Make This New Year A Safe One.

Tonight, many will party it up and the phrase “Happy New Year” will be yelled all over the world.   Tonight at midnight, we’ll ring in the New Year with fresh hopes, dreams, plans, and resolutions.  Tonight those hopes and dreams could quickly come to an end if you drink and drive.

So if you have to make only one resolution this year, make it one where you promise yourself, your friends, and family that you will not drink and drive.  

I’ve heard too many stories of stupid decisions turned bad, or even deadly.  And quite frankly, I’m sick of it.  It’s not only stupid, but costly, selfish, unneccessary and dangerous.  If you are driving tonight, don’t drink.  And if you do drink, get a cab.  

Make this New Year a safe one.  Go home to your loved ones tonight safe and sound, with the promise of a better year.  A Happy New Year could turn very sad if you get a DUI or kill yourself or others by drunk driving.  So, be smart.  Choose to make your hopes and dreams come true.  Choose to live.  Choose to get a cab. 

Happy New Year everyone!  And remember, if you’re drinking, drink responsibly!

It’s true, we finally have a kitchen table again! 

After 3 years of not having a kitchen table, we are finally proud owners of this lovely new one!  We had given our old table to my sister, who at the time had more space for it than we did.  

We got used to eating on t.v. tables, and eating at the bar area.  Now that we’ve moved, we have a table again, it’s great! 

Not only can we officially have company over for dinner (riiight…since I’m SO domestic), but now we also have a place to sit and do bills, make arts and crafts, play cards, etc.! 

It’s pretty, isn’t it?  And it goes with the rest of our furniture too, so it’s perfect.  We love it.  Wondering what’s in the flower vase?  Wine corks!  I’ve been collecting them for about a year now. 

I never knew where to keep all my wine corks, and now I’ve found the perfect place!  Not only does it store them for me, but it also makes a great decorative piece!

Our Charlie Brown Tree!

Say goodbye, dear sweet Charlie Brown tree of ours!  At least for another year!  Yes, this is the fabulous tree we’ve put up every year since we’ve been together…and we love it. 

We figure we’ll keep this little jewel of ours until we have kids, then we’ll go ahead and finally get a bigger tree.  A big fake tree, of course, since we’re both allergic to the real ones. 

So goodbye, little tree, until next year!   And now I leave you with one of our favorite ornaments, our beautiful clip-on bird.  Given to us in a set as part of a wedding gift.  Isn’t it lovely?  Our cat thinks so too!

Lindsay & Brock Engaged 12/23/07!

Congratulations on your engagement, Brock and Lindsay!  

Yet another couple bitten by the love bug!  I’m so excited for the both of you…we all are!  Great news. 

Lindsay, you are going to make quite the beautiful bride, I look forward to helping you plan your wedding!  Brock, I couldn’t be happier that you’ll now officially be family.  Your wedding day is going to rock!

So best wishes, you two, and congratulations! 

Let the planning begin!

 Wishing all of you, your family and friends all a wonderful Christmas and holiday season, along with a very happy, healthy and safe New Year! 

Beautiful stationery design by letterpress expert, Denise Johnson, at Bellis Studios.  Check out the rest of her line at www.bellisstudios.com, or read her creative blog at www.bellisblog.com!

Since I’ve noticed that the “pinup girl look” is coming back, I thought I’d post this fabulous video on how to get the look, with the right makeup!  I tried it last night, it’s pretty simple and so fun!  Don’t have the fake eyelashes to put on?  No problem, just apply several applications of mascara (while still wet…don’t apply over dry mascara).  Lift up with an eyelash curler, and shaaazaaam!  Beautiful lashes.  I reccomend “Great Lash Blackest Black Mascara” by Maybelline.  Now go get sexy!

My husband’s work’s Christmas party is tonight.  So after hauling my butt to the stores and finding nothing to wear, I decided I’d just come home, get ready, and bake.  But first I had to stop at the store and pick up more baking ingredients. 

I figured I’d make oatmeal chocolate chip cookies…they’re super yummy, easy and not too gooey to put into a brown paper bag, and I’ve made them before so I knew what I was getting into.  “Eeeerrrrwit!” (Quote from LFA @ www.lastfastaction.com)  Couldn’t find the base to my blender.  Shoot, now what?!?!?

Fear not, fine feathered friends, I had my fabulous Hershey’s Baking Book next to me to save the day!  So what did I decide on?  Hershey’s Rocky Road Brownies.  Hmmm…those sounded good, and looked pretty easy, so that was that. 

I hurried the ingredients together, mixed them up, popped it in the oven, and sat down to blog.  They turned out very moist and yummy!  If you’re interested, here’s the recipe.

Rocky Road Brownies

Ingredients:

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 9-inch square baking pan.

2. Stir together chocolate chips, marshmallows and nuts; set aside. Place butter in large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 1 to 1-1/2 minutes or until melted. Add sugar, vanilla and eggs; beat with spoon until well blended. Add flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; stir until well blended. Spread batter in prepared pan.

3. Bake 22 minutes. Sprinkle chocolate chip mixture over top. Continue baking 5 minutes or until marshmallows have softened and puffed slightly. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Using wet knife, cut into squares. About 20 brownies.

