A Joyeux Blog

5th Anniversary

2010-04-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

Today, Me & the Mister celebrate five years of wedded bliss!! I love you baby!

Beverage Monday.

2010-04-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

Spring is Here!

Here are some spring/April inspired cocktails.

Paradise in April

3 oz coconut rum

3 oz pineapple juice

3 oz Hawaiian Punch®

Pour the ingredients in order into a Highball glass half filled with ice.

Income Tax Cocktail

2 oz gin

1/4 oz sweet vermouth

1/4 oz dry vermouth

1 oz orange juice

Angostura bitters to taste

orange twist for garnish

Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake and strain into a chilled Cocktail glass. Garnish with the orange twist.

Spring Feeling
1 oz gin
1/2 oz Green Chartreuse®
1 tbsp lemon juice

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a Cocktail glass, and serve.

Cheers,

Fat Tuesday

2010-02-16T08:14:00.000-08:00

We are doing a special edition of Beverage Tuesday this week. We are celebrating tonight's Mardi Gras celebrations with some themed cocktails.
Mardi Gras Martini3 ounces Absolut Citron Vodka
Glass Coated with Chambord
Lemon Twist

Pour the chilled Vodka into a chilled martini glass coated in Chambord and serve with a twist of lemon.

To coat the martini glass or rocks glass with Chambord, pour Chambord into the glass, swirl around the glass until coated (to your liking), pour out any remaining Chambord.

Hurricane
1 oz vodka
1/4 oz grenadine syrup
1 oz gin
1 oz light rum
1/2 oz Bacardi® 151 rum
1 oz amaretto almond liqueur
1 oz triple sec
grapefruit juice
pineapple juice

Pour all but the juices, in order listed, into a hurricane glass three-quarters filled with ice. Fill with equal parts of grapefruit and pineapple juice, and serve.
Mardi Gras Flasher
2 oz dark rum
6 oz ginger ale
1 tsp grenadine syrup

Stir ingredients together in a highball glass with/without ice. Add more grenadine if desired, stir again and serve.
Creole2 oz Light Rum
3 oz Beef Bouillon
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
Salt and Pepper
1 dash Tabasco Sauce
Lemon Wedge

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon wedge.

Have fun tonight and don't over do it. Promply at midnight the streets close in New Orleans since lent starts tomorrow.

Cheers,

Beverage Monday

2010-02-08T12:05:00.000-08:00

Love Cocktails

Today we are featuring Love cocktails, since we all know what next Sunday is....

Wild Passionate Love
1 oz Southern Comfort
1 oz peach schnapps
1 oz Chambord raspberry liqueur
Fill with pineapple juice

Put all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake & strain into Cocktail Glass

Love in a Glass
1/2 oz Grey Goose® vodka
1 1/2 oz Chambord® raspberry liqueur
2 dashes Amaretto Di Saronno® liqueur
1 oz sweet and sour mix

Pour the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with with ice. Shake and strain into two Cocktail Glasses. Great for couples.

Love Byte
1 oz Bacardi® gold rum
1/2 oz triple sec
1/2 oz Amaretto Di Saronno® liqueur
1 oz Malibu® pineapple rum
3 oz pineapple juice
1 oz grenadine syrup

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and pour the contents into a highball glass. Garnish with a piece of pineapple and a maraschino cherry.

Cheer

Beverage Monday

2010-02-01T11:29:00.000-08:00

Since this coming Sunday is the BIG day why not celebrate with some drinks named after the cities that are sending their teams there and the city that is hosting the event.

Hurricane, New Orleans Style
1 oz white rum
1 oz Jamaican dark rum
1 oz Bacardi® 151 rum
3 oz orange juice
3 oz unsweetened pineapple juice
1/2 oz grenadine syrup
crushed ice

Combine all ingredients, mix well (shake or stir). Pour over crushed ice in a Hurricane Glass. Best enjoyed through a small straw. Garnish with fruit wedge if desired.

Indy Car
1 oz apricot brandy
1 oz dry vermouth
1/2 oz triple sec
1 oz passion-fruit juice
3 oz lemon-lime soda

Pour the ingredients in order into an ice-filled Highball Glass, and serve.

Miami Beach
1 oz vodka
1 oz 1800® Tequila
1 oz rum
1 oz gin
1 oz triple sec
1 oz sweet and sour mix
1 splash peach schnapps

Mix ingredients together, over ice, in a Collins Glass. Pour into a shaker. Shake a couple times and pour ingredients back into glass. Garnish with lemon.

Cheers,

Engagement Party

2010-01-08T10:10:00.000-08:00

You're engaged, now what? Plan a party to announce it to everybody! Traditionally the Bride's Parents host the Engagement Party, but in this day and age anyone can host the party. Have fun with it. After all, how many times do you plan on getting married? Here are examples of three invitations to get you started. They are from the Wedding Paper Diva's. If you spend $99 or more they will give you $10 off. Use code AFL10.

