I Do, To Everyday

modern-twist

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:04:00 +0000

My friend Sara gave me these great, modern wine tags - Vinotagz by modern-twist. They are stylish and multifunctional. They can also be used as napkin rings or place cards since they can be written on with regular ballpoint pen, rinsed and then reused.

Made of FDA grade silicone, all of their products are so cool! They also make doilies, coasters and placemats! Good stuff, right?

My First!

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:39:00 +0000

Two of the weddings that I planned/coordinated are featured in the Spring/Summer 2009 issue of Savannah Weddings magazine!

There are a bunch of images from one of the featured weddings on Your Daily Wed right now. Check 'em out!

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:02:00 +0000

Nicole, the designer for Lobo Mau ("big bad wolf" in Portuguese), is a childhood friend of mine, so I'm really excited to be supporting handmade, etsy, and a talented friend with my purchase of this amazing dress! The jersey is printed with an original digital design, which is my favorite part of many of the pieces in her line.

If you aren't immediately inspired by her clothes, read her etsy profile. I think that her point of view is right on!

Why be tame? Tame is boring…and you are definitely not boring. You don’t deserve to be a wall flower… or be covered in them

The Scarlet FedEx Letter...

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:55:00 +0000

When my doorbell rang on Monday afternoon I was really surprised to be receiving a FedEx! "How exciting," I thought, "someone sent me a gift!" NOPE! It was the most personal catalog I've ever received. It was a handwritten note from Robby, my local Marc By Marc Jacobs sales guy, along with the Marc By Marc Jacobs Spring Summer 2009 look book.

My husband gave me a pretty suspicious look. He doesn't know much about fashion, but he knows Marc is expensive....so I had to immediately plead my case:

"It was one time, baby...and it was a long time ago! I was weak! But I swear it's never happened since...I don't know why Robby keeps sending me hand-written notes..and now FedEx!"

Seriously, I bought a shirt there this summer in a moment of pure weakness. I was feeling really desperate and limited by choices in other stores, which is the only reason I even allowed myself to enter the MBMJ. Then, I just felt some kind of surge of empowerment and used every reasoning tactic I have in my repertoire to convince myself it was ok. I think I even used, "you deserve it." Anyway..I immediately regretted it, but it was too late because there's a no-return policy.

So now I'm reminded of my indiscretion, this Scarlet M burning on my chest, every few months when "new pieces" come into the store! And I have to tell you, it gives me a little bit of solace to know that I wasn't only paying for a shirt when I made the purchase that day, I was also buying an entire personal mail campaign aimed at me returning to the store. If I had a lot of money...I could see this working.

The Female Superbowl

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:27:00 +0000

I've heard the Academy Awards broadcast referred to as "The Female Superbowl." I guess that would make the rest of the awards season "the playoffs." And I have to admit I love watching the red carpet coverage to see what everyone's wearing....love hearing rants about the "worst dressed" people after the fact. And this year, the red carpet was all that really captured me about the Academy Awards! I actually didn't see ANY of the movies nominated for the Best Picture award...I don't think I saw many of the movies nominated, period! We don't go to the movies much, but Savannah theaters also don't (sadly) show independent films! They've been released recently in conjunction with the upcoming Awards season, but generally we get kids' movies and big blockbusters. So I need to get some movies queuing on my Netflix and get caught up.

So, I return to the red carpet portion of the evening. I wasn't really obsessed with anyone's look this year, but Heidi Klum definitely caught my eye. I thought, "has she worn that before?" So I googled my way to the conclusion that she had not worn this Roland Mouret dress before...

Picture from stylefrizz.com

but she DID wear this John Galliano frock to the 2008 Academy Awards. Pretty similar, right? Obviously different, I can appreciate the differences...but yeah, they're a lot alike.

Photo from fabsugar.com.

I think she looks great! She was wearing red on both occasions in support of a women's heart health awareness group, so even better. Last year I think you could bid on the dress for charity, but I'm not sure about this year. I am, however, sure that I would have nothing to wear the dress to even though I love it (and look good in red, heehee).

But maybe if I was going to a pretty chic wedding I could get this Carmen Marc Valvo number from Bluefly and hope to channel the lovely Klum...without, hopefully, prompting people to openly discuss the numerous ways that I do NOT compare to her.

