Happy Hour: Manhattan

In honor of my brother, who will always live in NYC, no matter how much we beg and plead. The Manhattan is today's cocktail:

Cheers!

Manhattan

The Ingredients:

Makes one drink

• 2 oz. (¼ cup) whiskey
• 1½ tsp. to 1 Tbs. sweet vermouth
• About 1/16 to 1/8 tsp.) Angostura Bitters
• Maraschino cherry

Pour first three ingredients into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice cubes; stir well. Garnish with cherry.

Image + Recipe: Domino Mag {i will this mag so much!}

Diggin' this Dessert Table

This couple chose to do a dessert table in lieu of a wedding cake. Love that cake topper!

Image{MarthaStewartWeddings}

Swanky Giveaway: $100 Certificate from Beau-coup + wedding paper divas

Wedding Paper Divas and Beau-coup have teamed up to give away a $100 gift certificate from both sites. Love that! Wedding Paper Divas is the place to go to for modern, chic, invites and Beau-coup has a fabulous selection of quality favors that compliment any style of event.

How do you enter?

1. Visit Wedding Paper Divas and select your favorite modern or romantic wedding invitation and hit the "Save in Favorites" button on the selected page.

2. Visit Beau-coup and select a favor that reflects your style of event. While you are there sign-up for the beau-coup newsletter.

3. Lastly, comment here at Swanky Tables with the wedding invitation and favor you picked as your favorite. Be sure to leave your email address if you don't have it listed on your profile/blog. Thanks!

Contest ends February 13th at Midnight PST. Winner will be chosen at random on February 14th.

Note: The winner will be responsible for the full purchase price of any items that fall outside of contest winnings.

Best Lollipops and Ribbon Candy?

I love the look of Large Lollipops and Ribbon Candy for sweets tables at events. The above yummy treats are from Hammond's Candies. They look beautiful, handmade, and fresh. Has anyone tried the candy from Hammond's?? I would love to hear your opinion before I order some for an event. Thanks so much! Cheers!

PS. You must check out the Pirate Centerpiece (more like masterpiece), Denise, from Little Ant Designs created. AMAZING!! Thank you Denise for sharing!!

Last Day to Save at Beau-coup!!

Hurry on over to beau-coup, sale ends tonight at Midnight(PST)!!

Pirate Cupcake Flags

I'm working on a kids pirate party and came across these cute little cupcake flags from the Layer Cake Shop on Etsy. These will be perfect for the cupcake display on the dessert table. I also picked up some great cupcake liners. Be sure to check out the store for lots of fabulous fun baking decorations!

Image{Layer Cake Shop}

Happy Hour: Blue Margarita

Running a day behind, thought this would be a fun and yummy drink for Super Bowl!

For an even coating around the rim of each glass, dip first in lime juice and then salt.

Yield

5 cups

Ingredients

• 1 (10-ounce) can frozen margarita mix
• 3/4 cup tequila
• 1/4 cup blue curaçao liqueur
• 2 tablespoons lime juice

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Fill with ice to 5-cup level, and process until smooth. Serve immediately.

Southern Living, JUNE 2002

Thank You Fete Fanatic

Thank you for the Blog LUV Award, Natasha of Fete Fanatic!
I'm sharing the LUV below:
Honorees please follow these instructions and share the LUV!
1. Put the logo on your blog or post. (You can highlight the photo and text of this post and copy/paste wherever you need to...start your highlight from the bottom up to get the photo)
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received the award.


Here are my 10 picks:
1. Returning the LUV: Fete Fanatic
2. Kim Gray Stylist
3. Australia Entertains
4. One Pretty Thing
5. Hyper Homemaker
6. Lemiga
7. The Hip Hostess
8. Yellow Brick Blog
9. the pARTsy
10. Perideau Designs

Cheers!

Swanky Deal: Comma Plate 95 cents

I'm a huge fan of the color orange and a sweet deal!! This little comma plate is the perfect accent to a bright hued table and a steal at 95 cents at CB2. Happy Shopping!

Green and Brown Wedding Details

Brown and Green is a wonderful color scheme all year round. I'm completely in love with the green ribbon wreath and faux bois cake from Martha Stewart Weddings. Modern Bamboo Links Wedding Invitations from Wedding Paper Divas is a perfect compliment to this event. The Chocolate Brown on Brown table linens with white menu cards and a "pop" of green apple makes for a clean and chic table from theknot. An event is not complete without a signature cocktail. Try The Flash, for a cool and crisp cocktail with a green kiwi twist. Cheers!

Monogram Mini Glass Candy Jars

How cute are these Mini Glass Candy Jar favors from beau-coup? They would be perfect as each place setting or set up at your candy buffet. Beau-coup has a great selection of super cute personalization options and they just happen to be the Deal of the Month! Enter DIY Jars at checkout for 10% off. Ends 1/21/09.

Image: beau-coup

Blue and Chocolate Baby Shower

Inspired by this Blue and Chocolate Baby Shower Invitation from Green Ink, I created a sugar filled inspiration board that is sure to cause a cavity or two just by reading it. Here are the details:

• Ribbon Dots Baby Shower Invitation from Green Ink
  
• Blue and Brown Sweets Table by Amy Atlas Events
• Blue and White Tables from Instyle Magazine
• Cookies and Milk Shots from Seattle Magazine
• Treats Display Stands from Totally Tabletops {originally Once Wed}
• Cupcake Flags from NotePolish

Swanky Deal: Bridal Clutch

Wouldn't this make a lovely clutch for your wedding day? It's on sale at J.Crew for $24.99, then use coupon code Extra20 for an additional 20% discount. Love that!!

