Reflecting on 2009

As we say goodbye to 2009, I have been reflecting on the past year. 2009 had its ups and downs but we survived. The economy was bad, businesses closed and people lost their homes. I am grateful for the wonderful people that I have met over the year and have built friendships with. I am happy to have had some of the best clients a wedding planner could have and to be apart of their special day. I am looking forward to 2010 and all the great clients and opportunities it will bring. I am looking forward to the new direction that the company will be going in.

To all of our clients....thank you for allowing us to be apart of one of the most important days of your life. To the great wedding planners that I have met...thank you for the support and for all that you do in this industry. To my friends and family...thank you for your support, encouragement and love. Without you I would not have made it through the year. To the best assistant/friend I could have....thank you for all that you do.

Have a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you in 2010!!!

Kourtney Kardashian Welcomes Baby Boy

Kourtney Kardashian and boyfriend, Scott Dimisk welcomed a baby boy to the family. Kourtney delivered Mason Dash Disick on Monday morning at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Mason weighed 7 lbs., 6 oz., and 19.5 inches. This is the first child for Kourtney and Scott.

Laura Hooper is spreading holiday cheer

Laura Hooper Calligraphy is spreading holiday cheer by offering discounts off of her totes, bifold and trifold invitations, and custom compasses. Take advantage of these great discounts for your wedding.

Hank & Kendra Welcomes Baby Boy!!

Hank Baskett and his wife former playmate, Kendra Wilkinson welcomes a baby boy. Hank Baskett IV was born at 12:37 am today in Indianapolis. Hank IV weighed in at 9 pounds, 5 ounces. The couple released a statement to OK magazine, reads, "We are all healthy and incredibly happy and can’t wait to spend every moment with little Hank."

Congratulations Hank and Kendra!!

Thanksgiving Dessert Buffet

Thanksgiving is tomorrow.  For my family thanksgiving is a time for reflecting on the past year, gathering with family and friends and being thankful.  I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Amy Atlas and found her Thanksgiving Dessert Buffet.  Amy’s Thanksgiving Dessert Buffet really got me in the mood for thanksgiving, so I wanted to share.  Wishing each of you a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

Turkey Brownie

Turkey Cookies

 

Pilgrim Hat Cupcakes

Scarecrow and Apple Basket Cookies

Burnt Butter Pumpkin Pound Cake

Caramel & Sugared Pears

Acorn Cookies

Apple Cider with Cinnamon Sticks

Marshmallow Sweet Potato Pie

 

Source: Amy Atlas

Goodbye InStyle Weddings Magazine

The wedding industry has lost another great magazine.  Time, Inc. has decided to close the InStyle Weddings magazine due to the economy.  The last issue will be December 25 and will remain on sale until March 5.

Thanksgiving Cocktails

Thanksgiving is in three days.  Here are a few cocktails that you can add to your menu and impress your guests with your bartending skills. Even the non-drinkers will be impressed by your skill and originality.

Pumpkin Pie

• 1 part kahlua
• 1 part spiced pumpkin pie filling
• 2 parts coconut rum
• 4 parts cold milk
• 6 ice cubes
• Garnish with cinnamon

Put everything but the cinnamon in a blender. Mix on high. Serve in graham cracker crust highball glasses and sprinkle the top with cinnamon.

Smashing Pumpkin Spice

• 1 part Goldschlager
• 1 part Irish Crème
• 1 part Kahlua
• Cinnamon candies
• Sprinkle pumpkin pie spice

Drop 3-4 cinnamon candies in the bottom of a martini glass. Mix the Goldschlager, Irish Crème, and Kahlua in a martini shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice on top.

Gingersnap

• ½ part ginger brandy
• 1 part spiced rum
• 4 parts eggnog
• Crumbled gingersnaps

Put your gingersnaps in a blender and grind until you have cookie crumbs. Use the cookies to rim highball glasses. Mix the eggnog, rum, and brandy in your glasses. Serve with an intact gingersnap for dunking.

Royal Cider Grog

• 6 parts apple cider
• 1 part Crown Royal
• Cinnamon sticks

Warm the apple cider in a mug. Top it with the Crown Royal and stir with a cinnamon stick.

Malibu Baked Apple

• 2 parts coconut rum
• 2 parts cranberry juice
• 3 parts apple juice
• Dried apple rings

Mix all 3 in a microwave safe glass and heat until toasty warm. Garnish with a dried apple ring.

Rock Gobbler

• 1 part Wild Turkey
• 2 parts Cranberry Juice
• 2 parts Chambord
• 2 parts Amaretto

Mix everything in a cocktail shaker full of ice then strain into a highball glass. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

Caramel Apple Martini

• 1 part vodka
• 2 parts sour apple liquor
• 2 parts butterscotch liquor
• Caramel candy

Drop a small caramel candy into a martini glass. Mix everything else in a cocktail shaker full of ice then strain into the martini glass.

Turkey Shooter

• 3 parts Wild Turkey
• 1 part crème de methe

Chill both ingredients. Pour the Wild Turkey into a brandy snifter then carefully float the crème de methe on top. The whiskey will warm you up while the mint flavor keeps you cool.

Turkey Trot

• 1 part bourbon
• 2 parts 7-Up
• 2 parts cranberry juice

Mix everything in a highball glass and drink on the rocks.

Butterball

• 1 part amaretto
• 1 part butterscotch schnapps
• Whipped cream

Pour amaretto into a shot glass and layer the schnapps on top. Top with a dash of whipped cream. Throw it back as a single shot.

