Happy Hour: Pepper Basil Caipirinha

Pepper Basil Caipirinha

Ingredients:
- 2 oz Cachaca muddled
- 1 oz lime
- 1 bar spoon sugar
- 10 basil leaves
- 1 bar spoon white pepper corns
Garnish: Basil leave

Muddle 1 bar spoon of white pepper corns and add sugar, 1 lime quarters and basil leaves. Adde cachaca and 1 oz lime juice. Shake the mixture and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with sprig of basil. (Cocktail created by Michael Waterhouse, Devin Tavern, 363 Greenwich St, New York NY 10013)
{Source: Cocktail Times}

Bridal Style: Angel Sanchez Spring 2010

Spring 2010 bridal collection from Angel Sanchez, images from marthastewart.com and brides.com
{Images from Junebug Weddings}

Samantha and Mike at the Naragansett Towers Part 2

Posted by Mariah

Our first photo stop after the ceremony is this beautiful field right off the main road a few miles from the Towers. I thought it would be nice place for the family pictures. It's one of our favorites spots, we've used it a few times... but it always looks different. Today, the sun was in just the right spot, and if there were leaves on the trees, you'd think it was summer.
Sam was just standing in this spot being her beautiful self...
Sam and Mike have REALLY nice families... everyone was so great and cooperative for photos. I tried to joke with Mike a little about cutting his baby sister some slack... Rachel has three older brothers! She tells me they can be a little over protective (I think that's putting it mildly). Anyway Mike did not appreciate my advice and says it's just his job to be breathing down Rachel's neck... sorry Rachel, I tried. And guys... you have your work cut out for you because Rachel is hot stuff- good luck!
P.S. I'd like to add that Mike's two brothers are single and looking for love (ha-ha)... so apparently it's okay for them, but not for baby sister...


Our newest snapper, Marisa took this great shot of Mike and Sam. I'm so proud!


My view...


Marisa is on a roll... she took this cute pic too.


One of my favorites of the day, just love everything about it.

Sassy ladies.




That's the Towers in the background...

I love the beach at this time of year.

Sam doesn't like the posed shots of people kissing through the veil (neither do I- it's a little cheesy) but this is pretty cute and spontaneous.

Gotta love me some sun flare right?


That's it for today... tomorrow I'll post all of Melissa's beautiful detail shots from the reception- she was busy snapping those while Marissa and I shot the formals. Also, lots of fun reception pics to post too, so stay tuned...

Real Wedding Inspiration: Stacie + Geoff

Photography: Sloan Photography

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Agnes Lopez Tablescape Photoshoot

Photography: Agnes Lopez
Via: Southern Weddings

Southern Weddings Snippet: What happens when a floral designer is given a bridesmaid dress and told to come up with a tablescape design to match the dress? The following gorgeous display of floral design and creativity from some amazing floral designers. The gorgeous images were taken by the very talented Agnes Lopez. Each floral designer was given a bridesmaid dress to use as inspiration for a tablescape design. These designs are truly stunning and proving once and for all that inspiration really can come from anything...even a dress!

Shoot Location: The Players Club Sawgrass

Makeup: Kimtasha Armstrong

Model: Chelsea with M.T.M Agency

Wardrobe: Bella Bridesmaid Jacksonville, Florida

Floral Designers: Rose of Sharon European Florist, Blooming Branches, Glenn Certain Studio, Liz Stewart Floral Design, Wilson's Limited

credits: All images {Agnes Lopez}, Row 1 {Rose of Sharon}, Row 2 {Blooming Branches}, Row 3 {Glenn Certain Studio}, Row 4 {Liz Stewart Floral Design}, Row 5 {Wilson's Limited}

Theme: A Kentucky Derby Party

Loving this party theme from the Hostess Blog! We're moving to Kentucky a week after the Kentucky Derby. :o( Perhaps next year I'll throw a KD party!

hostess

The Kentucky Derby is coming up soon - Saturday, May 2nd – and even if you can’t make it to Churchill Downs yourself, this is SUCH a fun excuse to get together and throw a party at home!

You can go all out with a specific theme like Hats n’ Heels, Racing/Silks, Infield, etc - or keep it casual with simple cocktails, appetizers, and a good view of the flat screen! KentuckyDerbyParty.com has tons of great ideas for celebrating at home - from Derby-appropriate recipes by chef Bobby Flay to themed party ideas to Derby party invitations. (A few favorites from the invitation designs are pictured below.)

hostess

And if you’re REALLY looking for an excuse to party - here’s a good one: KentuckyDerbyParty.com is currently hosting the “Bring the Derby Home! Sweepstakes” where you can win a Derby party for you and 20 of your closest friends! The party is valued at over $3500 and includes a 32″ Toshiba Flat Screen! Just register on KentuckyDerbyParty.com by noon tomorrow (Friday, April 24th) to enter the sweepstakes - it only takes a minute!

hostess

(Learn more about the history & traditions of the KD here.)

Samantha and Mike at the Narragansett Towers 4.28.09 Part 1

Posted by Mariah

All week long I watched the weather because I couldn't wait to prove Mike wrong. You may remember that Sam's family has been afflicted with the "Neily curse" (a.k.a. horribly rainy weather for all Neily family functions including but not exclusive of: graduations, birthday parties, vacations, etc. etc.). When Mike and Sam and I were discussing possible photo locations Mike glumly chimed in... "It doesn't really matter because it's just going to rain anyway." Well, I am an eternal optimist and I just couldn't believe that Sam's wedding day was fated to be a wash out. So, thanks to the beautiful day...
the score is now optimism 1, Neily curse.... something like 440.
Sayles Livingston created the beautiful spring bouquets for Samantha and the bridesmaids.
A little something blue...

These gorgeous invitations were created by La Bella Rue.

Melissa met the boys for a few photos in the sunshine- how handsome is Mike?


Meanwhile, Robin McAloon puts the finishing touches on Sam.

I was wondering what was the story with all these french fries... apparently, Sam hasn't eaten her two fav's, french fries or chocolate since December! Mike sent over these french fries for Sam the afternoon 0f the wedding!

I love this picture. Sam is so beautiful, and just as sweet inside to match the outside.

The big moment...Mr. Neily couldn't wait to walk Sam down the aisle even if it meant doing it on crutches- he had a fall a few days before the wedding and injured his knee!
(that cursed curse again!)
Photos by Melissa.


Mike's uncle married them- I love this shot by Melissa.


Happy happy.

Really happy!

Having a little moment right after the ceremony.

I love the room at the back of the church, we waited here while the trolley took the wedding guests on to the reception... it was a gorgeous spot for photos and Melissa captured this fun shot of the ladies relaxing.

My view.

I was crazy for this archway.

Melissa's view...


Such a good looking couple! Yikes!

The other side of this door was all green and rustic- and I love it! Sam and Mike indulged my doorway fetish and put up with getting hit with it as people tried to come through it from the other side. (thanks guys!)

Melissa's gorgeous doorway photo... These are the front doors to St. Peter's of the Sea Episcopal Church in Narragansett.

Cue the wind please.

I am going to have to post this wedding in several parts because there are just too many fantastic photos! Coming up next, a beautiful field of photographs, snaps at the beach, reception details and reception fun... stay tuned!