(Source: zazzle.com)

A while ago at a Bridal Expo, I discovered this new trend in weddings where (in addition to the official photographer) couples were hiring photo booth companies to bring a portable booth to the reception to take fun snapshots in the privacy of a cloaked “room”. I immediately had to try it out. I was surprised at how quickly it produced the photos, and the quality of the photo itself. Plus I was able to upload my photo directly to facebook. I was sold!

The benefits of the photo booth are many:

1) It will get your guests up out of their seats, moving around the room and interacting with people outside of the table. You might run into someone you haven’t seen in a long time or you meet a new friend and discover you share a common bond with the bride and groom. At the very least you will be able to have a richer experience of the wedding.

2) Since photo booths have props, I can guarantee you will see a fun side of your guests that you may not have seen before. By getting everyone involved in this, table by table or as individuals, they will lighten up a bit.

3) The photos will preserve happy memories for your guests as well as yourself. The photos can double as wedding favors your guests can take home.

Here are some fun photos taken in photo booths from real weddings.

Once you have decided to book a photo booth for your wedding always remember to check references and their work. Just like photographers, they are not all created equal.

-Some companies offer different options like a photo booth album or additional prints.

-Some offer different backdrops customized to your wedding colors.        

- Ask if they offer customized photo strips. 

- Make sure there is a professional attendant on hand to oversee any shenanigans or technical problems.

As with any contract, make sure you have everything in writing!

I would like to thank my friends at Push 2 Start Photo Booth for helping me with this blog post and for the use of their photos.

To all my readers, if you live in the Los Angeles or Orange County area and want to hire a Booth, I guarantee  Push 2 Start Photo Booth is the company to call.

 This is super easy to make and fun to eat. I like to make mini loaves because I think they are cute, but you can also make one large loaf  (baked for a longer amount of time). 

Cinnamon Sugar Messy Bread
Makes 3 (5”x 3”) loaves

Ingredients:

Basic  dough:

• 1/2 cup warm water (110°F)
• 1/2  envelope (1/4 ounce) active-dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• 1  tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups bread flour plus more for dusting
• 3/4  teaspoon salt

For dough: Place water, yeast, sugar, honey, and olive oil in a mixing bowl and gently stir together. Allow mixture to sit for 5 minutes (water should begin foaming slightly). While yeast mixture sits, sift together flour and salt. Add flour mixture to yeast mixture, 1/2 cup at a time, until fully incorporated and dough begins to form. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 8 to 10 minutes. (dough should spring back when poked) Form into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and place in a warm area and allow to proof until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 -2 hours. Punch dough down and turn onto a clean, lightly floured surface.

Combine in small bowl

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon

1/2 cup (1 stick) sweet cream butter, melted

Vanilla icing:

• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 1/2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Cut dough into small, 1 inch pieces. Set aside.

3. Place sugar and cinnamon into a small bowl and toss together until completely mixed.

4. Dip dough pieces into melted butter and shake off excess.

5. Next, dredge buttered dough pieces into cinnamon-sugar mixture until well coated.

6. Grease mini loaf pans and begin filling with coated pieces of dough until pans are filled.

7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until sticky and golden brown. Remove loaves from pans, onto a cooling rack and allow messy breads to cool until just slightly warm.

8. For icing: Place sugar, milk and vanilla in a small mixing bowl and stir together with a fork (using a whisk will cause air bubbles to form in the icing).

9. Drizzle icing over messy bread loaves and serve.

Recipe Credit: Spoon Fork Bacon

(Source: zazzle.com)

Summer vintage romance

This is such a cute idea! Go to the nearest dollar store, raid the children’s section for plastic animals, and spray paint them all white…voila! Perfect for a rehearsal dinner or backyard wedding!

