Happy New Year!

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Giving

give


v. gave (gv), giv·en (gvn), giv·ing, gives
v.tr.
1. To make a present of
2. To place in the hands of
3.
a. To administer
b. To convey by a physical action

Champagne 101

During this time of year many families and companies celebrate by having holiday gatherings. Many people love to celebrate with Champagne. So I decided to do a little Champagne 101.
Champagne is the most famous sparkling wine in the world. It gets it great taste from a combination of France’s soil, weather, and strict regulations on the production process. Many sparkling wine makers use the name Champagne, but true Champagne is only produced in the Champagne region of France.
Most Champagne is made from three kinds of grapes. The white grape is Chardonnay. Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are black grapes. The amount of sugar added after the second fermentation determines the sweetness of the Champagne. Brut is the most popular type and it is considered dry or not sweet. It pairs well with desserts and is used a lot for wedding toasts. Sec is sweet Champagne that pairs well with acidy fruit, mildly seasoned dishes, and caviar.
The majority of Champagne is non-vintage. Which means it is less expensive than that produced in vintage years. Non-vintage Champagne is a mixture of grapes produced from different harvests and years. It must20be aged one year. Vintage Champagne must have grapes harvested from a single year and must be aged a minimum of three years.Champagne is more sensitive to temperature and light than most wines. It should be stored between forty and sixty degrees Fahrenheit. Champagne is best served chilled. You can do this by placing the bottle in the refrigerator a couple of hours, putting it in the freezer for 15 minutes or putting the bottle in a bucket of ice for 20 minutes.

Put A Ring On It!

I was listening to Beyonce on the radio as she sang Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it) when it hit me and I remembered something that I saw. Call me crazy, but this is so cute! Now you must admit that it is difficult to juggle holding a glass and plate at the same time. That won't be a problem anymore with these darling finger food mini plates.
Your guest at your New Year's Eve, bridal shower or cocktail party will love this idea. This puts a different spin on putting a ring on it.





Photo by fredflare.com

Holiday Social

Last night I attended an International Special Events Society (ISES) holiday social for members at Atlanta Woman's Club. This was my first time visiting the facility formerly known as Wimbish Mansion, so I was excited about finally seeing the inside.


Located on Peachtree Street, I have passed by the building hundreds of times and seen event going socializing on the southern porch many times.

The facility has three levels. The main ballroom is on the lower level and has beautiful decorative gold moldings. This is a wonderful place to have an event right in the heart of Atlanta.

Gown Preservation

This is the second part of caring for your wedding gown after your perfect day. (See November cleaning your wedding gown post). There are three options when it comes to wedding gown preservation. They are sealing, boxing, and bagging. In the sealing method, your gown is actually sealed into an acid-free box. This is said to protect it from oxygen, but it has the risk of permanent creases to the gown and mildew. If your gown is sealed into a box, it makes it impossible to take it out and admire it.
In the boxed method, the gown is folded in an acid free box. It is not sealed so you can take if out and admire it and the fabric can breathe. Your gown has less risk of permanent creasing, but you must make sure the box is acid free and not just acid coated.
Another option is bagging your gown. This is not your typical dry cleaner bag. It is similar to the method that museums use to maintain the condition of costumes. The gown will be protected from dust and light and will be easier to admire. You must make sure you use a reinforced hanger and twill tape for support to protect it from long term hanging.
Whatever method or company you choose to preserve your gown, make sure that you ask questions so that you understand the process. This is your gown from one of the most important days of your life so you want to preserve this memory.

Bloody Mary (Merry) (Marry)

Blood Mary is a classic. It has been around since the roaring 1920's. So yes we love our new drinks, but there is nothing like a drink that has stood the test of time.

I love the color, because red is one of my favorite colors. Not to mention the flavor. This drink has some kick to it! So why not have it a your signature drink for your holiday party or your wedding?




Here is what you need:
2 oz. of vodka

4 oz. of tomato juice

1/2 oz. of lemon juice

pinch of salt & pepper

3 dashes of Worcestershire

3 drops of Tabasco sauce

crushed ice


Directions:

Shake all of the ingredients in a shaker and strain into a tall glass over crushed ice. Then garnish with a lemon wedge or celery stalk or both. Enjoy!


Photo courtesy of cocktailtimes.com

Meet Jenelle and Cecil

Jenelle and Cecil are a very sweet and spiritual couple. I am looking forward to coordinating their wedding and reception in January of 2009.

