What’s America’s favorite sweet treat?  Chocolate!  And lots of it!!  That’s why it comes to no surprise that chocolate is the number one edible baby shower favor to send guests home with a little something sweet.  Perfectly coordinated to match your theme, they are just one of the ways that you can make your baby shower chocolicious.

Chocolate Fountain

Especially if you’re having a fruit display, why not add a chocolate fountain for guests to dip until their heart is content?  Nothing makes fruit, bread, cookies or other foods more delicious that a drizzle of decadent chocolate.  And, for an added twist, think COLOR!  As the picture on the right demonstrates, chocolate fountains don’t have to be milk chocolate.  Try pink, blue, white or whatever else coordinates with your theme.

Chocolate Favors

Sending guests home with a little chocolate will definitely leave a lasting impression, especially if you choose something unique and fun, like these Classic Oreo cookies.  They are drenched in chocolate and decorated with your choice of baby motif and sprinkles.  Available in pink and blue, they are almost too cute to eat.

From chocolates shaped like baby bottles to Italian biscotti dipped in chocolate, there are many designs that can be used for baby shower favors.  You can even personalize them with your own custom text.

Chocolate Game

Find out what’s in the dirty diaper with this variation of the Dirty Diaper Game, called the Poopy Diaper Game.  Instead of just placing melted chocolate in one of the diapers to see who discovers it, you’ll include a different melted chocolate bar in each diaper and have guests guess what kind of chocolate bar it was before it was melted.  “Chunky” varieties work best and are the most fun.  Think of their expressions as they try to determine whether the “melted mess” in the diaper is a melted Snickers, Almond Joy or Three Musketeer.  Here are the instructions:

Playing the game:
Baby diapers are filled with melted chocolate candy bars, making it look just like a poopy diaper. Using their senses of smell and sight, guests must guess what kind of chocolate candy bar fills the dirty diaper.

Game preparation:
Gather 5 or 6 chocolate candy bars (Snickers, Milky Way, Mr. Goodbar, etc.) and melt separately in microwave. Spoon the melted chocolate into baby diapers (real or homemade.) Give each guest a pencil and paper to write down her guess as to what kind of candy bar is in the diaper. The guest with the most correct guesses wins.

There you have it.  Three delicious ways to add chocolate to your baby shower and make it CHOCOLICIOUS!

I watched her grow as an artist and win it all on American Idol.  She’s made the country music world her oyster, and deservedly so. Carrie got married over the weekend, and I discovered she walked the aisle, had her first dance with husband Mike Fisher and gave out her bridesmaid gifts just down the road from my Atlanta, GA home!

Carrie Underwood’s Wedding Venue

I figure you’ll hear plenty about the wedding soon enough, so I thought you might like to find out more about the place they got married—the Ritz Carlton/ Reynolds Plantation on beautiful Lake Oconee in Greensboro, GA, which is just  a little more than an hour’s drive east of Atlanta.

Mother Nature got the memo about Carrie’s Reynolds Plantation wedding. As it often is during Georgia summers, the weather was sunny and hot. I don’t think she, her new husband and guests were subjected to any isolated showers, which is nice!

The Ritz Carlton hotel chain is know for its super-luxe accommodations, and the resort at Reynolds Plantation is spectacular! Here’s what they say on their Web site:

At The Ritz-Carlton, Reynolds Plantation in Georgia, you’ll be greeted by a shimmering lake and quiet tranquility. Whether your visit at the lodge includes golfing on championship courses, a relaxing day of fishing, wandering through antebellum towns or just relaxing at the spa, this Georgia luxury hotel offers an engaging backdrop in the heart of nature.

I thought you might like to see a few photos of the homes in those antebellum towns. It’s a stunning step into the past—shadows of Gone With The Wind—and I hope you come visit the area soon and enjoy some of our famous southern hospitality! Y’all just might decide to get married here, too!

Arizona couple after wedding on Saturday, June 12, 2010, on Pensacola Beach, Fla. (Michael Spooneybarger / Associated Press)

It’s a given that there are many industries affected by the BP oil spill in the Gulf. Fisherman, shrimpers, oil workers and others are the first to come to mind when you think about those affected by the tragedy, but there are hundreds of other businesses–like wedding planners, florists, caterers, etc.–who are also caught in the ripple effect of this oil that is swirling out of control.

