Wednesday, February 27, 2013

WEDnesday Love: WOW, Your Wedding Dress

You look at some brides and believe they just have "it". That something that makes them look effortlessly stylish, pulled together, and WOW! But if you think they were born with it, think again.  Choosing a wedding dress is one of the biggest personal things you'll do for your wedding.  Everybody has a different shape and style and thinking about how your gown will fit is just as important as the venue you choose.
If you're pear shaped, you may want to look for a skirt that gradually flares out in an A formation from the natural waist to the floor, highlighting the narrowness of the midsection and floating away from the hips and thighs. A spaghetti-strap bodice or a V neckline will also showcase a more slender upper body.  Keep in mind that a classic A-line silhouette lends itself to formal weddings, but it can also be dressed down when made from a more casual fabric.
If you're busty, consider a dress with a scooped neckline. It will open up your face without showing too much cleavage. If you love the look of strapless gowns, choose one that has a slight dip along the neckline, like a sweetheart, rather than a style that goes straight across (which will make your bust appear even larger and more shelf like). FYI: Ruched materials and fabric on the bodice that has a sheen to it (such as organza, satin, or silk) will add volume and call attention to your chest.

For my plus size ladies, an Empire dress with a skirt that begins just under the bust and flows into a gradual floor-length A-line is a good choice. Make sure the Empire seam does not start on the chest and that there is no pleating of the fabric, which is reminiscent of maternity wear. The dress should play up your shape; if it’s too loose, it will add pounds.
A dress that cinches in at the smallest point on the waistline, then flares out into a gradual A shape is great if you have an apple shape. Opt for a bodice with a lot of texture to it―think ruche or lace detailing―that will camouflage and fit snugly, creating a corsetlike effect. The most slenderizing neckline for you is one with a deep V, which will draw eyes toward the vertical, not the horizontal.  However, be careful to avoid trumpet dress styles, which emphasize the area where your body is widest and flare out at the legs and the knees, where you are most slender.
If you're a taller bride choose a simple silhouette. The strategy is to emphasize your natural shape, so every aspect of the dress―the lower waistline, a floor-sweeping hem.  Because of your height, you'll want to stay on the side of simplicity when it comes to embellishments. Too many bells and whistles, like ruffles and rosettes, can come off as cutesy, particularly on a tall person.
Last but certainly not least; if you're petite check out trumpet, sheath, and modified A-line gowns. Find a style with a waistline above your natural waist, to make the lower half of the dress appear longer.

Now that you've considered your shape - Did you think about how you will put it on? Have you considered who will be helping you with it? Be sure they know how to lace up the back of the dress and bustle you correctly.

Hope this is helpful when you're shopping for your wedding gown!

"Love & Laughter"
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Tuesday Tip: Relieving the Stress - Part II


In part one we took a serious look at some common reasons we stress during the wedding planning process.  This week, we lighten the discussion with a few great stress relievers.  Below are 5 ways to bust up stress and relax. Consider some or even all of these if you're looking for a way to escape wedding planning even if only for a day or two.

Meditation and Relaxation
"Peace has to be created in order to be maintained" is what I believe and live by.  Spending even a few minutes in meditation can restore your calm and inner peace.  Considered a type of mind-body complementary medicine, meditation produces a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind. During meditation, you focus your attention and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing you stress.

Random Acts of Kindness
"Give Without Remembering - Receive Without Forgetting".  People who are kind are generally happier!  By helping others, you are likely to take the attention off of yourself and the stress of your world.  In addition, helping others can enhance feelings of joyfulness, emotional resilience and optimism.

Enjoy a Spa Day
"Self Care is the Best Care".  If you're aren't good to yourself, how do you expect to be good to others?  When the cares of the world, or in this instance wedding planning, get to you - take time to be selfish!  A spa day can be as simple as a mani/pedi or as extensive as massages, facials, hot yoga and/or a drive through the country.  Whatever you decide be sure you're able to clear your mind and have peaceful thoughts. 

Cut out stimulants such as coffee, soda, etc
"Strong hope is a much greater stimulant of life than any realized joy could be".  As an advocate for fasting, this is the perfect way to clean your body and your mind.  Commit to a fast even if it's only for three days, you'll have clearer thoughts and your body will thank you :)


Journal
"There are certain things that make me relax, like writing in my journal. That's the only time that I'm relaxing.  It's the only time I really get to examine myself".  I can imagine that during the planning of your wedding you've been bombarded with thoughts.  Some worth sharing with others and some that are just for you.  Keep a journal near your nightstand or in your purse so that when random thoughts enter your mind you have a place to write them down. 

