Home Entertaining Thursday...

When entertaining at home, a bouquet of fresh flowers really adds a nice element to an intimate dinner with friends. However, flowers often seem to die out and dry out too soon. Many home entertainers wonder the secret to keeping fresh flowers longer. Well today, I'm sharing a trick I use myself. It's a recipe you use for your flowers instead of plain water in a vase.

Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 3 tablespoons of sugar to a quart of warm water. Keep flower stems in 3 to 4 inchs of the solution and enjoy your flowers longer. And in this economy we all need to know how to make our dollars stretch a little further. Try it and let me know what you think.

How to make a Petal Cone

You'll now find a lot of different suggestions on how to make one, however I've never known anyone prior to the birth of computers to need a template. So here's a good old fashion and simple way to make paper cones.

To make a petal cone just roll an letter sheet of paper cut to the desired height. Close the edges with double-sided tape. Use decorative ribbon or foil seals to add a bit of flair and fill with petals! Freeze dried petals are fun and easy to use. Instruct your guests to hold the petal cone high and gently shake! Freeze dried petals are light and take longer to fall to the ground than fresh petals.

Taster's Choice Tuesday:

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite drink recipes. When it comes to social drinking I'm a "sweet" girl. I'll enjoy a glass of white wine (the sweetest on the menu), mixed drink or sangria. But when making drinks at home (if I don't buy pre-mixed), I find that they never quite come out right. But today's recipe, Disaronno & Cranberry; I can't get it wrong. Whether you are ordering out, making an after dinner cocktail or pre-mixing drinks for a party, this recipe is not only super easy but easy to drink.

Disaronno & Cranberry

1.5 oz Disaronno Amaretto

5 oz. Cranberry Juice

2-3 Cubes of Ice

Combine ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake well and pour into a glass.

If you really want to show off for your guests, serve this drink as a signature drink for a party or event in which red is apart of the color scheme. Guests will remember you as paying attention to detail when you serve colored alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to match your color scheme. Enjoy, and once you try it, share your comments.

It's Money Saver Monday...Love having you with us today. This week's tip, never choose rush delivery (unless absolutely necessary). You can end up paying hundreds extra for this service, so be patient and wait the 4 to 6 weeks.

Another way to avoid delivery and shipping fees altogether is to shop your local vendors first (craft, thrift, and party stores). It may seem pricey at first but after you shop around, you'll find that in most cases by the time you add on shipping and advanced delivery fees, you're paying the same price if not more. Sometimes patience pays off.

OK, so I dropped the ball yesterday with the blog. I think I've figured out a way to put it out more systematically. My apologizes, I will do better. On a more positive note, I am excited about today's blog.

First Dance Friday... Today I've given our intern the day off and have choosen this weeks musical selections myself; one old school, one new school. Post a comment and let me know what you think.

I Get the Sweetest Feeling - Jackie Wilson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDB85BBV1uA

Sweetest Love - Robin Thicke

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URVlkKvGpao

First things first, I wanted to let you know there are new pictures up in the "Other Events Gallery" so check them out. They are from a very "posh" and non-traditional baby shower and a 40th Birthday party. Hope they inspire you.

DIY Wednesday...
I wanted to share a video today on how to create a monogram in Microsoft Word. You can not only use this technique for weddings but customizing your own stationary and thank you cards as well. It's a great tip to know, married or single. Share you thoughts on the video by posting a comment. Thanks and enjoy.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1EtHb5lwi0&feature=related

Taster's Choice Tuesday:

Have you ever had one of those days were you've just got nothing? I didn't eat anything this week that was a big wow. And I hate that because I love food. So here is somewhere you may be able to find something yummy:

Woodland Hills will be hosting a bridal fashion show on Sunday,March 22. The chef will have about 30 different items from their menu available for tasting and the facility will be decorated for a make-shift wedding. The tickets are $25 and are only being sold in advance. For More Information call, (901) 754-2000.

Bon Appetit and Enjoy!

First Dance Fridays...

Here are our intern's picks and the reasons she choose these songs. Enjoy and we hope your first dance leaves you feeling like you're on cloud nine.