Photo credit: Erik Ekroth Photography and Hatch Creative Studio

(Source: zazzle.com)

Addicted! So got my Washi tape in the mail and I’ve been having a blast playing with it. The applications for this tape are endless. Today’s post is about applying the tape to glass objects. The tape has a bit of transparency to it and applying it to the glass vases was such a cool effect. I especially loved how the tape looked on the smoky white vases. Using the yellows and oranges soften up the vases but I could see how using bright, bold colors would give the vases a completely different effect. I also love how forgiving the tape is. If you apply a strip and do not like an application you can just take it off and start over. Enjoy these photos and at the end we will talk about the how-to’s and lessons learned!

          White Smoked Glass Vases

       Clear Glass Vase

         White Smoked Vases

       Vases and Plastic Cups

Painted Plastic Cup

      White Painted Plastic Cup

Okay, now let’s talk application. All of the applications for the tape were the same except the last two which were on painted plastic. Applying the tape to glass was very easy. Just cut strips the same length and go!

With the last two I wanted to try some different patterns. The first one, creating a lace look, was pretty difficult. I placed the tape on parchment paper and then used my lace hole punch. I have to admit, it was tricky because the tape didn’t always get completely punched or it would get stuck in there. I would like to continue to play with hole punches and Washi tape but I think I only have the patience for small applications using this technique! The last photo, using the different red patterned tapes was easy. I just cut small strips the same size and applied them to the plastic.

Two Lessons Learned I would like to pass on to all of you!

1. It’s very difficult applying the tape horizontally. As you can see in the last photo, the Washi tape is buckling and I found it next to impossible not to have this happen.

2. I noticed on the vases that have curves, the tape has started to come up in places. I think if I was really happy with how the Washi tape looked on a vase with curves I would apply an adhesive over the tape. I’m thinking Mod Podge…but not sure how that would look. Let me know if you have a suggestion!

When planning a party or wedding, you might assume your catering company or venue will supply the bartending staff. Well don’t be surprised if they don’t. Eeek! You may need to hire your own professional bartender service.  

A good bartender can make drinks and serve beverages. But an EXCELLENT one can make your guests have fun and enjoy themselves even while waiting for drinks.

What To Look For When Hiring a Bartender

You need to meet and interview your bartender face to face before the wedding.

Here are some questions to ask:

• Ask if all their bartenders are state licensed? This is very important as many venues will not allow an unlicensed bartender to serve alcohol due to insurance and liablity concerns.

• Ask how many years of experience the bartender has and of what kind. A tap person with experience in pub-style establishments may not know cocktails.

• Ask questions to test expertise, good bartenders know major mixed-drink recipes by heart. 

• Ask if the bartender is willing to act as a beverage consultant before the wedding day? An experienced bartender can help you calculate how much and what alcohol you’ll need. Some professionals will even go to a liquor supplier with you to help you with purchases.

• Quiz prospective bartenders on how they set up their bars and how they cope with nonstop drink demands and empty glasses and bottles. They should be in command of their work space, trash containers, and supply of glassware and beverages.

Question: My fiance HATES being photographed, so photos of the two of us are always less-than stellar. We’re considering a photojournalist-style wedding photographer, but we’re worried about how to pose for the portrait shots and the billion other photo ops on our wedding day. To make things more complicated, we’re the same height. (I feel like all the wedding pictures I see in magazines have a much taller groom!) What are some easy, foolproof poses that we could try? I think I could convince my fiance to practice if need be!

Here are my thoughts:

Tee hee! There’s no need to practice! Here’s some easy advice:

If you’re nervous about formal portraits, don’t take them! I hate being photographed, too, so we took a few standard family shots for our parents and then didn’t do anything “posed” for the rest of the day.

Here are a few examples of un-posed adorableness from Hollie and Will’s wedding:

Skip the looking-at-the-camera shots. I think things get most awkward in those moments when you’re staring blankly at the camera while the photographer is click-click-clicking away. Instead, look at each other and say something sweet or try to make each other laugh.