Modern Couple Engagement Announcement

Crystal Glasses Engagement Announcement

Engagement Silhouette Announcement

Beverage Tuesday

2010-01-05T08:34:00.000-08:00

"Diet" Cocktails

We all want to be able to have a cocktail or two and maintain our figures, but what to drink and not sacrifice the flavor.
You can of course have low cal drinks at home with diet juices & other diet mixers, you can also substitute Splenda for the sugar in a few drinks, but at a bar what do you order?

How about the Skinny Bitch, which is a Rum & Diet Coke?
You can order any liquor with Diet Coke.
The lower the proof, the lower the alcohol content. Most shots of basic alcohol {1 1/2 ozs.} will set you back about 100 calories.
Bars don't usually have any other mixer that is diet. Tonic water is not a diet drink, nor is ginger ale.
You can order your drink with Soda Water. Which is only bubbly water.
A Wine Spritzer is just that, wine with soda water.
There is always the light beer, but that can be boring.
A glass of Champagne is pretty low in calories, too.
There are conflicting reports online about the Sour Apple Martini, but most say it is fairly low in calories.
The Mojito is somewhat low-cal, even better if you can slip in a sugar substitute.
If you are at a bar that has infused liquors, give those a try on the rocks.
Bloody Mary's are fairly low in calories, too, since they are made with tomatoes instead of fruit juice.

Next time I will give you some recipies to try at home.

Cheers,

Welcome 2010

2010-01-04T08:39:00.001-08:00

Hello Everybody. Welcome to 2010. I have been off the map for awhile, {I lost my father & planned a joint celebration of life for my parents, during the holidays, fun stuff!} but I am ready to get a jump on a new year and decade.

I do want to say congratulations to everybody who got engaged over the holiday's. How very exciting for you.

As a newly engaged couple where do you start? After you show everybody the ring and let everybody know just how excited you are where do you go from there?

The first thing you need to do is decide on who is paying for the wedding. Or how much can you spend on your dream wedding?

Once you figure that out, hire a wedding planner. They are not an additional expense, they can be a godsend. I am not biased or anything. We do help you, a lot!

Once you do those two things then you can have some fun! Buy magazines, look at blogs, figure out what your wedding day style is.

If you don't hire a wedding planner, you need to book a venue for your reception, one for your ceremony if you are planning on having them in different locations.

While you are doing that and getting sticker shock on the per person cost, you need to decide on your guest list. At this point you will be cutting out a lot of people who you don't think is worth the $100.00+ per plate charge & understand why you couldn't just bring a date to your second cousin's wedding.

You will also need to start looking for your wedding dress. If you don't get it at David's or a similar take it home today store, you need to allow at least 6 months for your dress to be made just for you.

You need to also think about the entertainment for the evening. Do you want a band or DJ? Since they will be there with you for your entire event you need to book them soon.

But until you have a venue locked down {a signed contract and deposit paid} you don't have a date & if you don't start the search soon you will find that your dream location just might be booked on your desired date, especially if you want a Saturday in May, June or October.

It takes about three hundred hours to plan a wedding, which is a lot of time. There are lots of decisions to make, lots of details to consider. Do yourself a favor and hire a wedding planner, even if you have one just for the Day of. Interview a couple. Make sure you click. Don't choose one on price alone. They will help you alleviate a lot of stress, because nobody wants to turn in to the dreaded...

Have fun during this time. Enjoy the thrill of being in love and sharing that love with your fiance. Can you believe that you have one? I wish you all the best.

Congratulations Again,

Beverage Monday

2009-11-23T09:25:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Cocktails

Here are some Thanksgiving Cocktails and a Cranberry & Pumpkin Pie recipie thrown in for good measure.

Thanksgiving Cocktail

1 1/2 oz Wild Turkey® bourbon whiskey
1/2 oz Applejack® brandy
1 tsp Rose's® lime juice
4 oz cranberry juice

Fill Collins glass one-half full of ice, add ingredients and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.

Thanksgiving Special

3/4 oz apricot brandy
3/4 oz dry vermouth
3/4 oz gin
1/4 tsp lemon juice
1 cherry

Shake all ingredients (except cherry) with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Top with the cherry and serve.

A Southern Thanksgving

3 oz Southern Comfort® peach liqueur
1 oz Wild Turkey® bourbon whiskey
1 oz cranberry juice
1/2-1 oz lime juice

Combine Southern comfort and Wild turkey in glass first. Add Cranberry juice and finish with splash of lime juice. Add a garnish of apple or lime and serve on ice.

Cranberry Kiss

4 oz reposado 1800® Tequila
4 oz triple sec
8 oz cranberry juice

Make by the glass for a few guests or in a shaker or pitcher for a large party. Serve in a cocktail glass, garnishing the glass rim with a half slice of fresh lime.

