Shower her with Diamonds!

I saw this super cute gift at a little kitchen store in the Eaton Centre in Toronto and thought I better snap a pic and share it - what a great shower gift it would make (along with something from her registry of course!)

I mean, really, what would make your cookies taste better than having their ingredients measured in diamonds!!!

If you're hosting the event, be sure to order one of these fabulous Silicone Diamond Ice Cube makers.

I found this one when shopping in Scottsdale, AZ this summer and had to pick it up (just in case!) My favourite U.S. kitchen store, Sur la Table, also carries diamond-shaped cookie cutters...you could go theme crazy with this one ladies!

xoxo

Make Your Bridesmaids' Wallets Smile!

Wanna make your bridesmaids the happiest of all at your wedding this year? Then you have to check out these eight gorgeous styles of bridesmaids dresses, on WeddingBells.ca, all priced at under $100 (some well under!)

What I really like about them, besides the prices, is that they don't scream "BRIDESMAID," rather they look like elegant and fun party dresses and could easily be worn to another event. I know, I know, brides will always try to convince their bridesmaids that they can wear the dresses again, but in this case, I do believe it!

So check them out HERE and send the link to your girlfriends today!

REMINDER: Ottawa Wedding Show this weekend!

Just a friendly reminder to those planning their nuptials anytime soon (or in the near future). Head down to the Ottawa Convention Centre for their annual Fall Wedding Palace Bridal Show. It's this Saturday and Sunday (September 10th and 11th). There are tonnes of exhibitors, fashion shows and prizes too. Even if you're not interested in talking to anyone, go just to get ideas: the displays are usually striking!!!

Why not make a day of it and have a nice lunch or dinner downtown afterwards, just because! I give you permission ;)

Enjoy and click HERE for more info!

Snap, crackle and pop!

Just got back from a fun trip to Florida with a girlfriend and had to share this pic with you. I love rice krispie squares so much...that when I saw this cake, I thought "genius!"...and "Why haven't I thought of this before?" I have seen rice krispies used on Cake Boss on TLC has a great agent for building huge intricate-looking cakes, but as the cake itself, what a yummy idea!

Although it may not be elegant enough for a wedding, I think it would be cute for Birthdays and Showers, and of course Bachelorette Parties too (I'll let you think creatively about what shapes you could mold!!!) lol

The krispies shaped on popsicle sticks would make super cute favours for these events as well - just add some coloured icing sugar to highlight the shape you've chosen and wrap them in cellophane with a pretty ribbon.

My girlfriend had to hold me back from purchasing the whole Minnie cake, but I'm inspired to create my own at my next event - hope you are too!

Another suggestion for Party Planners...

So I attended a beautiful wedding recently where it was quite obvious that great care had been taken to ensure that a consistent theme was present - it was truly a black and white affair from the dresses to the table linens and favours. It was a small wedding (nine tables in total for dinner), however 4 out of the 6 people at my table had their names misspelled (mine included)! When I say misspelled, I'm not talking easy-to-make mistakes, but really obvious ones (Who spells Robert with two "b's?"!!!) Should I mention that it was more embarrassing since the bride was family?!!!

It is so important to have your final guest list revised by at least two other people in order to make sure you've done your best to avoid this little faux-pas. I realize and value the importance of delegating tasks, but whomever you choose to write or print your place cards should have access to a final, mistake-free list. It takes no time at all to forward a copy to the mother of the bride and mother of the groom to ask them to check spellings for their sides of the party.

Little things like this go a long way to pulling off one beautifully elegant, and thoughtful event!

A true etiquette FAIL!

Please tell me that this is not becoming a trend out there for Baby Showers and Bridal Showers a-like? If this has happened to you, let me apologize on the behalf of tacky organizers - and if you have been the organizer and arranged for this to be done...shame on you and promise me you won't let it happen again!!!

Chatting with some girlfriends last week, I learned of a new "shower game" going around that almost made my drink shoot out my nose! Then, this game was further discussed in a Dear Abby article in Saturday's Ottawa Citizen.

So...what is it, you're asking...get to the point Renee!!! Well, did you know that invited guests everywhere are being handed blank envelopes at showers and being asked to write their own addresses on them in an attempt to help the guest of honour (mom-to-be or bride-to-be) fill out her Thank You cards more quickly after the event?! GASP! I KNOW! I mean, if you're going this far, why not also ask them to provide stamps from their purses OR hand them a blank Thank You card in which they can write what gifts they gave and how they should be used. All the guest of honour would have to do is write "Thank You" and her name. At least then you should be almost guaranteed to receive the card within a year of the event?!

I'm sorry for the harsh rant, but what ever happened to true gratitude? Taking the time to address an envelope and write a personal message tells the guest (presumably your friend or family) just how much they mean to you and what the gift means too. They have taken the time and hard-earned money to go out and search for this gift for you, I think that deserves a little more than a "Thank you for the gift" inside their own self-addressed envelope don't you?

There's my rant for a Monday morning! Sorry ladies...had to get that one out!!!

PS. If you are missing some guests home addresses, have a cute "Guest Book" by the door and ask them to update their addresses in there while also leaving the guest of honour some sweet messages. This will be a cherished keepsake that won't offend a soul!

Stella & Dot please!

So I just got my hands on the Spring/Summer 2011 Stella and Dot Catalogue and have so many dog-eared pages (a.k.a. hint hint hints for Rob...our anniversary is coming up!)

Have you seen this jewelery ladies? Gorgeous and unique pieces that are super affordable too. They even feature a Bridal Boutique with a tonne of both delicate and strong statement pieces for the Big Day! Check out my two fave deco pieces, perfect for the Bride-to-Be. Both the bracelet and earrings would cost you under $150. Amazing!

And if you're looking for the perfect gift for your special bridesmaids, you could order these fresh water pearl earrings and necklace for around $70. There are so many other more colourful options too, so have some fun perusing online!

Know any new moms? These charm necklaces can be mixed and matched to include birthstones, nameplates and cute icons:

Are you a trendsetter always checking out what the celebs are wearing? Then you'll love this page - click here to see what Stella and Dot jewelery is making the press and being snatched up by your favourite stars!

Be sure to contact my go-to stylist: Rachela Brisindi (rbrisindi@gmail.com) to book a show or shop through her on-line boutique
And if you're looking for something fun to do in Ottawa this Saturday (June 4th), head to City View Centre in Barrhaven for the Giant Garage Sale between 8am-12pm. Rachela will be there with lots of Stella and Dot jewels for you to check out!

Happy Shopping!