I decided on Tortellini pasta with artichokes and sundried tomatoes. It was so delicious, I’ve been giving recipe instructions ever since. As such, I thought I’d share it with all of you because it is certain to work well for DIY showers, Girls Nights, or even a wedding menu option. Enjoy, and let us know how your own efforts turn out!

Tortellini Pasta Salad

Ingredients:
1 Lg package of Tortellini pasta (prepare as instructed)
1 12oz jar of artichoke hearts
1 12 oz jar of Julienne cut sundried tomatoes
1 can of sliced black olives
Parmesan Cheese
Basil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Instructions:
1. Once you have boiled and drained the pasta, place in a large mixing bowl.
2. In another bowl, pour the drained artichoke hearts and olives.
3. Warm the sundried tomatoes in a small skillet, then add to the artichokes and olives.
4. Toss the ingredients together with a bit of olive oil.
5. Add to the Tortellini and mix well, making sure all ingredients are coated with oil.
6. Add about a cup of Parmesan (more or less depending on your taste), salt, pepper, and the basil.
7. Mix well, pour into serving bowl, and use fresh basil sprig to garnish.

If you wish, grilled chicken would be an excellent addition for a heartier salad. Bon Appétit!

You have planned an entire event, negotiated contracts with vendors, matched the perfect shades and stalked the internet for the ideal honeymoon. Now, when you return from 7 days in paradise, is the room you will share as husband and wife living up to all you want it to be? I say coming home to a drab space after living, what is hopefully, the best time of your lives should be criminal. Maybe it is the HGTV junkie in me but I think having a fabulous bedroom to start your new lives in is romantic and a great way to keep the wedding high going.

After spending a ton of money on your wedding, you probably do not want to think of shelling out more on home renovations so be frugal and creative. A change of the paint color, new curtains and linen, maybe an inexpensive flat screen for the hubby and soft lighting can transform a pre-wedded bedroom into a lovers haven without putting a huge dent in your bank account.

We came across this delicious looking dish while searching for all things Caribbean, and it was love at first sight. The recipe looked pretty easy, and our efforts this weekend proved it to be exactly that. So, we share this wonderful discovery with all of you looking for a fresh, tangy, island-flavor dish for a shower, a wedding menue, a girl’s gathering, or just because you want to treat yourself to something new. Enjoy and let us know how you like them!

Caribbean Cornbread Crab Cakes
Ingredients
1 (6 oz.) package Cornbread Mix

SALSA
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (parsley or basil will work as a sub)
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 mangos, peeled and cubed
1 cup chopped fresh pineapple

CRAB CAKES
2 large eggs
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon seafood seasoning
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 cup sliced green onion
2 (6 oz.) packages pasteurized lump crab meat, lightly drained
Black pepper to taste
1/2 cup Crisco® Pure Vegetable Oil
Preparation Directions

BAKE cornbread according to package directions in 8-inch Lodge cast iron skillet. Cool and crumble.

WHISK together lime juice, honey, ginger and salt in medium bowl. Add cilantro, red bell pepper, mango and pineapple; stir. Refrigerate.

COMBINE eggs, mayonnaise, lemon juice, seafood seasoning and dry mustard in large bowl; mix well. Add crumbled cornbread; blend. Fold in green onion, crab meat and black pepper.

HEAT oil in cast iron skillet over medium heat. Form crab mixture into 12 cakes. Cook in hot oil 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned.

DRAIN on paper towels. Serve topped with salsa.

Recipe found at The Power of Family Meals.

Luckily, there are two options for featuring these favors at your event. For those of you who don’t trust your craft skills or just don’t want to devote time and energy to the project, cootie catchers can be ordered through Etsy and are relatively inexpensive.

However, if you are looking to save money and come out with stylish, unique, and eye catching catchers, there are tons of templates to chose from, one of which can be found here. Whichever route you decide, these favors are sure to be a hit at your special celebration!

I know many wedding professionals will tell you incorporating silk flowers instead of real flowers is a serious faux pas but there are many options that have a more life-like feel and, let’s keep in mind, this is your day and your budget. Do what works best for you. If you are going to use tall vases, pairing the water pearls and silk flowers can be a beautiful combination (and it’s up so high no one will know the difference).

Ice Standard has the best price on a 2 oz. package:
Like the Mystic crystals these polymer pearls are created by simply adding water. This causes them to expand into perfect miniature spheres. Use them to add some extra color to your decorating scheme. They are available in pink, aqua, sapphire blue, black or clear. Use separately or mix colors in one vase for a stellar effect! One package will create approximately 5.75L or 1.5 gallons of hydrated water pearls.

