DIY: Popcorn Wedding Favor {Love is Sharing Your Popcorn}

In case you didn't know, I like popcorn. This post here is proof. Like may not be a strong enough word. I love popcorn. I am one of those weird people who do like the buttery kind but would take it plain any day. Maybe it is the crunch and saltiness? I also like to mix popcorn and M&M's. Katie, is this whole post about popcorn? Pretty much folks.

A few Christmas' ago I made homemade treats for my friends as gifts. Yeah, I am one of those people. I love puppy chow but I wanted to mix it up. I found a recipe for poppy chow (oh so clever) and over time have mastered this really easy recipe. I did promise a DIY this month and this DIY is one that even an uncrafty gal can tackle. I know that wedding favors are not a must but if you find something that fits your personality, go for it.

{Recipe: Poppy Chow}

Ingredients:

• 9 cups plain popcorn
• 1 cup chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet.)
• 1/2 c. peanut butter
• X c. unsalted butter
• 1 tsp. good vanilla
• 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• Plastic goodie bag
• Favor tag
• Yarn or string

Let's get started.

Pop your popcorn and place in a large bowl.

Place chocolate chips, butter and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave for a minute or so.

After mixing together melted chocolate mixture, pour it into your popcorn.

Mix it up and snag a couple of chocolately pieces for yourself. (A must!)

Once the popcorn is coated with the chocolate, pour in your powdered sugar. It takes a bit but try and spread it on all the pieces of popcorn.

Place on a pan or tray and stash in the fridge to allow the chocolate to set. I put it in the freezer because 30 minutes in the fridge is just too long for me. Once you have tried this tasty treat you will agree with the previous statement.

{DIY: Favor Bag and Printable}

I knew that I wanted to include a fun printable. The Wedding Chicks always have the best printables that are so darn cute. I chose the ombre hearts found here.

I took the printable and secured it to the front of the plastic bag.

{Poxxie}

 
Next I stuffed the bag with the poppy chow and tied a sweet little bow around the top with twine.

This favor is easy, cost effective and easily accomplished with friends and family helping. And I do believe love is sharing your popcorn especially when you love it as much as me.

Wedding Dress Wednesday

Ever have those moments where you get really giddy and excited to share news with friends. Well today that is me. I am oozing coffee and happiness because I found a little treat of a designer to share with you all. Meet Carol Hannah.

Some of you may recognize her name and pretty dresses from Project Runway but I stumbled upon her last night and boy was it one good night. Some people may not feel this way and call me weird if you like but I swear wedding dresses can improve any mood. Carol Hannah's design are simply stunning. They leave me wanting to see more sketches. Sketchbook or a napkin, I would take both.

Her dresses feature soft tones, pretty bows, ruby red lips, tulle in just the right spot and sleeves that make you smile. She is just really, really talented y'all. No other way around it. The Spring 2013 line is just too good. It is really neat to read about her path to designing and her Southern roots. I am so thrilled to show you these gorgeous photos. They are going to make your heart very full. I warned you. Also Carol Hannah and I became best friends because I also search for the perfect cupcake in my spare time as well.

{Carol Hannah Blog - Spring 2012 Collection}

New Vendor: Ann Potter Baking

Happy Tuesday loves! I hope that you all enjoyed this holiday weekend! I spent it filming a wedding, sleeping (lots of it), a surprise trip to Dallas, attending our first Rangers game and a hotel stay. Rusty and I even enjoyed a very nice dinner Sunday night after the game. I even put on eyeshadow. If you know me or don't because I am going to tell you anyway, I love staying in hotels. I am also going to confess that I was asleep by 8:45 p.m. on Sunday evening. I know. I am exciting.

So you may recognize the name Sarah Eaton DeClerk from this post here, here, here and here. Yeah, she has been on the blog a lot. Not only was she the first bride brave enough to allow me to film her wedding, she is also a dear friend of mine. One meeting with Sarah and you realize just how special this lady is. She is witty, a Southern gem, comical and a girl who will be a good friend to you always. She is also one of the first people I told about my dream of LB Productions. She has always been encouraging me, commenting on blog posts, sending me sweet notes and pushing me to keep going in the hard times. She is such a forever friend. Sarah also has major baking talents. A baker since a young age, Sarah is following her dream of baking goodies and making brides, couples, friends and clients smile with her homemade treats. She is so creative! She makes cakes, cupcakes and cookies for weddings, birthdays, baby showers, holidays, football season & bachelorette parties. You name it, she can create it. Meet Sarah y'all!

1. Give us a little background about you and your family.

I am a newly married (one year on May 14th) lover of crafts, baking, and decorating. My husband, Brady, is the dream guy and he is the best best best roommate ever! Ha! :) I have one sister, Meghan, who is my best friend, my sounding board, and my number one fan. My parents are fabulous people that I learn from daily. I attribute my stubborn don't give up attitude to my father and my domestic goddess skills to my mother. Growing up in Vicksburg, MS (my Dad's job transferred the family there when I was in 3rd grade) taught me all about Southern charm- but moving back to Arkansas after college was a dream come true as I have always claimed the Natural State as home.

