{Books, Books and More Books}

Yesterday was such an exciting day.  I walked up to my front door to see a couple of boxes just hanging out.  Not thinking much of it, I picked them up and just put them in my office thinking it was just a stack of paper that had arrived for an invitation order.  When I got around to opening them, I realized that one was a box of books sent to me from Jennifer King at Gibbs Smith Publishing!   I quickly ripped the box open and felt like a kid at Christmas.  My eyes were the size of saucers as to my surprise there were 5 books just looking at me saying "You know you want to curl up in your reading chair with us!" They were sooooo right!!  I was sooooooooo excited.  Just flipping through them, I was sucked in by the luscious pictures!  

• The Wedding Workbook {A Time Saving Guide for the Busy Bride}
  
• Just Write {The Art of Personal Correspondence}
  
• Wedding Showers
  
• Tablescapes {Setting the Table with Style}
  
• Ribbon {The Art of Adornment}

I can't wait to dig into these fabulous books and share what's inside with my blog readers!!  For the next few weeks I'll give you reviews on each book, share some pictures, and even include my mini interviews with the authors. You must stay tuned!! It's going to be awesome!

THANKS THANKS THANKS Jennifer!! These books are AMAZING! :)

{Next Blog} DIY: O is for ....

{The Worst Best Man Ever}

                    

{Tomorrow - DIY: J is for .....}

{5 Ideas to Make Your Wedding Your Own}

1.) Plan a couples' shower.
Double the fun of a pre-wedding shower and invite the guys along. Fabulous couples' themes come in all shapes and sizes: a culinary shower where you sample gourmet dishes and shower the bride and groom with kitchen tools or a traveler's shower, where you present them with travel-size treats or books on their favorite destinations.

2.) Carry out a theme.
Did you two meet in Cancun? Or maybe you fell in love closer to home over burritos and sangria? Plan a festive rehearsal dinner that evokes memories of how your love story began. Plan the menu, decorations, music and entertainment (salsa dancing, anyone?) accordingly.

3.) Take shopping a step further.
Plan a girls-only shopping day for you and your bridesmaids, complete with the usual manicures, pedicures and shop-til-you-drop agenda, but make the day extra special by inviting a photographer along to capture the moments. Perhaps your wedding photographer has an assistant who could step in, or secure the services of your professional photographer for a couple of hours. (Remember framed photos of you and your attendants make priceless gifts down the road!)

4.) Dinner with a Twist.
Schedule the bachelor's dinner, bridesmaids' luncheon/dinner or simply a night out for you and your attendants to be a progressive dinner. An especially good idea if your attendants are local, each person claims a course: cocktails and appetizers at one house, main course somewhere else, dessert at still another house and after party still elsewhere.

5.) Show off your hometown.
If your attendants are all out-of-towners, invite them to get to know your hometown a little better by hosting them for brunch or dinner at a local historical setting. Many historic homes are rentable for special occasions, and offer an ambiance all their own. Rent a van, trolley or bus to taxi the wedding party around town, narrating your own brief mini-tour of where you two grew up.

Great article provided by Exclusively Weddings

{Photo Flip Book}

Oh my goodness. I was in awe when I first saw this so, I just had to share with my viewer friends. I really wish I would have known about a company like KC Flipbooks when I was getting married. What an awesome idea to entertain guests! I adore it!!

{Table Setting}

I found these informative table setting diagrams on the Toast and Tables blog and thought they would come in really handy. The casual lunch makes me want to throw a beautiful summer party by the pool with refreshing summer time drinks and delicious foods hot off the barbecue.


(above: For a casual lunch, feel free to use heavier dinnerware, like these simple ceramic plates. Provide glasses for whatever beverage you plan to serve).



(above: A casual dinner calls for less formal china and stemware, and stainless steel flatware is fitting for the relaxed setting).



(above: For a formal luncheon, the table is set much as for dinner with a few exceptions. The presence of an iced teaspoon and iced beverage glass announce a daytime event).

(above: The primary difference between a formal luncheon and formal dinner setting is the increased number of glasses for red wine and champagne).

{Entertainment - Table Topics}

My "bestest" girlfriends planned a super fun get together weekend for my birthday. We started with lunch at the Spicery in Downtown Glendale. After a delicious lunch, we browsed around the little boutique shops where I just so happened to come across this fun little pink cube called "Table Topics".

“QUESTIONS TO START GREAT CONVERSATIONS”

I love a great conversation, but it's not always easy to get one started, which is why I created TableTopics conversation starters. These fun, thought-provoking questions jump start entertaining conversations at dinner and cocktail parties, family dinner, a night out with girlfriends, between couples, or in the car with your kids. Cristy Clarke
CEO and Founder
GIRLS NIGHT OUT TOPICS
You already know how easy it is to have fun with the girls on a girls night out. Now make the experience even more memorable using these conversation starters for women. Girls night out questions range from hilarious to thought-provoking, guaranteeing an entertaining evening for everyone. You never know what you’ll find out about your closest friends!

If you had to gain 10 pounds what would you eat to gain the weight?
What would the "perfect" man be like?
What was the worst hairstyle you ever had?
What's your favorite chick flick?

I can't wait to see what the others have in them. It's a blast! Try them at your next party!! www.TableTopics.com