Finger foods and appetizers are always a good choice. There’s less mess and usually something to satisfy everyone. Grilled or roasted organic vegetable and meat kabobs are a sure way please. Just skewer your favorite veggies—cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, cubed sweet onions, red and green bell-peppers, zucchini, squash, eggplant—and fresh, peeled strimp. Then roast or grill for about 5-10 minutes and dash with sea salt, lemon or lime, and some basil or thyme for added punch.

Pita Chips are also a great finger food. You can dip them into whatever your taste-buds fancy or munch on them solo, and they are so easy to prepare. Just cut the outside of the whole wheat pita bread so that it is easily split in half. Cut each pita half into strips or triangles and place on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle 6 ounces organic monterey jack or parmesan cheese, and one or two of your favorite herbs. Bake at °250 until the edges begin to brown (about 5-8 min). If you would prefer to leave out the dairy, drizzle some Extra Virgin Olive Oil over the chips instead of the cheese. They’ll still taste amazing.

The typical dip served is spinach and artichoke dip, but another, much simpler more versatile dip will come out just as tasty. Just mix a cup of organic sour cream, 1tbl. of sugar (I like honey), 1tbl of lemon juice, ½ tsp of cinnamon, and an optional ½ tsp of orange rind. Once all the ingredients are mixed together, cover and chill the dip in the fridge. for about an hour. This is a dip you can use for the pitas, but I prefer it with fruit and vegetables because the tangy dip offsets the flavors of each rather nicely.

Two of my favorite dishes to eat with pita chips are Fresh corn and Black Bean Salsa and what I like to all The Crabmeat Mix. Their names basically tell the story.

Fresh Corn and Black Bean Salsa
1 cup organic sweet corn blanched 1 to 2 min., 15 ounces organic black beans drained or organic black soybeans for fewer calories, 2 Tablespoons red bell pepper diced, 2 Tablespoons green bell pepper diced, 2 Tablespoons green bell pepper diced, 1 clove garlic minced,
1 Tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 cup onion diced, 1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro or dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/2 cup green onions chopped

Crabmeat Mix
1/2 lb. cooked crabmeat, or imitation crabmeat, 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped, 2 Tbs. red bell pepper finely chopped, 2 Tbs. green bell pepper finely chopped, 2 Tbs. mayonnaise (honey mustard works too), 1/2 tsp. parsley minced, 1/2 tsp. seafood seasoning, 1/2 tsp. minced garlic

The beauty of each is the lack of cooking/heat involved. Just chop and mix for some delicious eats.

For a great event beverage, check out our posts on Blueberry Lemonade, Rose Geranium Sangria, and Strawberry Mojitos. Either would taste delicious virgin or not so virgin style.

And finally, no shower is complete without ‘the cake’. Whether they are cup cakes, themed cakes, or simple but delicious cakes, they come organic too. There are numerous recipes found at this site, but after all that food prep you decide to leave the cake to professionals, you might want to take a look at Hippie Chick Bakery or Sweatpea Cakes. Each offer beautiful yet whimsical organic cakes at reasonable prices.

So all you food lovers out there, trust me when I say organic does not mean bland or tasteless. Your bride, your guests, and your tummy will be thanking you for laying out this healthy and yummy spread. And if you decide to do a little experimenting of your own, be sure to let us know all about it!

According to Peter O. Whiteley, Sunset senior writer, the best types of mats for this diy project are made of reeds, slender pieces of bamboo, twigs, or other natural materials that roll up easily.

Most place mats measure about 14 by 19 inches, so select a vase that stands 12 to 13 inches tall and are about 4 inches wide.

To make your vase:

1.Test-wrap your mat around the vase and mark where the ends overlap.

2. Cut off the extra so the ends of the mat butt together or overlap just slightly.

3. Retie any strings that may be woven through to keep your mat from unraveling.

4. Roll the mat snugly around the vase. Join the ends together here and there with pieces of slender wire.

The mat will become a tight-fitting sleeve that you can slide off when it is time to clean the vase.

These programs are so beautiful, so easy to make, and oh so kind to your big day budget!

What You Will Need: 12 x 12 Primary Color Cardstock, 8.5 x 11 Secondary Color Cardstock, Thick Wood Sticks (like tongue depressors found in Dr.’s offices), Scissors, Additional Decoration, & Craft Glue

1- Cut the card stock in half and fold the pieces in half again

2- Place the stick in the middle of the bottom edge and glue the sides together on the stick (paint or glue colored ribbon to the sticks for extra punch)

3- Create your program information layout on your computer (photoshop allows for more creative designing) while your fans dry

*Tip: A great template to design by places photo of the couple, the location, and the time on the front of the fan, and an agenda with wedding party list on the back.

