Thursday, September 30, 2010

Pro Tip Thursday


Welcome to
Pro Tip Thursday
This week we are featuring the talented...
Christy McDonie Makeup Artist

With some professional Makeup advice for you:

"A few things that I find that some brides often over look in regards to their makeup for their big day is..
Making sure you drink plenty of water every day, as this will leave your skin looking fresh and hydrated. Also, exfoliating your skin at night a few times a week then using a nice cream or moisturizer afterwards is essential. Exfoliating will slosh off any dead skin cells and help your moisturizer penetrate better.
This will make your skin feell smooth and leave it more radiant...
and will even out the skins imperfections over time.

Doing these few steps will make your skin look flawless and camera ready for your wedding.

Also, one thing that’s often over looked is making sure you (the bride) don’t wear a lot if any gloss during the ceremony…picture this: your wearing a beautiful pink gloss over your lipstick, you lean in to give your new husband your first kiss, you turn to face your friends and family to walk down the isle as the photographer is snapping pictures to capture this wonderful moment and (gasp!) your husband turns to wipe the sticky pink gloss off his lips! Or he just own’s it and walks down the isle with his lips as shiny and pink as yours! lol

So to avoid the whole situation I would just wear a long wearing lipstick and liner during the ceremony and if you must... put that gloss on during the reception. Where he’ll have a napkin nearby."

To see more FAQ’s answered visit my website:
Christy McDonie
Mobile Phone Number: (727) 776-5677

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Ideas We Love





Welcome to
"Ideas We Love"
This week our FRESH idea to keep you inspired is...

We LOVE the traditional look of Wedding and Event Calligraphy!
 Your invitation is the first impression your guests will have of your event -
and their address on the envelope is the FIRST thing they will see! Let them know what an elegant, beautiful and personal occasion your wedding will be with a hand-calligraphed invitation.
Your guests will appreciate the personal feel and it will enhance their expectations and anticipation for your big day. This timeless artwork can truly enhance any event, and never goes out of style.

For further details on this artist, please visit:

Friday, September 24, 2010

Foto Friday


Welcome to
Foto Friday
Today we are featuring
Jerry McGaghey Photography

Here are a few of his Phenomenal images! 
We truly LOVE working with Jerry and appreciate his sweet nature!

Please check out his website to get... INSPIRED
Jerry McGaghey
813.240.2984

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Pro Tip Thursday


Welcome to
Pro Tip Thursday
This Week we are featuring the amazingly talented...

We LOVE Chef Larry's YUMMY cuisine and big heart!
Here is a little article he "cooked" up for you with a tasty recipe:

"Ethnic cuisine is what makes me tick. I was a chef in Manhattan and Los Angeles for many years. These cities are home to many mom and pop restaurants from around the globe. Learning to cook ethnic dishes from residents of these countries let me share in their culture and enjoy new tastes. Preparing Caribbean, Chinese, Japanese, Latin, French, Italian (the list goes on) was a very exciting part of my career and now is the cornerstone of my catering operation. My wedding fare usually includes specialties from around the globe and America.

Many brides are now choosing menus based on their own families roots. Every week brides are asking for food that reminds them of something grandma used to cook. They are in search of the tastes that bring them back to a simpler time. Last week we had a very interesting wedding~a bride from Korea and a groom from Charleston. These are the challenges that make me tick and also give me an opportunity to create many of my signature presentations. For the bride, I prepared a traditional Korean barbeque. Thinly sliced marinated, grilled sirloin strips, served with assorted lettuces for wrapping, whole roasted garlic cloves, cilantro, and scallions. Throw in Kim Chee and Korean good-luck Wedding soup and we had one happy bride. The Charleston groom was easy~shrimp and grits, andouille crusted snapper and biscuits with tangelo butter~bingo! We also had a vegetarian station that bridged the gap~gourmet salad, grilled vegetable antipasto and rosemary roasted potatoes.