Earlier this year, Cecil surprised Jenelle by bringing her a box of her favorite cereal. She opened up the box to pour herself a bowl and found a black ring box inside. When she turned around he was down on one knee proposing! I am sure she will never look at a box of Trix quite the same way.

Thankful

thank·ful

\ˈthaŋk-fəl\
Function:
adjective

1 : conscious of benefit received

2 : expressive of thanks

3 : well pleased : glad

definition from Merriam-Webster

Keeping off weight during the holidays

The holiday season is here again. Do you want to hear the good news or the bad news? Here is the good news. It is a great time to celebrate with family and friends! The bad news is experts say most people gain at least a pound and as much as ten unwanted pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years. Most people don't get rid of the weight, even though they make a New Years resolution to do so.
So where does this leave an engaged woman who wants to celebrate the holiday season with her fiancé, family, and soon-to-be in-laws? Although I am not a doctor, here is my advice so that you can keep of the holiday weight and still fit into your gorgeous wedding gown.

1. Eat a balanced breakfast. Getting your body off to a good start will help prevent you from making unhealthy food choices because of hunger.


2. Stay active. If you have an exercise routine, keep it. If you don't have a regular exercise routine, going for a walk will help burn calories. Remember to stretch first.


3. Don't have that second slice of cake or pie. No matter how delicious it is, resist the temptation!

Happy holidays!

Sweet tooth

Earlier this week I attended an Association of Bridal Consultants meeting at Chocolate Pink. I have a bit of a sweet tooth so I could hardly wait to get to this trendy pastry cafe. Let's just say that I was not disappointed.






First, we had fun taking silly pictures in a photo booth that was brought in just for us to enjoy. Then we were treated to fantastic chair massages from a local massage therapist . I have not had a massage in awhile, so I really needed one.

The food by their exclusive caterer Taste was delicious. I enjoyed a Chocolate Pink martini and of course I made several trips to the pastry table.

When you enter on the street level, you may not even notice that they have a great event room upstairs. This cozy spot is perfect for intimate bridal showers, birthday parties, or corporate meetings. The downtown Atlanta skyline can be enjoyed through their floor to ceiling windows.

Cleaning your wedding gown

Your wedding day was perfect! Now that it is over, what do you do with your wedding gown? Many brides simply hang them in a plastic bag in their closet and forget about them. I wanted to give you some advice today about why this may not be the best thing to do.
Did you know that your gown may look clean to you, but some stains dry clear? Then over time they oxidize, turn brown, and become difficult to clean. In addition to that, some plastic bags give off plastic fumes that can turn your gown yellow.
So my tip is to clean your gown even if you don’t think it is dirty. But please read the care label on the inside of your gown first. The label may say hand wash only, dry clean only or dry clean only with petroleum-based solvent. You also need to find out what material the fabric is.
If your gown has sequins or beads on it, examine it to see if they are glued on or sewn on. Some dry cleaning solvent may be harmful because they can melt the glue that holds the sequins or beading on or melt the actual sequins or beading.
Be prepared to ask your dry cleaner questions before you turn over your precious gown to them. Ask them about the number of years of experience they have cleaning wedding gowns. Do they do the work on premises or send it off to someone else? Ask them do they use the wet cleaning or dry cleaning method. Ask them if they use virgin or recycled solvent. Virgin solvent has not been used before so it is fresher.
If you know what a stain is on your gown, please tell your dry cleaner. This information along with the fabric type could help determine what method of cleaning they use. Once you get your gown back from the dry cleaners, take it out of the plastic bag. It is now time to preserve your gown.

Stay tuned for gown preservation tips!

Post Election Day Tag

I've been tagged by Stacey Strickler of Affairs To Remember. She is a fellow wedding coordinator from Philadelphia. So here I go!

Here are the instructions: answer the questions below and tag at least 3 other people and indicate them in your tag. Let's keep it going.

1.Did you vote?

2. In which state are you registered?

3. What time did you go to the polls?

4. How long was your wait?

5. Did you incur any problems?

6. What was your reaction when you heard the news that Barack Obama won?

7. Who was the first person you shared your reaction with?

8. Who will you tag ?

My answers:

1. I sure did!

2. Georgia (The Peach State)

3. I voted about 4:00PM on election day.

4. We were in and out in 10 minutes.

5. No problems. I secretly wanted to stand in a long line so that my 18 year old could have a true voting experience her first time out. Oh well! I am proud that she had the desire to register to vote at 18 on her own.