Pumpkin Pie

1/2 oz Kahlua® coffee liqueur
1/2 oz Bailey's® Irish cream
1/4 oz cinnamon schnapps

Slowly layer the ingredients in the order listed above into a large shot glass.

Cheers,

Beverage Tuesday

2009-11-17T10:08:00.000-08:00

I am feeling a little nutty!

Butter Pecan

1 oz Frangelico

2 tbsp vanilla ice cream

5 pecan nuts

Pour Frangelico into a Cocktail glass and add the ice-cream. Coarsely chop the pecan nuts and put them on top to garnish.

Nuts & Berries

1/2 oz of Chambord
1/2 oz of Frangelico
2 oz cream

Put all of the ingredients into a a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled Cocktail Glass.

Toasted Almond

2 oz Amaretto
2 oz Coffee Liqueur
2 oz Light Cream

Pour the ingredients into a Rocks Glass filled with ice.

Buttery Nutty Squirrel

1 oz butterscotch schnapps
1 oz amaretto almond liqueur
1 oz Bailey's Irish cream

Pour ingredients into a shaker filled ice. Shake and the strain into a chilled Cocktail Glass.

Cheers,

Recipes courtesy of DrinksMixer.com
Photo courtesy of faqs.org

Who's to Blame?

2009-11-14T14:10:00.000-08:00

This was on the news on Friday, November 13, 2009 at 4 pm on KABC, channel 7 in Los Angeles.{I saw a teaser of it on Oprah, I was catching up today} Yes, you really do need to do your homework before hiring any professional. When deciding on a wedding planner, look for one that is an association or can at least give you names of previous brides. And a professional wedding planner will do just that, help you PLAN & Coordinate your wedding day. We do not make your food, your dress or take your photos. We rely on professionals in those fields to do it. We do not sign contracts with vendors. We do not take money up front to pay for other vendors. BIG RED FLAG! We will refer and recommend vendors but it is up to you the couple to pay and sign a contract for their services. We will help you distribute final payments and gratuities on the wedding day, but it is your money, not ours.

As a couple please do not go to a one stop shop. Yes, I can bake, but not your wedding cake. I can drive, but not a limo., I can play music, but not like a DJ. I have a camera, but they won't look the same. I can arrange flowers but not for a wedding. You need to taste the food and cake before your wedding. You should go to an event the DJ is at to get a feel for him. Have the floral designer show you examples. You should see lots of photos from the photographer before you book. Also, an engagement session so you can see if you feel comfortable with them. Meet the wedding planner before you sign anything. Make sure your personalities mesh. You are paying these people A LOT of money. Your wedding is one of your most expensive purchases, don't come away from it like this couple. I feel sorry for them, but one person doing everything? Come on! As a wedding planner I can't do their jobs if I am doing my job right, which is coordinating your wedding day. Likewise, they can't/shoudn't be doing my job if you are paying them to be your floral designer, caterer, photographer or DJ.

Thanks for hearing me out,

~Friday Shopping~

2009-11-13T09:47:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday, the 13th.

I was born on the 13th {October} so I am not too bothered by the number.

Today's shopping expereince is for the Bachelorette! All the items are from Check them out. They do have some naughtier things! :-) So have fun shoping for the all important girls night! They are also offering 10% off see the coupon below.

Bachelorette Party Kit - The Sophisticate
The Sophisticate Kit contains: Bride Tank Top with Gems. Bachelorette Tiara. Pink and Black Balloons. Bubble Stickers. Wedding Trivia Game. Wedding Ring Shot Glass. Pink and Black Banner. Peckermints. Martini Glass Invites. Mini Martini Shot Glasses – The Martini Shot Glasses. Martini Glass with Veil.

Bachelorette Party Kit - The Bestsellers
The Bestsellers Kit includes: Tickeled Pink Sash and Tiara Set – This pink tiara and sash both say "Bachelorette.". Bead Necklace with a Shot Glass. Corset Invitations – 8 classy bachelorette party invitations. Silver Bachelorette Party Banner. Kinky Sex Position Balloons. Naughty Toilet Paper. I.D. Buttons – They say things like, "I'm the Bride," "Party Animal," and "I'm in Charge. Penis Pops - Six penis suckers. Super Fun Penis Candy - Six packs of penis candy. Pecker Straws. Jello Shot Tray. Pin the Macho on the Man Game.

Bachelorette Party Kit For 10 Guests
This festive tin comes packed with:10 invites 10 cups, 10 napkins, 10 dinner plates, 10 dessert plates, 10 sets of utensils, 10 name tags & 1 nine-foot long "Bachelorette Party" letter banner.

