While gold and black are a stunning combination, a truth I originally set out to show with this board, I must be honest.  My purpose was slightly diverted when I saw those leopard print stilettos.  The color scheme was still a main focus, but ultimately, I wanted to share such incredibly sexy, lust-inducing shoes yet remain true to the Showersblog purpose. 

Please indulge me.  

Much research resulted in the knowledge that there aren’t a whole lot of ways to incorporate the leopard print style into your wedding decor outside of attire.  However, if you want to kick that meeeeow up another level, you can incorporate animal print via bouquet and centerpiece ribbon, and/or minor stationary (i.e. placecards, seating charts, programs, etc.).  Also, instead of flowers for centerpieces, try using a bushel of leafless twigs and long stalks of golden grain to evoke that vast, open safari land.  These items can be purchased at any hobby store, and they are so inexpensive. 

If you like the colors but aren’t too crazy about the wildcat look, take note of the ways in which black and gold can be elegantly sexy without involving too much extra work (gold painted berry twigs at placesettings, featured cocktail color, an accent sash to catch the eye).  I particularly like the use of candlelight and those all-occasion gold paper lanterns in creating a look that is warm and simplistic, yet lush.   Enjoy the visual candy and be inspired!

Leopard Print Shoes at Amazon.com

Mexico is a hotspot for couples wanting variety on their honeymoon and Cozumel offers that with a price tag that won’t put a major dent in your savings.

Cozumel was considered by ancient Mayans to be the home of Ixchel, the goddess of love and fertility. “In June 2002, Cozumel was recognized by a U.S. News & World Report Travel Agent Survey as the North American and Caribbean destination offering the best vacation value. In the poll, Cozumel topped the list for providing good value for money, being a safe destination, and offering unique vacation experiences.”

A while back we stumbled upon a great recipe for Sangria that we thought would make an excellent beverage for a baby shower, bridal shower, bachelorette party or a girl’s only party.  For those of you looking for a drink that is delicious, exotic, and easy to make, then look no further than the The Rose Geranium Sangria.  Simply follow the instructions below, and don’t be afraid to make a few additions, substitutions, or changes in order to make the recipe best fit your event. 

Rose Geranium Sangria

1 ½ cups of water
½ cup of sugar
24 medium organically grown rose scented geranium leaves*
2 bottles of chilled dry rose wine
1 blood orange, thinly sliced
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 pint of fresh raspberries or blackberries, or a combination of the two, washed
1 pint of strawberries, washed, hulled and thinly sliced
6-8 cups of sparkling water or club soda if desired

Bring the water and sugar to a boil. Stir in the rose geranium leaves, cover and remove from heat. Let steep for 20 minutes. Strain and press liquid out of leaves using a wooden spoon. Chill infused syrup in an ice water bath or refrigerator until cool. In a large glass pitcher or medium size punch bowl, combine the chilled wine, syrup, orange and lemon slices, and fresh berries. Chill for a minimum or up to several hours to let the fresh fruit infuse their flavors. Before serving add the sparkling water or club soda if desired. Serve chilled.

For a tasty non-alcoholic beverage for mommies-to-be, simply replace the rose wine with club soda, (diet lemon-lime soda works as well if you wish to leave out the sugar).  Enjoy and let us know how it turns out!

* You can find organically grown rose scented geraniums at a local nursery or farmers market. They must be pesticide and chemical free in order to be fit for consumption.

Assigning tables for your wedding helps avoid a rush for “better” seating and allows for your guests to mix and mingle with old friends and possibly make new ones. Here are a few tips from Perfect Table Plan:

You might want to put people next to people they know, or you might want to split them up a bit so they meet new people. But try to put each person next to at least one person they already know. People are more likely to get on well if they are similar ages or have similar interests. It might not be a good idea to put your ’alternative lifestyle’ friend with the piercings and tattoos next to your 80-year-old grandmother. A little common sense goes a long way. (Sidenote from LG: I’m all about the shock factor so if Granny has a sense of humor, put her next to your pierced friends and get lots of pictures.)

Generally you should try to put families together and work colleagues together. But if you know people don’t get on, try seating them separately. It is worth breaking with tradition to have a stress free event.

Avoid mixing age groups too much. Young children should be seated with their parents. Older children can be seated with their parents, or on a table together.

Try to create balanced tables, with even numbers of males and females. It is traditional to alternate male-female-male-female guests in some cultures. Some business dinners are seated male-male-female-female for variety.

Try to avoid putting guests on the same table as ex-partners, unless you are sure this is OK. Remember that every room has 4 corners!

Resist the temptation to have a ‘leftovers’ table of all the people who didn’t fit on other tables. It is probably better to distribute such guests evenly.