At Last- Etta James: This song is a tear jerker and that is to be expected when youhave a deep, genuine love for someone. This song is a classic love-song ballad andthe melodies wrap you up and sweep you around, like a first dance with yoursignificant other. The strength and power behind the lyrics are the perfectaddition to any wedding day dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5bD8URlKhM

I Need You-Tim McGraw and Faith Hill: This song just chokes me up everytime. I chose it because you can hear and feel the love in their voices and you can tellthat their love for one another is real. This song would be perfect for that downhome couple who are just so in love they ache whenever they're apart, hence thefitting title "I Need You."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saHyv3rRHsk

Home Entertaining Thursdays.

Today I wanted to continue with the serving servings for planning a party at home. When you're planning a party or small gathering, I'm almost certain you ask yourself, "How much food should I have on hand?"I believe you will find the following information more than helpful.

• Count on 4-6 hors d'oeuvres per person if you're serving a meal. If you're just serving hors d'oeuvres with cocktails, the amount goes up to 12 pieces per person.
• A portion of meat per person is 1/4 to1/3 pound.
• A portion of vegetables, rice, pasta, or salad is 1/2 cup.
• A 9 inch pie or tart (after a large meal) will serve 8-10.

A few more tips to help make your next home gathering a success...assume some of your guests will be vegetarian. And always prepare a selection of items that can be served at room temperature. That way you don't have to worry that your hot entree will be getting cold, or your cold dessert will be melting.

Today is Do-It-Yourself Wednesday. And we've found a fab video from Allure on creating your own soft bun for incredible and elegant hair. Check it out and enjoy.

http://www.allure.com/trends/beauty/video/2009/02/soft_buns

It's Tasters Choice Tuesday and today we've compiled a few martini recipes that are easy to pre-mix for your reception bar or party. Think of them as your martini ABC's (appple, blue, and chocolate). Simple, easy, and delicious. Enjoy!

Apple Martini
Ingredients: 1oz. Vodka
1oz. Sour Apple Schnapps
1.oz Apple Juice

Blue Martini
Ingredients: 2oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin
1oz. Blue Curacao Liqueur

Chocolate Martini
Ingredients: 2oz. Vodka
1oz. Brown Creme de Cacao


With Martini's you want to pour your ingredients into a cocktail shaker with a few cubes of ice (about 3 to 6 cubes) to chill. Shake well, strain and pour into a martini glass and your done.

Something you'll want to remember when stocking your bar; you don't need top shelf liquor when mixing liquor with cola, juice, or pre-made mixers, the high quality liquor is going to be masked by the flavor of your mixers. So save yourself some cash in the meantime.

Don't forget to take part in our new weekly poll to the right. We look forward to your feedback.

Good Morning. The "posh" baby shower yesterday was really nice. I think our clients were pleased and I believe everyone really enjoyed it. But boy am I tired. Being on your feet for 6 or more hours never gets comfortable. lol. Hope to get some pictures up for you soon.

Moving onward, it's the second week of our newly revised blog and that makes it Money Saver Monday. And today, we have the answer to your prayers for those of you who want a live band but your budget doesn't allow. Hire a DJ and arrange for special performances throughout the night by a musician or special singer. My favorite idea is to have someone sing your first dance song. I think it really adds to the moment. So instead of arranging someone to sing all of your songs for the ceremony, consider some alternative ways to liven up the reception.

Some professional wedding companies now give you the option, which can be a great budget saver. You'll get the best of both worlds for less.

Shop Around Saturdays... We want you to enjoy getting the most for your money today. In order to do that, you must shop around. Here are a few finds and a few places to start your search. Happy Bargain Hunting!




Wedding Decorations
http://memphis.craigslist.org/for/1062370849.html

Wedding Veil

http://memphis.craigslist.org/for/1052052393.html


David's Bridal Store Credit
http://memphis.craigslist.org/for/1021582651.html



Memphis Area Yard Sales:
http://memphis.craigslist.org/gms/1063282539.html


http://memphis.craigslist.org/gms/1063369910.html



http://memphis.craigslist.org/gms/1063150059.html

Morning All! Today is First Dance Friday, where we'll talk and share weekly music for your first dance and even playlist for parties and/or events. Today, our intern (Ms. Loreal, a sophmore at the University of Memphis. Go Tigers!) and I had some difference of opinion on the track selections. So I decided to post my choices as well as her choices. Why? Because no one agrees on what the "right" or perfect first dance song is. People choose their song based on their relationship, what they've been through and what speaks to them. So there is no right or wrong answer.

