HAPPY 4th of JULY!

Hope you all have a very safe and fun holiday weekend!

If you have some great pictures you would like to share of parties you went to or threw, email them to kim@lillylynnevents.com!

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Watermelon Basil Margaritas

photo and recipe from Martha Stewart

7 1/2 pounds seedless watermelon, rind removed, fruit cut into 1-inch cubes
4 teaspoons superfine sugar
6 ounces (3/4 cup) silver tequila
24 basil leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
3 ounces (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) triple sec
6 cups small ice cubes
Place 24 watermelon cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Cover, and freeze at least 1 hour (up to 2 days).
Puree remaining watermelon and the sugar in a blender until smooth. Pass through a sieve lined with cheesecloth into a bowl. (You should have 3 cups.)
Place tequila and basil in a glass pitcher, and crush with a wooden spoon. Stir in watermelon juice and triple sec.

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Quest for the BEST Cupcake in Seattle!

For the past few weeks my friend Jodi and I have been trying a new cupcake place each week to see who, in our opinion, has the BEST!

So far we have visited Cupcake Royale, Yellow Leaf Cupcake, and Macrina bakery.

Here are our thoughts so far:

Cupcake Royale: 4 out of 5 stars

We bought the 6 pack there and tried a few different kinds. They were pretty moist with an occasional dry bite. We went there twice and the second time tried the mini cupcakes, which were a great 1 bite kind with yummy pink frosting. We would like to see some filling options and maybe a little bigger cupcake. The frosting at Cupcake Royale is the BEST by far!!!

Yellow Leaf: 2 out of 5 stars

The tops right under the frosting was pretty dry and we felt like each one tasted like a tub of butter. The service was good but not a huge fan of the cupcakes. The appearance was good and the size was ok. The prices were high and I am not sure I would look forward to going back at that rate. They also don't make many of each kind so if you go in the afternoon you don't get much selection.

Macrina: 1 1/2 out of 5 stars

Sad thing is that we don't even remember what they tasted like and we went less than a week ago. Both of us were unhappy with our selections and found the entire cupcake to be dry and not very flavorful.

If you know of great cupcake places in Seattle that we haven't covered, please leave a comment with the name and location! We will check it out and let you know what we think....

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Woodland Park Zoo Reception

To see more visit www.lillylynnphotos.blogspot.com

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Feel the Sand Between Your Toes... (tips for planning a beach wedding)

Here are a few tips when planning a beach wedding...

1. Get Help
The services of a wedding planner can be invaluable when it comes to your beach wedding. If you can, try to earmark part of your budget (about 10 percent of the total) for a planner. She can shoulder the burden of researching, auditioning, and securing local vendors -- and this last tool is especially valuable if you require services specific to a destination wedding or an outdoor wedding, like tents, special food prep stations, or even portable toilets. A planner is also the behind-the-scene queen (or king) that can create gift bags for guests, greet everyone at the airport, keep people busy with fun activities, vet special requests (babysitters, dry cleaners, etc.), and get everyone where they need to be on time.

2. Schedule a Test Drive
Remember, unlike a wedding in a hotel ballroom or restaurant, guests are dependent on you once they reach the destination. Make sure you have adequate signage on the beach to direct guests to the ceremony spot and that the beach itself is navigable (no rickety boardwalks). If the beach has limited parking, consider providing a shuttle service from a central location.

3. Take a Trip
If you've decided to tackle planning on your own, be sure to scout out beaches after you've finalized your guest count. You'll need to know if there's a limit to how many people you can bring on the beach and how certain spots might affect your set-up. You'll also want to decide whether you want to have your reception directly on the beach. If so, you'll need to make catering arrangements and find a rental company that can provide you with all the necessary equipment.

4. Vendor Checkups
Clue guests in to your wedding's sandy locale when you send your save-the-dates so they know to dress appropriately.To be sure your vendors have sufficient experience with beach weddings, ask for a portfolio of pictures and at least three references. Be sure the references are people for whom the vendor did an event similar to yours -- a recommendation from a couple that had 10 guests doesn't help if you're inviting 100. Also ask for the names of other vendors who worked those events and use them as further references regarding the company in question.

5. Be Gracious
A good way to make nice with the local vendors is to send handwritten thank-you notes when you book their services. (Remember that they can literally make or break your wedding, and a little goes a long way toward getting them on your side.) During the event itself, it's wise to have plenty of small bills on hand for palm-greasing, especially for the delivery people who will be setting up your site to turn it into a wedding wonderland.

6. Forewarn Your Friends and Family
Clue guests in to your wedding's sandy locale when you send your save-the-dates so they know to dress appropriately (no stilettos!).

