Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Sweet Tooth Tuesday!

Hey Everyone! It's that time again, time for something sweet! Today I thought I'd share a DIY idea that is a good way to save money in your event budget and it also gives you a chance to spend time with family and friends. I'm talking about Rock Candy, and with this easy to make recipe you can use it to give to your guests as party favors. There are many different flavors to choose from and plenty of food coloring options to make this candy a perfect pop of color at  any event.
There are a few different recipes out there..... you can make the candy on a stick, or you can make it into loose pieces to put in a favor box or tin. Below is the recipe from lorannoils.com, my Aunt used it make the candy as loose pieces for my sister's wedding favors. Enjoy!

2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
3/4 cup warm water
1 tspn. Lorann super-strength flavoring
Liquid food coloring, if desired
Candy thermometer
Cookie sheet
Aluminum foil

Have all ingredients and tools assembled and within easy reach of the stove. The use of metal spoons and measuring utensils is recommended. Line with foil and lightly spray cookie sheet.
1. In a 2-quart kettle or large saucepan, mix together sugar, corn syrup and water. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
 2. Insert candy thermometer and make certain it does not touch the bottom of the pan. Bring mixture to a boil without stirring.
 3. Early in the cooking process, "wash down" any sugar crystals that form on the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush.
 4. Continue to cook the syrup, without stirring, until the temperature reaches 260ยบ F; add drops of coloring until desired hue is achieved. Do not stir; boiling action will incorporate color into syrup.
 5. Remove from heat precisely at 300° F (temperature will continue rising), or until drops of syrup form hard, brittle threads in cold water (hard crack stage). After boiling action has ceased, add flavor and stir.
 6. Carefully pour syrup onto the prepared greased and foil lined cookie sheet. Do not refrigerate.
 7. Cool completely. Break sheet candy into small pieces and dust with powdered sugar, if desired. Store in airtight containers between waxed paper. Store hard candy in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate.

And here is a finished product. To complete the look they had personalized ribbon made to tie around the tin which commemorated the date and their first names.   :)



We hope you enjoy trying out this new recipe, and until next time, happy planning!!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Sunday Funday!

So, what does Sunday Funday mean to you? For me, it changes with the seasons...but some of my favorite Sundays include a cold beer and football. Here are pictures from my rehearsal dinner Superbowl party, and oh what fun it was! We found an irish pub in South Beach and invited our guests to celebrate the biggest day in football, and our love!




A special thanks goes out to the guys from Jason's shift, as they are the ones holding us up!

Now it's time to go out and enjoy this 70 degree weather and make another memorable Sunday Funday!

Til next time, happy planning!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Sweet Tooth Tuesday!

Hi Everyone! Sorry for the nonexistent posts over the weekend. There was no Sunday Funday 
:( I was sick as a dog, and now the hubbie is crazy under the weather too. Speaking of the hubbie, I thought for Sweet Tooth Tuesday I would show off his awesome Groom's Cake. My Mom can 100% take the credit for this. My Mom planned the design and had her FIFTEEN year old neighbor create the cake. Can you believe that?? FIFTEEN!!!!!! I think someone has a future in Wedding and Groom's Cakes....


And there is it! They drained the Natural Light Cans and used Rock Candy as the ice. I think everyone at the wedding touched the cake, including myself, to see if the ice was real. This thing got more attention than the Wedding Cake!!!

So I was going to show some other cool pictures of Groom's Cakes, but this popped up on my  search and really you can't top this.


Different strokes for different folks!

Till next time, happy planning!


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Sweet Tooth Tuesday!

One of the newest wedding trends I've seen is Cake Pops. They are everywhere!!! On cakes, on favors you name it!! I think they are so fun and can be done about a million different ways. Take a look at some of the pictures below for how to incorporate them into your wedding!

by Ashleigh Jayne Photography and Brew Ha Ha

by Pop Star

stand by Robert Edward Woodworking

Lastly, I will leave you with ah DIY from Strawberry Chic!
Click here to find out how to make these adorable Mini's!

Till next time, happy planning!!



Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sunday Funday!!

Hello Lovelies! AVE is going to start blogging more (or actually NEEDS to start blogging more). Every Sunday we are going to bring you a Sunday Funday picture. I figured I'd start off with a picture of my own wedding in Beaufort, South Carolina. 


Mustaches, Kayne West glasses, and a human pyramid? That was one heck of a party :)

Oh, and sorry for punching you in the head Brian :(

Till next time, happy planning!!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentines Day!!

Hello my lovelies! Happy Valentine's Day :) Does anyone have any romantic plans for this evening? 

Brennan and I will end up having a quite night at home. We went to Baltimore on Sunday and literally felt like we were going to blow away walking around the Inner Harbor. I love aquariums and it had been years since I've been to the one in Baltimore. They also have some really nice places to eat walking distance, so I thought it would be the perfect little day trip!!  The aquarium was packed, but I still got my close up of the sharks. For those of you that don't know, I'm a SUCKER for sharks (actually, like totally obsessed). 

We had plans to eat at Phillips and get some seafood, but it had been so long since we'd been to Chipotle we ended up changing out plans and just walked over there!! SO romantic, right? 

I hope you all have a great day and are staying warm!!

Till next time, happy planning!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Happy Wedding Day Lisa!!!

Today, on this totally gorgeous day in Miami, AVE's lead planner Lisa is in Miami tying the knot!!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the rain holds out for you!!!!

If it DOES happen to start, you can at least get some super cute pictures in your Wellies, and don't forget to just OWN IT!




Till next time, happy planning!!

photocredit: Elizabethanne.com and Leographia Weddings