Dallas Bridal Show

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!  The Dallas Bridal Show is here!

January 29-30, 2011
10A-6PM
Dallas Market Hall
2200 Stemmons Fwy.
Dallas, TX

For more information and coupons visit:
http://bridalshowsinc.com

Inspiration

One of the blogs I read faithfully (thanks google reader), Preston Bailey, had a really great post last week.  Preston Bailey quoted the Great Mr. Nelson Mandela, "We do no one any favors by hiding our lights and pretending to be smaller than we are."  How true?!  Many times I find myself not living up to my full potential for fear of what others will think.  I'm continuously learning people will pass judgment based on a number of factors that are out of your realm of control...so why worry.  Just be yourself, live your dream, dare to be different, don't hide your light, etc.

Surround yourself with other bright lights!

Are you hiding your light?  If so, how?

11 Trends for 2011 from The Knot

As the new year begins, Allure is on the look out for new trends.  Pantone has named the color of the year as Honeysuckle.  The color is very vibrant yet calming.  I may try it out as a nail color...just a thought.  The Knot has announced their top 11 trends for 2011.

1. Prohibition-Era Elegance - So long, Mad Men -- the most stylish new show is Boardwalk Empire, so feel free to take a wedding style cue from the dapper fashion of the 1920s. Think dusty nude and lace dresses for your bridesmaids and wing-tip shoes for the guys. And it wouldn't feel like the Prohibition era without alcohol. To reinterpret the boozy nights of the Roaring '20s, serve up "moonshine" and Prohibition "bathtub gin" in your very own speakeasy bar, all while guests dance the night away to jazz (naturally!).

2. The Redefined Princess Wedding Dress - With a royal wedding around the corner, you can bet Kate Middleton's going to alter what princess style is all about. But put away the ball-gown skirt because the new princess silhouette will be body-skimming with a bold train. Add statement-making headwear like tasteful tiaras (seriously!) and cathedral-length veils. And don't be afraid of sophisticated sequins and beading showing up on everything from the wedding dress to the floral arrangements and the wedding cake.

3. Sultry Ballerina-Inspired Weddings - From feathered headpieces and shredded fabrics to airy plumes and pale pinks paired with black, the look of the season is all about ambient romance (think Black Swan), where everything happens after 8 p.m. One idea we love? Romantic wedding ceremonies by candlelight.

4. Ivy League-Chic Weddings - From Fair Isle sweaters to Vineyard Vines ties and Tommy Hilfiger blazers, preppy chic is back in a big way, and weddings aren't immune. Channel your inner Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl or Ali MacGraw from Love Story and incorporate Ivy League-chic details like plaids and stripes for the perfect remix of retro, preppy sensibility.

5. Exotic Indian Inspiration - From Katy Perry's Indian wedding and Eat, Pray, Love to Nicole Richie's exotic elephant as a wedding greeter, India is definitely the "it" country for wedding inspiration. To get the look, choose a vibrant color palette like purples, reds and golds, lavish decor elements such as beading and rich drapery, and exotic, spicy dishes.

6. Wedding Man Caves - Blackjack tables, brandy bars, PlayStations and stogies. The man cave has officially moved from the home to the wedding, so create your own and don't be surprised if you see all the male wedding guests in the new "groom's corner" at the reception.

7. Prewedding PJ Parties - We're not talking about Bachelorette Party, Part Two. Before the wedding day, plan a night of pampering and bonding via JHS-style slumber parties, complete with matching pj's.

8. Food Truck Fun - Waffles, tacos and dumplings -- oh yes! If you have a hunger for gourmet food trucks, embrace it wholeheartedly by requesting makeshift sidewalk carts during the cocktail hour or food trucks for the wedding after-party.

9. Haute Desserts - Blame it on the popularity of Top Chef: Just Desserts, Amazing Cakes and Cake Boss, but cake bakers and pastry chefs are churning out incredible desserts and wedding cakes with gourmet flavors and haute style. Chocolate tart with a dash of sea salt, anyone?

