Wedding Trends!

I was recently quoted in the Oct/Nov issue of Giftware News!

"Overall, the trend is to be eclectic and make your wedding paper goods your own, says Meredith S Tomasulo, founder of Elegant Engagements. "Monograms are still in, but couples are also adding slogan, poem verse or quotation to elements of their wedding," she says. "This can be seen on the invitation, program, favor containers and cocktail napkins. I have seen Dave Matthews song lyrics on cake boxes ('Life is short but sweet for certain') and Shakespeare verses on invitations ('Journeys end in lovers meeting'). I also have some clients that are putting 'Did you know...' information on cocktail napkins - they're great conversation starters and really get the guests to know about both the bride and groom."

It's an Airplane!

For my son's first birthday I decided to do an airplane themed party. Invitations were boarding passes for GJT Airlines.
I made tons of mini airplanes out of fun foam, they hung from the light fixtures and ceiling fan. Even on his own cake.
The adults devoured pumpkin or chocolate cupcakes with airplane / 1 toppers. I had airplane sugar cookies and along with a platter of Philly pretzel bites, a custom G pretzel.

I made a 'wall of Gavin' which included pictures from every month of his first year. I also made a Happy Birthday Gavin sign using scrapbook paper and grosgrain ribbon. Inspiration from Etsy.

When guests arrived they had to check in to get airplane stickers and when they left they picked up their favors at baggage claim. Favors were bubbles with labels that said 'Thank you for flying GJT Airlines' and personalized luggage tags.

I think I love planning kids birthday parties as much as weddings!!

Candy Apples 101

Everything you've always wanted to know about candy apples―including how to make them.

from Real Simple

Family Reunion Fun!

Labor Day is next weekend and many families use this long weekend for a family reunion. Tie in Labor Day and Families for great decorations.

Think simple - Does your family have a crest? Make photo copies, laminate and use that as place mats.
Definitely do name tags and under the name list the next of kin. Make a large family tree, color code the different branches and then use those same colors on the name tags.

Get Conversation Starters from plumparty.com (pic)

How about a little recipe sharing. Encourage a pot luck of sorts for the menu. Aunt Sally's potato salad, Uncle Nicks BBQ marinade, Grandmas deviled eggs, Great Great Aunt Bea's lemon meringe pie, etc. Print out copies of all the recipes and have available for everyone to take.

Here are some more tips from ehow on to have the most successful reunion!

Sprinkles in Philly

I really want this Sprinkles Cupcake Bakery (located in Beverly Hills) to come to this area. They are fresh and super cute. Cupcakes are $3.25 each and come in a ton of yummy to die for flavors - I want to try the strawberry or ginger lemon!

They are now introducing the Sprinkle mobile. How great would this be to pull up at your wedding reception and serve some cupcakes from the van. Or order them as a favor and they come wrapped in this cute box (but they only courier to the local markets so we are out of luck here on the east coast):


Click here to vote on Philadelphia to be the next location!!
Become a fan on facebook and you could win a trip to see the bakery.

I am going to have to pull out my Martha Stewart Cupcake cookbook and make some cupcakes this week!

YSC and Kate Aspen

Young Survival Coalition has partnered with Kate Aspen to offer Unforgettable Favors for All Life's Events, featuring the expressive Pink Ribbon Favor Collection. 100% of the net proceeds from your purchase of these and all favors in our store will advance YSC's vital programs that support young women affected by breast cancer.

Year round Kate Aspen also donates 10% of the net sales proceeds from their Pink Ribbon Favor line - - three meaningful designs In Favor of a Cure™ to support YSC programs.

I know many of us have been touched by breast cancer and are always looking for ways to give back. These favors might be perfect for your wedding or shower. I love the plantable pink ribbon cards or the palm tree cookie cutters.

Check out Kate Aspen Today!

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

Favors for your Shower

When deciding about a favor for your guests think about when and where they can use it. This goes for the shower or wedding. Here are some ideas to get you started.

I like the Heart shaped bottle stopper from Beau-Coup - definitely would use this.
or if the shower is a tea party, how about a tea tape measure. You never know when you might need one.

Food is always good - wrap up some cookies with a personalized sticker or how about some yummy jelly beans.
and my favorite - candles.
Yankee Candles has really cute personalized votive candles.

Conversation Heart Cookies

Check out this delicious chocolate butter cookie! from Williams Sonoma internet or catalog:

Made with equal measures of love, skill and premium ingredients that include dark Valrhona chocolate, our heart-shaped chocolate butter cookies from Sweet Guy Cookies will charm your valentine. The cookies are prepared, rolled and cut by hand, then decorated in green, pink, aqua and orange and yellow icing, each stamped with the words “Kiss Me,” “Cute,” “Love” or “Flirt.” The 2 1/2" x 2" cookies arrive in a reusable tin. 7 oz. Set of nine."

They are $22 and should be ordered by February 9th to ensure by Valentine's Day.

Maybe I will send these to my husbands office for V-Day! These would also be cute as a favor for a wedding shower or engagement party.

'Therapy' Candle Contest & Giveaway!

CONTEST!
Aromatherapy Interventions sent me this awesome soy candle to try out. It's called Wedded Bliss. They have an entire line of 'therapy' candles.

Aromatherapy Interventions is a line of pure burning soy blend candles. Yet, it’s not just another candle line. Nor is it just one more floral aromatherapy brand. It’s true aromacology, the science of scent, applied to the modern mind. Inspired by all types, moods and occasions, Aromatherapy Interventions Soy Candles are a very smart gift; a personal expression of friendship that’s entertaining, insightful and unique.

After burning it, I fell in love and want to share it with YOU - by doing a contest.

