I have a crazy habit of bookmarking EVERYTHING when I am online. I probably have at least 200 different websites in 20 different lists. One of my most insanely jam-packed lists is my Blog This! list. It is where I stash any and everything that I think you might love as much as me (and forget about it for a month or so). Since the list just keeps growing, I thought I might as well share a few of my favorites. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

And to add to the excitement a little, I decided that this edition of Blog This! will cater to my need for inspiration this holiday season. Enjoy!

1. Rock It Out! The ALWAYS amazing Anne Ruthmann posted a super cute idea for holiday inspired photobooth ideas! I am seriously considering this for our next holiday bash!

2. Shop It Out! I came across this wonderful store, called Jamali Garden Supplies, while searching the Hostess With The Mostess blog. Love it. Love it. Love it! So many ideas can be used for holiday entertaining or even wedding decor!

3. Give It Out! So many blogs are having contests right now. It must be the holiday spirit taking over the world of the web. Check out Bon Appetit for a holiday Envy bake-off, Grooms Advice is giving way a totally fun gift for the man in your life, and Memorable Gifts is hosting a Twitter contest and giving away a $20 gist code!

4. Share the Love. Design Sponge, one of my fave blogs around, posted a great list of gift ideas under $100. Check it out here.

5. Cook Some Love. I am dying to try this Raspberry Chocolate Tart from Kaboose!

Have you seen any great holiday inspired ideas, blog posts or articles? Share the love with us by leaving a comment below! Happy December!

I have to admit, I got a little thirsty when creating this post for you all! Five totally delicious specialty martini recipes for your wedding reception, holiday party, or just to enjoy on a really bad day. ;)

1. The French Kiss Martini – 1 part vodka/1 part Chambord/1 part dark cream de cacao/ 1.5 parts half and half – Shake with ice, strain into pretty glass and top with a Hershey Kiss (unless you are like me and like the Dark Chocolate Kisses. Yum!)

2. Grasshopper Martini – 2.0 oz  whipping Cream/0.5 oz white Creme de Cacao/0.5 oz Creme de Menthe/0.5 cup crushed Ice – Shake with ice, strain and decorate with chocolate shavings,whipped cream or some pretty green sprinkles!

3. Frosted Lemon Martini – Lemon wedge/3 oz. chilled lemon-flavored vodka/1 oz.  chilled lemon-flavored liqueur/2 oz  lemon juice/2  thin strips lemon peel – Shake all liquid contents with ice, rim glass with sugar and add a twist of lemon for flair and enjoy!

4. Cranberry Martini – 2 oz. vodka/1 oz. dry vermouth/2 oz. cup cranberry juice/8 frozen cranberries/4 lemon zest twists- Shake liquid contents with ice, place frozen cranberries in bottom of glass, strain liquid, garnish with lemon zest twists. Easy and delicious. Mmmm!

5. For The Daring: Moleca Spice Martini – 2 oz Moleca/0.5 oz passion fruit liqueur/1 oz apricot brandy/0.5 oz sour apple pucker/2 drops of cardamom syrup/1 fresh jalapeno for garnish – Mix liquid ingredients with ice, shake vigorously, strain into glass and garnish with the pepper. Haven’t tried it, but it will be on my list for sure. If anyone tries this, tell me what you think!

1 & 2 from Hostess With The Mostess, 3 from My Recipes, 4 from Food Channel (altered a little) & 5 from EOnline

Some of the closest members of our family are sometimes our pets! It only makes sense to want them as part of your big day. There are so many ways to involve them in your big day photos. Here are a few of my favorites!

Photo by Dave Robbins (via WPJA)

Photo by Millie Holloman Photography

Photo by Leigh Miller Photography

Photo by Victoria Souza Photography

Photo by Kelly Moos (via Santa Barbara Chic Blog)

Photo by Luster Studios

Photo by BH Photography

Check out some more great posts about pet lovers and their wedding days!

Pets In Youir Wedding :: by Martha Stewart Weddings

The Man Registry: Tastefully Including Pets In Your Wedding :: OneWed

While you are at it, check out two of the greatest pet photographers in the world!

Ann Hamilton Photography Blog

Mod4 Photography Blog

Back in late 2008, we created a series called “A Year of Colors”. This series was filled with fun and fresh color ideas, themes and other fabulous tips. Click on the months below to see the details!

I took this photo at the recent rainy day Bliss wedding of Lisa & Matt. They were lucky enough to get all of the colors of a rainbow on their wedding day!

Well, 2009 is right around the corner and to celebrate, we created an entire year of inspiration boards for your big day. Take a look at all of the months and let us know what you think! Did we miss a color or theme that you’d like to see? Let us know! Your’s may be chosen as one of our future inspiration boards.

