Now back to waiting....

We have food, we have drinks... now all we need is a place....

And here's where we're thinking, this is a historic and elegant venue in the our area. To have a wedding on a weekday cuts the rental fee down to about a 1/3 of the normal price, and I think it's lovely and perfect for a brunch wedding.

The elegant Rose Garden where the nuptials will be held

(photo courtesy of www.amourtoujoursevents.webs.com)

Here are pictures from the website, isn't it elegant, gorgeous, swanky and perfect!!!


These are pictures of bridal portraits in the ballroom where dining takes place...


(photos courtesy of Don Kadair)

A brunch wedding...

Looks like intimate weddings is on board with it and I'm about 10 months late to the game :D
(http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/want-to-cut-wedding-costs-consider-a-brunch-reception/)
My twist on the breakfast brunch wedding!!
For the foods I'm thinking of having a

Swanky waffle bar

(photo from jimcamut.blogspot.com)

With a variety of syrups

(photo from www.countryliving.com)

A great steak option

(photo from thesunblog.com)

An omelet station, which will probably be the only "action" station

(photo from nikkibeachthailand.com)

A breakfast potato bar
Including the breakfast potato

(photo courtesy of recklesschef.net)

Cheesy Bacon and Egg Brunch Casserole

(photo courtesy of food network)

cheesy sausage and potatoes



mini frittatas with ham and cheese

(photo courtesty of my recipe.com)

We'll have them able to be placed in martini glasses (tres chic, no?)


Bread display

(photo from www.sundanceresort.com)

The regional favorite, beignets....


Fruit display

(photo from www.theohhfactor.com and ohhh yeah is what I said, my stomach is growling now!!)

We have a theme, possibly a date, but not a proposal?!

As many of you know, I am an event designer. Well, M is my toughest client EVER!! I have pitched idea after idea of cost-saving, fun weddings and each time I have been met with NO. NAH, UGH, YOU WANT TO WHAT?! I feel like we're playing Mortal Kombat and I'm like GET OVER HERE all Scorpion style on his butt!

While finally I got it!! I am the winner!!


We will have a very elegant weekDAY morning soiree. It will probably be at a historic venue in town (a savings of around $1000-1500)...

We will have sophisticated brunch cocktails like the indulgent bellini, the yummy mimosa, the elegant champagne punch, the spicy bloody mary, and the masculine screwdriver... Very sexy, very swanky, very budget friendly... We will also have the traditional juices, coffee, and lattes...



BELLINI
2 oz peach juice or peach puree
4 oz Champagne
peach slices for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. Pour the peach juice or peach puree into a Champagne flute.
2. Slowly top with the Champagne.
3. Garnish with peach slices and serve.


MIMOSA



1/2 oz triple sec
1 1/2 oz fresh orange juice
3 1/2 oz chilled Champagne
orange slice for garnish



Directions:

1. Pour triple sec, then orange juice into a champagne flute.
2. Top with champagne.
3. Garnish with orange slice.


CHAMPAGNE FRUIT PUNCH


12 oz frozen fruit punch, partially thawed
10 oz frozen strawberries
2/3 cup orange juice
2 Tbsp lemon juice
24 oz ginger ale
1 qt Champagne
3 cups water



Directions:
1. Place a frozen ice ring in a punch bowl.
2. Add the fruit punch, water, strawberries, and juices.
3. Stir well.
4. Add ginger ale and Champagne, then stir again.

Bloody Mary



BLOODY MARY
1.5 oz vodka
1/2 c tomato juice
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco
celery stick for garnish
lemon wedge for garnish



Directions:
1. Add dashes of Worchestershire Sauce, Tabasco, salt and pepper into highball glass.
2. Pour vodka, tomato sauce, and lemon juice into the highball with ice cubes.
3. Stir gently.
4. Garnish with Celery Salt and lemon wedge (optional).

Screw Driver

SCREWDRIVER
2 oz vodka
5 oz orange juice

Directions:
1. Pour all ingredients directly into highball glass filled with ice.
2. Stir gently.
3. Garnish with orange slice.

All recipes garnered from Real Simple (http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/04/5-great-brunch-cocktails.html)

So would you attend a wedding during a weekday if given enough notice?

I want a Cricut Expression NOW!

OMG does anyone else have one of these? I look at it and I seriously swoon!! It would be so awesome for so many of my practical applications with my business as well as being a mom and an over-all crafter. This is the gorgeous little baby that my heart is currently swooning over.


