Off to the Races

Since I am literally "Off to the Races" in just a few short hours, I'm sending out a few last minute Derby Recipes, Cocktail Ideas and other Inspiration from around the web this week.

Check out all the Fab Derby Ideas! Giddy Up!

Snippet & Ink's Derby Wedding Inspiration Board HERE

Mix Mingle Glow's Delectable Mint Julep Brownie Recipe HERE

Tyler Florence's Ultimate Derby Fried Chicken recipe HERE

Alternative Derby Drinks from Bethenny Frankel HERE

Style Tips for Derby Duds HERE

Derby Party "Infield" Theme Ideas HERE

I hope all of your parties are a smashing success and can't wait to read about them next week!

Derby Centerpiece Ideas

It is officially Derby Week and the cute ideas keep coming! The fabulous

Jenn of Hostess with the Mostess has a tutorial for cute centerpiece ideas. Check them out HERE

A Derby Themed Wedding

How lovely would it be to get married the first Saturday in May and have a derby-themed weekend!? I adore the thought and just might take it some day! Check out a fabulously southern wedding featured on the Southern Weddings Blog here. Happy Derby Week! I'm off to Louisville on Thursday, can y'all tell I am excited!!

Talk Derby to Me!

With the Run for the Roses just around the corner I thought I'd share some images from the Kentucky Derby party I planned last year. This annual outdoor concert for a private country club featured a new twist in 2008 as the event fell on Derby Day. Guests came bedecked in party hats and decorated their dining tables to the nines! I hosted a contest for best decorated table, best hat, and best dressed couple. Prizes were furnished by Woodford Reserve, the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby!

The creative touches were abound tying in all things Derby :: Roses, Bourbon, Hats, Horses, Juleps oh My!
I'm taking my first trip to the real deal Kentucky Derby this year so I will be sure to update on inspiration I find at Churchill Downs on Derby Day.

I've seen several features of Derby-Themed weddings and events and they are just so simply Southern!
What are your plans for the Derby? Anyone else hosting a fete?

Diva-Licious

Calling all divas and divas-in-training! I've come across a great blog and book called How to Be A Social Diva full of great tips for networking, red-carpeting, VIPing and just all around being fabulous. I know that most of us don't need work in this area right? I'll definitely brush up on my skills by adding this to my Blogroll and you will see me reading the paperback poolside this summer!

Cheers!

Win the Ultimate Derby Party

Starting on Saturday I'll begin my week of blogging on Kentucky Derby parties, ideas and weddings! But first win the chance for the ultimate Derby Party from the Official KD Party Site. Click HERE to Enter, hurry contest ends on Friday!

A few of my favorite things!

Now that Spring is in full swing I thought I'd share some things that I am loving right now. Some things I covet (Tiffany necklaces), and some I can't stop using (Mascara, Champagne). I'd love to know what YOU are loving right now, comment below.

Fresh Flower Fridays

I adore fresh flowers, who doesn't? In my dream world I'd have them on my desk and around my house every week. I do however treat myself to flowers on Fridays when I will be able to enjoy them the entire weekend (i.e. not working all weekend or out of town). I've dubbed them "Fresh Flower Fridays". My favorite place to go is Trader Joes since its not only on my way home, they sell great (cheap) wine that I often purchase to accompany my flowers. I know how romantic of myself right?

TJ's has pre-made bouquets as well as seasonal flowers all under $10! Bunches of tulips are only $4.99! This week I went in to pick up some spring buds and was overjoyed to find two of my very very favorite blooms for sale, Ranunculus and Anemones both for $6.99 a bunch! These flowers are rare to find at even a whole foods or specialty store, let alone for this price. So I stocked up and have lots of neat spring arrangements around the house. Trader Joes is a great place to pick up flowers for your Easter dinner! Check out their site to find a location near you!

Welcome to Atlanta, St. Regis!

Finally! The opulent hotel has opened its doors on the corner of the famed Peachtree Street and West Paces Ferry. The St. Regis Atlanta opened its doors on Tuesday. The lovely Julia McKelvey, catering manager gave me a tour of a sample guest room before the completion of the hotel and it was just A-mazing! The ballroom is going to be the epitome of luxury for weddings and events.

