I Will Survive!

As a wedding planner, I have a rather large "survival" kit that goes with me to every wedding.  It contains a variety of items that include everything from stain remover to batteries.  I am prepared for almost any last minute crisis.  If you aren't able to work with a planner and need to put together your own survival kit - then Marilyns Keepsakes can hook you up!  They offer a selection of bridal survival kits that can help you avert disaster on your big day.  The Wedding Day Survival Kit is packed with 30 must-have items to help fend off any last-minute fiasco.  The Bridesmaid's Survival Kit can help lend support to the bride.  This compact collection of 18 essentials comes in a discreet silver case.  The M.O.B. Survival Kit gives the mother of the bride peace of mind and includes 24 necessities, such as tissues and water-proof mascara.

Check these out online and be prepared for anything!

Have Fun!

Designing The Texas Home

Since my degree is in Interior Design, I thought I would take this opportunity to promote my upcoming workshop, "Designing The Texas Home".  Even though I am a full time wedding and event planner, I still work on design projects when I get the chance.  

This is the fourth year of this Signature Series Workshop held at Wildcatter Ranch.  I  have done all the design work for this fantastic ranch and love being able to lead these workshops.

Highlights of this year's workshop will be:

*Mapping your success - Basic planning strategies and ideas to ensure your is a successful project.

*Option inventories for a Texas flair - introduction to colors, flooring, faux finishes, lighting, countertops, backsplashes, windows and furniture.

*Making it personal - Discover what make a home "Texas".  This will include ideas on collecting and insights into making your home feel like a a Texas home.

*My favorites - I will share some of my "tricks of the trade" and secret hideaways for great decorating ideas.

*Making wise choices to update your look - New for this year, this segment will focus on ways to update your home without breaking the bank.  We will look at ways to use the things you already have to give your home a makeover.

*We will also take a short field trip to look at one of my nearby multi-million dollar projects.

The workshop will take place on September 10th from 9:00 am till 5:00 with lunch included.  Please contact Wildcatter Ranch to reserve your spot - space is limited and the workshop usually sells out.  The phone number at the ranch is 940.549.3500.

I hope to see you there!

You Light Up My Life

While I was surfing a fun new site - I found these adorable 5 minute matchbook candles.  The site is fred flare, a brooklyn based store with an Urban Outfitters feel.  They have clothing, accessories and all kinds of silly stuff.  Unless you smoke - who needs matchbooks anymore.  This little book of candles is so cute - you will always be ready to celebrate!  They would also make a cute favor at a party!  Love them!

Have Fun!

Dazzling Drinks

I have given lots of ideas for fun signature cocktails, but this time its not about the drink itself.  How about a fun garnish for your drink?  These fun treats can make the cocktail a "signature" drink all by themselves.  Why not add a fun little treat to your drink?  I found these ideas as I was looking through the  October/November edition of Modern Bride - so I had to pass them on.  The first photo is of Boston Fruit Slices - they have been around for a long time, but they come in such fun colors that they just beg to adorn a champagne glass!  And these great "cocktail twists" are so cute for those perfect flavored martinis!  So - don't forget the garnish when your creating that fun signature cocktail!

Wildflower Linen

There are events and there are EVENTS!  To make your event unique, sometimes you have to do  things that are different.  By different, I don't mean crazy or wild - although sometimes those things are called for.  At times using custom or couture linens make all the difference.  The linens alone in this photo set the tone for this party.  It is so soft and elegant.  You can look at them online at Wildflower Linen.

Make Your Party "POP"

Everyone loves popcorn - right?  Well, now popcorn has gone chic.  479 degree (the degree symbol is used in their logo - but I couldn't figure that one out) popcorn has the yummiest flavors ever!  They offer such trendy choices as Chipotle Caramel +Almonds, Fluer de Sel Caramel, Madras Curry Coconut + Cashews and vietnamese Cinnamon Sugar plus many more.  They also offer samplers that contain several different selections to try.

I think it would be cool to have several different flavors in jars with scoops, so your guests can fill their own box with their flavor choice.  What a fun choice for your party or reception!

Here are some other fun facts about popcorn.

*Popcorn has been know to pop 3 feet in the air!