Here are our choices for the week, what do your think? Post a comment and share your thoughts.

Ms. Lorel chooses:

"Forever" by R.Kelly & "Iris" by the Goo-Goo Dolls

My choice:

"A Whole New World" Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle & "Stay with You" Goo-Goo Dolls

After seeing Loreal's choices, I wanted to see if I could find a Goo-Goo Dolls songs I did feel went with the wedding message and feeling. I love "Iris", don't get me wrong, it just didn't speak to me for a wedding today. And I chose a whole new world because the movie is old now so the song isn't as played out as it used to be. Can't wait to hear what you think.

Tune in next week, to see what's new to inspire you. Tomorrow is Shop Around Saturday, check us out to find out local sales and other bargains we find for you. Until then...

We had technical difficulties yesterday with posting for DIY Wednesday, but we shouldn't have a problem from here on out.

Today, however, is Home Entertaining Thursday. On Thursdays, we share tips, tricks, and other ideas on entertaining guests at home. We often find that we get the most questions about how much to have on hand when planning a party at home. So, this week is about serving sizes for a crowd; beverages in particular.

No matter your guest lists you should always count on 3 drinks per guest, when serving punch or bottled beverages. Should your budget allow for alcohol, you can count on a bottle of wine serving approximately 5 glasses. Remember, when serving beverages for any sized party, you want to have more than enough than not enough.

Welcome, It's Tasters Choice Tuesday!

This past weekend, I finally fulfilled my dream of getting to Muddy Bake Shop in Memphis, TN. I have heard so much about it and was dying to try it. And when I got to the quaint cupcake shop, I wanted to try everything. I ordered the red velvet, the grasshopper, the strawberry, the neopolitan, and the lemon. The strawberry was just OK for me (yummy but nothing to shout about) and the lemon made my face pucker, but for a true lemon lover...it's wonderful.

The grasshopper cupcake made me want to eat the box looking for more. The flavor of chocolate just lingers in your mouth. It's wonderful. The mint icing was perfectly flavored and when the two combine, it really is a little piece of heaven. Now I never enjoy paying $1.50 for a cupcake but the grasshopper is totally worth blowing an allowance on.

Next, was the Neopolitan cupcake. I love how the flavors are layered on this one. Chocolate cupcake, with strawberry icing and topped with just a squirt of vanilla icing. And once again that chocolate flavor just lingers on and on and on. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it.

The red velvet was good too. But by the 5th cupcake I had figured it out...it's the icing! I'm not a red velvet cake eater but the cream cheese icing had me fighting my husband for how we were going to divide (yes divide) up the last bite. And a cupcake is only 2-3 bites for one person.

The cake, for me, was just cake, except for the chocolate cake, it's pure majic! I do think their icings are what's signature and will keep me coming back. Now I don't have to hunt down a Girl Scout for that Thin Mint taste throughout the year; I need a dozen grasshoppers right now.

For anyone thinking about a cupcake tree at their next event or if you just need a really satisfying sweet bite, you'll want to consider Muddy Bake Shop for a lasting impression.

Tomorrow is DIY Wednesday, where we will post a Do-It-Yourself Project. See you then and thanks for your support!

Relaunch Day! And we are so excited. The blog is going to be all new from here on out, with each day having its own theme . Today is Money Saver Monday. So every Monday we'll be sharing a Money Saving Tip with you. This Monday, we've found a simple way to save you newly engaged folks a bit on the honeymoon... Free 99.

All you have to do is visit marthastewartweddings.com and upload a picture of you and your honey. Next, share the magical tale of your perfect proposal and you're done. They will select the couple with the most unique story to win a honeymoon vacation.

Now some of you are thinking, oh a registry for a honeymoon, no way. And to that I say, do you have many offers for a free honeymoon for bragging about how great your proposal was? In other words, you've got nothing to lose. When you're checking out the site, you'll be looking for Perfect Proposals.

Although you won't win a honeymoon with us, we'd love to hear about and share in your stories too. So feel free to share how s/he ask "Will You?"

I'm really looking forward to seeing you guys back here tomorrow for Tasters Choice Tuesday, where we'll share an experience with a bite of cake in which the chocolate lingers in your mouth. Yum-mmy! Til then...take care.