An Election Day Inspiration Board

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In honor of Election Day, I decided to put together an little inspiration board.  Something a little patriotic but still had a little elegance and flare.  I wanted to keep with the All-American feel and fell in love with the couple with the vintage blue car and I love the stars and stripes of our country and let that inspire me.  No matter who you vote for today, let your voice be heard!
Shoes via MainStylist.com Bridesmaids via BougquetsOfAustin.Blogspot.com Cupcake sticks via Etsy.com Ringbearer pillow va Etsy.om Couple & Blue Car via Beauford-Cars-Hire.Blogspot.com Bouquet via FloralFaunaWeddings.Blogspot.com Pie & Stationery via OhSoBeautifulPaper.com Guest Book via Etsy.com Engagement Ring via RaymondLeeJewelers.net Stationery via OneWed.com


Cuffs To Fit His Style

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In many of my custom gift baskets, I often put in jewelry.  Either by request or because of something that was said in the consultation.  When I get the opportunity to create a gift basket for a man, I always try to find cuff links that fit his personality.  I think cuff links can be fun as well as stylish and allows a man to show his fun side while still being professional.  So, I've put together a few of my favorites, for those that may be looking for some grooms or groomsmen ideas on what to add with those tuxedos on wedding day.

Now what man do you  know who's not attached to his iPhone? This is the perfect cufflink for him
Photo Courtesy of GreatGiftsForMen.com

Does your man have a thing for insects or knows you do? This is a great way for him to show a tribute to the fact that you love dragonflies.

Photo Courtesy of LinkYourShirt.com

 Is he into music or plays the guitar?  He'll definitely be rocking out with these guitar cufflinks.

Photo Courtesy of LinkYourShirt.com

 If he's more into jazz and less the guitar, these cufflinks will be right up his alley.

Photo Courtesy of Etsy.com 

Is he a police officer or loves to go hunting?  Then what a great way to remind him of his passion than these bullet cufflinks?

Photo Courtesy of GadgetSin.com


Wedding Gowns & The Perfect Shoe

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On Monday,  in the Men's Monday post, we matched men's tuxedos with watches.  Today, for Fashion Friday, we're matching wedding gowns with the perfect shoe for your wedding day.  For the bride that loves color, I even have a gown by Dennis Basso, who many may know from making some of the greatest fur coats (I'm from Michigan so keeping warm in the winter was always a priority)!

Long sleeves on a wedding dress have been making a comeback and lace is always popular as a wedding gown option.  I found this Myrish lace wedding gown to be stunning and paired with these Badgley Mischka stilettos, you'll have the perfect white/off-white look for your wedding day.
Badgley Mischka Stilettos Courtesy of DesignerWeddingShoesOnline.com Myrish Gown Courtesy of WingedWonder.Tumbler.com


Now we all know there are some daring brides and that love to show a little bit of skin on their wedding day.  This St. Pucci Couture wedding gown is the perfect combination of sexy and elegance, combined with this Fendi silk stiletto, and you'll clearly be an hot bride on your wedding day!

Fendi Silk Stilettos Courtesy of HauteCanada.com St. Pucci Wedding Gown Courtesy of  FashionBride.WordPress.com



What woman doesn't like blush pink?  If you want to be slightly daring and still soft and flowery on your wedding day, this blush pink wedding gown by Jim Hjelm with floral details, paired with these blush pink wedding shoes by BHLDN, you're sure to look soft and elegant on your wedding day.

Blush Pink stilettos Courtesy of OneWed.com and Jim Hjelm Wedding Gown Courtesy of JLMCouture.com


There are some brides who just want to be a bit dramatic!  They don't want to wear white, ivory, or blush.  They want to wear black and this Dennis Basso wedding gown is the perfect option to give any bride the drama she's looking for on her wedding day, especially when paired with these black Fendi peep toe shoes.

Fendi Peep-toe Shoes Courtesy of www.StyleHive.com and Dennis Basso Wedding Gown Courtesy of Vogue.it


Maid of Honor Gift Ideas

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I wanted to start a new segment, called Thankful Thursday.  Since I am often called upon to create Custom Gift Baskets for all occasions, in the series, I wanted to suggest ways a couple could say thank you to members of their bridal party.  Today, we'll start with the Maid of Honor.

I'm a huge fan of practical gifts.  Many of us have seen these hangers for the bride's wedding dress.  Wouldn't this be a special gift for your Maid of Honor to see in her closet?
Image Courtesy of Etsy.com


Another practical gift is a compact mirror.  As women, we're alway needed to touch up our make-up and fix our hair.  This custom compact mirror will always remind her of the role she played in your wedding.

