Browsing all posts in January, 2010.
Dot, Dot, Dot… Polka Dots !!!
Dot, Dot, Dot…polka dots! Polka dots just add that little splash of happy to any wedding, party or shower favors. Moment of Elegance has a dot-rific selection of polka dot favors and gifts.
“The Cosmopolitan” Monogrammed Kozie (as low as $3.30) – Girls want to have more than just fun, they want to have it all—and this ultra-cute koozie, too! Perky, personalized and the perfect size for a purse, cool koozie favor is a sexy, little cover for cans—but, alas, not for Cosmopolitans.
Monogrammed Lip Balm (as low as $1.79) — What a cute design for a birthday party, bridal shower, or baby shower favors! These adorable and practical polka dot lip balms are available in pink and green designs.
Terry Cloth Bath Wrap ($34.99) – A popular item for all ages, this towel alternative is fabulous for everyone from college girls to bridesmaids to moms on the go.
For more perky polka dot favors, go to Moments of Elegance Polka Dot Catalogue.
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Go Green!!! Quick Tips for an Eco-friendly Wedding
Go, Go, Go… G-R-E-E-N!!! Maybe you are so earthy that you’re going to throw granola instead of rice at your wedding. Or maybe you are just an eco-conscious gal that wants to lower your wedding’s carbon footprint. If you don’t know what a carbon footprint is then check out the Carbon Footprint Calculator to find out more.
Here are some quick tips for an eco-friendly wedding:
- Eat locally — select a caterer who uses locally grown produce for the reception.
- Keep the wedding small — not only will you save money, but you’ll decrease your carbon foot print because more quests equals more food, more stuff and more travel.
- Create a green registry — you can check out http://www.registerlocally.com/ for more info.
- Re-cycle your invitations — you can use re-cycled paper or you can invite your guests on-line too.
- Go veggie — or consider having more veg and less meat at your reception.
- Choose fair trade flowers — the floral industry is under scrutiny for poor working conditions or better yet get your flowers locally.
- Do not “over” cater — lots of food goes to waste at weddings or you can ask your caterer to take the left overs to a homeless shelter.
- Think about transportation – select a venue close to home, find a sustainable limo company or use a horse and carriage which is romantic AND go for the environment too.
- Support a local non-profit org — many local arts organizations and museums offer wedding packages and can use the money, so forgo the country club and help out a local non-profit instead.
- Buy green wedding favors — look for eco friendly or “green” wedding favors and be sure to check out Moments of Elegance Green Wedding Favors catalog for ideas.
There are lots of ways to decrease your carbon footprint and have an eco-friendly wedding. Just think you could have a green wedding instead of a white one!
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You Say It’s Your Birthday!
Birthday parties, who doesn’t love ‘em? They are fun to go to, but planning the perfect party can be perfectly stressful. We have compiled some easy tips to ensure that your next birthday party is fun for all.
Birthday Party Planning Tips from AmazingMoms.com:
- Start planing your birthday party at least 8 to 6 weeks out allowing time for any on-line or cake orders.
- Pick a theme. If you need help check out The Big List of Birthday Party Ideas.
- If your guests are under the age of say 12, you’ll need to plan actives. The last thing you want on your hands are 20 kids jacked up on cake and juice running around with nothing to do.
- If you want to save money, plan the party anywhere from 1 to 4 pm to skip serving a meal but have finger foods available.
- For guests, the invitation equation is child’s age + 1 = happy kids.
- And don’t forget the birthday party favors!
Moments of Elegance has the best birthday party favors, be sure to check out their Birthday Party Favor Catalog. Here are some of our favs:
Rainbow Fortune Cookies Indivdually Wrapped (as low as $1.10)
Sugar Sugar Tart All Natural Soap (as low as $1.95)
“Seeds of Love” Plantable Seed Pots (as low as $3.75)
Stew on This
Brrr…baby it’s cold, dark and grey outside. Yuck! Double yuck!! So, it’s time to stew it up. Get it? Stew-it-up. It’s time to break out the crock pot and make some yummy and hearty stews or stoops. Not sure if it’s a soup or a stew? Then it’s a stoop.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together whole-wheat flour, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together egg white, 3 tablespoons oil, and 1/4 cup milk; add to flour mixture, and stir until moistened. Drop four 1/4-cup scoops of dough onto a baking sheet, at least 2 inches apart. Bake until golden, 12 to 14 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a 5-quart Dutch oven or large heavy pot, heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high. Add carrots, celery, and onions; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender, 7 to 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle vegetables with remaining 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; stir in remaining 3/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup water, and thyme. Simmer until liquid is thickened, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken; simmer until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve chicken stew with
Inside “Martha” Tip:
Get old-fashioned flavor the light way, with low-fat milk in the “creamy” sauce, plenty of skinless white-meat chicken, and whole-wheat flour in the biscuits. You don’t have to dig out the rolling pin and biscuit cutter for this recipe — the dough is very moist, so all you need to do is stir, drop, and bake.
