SimplyShay: "Live, Learn & Grow"

Earlier this week I was posed the question "what is the meaning of family?"  I must admit it stumped me because like who doesn't know what family means!  According to Wikipedia, in human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children. Well, I guess that explains it :)

I'm sure you've heard the statement "you can choose your friends, not your family"; how true is that!?  Family members (good, bad and ugly) help make you who you are.  They are the people that when all the chips are down.. they are down with you.  These are the people that during good times will cheer you on and in bad times, let you know they are bad then lend a hand to pick you up.  These "family" members will get ugly with you AND about you.  Raw and uncut life discussions, loyalty beyond words is my idea of family... you may not like them all the time BUT through it all they are still family and nothing and no one comes between those letters.. FAMILY.

Many families choose the summer months to conduct what we call a "Family Reunion".  The importance of a reunion is the same whether it's FAMILY or CLASS--It allows opportunities to revisit the past as well as learn from the people who share your past.  This life we live doesn't last forever, so when you're at the park or in your backyard these last few weeks of summer; ENJOY your FAMILY! 

"Live, Learn & Grow"

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Simply Shay: "Events of Life"

Ive found in all my years of planning events that we spend a lot of time planning for those "events" that mean something to us or those we care about. We plan the conference/seminar, wedding, baby shower, 1st-21st birth parties; anniversary parties and if your family is like mine..... who needs a reason? Life is a party right?

This week, as I blog from my Evo, I've been able to reflect on those LIFE events we DON'T plan for. It becomes so easy to get "comfortable" in our lives and believe we have "it" under control. Hmmmm well, Sunday, as the rain came down as it's done so many times before, the lights flickered but this time they didnt just flicker..they were OFF. No big deal right? Rain + no lights= no sump pump. In a matter of moments our dry finished basement became a pool for our dog. I listened as my husband lost control of trying to save the many electronics and our puppy splash water as if she were at a water park. Dangit, we weren't prepared for this!!

Standing outside in the rain watching my neighbors have that panicked look on their face; I said to myself, "self!", myself said, "huh"...You're a planner, manager of chaos, believer in creating and maintaining PEACE.. do something. So, I listened for God to speak because last thing we needed was two people in an uproar then I called and got a generator so process cleanup could begin. Did we lose stuff? Sure did! Was peace established in spite of it all? Sure was and I'm grateful!

When life's event come rolling in; pull on your inner Peace, allow that Peace to be created, then work to maintain it. Be Blessed
Photos by me

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

ChiTown Moms Nite Out 2011

In 2010 Kris, Ronnie, Sharon, Sydney and Nicole were Moms Nite Out.  This year, in 2011, it has a different face and overall feel.  ChiTown Moms is the brainchild of Kris Cain and emerged after a successful 2010 campaign where many moms inquired about when there would be another event. Kris, having been in social media for about 12 years, has managed forums for moms off and on in many forms took the bull by the horns and created this wonderful community of moms making a difference.  While her initial circle consists of Ronnie Roseman, Sydney Reid and Sharon Patrice, who assist with organization and anything she else she needs, this new "community" has writers from different backgrounds and expertise.  Therefore, in addition to the previously mentioned, has a few new faces....Antionette Petersen, Alicia Pheiffer, Candace Ford and Sara Parisi on the ChiTown Moms site.

The 2011 event, which is only open to those that have pre registered, has a great lineup of sponsors including GM, Kernel Sweetooth, LittleTechGirl.com A Techy Mom's Nerd Paradise,   Lenise Miller (Mary Kay), Kenmore, Designs by Shay, WhatchuNeed Unlimited, Bloomin' Headz, Carolina Pad,  Sister Save-A-Lot and  Mario Tricoci Hair Salons & Day Spas to name a few. 
 
Kenmore Live Studios is where over 100 moms will get together and network with each other while partaking in their live cooking show with Chef Mark Beir of Chicago Fit Club and enjoying wine from Roija Wines served by some nice male waiters. 
 