For MORE fabulous baking recipes for all you chocolate lovers, go to www.hersheys.com!

Today is going to be a crazy day.  Tonight we are going to my husband’s Christmas work party, and I’ve got lots to do before I go!  Not only do I have to go shopping to find an outfit to wear, but I’ve also been told I need to bake something amazing.    Yes, bake something SO yummy that we hopefully win the baking contest along with a pair of airline tickets! 

But that’s not all.  This is the first time I’ll be meeting my husband’s boss, and while I’ve heard nothing but nice things, the nerves are still there.  So I’ve gotta look good, I’ve gotta bake good, and I’ve gotta pull this night off good.  Wish me luck!

The baking contest requires us to bake something then put it into a brown paper bag, nobody will know what it is, they just have to taste it, and if it tastes the best, we win!  I’m normally an excellent baker, but a horrible cook, so thank goodness it’s baking and not cooking.  However I’m still nervous…what’s a girl to bake?! 

There are so many yummy treats out there to make, and I’ve really only got about 6 hours to decide and get all of this done.  Ideas, people?  Ideas!  Throw me those recipes, help us win this thing!  And remind me to bring my “Tums”, since I’m sure I’ll be nervous meeting everyone for the first time.  It’ll be fine, it seems like a truly wonderful company, with great people, so maybe I’ll leave the Tums at home and just have a little cocktail!  Enough blogging for now, I’ve gotta get a move on this day!  I’ll post later the pictures and recipe from my baking decision.  As for now…

Let the games begin!

There are so many great things about the Christmas holiday season.  It’s one of my favorite holidays, and while I did grow up with Christmas, another blogger did not. 

Check out her perspective, her questions, and her hilarious points of view on her blog post called “I Don’t Get Christmas“, at her event planning blog: planningforever.com/blog, the girl cracks me up!  Love it. 

Thank you Saundra for sharing your questions of the season, and your reasons to love the season!  It made me laugh, because some of it is just so true!  Check it out, everyone!

I recently was given this award by Denise, over at www.bellisblog.com, and it really made me smile!  Her kind gesture and words were so sweet, and I’m so grateful to have her not only as a friend and fellow blogger, but an aunt too!  So thank you, Dee!  You make me smile, too!

Denise does amazing letterpress work with stationery (check out www.bellisstudios.com ), and is always so inspiring.  She found and followed the dream that found her, and it’s pretty darn cool.  She inspires me, and I look up to her as if she’s the big sister I never had.   If I could give this to her I would, but it seems the rules are to pass it forward, so I will.  It’s time to pass it on!

There are so many bloggers out there that write such entertaining and creative posts, with great ideas and finds, but my favorite blogger (and it was hard to choose) aside from Denise at Bellis is Kal Barteski, over at lovelife.typepad.com.

Kal is a very creative soul, and creates these lovely posts filled with her beautiful, fun and whimsy art and photography.  She is an “artist, designer and a painter”.   She gets you inspired.  She makes you want to motivate.  She awakens your soul to appreciate the little things in life by turning them into art.  She rocks.

Her story inspires me too…as she LOVES what she does!  That has got to be the greatest feeling, to love your work.  Not many people get to do that, but she is one of the lucky ones.  Why?  Because she worked hard so she could literally LOVE her life! 

If you haven’t yet, check her blog out, and also her work!  She even published a book!  But the best little thing she’s created?  Her new baby girl, “Pilot” who just recently arrived.  Welcome to the world, Pilot, and congratulations, Kal!

Dogs.  Some will say they’re the new “kids“, some will say they’re the new “hot accessories“.   I still say they’re just little lovies, who sometimes smell. 

Well, smell no more, little poochies!  Eh-hem, Mable (a family dog who rarely smells lovely)!  Now your dog can smell lovely just like you, with a whole line of beauty supplies just for dogs, by Juicy Couture!  Don’t laugh, I’m serious.  Enter, Juicy Crittoure!

This fabulous creation from Juicy Couture will leave your dog smelling and feeling like the royalty they are!  Check out www.bloomingdales.com, for your dog’s stocking stuffers this year!

For only $20.00, you can get this Juicy Crittoure spray, and get rid of that awful smell your dog often flaunts. 

“Juicy Crittoure Soft Spot”

“Because the Juicy Pooch wears her fur everyday, here’s a little spritz to make doggy ever so soft instantly. Introducing Juicy Crittoure, the first couture fragrance for dogs. This new wardrobe of couture canine fragrance and poochie personal care includes pawfum, shampooch, coif fur, soft spot, pawtection, pawlettes, polished paws, paw polish remover, and doggy house spray.” - www.bloomingdales.com

Headed out for a spa day?  Why not treat your pup too?  Along with the spray, have your dog’s groomer do their nails, too!   Check it out!

“Juicy Crittoure Paw Polish Remover”

“A quick, gentle polish remover blended just for doggy’s tiny, tender nails. Introducing Juicy Crittoure, the first couture fragrance for dogs.” - www.bloomingdales.com  

Beware…the other dogs might be jealous, causing a new leader to take on the pack!  lol

Just flipping through my latest issue of “Lucky” Magazine, I came across this “new scent for women from Sean John“…opened up the tab, tried it on, and decided I must have it. 

