Contest Ends Saturday

I want to hear your engagement stories!

There are some great ones posted but I want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to win some note cards or Save the Dates!

My hubby will be drawing a name on Sunday so start writing!

GOOD LUCK
Its Leap Day so enjoy!

On The Go

I just came across this great idea on wine.com
You can get Champagne on the Go - a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and 2 glasses in a convenient yellow travel case. The case is made of neoprene and leather and is insulated.

Have this ready in your get away car after your reception.
Then refill and reuse it for picnics or excursions.

I want one!!

Dressing the Aisle at Church

Your ceremony will be at a church - what to do with that Aisle? A lot of pictures will be taken from the back looking at you getting married so its nice to have the aisle decorated. Some churches have restrictions. In the below pictures we used silk petals and pipe cleaners to attach to the pews.

Long pew bows with rose petals.
Tall candelabras and guests throw rose petals.
Very simple white runner with rose petals.

Hang Buckets of flowers on the pews.
Drape the pews with organza or tulle and flowers.


thanks to Classic Creations Photography, Creation Waits, Brides

How to Dress Your Aisle

So you are getting married outside and need to spruce up the decor just a little. The aisle is the best place to add touches of your theme. I love shepards hooks - look at what you can do with them:
Add ribbons and candles
Hang flowers from them
Beautiful Hydrangea balls
Flower balls and then drape off the aisle with ribbon
How about line your aisle with flowers or actually your dinner table centerpieces- it even saves you money by reusing flowers!
And for something totally different how about a ceremony in the round

thanks to Simple Stunning Weddings, The Knot, Charleston Photographer and my own camera.

LOVE LETTERS

Why don't you let a wedding logo or monogram be a symbol of your love?
Check out Love Letters

They have lots of pre created logos that should definitely fit your look. Just change the name and voila! Only $75 - use them on your Save the Date announcement, invitation, program, menus, cocktail napkins, out of towner bags, favors and even on your dance floor!

Here are some ideas to get you started:
If you are getting married in June and plan to carry Gerber Daisy's -


Or a more formal event - show off your initials -


A nice flair for your special day!

Too Many Gift Card?

Did your receive too many gift cards either from the holidays or a recent shower?
Just found these great websites that let you swap your gift cards. You can trade with others or even get cash.
www.giftcardbuyback.com
www.cardavenue.com

At www.swapagift.com you can use the $ on the card to pay some bills electronically.

Read through all the sites before you decide, some charge a % others a flat fee.

Valentine's Day Engagements

So how many lucky men got YES' on Valentines Day from their sweethearts?

The time between Christmas and Valentines Day is very popular for proposals! So tell me about yours - it doesn't have to be recent but post a message and let me know how you proposed or got proposed to!
I will put all these posts/names in a hat and have my hubby draw one - the Lucky winner will receive either 100 Save the Dates if you are now engaged or 100 monogrammed note cards if you are already married.



Ok I will start - My hubby took me to Newport, RI for a mini fall get away and as the sun was setting he proposed at Brenton Point. He got on one knee and asked me to share his life with him. I tackled him crying then I remembered I better say Yes!

So what is your story???

Baby Showers!

For all the women out there that had chic, elegant and unique weddings, You also deserve amazing baby showers! I had the pleasure of designing and coordinating a shower for Maria this past Saturday. It was a co-ed dessert party that included punch, yummy greek desserts, cupcake trees, candy table and a clothesline advice wall.


Thanks to Dee's Creative Designs for the beautiful diaper cake and mommys corsage.
If you need help planning a party of your own let me know - I have lots of ideas I would love to share!

7 Days of Love-HEARTS

Happy Love Day Everyone!
Thought you might enjoy a little history lesson... Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. More...

Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward in the same direction.

-Antoine de Saint-Exupery

7 Days of Love Bedazzled

Are you ready to Bedazzle Your Valentine? What better way to entice your loved one; or how about as favors for your next birthday party, wedding or bachelorette party! Bedazzle My Bonbons will dazzle your guests, each one individually hand-dipped and coated in a deliciously edible dusting of glitter and cocoa-powder.



YES you eat the whole thing. They are fabulously sinful, playful and sexy! Check out these glitter bon-bons -They are available in boxes of 4, 8 or 12 in any color imaginable!

7 Days of Love-for Men

Alright Fellas - you have 3 days to get your sweetie something special for Valentines Day!

Lets think beyond a dozen red roses - of course you know your sweetie better then anyone and maybe that is all she needs is some chocolate and roses but how about something meaningful - something that evokes a memory.