2. How did you get started with baking?

I started cooking at a very early age with my mother. We always baked together because baking is all about exact measurements and I love math- I might also have a slight OCD streak :). I have always been pretty decent at baking and realized, much to my dismay, that some people think it is tedious, boring, or just plain difficult. This was kind of my "in". My first batch of iced cookies were for a family Halloween and I've been doing them ever since.

3. What is your favorite part of your job? 

I am creative by nature so I absolutely love doing new designs and creating something unique for each individual order.

4. What do you hope to offer brides and other clients? 

I want to offer custom designed cookies, cakes, and cupcakes for my clients. I want them to be satisfied not only with how they look but also the way the taste and the quality. It seems that a lot of bakery products look better than they taste and I want my clients to be pleasantly surprised when they take that first bite.

5. Tell us a few things about yourself!

• Random #1: Most people ask me "Where did Ann Potter come from??"- I chose Ann for my niece, (which is also my middle name) and Potter for my puppy Lily Potter. I have a mild obsession with Harry Potter so I named my golden retriever baby after Harry's mom. 
• Random #2: I am one of those annoying do-it-yourselfer types that see something handmade and try to do it themselves. This is really how I started making iced cookies, and jewelry, and painted pillows, and curtains… Literally- I have wayyy too many hobbies!
• Random #3: I have two blogs: A baking blog (Ann Potter Baking) and a personal blog (Sarah DeClerk). The reason behind this is my personal blog can be a little snarky and sometimes features choice language if you know what I mean. Because of this reason, I chose to have a separate business blog. 

How could you not love Sarah? Now that you know she is the perfect vendor here is how to contact her:

• Facebook: Ann Potter Baking
• Twitter: sarahedeclerk
• Email: Annpotterbaking@gmail.com

Please go and show Sarah some love. She really is a true talent and beyond kind. It is always refreshing to work with a vendor who loves what she does. It makes the process very enjoyable and memorable.

Now it is time for more goodies of cute cookies and cakes:

{Ann Potter Baking}

Love Song Friday, Volume 55

100 Layer Cake

55 volumes of Love Song Friday? Seriously? How have you put up with me this long? Why that many Fridays? Enough questions yet? It is Friday y'all! I am in a mood, a witty banter mood.

I love the above picture. If you have free time go check out that post. You will not be disappointed. Some days I wish I could accompany couples on their engagement shoots just for fun. It probably wouldn't be fun for them but for me it would be!

Weekly recap time:

Monday: How To Take Perfect Wedding Photos?
Tuesday: Minor Obsession: Pretty Paper Cranes
Wednesday: Wedding Dress Wednesday
Thursday: How Do I Ask Others to Help With Wedding Planning?

Guess who picked the tune for Love Song Friday? If you guessed Rusty (my stunning husband) you just won a hug. He did it. He actually picked Hanson's I Will Come to You. Not only do you get to watch really bad lip syncing and a strange video where the Hanson boys glow, you get to sit and wish that their mother would have brushed their hair before letting them make a music video. Regardless of my sarcasm I do love this song. It makes me smile and reminisce about the lovely 90's. Happy Friday loves! Make it count.

Q & A: How Do I Ask People to Help with Wedding Planning?

Please excuse the small video. Hi. My name is Katie and I am beyond excited that Phillip Phillips won American Idol. For those who don't know I watch reality tv and a few live shows religiously. American Idol has always been a household favorite. This season finale has included J Lo (of course), Lil John, Dreamgirl Jennifer Holliday, Reba, Fantasia, Chaka Khan, Rhianna, Steven Tyler, Neil Diamond, Jordin Sparks, Aerosmith and past contestants. The finale even included a proposal. This show makes my heart happy. From the beginning I have had one favorite. Any guesses? Yeah, Phil Phillips is dreamy. Rusty is okay with me saying that. The guy is just pure talent. When he was announced last night I screamed like a little kid. To make it even better he cries and can't even perform his new single. I might have shed a tear too. See I am one of those weird people who gets really connected with complete strangers on tv like they are my best friend. Soooo, since you are now rolling your eyes at how weird I truly am let's talk wedding.

It is Q & A Thursday. Cue the clapping and cheers! Today's question is for people who (just like me) who have a hard time asking people for help. Here is how:

Q. I need to ask others to help with details and wedding planning things. How can I ask and not feel like I am asking to much?

A. I have been there. How do you make it comfortable? If you are like me asking others for help is not easy and may never be but have no fear! When it comes to asking try these tips:

1. Make sure you are asking a true and helpful friend. Be honest about what needs to be completed. You need people who you can rely on from start to finish. I have heard stories of brides who ask someone for help thinking that the project will get done but in the end the person falls through leaving the bride with last minute things to get done. You don't want that. Make sure you are picking reliable folks. Always be truthful about what needs to be accomplished and how much time you have to completed it.