There is currently a TV special where you can purchase it for a trial period of a month for $33.00 plus shipping and handling AND it comes with tons of goodies that can only be found in the tv special like the potpourri basket (which evidently is like a mish-mash of various cartridges). The potpourri basket alone is going for over 175 on ebay right now! If you decide to keep it it's $57 a month for 6 months afterwards. www.getmycricut.com

Here are some of the cool as hell crafts I would love to make with the Cricut!!!

(photo courtesy of http://www.weddingbycolor.com/hlrheawedding)




(photo courtesy of http://discountdiecutcartridges.com/2008/09/a-little-tip-for-cricut-vinyl-users/)

you cannot tell me these aren't darling for a little girl's birthday party!!!

(photo courtesy of http://www.cricut-expression-cartridges.com/blog/)

Do you have the cricut, if so do you like it and is it user friendly? I will probably purchase this for myself in January although it's becoming harder and harder for me to hold off on it. Even M is on board :o)....

Wedding-Lust

There are many times that I lust after things and today it is Amber and Tom's wedding!! Perhaps it's the champagne favors, the wreaths on the door, the Pnina the bride wore, or maybe the MANOLOS?! Whatever it is, it's definitely working for me!!
Check her out on http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/12/24/real-weddings-amber-and-tom/
Prepare yourself for a wedding-gasm...


I squealed a little when I saw the initial wreaths on the church doors.

I dig these sooo much (can you tell i'm a stickler for details?!) And it's amazing because one of the items in my company's product line are these sashes, instead of embroidery, I have a hand-painted version with tiny Fleur de lis...


Love these (I have every special cork from our relationship) Since we don't do escort cards in the South, I'd definitely use them for a candy buffet or perhaps the Champagne Bar...

And this is now a must have for me!! Remember my wonderful M owns a night club!!

I adore this!! Mini bottles of our fave champagne for our guests maybe?!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE she even did mini burgers?!

She also did a really awesome candy buffet, and for those that have visited my website, you know that I offer these as well... so I think this would be a must have edition.. Here's her candy buffet...

The best Christmas present ever....

So nooo ring for me for Christmas, but good things come to those that wait and I am not too bummed. I did get the best present of all though. Here's a bit of a back story. I was REALLY bummed about not being able to go home for Christmas and was just in a crummy mood. I am originally from Memphis, TN (5 hours away) and live in Baton Rouge, LA. M and I decided to save money and just get each other sentimental things. I got him a letter and a lock and key (from an old key chain) and basically told him it was the key to my heart and to always keep it near and safe.

Later in the night, M and I watched a great and funny movie and he excused himself to the restroom. I had never seen it before it was Richard Pryor's Which Way is Up. Well when he came back he handed me this handwritten note (on an empty toilet tissue roll, sooo him lol) and it was the sweetest thing I have ever read. It basically said that he's sorry that we couldn't be home for Christmas, that he hoped this card made up for it, and that this was my home now and ended with Love, M... OMG I bawled... I still tear up reading it. It was so romantic and sweet. He oftentimes says the only time he could think is when he's in the restroom lol!! And it shows his quirky sense of humor. How did he know exactly what to say to make me feel better and exactly the way to say it? Gosh he is made for me... Here's a pic of my note... against our awesome tree :D

Anyone ever have photography lust?!

OMG! If I ever had regret that I am not engaged it is now. My FAVORITE photographer, Fola Adewole, is having a contest where one lucky bride in the continental US will win her services free of charge! Travel, CD, everything is on her dime!!! All pictures courtesy of Fola Adewole! Sigh... In the words of Eartha Kitt...
Come and trim my Christmas tree,
With some decorations bought at Tiffany's,
I really do believe in you,
Let's see if you believe in me,

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing,
A ring.
I don't mean on the phone,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight,
Hurry down the chimney tonight,
Hurry, tonight.

www.http://www.folaadewole.com/blog

An Ode to Hip Hop!!

OMG I am watching VH1's 100 greatest hip hop songs, the memories!!!

There's Lauryn Hill Mis-education of Lauryn!

Then there's A hard knock life by Jay-z!

Baby got back (little in the middle but she got much wiggle!)

Tupac!! (Soo many to name, not enough due to his untimely death)

Biggie!! (Sigh I still remember Faith lying in the bed, big and black ugly as ever)

What are your favorite hip hop songs?!