Take the guess work out of planning with Trello

Screen2Let’s face it, engagement season is under full swing and planning, organizing has gone the way from paper & pen to all digital. So what is the newest app out there that will make your wedding and dare I say, life-planning simple as a click on Trello.ScreenShot1Trello is an online and mobile collaborative organizational tool you can use to create lists, make plans, and jot down ideas and inspiration! Simply head to the app or website and see who is working on what, where something is in process, and what’s being worked on. Make one board with a checklist of duties for your bridesmaids, create another between you and your fiance to ensure you know important dates (such as an upcoming tasting), and even create a board to plan your reception seating arrangements. Planning your wedding down to the last detail is just that easy.  Here’s how you use it:

Jump Into Weddings!

Now that the proposal has happened, start your wedding planning process off right by creating a timeline. Create lists on your board in order of urgency and put in important dates, locations and vendor details. You’ll have everything you need to take care of in one central place and even have reminders sent to your phone and email to make sure any pending duties are complete!  – Check!!

Get Inspiration!

Add any fun ideas or pictures to your boards! Whether you come across a new designer, pinterest, while browsing a bridal boutique or online, just snap a picture or copy and paste the dress you’re pining for onto one of your lists. Here you will have a quick and easy reference list for every inspiration from your dress to decor.

Make Seating Arrangements!

Seating plans have always been a royal pain. With your Trello board which represent tables and placements, you can move around your guests with ease.You can even add in details about your guests such as noting whether or not they have any food allergies or shouldn’t sit next to so-and-so.

ScreenShotManage Your Bridesmaids

Stay up-to-date with your bridesmaids to ensure they have the latest news on where to get their dresses, duties they need to complete, and important details about the bachelorette party and bridal showers! Excuses for not reading your messages or not getting any of your alerts won’t fly. Everything they need will be all in one place and updated as things progress.

Screen3Post Wedding Breakdown

Wow…it’s over already??  Yes, all that planning and it’s over in a flash.  but once the wedding is over, you can easily lose track of things and items you still need to take care of. Trello reminds me you of important dates and tasks such as sending out thank you notes or finalizing any outstanding bills. Nothing will get past you, even whilst you are enjoying your honeymoon!

Once you get started with Trello, you won’t want to stop. You can use it for everything in your future as a couple…storing new recipes, looking for a new job, planning for your next vacation or even managing your exercise plan. This is truly one of the best and all encompassing sites out there, so what are you waiting for?

Available for iPhone, iPad, Android Phones, Tablets, and Watches, Kindle Fire, and Windows 8.  

Everyone will love the Girl Scouts even more in 2015

It’s just the fifth of January and it’s already shaping up to be a sweet one. Girl Scouts announced today, that they will be adding three more flavors to their iconic cookie lineup. On February 27, which also marks the start of National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend (and the day before my birthday – not that I’m ‘hinting for a bday gift ;-)…ok, I am)  the Scouts will debut Rah-Rah Raisins, Toffee-tastic and Trios cookies.  COOKIE LOVERS REJOICE!!

The Rah-Rah Raisin is an oatmeal raisin cookie with raisins and Greek yogurt–flavored chunks. The other two cookies are both gluten free; Toffee-tastic is a buttery cookie mixed with pieces of toffee, and Trios contain peanut butter, chocolate chips and oats.

GIRLSSCOUTS1

Girl Scouts can go out into the world and sell treats beginning February 1 and there are several ways to make sure your cookie jar is well stocked. Befriend a Scout and order your cookies online. You can download the Girl Scout Cookie Finder mobile app (iOS, Android) to find cookies in your area. Or you can warmly open your door when a Scout comes a’ knockin’.

Wine Wednesday: BelvedereRed brings joy this holiday season

Whether you are spending the day feasting with family or watching football with friends, these festive libations from (BELVEDERE)RED are the perfect addition to any holiday table. (BELVEDERE)RED is the same Belvedere Vodka everyone knows and loves, packaged in a limited-edition bottle from now through the end of December. With 50% of the profits from each bottle benefiting the Global Fund (which helps fight HIV/AIDS in Africa), mixing up specialty cocktails with (BELVEDERE)RED is the simplest way to give back this Holiday Season. Great gifts for your entire bridal party!

Belvedere Vodka Head of Mixology & Spirit Creation, Claire Smith, has handcrafted three specialty cocktails to create for your own celebration. So establish a new tradition this year and raise a glass of (BELVEDERE)RED, the world’s first super premium vodka.  Remember to drink responsibly.

