Wedding

Blissfully Happy

That is how Sarah and Rob looked Saturday night at their wedding. I had worked with them for about a year, planning every aspect of their event. The theme was formal black and white with touches of red. Ceremony on the front lawn of Bristow Manor then dinner and dancing in the adjoining tent area. The candy buffet and grooms cake were a hit with everyone.

It was a beautiful day, the weather was perfect, the bride was glowing and I swear Rob couldn't stop looking at his new wife. They are headed to the Greek Islands for a honeymoon. Enjoy some of the non professional pictures.








Professional pics from Classic Creations Photography will be on my website soon. Thanks to John Farr Lighting, Ensemble Elan Strings, Heaven on Earth Flowers, Classic Celebrations cake, Select Event Rentals and Visual Ventures Videography for helping to create a very romantic wedding.