Image Courtesy of Etsy.com

If you'd rather give a gift that's more personal and less practical, your Maid of Honor is sure to love this truly custom and personalized message that's beautifully framed and includes your wedding date.

Image Courtesy of Etsy.com


Saving Your Wedding Vows

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Romance, romance, romance!  To me, that's what wedding vows are all about; the love between the couple.  I love when the couple take the time to write their own vows and live out those words.  If you saw the movie The Vow, you know exactly what I'm referring to.  Today, is Trendy Thursday and I wanted to show how some have chosen to preserve their wedding vows.

Now who would have thought of wearing their wedding wows as a hair bow?!  This is one way to really make a fashion statement and have the words that were spoken to you on your wedding day close to you at the same time.
Photo Courtesy of Etsy.com

The message in the bottle is an old favorite.  By putting them in a bottle and wearing them around your neck, this is another good way to keep your wedding vows close to you and close to your heart.

Photo Courtesy of Etsy.com

Are you into art?  A portrait is the best way to combine the two and display your favorite wedding photo and the wedding vows you spoke to each other.  Hang it in a main area of your home and you'll always be reminded of the wedding day as well as the vows you shared.

Photo Courtesy of Etsy.com


The Numbers According To Cosmo

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Today is Wedding Wednesday and I have an interesting article to share with you today.  Just about every woman I know has dreamed of her wedding "since she can remember."  I was reading the October issue of Cosmopolitan and came across a very interesting article on love and numbers.  More like the number of times you should do this or the number of times men like that.  I'd certainly love to know what you think of the numbers that they've come up with.  

  • 2 is the number of times you should say his name in a conversation to show him that you're interested in him.  Saying his name makes him subconsciously feel more connected to you but you don't want to overdo it.
  • 92% of men think that dinner is the perfect setting for the first date.  It wouldn't hurt if this setting was a romantic one with a few personal touches, similar to a Valentines dinner I created this past February as seen below.
Photo Courtesy of TheStudioBPhotography.com
  • 97 is the average number of days it takes a guy to say those magic words that we love to hear.  "I love you!"
  • 5 is the number of times you should casually touch a guy you're into within 15 minutes.  Now, I don't know about you, but I think this is a bit much, especially if it's early in the relationship!  The article states that men aren't into subtlety so several pats on the arm, pecks on the cheek, and hands on the knee are necessary.
Photo Courtesy of Fashion Central
I don't subscribe to this magazine and have no idea why it came to my house, but I must say that I found some interesting things in it.  I hope you find these numbers as interesting as I did.

A Thanksgiving Table Setting

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The holiday season is approaching and many of us are preparing for families to visit and considering our favorite family dishes.  Sometimes we overlook the table decor.  I put together a tablescape using many things we already have in our homes, and especially the kitchen!
Photo Courtesy of LeslieMariePhotography.com
Photo Courtesy of LeslieMariePhotography.com


Your guests will love sitting down to a beautifully decorated table and somehow, it seems to make the food taste better and the conversation flow smoother as well.

Photo Courtesy of LeslieMariePhotography.com
Image Courtesy of LeslieMariePhotography.com

Since Thanksgiving is right after Halloween, you may already have plenty of orange candles and votives on hand and, of course, pumpkins are still lurking around.  I filled cylinder vases, in varying heights, with popcorn, coffee beans, and white beans, and alternated their order when going from orange, ivory, and chocolate candles.  

Sometimes you don't have to look any further than what you already have to make something special and unique.

It's All In The Details

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It's all about the details.  That's what I tell everyone when I put together a custom gift basket.  That's what, I believe, makes my custom gift baskets so special and so unique to the individuals that I'm putting them together for.
Photo via Smart Phone

What details do you come up with when you have a workaholic that loves diet Coke, the colors pink and green so much that she even made then the colors of her company, M&M candies, flip flops, is always jotting down notes, and is such the girlie girl?  This custom gift basket contained everything that would represent all of that; pink and green fuzzy flip flop note pads with pens, and M&M candy container filled with pink M&Ms, several cans of Diet Coke, and of course the basket was adorned with a pink, green, and tan ombre ribbon.  The basket was feminine, girlie, and perfect for this workaholic!

