Move over Martha

Martha Stewart may be the Queen of DIY, and some of the items she creates can be a bit daunting if you were to try and do it yourself. However, there are a few Do It Yourself ideas that are easy enough that any one could do them. All it takes is time, patience, and maybe a glass of wine or two to get the job done. Here are some of the hottest DIY projects that you may just want to try for your next event.

Swizzles that Sizzle – Accent any cocktail with a themed swizzle stick.

What you need:

• Wooden Sticks
• Printable Paper
• Scissors or a large circular craft punch
• Glue

How To DIY:  On the paper create circles that surround a picture or saying, it could be the date of your event, or even a picture of the honored couple or person. This can easily be done on your computer using a program like Microsoft Word, or if you are feeling artsy and your guest list is small, you could always draw something by hand. Once you have your circles completed, print them if need be and then cut them out. Make sure you have enough to have two per stick. Next center the stick between the two circles and glue the circles together. Voila! A personalized swizzle stick perfect for any event.

Brown Bag It – Are you having an outdoor rusticly inspired event? Why not try using brown bags filled with fruit as either a table number or as party gifts. Depending on the size of the bag that you buy, you can use these little treats in different ways. Having fresh fruit filled bags is surely going to add some down-home charm to any event.
What You Need:

• Brown bags (with or without handles of any size)
• Fruit (preferably something in season that matches your color palate)
• Card Stock (of any color)
• Scissors (scalloped edge scissors add some extra flare)
• Twine, Raffia, or Ribbon

How To DIY: Create or find a template for the small card to go on the bag this can be as simple as a square or rectangle that has a saying or the table number within the border. Cut out each small card. Attach the cards to the bag with twine, raffia, or ribbon and fill the bags with the fruit… it really is that simple.

Candles On Top – If you are having a garden party you may want to try these table centerpieces.

What You Need:

• Large clear glass goblets of any type
• Flowers (ones with large blooms like peonies, dahlias or garden roses work best)
• Candles

How To DIY:  Make sure the glasses are spotlessly clean. Pluck the bloom of the flower off of the stem, place it where you want it on your table, place the glass upside-down covering the flower and place the candle on top. So simple, yet a very cute way to decorate a table.

Cocktails with the Consultant – Strawberry

Sweet sun kissed strawberries… is there anything better on a warm spring or summer’s day. The juicy flavor just screams sunshine, so why not add a little bit of that sunshine to your cocktails? Here are some great cocktails that feature that wonderful berry. Enjoy!

Strawberry Sunshine Cocktail courtesy of Down Home with The Neelys – Delicious and the name just says it all.

Ingredients

2 cups strawberries, stemmed and sliced, plus slices for garnish

4 limes, quartered

1/2 cup mint leaves

1/2 cup strawberry syrup

1 bottle Champagne

Directions

Special equipment: mortar and pestle

Add strawberries and limes into a large mortar or bowl. Crush together to extract juices. Add mint and crush to incorporate the flavors. Add strawberry syrup and pour into a pitcher. Add Champagne and stir. Serve in ice filled glasses and garnish with strawberry slices.

 

Lava Flow courtesy of Duke’s Canoe Club – A taste of a tropical breeze just in time for summer!

Ingredients

1 ounce coconut syrup

2 ounces pineapple juice

1 1/2 ounces rum

Splash vanilla ice milk (or ice cream)

1/2 cup ice

1 1/2 ounces strawberry puree

Directions

Blend all ingredients except strawberry puree. Pour into a cocktail glass and garnish with strawberry puree.

 

ABSOLUT Strawberry Delight courtesy of Bar None – A perfect drink for a summertime girl’s night out!

Ingredients

1 part Absolut Vodka

1 part Lemon Juice

1 part Simple Syrup

1 dash Strawberry Liqueur

3 Strawberries

Directions

Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add all ingredients. Shake and strain into a chilled rocks glass filled with ice cubes. Garnish with strawberry.

Wedding Feature – Hillary and Robert

Elegant simplicity is a beautiful description of any event especially an intimate family wedding. Recently Michele Butler Events had the honor of working with Hillary and Robert on their wedding at The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne. Using the color combination of white and green with pops of extravagance like peacock feathers was a perfect accent to the natural beauty of their outdoor event. The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne has such a rich history and beautiful landscape that simple décor can really make the venue shine. The wedding was stunning in all of its simplicity and we hope that their marriage be truly blessed.

Vendor List:

Ceremony & Reception Venue – The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne

Photography – Nu Visions in Photography

Caterer – Puff ‘n Stuff Catering

Officiant – Doug Gray

Hair & Make-up – Janet Mednick

Floral & Décor – Lee Forrest Design

Lighting – American Audio Visual

Entertainment – American Entertainment

All photos courtesy of http://www.nuvisionsinphotography.com

Put Some Spring in Your Step

Deciding your look for your special event involves literally everything from your head to your toes, and shoes have become a glamorous way to show off your own sense of style even if the rest of your look is more traditional than trendy. Choosing the right shoes for your event can be very exciting especially with all of the beautiful designs out there, but before you dance the night away in just any shoe from your closet, check out these treats for your tootsies.

