Subscriber Contest

To my new and exisiting SUBSCRIBERS as you all know I have been running a CONTEST on my BLOG...well I have extended the deadline to Sept. 30, 2009 MIDNIGHT EST! Become a SUBSCRIBER now and be entered for a chance to WIN a GIFT CARD to ...Party City! The WINNER will announced Oct. 1, 2009 (Gift card will be mailed)! Good Luck~

Have a Sweet day~

The Roaring 20s Commercial Shoot

Greetings Everyone,


Today, I had the opportunity (or should I say Sonya Owens owner of the store gave me the opportunity) to "STAR" in a commercial. I feel truely blessed...It was FUN, and Exciting! She's is a great friend and a true blessing to me. The store will now be carrying PLUS & MISSES sizes! The commercial will running on television SOON!

Also, the BIG EVENT was this past Sunday, August 23, 2009 at "The Roaring 20s" had the SHOPPING & BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY EVENT. I had the pleasure of planning and organizing this event along with decorating and catering. It was a great turn out, it was nice.......complimentary beverages, and finger foods were served... and I just want to say thanks to everyone that came out! I will be posting pictures from that event soon!

The Roaring 20s

Sunday, August 23, 2009

@

2pm

8120 Mall Pkwy Suite 420
Lithonia, GA 30038
678-526-0059
(next door to Sally's Beauty Supply)

Join The Roaring 20s Sonya Owens and Clarissa as they host the summer's HOTTEST Shopping Event & Buisness Opportunity!

Grab your girlfriends, boyfriends, spouses, and friends and enjoy, bites, bubbly, clothing discounts, door prizes ... all for you! The best part? You can shop and save at the same time because we are having a 20% off everything in the store sale!

Whether this is your first time in the store or your hundredth time you're invited to an special afternoon of shopping and a chance to become part of a HOT business opportunity with "Body Magic".

Owner and renowned clothing "guru", Sonya Owens, of The Roaring 20s will be on hand at the event bash for all your fashion needs!

The Roaring 20s

Clothes are not a luxury, but a necessity!

http://www.clothesarenotaluxury.com/

Purple, Blue, & Black Inspirations

Table Design: Lemiga Events

Color Scheme: Purple, Blue and Black

Concept: A poolside brunch with girlfriends to celebrate a Sweet 16

Purple glitter mascara and blue eyeshadow add pizazz to the table and make perfect favors!

All stationery by Socially Write

Party favors are chocolate truffles in coordinating colors of purple and black by Dreamy Gelato & Chocolates

Earrings hang from a simple square vase wrapped in ribbon and topped with a purple carnation

Flora Design Studio really brought my vision to life by making a skirt out of various shades of purple carnations on my wire mannequin form

Table linens include cool rain bengaline tablecloth and purple napkins from Connie Duglin

(All photos courtesy of Altmix Photography)

Fashionista Sweet 16

Labels: 2008 open house, Birthday Parties, Connie Duglin, Design Ideas, Dreamy Gelato, Flora Design Studio, Social Events, Socially Write

Credits:

Lemiga Events
http://lemiga.blogspot.com/2008/09/2008-soiree-recap-fashionista-sweet-16.html
her blog has some beautiful inspirations....and she was

also featured this month in a photo shoot with one of my favorite photographers Ross Oscar Knight http://www.rossoscarknightphotography.net/ check out her photo shoot!

I was inspired by this because not only is this beautifully put together by Lemiga Events ...but these are some of my favorite colors! This was for a sweet sixteen pool side party, I think that the colors were well put together, and everything was just absolutely stunning!

Hope you enjoyed...have a sweet day!

Surprise Getaway to Callaway Gardens

~watching the water fall~

Seeing this waterfall inside the gardens was so peaceful ....I just had to capture the water falling....

This flower caught my eye! I just loved the color.......

This is one of the first flowers we saw as we walked into the gardens...





Pretty flowers

I would love for my yard to look like this ....very pretty!

Look at all those bananas in that tree!



~The Beach~

I had to take a picture of this! This was a sight to see...some young guys had buried this boy in the sand...I just thought WOW look at all that sand on top of him!

My foot prints in the sand...It was nice walking on the beach, I stopped and pressed my feet into the sand.