A Gift Basket For A Former NBA Player

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Many people don't associate giving baskets with men when it comes to giving the perfect gift.  That's one of the reasons why I love getting orders for a male basket.  Gift baskets don't have to be all frilly with big bows and full of spa-like items.  The gift basket for today's Men's Monday post was put together to celebrate the accomplishment of a former NBA player. 

Because he had everything, his sister wanted it filled with all of his favorite things (a gift card for his favorite smoothie place, his favorite lotion, a night to the movies and his favorite candy).  I'm always trying to think of ways to think outside of the box and in ways that others may not.  Since he started a non-profit organization for at-risk youth, here in Atlanta and lives in California, but always tries to make ways to remain active in the organization and the lives of the students.  I suggested that I get a journal and have all of the current students write a note to congratulation him on his accomplishment and thank him for all that he's done for them through the center that they come to every day.  I had even gotten some of the parents and past students to sign the journal as well.
Image via Mobile Phone

I shipped the gift basket to California in time for the celebration and it was a huge surprise to him and his family.  The "gift basket" was even chosen because it looked like a little treasure chest so he could keep up with other treasures that mean something to him.

A Groom That's Dressed To Impress

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Today it's Men's Monday and it's all about making a statement!  Everybody knows that I love shoes, jewelry, handbags, and chocolate.  However, when it comes to men, they sometimes get the short end of the deal when it comes to jewelry.  Today, I'm pairing some amazing watches with tuxedos to make some dapper grooms on your wedding day.

Are your wedding colors blue and grey?  This Fendi watch and blue check tuxedo from Suitcon.com .  As we head through fall and approach winter, this blue and steel grey combination will make a great look for a winter wedding.
Fendi Watch Courtesy of Raymod Lee Jewelers and Suit Courtesy of Suitcon.com 


Since I'm still looking a little bit into the future, I couldn't pass up this Jean Yves steel grey two button tuxedo.  It's also the perfect color for a winter wedding but grey can easily be substituted for silver if your wedding color palette has silver in it.

Invicta Watch Courtesy of WeGotItOnline.com and Jean Yves Tuxedo Coutesy of  MichellsBridalShop


Now that we are  currently into fall, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to use some fall colors, with chocolate being one of my favorites!  This Parisian Brown tuxedo paired with this Gucci watch is the perfect combination for a wedding that's scheduled to take place this fall.

Gucci Watch Courtesy of MediaScop247.Wordpress.com and Parisian Brown Tuxedo Courtesy of  ACutAboveTux.com


If you're having a daytime wedding and you're looking for something a little more subtle for the fall season, this formal cream tuxedo, paired with the Bvlgari watch can do just the trick!

Bvlgari Watch Courtesy of ReviewWatchProducts.com and Cream Tuxedo Courtesy of Sarno and Son Tuxedos


The Sexiest Dance Ever!

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Anyone who knows me, knows that my favorite forms of art are photography and dance!  Since this post is about my favorite dance of all time, I'll focus on why I love dancing so much.  Dancing brings stories and songs to life and gives movement to the emotions that we so often feel; love, anger, sadness, and excitement, to name a few.

I watch all of the dance shows on TV, just to see those stories and songs come to life and those emotions are played out.  Two of my favorite shows happen to be So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With the Stars.  While watching DWTS this week, I saw my favorite dance, which I happen to think is the sexiest, the Rumba, performed my Gilles Marini and Peta Murgatroyd.  It also happened to be performed by one of my favorite singers of all time, Whitney Houston.  It was a win-win performance for me!

I wrote on one of my other blogs that it's my dream to perform the Rumba as the first dance on my wedding day, so I couldn't resist posting the dance of Gilles & Peta, for all of its romance, beauty, and passion.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!


An Elegant Men's Gift Basket

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Custom gift baskets is what I do and that’s what Wrapped Couture is all about.  Many people have told me that it’s more of a DIY kinda thing!  What I do is totally different than putting things in in a gift basket.  What makes my gift baskets custom, you might ask?  They are custom because I take the time to find out about the person, through a one-on-one consultation with the gift giver.  This allows me the opportunity to design a custom gift basket; with a specific theme in mind.  Every item is hand-picked to fit that theme, with my client in mind.  Today is Men’s Monday and I’ll be showing you how one of my favorite baskets came to be.


I was contacted to create a basket for Father’s Day.  What I discovered during the consultation is that this man loved chocolate, tea, and silver jewelry.  He was also tough and rugged but simply preferred tea over coffee, which surprised most people.  When asked “What one thing must be included in the gift basket?” I was told that there must be his favorite cologne because “he loved it so much.”  Like most of my clients, I’m trusted to create whatever I’d like, based on the consultation alone, and she was no different.