Most scents out there are either too fruity, too sweet, too strong, or too much something!  This scent, however, smells amazing, and I really might have to go get it for myself one of these days.  Pleasantly surprised, and automatically drawn to it.  I MUST HAVE IT!

Get your 4.2 oz. bottle for $72.00 at most department stores!  Check out the other lines and gift sets at www.seanjohnfragrances.com, but beware…the commercial has been banned from tv networks, for being a little too naughty!  Tisk, tisk, tisk…yum, yum, yum!

Look at me…posting all these posts, when Christmas is supposed to be about giving, here I am posting about things I want…lol Hey, Merry Grinchmas, everyone! lol (Hey…nothing wrong with dreaming, right?)

Ode to Love…

I’m not normally a goldy locks girl, but I have officially fallen in love with these hot little shoes from www.ardenb.com!  What’s not to love?

“Peep toe suede heel with knot and metallic stitching. Dainty ankle strap features metallic oval buckle. 4.5″ round heel and 1″ platform. “ 

It appears to be a gold metallic stitching…but either way, it’s love at first site, don’t you agree!?  For only $98.00, these babies could be yours…and your feet will love you!  So will the guy standing next to you.  Oooh la la!

Another Set Of Lovebirds Engaged!

All our blessings and best wishes!!!  Congratulations on your engagement, and you know you can count on me too, if you need help planning!  Welcome to the family, Ryan!  Love you guys!

With Christmas nearing quickly, I thought I’d post this little spot about photographing Christmas lights.  It can be tricky, as I’ve realized, so when I found these helpful tips, I was thrilled! 

To find out how to master that picture, go to Photojojo now!

This helpful site gives you tons of tips on how to take the perfect Christmas pictures, and also has tons of creative ideas for other photo projects as well! Now go get that tripod. Have fun! And of course, Happy Holidays!

 Will Your Pricey Photographer Do This For You?

See this picture?  Photographer Jessica Claire has been there before.  Check out her site at www.jessicaclaire.net.  She really takes beautiful photographs of her clients!  A photographer like that is worth the money, wouldn’t you say!?  One who will really work hard for you.  Isn’t that what we all want?

When choosing a photographer for your wedding, it’s important to interview several before you decide.  There are many “big name” photographers who will give you their pitch, but unless you ask them questions, you never really know how much they’ll end up doing for you. 

Don’t get me wrong, some big name photographers are amazing, and do excellent work.  Well worth the money.  But there are some scammers out there!

With photography being such a huge expense for the bride and groom, be sure when you’re choosing your photographer that they really are worth the money. 

Photographers can charge anywhere from $1000 to $20,000 per wedding (sometimes even more!), and expensive doesn’t always mean the best.  Some of the greatest wedding photography I’ve seen were from freelance photographers.  They do it because they love it, it’s not just another “job” to them.  It’s their life. 

So find out what your photographer is willing to do for you.  Ask questions.  Get answers.  And don’t decide until you’ve interviewed them all.  Ask friends for suggestions.  Look them up on the Better Business Bureau.  Check out The Knot message boards and see what other brides who used the photographers had to say. 

I once had a friend who paid thousands of dollars for her wedding photographer.  He gave her the greatest pitch ever.  In the end, however, they were disappointed to see that the photographer left the reception and went home, RIGHT after dinner!!!  So they missed all the fun shots & all the dancing afterwards.  Luckily they had plenty of guests who also took pictures.  Double check that contract.  Know how long your photographer is willing to shoot for.

It’s one of the biggest days of your lives, so choose carefully.  Get what you pay for.  And have memories to last a life time!

To learn more about contracts and what questions to ask, check out the post by Melissa DiStefano, at
Masterpiece Weddings!  And thanks to Liene at Blue Orchid Designs for informing me who the photographer is in that picture, so I can share with all of you!

According to the January 2008 issue of Glamour Magazine, I have a “goofy-sexy side”…so I need to play around with some new eyeliner.  Which sounds great, as I love eyeliner!  And mascara. 

It’d be hard to choose between the two if I were on a deserted island and could only keep one makeup product on me.  So here are my picks!

As Glamour suggests, and I agree, I should try ”Lancome Artliner“, for only $27.00 at www.lancome-usa.com. 

“This easy-to-handle, liquid pen features a uniquely shaped foam tip that lets you precision-line, shape and define your eyes.

Won’t scratch, tug or skip. Also features a unique combination of two film-forming polymers that make every look last even longer. Rich, deep, luminous colour pigments offer the most intense- colour. The Result: A precise, professional look.”

If I had to pick a mascara, however, I’d stay with the classic, trusting, and fabulous “Great Lash Mascara“, in “Blackest Black” of course, by Maybelline. 

It’s the best, tried and true mascara I’ve found…and I’ve tried sooo many in search for the perfect one, but I keep coming back to this.  It’s great, and for under $5.00, it’s a steal!  Who said it had to be expensive to be great, anyway?!

Gary & Julie - Engaged 12/19/07!

See, love really is in the air this holiday season!  All the blessings for a long, happy, healthy life together!

We can’t WAIT until the wedding day!!!  You know I’m here if you need help planning…we love you guys!