Floating Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:33:00 +0000

This Valentine's Day post is coming a few days late because my husband and I will not be celebrating until Tuesday. So I'm keeping it real for all of the readers out there who also may have spent the holiday-o-love apart from their significant others. After all, it's not the date that matters, you can celebrate love any time!

So, for all of my fellow late celebrators, here are my favorite fondue recipes. I think fondue is the greatest way to spend a night in with someone you love. Even if only one person does the prep work, it's an interactive meal that leaves plenty of time for talking. I find that too often we spend only an hour of a "night in" sharing a meal, and the rest of the time watching TV. But fondue can take HOURS if you eat all three courses...and I can't imagine skipping one of them.

My husband always says he could eat only the first course - Cheese - but he never fails to eat the two that follow...

Cheddar Cheese and Beer Fondue
6 0z Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
4 oz Gruyere Cheese, shredded
4 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup Lager Beer, room temperature
1 tsp Dry Mustard

1. Combine shredded cheeses and flour in a bowl and mix it with your hands until all of the cheese is coated in flour.
2. Bring beer to a simmer over a medium heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
3. Add cheese mixture by the handful, stirring constantly.
4. When the cheeses is melted, stir in the dry mustard.
5. Transfer to the fondue pot.

*For dipping I like to use apples, bread and raw broccoli flourets.

Beef Broth with Red Wine, Leeks and Wild Mushrooms
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 Leek, white part only, chopped
1/2 cup Wild Mushrooms, chopped
5 cups Beef Broth
3/4 cups Red Wine
1 tsp Dried Thyme

1. Heat oil over medium heat. Add leek and mushrooms and saute for 3 minutes.
2. Add broth, red wine, and thyme and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.
4. Transfer to the fondue pot.

*I usually use this for cooking filet, chicken and shrimp. I once used to for a dinner party with friends who don't eat red meat and I used chicken broth and white wine and it was still really good!

Chocolate Fondue
4 oz Milk Chocolate
4 oz Bittersweet Chocolate
1 cup Whipping Cream
2 tbsp Grand Marnier (or Amaretto...or Frangelico...whatever liqueur you like)

1. Fill a small pot halfway with water and bring that to a simmer. Set a glass bowl atop the pot, and heat the cream in the bowl.
2. Add the chocolate, stirring constantly, until it's all melted and smooth.
3. Tranfer to fondue pot.

*I like to use strawberries, bananas, marshmellows and mini pretzels for dipping.

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!

Historic Charm and Modern Flare

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:56:00 +0000

Hi everyone who is still visiting or stumbling upon this blog! I've decided to try to keep this going for a little while and include some non-wedding things on here, and share my wedding-related posts from Your Daily Wed. Look for a non-wedding post very soon and check out yesterday's wedding post.

Last night was the Open House for Savannah's new boutique hotel, Avia. Situated in the Historic District, between Bay and Congress, it is conveniently located only steps from City Market, Broughton Street and River Street. This new, modern venue and the Victorian District's The Mansion on Forsyth Park offer the Savannah wedding customer a surprising, yet harmonious, contrast to the historic charm of America's first city.

Avia will be hosting its first wedding on Valentine's Day...how festive! They offer a couple of options, from an intimate package including a 3-course meal in their modern and comfy dining room to a larger affair in their Grand Parlor. We had the opportunity to sample some of their menu items, including mini grilled cheese triangles served with tomato or lobster bisque (v-good). But don't fill up on grilled cheese, because all of their wedding packages include...drum rooooollll...a cake from Custom Cakes. That's no joke, kids.....not at all.

Their guest rooms are spacious and beautiful, but the addition of "hosting suites" to the room mix really amped up their wedding party appeal from our perspective. With separate living and sleeping areas, including expanded kitchens, they would be a great place for the bridal party to relax and get ready together before the ceremony OR for the bride's or groom's parents to host out-of-town guests for cocktails as they arrive in town.

From one modern Savannah wedding venue, we travel up Whitaker Street, and around the park to The Mansion on Forsyth Park. A vision in red brick, a wedding at The Mansion is a kin to a wedding in an art gallery + great food + beautiful guest rooms (and hallways, and stairwells, and elevators). They too have a wonderful Intimate wedding package in addition to the Classic option in their Viennese Ballroom, which is hard to match...this is not your average hotel ballroom.

