I love to blog about life, but life gets in the way

I know - it's been forever since I last posted.

I had the end of the year Christmas cards and gifts rush. Then the holidays, then a sobering walk home on New Years Eve which left me with a lingering head cold. Then, since we hadn't yet celebrated Christmas with Adams family we had more of the holidays. Let's not forget the Rose Bowl (O - H ). THEN my husbands gall bladder decides to not work and we have to go get that removed. Have I mentioned that Bridal Show season has started?

And those "special moments"? (As in "Sara Paper . . . for life and it's special moments") Special moments seem to get forgotten under the pile of work. Balance, I've found, is a work in progress. So it's been a bit busy but I want to get back to reporting on YOUR special moments and in turn show you how I can help you with your social stationery.

Have I mentioned that Bridal Show season has started? You can find me at the WCSM Bridal Show on Sunday, January 31, 2010. It's being held at Romers in St. Henry from 1 - 3:30. A good time should be had by all (plus there will be lots of free cake).

I'll also be at the Greenville Bridal Expo at the Darke County Fair Grounds in Greenville. This event is being held on Sunday, February 28, 2010 from 12:30 - 4:00. (also free cake).

I do have some great things cooking lately. Forgive the lousy photography. However, bad photos are better than no photos at all.

Here are some calendars I did for Go Bucks Trucking. Each month features a photo of one of their impressive trucks. Next year I intend to have some templates and will be able to offer personalized calendars useing photos of YOUR family. You'll be able to buy personalized calendars for everyone you know.

This is a close up of the wire binding. We bought a machine this year and can now offer this service in house (and reasonably quick).

Happy New Year to Shannon and David. This is the front of their very fancy petal pocket invite. Shannon and David, who live in Chicago, rang in the new year in Ohio with a New Years Eve Wedding.

Best wishes to Jennifer Bornhorst and Scott Ranly, who will get married this weekend. Their invites are very elegant black, ivory and red. Jennifer was the total opposite of Bridezilla. I wonder if anyone who attends their wedding this weekend will tell me she snapped. I couldn't imagine it, she was so sweet.

More good wishes for Natalie and Luke who also get married this weekend. Natalie was also very non-bridezilla. Her original choice of a deeper plum pocket was back-ordered. So we waited, and waited for the pocket company to tell us they were in stock. Never happened. (well it did finally happen a couple weeks ago but that didn't really help Natalie's situation ) So Natalie gamely switched her colors up a little and I really love the result.

An inside look.

And finally a look at my Christmas.
My husband taught my brothers kids to make balloon animals (and hats). Now that's a gift that will last a lifetime.
Thanks to Topsy Turvy Toys in New Bremen for selling the kit to us.
We had a great time.
I guess "special moments" exist even in the middle of busy times.

Happy New Year! And how I justified my first '10 trip to Coldstone

The begining of the new year always brings the same resolution for me - lose weight, be healthier. In my defense I tried - I really did. I've been eyeing the Wii fit for weeks now, even though we didn't even own a Wii. This sounded promising to my husband who probably never expected to get a new system since we already have the playstation. He waited patiently until Walmart had their big sale (the one where you buy the Wii system and get a $50 gift card). I finally agreed and he wasted no time hustling to Walmart.

So anyway, we got the Wii. We enjoyed the Wii Sports and I even thought the boxing would make a decent workout. But I still wanted the Wii Fit. We waited until after the holidays (stupidly hoping for a sale) only to find that everyone who received a Wii on Christmas was out shopping the day after Christmas and snatched up all the Wii Fits. Grrr.

I stopped at the Meijer in Troy - Out
I stopped at the Walmart in Troy - Out
No big deal I'll just hit up the Walmart in Piqua - Out

I finally go to the Walmart in Sidney. While getting off I-75 I remembered the Coldstone Creamery. Damn! I told myself that if this last Walmart had a WiiFit then I was going to reward myself with ice cream. After all, I worked off a lot of calories getting in and out of my car.