To Cancel or Not To Cancel, That Is The Question

It’s a tough time all around. For those in the wedding and event business, their livelihood is at stake. For the bride and groom, their dream of a romantic beach wedding along the Gulf coast is drifting out to sea. Many feel that moving their wedding to another beach is the only option. But, it doesn’t have to be.

How To Save The Day

Whether you got engaged on a Pensacola beach, you grew up in the area or always envisioned a beach wedding there, if the coast has special meaning, you may be inspired to forge ahead with your Gulfcoast gala. Although the beaches may be manageable right now, the uncertainty of waiting a few months can put you in some turbulent waters. But with these tips, you may be able to stay the course:

• Review your contract to see if you are legally bound to have the event or forfeit your deposit. Most contracts allow for natural disasters, but since this one is man made, you may still be liable for the deposit. However, some compassionate vendors are refunding the deposits hoping to submit a claim to the oil companies for reimbursement.
• Work with your wedding planner to identify alternate locations that are close to the beach that can accommodate you with a last minute change (within three days.)
• Take wedding photos on the beach and have the wedding elsewhere. It may be easier to find a place to take a few pictures of the couple than to set up 50 chairs, decorations, etc.
• Simplify your wedding plans and decor. If there are last minute changes to be made, you may have to move things quickly. With a less elaborate display, having the least amount of equipment will reduce the set-up time and allow maximum flexibility in determining the best location on the beach.
• Create a wedding alert for your guests to notify them of any last-minute changes via email, text, calling post, etc. with updates daily beginning a week prior to the wedding.
• As a different, useful wedding favor, provide guests with mini bottles of Gojo or other crud-cutting cleaners to remove oil from hands and feet just in case. (Some beaches already have “cleaning stations” with this type of product set up along the shore.)
• If your wedding is towards the end of the summer, you may be able to negotiate an extension of the cancellation deadline, which will give you a little time to wait and see what happens with the oil recovery.
• In lieu of wedding gifts, ask guests to donate funds to the oil recovery efforts as a thoughtful gesture.
• Be flexible…enough said.

Remember, haz-mat teams are cleaning the beach every day and people still go to the beach every day. They’re just a little more careful where they step these days.

I’m going to let you watch this dubious trend unfold for yourself while I visit the little girls’ room…

Okay. I’m back. There’s not a lot I can say about this twisted idea except eeeeeewwwwwwwwwwww! Is this on your list of wedding accessories? Why would a woman want to walk around her wedding reception (or anyone else’s, for that matter) with a urine-soaked diaper just so she won’t miss a moment of her special day. It certainly would be a special day (i.e. something froze over) before I’d wrap myself in a diaper unless I was medically incontinent. Follow my logic…

The wedding is over and you’re in the honeymoon suite. Lovingly, passionately, slowly, the man of your dreams undresses you for the first time as your husband, carefully removing your wedding gown, followed by those sexy, white undergarments. What are the chances he’s had experience removing an adult diaper from a woman? What would you think if you were watching with delicious anticipation as your new husband got down to his skivvies, only to discover a diaper beneath his boxers? I don’t know about you, but I’d be laughing so hard I wouldn’t be able to find my cell phone to snap a few photos. Talk about killing the mood.

I trust all my readers have enough sense to select a wedding gown that doesn’t impair her ability to relieve herself. But forever more, at every wedding we attend, we’ll all wonder–does she or doesn’t she? Only her bladder knows for sure…

Always classy and ever-so chic, damask has been a favorite for years.  With a touch of tradition and charm, it’s still considered a trendy choice for sophisticated brides.  Rich, elegant and smart-looking–I absolutely love it!  And, I’m glad to see it popping up all over the place.  From favors to decor, you can find this distinctive design in some fresh, new places.  Perfect for black-and-white weddings (or anyone with a savvy sense of style), here are a few of my favorites:

Bridal Shower Favors:

You don’t have to wait until the wedding to give them a glimpse of what’s to come.  Let your love for damask spill over onto every pre-nuptial event you have planned–and, that’s easy to do with this stylish compact.  From bridal showers to girls night out, there’s no reason to keep this posh accessory under wraps.  It’s useful.  It’s elegant, and it shows your favorite girls the beauty within.

Bridesmaid gifts:

What girl wouldn’t love a distinctive purse like this?!  It can go anywhere, do anything and look absolutely stunning while doing it.  A swanky complement to any outfit, the wristlet can be embroidered with a single initial and filled with everything she’ll need for a night on the town.  This personalized bridesmaid gift is sure to be all the rage among your friends.