Photo Credit: Donna Von Bruening Photography

The Mansion's bridal appeal can not, however, be fully explained without mention of the Marble Garden Courtyard. The white marble floor and chandeliered tent don't need much decoration to provide an elegant ceremony venue right there in The Mansion.

Photo Credit: Nichole Barrali Photography (top), timwill fine art weddings

We could write every day about the historic features that make Savannah such a popular wedding destination, but these newer additions to the city (post 1733) don't hurt.

Where in the world...

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:17:00 +0000

I'm going on a vacation! It's been too long since I've been able to say that! We take a lot of "trips," but I don't think that my husband and I have been on a full-out vacation since our honeymoon! And that was Paris, so it wasn't exactly relaxing. Well, here are some of the things that I'm packing...

Shoshann Bikini, Aveeno Sunblock, Antibiotics (just in case), passport, JCrew Victoria Ruffle cami, JCrew Chino shorts, Cole Haan sunglasses, The Twilight books, Jack Rogers Sandals, Rainbow Flops, a deck of cards

...to find out where exactly I'm going you'll have to visit Your Daily Wed.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful week. Some of my old IDTE posts are going to be going up on YDW while we're gone, original material when we return.

Symmetry be darned in 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:00:00 +0000

This post also at our New Blog

I'm a symmetry gal. I would never get a tattoo, because I change my mind way too often to be eternally happy with permanent body art. If, however, I had to get a tattoo I would most certainly get it in the middle of my back OR I'd have to get two - one on each side of my body. It drives me absolutely crazy when I see someone with a tattoo, say, on their ankle. Don't they realize, I ponder, that they are permanently off balance?

But a less permanent form of asymmetry has really caught my eye recently in the Spring 2009 wedding gown lines of a number of designers. The one-shouldered gown is all over the place! We've always seen it here or there, a nod to "old Hollywood." But so it goes that everything old is new again. Which is not to say it's the same "goddess" look over and over again. The styles I see are really innovative - whether it's structured bodice giving way to a sculptural shoulder piece or a beaded bust line continuing as a strap.

They say the human brain equates symmetry with beauty, but I don't think it would have a problem with any of these dresses...

Left to Right from the Top: Priscilla of Boston, Priscilla of Boston, Vineyard, Vineyard, Reverie, Jenny Yoo, Ramona Keveza, Ramona Keveza, Ramona Keveza, Anne Barge, Anne Barge

Transition Time

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:55:00 +0000

Google Analytics seems to think I have a nice little group of regular readers. For this, I am grateful. When I started this blog, it was really just an experiment to see if I liked blogging, had the discipline to do so regularly (still questionable), and had the ability to produce something that people like reading. I never discussed this blog with anyone or made really specific connections to my work as a wedding coordinator.

Well, times are a-changing, and we have started a blog for our company, Tricia Huddas & Co. Weddings and Events. It's called Your Daily Wed, and I would love for you to continue reading my work there!

Even now, as I type this, I'm not sure what to do with this blog...so I will be double posting for a while to direct people to Your Daily Wed. I am going to think long and hard about whether or not this blog still serves a purpose to me and to blog readers, and go from there!

Thanks for Reading and Please Keep it Up, here or elsewhere!
Ainsley

Channeling the First Lady

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:43:00 +0000

S0 look who I was clearly channeling recently! Wouldn't she be a well-coordinated guest at my pretend wedding? And she matches my blog. What a good looking family. Of course, what they wore was a very small part of such an important day...but the pictures are nice to look at :)

Freaky Friday wrapup

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:00:00 +0000

So, hi. I was supposed to post this on Saturday! Here's a little peek at what the pretend wedding, for which that sample Wedding Paper Divas invitation was made, would look like.

And here it is...

Boutonnieres ; Dress ; Cake ; Bridesmaid dress ; Flower Girl; Bouquet; Picture of Mansion on Forsyth Park's Courtyard is mine; Invitation pattern

Freaky Friday!

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 01:02:00 +0000

I have been having the hardest time getting motivated today. I can't believe it's 8:00pm...

