Make It Monday: Napkin Design Series Pt 4

Today, a more advanced napkin design to use in your table glasses. Better Homes and Gardens has a jazzy little video to complete our Making It Monday Napkin Folding Series. Again, let me plug how terribly awful this would be for you to try and tackle without a coordinator (cough, cough...call me) for something large like a wedding. This design adds interest, a smidge of height to your tablescape and the pop of color we mentioned all month.

Hope you enjoyed and learned a few great ways to enhance your table glam for not a lot of moola!

Don't be left out. Get caught up on the whole January series:

Napkin Designs Pt. 1

Napkin Designs Pt. 2

Napkin Designs Pt. 3

What was your favorite design featured? Which, do you think was most easy to execute? Share...and post your comment below.



***More money saving tips and the best corners to cut in our newsletter subscription, Get It Here! 

Ambiance Talks Manners w/ Girl Scouts

I am so tickled to have been invited and ask to speak at a local daisy troop's holiday tea.  Fun, right?

Last year, a brownie troop of 7 lovely ladies and I had dinner, after practicing setting the table and basic table manners. They ask some great questions and took home a basic table setting place mat to continue practicing for their badge.

So you bet I jumped for joy when another troop leader reached out to me. I'm already looking through age appropriate books to share and ways to reward those caught practicing during our tea. December 17th, we're saving the date!

I told you...I HAVE THE BEST JOB EEEEEEEEEEVER!

Troop 2063 practicing where to place elbows during dinner.

Conquering Virginia: Potomac Shores Golf Club

I had the pleasure of attending an industry Open House for Potomac Shores Golf Club in Dumfries, VA. I enjoyed delicious bites, the smooth sounds of JJ&T Entertainment, and networked with the best of wedding professionals. A fun Friday indeed! 

Sunset around a fire pit overlooking the rolling hills of the 18th hole, will give you and your guests the all the feelings of a winery in the convenience of a golf club! They have beautiful indoor/outdoor options for small weddings, bridal showers, and/or rehearsal dinners. If quaint and relaxed is your look, it's worth the look!

Maximize Your Event Budget! At Dollar Tree?

It is easy to get side tracked with aisles and aisles of items that only cost $1. One can find beauty/health care, garden and seasonal items to cleaning products and even condiments, which leaves the questions, is there anything really worth going for? Granted some items will break just by looking at them but we've found at least 5 things that are an absolute SCORE for your special events budget!

1
  Glassware: the dollar tree has vases in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are great standard pieces for centerpieces and excellent for the craftier guys and dolls that go so far as to glue and paint the pieces into more custom centerpiece designs. A big win for your budget.

 Greeting Cards: Browse birthday, friendship, thinking of you, seasonal, wedding, baby, and more for just a buck. Tell me where in the world you can find a selection of greeting cards cheaper? Dollar Tree greeting cards are becoming so popular that the cards are $1/piece. If you are lucky, some locations still have a selection are that are 2/$1. So when you are heading out to your next event (birthday, baby or bridal shower), spring for the card, tissue paper, and bag, all from Dollar Tree.

3 Balloons: That’s right! Mylar balloons are only a $1/ balloon as opposed to a competitor like Party City which charges $1.99 each, an economical choice for kid or adult Birthdays, office celebrations, baby showers and open houses. Foil not your thing? No worries, you can also find packs of balloons you can blow up yourself, perfect for decorations, favors and party games.

Party Essentials: Table cloths, plates, napkins, cups, and cutlery. Although I’m not a huge fan of plastic tablecloths, there are some cool decorations and other décor you can make with them. I look at it like the very basics for customizing. For example, take a plain paper cup (any color) and add a themed sticker. Voila, instant custom cups for your party! Mix and match to create something you are sure to love.

5      Stationary: In this section you’ll find pens, pencils, markers, highlighters, stickers, activity books, note pads, crayons, stickers, and more. All the things you need to create custom bags/buckets to keep the kiddos occupied at something like a wedding or office picnic. Most items come with multiples in a pack, so you’re sure to make your dollar stretch farther. 