Photo from my Personal Camera Phone
When she presented the gift basket to him, I got a call from her saying how much he loved it and that he had had a cup of chocolate tea with his breakfast (chocolate tea was in the gift basket).  She also told me that he had cleared off the coffee table and used the gift basket as the new centerpiece for the day!  I am always pleased to get responses like that!

Stepping Into Fall

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The fall season is all about colors; reds, golds, oranges, and browns.  It can be a toss up to see these colors incorporated into a fall wedding, and even more of a gamble to see them incorporated into the bride's attire.  So, I've put together a few ideas that I'd consider wearing on my wedding day, some that I'd hope to inspire you to add some fall color into your wedding attire.
If you're a shoe-alolic like I am, you'll love these brown stilettos with a red bow!
Photo Courtesy of www.Etsy.com

What about these gold stilettos with bling on the heel and sole?

Photo Courtesy of www.GoGoGu.uk


If colored stilettos on your wedding day aren't your thing, maybe adding accessories to your hair for that pop of color may be right for you.  Here are some alternatives to a full veil, while keeping with the fall colors in mind.

How cute is this burgundy flower and birdcage veil? Simply perfect for the bride that's non-traditional!
Photo Courtesy of www.Etsy.com
If you are more of a traditional bride, how cute is this up-do with the addition of orange roses?
Photo Courtesy of www.AmandasWinhart.Wordpress.com


Whether or not you choose to add a pop of color to your wedding attire, stick with what fits your style and personality; what makes you most comfortable.




Registering for Wedding Gifts

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I was listening to the radio the other day and heard a joke on there regarding wedding gifts and the gift registry.  Although the joke was quite funny, I realized that there was some truth to it and many brides today, still have questions regarding their gift registry.   I'm often asked, "Is it ok that I'd rather ask for money?", "How can I go about asking for monetary gifts?", or "Is it ok to include my registry information with my invitation?"  So, I've decided to put together this little post to help answer some of those questions.


Image courtesy of NYPhotoShoot.blogspot.com


  • A wedding invitation is a silent request for a gift.  Whether the guest can attend your wedding or not, they are expected to send a gift.  There is no reason to include another request for a gift, on the RSVP card, on a separate card, or anything of the sort.
  • If a cash gift is what you'd like, the message should be sent by word of mouth through your bridal party.  It should not be sent via your invitation!  Period.  End of story.  I know people like the words "monetary gifts only" or "no gifts please" but both of these are inappropriate.
  • When it comes to cash, it's still a good idea to have another online registry for your guests to choose from, as they may not want to give cash or feel comfortable giving cash.  Also, keep in mind that the ultimately, the decision comes from the gifter.
  • When registering online or in stores, give your guests a variety of gifts to choose from in a variety of price ranges.  If registering for gifts, a good rule of thumb is to keep your gift between $30-$50 per person, for a bridal shower, and $75-$150 per couple for wedding gifts.  
  • It's also suggested that you have a few items on your gift registry that are less than $25 and a few big ticket items, in the event a few guests want to put their money together to get something big.
  • Your gift registry isn't the time to get greedy and happy with the shopping gun.  You don't want to overwhelm your guests with too many options by registering and ten different stores.  Try to limit your registries to a maximum of three stores so that your selections aren't duplicated and your guests have a clear idea of what you'd like.
  • Lastly, don't forget to send a thank you note!

Chuppahs and Canopies

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One of my favorite things to see incorporated at a wedding is a Chuppah or canopy.  Although the Chuppah is primarily seen in the Jewish culture, is made of lfour posts and ight fabric, and represents the home that the couple will build together, many couples have found ways to incorporate Jewish tradition into their own ceremonies.

They can be soft and romantic and the flowers that you've chosen for your wedding can easily be incorporated to match the decor.

Image Courtesy of BlogDavinciFlorist.com


Image Courtesy of MerchantCircle.com


Or, if you're more of a modern bride and love the romance that flowers can bring, yet the modern addition of lighting, you certainly can combine the two for a much more dramatic look.

Image Courtesy of BlogDavinciFlorist.Blogspot.com


Image courtesy of AppleBlossomsTampa.com


Your wedding day and all of its details in an expression of you and your soon-to-be.  Whatever you choose to do, make sure that it's a reflection of who you are.

Fireworks on the 4th!