It's YOUR wedding - find and create a peaceful space then maintain it!

"Love and Laughter"
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

WEDnesday Love: Wedding Deals!


Planning a wedding or event of any size can become expensive and we all know dealing with the big B (budget) can add undue stress and suck most of the fun out of the planning process.  As a professional planner, I get joy out of finding deals and sharing them with my clients.

My friend and co-mom, Joyce, always finds terrific deals; so when I received this Groupon deal about weddings from she and my sister in law, I just had to share some of my favorite picks with my readers.

Many times wedding planning is geared towards the ladies; check out these that will also benefit the men in our lives ~ Enjoy!

Blue Nile Deal
Wedding jewelry is often passed down through a family due to its sentimental value and because only people who are related to each other have the same-sized necks and wrists. Start a new tradition with this Groupon.

Personalized Wine Labels
Personalized wine labels from PersonalWine.com. Choose from the following options:
  • $24.99 for 24 labels ($60 list price)
  • $37.99 for 48 labels ($120 list price)
  • $49.99 for 100 labels ($250 list price)
Wine labels measure 3.4" x 3.4"
Light up one of Gurkha’s quality cigars when relaxing with friends or pausing dramatically before delivering a one-liner to a defeated nemesis. Each sampler’s tobacco sticks range from mild to medium to full-bodied, and all arrive tucked safely inside an attractive suede roll holder.
Much like a well-tailored suit or a full-body tattoo resembling a well-tailored suit, a set of cuff links is the sign of a gentleman. These silver-plated shirt fasteners can be engraved with two initials, one for each cuff link, making them a thoughtful gift for a groom or groomsmen. The links are available in a round or square shape.

Calvin Klein Collection Ties
Known for his classic American aesthetic, designer Calvin Klein follows in his own footsteps with this collection of ties. Available in an array of colors and patterns, the ties are made in Italy from 100% silk.


"Love & Laughter"

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs. 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Tuesday Tip: Relieving the Stress - Part I

We all know that planning a wedding or event of any size can be stressful.  As a matter of fact, getting married comes in the top 5 of most stressful life events.  How and why is planning a wedding so stressful?  Everyone is different so your personality will determine just how stressful it will be for you.

Although you can't completely eliminate stress; we are going to discuss ways to minimize it.  Before we get into that, lets talk about some common causes of wedding planning stress.

  • What I've noticed over the years is that trying to keep up with personal and social expectations can cause a great amount of anxiety. Trying to combine your ideas of what you consider a perfect wedding while also trying to "follow the rules" AND attempting to keep up with family members, friends and everyone else happy is certainly a stressful task.
  • The search for perfection is another cause of wedding planning stress. Know that ALL couples want their wedding to match their view of a perfect event. Though this seems like a minor cause of stress, many couples take their quest for perfection too far. 
  • Control is another big issue and one that can't always be avoided. Whether it's because of monetary concerns or because of "keeping the peace", control of the planning process is often a responsibility of someone other than the couple.  While this is often unavoidable, there are ways to minimize the impact of a shift of control. Angry confrontation is not the answer and will only cause further problems. 

Always remember that some things will be more important to you than others. You can certainly compromise on other issues in order to retain those items that are most important to you. This suggestion will also help you once the wedding is over and the marriage begins.

A wedding takes a long time to plan and having a variety of emotions is  normal during the planning process.  Be sure to take time out for yourself and your relationship.

"Love and Laughter"
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Soothing Saturday with Shay: Shrimp and Four Cheese Ravioli with Vodka Sauce

Soothing Saturday's with Shay are often planned events where I allow others into my journey, my way, and my lifestyle.  However, that isn't all it consists of!  As a wife, mother and entrepreneur, I am very busy so personal Soothing Saturday's with Shay are very important to me.  There aren't many weekends that I get to be at home with the family so it's imperative that I make good use of the time. 

Today, after making smoothies for breakfast, watching the nephew and Dayton on ESPN2 and making everyone clean up, I thought I'd try my hand at a new dish. 


Shrimp and Four Cheese Ravioli with Vodka Sauce was a fabulous choice for the family on this Saturday.  Being the daughter of Dorothy and the granddaughter of Jennie; I'm not one for measuring but here are the ingredients and how I created this Soothing Saturday with Shay dish.

