Sweet Summertime.

Today's post is all about some pretty cocktails and summer shots! I've searched Pinterest for some yummy drinks and these are definitely on my list to try. Enjoy=)

Blackberry Salty Dog

Cucumber Gimlet

Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots

Kiwi Colada

Chamomile Honey & Whiskey Cocktail

Blueberry Mojito

Real Mans Margarita

Sparkling Strawberry Rosé Sangria

Dress up your cocktail with some strawberry ice cubes! Yum=)

Green Eyes



Wedding Details.

Ever heard don't sweat the small stuff? Well, we believe when planning a wedding, it is all about the little details. Here's some wedding details that I just LOVE=)

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{Who get's cake in the face?}

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Mouthwatering Marinades.

Alright party people...the countdown has officially begun for the 4th! And nothing says Fourth of July more than firing up the grill (and fireworks of course).So, get your grill on with these delicious recipes for marinades that are full of flavor.

Jalepeño-Lime Marinade

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Honey & Thyme Marinade

Although typically you're supposed to marinate meat or veggies for a couple hours, if not overnight, I have found a recipe that tastes great and only takes one hour to marinate. I didn't include the actual recipe on this post, but I did in a post back in February. Check it out!

There is one more marinade that I must share with you all. I can't tell you the recipe (because I don't know it), but I can tell you it is absolutely amazing. Drumroll please.......

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This gourmet sauce is definitely something worth trying. You can find it at Paper Skyscraper, a local boutique. If you don't live in the Charlotte area, or would rather order it online, there are plenty of sites that sell it. Either way, you should seriously try it out.

If you have a tasty marinade recipe that you LOVE to use, feel free to share with us!



Pretty Little Cocktails.

Virgin cocktails are where it's at for us prego girls. And.....there is a major flipside to non-alcoholic drinks—less calories and no hangover! Whether planning a brunch, baby shower or sweet sixteen party, these yummy drinks are always a good idea. So, sit back, chill out and soak up the sweet sunshine sipping on a pretty little cocktail=)  

{Cranberry Cutie}

3 ounces Sierra Mist Natural
3 ounces Cranberry Juice
Juice from 1 cutie/clementine orange
1 ounce lime juice
Clementine slice and sugar for garnish

Directions: 

1. In a shaker filled with ice, mix cranberry juice, cutie juice, and lime juice.

2. Add Sierra Mist Natural and stir.

3. Strain into two martini glasses with edges that have been dipped in sugar (optional).

4. Garnish with a clementine slice.

{Peach Cooler}

1 oz fresh Peach Puree

1 1/2 oz fresh Orange Juice

1 oz Simple Syrup

5 oz Club Soda

Rasberry Puree (optional)

Directions:

1. Peel, pit, and core out the peach's rough pit flesh. Puree in a blender or food processor until smooth. (If your peach isn't super ripe and juicy & won't puree very easily, add a touch of OJ to help it out.) If you aren't sure you're puree is smooth, strain through a wire mesh strainer.

2. Put a few ice cubes in a glass, add the peach puree, OJ, and simple syrup. (If you don't have simple syrup, you can add @ 1 t sugar and mix with the OJ to dissolve it.)

3. Slowly pour the club soda along the inside wall of the glass, then gently stir everything to combine. Garnish with a slice of peach and a sprig of thyme if you want to get fancy.

 {Blackberry Sage Cooler}

15 medium sage leaves

4 tablespoons sugar

1 cup water

8 oz. blackberries

8 oz. club soda (per drink)

Directions:

1.    Bring the water and sugar to a boil over high heat just until sugar dissolves.

2.    Crush the sage leaves with the back of a spoon and add to the syrup mixture and set aside to let the sage infuse for 15 minutes and then remove the herbs.

3.   Puree the blackberries in the blender and then strain the mixture through a fine strainer.

4.    To serve, place a tablespoon of the blackberry puree in the bottom of a glass, add a tablespoon of the sage syrup and top off with 8 ounces of club soda.