Sooo, anyway. I was looking around online for lavendar invitations for a bride with whom I'm meeting this weekend, when the invitation below, from Wedding Paper Divas caught my eye. I love the color combination of dark gray and and dark mustardy yellow (that doesn't sound very nice does it...), so I took a momentary break from lavendar to check it out. And guess where this fake wedding is going to take place? Savannah, Georgia! Golly, that's where I live. And guess the venue at which this fake wedding is set? The Mansion on Forsyth Park! My word, that's where I spend the majority of my time during Savannah wedding season... So I had to share. Do you love the pattern? I do. I don't like the font with the pattern, but the coincidence made me smile.

So, What would this lovely wedding at the Mansion look like.....I'll let you know tomorrow, when I'm more motivated.

Hilarious Reality Check

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:11:00 +0000

Do you read so many blogs with beautiful images, ideas and inspirations that they all start to blur together, and you fail to truly appreciate how special these images and such are? Well, I have stumbled upon a hilarious reality check for you, the Cake Wrecks blog! The cakes are ugly, and the commentary is side-splitting. Maybe you won't buzz by those gorgeous wedding cake images in your google reader so callously when you are reminded of what is going down, cake-wise, on the mean streets of reality. I mean...

...yes, it's a cookie cake....but what else is wrong? Oh, right, well I guess this clears up the questions I had about the hiring standards for the Mrs. Fields in Oglethorpe Mall. Then there's this hot little number...

I'm not remotely funny enough to rival Jen's commentary, so you should just read the blog.

Wishing My Friday Away...

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:58:00 +0000

I have been carrying the January Anthropologie catalog around my house with me, like a puppy with his favorite chew toy, for the last week. I'm feeling loads of regret that I didn't visit when I was home for the holidays! It was just minutes away...

It may be that I need to order this ensemble in order to release myself from regret, and move onto the acceptance phase.

This Coral Shift Dress by Moulinette Soeurs is just what I need for afternoon meetings... and the necklace could be a little much...but I'd have to try it.

Have a great weekend everyone!

A Registry Favorite and the Recession

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:49:00 +0000

This failing economy thing is an international bummer, right?! Waterford Wedgewood LLC filed for the British equivalent of bankruptcy this week! It's incredible to think that iconic brands such as these suffer with the rest of us, and awful to think that a prolonged downturn could completely wipe them out.

The brands date back to 1759 (Wedgewood) and 1783 (Waterford), and are a wedding registry favorite to this day. So what does this news mean for collectors, owners and registrants? I'm no MBA candidate, so maybe I'm overreacting and it's not a big deal at all. I can't imagine, however, that there aren't any issues about which consumers should be informed. The news articles announcing the company's position state that every effort will be made to continue operations while a buyer for the company is sought, but what happens after that? Will the quality of products be changed if the wrong buyer takes charge? Will certain patterns, designer lines, or products be discontinued?

Hmmm, for now these are just questions. I'm definitely going to keep an eye on the situation. I still need soup bowls and 2 place settings to complete my set! If you're setting up a registry, maybe you should consider adding more Wedgewood and Waterford...if the brands go under (sad) at least you will have a piece of history.

Here are some great options (all from Bloomingdales)...

Giselle Stemware by Waterford

I really love these Happy Celebration Flutes by Waterford for the bride and groom to use at the reception. If you're not a fan of the traditional Waterford styles, this one is definitely more modern and fun.

I chose this Vera Wang Grosgrain Dinnerware by Wedgewood as my wedding china and I love it.

Some superb stationery

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:48:00 +0000

KenzieKate Invitations has a new collection up on their web site and it is superb. The hand-drawn illustrations are modern, interesting and generally incredible. I wish I could get married again, because it would make me feel so special to know that someone had taken all of that time to create my wedding invitations. Mackenzie Sala, the designer, clearly loves what she does; and that kind of care really does result in superior products.

My to favorites are this one, metropolis,

and the amazing notting hill.

Definitely go to the web site and take a look at all of the them. Then check out her blog, Something Old, Something New, because if you can't tell from these two invitation sets, her taste is pretty inspirational.

New at the Crew

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:02:00 +0000

I've been talking to a bunch of summer '09 brides lately, and they're all saying the same thing. I can't find bridesmaids dresses. I think it has just been a cold few months in the retail side of the bridesmaid industry. You can, of course, can have dresses made in any color, year-round, but you have to wait for retail options, like JCrew, to release a new season if you want to go that route. Then...you have to pounce! Check out some new cuts and cool colors that JCrew just released.

I love the new Robin style. Doesn't fit around the ribs...I like that...crossback straps add interest..kinda sexy... And if you're looking for a simple bridal gown on a budget, the full-length version is only $325.

