Here’s some cute designs for your beginning of the summer celebrations that you may be planning. All of these adorable and free printables, created by talented designers, will make great additions to your dinner party, birthday celebration, engagement party, showers or any other special gathering with friends and family.







It’s easy to get these free party printables. Just click on the links in the descriptions below, print, and follow the instructions generously offered by the designers. Here are a few of the printables you can have for free!


1. Place cards with golden swallows and steel blue calligraphy from Candis Ellis of Heirloom Paperie.
2. Yellow fill-in-the-blank invitations and petal envelope from Melissa Esplin.
3. Favor boxes designed by Kathleen of Twig & Thistle for Style Me Pretty.
4. Summery gift tags by Erin Vale of Vale Design.

Enjoy!

Hors d"Oeuvre Planning

What are hors d’oeuvres?
Hors d'oeuvres are little snack foods, small 1 or 2 bite items of food served before or outside of ("hors") the main dishes of a meal (the "oeuvres") which are intended to stimulate the appetite. The terms hors d'oeuvres and appetizers are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference: hors d'oeuvres are the small savory bites, typically finger food, served before a meal, while appetizers appear as the first course served at the table. The name hors d'oeuvres comes from the French and is literally translated as "out of the work," but it's more logical to think of it as meaning "apart from (or before) the meal."

How many hors d'oeuvres should be provided per person?
The number of hors d'oeuvres you need often depends on how long the cocktail "hour" is, the time of day, and if a meal will also be served following the cocktail hour.

For a two hour party plan for:
10 -12 bites per person 20 bites per person if the hors d’oeuvres replace dinner (e.g. party starts at 7:00 pm)

When hors d’oeuvres are served before a meal plan for:
5-7 bites when served before a light meal 3-4 bites when served before a full dinner mealPeople eat more during the first 90 minutes. After two hours consumption picks up again, especially if hors d’oeuvres replace dinner.Young people eat more than an older crowd and guests eat more at casual parties than formal functions.

How many different kinds of hors d'oeuvres should be served for an hors d’oeuvre only party?
For 25 guests plan for 5-6 different kinds of hors d'oeuvresFor 25-50 guests, plan for 9-10 different kinds of hors d'oeuvresFor more than 50 guests, plan for 10 or more different kinds of hors d'oeuvresIf hors d’oeuvres take the place of dinner, include some substantial meal type foods that can be served like hors d'oeuvres (for example a carving station).Remember to provide a variety of foods to please everyone. That means something for the vegetarian as well as the meat eater. Having both hot and cold foods also helps to keep everyone nibbling happily. If hors d’oeuvres take the place of dinner, also include several bites of sweets per person.

How do you figure how many of each type of hors d'oeuvres to prepare?
A fairly standard formula is used by caterers to figure out how many pieces should be prepared for each kind of hors d'oeuvres being served:Number of bites desired per person times the number of guests divided by the number of different hors d'oeuvres being served.

Should hors d’oeuvres be served for breakfast or lunch?
Hors d’oeuvres are not needed for breakfast or brunch. However, 2-4 light hors d'oeuvres can be served per person for lunch, if desired.
Source: A tasteful affair

Beauty: How to maintain an all around Glow*

Face Time
Facials with steam treatments and multi-layer masks are a deliciously decadent way to get your skin in shape. But why stop with your face? The dominance of strapless gowns is putting the spotlight on your upper body, and luxe salons are stepping up to the challenge by offering the complete facial treatment -- for your back. Combining blemish control with soothing massage and masks, back facials ensure you look your silky best when you dare to go bare. As with regular facials, you should schedule your back facials for at least a week before the wedding.

Mane Magic
Sheen. Shine. Luster. A gloss treatment is the best way to get gorgeous, gleaming hair for the wedding day. You start with a shampoo and head massage, and then a nutrient-packed cool gel is applied to your hair to enhance its natural sheen. The result? Glossy, manageable hair that will look great down or twisted into an intricate updo. For maximum impact, get your gloss treatment five days before the wedding.

Twinkle Toes
Looking your best from the top of your head to the tips of your toes is easy with the new pedicure/reflexology combinations offered by salons. Your feet are treated to a
warm spa bath with salts, followed by a pressure-point foot massage. This technique, which matches sensitive points on your feet to sections of your body, is ideal for combating pre-wedding stress. After the reflexology session, your nails are carefully polished and painted until they resemble ten tiny jewels. Pedicures from reputable salons tend to last, so you can schedule your tootsie treatment as far as four days before the wedding.

At Your Fingertips
All your guests will want a peek at that glittering engagement ring, so make sure your hands and nails are up for the attention. In addition to your manicure, ask for a paraffin wax treatment. Your manicurist will dip your hands into clear, warm wax and then place them into heated gloves. The gentle heat and wax work together to smooth your skin and seal in moisture, so your hands feel as good as they look. For gorgeous, chip-free nails, it's best to get your manicure the day before or the morning of your wedding.

Loosen Up
Last-minute details can result in last-minute stress, and a massage is the perfect prescription for relaxation. Indulge with the traditional Swedish or Shiatsu styles, or try something new. Brides swear by stone treatments, where smooth heated rocks are placed on massaged muscles to soothe away tension. The popularity of Thai massage, which combines stretching with traditional massage, is also on the rise. Whatever style you choose, don't forget your groom. A couple's massage the day before the wedding is a guarantee of honeymoon harmony.