 

Sparkle, Sparkle, Sparkle – Is there ever enough glitter in your world? If you love the sparkly things in life, why not wear shoes that show off their sparkle. Try these Jimmy Choo shoes which are the epitome of glitz and glamour, and with different variations of heal height and width there is sure to be an option that fits just right.

 

 

Be Vibrant – Your dress may be white, or black, or a more subtle color, but that doesn’t mean your shoes have to be.  A vibrant colored shoe can be a perfect accessory to anything traditional, plus showing off your shoes will make for some very sassy photos.  These brightly hued creations by Christian Louboutin make a bold and beautiful statement matched only by your vibrant personality of course.

 

 

Bye Bye Boring – A shoe is just a shoe… well not anymore! Your shoes can have accessories too. Why not choose a shoe that has a flower embellishment, or a bow, or even ribbons that lace up. Beautiful shoes can be the pizzazz in your look so why not try something out of the ordinary. Try these delightful shoes by Manolo Blahnik. With a vibrant color and an accent of flowers, these beautiful shoes will be the envy of any lady in a boring black pump.

Spring under the Stars

Here in Central Florida we have beautiful sunny days that extend into some spectacular starry nights.  These events are perfect for date nights and get you out of any rut of the usual dinner and a movie. As an added bonus, if you are trying to save money for a special event in your future, most of these events are FREE! Why not take advantage of some of the outdoor festivities before the temperature gets too steamy? Here are some great outdoor events just in time for spring!

 

May 04, 2012
Date Night at Leu Gardens
Bring a picnic basket and a blanket to enjoy a movie under the stars at beautiful Leu Gardens.
Admission charge: $7 for adults, $2 for children

 

May 05, 2012
Dancing on the Drive
Spring event held from 6 – 10 pm in College Park.  Edgewater Drive will be closed off from Smith to Rugby Streets.  The D.J. will be playing songs from all genres – suitable for the entire family. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.  Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase.
More info: 407-579-8228
Free admission.

 

May 10, 2012
Popcorn Flicks in the Park
The City of Winter Park and the Enzian Theater have team up to present ‘Popcorn Flicks’ in the park. A series of classic films begin at sunset on the second Thursday of each month at Central Park on Park Avenue in Winter Park. Bring a blanket, picnic basket, family and friends to these FREE movies.

 

May 10, 2012
Second Thursdays in Hannibal Square
Winter Park event features live music, art and entertainment in the Hannibal Square district (New England Avenue between New York and Pennsylvania.)
Free admission.

 

May 18, 2012
Friday Night Live
Friday nights at Uptown Altamonte, from 7 – 9 pm enjoy outdoor entertainment in a beautiful setting. Local artists perform Jazz, Pop, Big Band and Contemporary music weekly.
Free admission.

F is for Flourish Floral Productions, Inc.

When it comes to floral and décor design, we are blessed to have Brian Joyce and Richard Streitler, the two masterminds behind Flourish Floral Productions, Inc, here in Central Florida. From the extravagant to the most intimate of events, Flourish is your team in Florida and beyond. Brian and Richard share a wealth of inspired creative talent, strong production experience and a commitment to excellence. Together with their carefully chosen staff of seasoned design and production professionals, they offer you their incomparable ability to deliver an exceptional event experience, guaranteed to impress even the most discriminating guests. Their imagination is matched only by the extraordinary level of service provided to every client. Flourish Floral Productions, Inc is driven by design and their creations are truly works of art.

Contact Flourish Floral Productions, Inc.

Flourish Floral Productions Inc.

2251 Lynx Lane

Orlando, FL 32804

http://www.flourishproductions.com

email: info@flourishproductions.com

phone: 407-644-7474

Cocktails with the Consultant – Lemon

 

Spring is here and the temperatures are on the rise! Sunny days often call for a cool down indulgence like a cocktail, and there is nothing more refreshing than lemon. Here are some great cocktail ideas that feature that zesty taste of lemon.

 

Frosty Lemon Pie  Courtesy of Guy Fieri – Just the name of this cocktail makes you want to take a sip, and it is well worth the extra time it takes to create.

Ingredients (Yields 1 drink)

1 1/2 ounces lemon flavored vodka (recommended: Grey Goose Le Citron)

3/4 ounce agave nectar

1/2 ounce almond liqueur (recommended: Amarreto Disaronno)

1/2 lemon, cut in small pieces

1/2 cup ice

Lemon Zest Meringue, recipe follows

Directions

Combine ingredients in a glass and muddle, strain into a chilled martini glass, top with Lemon Zest Meringue.

Lemon Zest Meringue:

2 egg whites

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 ounce almond liqueur (recommended: Amarreto Disaronno)

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

Place egg whites in small bowl, beat on high speed for 1 minute, add in sugar, almond liqueur, and zest. Continue beating until stiff peaks form. Put on top of drink, torch with a butane torch until tips are golden, serve immediately.

