You are here: Home / 2010 / Archives for November 2010

Celebrate your nuptials with a brunch wedding

November 30, 2010 by

While most people hold their wedding receptions at night and treat their guests to a multi-course dinner, those who prefer pancakes to pasta have another option – a brunch wedding. These early-afternoon parties are a sweet and unique way to celebrate your vows.

"Nothing is sweeter than watching two people saying 'I do' with a side of maple syrup," 27-year-old Melissa R. of Atlanta, Georgia, told Brides magazine. However, she warned, don't plan the ceremony too early – your loved ones will not be happy about having to arrive at 8am to watch you walk down the aisle. Instead, plan to exchange vows at 11am, so family and friends can be enjoying their omelets by noon.

And while brunch can feel more casual than dinner, it doesn't have to be. Forgo the buffet and opt for a sit-down meal. On the RSVP cards, offer guests a choice of dishes just as you would for a dinner reception – instead of chicken, steak or vegan, include items like a western omelet, Belgian waffles and eggs Benedict.

Instead of key chains or picture frames, send guests home with brunch-themed wedding favors, such as personalized packs of coffee or individually packaged tea bags. These items will commemorate your nuptials and embody the spirit of the brunch celebration.

Share
Filed Under: Wedding Trends

A Candy Land-themed baby shower

November 30, 2010 by

Many baby shower themes hinge on the gender of the infant on the way. But instead of opting for a conventional theme, why not use a classic board game (enjoyed by young boys and girls alike) as inspiration for the gathering? A Candy Land motif is fun and whimsical, whether the mom-to-be is preparing for a son or a daughter.

Turn different areas of the room into the magical locations found on the board game, such as the peppermint stick forest and the gumdrop mountains. In addition to providing dishes of the appropriate candy, come up with an activity for each station, such as guessing the date of the baby's birth.

Ask guests to write messages to the expectant mother on pieces of construction paper that mimic the colorful blocks on the board game's track. At the end of the shower, collect the sheets and bind them together in a book to present to the mom when the child is born.

Select baby shower favors that fit with the theme as well, such as personalized lollipops, jelly beans and chocolate bars. Guests won't soon forget your charming and adorable Candy Land-themed gathering.

Share
Filed Under: Baby Shower Trends

Hosting a potluck housewarming party

November 30, 2010 by

If you've just moved into a new home, a dinner party is a great way to catch up with friends as you show off your new place. However, these gatherings can be extremely challenging to host. From creating the menu to preparing the meal, many people may be put-off by the amount of responsibility that falls on the host's shoulders.

Potlucks are a great way to enjoy the benefits of a sit-down dinner party without having to do all the work yourself. However, this type of gathering takes a bit of careful planning.

Request that guests RSVP with the dish they are bringing along. If you notice any duplicates, ask one friend to prepare a different item – you don't want a dozen pasta dishes and no dessert! Also, be sensitive to those with different eating habits. If guests are vegan, keep kosher or have food allergies, make sure there is food available that they can enjoy.

While each dish can be served in the container in which it's brought, make sure to have a good amount of serving utensils on hand so that food can be easily doled out.

Set-up folding tables for the potluck items and designate a different area for housewarming gifts so that your dining room table remains uncluttered – remember, you'll need space to eat!

Share
Filed Under: Party Planning Ideas

Christmas is Cancelled

November 29, 2010 by

This festive Xmas candy bar wrapper is fun and a great way to share holiday cheer with all your friends, family and co-workers.

“Please note, Christmas is Cancelled. Apparently, you told Santa you have been good this year …he died laughing.”
Christmas is Cancelled

What a better way to celebrate Christmas than by giving away chocolate at your next party. Share custom wrapped candy bars to make your holiday event a success.

Share
Filed Under: Christmas Tagged With: , , , , ,

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt host their third wedding

November 29, 2010 by

Maybe they're hoping the third time's a charm? After exchanging vows twice already, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag recently handed out wedding favors for the third time at a ceremony in Carpenteria, California, People magazine reports. Heidi and Spencer's first two weddings were taped for episodes of The Hills, the reality television show on which they met.

"It's just me and my bride on a little secret beach with nobody else, and it's just about her," Spencer told Entertainment Tonight. "Last time it was about everything else, it was about drama, it was about ratings."

But while the couple promises that the wedding is about nothing more than celebrating their love, it seems the reality TV villains weren't able to pass up a golden opportunity for some screen time – they invited Entertainment Tonight to film their vows for the program's website.

According to the news show, the wedding was provided by various vendors who donated items to the couple, who recently went public about being broke. While their motives may be questionable, we can't deny that renewing your vows is a wonderful way to publicly pledge your love to your husband or wife, all over again. 

Share
Filed Under: Celebrity Weddings

Throw a belated-Hanukkah party

November 29, 2010 by

Hanukkah arrives early in the holiday season this year, beginning on December 1. While many families have already planned their parties, those who have children in college may want to wait until their kids come home for winter break to celebrate the festival of lights.

A belated-Hanukkah party is perfect for those who won't be together during the actual holiday. Luckily, planning the shindig is almost as fun as attending!

