Posts Tagged ‘Random Musings’
Have you ever noticed that white wine lasts a bit better than red wine? It’s partly due to the acidity of white wine. The acidity helps to preserve it’s original composition and freshness. The process by which white wine is fermented (cold fermentation) also helps to preserve the wine after it’s been opened.
On the other hand, it’s the tannins in the red wine that aids in preservation. A wine with a high tannins will last longer on the shelf than a wine lower in tannins. Just as a note, the amount of tannins do affect the taste.
Other factors such as oxygenation, fluctuation in temperatures, grape variety, and location where the grape is grown are all factors.
We order the wine for our clients – when they are purchasing their own. There have been many a day that we have loaded the car with a few bottles of opened wine. What do you do with those bottles? Pour them out? Put them in the refrigerator – and hope they are decent when you want to drink them?
Get a sucking devices, and a few stoppers for your bottles. Re-corking the wine, or just putting a stopper in – is not enough. You have to suck out the air to inhibit oxygenation – which is THE destroyer. Look for screwpull plastic or metal wine pumps with stoppers.
They can range in price between $10.00-$40.00 on Amazon.com or Williams Sonoma.
Alternatively, if you have enough wine left over, you can reuse empty Perrier bottles. Fill the bottles all the way to the top and cap tightly. Voila!
What do you do to preserved the wine after it’s been opened?
Happy planning!
What’s more fabulous than loosing 1 hour of sleep this weekend?
Nothing that I can think of.
Don’t forget to set your clocks forward at 2:00 AM Sunday morning. What a joy!
PS
We have some fabulous content in store for this weekend. We are continuing our series, Planning a $5,000.00 Wedding, by talking about choosing the perfect venue!
Sweet!
Our newest video blog will explain what we have to offer – you and your families – as you start, or continue to plan your beautiful weddings.
Tune in!
Happy sleeping!
I am doing a little reflecting (soul searching) today and thinking deeply about the very positive happenings this week (sometimes I get in these moods). I guess I cannot take all the credit for this reflection – it was actually spurred by a conversation I had with one of my assistants over the telephone.
As the owner of the firm, one thing I must do is listen intently to everyone without judgment – even if I disagree with what they are saying. Then, I reflect, come to terms, and make decisions – because I operate my company with integrity, responsibility, fairness and professionalism – and I expect that those four characteristics are within everyone who works with me. I want the best of the best from the people I work with – and I am satisfied with nothing less. I am kind of hard that way.
Gay marriage is a hot button issue for me. It’s one of the very few issues that will make or break a candidate in an election year. It goes beyond professionalism and being a Smithie (which I am very proud of). Actually, I’m not sure why it’s even an issue that I have to vote on. For me, it’s about the very foundation of what this country is – Family, Love, Life, the Pursuit of happiness – for everyone. Everyone has the right.
I could probably say this about a lot of things.
Anyhoo, I think it’s Murphy’s law that you have to fight to obtain the rights that are already afforded to you. It’s happened time, and time again. After you get them, you will have to fight many years to keep, enforce, and live a solemn life.
Because children should grow up in loving and happy families – I must say that I am extremely proud of DC for stepping up – and taking positive steps. We are the model for what others should – and hopefully, will be. Who knew it could and would happen in DC? Call me a pessimist (lots of people do).
Happy reflecting!
Thanks to Kelly Prizel for this remarkable photograph.
Marriage is about family, yes? Planning a wedding is about combining established families – and starting a new one! Hooray!! So, now and again, you will see family related posts – after all, my family is the most important thing to me.
We choose cloth diapers in this household - and if you look, there are tons of options out there (ask my Mom and husband what I went through when trying to filter through all the options). I am all about OBV love (Organic Bamboo Velour). After 17 months of washing and wearing – and pooping, and peeing – they have stood the test of time. They are so squishy soft – wash after wash. They last FOREVER. In fact, I am still using the same diapers that I used when my girl was a newbie! WOW! They are a little bit more expensive at the outset, but in the end – totally worth it. Cotton frays, doesn’t last long (specially on my baby’s curvy figure). OBV love!
So, here is a post that is dedicated to little healthy fannies worldwide!
Thanks to my contributors
White diaper with blue trim – my favorite prefolds from Tickey Bu
Pink Diaper – my favorite pre-fitteds from Peanut Butter and Ellie
Another really great OBV fitted (not shown) is from Goodmama
And a very special thanks to:
Ava, my very cute – and always willing fashionista – modeling her very cool OBV threads!