7. Get a Grip
Don't be upset if some of your closest friends or relatives don't attend. Some, like your great Uncle Fred, may not be able to traverse a rocky beach or sit in the sun for an extended amount of time. And while your wedding is, in a sense, a mini-vacation for you, it may not be the one they want to take!

8. Mind Mother Nature
Don't forget to consider the climate when choosing your dress. You'll be swimming in sweat if you pair your fairy-tale satin ball gown with the beach's intense rays. Go for lighter fabrics and silhouettes, and be sure to slather on the sunscreen or you'll risk some serious burn.

9. Be a Zen Bride
Don't keep a constant eye on the time. Remember that you can't control the environment (really, you can't) and you may need to wait for the tides to recede or for the beach to empty a bit before you can start the ceremony. Keep an open mind -- and remember that minor mishaps can sometimes make for the best memories (really, they can).

10. Pack Right
Whatever you want to have with you for the ceremony (vase, candles, etc.), you have to lug along to the destination (or ship it there ahead of time). Once there, make sure you can actually cart everything onto the beach with ease.

11. Call on a Courier
Don't forget to plan for potential wedding presents. If you've got a ton of wedding gifts to take home, bring an extra duffle bag to pack them in. Ask someone you trust to keep a close eye on them throughout the day, and keep track of how many you have. Figure this out before the wedding so you'll have a plan of action if you need it.

12. Welcome Your Guests
Be sure to place an amenities basket at the entrance to your spot on the beach that is full of essentials for the day outdoors (suntan lotion, bug spray, etc.) and goodies that will remind them of the setting -- embroidered beach blankets with your names and wedding date, shawls for the ladies, or pretty parasols in your wedding colors, for example.

{Source}

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July 4th..What to do?!?

Last night I was talking with Jimmy {bf} about the upcoming holiday and what we are going to do. Still undecided and that hits a nerve in me just a bit. I know it's not for another week but I like to plan. Hello!...I am a planner...part of the way I work. :)

So anyway, I was thinking on my way to work today {during my fun hour and 15 minute long commute on 3 different freeway...oye vye!} that I wished we had a big family that did the big fun bbq's in the summer and make it a whole day event! I have grown up with a small family so anytime I can be around lots of people I love it!! Well as long as they are all friendly and I know most of them {can you say awkward when you don't know anyone!!}

While driving I started thinking about what kind of party I would throw if I had a 4th of July bash at my house! First of all you have to have great stars and stripe themes. Such as the individual flag cakes or the candle holders. {Can I tell you how much red, white, and blue stuff there was at Walmart when I was shopping for Jimmy's party!?} You can find some really great party pieces at Walmart and K-mart if you really look. Nothing has to be expensive just make sure it all flows. I love all the pieces in the idea board and I know you can make a memorable party for your family and friends!

Keep your menu simple. Potlucks are great because then you aren't financially responsible to feed everyone and you can guarantee there will be at least one dish that everyone will like. If you supply the main dish and the drinks then you can ask everyone else to bring their favorite side dish and ask a select few to bring a desert.

A personal favorite 4th of July desert is Chocolate Cake with holes poked in it and banana pudding put in the holes. Then top it with banana slices and layer of cool whip! Yummy, my neighbor Liz makes it and I LOVE it!

What are your favorite memories and foods for 4th of July?

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Picnic Wedding

This past weekend I attended a housewarming party of one of my very close friends and her husband. Such a beautiful house and I am super happy for them and where they are in life. Anyhoo... while at the party I got to talking with one of her other friends mom, who I have met on and off through the past few years. They had both attended a wedding that afternoon for a family friend whose wedding had a picnic theme.

When I asked her about it she instantly pulled out the camera and started showing me pictures! Love when people do that!!! The wedding had a great Victorian and vintage look to it. From what I was told most of the people had hats on, and the brides dress looked handmade but was very pretty. The part that I thought really stood out was that the reception area was blankets with picnic baskets at each one with wine and bread. Such a cute idea!

This got me thinking that a picnic themed wedding would be great for a wedding on a farm or in a field. I found this picture on Ritsybee and found it very inspiring!

You don't have to do blankets if that isn't your style, but like in the picture some great picnic tables with your centerpieces and some great lanterns can really add ambiance and a nature feel to your day. For the right people... I also love the brown bag for your dinner! What a great original way to serve your guests. Anything that makes your wedding day stand out in your guests heads is amazing and brides who take risks are my favorite!

Think outside the box of what you see in magazines and on tv. Be you and be original!!!

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