By Yours Truly!

I love going through my old things and finding little treasures.  This is one of the drawings I did in high school…and while it’s just feet, it’s my favorite.  It’s a drawing of feet with a towel over them…so I hung it in my bathroom!

Still trying to figure out how to make our bedroom warm and cozy.  Here are some ideas I’ve come across that I love!

#1.  Similar colors…love the clean crisp look.  Not so sure about the draperies though.  I am enjoying the glow from the candles and darker lamp shades…sets the mood for relaxation!

#2.  Love the letter idea, but would prefer something more year-round, of course, maybe our initials!  I also love the silver accents with the dark wood.  I also love the idea of getting a short lamp for the end table, but could do without the greenery.  Not a bad color for the wall…warms it up.  So not a fan of those drapes though!  What’s my problem with drapes?  lol  

#3.  I love how the red wall didn’t overpower the room…as greens, yellows and whites were added, it really did give it a very cozy feel, and brightened it up as well.  Not big on the old world look, so I’d add my own touches instead.  Only problem?  I already have a red wall in our living room…so does that mean the bedroom needs to be a different color?  I wish I was better at this design stuff!

Those are my 3 pictures for today…thanks to www.ratemyspace.hgtv.com for the inspiration! 

So what’s your favorite?  Any ideas or suggestions?  I have a light sage green/cream colored home-made quilt from my grandma that we’ll have on there…it’s beautiful, so it stays.  Our furniture is a beautiful set from Crate and Barrel…dark chocolate colored wood.  So that stays.  Our carpet is brown, not much we can do about that unless I find a miracle rug, maybe.  We shall see!

Advertises that you’ll feel “rich”.

If you haven’t heard the the buzz, you’ll soon be able to get buzzed…on the new bubbly, “Rich Prosecco“, created by Paris Hilton.  Now that’s crafty, putting it out  right before New Years.   Wonder if anyone will actually buy it, considering it’s in a CAN! 

But you know it’ll spark people’s curiosity, so I’m sure it’ll sell, and I’m sure she’ll make even more money to add to her overflowing bank account! 

The bubbly (I refuse to call it champagne like everyone else is…because it’s not) has it’s Debut in Berlin tomorrow, and will be available in the U.S. next year.  Sorry U.S. peeps, you’ll have to wait!

Wonder what the socialite will be charging for this little creation?  We shall see!  Will YOU be trying her new little creation?

 Ever Been In A Rut?

If you’ve ever experienced being in a “rut” like most of us probably have, you know it’s hard.  It’s tolling, it’s frustrating, and it’s easy to fall into it and hang out for a while, even if you’re not happy.  Sometimes it’s just easy to settle.  Well, don’t.  Learn from this.

Someone who we love so dearly used to settle for life as it was, and has turned into someone who now refuses to settle.  He’s come to the realization that life is short, and that he deserves to be happy!   Well now he is.  He’s happy.  Happy in love, and in life.  This person really made a turn around in his life, and we’re so happy for him!  To see him smile, it’s like my husband says, “He’s like the cat that ate the canary!”. 

So to those of you out there who have struggled, or who are “in a rut”, hang in there, and know that YOU TOO deserve to be happy, and that you WILL find happiness if you haven’t already…it’s out there, so go get it!  Go get your bird!!!  And to those of you who have gone out and made their life what they really wanted it to be, rock on. 

Cheers to life, love & happiness!

One day I was in a soul searching mood, and found these quotes.  They make perfect sense, read if you have the time!  I hope they are as inspirational for you as they were for me. 

“Don’t wait for people to be kind, show them how.”
-Unknown

“Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you, not because they are kind, but because you are.”
-Unknown

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
-Bonnie Jean Wasmund

“Kindness is like sugar, it makes life taste a little sweeter.”
- Carla Yerovi - RAK member

“Be nice and smile to everyone you meet. You don’t know what they are going through, and they may need that smile, and treasure it.”
- Christine M. Huppert

“All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don’t discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others.”
-Danny Thomas

“A good heart is better than all the heads in the world.”
-Edward Lytton

“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.”
-George Washington Carver

“Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution.”
-Kahlil Gibran

“People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;Forgive them anyway.  If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;Be kind anyway.  If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;Succeed anyway.  If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;Be honest and frank anyway.  What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;Build anyway.  If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;Be happy anyway.  The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;Do good anyway.  Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.  You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;It never was between you and them anyway.”
-Mother Teresa

“Compassion, kindness, and concern can be found everywhere in America. And if we have learned nothing else from this [Sept. 11th] tragedy, we have learned that our time on earth is short, so there is simply no time for hate.”
-Sandra Dahl, wife of Jason Dahl, pilot of Flight 93

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
-Winston Churchill

…Unless You’re Having A Baby In A Small One Bedroom Condo!

So my best friend and her husband are expecting their first child in February.  She’s feeling overwhelmed a bit, as they live in a (very cute, but very small) one bedroom condo.  They haven’t even been able to unpack all of their wedding gifts, as they have no room to put them yet!  Now they’ve just had their baby shower, and have even more things.  On top of that, baby is almost here!