Of course Walmart failed me. Before I even left the store I talked myself into the ice cream anyway. It was delicious!

Then I saw the sign for the Coldstone Cupcakes. How will I resist these?

Merry
Christmas!

Trials of Tuesday

I'm sick. Just a cold but still. And my printer decided it didn't want to work last night. I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of the service tech so I can get back on schedule.

All in all - not a great start to my Tuesday. I have high hopes for the afternoon though.

Masterpiece Monday - Melissa and Lance

Love the look of these. Circles are sleek, retro in a modern way (possible?) and a great "theme" to carry through all the wedding details. Melissa and Lance used rich colors to achieve this look.

The inner and outer envelopes - what a bold, fun piece of mail.

The invite, rich color printed on champagne card stock, then mounted onto a copper card stock.

A close up of the top of the invite.

The RSVP postcard. Only takes $.28 postage.

Place card for the wedding guests.

Friendly Friday – Make Up Artist

For my first Friendly Friday I'd like to introduce my friend Kellie Keck who is, by all accounts a true make up maven. Kelly lives this crazy fabulous life and makes her living by making others look their best. For six years Kelli has been honing her craft of make up artistry. In addition to regular make up Kellie is also skilled in airbrushing.

One look at her portfolio will impress you. She’s done substantial work on not only brides, but on photo shoots with professional models and celebrities. Her work can be seen in national print and television ads. Not only is she super skilled she is also super sweet and really fun. Kellie was happy to share a little bit of Q&A with me.

Me: What are the benefits of having makeup professionally done on a special occasion?

Ms. Keck: There are many benefits and to name just a few: If you have your makeup professionally airbrushed you will have that flawless look that will last all day and isn't cakey. No one should have to feel their makeup and airbrushing is very lightweight. Having a professional makeup artist do your makeup also insures that you look your best. An artist can really bring out your best features and help you to feel even more confident and less stressed. Once you have your makeup professionally done it is hard to imagine a special event without a makeup artist on your team.

Me: What is your favorite part about doing wedding makeup?

Ms. Keck: I love getting to know my brides. Everyone is so unique and has a story so spending that time doing the makeup and getting to know my brides is incredible. It is also very rewarding when I am able to really take the stress away from a bride by covering up a breakout or something similar. It may sound silly but after a bride has spent all of that time planning the wedding and all of the money for photography not to mention getting ready to walk out in front of all her family and friends if a breakout occurs overnight (which it often does) that can cause some serious stress and anxiety. It is great to be able to come in that morning and airbrush it all away and help her to feel confident and relaxed again.

Me: Have any favorite part of the wedding day? (for instance I love looking at the grooms face as he sees his bride for the first time, other people love the cake or the first dance, etc)

Ms. Keck: I really enjoy the getting ready part of the morning. There is such a different energy in the morning. The bride is gathered with all of her bridesmaids and family and everyone is having a good time laughing and sharing stories. it makes me smile to see that girlie bonding and fun!

Me: Any important info you'd like to share with the brides who visit my blog?

Ms. Keck: I am running a special discount right now on bridal makeup. For anyone that is interested in further details please email: info@pearlsandablackdress.com

Also, for weddings in Jan and Feb I am offering a huge discount of 50% off our package prices. Please email for more info on those also.

Me: As a makeup maven, what is your favorite product? Got a fave liner, shadow or product you can't live without?

Ms. Keck: I am such a makeup junkie! I do have some favorites though. I can not live without eyeliner and I go back and forth between a gel liner and a kohl liner. MAC Fluidliners are great gel liners and the Kevyn Aucoin pencil in Basic Black is my favorite pencil. I also love NARS blushes (all of the colors are amazing), Chanel eyeshadows and one of my favorite lip colors is Hue by MAC.

Me: Since Christmas is coming do you have a favorite X-mas tradition, recipe, hint, tip?