Fall For You
1oz Belvedere Bloody Mary
½ oz pressed apple juice
Dash spiced bitters
Top with Apple Cider
Garnish with apple, chili and cucumber slices.

Pilgrim’s Punch
320ml / 10 oz Belvedere Vodka
400ml / 14 oz cloudy apple cider
100ml / 3 oz allspice syrup
120ml / 4 oz lemon juice
4 lemon wheels
4 orange wheels
5 cinnamon sticks
Combine all ingredients in large punch bowl with ice and serve immediately.

Cucumber Cobbler
1oz (BELVEDERE)RED
1 oz Cucumber juice
Dash Elderflower Cordial
Dash Pastis
Top with Soda water.

Autumn Spritzer
1.5 oz (BELVEDERE)RED
¼ oz Lime
1.5 oz Cream soda
3 drops Angostura bitters
Shake all ingredients (except soda)
Top with soda and garnish with slice of vanilla or lime wheel.

Red Apple Tippler
1.5 oz (BELVEDERE)RED
2 oz Pressed Apple Juice
½ oz Lemon Juice
½ oz Orgeat (Almond Syrup)
Dash of Cinnamon
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass
Garnish with an apple slice.

 

Holiday Gift Guide: Hanukkah edition

I can’t imagine the amount of planning that goes into 8 days of gifts. I know folks that start preparing almost as soon as it’s over for the next year. Well…here are a few items that are on the list for 2014 to help you celebrate Hanukkah sweetly and stylishly.

Yes, everyone needs a Candleschitck women’s Pullover Hanukkah”, you can find this and tons of other cute things at www.geltfiend.com

I love these goodies. The “Snowflake Gift Tower” by Cheryl is delish and a great house gift. There’s a cookie for everyone. www.qvc.com

Once you start…you can’t stop with the “Mashuga Nuts”. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. www.bloomingdales.com

These Blue and White Snowflake Pretzels are sure to be a hit. www.crateandbarrel.com

These Retro Israeli Map Coasters are awesome. There is a lot to learn and a great conservation starter. Shop.thejewishmuseum.org

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Come on and rock your pride during the holiday with this snazzy headband. www.partycity.com

This is one of the most beautiful dreidels I’ve ever seen. Created by Yair Emanuel, the colors and detail are exquisite and of course…it’s a great game! For the adults in the house how about a “Keep Calm and Eat Latkes” serving plate. Both are available at http://www.traditionsjewishgifts.com

No matter where you celebrate…celebrate your family and life.  Happy Holidays!

Wedding Paper Divas new stationery collection

Wedding Paper Divas’ exciting new Premium Collection for brides-to-be. Debuting brand new offerings such as laser cut, letter-press, custom postage stamps and foil stamped invites, newly engaged couples can now have access to luxe embellishments at an affordable price.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

With an array of trimmings modeled after the latest trends, Wedding Paper Divas is allowing couples to incorporate high-end elements with the ability to customize their stationery to fit their unique personalities and love story. Seeing how most of these premium offerings usually cost a pretty penny, Wedding Paper Divas offers these options at prices that won’t break the bank or push you past your budget. For a set of 100 foil stamped wedding invitations, Wedding Paper Divas prices each invite at $1.69 – similar solutions in the market can cost upwards of $60 per invite, in comparison.

 

Wine Wednesday: Bourbon BLT w/Fried Eggs + Smoked Gouda

For me, a BLT is all about really good ingredients – good bacon, GREAT tomatoes and good lettuce. You also need to turn this into a BLAT by adding some ripe avocados. Then just melt some gouda cheese and find some delicious bread. If you can do that, you’ll be guaranteed a winner BLT.  I know that this is considered a “summer sandwich” but I love bacon (and I can’t deny) and bourbon really gives it a smoky, fall flavor.

I typically stay away from classic BLT’s because the tomatoes always suck. Sorry to be so blunt, but it’s true. When it comes to tomatoes I am a huge snob. If I am going to use tomatoes (and eat them), they have to be amazing. Meaning they have to be perfectly sweet and tart. During the winter I always buy grape tomatoes because I find they taste best. I almost never buy beefsteak tomatoes because I never have any luck with them.

Bacon is awesome on it’s own, but I really wanted to make a killer BLT. So I did what I do best, I went for a little sweet and savory combo and umm, added bourbon, because a splash of bourbon can never hurt.

I cooked the bacon in a mix of maple syrup, bourbon and a pinch of cayenne. You guys, if you already loved bacon, prepare to love it even more. This bacon has the power to turn bacon haters into bacon lovers. Even vegans might have a hard time resisting this bacon.