These are a few pictures I captured from the surprise vacation I planned! It was really nice~

I surprised my honey and planned a weekend in Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia......they have great affordable packages too! http://www.callawaygardens.com/

Oh it was hot when we went (95 degrees) whew! The first day we arrived we did a 2 hour bike ride, I haven't been on a bike in almost 13 years ....it took some time for me to adjust. We fed the fish, and turtles while we were on the trail. We stopped at the Butterfly Gardens, ohhhh I love butterflies it was amazing...we rode our bikes to each garden (we rode at least 10 miles altogether) it was a long stretch between each garden (you do have the option to drive)....we walked along the beach and had dinner later that evening at the hotel. Then after dinner we had a late night swim at the swimming pool right outside our hotel room.

This was a refreshing getaway to Callaway Gardens located 70 miles outside of Atlanta, Georgia. It is so much to do there from golf, paddle boats, bike trail, beach, swimming pools, beautiful hotel rooms, butterfly garden, the heritage center, and more......

If you live in the Georgia area or planning on coming anytime soon this would be a GREAT getaway. Hope you enjoyed the pics! Have a sweet day!

Spa Party Inspirations

{images via posh tot events}

Source: http://www.birthdaygirlblog.com/search?q=Spa

Posh Tot Events is based out of Atlanta they specialize in children's parties. I came across this and was inspired! I think that we all deserve to attend a Spa Party and enjoy a day of relaxing.

Have a sweet day!

August is "Romance Awareness Month"

August is "Romance Awareness Month" -a reminder that a relationship can never have too much romance. Whether you're working hard or enjoying some vacation time this month, your partner wants to feel appreciated and loved every day! Romance is a loving gesture..it is showing your partner how much he or she matters to you. And contrary to what some people may think, it need not be complicated, costly or extravagant.

Here's some romantic ideas!

These romantic ideas come from:

http://www.lovingyou.com/

101 I Love You Kisses

My girlfriend LOVES Hershey’s kisses. So I bought a couple of big bags and counted out 101 of them (and ate any spares!). Next I cut out 101 small card heart shapes, which I then wrote 101 things I love about her on. For example, I love the way your eyes seem to shine when you smile, I love the way your lips taste, +99 more. A first I thought maybe I’d bitten off more than I could chew, and wondered if id make it to 101. But if you keep a small notepad with you in the day, you can jot down any ideas. Just remember special moments you’ve shared and favorite things to do together and hopefully you’ll get there.I then glued each heart to the base of each kiss and placed them all in a confetti filled box with a card on the top reading: "101 kisses for 101 things I love about you!" She loved it, but refused to ever eat them as they looked too good to eat.

A Romantic Tip for the Guys

Guys, this is a good idea for your girlfriends: put rose petals on the fan blades in her room and when she lays down, turn the fan on so they'll fall all over her ... I think it's a good idea!

A Romantic Night Out For Him

Have a car waiting to pick him up at work with the driver holding a sign with his name on it. The driver will then drive him to the hotel of your picking and give him the key and room number. Upon entering his room, he will find a suit and a note to get dressed and go back to the car. After he is dressed and leaves the room, you go into the room, unseen, and scatter rose petals all over the place and put champagne on ice. Have the candles and music ready to be turned on upon your return. Now it is time for you to get in your car and meet up with him at the restaurant he has been taken too. It is okay to be a little late because at this point he is wondering what is going on. You arrive in your sexy evening gown and a rose. Don't forget to put on some of his favorite perfume! After a romantic candle lit dinner, the two of you return to the car together and the driver takes you back to your hotel. Go up a little before him so you can turn on the music and light the candles. Also, run a hot bath with rose petals covering the surface of the water. When he arrives in the room romance him with all you have in you. He will never forget this night and may even plan a night to top yours.

I Love You 100 Ways

This I think was the cutest idea: I wrote a “100 Reasons Why I Love You,” then went online and got the translation for it in different languages, like French, Spanish, Italian, German, etc. Each day I mailed him a letter in a different language, the last came in English. He loved it; it was exciting not knowing what it said and the longing to want to know.