So check out Aromatherapy Interventions website - look over the different candle options/scents and let me know via a comment here or email what scent or therapy you like and who you might give it to. Are there any ideas you want me to share with the company? I will pick a random comment # Friday Feb 12 and that person will receive a Wedded Bliss Candle and the comment with the most creative answer will get a candle of their choice. FREE

I am sure there is one for everyone.
Therapy is good isn't it?

Bowl full of Cherries!

Favor Idea with Cherries!!

Don't you just love chocolate covered cherries? I always look forward to them every holiday - they come in that great red box...Well I found them gourmet this year! Cherries Divine

Hand dipped long stemmed cherries - a perfect gift for the holidays; for a friend or business associate. Also great idea for Valentines day, Easter or other special occasions. They come with white, milk or dark chocolate.

I love it as a wedding favor - look how cute the picture of the wedding dress and tux cherries are!
4 2 piece boxes (above) are $26.99.
Or buy them in increments of 15 for $24.95 and make your own packaging.

Cookie Exchange

Making cookies seems to be a part of the holiday season, a tradition for a lot of people. My grandmother starts making cookies weeks in advance in anticipation of the family visiting for the holidays.

Well my neighborhood has started a cookie exchange every year. Last year was at my house but this year I had someone else host since I have a newborn. There is always a contest on presentation and cookie making story.

My grandmother helped me make graham cookie bars and I packaged them up in little Martha Stewart favor purses from Michaels. They are actually wedding favors/escort card boxes. I just added glittery stickers and voila it made a great presentation for my cookies.

Here is the VERY easy recipe.
Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9x11 dish

1 stick of margarine
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 tsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups cinnamon graham crackers (about 16)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 pecans

Beat margarine and sugar then beat egg, milk, vanilla until blended, stir in crumbs and other ingredients, press into baking dish.
Bake 25 min or until browned - don't overcook.

Cut into bars and enjoy!

Everything can be Customized

Tarte Cosmetics will personalize their lip glosses for your wedding.

Adam & Eve…Fred & Ginger…Romeo & Juliet…Tarzan & Jane…

Just a few of history’s famous couples! At tarte we’ve celebrated these “perfect pairs” with our double-ended lipgloss! Now we’d like to honor YOU… the couple-to-be!

Here’s how our offering works:
1. Choose a lipgloss duo from one of our existing pairs.
2. Order 25 or more at least one month in advance.
3. Provide us the name of the happy couple.

Min order is 25 and a little pricy but how great would that be to give to all the ladies at your wedding -or stick in the out of town bags.

Something Different

Here is a unique holiday gift idea (or even a yummy favor for a wedding!)

Have you heard of Dale and Thomas Popcorn?
They offer so many flavors to suit everyone.

Try the new gingerbread (pictured)
or chocolate peanut butter, cheddar or how about chili and sour cream?

They come in classic tins or boxes suitable to send to a college student, your nephew, wrap up for hostess gifts or offer inside your out of towners bags.

Fall Treats for Everyone

So what goes with cool weather, fall leaves and apple cider?
Yummy caramel covered apples!!

Here is a great blog post from Glam Dish about how to make these Carmel Apples

Party, Wedding or Baby Items

If you are looking for some accessories, favors, save the dates, or invitations look on the right side of my blog for some discounts through Tiny Prints, Minted, Wedding Paper Divas, Beau-coup and Thread Smith.

Wedding Paper Divas




Beau Coup

TinyprintsMinted

I love my Sharpie!

So I have a small obsession with sharpie markers - I love the colors, the different size tips etc. I use them for my calendar, notes - you name it.
I was thrilled when I learned from Jane at Simply Exquisite Events that you can now personalize them!
Check it out:

Personalize Your Sharpie

You can pick your color, motif and font.

VIP Rock and Roll Table Top

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile I was busy preparing for a Table Top Competition. It was held last night at the Villanova Conference Center and put on by the Society of Wedding Planners.

Here are some pictures of my table - I decided to do a Rock and Roll Theme - VIP Bar Mitzvah actually!

I used stanchions to separate off my table, my husbands guitar was the centerpiece with carnation balls and glitter candles. The table was lucite with a metal frame base uplit with red lights.

Silver snakeskin chargers with black plates, black silverware and soho glassware.
Menu cards were also Back Stage passes, complete with lanyards. The menu was appropriately named after rock songs. (Welcome to the Jungle - mixed green salad)

Place cards were cd's and Rock Stars were the guests. Every guest also received a rock candy treat.
Take home favors were custom made tshirts - just like a rock concert. The shirt said VIP Tour of a Lifetime - Sept 3, 2008.

Thanks to Irene at Party Rental for generously lending me the rental items for this display.

A Beach Wedding

Well Sort of....My bride and groom really really wanted to get married on the beach but it just wasn't working out so they decided on an outdoor ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn with a tropical reception in the ballroom.
The room glowed in aqua - the lines were beautiful. Handmade centerpieces consisted of glass containers with candles and shells. Everyone received a Hershey's bar but the best part was the 6 tier cake from Charm City - Ace of Cakes.
Beautiful fondant painted with palm trees and water.







Congratulations Kelly and Duke - it was a pleasure working with you.

Chocolate

As you may know I love Wonderful Graffiti.

They have just come out with a new chocolate line of accessories for your wedding.
Everything from banners, coasters, hanging place cards, bottle wraps and tented place cards. I could go on - You have to check it out.

They are chocolate brown with polka dots and would look amazing with sage green or blue linens.

You can start off with the invitation, have a beautiful banner at your ceremony, bottle wrappers at the reception and finish it off with favor suckers as the guests leave.

For an additional charge other colors are available.