Umbrella Your Day

Living in Seattle, there is always a chance of rain on your big day. Lately I have seen a lot of pictures with umbrellas and I have to say I am a fan! They add an element and color to pictures, as well as being practical with sudden weather changes.

Bella Umbrella has many kinds you can rent for your wedding.
Styles include Pagoda, Bridal Parasols, Ruffled, Double layered, Classic Prints, Classic Solids, and Jeweled Handled. They cost about $20 a piece to rent and are absolutely adorable!

You can even use them as part of your decor. They are great for hanging from the ceiling or as a tall centerpiece. They are fun and functional!

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DIY: Floating Candle Centerpieces

These days every bride is looking for ways to cut back and save money. Well here is one way you can do just that!

When creating your own centerpieces you don't have to go all out and spend tons of money to get an elegant and beautiful look. I like this particular one for spring and summer weddings.

You can get square vases at any local craft store. Most places will have a variety of heights so make sure to mix it up. If you want a more abstract look, get vases that are different shapes to intermix.

Next find the section in your craft store that had decorative rocks. In this picture they are a natural look, but again, don't be afraid to mix it up some with colors.

Floating candles you can purchase just about anywhere. This particular item you want to not buy the cheapest ones you can find. You want some that will last through the reception, so splurge a little on that item!

Lastly, the flowers. If you live in a smaller town like I do or near a small town that has a farmers market, that is a great place to get your flowers. Seems like anytime I buy flowers from them they last for a really long time! Roses or orchids are great for this look but the flowers are totally up to you.

Day of wedding:

1. Get Vases Ready
2. Place rocks in bottom of vase
3. Put some water in the vase
4. Place flower on the rocks and add water until vase is 2/3rds full
5. When placing candle in the water make sure it is low enough that the flame is not above the top of the vase

Whola! Beautiful and simple!

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Wedding Shower Brunch

Planning a wedding shower? Here is a great menu to get you started!

Watermelon Kiwi Lemonade

4 kiwifruit, peeled and cut into fourths
1 tablespoon sugar
8 cups cubed seedless watermelon
2 cans (12 ounces each) frozen lemonade concentrate
4 cups water

1. Place kiwifruit and sugar in blender. Cover and blend on medium speed just until smooth. Freeze 1 to 2 hours or until firm.
2. Place watermelon in blender or food processor (blender will be full until blended). Cover and blend on medium speed until smooth. Place frozen lemonade concentrate and water in large pitcher. Add watermelon mixture; mix well.
3. Pour watermelon lemonade into glasses. Spoon dollop of frozen kiwifruit on top. Serve immediately.

Cucumber Slices Provençal

1 large English or burpless cucumber, chilled
1/3 cup sun-dried tomato spread
3 tablespoons crumbled chèvre (goat) cheese
Fresh basil leaves, if desired

1. Make lines or indentations lengthwise down cucumber at 1/4-inch intervals, using vegetable peeler or tines of fork. Cut cucumber into 32 slices, 1/2 inch each. Place on paper towels to drain. 2. Spread each slice with about 1 teaspoon tomato spread. Sprinkle each with about 1/2 teaspoon cheese.
3. Serve immediately, or refrigerate up to 1 hour. Top each slice with basil leaf just before serving.

Pesto and Roasted-Vegetable Sandwich Loaf

1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 12 pieces
1 medium yellow bell pepper, cut into 12 pieces
1 cup whole fresh mushroom, cut in half
1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing
2 cups diced cooked chicken
1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/4 cup basil pesto
1 uncut oblong loaf Italian bread (15 to 16 ounces)
1 container (8 ounces) soft cream cheese with chives and onions
Fresh herbs and herb flowers, if desired

1. Heat oven to 450ºF. Spray jelly roll pan, 15 1/2x10 1/2x1 inch, with cooking spray. Toss bell peppers and mushrooms with oil in pan. Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until crisp-tender. Refrigerate 15 minutes to chill.
2. Coarsely chop roasted vegetables. Mix chopped vegetables, parsley and 2 tablespoons mayonnaise; set aside. Mix chicken, 1/2 cup mayonnaise and the pesto.
3. Cut bread horizontally into 4 layers. Place bottom layer on plate or tray. Spread with half of the pesto filling. Top with bread layer. Spoon vegetable filling over bread layer. Top with bread layer. Spread with remaining pesto filling. Top with remaining bread layer.
4. Spread cream cheese over outside of sandwich loaf. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish loaf with fresh herbs. Cut into 8 slices; cut each slice in half. Store covered in refrigerator.