The Bad Bridesmaids Kit - For Your Naughty Friends
Are the bridesmaids and bachelorette party guests a naughty bunch? If so they will enjoy these randy novelties. Included are sixteen cocktail sippers (2 packs of 8), a box of x-rated fortune cookies, a dozen blow pops, two dozen adult toothpicks, and a penis shaped mold for jello shots.

Bachelorette Babydoll Shirt

Pink Bachelorette Tank Top

The Bachelorette Tiara

The Bride and Groom Bachelorette Veil

"A Shot for the Bride to Be" Flashing Shot Glass Necklace

Bachelorette.com is Offering 10% Off Any Order with the Coupon Code: Bachelorette.

Happy Shopping,

Website Changes

2009-11-12T10:16:00.000-08:00

There have been some changes to A Joyeux Day's website. I have added photos and thank you letters. {finally} I have also gone with another company so I was able to change some other things. Check them out & let me know what you think.
Enjoy your day,

Beverage Monday

2009-11-02T15:55:00.000-08:00

Dia de los Muertosimage courtesy of MexicanSugarSkull.com

This is a little late, but it is the Day of the Dead. The day when Latino cultures celebrate their family that has passed on. I decided to make a play on this by featuring drinks of skulls and bones.

Skull

1/3 shot Kahlua® coffee liqueur

1/3 shot Bailey's® Irish cream

1/3 shot Old Grandad® bourbon whiskey

Mix ingredients and serve in a shot glass.

Skin & Bones

3 oz Captain Morgan® Original spiced rum

7 1/2 oz Coca-Cola® Diet Coke

1/2 oz lime juice

Pour rum into an old-fashioned glass, and add coke (in the same fashion as a rum and coke). Add a squeeze of lime juice, and serve.

Dancing Bones

1 1/2 oz dry vermouth

2 tsp gin

2 tsp cherry brandy

Pour vermouth, gin and cherry brandy into a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes, and stir. Strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.

Cheers,

recipies courtesy of DrinksMixer.com

Beverage Wednesday

2009-10-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Wait a minute, is that right? I completely forgot to post this week on Monday, so this week it is Beverage Wednesday,

Halloween Cocktails, Spiders!
{& this is me as a Spider Queen}

White Spider

1 oz vodka
1 oz white creme de menthe

Pour over lots of ice, in a Rocks Glass.

Spider Bite Martini

1.5 oz vodka
1 oz Malibu® coconut rum
1 oz triple sec
2 splashes bitters

Put all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to mix. Strain and pour into a Martini Glass. Adjust the amount of Bitters to taste. A little goes a long way

Spider's Web

4 oz Goldschlager® cinnamon schnapps
1 drop strawberry juice
1 1/2 oz whipped cream

Put alcohol in shot glass, drop strawberry into glass, then try and make cream float on top.

Black Widow{I did another version of this earlier this month}

1 oz Absolut® Citron vodka
1 oz Opal Nera® black sambuca

Pour both ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker, shake. Strain into a Martini Glass and serve with a lemon twist.

Tarantula Bite

2 oz Tarantula Azul white tequila
6 oz Grape energy soda

Fill a High Ball Glass with ice cubes. Pour the ingredients in order into it. Garnish with a slice of lemon.

Cheers,

btw I do have arachnophobia!
recipes courtesy of drinksmixer.com

~Friday Shpopping~

2009-10-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

Vegas Baby

My sister is going to a Las Vegas wedding tomorrow so why not set the stage for a Vegas wedding.

Las Vegas Save The Date
Start off with this to get you guests excited

Welcome to Las Vegas Wedding Invitation or Program
You can use this as either an invitation or program

Lucky in Love Bottle Stopper Wedding Favor
For the guests

A Lucky Pair Playing Cards Wedding Favor
Or these

Personalized Las Vegas Just Married Car Magnet
Put this on your car

Enjoy,

Beverage Monday

2009-10-19T09:07:00.000-07:00

It's Pumpkin Time

Jack O' Tini

2 oz. Vodka - chilled
1/4 oz. Bols Pumpkin Smash Liqueur
1 Candy Corn

Place a single candy corn at the bottom of chilled Cocktail Glass. Combine vodka and liqueur in a shaker with ice, shake well and strain into the glass.

Smashing Pumpkin Martini

3 oz. Infused Spiced Pumpkin Vodka
1 oz. Amaretto
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds for Garnish

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Stir gently and strain into a chilled Cocktail Glass.

To substitute the infused vodka use 2 1/2 oz of Stoli Cinammon Vodka & 1/2 oz. of Bols Pumpkin Smash Liqueur

Pumpkin’s Passion

1 oz. SKYY Infusions Passion Fruit
3 oz. Sauvignon Blanc
1 1/2 oz. Monin Pumpkin Spice
1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake. Pour into a Margarita Glass and garnish with a wedge of orange and a dash of cinnamon.

Cheers,

Photo from Wikipedia Commons.
Recipes from Drink of the Week.