~ Peaceful Planning
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Simply Shay: "Wedding Favors"

Seemingly a simply task; many couples stress over what to give their guests as a "thank you" for attending their wedding, eating their food and dancing to their music.  Many couples prefer to give the guests something edible rather than an expensive crystal ornament. Candy, sugared almonds, mints and truffles are always a pleasing favor to give.
The tradition of giving wedding favors can be found deed in ancient European history. The bride and groom gave small presents, or favors, to their guests and well-wishers to thank them for sharing the momentous occasion.  Often suger was given and because it was such a rare substance, the contents of the ‘bombonaiere’ were of great value.

A symbol of well wishing the wedding favor represents the five most important ingredients of a marriage bond: Wealth ~Health ~Happiness~Fertility and Long Life

The wedding favor is a symbol of love and respect from the bride and the groom, and a token of well wishing for their future together and can include such items as ribbons, candles, picture frames, personalized book marks, laminated plaques, candy, seed packets, pillows, balloons, potpourri, and more. 

~ Peaceful Planning
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Tasty Tuesday - "Ice Cream"

Summer is in full bloom and a great treat at weddings or any social event is ice cream!  There are plenty of sites that carry really cute accessories like the customized wooden spoons from Paper+Cup. These cute spoons can be printed with your names, your wedding date, or your favorite nicknames for each other and make dessert even more delectable for your guests!

However, for the "after party" take a sneak peak at this Tasty Tuesday's Spotlight Vendor...

Latrice Mosley-Smith & Ervin Smith are the owners of a Unique Specialty Pkg Service, Inc. the home of Sex Scene Ice Cream.  In 2003, Ervin Smith seeing the need for such a product, came up with the idea, Latrice came behind him and perfected it; putting their favorite things together Sex Ice Cream and the movies thus you have Sex Scene Ice Cream!

Mrs. Smith really loves seeing the expression on people faces when she does her presentation and expresses to them that it really is ice cream!!  She does, however have a guilty pleasure which is eating the product that they are suppose to be selling and buying two pairs of shoes every week.  Hey, what's a girl to do right?  Latrice and her husband Ervin are very humbled and grateful to be able to share their passion with other couples.  Every day she thanks God for seeing another day and kisses her 6 year old daughter.

That one piece of advice for brides-to-be?  After planning for the big day don't forget to plan for the rest of your life with your husband!

While couples desire titillation, many are more aroused by erotic images that are subdued rather than blatant.  PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS ITEM IS FOR ADULTS ONLY.

"It may be hot outside, but get you some Sex Scene Ice Cream and make it steamy....wherever"
 ~ Peaceful Planning
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Life 4 Liam

Cheer Command is more than an allstar cheerleading facility located in Mokena, Illinois.  On Friday, July 22nd from 4pm - 7pm they are coming together to raise money for the Quirk Family. Kevin Quirk is a tumbling coach at UGA whose son Liam was diagnosed with an Auto Immune Disease called Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD). You can find more out about Liam’s journey on http://www.life4liam.com/.

Many athletes know Kevin from over the years and the folks at Cheer Command feel they have the capability of making a financial impact for his family. Kevin has to travel several times a week to visit his son as he recovers from a stem cell transplant. This and the doctor fees have put an understandable financial strain on their family.

Please join Cheer Command in their Tie Dye and Tumbling event for Friday July 22nd from 4pm-7pm. The fee is $20 for a tshirt that you can come Tie Dye and then hours of open gym.  The goal is to get instructors from other programs to come help support this cause. We are reaching out to other Cheer and Gymnastic facilities as well as schools and park districts.

If you can't tumble but would like to donate; contact them at cheercommand@yahoo.com.  Together we can achieve so much more...

~Peaceful Planning
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Summer Sunshine Sangria...

