Treats…tested and approved

I see so many pins and posts about great recipes but I never know how they will turn out. Here is 3 ideas that I made yesterday for our family Christmas get together that got the approval of my family members. 

#1 Salted Dark Chocolate Truffle Cookies: I LOVE sea salt and chocolate. These cookies combine the flavors. They are very rich and more of a truffle texture. 

Salted Dark Chocolate Truffle Cookies.

#2 Martha’s Traditional Christmas cookies: These take a few steps but not too bad. The key to  keep the cute Christmas shapes is freezing them before you pop them in the oven. 

http://www.marthastewart.com/342228/sugar-cookie-cutouts?czone=food/holiday-cookies-center/holiday-cookies-recipes&center=0&gallery=275013&slide=282857

#3 This goes hand in hand with the above recipe. It’s a great royal frosting recipe along with a super fun decorating technique.

http://www.marthastewart.com/957127/gingerbread-bells/%40hub/946620/everyday-food-sarah-carey

Between getting out the door with Kinslee and my husband I forgot to snap picture of all of my creations but this will not be the last time I make these great recipes. 

Share any of your tested and approved recipes here or on our FB page. 

Merry Christmas Eve

-Kim

To all of the wrapping elves

I have seen so many great TV segments and blogs with great wrapping tips and I am sucker for great wrapping and paper. I began my wrapping adventure last night and really didn’t have too many creative items on hand besides some cute paper from Target. Well thanks to all of my creative friends out there I made it work and I wanted to share.

-I added a sprig of Christmas tree…from the back of my Christmas tree 🙂 to make the gift festive.

-Tie your ribbon differently than just a bow. Criss cross them a few times or tie the bow off centered.

-My last fun share is this great blog that has adorable tags ready to print. They have different colors and prints. It’s as easy as click and print. Here is the link http://www.thehandmadehome.net/2010/12/haul-out-the/ thank you Handmade Home for great tags!

-Use newspaper or one thing I have always wanted to use is grocery bags, I have so many!

-I might be super late to this recommendation but man is double stick tape easier than regular for wrapping!

Happy wrapping!

Christmas decorating day

For the past 3 years I have worked along side a talented florist, great decorator and 4 assistants to decorate this beautiful home in Sacramento. Each year the decor is tweaked a bit but with a mix of the home owners traditional items they have collected over the years. 

 

Loved this look this year. We took beautiful fabric and made huge bows to attach at each garland swag.

 

 

You can’t see it in the picture but attached to the garland is a figuring representing each of the 12 days of Christmas.

 

The family room is decorated a bit more cozy and comfy. They decorate this tree as a family with all of their traditional ornaments. I love the look of the three wreaths on the mantel.

A

 

The main tree (sorry for my blurry capture). We kept looking at it and thinking that it was just missing something. Also the tree had some gaps we needed to hide. Babies breath! I love that babies breath is no longer for putting in your hair at prom. It added that touch the tree and room needed. Along with swag of fabric and large ornaments this tree is simple yet a very strong focal point in the home.

 

Love their front porch. What a way to greet guests.

Their are so many option to decorating your home for Christmas. The main goal should be to make it comfortable, cozy and represent you and your families traditions. If you have any great decorating tips or even photos PLEASE share with us on here or check us out on FB. Have a great day and happy 6 more shopping days:)

Kim

Chris and Anne

I am so excited for you to meet Chris and Anne. Let me first introduce you to Anne. Her and I have known each other for over 20 years. We met when we were little girls through our good friend Haley. We have played lots of dress up, barbies and I am sure at one point pretend wedding. Well now it’s time for her special day…not pretend!

They are getting married in February at Morgan Creek. Anne’s vision is winter white; very clean and elegant. So many DIY pieces that will make up her decor.

They met while working together Chris noticed Anne right away and Anne is the first to admit it was not love at first sight. After time spent together working in the pro shop at a golf course they became closer. As Anne puts it one night she realized she wanted to be around him more than just at work. They spent time in downtown SLO at a coffee shop talking, he braved asking her on a date and the rest is history. I cannot sum up their feelings for one another.