Table decor:

Nothing brings a sense of sophistication quite like this black-and-white pattern.  But, adding it to your table decor with these vellum shades also brings romance! With the candle’s glow flickering inside the glass, the mood will definitely be memorable at your wedding.

Wedding favors:

And, of course, we’ve saved the best for last.  There’s nothing better than giving your guests a little damask to take home with them.  Inspire a few romantic evenings of their own with the damask votive, or place something special inside the favor box for them to enjoy.  It’s unique shape is intriguing, don’t you think?!

Of all the designs, tell me which one is your favorite!

“It” is getting into the Guinness Book of World Records, which is what Jill Stapleton might have accomplished when she got married to Chad Greenhill in Proctorville, OH this past Saturday. The previous world record for bridesmaids at one wedding was 90.

According to reports, Jill owns Jill’s Tumble World, a gymnastics and cheerleading studio, and she invited all her students to join in. She only asked that they wear purple or teal dresses, which are the gym’s colors.

If you want to see a video of the procession, cut and paste http://www.wsaz.com/charleston/headlines/96232559.html into your browser bar.

So I guess the Guiness World Record people have to decide whether 110+ pre-K, elementary school-age, preteen and teenage girls qualify as bridesmaids to validate the record, though I don’t think going for the record was actually part of Jill’s dream. I also wonder who paid for the flowers each girl carried, and the big question is—Did Jill get bridesmaid gifts for all 110+ “bridesmaids”? If you watch the video, you’ll notice there appear to be six or so legitimate bridesmaids in bridesmaid attire who followed the long stream of mini-bridesmaids. They probably got the good gifts, while the rest of the parade got…what? Power bars?

In the video, we never see where the gymnastic students go. Either they’re all standing up at the altar with her, or there’s a door at the other end through which they all filed out. Maybe they just sat down wherever. Regardless, I leave you with this question:  No doubt it was an adorable stunt, but should this be a Guinness world record? Why or why not?

Kudos to the folks at Event Confetti in New York for planning such a great baby shower event.  I thought it was so cute, I just had to share it with you.  Maybe it will inspire your next event.  From the invitations to the centerpieces right down to the cake and baby shower favors, they used every opportunity to capitalize on the movie theme.  Here’s what I mean:

Super cute baby shower invitation was custom designed for the event.

The flowers in the popcorn bucket centerpieces bear a striking resemblance to popcorn, don’t they?

The cake is a real show stopper!

(Since I’m a real movie buff, it would be great to see my name in lights like this!)

…and finally, the favors!

They filled these “About To Pop” favor boxes with a mixture of popcorn- and soda-flavored jelly beans.  How fun!

I think they did an excellent job with carrying the theme throughout the event.

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If you’ve planned a baby shower that really captures the theme like this, tell me about it.  I’d love to hear about it–especially if you included some of our fab favors.

Just Don’t Tell Your Groom About This!

It might not be an efficient way to pick out ALL your wedding accessories, but if you want to hear how you really look in a potential wedding gown—aside from what your Mom, sisters or  friends may tell you—here’s all you need. Simply take a digital camera when you shop for and try on gowns. Take a full-length photo of yourself in each gown and upload the photos at GoTryItOn.com. Their tag line is “Honest Advice on Your Look Before You Go Out.”

Go Try It On is a community of people who give and get unbiased opinions on clothing choices—totally free.  It’s also a great way to get feedback on your wedding gown  from your friends who may live in another city or state (or country!) Of course, the site goes far beyond wedding gowns. Maybe you’ve got a big event to attend with your fiance, and you have to look your absolute best. Load up a couple of photos of your top two outfits and, based on the comments, find out which one makes you look hotter!

Ewwwwww! Your Butt Looks Like Two Pigs Fighting Under a Blanket!

Of course, they have some rules, so people don’t bash you for being a fashion flop. Here are just a few:

• Share everything. (Well, not literally. But share your looks and opinions!)
• Play fair. (You know what this means.)
• Don’t hit people. (Don’t be mean when you can be constructive instead!)
• Put things back where you found them. (Use subjectively.)
• Clean up your own mess. (Use subjectively.)
• Don’t take things that aren’t yours. (Don’t upload photos that don’t belong to you.)
• Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody. (If you offer someone feedback, try to be helpful, and if you are not…try to do better next time.)