Have a second photographer (usually the assistant) taking pictures from the side while the main photographer has you looking straight on. Because you’re not focused on the second camera (or how you’ll look through its lens), these pictures look more “off-guard” and less formal.

Look for a photographer who won’t be in your face all day. The best wedding photographer is the one you don’t know is there! Talk to the photographer about whether he or she has the equipment to shoot up-close shots from a few feet away. You can get great shots without feeling like you’re being stalked by paparazzi, but your photographer has to be prepared to shoot from a distance.

(Source: zazzle.com)

Reviving Dull Skin

To revive tired, dull skin without hitting the spa table, try this:

Crack open an egg in a bowl, separate the yolk, and use the egg whites to make a face mask. The proteins help to heal and restore skin’s moisture. Leave it on for five minutes, and rinse off.

Guest Blog by Jen

You might have seen the new trend of house address numbers being turned into wedding table numbers. I just found self-adhesive house numbers at Lowe’s and was totally inspired! Using simple acrylic frames…cut and insert your favorite scrapbook paper (or maybe even an engagement photo!), add the house number and your done! This project can be personalized in SO many ways… all inexpensive and adorable!

Supplies: 

Scrapbook paper that matches your theme,

One 5″ x 7″ basic acrylic frame for each table you have,

Corresponding house address numbers’ to go with each table 

Paper trimmer.

Craft paint (optional if you want to paint the numbers)

E600 glue -  if your numbers aren’t self adhesive 

VERSION ONE: Painting your numbers. For this one I chose to paint the numbers white with Martha Stewart Multi-surface craft paint in: Wedding Cake.

To cover the bold silver, it definitely took two coats – with one hour of drying time in between.

While your paint is drying start cutting your paper a with paper cutter. My frames are 5″ x 7″… so I cut squares that size.

Next, insert the cut paper into the frame.

Now, the simple part. Remove the self-adhesive backing to your numbers and stick onto the frame!!!

VERSION TWO: Beautiful paper + unpainted number = simple, yet elegant table number. This version looks like it’s ready for a tea party!

You can find interesting scrapbook paper all over, from Michael’s to your local scrapbooking store. You will be sure to find some type of special paper that will match your wedding theme and colors.

VERSION THREE: GLITTER PAINT

With a sponge applicator (or small sponge) carefully pounce the glitter paint onto the silver number. This paint is a clear paint with tons of glitter in it – which means you have to move the pouncer around and dab and go back over it to evenly spread out the glitter. When you start pouncing it will make bubbles in the clear paint – don’t worry, when the paint dries the bubbles disappear. I used Martha Stewart’s glitter paint in: Tourmaline along with her sponge pouncer – but any type of sponge will do.

Two coats of paint is a must, possibly three for a completely even glitter coat. 

After the glitter paint is dry… stick on your table number! 

All Photo Credits by Something Turquoise

(Source: zazzle.com)

Having an easy and delicious dessert to take to a potluck or picnic can sometimes be tricky. Traveling with a dessert, especially if your husband drives like mine, and arriving with it still looking nice can be difficult.

I LOVE Trifle Desserts for many reasons…they can be made ahead {and actually taste better when they are}, they are easy to put together, the flavor options are endless, they look impressive with very little effort and they are also pretty frugal!

Ingredients

• Trifle Bowl or large vase with straight sides
• Cake, cupcakes, brownies, cookies or angel food cake work just fine
• 2 tubs of Whipped Topping
• 1 box Vanilla Instant Pudding plus milk
• 1 container of Strawberries
• 1 container of Blueberries (optional)
• Decorations (optional)

Instructions

1. Bake cake, brownies, cookies or cupcakes, cool and cut into pieces.
2. Place on bottom layer.
3. Mix pudding as directed on box, place in fridge to set.
4. Then fold in 1 tub of Whipped Topping.
5. Spoon over cake layer.
6. Then slice strawberries and add on top of pudding.
7. Add a layer of Whipped Topping, about 1/2 the container. Then repeat layers.

