How to Plan a Romantic Staycation

A staycation is a option where couples can stay in their own city or town, and vacation. Perhaps, book a local Bed & Breakfast, Hotel Room, or Spa & Lodge. 

Here in Georgia there are lots of mountains, cabins, cottages, lodges, beaches, beach houses, villas/condos, beach/resorts, and so many options for a staycation. 

The option or endless, you just have to get creative and talk with your significant other. Make plans to enjoy your own city and town.  Think about places you always wanted to go or heard about (romantic places). 

Here are 3 tips on, how to plan a romantic staycation. 

#1) Choose the location - the location is everything, think about where you want to go. Perhaps, it's a hotel, bed & breakfast, ect... once you decide, call and make the reservations. Also, asking about romance packages, a la carte services. Consider asking about turn-down services, champagne and chocolates, butler services, spa/massage, ect...

#2) Choose the activities ... ask the about complimentary shuttle services (if available) perhaps there are some restaurants in the area. Look online for local events, festivals, and activities. Make reservations to have a romantic breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Inquire within where you are staying and see if it's a restaurant within the place. 

#3) Add in the romance - plan to spend quality time together.  Add in a special touch ( write a love letter before your staycation). Give your significant other the love letter during your stay. Download your slow music music on your iPod, laptop, tablet, or smart phone (love songs).   Bring a camera and snap quick pics of each other ( don't use your cell phone camera). Have un-interrupted conversations (stay off your phone while spending time with each other).

Tip: While you are away enjoying this time together start making plans for the next getaway, or Staycation. This makes planning exciting, and gives you two a opportunity to brainstorm together. 

Have a Sweet day, 

Clarissa 

5 Winter Dating ideas

Photo Credit

Baby it's cold outside! Here at The Sweetest we are blogging all about love and romance! Engagement season is in full swing, and we are really excited. 

Today, we will talk about 5 fabulous winter date ideas! 

Note: These are some of my recommendations for places here in Georgia! Below are some of my husband's and I favorites! 

#1) Iceskating - why not go out and hold hands together. Grab a cup of hot chocolate (dress warm), and hit the rink! Here in Georgia I love Atlantic Station's iceskating rink ( wrap your arms around each other's waist and have fun). 

#2) Coffee Shop - a fun way to sit, and lounge together on your smart phone, or tablet and surf the net on wifi. Order your favorite warm beverages, and hangout together. One of my favorites is Starbucks (of course) or Java Monkey Decatur, Georgia ( great conversations can be sparked in coffee shops).

#3) Draw & Sip together - Create a Canvas located in southeast Georgia in the city of Lithonia. It's certainly a perfect date night full of drawing and sipping on your favorite wine (BYFW - Bring Your Favorite Wine!!!)! 

#4) Go grab something SWEET - We love Cafe Intermezzo dessert, a wide selection of cakes, cheesecakes ( always different flavors). We also love to dine here ( Super Romantic) when you enter it's dimly lit with candles ( a beautiful and intimate place), and in the winter months the outdoor patio is well heated. What's great, is there are two locations to choose from. 

#5) Wine Tasting - attend a wine tasting together. There's a monthly wine tasting in the Virginia Highlands area, one of the most romantic places in Georgia! The place I love is called, Java Vino ( I know I love the Coffee Houses). Here they offer wine tastings, venue space, and great coffee. Inquire within for the next monthly tasting. 

If you enjoyed these tips please don't forget to leave a comment below. For more romantic tips Click Here

Have a Sweet Day, 

Clarissa 

Romance Series Part - 2

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We will continue the romance series with "How to plan a romantic drive around the City"! Love is everywhere, men all over the world are popping the question ( Will you Marry Me)! This is the season of cold, chilly weather (cuddle weather).

Couples are making romantic plans, and spending more time together. Here I will give some tips on getting out for a day together. You will learn some romantic ways to take a little mini tour around your own city! 

#1) Plan your route - think about, where your favorite spots as a couple. Places you like to eat, spend time, window shop or grab a quick dessert, JUMP out there and try something new! Choose 3-5 places to go! Program them all in the GPS and you two are ready to hit the CITY.

#2) Grab your coats, scarves, gloves, and a hat ( you want to stay nice and warm), make some hot chocolate ( or warm drink you prefer). Buy your "love" a new mug ( or coffee cup) this will be a sweet gesture. Exchanging gifts right before you two hit the road is a COOL idea too ( buy each other thick socks, ear muffs, ect...)

