Sunday, August 31, 2008

Caprese Salad

Mozzarella, Tomato, and Basil Salad

Ingredients
3 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for sprinkling
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/4 cup firmly packed fresh basil leaves

Combine the vinegar and the 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Whisk in the olive oil and pepper.
On each of 4 salad plates, create a tower of the mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, starting with a tomato slice, followed by a mozzarella slice and 2 basil leaves. Repeat, finishing with basil leaves. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the vinaigrette over each tower and another tablespoon around each tower. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on each salad and serve at room temperature.

www.thenest.com



Friday, August 29, 2008

Labor Day BBQ

If you plan on having some friends over this weekend for a end of the summer get together - here are some tips and menu to get you thinking.

Drinks - in addition to some beer and wine, do something special - how about Frozen Hurricanes!

12 oz of frozen mixed fruit punch concentrate
1 1/2 cups dark rum
1 tray of ice cubes

Blend together until smooth, pour into tall glass and garnish with lime slices.

Menu - put some barbecued baby ribs on the grill and serve with a salad:

Chopped Farmstand Salad
Romaine lettuce chopped
3 large tomatoes seeded and diced
3 ears of fresh corn, off the cobb
1 zucchini
1 squash
2 celery ribs
thinly sliced radishes

-mix together in large bowl.

1 garlic clove, crushed
1/2 basil leaves
3 tbl red wine vinegar
1 cup olive oil
s and p to taste

Use food processor to blend dressing. Add garlic, basil until chopped then add vinegar and oil.

Enjoy!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Ducky Themed Baby Shower

I am a little late in posting this but my good friend Shannon (also from Memory Lane Engagements in MD) hosted this awesome baby shower for me. Yellow rubber duckies and sunflowers were everywhere!





I know she found some great deals on the duckies at World Market and Blue Tulip also sells them.
Thanks Shannon!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Beautiful August Wedding

August has just been beautiful this year - the humidity has been low which means great weather for an outdoor ceremony!
I coordinated Jennifer and Danil's wedding this past Sat at Washington Crossing Park in Pennsylvania. After a little mix up with the chair delivery we still were able to decorate and start on time. After they were married the guests threw rose petals from cones hanging on their chairs.

They later moved to the Inn at Lambertville Station for dinner and dancing. Jennifer just glowed the whole night and I was happy to be apart of this celebration. This was my last wedding for 2008.
Enjoy some pictures and I will make sure to pass on the professional ones as soon as I get them.






Thanks to Jim Harris Photography,
Dahlia Floral, PaperZest Stationary, Siena Strings, Brillmans Rental Barn

Friday, August 22, 2008

Perfect Pear



Yummy Cocktail Idea for your wedding reception:

750 ml extra-dry champagne
8 oz pear schnapps
8 oz pear nectar
2 limes
350 ml apple seltzer
pear slices

Chill all ingredients. Combine schnapps and nectar in large bowl. Squeeze in juice from two limes and stir. Add seltzer and champagne just before serving. Garnish with pear slices..

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Don't forget the Groom



A lot of brides really want to include their groom in the wedding plans and sometimes they just don't care about colors, dresses or food. They just want it to be nice and they want you to be happy. A good way to get them involved is to have them pick some things they want for the registry or maybe make a Man Registry.

You should pass this on to your hubby to be. There is the registry options which encourages adding things like tools sets, camping equipment and cameras but there are also articles and how to guides for them.

From the brains behind the site: "Men are afraid to ask a lot of times about what they need to know, like they may not know what a cuff link is or how to put one on," Easter says. "There aren't a lot of avenues out there for that information, let alone a chance for men to supplement their wedding registry."

I particularly like the articles on bachelor parties and wedding toasts.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

More Martha Inspiration

Martha Stewart has lots and lots of templates online for you to use.
If you want to be a DIYer but just aren't sure where to start, she has some great inspiration and easy to use templates.

For example her swirl place cards, menus and programs:



Download the template, put in your own information, hit print and voila!
You have custom items for your wedding or party!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Place Card Idea


This is such a great idea for a bridal luncheon shower or even girl baby shower!
What a whimsical way to show guests their seats.

Compliments of Martha of course! Here are detailed directions.

Its sort of like making hearts for Valentines day.


You could also make some a little larger and add to centerpieces or perched on top of presents.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Lil'bit of Advice


ENJOY YOUR WEDDING DAY

-Before you walk down the aisle with your new husband or wife - look at the guests, take in the moment of everyone you care about smiling back at you
-Visit with your guests either at the table or on the dance floor
-Dance with your brother and sorority sisters
-Hire a planner to take care of behind the scene details
-Eat dinner - you spent so much time choosing the right meal
and lastly
-Hug, Kiss and thank your parents


Remember the best weddings are the ones where the bride and groom really enjoy themselves and are Guests at Their Own Wedding!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A Little Different Song Suggestions

Here are some Song Suggestions to get those unique ideas flowing...

Wedding Party Processional:
Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven
Chris Botti - The Way You Look Tonight
Norah Jones - Sunrise

First Dance:
Queen - You're My Best Friend
Frankie Valli - Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Maroon 5 - Sunday Morning

Cake Cutting:
Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes
Sarah McLachlan - Ice Cream
Christina Aguilera - Candyman

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Get Away Idea

My husband and I just got back from a wonderful long weekend at Bedford Springs Resort - this was our Baby Moon! A time to get away with just the two of us before this little one arrives. I definitely recommend this place for a long weekend or a mini get away either before the wedding or baby or for your anniversary.

Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, PA

The place was built in 1796 and after being closed for 20 years recently reopened and newly renovated. There are 8 natural springs on site and the spa is awesome. We bathed in the springs then got a couples massage.

We choose a room with rocking chairs on the balcony - here I am enjoying the view after we had breakfast out there.


They have a fire pit and smores are available for a late night snack. The pool accommodations, dining and atmosphere is great. The only complaint was we couldn't check into our room until late on Friday - they were having some housekeeping issues. Either way it was a nice relaxing place in the middle of nowhere!

We also saw two weddings take place outside then heard them rocking to a band in the ballroom. The grounds and springs were beautiful and the weather perfect for an Aug wedding.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Add a little Pazazz!

ICE is so HOT right now!

Consider using some ice for your next event - I love the new ice balls from Icecaters.

Make your favorite martini and have it poured over an ice ball.

Or try this recipe:
Something Blue
1 1/2 oz Hpnotiq
1 oz Dry Champagne
1/2 oz Grand Marnier
Combine and pour over ice and garnish if needed.

(thanks to Maria McBride)

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Evening with the Sharks

Last night I attended a great networking event with NACE at the NJ Camden Aquarium.
Have you ever thought about your next event there? You can dine with the sharks or use their Currents ballroom for your wedding and be surrounded by floor to ceiling 760,000 gallon tank of fish and sting rays. Outside is a patio overlooking the water and Philadelphia - Its amazing.

Check out Camden Adventure Aquarium for more information. This is such a unique setting I am sure your guests would enjoy.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Sign Your Name!

I have been working on a clients wedding shower and the MOH asked me to find something fun for the guest book or sign in sheet.
I just love a signature plate - the guests write on the plate and it becomes a nice keepsake.

Check out:
Say Anything Ceramics

They have different size and shape plates ranging from $85.
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