My Apartment Misses Me

In the past 6 weeks I have spent one weekend in my own home. I can't even believe it myself. My travels include 35+ hours in the car, 5 Southwest flights, and use of two subway systems. I have been to St. Pete's Beach, FL for work; spent a night at my dad's house in the Philly Burbs for a family thing; traveled to Nashville, TN for a wedding; hit up Washington, DC for a visit to the alma mater; stopped by my grandmother's in upstate PA for her 89th Birthday; drove the 300+ miles to Pittsburgh, PA to see my lil' sister; and then most recently jetted to Newport, RI for another wedding. Whew! I'm really looking forward to sleeping in my own bed this weekend. I do have some plans to enjoy the St. Patty's Day-ness with the man friend. There is a rumor about a fancy steak dinner! Will report back. Hope everyone has a safe and very green St. Patrick's Day and weekend. Drink some green beer!!!

10 in 2010

I have attended 10 weddings in 2010, in just under 10 months, and clearly I needed to write about this on 10/10/10. My wedding season began on February 6, 2010 and ended yesterday on October 9, 2010. Whew what a year!!! Congratulations to all the happy couples and thank you for including me in your special day. Here are my favorite pics from each of the happy days:

Katie & Matt 2.6.10 Downingtown, PA

Rob & Amy 4.2.10 Portland, OR

Brad & Alyssa 5.1.10 Wilmington, DE

Berry & Doug 6.12.10 West Chester, PA

 Mark & Mandy 6.26.10 Philadelphia, PA

Crystal & Steve 7.24.10 Washington, DC

Liz & Tim 9.4.10 Rochester, NY

Katie & Pete 10.2.10 Egg Harbor City, NJ

Emily & Vijay Hindu Ceremony 10.8.10 Flushing, NY

Emily & Vijay Civil Ceremony 10.9.10 Manhattan, NY

Happy Anniversary to me

I can't believe it's been a whole year since I started this blog!! Since then I've attended 12 weddings, been a MOH twice, thrown 6 showers/bachelorettes and learned a great deal. This year the blog will begin to focus more on saving money as you plan weddings, participate as an attendant or go as a guest. You've seen a little of this already with this summers DIY Bachelorette Accessories posts and it will continue in my new series beginning tomorrow about clothes. I have a bad habit of buying something new every single time I have a party or event, so I am going shopping tomorrow for dresses and then I'm not allowed to buy another dress until Christmas. My challenge is to dress for 4 weddings, a few showers, and a couple of bachelorettes in that time with clothes I already have and what I can buy tomorrow for less than $100 total. Bring it on!!

Happy Fourth!

This blog isn't always about weddings, sometimes it's just about delicious dessert. Today I made Red, White, and Blue desserts for our Family BBQ in honor of Independence Day and my dad's 59th Birthday. I made an Angel Food Cake and my sister made a strawberry topping. Also I made what we call Blueberry Fluff. It's a delish combo of sponge cake, cream cheese, dream whip, and stewed blueberries. YUM!

Paint your own Cake Plate

I created this cake plate at The Painted Plate in West Chester, PA. It is a 14 inch plate with a 4 inch pedastal. You can create a similar one for around $60. Above is a pic before it was fired, and below is the final result. I added a strawberry and a skateboard as icons of the couple to be. Many of you have seen Shortcake around the site before and today she will marry the man of her dreams!! And her wedding cake will sit on this plate. I'm so excited to be a part of her day. More to come after the wedding!

A Busy Wedding Guest

Currently my fridge has 4 shower invites, 3 save the date magnets, 3 save the date postcards and a photo from a wedding I went to last year. Isn't it pretty?