They own their condo, but with the market the way it is right now, there is not much hope for selling.  There is already several other condos in the same building which have been for sale almost all year, and have not sold.  So they’re stuck.  At least it’s a cute place to be “stuck” at!

I’ve offered to come over and help clean and organize, to help them get ready for baby.  The problem is, there’s not much room to put the baby.  With only a one bedroom, they’ll have to get creative.  It can be done.  And it will get done.  Because I’m going to help my poor overwhelmed friends, and it’s going to be just fine.  So now it’s time to research just HOW we’re going to do this.  Wish us luck!  Any advice or suggestions would be great, thanks! 

Help promote mental health awareness.  Go to www.mpoweryouth.org, or www.nmha.org.  For those who are going through it, have been through it, or know someone who has gone through it…there is hope, and there is help! 

Mpower, a division of Mental Health America, helps youth and others with issues such as depression, suicide, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, etc.   So many people are affected by mental health issues, so if you or somebody you know is going through it, get help.  There is help.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, of the

Omaha Westroads Mall shooting.

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least two things I don’t want to do - just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it.

Just for Today

Every Christmas my family gets together to celebrate, eat, open gifts, and enjoy eachother’s company.   As the family grew larger, we started picking names out of a hat to see “who had who” that year, to buy for.  Good idea, right? 

While Christmas is not all about gifts, but more so the love behind them in my family, we decided to start a new tradition.  The Christmas Ornament Exchange! 

From now on, each Christmas, we’ll continue to pick names out of a hat to see “who has who” to get a gift for.  Only this year there is no wondering what to get for that person.   Because this year, it’s limited.  To ornaments. 

Whether it’s a home-made ornament, or a store bought ornament, it’s strictly ornaments.  It can be a funny one, a sentimental one, a handmade one, one that reminds us of that person, one that describes that person, etc.  The possibilities are endless!

Cool, huh?  So now, year after year, as we decorate our trees at Christmas, we’ll be saying, “Oooh…look!  This is the ornament that so-and-so bought me!”, or “Cool!  I remember this!  This ornament so-and-so made for me!”.  And after several years go by, we’ll all have our very own family decorated Christmas tree.  With special ornaments to remember those loved ones by. 

So let the creativity begin!   This year I get to give an ornament to my younger sister Michelle, and my husband gets to give an ornament to our new aunt Dee!  I’m so excited.  The ideas are already flowing, but the challenge is still there.  We’ve gotta think of something good!  Stay posted to see pictures of what we decided to give and why! :)  And of course, Happy Holidays!

To purchase ornaments shown in picture above, go to:  www.tamar.etsy.com, a delightful little shop!

Say “CHEESE”!  But not cheesy! 

Fabulous new idea: Custom Bridal Illustrations!

You’ve got your dress.  You’ve got your photographer.  You’ve definitely got the groom.  Now all you need?  An artist!

Custom bridal illustrations could just be the new trend for 2008…you never know!  Whether it happens or not, what a great idea!  Definitely not your typical “bridal portrait”, now is it.  This would make an awesome and unique gift!  And you’d earn major points for creativity!  Spent all your money on the wedding already?  On a budget?  No problem!  What a great gift for the bridesmaids to get in on and purchase together for the bride.  Budget problem solved!

The illustration will fit a standard 8″ x 10″ picture frame.

Get your custom bridal illustration done at Brooklit’s Etsy Shop! 

Planning a bridal shower or a bachelorette party? 

Check out these great notecard designs by www.pinksugardots.com!

Each box consists of 20 notecards and 20 envelopes, and for $40.00 a box, they can be yours! 

Thanks to www.blushevents.blogspot.com for the great find!

Looking for some ways to add some special touches to your wedding?  Maybe it’s your something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue!

Get creative and have fun with it!  I love how this bride wrapped her rosary around the stems of her bouquet…looks like there are touches of blue, perhaps her “something blue”!

Maybe you have a line from your vows embroidered into the inside of your dress.  Or, perhaps you could sew in a little heart charm inside your husband-to-be’s sleeve like recently done on the new show “Gossip Girl”! 

Purchase your wedding shoes before your bridal shower and ask your bridesmaids to each sign their blessings onto the bottom of your shoes.

Or maybe you add a little rhinestone or crystal broach to add on top of your bouquet…for a little bit of sparkle!  Better yet, get one for each of your bridesmaids’ bouquets, so that after the flowers dry up, they have a beautiful keepsake to have to remember your big day!

Whatever you choose, make it special and make it yours.  Happy planning!

Ever visit www.theknot.com? 

Well, if you’re planning a wedding, you’ve gotta check this site out!  I know I couldn’t have planned our wedding without the knot and all the knotties! 

Knotties are girls who frequent The Knot message boards, post pictures in their bios of the weddings they’re planning, and share ideas and advice.  It’s SO helpful!  Great tool.  So check it out!

Whether you’re planning a beach wedding, fall wedding, pink wedding, Jewish wedding…whatever the specialty, The Somewhat Official Knot Bio List has it all categorized, just for your viewing and inspirational pleasure! 

Not planning a wedding?  Check out www.thenest.com, one of The Knot’s sister sites!  Learn about saving money, buying/decorating your home, advice for couples, planning for baby, etc.!

 Something About Candlelight!