Soothing Saturday's With Shay are JUST that!  Soothing and relaxing.  A few weeks ago I hosted a clip and tweet workshop with Antoinette Peterson (aka) Sister-Save-A-Lot for a few a close friends and family. The goal of this workshop was to learn money saving strategies when shopping for your family.  So, in that same spirit I decided to make my own sangria and other refreshments.  Needless to say it was a hit, so here is the recipe for my Summer Sunshine Sangria.

 Chilled Wine (I used a sweet Riesling)

Fresh Orange

Fresh Lemon

Fresh Lime   

Frozen Pineapple Juice

Passion Fruit Juice

Ginger ale

Using a glass pitcher cut the fresh fruit into sections and squeeze, add the frozen juice and 2 cups passion fruit juice then the bottle of wine.  Stir and add a little ginger ale for fizz and the fruit for ... "appearance".... serve chilled.. enjoy :)

SN:  One guest made it for her family without the wine... they loved it so much they didn't save her any.  Im "Simply Shay" and I approve this message...

~ Peaceful Planning

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Here's the Skinny - "Underneath It All..."

Did you know 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size? I attend an event sponsored by the Skinny Cow which promotes knowing your correct bra size.  We know that what you wear under your dress is just as important as THE dress :) The Skinny Cow Perfect Cup Tour has a whole team of professional bra fitters onsite, ready to help you find a cup that fits you.

coup de foudre lingerie

According to the Knot, the bra is the uberundergarment, that leading piece of bridal lingerie to which all others play supporting roles. Beautiful bridal lingerie should complement your wedding dress! Did you know that selecting ivory lingerie is preferable to white under your white wedding dress. Why so? Often times, a white wedding dress isn't actually white, but more on a warmer white side. Your bra needs to not only accommodate the neckline of your dress, but provide good support and lift, then be comfortable during hours of dining, dancing, and picture taking.
If you have a stapless dress, bridal corsets or longline bras are a great choice because this lingerie piece makes certain that you stand and sit up straight, gives great back support, and insures that the bodice of your dress will not become wrinkled throughout the evening. A bridal corset or bustier also gives an even tone under a more sheer dress all the way down to your waist.

When selecting panties in this case it's comfort over sexiness - so nix the thong! Although great, imagine adjusting that under your gown.. haha plus no one will see it anyway UNLESS your groom is a little over zealous then your guests will get more then they bargained for.. LOL. On a serious note, take all your wedding lingerie along with stockings, shapewear and shoes to your bridal fittings... sucking it in wont give you a proper fit.

SN: A longline bra with garters and stockings (and above mentioned thong) is the ultimate sexy lingerie ensemble.. bridal or not :)


~ Peaceful Planning
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Tasty Tuesday: Ooh Yummy!!!

Keeping up with my Tasty Tuesday theme imagine taking that first bite of a cupcake, cake, cake pops or pastry followed by that sexy glance and immediately the word YUMMY! comes out of your sensuous mouth - your world is turned upside down!!
 
Raquel R Sanchez, owner of YUMMY!™, the most titillating baking catering company in NYC! If you can dream it, they can make it. However, they do have a menu of the most popular flavors, using the freshest ingredients, real butter, real eggs, real milk, real vanilla, real everything!  With over 15 cake flavors and the frostings being endless a tasting just might be in order? 

Private tastings are by appointment only and reserved for weddings and occasions over 100 guests. Call or email for more information. Otherwise, to sample their delicious cakes, try ordering an "Oohlala Sampler,” available every Saturday. The “Flavor Sampler” includes 3 mini cakes (4 servings each) of any 3 flavors, and they'll deliver it straight to your door. $35 in NYC, $50 in NJ. All cakes are buttercream only with a little sugar flower on top. No custom decorations or messages are included.

Delivery available anywhere in the tri-state area (NYC/NJ/CT). Delivery in NYC is a $25 fee. Outside of NYC is an additional $1/mile.  They also ship overnight to any location in North America. Items are sent frozen with a batch of your preferred frosting!