Where & how to seat my guests?

2009-10-15T10:26:00.000-07:00

This can be one of the most challenging parts of planning your wedding. Where do I seat everybody? It needs to be done and it might take awhile, but if you don't want utter chaos at your reception you need a plan. Although, you do need to ask yourself a few questions first.

What kind of wedding reception am I having? Am I having just a cake and champagne reception? Or a Cocktail reception? Or is it a seated 5 course meal? For the first two you don't even really need tables just a few belly bars/high boys {tables that come up to your waist}, but if you are thinking of a meal every guest needs a seat. This is where the fun part comes in.

Are your guests going to be served their meal~will you offer one meal for everybody or a choice of entrees? For this option you do need to ask them their choice on their response card. If you are only having one entree you still need to offer a vegetarian meal.

Are you having a buffet? Everybody gets their own meal. No need to put anything on the response card, although you might put ___________ special needs. {you should add this for a seated meal, too} With so many vegans, lactose intolerant, and gluten free people these days, you don't want somebody not able to eat because you didn't ask. Plus, you are paying for their seat.

From there you need to decide if you want each guest seated at a certain seat at a specific table. If you have more than one entree this is a must. Which means you need to have place cards at each table setting, and indicate which meal they are having on the place card or the staff will be 'auctioning off' the food. Which means they will be yelling out, who has beef? Who has the chicken? Great mood breaker and so very classy.

If you are having a buffet you don't need this extra step. But be forewarned everybody is going to sit where they can get the best view. {which means your mom & dad will have their backs to you} They are one of the last guest to arrive and the 'good' seats will already be taken.

Either way your guests need to know where to sit when they first get to the reception site. For this you need either escort cards {place cards that are at the door} or at least a chart with their name on it.

You do need to have every guest listed, or at least someone needs to know exactly how many guests are seated at each table and it needs to add up to your guarantee. Nothing is more fun for the banquet staff or wedding planner than rearranging seats and place settings after guests are seated.

There are several ways to do this. Like I said you can make a chart and list the guest by last name with the table name. Or you can have a whole table lined with escort cards, or have them hanging from a board. However you decide to do this, they should be alphabetical by last name. That's how people look for things, it will take less time for them to find the right table and less hang up at the 'door'. Especially if you have more than 20 people at your reception. Please don't forget this step. It is so confusing to have 100+ people roaming around a banquet room trying to find their name and table

So sit back have a glass of wine and decide exactly where the both of you want your guests to sit. Guests expect this, the banquet staff expects this and it makes keeping everyone in order a lot easier.

Then you can have fun naming your tables. Instead of having them numbered, name them.. You can choose places that you have been, if you are travelers. Your honeymoon place and words/places from there. Love in different languages. If you are having your wedding on the beach, beach words, the names of bodies of water, or names of shells. If you are having your wedding in a winery, different grapes, different wines or wine in different languages. If you do number, why not have pictures of the both of you at that age on the table. The list goes on. It is another way to put your signature on your wedding, just don't forget to name yours.

Happy reading,

Venues of the Southland~Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa

2009-10-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

I was wowed last week, when I was invited along with other local Wedding & Event planners to experience the Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa. Fabulous. What a luxurious place to stay in the mountains. When I was a little girl my family used to rent a cabin in Twin Peaks {just a couple of miles from Lake Arrowhead} each year, so the area holds lots of memories for me. This was also an early birthday present for me. It is today!

It is a great place to have a destination wedding without leaving Southern California. Plus, they do enjoy all four seasons up there. And it is only about 90 minutes from LA.

You can have your wedding outdoors on their Lakeside lawn and deck or on their beach, weather permitting of course! They have a traditional ballroom, the Lake Arrowhead Ballroom, that seats up to 270 for a wedding, the room also has a foyer that is all yours. If your guest list is smaller they have ballroom with a view, the Lakeview Terrace, it seats about 130 for a wedding.

The Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa

The Lakeview Lawn & Deck

The Beach,
we sat down there by the fireside in the evening

The Lake Arrowhead Ballroom

The Lakeview Terrace Room

The Magnum Room, located off of the restaurant, Bin 182, perfect for a small rehearsal dinner

These are the treatment beds in the VIP Journey Suite at the Spa of the Pines. It is a treatment room with a fireplace, private patio, and living room. Great for relaxing & getting pampered as a couple the day after getting married.

Below are some photos from my favorite suites.

This bed above & tub below are in the Cedar View Suite.
A favorite for brides. It is located right by the Lake View Deck & Lawn.

This spa tub with a view is in the Enchantment Suite

I just love this rustic display they have in the lobby.
The cake is by Lake Arrowhead cake designer, Niki's Custom Cakes.

My table for dinner. We also had a cocktail reception in the lobby.
The florals are by Fleuris Flower Studio.