So yes Wedding Season has begun! And that means lots of dates to remember, presents to wrap, errands to run, people to call, dresses to be steamed and dancing shoes to polish. I am determined this year to be a super organized wedding guest and bridesmaid. Admittedly I'm pretty organized all the time, but wedding season requires OCD level organizatoin. I'm gonna go on record and say that I use files. Every wedding I'm invited to gets a file - in it goes any save the date, invites to pre-wedding parties, receipts from gifts, travel documents if needed, and my notes on stuff I need to do for that particular wedding like alter a dress, write a speech, or make a slideshow. Usually party invites and save the dates are on the fridge until the party happens and the wedding invite arrives. I just made my master to-do list for the next few weeks this evening and it's massive. It includes gifts needing to be ordered, RSVPs to be completed, DIY projects to complete, dresses to be altered and bachlorette parties to plan. I've got a lot of head of me, and it's gonna be fun!!!

And it begins

Bring on the full fledged wedding season! It always starts with a shower.

Headed to a Shower in the AM for someone very special!!! Can't say who because it's a surprise. I bought a funny gift! I'm super excited. Wish the sis was in town, but it will still be fun. Can't wait to see family and friends. Will report back with more afterwards.

Bridesmaid Duties

Over the weekend my cousin, Bride-to-Be in October, asked me "What's reasonable to ask of my bridesmaids?" and then yesterday a friend asked "As a maid of honor what on earth am I supposed to do?" It struck me that these two questions are rarely answered together and from both perspectives, so I thought I would take an opportunity to explain common things expected of Bridesmaids/Maids of Honor, and hopefully provide Brides with some perspective on all your Bridesmaids do for you. I hope as Brides read this they understand that while being in your wedding is truly an honor, it's also a lot of work!

Let me start by saying that what is shared here is (as always) 100% my opinion, and is based on some research I've done on sites like theknot.com. Etiquette is always different depending on who you ask, so if you're in a wedding ask your Bride what she wants. And if you're a Bride, tell your Bridesmaids what you do and don't expect from them. Most people can't read minds! There are countless articles available on the net on this topic, and I would highly recommend those on theknot.com.

As a Bridesmaid, you should EXPECT to:

Buy a dress chosen by the Bride to wear on the day of the wedding. Hopefully your Bride lets you and the other BMs give some input, but she doesn't have to. Cross your fingers and hope it's under $200.

Host a Shower for the Bride-to-Be. All Bridesmaids should help plan and financially chip in for this, but the Maid of Honor typically runs the show and may foot more of the bill. If families are really spread out or the Bridal Party is large sometimes there are multiple showers, talk to your Bride about what she wants.

Organize a Bachlorette Party for the Bride-to-Be. Good news here is that guests usually chip in for their share. Having a per head cost stated on the invites is totally acceptable --that way guests know what they need to chip in up front and what they get for it. This could be as easy as organizing a bar tour where people pay for their own drinks and buy the Bride-to-Be drinks. Most bars and restuarants will give a package deal or drink specials to bachlorette groups.

Buy a gift for an engagement party (if there is one), the shower, and the wedding. Yes, that's two or three gifts total. Gifts at Bachlorette parties are totally optional, and if given are usually small and more of the racy/fun variety. I've been asked before how much is appropriate to spend, and I don't think there is a standard answer. You should evaluate your own lifestyle and what you can afford. Typically if you are invited to the wedding with a date, you would want to increase your gift to show it's from two people.

Know all the wedding information inside and out. People will ask you, "Where are they registered?" "What time the ceremony starts?" "Is there an open bar?" "Where should we park?" and the list goes on. Even though all these answers may have been on the shower or wedding invitation, sometimes people just don't read. Be patient with them. If you can't keep it all in your head, memorize the couple's website to refer to guests, or keep copies of invitations handy to reference.

Act as Co-Host at all wedding events. The Bride and Groom are only 2 strong, and not everyone knows each other. Help out by introducing family to friends and vice versa; look after the family of the betrothed --especially grandparents and children; take pictures; point guests toward the gift table, etc. Do not take over events planned by others, just help direct things to help it all go smoothly.

Other things a Bridesmaid MIGHT have to do...

Buy shoes chosen by the Bride to wear on the day of the wedding. Sadly, I have not found a definitive way out of this one in the past. I think suggesting that everyone wear the same color shoe, but use a pair they already have is great, but some brides just don't go for it. It's probably best to just go along with this one if the Bride seems set on having matching shoes. Again, cross your fingers and hope they are under $50.