Image{J.Crew}

Swanky Tables at the Art of Weddings

Life is Sweet! Here is my sweets table at the Art of Weddings in Portland last Thursday night. It was my first wedding show and I had such a great time meeting all the wonderful couples and fabulous vendors. I roped my poor friend Sandee into helping me at the show. I don't know what I would have done without her. Thank you for standing on the cement floor in heels for hours on end!

Personalized Soda

Planning a summer soirée? Love the idea of personalizing old-fashioned soda pop with your initials. Great bright colors too!

Image: Brides.com

12 Too Many!! Decor and Party Classifieds

Love, Love, Love this idea from those ladies over at Totally Tabletops Party Rentals. They always come up with the most brilliant ideas!! Their new venture is 12 Too Many, a craigslist-like classified ads for buying, selling, or trading party decor and tableware. Who really needs 24 cylinder vases taking up precious space in their garage? How nice would it be to not pay the huge shipping fees for the centerpieces you want for your wedding? Just find your city on the 12 Too Many site and browse the posts of people selling their fabulous party decor from their past event and go pick it up. No shipping fees!! Woo-hoo!! Check back often for new posts all of the time. Happy Saturday!!

Images{TotallyTabletops and 12TooMany}

Happy Hour: Square One Organic Watermelon Refresher

Square One Organic Watermelon Refresher

Ingredients:
2 oz. Square One Cucumber
1 oz. Organic Watermelon Juice
1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
1/4 oz. Organic Agave Nectar
5 Sprigs Of Mint
Ice

Directions:
Remove leaves from all but one sprig of mint, reserving that sprig for garnish. Place mint leaves and agave nectar in a cocktail shaker and muddle for 15 seconds. Add ice, watermelon juice and lemon juice and shake for 15 seconds. Strain the liquid into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a mint leaf.

Recipe Courtesy: Square One Organic Vodka, Marie Claire

Swanky Deal: Kate Spade

Totally not related to events or tables, but I have a serious handbag addiction and this Kate Spade sale is amazing. They do have some great gifts for bridesmaids!! The lovely purse pictured above was $295, now $74. Happy Shopping!

White Beach Wedding Table

Love this White Wedding Tablescape from the Bride and Bloom Magazine. This is one of my favorite magazines, especially for table and floral decor. Gorgeous!

Image: {Lauren Hillary Photography}{the Bride and Bloom}

Art of the Wedding

Are you a bride to be in the Portland/SW Washington area or have a friend or relative that is planning a wedding? If so, you must check out The Art of Weddings this Thursday, January 13th in Portland, Oregon. I will be there hanging out with my Bright Pink Petit Sweets Table. Come by to say hi and pick up some sweets. It will be a fabulous event! Go to The Art of Weddings site for more information.

Southern Weddings Magazine Launch!!

Click on over to Southern Weddings Magazine to order your copy of the "just launched" magazine!! How cute is the cover? Love it, just ordered mine. Congrats to the ladies at SW Magazine!

Image{Jose Villa - SouthernWeddingBlog}

Swanky Giveaway Winner!!

The winner of 200 save the dates from Magnet Street Weddings is....

Number4(not including my comments) 

Timestamp: 2009-01-05 20:47:21 UTC

Emily P!! who said...
I love the Save The Date Magnets (Mini) - Wedding Icons. It looks so fun and colorful like we are!
But... I really enjoy the Photo Collage option as well. We met through car stuff about 6 years ago.. using this option I was thinking of taking a photo of our cars together in the garage saying that "it is official... save the date" :)

Thank you to everyone who entered and to Magnet Street Weddings for being so generous!!

I heart Luxe Paperie

Having worked in the customer service field for many years, I am a sucker for superior service and going the "extra mile". My experience with stationery website, Luxe Paperie recently, was a fabulous example of this. When my gift wrap order became lost in the USPS sea of holiday gifts they were so quick to respond to my request(responding minutes after I sent my first email). A completely new order was shipped to me. They updated me on the status along the way, even at 10:30pm on New Years Eve. Thank goodness, since this was the paper I was designing my candy station around for the wedding show next week. When my original order showed up they let me keep it. Sweet!! I am now a devoted Luxe Paperie shopper and had to share this fabulous experience with everyone! Thank you Luxe Paperie! Enjoy checking out all their fabulous items and their Semi-Annual Sale going on now!
How fabulous are the above greeting cards and boxed thank you notes? If you are a bride to be, you will be amazed on how many thank you notes you will write. A gorgeous card will make that writers cramp a little less painful.


Luxe Paperie has a great selection of chic gifts and favors . Of course, I love the Snow & Graham coaster and notepad in the Queen Anne's Lace Pattern. This is the same pattern of gift wrap I purchased for my candy station. Who doesn't need a gorgeous wall calendar to brighten their home or office?

Last Day to enter the Save the Date Giveaway!!

You have till Midnight(Pacific) to enter to win 200 Save the Dates from Magnet Street Weddings! Click HERE to enter!

Happy Hour: Blackberry Limeade

A lovely light beverage to keep you on track with your New Year's resolution. Cheers!

Yield

8 servings

Ingredients

• 6 cups water, divided
• 3 cups fresh blackberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)
• 8 thin lime slices
• Fresh blackberries (optional)

Preparation

Place 1 cup water and 3 cups blackberries in a blender; process until smooth. Press blackberry puree through a sieve into a large pitcher; discard seeds. Add remaining 5 cups water, sugar, and juice to pitcher; stir until sugar dissolves. Place 1 lime slice and a few blackberries, if desired, into each of 8 glasses; pour about 1 cup limeade over each serving.

Image+Recipe{CookingLight}

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Cheers to a fabulous 2009! Happy New Year!!

Image{Martha Stewart}