It's Dinner Time!

I love food.
Not only do I love food--but--I LOVE cooking.
Love it, love it, love it.
I am just getting to the level where I'm able to conjure up wonderful original menus, however, I'm still an amateur in that area.
And now...I've just found a great solution to my dilemma.
Marthastewart.com offers a nice selection of seasonal menus, and though I know I won't stick to every single item on the menu, or even follow the recipes exactly (I know, it's a shame--what can I say, I know what seasonings I love!), I'm a guidelines kinda girl, and marthastewart.com provides me with the basics on which I can build on top of.
The next dinner party I'm holding will be next weekend for my birthday, and I will most likely use an Asian theme.

 Hoisin-Roasted Game Hens w/Asparagus and Shiitake Stir-Fry

Salad: Carrot and Raddish Bundles

Main: Hoisin-Roasted Game Hens

I'll replace these with whole chicken pieces

Side: Asparagus and Shiitake Stir-fry

Dessert: Ginger Rice Pudding 

I'll tell y'all how it goes...


Happy Weekend,


Ivy

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Post-First Wedding Thoughts

This past weekend was my first wedding--I am no longer a wedding planning virgin, and I feel GREAT!!
Surprisingly, I wasn't nervous, but anxiously waiting for the day to be over so I could reminisce on the day's events.

Thinking back, I can only name a few things that went awry:

• the bride's bustle fell, as anticipated, AND the pins bought for this accident were missing
• the flower tape and ribbon for the bouquets went missing (they were in the bag with the pins)
• the song list for the DJ had an abundance of uncensored music--so we had to make some quick changes to the list
• I forgot to do my hair--but a quick slap of water and moisturizer cured that ;-)

I can't seem to think of any major mishaps, and even any minor ones, my team, Johana and Kamaria, as well as the caterer, Judy and her team, helped out tremendously.  Radiant Moments did such a great job that the caterer would like to work with us again!

The wedding party was also a tremendous help, from decorating the night before the wedding, to helping clean up afterward, they were wonderful.

Somethings I learned:

• Nothing is going to go as planned: don't freak out--treat it as life!
• There are solutions to every problem around you--use your spontaneity to find them
• Don't forget to eat/drink beforehand--buy bottled water pre-event so that you're not dehydrated
• Remember business cards!!
• Your time line is going to be crushed to smithereens the moment your event starts--once again, treat it as life!
• Take pictures as the day goes on--it would be wonderful to look back on the different "phases" of the wedding

I have to thank Shalom & Ramon for allowing their wedding to be my first--you all are such great friends, and I cannot thank you enough for this opportunity!

Happy weekend,

Ivy

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Shalom & Ramon: March 6th

Congrats to Shalom & Ramon!!!!!
Check out the pictures at Llore Photography

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