New Blog!

Christie has moved on to bigger and better things- come check out the new blog! Tips for event planning of all kinds and unique gift ideas!

See you on the other side!

http://notanotherdiapercake.blogspot.com/

Rave: Wedding DVD

I recently my wedding DVD from photographer, Edward Macko, earlier this month. I was thrilled with the quality and quantity of photographs we received. The DVD arrived with a gorgeous picture not only on the cover but on the DVD itself.

These are a few of my favorite shots!

Did YOU have the best wedding of 2007?

The number one wedding website, theknot.com, is searching for the best wedding of 2007! They recently announced the First Annual Real Wedding Awards! Basically they are looking for newlyweds and wedding professionals to upload their pictures, videos, and websites. Judges will include real brides, the Knot editors, panel experts, and anyone who chooses to log on to view the entries! This is a fantastic place to persue to find great ideas and top vendors! Check it out and don't forget to vote for your favorites!

www.TheKnot.com/RealWeddingAwards

Walmart Stationary Clearance- Cheaper than the Dollar Store!

Surprise, surprise... I was out shopping again tonight and came across an exceptional deal on invitations, thank you notes, paper plates, cups, and table clothes. I was in the Walmart Supercenter by the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills (Route 28).

Bridal shower invitations- packs of 8 or 10........ 75 cents! Cheaper than the dollar store!
Matching Thank you notes- 75 cents
Bachelorette party invitations- 75 cents

Baby Shower invitations--1.25 These were the cute kind that you can print out on your computer with a hanging clothesline across the front.

Pink Maternity themed matching baby shower invitations, thank yous, paper plates, cups, napkins, and table clothes..... nothing over 1.50! "American Greeting" brand

50 pack of round silver double heart sticker seals....... 50 cents!!! Perfect for the back of your invitations or Thank you notes.

Bridal shower adds on for favor boxes... 75 cents. I purchase a pack to use for scrapbooking.

If you want to organize your wedding binder, check out the plastic colored tab dividers... 25 cents! There also had a ton of other binder organizational items on clearance. Nothing over 3 bucks.

Some of the Walmarts have the gold wax seal kits on clearance for 6.00. This store did not have any.

This particular store has their clearance seperated into different areas... the stationary items are in an aisle close to the regular priced items.

Hope this helps someone out! Happy Bargain Shopping!

How to make gorgeous pomander/kissing balls

This was one of my last DIY projects for the wedding. I almost did not do it but I am so glad I did. I received so many compliments and it really added elegance to the aisle.

Let me preface this by saying it will take a TON of flowers to do these. I literally used 35-50 rose stems on each ball. I used varying sizes and shades of red and burgundy to give the ball dimension. All stems were medium quality - it would have cost a small fortune to use the same high quality roses I used in my centerpieces.

Supplies needed.. glue gun.. low temp, glue and melting pot (you can buy at Pat Catan's for 5 bucks) styrofoam balls (I recommend the green ones) wire cutters, rose stems, ribbon, and a few straight pins (I used the ones with pearl tops).

Things to keep in mind: when selecting the size of your foam ball, remember it will be much larger once all the flowers are in place.

Prep Work: Cut all rose (or other flower) stems and leaves off. Keep 1-1.5 inches to press into stryofoam ball. If using varying stems like I did, seperate into groups of color and size.

Begin by placing the largest roses on the ball first. Dip the stem into the glue melting pot making sure to cover the stem and bottom of rose. Fill in with the medium size roses and then the small buds to complete your pomander ball.

To attached the ribbon, hot glue the bottom of the ribbon into the top of the ball inbetween the roses where it can be completely hidden. To ensure it holds properly, use straight pins to secure to ball.

I hung my pomander balls from iron shepherd hooks special ordered from Pat Catan's (9.99 each).

