Starbucks goes (RED) for World AIDS DAY

I know many of you have cut back on your usual amount of Starbucks coffee ( partly because of the current economic state). I have cut back to once or twice a week. If you are like me, then why not make your once a week visit next week on December 1st?

Why?Starbucks in support of World AIDS Day. They're giving 5¢ to the Global Fund for every hand-crafted Starbucks beverage sold on December 1, 2008.*Invite your friends! They're counting on every customer to help make a difference. Together, we can do a world of good.Learn more about Starbucks' partnership with (RED)™ to help save lives in Africa.

* Excludes ready-to-drink beverages and Ethos® Water

Who knows, maybe I'll see you there!

Shopping for your wedding gown

I am sure many of my readers watch SAY YES TO THE DRESS. If you haven't seen it, the show featured famed bridal salon , Kleinfeld's in NYC. It is a reality show , but no one gets kicked off - much to my sisters dismay. I enjoy the show and my husband even gets a kick out of it.

While watching the show recently, I thought I should write about a list of do's and don'ts for gown shopping. I've also added some beautiful gowns from Kleinfeld Bridal bridal salon.

So, here goes:

• Allow your self at least 6-8 months to order your gown.
• Visit the bridal salon during the week when it is much less busy. The weekend crowd is just too much and you may not get the attention you deserve. Be sure to schedule and appointment!
• Don't take a large group of people. You'll likely be overwhelmed by all of the opinions. Chances are you already know what you want in a gown and may feel that you have to please everyone - even at your own expense. I would suggest taking your mother, best friend, or wedding planner. Just try to keep the count to two people if at all possible. You can always take others later after you have made your selection.
• Although you may have an idea of what you want, allow the bridal gown consultant to show you other gowns. They have seen lots of gowns and body types and can find one you may have never considered. Who knows, it may even be the one you choose.
• Take along appropriate undergarments. This is also a great time to have a bra fitting. Remember, you should be fitted at least twice a year.
• Take along dresses shoes. You probably won't know what shoes you'll wear yet, but you should take some along to get the feel of what your dress will look like with heels.
• Take a camera. However, keep in mind that most salons won't allow you to photograph until you actually put a deposit on the gown. It doesn't hurt to ask.

Thanks giving or giving thanks....

As Thanksgiving Day is quickly approaching, I thought it only fitting that we give a little thanks!

Info from Wilstar:

Most stories of Thanksgiving history start with the harvest celebration of the pilgrims and the Indians that took place in the autumn of 1621. Although they did have a three-day feast in celebration of a good harvest, and the local Indians did participate, this "first Thanksgiving" was not a holiday, simply a gathering. There is little evidence that this feast of thanks led directly to our modern Thanksgiving Day holiday. Thanksgiving can, however, be traced back to 1863 when Pres. Lincoln became the first president to proclaim Thanksgiving Day. The holiday has been a fixture of late November ever since.

Christmas is by far my favorite holiday, but Thanksgiving is my second fave. I love that no one expects anything, but many offer everything. My heart is warmed every time I hear a story of how a family has been helped throughout the season. Most of these same people extend their kindness throughout the year. It can be as small as giving someone a few cans of food each week to as large as you want it to be...... I have been extremely blessed to have a loving family and dear friends to share this holiday and all holidays with.

So, what are YOU Thankful for? I'll start the list- please add yours - I'd love to hear and so would my Special Guests!

I am thankful for:

• My husband & family - who have stood behind me ALWAYS and I love you ALL!


• My old friends - you mean more to me than you will ever know


• My jobs- I love that I am able to do what I love (event planning) and love that my other job helps me do it for now!


• My new friends - you all are the best!


• My doggies, Maxi and Coco - Could there be any better BEST FRIENDS!!


• My clients - I wouldn't be were I am without you. Thanks for helping me grow my business.


• For extra - I am extremely thankful that we are in a position to help others, it's not a lot, but every little bit matters.

I could go on and on. But now it's your turn...in only takes a sec!

Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

FRIDAY FAVE

I stumbled across Special Occasions East, LLC while searching for unique ring pillows. Lilyelle creates some of the most beautiful items I have seen in a long time. I especially fell in love with her favor boxes. How cute are they? You can also custom order items from her. Be sure to check them out here and tell them e-vents sent you!

From their Etsy website:

"Special Occasions East, LLC has been providing event favors & accessories to brides for several years. We have two studios in Michigan. We also attend several bridal shows a year, at which we have always had a great response. I am the designer for Special Occasions Favors & Accessories. I worked two years as a wedding consultant/planner. A job which I loved very much! I then moved on to wedding design and set-up, which I currently still take part in on the weekends. I have always had an eye for design and love to create things. During the week my time is split between Etsy and my sweet baby girl. I work at home crafting event favors and accessories so I can spend more time with her. I am very blessed and thank you all for your support!"

Vendor Spotlight - Le'Penn Designs

I love the friends I have met since I started my e-vents. Many of whom I met while reading their blogs (and vice verse) and Twitter.Everyone is so willing to help each other out and it has truly warmed my heart.

One of my new special friends is Le'Trice of Le'Penn Designs. She designs the most beautiful stationary and invitations I have seen. e-vents will be using her designs for our upcoming Afternoon Tea. Rest assured you will see the pictures here. Le'Trice has kindly agreed to share more about her company with my readers. Everyone, please give Le'Trice a warm e-vents welcome!

"Le'Penn Designs is a custom invitation and stationery design studio that creates beautiful and unique products designed to give your guests the "WOW" factor before they even attend your event. Our superior customer service, attention to detail, unique style, and custom designs are exactly what you can expect when working with us. We work closely with our clients to create custom designed save-the-date cards, invitations, programs, place cards, seating charts, menu cards, table signs, thank you cards, monograms, favors and all things paper!
- Le'Penn Designs officially started at the very end of 2006 when my husband, Charles, and I were discussing starting a new business venture and I thought invitations and stationery would be a perfect fit because I have always had a natural talent for design. I had created the flyers and website for my sorority {DST} in college and was always called upon by family and friends to create some type of invitation for them. Our first order officially came in January 2007 and the rest is history! I am amazed at how much the business is growing and I'm anxious to see where we end up 5 years from now. Our business is my absolute passion and it is something that I put all of my energy and creativity into. There is nothing else I'd rather be doing than designing fabulous paper for so many wonderful clients!
-Our biggest design inspiration comes from our clients personality and theme. We build a connection with them in order to know what direction to take in designing their invitation suite. We go over colors, materials, embellishments and styles until we find the perfect fit for them. No two invitations we design are exactly the same so I'm always anxious to get the creative juices flowing for a new design. It's always exciting once we start working on the proofs and all of the ideas discussed at the consultation start to come together."

Make sure you stop by and visit Le'Trice at her blog Le'Penn Designs to see more of her awesome designs.

Le'trice - thanks again for stopping by for a visit. You are welcome back anytime!

It's a Tea PARTY....

Most of you know about the annual tea party that I plan each January after the holidays. The event was planned to give a few lady friends a much needed stress reliever from the holidays. We could sip tea and just enjoy each others company. Oh and did I mention the teacup exchange?

Great minds think alike, my friend NaShara of Chicole::Intermixed is planning Glitz and Glam: A Holiday Tea Party. Her tea party is a way for women to take a break from all of the holiday stress BEFORE it all starts. The The event will offer tips on hair, makeup, fashion, financial and mental all while empowering Dress for Success. The menu itself has my mouth watering. Head on over to her blog for more information. There will be wonderful swag bags for all attendees, but hurry as seating is limited and you WILL NOT want to miss this event!

On a side note, NaShara is one excellent Makeup Artist. I had the honor of having her donate her services to The Bridal Photo Shoot a few weeks ago. As you can tell from the pictures, she does an awesome job! Be sure to check out Bridal Beauty Studio by Blush for more information. She's started a new series - Bridal Beauty A-Z. I can not wait to read all of her beauty tips.

Have a LOVE-ly Day!

