Howerton+Wooten Events Blog. The musings of a Maryland Wedding and Event Planner

Maptotes Are a Fun Option for Your "Out of Town" Wedding Guest Bags

 
Isn't  this Maptote a great idea for your "out of town" wedding guests?  The bags can hold all of your guests' wedding weekend items, and they would be a fun souvenir of your wedding city.

Maptotes offer numerous city options, and seven bag sizes.  I especially like the grocery tote bag because it can be used long after your wedding day.  Which, of course, is environmentally friendly.

If you don't see your wedding city as one of their options, you can have a bag customized with your wedding city.

I think the Mapnotes would be fun if you had your "save the dates" printed on the other side.  Your guests will have all of your wedding information, along with a snapshot of your wedding city.  The mapnotes are 4" x 9" flat cards.  They come with brown envelope that is made of 100% recycled paper.

What do you think?  Would Maptotes or Mapnotes be a fun addition for your wedding weekend?

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photos: Maptote)

Giving The Gift of Alms to your Bridesmaid

During the time before the holidays, many families participate in the gift of giving alms to those less financially fortunate.

The act of "giving alms" is just as important to the giver as it is to the recipient because it endows the "giver" the gift of gratitude.

That's why this Alms Bowl is definitely a favorite for me this holiday -- But I can easily see it as an ideal present for a bridesmaid.  It's a perfect way of saying, "Thank you for standing by my side as I begin a new chapter in my life."  It's also a great way of saying, "I am grateful to have such a beautiful spirit be a part of my wedding party."

And the gift keeps on giving -- Eastern Serenity (the company that makes these bowls) shares a portion of each alms bowl sale with Thai Freedom House, a grass roots organization helping Burmese refugee children in Northern Thailand.

A Little Background: This Alms Bowl was used by practicing monks who rely on members of the community (near the temple) to provide daily nutrition.  Each morning, they visit the surrounding neighborhoods with an empty alms bowl that is filled with food for the day, by people wishing to gain merit from Buddha.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

(Photo: Eastern Serenity)

Letterpress Coasters for Cocktails

These festive letterpress coasters (made by Cursive New York) would be great for a New Year's Eve soiree or a small "happy hour" with your bridal party.

Cheers!

Love & Soul Always, Kay 

(Photo: Cursive New York)

Room Service Furniture & Event Rentals DC Annual Showcase

Attention DC Area Event Professionals!

This event is for you!

I look forward to seeing you there!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

New Blog Find: Mindy Lockard - On a Personal Note

A very wise woman told me recently, "No matter what you do, always be gracious."

This year, I took that advice to heart and I try to live by it daily.

That's why I love Mindy Lockard's blog so much.  It's focus is "A Look at Gracious Living One Day at a Time."

Some have said that Mindy's blog teaches manners and etiquette.  I believe she is teaching different ways to show kindness to others, care for mother earth, and enjoy the little things that really matter in life.

My favorite part of the blog is the little box that shares a thought about Gracious Living.  When I clicked on the blog today, the box said, "Gracious Living is Giving Back to Your Community."

I couldn't agree with you more Mindy.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

An Etiquette Application for your iPhone

Need a quick reference for setting your dinner table?

How about thank you note tips?

Check out the iPhone application Etiquette Avenue.  This little app could definitely get you through a formal affair -- just don't use it during a conversation or the middle of dinner.  That's not cool.

Don't worry BlackBerry users!  I heard that a similar application is being created for BlackBerries too.

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Room Service Furniture and Event Rentals

Earlier last month, I was invited to stop by the Room Service Furniture and Event Rental showroom and wharehouse. 

As soon as you arrive into the showroom, you are taken into a room similar to a "decor playroom"  This room allows you to play around with the furniture, the pillows, and other accessories that will help you make the furniture decor your own.

 

Furniture like this straight back loveseat can be fitted with slipcovers of various colors.  My favorite is the pomegranate!  It has such a rich feel.

 

If you are interested in adding more variety to your furniture set-up, Room Service offers a large inventory of pillow covers for the pillow inserts.

If your party or event has a more relaxed feel, Room Service has a line of furniture made with rattan.

If you put all of the pieces of this sectional together, you can probably accommodate up to 12 party guests.

 

I thought that the lamps in their inventory were very fun.  They offer a little glam to your decor.

 

You can light up this bar with just about any color and you can put your monogram or your company logo on front.

If you need to rent furniture for your reception or party, give Heidi at Room Service a call at (301) 772-7772.  I am sure that she can help you out with what you need.

 

Love & Soul Always, Kay

 

 

Product Love: Valentine's Day Cup Cakes from Red Velvet Cupcakery

  

This morning, my Guy surprised me with some Valentine's Day cup cakes, a few special relationship coupons, and a card that he wrote himself.  So sweet.

The cupcakes came from the Red Velvet Cupcakery and they are so good. Yes, I enjoyed a cupcake (or two) for breakfast!

I have never been to the Red Velvet Cupcakery, but they definitely have a new fan in me.  The cupcakes on my plate are Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting, Vanilla Bean Cake with Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Frosting, American Yellow Butter Birthday Cake with Milk Chocolate Ganache, and Chocolate Buttermilk Cake with Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache.

My favorite was the Vanilla Bean Cupcake.  And that Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Frosting was something else!

For those of you interested in incorporating cupcakes into your wedding day, check them out.  They are available for special orders and catering.

One funny little note.  My Guy's note talks about everything that he loves about our marriage and how it all started on our August 24, 1986 wedding day.  1986!  Dude, weren't you still in high school in 1986?!?  He meant to say 1996.  It must have felt like dog years, right?

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Love & Soul Always, Kay

Farewell BFF Bridal

I must admit that I am a little sad to report that the ladies at BFF Bridal announced yesterday that they are dimming the lights on their web site.

I always found this site to be such a smart and hip resource for brides.

I must admit; however, that a few of their skincare product recommendations are the reasons that I kept checking them out!  I noted two of my favorites below:

1.    1. Fresh Sugar Blossom Hand Treatment.  My hands feel so good after using this stuff!  I swear I want to hold my own hands.

2.    2. Bag Balm.  This balm did wonders for my tootsies last summer, and I am happy to report that my feet are still feeling the love this winter. (I can look the other way when I hear that it was created for cow udders).

     If you were never a subscriber of BFF Bridal, you should catch up on their e-columns.  They are still available -- for a little while anyhow!

     Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Love and Soul Always, Kay

Product Love: Rosé City Traveller

On the go next Valentines Day weekend?

Consider packing up your Rosé City Traveller.  It is a fun and chic way to travel with your favorite bottle of champagne.  This pink cooler is designed to hold a 375 ml bottle (half bottle) of Veuve Clicquot’s Rosé while keeping it colder than cold for at least two hours.

Even better, once you have enjoyed your champagne, the inner lining of the cooler detaches, transforming it into a trendy bag, perfect for any occasion.  Perfect for Valentines Day, the City Traveller costs approximately $75.

Cheers!

Love & Soul Always, Kay