4- Print the program information on 8.5 x 11 sheets of the secondary color cardstock (4 per sheet fits best).

5- Cut the out and glue the information onto the fans. You can cut in a pattern or use a border to add extra flourish.

6- Add additional ornamentation, such as ribbon or beading, and set the fans aside to dry.

7- Once your fans are dry, carefully package them in a box and store in a safe place until they are ready for use.

Another great program fan idea can be found at Aylee•bits of who i am.

These fans take a bit more work, but there is a template and the finished product is definitely worth the effort. Great for small weddings, or for brides who have LOTS of willing hands to lend in the assist. You can also find great computer templates for the paddle fan here as well. Have fun!

All you need for this project are handle-free baskets, colored material, craft glue (any that works on material), and if desired spray paint. (Use spray paint to add color to the baskets; just be sure to paint them at least a day in advance so that the paint has plenty of time to dry)

1) Spread the material face down on your work surface and place the basket in the center (Be that you have enough material so it will fit nicely inside the basket while leaving plenty to drape over the sides)

2) Glue the face edges of the material around the edge of the basket, about an inch from the top

3) Gather the material as you glue so that it is spread evenly around the basket

4) Allow the material to the basket for the duration of the required drying time by placing the basket upside down(material side down) in an out of the way location

5) Once the baskets are dry, you can fill them immediately or wait until reaching the reception site for easier transportation and handling (it’s best to play with different ways of filling the baskets so that you know exactly what you want and how it will look come the day of the wedding)

6) Accent the baskets by surrounding them on each table with tealight candles or flower petals.

These baskets work best for simple, somewhat informal and/or themed weddings (i.e. beach, country, fall, ect.) Have fun and if you decide to use these, send us some pics of your handy work!

The Bridal Open-House
This is a great idea for brides who are having a destination wedding or are really low-key and family oriented. For this set-up you only need a location, preferably somewhere open and conducive to mingling, a table for gifts, a table for food, minimal decorations, a small radio and lots of places to sit and chat. During the hours of this open house, guests can swing by, drop off gifts, express their well-wishes to the bride-to-be, mingle, and then go about their day. There are no games, no coordinated events or themes, certainly no pressure. All the bride has to do is eat, enjoy, and socialize.

Bridal Brunch
The bridal brunch is just as it sounds, a brunch with the bride. This brunch can be hosted or it can be done at a nice restaurant favored by the bride. There may be a few toasts here and there, but for the most part, it’s just relax, have a mimosa or two, and enjoy. This is best for small groups or bridesmaids and family only celebration.

Girl’s Day Out
The Girl’s Day Out involves bridesmaids and the bride. It can also include the mother of the bride, but the agenda of the day will determine whether or not it’s a ‘mom’ type excursion. This Day Out will comprise of a morning and afternoon spent doing all of the things the bride loves to do. Start the day by going to a museum or art gallery, visit the zoo, or some other cultural center. Take a breather by having lunch at her favorite restaurant, then swing by the salon for a manicure and pedicure. Afterward go see the latest chic flick, and/or wind up the day with dinner and dessert, and some cocktails at a local happy hour. The possibilities are endless, and given that all the events are tailored to the bride’s likes, she’s bound to have a great time.

Spa-Day
Spa-day is self-explanatory and perfect for the bride who just loves to be pampered. Starting the day with a nice breakfast before visiting the spa would get everyone in the right frame of mind. There are many places now that cater to these types of bridal showers and offer special packages, which include tasty dishes perfect for grasping with wet fingernails.

The Wedding Dress Excursion
This excellent idea came from 5thyear, a party theme generating company. This event is perfect for brides who want a mild bachelorette party experience without all of the attention. For this, the bride get’s to dress in nice, everyday attire while all the ladies attending must wear a used/undesirable wedding dress. They can either go out to a local bar or just hang out at home (it’s a lot more fun out in public), and the ladies get to show the bride-to-be just how much ‘fun’ she’ll be leaving behind after saying I-do. Check out the link to read an excellent account of this type of party at its best.

One Crafty Event
This final suggestion is for the bride who likes to get her hands in the mix. Is she crafty, a scientist in the kitchen, a commendable nature lover with a green thumb? Whatever her pleasure is, center a morning, afternoon, or day around it. If she likes crafts, organize a special party and demonstration at the local hobby store? If she likes gardening, why not have your rendition of a garden party at a local flower garden, complete with a mid-day picnic. Does she like to cook? Well make the day a regular culinary event by taking a course or two, or by hosting a kitchen and cooking party. Any event centered around her leisure-love is sure to be a big hit.

Good luck, and if you’ve come up with your own party ideas, feel free to share them with us!