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It's the 4th of July and it whether young or old, fireworks has a way of bringing out the kid in all of us!  If it's your wedding day, fireworks can also have an element of excitement and romance.  Many couples that have chosen to get married around the 4th of July have opted to incorporate fireworks into the festivities.

Image Courtesy of WeddingsByDesign.Blogspot.com

Image Courtesy of Denver-Weddings.Blogspot.com
Image Courtesy of TravelersJournal.com
Whether it's during the reception or a sparkler send-off, I have to admit that I always get a little excited when a bride chooses to incorporate a bit of fireworks into her wedding day and the guests always seem to love it too!

An Event for the Community!

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As a wedding and event professional and one who's often enamored by the beauty and romance that's captured in a wedding , it's always great when the opportunity to plan an event for children comes around; the chance to be a kid again!  That opportunity came when I was contracted to plan Future Foundation's 2012 "Let's Move" Family Field Day, for 200 kids and their families.



Future Foundation has a mission to level the playing field for youth in the metro-Atlanta area by providing education, health, and life skill programs to the students that they serve in their comprehensive after-school program.  The purpose of the field day event was to engage the kids and their families in various fitness activities that were also fun,  provide a great meal that was also healthy and refreshing in the blazing Atlanta heat, and also bring awareness to the organization.

The kids enjoyed playing on the kickball tournament, tug-of-war, games of sack races, balloon tosses, and hula hoop contests, where they had a chance to win ribbons and medals at the end of the event.  For the little kids, there were the inflatable obstacle courses and bounce houses, along with face painting and an arts and crafts station.  All around, the kids of Future Foundation and the community had a great time!  We look forward to the 2013 Family Field Day.


The Vendors that made it all possible:
Event Planner: Enraptured Events
Photographer: Darryl Speed Photograhy
Caterer: Louis Kingsley Catering
Tent Company: Classic Tents & Events
Face Painter: Face Painting by FANCY
Inflatables: Jumptastic
Urban Line Dance Instructor: Mr. Cardio Tone

Elegant & Dramatic Event Drapery

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In the event industry, we all know that lighting and drapery can really transform a room or an event space.  However, when it comes to event drapery, we often see it used as a method of dividing an event space or creating a backdrop to the ceremony.  More often than not, event drapery is used to create a more "ethereal" event space or hide outdated wall decor.

Image via RevelryEventDesigners.com

There aren't too many times where we consider draping the ceiling as a viable decor option.  If you can, your room is sure to be transformed into one of elegance and grandeur.  It will create the dramatic look and feel you may be going for and leave your guests with something to talk about, long after your wedding day is over.
Image via RevelryEventDesigners.com

Whether you choose to drape the ceiling of the full event space or just a liitle, I hope the photos provide you with some inspiration to push the boundaries with your event drapery.  Happy Planning!.

The Invitation Sets The Tone

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When deciding on the style of invitation for your wedding or event.  Regardless of its style, shape, or color, your guests will be looking forward to an event that that will be just as unique as the invitation you chose. 

With that being said, the latest trend in invitation design is the circle and rotating style invitations.  They are different, they are unique, and they are totally non-traditional and almost bear no resemblance to the basic style of invitation from those days when I dreamed of getting married, which is almost 25 years ago!

Image via WeddingInviteLove.com

If you've chosen a round invitation for your wedding or event, what should your guests expect?  They should expect something different.  They should expect something different in your design, in your decor, and maybe even your color palette.  They should be expecting to see your style and personality throughout the event because you've decided to do away with tradition.

Image via BlueEyeBrownEye.com
What does it say about you as an individual or couple?  It may say that you love to think outside of the box and love to dance to the beat of your own drum.  What's more outside of the box than having an interactive invitation, such as the one below?  You can invite guests to your event and have them get excited about spinning the wheel to find out the pertinent details of the event, rather than just simply reading them, all at the same time.

Image via Burning-House.com
Your invitation is the start of your event.  When sitting with your stationer or designer to create your custom and personalized invitation suite, make sure it's one that speaks to your style and personality.  Happy planning!

Birthday Inspiration Board

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I've decided to live a little and celebrate the big 4-O!  I'll be turning 40 in just over three months and I want to throw myself a party.  Below is the color palette for it and I want to tell you the reason behind it.





As many of you know, I was in a major car accident a year ago.  Not to rehash it, but so many material things were lost afterwards, yet so many things were gained.  The black represents the dark and rough year that I've had rebuilding life after the car accident and the yellow represents the sunshine that I am enjoying and anticipate having going forward.  I hope that you like it and hope that many of my friends will share the day with me!