My place setting

Our first course was Frisee and Red Oak Salad, with crumbled Roquefort Cheese, Pancetta & Garlic Croutons

Our second course was a Garlic Shrimp Crepe, it was a Blue Corn Pancake with Ancho Chilies, Roasted Corn and Cream.

This mango sorbet was our Intermezzo

Our Entree was a Petit Filet Mignon & Alaskan Halibut, with Potato-Leek Gratin, Mushrooms & a Port Wine Reduction with Green Peppercorns.

Our dessert was a Mango Raspberry Tart

After dinner they provided us with blankets and hot toddy's.
We then went down to the beach for a fireside chat.

My & my boys by the fire. Yes, it was that COLD!

The next day we enjoyed a breakfast cruise on the Arrowhead Queen and saw the lake and all the beautiful homes around it.

Enjoy,

Beverage Monday

2009-10-12T10:10:00.000-07:00

Blavod is a black vodka. They add the herbal extract catechu to acheive the color of the vodka. Perfect for this time of year & because my birthday is tomorrow and this is the mood I am in! So here are a few black cocktails to try.

Black Widow

2 oz Blavod vodka
3 oz cranberry juice

Pour the cranberry juice first into a Highball Glass filled with ice. Slowly pour the Blavod over a bar spoon to float it on top. If you don't use Blavod you won't get the effect.

Black Magic

2 oz Blavod black vodka
1/2 oz grenadine
lemon-lime soda
maraschino cherry for garnish

Pour the vodka and grenadine into Collins Glass filled with ice. Fill it to the top with soda. Garnish with the cherry.

Black & Gold
2 oz Blavod vodka
1 oz Goldschlager

Pour the Blavod into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled Cocktail Glass. Top with the Goldschlager.

Black Cat
2 oz. Blavod Black Vodka
1/2 oz. Chambord

Combine in a cocktail shaker with a cup of ice. Shake and strain into a chilled Cocktail Glass.

Cheers,

~Friday Shopping~

2009-10-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

Today were are talking about Bridal Shoes with bling.

They are all availabe from Bellissma Bridal Shoes.

Martinez Valero Crystal Bridal Shoes

Chunky clear crystals make this shoe stand out as a very formal, very fashionable choice for your wedding day. Strap is set with an adjustable clear crystal buckle for a perfect fit. Heel measures 4". The luxurious silk satin is available in ivory or dyeable white.

Grazia Samantha Bridal Shoes

Put some twinkle in your toes! Sultry silk satin sandal has a modern, asymmetrical toe strap studded with geometric-shaped jewels. Adjustable ankle strap closes with a rhinestone buckle to give a comfortable, custom fit. Available in your choice of white or ivory and a wide selection of sizes. Heel measures 3 1/8". This shoe is not dyeable.

Grace Lindsay Bridal Shoes

The intricate pearl and silver beading makes this sandal extra special. The combination slingback and ankle strap has a bit of elastic in back for a comfortable, personalized fit. Tapered heel measures 3.25". Made of fine silk satin in your choice white or ivory. This shoe is not dyeable.

Benjamin Adams Marilyn Bridal Shoes

Dripping with Swarovski crystals, this shoe still manages to look light and summery thanks to the delicate, barely there straps. The slingback is set with a buckle so you can adjust it for a perfect fit. Each shoe is hand crafted with white or ivory duchesse silk which gives the shoe a luxurious look, and soft leather lining for comfort and structure. Heel measures 3.5". White fabric is dyeable so it can be worn in white, or tinted any color you like.

Grazia Alicia Bridal Shoes

Meet the perfect pair for high-glam Hollywood style. Luxurious silk satin in white or ivory plays host to a bevy of rhinestone starbursts that cascade into crisscross straps. Heel measures 3.5". Available in white or ivory and a wide selection of sizes. This shoe is not dyeable..

Diane Lynn Rihanna Bridal Shoes

Luxe dyeable white silk satin can be worn as-is or tinted to match a bridesmaid dress, an evening gown or the perfect shade for the bride. The heel measures 4 7/8" but the platform base makes it comfortable and practical.

Grazia Ava Bridal Shoes

Sleek and sophisticated in your choice of white or ivory, with just the right touch of glitz. This silk satin shoe boasts an exquisitely crafted upper with brushed-metal buckle and starburst rhinestone accents. Heel measures 3.5".

Martinez Valero Waverly Bridal Shoes

A carefully pleated toe is accented with a sparkling jewel accent. The slingback is fit with a bit of elastic so it's always comfortable and slips on easily. The luxurious silk satin is available in dyeable white. Heel measures 4".

Grazia Tiffany Bridal Shoes

This fun, slip-on style goes upscale with luxurious silk satin and that fabulous crystal detailing that Grazia is known for. Heel measures 2 3/8". You choose white or ivory.

