Sweet Find

There's nothing better than a sweet start to the week. Introducing Cake Muffin.





Cake Muffin is a custom cupcakery that graced the area mid last year. Started by Janine Reed, who is oh so cute, Cake Muffin offers all homemade cupcakes in unlimited varities. Unlike other cupcakeries, you don't have to choose from a limited selection of predetermined flavors..you pick the cake, you pick the icing, you decide what gets added - or what doesn't-the entire process is customized to your liking!

Cute, sweet and easy to eat...sign me up!

Friday, the new black?

Don't you just hate that saying???? What is the NEW black and what's wrong with the old black?

Back in focus...

Today is Friday and had this been 6 weeks down the line, chances are, you might just be getting prepared to attend a Wedding as a guest (or working in my case).As inflation is taking its toll on everything, including the lovely wedding market, more and more couples are considering the option of non-Saturday nuptials. I for one encourage them hands down and actually have my fair share of Thursday/Monday weddings this year as well.

Why exactly may be different than you think…

While it’s common knowledge that on average, couples can save 10 to 20 percent on the total bill by booking a non-Saturday wedding, typically in the venue either crediting the gratuity (19-21% in our area) , waiving fees such as rentals, offering bigger ballroom space, offering the same menu as on Saturday, at a reduced price, and greater availability for the more popular venues, did you ever consider that a Friday wedding may in fact be more convenient for your guests? Let’s take a look...

Travel:
Airfare/accommodations will often offer discounted rates for travel on Thursday

Flexibility:
Most people actually prefer to take off Friday rather than a Monday (for Sunday weddings). The rational is simple-you have 2 additional days to recover from the weekends festivities and you really don’t get that feeling of “missing” out on the weekend…don’t you hate that?

Comps:
We LOVE the comps! Many hotel/lodging facilities offer comps during the week such as continental breakfast, reduced rates and upgrades…much more than they do on the weekend.

If you are having a Friday wedding however, please be conscience of the time. Friday night at the shore mid June at 6:00 pm, with 90% of your guests coming in from OOT, may cause a few hiccups along the way. As it is, many out-of-town guests will have to take a day off work to attend a wedding held on a Friday (or Sunday). Analyze your guest list to determine if the majority will be traveling locally, or from a distance. If you find that many guests are driving in, aim to have your weekday wedding later in the evening so that your guests still have the option to attend work (possibly half day), avoid rush hour congestion and get ready without looking a flustered mess.

If you’re finding this to be a problem, and just can not get the venue of your dreams during the latter time frame, my advice…book it and be done! At the end of the day, the people who love you will attend your wedding and make the necessary arrangements REGARDLESS of the day or time-believe me. Your best friend/mother will be at your wedding be it Friday at 4pm, or Tuesday at 11:30 am, will they not?

Happy Friday!

A little birdie once told me...

Not to release the other little birdies!

Ok, so maybe I'm a little jaded, but dove releases (like butterfly releases) typically don't turn out as planned. It's been my experience that couples tend to react and get nervous as the birds make their way out of their caged confines.

As I begin to see a pattern of increased requests for these releases after the ceremony, I found it necessary to post a few general points, courtesy of White Dove Release Professionals

1. There is a difference in bird types.

When looking for birds for your release, be sure not to use white "Ring Neck" doves for release. These are the doves you will often find in pet stores for under $20 dollars. Not only can they not find their way home, they cannot really fly more that a few feet! Any bird other than a racing pigeon will die when released into the wild, including white pigeons purchased from poultry farms."

2. Be mindful of the time of release.

How late the birds should be released depends on the distance of the event and the home loft location. Well trained birds can fly at 55-60 mph and should be given adequate time to return home before darkness. They do not see well in the dark and need adequate light for flight, otherwise injuries are likely.

3. Releasing in bad weather-

The birds should NEVER be released in foul weather! A quality release company will not want their birds released under such conditions and should have this stipulation mentioned in their contract. They will also return deposits and balances under such circumstances. Make sure to check for this!

4. How far can they fly?

Well trained,quality racing pigeon stock have a range of anywhere between 100 Releases within 50 miles are generally safe provided good racing birds are used. Beware of anyone offering to ship birds to you for self release at exceptional distances.