An Atlanta spring tradition comes to the St. Regis:
The Atlanta Symphony Associates will hold the 2009 Decorators’ Show House & Gardens at The St. Regis Residences, April 18 through Sunday, May 10. To celebrate the fundraiser’s 39th year, The St. Regis Atlanta will christen its sword on Saturday by sabering a magnum of Veuve Clicquot, a gift from Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, in a dramatic celebration.

Paces 88, the restaurant on-site will be the place to be seen. Visitors to the Show House can dine at Paces 88. Every lunch guest will receive a special take-home package of brownies with fleur de sel, a specialty of Pastry Chef Ryan Wells. As a special offering, Sunday diners can indulge in Bloody Marys and Bellinis on the restaurant’s Veranda. The rumor is the Bloody Marys are the best in the South, I can't wait to try one!

Renowned Atlanta florist John Grady Burns will be hosting a book signing on Saturday May 9 at the showhouse. Be sure to be the first to snag a copy of his book : Personally Yours, flowers for weddings, parties and events.

The TOAST girls are touring the showhouse next week so stay tuned as we ooh and aah at the magnificent property!

ISES Fashion Show Slideshow

Thanks Michael Ray White for taking these images and putting together the great gallery/slideshow of the event! Check it out HERE

Fashion Advice from ISES Atlanta!

Last night was ISES Atlanta's monthly networking event held at Park Tavern overlooking Piedmont park and the lovely Atlanta skyline! The program's committee took a spin on the TV show "What Not To Wear" and themed the entire event on fashion. The event featured crafty decor from J.Patrick designs and a presentation by an image consultant. The finale was a fashion show featuring several ISES members, including yours truly! We modeled fashions from Macy's and the Dress Barn that were business-appropriate and could also transition from day to evening. It was so much fun walking the runway and twirling about with all my ISES friends and colleagues sitting in the front row! Below are some images I took and I can't wait to share the professional snapshots from pro Michael Ray White! Stay tuned...

The Runway in the Garden Tent at Park Tavern

My ISES Buddies :: Sharon Hochdorf with Button it Up, Matthew Thomas with East Coast Entertainment and Me modeling our fashions!

Move over Cupcakes,

there's a new treat in town!!



Fresh, hot, mini donuts!

I saw this concept in San Diego at The Special Event and thought it would be such a fun idea for a wedding. As the night closes or even as the "after-party" begins you can serve these treats to your guests. Party Donuts in San Diego has it down to a science. They offer the traditional mini donut interactive station, a donut bar where you can top your own donuts with a variety of icings and sprinkles, and the decadent ice cream and donuts station.

Want to add your special flair? The paper bags the hot little treats come in can be printed with your wedding motif, how fun!

I'm trying to find out who offers this service locally so stay tuned for details, if you are on the left coast then give Party Donuts a call for your next event or your wedding! Beware, the hot little numbers are very addicting, but the site claims they are only 30 calories each, score!

Tips for the Recessionista Bride (part 3)

Getting married in the current economy has no doubt hindered many a bride’s "dream wedding" plans. I’ve found that even with the clients that still may have the funds to produce and over-the-top event, are scaling back. We are all trying to find ways and ideas to help brides create the day they have longed for less. A few great ideas that I have come across, I thought I’d pass along, enjoy!

Tip # 3 Once Wed

Do you have champagne wishes for a dress but a budget for club soda? Then head on over to Once Wed, a truly genius site based here in Atlanta. Once Wed features designer dresses for sale at a fraction of the cost. Some have been worn, others are samples and some are brand-spakin' new. Think Monique Lhuillier, Oscar de la Renta, Angel Sanchez and more!

On the flip side, if you "over-indulged" in purchasing your wedding dress and are looking to re-coop some of the cost during these tough times you can list your dress for sale here too.
A great option if you aren’t willing to cut back on your desire for a designer dress!

Tips for the Recessionista Bride (part 2 cont.)

