Guest Blogger Friday

My name is Jennifer and I'm the blogger behind Earth Friendly Weddings. I have to say I'm very excited to have the honor of writing a guest post for Melissa today! It will be hard to match her fabulous energy that she infuses in all her posts, but I'm going to try!

The goal of this post is to simply share with you five easy ways to add a little green to your wedding. Nothing too hard. Nothing too boring. And everything environmentally friendly!

One: Choose Locally Grown, Organic Flowers
Going with locally grown flowers reduces pollutants caused from transportation. Choosing organic flowers ensures no harmful pesticides were used. Just be mindful that your flowers will have to be available during the season of your wedding. Fortunately, many flowers are available year round, such as the ever popular calla Lilly. (Left Photo from Red Orchid Design, Right Photo: MS Weddings)


Two: Purchase Used or Vintage
Reuse resources by purchasing used or vintage items. Weddingbee.com has a classifieds section where brides can sell their used wedding items. You can also check out your local consignment shop, eBay, or online vintage/pre-owned stores to find a wedding dress or accessories. You'd be surprised at whats available. (Picture: from Posh Girl Vintage)


Three: Choose Earth Friendly Paper
From your invitations to your thank you cards, make sure to choose paper that's either recycled, certified FSC (which means it comes from a responsibly managed forest), handmade, or consists of alternative fibers. (left pictures: Of The Earth; Right Picture: Oblation Papers)

Four: A Wise Favor
Too many favors get thrown in the trash, so either forgo them, hand out something that is edible, or follow the growing trend to donate to your favorite charity or organization. In the picture on the left, local honey was packaged in jars by beekeeper friends of the bride and groom's family! (pictures from theknot.com)


Five: Glow!
Skip the fancy lighting, and create ambiance with candles. Preferably soy candles, which produce less soot, burn longer than regular candles, and don't suck up any energy. (photos from Red Orchid Design)

Remember, making green choices is really just about making smarter choices. Be mindful of any potential waste created, reuse what you can, and be creative!

Angelina Jolie is one of the highest paid actress

Reese Witherspoon is the top list in The Hollywood Reporter’s annual list of the highest-paid actresses. Her paid is between $15 million to $20 million a movie.

Angelina Jolie is second highest paid actress and third place went to Cameron Diaz.

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It's Official!

There is so much to talk about! We had our Grand Opening, I checked something off my life list, and what exactly happened with the Change of Plans! So here weeeeeeee go!


First, thanks to Caroline Johnson for some fantastical images that really truly tell a beautiful story!


Let's start with Change of Plans - I had an image for what I wanted my centerpieces to be for our opening - Basically I wanted Wheat grass in a silver dish with a candle in the middle - but when I couldn't find Rye Grass or Wheat grass in anything smaller than a 100 pound bag, this prompted me to search high and low, and cross and circle the aisles of Home Depot for hours - until I found some little teeny tiny lettuces that were less than 1 inch tall, and decided lettuce centerpieces would be neat, and different. The final product, not exactly what I had in mind, but came out even more beautiful than I could image!

Grand Opening:

It was amazing! Here are some images that Caroline took that really just show off our new studio.

Our Front Door:

Caroline's beautiful work on our wall:

Our wall of Praise:

Little Favors from the Party, I plucked large springs of Rosemary from my garden and put my favorite recipe on the cards, along with a shout out to the vendors that helped make this part-ah a success:




The Chocolate Fountain:

Now my life list - I have always wanted to stick my face into a chocolate fountain - so I did - Caroline was nice enough to not show the pictures of me with my entire face into the stream of chocolate, but it just looks like I took a gentle sip.... Nahhhhh!

Angelina Jolie gave £50 bank note to chambermaid

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie is so generous that she gave a chambermaid a £50 bank note with her signature on it after a recent stay at Claridge's Hotel in London.

But the chambermaid doesn't want to spend that money because of her signature means so much to her. Angelina Jolie gave her another £10 notes but this time without her signature and ask her to spend the money.

