Fab You Bliss Top 10 Styled Shoots

One of our absolute favorite blogs, Fab You Bliss, started end of the year countdown posts today with their Top 10 Styled Shoots of 2012.  We were thrilled to see that our Alice in Wonderland shoot they featured earlier this year claimed the #5 spot! Pretty honored since they always have so many beautiful shoots posted! Swing by and see the other gorgeous styled shoots that made it onto the list!

Holiday Open House

   I've always loved organizing holiday get togethers! In the past however, we've called them "Santa Stumble" and they've definitely lived up to the name. Serious antics! This year we were going to have the in laws, both of my parents and my little brothers so we decided to tone it down (a little) and have a Christmas party at our place! It was lovely! Friends, family and good food!

    We made a variety of cookies and other sweets! Most of them were found on Pinterest, of course! A few of them are pictured here, Grinch Cookies, Shortbread Snackers and Melty Snowmen! There was plenty of other food, some we made and some our wonderful friends and fam brought along! Delish!

                                       

Gingerbread House my sister in law and I made the night before!

Mashed potatoes and toppings for some substance

   The hot cocoa bar was a definite success! Homemade cocoa (recipe here) with lots of options! Peppermint schnapps, Irish cream, coffee liquor, candy canes, chocolate shavings, frozen whipped cream, piroulines, and obviously marshmallows! 

For drinks that don't sit well premade, I usually print or write out the recipe and set it with the ingredients so guests can go ahead and whip up their own rather than having someone play bartender all evening. This was the case with our Gingerbread Martinis. Yum! 

   Christmas Crangria was my own little invention and was delish if I do say so myself!

    It was a wonderful night with our favorite people and we're feeling particularly lucky this holiday season! Wishing you and yours the merriest of Christmases and a fantastic New Year!

Printables from Printabelle

Laura & Jerry's Wedding!

   This is going to be my recap of the day with a few vendor shout outs and photo sneak peeks.  Don't worry, I'll definitely put together a photo post next month when we get all the pics!

   Laura was an absolute joy to work with! She knew what she wanted so we had great direction going towards the wedding but she's laid back enough to be open to suggestion. Together I think we put together a gorgeous wedding that was SO much fun!

Such a breathtaking bride!

   She and Jerry had their rehearsal dinner at the Courtyard Marriott Riverfront in Bradenton.  I've worked with them before so I was thrilled! They had a spread of delicious food out on their pool deck that overlooks the new Riverwalk.  Laura's mom put together an adorable slideshow of the couple growing up and then together and everyone had a great time getting to know each other and relaxing before the big day.

   The next day started at the Marriott in a suite perfect for bridal prep! I went over to say hi, check on the bride and give her the basket I'd made her (even though she beat me to the punch and gave ME a basket the night before, sneaky bride!). I filled it with the essentials - snacks and champagne and threw in a couple of personal touches too.  I am very lucky to come from a talented family, my Aunt Margaret owns Pure Scents Candle Company and poured a couple of custom labeled candles for Laura & Jerry.  Laura had given her bridesmaids each a pashmina embroidered by my other aunt, Barbara at Busy B Creations, and I couldn't resist getting one for Laura as well with her new monogram.

Pure Scents candles - the scents on their site are called "Cotton Blossom" and "Champagne Bubbles" respectively.

   Once everyone was primped we headed outside for some bridesmaid photos! Then . . . the First Look! I personally love when couples do a first look because it allows them to have their moment privately, which is very romantic, and taking those couple photos prior to the ceremony just eases the timeline for the day.

Some First Look magic!

   After that it was off to the wedding venue, Pier 22.  Located on the Manatee River, its absolutely picturesque.  The evening of the wedding, Bradenton was also having a Christmas boat parade on the river, which made for a stunning backdrop, but also meant a LOT of people at Pier 22. Their coordinator, Michelle, made sure that everything at the restaurant was in place and running smoothly so the crowds weren't an issue in the slightest! Their ballroom is simply gorgeous with its ornate chandeliers and tall windows. It was the perfect location for Laura & Jerry's day!

See what I mean?

   I couldn't have asked for better vendors to work with.  As usual Kristen with AKA Photographs did an amazing job capturing the day and if that weren't enough she brought along Deuce of Deuce Bradshaw Photographs to second shoot. I really can't wait to see his shots of the groom and groomsmen prepping for the wedding! A Victorian Bride was on hand to glam up Laura and her bridesmaids! The bouquets from Beneva Flowers were lovely! Laurie Vodnoy-Wright played beautiful music during the ceremony.  Cupcakes A Go-Go brought scrumptious cupcakes (I may have taken a few home with me . . . ) that were a huge hit with the guests! DreamMaker Limo's driver was so sweet and got everyone where they needed to be.  Boone's Professional Events had a photobooth that was simply a blast - photo strip of Kristen from AKA & I included below (what? You don't work in a seashell bra?)! And Music on the Move's DJ, Josh, kept the dance floor full, if not overflowing, all night! 

It was a fun night!

   All in all, the wedding was a rousing success and most importantly, these two lovebirds are officially hitched! Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Banfield! 

True Love

  For additional photos from this wonderful day please look at our photo post from the day! 

It was such a great experience working with Laura and we couldn't be more thankful for her review -