Hello again! I’ve been told that I need to write about a website I introduced to Sarah- one that I’m in love with! The site is called Pinterest; it’s basically a site where you can create free inspiration boards. It doesn’t sound like much, I know, but trust me the possibilities are endless. I have spent hours putting together boards of my favorite things.

I originally started using Pinterest to organize my wedding inspiration pictures, and then I became addicted. Pinterest is full of amazing, creative wedding ideas, from “Do it Yourself” to beautiful Etsy products and so much more.

Ok, so it works like this. You request an invite to start an account, which can easily be linked to your Facebook and Twitter accounts. When you connect your Pinterest account to your Facebook or Twitter account, it automatically links you to your friends who are using Pinterest.

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards for all kinds of things – from planning their weddings, and decorating their homes, to organizing their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. Pinterest will even automatically suggest new pins to you biased on what you have already posted.

Last but not least you can continue to fuel the addiction by downloading their handy “Pin it” button. This allows you to pin pictures you love while surfing the web. You just click the “Pin it” button, click the picture you would like to pin, then select the board you want to pin it to, and it does all the rest- even cites your sources with a handy link to the original webpage above your picture.

Pinterest’s says this about their mission: “Our goal is to connect everyone in the world through the ‘things’ they find interesting. We think that a favorite book, toy, or recipe can reveal a common link between two people. With millions of new pins added every week, Pinterest is connecting people all over the world based on shared tastes and interests.”

This site is a haven for creatively minded people who love to share their inspirations with others. Beware though, it can become addicting to look at beautiful pictures and artistic “How To” projects. You’ll soon find yourself with a list of new art projects you want to try and make for yourself.

Check it out at  www.pinterest.com

On cold days like today, what better way to warm things up than with the arrival of Sandals marketing materials at the studio. We got our usual shipment of marketing materials today but also received a new magazine from Sandals called Sandals Style! The magazine is amazing and features some really cool trends, ideas and recipes inspired by the Caribbean. Over the next few weeks, I will be featuring some of these neat ideas for brides to incorporate into their summer or spring wedding.

Signature drinks have become increasingly popular among brides as a way to incorporate a personal touch to their reception and/or cocktail hour.  We found some amazing cocktails that would certainly be a crowd pleaser! Listed below are the recipes for these scrumptious concoctions!

Morning Glory

The Morning Glory was developed by Karlene Johnson

How its done:

Blend 1/2 oz. simple syrup, 1 1/2 oz. fresh kiwi, 1oz. fresh mango and 3oz. cranberry juice until smooth.  Transfer to a cocktail shaker and add 1oz. mango liqueur and 1 1/2 oz. El Dorado 15 year rum.  Shake vigorously over ice. Strain into highball glass. Enjoy!

Eye of the Tiger

The Eye of the Tiger was developed by Odayne Ewart at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort

How its done:

Pour 2 oz. El Dorado Rum, 1 oz. Amaretto Bitters, 1 oz. Cranberry and 2 oz. Pineapple juice in shaker with crushed ice and shake.  Pour all ingredients into highball glass. Garnish with orange wedge, cherries and umbrella. Cheers!

Rum Teazer

The Rum Teazer was created by Althea Harrigan at the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa

How its done:

Muddle sugar, 5 torn mint and 2 lime wedges. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.  Pour 2 oz. El Dorado Rum, 1 oz. Grand Marnier, 1 oz. pineapple juice, 1 oz. orange juice, 3 oz. green tea, and muddled mixture into the shaker and shake.  Strain contents of the shaker into a highball glass filled with ice.  Garnish with orange wedge, cherry, and umbrella. Enjoy

This weeks word is HEART.

Heart (noun)

• love; affection
• capacity for compassion and generosity
• the repository of ones deepest and sincerest feelings and beliefs

Be sure to comment and tell us who has your heart

Posted by: Always Planned

Let me start by saying that I truly love all of my brides!

That being said, there is something so meaningful to me to know that I have formed a true friendship with one of my brides.  You see, when I met Emily and her mom I instantly knew that we were meant to be friends.  Emily is the image of a modern southern belle and her mom, Julie sweet as pie! We have dined together and had cocktails together, laughed together and cried together.  And together we transformed Talon Winery into a rustic, romantic and elegant venue for the celebration of Emily and Bobby.  I must admit – that big barn has never looked better!

These first few images were taken by the Always Planned Team and simply do not do the decor justice.

The amazing photos below are from the incredibly talented Melanie Mauer – who when I found out we were working together I honestly started to jump up and down!!  Seriously!