Recipe from www.marthastewart.com
Jambalaya for Company (click on this link and you can watch Chef Smith make this recipe!)
Serves 8 to 10
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound chicken thighs, cut into pieces
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound tilapia, white fish, halibut, or orange roughy, cut into cubes
- 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Creole seasoning*
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 4 tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- salt to taste
- 4 cups long-grain white rice
- 1 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
Directions:
- Place the olive oil in a large Dutch oven and place over medium heat. When hot, add the chicken, shrimp, fish, sausage, onion and bell pepper, garlic, and celery. Cook until just lightly brown.
- Add the Creole seasoning, tomato paste, tomatoes, and chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Add the bay leaves, season with salt, and stir in the long-grain rice. Reduce the heat so that the mixture simmers, then cover. Cook until the liquid has almost evaporated, about 30 minutes.
- Just before serving, remove the bay leaves and stir in the freshly chopped parsley.
* Art’s Homemade Creole Seasoning
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon white pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
Directions:
- Place the cayenne pepper, black pepper, white pepper, oregano, and thyme in a spice bottle
- Shake well and keep in a cool, dark place.
Inside Chef Smith Tips:
- It’s best to make the Creole Seasoning in small amounts.
- Great jambalaya should be a little wet.
Recipe from Art Smith’s Back to the Family: Food Tastes Better When Shared with Ones You Love Cookbook.
Chinese New Year 2010
Double Happiness Placecard Holder
This year the Chinese New Year lands on February 14, 2010. Hmmm…is there something else happening on that day? Oh yeah, Valentine’s Day! Maybe this year you want an alternative event to celebrate instead of V-Day? Maybe not?
So, what is Chinese New Year anyway? In China, Chinese New Year is like their Christmas, families hang out together, exchange gifts, and eat, eat, eat! Every family thoroughly cleans the house to sweep away any ill-fortune in hopes to make way for incoming luck. Each Chinese New Year follows the Chinese Lunar Calendar and the Chinese Zodiac Sign. This year it will be the Year of the Tiger. If you want to find out what animal you are go to Apples4theteacher.com and type in the year you were born. There are also so fun Chinese New Year Crafts on their site too. Check them out!
If you want to throw a Chinese New Year party, here are some tips from eHow:
- Buy red decorations from your local Asian Market, look for items that have phrases of well-being on them. Be sure to hang red streamers on your front door.
- Play traditional Chinese music .
- Buy a whole chicken, along with mandarins with the branches attached, and pick up fresh un-cut noodles.
- You’ll also need red envelopes to put money in to give to each of your guests.
If are looking for some Asian Wedding Favors or Asian Themed Party Favors, check out Moments of Elegance’s on-line catalogue.
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Coffee, Tea Or Wedding Favors
For your wedding favors you can choose coffee, tea or both. Why not? You can personalize them too! Not only does Moments of Elegance have coffee and tea wedding favors, but they also feature fun accouterments such as soaps, coffee themed candles, tea party cookies, a heart shaped tea infuser, and more.
Here’s some coffee and tea favors from their Coffee and Tea Wedding Favor Catalog that’ll be sure to perk up your wedding guests:
COFFEE WEDDING FAVORS:
The Perfect Blend – Elegant Personalized Coffee Kit
The Perfect Blend – Elegant Personalized Coffee Kit (as low as $3.80) — Each glossy black and white packet is illustrated with a sophisticated bride or groom and comes with a matching personalized tag. Inside the bag are 2 ounces of delicious ground coffee and the entire favor is finished off with a delicate chrome heart-shaped coffee spoon, attached with a darling white meshed ribbon.