Wear a certain color/style of jewelry on the day of the wedding. For example: pearls, which if you don't already have you are doing to have to purchase. Tip: pearls from Claire's look just fine in photos-- no one will know but you.

Pay for professional hair, makeup, and/or manicure for the day of the wedding. Some Brides want everyone to be professionally made up. I'm of the opinion that if a Bride has to have this she should pay for it as a gift, but that's just me. Tip: try to talk to your Bride about what is essential or not and if you have a friend who is good with hair and makeup who can help, instead of paying for a pro.

Carry/transport gifts from the wedding to a hotel suite or someone's home.

Decorate the get away car and/or honeymoon suite.

Stay in the hotel the night before or night of the wedding, depending on if you traveled from afar.

Attend a Brunch the day after the wedding.

Additional duties for the Maid of Honor:

Make a Wedding Day Emergency Kit! This is serious aka not the place to slack. You need fashion tape, bandaids, deodorant, razors, q-tips, nail polish remover, clear nail polish, extra stockings (seasonal), lip gloss, tampons, safety pins, perfume, concealer, waterproof mascara, batteries (for a camera), shout wipes, bobby pins, floss, contact solution, nail clippers/nail file, mints, mouth wash, sewing kit, bottled water, granola bars or 100 cal packs, body lotion... I could go on. Try to get sample sizes, or put a few of each item in small ziplocs. Throw all of this into a cosmetic bag or a gift bag --pretty much anything with handles!

Plan and Organize the Shower for the Bride to Be. Hopefully other Bridesmaids are willing to help, both by pitching in and helping out financially, but at the end of the say the Shower is your thing. Typically all female guests invited to the wedding would be invited to a Shower, but as guestlists grow this becomes massive. I would consult your Bride about her expectations for the size, guestlist, theme, location, menu, etc. of a shower. Most Brides have a pretty clear picture of what they want. The knot also has fabulous articles on this topic, simply put in Shower on their search bar.

Write a toast (if asked by the Bride) to give at the wedding reception. Be careful with being too funny, remember grandparents are present! And it shouldn't be any longer than you can stand to hold your glass with out your arm starting to hurt (aka 2 minutes). Traditionally the Maid of Honor's remarks are addressed to the Groom as good wishes and tips for making his new Bride happy, but MOH's can share a short favorite memory of the Bride or a heart felt poem or quote.

Attend wedding vendor appointments with the Bride. Give your opinion when asked, and know when to bite your tongue, haha. You know your bestie, there may be times when she doesn't ask and she needs to hear it, but other times when you need to just Let it Be. ;)

A Blizzard Bride

Unless you've been living under a rock the past two weeks, you've got some snow on your shoes. Amidst all this record setting precipitation was my dear friend Katie's wedding to her fiance Matt. Katie planned their whole wedding in less than four months due to Matt's impending deployment, so a little blizzard was not throwing off her plan. She was focused, she was ready, and she was getting married!

The February 6th, 2010 Blizzard brought down 25+ inches on our little Philadelphia suburb. Don't believe me? Here is my dad with the snow blower and that's my car, 3 hours before the wedding. After I confirmed with a bridesmaid that it was in fact happening, we had to dig out, while it was STILL snowing.


I left my father's house at 1:40pm for a 3pm wedding. I got stuck about 100 yards from the church and a nice man helped push me out. I think my cocktail dress and snow boot combo was a clear cry for help, haha. I arrived at the church, after an 8 mile drive, at 2:50pm. I have NEVER in all my wedding going days, arrived so close to show time. Thankfully we were operating on snow time, and everyone was late, so I was cool. In all the commotion of digging out and driving through the tundra I hadn't charged my digi (professional wedding guest FAIL). Thankfully, I own a Blackberry Tour with a fab camera, crisis adverted. I waved to the high school buds, skated to my seat on the arm of a cute groomsman, and claimed my spot on the aisle.

Now let it be said, the Lord has a sense of humor. Katie is a mountain climber, camper, and all around out doorsy gal. She once got lost in the woods by herself at night on a mountain with no supplies and survived some seriously cold temps by walking around all night and navigating by the stars. If anyone can handle 2 feet of snow on her wedding day, she can. The photo below says it all... Blizzard 0, Katie 100.