#3) HOP in car - head to your destinations ( STAY OFF THE CELL PHONE) only use it to take pictures together ONLY!  Talk to each other, make present and future plans together. Really take in your surroundings, and snap pictures. Furthermore, make the trip in the car a experience ( remember you are creating memories). Hold hands in the car, laugh, tell each other jokes, kiss, hug and have fun! 

Please stay tuned for Part 3 of the Romance series! Check out Part 1 for more romantic inspiration.

 Send all your romance questions to sweetestthingevents@live.com 

Romance Series Part-1

 Photo Credit

 Happy Novemeber everyone! The Fall is here and "Engagement Season has arrived. Love is in the air, and that means there's a lot of romance, and marriage proposals this time of year.

I'm going to give 3 quick tips on how to plan a romantic surprise for that special someone in your life! 

#1) Think about what the love of your life likes. If it's a particular hobby, or place they love to go, or maybe it's a favorite food. Make sure when you are making your special plans; incorporate what they love. 

#2) The best things in life are free ( I know you have heard that old saying).  Well, it's true, you can write a love letter, write a poem, or perhaps tell them exactly how you feel, and express your love to them. Either, way the message will be received by them in a warm, and heart felt way. 

#3) Lastly, is the surprise itself; after thinking about everything your significant other loves now it's time to pull the details all together.  Plan a special day to pull off the surprise! You can mail them a post card with all the details (time, location, date) or tell them where to meet you! Make the day romantic and fun; enjoy!

Check out Part 2 for more romance tips and more! 

Send all your romance questions and inquires to sweetestthingevents@live.com

Have a Sweet Day,
Clarissa

Fall Inspired Signature Cocktails

Happy Fall everyone! This is the time of year for cooler nights, and crisp morning air, the time of year to prepare for the holidays, and Autumn themed weddings and events.

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

Autumn Cocktails

 

Fall weddings are exciting and beautiful, and implementing the perfect signature drink into your reception, is a great conversation piece for guests. Also, as you think about your pre-wedding plans (engagement party, bridal brunch, rehearsal dinner) perhaps you want to a great tasting signature drink!

Check out a these two Fall inspired cocktails!
{CLICK under the photos to access the recipes}

          Grown Folks Hot Chocolate 

 

Pumpkin Pie Martini

 

Enjoy! Also, feel free to comment, I would love to hear about your favorite Fall beverages!

     



 

Have a sweet day, 

Clarissa 

Featured Vendor: "The Wedding Stylist"

                   Abbria McWhite 

I had the opportunity to conduct a interview with Abbria McWhite, Owner of "The Wedding Stylist"  (formally "Middle of Fashion").  McWhite, she's a ROCKING and amazing stylist! Her experiences include being a fashion editor, lead stylist and she styles Brides, Grooms, and more! 

Clarissa :What's the name of your company?

Abbria: The current name of my company is Middle of Fashion. However, I am going through some branding changes; and a new name will be launched in about 30 days!  The new name will be The Wedding Stylist. 

Clarissa: How did you come up with the name of your company?

Abbria: Honestly, it wasn’t that cool of a process. I was sitting in my room watching NCIS Los Angeles and was thinking about my business as usual. 

The Wedding Stylist just popped in my head. It sounded so simple so I ran it past a few colleagues. They loved it so I started working on the legal aspect. Boom there it is! 

Abbria McWhite

 

Clarissa: What's your slogan, and how did you come up with it?

 

Abbria: “Love fashion… Exude style”. I wanted to make sure my slogan really said something. A lot of people think fashion is about high-end designers and spending tons of money. But to me it is all about how you wear your garments no matter the cost or the label attached to it. So love the fashion and all the newest and hottest trends but exude style meaning make sure you still love it, and it speaks to who you are and the image you want to portray. 

Clarissa: What's your overall "niche"?  

Abbria: My “niche” is all things style & weddings. I style the entire wedding party from the blushing bride to the Mother-of-the-Bride (MOB). I also style for engagement shoots, bridal showers and any other event attached to the wedding. I assist with style shoots for magazines and wedding planners; as well offer “lady in waiting” services for the day of the wedding. 

  Bridal Styling by Abbria McWhite

       Bridal Styling by Abbria McWhite 

Clarissa: What inspires you?

Abbria: Oh gosh so many things and people!  God, true love, nature, people who are fearlessly themselves despite it all, and of course the common things such as fashion blogs, designers, gorgeous fabric and some interior design.


