Beautiful Bride Samantha

Hello Friends!

I just received some of the most beautiful images from a past bride this summer named Samantha!  Leigha and I had the pleasure of working with her and her sweet daughter, and we wanted to share some images with you.  These gorgeous pictures were taken by the talented Alli B Photography! We hope you enjoy!

~Shanna

Throwing A New Year's Bash on a Budget!

Here are a few party planning tips if you want to throw a New Year's Bash that your friends and family will love, BUT that doesn't cost you an arm and a leg!
Happy Planning~Shanna


First: Choose a Theme and Color Palette for Your Party
Tip: Introduce this theme to your guests through invitations & a focal point in your main party room. For instance the theme can be "Count Down to the New Year" and your color palette is black, white and silver.



Second: Create an Eye-Catching Tablescape
Tip: Beautiful Christmas ornaments are on clearance before New Year's Eve, so stock up on color specific ornaments that match your theme. String them from clear fishing line over your table to create visual interest. Coordinate matching vases and dishware and you have a cohesive look!



Third: Provide a Dessert Bar for Your Guests
Tip: Because a New Year's Eve party traditionally starts later in the evening, most of your guests will have already eaten dinner. So, save a few bucks by making your own desserts like cupcakes, cookies and chocolate covered pretzels!



Fourth: Create a Signature Drink
Tip: Champagne is the traditional drink for the New Year, but you can add your own twist to tradition or even create a mock-tail for the evening. you can save money by purchasing larger quantities of 1 particular drink rather than buying several varieties. Check out this recipe...

Mock Champagne

Ingredients
* 2 (2Liter)bottles ginger ale, chilled
* 1 (46 ounce) can pineapple juice, chilled
* 1 (64 ounce) bottle white grape juice, chilled
Champagne is optional (1 to 2 bottles)

Directions:
1. Make an ice ring by filling a ring-shaped cake pan half way with ginger ale. Freeze until partially frozen. At this stage you can add edible flowers or pieces of fruit into the mold. Fill pan the remainder of the way with ginger ale and freeze solid. Place in punch bowl before serving.
2. In a large punch bowl, combine 1 bottle of ginger ale, pineapple juice and white grape juice. (Champagne can also be added at this stage)
This refreshing drink has 83 Calories and serves 40



Fifth: Make Your Own Photo Booth
Tip: Pick an un-utilized corner of your house or venue and caddy-corner your backdrop. This can be made by simply pinning a sheet or piece of material over a tension rod. Purchase a unique photo frame from your local craft store *(custom framing departments usually have a clearance section) & add some cute props like hats, sunglasses and Smitten Sticks. Provide your guests with a couple of disposable cameras and let them do the rest! What a fun surprise you will get when you develop those shots!



Sixth Don't Forget to Dress the Part
Tip: Because you are probably footing the bill for this New Year's soiree, don't splurge on an entirely new outfit, simply dress up your look with accessories and make-up. A new pair of sparkly shoes and some red lipstick can make you feel like a million bucks and look like the star of your own party!
Happy 2011 from Ruffles & Rouge

My Inspiration Shoot/Labor of Love

Hello World!

It's been awhile and that is because I was totally engrossed in an inspiration shoot that has been along time in the making. Erin from Be True Designs and I have been planning and thinking and imagining this for months and finally, this past Thursday, at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens, our vision finally came to fruition. I love that word, fruition. Anyway, I'm not sure what to name it yet, but I have awhile until the pics and video are ready from Courtney & Lisa at Peachtree Studio and Be Still My Heart Videography. I want to give a special shout out to Gina at Flower Pot for her beautiful floral designs and helping to facilitate the day and Holly at Ironic for loaning us some awesome furniture and rustic iron details. Here's a preview of what's to come. I hope you enjoy!

Happy Planning,
~Shanna

Best Waterproof Mascara

Hey Everybody-

In doing a lot of makeup for weddings, I often get the request for waterproof mascara. This has made me cringe for so long because waterproof mascara has, well…a reputation. And with that being said, there are so many mascaras out there that can do fabulous things for even the shortest most sparse lashes and waterproof mascaras were not part of that fabulous crowd! So, in my pursuit of finding a good waterproof mascara, I decided to give the classic a try-yes I’m talking about Maybelline Great Lash. You know one of those pink tubes of mascara that has been around since the beginning of time??? But I was pleasantly surprised! Majorly suprised, at how easy it was to work with. How buildable the coverage was. Yes I said buildable. I know that when applying most waterproof mascaras, you get one shot to get it right before it hardens (it doesn’t dry-it really hardens), but not Maybelline Great Lash. It actually allows you to go back for a second coat and it doesn’t start flaking. Here is a link that I ran across today for some more suggestions on waterproof mascara-it is from Good Housekeeping where they research EVERYTHING! Click HereBut don’t worry, if you’re still stuck on your old mascara after looking over the reviews, there is still another option for you. Some cosmetic companies make a “rain coat”, which can make any mascara waterproof. Just remember if you use these waterproofing products don’t forget to coat EVERY LASH!
Happy Planning- Shanna