Southern Wedding Ideas & Southern Living’s Wedding Planner & Keepsake Book Giveaway
March 1, 2012When I think of weddings in the South I think of nothing but sweet teas, pink lemonade, ruffles, peonies and lace. Classic romantic and pretty details in a relaxed and beautiful atmosphere full of Southern charm. Even if you don’t live down yonder, planning a memorable and stylish wedding is a goal all Brides strive for. I remember I was big on keeping my stuff straight and in order. A little OCD about it, but it’s OK, that’s how I roll 
I was in love with the planner I used to keep me on track and organized. It was irreplaceable and I actually still have it for memories sake. I am so happy to help a Bride in my shoes win this wonderful giveaway from Southern Living for their new Wedding Planner & Keepsake.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner is announced at the end of this post.
Let me tell you, this book is chuck full of pockets and page after page of step-by-step ways to keep track of every detail with plans, checklists and worksheet. The photographs… lets just say inspiration out the wazoo, beautifully captured with tips and advice borrowed from the fab wedding experts of Southern Living. Honestly this is one of the best planners I have seen and I have seen many over the years. Whether planning a laid-back low country affair or a soireé at an estate, you’re gonna want this one! You can also purchase the book here. {$29.95}
A few of my personal pretty Southern style wedding picks for inspiration.
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HOW TO ENTER (3 Ways) LEAVE A COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY: GIVEAWAY ENDS NEXT THURSDAY.
1. Follow me on Facebook
2. Follow me on Twitter
3. Tweet the following message: “Enter to win a @southern_living wedding planner & keepsake book @sandradownie”
GOOD LUCK!
(23) Leave a comment »The Oscars Giveaway Winner Is…
March 1, 2012The Oscar’s were wonderful on Sunday. Most importantly I am happy to announce the winner of the Glamorous Party Kit Giveaway sponsored by I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter. Alli I will be in touch!
Girl Scout Inspired Bridal Shower
February 29, 2012
Get ready for some serious eye candy! I can’t tell you how much I love this time of year. One of the main reasons is because I get to eat Girl Scout cookies. Thin Mints and Somoas are my favorite. The truth is though I will take a box of any of them anytime. Not only does the purchase a box of these goodies go to a good cause, but they are so darn good how can you not want some. I was seriously giddy with excitement when Katie of Katie Neal Photo decided she would share this inspiring Girl Scout Bridal Shower with me. I was wowed by that sparkly tablecloth from the moment I saw the first picture. The talented Ellen & Kate of Beau & Arrows did this shoot and man oh man I am loving every detail!
OTHER VENDORS:
Florals: Blush Botanicals
Paper Goods: Posh Paperie
Cake & Cupcakes: Hey There, Cupcake
Hair & Makeup: 10.11 Makeup
Party Time: Throw An Angry Birds Game Birthday Party
February 28, 2012
If you follow me on facebook, then you might remember the night I shared with you my first time playing angry birds on my ipad. OMG let’s just say 2 hours later I had to remind myself it was midnight and time for me to get my beauty rest. I couldn’t really understand the hype around this game, but my mind changed forever after that night. It’s one game that is fun, energetic yet relaxing at the same time. Is that even possible? If you haven’t played the game, then go see for yourself. Now I truly know why Angry Birds has swept the nation! One of my dear readers Alana, asked me for help with some ideas for throwing an Angry Birds Party. So I thought I would share them with you all as well. This such a fun party idea for a boy don’t you think?
FOOD: Serve up fun Angry Birds inspired foods the kids will just go ga-ga over!
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SWEETS: Themed cookies are a great way to have more angry birds as part of the day.
ACTIVITY: Let the kids make their own Angry Birds game balls
GAME: Set up a fun game for the kids to play
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DECORATE: Fun printables that go with the theme
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It Doesn’t Matter If It’s Black and White
February 27, 2012
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I was listening to Michael Jackson’s Black or White song the other day and I thought, hey what a great blog post idea. I wondered how many desserts I could find that were black and white. Do people shy away from such a bold choice when it comes to desserts? What do people think when they see black on a dessert? I used to think my tongue would be all yucky looking after I ate something black, yup it is but who cares, my tummy is full and happy. It really is a statement color when it comes to dessert, but if you are chic, stylish and a modern lover of sweets, I say why not. I found lots of tempting sweets in the color palette and here a few of my favorites I thought you would enjoy.
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Easy Party Ideas for the 2012 Oscars!
February 24, 2012Lights, cameras, action! The Oscar’s are Sunday night and I can’t wait to sit down with a nice bowl of popcorn and watch all the glamorous gowns float down the red carpet. I’m excited to see how some of my favorite movies end up doing? I wanted to share some quick and easy ides that you can use for this year’s Oscar party.
What’s a party without an interactive game for all you viewers to watch and play. This lovely Oscar Bingo & Ballot from How About Orange is sure to keep your guests laughing and seeing who was right and who was wrong.
In honor of the movie Midnight In Paris, if easy going is your style, simple put a small array of your favorite wines, cheeses and crackers together to enjoy throughout the evening.
A popcorn bar is probably the easiest thing you could set up for your enjoyment. Simply fill pretty glass jars/champagne glasses, bowls or tin buckets with your favorite popcorn flavors. So easy and so fun!
The Artist is a true front runner for Best Picture, well thanks to one of favorite liquor brands Belvedere (ya’ll know I love a good cocktail) try serving up this drink aptly named The Artist.