5. Can you release them yourself, or is it better to have a release coordinator?

While it is possible for anyone to open a box and let the birds go, having an experienced professional who is good at what they do at your event will very much enhance the most special day of your life. There is much more to this than simply showing up and opening the lid.... there is an "art" to it. Only experienced professionals understand bird behavior, timing, and what it take seperate the "ho hum" release from the phenominal release!

If you are considering a release for your upcoming nuptials, please, please please do your research and contact a qualified organization for more information and to lead you in the right direction.

As always, happy planning!

Happy Easter

Ok, so Easter came and went 3 days ago... however, for Christian, as long as there's Easter candy (courtesy of Auntie Sai) there's Easter so from our family to yours, we hope you had a wonderful resurrection day!

GONE...

But not forgotten!

I know, I know, I've been a TERRIBLE blogger lately, with a whole 2 weeks since my last confession. Believe me, I've definitely missed being here.

With wedding season in full swing and a 10 month old who's finally recovered from being sick almost 6 weeks now, I've definitely been busy.

But I'm back now, with lots of new couples, new insight and lots to tell so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!

And we ate, and we ate

and we ate...cake that is!

The annual charity fundraiser, Let Them Eat Cake, raised approximately $40,000 this year as 500 or so guests experienced the magic of 40 different cake selections.

I received these amazing pictures from one of my favorite photographers, Jen Capone of Jen Capone Photography and she definitely took me back to a "sweet" place.



Mmm cake!

Sexy Little Secret!

Victoria, Victoria, Victoria...


You certainly do have your hand in everything...and now bridal too!

As I was perusing through the aisle of my favorite little VS store on Saturday, I came across a whole new line of Vicky Bridalwear. Immediately I became excited because now many Bride's to be can buy those cute little blinged out tops (and bottoms)they all desire (perfect for getting ready shots) right off the rack.





No more ordering online, paying a fortune and hoping that it fits.

Even better, they are just so cute and most incorporate somewhere in the design a touch of "tiffany blue".

Affordable, feminine and sexy-Love it!

Knot your average man!

Oh the dreaded bow tie...

I've seen more men struggle in agony over tying these things than a little. It's actually comical yet sad. So, for all of you groomsmen (and frustrated women who appreciate a man in a tie), today's post is for you.

Thanks to the wonderful people at Tie-a-Tie, we have a color coded step by step tutorial on the correct way to form a perfect bow. Not only appropriate for weddings, bow ties are an alternative choice for dinner, cocktail parties and general nights out on the town.

Basic rule of thumb is, if you're wearing a dinner jacket or formal wear and you want to take it up a "notch", definitely go to the bow!

1) Place the bow tie around your neck, situating it so that end "A" is about two inches longer than end "B".





2) Cross end "A" over end "B".





3) Bring end "A" up and under the loop.






4) Now double end "B" over itself to form the front base loop of the bow tie.






5) Loop end "A" over the center of the loop you just formed.






6) Holding everything in place, double end "A" back on itself and poke it through the loop behind the bow tie.



7) Adjust the bow tie by tugging at the ends of it and straightening the center knot.





And that is how it is done! See...not too difficult!

FIERCE!

As in the new winner of this season's Project Runway, Christian Siriano!

Ok, I'll admit, I was in love with this cutie from the day he stepped on the runway in those little tight pants with his insane personality.

WHY?

Because from the door, Christian seemed to KNOW who he was, what his personal style was and that in order to WIN, he would need to stay true to just that.

It's no different from your Wedding day. Regardless of your budget be it $5,000 or $500,000, it's important that your guest walk into that room and say "Oh, this is so...(insert name here)" and not what I tend to say..."oh, another one of these (insert- cakes, setups, floral arrangement, chocolate fountains).

Congratulations Christian for winning a season you absolutely deserved and for always staying true to your SIGNATURE style. FIERCE!

Silent Auction @ The Pyramid Club

Fabulous Venue, Amazing people, Shopping & Charity. Need I say more?

Please join us as we host our annual silent auction to raise money for our Assist scholarship which benefits Delaware Valley community students who are in transitional situations and are in need of financial aid to further their education in their career pursuit. All donations and proceeds will go to our Business/Career/ Development Program, a 501(c)3. A portion of your contribution or donation may be tax deductible.

Not only am I proud to be a member of this organization, I am most proud that we have continually been able to give back to a student in need. Please join us in making this the biggest year thus far.

PS. If you've NEVER been to the Pyramid Club, definitely take this opportunity to enjoy this amazing venue and meet other Philadelphia and local professionals.


