KICKING OFF THE WEEKEND WITH: FALL CRAFTS!

I love Fall! Why? Because it lets me know that the Holidays are just around the corner! And for those of you who know me well, you'll say that I'm obsessed with the Holidays! Hahaha! I just love it! I'll be sharing with you a decor that I did in my home soon...you might laugh and say "She's crazy!" or you might say "Hey, that's not such a bad idea".....so be sure to keep checking back to find out what I did ;o) For all you early birds who love to start your Fall/Thanksgiving decoration early (like me), here are some crafty ideas for you. Need a candle holder? Why not use mini pumpkins and tea lights?! Its very simple to make! All you have to do is:

• Trace out the tea light outline on top of the pumpkin
• Cut along the line (you can use sharp knife or scissors...whichever is easier)
• And then finally, using a sharp knife, pry out the top and place your tea light inside!

And there you have it! Your mini-pumpkin tea light holder! Need some Fabulous tea lights?? No worries! Shop with us {here} for all of your candles, holiday decor, or any of the home decor items you may need! You won't regret it! We have holiday scents that is an absolute MUST HAVE!

Think you might have some extra pumpkins leftover after Halloween? Not sure what to do with it? No worries! You can use them as centerpieces or vases to display your fall flowers, candles, etc.

• Carve out the top and scoop out the seeds
• Cut and shape "floral foam" to fit at the bottom of your pumpkin
• After you placed the foam in the pumpkin begin pressing your flowers so that they stay in place (and hydrated)...and there you have it!

You're ready to start placing your vases where ever you see fit! Simple as that! :o) Enjoy!

SIGNATURE DRINKS FRIDAY: RED!

This signature drink collection is all about the color "RED"! Anyone using red as part of their color theme for an upcoming wedding or soiree? Then you just might try to find a way to incorporate these fabulous and delicious drinks into your event!
Even if you just one of the ones that love the color red, then that's alright too! Join the party! :o)

1. Disaronno Cosmo

• 1 ounce amaretto di saronno liqueur
• 1 ounce Bacardi Limon
• 1 ounce cranberry juice (recipe calls for a dash, more folks seem to prefer an ounce)

2. Divatini

• 1 ounce limoncello
• 1 ounce premium vodka
• 1/2 ounce ruby red grapefruit juice
• 1/2 ounce cranberry juice
• 1/2 ounce lemon juice
• 1 lemon twist, garnish

3. Jamaica Margarita
Ingredients:
1 cup dried hibiscus blossoms (about 2 ounces) 3 cups water 3/4 cup sugar 1 1/4 cups
tequila 1/2 cup fresh lime juice 1/3 cup Triple Sec or other orange-flavored liqueur 8 lime slices

Directions:
Place blossoms in a strainer; rinse under cold water. Combine blossoms,

water, and sugar in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Strain; discard blossoms. Cover and chill hibiscus mixture.

Combine hibiscus mixture, tequila, juice, and Triple Sec. Serve over ice. Garnish with lime slices.

4. POM-ELA

30

mls of 42 BELOW Kiwifruit

3 Lime wedge

1 dash of Lime Juice

60 mls of Pomegranate Juice

60 mls of Soda Water

1 bar spoon of Sugar

In a Highball glass, combine sugar and 42 BELOW Kiwifruit, stir well, and fill with ice. Add juices, top with soda, and stir to serve.

5. Cranberry Margarita

1-1/2 shots JOSE CUERVO ESPECIAL TEQUILA

1 shot cranberry juice cocktail

1/4 cup whole cranberry sauce

1/2 shot Cointreau

Ice

Whole fresh cranberries — for garnish

Lime wheel — for garnish

Combine all ingredients, except garnish, in a blender. Blend on high until smooth and frothy. Pour into a margarita glass. Garnish with cranberries skewered with a toothpick and a lime wheel.

(The last two, the POM-ELA and the Cranberry Margarita were found at the fabulous blog http://intoxicologist.files.wordpress.com)

6. Basic Sangria

• 1 Bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja reds, Zinfandel, Shiraz)
• 1 Lemon cut into wedges
• 1 Orange cut into wedges
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 Shot brandy
• 2 Cups ginger ale or club soda

Preparation:

Pour wine in the pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon and orange into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and add sugar and brandy. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale or club soda just before serving.