A 50% deposit is required to place an order. The remaining balance must be paid upon delivery or pickup, except for wedding cakes, which require the balance to be paid in full a week prior to the event date.

When asked for one piece of advice for Brides-to-be Raquel added "...Uhh...Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." Oscar Wilde
 

For further information contact: 
info@oohyummy.com

Phone 646.228.4056
Website http://oohyummy.com/ (coming soon)
Aim: UltraHoney
Yahoo: MissUltraa
______________________________
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Simply Shay: "The Heat Is On"

Exclusively Weddings

Todays's blog post is dedicated to the heat!  I'm sure, like me, you've sat back and watched the many things that take place during a wedding ceremony.  How many of you have cringed at the site of the usher, wedding coordinator, cousin, photographer or anyone else with tissue in their purse (pocket) walking to the front of the church and passing either a box of kleenex down the attendants line or event worse.. handing it to the bride? 

Tissue sticks to your face (really I'm laughing) and paper towel is not only rough but just tacky.  Instead of using these, how about we focus on some nice hankerchiefs?  Here are a few tasteful suggestions for dabbing sweat and wiping tears for the couple and their entire wedding party.... they also make great gifts.
 

 Whether you decide on plain hankerchiefs or monogrammed; when you're standing at the front of the church and the heat is on, please dont use tissue :)

 ~Peaceful Planning

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. You or your brand want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Tasty Tuesday Vendor Spotlight

For the month of July I've decided to feature something sweet and tasty!  As you will read, each of our Simply Tasty Tuesday Vendors bring something unique and special to any event.  So sit back and relax as we take you on a sweet journey with today's spotlight vendor ~

Katherine Anne Confections 

From a small farm in Wisconsin Katherine Duncan was using cream from her family's Jersey cows to create soft, old-fashioned caramels at the age of 10.  That early passion has led her to Chicago where she is the owner of  Katherine Anne Confections. 

Having been in business for five (5) years, when coming up with unique flavors, Katherine looks for other desserts and flavor combinations that may have not been paired with chocolate or caramel before.  Homemade from scratch, she and her staff make and eat a lot of chocolate to come up with the best flavors!

Currently renting kitchen space in Logan Square, Katherine doesn't have a storefront where you can come in and make on-site purchases.  However, if you are interested in a truffle making party (perfect for bachelorette!!) they do open up their production studio as well as their limited-edition preview parties which happen monthly during the summer.

When asked for that one piece of advice for brides, Katherine stated,

"Use edible favors, even if they aren't mine (though mine are delicious!). An edible favor is one that is guaranteed to be enjoyed and appreciated by all ages"

July Katherine Anne Confections is launching their new summer seasonal truffles & caramel which will be around 'til the end of August:

- Porter Hazelnut Truffle is milk chocolate, roasted hazelnuts, locally brewed porter, and malted milk crisp. It has lots of caramel and roast-y notes, with a subtle tang from the porter.

- Blackberry Fennel Truffle is farmer's market blackberries, fresh grated fennel, pastis, and fennel pollen with bittersweet chocolate. It's dark, intense, and fruity.

- Apricot Basil Truffle is local roasted apricots, homegrown basil, and bittersweet chocolate. Caramelized apricots and fragrant basil create a complex, fruity, and summery flavor.

- Strawberry Balsamic Caramel is our classic honey caramel, infused with white peach balsamic, and blended with local market strawberries. Sweet and tangy, fruity and delicious, this was a spring favorite last year and is returning for a triumphant summer season!

To PURCHASE these treats it's best to order online at katherine-anne.com. They are also found at several Whole Foods stores throughout Chicago, and 6 farmers markets each week.  Contact information for Katherine Anne Duncan • phone at 773.727.3248 • email.

 ~ Sweet Peace

Want coverage at an upcoming event? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.