 

Lemon-Cucumber Cocktail courtesy of Sandra Lee – This crisp and refreshing drink is perfect for the end of a long day.

Ingredients (Yields 12 drinks)

3 10-ounce bottles club soda

1 cup gin

1/4 cup bottled lemon juice

12 thin slices lemon

12 thin slices cucumber

12 sprigs fresh mint, for garnish (optional)

Directions

In a large pitcher, combine the club soda, gin and lemon juice.

Place a lemon slice and a cucumber slice in each of 12 glasses. Add 1 cup crushed ice to each glass. Pour the gin mixture into the glasses and garnish each with a mint sprig, if desired.

 

Lemon Cream Martini courtesy of Sandra Lee – If you have a sweet tooth, then this is the perfect lemon drink for you. Refreshing and perfect for dessert on a spring evening.

 

Ingredients (Yields 1 drink)

Lemon drop rimmer (recommended: Stirrings)

2 shots vanilla vodka (recommended: Stoli)

1/2 shot limoncello

Ice cubes

Splash lemon-lime soda (recommended: Sprite or 7-Up)

Blueberries, for garnish

Directions

Wet the rim of a martini glass and coat with lemon drop rimmer. Add vanilla vodka and limoncello to a martini shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into martini glass. Add a splash of lemon-lime soda and garnish with fresh blueberries.

Wedding Feature – Lindsay and Joe

 

Here in Central Florida we are fortunate enough to have some beautiful natural settings for great events and even more memorable photos. When it comes to weddings, downtown Orlando can offer some picturesque backdrops and landscapes especially when the Grand Bohemian is involved. For Lindsay and Joe, the glamour and romance of their day was beautifully framed by all that the city had to offer. With a rooftop wedding fit for a celebrity, Lindsay and Joe celebrated their union in style. We were so honored to be a part of their very special day.

 

Vendors:

Photographer – Concept Photography

Ceremony & Reception – Grand Bohemian

Hair & Make-up – Kristin Harrington

Floral Décor – In Bloom

Rentals – Over the Top Linen

Ceremony Entertainment – American Federation of Musicians/Strings and Things

Reception Entertainment – DJ:  White Rose         Photobooth: Red Eye Photobooth

Wedding Cake – Robin Katzman

 

All Photos Courtesy of Concept Photography: http://www.cptphotography.com

New Ways to Save-The-Date

 

Sending out save-the-dates for your event is the first impression of your celebration. Making sure that your save-the-date is making the right statement can become a point of stress and anxiety for anyone. But what if your event isn’t traditional? What if your celebration is unique and a magnet or simple paper save-the –date just won’t do? Well here are some ideas that may just work for you.

 

The Look of a Magazine – Are you a writer? Do you work in publishing? Why not show off some of your talents and create a save-the-date that has the look of a magazine. You can include a map, lists of favorite restaurants or bars, different things to do in your city, or even the different events for your celebration.

Send Something Sweet – Do you love to bake? Or do you have a sweet tooth? Why not send something sweet as your save-the-date.  Sending a goodie box with the information regarding your event written either where the nutritional facts would be or on the box top is a creative way to include your sweet side in your save-the-date.

Life is a Game – Are you fun loving and playful? Is a game night right up your alley? Why not create a board game to be your save-the-date. You can include different events and milestones along the way and the end point will be your big celebration. You can even include “rules” for your game-board which can include your RSVP date and style of dress preferred for your event. Of course nothing will be as fun as your celebration, so why not save-the-date in a fun way?

Show Your Guests Some Love

 

A hot trend for 2012 is to create intimate affairs out of events of any sized guest list by showing some love to your guests beyond the traditional favor ideas. Inviting your guests to share in your day on a deeper level by either including photos of them in your décor, or by sharing your feelings regarding the day, can be a great way to touch the hearts of everyone sharing in your celebration. Here are some great ways to show your gratitude to the ones you love.

 

Couple Photos – Showcase large or poster sized wedding photos of important family members like parents, grandparents, or even couples from past generations beyond who will be in attendance you’re your guest list is on the smaller size, you can showcase photos of wedding days or engagements of all couples who will be celebrating with you. Featuring these photos of their special day will only bring more love into yours.

 

 

 

 

 

Photos of You & Your Guests  – Photos can tell so much about a relationship, why not showcase photos that feature you with your guests of honor or with each of your guests, somewhere in your venue. Put the photos in a fun place like behind the bar, or by the escort card table. Showing off your best moments with your guests will remind them of the special and unique relationship that you share.

 

 

 

 

 

Share Why – Some guests will know your celebration’s story and others may not. Why not share what the day is all about through words. Include all of the words that describe either the reason for the occasion or who is being celebrated, and have it as a framed piece in the entryway. Your guests will welcome the chance to peer into how you are feeling about the big day.