TO MAKE:
2oz Belvedere Black Raspberry
1/4oz simple syrup
1/2 oz Lemon juice
6 fresh raspberries or
1/2oz raspberry puree
dash egg white
Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled
martini glass top with a splash of soda and
garnish with a raspberry.
If you saw The Help, then you know that pies where everywhere in that movie. If you haven’t, there is one part that will just have you rolling in laughter at what happens to the goody-2-shoes of the town. Serve these bite sized delights up in honor of this movie. Learn to make them here.
I hope you enjoy the show! Toast to you.
Inspiring Green Dessert Tables
February 24, 2012
With St. Patrick’s Day just a few short weeks away, I wanted to share a sweet roundup of dessert tables with green as a key color for truly stylish inspiration. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the day than with some desserts to end the day.
Party Time: A Chocolate World Birthday
February 22, 2012
Can you imagine living in a world made up of mostly chocolate? I couldn’t even fathom the thought until I received this delightful birthday party from Leslie Dolce Party Studio. Leslie threw this party for her daughter’s 8th birthday. From chocolate beauty treatments to chocolate bingo, this party screams sweet and happy.
The story behind the party:
One day, my daughter (who loves sweets above all else) came to me and said, “I was imagining a place where everything was all chocolate. It was a Chocolate World.” And so, we had the inspiration for her 8th birthday party! I started with a logo for Chocolate World, a chocolate-looking globe, which I used on all elements throughout the party. Next up was the invitation, which I designed to look like a “passport” to Chocolate World. Graphics included “stamps” over a chocolate bar background.
The main activity of the party was chocolate dipping. I designed personalized chef hats and aprons for each girl and used them as place settings. We dipped Oreos, marshmallows, gingerbread marshmallow men, and Rice Krispy Treats. Each girl had a special treat box to take home her goodies in. While our treats dried, we moved on to our Chocolate Spa. We did chocolate manicures and facials, all while the scent of chocolate flavored candles filled the air. Yummy! After our pampering, we played a sweet game of Chocolate Bingo, using what else but Hershey Kisses for bingo chips.
And last up, the best part, the Chocolate Dessert Bar, including mini chocolate cupcakes, chocolate cake pops, chocolate dipped marshmallow, chocolate bars, chocolate milk and hot chocolate. The girls’ goody bags were filled with Hershey kisses, chocolate-flavored lip balm and chocolate-scented hand sanitizer. Chocolate World turned out to be a sweet and magical place!
Vendor Credits:
Balloons and Tissue Daisies: Polka Dot Market
Party Printables, Invitations, and Party Styling: Dolce Party Studio
Table Runner: Fantasy: Vintage Bridal
Gable Treat Boxes: Whispering Pines Catalog
A Glamorous Night To Remember Giveaway With I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!
February 21, 2012I am such an awards night junkie. The Grammy’s had me singing along with my favorite singers and now I get to root for some of my favorite movie stars and toast the red carpet. Hollywood’s biggest night for movies is upon us, and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! is excited to announce an online ULTIMATE Red Carpet Viewing Party on Sunday, February 26th on Facebook. The show will include a roundtable discussion with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and a food and wine expert known for her delicious recipes. I can’t wait to join in on the fun over there. Thanks to my sweet and talented friend Jennifer of J.Fiereck Photography for taking pictures of my Oscar Party Ideas. You rock! XO
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
I am delighted to partner up with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter on this giveaway for a kit full of the essentials needed to help you host your own glamorous party ANY time of year.
The kit includes:
· Coupon for a free tub of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!
· Ralph Lauren Stainless Steel Serving Tray
· Set of 4 Crate & Barrel Champagne Glasses
· Beaded Butter spreader
· Gold cocktail napkins
· I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! recipes for you and your guests to enjoy
· Set of four personalized champagne glass charms
· Set of four toast coasters
You can enter the giveaway in 4 different ways. Please leave a comment saying you did each. If already a fan, just leave a comment saying so.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
1. “Like” Sandra Downie Event Designs on Facebook
2. “Like” I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter on Facebook and tell them Sandra Downie sent you
3. Follow me on Twitter
4. Tweet the giveaway with the following sentence AND #hashtag “I entered the Glamorous Night Party Kit Giveaway to Celebrate the Oscars @sandradownie #toastredcarpet”
GOOD LUCK LOVELIES!
Contest ends Friday, February 24th, 2012, 11:59 pm EST. The contest is open to US residents.
THIS IS A SPONSORED POST. THE WHITE LIBRARY RECEIVED THE KIT IN EXCHANGE FOR PROMOTING
Show Me! Seeking Submissions
February 17, 2012
Hi Lovelies. I am always surprised at all the talent I see out there. From party and wedding styling, decorating cookies, craft & DIY projects and more. So many of you are superstars in your own right. So show me what you’re made of. I’m looking to share more parties/celebrations inspirations and DIY projects here on The White Library and I know how fabulously talented my readers are so I want to see some of your work. There are some key things to take note of before submitting. PLEASE make sure the pictures are sent in jpeg form. That the pictures are captured in a beautiful way with lots of detail shots (professional pictures are always welcome/preferred but NOT a must. Examples of parties I have shared are here and here) This is how you can get published on The White Library. I can’t wait to see your talents past, present and future. Seeking Spring and Summer entertaining and lifestyle features as well. Please send submissions to sandra@thewhitelibrary.com
Have a great weekend!
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Meet Sandra
Editor. Event Designer. Lifestyle & Entertaining Expert: With a passion for celebrations and parties, crafting, food, interiors and living a beautiful life, I hope you stay a while to see all the pretty inspiration The White Library has in store for you. read more...
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