I love the flavors of the maple syrup mixed with the subtle flavor of bourbon and the spiciness of the cayenne. It’s bacon done right.

Cheese makes a BLT complete.

Oh, but so does a fried egg and a slice of avocado. I do not think I have ever made a BLT without an egg or avocado. I put eggs on a lot of things (need to make leftovers shine? Put an egg on it), but on top of a BLT is a must.

There’s even a little chipotle mayo going on too. I told you I wanted to make a killer BLT!

2 SERIOUS BLT’S

Ingredients

4-6 slices thick cut bacon

3 tablespoons pure maple syrup

2 tablespoons bourbon (if needed sub water)

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or more to your taste)

4 slices really good whole grain bread (or your favorite breadI)

2-4 ounces smoked gouda cheese, sliced

2 cups spring lettuce mix + a handful of MicroGreens

2 heirloom or regular tomatoes, sliced

1 avocado, pitted + sliced

2 fried eggs (4 if you are making a giant BLT)

salt and pepper, to taste

Chipotle Bourbon Mayo (optional)

1/2 cup good quality mayo (I like to use an olive oil based mayo)

1 chipotle chile in adobo, minced

1 teaspoon bourbon (optional)

Instructions

Chipotle-Bourbon Mayo

  1. In a bowl mix together the mayo, chipotle pepper and bourbon. Cover and keep in the fridge until ready to use.

BLT’S

  1. In a small bowl mix together the maple syrup, bourbon and cayenne pepper.
  2. Place the bacon on a cold griddle or in large skillet. Do not over crowd the skillet. Heat the skillet to medium-low heat. Once the bacon has cooked for a few minutes and starts to curl, flip the bacon. Brush the top side with the bourbon-maple glaze and sprinkle with fresh black pepper. Continue cooking the bacon over medium low heat, flipping every few minutes and brushing again with glaze until the bacon is crisp (you will not use all the glaze). If needed, drain some of the grease off during cooking. Try to watch the bacon closely, the sugar will caramelize and the bacon can burn if you do not keep flipping and brushing with the glaze.
  3. Remove the bacon from the heat and drain on paper towels. Drizzle a little more glaze over top of the warm bacon.
  4. Slice the tomatoes on a cutting board and drizzle with just a little olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let stand 5 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile preheat the broiler (and start frying your eggs).
  6. Toast the slices of bread lightly in the toaster. Place all slices of bread on a baking sheet. Spread a little chipotle mayo over two slices of bread. Divide the sliced gouda cheese over all four slices of bread. Place under the broiler for 30 seconds or until the cheese is melted. WATCH CLOSELY, they cook quick!
  7. Divide the lettuce over the two bottom slices of bread (the ones with the mayo). Add the tomato slices, avocado slices and bacon. Drizzle any remaining bourbon glaze over the bacon (or to your taste). Place an egg over the bacon and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add the top slice of cheesy bread (cheese side touches the egg). Serve with extra mayo if desired. EAT. Right away!

Now, I’m not an egg kind of girl, so I just skip that part but it’s still sooo good.  So have a small side of Bourbon if you wish and/or a chardonnay (which will make all the flavors ‘pop’!)  Try it and let me know what you think.  OH….if you cut them into small sandwiches, they will be a hit at your Saturday games.

 

Holiday Gift Guide: Book Edition

Yes, the holidays’ are upon us.  No need to deny it. No need to wish it away. It’s here, deal with it.  If you are like me, this year I’m going for the easy. Not because I feel like you “have to give” you a gift, but because everyone loves books.  It’s a great “for your new home” kind of gift.  So here are just a few that I like for the book lover couples on your list.

reads-gift-giving

In my shoes Tamara Mellon by Tamara Mellon and William Patrick – This is an awesome book about the co-founder of Jimmy Choo. Proving behind every good man, is a determined and take no B-S woman. Barnesandnoble.com

“Vogue & The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute: Parties Exhibitions and People”, by Hamish Bowels is a must have for the fashionista on your list. Store.metmuseum.org.

Beauty girls will LOVE this “Miles of Mac” book by James Gager. The pictures are amazing and shares the best from this cosmetic company. www.rizzolibookstore.com

The “In Bloom” book collection is for the little (or big) girl on your list. Consisting of “Little Women, Heidi, Little Princes and Anne of Green Gables”, will be a joy to read and the books will really jazz up your bookshelf. Riflepaperco.comholiday-book-gift-guide1

Books are always a great gift item. Make sure to include the “gift receipt”…just in case, they should happen to have already. Happy Holidays