Hang blue and white decorations to create a festive feel. While you may not be lighting the candles after the holiday has passed, be sure to prominently display your menorah on the mantle or in the center of your table.

While many Hanukkah parties revolve around a large meal, you don't have to host a sit-down dinner to enjoy one of Hanukkah's most delicious dishes – potato latkes. Prepare bite-sized latkes topped with a dollop of apple sauce and sour cream.

Stock up on dreidels and Hanukkah candy so that guests can play games throughout the night. Have a camera on hand to snap photos of your family enjoying the holiday celebration.

Remember, just because you may not be apart from loved ones during a holiday doesn't mean you can't celebrate it at a later date. A belated-Hanukkah party is a great way to commemorate a meaningful holiday when your family is finally able to come together.

Share
Filed Under: Holidays

Nina Garcia gives birth to second son

November 29, 2010 by

Get ready to receive a seriously stylish birth announcement – People magazine reports that Project Runway judge and Marie Claire fashion director Nina Garcia recently gave birth to a baby boy, Alexander.

This is the second child for Garcia and husband David Conrod. The couple welcomed their first son, Lucas Alexander, into the world in March 2007. Like many other celebrities, the fashionista took to Twitter to reveal the joyous news.

"Delighted to announce that over the wknd we welcomed 8lb13oz Alexander David Conrod into our home! Baby is doing great & Lucas is thrilled!" she tweeted on the morning of November 29th.

Earlier this year, Garcia opened up about getting ready for the baby's arrival with 3-year-old Lucas.

"He is really excited. It wasn't hard to tell him [we had a baby on the way], because my happiness was contagious," she told the website, Yahoo! Shine. "I'm sure there'll be some jealousy at first, but we're making sure to include him in all the preparations so he won't feel left out.

We can't wait to see pictures of baby Alexander – we're sure his mother has already selected some fashion-forward onesies for the newborn.

Share
Filed Under: Celebrity Baby Announcements

It’s official: Kelly Preston gives birth to son!

November 24, 2010 by

It's time to print up the birth announcements! After weeks of false rumors, People magazine reports that John Travolta and Kelly Preston welcomed a baby boy, Benjamin, on November 23, 2010.

"John, Kelly and their daughter Ella Bleu are ecstatic and very happy about the newest member of the family. Both mother and baby are healthy and doing beautifully," the family said in a statement.

The news source reports that the newborn weighed a healthy eight pounds, three ounces.

In September, Preston spoke to the publication about her pregnancy and her family's anticipation.

"It's been very easy and so wonderful. I've had no morning sickness and [the pregnancy] has gone by so quickly. I feel terrific," she said. "John and I are completely ready. My daughter [Ella Bleu] is very excited too. I can't wait for the day to come."

We send the warmest of wishes to Preston, Travolta and their children. The couple has been married for 19 years and had two children, Jett and Ella Bleu, in 1992 and 2000, respectively. Tragically, the couple lost Jett early last year due to a fatal seizure. He was 16-years-old. 

Share
Filed Under: Celebrity Baby Announcements

Details slowly emerging about Prince William and Kate Middleton’s impending wedding

November 24, 2010 by

As soon as it was announced that Prince William and Kate Middleton were engaged, people around the world began desperately seeking more details about the couple's upcoming nuptials. And while their engagement took place roughly one week ago, the royal pair has already selected their wedding date – Friday, April 29, 2011.

The news was announced on the British Monarchy Twitter page, which also revealed that the wedding will be held at Westminster Abbey, the same place where Queen Elizabeth exchanged vows over 60 years ago.

However, it seems that you may not have to be royalty to receive a wedding favor on the big day.

A source told People magazine that William and Kate want to invite certain members of the public to their ceremony. The lucky guests are expected to be individuals who work with charities close to the couple's heart, such as homelessness, children's welfare and cancer awareness.

 "[These] are areas that the couple would like us to explore, but it is too early to be specific," an insider told the news outlet.

Share
Filed Under: Celebrity Weddings

Plan an age-appropriate holiday party

November 23, 2010 by

While some holiday parties are adult-only affairs, other gatherings include guests of all ages. However, there are a few measures you may want to take to ensure the kids have as much fun as the grownups.

Set-up an activities corner where children can play. Stock the space with holiday-themed board games, coloring books, playing cards and puzzles. If you aren't sure of the ages of the children attending the party, make sure to include items that will appeal to kids of various ages.

Carefully consider the placement of the activities area. While you want the kids to have a place of their own, it should be close to the main party space so that parents can supervise their youngsters as they mingle with the other adults.

Cocktail fare may not appeal to younger palettes, so have a plethora of snacks on hand that kids will devour, such as mini-pizzas, chips and juice. Don't forget the Christmas candy and cookies – this is a holiday party after all!

As the night continues, little ones may begin to grow weary. Fill your den or TV room with pillows and blankets, and have an array of holiday movies available. Youngsters can drift off to sleep until the whole family is ready to head home.

Share
Filed Under: Holidays
«Older Posts