After receiving SO much positive feedback and features on numerous blogs, I am now custom making pomander/kissing balls as part of my ETSY Boutique. Check out the listing at: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27908751

Wedding Items for Sale

My husband is anxious to get all the space back in our house so I am on a mission to sell all of my wedding decor, centerpieces, and everything else that is taking up space when it could help some other bride. Check it out!

http://cspham07.googlepages.com/home

Bargain Finds for Brides

Here are some great bargains I found during my last retail therapy trip and online shopping escapade:

Lenox: http://www.lenox.com/cat/index.cfm?fuseaction=subcat&cat=sale&subcat=clr&flt=wed
Clearance items including ornaments; Forevermore Double Album, 5x5 photo frame, and jewelry box; Wedding Promises 5x7 frame; Opal Innocence Votive holders; Lenox For Today Tomorrow Forever Musical Sentiment Box (pictured left)

Ollie's: http://www.olliesbargainoutlet.com/ Tons of wedding basics: invitation kits, flower girl baskets, ringbearer pillows, favor kits (for both baby and wedding), favor add ons, program paper kits, thank you notes, scrapbooks, wedding books, Martha Stewart Wedding DVDs and more. Many of the items are "Wilson" sold at Walmart, Michaels, and Joanns.

Ross Dress for Less: http://www.rossstores.com/ Adorable little girl dresses on clearance- perfect for flower girls... some as low as 6.99! Wedding scrapbooks, photo frames, and baskets too! Be sure to check out the linens while you are there... I got a set of Tommy Hilfiger Jersey sheets- King- for 9.99!!!

Happy Shopping!

After the gown, but before the muu-muu...

Most of my friends got married years before I did so they have all graduated to the next stage of life: parenthood. With less than three months since my wedding day I am nowhere near ready to jump on that bandwagon. I am still trying to find my identity as a wife. There are hundreds of websites out there devoted to the bride to be and the new mom but where are we- the post wedding, pre baby gals- suppose to go?

Don't get me wrong- I love my local Nestie board but there is constant baby talk which I fear will fast track me to baby fever before my husband and I are ready. Besides I recently became an Aunt and need some time to spoil my nephew and niece before taking the leap to motherhood.

So, ladies.. what are we to do? I'm definately over the discussion of wedding details but not quite ready to start talking breast pumps, hemorrhoids, and crib furniture. Any suggestions?

Post Wedding Hair Phenomenon

There is this strange thing that happens to women right after they get married. Many of us feel this intense urge to drastically change our hair. After months of growing our hair out in an effort to have perfect wedding hair, we gallop to our hair dressers and demand a change. Four hours later my long blonde hair had been transformed to an above the shoulder, auburn bob.

Having been a red head in the past, I knew I needed to purchase some specialty products to keep my locks in healthy condition. Here are some of my favorites: Loreal Colorist Collection Shampoo and Conditioners. I purchased my 8 fl oz bottles (14.99) at Ulta during a buy two get two free sale. Not only do these products greatly lengthen the time between coloring but the botanical extracts make your hair shiny and smell great. Too many color shampoos have that awful odor that lingers in your mane.

For the ultimate deep conditioning, pick up some Cabot Protein Pacs. This protein, panthenol, henna, and Vitamin E treatment is used in salons across the country. For best results place a shower cap over hair and place a hot towel for 15 minutes. A similar product, Hi Pro Pac, can be purchased at salon specialty stores.

Join me at the Bridal Extravaganza!!

This Saturday and Sunday, January 12th and 13th, I will be the Bridal Extravaganza at the Eastwood Mall Expo Center in Niles, Ohio. I will assisting Derrick Wray of Blazing Entertainment at his booth. He was the talented DJ and lighting specialist I had at my wedding! He did a light show that the kids absolutely love. My photographer captured some great shots with the lights too!

If you want to go, here are the details:

The Bridal Extravaganza

5555 Youngstown Warren Rd #492 Niles, OH 44446, US (link to mapquest directions on website below)

http://www.eastwoodexpo.com/

11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Info Line: 330-652-6980, Ext. 11