If you’d like to serve right away, use chilled red wine and serve over lots of ice.

Addition ideas: sliced strawberries, peaches, handful of fresh blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, a shot or two of gin, brandy or rum, a cup of ginger ale, citrus soda pop or lime juice.
***These are just some samples of what you and your guests can have at your wedding or next party! Remember: think about the ones that don't drink as well....be sure to get creative and make some of the drinks non-alcoholic as well! It works out both ways! Enjoy & be sure to share any of your favorite red cocktails! :o)

FABULOUS IDEA!

Hi everyone & Happy Thursday! I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend! I had a blast! Its great to be around family and those you love :o) Anywho...

I was browsing on Google checking out wedding photos of place cards, and etc and came across these FAB photos of ring boxes being used as place cards! I have never seen something like this done before and I think they're very unique and modern! What a great idea!

I wish I would've found them earlier or I would've never gotten rid of my empty ring/jewelry boxes LOL!

Are you lovin' the idea for your wedding or event?! If so, you can get empty ring boxes for as low as $1.59 a piece here, $1.99 here, OR get them for FREE by collecting them from family & friends who has them lying around somewhere.....Trust me everyone has a box or two around the house at least! ;o) Enjoy!

SIGNATURE DRINKS FRIDAY!

It's "Signature Drinks Friday!"....I will be posting FAB drink recipes for you every Friday..or other Fridays lol :o) Feel free to use them at your wedding or next party that you host! Get creative with it....sky's the limit! Enjoy!



1. Watermelon cooler

Ingredients

• 4 cups 2-inch cubes watermelon
• 1 cup vodka, chilled
• 2 tablespoons honey (see note)
• Garnish: small watermelon wedges with rind (optional)

Directions

Freeze the watermelon chunks in a zip-top plastic bag until just frozen, about 1 hour. Remove from the freezer and add to a blender. Pour in the vodka and honey. Process until blended and pour into frosted cocktail or jelly glasses. Garnish, if desired.

2. Blackberry smash

Ingredients

• 10 fresh mint leaves
• 16 fresh blackberries
• 1/2 cup rye whiskey
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons simple syrup
• 1/2 cup ginger ale, plus more for topping off
• Garnish: skewers of fresh blackberries (optional)

Directions

Muddle the mint and blackberries in a cocktail shaker. Add the whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ½ cup ginger ale. Add ice and mix with bar spoon (don’t shake—remember there’s ginger ale in there). Pour into wide-mouth or tall cocktail glasses filled with ice. Top off with extra ginger ale to taste. Garnish, if desired.

3. Kiwi kiss

Ingredients

• 1 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced
• 3/4 ounce lemongrass syrup
• 1/2 ounce soju
• 6 ounces dry sparkling sake, such as Zipang
• 1 thick slice of kiwi, cut into a square, for garnish
• 6-inch section of fresh lemongrass, cleaned and peeled, for garnish

Directions

Add the peeled kiwi slices to a rocks glass along with the lemongrass syrup and soju. Using a muddler, mash the kiwi. Fill the glass three-quarters full with ice. Top with the sparkling sake. Use a metal cocktail pick to make a hole through the square slice of kiwi. Thread the kiwi slice onto the lemongrass “spear” as a garnish.

4. Blush punch

Ingredients

• One 12-ounce container frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 4 cups cranberry juice cocktail
• 4 cups club soda, chilled
• Garnish: lemon curls (optional)

Directions
Combine the pink lemonade concentrate and cranberry juice cocktail in a large pitcher or container. Stir in the club soda just before serving. Pour into champagne flutes. Garnish, if desired.

Muddle the mint and blackberries in a cocktail shaker. Add the whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ½ cup ginger ale. Add ice and mix with bar spoon (don’t shake—remember there’s ginger ale in there). Pour into wide-mouth or tall cocktail glasses filled with ice. Top off with extra ginger ale to taste. Garnish, if desired.

Have a great 4th of July weekend!!!! Be safe!

Win a FREE trip to NYC

"JetBlue Loves NYC Sweepstakes"


Enter to win an all expense paid trip to NYC!!!!! You get to stay 2 nights at a FABULOUS hotel, dinner, $500 gift certificate, and more! Enter now!