Disclaimer:  I'm just a woman with a family so use your imagination on the parts you think I left out :)

Ingredients
Jumbo Shrimp (approx 50)
Mushrooms
Tomato and Basil Sauce
Vodka
Buitoni Ravioli
Minced Garlic
Lemon Pepper
Butter
Olive Oil
Cream Cheese
Pepper Jack, Mozzarella & Parmesan Cheese


Once everything was sliced and peeled it was time to get this baby on the stove.  I must warn you that it took all four burners and several dirty dishes to complete, but it was well worth it in the end.

Directions
Prepare the shrimp and season with lemon pepper. Set aside

In a separate pot add water and salt for the ravioli.

In a medium sized pot mix the sauce and 1 cut of vodka.  Cook on low heat for approximately 20 minutes.


In yet another pan, add butter and olive oil.  Saute the mushrooms and then add shrimp.  Once the shrimp are pink add garlic and whisk in cream cheese until smooth.  Add the tomato sauce mixture and the other cheeses.





 Boil the ravioli for 8 minutes, rinse and add the above sauce.... bon appetite!

"Live Life With No Regrets"
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Fun Friday Find : Strawberry Margarita Cake Bites


Strawberry Margarita Cake Bites

I get a real kick out of trying new things.  While surfing the net during the midnight hours I found this really cool margarita cake bite recipe from Noble Pig. 

Using basic white cake mix, strawberry daiquiri mixer, tequila, strawberries, whipped cream and a biscuit cutter; this would make a nice treat for the family, a bridal/bachelorette party or any event. 

Strawberry Margarita Cake Bites 2

Oh, and if you don't want to be wasteful, take the unused edges of the cake and cut into squares and make mini trifles that include whipped cream and strawberries too. Try it and let me know how it turns out.

"Life Life With No Regrets"
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

WEDnesday Love: Dear Valentine!

I remember being in school and sitting up all night individually addressing the Valentine's Day cards to my classmates. I was no different than anyone else at First Lutheran Elementary School; I looked forward to passing out the little cheap cards with suckers or the heart shaped candies attached.  Then there was THE ONE....  Instead of  being addressed to Jimmy, it said "Dear Valentine".  What fun did we have reading all of the little messages and then adding our own twist. Lol. 

Now that I am married with children I no longer buy the packet of cards and put candy on them for a complete class but I do buy one special card and still address it ”Dear Valentine!" Since we now have a family it's important that everyone receives something on this day love is celebrated.  As a couple we make sure the girls receive something from him and I take care of the boys. 


As of this moment, it seems that I forgot how to count because I am NOT prepared for Valentine's Day, 2013. Lucky for me I can whip up a special meal featuring some family favorites and toss in either Rum Balls or Carmel Brownie Cheesecake and I'm back in the winners circle.  The pre Valentine's Day meal consisted of Cream Cheese Crab Stuffed Mushrooms and Crab Melts along with some fried chicken and sides and will post the recipes on tomorrow (2/14).  For Valentine's Day  I'll go ahead and either delight their palettes with Shrimp and Grits or Seared Shrimp with Four Cheese Ravioli in Vodka Sauce! Go ME.....

 
As an added bonus, back in October I released the TIGERESS within and took some Boudoir photos so he will get one of these to look at on a daily basis too. (Giggle)
 

How will you celebrate Valentine's Day?

Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Tuesday's Tip: Wedding Insurance



Your wedding is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life, however, sometimes the unexpected happens — someone slips on the dance floor, your wedding presents are stolen from the hallway of your reception location, or even worse your venue is shut down by the city.  I was watching the Today Show last week and many brides were saddened and shocked when this happened to them.
 
 
Griffin Mansion, located in the desert of Las Vegas desert is a stunning estate which has billed itself as the destination for dream weddings.  Couples paid more than $20,000 for an all-inclusive package, from food to flowers to the photographer only to have their dream shattered when the family owned business, run by husband and wife Anthony Lopez and Portia Latawiec, was shut down.  Operating for years with proper permits; health officials shut them down for violations after guests at one affair got sick from norovirus.  Although the owners offered to move weddings to a replacement location they refused to give any refunds.  In total 53 couples from 12 different states lost hundreds of thousands of dollars and saw their dream weddings turning into nightmares.

Your venue may ask you to sign a waiver of liability or Release of Liability, which states that they are not responsible if someone gets injured at your wedding. If this is the case, it's a good idea to take out liability insurance on your own. That way, if somebody gets injured during your event, the insurance policy will cover it (instead of you personally). Liability insurance may already fall under your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, but coverage might not be automatic, so call your insurance agent to find out.