Special Occasions Gem Bridal Shoes

This jeweled slide is easy to wear and comes in fun metallic colors including silver, gold, bronze, lime, lavender or "something blue".

Beverage Monday

2009-09-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

Apples

It's fall now, although it dsoen't feel like it here in So Cal. So time for apples. Apple cocktails are a great way to get your 'apple' a day!

Apple Granny Crisp

1 oz apple schnapps
1/2 oz brandy
1/2 oz Irish cream
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
2 crackers
1/2 oz whipped cream
1 pinch ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend well, and pour into a Cocktail Glass. Add whipped cream, dust with cinnamon, and serve.

Apple Manhattan

2 oz Maker's Mark® bourbon whiskey
1 oz Berentzen's® apple liqueur

Put the whiskey and liqueur into a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled Cocktail Glass. Garnish with a slice of apple, and serve.

Green Apple

1 shot Southern Comfort® peach liqueur
1 splash Midori® melon liqueur
1 splash sweet and sour mix

Mix all three ingredients togetherin a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a ShotGglass and serve.

Cheers,

The photo is mine. These are from an escort card table.

~Friday Shopping~

2009-09-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

Are you thinking of having a bird theme? Here are a few items to get you started.

Love Bird Embrace Cake Topper

Smooth glazed porcelain makes these little love birds absolutely glow atop your cake. Designed in a contemporary style, each dove fits perfectly with the other in a cozy embrace.

Birds in Flight Wedding Invitation

Birds of a feather flock together. Matching save the date, reception, response, directions, thank you and place cards are also available.

Happy Birds Save The Date

This card is filled with love from the two birds sitting atop a tree to the charming heart leaves.

Enchanting Forest Wedding Invitation

Wedding Paper Divas has teamed up with the ultrachic designers at DwellStudio to bring you an exclusive new line of inspiring and modern wedding stationery. A splendid, sketched design with bright bursts of color creates a warm sense of artistry across all the pieces of this stylish wedding suite.

Splendid Swirls Wedding Invitation

This is another design by DwellStudio. Wedding Paper Divas brings you this exclusive new line of inspiring and modern wedding stationery. Embodying the ultimate in romance, this design features elegant, swirling lines displayed in a stunning way.

Two Birds Wedding Invitation

A pair of sweet birds sits upon circles of laurel leaf wreaths. For nature lovers with contemporary style, this wedding suite offers something fresh and unique.

Love Doves Save The Date

Announce your upcoming ceremony in a cute and classic way using these adorable little lovebirds! Perfect for a sweet and sophisticated couple, this save the date card from Petite Alma is full of chic, playful style.

Will you be my bridesmaid? Sage Blooms and Birds Card

Nestled amongst a patch of flowers, a pair of birds celebrates your engagement and asks your nearest and dearest if they'll be part of your big day. Each heavy stock card includes a matching envelope. Card is available individually or as a set.

Little Bird Wedding Invitation

A little bird told me you were getting married, and guess what? We have the perfectly stylish way to let everyone else in on the secret. Send them this marvelous wedding invitation, which reflects elegance and grace from its cherry blossom branches to the tiny petals that fall below. Matching shower invitations, save the date, reception, response, direction and thank you cards are also available.

Perfect Pear Party Invitation

Gather your friends and family with this chic party invitation from simplyput. It's so sweet, it even has a pair of partridges in a pear tree! Great for an engagement party, brunch and more.

Divine Doves Save The Date

Swirls of color enliven a traditional dove duo on this enchanting save the date card. Straight out of a fairy tale, this design is perfect for your own storybook ending.

Little Bird Address Label

This marvelous address label reflects elegance and grace with its delicate cherry blossom branch. Matching wedding suite and save the date cards are also available.

Delicate Hummingbird Bridal Shower Invitation

This exquisite invitation evokes all of the harmony of the natural world. This elegant design is perfect for a bridal shower full of sunshine, style and serenity.

Loving Birds Wedding Announcement

A pair of love birds sits singing sweet melodies to each other. Let these adorable birds announce your wedding news to friends and family.

Love Bird Personalized Cling

Adoring love birds are featured on this distinctive window cling that can be used on any glass surface.

Perching Bird Personalized Stickers

This sweet gift tag is designed with a silhouette of a little bird and is available in your choice of colors. Attach it to any gift or present for a look of modern elegance. All text is editable so you can personalize the look. .

Love Birds Deep Plum Mint Favor

A flock of birds and a sweet sense of style give this mint tin from Jenny Romanski an extra dose of enchanting fun! Give these charming party favors to guests at your shower, rehearsal dinner or reception to turn the good times into great memories. Each tin arrives filled with peppermint candies. All text is editable so you can customize the favor for any event.

Love Birds Theme

Have your favor imprinted with these two cute love birds. It is personalized with your names and wedding date.