One of my favorite dishes is Singapore Noodles. Asian spiced noodles and vegetables with all the accoutrements on the side~shrimp sauté, scallions, cilantro, peanuts and lime wedges. Your guests are served the noodles and are free to garnish as they wish. I love giving guests the opportunity to make my dishes their own. Have fun creating your wedding menu. I always ask the bride and groom what their favorite foods are. There’s your starting point for coming up with a menu that will make your dream day a reality.

Singapore Noodles
1 Pound Capillini Pasta (Angel Hair) Cooked Extremely Al Dente
2 Carrots (Cut in Half Lengthwise/Then Cut Thin on Angle)
4 Stalks Celery (Cut Thin on Angle)
2 Red Peppers (Cut into Large Dice)
2 Yellow Peppers (Cut into Large Dice)
10 Scallions (Cut on Angle into 1 Inch Pieces)
1 Cup Fresh Orange Juice
2 Limes (Zest and Juice)
Roasted Sesame Oil (6 Tbsp.)
Garlic (2 Tbsp/Chopped Fine)
Ginger (3 Tbsp/Chopped Fine)
1 Tbsp. Sugar
½ Cup Soy Sauce
¼ Cup Rice Wine Vinegar
Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
Garnish
½ Cup Cilantro Leaves
½ Cup Crushed Roasted Peanuts
6 Lime Wedges

Marinate Vegetables

Place vegetables in bowl. Add 3 Tbsp. Sesame Oil, Rice Wine Vinegar, Sugar and ¼ cup Soy Sauce. Let marinate for at least an hour. Chill.

Cook Pasta

Cook pasta and drain (don't cook fully, this way the pasta will absorb the flavors of the citrus/spices and soften). Rinse with cold water to cool pasta/drain well. Place pasta in large bowl and add 3 Tbsp. Sesame Oil, toss lightly. Chill.

Assemble

Drain marinated vegetables and add to the pasta. Add the rest of the ingredients (except garnish). Toss lightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Place on serving platter and place bowls around filled with garnishes of cilantro leaves, crushed roasted peanuts and lime wedges."

Chef Larry Barrett
4783 Swift Road/Sarasota, FL 34231
941.929.0066


Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Ideas We Love






Welcome to
"Ideas We Love"
This week our FRESH idea to keep you inspired is...

We LOVE these unique Moss Creations! A perfect design element for any event, these Country French, Shabby Chic, and Vintage Moss creations are a must have. They have so many great uses...
from moss covered place setting frames, to table numbers and cake toppers,
these monogrammed letters personalize any room, church, or wedding reception!

Please visit these websites for more details:



Friday, September 17, 2010

Foto Friday





Welcome to
Foto Friday
Today we are featuring

We love working with Kimberly!!
She is so Genuine and Accommodating.... a true pleasure to be around!

Here are a few of her amazing images from Julie and Matt's Engagement Session.
We look forward to their The Don Cesar wedding in October!

Check out her website to get... INSPIRED

Kimberly Romano
Kimberly Photography, llc
727-543-9723

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Pro Tip Thursday


Welcome to
Pro Tip Thursday
This Week we are featuring
SHOES

This week we are giving you a Pro Tip from "Us"...
as we wanted to impress upon you the importance of shoes, shoes, shoes!!
Whether it is your wedding day, baby/bridal shower, birthday party, engagement photoshoot, or special event... choosing a unique pair of shoes can truly enhance your day!
Not only do a great pair of shoes reflect your personality and help you feel more confident,
but they also make for FABULOUS detail pictures.
We love the idea of bringing a few different pairs of shoes to mirror your individuality.
From high heels to ballet slippers, from bold colors to animal prints, from feathers to embellishments…
no matter the choice your SHOES will shine!

Here are (3) great rules to follow,
that we found on this great SHOE website: http://www.solestruck.com/

1- Keeping it comfy:
Please choose a structure that fits your feet and your personal style best, just be sure to break them in!
2- Location, location, location: 
Please check out the floor surface to avoid any embarrassing wipeouts
3- Complement, not copycat:
Please think "finishing touch" rather than "perfect match"
The general rule of thumb when it comes to embellishments is that a heavily detailed hem
requires a simpler shoe, while a plain hemline allows a more elaborate shoe.
The same "mix and match" theory can also apply to colors. 






Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Ideas We Love







Welcome to
"Ideas We Love"
This week our FRESH idea to keep you inspired is...

We LOVE these adorable Chalkboard Signs! They have so many great uses: place settings, signature cocktails or bar menus,  escort cards, special note boards, and much much more! These Unique, Personal, AND Reusable signs are a great addition to your wedding or event!

Please visit these websites for more details:

Friday, September 10, 2010

Foto Friday







Welcome To
Foto Friday
Today we are featuring

Ok, so we have heard RAVE reviews about Kismis Ink Photography for months now and have been dying to feature their work! We love Mariana and Khaled's unique perspective and vibtant colors!

Check out her website to get... INSPIRED
 
Kismis Ink Photography
Mariana and Khaled
813.817.4087

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Pro Tip Thursday



Welcome to
Pro Tip Thursday
This Week we are featuring the Ultra Chic Premier Paperie and Event Styling Studio...

We love, love, love working with Soosie and her amazing team! They are a great "One Stop Shop" for all of your invitation and event accessory needs... AND they have super cute gifts as well!
Today, Soosie will be sharing with us tips and trends in the Invitation Industry.

TOP TIPS TO CONSIDER WHEN ORDERING YOUR INVITATION SUITES AND COORDINATING ACCESSORIES (If you are not working with us at the Coast, as we guide you through this process!)

1. ESTABLISH YOUR LOOK & FEEL.
This is the first view your guests will have to the style of your wedding. Paper, printing type and embellishments, etc. all speak to the experience of the event.

2. KNOW YOUR BUDGET.
It is extremely helpful if you share your budget or at least a financial target prior to reviewing invitations. Your time will be better spent focusing on options only within your budget to avoid any disappointment looking at those options that are not. When thinking about your budget, look ahead at the larger picture not only from a design perspective, but from a cost perspective as well. Here are a few key elements to consider:

• How many invitations will you need? In your count it is important to consider couples, families and individual invitees as often brides and grooms base their count on estimated guest responses.
• Consider the number of pieces you will need, such as accommodation card, activities card and response card/envelope.
• Consider any other printed accessories you may want for the wedding, such as menus, table numbers, place cards, seating chart, welcome letters, favors and thank you notes.
• AND, don’t forget to ask if there are any specials?

3. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.
This will allow the stationer ample time to prepare and pull samples for you. It will also ensure that you are the only client they are working with at that time.

4. PROVIDE AS MUCH INFORMATION IN ADVANCE.
The more information you provide in advance, the more productive your meeting will be. Supplying the date, time, location of your wedding as well as colors, themes and styles help the stationer to identify choices for you. For example, let the stationer know if your style is modern or classic. Simple or elaborate. If you have images of the invitations you like, bring them.

5. ORDER EXTRA ENVELOPES.
Whether you are addressing the envelopes yourself, getting them printed or using a calligrapher, it is recommended that you order at least 10 additional envelopes to allow for error.

6. ASK ABOUT THE PRODUCTION TIMELINE & PROCESS.
This is a critical part of the ordering process, especially if you are having a destination wedding. It is so important to ask the following questions:

• How long will it take to get a proof? How many proofs are included in the price of the invitation? What is the cost if I want an additional proof? (YOU ALWAYS WANT A PROOF, BTW)
• How long after proof approval will my invitations be ready?
• If you are ordering out of an album, don’t forget to indicate the shipping method you prefer. And, ask if there is a drop ship fee if it isn’t being shipped to the store.
• When ordering accessories such as place cards, find out what is the last day that you can make changes. Order extra for the last minute changes.
• Consider the amount of time it will take to assemble your favors, so the packaging arrives well in advance.

7. ASK ABOUT SHIPPING.
Always ask if the shipping price is included in your invitation suite or due upon arrival. In some instances, the stationer may be able to get an estimate in advance from the vendor. Also ask if they mark up the price or if it is a pass through cost.

