Save The Date : 1

Save The Date design for Morgan and Spencer

Do you love this save the date? Well, it can be yours! If you are interested in this design, or if you would like a custom creation for your wedding or special event, please contact design@laurendaversa.com.

Wedding Invitation : 7

Wedding invitation for Sydney and Aiden

Do you love this invitation? Well, it can be yours! If you are interested in this design, or if you would like a custom creation for your wedding or special event, please contact design@laurendaversa.com.

L | D Finds : High Heel Service

Nothing makes my day more than finding something I've never seen before. Okay, so maybe this statement is not entirely true, but for the sake of this post just extend your suspension of disbelief.

Getting back on track, I found something awesome today: high heel cake server and high heel cheese slicer. LOVE THEM! How perfect would either be at a bridal shower, baby shower or bachelorette party? Priced at $15 each, they are not braking the bank!

Laser Etched Plexiglass Invitation

One of 2010 new trends: laser etched plexiglass invitations. Try saying that 5 times in a row.

Custom made acrylic invitations are a fantastic way to set the tone for any event, corporate or social! These babies are available in an assortment of colors but that's just the beginning. There are a number of embellishment options that can really jazz these bad boys up: photographs, ribbons or swarovski crystals are just the tip of the ice berg!

Sound too good to be true? Well, here is the flip side...these trendy invites are not budget friendly. Not only is the product pricier than a regular invitation, but the cost to mail them is higher due to their weight and size. If your budget is willing check out Grapevine. Their work is incredibly impressive and they offer acrylic invitations.

DIY : Non-Floral Centerpieces

One question I get asked a lot is how can I cut the cost of my wedding? Personally, I don't have a special event planner's secret to magically create a wedding that should cost $50,000 to a wedding that will cost $7,500 - although that would be so cool to have! If you are trying to plan a event on a budget one suggestion would be to incorporate non-floral centerpieces. There are so many amazing ideas, like the nest bell jars. But before you run out and start buying your material to build your nests, be sure the non-floral centerpieces will actually cost less money than floral centerpieces. Sometimes clients tend to forget that there are a lot of items necessary to pull off the adorable non-floral centerpiece. Items like specialty linens, vases, candles, mirrors and all sorts of other details. And these little details add up.

Before taking the non-floral centerpiece route, talk to your event planner or a florist. Give them your budget and your vision and let them go over what your options are. This way you can make an informed decision rather than jeopardizing your tablescapes.

L | D Finds : Bridal Toolbox

Time to check in with the Bridal Tool Box, which has the best wedding tips for the bride and groom to help make the wedding day a little less stressful. Here is what was posted today:

Your guests will still have fun without the sirloin steaks and lobster. You don't need to break the bank to impress them with fancy food.

I love visiting the Bridal Tool Box, and no I am not sponsored by them in any way, shape or form. I just enjoy reading their daily wedding tips. The tip above really resonated with me. It's so common to get caught up in the planning of on an event. More times than not, people tend to temporarily forget the reason they're having the event in the first place. Not only can this happen in weddings, birthdays, holiday parties...but it can carry over into our daily lives. So don't forget the true meaning behind holiday spirit during this holiday season! Remember that it's not about how much money you spend on people, it's about joy, appreciation, happiness and being with the people you love!

TOTW : The Newspaper Shot

If you frequent photographers websites you should definitely be familiar with what I call the newspaper shot. For any of you who don't know what I'm talking about, it's when the photographer takes a picture of a newspaper, preferably the local newspaper from the town where your wedding or special event is taking place. The ideal shot would include the date, location and of course your wedding rings. This shot can be applicable to any event, it doesn't just have to be for a wedding. If your event is not a wedding, substitute any item related to the event for the rings; for instance, a diploma could be placed in the shot if you're planning a graduation party. Not only does the newspaper shot make a great picture, but it is just a fabulously unique keepsake from your wedding or special event. After all, how else would you know what was happening in the world on your special day.

Photo courtesy of Photo Bucket

Real Events : TRUNKSHOW

The holiday season is in full swing! Spending time with friends and family, shopping, parties, eating...it's exhausting but wonderful. One event that may have visited your home town this year is TRUNKSHOW, an organic, luxury goods showcased directly out of your own home. Sounds new and unique. Well it is! TRUNKSHOW was created by two very fashionable ladies. Don't worry if they have not made their way to your town yet, just visit their online store. Just in time for the holidays! And be sure to visit Yes Please Blog to check out the inspiration behind the gorgeous table design and Bash Eco Events for more pictures.

Holiday Cookies

Lately, Real Simple and I are holding hands and skipping down a dirt road together on a warm, fall afternoon. Seriously, I am all over this website because it is filled with...really simple ideas. Today, the really simple idea that jumped out at me was sugar cookies, which are a fantastic gift that can be decorated and given to coworkers and acquaintances, as a hostess gift for a holiday party, gifts for children to give to their friends, for the neighbors, even family members. Everyone loves cookies and it's a gift that wont break the bank! The cookies can be placed in a tin or in your own favor bag with a label like I did for one of my customers.

The recipe I found makes about 40 cookies and will take you a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Basic Sugar Cookie Dough
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for shaping the cookies
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions
1.In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2.Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla.
3.With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated (the dough will be stiff). Shape into a disk and (unless otherwise specified in an individual recipe) refrigerate, wrapped, for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
4.Make cookies according to directions below.
5.Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Holiday Cutout Cookies
Directions
1.Divide the basic sugar cookie dough in half (do not substitute slice-and-bake dough). On a floured surface, roll each piece out ¼ inch thick.
2.Cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Refrigerate on baking sheets until firm.
3.Sprinkle with decorating sugar and bake at 350° F on parchment-lined baking sheets until just beginning to brown, 12 to 15 minutes.
4.Cool slightly on baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.