Once all of the logistics have been worked out, you can find a creative way to display your seating arrangements that ties in your wedding theme and represents your personalities:


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For a long time it has been hard to find items and advice geared specifically to parents of multiples. However after so many celebrity multiple births, much more focus is being put toward tips and items that make life a bit easier for the average parent of many. In addition to multiple baby necessities like strollers, carriers, and cribs, there are some great forums, advice columns and articles about issues specific to parenting more than just one bundle of joy. So, if you are a parent of multiples, check out these sites if you haven’t already and start reaching out to resources that cater to exactly what you are going through.

Multiples Outlet, MD Junction, Twin Stuff, Naturally Parenting Twins, Kids Health, Parents.com

We are instituting a new segment at Showers Blog which highlights a specific photographer from a particular area whose work is both aesthetically appealing and professionally innovative. If you are interested in a particular area of focus or photographer, feel free to write to us and make a suggestion. Otherwise, enjoy the images and hopefully they will generate some ideas for your own photo shoot.

Our first segment takes us to Louisiana and the work of Kelly Cathey. She was first brought to our attention via a co-worker who used her for her engagement photos. The session was so fun and non-cheesy that the photos came out absolutely natural and beautiful. She does engagement, bridal, wedding, maternity, baby, and family portraits, and each is as unique as the subject she captures. Take a look at some of her work, and if you’re interested, drop by her website. The samples below are just the tip of the iceberg.

Engagement

Bridal

Wedding

Baby/Maternity

Finding the perfect wording for wedding invitations helps set the mood of your event. We believe this detail should reflect your personalities and give people a teaser of what’s to come. If you and the hubby-to-be are not the traditional type then have fun with your invitations and find humorous quotes to put on them. Or, if you are the whimsical and romantic couple, incorporate a love song on your invites.

Invitation Consultants have a great website to help get you started.

Historically speaking, the wedding night was the first time the bride and groom consummated their union…ever.  It was also the moment a bride would physically give herself to a man for the first time.  Due to the special significance of the night, the bridal attire was selected specifically to highlight beauty, desire, and above all, innocence. 

These days, the wedding night tradition is rarely approached with the same expectation of ‘newness.’  Couples marrying today, often after being together for a length of time, usually look at it as their first night of their wedded union.  As such, the wedding night attire can adhere to the traditional look or the bride can pick something to give added spice and intensity to this special night. 

A Bit Traditional

For a traditional yet modern look, white and slightly concealing add that touch of innocence.

A Little Spice

For a spicy look, try something with color and some peek-a-boo lace.

A Lot Naughty

For a naughty and playful tone, try a baustier, garter, or a skimply little costume to set the mood.

The wedding night is about romance, enjoyment, and above all, celebration. So, pick something that signifies who you are, even if that something is body paint and a blindfold. As long as you stay true to you, there are sure to be fireworks.
 

Groom’s cakes are a tradition that allow the hubbyies to express their interests and offer another flavor without intruding on the main cake. I love some of the ideas couples have come up with to really show off their personalities and humor.

If you’re having a coed shower, don’t make your male attendees suffer through finger food. Fire up the grill, turn on some music and turn your shower into an unforgettable party.

Onion Kaiser Rolls
1lb Ground Sirloin
1lb Ground Pork
Prosciutto
Tomato (Sliced)
1 tablespoon Fennel Seed
1 tablespoon Ground Cumin
1 tablespoon All Spice
1 teaspoon Montreal Steak Seasoning
4 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
¼ Green Pepper
½ Yellow Onion
4 cloves Garlic
Gouda Cheese
Smoked Provolone Cheese
Bacon (Pork or Turkey)
Spicy Sauce (1 teaspoon Horseradish sauce, 1 tablespoon Spicy Dijon Mustard, 2 tablespoons Mayo, 1 teaspoon Heinz 57 Steak Sauce) (Combine all and mix well with stirring motion)

Finely chop green pepper, red pepper, onion and garlic. In a large mixing bowl empty ground sirloin and pork together and mix in chopped veggies. In meat mixture add spices and Worcestershire sauce and mix well with hands….make 4 large (or six medium) patties rolling and flattening; sit to the side until ready to cook. In a large skillet fry package of bacon until nice and crispy or until desired texture is complete……sit on a plate covered with a napkin (to drain the access grease) and sit to the side…..in the same skillet used to make the bacon begin placing patties (I suggest using the same pan to absorb that bacon flavor into the burgers as well) cooking until desired texture is met (preferably medium well). Add one slice of each Gouda and Provolone Cheeses to each burger about 1 minute before taking off the skillet allowing the cheeses to melt in!

Once burgers are cooked sit to the side….take Onion Kaiser Rolls and cut them in half; place in oven on Low Broil to lightly toast (Watch Carefully!)

Now it’s time to build and behold your wonderful burgers!!!! Take each Kaiser Roll top and indulge with as much Spicy Sauce as you can handle….on the bottom half of the Roll place the burger patty and top with one helping of Proscuitto, 2-4 slices of Bacon, two Tomato slices and cover with Kaiser Roll topped with Spicy Sauce!

This is one especially for the guys and the girls who carry a big bite like I do!!!

Have Fun and Happy Dining!

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