Whether it’s a small get together, or a big soiree, candles can really warm up a room and give it a cozy welcoming feel!

Place them between vases of flowers like shown in this lovely picture, or place them all throughout the room.  With candles, you’re sure to have a beautiful event!

On a budget?  Ask the venue if they have votive holders they can lend you! 

 Prepare Early For Your One Year Anniversary!  Freeze Your Cake!

Following tradition and planning on freezing the top of your wedding cake to enjoy on your One Year Anniversary?  Don’t do what we did.  

We waited a whole year, got excited, and when it came time to unwrap the frozen cake, I cried because it turned MOLDY!  Obviously I didn’t do it the right way.  SO, lesson learned…but to keep the same thing from happening to you, I thought I’d write this post!

The girls over at Soiree Special Events, LLC  have posted the CORRECT way to freeze the top of your wedding cake.  The way it should be done, so that you can actually eat it on your One Year Anniversary! 

Thanks, ladies!  To find out how, check out their blog post HERE.  Still not feeling confident?  Pass on the freezing and just order a smaller version from the bakery that made your wedding cake for the following year.  Issue resolved.

P.S. Don’t you just LOVE this black and white cake?!

My sister recently moved to the country…she’s no longer a city chicken. 

She’s trying to decorate her new home and wants it to look ”country chic“.  So when I came across this picture, I thought of her! 

I’m not a designer, but if I were to guess what”country chic” looks like, it’d be this picture right here.   This seems to be the winner of the design challenge for Domino Magazine.  LOVE it!

To read more, check out: www.ecochicweddings.com!

Oh, candle lovers!  Oh, PARTYLITE lovers!  Have you SEEN the “Ruby Red” line at Partylite?  In their Fall/Holiday catalog they now offer this fabulous eye candy.  Whoa.  And you can get it for FREE just for hosting a party in your own home!

I love Partylite, their candles last forever, smell amazing and their hurricanes and other candle accessories just rock.  I used to have Partylite parties all the time…and based on the sales from my show, I’d get a free shopping spree just for me! 

Since I haven’t hosted a Partylite party all year, I need to get back.  I’m dry out of candles and this Ruby Red set would look awesome not only for the holidays, but for year round!  Had to share…it’s way too cool not to. 

If you’re interested in having a Partylite party and getting free candles, just go to www.partylite.com to find a Partylite consultant near you!  Or, if you live in the Chicagoland area, contact Janet!  She’s my  favorite Partylite lady…always makes the shows so much fun!  Want to see what she offers?  Check out her website and contact her HERE!

Ever hear of the latte factor?  It’s basically an issue I have.  I spend too much money on Caramel Macchiatos and Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks.  I buy them one at a time, thinking, “Oh, it’s only $5.00, no biggie.  It’s a treat. 

Well, this “treat” of mine has made me realize how much money I really DO waste, giving into the “latte factor”.  If I could just stop going to Starbucks, or limiting my visits at least to once in a GREAT while and not every day, I could save TONS of money!!! lol  What a concept.

Think about it.  If I could save $5.00 a day, and that $5.00 a day equaled roughly $150.00 a month, I’d save about $2,000.00 a YEAR!  I could put that into a retirement fund each year, where it could grow tax-free until I retire.   I’d save millions!  -Information Taken From “Smart Women Finish Rich” by David Bach.

Still need your coffee?  Today I discovered the several different flavors of “International Coffee Delight“.  Coffee creamer!  They now have limited edition “Pumpkin Pie Spice” and “Vanilla Caramel Brownie” flavors to offer.  For about $2.00, you too can get your very own yummy coffee creamer, that tastes VERY much like Starbucks!  Only you make your treat now at home, for a LOT less money, and enjoy it just the same!

Although I WILL miss saying,  ”One Venti Soy Whip Pumpkin Spice Latte please!”

If you’re a professional procrastinator like I sometimes am when it comes to writing Christmas cards, you’ve gotta check out this great deal!   

From now until Christmas Bellis Studios is offering FREE USPS Priority Mail upgrade on all purchases! That means you’ll get your package in 2 to 3 days, instead of the post office’s normal 7-10 days!! (This offer is only valid on items being mailed within the United States.) 

So get shopping! www.bellisstudios.etsy.com

To learn more about the art of letterpress, go to www.bellisstudios.com, or check out her blog at www.bellisblog.com!

I wonder if the day will come when I actually need to carry this much luggage on a trip.   Amazing, isn’t it? 

• I’ve Been Tagged! 

I’ve been tagged by my blogger friend over at Our Wedding Plus !    It’s kind of like a fun chain letter that us crazy bloggers do once in a while.

Here’s what I have to do:

Share seven random/weird facts about myself, post the rules here, and then tag seven other people. The rules are…

1. Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird things about yourself
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Ready, get set, here we go!