The warmth radiating from Katie's face as she walked down the aisle melted the remaining snow on our shoulders, and we forgot all about the snow emergency. The Minister opened the ceremony with a "Nice day for a white wedding" joke, and Katie and Matt glowed as they exchanged their vows with smiles on their faces.

On the way to the reception, I was pulled over by a police officer--as were the photographer and a few other guests! We were all instructed to go home immediately, nods and a "Yes sir" followed while we held crossed fingers behind our backs! At the reception, we were greeted by yummy food and drink courtesy of the Downingtown Country Club. Their staff put on a great show, with an immaculately plowed driveway, valet service and a coat check that accepted snow boots without even blinking. Here are a few shots from the reception:

What an amazing day! Love you Katie.

Annnnddd I'm back!

I'm going to a wedding, I'm going to a wedding!!! Next Saturday!! Let wedding season begin. You know what this means?? Spring is near, that's what. I just put another down payment on my 6th Bridesmaid dress. I have lots of weddings lined up on my calendar. I am super duper excited! And this is my happy bridal face (they don't have a wedding guest one so what can you do).

A great bridesmaid gift?

The other day my BFF, Bride Shortcake says, "What do you want as a Bridesmaids' gift?" I thought for a few minutes and really couldn't come up with squat. Then I thought of all the gifts I've already received as a Bridesmaid. So I answered the question in the negative. I don't want a tote bag monogrammed with my initials. I don't want a $20 gift certificate to an obscure boutique in Old City I will forget to use before it expires. I don't want another pair of dangly earrings-- I like jewelry A LOT, please come over and pick out a pair you like that I already own. I don't want a flask. I don't want a t-shirt that says Bridesmaid across my chest. And I don't want a pair of jazzed up old navy flip flops.


Disclaimer: If I was in your wedding and you gave me one of these items, I love it! I just don't need two.

However, now that some time has passed, I thought of something I really do want. Shortcake, I'd like to have a sleepover with you in your parents' house, in your childhood bedroom, complete with me on the trundle bed. Just the two of us. And we may have to play dress up in some of our high school clothes, or at least look at some really bad old photos.

As for a tangible gift I did come up with a few suggestions, as I'm trying to be helpful. I would wear a sturdy pair of flip flops (which happen to coordinate with our BM dresses) from say, J. Crew, at your reception. Or you could also give a useful engraved item to each Bridesmaid with a statement or rhyme that reminds you of her. It could be a key chain, letter opener, picture frame...the options are endless.

Holidays, work, and blogging don't mix

I'm a delinquent. I wanted to come right out and say it. I could say that no one sent a Bridespot in for November, which is true. I could say I haven't attended any weddings this month, which is true. I could say, the weather is lousy and I don't like the cold, and it makes me cranky. BUT they would all be lame excuses. Truthfully, I have been crazy busy and my personal life and fun hobbies (like this blog) have taken a backseat to the 9 to 5 and alllllll my social commitments lately. Do you know I have to skip work to go to a florist with my best friend??? How are we that busy, really? And now as tomorrow brings December and lots of holiday parties, my schedule will only tighten. Sometimes you just need a day off. I think I'll get one around January 3rd. Ha! Just have to power through til then. I apologize for being a deliquent, I really do. I hope to get the creative juices flowing again this weekend. Love to all!

A Fall Colored Wedding

My Beautiful Friends post was just a small preview of the fun to be had at Lissa Bee and Officer Jack's Wedding. They created a lot of the things seen around the wedding themselves or with the help of friends and family. I love when couple's do this, because it makes everything so personal and special. As you can see above, fall colors were everywhere! Sister of the Bride Lil'Jess made fabulous centerpieces below for all the tables with different photos of the couple on each table attached to a pumpkin and paired with a bouquet of fall flowers.


Their cake also featured a very unique cake topper with the bride and groom poised to shoot. Lissa Bee and Officer Jack met when they both joined the Capitol Police Force about 3 years ago.