2. When it comes to asking always give them an option. For example, Cris with Kiss My Tulle recently asked me to be her videographer but first asked if I would rather attend as a regular guest. I know with most friends they are going to want to help regardless but do let them say no if they need to. More than likely they are just as excited as you to complete your list!

3. Do not be afraid to ask. People can only say yes or no. Let your friend now that you will also be helping and giving them direction. Make it a group effort. Make it fun!

4. Now that they have said yes, give them their task. You have their help now get to work! :)

5. Don't underestimate DIY and the numbers you will need. I always hear brides who do a lot of DIY projects say they wish they had more time. Make sure that you and your friends have fun while working. Turn on the Bachelorette while sipping wine and making your paper crane backdrop.

6. I promise they want to help. Your friends are more than likely going to be jumping at the bit to help. Most of them you will not even have to ask but the ones you do, remember they are honored. Giving a friend a role in your wedding is a treat. Relax when asking. Always make it fun and reward them for your help. Try a nice bottle of wine, a movie night, a nice body scrub or a bouquet of fresh flowers.

7. Make it fun! Pretty simple and easy to do.

I hope that these tips help and that you eventually feel comfortable asking others to pitch in. These are your friends and loved ones. They are beyond thrilled to be helping making your wedding dreams come true.

Wedding Dress Wednesday

In the perfect world we all could shop at Kate Spade, never have a bad Monday and our houses would always be clean. Since those things don't always work out, we can celebrate the Kate Spade outlet store with extreme discounts that is about 20 minutes from my house, cheer on Monday's and step over the little piles of dirt on our kitchen floors.

Like promised in posts past I am gladly expanding Wedding Dress Wednesday from just bridal couture to pretty rehearsal dresses, engagement outfit possibilities and send off dresses for the best dressed ladies around. Kate Spade makes me smile. I think she makes everyone smile. I love a dress that fits you so good it doesn't need a single stitch of alterations. Oh, I did throw in a little bridal number or two. And now for the real reason you read Wedding Dress Wednesday, the pretty pictures...

Kate Spade Dresses and Bridal

Minor Obsession: Pretty Paper Cranes

Here we are back with another round of things I am loving right now. If you missed this Neon Love Inspiration board that I featured last week you should know that I also mentioned something that is making my heart happy. Origami or paper cranes are slowly making a debut in the wedding circuit. While I do think they are not for every couple, I do hope to see more of them sneak their way into pretty weddings.

What really sparked my interest in pretty paper birds was Kristin Banta's Ring Leader on Bravo. Of course I watched that episode! Not only did that wedding feature tons and tons of origami birds but it also wowed me even more with a bold cobalt blue color. Birds warm my heart.

For more on what each origami animal and color represent, click here. Interested in making your own paper crane garland? Martha can help. Just click here. Now for pretty inspiration to look at today. I wonder how many times I said pretty today?

Kristin Banta Events

Hostess with the Mostess

How to Take Perfect Wedding Pictures...Engagement Included

Happy Monday friends! Let's get this day started. Shall we? Now let me prep this post by saying I am NO expert on taking good pictures. I look bad in 97% of pictures taken of me posing or not posing. Regardless, I can offer a few tips for taking really pretty photos for your special moments.

1. Research what you want. This is so important. When I work with brides I always ask if there is something specific that they have in mind. Asking the bride can only help the bride love the outcome more. Brides, make sure you research ideas for both you engagement pictures and your wedding day. A shot list for your photographer that lists all shots you want and expect is a must for photographers. A good photographer is going to cover what is on your list regardless but making sure you are on the same page as your vendors is important.

2. Feel confident. Obviously on your wedding day you will look your best but it is important. Feeling confident with your outside appearance regardless of how superficial that sounds is important for looking great in your pictures. Whether that means you treat yourself to a new outfit or splurge on a mani and pedi, confidence in any picture is important.

3. Prepare for a camera in your face. Yeah, it happens pretty much all day but that is what a good photographer does. They work quietly and before you realize you have forgotten the camera. I promise you will enjoy it.

4. Relax but keep your posture. Sit up straight and smile. Do not tense your body. Be natural and happy!

5. Remember what all the fuss is for. These pictures document your happiest moments. Yes, times may be stressful with planning or rushing around on your wedding day but these pictures help you remember your overall goal of just get married. You will love having these pictures forever.

6. Have fun! This point seems to make it on to every list or advice post I give but it is so important. Smile and enjoy yourself. You only do this once! Be yourself and smile, smile, smile!

These easy suggestions will help ease tension and allow you to warm up to the camera. I love to look at peoples engagement pictures and wedding photos even if I do not know you. Send them to me! I would love to look at them. Weird but true! Have a great day friends!

Photo Source: The Parsons via Green Wedding Shoes