This is also a great place for self-made fashionistas out there who want to help those of us who are style-challenged.  Share your know-how with the world and help make it a more beautiful place—but be nice! The purpose of this site is to build self-confidence—not tear it down! Now let’s try on that gown!

Walmart isn’t the only one who’s doing rollbacks!  You can get one at the Waldorf-Astoria–that is, if you happen to be Edith and Robert Scalise.  Married 60 years ago, the Long Island lovebirds celebrated their first night as husband and wife in this 5-star hotel.  So, it was high time they did it again.

Love at first sight–almost!

To see how this love story began, you’ll have to go back even further to 1936.  Meeting for the first time in Brooklyn’s Public School 157, when Robert first laid eyes on Edith at 12 years old, HE knew she was the one.  SHE needed a little convincing, being a bit intimidated by his big Italian family.  Passionate and persistent, the dashing 22-year-old Robert finally won her over when he returned home from serving in the military.  Two short years later, the couple wed on May 20, 1950 with a grand reception of 400 guests (and some fabulous Italian wedding favors, I’m sure!)

Back then, it only cost them $23.10 for the room, and the good folks at the Waldorf thought it would be a grand idea for them to celebrate their 60th anniversary 1950’s style by honoring the same price they paid back then.  Yep, for a little more than $25 bucks, they were able to enjoy a fabulous room, dinner for two (which cost $3.47) and a celebratory phone call (.15 cents).

Wedding-Day Deja vu

Relishing their hotel receipt for $26.62 as a memento from their stay, it had long been a dream to stay at the Waldorf-Astoria again, but according to Edith, “we couldn’t afford to stay in this hotel again after that night.”  With the suites now costing between $600-800 per night, neither could I !!

But stay there once more, they did.  Following a fairy-tale day, the Scalises renewed their wedding vows at the majestic St. Patrick’s Cathedral and danced cheek to cheek like they did on their wedding night so many years ago.

Recreating this moment was a special treat for the couple and their family, as Edith was escorted down the aisle by her three daughters, while grandchildren and friends looked on.  But, I don’t think they saw much of anything except for each other.  Standing there at the altar renewing their vows with 60 years of memories swirling with delight in their heads, Robert said, “It’s been an amazing journey.  I married my childhood sweetheart.  I always knew I loved her.  I always knew I wanted her. “  Seeing something wonderful in her even as a child, Edith said, “I’m so blessed to be married to you.”  He added, “So am I.”

There’s no point in making you wait until the last paragraph to reveal the fashion color trends for 2010 and 2011, so here they are on the left. You may have heard of Pantone, the company that created this palette. These are the hot colors for autumn, winter and spring 2010/2011. Personally, I love them!

Who Determines Color Trends?

Color trends come to us from several sources, including Pantone, whose Pantone Color Matching System (PMS) is largely a standardized color reproduction system. By standardizing the colors, different manufacturers in different locations can all refer to the Pantone system to make sure colors match without direct contact with one another. I found it interesting that, even though a number of groups like this predict their own color trends from year to year, they’re all remarkably similar in their choices.

Perhaps the most influential predictor of color trends is The Color Marketing Group (CMG),  an international association for color design professionals which identifies the direction of color and design trends and translates them into salable colors for manufactured products. Composed of nearly 1,000 members in 20 countries, CMG forecasts color trends from one to three years in advance for color-related services and products, including fashion and even wedding favor boxes.

More About the Colors…

“Oyster Gray” and “Rose Dust” are the two most neutral options for the season, with Oyster Gray as the classic neutral and Rose Dust, a kind of “new ivory,”  a breezy, romantic tone somewhere between light pink and beige.

The typically autumn colors are “Golden Glow,” a terrestrial, deepened shade of yellow; “Chocolate Truffle,” a rich brown with a whisper of plum; “Woodbine,” a solid supporting green and “Lipstick Red,” a vivid, dramatic crimson.

The brighter, more spring-like tones for the colder months include “Lagoon,” a turquoise sure to add a tropical touch to fall and winter; “Purple Orchid,” a fuschia-inspired hue; “Living Coral,”  orange kissed by pink; and “Endive,” a fresh and lively yellow-green.

As I was writing this, I imagined a couple of color palettes using these colors, and I think they’re simply smashing–imagine Rose Dust and Woodbine together; Golden Glow, Chocolate Truffle and Lagoon; Purple Orchid and Rose Dust; Oyster Gray and Chocolate Truffle; Lipstick Red and Endive.

All lovely hues to color your world—and your wedding!