1. I collect Barbie Dolls

2. I have a passion for weddings, shoes, and the weather!  I am fascinated yet terrified by tornados and sharks. 

3. At one point of my life, as a child, I had 2 dogs, 1 cat, 1 bird, 1 iguana, 1 guinea pig, 1 tarantula, 20 rabbits, and several pet mice.  With two other sisters and a mom who’s an animal lover, it worked out.  The trantula and I never bonded.  The 20 rabbits came from 3 my sisters & got for Easter one year, which were supposed to be all girls.  One turned out to be a boy.  We ended up with “bunny condos” my dad made in the garage.  The iguana roamed the house, loved to hang out on the tree, and would sit on the couch in the sun with the cat, strangely enough.  And the bird would sometimes sit on the iguana’s back, as long as the cat wasn’t near.  Yes, it seemed like a zoo…and we couldn’t ever go out to play unless all the pets were fed and their cages were clean.  lol  Now that I’m older, I just have one cat, named Pepper Anne.

4. I help plan & promote benefits with my friend Angela for MPower, a part of Mental Health America. For youth & others to learn about and get help with understanding mental health issues such as depression, suicide, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, etc. In honor of Angela’s brother and also my brother-in-law, who were both lost to suicide.

5. I love to draw, do artsy craftsy stuff, and all things creative.

6. I love chocolate! And filet and mashed potatoes. And cosmopolitans. lol

7. I am nearing 30, as I’ll be 29 in January. Strange to think about how time has passed, and how it’s probably time my husband and I get on the baby wagon already!!! It always used to seem like we had so much time…and now the idea of having one before I’m 30 is probably out the window…lol.

No for my 7 tags:

Dee of “Bellis Studios”
Sarah of “Social Event Design”
Risa of “The Partea Planner”
Kelly of “Weddings By Socialites”
Lara of “Ready2Spark”
Kal of “(I)LoveLife”

Well that’s it!  Have fun!

Jaime

My friend loves the idea of tulips for her wedding coming up in May, however she was concerned about whether they would be a sturdy enough flower to last the entire day or not.  I’ve heard some yays and nays, so decided to research it.  Here’s just a little bit of info I’ve found on that lovely flower…the tulip!

“Consider Your Season.  Marrying in summer or in a humid climate? Go for hardy flowers that won’t wilt, such as sunflowers, zinnias, dahlias, lilies, and hydrangeas. Avoid gardenias, lily of the valley, tulips, and wildflowers.” -The Knot

This is a hard one.  May in Chicago can be either a hot month or a cold month.  Since she’s getting married at the end of May, I’m thinking the chance of a hot day is more likely than a cool day.  As long as the flowers are kept inside where it’s cool, though, I think it would be ok, no?  Unless, of course, they’re planning on taking pictures outside, that might do some damage…if it’s humid out.  And it DOES get humid in Chicago!

My suggestion?  Take the outside pictures either early in the day before it’s too hot, or save the outside pictures for late evening, after it starts to cool.  Keep those babies nice and cool!

“You also need not worry about your flowers getting dried after some time. Tulips are long-lasting. It can retain moisture over a long period of time compared to other flowers.” -Flower Arrangement Advisor

Hmmm…see? Yays and nays!  lol

“Representing “consuming love” and “happy years,” the tulip can be a meaningful wedding choice.  Available during much of the year, the most common tulips are very affordable, though rare varieties can be expensive.” -The Knot

Whichever flowers she chooses, they’ll be beautiful, and so will she!

More Flower Ideas for Leeanne and Mike’s Wedding in May! 

 Part Two!

I’m loving this bouquet, which would coordinate well with the light green bridesmaid dresses! 

Made up of hand-tied dahlias, pink and white snowberries, cockscomb, stock, chocolate cosmos, hydrangeas, wax flowers, curly willow, and geranium leaves.

 Add a little more white to the mix for the bride’s bouquet, and wala!  So stunning, isn’t it?!

She did mention she wanted some touches of purple in her bouquet.  This one is quite beautiful too! 

It consists of blue and deep purple hydrangeas with white stephanotis and purple waxflowers.

I’ve found these beautiful ideas from www.theknot.com, a very helpful source for brides planning their weddings.   They have pages and pages of photo galleries that range from flowers, to dresses to invites.  Ceremony decor ideas to reception decor, favor ideas, etc.  Check it out if you haven’t already, it’s an excellent tool!

You know longer need to call your carpet guy to install for you.  You know longer need to find a way to carry in a HUGE roll of a rug.  Nope!  It’s all good and easy now, with “FLOR”, carpet tiles you can install yourself! 

These tiles can be purchased at www.flor.com, and range anywhere from $9.99/tile to $17.99/tile.  They come in an array of different colors, styles and textures, sure to please!  What a perfect idea for that one little spot in your home that could just really “use something”.  Or, personalize an event and buy them in the event’s colors!  Too cool.  I’m a fan! 

Check it out!

Thinking about popping the big question?  Before you come up with creative ways on how to do so, you might want to watch this video first so you don’t make the same mistakes.  Notice mistakes was plural…lol.  This video is hilarious, sad, happy, and adorable, all in one!  Enjoy!

Browsing blogs is truly a joy for me, especially when they have to do with weddings!  When I stumbled upon this photograph through a blog, I realized the “wow” factor it had.  It is truly such a classic, timeless photo. 

I remember when we were planning our wedding, we gave our photographer a “must take” photo list, pictures and shots we really wanted captured from our special day. 

I knew our photographer was an expert, but there were still a few we’d ask her to make sure to get, and she did.  We were so pleased! 