Skin-tillating
If all-over glow is what you're looking for, body wraps and scrubs deliver. Scrubs rely on natural exfoliants, such as brown sugar, sea salt, and oatmeal, to gently polish away old layers and reveal the radiant skin beneath. With your skin so soft, he won't be able to take his hands off you. Also try a wrap, where technicians cocoon you in steamy layers of linen and ointment, for total-body relaxation and optimal pampering of your skin. Just don't forget to drink plenty of water; all that steam can be dehydrating.

Source-WeddingChannel

Free Invitation anyone?!

Having a Yellow wedding? I came across this beautiful yellow invitation for free to download and print from The Wedding Chicks. Click here to get it now.

Green and Black Wedding

Darren and I at Yana and Michael's wedding

Tonight my hubby and I went to our friend Yana and Michael's wedding at the Bauhman center on Lake Alice (FL) and the Sweetwater branch Inn for the reception. Yana coordinated her colors in granny smith apple green and black.

I loved our favors! We got a granny smith apple with a heart wine stopper that said "Thank You" on it. Very cute!

When guests walked into the reception room each guest had to find their name a table # and bring it to their table. The table centerpieces were a glass vase with sparkled twigs and green beads on the bottom of the vase (illuminated in green).

Cheers to one of my best friends Heather Sarkis :) Yana's bridesmaid in green and black.

The wedding was simple and perfect for a weekend ender on a Sunday evening.

DIY: Stir Sticks

I just love Do It Yourself projects! I'm in the process of planning my best friends bridal shower in May and was looking online for some different ideas and came across Stir Sticks for your drinks. This is a fun and easy project that gives a instant pizazz to your drinks or cocktails :) They may be small, but they will definitely add a lot to the look of your event!

Via: Style me Pretty

{Instructions from Abby: So, all you need to do is print this template out on 80lb card stock (try Paper Source). Using a 3.5″ hole punch, cut out the circles. Then using either a small amount of glue or some double stick tape, adhere them to corn dog or popsicle sticks (corn dog sticks are a little bit longer). Voila!}

Something other than a Bridal Shower...

I know it’s rarely heard of, but a lot of brides do not like the idea of a bridal shower/bachelorette party. They don’t want the typical party, usual games, and borderline raunchy antics they are often charged to carry out and/or endure. Sometimes, they just want to chill with some good friends and family or have a fun night minus the wang dangling in the face. If you happen to be in charge of orchestrating a last-brouhaha for such a bride-to-be, then here are a few suggestions I've found to give her one final send off from singledom without relying on the traditional and expected.

The Bridal Open-House
This is a great idea for brides who are having a destination wedding or are really low-key and family oriented. For this set-up you only need a location, preferably somewhere open and conducive to mingling, a table for gifts, a table for food, minimal decorations, a small radio and lots of places to sit and chat. During the hours of this open house, guests can swing by, drop off gifts, express their well-wishes to the bride-to-be, mingle, and then go about their day. There are no games, no coordinated events or themes, certainly no pressure. All the bride has to do is eat, enjoy, and socialize.

Bridal Brunch
The bridal brunch is just as it sounds, a brunch with the bride. This brunch can be hosted or it can be done at a nice restaurant favored by the bride. There may be a few toasts here and there, but for the most part, it’s just relax, have a mimosa or two, and enjoy. This is best for small groups or bridesmaids and family only celebration.

Girl’s Day Out
The Girl’s Day Out involves bridesmaids and the bride. It can also include the mother of the bride, but the agenda of the day will determine whether or not it’s a ‘mom’ type excursion. This Day Out will comprise of a morning and afternoon spent doing all of the things the bride loves to do. Start the day by going to a museum or art gallery, visit the zoo, or some other cultural center. Take a breather by having lunch at her favorite restaurant, then swing by the salon for a manicure and pedicure. Afterward go see the latest chic flick, and/or wind up the day with dinner and dessert, and some cocktails at a local happy hour. The possibilities are endless, and given that all the events are tailored to the bride’s likes, she’s bound to have a great time.

Spa-Day
Spa-day is self-explanatory and perfect for the bride who just loves to be pampered. Starting the day with a nice breakfast before visiting the spa would get everyone in the right frame of mind. There are many places now that cater to these types of bridal showers and offer special packages, which include tasty dishes perfect for grasping with wet fingernails.

The Wedding Dress Excursion
This excellent idea came from 5thyear, a party theme generating company. This event is perfect for brides who want a mild bachelorette party experience without all of the attention. For this, the bride get’s to dress in nice, everyday attire while all the ladies attending must wear a used/undesirable wedding dress. They can either go out to a local bar or just hang out at home (it’s a lot more fun out in public), and the ladies get to show the bride-to-be just how much ‘fun’ she’ll be leaving behind after saying I-do. Check out the link to read an excellent account of this type of party at its best.

One Crafty Event
This final suggestion is for the bride who likes to get her hands in the mix. Is she crafty, a scientist in the kitchen, a commendable nature lover with a green thumb? Whatever her pleasure is, center a morning, afternoon, or day around it. If she likes crafts, organize a special party and demonstration at the local hobby store? If she likes gardening, why not have your rendition of a garden party at a local flower garden, complete with a mid-day picnic. Does she like to cook? Well make the day a regular culinary event by taking a course or two, or by hosting a kitchen and cooking party. Any event centered around her leisure-love is sure to be a big hit.

Good luck, and if you’ve come up with your own party ideas, feel free to share them with me!