Why don't you order a bouquet of flowers just like what she carried on your wedding day.
(if you don't know what flowers they are take a picture to the florist)


How about a living plant - orchids, hydrangea or a rose bush. Explain how you want her to plant it and watch it bloom for weeks or years to come.

(Giant Grocery Stores have orchid plants for $25 and Cally Lilly plants for only $9.99!)

PS - if you plan to send flowers SEND THEM TO HER OFFICE - she will love it!

7 Days of Love-Cocktails

How about you whip up one of these and have ready when your honey comes home from work!


Chocolate-Covered-Cherry Cocktail
Great Cocktails : Fine Living Episode

Ingredients:

1 oz. Bailey's
1 oz. Kahlúa
dashes maraschino syrup
chocolate-covered cherry

Fill a shaker half full of ice. Add 1 oz. Bailey's, 1 oz. Kahlúa and a few dashes maraschino syrup. Shake and strain over new ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a chocolate-covered cherry.

7 Days of Love-Cupcakes

I love cupcakes! the whole idea of display, presentation and ease of eating are wonderful for a party. I found these adorable wrappers at Paper Orchid Stationery.

The come in wedding, filigree, baby, or ivy cut out and look how cute for Valentines Day. They are about a $1 each and you can order either 12 or 50. Imagine this stacked in the tiered cupcake holders! LOVE IT!

7 Days of Love

It's Love Month and in honor of Valentines Day I am going to do 7 days of Love. Enjoy some ways to spoil your lover on V-day and some lovely ideas for your wedding!
Sometimes when you are busy planning your wedding you forget that you still should concentrate on your relationships - what better time of the year to remind your loved ones how you feel.
Why don't you send your girlfriends and bridesmaids a little note. Get out your paper and scissors and send them a handwritten note just like when you were in elementary school! You know you love it when you receive mail - they will to!

Thanks to Style Me Pretty

Thanks to Style Me Pretty for mentioning MY blog!
She posted my Buttercup and Steely Gray inspiration board on her site!!

Yellow is the IN color for 2008!

Yeah - thanks for reading.

Introducing....

A way for you to order invitations, save the dates and any other stationary products from me but online!

Go to ORDER INVITATIONS

There are soo many unique options for your distinct style. Traditional, Ribbon Accents, Pockets or Colors Galore.

Enduldge! It's Fat Tuesday

Flambeed Desserts are still an all time favorite in New Orleans - Here is the recipe for Banana's Foster from Brennan's Restaurant. Maybe make this a dessert station at your wedding!

I might just try to make this tonight!

Banana's Foster Ingredients:

6 Tbs. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter

3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

4 ripe but still firm bananas, peeled, halved
crosswise and then lengthwise (into quarters)

1/4 cup dark rum

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Vanilla ice cream for serving

Directions:

In a large sauté pan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts and the sugar is dissolved, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the banana slices and cook, turning once, until just tender, 1 to 2 minutes per side.

In a small cup, stir together the rum and vanilla. Turn off the burner, then add the rum mixture to the banana mixture. Using a long match or lighter, light the alcohol by placing the flame just inside the outer edge of the pan. Stand as far back from the pan as possible, keeping your face and hands away from the pan. The flame will be a faint blue but will be very hot. It should extinguish in 5 to 10 seconds. Holding the pan handle with an oven mitt, gently shake the pan from side to side to coat the bananas with the sauce.

Scoop vanilla ice cream into individual bowls. Spoon some of the bananas and sauce over the ice cream, dividing evenly. Serve immediately. Serves 4 to 6.

Thanks to Williams-Sonoma Kitchen

Fab Favors

Have you ever looked at Beau-Coup Wedding and Party Favors?

There are some very cute options for your bridal shower or your wedding.

Stylish cd covers in a variety of colors:
Mini maple syrup bottles in a leaf shape. Perfect for a fall wedding.
Adorable green boxes - fill them with chocolates, almonds or nuts and tie them up with a personalized ribbon.
Use 'elegantengagements' at check out for a special discount from me!

Loving This

Thanks to my friend/colleague LaKendra Kennedy with Affairs with Elegance for showing this to me.
My new favorite thing and works as double duty. A vase and frame!

As you may have guessed I love monogrammed things or items you can put your name on. Makes it soo much more personal.

Glass Photo Vase from Beau-Coup

Picture this as centerpieces - add a picture of you and your fiance or use it to put table names. How about you two hold a sign that says '2' for table 2, insert that picture in the vase. Maybe use it as a candy jar and put a sign that says Love is Sweet!

This is also a great gift idea for your wedding party or parents - a little token of thanks! Cool Classic Gifts also have a lot of other very cute items to put your personal stamp on!