*Kernals that don't pop are called old maids.

*Americans consume about 1.12 billion pounds of popcorn each year.

*The Guiness Bokk of Records reports that the worlds largest popcorn ball measured 12 feet in diameter and weighed 2,000 pounds!

Check out their great website - http://479popcorn.com

Have fun!

Something New For The Flower Girl

Flower girls are one of the cutest things at a wedding!  For this wedding in Santa Fe, we wanted these twin girls to carry something more unique than a basket with petals.  The floral designer, Artichokes & Pomegranates created these flower "wands".  I was really pleased at how they turned out and the flower girls LOVED them.  It was unique and adorable!  

Have Fun!

These aren't a few of my favorite things!

Yeah, I know snowflakes on eyelashes and whiskers on kittens are adorable - but what about the things that annoy you?  I generally try to "pay it forward" - you know - do the right thing, but somethings just get under your skin and really bug you!  I'm not talking about random shootings and drug overdoses (although these are also things I don't like), but little things that you just can't let go of.  So today my blog is not about parties and events, but just my venting about things that irk me.  Feel free to comment and add your list too!

These are in no particular order of annoy-ingness.

1.  Don't ask me if my Louis Vuitton handbag is real -  miss checker at the grocery store!

2.  I don't ever want to hear you eat your food.  Close your mouth and don't talk till your finished.  And by the way - if you are chewing gum - you should be the only one that knows about it!

3.  Unless we're related, don't double dip.  You might as well just lick that piece of bread and pass it to me.

4.  DO NOT DRIVE SLOW IN THE FAST LANE!  THAT WOULD BE THE LEFT LANE FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO OBVIOUSLY DON'T KNOW!  (whew - my blood pressure went up just mentioning that one.....road rage?????

5.  Don't remind me of the obvious things.  Like how many drinks I've had, how to drive the car or that I may have gained a few pounds.  Duh!  I already know!

6.  Don't wait until we have finished lunch and I am two blocks away to call me and tell me that I have food in my teeth.  Seriously.

7. Don't send me emails that ask me to forward it to my friends.  Specially the ones that try to make me feel guilty if I don't.  Because they do make me feel guilty - because I don't forward them.

8.  I don't care how big your car stereo is - I don't want to listen to it.  Turn it down or roll up your window!

9.  Girls - I don't want to see your underwear!  Any of it - ever.  That trend is gone.   H-E-L-L-O...it's called class - try it!  In fact this applies to you guys out there too!

10.  Karaoke- there's a reason you don't have a record deal.  Enough said!

Wow!  I feel so much better now!  I'll get back to  blogging about  important stuff next time!

Have fun!

Chocolate Favors

I know that their are lots of "couture" chocolates on the market these days and everyone wants to be chic and trendy, but I still love Godiva!  These yummy chocolates from Belgium have been available in North America since 1966 and they are still just as delicious!  Godiva chocolates have classic shapes and packaging and... oh the flavors.  They offer pre-packed wedding favors in a variety of options.  They even offer a choice of packaging to go with your wedding colors.  You can even save on shipping by going to a Godiva boutique to order!

Have fun!

One Dress - Six Looks

I love to hear Bride's tell their attendants, "I picked a great dress for you - you really will be able to wear it to other events!"  Yeah right!  Does this ever really happen?  It's rare, but some of todays great choices and the trend of wearing shorter dresses is helping this thought become a reality.  In the new edition of The Knot, I came across this ad for Moonlight Bridesmaids by Val Stefani.  One dress with six different looks!  Your bridesmaids could all order the same dress, but wearthe dress in  the style that works best on them.  I love it!

Have Fun!

Artistic Venue

Can't afford to rent one of the "big" museums for your event?  Fort Worth now has a new option.  If you love the idea of having your wedding or party at a gallery - then Artspace 111 may be just what you are looking for.  This unique gallery space offers a place for the ceremony and the reception while keeping with the "chic" minimalist art gallery feel.  They have great indoor space as well as an interesting sculpture garden.  They can host parties of up to 400 people and the artwork and sculptures will certainly give your guests something to talk about - besides the size 14 cougar in the size 6 dress!

Check out this creative venue for your next social gathering!

Have fun!