Jar Of Ideas

My fiancee and I live in a small town where there is little to do, and when we would go out we would argue what there is to do and what to do. Now we have a date jar where we put in all our ideas for places to go and things to do and each week we pull out one slip and do whatever is on that slip.

A Letter To Remember

Before your wedding write a letter to your husband to be and have them write one to you. Write about anything. But, focus on your relationship with that person. Then put both letters in a safe deposit box. On your 25th anniversary exchange letters that you wrote to each other.

Sneaking Out

When you go to the movie theatre, while the movie is playing, tell your sweetie that you have to go to the bathroom. Instead, sneak outside and leave something in or on his car. For example: a card, flowers, putting a tape you made to start when he turns on the car... anything. After the movie is over and you go back to your car, he will find the surprise so act dumb like you don't know a thing. He'll love it.

Hope you enjoyed these ideas in honor of "Romance Awareness Month" Maybe you can plan a party for two.....have a sweet day!

Pole Dancing Party Inspirations

Photos from:

www.journalscene.com/photoblog/poledance

Photography:

Paul Zoeller is a freelance photographer . Do you have an idea for a new blog or a question about a current blog? If you do contact Zoeller at paul.zoeller@mac.com.

Pole dancing is not just for strippers anymore. Pole dancing has gone mainstream with many women installing poles in their homes to entertain their spouses. You might consider having a pole dance party in your home or at a studio to learn more about this activity!

I thought it would a cool idea to feature Pole Dancing, recently a close friend of mine asked me to plan a Pole Dancing Party for her....who knows this might inspire you to gather all your girlfriends up and have one!

Have a Sweet Weekend!

Sweet Dessert Inspirations

In the meantime here is a Strawberry Cheesecake bursting with strawberries. They are used both in the filling and the topping, tasting sooo good. The shortbread cookies give this a buttery cookie crust.

Strawberry Strawberry Cheesecake

from Epicurious.com

Crust

1 10-ounce package shortbread cookies (such as Lorna Doone)

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Filling

10 ounces frozen unsweetened strawberries (about 2 3/4 cups), thawed, juices reserved

3 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

3 large eggs

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Topping

1/3 cup strawberry or currant jelly

3 1-pint baskets fresh strawberries, hulled, halved lengthwise preparation

For crust:

Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides. Grind cookies in processor to coarse crumbs. Add butter and blend until crumbs are evenly moistened. Press crumb mixture over bottom and 1 inch up sides of prepared pan. Bake crust until just golden, about 8 minutes. Set aside while preparing filling. Maintain oven temperature.

For filling:

Puree thawed strawberries and juices in processor until smooth. Measure 3/4 cup puree (reserve any remaining puree for another use); do not wash bowl. Add cream cheese and sugar to processor. Blend until smooth. Using on/off turns, blend in flour. Add eggs; process until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally. Add 3/4 cup strawberry puree, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and almond extract; process until well blended. Transfer filling to prepared crust.
Bake cake until center is softly set and edges begin to color, puff and crack, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Place hot cheesecake on rack. Refrigerate uncovered on rack until cold, at least 4 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)

For topping:

Using small knife, cut around pan sides to loosen cake; remove pan sides. Stir jelly in heavy saucepan over low heat until melted. Arrange berry halves atop cheesecake in concentric circles; brush with warm jelly to glaze. Chill at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.
Puree thawed strawberries and juices in processor until smooth. Measure 3/4 cup puree (reserve any remaining puree for another use); do not wash bowl. Add cream cheese and sugar to processor. Blend until smooth. Using on/off turns, blend in flour. Add eggs; process until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally. Add 3/4 cup strawberry puree, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and almond extract; process until well blended. Transfer filling to prepared crust.
Bake cake until center is softly set and edges begin to color, puff and crack, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Place hot cheesecake on rack. Refrigerate uncovered on rack until cold, at least 4 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)

For topping:

Using small knife, cut around pan sides to loosen cake; remove pan sides. Stir jelly in heavy saucepan over low heat until melted. Arrange berry halves atop cheesecake in concentric circles; brush with warm jelly to glaze. Chill at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.

