Perfect gifts for the women in your life!

It's that time of year again! The holidays are just around the corner. We all know the saying "what do you get for the woman who has everything?" Well below is a list of perfect gifts to please all the ladies on your list! (click the pictures to go right to the website to purchase!)

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*Kate Spade All-Occasion Card Set...$35

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*Sweet Lydia's "Marshmallow & Cookbooklet" Gift Basket...$25

(local vendor-Lowell, MA!)

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*Sea Bags Eco-Friendly Wine Tote...$29 (don't forget to add a bottle of wine ;)

(local vendor-Portland, ME!)

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 *SpaFinder.com giftcard...$varies

(who doesn't enjoy a spa treat?!)

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*Turtle Love Co. Key Necklace...$35

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...Now for some Etsy finds!

*Coral Clutch...$22

*Love Floats Screen Print...$40

(my favorite! hint hint to my husband, friend or family that need an idea(I'll know you read this blog!)

*Nerd Herder gadget wallet...$29

*Shabby Chic Bead Bracelet...$17

(another one of my faves!)

*Siamese Canvas Tote...$15

(is she a pet lover?)

That's all I've got! I hope I could help you cross off at least one name :) Go shop NOW!

  

Thanks for Thanksgiving(drinks)!!

The fall is almost over and the holiday season is beginning. What better way to enjoy it all with delicious drinks with friends and family!

The Mayflower Martini: 

-1.5 oz. of Rhum Clément Première Canne

-.5 oz. of Rhum Clément Créole Shrubb

-1 oz. of Cranberry juice

-Purée of half of a golden pear

-Powdered cinnamon

Method: In mixing glass filled with ice, stir Rhum Clément Première Canne and Rhum Clément Créole Shrubb with cranberry juice and allow to sit for 30 seconds. Rim the cocktail glass with the powdered cinnamon and pour the purée of the pear in the bottom of the glass. Slowly pour the cocktail over the back of a spoon onto the purée of the pear.

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The Pumpkin Martini:

1/2 oz Sylk Cream Liqueur

2 oz vanilla vodka

1/2 oz pumpkin liqueur or pumpkin spice syrup

1 tsp whipped creamcinnamon stick for garnish

1. Pour the Sylk Liqueur and vodka into a shaker filled with ice.
2.  Shake well.
3. Add the pumpkin liqueur or syrup.
4. Shake again.
5. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
6. Top with a teaspoon of whipped cream.
7. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

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The B-52:

-1/2 ounce Kahlua (or Tia Maria)

-1/2 ounce Bailey’s Irish Cream

-1/2 ounce Grand Marnier

Pour the Kahlua into a shot glass, then layer the Bailey’s, and then the Grand Marnier.

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Pomegranate Fizz:

  -1 1/4 cups demi-sec sparkling wine (such as Gruet), chilled 

-2/3 cup pomegranate juice, chilled 

-1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 

-Lime wedges (optional)

 Combine first 3 ingredients. Garnish with lime wedges, if desired.

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5 great Fall Beers(in no particular order):

 1. Southern Tier Brewing Co.

PumKing Ale

2. Peak Organic Brewing Co.

Peak Organic Fall Summit

 

3. Southern Tier Brewing Co.

Choklat Stout

4. Dogfish Head Brewery

Punkin Ale

5. Harpoon Brewery

Grateful Harvest Cranberry Ale

              Be safe and enjoy!

 

sources: 

http://cocktails.about.com/od/vodkadrinkrecipes/r/pumpkin_martini.htm
http://archive.blisstree.com/feel/thanksgiving-cocktail-recipes/ 
http://www.cookinglight.com/entertaining/holidays-occasions/thanksgiving-cocktails-00412000073474/page6.html

 

Why Hire A Planner?

Have you ever had a married friend tell you, “The wedding day is all a blur and it’s so difficult to take it all in”? I tied the knot a little over a year ago, and let me tell you that your friend is absolutely right! The wedding day, the ceremony, and the reception will be over in the blink of an eye, and before you know it, you’ve opened a few gifts and you’re off on your honeymoon. I’ll also tell you that hiring a planner won’t slow that time down. However, by hiring an experienced wedding planner, you’ll be able to let go and enjoy your day – your unforgettable special moment – and your entire planning process!

Even though all brides want to let go, some believe that hiring a wedding planner is a frivolous expense. True, it’s an expense that you don’t have to pay for, but the reality is that a good coordinator can keep you on budget and make sure you spend your money wisely. A good planner knows the vendors in the area, knows the discounts available, and is experienced in negotiating contracts with your florist, photographer, DJ, etc. So that “frivolous” expense can actually save you money – and is guaranteed to save you time! Plus, as planners, we know the personalities of the vendors we refer. One of my favorite parts of the planning process is matching up the personalities of the clients with the right vendors – then seeing those perfect matches come together on the wedding day!

Still not convinced (or still having trouble convincing your parents?)? Here are some other factors to keep in mind:

• If you have a “wedding coordinator” from your reception venue, it is not the same as hiring an event planner. Don’t get me wrong, there are some amazing coordinators at the venues, but this individual’s job is to make sure that everything relating to the facility runs properly. A planner will be a second set of eyes at the event and will make sure every detail is covered – even the little things like making sure the champagne is poured before the toasts start or loading your gifts into your family’s car at the end of the night.