And how about the Bright Fuschia Gwendolyn? I like the removable corsage...I don't know if I like the other colors, but maybe they're just not representing well on my monitor..who knows.

My favorite is the Erica, for sure. It actually reminds me of the Anna Elyse Peggy dress that I wrote about a while ago..it's strapless but has some details that make it a little different. It also comes in great colors; here are a few of my favorites.

Keeping Caffeinated in 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:52:00 +0000

I am soooooo happy to be back in the South! Sorry, Mom. We just returned from nearly 2 weeks in the greater Northeast and I could not be more tired. While I love seeing family and friends, our holidays back home are a lot of work, driving, eating and repeating the same conversations.....with each night ending on a different pull-out-couch-type contraption that is not meant to be slept on over consecutive nights. Do I sound like a grinch or what? ...It was actually a nice time...but home is sweet, my bed keeps calling...

But there's work to be done, and a new resolution to keep me going in 2009 without the daily trips to Starbucks that have once again crept into our lives! Yes, we've relapsed. In Seattle, my husband and I drank a lot of Starbucks, but it was pretty hard to avoid. We cut back significantly when we moved Savannah, until recently. They started selling their amazing breakfast sandwiches at our local drive thru...excitement led to "treating ourselves"..."treating ourselves" led to addiction...addiction costs us $15/day. Resolution: No Weekday Starbucks Trips in 2009!

I can't completely blame the relapse on the breakfast sandwiches. I'm not good with routines, so the idea of measuring out the coffee, adding the water, and setting the timer on my verrrry nice machine, every evening, is a stretch for me. I wouldn't even routinely go to Starbucks if it was up to me, the huz takes care of that. Also, I really do prefer espresso to coffee. But do you wanna know what I think I could handle?

Insert Disc

Press Button

Enjoy Hot Beverage in 1 minute

The Bosch Single-Serve Coffee Brewer is going to change my world in 2009, you are going to be able to tell immediately. My posts are going to be regular and highly alert....so that's something for you to look forward to! You're Welcome...

Christmas "kickbacks"

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:38:00 +0000

Seven days before Christmas Garden on the Square gave to me,

a candy dish in the shape of a tree...

Six days before Christmas Custom Cakes gave to me,

a big box of cookies....
and a candy dish in the shape of a tree...

These holidays song are hard to get out of the head, no? So anyway, I was thinking a lot about the article on Kickbacks and Commissions on the Blue Orchid Designs blog yesterday, because it really did get a lot of people fired up. And I understand why....it's disturbing to think that a wedding planner would do anything besides recommend the right vendors for your budget, style, whatever. I also thought a lot about how thankful I am that the wedding community in Savannah is so different from that. I truly believe that the sentiment in the Savannah wedding community is there's enough business for everyone. We recommend vendors because we like their work...because they're reliable...because they fill a niche...because we like working with them!

As for "kickbacks"...we get plenty of them around the holidays! Thank you Minette and company at Custom Cakes, and Julie and friends at Garden on the Square for the Christmas confections!

Will you re-marry me?

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:56:00 +0000

“You fall in love with someone and you only see the good things about them, and
you get divorced and only see the bad,” Ms. Kallir explained recently. “Part of
truly loving someone is seeing the good and the bad and loving them anyway.”

I love reading the New York Times wedding announcements. The featured wedding is always really special, but I thought this Sunday's was particularly poingnant. A 54-year-old woman and 58-year-old man were married...AGAIN! Read it! I don't know about you but I am alarmed and saddened recently by the number of separations and divorces that I'm hearing about. It's a little bit exaggerated for me because my husband is in the army, and a lot of realities of an army lifestyle make it...well, I don't want to say hard to stay together...maybe easier to grow apart. Don't get me wrong, I'm not judging those who choose to get separated or divorced. I think that life is hard, and relationships are hard, and it's often the right choice....and that doesn't mean that getting married was necessarily the wrong choice for those couples.

But, in a time when a lot of people may be feeling like they can't make things work, and all hope is lost, this couple's story is full of hope and wisdom.

(and it's pretty neat that their original wedding in '85 was catered by Martha Stewart)

Keep On Task Over The Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:46:00 +0000

You Spring and Summer 2009 brides are on the final 6-month stretch in the wedding planning journey. The holidays are a crazy time for most, but they don't have to put you completely off-track in preparations for the big day.