You have from now until the deadline July 25, 2010 to enter! Good Luck!

SNEAK PEAK: Kathleen & Russell Wedding

I know I haven't been posting as much as I should've but I have made a promise, whenever I post on Facebook I will definitely be sure to post here as well! Its a promise I intend to keep :o)

Last month I did Kathleen & Russell's wedding on May 29, 2010 in NYC! They are such an amazing couple and I do wish them many blessings on their marriage!!! Here are some photos of the wedding, you can check out more on facebook as well! I will be posting them soon on the website. Enjoy! :o)

(Photography by: Benz Style Photography)

FREE Honeymoon!

Wouldn't you just love to get away to the Riviera Maya for your honeymoon?!!!!!!!

Doesn't 7 nights...all-inclusive 1st class honeymoon sounds very appealing?!!! And not to mention again that its FREE!!!!!!

If you're a bride getting married in the next 18 months & are 21 or older, sign up here!!!! The deadline is July 7, 2010! Good Luck!

FREE Wedding!

Looking for something to brighten up your day? If so, how about a FREE wedding in NYC?!!!

Its about that time of the year on the Today's Show, where they are currently accepting applications for couples who are willing to be married live on their show and allow viewers to make all the wedding detail selections! Are you interested? Want more information? I thought so.....

Visit their website starting today to fill out the application. Now wouldn't it be nice if a couple from Erie, PA (my hometown) gets selected?!!! Good luck to everyone who takes a chance for once and applies! Think of me if you win (hehehe) :o)

Memorial Day: Red, White, & Blue!

::Photo courtesy-The Knot::

We hope you enjoyed the 3 day weekend filled with lots of BBQ's, close family/friends, warm weather, and FABULOUS fireworks! Since Memorial Day is our inspiration, we have decided to post a Memorial Day photo we LOVE!

We love the the red, white, and blue color palette allows your wedding or event to have a very fresh, warm, and summery feel to it. Be very creative and chic with your details and style of course! Get bold and go after the style/design that represents you the best! Are you vintage or glamorous? Preppy or Chic? Or are you Bold & Adventurous like me?!! ;o) Have fun with it!

Again Happy (belated) Memorial Day!

DIY Favors: Lemonade

::Photo by Jordan Ferney::

I was doing some research recently on unique favor ideas and came across one that I had to share with all of you...HOMEMADE LEMONADE FAVORS!!!! For those of you looking for something different, fun, and creative...looking for the perfect idea for your summer wedding or bridal shower? Trust me, you're going to love this!



All you have to do is use your favorite lemondade recipe (be sure to make a large batch of them), then use those fabulous Italian bottles (from Ikea) to package them! Then last but not least, decorate them with cutom labels, ribbons, or anything that matches your wedding or bridal shower theme, and then enjoy!!!!!


LEMONDADE FAVORS: MATERIALS NEEDED...

• Your favorite lemonade recipe (in bulk)
• Custom labels, ribbons, and etc
• A funnel
• Italian bottles (Ikea-$2.99 each) or any bottles of your choice

Weekend Weddings

Hello! Hello! It's a beautiful Sunday morning and thought I'd make a post regarding the benefits of planning a Friday or Sunday wedding!


::Photo courtesy of ashleybrideguide::

BENEFITS:
For those of you planning to have your wedding on a Friday or Sunday, or if you're thinking about it....trust me, you're going to reap several rewards both financially and otherwise! You will not only save time and money, but your family, friends, and guests may appreciate and LOVE the fact that they have that Saturday free to spend time with you and any other guests they know.
MAXIMIZE YOUR DOLLAR TO THE FULLEST!
For Friday and Sunday weddings, many vendors, banquet facilities, and other wedding related venues are normally much more willing to negotiate with you to come up with a budget friendly quote that will make you smile! You will begin to see lots of savings on venue/vendor services without having to sacrifice too much on having the wedding you want! Having extra money to spend elsewhere or even on yourself, is always a great thing!
SAVES YOU SOME TIME:
Friday weddings are usually in the evenings, where the ceremony is followed immediately by dinner. Doing this will allow you to avoid extra costs as well as the hassle of having a 1-2 hour interim reception or cocktail party. Here's a tip for you...having your wedding ceremony and reception back to back may ensure more people at your ceremony! (hint hint)

Another great thing about "saving time"....usually having a Friday or Sunday wedding frees up at least one day out of the weekend; making your family, friends, and guests grateful for the extra time especially if they are traveling.