We've made a few changes here at e-vents: a wedding and event planning company! We now have a new and what we hope is an easier email address for you to use. Please be sure to bookmark our new web address and to change our email address. Our blog information remains the same.

Introducing:

http://www.e-ventswedding.com

and erika@e-ventswedding.com

Have a LOVE-ly day!

Lead the Way and Be a Follower

I don't really like the title "Follower" for the new feature that Blogger added. So, why not be one of my SPECIAL GUESTS?
I'd love to know who you are and feature you in a special spot on my blog.
Just click the SPECIAL GUEST link to the right to be added and guess what? I'll be your guest as well!

Happy Tuesday!

Indy Photo Booth

I am not a big wedding favor person. At least not the useless ones. Trust me, I have taken my fair share of wedding favors and I do like the ones that can be either eaten right away or donations to a charity. I also really enjoy interactive ones. Mind you , I know it's not my wedding , but I would bet most folks feel this way. Anyway .................

When I first heard about the photo booths being used as favors at weddings, I was beside myself with pure JOY. I adored the photo booths at the mall in my younger days. My best friends and I would make silly faces and just plain have fun in them at the mall.

The Indy Area happens to have one of the finest in the business right here in town - The Indy Photo Booth. I fell in love all over again when I saw them at a local bridal fair. Your guests get to have some fun , take home a GREAT favor and you get to enjoy everyones pictures via CD later.

I am even more thrilled that they will be participating in THE Indy Area Vendor Showcase in March 2009. I can not wait to work with Beth Sexton and her partner, David Johnson on this and many more projects.

Some info from their website:

"Indy Photo Booth Inc, is Indianapolis’ premier photo booth company. It was formed by founders David Johnson and Beth Sexton, after seeing a need for a local photo booth rental company in the Indianapolis area. IPB (Indy Photo Booth) prides itself on its service and its high quality booths. IPB has partnered with a leader in the photo booth industry who has more than 12 years of experience to create the best digital booth in the industry, “The Model 12.” The “Model 12” uses a dye-sub processing, instead of the common laser printing that almost all other digital booths use, so it produces longer lasting and better quality photos. It only takes 10 seconds for the photos to print in the digital booth and you can customize the strips. You also receive a digital CD of all the pictures taken during your event."

Photos courtesy: Indy Photo Booth and website

High Tea 2009

It's just about that time and the planning is underway. Indy area ladies will be enjoy a wonderful afternoon of traditional High Tea at the beautiful and historic Canterbury Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. I don't want to spoil the event surprises for the ladies, but I will share the menu. The event takes place the first Saturday in January. We've been enjoying this event for the past 8 years and it just gets better each year. I think the ladies enjoy the tea cup exchange as much as the tasty food and tea!

Our Menu:

English and Asian Origin Tea Selections

Variety of English Finger Sandwiches:

Tomato and Watercress
Seedless Cucumber and Walnut
Imported Smoked Salmon
Salami with Mustard and Sprouts

An Assortment of Bite-Size English Pastries and Petit Fours

Canterbury Signature Scones served with Preserves, Marmalades, & Fresh Whipped Cream


I found this interesting tidbit of information from What's Cooking:
According to legend, one of Queen Victoria's (1819-1901) ladies-in-waiting, Anna Maria Stanhope (1783-1857), known as the Duchess of Bedford, is credited as the creator of afternoon teatime. Because the noon meal had become skimpier, the Duchess suffered from "a sinking feeling" at about four o'clock in the afternoon. At first the Duchess had her servants sneak her a pot of tea and a few breadstuffs. Adopting the European tea service format, she invited friends to join her for an additional afternoon meal at five o'clock in her rooms at Belvoir Castle. The menu centered around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets, and, of course, tea. This summer practice proved so popular, the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for "tea and a walking the fields." The practice of inviting friends to come for tea in the afternoon was quickly picked up by other social hostesses.

We have called this event High Tea for so long , but actually what we are enjoying is Afternoon Tea. Whatever you call it, I call it a good time with friends - old and new alike!