(Source: zazzle.com)

           Photo Credit: Gloryholyland.com

Have you noticed Red String Kabbalah bracelets are becoming a trendy fashion statement these days? More and more I notice celebrities such as Madonna, Mick Jagger, Rihanna and Ashton Kutcher are embracing the ancient practice of Jewish study known as Kabbalah.

Being raised as a Catholic I had no idea what the significance is of a Kabbalah bracelet  until I recently did some research. Well I learned these bracelets are worn on the left wrist to ward off negative energy. A kabbalah bracelet functions as an amulet to protect it’s wearer from the evil eye. Whenever this bracelet is worn, the person becomes swathed in a protective vapor of light which no negative influence is able to penetrate. 

I will admit I am not an overly religious person nor am I superstitious but I think a Kabbalah bracelet would be a fun and unique gift for your bridesmaids. Not only can  you help your girls ward off negativity in their lives but they can also make a fashion statement.

I noticed there seems to be many online sites which sells cheap junk Kabbalah bracelets, but if you want high quality check out Gloryholyland.com.

Go beyond the sandwich and try this lusciously creamy cheesecake made with your favorite childhood spread.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup(s) Chocolate Wafer Cookie Crumbs
• 4 tablespoon(s) 
• Butter, melted

Filling:

• 4 package(s) (8-ounce) Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 cup(s) Creamy Peanut Butter
• 1 cup(s) Sugar
• 4 large Eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup(s) Sour Cream
• 2 teaspoon(s) Vanilla Extract
• 3 ounce(s) Bittersweet Chocolate, melted
• 6  Regular-Size Peanut Butter Cups, quartered

Directions

• To make the crust: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray; tightly cover outside of pan with a double thickness of foil. Combine cookie crumbs and butter in a bowl until crumbs are evenly moistened. Press into bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of prepared pan. Bake 10 minutes; let cool on a wire rack.

• To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar until smooth. Reduce speed to medium and beat in eggs, 1 at a time, until just blended. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Remove 1 1/2 cups of the batter to a medium bowl; stir in chocolate. Add peanut butter to cream cheese mixture in large bowl and beat until smooth. Remove 1 3/4 cups of the peanut butter batter to a medium bowl and reserve.

• Spoon the remaining peanut butter batter over crust in pan. Top evenly with peanut butter cups, gently pressing pieces into batter. Alternately drop reserved chocolate batter and reserved peanut butter batter on top of peanut butter cups to cover; swirl batters together with a skewer or a knife to marbleize.

• Place cheesecake in a larger baking pan and place on oven rack. Carefully pour enough hot water into larger pan to reach 1 inch up sides of springform pan. Bake 1 hour, or until cake barely jiggles in the center.

• Remove cheesecake from water bath; remove foil. Using a thin knife, carefully cut around top edge of cake where it meets the pan to release. Let cool completely on wire rack. Cover and refrigerate until cold, 6 hours or overnight.

• To serve, run a sharp knife around edge of pan to loosen and remove side of pan.

(Source: zazzle.com)

For an all-frills setup with little fuss, slip seating cards in between rows of ribbons.

You will need:

   *  Foam Boards 

   *  Satin & Grosgrains (various widths)

   *  Straight Pins 

Directions:

Cover foam boards with satin and grosgrain ribbons; randomly layer narrow ribbons over wide ones. Pin the ribbon ends to backs of boards, inserting straight pins at an angle to secure. Slip in envelopes by their flaps or bottoms.

Photo Credits: Martha Stewart

(Source: zazzle.com)

These little hand pies can be made with your favorite Apple Pie recipe or simply with some store bought pie crust and apple pie filling. (I chose to go the easy route for the sake of time.)  Just be sure to follow the baking directions that I included, as cooking time will be less with the smaller pies. Below are the instructions for these pies and a printable PDF for the boxes to put them in. 

(Source: zazzle.com)