Happy pooping!
The million dollar question – can wine and chocolate be paired? Some say no, and others say yes. You either love it or hate it. I do not like chocolate very much, but chocolate with an elegant wine and some candles sound so romantic. So, I’m going to say LOVE IT!
A 20 years aged tawny Porto with milk chocolate, milk chocolate with a caramel component, or coco dusted almond halves will put anyone in the mood!
Happy loving!
I think it’s fitting that the Olympic Games begins on Valentines day weekend! Coming together as one – the world over and pursuing dreams. I love it!
I also love Valentine’s day? Why? It’s not necessarily because I like going out to eat (which I do), receiving chocolates (which I don’t- I don’t particular like chocolate), or seeing a delivery man with a dozen red roses at the door (not bad – but not necessary). Is it chocolate, roses and delivery men (with roses) the way to say “I Love You”? I hope not because those things are so fleeting. They do not last forever.
Valentines day is about coming together with the ones you love – reliving and creating everlasting memories! Its not about saying “I love you”, but feeling it – from the depths of your soul. I’m the eternal romantic. I still believe in the “Knight in Shining Armour” rescuing his “Faire Maiden”, new beginnings, and the -oh so beloved – “happily ever after”.
So, to wish all the lovers and dreamers out there – a very happy Valentines day – and all the elite athletes – a wonderful and safe Olympic fortnight – I want to share with you, some of the greatest gifts that were brought to us. They have only begun the journey to their happily ever after!
Thanks to the following photographers:
Jennifer Domenick, Genevieve Leiper, Thomas Graves, Borrowed Blue Photography, Rachel Smith, Jennifer Hughes, Rodney Bailey, Creation Waits, Evan Bishop, Kea Taylor, Dawn Bernard
Happily Ever After!
Battling my inner and outer demons to become the Woman, Wife, Mother and Wedding Planner that I am today.
Happy hoping, dreaming, and living!
Rog won his 16th Grand Slam title, when he sent the Murmeister packin’ in straight sets!
Way to go!
Chugga chugga choo choo!
Not that I’m looking forward to the weekend – with two more wonderful days to go – but things are really exciting around here. At least to me! 
We have finally made the commitment to dust off our website. Boy, was there a lot of dust! The website will look much the same – but will allow us to give you fresh content much more often – which is a fabulous thing!
Also, we are going to move our blog directly onto our website! Bye Bye Blogger! Yes, it’s going to be a big transition – and I’m not sure it’s always going to be smooth. We will do the best that we can. Make sure you continue to visit us here. We will let you know when we are ready to make the transition.
The most fun change, is that we are rolling out our “video blog” series – which will be premiering this weekend! Yes, we are moving into the 21st century (slowly). Every weekend, we will be offering a DIY project, a tip, or an update on happenings in the industry – which will be done by MOI (and my hubby) on video. I’m totally excited!
Make sure to come back and take a look-see this weekend.
This week, we will be making a simply elegant unity candle – and more! Here is little preview!
Happy planning!
I realize that there are a lot of wedding and event planners out there. How are you to filter through, what seems to be an endless amount of choice?
I want to spend a few moments sharing with you how Elegant Event Planning and Design is different – and the different approach I take in planning/coordinating your wedding.
There is absolutely nothing cookie cutter about Elegant Event Planning and Design and our experienced Planners/Consultants. I believe that each of my clients is an individual with different requirements. I take pride in being able to customize our services to meet the needs and budget of each individual. In fact, I do not offer packages. I personally spend the time getting to know you so that the package we create for you will be perfect, the first time.
All of our clients are equally important, whether “day of” or “full event management”. We take each wedding seriously and take great care to make sure everything is perfect. We encourage “day of” clients to contact us as soon as possible. We do not restrict the initial contact in any way – whether it’s a month prior or a year prior to the wedding day. I always say – the better I know you and your wedding, the better I can advocate for you on your wedding day.
I (Lisa) work personally with each and every client. You will meet with me, and I will be the person working with you during the planning process and on the day of the wedding!
Most importantly, my assistants, planners and I go above and beyond for you and your family. We believe in going the extra mile to not only ensure a successful planning process and seamless wedding day – but that you and your family are happy and stress free.