The Bride and Groom also really love them some tattoos. In fact one of the first things Lissa Bee ever told me about Jack was how beautiful his leg was because of the gorgeous tattoo on it! Here you can see some of the Bride's ink as she breaks it down on the dance floor!

Beautiful Friends

Last night my friend Lissa Bee wed her true love Officer Jack. The whole day was amazing. Another friend of ours officiated and started the day off with an extremely personal ceremony. We all laughed as Lissa Bee swiftly kicked her train out of her way and tossed a grin over her shoulder. Tears were in large supply as the Bride and Groom exchanged their vows and shared their first kiss as man and wife. As they walked down the aisle, Lissa Bee raised her bouquet in victory and let out a cheer. The reception was also a rockin' time. Highlights included a garter removal not to be forgotten as the groom found a flip flop, spoon, condoms, and finally a garter hidden in Lissa's dress. I'm in the middle of taking out the red eye and sharpening the photos now, so a full post is to come later this week. It was a beautiful day with cherished friends and lots of special moments. Congrats you married lady!

Slow Down

All week this week per head costs, shower dates, stationery designs and linen colors have been like bouncing balls in my head and suddenly they all just stopped. I was proofing next week's Bridespot and WHAM, I thought to myself, "What is all this stuff? This fog of flowers, satin, and pointy shoes! How did I get here?" I used to be the girl that said all you need is love, and now I'm just as bad as those Brides I hate. The Brides who steamroll their fiances or bully their family into over spending. Only it's crazier, I'm not even a Bride. My friend Michael says I feel for people more than anyone he knows, and for the first time I really see what he means. Because I'm so blessed to have friends I love who let me help them register or dress shop, my mind gets churning, and I run away with myself. I forget what the marriage is really about. So tonight I'm slowing down.

Today I've decided, I need to stop making grand predictions. I used to think I could see it, when a couple had "it," when they were going to make it. But lately I've seen couples I would have bet my life on fail, because of lies, distrust, health disasters, other people in their way, yet until the very end they looked perfect. They looked happy. They had it all--a perfect home, friends who got along, people to support them, (seemingly) love, but it didn't work. As a single girl I occasionally ask myself, will "this" happen for me? This being the dream guy. This being the beautiful big day. This being the big break up you never see coming. I wonder do those people with the unhappy ending, do they know where it all went awry? Can they look back and say, "There! That's where the train derailed"? Or is it just as mysterious when you're in it as it is to the onlookers?

When the bouncing stopped tonight I was reading that a Bride's greatest triumph was marrying the man she loved, the man of her dreams (not getting her dress for a steal or finding a photographer for under 4 grand). So often our relationships, romantic or otherwise, are less and less about the people we love. The relationships become about the fog. Tonight I've come through the Brigadoon, the spotlight is back where it belongs. It's on the love.

Calling all Brides!

I'm starting two new feature sections this month. The first will be called Venue of the Month. This series will highlight a fantastic venue in the Philadelphia area (NJ, DE, and MD borders too). So if you are getting married in the tri-state area and want to nominate your venue please email me at something.blu.eliza@gmail.com with VENUE in the subject line. Please include the name, location of your venue, and the name of the event contact person, and I will do the rest. This feature will run each month on the 10th.

Our first Venue of the Month will appear very soon! It comes to us from Bride-to-be Shortcake, who you may have seen around the page before (Philly Knottie Event). She is (probably, awaiting fiance approval) getting married in June 2010 at The Radnor Hunt Club in Malvern, PA.

The second feature section is called Bridespot. This will be a guest post by a current Bride-to-be or newly wed. Your post can be about anything your heart desires related to your Bridal experience! For example, you can share with the Something Blu community any of the following... What are you struggling with planning? What has been the most fun about wedding planning? What have you learned about your partner since you got engaged? What did you not expect to encounter while planning your wedding? What has been your biggest triumph?

Please submit Bridespot guest posts to something.blu.eliza@gmail.com with BRIDESPOT in the subject line. Accepted posts will be notified and credit will be given, not to worry.