"A Winter Holiday" Personalized Hot Cappuccino
“A Winter Holiday” Personalized Hot Cappuccino (as low as $1.60) –Warm up your guests with a delightful treat that tastes as good as it looks! Named after an order of Franciscan Minor friars named “Capuccini”, this invigorating and tasty drink is a perfect way to start the morning. Their “A Winter Holiday” Personalized Hot Cappuccino Mixes will be an enjoyable treat for your guests to enjoy when they go home. Personalization is included.
TEA WEDDING FAVORS:
"Time for Tea" Teapot Timer
“Time For Tea” Teapot Timer ( as low as $3.40) — TICK… TICK… It’s time for tea! The tea is brewed, the table is set, all that’s missing is a unique tea party themed favor for the guests to tie it all together. This practical and inventive favor will be appreciated by guests with its stylish packaging and clever play on words. Guests will be reminded of your special day every time they set the timer from 1 to 60 minutes.
"Tea For One" Favor
“Tea For One” Favor (as low as $3.50) – These adorable “tea for one” favors are perfect for showers, or couple’s who love tea. Each favor comes with a beautiful white tea rest in the shape of a teapot. A package of herbal chamomile tea is added and the rest is wrapped in elegant cello, accented by pink roses and pink organza ribbon.
OTHER FUN STUFF
Mon-Oreo-Grams- Monogrammed Picture Cookies- Oreos
Mon-Oreo-Grams Monogramed Picture Cookies -Oreos (as low as $1.99) — Mon-Oreo-Grams™ Picture Cookies make an elegant gift or party favor… delicious Oreo® Cookies are hand-dipped in Belgian White Chocolate and decorated with sprinkles in colors of your choice. They can put your monogram- a single letter, your initials or a name-on these 100% edible completely delectable cookies!
Choose from their unique coffee wedding favors and tea wedding favors. A personalized bag of coffee, or a heart shaped tea infuser, is a great gift that will keep on giving. Just note that all personalized and edible items are both non- returnable and non- refundable.
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Bridal Accessories
You spent hours and hours pouring through bridal mags and tried on a thousand dresses. You’ve found that perfect dress. You’ve found THE dress. But what about your bridal accessories — your shoes, jewelry and maybe even a tiara? Because let’s face it every girl should feel like royalty on her big day. Finding the right bridal accessories is like icing on THE cake.
Silver Baguette Tiara ($79)
Looking for bridal tiaras or bridal head bands? Then you just have to check out our Bridal Tiaras Catalog. Our beautiful bridal tiaras and headpieces will be the perfect accent to any hair style and bridal up do. We offer an elegant selection of quality tiaras, bridal headpieces, decorative combs, bridal headbands, and hair pins by today’s popular bridal designers.
Silver Bracelet with Tiffany set Swarovski Austrian crystals ($36)
Next up — jewelry.Okay, nothing can compare to YOUR engagement ring, but we’ve found some dazzeling pieces for the bride and brides maids too! Our bridal jewelry collection is so elegant and looks so authentic that it is difficult to distinguish them from higher priced couture designs.
Tiara Heel by Jonathan Kayne ($59.95)
You just have to top off your day with a pair of super special bridal SHOES! Of course you do! Whether you’re looking to strut your stuff in strappy sandals, retro pumps, or slingbacks, we’ve got the best in bridal shoes and special occasions shoes.
"Soon to Be Mrs..." Bride Hoodie Sweatshirt ($45)
But there’s more! We’ve got more bridal accessories — bridal purses, bridal garters, bridal showers, bachlorette stuff and To-Be-Wed Wear for Brides & Brides Maids.
Out With The Old & In With The NEW
It’s out with the old and in with the NEW…new favors and gifts that is! At Moments of Elegance, we have over 2,000 new products to add that extra pop to your wedding, bridal shower, baby shower, baptism, confirmation, birthday party, or graduation. Because as you know, the key to a fantastic event is in the details!
You won’t want to miss our New Products catalogue featuring fun and festive favors and gifts. There are literally thousands of favors and gifts to choose from, here’s just a small sample:
Cheery Cherry Blossom Design Candles (as low as $1.60) – A pretty symbol of good fortune, love and the rebirth of spring – not to mention its beautiful color combination of pink and brown – the cherry blossom is gaining in popularity as a decorative element at weddings, showers and more.