Making a List and Checking it Twice...
With every day that passes in December, the number of Holiday Cards that you receive is steadily increasing. This year, don't discard the envelopes right away! Print a copy of your guest list, with addresses, and double check all of the pertinent information, that you would be confirming with your parents and friends as you're getting your invitations together in a few months, against the information on holiday cards. Addresses and name spellings are just the start! Did Aunt Margie and Uncle Bob's annual family update say that Cousin Steve and his girlfriend bought a condo? Hmm...didn't know they were that serious...maybe we should invite her.

Home Sweet Home...
If you are planning a hometown wedding in a town that is no longer your home, chances are you'll be spending some valuable vacation time there this month! If your trips home are anything like mine, you won't have time to sit down for appointments with all of your vendors and such, but making time for one or two would be helpful and potentially fun. If one of your bridesmaids is also in town, make an appointment for your hair trial and invite her to join you. She can take pictures, provide you with input and then the two of you can hit up the post-holiday sales or grab a cocktail.

Festively Forgoing Fitness...
Bad idea! I think I just read or heard that the average person gains 7 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. If you are already well into a fitness routine in preparation for the wedding, it's a shame to waste all of the work that you've already put in. You may be separated from your gym, trainer, or running partner over the holidays, but there are fitness options for you wherever you go. If you're a Netflix subscriber, you can instantly watch amazing workout videos from any computer. Exercise TV has downloadable workouts available for purchase ($2.99!) that can be uploaded onto your ipod. Many of them don't require any equipment, so you can even do them in a hotel room if you bring your laptop. Worst case scenario, it's better than doing NOTHING. Best case scenario, switching up your routine actually boosts your progress!

Cheesy Favors

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:11:00 +0000

Right along the lines of the post I did last week, these Paula Deen Cheese Straws are SO good and easy to make and they'd be great for a holiday party OR as a savory wedding favor/addition to your out-of-town welcome bags. I have always been a big fan of John WM Macy's CheeseSticks with cocktails. Who would've imagined they are so easy to duplicate!

Hung up on Holiday...

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:54:00 +0000

I am briefly distracted from all things wedding. I'm not working on many right now AND it's the holiday season so now I have shopping, decorating, traveling, and holiday parties to fill my time and thoughts. But I don't want to fall off the face of the earth. So maybe this blog about some of the gifts I've bought for friends and family will inspire you to stop surfing the web and get your shopping done :) I can promise you, from experience, that web sites that guarantee your gifts will arrive by Christmas if you order by "such and such last minute date" are a sham. It's still up in the air, trust me. So the longer you wait, the more likely you are to have to race around on Christmas Eve OR deny your friends and family the fun of opening their gifts on Christmas day. So, no pressure...

I bought these luxurious, comfy Pine Cone Hill pajamas for my Mom...but I may give them to my husband's Godmother if I find something else I'd like to give my Mom...I like to keep things flexible. And I don't think this says that I don't buy things that are particular to the recipient, but that I really think the gifts I choose are things that anyone would love. Any woman would love PCH's sleepwear. It's all high-quality and, well, not dumpy looking!

I would've loved to buy all of my friends and family gifts on Etsy in order to support small businesses and the handmade industry. However...I couldn't necessarily find things to suit some peoples' taste, especially the fellas. I am lucky to be buying gifts for three women right around my age though, and I found parts of their gifts on the site, such as...

..this clutch from La Vita Lola.

...and these Postcard Desk calendars from Sure As Blue.

Some Giada Good-ness

noreply@blogger.com (Ainsley) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:43:00 +0000

I had the Food Network on while I was writing Christmas cards this morning....which turned into I had Christmas cards in my lap while I was watching the Food Network this morning...and the lovely Giada De Laurentiis was making these really simple treats that would be great as favors for you DIY fans!

Almond and Chocolate Clusters - Use this simple recipe as-is or switch it up. It would be great with peanuts...or even crushed up pretzels...

Once you've made them, divide the ones you haven't eaten into clear plastic bags from Paper Mart and tie them with ribbons and tags that match your color scheme.

I have a gigantic pecan tree in my yard, and I'm definitely going to make these with pecans next year and give them away during the holidays....so I have until then to teach my dog to shell pecans.