OK- it is seriously hard not to LOVE and ADORE Etsy.com. If you have never been to Etsy.com get ready to get lost in a world of many beautiful and fabulous things. Enjoy!
STUNNING!!! - Seller – nouveaumotley $115.00
Simply Fab!! Seller – Beadbox Supply $49.50
OK, so you already know that I love to shop. I really do- I LOVE shopping! There is something about the buggy being so full, or purchasing so much that it takes 2-3 trips to the car! EEKKK!! Love-it!
For some time now I have adored a vintage shop down the road from my office. Feather Your Nest is a wonderful place to kill an afternoon, redecorate your home or office and even find some pretty fabulous ideas for your upcoming dinner party, wedding or event. Today, after networking (PURDONS!) and meetings (NEW INTERN!) I found myself at Feather Your Nest.
First off – I crack up at the name. haha It is too cute! Then when you walk inside its is a total love fest. This boutique is filled with china (Love-it!), handpainted furniture, vintage jewelry, clothing, fabulous hats and gloves, tons of unique decor items and more. I cannot even begin to list everything they offer. You simply must go for yourself!
I love -it! So much that I am going to do a feature on how to incorporate Vintage into your wedding to create Vintage Couture looks. So stay on the lookout for some great ideas, pictures and Always Planned creations all from Feather Your Nest.
I am so madly in love with the Spring 2010 Oscar De La Renta collection. Yes, in love! I have never craved a wedding gown… until now. Just see for yourself. Simply Stunning.
EEK!! I have to have this!
Does it get any more fabulous?!?
Andrew- any chance you want to renew our vows?? 
WOW! I recently had the pleasure of visiting The Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY and all I can think of is WOW! OK – so you know I have much more to say than that.
Jeri Stewart, Catering Manager, called me a few weeks ago and we finally were able to get together for lunch and a site tour. What a treat she is! She is so fun and energetic- I am looking forward to working with her and hopefully soon. We had lunch at the J. Graham’s Cafe, home of the legendary KY Hot Brown! It was oh so YUMMY! We even treated ourselves to dessert and because I am on a bread pudding kick lately, I just had to try theirs. It passed my test with flying colors!!
After lunch I got the grand tour. The meeting and event rooms are nice and have an even better view of the city and river. The treat of the tour was the Crystal Ballroom!! This picture does not even do it justice. This room is breathtaking to say the least. Imagine your fabulous wedding, social event or corporate awards ceremony in this amazing ballroom! I could go on and on…
Next are the guestrooms and suites. While this hotel has some amazing history – it has been kept up very nicely. The guestrooms are spacious and full of luxury amenities, the suites are even more impressive!
I can totally see my and my honey spending a night or two at this stunning hotel enjoying the amazing service, yummy food and the atmosphere of elegance. Impressed!!
I just have to add The Brown Hotel to my Love-it file!! You simply must check it out for yourself.
I have a huge passion for woman business owners! I love the fact that woman are smart and strong. I love that woman can handle any situation they face, refuse to give up and are able to learn from every experience. I love being a woman and owning my own business and I love being around other woman that feel that same fire to succeed.
Eventology 2009 was exactly that situation!
I had the pleasure to attend with my dear friends Sarah – owner of IDo Signature Events, Leona – owner of Lasting Impressions and Alicia and Heather – sales and catering from Belterra Resort Casino and Spa.
There were three amazing speakers:
Who covered topics such as Sales Methods for the Wedding Industry, Nurturing Your Relationships with Clients and Marketing in a Post-Modern World. When we left we could not stop talking about how we are going to change the way we interact with our clients to provide even more of a luxury experience in planning their weddings and events.
We had such a great time and are already looking forward to Eventology 2010! And I just have to add it to my Love-it folder!
Our wedding season is almost in full force for 2009. Our first wedding of the year is next weekend – April 18 – and with all of the planning and details as well as my many travels (I will get into that soon enough) I have neglected my blog. So sorry!
No worries, I am back at it and I have tons of great ideas for 2009. Here are a few highlights of things to come.
Have something you would like us to spotlight? It can be a product, service or location. We will gladly comsider your suggestion! Email the details to rayna@alwaysplanned.com
Spring is finally here!! I am sitting in my office with the windows open (ahhhh!) and the scent of spring in the air. I just adore spring for oh so many reasons. One reason is that Dogwoods are in bloom! One of the ever so present signs of SPRING! Kentucky weather in the spring can be a hit or miss and for today it was a total hit!