So if you’re planning a wedding and happen to find photos you love, don’t be afraid to ask your photographer to take them!  Not only will you end up with an array of amazing photos from their point of view, but you’ll have been able to add your own special ideas too.  Happy planning!

To read the story about how this photo happened, and to see more great photography, check out this awesome blog, www.photographs.wordpress.com! 

It’s truly one of the coolest blogs I’ve seen!

At my friend’s baby shower the other day, I noticed my other friend Emily was all decked out in “pinup look”.  The long blond wavy hair, red lipstick, pale skin, red satin blouse with white polka dots, she really pulled it off and looked great!  We were all joking with her telling her she looked like a little pinup girl! 

Well, then I discover the new model for Fredericks of Hollywood, Dita Von Teese. 

In their latest catalog, she’s all dressed up to look like a pinup too…as shown in this picture here.

I think we’re catching on to something here…Emily you are ahead of the trend!  Because earlier today, I came across the photo shoot that Katherine Heigl recently did, from www.popsugar.com, and sure enough, it’s very “pin up”!

Check it out!

Finally a time that was sexy and cool…coming back in style.  I’m officially proud to be pale!

Flower Ideas For Leeanne and Mike!

Leeanne informed me that she’d like to use pinks, whites, deep purples, and green in her flowers, to accent against the dresses which are in the color celedon.   

The bridesmaids in this photo each carried a colorful bouquet of pink peonies, calla lilies, and roses accented with green hypericum berries. 

I think these are beautiful, and since callas and roses could come in purple, she might be able to switch up the colors a little bit to make them her own!  Adding some green orchids into the mix might seal the deal too!

With flowers, the bride could either do the same as the bridesmaids, or keep the mix of colors with the girls, and have her own bouquet all one color, such as all green orchids.  

Or maybe she could mix the green orchids with some white tulips or roses which she said she liked also. 

This bouquet carries roses, green berries, green cymbidium orchids, ranunculus, and hanging amaranthus.

One bridal shop we went to when Leeanne was looking for dresses helped her with ideas for the groomsmen too! 

She mentioned them wearing a chocolate brown tux with maybe a cream or white shirt, to play off of the light green celedon color in the dresses. 

If they choose to go with chocolate brown, a bouquet similar to this (roses,  berries, and sunflowers) might work well to accent off of that!   Maybe the roses could be more pink instead of coral, or white for the bride!

Ooooh…very pretty.  These girls carried white hydrangeas with green roses and a variety of pink accent flowers. 

I’m loving this pink & green theme, though I’m on the search for more purple to add since she also wants to incorporate that into the mix as well!

Sing with me now, “I just can’t get enough…I just can’t get enough…” lol See, there are just too many.  Ok,  I’m done.  

Keep checking back for more flower ideas to come!  All pictures in this post thanks to: www.theknot.com!

My friends Leeanne and Mike are getting married this May.  I’m so excited to be standing up in their wedding! 

Here’s a picture of the bridesmaid dress the girls are wearing, it’s very pretty!  From David’s Bridal, in the color celedon.  She’s thinking of going with deep purple/green/pink and white as colors for her flowers/scheme, so I’ll be posting some ideas up for her every now and then, to help her plan. 

If you come across anything, let me know!  I’d love to feature it and show her whatever I can!  Congratulations, Leeanne and Mike!

So many of my good friends are getting engaged, and I’m so excited!!!  Few are still a secret so I can’t name them yet, but others are already looking at dresses and venues! 

Here’s my list…and a very happy congrats to all of you!!!  May you all be blessed with long, happy, healthy lives with your soon-to-be husbands!  The holiday season has also turned into what seems like engagment season, so exciting!

Leeanne & Mike

Emily & Mike

Jackie & Ben

Stay tuned for other’s exciting news soon! (he he he, my lips are sealed!)

 Celebrating The Christmas Season…With Memories!

 I remember when we were little it was always so fun decorating and getting ready for Christmas.  My mom would bake cookies with us (up until a few years ago I still believed the cookies wouldn’t rise unless it was quiet!) and we’d make homemade ornaments out of felt and macaroni. 

We would string popcorn, and my mom would put cinnamon sticks into boiling water with orange peels that gave the house a wonderful scent, and we’d make other decorations such as pomanders!

When I came across instructions on how to make a pomander, I had to share.  They really do smell great and are so fun and relaxing to make!  Especially great if you have kids, keeps them busy for a while!

Check out these tips from www.marthastewart.com, and enjoy the smells of the season!  Happy fa-la-la-la-la-ing!

“Pomanders, aromatic spheres that are prepared by studding citrus fruits with cloves, have been used since medieval times and still make lovely holiday decorations. If they dry out without getting moldy, they’ll last up to a year before their fragrance completely fades.

To make a pomander, stud an orange, lemon, or other firm-fleshed citrus fruit with whole, stemmed cloves. It is easier to insert the cloves if you poke a hole first with a nail or knitting needle; space them evenly and as close together as possible. If you’d like to add additional notes of fragrance to the pomander, place powdered spices like cinnamon or powdered dried lavender in a resealable plastic bag, and shake the pomander inside the bag until it is coated with the scent. Add powdered orrisroot as well, to promote quick and even drying.”