Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Show and Tell

Show me your decorated Christmas trees!!

I have had so much fun decorating my house, especially my two very different trees and now I want to showcase your talents too!

Do you do theme, traditional, filled with children's ornaments, what?
How many Christmas trees are in your house?
What inspired you?
Email me at mas@elegantengagements.com your pics and story and I will post them over the next few days(please put tree in the subject line).

No contest just show and tell!
Here is a pic of my family room tree - basically gold and red with ornaments I have collected over the years and an angle on top that reminds me of my grandmother.

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Trees, Trees, Trees


As you know I am in a new house this holiday season and I am having so much fun decorating! I am putting garland all the way up my staircase and over the landing and I have decided to decorate 2 trees. For my living room I am doing teal and brown to match the rooms decor (walls are chocolate) with handmade ornaments and eucalyptus and for the family room I am doing red and gold with traditional every day ornaments.

My mom is the bow making queen so she came up yesterday and helped make bows for my garland and bows for my glitter ornaments. I got 2 great ideas out of Better Homes and Gardens Holiday magazine, using glass and styrofoam balls, paint and glitter!
Enjoy the pictures.



I am using fuzzy chocolate brown fabric draped around the base as my tree skirt.

My husband doesn't get my addiction to decorating but he didn't seem to mind me wanting to do two trees. This tree sure looks gorgeous!

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Peppermint Martini

For a yummy drink at your next Holiday Open House - Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 ounces high quality vodka
  • 1 ounces of white crème de menthe
  • splash of peppermint schnapps
  • Mini candy canes

Instructions

1. Pour ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously.
2. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish each with a candy cane or crush candy canes and rim glass.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Joy of Giving


I was thinking that there are so many similarities to wedding ideas/favors and Christmas presents!
Last year when I was at The Special Event Conference in LA I met the people at Dale and Thomas Popcorn. I would love to do a popcorn station at an event (a twist on candy and sundae stations). But popcorn is also a great Christmas gift to send to someone that you won't see for the holidays.

Samplers from $28-72 and a tin of popcorn for about $45.
Flavors are so yummy! how about Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Drizzle corn or Cinnamon Creme Drizzle corn.

For the holidays they are wrapping every tin in a canvas duck bag - holiday themed of course.
Its also one of Oprah's favorite things!

If you are interested in doing this for your wedding or next big part let me know!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Open House/Party Gift Ideas

Are you going to lots of Holiday Parties this year?

Do you need a few simple gift ideas to take to the Hostess?

I put together some of my favorites:
Obviously wine is a good option - Crate and Barrel has these cute Bell or CHEERS! charms to add to the bottle.

Pepermint Bark from Williams Sonoma

Ornaments from Restoration Hardware



If you are a baker - how about making some chocolate bread and use Pampered Chef's mini loaf pan. That's an easy way to get 4 gifts.


Another great option - If you have a HomeGoods near you - pop in and get some nice Holiday hand towels or a cute Santa figure.

Happy Partying!

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Grooms Guide 2

So you have just spent weeks planning an engagement and finding a ring, you have proposed and now you think there isn't much to do. Well here are a few hints to keep you a little involved in the planning - I promise you it will make your future wife SOOO happy.

-Make a list of people you would like to invite. Start a spreadsheet with names, and addresses of guests. Talk to your parents and get their list.

-Talk about money - work out a wedding budget together.

-Choose your Groomsmen and pick a BM.

-Talk Honeymoon - nothing gets her away from the stress then talking about the honeymoon!
discuss options, plan a budget, research and then Book It!

-Research the route from the hotel to the church and to the reception site. Put this together to add to your wedding website. Create a map.

-Listen to your beloved when she talks about crazy bridesmaids, colored linens and styles of china - sometimes she just needs an ear - you don't have to fix it just LISTEN!

and 3 very important things
-Think of something special to do for your bride the morning of the wedding; deliver a handwritten love note, breakfast in bed, send flowers, etc.

-Tell her over and over again how you love her, how beautiful she looks and how amazing that dress is (remember she spent a lot of time on that 'look')!


-Thank your in laws a lot for the wedding (if appropriate) and for raising an amazing woman.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Loving Ballard Again!


There is not much I don't love from Ballard Designs.

How about a Fresh Cedar Alphabet Wreath for your front door or for the doors of your church - what a nice way to welcome your guests.

Now if you want to keep it year after year you should look at the PVC Spruce wreath they also sell.

Love this idea now I just wish I had a winter wedding to plan.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Lilly Lovers Beware

Its time for another warehouse sale!

Lilly Pulitzer Holiday and Resort 2007 - Valley Forge Convention Center

Friday November 30th - 7am - 8pm
Saturday December 1 - 8am - 4pm

Get some of your Holiday shopping done now!

ps- if your wondering....I would love a green cashmere sweater!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Happy Turkey Day!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Enjoy your friends and family and eat lots of turkey!

poll - do you like pumpkin pie, apple pie or pecan pie for dessert? Post a comment and let me know!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Oprah's Favorite Things


So who watched Oprah yesterday?
They were in Macon, GA and surprised the guests by having the Oprah's Favorite Things show!
I sooo wish I could go to one of those shows - the guests get ALL her favorite things - unbelievable!

My favorites:
Make sure you register for the Kitchen Aid Artisan Mixer (a must have and there are so many colors to pick from)and the Samsung Progressive HD Camcorder - perfect to record your honeymoon memories!

as a gift for your maid of honor: KAI BODY BUTTER and BODY BUFFER

as a thank you to your favorite wedding professional:
PERFECT ENDINGS CUPCAKES FROM WILLIAMS-SONOMA - They come in three fabulous flavors: red velvet with white icing, chocolate with chocolate sprinkles and coconut. $59 (set of 9)

how about the new LG refrigerator that has a TV in the door?!?!?!?!?
and of course an easy stocking stuffer is the Josh Groban Noel CD!
anyone reading this that wants to get me something....Crochet Uggs(kids size of course)!!!
Love it!

if you missed it check it out on Oprah.com
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