• Creating a detailed itinerary is something everyone can do, but a planner understands how vendors rely on each other and the need for a thorough timeline. There may even be details you planned several months back that you do not even remember, but on the day of, the planner will ensure those special details happen – on time.

• The planner is the “go to” person. Many times weddings can have 20+ vendors involved in pulling off an event. When you then factor that number in with your entire wedding party, family, and guests, that can be a lot of people with questions and concerns! As a planner, we can help provide people with answers and ensure that on your day, you only have to think about the love and joy of the day!

• What if the cake doesn’t arrive on time or if there is broken glass on the dance floor? What if your getaway car at the end of the night doesn’t show up? Whether you like to admit it or not, most big events involve some type of crisis – which you will not want to deal with. Our experience gained from working in the industry allows us to anticipate challenges that a client may not see coming.

• Your big event, if you were to plan it yourself, would likely be your first time planning a wedding, and you may not be aware of proper etiquette and protocol. We ask the questions that you don’t even think to ask! We are here to help guide you in the process.

• For the couples that don’t mind the long hours or really enjoy being hands on, having a planner can still beneficial to you. A planner is not hired to take over and make decisions for you, but rather a planner is there to guide and assist you in making informed decisions. The event is supposed to be about you and making your dreams into a reality.

• The MOST important reason for you to hire a planner is to avoid all of the stress! A lot of people who plan a wedding without a professional planner become so stressed that they cannot wait until the event is over. We want you to enjoy the process of planning, then relax, be at your best, and take it all in on your big day!

this article is from:Raleigh Wedding Planning Guide 

"There may be two dresses or two tuxedos,but it really is all about love"

I love this recent article I just read and wanted to share:

"You know that moment we all look forward to at a wedding -- when the bride comes down the aisle and, for the first time, we get to see that beautiful white dress? How magical that moment always is.
Well, it's even more magical when there are two white dresses.
I experienced this for the first time when my niece, Tracy, married the love of her life, a woman also named Tracey (only hers has an "e"). At that moment, as I looked at their radiant faces, I remembered seeing Tracy, age 8, singing along to the record of Free to Be...You and Me. And I couldn't help but think, at last, Tracy is truly free.
For all of us who have long supported same-sex marriage, the depth of the justice of it all has never hit home for me as it did when I saw the these two dear, young women exchange their vows.
And everything was the same: the little kids giggling and running underfoot; the proud moms and dads wiping away a tear; the distant uncle sitting by himself, happily having one drink too many; and, as always, someone sneaking an early piece of the cake.
Now in New York, this historic ritual is being celebrated with a new and liberating joy. And while the ceremony at the heart of these weddings is no different from any other we've ever witnessed, many people have asked if there's any special etiquette that guests attending a gay wedding need to know -- such as "Will I insult the couple if I ask what they're going to call themselves -- like husband and husband or wife and wife?"
According to Steven Petrow of GayManners.com and author of Steven Petrow's Complete Gay and Lesbian Manners, "Not at all! Intention is a big part of manners, so you don't have to worry so much about making a faux pas. If you don't know how to refer to a couple, just ask.
"But there are some differences you may notice as a guest at a gay wedding," Steven told me. "For example, the seating may not be divided into the traditional bride and groom side, but instead will be mixed, to reflect one community supporting the couple. And you may find that members of the wedding party are different from what you usually see -- the best man may be a woman, and the matron of honor may be a man. Also, you'll likely find that the couple is paying for the wedding themselves.
After getting these great tips from Steven, I called my friend, wedding planner extraordinaire David Tutera, and asked if there was anything he could add for gay couples planning their nuptials.
DAVID: A same-sex marriage is no different from a marriage between a man and woman, because they're both based on the same thing: the love and the commitment between two people who want to spend their lives together.
And so, the formula is the same for any and every wedding.
• Write your vows ahead of time -- but remember, this is not the time to make a political statement. Instead, create your vows to express the reason you are there: to celebrate your union and commitment to one another.
• Do your legal research. Make sure you plan ahead, and know all the necessary legalities and specifics about your rental of the location at which you plan to wed.
• Don't forget to register at your favorite stores. Include both of your full names, as well as the name of your favorite charity, in case you decide to offer a donation to that charity a gift option.
• When printing your invitations, list your names in alphabetical order -- by last name. This will also be the order you in which you stand at the altar.
• And, remember, it's all about love. Be sure to embrace the love not only for yourselves as a couple, but the love you have for all those there who support and cherish and celebrate your marriage.
I love these tips, and I love David, because he reminds us of what this is really all about: that there may be two dresses or two tuxedos -- and the top of the cake may look different from what we're used to seeing -- but it really is all about love"

 

Article source 

Baby wipes to the rescue!

Being a mom for a few years now, I've learned that baby wipes get stains out of EVERYTHING, including wedding dresses! Whether it's a grass stain, wine, or a drop of food, rubbing a moist baby wipe will get that stain right out! Another tip, make sure you get the ones that are free of chlorine and dyes, this will prevent the little ring around the stain that "regular" baby wipes tend to leave. My favorite for my kids and weddings are Seventh Generation wipes,Whole Foods Market sells small recycled plastic packs perfect for stashing in your purse.