6. I was happy and very proud of Obama.
7. My husband and I were watching the results together all night.
8. I am going to tag:

Lisa Michelle @ MemoirsofaWeddingPlanner
Catherine @ ForYourEventPlanning

Kelly @ WeddingsbySocialites

Zodiac Sign Compatibility

Many people start out their day checking their horoscope in the local newspaper. On any given day, you can flip through your favorite magazine or turn on your radio and hear an astrologer predicting what will happen in a person's love life or career based on their birthday and the position of the sun and moon.

I am not the type of person who checks my daily horoscope, but I do believe that everyone has a zodiac sign. In the 1970's "What's your sign?" was a common pickup line. I wonder how many relationships got started from that simple icebreaker.

I have known what my zodiac sign was since I was a little girl. When I was a teenager and a boy liked me, the first thing I would find out is what his sign was. If I found out that his sign was one that I wasn't very compatible with, I admit I didn't even give him a chance. Sound silly to you? Well maybe it was, but then again, I may have saved myself some heartache.

Today I chose to write about zodiac sign compatibility. First off, the fire signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Fire signs are enthusiastic, and outgoing. Then, we have Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn who are earth signs. This group are solid and dependable people. Next, are the air signs of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. These signs are characterized as being talkative and always thinking. Finally, there are the water signs of cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water signs are nurturing and compassionate people.

Earth and water signs are very compatible with each other and fire and air signs work well together. So is it true that opposites attract? What do you think?

Fall cupcake wrapper

Have you been to a wedding yet where the bride and groom are serving cupcakes instead to the traditional cake for dessert? Cupcake have become an exciting alternative to cake. Now you can even dress them up with these great wrappers that come in all different shapes and colors to fit the theme of your wedding or event.

Take a look at these great leaf themed wrapper. What a great treat for your fall wedding or Thanksgiving celebration. So let them eat......cupcakes!

Photo by: weddingfavorsjust4u.com

The Daughter-in-Law Rules

I found an adorable book that I wanted to tell everyone about. The book is called The Daughter-in-Law Rules. Sally Shields gives her readers 101 tips to manage or even make friends with their mother-in-law. Let's face it ladies, some of us can use all the help we can get in this department.

Sally reminds us in a humorous way that mother-in-laws are women with feelings and want the same thing that most women want. So what do we want? I think, all of us want to be loved, appreciated, respected, and needed.

The rules vary from common sense tips that I admit I should do more of, to advice I really need to sit down and decide if I am woman enough to take on! LOL.

Let's be realistic. As much as we may think we are marrying the man and not his entire family, unless you plan to move to Mars with him, you have just gained a new Mom. How you choose to deal with it is totally up to you.

Visit thedilrules

Caramel Apple Pie-tini

Here is a drink recipe for your Halloween party or any other occasion to have a delicious drink. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 3/4 oz. Baileys with a Hint of Caramel

1/3 oz. Smirnoff Twist Green Apple Vodka

1/3oz. Applesauce
Dash of Caramel Syrup

Ice

Directions:

Pour applesauce into glass and add a dash of caramel syrup. Shake Apple Vodka, Baileys, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain and float on top of applesauce and caramel. Garnish drink with a sliced caramel apple.

Photo courtesy of: drinkoftheweek.com

Trick or Treat

It is time for Halloween again! The kids love this time of year. Well of course they do. Who wouldn't love getting dressed up in a fancy costume and collecting all the free candy you can eat? But I want to know, why do the kids get to have all the fun?

I found these adorable Halloween caramel favors on one of my favorite websites. Don't they look delicious? Reminds me of the candy corn we use to get when I was a trick or treater. I'm all grown up now, but I still have a sweet tooth.

Sold on: mrsprindables

Orange, Chocolate, and Gold Inspirations

The leaves have started to change colors and fall off the trees outside. So I got inspired by these great fall colors. I love this orange and chocolate brown with lots of gold accents.

Follow Me!

I love signing on to Blogger and seeing new updates on my dashboard from blogs that I follow. You can experience this same feeling. If you enjoy reading this blog, please take a minute to follow me!

Interesting bride

Everyone wants to be a bride! Check out this great scarecrow bride at Scarecrows in the Garden at Atlanta Botanical Garden. There are 97 original scarecrows designed by businesses and individuals for this annual event. The scarecrows range from cute to scary, but they are all worth seeing.

Although she didn't win the contest for best design, she is by far my favorite! Apparently, even the scarecrows know that Atlanta Botanical Garden is a fantastic place in the city to get married.