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Originally posted in March 2009

10 Bright Ideas For Your Spring Wedding

1. Bright Colors

2. Unusual Entertainment

3. Brunch Reception

4. Tents

5. Unique Favor Ideas

6. Tea Length Dresses

7. Fun & Funky Hair

8. Giving Back

9. Fresh Menu

10. Flowers with a punch

Originally posted in August 2009

I must admit, the thought of using balloons in a wedding used to really made me sick to my stomach. Lucky for us, the days of cheesy balloon decor are long gone. Welcome to one of the most fun and playful trends I have seen all year! These toys have been making an appearance in engagement shoots, wedding photos and lots and lots of decor. What brings back childhood memories better than balloons??

I am feeling the need to share! My fantabulous sister introduced me to the amazing world of Lush Handmade Cosmetics and I have to spread the love. Between the bath bombs, shower pucks, and everything else in their delicious smelling line of products, you are sure to find the PERFECT component to your everyday shower routine. Not only is it super creative, it is all organic. You can get clean while you go green!

..and this sampling can be all yours! All $60 worth of it!

Here is what you have to do: (Completing one will give  you one entry, two will give you two, three gives you three and four gives you four entries and lots of karma points!)

1. Visit the Lush website and leave us a comment about which of the fabulous products you’d be most interested in trying.

2. Head over to Twitter and copy this phrase exactly… “RT @BlissAmanda Clean and Green, Bliss makes me Lush. http://www.yourblissblog.com”

3. Become a fan and post a note on our Bliss Facebook Fan Page with your favorite thing about The Bliss Blog.

4. Post a link to our contest on your blog!

You can complete these in any order or any combination. The contest will be open until November 30th at Midnight. On December 2nd, a name will be randomly chosen and the winner will be posted here on The Bliss Blog. If we don’t hear back in 24 hours, a new winner will be chosen at random. (And so on…)

Oh, and just to relate this contest to weddings (you know I have to!), Lush is now offering the perfect favors for your bridal shower or even gifts for your bridesmaids! I can picure the smiling faces now. You can thank me later. ;)

With our season winding down and so many newly engaged couples hitting the blogs to learn the ins and outs of the wedding world, I thought it would be great to revisit some of our favorite posts this week.

Just for fun, a a little something to pretty up this post, a sneak peak of Dawn & Rocky’s wedding from the uber talented Kristen Taylor Photography.

Today, I would LOVE to share some of the posts that other bloggers have created about what I do. I hope you enjoy getting to know a little more about me, my company and everything that we love to do. Get ready for lots of links! :)

The always fabulous, WedMichigan blog, recently did a feature about our brand new Etsy store! She also created a fun post about our company and a Real Wedding Feature about my very own Michigan wedding.

Lienne Stevens, the brilliant mind behind Think Splendid, a blog dedicated to social media and the wedding industry, featured us in her “Meet The Planner” series.

The fabulous Aletha Vandermaas, of Pearls Events, has been sweet enough to talk about us on more than one occasion. The first is published on the MWEP (Michigan Wedding & Event Professionals) blog. MWEP is a group of wedding and event pros spread out across the state of Michigan. If you are looking for a great vendor to add to your wedding day team, this is a great place to check.

Aletha also created a few other posts featuring us on the Pearls Events Blog.

Here are a few more of our many features and posts:

Feature on Jason Aten Photography Blog

Feature in Brides Michigan Magazine

Well, we have a huge announcement! Are you looking for something pretty? Visit our brand spankin’ new Etsy Page! We are offering handmade hair accessories, birdcage veils, corsages, boutonnieres and other gorgeous details for your wedding day and more!

Just a reminder: You can find us every day at the following places.

Etsy

Facebook

Twitter

As most of you know, I am an avid blog stalker. Since not everyone has the ability to spend hours each day catching up on all the wedding related blogs around the web, I wanted to share a few of my favorite recent posts. Click on the links within each description to view the full post. Enjoy!

Liene Stevens, The Blue Orchid Blog, shared a very insightful post about one of the many hidden wedding planning costs. The Plus/Plus rate.

The fabulous Always A Blogsmaid blog created a delightful post about entertaining the little ones on your wedding day.

Visit Earth Friendly Weddings to read a post about a great post featuring beautiful frame-worthy ketubahs.

For some completely awesome cake displays, visit Wish Special Events blog.

Want to win a fun prize? Check out Hostess With The Mostess to win a $100 Gift Card to Gallery 19!

And last, but definitely not least, feast your eyes on this gorgeous Inspiration Board from Snippet & Ink. I am in love with these colors!

Courtesy of Snippet & ink

We are pleased as punch to have been featured on Jason Aten’s Photography blog today! Please head on over and check out the interview and some of his amazing work! Thanks for making us one of your “Favorites” Jason!

The world of calligraphy has always been in demand from brides around the world. Over the last few years, the industry has boomed due to new artistic styles and creativity. Take a look at these gorgeous examples. I may have a new obsession…

Crystal Kluge Via Benign Objects Blog

Crystal Kluge

Katherine Murray

Laura Hooper

Pen & Ink

Also, check out these fabulous links for inspiration!

Penned & Pretty

Laura Hooper

Swoon Over It