Greetings from the Beach!

I am taking a break from blogging for about a week while I enjoy the beach with my family.

I am so glad my son likes the sand - he is having so much fun! Or I am having so much fun introducing him to the beach, sand and water.

Be back mid July....

Black & White Filigree

Black and White with a touch of Red - Wedding Inspiration

Save the Date from Wedding Paper Divas
Alvina Valenta Bridesmaids Dress
Chole B Invitations
Place Card Options from Beaucoup

Entrance Sign from Wonderful Graffiti

Select Event Rentals Charger Plate


Votive Favors from Beaucoup

Wildflower Linens

Print Your Own Stationary

Cross My Heart Stationary for Sale


New Home Card or Address Change
Blue and White Stripes and house stick on accent.
Size is 5x8 inches, 10 per pack includes envelopes
$8 a pack and I have 6 packs.


These are easy to run through your printer with
the information.







Having or Throwing a Stock the Bar shower or any outdoor party? These invitations are perfect - I have 2 packs of 10 - green stripes with a margarita glass stick on. $8 each pack of 10 and will sell one or 2 packs.

Please let me know if you are interested by comment or email. thanks

Out of Town Welcome Bags

I have 50 of these Brown/Bronze Gift Bags -perfect for Out of Towners bags or for Bridal Party Gifts. I will sell in increments of 8. They are aprox 8x11 with jute handle. 4 for $1 + shipping

Please comment or email if you are interested. Thanks

Breakfast in Bed

Father's Day is Sunday - are you planning breakfast in bed for your hubby ie: father of your children?

Wrap up some Breakfast Tortillas - they are fun and easy to eat in bed - don't forget the O.J. and apple juice.

Prep: 5 min., Bake: 10 min., Cook: 13 min. Wrap these individually in parchment paper or foil for a portable breakfast.

Ingredients

• 10 (6-inch) fajita-size flour tortillas
• 1/2 (16-oz.) package ground pork sausage
• 6 large eggs
• Vegetable cooking spray
• 1/2 cup shredded colby-Jack cheese blend
• Salsa (optional)
• Sour cream (optional)

Preparation

1. Wrap tortillas loosely with aluminum foil, and place in a 250° oven for 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, cook sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 8 minutes or until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink; drain, remove sausage from skillet, and pat dry with paper towels. Wipe skillet clean. Reduce heat to medium.

3. Whisk together eggs and 2 Tbsp. water. Coat same skillet with cooking spray; add egg mixture, and cook, without stirring, 2 to 3 minutes or until eggs begin to set on bottom. Gently draw cooked edges away from sides of pan to form large pieces. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes or until eggs are thickened but still moist. (Do not overstir.)

4. Spoon sausage and eggs evenly onto tortillas, and sprinkle with cheese; roll up tortillas. Serve with salsa and sour cream, if desired.

Note: To lighten, substitute 1 1/2 cups egg substitute for eggs and reduced-fat pork sausage for sausage.

Beach Bag for Sale!

Do you need a little something extra to give to your bridesmaids or just want a fun summer beach bag?

I have these PVC/plastic bags for sale. My husband told me I have to get them out of our basement.

I have 7 light purple and 4 teal and 3 white bags.
They are only $5 each (original cost was $25) - great condition.

I can ship them out immediately (small shipping fee).

Please comment here or email me if you are interested.

Cocktail of the Week

I have a bottle of Vanilla Vodka in the cabinet and I was trying to find something to mix with it - voila!


Wedding Cake Martini

2 oz vanilla vodka
2 oz pineapple juice
2 oz sweet n sour

Shake vigorously over ice then strain into sugar rimmed martini glass.

I have also seen another version - just swap out the sweet n sour for Amaretto (Disaronno).

enjoy!

More Jewelry

Another New dad Father's Day gift idea from Julian and Company
Aren't these just precious??? I really wish my hubby wore french cuffs!!!

Stamped Jewelry

I am searching for a Father's Day gift. Its my husbands first and I want a good gift.
I came across TJandCo.com
They have these neat cuff links - Put your wedding date and names of them for your wedding day or your baby's stats on them for Father's Day.
They also have something for the bride:
Remember someone special on your wedding day by tying this charm onto your bridal bouquet.

Use a photo of your grandparents on their wedding day on one side and your wedding date on the other side - be creative, this is YOUR day!!!

Secrets to a Good Marriage

I saw this article from Real Simple - readers speak out.

What Is the Secret of a Good Marriage?

Come as You Are

Marry someone you love exactly as they are, and be sure they feel the same. That way, you'll never expect more of each other than you are each happy to give. I didn't realize this until my second marriage. Another secret? Don't get married until you're sure of who you are.
Lisa Noll
Martinsburg, West Virginia

The Fun House

Tickle fights! Several times a week, my husband and I engage in a spontaneous tickle-battle royale. I almost always lose, but writhing in giggles is a great way to end the evening.
Karla Perrin
London, Ohio

My husband and I have a strict rule: Never argue with your clothes on. If we are out and about to fight, we know that we have to wait until we're home and undressed. By then we've usually forgotten what the trouble was about.
Amy Hadsall
Cameron, North Carolina


Friday-night dates. We might eat at a nice restaurant, go bowling, or just sit at home with a freshly purchased gallon of ice cream and (to my husband's dismay) the latest chick flick.
Anjanette Paul
Las Vegas, Nevada

Rules of the Game

My husband and I always make sure that the bedroom is our private place. Not just for physical intimacy, but for having a space to talk and be together.
Carol Czerniawski
Palatine, Illinois

Knowing the grass isn't greener on the other side. My husband and I married a bit later than the average couple, and by then we had both had plenty of time to "sow our oats." We truly love one another and never wonder "what if," mainly because we've been there and done that. We know we want to be together, without question.
Amy Dodson
Richmond, Virginia