 

Chris’ words

Anne is the love of my life and I am blessed to have spent these past few years growing with her. From SLO to San Diego to Roseville, she’s always been the best teammate in any decision we make. She is the most positive, selfless, loving person I know and keeps me calm when things aren’t going quite right. My happiness always comes first for her, even though I don’t allow it sometimes, she always has my needs in mind. And most importantly she keeps me pointed to the Lord in times when I might waver. She loves me with all of her heart and I can’t thank God enough for bringing her into my life. I can’t wait to marry her and share the rest of my life with her.

Anne’s words

Chris is my best friend. We are true teammates in that we have worked together and apart, lived in the same city and different cities and have become stronger in each situation God has given us. As time has passed, I have found him to be the most gentle, kind, strong, consistent, selfless, authentic person I have ever met. He loves Jesus with a honest heart and encourages me to do the same. He handles times of conflict with a mindfulness and grace I can only hope to strive to, and is ever present in the big and little moments. He cares for others with a unique and strong love, always encouraging me to do the same.

Keep an eye out for pictures and stories from their special day. I love hearing so many love stories but especially one of a friend who deserves such an incredible man to spend her days with.

-Kim

Engagement Photos- Who, what, why

Why should you get engagement photos? You really can have fun with them and tap into your personality as a couple. When you take them the sky is the limit! If you love golf incorporate it, if you both love coffee go do them at a coffee shop. Most photographers include these in their wedding packages. Also you will be able to use these pictures for save the dates, guest books or accent items at your wedding. Get creative with your photographer!

Shawntel and Paolo went to a few locations from Downtown Auburn to more open fields in and around Lincoln. They had a few outfit options so they could capture different looks. It is always good to have a fun funky option (if that is you), maybe a dressier option and then a cozy comfortable look. Bailey their dog is a huge part of them and so she of course had to be included. Enjoy!

 

 

Thank you TW Photography for great photos! Tori Wible is a dear friend who has the best eye behind the camera. When choosing a photographer for their wedding Tori was such a great fit. At AlphaLee when selecting vendors for couples you pay attention to so many elements but you need to match the style and personality of the two. Your photographer is very involved on your wedding day and produces one of the only things you can take away from that day, so do your research when selecting someone.

Have a great day!

-Kim

From the beginning…Shawntel and Paolo

I am beyond excited to introduce you to my sweet new couple Shawntel and Paolo. If you recognize that face from somewhere and you think you know her it’s probably because you tuned into the Bachelor. I have only known Shawntel for a few months now but we joke that I think she talks to me more than Paolo and I probably talk to her more than my husband:) They both are an absolute blessing a huge reason why I love creating moments (events.)

We have hit the ground running with this beautiful event which will take place in May. I am in love with Shawntel’s style and the elements that she wants to incorporate. Check back in here for our vision board for their wedding, engagement pictures and so much more. We want you to join us on the journey in planning their big day!

Now about them. Who can tell it better than Shawntel herself.

Around the month of April in 2012 Paolo and Shawntel were living their separate lives in separate towns. Shawntel was working at the funeral home and ended up meeting with a family who wanted to introduce her to their friend, the orthodontist. Business cards were handed out and God’s timing began.

May 8, 2012 Shawntel received an email from Paolo introducing himself. She responded and boldly gave Paolo her phone number. After two weeks of talking they decided they would meet up on a weekend, but Paolo couldn’t wait that long and drove to Chico on a Tuesday night to take Shawntel out on their first date. He then drove to Chico again that weekend and met her family. Paolo and Shawntel got along perfectly and were able to share their love of the Lord together.

Since Paolo lived in Roseville and Shawntel lived in Chico, it made seeing each other difficult, but thankfully they both had unlimited talk and text on their phones. The words, “I love you” were said on October 3, 2012. They both knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

Both praying for God’s will and knowing that the two of them were meant for each other, on October 27, 2012 Paolo got down on one knee and proposed to Shawntel.

Shawntel and Paolo both share the love of Christ together and have centered their relationship on the Lord. They are truly blessed and can’t wait to get married. 

 

Congrats you two! Have a great day everybody.

-Kim