CIGAR LOVERS: DIY Cigar Bar!

incorporate a cigar bar at your wedding or special event!
love these images

(Image by Elizabeth Anne Designs)

(Image by Wed Candy)

Scotch and Cigars!

(Image by Ruffled)

Chocolate/Truffles, Cigars with a pretty bouquet! Yes please!

(Image by Elizabeth Ann Designs)

mmm the taste of mexico

and i just don't mean fajitas, burritos and margaritas but the homemade mexican hot chocolate.
IBARRA made which can be found in almost any grocery store comes in these rock solid chocolate bars made of cacao and a hint of cinnamon.

There are multiple ways you can make this.

• Chop the chocolate bar into smaller pieces, melt in small pot or put it through a blender
• Warm some milk up and mix with the chocolate to create a foamy texture on top or warm the milk and put it in blender, blender till it creates foamy texture

Either way Mexican Hot Chocolate needs to have that foam texture on top for that deliciousness factor. It's sweet but not too sweet and doesn't have that heavy layer of sugar most hot chocolates have.

It is so good! Try it today

make these heart shaped goodies

munchies perfect for valentine's day to make for your loved ones

(Image by Poppies at Play)mmm. these look delicious!

 (Image by Wanelo) Breakfast in bed please! How romantic

 (Image by Martha Stewart)
Drool.. imagine drinking hot chocolate with heart marshmellows on a cold winter night watching chick flick movies.

love red velvet? try blue velvet let's go giants!

After being on bed rest for a week I am back and ready for the Super bowl! Although I would have liked to have seen the San Francisco 49ers or the Denver Broncos play this year, I'll be rooting for the NEW YORK GIANTS!
With the big game comes fun blue finds I found this week:

(Image by Avid Appetite)

Beautiful blue roses sold at Kimm's Flowers Basket Perfect for the Superbowl and great for those steering away from the non traditional red rose for Valentine's Day.

(Image by Seasonal Home)

Fun games like the prediction bowl seen above and check out that awesome meat patty!

are you a slob?

GET ORGANIZED with these amazing tips from Apartment Therapy!

I actually do some of these and they really make a difference!

1. Get Ready The Night Before. Start your day off a little less frantically by setting out your clothes, prepping the meals, getting the kids' bags ready, setting the coffee maker on automatic, etc.

2. Open Mail Over The Recycle Bin. Don't set it down in a pile to get to later because you know what will happen. Get rid of the paper and junk right away, and put the important stuff in your mail/bill area.

3. Write It Down. I know this is a big thing for me. If I don't write things down they just keep a constant party going on in my head. Writing it down helps to free me and let me relax. You can't keep it all in there, it's just too much and can keep you awake at night. Get it out.

9. Give It Up. Whenever you see something that you don't use any more immediately put it in a box. When the box is full bring it to goodwill. You don't need to wait for that big clean out day you're going to eventually do.

And if you're already doing these organizing tips well good for you! Check out the entire list on their 10 tips from the Pros!




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you don't have to be Chinese to...

celebrate Chinese New Year!
In honor of the year of the dragon and festive celebrations I present to you these cute awesome celebratory goods.
I made these cute little take out boxes with candy to give to my friends. Something simple yet meaningful!

Red boxes - Michael's
Candy- Target or any grocery store
dollar bins- Courtesy of my wallet

I found these Chinese New Year inspired macarons gems!

They're shaped as little lanterns! Adorable!
See how to make them on Raspberries Cupcakes

DIY Thai Tea!

Saturday drink of the day: THAI ICED TEA

Mm it's a love or hate it type of drink. It is served mainly at Thai Restaurants and pairs up real well with an order of pad Thai. 