Cheers, To More Lasting Marriages!

On this upcoming Sunday, May 18^th, I will have been married for 12 years. With each passing year, I’m overwhelmed come Anniversary time, simply because I’m grateful beyond measure. I wonder how I got so lucky.  I’m fortunate to still like my husband, as a friend, making everything else a bonus. Let’s be honest, I’m fortunate, he still likes me because we know this doesn’t work one sided. I’m lucky to like my in-laws, to not have a worry in the world. Because I believe, we can overcome any obstacle together.

Be encouraged! My feelings are typically associated with “new love”, when everything is wonderful and before the relationship has been tested. I can tell you from experience; that feeling doesn’t have to end, during or after tests. Tests of your relationship do not always mean ultimatums or infidelity.  You are two people who will change and grow as individuals, meaning your relationship will constantly evolve.

I love myself more that ever because I truly get to be myself; all my quirks and craftiness embraced. He wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel supported in my hopes and dreams for myself, my business, and our family. How many people can say that? I love this life…MY life with him.

My husband and I choose to love each other in the way each of us needs it; not in the way that is easiest for us to give it. That alone can be a challenge... still we choose.  We choose to journey together. We choose to be open and honest, even when it’s uncomfortable. We choose to work together, to set goals, to dream bigger. Year after year, we choose to do it all over again. It is a magnificent feeling in an era where most marriages come with an expiration date.

I am blessed.

I love getting to plan special events for a living. I do what I do, not for the show, but for the magic that is inspired by what brings us to this place of planning, LOVE.  Don’t get me wrong, I adore choosing colors, setting the table, adding a wow factor or two, and challenging myself to do it all together different the next time. I enjoy watching everyone enjoy what I’ve worked so hard to produce. But, I love love more. I love what I do because I get to try to give each client a piece of what I’m feeling: Love, Happiness & Joy.

 It’s my wish for you in each and every celebration I plan.  Cheers to love and all the things we do to celebrate it, cheers to you, and cheers to more lasting marriages. 

Conquering Virginia: Belle Grove Plantation

Me On A Famous Couch...It Was In the Movie Lincoln

I'm in the zone! How do I know? Things are coming to me in my sleep. Ideas on where and how to place things are rolling out of my brain before I can even groan that morning has come so soon again. This week is all about the styled shoot we have coming up. I'll be working on finalizing the timeline, my packing list, and final ideas to ensure I'm bringing my "A" game. I have the pleasure of working with some fantastic vendors and I can't wait to finally bring forth our inspiration and conversations for Brides & Weddings of Northern Virginia Magazine.

 All I can share right now is the location: Belle Grove Plantation. Here are a few shots I snapped when I went to scout it out and ended up taking the guided tour of the estate and B&B. It is full of interesting factoids, stories, mysterious women, key hole desk tops, and curved doors. In two words...richly charming. Enjoy!

Be Sure To Ask Michelle Where The Phrase
"Sleep Tight, Don't Let The Bed Bugs Bite" Come's From. 

#1 Thing Not To Forget On Your Wedding Day

You Want To Be THIS Happy
 From The Start Of Your Day To The Very End!

It’s will be so easy to get caught up in last minute details of your wedding day. There will be hustle and bustle of bridesmaids & family member itineraries.   There will be morning hair & make-up appointments. You’ll be checking and double checking to make sure your bag is packed for the hotel, you have your garter and the flower girl basket. You’ll worry if everything is going according to plan, if you’ll start on time, and if everyone will have a memorable evening. And in the midst of all that... the number one thing you can’t afford to forget on your wedding day is…

 Eat!

Yes, you will want to skip it but it is oh so important to make sure you eat and keep eating throughout the day. Start the day with a muffin and some fresh fruit, or a smoothie. Have a half of a sandwich or an apple with peanut/almond butter or have a whopper... but whatever you do, EAT! The day will be long, your nerves will be on edge and you will need the energy to keep smiling & ready to enjoy the day you've worked so hard to plan.