10. Video Guest Books - Building on the idea of wedding photo booths, take it up a notch and create a confessional-style video booth for your guests to say a few words about you to the camera. You could even dress up your iPad as a guest book as the newest way for guests to "write" you well wishes. Bonus? Postwedding, you can easily share your guest book online via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr or Vimeo.

11. Surprise Honeymoons - Ladies, butt out! Take a cue from Chelsea Clinton's wedding and leave it up to your groom to plan a surprise honeymoon.

Will you try any of these trends for you big day?
 
XOXO

Happy New Year

Can you believe its 2011?!?!  Where did the time go?  As the New Year begins many people reflect on the pass year and set goals for the upcoming year.  For me, 2010 was a great year.  I experienced the birth of my beautiful baby girl, Lauryn.  She has truly enhanced our family; such a blessing.  My son is now 10.  It seems like yesterday he was a toddler.  I'm getting old.  The business is growing, which is great!  I'm looking forward to what God will do in 2011.  I have 3 lists of goals...yes 3!  Don't judge me.  My hubby and I set goals for our marriage and then I create goals personally and for the business.  One of my goals for the business is to blog on a regular basis.  So Operation Blog More starts now. 

Christmas
We had a wonderful Christmas Day.  We had family dinner at our home this year so it was an excuse to set the table, Yippee!  I selected the colors blue and chocolate.  {I asked Santa for a professional photographer but no luck, lol}  With my old camera here are the pictures.

Our Tree
In this post, I mentioned our tree Dougie.  Dougie is by far our largest tree to date.  It didn't seem that big at the nursery but in our living room it was huge.  I totally expected a squirrel to jump out at anytime.  It was so big I didn't have enough ornaments to decorate it but we made it work.

I pray you have a prosperous 2011!

XOXO

Tis the season

To send Christmas cards.  Don't worry family...our cards went out today; better late than never right?!  I always stress over family pictures.  What should we wear?  The location?  The photographer?  So many things to consider.  Well the family to put a wonderful spin on the Christmas Card....The Kardashians!  Their picture is so glamorous. 

Granted there is a ton of editing but the picture is FIERCE.  The Jenner girls have really grown up.  Don't you just love Mason in his suit?!  The style definitely fits the family.  Go here to see behind the scenes photos.  I will leave you with a couple of our Christmas pictures, my men and my baby.  So cute!

XOXO,

Lisa

Baby Daddy Shower

The man shower was so much fun.  The guys were ask to bring a pack of diapers.  I think the couple will be set for at least 4 months!  We played 2 games, tournament style.  The first game was a race to see who could change the baby the fastest.  Good thing we used dolls because they were rough.  The second game was guess the baby food.  I was surprised they were really into it.  Pure comedy!  I created the invitation to look like a sporting event ticket.  The colors of Minnesota were the inspiration.

Here is the food layout

I found these football shaped brownies at Wally World

 I also made water bottle labels

  I kept the decor at a minimum.  This was a simple and cute way to dress up the mantle.  I purchased the iron-ons from Michael's.  The dad took the onesies home at the end of the night.

 All the guests signed the football.  I believe they will display the football in the babies room.

  Daddy's Bowl Jersey

 The daddy holding an adult beverage with a baby hat on it. Silly!

We had a great time!

XOXO,

Lisa

Catch Up

I need to make a better effort to blog.  ::note to self - make consistent blogging a goal for 2011:: I will post pictures from the Baby Daddy Shower.  It was so much fun.  The men were good sports about playing the games.  I can't believe its almost Christmas!!  Where did the year go?  I love this time of year.  Next week I will post a picture of the HUGE tree at the Hall house.  We named it Dougie, since its a Douglas Fir.  Other things coming up:
- highlight one of my couples
- NYE party
- Christmas dinner decor
- Allure Showcase
- random musings

XOXO
Lisa