Dogwood in the spring can be an inexpensive choice for your wedding decor. I just love using one flower/tree for all of your decor. Here are some fabulous examples. You can carry this through starting with your invitations and on to your cake.. and so on. Adding this to my Love-it!! File!
My darling husband and I go to brunch almost every Sunday morning. It has become a wonderful tradition that I adore. Most of the time we meet up with friends at Cracker Barrel – who can resist their french toast?? Other times we look for new places or at least someplace new to us. Yesterday Andrew and I headed off to the Holly Hill Inn. While this fabulous place is not so new, we had never been there and had to give it a try. WOW! The atmosphere was so relaxing and romantic the staff very attentive and the food totally delish. Here are the details of our meal:
Brunch is served both Saturday and Sunday 11:00am-2:00pm and reservations are suggested. Brunch consists of 3 yummy courses! The menu is listed on their site, but had changed just a bit for our visit.
1st course: Andrew had Orange Brulee and I had the Pineapple Brulee. Super-yum! A small serving (but satisfying) of each while I enjoyed a cup of coffee.
2nd course: Andrew decided on the Waterwork Omlet with local eggs, KY sausage, peppers onions and white chedder cheese. He raved and raved!! I had one of the specials – an omlet with fresh tomatoes, basil and cheese. It tasted so healthy and nutritious. Our sides were their hasbrown casserole and grilled veggie medley. Everything was so very tastey.
3rd course: My favorite course of any meal! Dessert!! Andrew ordered the apple crisp and I choose the bread pudding. Both were fantastic!! I have to admit that I recently became a bread pudding fan after my deluxe tasting with Shaun’s Custom Catering and now I am addicted….
We were so excited to be there that we did not think to take pictures of this fabulous meal… guess we have to go back. What a shame.
On a side note- Holly Hill Inn is also a venue! YEAH! Perfect for company gatherings, intimate dinners, weddings, rehearsal dinners and event wedding and baby showers. I think I see the 2009 AP holiday event happening in one of their lovely rooms.
They also host a wide variety of events throughout the year. Wine tastings and holiday brunches fill up fast so make reservations early. Just another reason to add it to our Love-it! file.
It is so nice to hear of someone doing a good thing. It is especially nice to hear of a company doing a good thing, even when our economy is in a recession. I had already been impressed with The Ritz-Carlton family of Hotels and Resorts, but when I recently heard of their generous donation I just had to spead the word. The Ritz-Carlton’s “Vow to Help Others” program enables couples hosting their wedding reception at a Ritz-Carlton Hotel or Resort to donate five percent (5%) of the total food revenue from their wedding to a charity of their choice AND to The Ritz-Carlton’s Community Footprints Fund (For wedding events booked prior to December 31, 2009 – taking place prior to December 31, 2010).
The Ritz-Carlton has long been supporting the communities around them with their Community Footprints Fund. The money they donate focuses on Hunger and Poverty Relief, Well-being of Disadantaged Children and Environmental Conservation. Last year alone they donated over $7.4 million in products and services to charitable organizations as well as over 40,000 hours of volunteer work.
I hope you are considering The Ritz-Carton for your wedding celebration, next vacation or business trip. Their extraordinary service, gold standards and community envolvement is reason enough – but now that you know the Ritz-Carlton is doing more for the communities around them I know they will become the first choice for all of your travel and celebration needs.
The Ritz-Carlton has many locations throughout the US, Cananda, Mexico, Carribbean, Asia, South America, Europe and in the Middle East. (Wouldn’t it be great to visit each one — with over 80 different locations it could take a while!) Just another reason to add it to my LOVE-IT folder!
Side-note: Andrew did mention Hawaii last week…
Bride Wars….. OK, can I say it enough??!? I seriously loved this movie! Maybe because I am a wedding planner, maybe because I so desperately needed a girl night or maybe because I went with my fab friend Sarah. Who knows- but I am thinking it’s because this movie is just that good.
Bride Wars is also filled with tons and tons of wedding eye candy! I absolutely adored the Vera Wang gown the stunning florals and the great comedy. A total must see for anyone, especially the bride-to-be.