Fleur de Lis Design Mint Tins(as low as .70) — Add a touch French flair to your special occasion
with these fleur de lis design mint tins as your favors.
Tiny Square Hand Stamped Necklace ($62) – Two hammered squares (About 1/2″ each) are hung from a thick, sterling ring and strung on sterling chain. A cream freshwater pearl adds the perfect detail. Each square can fit up to 6 characters.
Olive You Always Collection Oil & Vinegar Sets (as low as $4.20) – Looking for fun favors that are destined to be used over and over again? Well these flavorful kitchen favors make a recipe for success.
Angel Design Letter Openers (start as low as $1.55) — What could be better than sending your guests home with an angel at the end of your special day? Angel favors are an inspirational and beautiful choice for weddings, Christenings and so much more.
NYC Icon Natural Tote Bag ($20) — What a unique way to welcome your guests to an out of
town/destination wedding! Perfect as out of town welcome bags, rehearsal dinner gifts, corporate gifts, or even wedding favors.
This is just a sample of a few of the new fab gifts and favors we have, so you just have to check out our New Products Catalogue. You must! Really.
Close Outs
It’s January. Time to roll out the old inventory and bring in the new. Great time to get a great deal. At Moments of Elegance, we’ve got deals starting as low as 50 cents! So if you are planning a wedding, party or baby shower and need favors or gifts check out our Close Out Favors. You’ll find everything from frames, votive candles, cosmetic bags, to cookie cutters and more!
Here are some of our favs:
Starfish Favors (start at .99 cents) — These starfish favors are the perfect way to spruce up any beach themed event.
- Pink Jacket Printable Invitation Kit ($32) — This easy to use, “do it yourself” printable invitation
kit features invitations, response cards, envelopes, wording examples, and printing instructions for printing 40 complete invitations.
Red and Black Wristlet($7) — These red and black designer wristlettes from Blanche are as practical as they are stylish. Perfect for bridesmaid gifts, mother gifts, gifts for the bride or anyone who deserves a little something special.
- Stylish Stanless Steel High Heel Cake Server (starts at $3.20) — Whimsical yet useful, shoe design wedding or shower favors.
Baby Smiles!” Baby Themed Placecard Holder Frames ($1.25) — Show off adorable pics of the mom-to-be, or the new addition with these adorable baby themed placecard holder frames.
For more great close out deals on gifts and favors check out our close out favors, gifts and clearance at Moments of Elegance Close Outs.
2010 Dates to Keep in Mind
The holidays are over. Well, for now at least. Tick tock, tick tock, the clock is ticking. It’s time to get back to planning your wedding! Here are a list of dates to keep in mind when planning your wedding or any special events surrounding your big day.
There are definite pros and cons to planning a wedding on a holiday weekend. Yet there are those big sporting events like the World Series, that you might want to consider too. How much would it stink if your guests were huddled around the television cheering on the home team?
January
Martin Luther King Day (January 18)
February
Super Bowl (February 7)
Chinese New Year (February 14) — Since it’s Valentine’s Day this one doesn’t really count because getting married on V-day is super romantic!!! It just is.
President’s Day (February 15)
March
Day Light Savings (March 14)
Palm Sunday (March 28)
Passover (March 30)
April
April Fools Day (April 1)
Final Four/ March Madness (April 3 and 5) –it’s madness that March Madness is in April.
Easter Sunday (April 4)
May
Mother’s Day (May 9)
Memorial Day (May 31)
June
The World Cup (June 11, 2010 to July 11)
Father’s Day (June 20)
July
Fourth of July (July 4)
The World Cup (June 11, 2010 to July 11)
August
Ramadan (August 10)
Friday the 13th (August 13)
September
Labor Day (September 6)
Rosh Hashanah (Begins at sundown: September 8 through the 10)
Yom Kippur (September 18)
October
World Series (Dates TBA)
Columbus Day (October 11)
Halloween (October 31)
November
Day Light Savings (November 7)
Thanksgiving (November 25)
December
Hanukkah (December 2-9)
Christmas (December 25)
Kwanzaa (December 26 through January 1 2011)
New Year’s Eve (December 31)
Wedding days that are thought to bring bad luck:
Before you plan your next wedding event. Mark your calendar. Pronto.