Berry Cheesecake in Chocolate Crust

2 cups chocolate wafer cookie crumbs
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
4 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups berries

1. Heat oven to 325ºF. Mix cookie crumbs and butter. Press on bottom and slightly up side of ungreased springform pan, 9x3 inches, to seal bottom.
2. Place cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar, 1/2 cup sour cream and the orange peel in food processor. Cover and process until smooth. Add eggs. Cover and process until well blended. Spread over crust.
3. Bake about 1 hour 20 minutes or until center is set. Cool on wire rack 15 minutes. Run metal spatula along side of cheesecake to loosen; remove side of pan. Refrigerate uncovered 3 hours; cover and continue refrigerating at least 4 hours.
4. Mix 1/2 cup sour cream and 2 tablespoons sugar; spread over top of cheesecake. Top with berries.

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Beautiful Brooches

Beautiful red and clear oval rhinestone antique brooch. This one is from my personal collection that I just don't use anymore. Hardly worn in mint condition. 1.50" tall X 1" wide.Has all the sparkle and no staining on the rhinestones.
Etsy $35.00





ANTIQUE GREEN PIN. Beautiful and very dainty and petite. Is round and measures 3/4 of an inch wide. Nine gems all together. One large in the center and eight smaller ones surrounding it. Silver back. Great shape, everything there and working. Nice and clean. You'll love it.
Etsy $7.00


Lovely rhinestone pin, wear with a scarf, on a turtleneck or the lapel of your jacket. Excellent condition. Not a signed WEISS, but has an open back.Rounds, rectangles, and small stones, all sparkle.Slightly smaller then 2 inches in size.
Etsy $10.00

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~ FUN AND FEARLESS ~

Tis' the time of the year to plan spring and summer outdoor weddings!!! LOVE IT!!
Instead of going with the traditional long gown, if your comfortable with a shorter dress .... Rock it! For some girls this look fits their personality and theme. I personally love it because its' different and you stand out. Just pair it with a rockin pair of shoes and head piece. Maybe stay away from the traditional veil if your gonna pull off the look! Here are a few that fit my style!

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Solo Picture

This picture is of Julie and Matts reception in Bellingham WA at the ferry terminal. Unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures and the photog won't let me post any of his (ugh). So you will have to take my word that the terminal was gorgeous! Their colors were pink, white, and black. The thing I liked most about working with Julie ( other than the fact I have known her for what seems like FOREVER!) she had a plan but not the vision for her reception. She had the candles and the 5 different centerpiece ideas. When I went to visit her for her shower we sat down in what seemed like a sea of pink candles and tulle! This lady was the most organized bride I had ever met. She had lists of what each centerpiece included and all her vendors as well as a schedule for those involved in her big day. Needless to say, the wedding and reception went off without a hitch. Matt and Julie were married in the church they now attend and the wedding started with a slideshow set to music that had personal meaning for them. As soon as the slideshow was done the wedding started. Julie looked beautiful in her gown and Matts tux was a great choice for him. The reception follow immediantly and it was a great time. With dancing, toasts, buffetts and the occasional candle blowing out from the fans on the ceiling! Over all the reception had lots of candels, lights, and a great picture wall behind the cake table that you can kinda see in the backround.

Congratulations to Matt and Julie!

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Bridal Show

Super Excited to be in my first Bridal Show!! I will be in Tumwater on February 8th for the Grooms Brew & Bridal Tea. It will be at the The Comfort Inn Conference Center and The Guest House Inn and Suites at 1620 74th Ave SW Tumwater, WA from 1:00-4:00pm .

Also added a picture of me, Jimmy Thor and Oakley! (by HeatherMannPhotography.....check out my preferred vendors list for her info!) You can't really see Oakley but that's ok!

If you want more information on the bridal show, let me know!!

Hope to see you there!

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