My father asked me this same question when I was in college. Full of know-it-all, psychology-major cockiness, I answered, "Love and trust." "Wrong," he said. Stumped, I followed up with "Communication." Wrong again. His answer: sex and money. If a couple can't get those two things right, then they're not going to be happy. After eight years of marriage, my husband still chases me around the house, and courting expenses are built into the budget.
Joneis Thomas
Colonial Beach, Virginia

Something to Talk About

The key to a happy marriage is speaking the same language. My husband and I both speak sarcasm fluently.
Stacey Lerner
Beverly Hills, Michigan

My husband and I live an hour and a half away from our parents. Those long drives give us time to vent about our families, talk about our pasts, and reaffirm our bond. The kids sleep, and we connect―he talks to me more in the car in that small amount of time than in a whole month at home.
Mickie Stiers
Columbus, Ohio

My husband of 35 years and I agree that every couple should go out of town yearly, without the children, and follow this not-so-simple rule: "You cannot discuss the kids or your jobs." It is amazing how much you can find to talk about.
Franki Chabalewski
Richmond, Virginia

In Brief

Kissing every day, even when you don't feel like it.
Su-Ren Leong
Kalamazoo, Michigan

I once asked an elderly neighbor this very same question. He and his wife had been married more than 50 years. He replied, "Oh, my dear, it's really very simple. My wife and I agreed long ago that I'd make all the big decisions and she'd make all the little decisions. And in all these years together, there just haven't been any big decisions."
Cecilia Saad
Washington, D.C.

Separate bathrooms.
Nikki Marks
Bedminster, New Jersey

I love the last two !!

Let the Party Begin!

Don't you think Douglas Benedict got some great photos of the ballroom? This chandelier had ribbons and orchids hanging from it - Thanks to Phoebe Flowers.

Mix of tall and short centerpieces - Linens from Select Event Rentals.
Lighting and dance floor monogram by Eventions
Some non professional pics - Look at the band Bigg Romeo rocking the house - we had to extend the party a whole hour!!

Doors of Saucon Valley Country Club

After the cake was cut, slices were placed in the dessert area along with tons of cookies, biscotti, macaroons and chocolate covered strawberries. We offered mini favor boxes so guests could take some home. The cocktail napkins in this area said "Thanks for Sharing our Story"


After dinner a cordial bar opened up and 'my cigar guy' served, cut and lite cigars for the guests - This went over very well - 50+ men and women bombarded the terrace.
We had to extend the reception an additional hour because guests were having so much fun. I went around to check with the Country Club, the band and other wedding professionals to make sure they could stay (and find out overtime fees!).

All in all a very successful wedding - Hope Erika and Matt are enjoying Hawaii!

Cocktail Reception

Guests moved to the south terrace for more surprises.
The ever famous Ice Ball from Ice Caters - Perfect for a martini or high ball glass!Raw bar - I can't believe how people flocked to this - the Country Club staff couldn't even keep it full fast enough.
And a fun lobster sautee station.
Frank Sinatra Tribute Show - Tony Sands sang great Sinatra tunes for cocktail hour and dinner hour. Guests loved this!
Linens for this area were turquoise with pink peonies!
Neat silver wire wrapped vases.

Champagne Greeting

To kick off the celebration they had a Champagne Greeting on the Terrace at Saucon Valley Country Club (the women's US Open is here this weekend).

A floral archway welcomed guests.

Her escort cards were on a lucite table top which rests on top of a ton of crystal gems.
Linens were Hot Pink on high top tables, Flowers were White peonies.


There were 4 different types of Sparkling Wine in addition to Pellegrino. Notice the cute pink straws?

Strawberry soup shooters were passed with white glove service.

Now here is where the cocktail napkin craziness begins. The wedding's theme was 'Share Our Story' - Here the staff had white napkins with 'Share Our Story' on them. The food was offered with pink napkins and a 'Did you Know' quote.

Down the aisle

It was very important that this wedding start on time because there was a wedding immediately following. The Chapel at Lehigh University gives you 2 hours, one to set up and one for the ceremony. I like to start the mothers processional about 2 minutes before hand so the bride walks on time!

Here is a non professional picture of me getting Erika and her dad ready. Advice I tell all my brides - take a deep breath, maybe 2 of them, hold your bouquet low (close to your hip bone) and don't walk until Your music starts and the guests stand. Her veil was about 10 feet long so my assistant and I had her walking through the doors and still poofing!

Professional pic from Douglas Benedict from the other direction:

Getting Ready

The bride dressed at her parents house. Tip - make sure you think about food, order some lunch in. Nibbles are always a good idea if you are a little nervous.
Erika and Matt decided to do a special meeting prior to the ceremony. A first glance without everyone around. I like this option because it takes some of the pressure off the groom. He can then concentrate on marrying you relaxed!
They met at the Alumni Building on campus, close to the chapel, then walked down together.


So the photographer Doug sent me some sneak peak pics - aren't them amazing?
Professional Photos by Douglas Benedict

Lehigh Valley Wedding

Over the next few days I am going to share with you all about this past weekends wedding in Lehigh Valley and all about the details.

I put together the out of town gift bags. They were earth friendly fabric bags I purchased at Papermart. Inside was lots of goodies: pretzles, granola bars, bottled water, an apple. As well as shout wipes, advil packs, tissues, golf tees, Hershey's Kisses and mouthwash. For the hang tags I used their engagement picture and had moo print them.
I also had special key cards made with the couples engagement picture on them. This was a first for Hotel Bethlehem.
The guests were so excited and kept talking about how cool this was.