Ms. Keck: Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I especially love walking around the mall even if I am not shopping. The window displays are always so festive and people are generally in a good mood. I am LOVE all of the eating! Food around the holidays is guilt-free in my book.

I have a great recipe from The 5 in 10 Dessert Cookbook: 5 Ingredients in 10 minutes of Less. What I love about this recipe, other than how easy it is, is that with all of the other holiday food this is a nice surprise. It is still chocolately and the cookie dough is right at home with holiday food but then the strawberries just add a freshness and lightness to it. It never lasts through the night!

Strawberry Chocolate Truffle Pizza

1 Roll (20 ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 pint basket fresh strawberries

1. Preheat the over to 400 degrees. Cut the cookie dough into 1/4-inch slices. Place in a foil-lines 14-inch round pizza pan with a 1/4-inch high rim. Press together to form a crust on the bottom. Bake for 8-9 minutes, or until golden.

2. Meanwhile. in a 2-cup glass measure, combine the chocolate chips and cream. Microwave on High for 1 1/2 minutes, or until the chocolate is melted and smooth when stirred. Stir in vanilla.

3. Rinse, drain and hull the strawberries. Cut in half lengthwise.

4. Spread the chocolate cream evenly over the baked crust. Beginning at the edge. arrange the strawberries on the "pizza" in concentric circles, cut side down and with the points toward the outside edge of the pan; cover the chocolate completely with berries. Refrigerate until set, at least 20 to 30 minutes.

Thanks again to Kellie for sharing with us! I hope those of you with a special event in your future will consider giving a Kellie a call and take advantage of her fabulous specials going on.

For more information on Kellie Keck visit one of the sites below

www.pearlsandablackdress.com

www.kelliekeck.com

www.419bride.com - A great planning tool for brides

or call 419-303-5453

Thursday Things

Things that have been seen and heard . . .

"Greetings from New Bremen"

Earlier this week I posted about the fundraiser, "Greetings from New Bremen". The New Bremen Friends of the Library approached me about making some note cards for them to sell. Since I've spent most of my life in a library or with my nose in a library book, I was happy to help. You can purchase these at the Library, The New Bremen Coffee Company and Books and Topsy Turvy Toys, both in New Bremen. A box of ten sells for $10.00 and single cards are $1 each. Here is the article that ran in the Evening Leader.

So if you are looking for a cute stocking stuffer or just a way to contribute to the Friends of the Library, here's your answer.

Project Happy Christmas

With the upcoming Christmas season its hard to ignore the status of the economy. A local New Bremen couple, Troy and Amy Grillot are taking their person heartbreak and turning it into a beautiful tribute to the newborn son they lost last year before the holidays.

Here is the link to their beautiful story. Their website has lists that you can download and use when doing your holiday shopping. I'm very moved by their story and their motivation to help. These gifts will be specifically given to 3 anonymous families in our area. Each family has suffer this past year. Physically, financially, and emotionally. (This is the point where I count my blessings) . Anyway, I hope others will hear their story and be motivated to give.

Women in Business Luncheon

Local Businesswoman are invited to enjoy lunch, a program and excellent networking. The meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 11:30 at Bella's Italian Grille, located at 108 West Bank Road, Celina. The program will be "Keeping it Together Through the Holidays". Please send your RSVP by Dec. 4th to amy@stmarysohio.org. Also, they will be taking donations of "something warm". This includes new coats, gloves, scarves or hats. All local business women and invited to attend.

SW Auglaize County Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party.

Anyone interested in joining the Chamber of Commerce might consider dropping by the upcoming Holiday Business After Hours on Thursday Dec 10th from 5-7 pm at the Eagles in Minster. This year's event is sponsored by the following Chamber Members: Wagners IGA Minster/Fort Loramie; Coldwell Banker South Shore Realty; and Sarapaper.

Please send your RSVP to info@auglaize.org as soon as possible if you plan to attend. Also, we're still looking for door prize donations from Chamber members. This is a GREAT way to promote your business! You can visit the Chamber website at www.auglaize.org for more details.