SAVE THE DATE!
Making plans for a Friday or Sunday wedding makes it so much easier that you'll be able to reserve the location/services of your choice without so much of a hassle! It also allows you to avoid hearing the words from numerous vendors/venues... "Sorry, we're booked on that date".
Enjoy your Friday or Sunday Wedding!

Dr. Seuss Wedding Inspiration!

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." -Dr. Seuss

Fabulous and "unique" wedding inspirations from Dr. Seuss that I just had to share with all of you! I thought that it would be great for Simply Unique WE blog to make its comeback after almost two months of not blogging! Please forgive me! I know its been a while but I will make it up to all of you! Since I've been so busy working, I will make it a priority to blog as much as I am on our facebook page. There are so many new and exciting things that I need to share with all of you and will do it soon!

In the mean time....enjoy the Dr. Seuss wedding inspirations!!!!

Casting Call-"Whose Wedding is it Anyway?"

My Style Networks is currently casting couples for season 11 of "Whose Wedding is it Anyways?"

Taken from (Mystyle.com)....

"Are you planning your wedding day but the never ending tasks keep getting in the way? Are you and your fiance fun and fabulous, but drowning in details? Then let us hook you up with a top-notch wedding planner, to help organize the wedding of your dreams and take you down the aisle in style. And even better: WE WILL HELP PAY FOR THE WEDDING!

The Style Network is looking for couples (with or without a planner) who wants to share their wedding-preparation adventures with the hit prime-time series!

We are especially interested in two types of wedding stories: Brides and Grooms who have extremely DIFFERENT IDEAS of what their dream wedding should be, and two couples who are interested in having a joint wedding.

Are you getting married or would you like to get married between March and July 2010? The deadline for applications is April 1, 2010. Fill in the form below to apply. All participants must be 21 years of age or older."

If you are INTERESTED!!! You can apply {here}

Good luck and many blessings to all those who apply!

Happy Planning!

JANUARY SPECIALS & DISCOUNTS

This is our "Pre-Happy Valentine's Day Special"! Take advantage of the offer while it lasts and spread the word! More Valentine's Day Special coming very soon! Be sure to check out our upcoming February Newsletter for more information on this!

JANUARY SPECIALS & DISCOUNTS

"Name Your Price"....For a limited time, you can name the price you want to pay for wedding coordination. This can only be applied to Month, Week, & Day-of-Coordination! Just tell us what your budget is and how much you're willing to spend and we'll create a package just for you!!! Offer expires 2/28/2010!

JANUARY 2010 NEWSLETTER

Here's our January 2010 newsletter! At least one of our New Year's Resolution is being carried out! I am so excited for our first newsletter because it's going to be the start of more great things to come in the future! My goal is to involve more specials/discounts, upcoming events, vendor spotlights, the latest news with Simply Unique Weddings & Events and more!

If you would like to start receiving our monthly newsletter (which will be sent to you in PDF format), send your name and email to MaryPoston@SimplyUniqueWeddingsandEvents.com. I am so looking forward to the monthly newsletter and hope that you are as well! Have a fabulous day everyone!

SAVE THE DATES!

Looking for some fun, unique, & creative ways to show off your Save-the-Date cards? If so, check out www.PosePrints.com!
They are known for their fabulous custom designs of invitations, announcements, and note cards. You can even create look-alikes of you and your fiance and have them printed on customizable stationary options such as Save-the-dates!

You can even use them for other events such as graduation, baby shower, birthdays, recipes, and more! Check them out for yourself! You'll love it! And most of all...Have fun with it!

HELLO 2010!

I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday and a Happy New Year's 2010! I am sure that some of you have come up with New Years resolutions...so did I! My new year's resolution for Simply Unique Weddings & Events is to:

• Blog & Twitter more!
• Monthly Newsletters
  
• Finish up new & updated website
• and I hate to do this to you but more that will be revealed when the time comes!

I am just so excited for this year and hope that all of you are as well. I believe in New Beginnings...and this could be it! So I pray that everyone receives lots of blessings as well as happiness this year!