All you need are:

• Thai tea bags (Although if you really want the authentic taste use Thai leaves)
• 3/4 cup sugar (I usually eye ball and put more than needed) 
• Half & Half Cream
• Evaporated milk (Although if you want a sweeter taste use Sweet Condensed milk)

Super easy to make. Boil the teabags for a good 5-6 minutes until the water turns into a rich orange color.
Take or strain the teabags out and transfer the tea into a separate container. Put sugar and stir to dissolve
Fridge for a good hour or more until it is cold.
Grab some glasses, throw some ice
Fill the glass 3/4 of tea
Add a teaspoon of cream and a couple of teaspoons of milk (evaporated or condensed)
and voila! you've got your Thai Tea!
Delicious, sweet and so tasty

Use Thai tea bags or Thai leaves!

Mixed with tea and cream! Yumm. 

are you are a book lover and like cute things?

I am all about seeing beautiful displays, creations and decorations. I am also amazed at how people can get so creative with using practical things. For example, anyone ever thought to incorporate books into their wedding or special event? This couple did and I adore their pictures. I love the bright colors, little details and how they kept it simple yet classy at the same time.

(Photos by Jessica Claire)

guess which celebrity I met

Mindy Weiss! I was absolutely thrilled to have met her at David's Bridal in San Jose yesterday!
Not only did I get a copy of her new book: The Wedding Planner & Organizer but I got to talk with her and ask her about her experience starting as a planner to planning events for high profile clients and celebrities.

Before she signed books, she gave a brief  talk on trends of 2012!

Here are a few she mentioned as well as some additional advice: 

• tangerine & pink/orange are some of the colors for the year! you'll be seeing it more often. I can already visualize a bunch of ways to incorporate these colors 
• You'll see less on the huge decor and ways to personalize your wedding by adding details that make it  a "all about us" wedding. She mentions find something that is relevant to your life and what you love as a couple. 
• Destination weddings are still popular in 2012 
• Working with colored dresses more importantly stirring away from the traditional white wedding dress to maybe something more creative like pink, off white, or adding a splash of color 
• Favors. More couples are trying to be budget friendly so instead of favors, donate to a charity or have a candy station or snack station so guests can leave with late night snacks (always a hit for the ride home!)
• Money saver: Instead of a having a full bar, only do wine/beer and maybe a signature drink like the couples favorite. 
• On-site wedding coordinator: If you've got some extra money seriously consider hiring an on-site person to set up things, check to make sure your vendors are there and other logistical needs. The last thing you need to worry on your big day are the flowers not being there. 
• Wedding Party: Ask your bridesmaids and/or groomsmen to be part of your special day in a fun way. Take them out to dinner, make them a handwritten card or make a video. Either way big or small they mean a lot to you so take the time to think of something creative and unique. 

Mindy Weiss is what I believe to be one of the greatest wedding and event planners. She's in my top five with Colin Cowie, Preston Bailey, David Tutera and well Martha Stewart. Some of her clientele include: Hilary Duff, Fergie/Josh Duhamel, Gwen Stefani and recently AJ McLean and so many more. Her work is stunning and style is impeccable. She doesn't just plan weddings and events but also is a lifestyle expert with published books and a collection of wedding products.

I love her blog because she finds such innovative things and she's a super sweetheart in person with a great sense of humor! I love her spirit and is an inspiration! 

who knew?

these creative inventions are genius! Who knew using household items like tags, straws, rubber bands can come into productive use?

Here a few examples I found from The Daily Buzz (they have a ton more creative finds)

really? it's that easy? 

use baby powder to wipe sand off your feet! I love baby powder!

a plastic bag will do but using a hair cap is way more efficient 

hahah i love this! 

my all time favorite! hard broiled heart shaped eggs. This is a must for VDAY

Check out the rest on the Daily Buzz! 

who wore it best?

i will try to make this quick and brief
ricky gervais i liked your opening monologue although it looked like you were really holding back. I give you an overall 6.5 out of 10 rating of sense of humor

thank you ashton kutcher for shaving that nasty beard and jonah hill you are looking good, looking real good!  To Leonardo DiCaprio, i see big and bright things for you in the future! Glenn Close, I never thought you would look that good as a man!

My favorite fashionable celebrities of the night go to: Charlize Theron, Stacey Keibler, Debra Messing, Heidi Klum, Jessica Alba, Felicity Hoffman and Michelle Pfeiffer!

