Pick of the Week - February 28, 2011

Looking to personalize your wedding without spending a lot of money while creating a keepsake that will last forever?  Check out the pictures below of photo guest books.  It's a great way to take your favorite pictures of you and your hunny and incorporate them into your guest book.  Then, leave it out for your guests to sign as they enter the reception.  It makes a great, personalized guest book that your guests will love looking at as well as a coffee table book you can keep out in the open in your house for as long as you'd like!  If you're a fan make sure to check out Shutterfly to start your photo book (they're my personal fav but there are numerous other websites like Snapfish) and you can always find great coupon codes at Retail Me Not. There are only certain markers that don't smear on the page but they're about 1.50 a piece.  Shutterfly can direct you to a website where you can order them.  Pick colors that match your wedding colors and make it even more personal!

 

Pick of the Week - February 21, 2011

The Oscars are just around the corner!  The big awards gala is this upcoming Sunday, the 27th at 8 p.m. on ABC.  If you're planning an Oscar party one great way to keep your guests entertained is a little award ceremony of your own.  Honor your guests by nominating and giving awards for categories like:

• Best dressed
• Most red-carpet ready
• Prediction Winner (person who correctly guessed the winners in each category)
• The guest who can give the best impromptu, improvised acceptance speech
• Best host jab at an award nominee
• Best karaoke performance

You can even purchase your own mock Oscar statues at http://www.hollywoodmegastore.com/ or make your own unique awards for your guests.

And don't forget your snacks either!

Attention Brides! $100,000 Dream Wedding Contest!

Create a registry at Crate & Barrel and enter to win a $100,000 Dream Wedding!  Hurry, you only have until March 31st!  Good luck and let me know if you enter the contest so I can vote for you! 

Register at Crate and Barrel

Start your contest entry between February 1, 2011 and March 31, 2011 by registering online at crateandbarrel.com. Just click the “Create My Registry” link above.

Complete the Contest Entry Form

After registering at our site, you’ll have the opportunity to link to the contest entry website, where you’ll need to tell us about yourselves:

• Upload three photos of you and your fiance.
• 1. Tell us your love story;
• 2. Get down to the nitty–gritty and share three important details of your Ultimate Wedding.
• 3. Describe how you’d design and decorate your dream home.

View entries already submitted

Get out the Vote

Once you’ve created your profile, it’s your job to get as many people to vote for you! Hundred couples will be chosen by the public to move on to the final round - heartfelt declarations, funny stories, and grassroots marketing plans are welcome.

Add to Your Crate and Barrel Registry

To advance to the final round, your wedding registry must have a total value of at least $2,000, and contain at least 50 unique items. With all the great selection of product at Crate and Barrel, this will be easy.

Final Judging

In early June, Yifat Oren and Crate and Barrel reps will crown the winner. Then the fun and planning with Yifat begins.
See the full contest rules and eligibility requirements at ultimateweddingcontest.com

Pick of the Week - February 14, 2011

First and foremost, Congratulations to all those newly engaged brides-to-be out there!!  I wish nothing but the very best for you in your new journey!

In the spirit of Valentine's Day and love being in air, this week's pick is wedding related.  However, you could transform this pick to fit your event needs.

This week's pick is a gobo.  For those of you who might not know what a gobo is, it's usually a piece of glass or metal that is attached to a lighting device to manipulate an image either on a wall or floor.  They are a great way to personalize your event.  Below are two pictures, one placed above the cake table, and the other the dance floor.  These can be found from around $80 to $140.

Pick of the Week - February 7, 2011

Well, whether you love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is right around the corner.  Married, engaged, dating, or single, there's no reason not to go out and enjoy yourself!  I've found some of the most delicious adult beverages for any event you're going to attend this weekend!  These tasty beverages are great for singles mixers, couples parties, and even just your average date night with you and your loved one!  Drink up and enjoy!

Pomegranate-Raspberry Martini

Ingredients

• 3 Oz Stirring's Pomegranate Mixer
• 2 Oz Raspberry Vodka
• slice of lime (garnish)

Directions

1. Shake mixer and vodka in a shaker.

2. Strain into a martini glass (rimmed with pomegranate sugar)

3. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Chocolate Martini

Ingredients

• Chocolate Martini to add a special flair. If you're looking for a fruity taste, pick a flavored vodka or rum such as citrus or raspberry. For a sweeter taste, use vanilla flavored vodka or rum. To garnish, coat a rim of martini glass, swirl chocolate syrup in a glass or add a few mouth-watering truffles. 2 Oz base spirit (vodka, light rum or brandy)
• 1/2 Oz chocolate liqueur
• 1/2 Oz white creme de cacao
• Chocolate syrup to coat rim of martini glass

Directions

Coat rim of martini glass with chocolate syrup. Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a martini glass.

Bubbly Blood Orange Campari Cocktail

Ingredients:

2-3 large blood oranges, juiced, about 1/3 cup juice

1 oz campari

Chilled sparkling wine – choose from prosecco, champagne, cava, brut, etc

Optional garnish – blood orange peel or blood orange slice

Directions:

1. Pour 1 ½ oz of blood orange juice in each champagne flute.
2. Add ½ oz of campari.
3. Top off each drink with sparkling wine, garnish with a slice of blood orange and enjoy.