Source: FoodVu

Travel in Style with Barbie & Christian Louboutin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christian Louboutin is taking Barbie on a fashion filled journey to his favorite places and private homes.  Barbie has entered into a multifaceted business deal with Christian Louboutin.  The deal includes

• Louboutin made a hot pink Barbie shoe for women
• Louboutin will customize a Barbie doll and accessories collection
• Louboutin helped Mattel create a 12 month “diary filled with photos of Louboutin and Barbie as they explore Louboutin’s favorite things”
• Louboutin will be Barbie’s “godfather” for a year

Loubotin customized Barbie by reshaping her figure and making her ankles and feet smaller. 

The three dolls, packaged in Louboutin shoe boxes, each come with four pairs of Barbie-size Louboutin heels. In December, Mattel will unveil Louboutin’s jewel thief-themed Barbie; in February, it will add a safari-themed Barbie, and for May, Louboutin designed a Barbie that goes to the Cannes Film Festival.  The jewel thief Barbie is wearing a black catsuit with hood, headband and Christina Louboutin gold sandals. The doll comes with four pairs of Barbie shoes by Christian Louboutin, each with the signature red sole, mini shoe boxes and clothes bags.

Only the first doll (the jewel thief Barbie) in the series comes with the Barbie by Christian Louboutin calendar/diary and certificate of authenticity.  The diary is also sold separately for $40, is titled “My Year in Paris With Christian Louboutin.” Launching in December, it features photos of the doll shopping with Louboutin in his boutique, on a journey down the Nile, performing at the Moulin Rouge and in a cafe with a male doll that is decidedly not Ken. Only 2,400 Barbie by Christian Louboutin will be available and will be sold at $150.00 through the Barbie Collector.  The are 7,700 products worldwide.  Barbie Collector will also offer the Christian Louboutin Barbie shoe collection (12 pairs) for $40.

 

I’m here

It’s been a long time since I have posted on the blog.   I have been very busy with events, family, working on new projects and preparing for the upcoming year.  During my time away from the blog, I have been writing about different topics/ideas.  Over the next few weeks I will post all of the things that  I have been writing about and gathering information on.  

Ciao Bella Modern Bride & Elegant Bride

 

The wedding industry lost two great magazines today.  Magazine Publisher Conde Nast has announced the closing of Modern Bride and Elegant Bride.  Brides will increase to a monthly edition.

 

Essence Atkins Says I Do

On Saturday, September 26, 2009 Essence Atkins of Half & Half married Jamie Mendez in Pasadena, California at the beautiful Ambassador Mansion & Gardens.  Essence met Jamie through Match.com on valentine’s day last year.  The bride wore a Stephen Yearnick Dress for the ceremony and an Angela Rivera (Jamie’s cousin) dress for the reception.  Essence walked down the aisle by herself and the couple opted not to have a bridal party.

The menu was prepared by G. Garvin, which included Puerto Rican and traditional soul food such as macaroni & cheese, roasted pork, peach cobbler, plaintains, red velvet cupcakes, and arroz con dulce.

 

The guests received match books and travel size candles.  The single guests were given a six month membership to Match.com.  

Source: People, Essence

Tuesday's Thoughts

An ideal wife is any woman who has an ideal husband.

~Booth Tarkington

Tuesday's Thoughts

Marriage is that relation between man and woman in which the independence is equal, the dependence mutual, and the obligation reciprocal.

~Louis K. Anspacher

Tuesday's Thoughts

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

~Mignon McLaughlin

Happy Hour Friday

Almond Joy & Milky Way Martinis

Almond Joy Martini

1 oz. Three Olives chocolate vodka

1 oz. Frangelica

1 oz. coconut rum

Shake together while chilling and pour.

Milky Way Martini

1 1/2 oz. Starbucks Cream Liqueur

1 oz. Three Olives chocolate vodka

1/2 oz. cream

Shake together while chilling and pour.

Source: Fine Living

Tuesday's Thoughts

A good marriage is one which allows for change and growth in the individuals and in the way they express their love.

~ Pearl S. Buck

Best R &B Songs for a Wedding

On Tuesday Elegala published a list of the Best R&B Weddings Songs.  Many of the songs can be used at the ceremony and/or reception.   

Never - Jaheim

Forever My Lady - Jodeci

Sweet Love - Anita Baker

Caught Up in the Rapture - Anita Baker

Spend My Life with You - Eric Benet & Tamia

Nice and Slow - Usher

You Got It Bad - Usher

Ribbon in the Sky - Stevie Wonder

You Mean the World to Me - Toni Braxton

Always and Forever - Heat Wave

On Bended Knee - Boyz II Men

Never Let Go - Faith Evans

Angel of Mine - Monica

For You I Will - Monica

The Sweetest Thing - Lauren Hill

No Ordinary Love - Sade

You - Jesse Powell

The Cool in You - Babyface

By Your Side - Sade

I Swear - All-4-One

Make it Last Forever - Keith Sweat

Here and Now - Luther Vandross

Every Beat of My Heart - Brian McKnight

Back at One - Brian McKnight

Saved the Best for Last - Vanessa Williams

Crazy Love - Aaron Neville

All My Life - K-Ci and Jojo

Suddenly - Billy Ocean

Three Times a Lady - The Commodores

No One - Alicia Keys

Hello - Lionel Richie

Saving All My Love for You - Whitney Houston

Everything - Mary J. Blige

Family Affair - Mary J. Blige

Wordless Wednesday – Wedding Cakes

Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6