Host: Executive Women International
Location: The Pyramid Club
1735 Market Street, 52nd floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103 US
View Map |
When: Tuesday, March 18, 6:00PM
Phone: 215-575-2405

We cordially invite you to join us at our

Annual Silent Auction
(Dinner/Cash Bar)

Benefiting our 2008 ASIST* Scholarship
Bidding begins promptly at 6PM


$45 Members/$55 Non-Members
RSVP: Cheryl Walmsley, Sergeant at Arms
By March 12th, 2008
(215) 575-2405 or cwalmsley@bpgltd.com
Donation for the silent auction:
please contact Lynn Fraser
Ways and Means Director

(856) 816-5159 or Lynn.Fraser@contemporarystaffing.com

Shower Me

As I maneuvered my way through the mini hurricane that brushed through the region for 15 minutes this morning (just long enough to be a total nuisance), I thought about how the weather affects the psyche of many couples and Brides in general.

If you are planning an outdoor wedding, you will inevitably experience a period of "fear" regarding the weather and rain in particular. You may even find yourself semi-stalking weatherchannel.com and related websites trying to predict the weather up to a year in advance.

I've done MANY outdoor weddings and I can honestly say though it has rained on some of my couples otherwise perfect days, it has never been enough to ruin the day. Somehow, the sun aways peeks out right around the 30 minute countdown.

In the event that you want to be safe though, why not invest in fabulous umbrellas that will serve more as accessories than eyesores for your bridal party?

Bella Umbrella carries an amazing line of umbrellas and vintage parasols perfect for weddings and special events. The best part...for an average $10 per item, you can rent those 30 orange umbrellas you'd otherwise have absolutely no need for!

Gotta love it!

I'm still it

Blog tag is back on again and thanks to my wonderful friend Lakendra Kennedy of Affairs with Elegance, I'm it.

Ok so here are the rules... Copy this entire list of questions and change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then tag and pass it along to other blogging friends. Let’s see how well we can get to know one another!

1. What is your occupation? Wedding Consultant

2. What color are your socks right now? No socks, dangling my feet under the desk.

3. What are you listening to right now? Actually I'm listening to Floetry. I pulled out their old CD after spotting one of the members of the Group at dinner tonight. Love it!

4. What was the last thing that you ate? Turkey Wings, macaroni & cheese, string beans

5. Can you drive a stick shift? Does the answer "not well" count? I've driven stick shift before...ok, I've moved the gear, while someone else drove but I've never actually been in the drivers seat. So, I'll say no.

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Blue.

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? The love of my life :)

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yes, I'd only do another one of these for her

9. Favorite drink? Grey Goose Cosmopolitan or Hot Chocolate (total opposites, I know)

10. What is your favorite sport to watch? Football (now that I understand it-go Eagles!)

11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes...you name it, I've probably been it. My natural color is a mixture of browns.

12. Pets? No but I'd love a puppy.

13. Favorite food? It's a three way tie between seafood, Italian and Indian.

14. Last movie you watched? Why did I get married?

15. Favorite Day of the year? November 12th. Many good things in my life have happened on that date.

16. What do you do to vent anger? Drive. I love to drive on an open road.

17. What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbie, typical girl.

18. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Fall. I love how active Mother Nature is at that time of the year.

19. Hugs or kisses? Hugs & Kisses. Hugs first always though.

20. What kind of pie? Pecan

21. Living arrangements? Home with my little angel in NJ.

22. When was the last time you cried? Today. I received pictures of 2 newborn adorable little girls and I couldn't resist.

23. What is on the floor of your closet? Lots and lots of shoes. Absolutely can not get enough.

24. Favorite smell? Vanilla

25. What inspires you? I'm inspired by individuals who have beaten the odds.

26. What are you afraid of? Losing what I love

27. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheeseburgers

28. Favorite car? Range Rover

29. Favorite cat breed? I'm not a fan of cats.

30. Number of keys on your key ring? 5, 1 of which I still don't know what it's for but I'm too afraid to throw out.

31. How many years at your current job? I've been in the industry for 5+ years

32. Favorite day of the week? Wednesday.

33. How many states have you lived in? 3

34. How many countries have you been to? 5-I love to travel though so that number is sure to increase.

Ok Jacinda of Eloquent Impressions, tag you're it!