I can't wait to hear from all of you!!
<3, Eliza Blu

Engagement Party Hi-jinks

A few weeks ago I drove to a college friends' engagement party on Long Island. I had to wait to post this because it was a somewhat traumatic trip. The pain has since faded and I've been able to see the good, so here goes.


It's a beautiful Saturday morning, when I embark from Philadelphia, PA to Shoreham, NY. GPS programmed, Lilly dress on, overnight bag of beach gear packed, 172 miles to go. Traffic is lousy, but I'm making progress. Mile 80, my car begins to violently shake and I lose the finer nuances of steering control on the NJ turnpike. Ammmmaaaazing. It's Saturday of Labor Day weekend I'm 2 hours from home and about 2 hours from my destination, "What the heck am I gonna do?" Okay, you're right, I didn't say "heck" but this is a PG blog.

Gift from God #1, I was near an exit and the toll collector directed me to a Chevy Dealership nearby. I rattled 8 miles down the road to a little town called Avenel, NJ. I find the Chevy Dealership and think, "I'm saved!" I wander inside in my Lilly Pulitzer Dress, RL shades and white Guess heels, and ask "Is the service center open?" You should have seen the looks I received as I thought to myself, "I just had to drive up in this outfit, didn't I?" Sadly I am told the service center is closed, but a very attractive car salesman takes pity on me, takes a long look at my PA plates, and proceeds to call every mechanic in the surrounding area.

After about an hour he finds 3 places that are open and said they would "loooooook" at a car, but gave no guarantees on fixing it. One of these places is about 200 yards down the road, so I made my way down there. After nearly bursting into tears telling my story to the owner of the auto shop, he agrees to look at the car. Up goes my Impala on the lift, and moments later in comes the owner shaking his head saying, "You gotta see this." I wander into the garage (still in Lilly, mind you) to see my rear right tire is torn about 1/3 of the way around. The tire had somehow begun to shred layer by layer without losing air but significantly effecting my ride (hence the crazy shaking). Gift from God #2, the shop had a used tire in the right size and he was able to change it out quickly. I really wish I had video of me standing in an auto shop in a Lilly dress with a completely stunned look on my face. And he did all this for $26!!!! So if you are ever in Avenel, NJ and need a car fixed please see Mr. Pete San Giorgio at Avenel Auto Care Center on Rt. 1 South, and tell him I sent you! I showed my dad the new tire when I got home and he was impressed with the work done and that I was not swindled (and my dad loves that car more than he loves me).

I return to the road, Mile 89. I eventually arrive at the party, THREE HOURS LATE. Are you serious?!? I'm never late. I was mortified. My third gift from God for the day came when I gave my hostess gift to the Bride's mother and she exclaims "How did you know?!" as she opens the bottle of Relax Riesling. Apparently it's her favorite. "Whew, as least I got that right!" I think to myself.

The Bride hands me a margarita, I proceed to have a blast at the party. They even had Karaoke!!! I sang "These Boots are Made for Walking." Yea, you wish there was video of that. My college guy friends treated the crowd to their own rendition of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody and there is video! I really hope you can see this.

Aside from being egregiously late, and singing off key, the party was amazing! The Bride's family opened their home to everyone and everyone pitched in to help with the event. The Bride's uncle catered the food, and now their wedding caterer certainly has big shoes to fill! The Bride's aunt used her late grandmothers heart shaped pans to make the lovely cake you see below. The Bride's parents graciously hosted both families and lots of friends, not only for the party, but overnight in the house and in tents outside their beach side home. We all woke up with the sun and spend the day by the water laughing at the photos and videos, and getting sunburned. It truly was an amazing weekend, absolutely worth all the car trouble.

Panic

Holy mother of God. I just found out my already busy Summer 2010 wedding calendar got even more jammed. In the past 16 hours 3 of my family members announced their nuptials. Winter weddings need to come back in fashion. Oh man. I needed to vent. Somehow I will make this happen. I don't even know what to do right now. Here is my list thus far and I have a sinking feeling I'm missing some. And I already have 2 in one day, how am I ever going to pick?!