More from What's Cooking: High Tea is often a misnomer. Most people refer to afternoon tea as high tea because they think it sounds regal and lofty, when in all actuality, high tea, or "meat tea" is dinner. High tea, in Britain, at any rate, tends to be on the heavier side. American hotels and tea rooms, on the other hand, continue to misunderstand and offer tidbits of fancy pastries and cakes on delicate china when they offer a "high tea."
Afternoon tea (because it was usually taken in the late afternoon) is also called "low tea" because it was usually taken in a sitting room or withdrawing room where low tables (like a coffee table) were placed near sofas or chairs generally in a large withdrawing room.

Ladies : Look for your invitation in the mail in the next few weeks!

THE Indy Area Vendor Showcase

Dear Indy Area Vendors,
You are invited to participate in THE Indy Area Vendor Showcase. The showcase will be March 29th, 2009 from 12pm- 5pm at The Sheraton City Center.

There will be numerous attendees who are interested in your products and/or services.

My company, e-vents: a wedding and event planning company will feature several tablescapes I have used at weddings and other events. Each participating vendor will be featured in one of the themed areas. Themed areas include: The Spa Room, The Lounge, The Office, Wedding Reception, Mommy + Me, Birthday Party (adult), and a few more.

A portion of the proceeds will be give to The Pink Envelope Project.

There will be hourly drawings for fabulous prizes.

For more information, please see the attached forms. You may also see more information at www.indyareavendorshowcase.vpweb.com.

Double booth space is limited.

FRIDAY FAVE

This weeks Friday Fave is ...Mossimo Black Layered Effect from Target. This bag is awesome. Those of you who know me well, know of my love for designer bags. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Kate Spade - just to name a few. I definitely have spent a pretty penny on these designer bags and I love them dearly. However, guess what I have been carrying for the last few weeks? Every color of the Mossimo Black Layered Effect tote from Target. The bag comes in black, brown, teal, cream and olive green. The bags are smooshy soft leather like and HUGE. I carried one for the photo shoot and for my meetings as they hold alot of items. The great thing is I don't feel like I loose things in the bag. I have received so many compliments on these bags.

While I am celebrating the greatness of Target, dontcha just love the $1 bins? That is the first place I head to when I arrive at Target. I have found so many wonderful stocking stuffers and wedding/party items inside of the bins. I adore all of the Hello Kitty items they sell and can't wait to give them to my niece once she gets older. My latest greatest find there are the hand and feet warmers. We use these for our annual snowboarding/skiing /tubing trips. A sporting goods store sells them for MUCH more, but I bet the Target ones are just as good. I'll let you all know in January after our trip if they are equal.

Have a great Friday and weekend........

Incredible!

I couldn't be more proud as an American today. Congratulations, Mr. President and the new first family!

Bridal Shoot - sneak peek 2

Katasha Butler - beautiful!

Cynthia Jordan - stunning

Bev Chu Horton - isn't she gorgeous?

Partial Group - I love it!

Andrea Smith & Emma "Fifi" Summers - Too cute

Tim Roberts - very suave.

Anija Butler - so sweet.

So, what do you guys think? Leave your thoughts - we'd love to hear them.

Sneak Peek - Bridal Photo Shoot

We had such a fabulous time yesterday at e-vents: a wedding and event planning company first bridal photo shoot. The day was absolutely beautiful so we were able to shoot some photos on Monument Circle by the fountains and some wonder artwork. I was sent a few photos early and wanted to share a sneak peek with my readers. More details and pictures later. Trust me, you will NOT be disappointed.

Special thanks to Michael Florence Photography, Makeup by Rachel's Rachel Langford, NaShara Mitchell of Blush Makeup Artistry, my fab assistants: Kayla Alston and Kareem John, Models: Amy Rosado, Bev Chu Horton, Mike Woods, Katasha Butler, Tim Roberts, Andrea Smith, Cynthia Jordan, Destiny Brown, and Kelly Rosado. Extra,extra special thanks to Cc from Cc Elaine for her gorgeous gowns!