Clarissa: How long have you been a Stylist? 

Abbria: Probably waaaaaaa longer then I have actually been in business lol !! I was always the friend to ask what goes with what or how I pull off the newest trend. But I started blogging and working with local magazines late 2010.

Clarissa: What inspired you to get into the field of Styling?

Abbria: Well, It all started with my frequent goodwill hunting. My co-workers would often compliment me on my outfits and would ask me where I got them and a lot of the times it was from goodwill! So eventually they would give me money and I would go shop for them.  It started from one coworker and it just grew. 

Clarissa: What service do you offer in terms of Styling Brides and Grooms?

             S. Marche Photography 

            S. Marche Photography

Abbria: Weddings and style are both such personal experiences. When you combine them it becomes even more personal. For that reason most of my packages are easily customizable. However As far as styling I am there from beginning to end. I prefer to meet with you and your wedding planner so that I have an understanding of the style of the wedding and make sure your attire is appropriate. Depending on the services requested I style every piece of your ensemble from the veil to the shoes or for the groom from the bowtie to the cut of the suit. I help locate a seamstress, lead you to places that are in your price range recommend websites that fit your style and price range as well as help make sure every tiny detail is thought of in regards to your garment; how it looks as well as how it will functions for the big day!!!!
 

Clarissa: Please, take us on a journey into the day and life of "Styling" services. 

Abbria: Most days consist of research on new websites, visiting bridal salons, looking at blogs and wedding industry trends. I love IG for a quick way to see new trends. Some days I look through my own closet and make outfits just so I can keep my brain sharp.  I browse magazines, visit local boutiques and even go to local stores and put together outfits on fun days I buy them.. HA! My favorite days are the ones where I get to meet new clients or go to networking events. Being a stylist has a lot to do with personal relationships; building and maintaining them. Besides meeting new people is always a good idea!  

Clarissa: What advice would you like to lend to Brides and Grooms about Styling? Why do you feel it's important to have styling incorporated into their wedding plans?

Abbria:  I would say hire a professional lol. Not having to worry about what you are going to wear to every event for your wedding is a huge weight lifted!  

Photography is a substantial expense (worthy of the cost) when it comes to planning a wedding. If that’s important, think about how important it is for you to look timeless and well put together in those photographs. Stylist are aware of little things you may not think of such as your body type, the right colors for your skin, how your garment will photograph etc. 

 

Clarissa: Tell us about your background (education, experiences, internships, ect...)

My education background is in Sports Science. I just knew I was going to be a physical therapist. HA!  I did an internship and hated it! But we all know by the time you have done an internship it is way too late, and way too costly to change your major. So I graduated college and started looking for my passion. Funny thing... it found me. Like I said, I was just doing what I love dressing up and shopping. People noticed and so it all began.  Interestingly, enough most of my experiences have been self-created through God’s grace! After I discovered my passion I searched to find ways to get experience. I started my own blog. Through some contacts I became a Fashion Editor for a local magazine in Greensboro, NC named HUAMI.  I wrote as a fashion contributor for Session magazine. I also became a lead stylist at Dress for Success in Winston Salem. All of these experiences have been such a blessing and have taught me so many things. I always tell people to smile and enjoy humble beginnings. They keep you humble once your business grows and they remind you to lend a hand when you see someone else starting their journey! 

              Brandi Myers Photography

            Brandi Myers Photography

Clarissa: Do you have in upcoming projects? Any news you would like to share about your company.

 Abbria: I am so excited about so many things. I just recently moved to the Atlanta market and I am seeing a ton of growth for my business. I just confirmed a few days ago that I will be blogging for Blackbride.com.which is such an honor and blessing. Yeaaaaaaaa J!!!!  As I discussed before I am also going through a branding change which is a fun yet stressful experience but I am so excited to see the entire vision of "The Wedding Stylist"  come to fruition. I am also looking forward to working with new clients and weddings that I have coming up later in the year. Meeting new couples who are so in love is so refreshing!!!

Clarissa: What's the best way to stay in touch with you? 

Abbria: Some of my contact information will be changing however all of the old info will lead you to the new fun stuff!!

Contact: 

(website) www.middleoffashion.com

(phone) 770-906-1529

(email) middleoffashion101@gmail.com

(Instagram) Bria_betena
(Facebook) Middle of Fashion

By: Clarissa, The Sweetest Thing Events

Photography Credits: 

 Brandi Myers Photography

S. Marche Photography 

Have a Sweet Day,

Clarissa