(deep breaths, deep breaths)

May 1, 2010 - South Jersey
June 12, 2010 - Philly suburbs
June 26, 2010 (2 different couples in one day) - Downtown Philly and upstate NY
July 24, 2010 - DC
September 4, 2010 - upstate NY
October 2, 2010 - South Jersey
October 8, 2010 and October 9, 2010 (hindu & christian ceremonies for 1 couple) - Manhattan

Recipe Shower Part 2

So the Recipe Shower has come and gone and I have failed to post this for quite some time. My apologies. By day I work at a University, so it's a busy time of year.

In the end I chose to give my friend a recipe for my Chocolate Wacky Cake, which is my grandmother's WWII ration recipe featuring no eggs or butter. It's delicious! If you want to try it out it's super easy to make, recipe is at the bottom of this post.

As I said in the last post, I love to give a themed gift so I picked out a rectangular cake pan, spatula, and wisk to give with this recipe, since these are items you would need to bake the cake. Luckily I noticed that mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons had all already been fulfilled on her registry. The Bride loved all her gifts, and as she is an avid baker, I know she will especially appreciate a cake recipe. I have to give a shout out to the Maid of Honor! She did the sweetest thing I've seen someone do with all the recipes. She bought a photo album type book with single slots for each recipe card and collected the recipes at the shower and slid them all into place. This way the Bride's recipes are organized and kept all in one place. Bonus-they stay clean under their plastic page protectors!!! Genius. I will definitely add that to my bag of tricks for the next shower I throw.

I got some twitter traffic about how one plans a recipe shower or what exactly that meant, so here is a brief run down. For the person(s) hosting the shower, plan as you normally would. Pick a date, place, make your guest list, but when you mail invitations include an index card or printed recipe card with each invite. You can usually buy packs of recipe cards at grocery stores or kitchen supply places with pretty graphics and fun details such as notes that feature "From the Kitchen of... " or "Cook with Care Instructions." Explain to guests on the invite to fill out the card with a recipe of their choice for the Bride (and Groom) and bring it to the shower. Even guests who are unable to attend are able to contribute by mailing their recipe on the provided card to the couple.

Using this invitation to contribute a *free* recipe is also a way to steer guests away from giving a tangible gift at the Shower (if the Bride and Groom are on board with that), especially in this economy a lot of couples are saying one gift on their Wedding day is enough. You could phrase it "You're invited to a Cooking Shower! Hosted by Sarah's Bridesmaids. Instead of gifts the Bride requests of gift of your cooking skills! Please share a favorite recipe on this card and join us for good company, tea and desserts on September 19, 2009 at 2pm at the Cambridge Tea Room, West Chester, PA. Please RSVP to Eliza by September 5, 2009 at (phone or email)."

Here is the recipe: Grandma Betty's WWII Wacky Cake

3 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. cocoa
2 teas. baking soda
2 teas. salt
2 tbs. red wine vinegar
2 teas. vanilla
2/3 c. vegetable oil
2 c. cool water

Combine dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another. Slowly stir dry ingredients into wet mixture. Pour into a lightly greased rectangular 9" x 13" pan or split between two 9" round pans for a layered cake.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes. Enjoy!

Recipe Shower

One of my favorite Bridal Shower themes is Recipe or Kitchen Showers. And lucky for me, I'm attending one tomorrow!! I am currently trying to choose a recipe to share with the Bride, current front runners include, homemade salad dressing, Chocolate Wacky Cake (no eggs or butter --WWII recipe), or my famous pasta salad. Feel free to vote below!

I love this shower idea because, #1 it's interactive. It allows guests to contribute a free gift to the couple!! Who doesn't love to give something significant without spending money? #2 The Bride (and potentially the Groom) gain a recipe for something new! And who doesn't love good food? #3 It makes my decision about what gift to buy lots and lots easier! Because I can be a super nerd and buy something off the registry that they could use to make my dish. Such as a salad bowl and dressing shaker; cake pan and mixing bowl; large kettle and produce knife. Can we tell I love a themed gift?

I will report in about the shower on Sunday, and which recipe wins!!!