 

All images courtesy of People

can i have some more tissue please?

Who knew this light colorful not to mention cheap material can be used in so many ways?

Is it sad I actually collect tissue paper? You can never have too much and they come in real handy

Here are a few DIY Projects you can do to decorate for your next event or party!

(Image by Project Wedding)
These tissue pomanders would be perfect for your flower girls to walk down the aisle with. They are a perfect substitution for flowers. I love flowers but sometimes they can be really heavy for flower girls to hold especially if they're like 3 years old. These are light to hold, won't damage anything if they fall on the ground and can be reused as decoration for their room. Love it


(Image by Folding Trees)
For Valentine's this year make these easy to make flower carnations. You can get really creative with colors, designs and style


(Image by Card Store)
Awesome! Tissue paper as lanterns!


(Image by Wedding Bee)
had to a double take because they looked like hydrangeas! cocktail party anyone?


(Images by Icing Designs)

Cake/Cupcake toppers! Obsessed

succulents: dislike or like?

TREND ALERT: In 2011 we've seen them in the blogs and magazines but now couples and professionals are finding more ways to incorporate succulent plants into their wedding and special events. Do we like them because they are unique and look different? Or do we dislike them because they're just ugly? Either way these little creatures are making it way to glamor-ville and people sure know how to use them.

I am a fan of succulent plants! That is if they are displayed and used the proper way.

Here are a few examples.

(Image by Project Wedding)ADORABLE succulent favors! Put them in pots, tins, mugs or whatever! Your guests can grow them forever

(Image by the6chicks)

These succulent plants decorated beautifully on this cake look edible. Either way I actually do like the contrast between the purple/green and aqua thrown in there

(Image by Elizabeth Anne Designs)

On her blog there's a spread of a rustic theme wedding in Texas, stunning photos. Succulent centerpieces I like because you can incorporate other flowers like hydrangeas, dahlias and it makes it really outdoorsy

(Image by Pinterest)

I don't know how I feel about this bouquet. I think it's a bit much. I do love that dress

(Image by Kellys Wedding Flowers)

Now this is pretty! The succulent plant looks almost like a flower and blends in/really stands out with the rest of the peonies

(Image by Heavenly Blooms)
I adore these. simple succulents with white ranunculus, berries wrapped in twine. For boutonnieres or corsages 

jazz up your workspace

I found some neat ways you can spruce up that work place of yours! Whether you're in an open space with just computers hacking away or in a small cubicle with just a photo of your cat, add some color and pizzazz into the place where you spend most of your day!

(Image by Gorilla Cube through Style My Cube) 

I have no clue how I stumbled upon this but I thought this was either really cute or creepy. You can be the judge of that. So this is for all the pet lovers who want to bring their dog or cat to work but simply cannot. It's called "Perfect Petzzzz" a battery operated fur toy that makes breathing/snoring and well you know pet sounds...I don't think it barks or meows. Anyways they have a ton of breed you can select from and perfect for your desk.

(Image by Apartment Therapy)

String, clothespin or office clips to display some of your favorite photos/words of inspirations. This would be great in an open space workplace! Good to see photos of your coworkers in a non work setting 

(Image by Apartment Therapy) 

Plants! They take very little care and adds a nice touch to your desk. I'm not a fan of large plants but a simple green or flower plant adds a homey feeling, not to mention it's environmentally friendly :)

(Image by Weburnist)

This ended up being an office prank (only do it if you have a fun boss or working environment)

They used post-its literally EVERYWHERE! I would hate to be the person to take them down but you can do something really clever with post-its as a way of decoration 

DIY Project
If you don't want to put pictures of yourself and you don't want to spend money on printing pictures from the internet, do what I did! Go through your old magazines and tear off any pictures you like (landscape, flowers, jewelry etc...) You can mat them or just slip it right into a picture frame. Cheap frames can be found at Michaels, Target or Ikea. All you really need are scissors, glue (maybe) frames and magazines How is easy is that!