Scarecrow designed by: The Claremont House Bed & Breakfast of Rome, Georgia

Trash the dress

Trash the dress? We have all seen recent photos of brides having their pictures taken in water, dirt, subways, construction sites, abandoned buildings, paint, and even set on fire. By the end of the photo shoot the wedding dresses could be soiled or completely destroyed.


So what do you think about this style of photography? Personally, I made my own wedding dress. I remember picking out the fabrics and spending hours hand sewing on the lace beading. Every once in a while, I take it out the closet and just walk around in it amazed at the fact that it still fits after all these years. Okay, I confess I can only zip it halfway up now. But that still counts as fitting! Right? So I don't think that I could have trashed my dress. But that was then...



...this is now. I must admit, the pictures are amazing! They are edgy and creative. It takes a courageous bride to painstakingly pick out her dress, go to fittings, exchange vows in the dress, and then trash it. So I lift my glass to courageous brides! I hope there are many more of you.


Photos courtesy of: photosbyzsanette of Atlanta. Call (678) 328-8439.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For more than 20 years, national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies have been working together to build breast cancer awareness and provide access to screening services.

Early detection is especially important. Experts encourage regular self-breast exams and scheduling annual mammograms because breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. Every 12 minutes 1 woman dies and 4 are diagnosed with breast cancer.

One way that we can help fight breast cancer is by participating in Brides Against Breast Cancer's gown sales. They provide brides-to-be the opportunity to find their dream gown at an incredible savings while making dreams come true for women fighting breast cancer. You can purchase a gown at their national tour of gowns or donate your wedding gown to the cause.

For more information about breast cancer awareness visit nbcam.org. For more information on brides against breast cancer visit bridesagainstbreastcancer.

50/50 recipe

Marriage is the joining of two people legally, emotionally, and financially . It should be a union of people who are equally yoked. Who are willing to have a 50/50 relationship. In honor of this union, here is a 50/50 martini drink recipe for you.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounces gin

1 1/2 ounces dry vermouth

Green olive

Combine gin and dry vermouth over ice in a mixing glass. Stir well to chill. Pour mixture into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a green olive. Enjoy!

Photo by: hubpages.com

Bag Borrow or Steal

Okay. I have a confessions to make. On May 30, 2008 while many of you were standing in long lines anxiously waiting to get inside the movie theater to see Sex and the City, I was scratching my head wondering what all the fuss was about. I usually choose to wait until a movie comes out on DVD to see it. Watching a movie with my feet kicked up on my ottoman, eating popcorn and M&Ms from the comfort of my own home is the best.

In honor of Sex and the City's release on DVD this week, I decided to write about Bag Borrow or Steal. Many of you know that Sarah Jessica Parker's character was impressed by her new assistant's sense of style and was curious how she could afford all of her designer accessories. That's when Jennifer Hudson's character explained how she rented them!

It is no secret that men have been renting their tuxedos and accessories for their wedding day attire for years. So what do you think about women renting for their wedding day accessories?

Take a look at these Tiffany & Co. 8.2 carat diamond earrings. Do you think that you could afford these for your wedding day? What if I told you that you could rent them for a week for $213? Could you afford them now? Just a little something to think about.

Photo by: Bagborroworsteal

Congratulations Jasmine and Terdell!

Jasmine and Terdell were wed mid September at the spacious Foundry at Puritan Mill. The couple were married in the center of the room surrounded by loved ones on all sides. White sheer drapes, hung beautifully from the ceiling, hid the tables on either side of the room as guest burst into applause when the couple was announced husband and wife.

Guest enjoyed champagne and listened to a band during the cocktail reception in the lobby and outside. The bride and groom took several photos in front of the large windows and red brick walls of the facility.

The drapes were tied back to reveal the beautiful room set up. The seated guests were wowed by the couple's first dance which included a trio of ballet dancers surrounding them with love.