8. ASK ABOUT ASSEMBLY SERVICES.
It is extremely important to ask if your invitation comes assembled. Many designers charge an added fee for this service and depending on the complexity of the invitation, it can be quite costly. Also if you are considering doing it yourself, ask the stationer if they can assist you with the first few.

9. PURCHASING POSTAGE!
Don’t buy postage until AFTER you have had your FINAL invitation suite weighed at the post office. Every suite and size requires a different rate. We always recommend that you send an invitation to yourself first, to ensure the postage is accurate. The post office isn’t always right. Don’t forget you can get really great styled stamps online at zazzle.com in-place using the standard bell or rings. Or, you can have your stationer design one to coordinate with your invitation suite.

10. DON’T STRESS.
Choosing the wrong stationer can add additional stress and cost. When choosing a stationer, make sure you like the people you will be working with. It is important you connect with your designer. Do some research in advance: look at their custom work, read testimonials, visit their store, check out the lines they carry, etc. Look closely at their website as it is indicative of their creativity and quality of their work. When you work with the team at URBANcoast, there is no stress. Just great style and service. Do everything we recommend in Tip # Ten, and we think you’ll agree.


416 indian rocks road n.
belleair bluffs, fl 33770
ring: 727.584.8400
ring again: 727.584.8421
fax: 727.584.8444

Monday, September 6, 2010

Ideas We Love





Welcome to
"Ideas We Love"
This week our FRESH idea to keep you inspired is...

We LOVE these Original Sachets! If you are looking for a unique gift, these Custom Sachets are perfect for Baby Showers, Wedding Favors, Bridal Shower Favors, or ANY event! The FUN part is you get to pick fabric and scent:

Lavender
Chamomile
Calendula Petals
Red Cotton Pods
Red Rose Petals
Peppermint

Each Sachet is tied with ribbon and includes a custom tag(s).These adorable Sachets are great to place in a drawer, on tables or desks for display, under pillows, in purses or bags, on mantels….
the possibilities are endless.

Please visit these websites for more details:

Friday, September 3, 2010

Foto Friday







Welcome To
Foto Friday
Today we are featuring

We are excited to be working with Lori Schaneville for Allison and Mathew's upcoming wedding!
We love Lori's pictures and sweet spirit!

Check out her website to get... INSPIRED

Lori Schaneville
phone: 727.644.8710

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Pro Tip Thursday


Welcome to
Pro Tip Thursday
This Week we are featuring the AMAZINGLY talented

We LOVE working with Sarah, and always enjoy eating her yummy treats!!
Seriously, they are the best tasting sweets EVER!

Here is a Recipe that she would like to share with you for her famous
Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

2 cups Vanilla Wafer crumbs
6 tbsp butter, melted
1 2/3 cup plus ¼ cup sugar
¾ cup creamy peanut butter, melted
4 and 1/2- 8oz packages cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
5 eggs
½ cup chocolate syrup
6 peanut butter cups, cut into wedges

• Preheat oven to 325*
• In a bowl, combine crumbs, butter and ¼ cup sugar in a bowl. Press into 10-inch spring form pan. Bake for 7-9 minutes until set. Cool on wire rack. Heat peanut butter on high for 20 seconds or until softened. Spread over crust to within 1 in. of edges.

• In a mixer, combine cream cheese, 1 2/3 cup sugar and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
• Add eggs and continue to beat until smooth and creamy.
• Pour 1 cup into a bowl; set aside. Pour the remaining filling over the peanut butter layer.
• In a microwave safe bowl, heat ¼ cup chocolate syrup on high for 30 seconds or until thin; fold into reserved cream cheese mixture. Carefully pour over filling; swirl around with the end of a knife.

• Bake 60-70 minutes, or until center is almost set.
• Remove from oven and cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.
• Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer.
• Garnish with peanut butter cups and drizzle remaining chocolate syrup over cheesecake.

Sarah Byrne
Sarah's Sweets, LLC
727-385-3653