 

Cheers to a fabulous Monday, y'all!

GREEN Weddings Part 2

I'm back with MORE ways to go green on your wedding day without compromising the elegance or class of your event! 

1. Recycle the flowers.  We often use our bridesmaid's bouquets in random pieces through-out the reception decor so they get double use.  This is a much better option than just  letting them get left lying around on tables (or in bathrooms)  =).  At the end of each event, we also donate all of the flowers to a local hospice, hospital or nursing home.  Why not spread the joy instead of tossing them in the garbage?!

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2.  Plan right.  That's right, plan right.  if you set the flow of your reception correctly, no one will miss the cake cutting, therefore, you won't be left with 15 lbs of wedding cake to take home and/or trash (what was that price per slice again??!!)  This applys to the food, late night snacks, favors, etc. \

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 3.  Use GREEN vendors.  Find venodrs with the same green philosphies that you have; they are out there!  Plenty of caterers will recycle applicable products, or donate leftover foods to food banks or shelters.  Use stationary from recycled papers, find vendors that eliminate paper waste, or that recycle wherever possible.  Don't be afraid to ask what sustainable measures they take!

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 Any other great green ideas what we haven't thought of?  We'd love to hear them!

GREEN Weddings Part 1

Are you the kind of guy or gal who is green in your every day life and want to incorporate those mentalities into your wedding without being too "hippie"?  We have some ideas for you!

One of the BIGGEST ways you can go green without compromising the overall look/feel/vibe of your wedding, is by eliminting some of the paper products.  If you think about it, there is A LOT of unnecessary paper used commonly for weddings.  Here are a few ideas:

1. Eliminate the inner envelope from your invitation.  Is it REALLY necessary?  If you don't care as much about formalities, and there is not a true necessity reason for the inner envelope, then save a little bit of waste and scratch it.  I guarantee most of your guests won't even miss it.  

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 2. Send a post-card as your Save the Date.  A new trend from Mean Party weddings is definitely to scratch the envelope for the Save the Dates and make a fun post-card instead.  Use photos from your engagement pictures OR use a postcard from your local Visit Center and show off the location of your big day!

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3. Nix the paper program.  At a lot of weddings, there are programs left over that didn't get taken, or programs left on seats tht got left at the ceremony.  Only a handful of folks (my mother being one of them) takes the program with them.  Instead, try writing the program on a large chalkboard, or have one large sign made,  so your guests and photographer can get a great picture of the program.  

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 More GREEN wedding ideas coming at you soon! =) 

Yummy Eats.

It's never a GREAT party unless the food is on point!  You don't need a special occassion or a theme to get creative, just use your noggin' to think about the things your guests would like to snack on most, based on the time of day or year.  Here are some yummy ideas!

 Pull-Apart Cheese Herb Bread

 A Sweet Finish - Cheesecake Cupcakes 

 Mini Crab Cakes - Yummy

 Parmesan Garlic Fries - Go to this link and look at the petite lasagna cups too - yummmmmm

 Can you ever go wrong with Baked Pimento Cheese Dip?

Bacon and Egg Cups - Yes Please

Happy Hosting!! Have a fabulous Monday, y’all =)

I'm hungry. 

Happy (almost) St. Patricks Day!

Hello! My apologies for the absence of my blogging as I prepare to graduate this May! I couldn't resist dropping in with some St. Patty's day fun as the Irish weekend approaches us.

I'm sure many of you are partaking in bar crawls or Irish pub specials but for those of you celebrating at home here are some fun party ideas to celebrate good ole Saint Patrick right!

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Enjoy the weekend!

For the Love of Cocktails.

Nothing makes me happier than cozying up by a fire while sipping on a delicious warm cocktail in the middle of winter!  With a little whisky, bourbon, rum and spices, the concoctions are endless. So light a fire, get cozy, and drink up! Here are some yummy cocktails to warm you up on those cold winter nights!!! Cheers :)

             

Whispering Wreath 

Bourbon Chai

Athol Brose

Mable-Bourbon Hot Chocolate