Tip # 2 continued

Here is more from our last post on the Recycled Dress Party idea!
A few more gowns that Melissa modeled from friends are pictured below.

And the winner is?

This Monique Lhuillier gem, the gown of the party hostess Elizabeth. Melissa is going to look stunning for her upcoming May wedding.

Congratulations Melissa and thank you for allowing us to pass on this great idea!

Tips for the Recessionista Bride (Part 2)

Getting married in the current economy has no doubt hindered many a bride’s "dream wedding" plans. I’ve found that even with the clients that still may have the funds to produce and over-the-top event, are scaling back. We are all trying to find ways and ideas to help brides create the day they have longed for less. A few great ideas that I have come across, I thought I’d pass along, enjoy!

Tip # 2 Recycled Dress Party

I have to give all the credit to my very creative friend, Melissa (check out her blog here) in California for this next tip for the Recessionista Bride.

When Melissa got engaged, her friend Elizabeth threw an unforgettable party that was too good not to share. Elizabeth invited the bride’s girlfriends and family members over for champagne and tea sandwiches and asked them to bring their wedding gown. The ladies arrived laden with gowns spanning five generations.

For fun, Melissa donned the gowns her mom and future mother-in-law wore on their wedding day, something that was very special to the bride. Melissa also modeled gowns of her fiancees two sisters, one of the gowns was purchased in Paris, how chic!

Several other designer gowns of girlfriend’s and coworkers were sported by the bride making the final decision a very difficult one. Tune into the next post to see which one she chose!

Host your own Recycled Dress Party. Even if you don’t find the dress of your dreams how fun would it be to model gowns from different eras, especially ones worn by close family. If you are fortunate enough to score a winning gown, all the more money to put towards the dazzling shoes!

Cheers!

Melissa in her mom's gownMelissa in her future sister-in-laws gown that was purchased in Paris!

Melissa's other soon-to-be sis's gown!

The gown of Melissa's future mother-in-law.

Stay tuned for more!!

Tips for the Recessionista Bride (Part 1)

Getting married in the current economy has no doubt hindered many a bride’s "dream wedding" plans. I’ve found that even with the clients that still may have the funds to produce and over-the-top event, are scaling back. We are all trying to find ways and ideas to help brides create the day they have longed for less. A few great ideas that I have come across, I thought I’d pass along, enjoy!

Tip # 1: Get out there and start reading blogs!

If you don’t have a google reader account sign up now, its one place you can subscribe to blogs and read them all at once when new content is posted. This saves you from bookmarking and having to head back to these sites often.

DIY Sites

The blogosphere is brimming with amazing ideas for the DIY bride! (that’s "do it yourself" for those not with the lingo). Here are a few sites that literally show "how-to’s" on creating your own favors, invitations, programs and the like. While some require Martha Stewart-like skills, others are so easy a kindergartner could assist. Check out some of my faves:
DIY Bride
Elizabeth Anne Designs DIY Daily

Contests=Free Stuff

Wedding professionals have become savvy that the way to market themselves that costs far less than advertising is to give away free products! Many wonderful wedding blogs feature giveaways some as often as three times a week! Everything from free wedding invitations, favors, books, jewelry you name it! It takes some time to find them all but generally you leave a comment on the blog and winners are randomly chosen. Its worth the effort if you win something, anything for free that brings that budget back down to reality!

Some great sites for contests:

Southern Weddings has an entire link dedicated just to contests HERE!

so does Elizabeth Anne Designs HERE

image: nuptial celebrations

When allergies attack!

Spring has sprung here in the ATL, which means the entire city has turned a lovely shade of yellow and the pollen swarms like dust clouds. This also means that we all spend about two weeks wheezing, coughing, sneezing and watering (eyes, nose, you name it). Sadly I missed the NOT Wedding last night due to the above ailments. I'm dying to hear how it was and see photos so spread the love if you went!

FREE DIAMONDS!

Did that get your attention? Then enter daily the Diamond Giveaway sponsored by InStyle Weddings by clicking HERE. They are giving diamonds away twice a week for 6 weeks and you can enter every day.