Rock The Reception

I am sure that everyone has seen a You Tube clip of a bride and groom surprising their wedding guests with a choreographed first dance. The routines range from cute to hilarious. But the reception guests are always shocked. Many of them have to pick up their dropped jaw from the floor. While other jump up from their seats to get a better look at the musical production.
With the popularity of this wedding trend over the last two years, TLC created the show Rock The Reception. Tabitha and Napolean D'umo best known for So You Think You Can Dance are the stars of the show. The two well known choreographers and dance instructors have been married to each other for ten years and work well together. On the show, the couple team up to teach the bride, groom and their wedding party a crash course dance routine that they must muster up the nerve to perform in front of their wedding guests.
A few months ago, I received an email asking if I had any couples interested in being on a TV show about entertaining first dances. I asked my most courageous bride if she had thought about doing a first dance that was a little different and she quickly shook her head no.
So what do you think? Do you think a couple's first dance as husband and wife should be a special moment spent gazing into each other's eyes? While today's newlyweds may not do the traditional waltz, they do spend time deciding what love song to do their dance to. Would you be brave enough to pick out a fast song and rock your reception?



Video by: Rock the Reception and YouTube

Why hire a wedding coordinator?

Congratulations on your engagement! You may be thinking, why do I need to hire a wedding coordinator? The average cost of weddings in the United States is around $28,000. Do you really want to put that investment in the hands of a friend or relative who has volunteered to "help out" vs. a trained professional who coordinates weddings and events for a living? Wedding coordinators can save their clients an overall savings of between 10-25%. They can assist you in maintaining a realistic budget.
Did you know that many brides spend 250 hours planning their wedding? Sounds like another full time job added to your already busy schedule. So what is your time worth to you? Wedding coordinators can save you valuable time and effort by referring you to vendors that fit your needs.
On your wedding day, would you like to sit back, relax, and get pampered by professionals doing your hair and makeup? At the ceremony and reception would you like to truly enjoy your event with your new husband and guests? That is the idea situation. If you don't have a trained and experienced coordinator working for you, your day could be spent stressed out. You could be running around checking up on vendors, setting up, managing event activities, answering countless questions, while handling last minute details and emergencies. Wedding coordinators can keep your stress level to a minimum by handling the details and coordinating a flawless event for you!

Chocolate diamonds

It's been said that diamonds are a girl's best friend. As for me, I am rather partial to chocolate. Many of you may not want to admit it but I know I am not alone. I will proudly stand and confess, "Hi. My name is Nicole and I am a chocoholic!" So what could be better than chocolate diamonds? Except for Mr. Right of course.

While I am a confessed chocoholic, I do realize that sometimes a moment on the lips can lead to a lifetime on the hips. That being said, diamonds are forever. I could stare at this beautiful chocolate diamond engagement ring all day and not gain a single pound. Who wouldn't love a best friend like this?

Buttercream vs. Fondant

Today is the first day of school for many kids. School supplies have been purchased, book bags are filled, and off they go to get an education. I proudly took both of my excited kids to school today. Of course my teenager would only let me take her as far as the parking lot! But I digress.

So with education on my mind, I decided to teach you a little about buttercream vs. fondant to frost your cake. Buttercream is made with butter, sugar, and eggs while fondant is made of sugar syrup, and glucose. Once fondant has been cooked and cooled, it can be rolled and draped over each tier of your cake. It has a smooth elegant but firm look, which can be hard to cut. Buttercream is creamy and soft so easier to cut. However, because it is made with butter, heat and humidity can cause the cake to melt. Buttercream cakes need to be kept cool. Fondant handles heat better which may look better in your photos.

As far as the best value per slice, buttercream wins easily. The verdict is still out on taste. Many people prefer the taste of buttercream, but some like fondant as well. Those that don't, simply peel it off. It is all a matter of what is more important to you.

Photo by: Angie Silvy

Lemon Drops

The saying goes, if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I say, if life gives you lemons, make......... lemon drops! Is one of your wedding colors yellow? Do you like lemons? Then why not add a little kick to your wedding reception or other celebration by having lemon drops as your signature drink?
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce Triple Sec
1 teaspoon of superfine sugar
3/4 ounce lemon juice

Mix vodka, Triple Sec, and lemon juice in a shaker filled with ice and shake until cold. Pour into a martini glass rimmed with the superfine sugar. Makes 1 drink. Enjoy!

Photo by: Allrecipes.com

Ebonie and Joel

Congratulations to Ebonie and Joel! The new Mr. and Mrs. Poinsette were wed the holiday weekend on Saturday July 5, 2008 at an outdoor evening ceremony. The loving couple exchanged vows on the pier as guest sat nearby.

The couple were all smiles as they were announced husband and wife. Guests jumped to their feet and cheered.

Wish

wish (wĭsh)
n.
1. A desire, longing, or strong inclination for a specific thing.
2. An expression of a desire, longing, or strong inclination; a petition.
3. Something desired or longed for.