You can also purchase specialized wedding insurance in case the wedding needs to be canceled or rescheduled due to weather, health issues or problems with vendors or venues. You can even purchase add-ons to cover lost or stolen equipment, damaged property or other problems. Wedding insurance typically covers only those situations that are outside of your control, but some policies offer “change of heart” cancellations too. Most importantly, be sure to keep all of your receipts and contracts to show the insurance company in the event that you need to file a claim.

 "Live Life With No Regrets"
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Monday Motivation: "Make Time for Love"


After a super busy two weeks of business meetings, cheerleading and a 5am drive to Ohio to see my nephew play at Dayton, I decided that on Sunday I would lay low, cook dinner, grab a bottle of wine, and clean my house. I have to admit that it felt good to be home and really relax with my family. Last night, the husband and I (affectionately called WM) finally shared more than a hello and a good-bye via text. I was already in bed and when he joined me we spent a good 20 minutes talking about our nephews basketball game which we texted about the day before.  As we were talking..........zzzzzzz. I fell asleep :(

Realizing his days start at 4am and mine at 6am it's important that we take time to connect. Although our thirteen year old daughter KEEPS me moving while working a full time job and running two successful businesses; I must make time for love!


I remember early in our marriage we vowed to go and do something once a week that didn't include kids, bills or anything that would cause the night to end with me rolling my eyes or he driving fast with the music up really loud.  Where did that go? I believe that we've gotten too busy raising the kids, working and running to make time for us. Well, what is the solution? Go back to basics and know that without making time for each other - all of the other stuff will just be stuff.



I read an article by my friend and co-mom (Joyce Cunningham) that truly inspired ME on this Motivational Monday. Yes, I practice studying to be quiet but she is indeed a PThirty1 woman (Proverbs 31).   Her article has tons of goodness in it and I've decided that whatever I decide I want to do for my husband, whenever I want to do it, I will!  Lets just hope he gets on board so I'm not smacking my lips and YES, rolling my eyes. Lol
 

As Valentine's Day approaches, I encourage you to take the challenge in the ChitownMoms article written by Joyce: (here is an excerpt)
"Feed the Family and Fuel the Flame”  Don’t just settle for Valentine’s Day; find a way to manage the household needs and appreciate your love every day.  Watch a movie together.  Spend time cooking your or his favorite meal together.  Go see a local production.  Go grocery shopping– just the two of you.  Go for a drive in your dream neighborhood and pick a new home.  Shop together.  Try a cooking class.  Go to a basketball game.  Try a new restaurant.

"Live Life With No Regrets"
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

WEDnesday Love: February ~ Give Me Passion, Give Me Purple!


"The February-born shall find
Serenity and peace of mind,
Freedom of passion and from care,
If they an amethyst will wear"

My all time favorite color to discuss is the zodiac stone for the constellation of Pisces.  Spirituality, wisdom, sobriety and security; the color of royalty!  What is the Color/Birthstone for February? PURPLE (Amethyst)!

The American Gem Stone Society states "the gemstone believed by ancient Greeks and Romans to ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus, also is said to keep the wearer clear-head and quick-witted."  A PURPLE beauty blended of violet and red that can easily be found in every corner of the earth. 








~Live Life With NO Regrets
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Tasty Treats for the inner kid in YOU!

When I'm planning a wedding or hosting a special event the question of what to serve guests always comes up.  If I'm truthful, the food part I don't necessarily care about because if its my event it's going to be something really far fetched and creative and if it's a wedding we are going to hire a caterer to handle that.  However, what TREATS are going to be available for the guests is what I really want to know.  Although candy buffet's cupcakes and the more aren't going anywhere anytime soon; if you've seen one you've seen them all. How many ways can you cup a cake? Now we have cake on a stick... lovely! Today's post we're going to show some different and creative ways to engage the kid that is dwelling in all of us adults.


Sweetniks is the creator of creative confections that include lollipops with flavors like salted margarita and candy apple. A great and unique choice for your wedding favors, these sweet and tasty treats are also very useful.


Having a signature drink? Delight your guests by having them at the bar to be use as stirrers.  Additionally, the lollipops with a printable stick can be used for place cards or simply be added to your guests gift bags for a surprise treat.  Visit SWEETNIKS to order your tasty treats!


~Celebrate Life
Sharon Patrice Simply Perfect Peace Events, Inc. and Designs by Shay, the Blog "My Journey, My Way, My LIFESTYLE ~ Celebrating Love, Laughter and Everything in Between..." You or your brand interested in a review? Getting married or having a social event and need assistance? Email Me For All Your Event Planning Needs.

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