I came across this at http://adventuresinthekitchen.com/2009/04/strawberry-strawberry-cheesecake/ and I thought this would be a yummy dessert to serve at a dinner party, or just something nice to make for yourself or your family! I love Lorna Doone shortbread cookies, so I know the crust will be lovely. Well, let me know if you try this recipe (and how it turns out!). Until then... have a sweet day!

Signature Drink Inspirations

What is a signature drink? It's a specialty drink served as a high impact for your guests!

Serving a signature cocktail is a fun added detail to get folks chatting but it can be a budget helper as well. Rather than serving a full open bar, just serve beer and wine plus one sassy cocktail.

We're in the middle of the wedding season, and alot of my friends are having bachelorette parties, and pink is one of my favorite colors so I thought it would be fun to feature some pretty cocktails and drink garnish ideas in fresh shades of pink. These would be lovely signature drinks in addition to Girls Night Out parties, shopping parties, engagement parties & bridal showers !




Just realized that I forgot to post these pink drink recipes earlier from Barbie’s 50th Birthday Party – sorry about that!
Recipes for all 4 (aptly named!) signature drinks from the Colin Cowie-designed bash are below. Cheers!



***
Barbie Doll-icious!
1.5 oz Knob Creek
1 oz Cranberry
.75 oz Pineapple Juice
.75 oz fresh OJ
.75 oz fresh Lemon Juice
Ginger Ale
Combine all the ingredients except ginger ale in a shaker. Shake well and pour. Top with a splash of ginger ale.
***
Strawberry Blonde
1.5 oz Cachaca
3 fresh Strawberries, muddled
.75 oz lemon Juice
.75 oz simple Syrup
pink rimming sugar (for glasses)

Combine all the ingredients in a shaker.
Shake well and pour into a glass rimmed with pink sugar.
***

Its a Pink Thing
2 oz Grey Goose Vodka
2 oz of pink Grapefruit Juice
.75 oz spicy Honey
.75 oz fresh Lime Juice
dash of peychards Bitters

Combine vodka, juices, and honey in a shaker.
Shake well and pour.
Top with a splash of Bitters.
***

Ken’s Caipirosca
2 oz Grey Goose Vodka
1.25 oz ginger Syrup
4 lime Pieces
Place lime pieces and syrup in a shaker, then muddle with a long spoon.
Add ice and vodka. Shake well and pour.


This came from http://www.hostessblog.com/ this website consists of the most fabulous ideas for parties! I was inspired by this and wanted to share this with you!



P.S. For all those blushing brides here's a link I posted below of how to choose a signature drink for your upcoming wedding! Cheers!

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid271529994?bctid=1653763986

1st Birthday Inspirations

Fun, festive, modern, playful, cute… this colorful Circus Soirée that Michelle Thornton created for her son’s first birthday celebration has it all! Better yet, Michelle was able to find that perfect balance between a whimsical, kid-friendly party that’s occasion-appropriate, and a stylish atmosphere that adults will find appealing as well…

I worked with Donna from SwishDesigns to create the invitations (pictured above, 2nd image) and loved how they turned out – especially the the primary polka dots and the cartoon lion – both of which would also be used for the cake!

To keep things simple, I did a “happy meal” type lunch for the kids, which could be made ahead of time and would be ready for whenever the kids were hungry. Inside each brown bag was a animal-cut-out turkey sandwich, sliced apples, and a small plush animal I got at Ikea. The bags were sealed with the stickers that featured the carton animals.

Since the party was in a park, I thought fabric would be one of the best ways to add color to the area. I headed to the local fabric store and bought solid fabric in different primary colors for each table, plus an animal-print fabric to use as the common “runner” for all of the tables, to help tie everything together.

To add a personal touch to the tables, I also printed out a favorite picture for each month in Darrian’s first year, then put the photos in primary-colored frames from IKEA and displayed them near each of the centerpieces.

Darrian also had a small “smash cake” that had the same polka dots…

For the adults we had hot dogs (turkey and beef), chips, and a variety of salads (potato, macaroni, Chinese). We also set out popcorn tubs with individual bags for easy snacking, which was a big hit!

This 1st Birthday Party idea came from http://www.hostessblog.com/ this website consists of the most fabulous ideas for parties! I was inspired by this and wanted to share this with you!

Hope you like it!