Love Dove Place Card Holder

This contemporary place card holder features an elegant dove crafted from resin with a metallic-silver finish. A matching place card and tea-light candle is included but it is not recommended to use as a place card holder if the candle is going to be lit.

Newlyweds Car Sign

Want to decorate the newlyweds' car? Here is a great sign that all can see.

Birdcage Greeting Card Holder

Beverage Monday

2009-09-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

Who knew Tequila came pink? This is Rosangel, a Gran Centario Tequila that is is mellowed for two months in port barrels then is infused with hibiscus flowers, resulting in a beautiful color.
It yields notes of ripe fruit and floral notes with hints of vanilla. Not your traditional tequila! The recipies are from their website.

Rosangel Margarita

1½ oz. Rosangel

½ oz. orange liqueur

1 tbsp agave nectar

Juice of 1 lime

1 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice

1 tbsp cranberry juice

Splash of ginger ale

1½ cups of ice
Put all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filed with ice. Shake and strain into a Margartia glass.

The Rosangel Ruby Fizz~created by Julie Reiner, Owner of Flatiron Lounge, NYC & Clover Club in Brooklyn

2 ounces Rosangel Tequila

1/2 ounce Agave Syrup

1/2 ounce Ruby Port

1 bar spoon Pomegranate Molasses

3/4 ounce Lemon Juice

1/2 ounce Egg White

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a Highball Glass with one large ice cube. Top with Club Soda and garnish with a cherry.

The Rosangel Cosmopolitan

2 oz of Rosangel

2 oz Cranberry Juice

1/2 oz of Premium Orange Liqueur

1 oz lime juice

Put all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled Martini Glass.

Cheers,

~Friday Shopping~

2009-09-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

Today we are featuring Bridal Bouquet Bling~ Items to make your bouquet a little more special!

Rondell Crystal Bouquet Jewelry Sticks

Pearl and Crystal Bouquet Jewelry

Swarovski Crystal Bouquet Jewels - Set of 2

Crystal Solitaire Bouquet Jewelry

Crystal Glow Bouquet Jewelry

Crystal Pavé Heart Bouquet Jewelry

Pink Crystal Bouquet Swirl Jewels

Swarovski Crystal Butterfly Bouquet Jewelry by Bel Aire Bridal

Swarovski Crystal Monogram Bouquet Jewelry by Bel Aire Bridal

Double Heart Crystal Bouquet Jewelry

You can't forget your stem

Bouquet Ribbon Crystal Letter in Custom Colors

Crystal Heart Bouquet Stem Accent

Bouquet Stem Rectangle Crystal Accent

Here are a couple of flower-less bouquets

Swarovski Crystal Bride's Bouquet

Pearl Stems Bridal Bouquet

All of today's items are available through Advantage Bridal. They have many more items for your bouquet. I didn't want to get too crazy!

200th A Joyeux Blog Post!

2009-09-17T14:15:00.000-07:00

This is the 200th post of A Joyeux Blog. I have had visitors from all of the continents over the last year and a half. When I started this blog I just thought I would have people from Southern California visit. I didn't think about having an audience throughout the world. Besides the United States, I get the most visitors from Malaysia. I wrote about pre-wedding parties and it was posted to a forum. So hello, Malaysia Brides. If you look on Cluster Maps you can see where all our visitors came from during the last year. I have tried to post a least twice a week but that doesn't always happen. I have a few series, Beverage Monday { I am the most consistent on this one}, Venues of the Southland, Traditions & Superstitions {I havn't posted in awhile to this one} & our newest one ~Friday Shopping~. I have also posted a few Inspiration Boards. So I hope you keep on stopping by my labor of love and check out what is going on with A Joyuex Blog & my life.

In celebration of 200, I have introduced a new signature and a new blog banner.

Happy Reading,

Venues of the Southland~The Reef Restaurant

2009-09-17T11:43:00.000-07:00

The Reef Restaurant in Long Beach

I recently coordinated a wedding here. I was presently surprised by the food and service. Some of the featured pictures are mine, some are The Reef's. The photo above is of the Long Beach skyline from the Sunset deck on the day of the wedding. They are located right next to the Queen Mary so you get the Long Beach skyline. Fabulous!

Here is a photo of the set-up on the sunset deck and my couple getting marriedThis is the Harborview Ballroom. Their largest. Above is the set-up for another wedding, below is the set-up from my couple's wedding. My cute couple dancing their first dance.

Their price is fairly reasonable for a water view/waterfront venue. They have valet parking on the weekends and the food was great. All in all you do get a lot of bang for your buck here. Plus, I am a little partial since I live so close!

A Day in the Life of A Wedding Planner

2009-09-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

This is the third and last part of our series A Day in the Life of a Wedding Planner. Last week we left off with the ceremony ending. You can catch up with wedding planner 1 and wedding planner 2. Today we are going to go through the reception. Their Cake