I found this in my Inbox from Roma Sposa and just had to share with all of my Michigan readers. :) Such a great deal and a wonderful cause.

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

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??

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

Today marks our very first “Fun Finds Friday”! In these posts, I will share a couple of my favorite finds for the week.
This week, I would LOVE to feature an online marketplace by brides, for brides. It is called Bravo Bride and is basically a giant classifieds listing. You can find everything from designer dresses to candle holders, all being sold by brides just like you! Buy or sell gently used or brand news items. I haven’t personally used it yet, but it looks like a great site and definitely worth sharing.

Another great classifieds style website is PreownedWeddingDresses.com. A fabulous selection, very easy to navigate and it looks like there are some really great gowns! This is perfect if you are looking for a designer gown without the designer price tag.

Our final find of the day is Brideshare! Developed by the amazing BrokeAss Bride, Dana LaRue. Bride$hare is another fabulous classifieds site committed to helping couples plan a green, eco-friendly wedding while saving tons of cash. This is by far my favorite of all of the sites we have discussed today! Do yourself a favor and check this out. Your wallet and Mother Earth will thank you! (Brideshare is also our “Must See” this week!)