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Angelina Jolie is one of the nominations for Oscar

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie has been nominated for her role in A Mighty Heart for Oscar. And she is the biggest name in the Best Female Lead race. Her competition for this title are: Sienna Miller, up for Interview; Ellen Page, the young star of Juno; Parker Posey, for Broken English; and Tang Wei, for Ang Lee's NC-17-rated Lust, Caution.

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Life List

There are certain things in life that you MUST do before your time ends. I have a list of things that I call my Life List - these are the things that I have to do... there are a bunch of things on there. Some involve traveling, some involve family, and others are just random acts of craziness that must ensue before I can no longer do them.

One of my closest friends Corrie is a tremendous inspiration to me. And I know that if I ever need advice or to be told that I am being ridiculous, she is the one I turn to.

With that said - our Grand Opening was last night, it was AMAZING, I mean simply incredible. I am totally overwhelmed with emotion as to how many people came to support me, how great the event looked and just well, how truly humbled I am with the support I received from the vendors I surround myself with, both near and far.

Okay, back to Life Lists for a second - have you ever wanted to do something and just said "Nahhhhh, that's crazy!" or "What would people think, if they ever knew!" I do that all of the time.

I got to check something off my life list last night that I thought I would NEVER do, because of both of those excuses!!! I am not going to tell you what it is until later, when I get the pictures back from Caroline. But it's A.W.E.S.O.M.E!!!

A special HUGE Thank You to these folks for going above and beyond!

Decor: The Unforgettable Event, Dan Hathcock

Tapa's: Hilton Conference Center

Dessert: Haile Plantation Golf and Country Club

Chocolate Fountain: Four Tiers Chocolate

And the photographers that are showcased in our new Studio:

Caroline Johnson

Power's Photography

Kara Pennington Photograhy

Photography 35

Amantez Photography

Really, thank you all!!!!

Julia Roberts criticise about Angelina Jolie

Julia Roberts has been talking bad about Angelina Jolie. One source said that Julia Roberts comments this about Angelina's acting in A Mighty Heart, "I would rarely way this, but I think I could have done a better job with this film.Angie isn’t exactly the most loved person in Hollywood."

Then the source added ‘Danny told her it was obvious that Angelina was making a play for Brad.People on the set called her the Spider-Woman because she was spinning a web for Brad.Julia said Angelina had no shame. She’s made it pretty clear that she doesn’t hold Angie in high regard.’

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Split second news

Elephant Man - Feel The Steam Lyrics

Cupid - 369 Lyrics

Alicia Keys - Hurts So Bad Lyrics

Mario - City Lyrics

Mya - Shake It Lyrics

Chris Brown - Gimme Whatcha Got Lyrics

Trina - Still The Baddest Lyrics

Trina - I Got A Bottle Lyrics

Mary J Blige - Work That Lyrics

J. Holiday - City Boy Lyrics

Free song list for your blog here.

Angelina Jolie's brother James Haven gives her his full support

Angelina Jolie's brother James Haven gives his full support to her and will feel unhappy to see her feel upset.

When Daily Express quoted him, he said "I adore Angie and we are very close. When she's upset, I am immediately there for her.I know what it's like to feel distraught as I am an incredibly sensitive guy and feel for anything and everyone in pain, particularly my own sister."

Image source from here

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How fun it must be!

It happens all of the time! How fun it must be to be a wedding planner! And it is, I love my job! It's the most rewarding thing I've ever done! I am a people person, I love to do what it takes to make people happy. I think that some people are a bit mislead as to what a Wedding Planner, Event Planner, Wedding Consultant, whatever name you go by does.

This photograph is of me at a wedding driving the most fantastic, luxurious vehicle with 4 wheels, E.V.E.R! It was really the only way to get from one end of the property to another in a quick amount of time. But it was something that had to be done. So you do it.

One of my favorite bloggers recently wrote a 3-part post on the day in a life of a wedding planner, and it is so true. It's a long day, but it's totally worth it!!! Every moment of making someone's dreams come true, trouble-shooting behind the scenes, making the impossible- possible it's a dream come true for me!

On another note, our open house is tomorrow (I hope a photographer brings their camera) I can't wait to reveal what we are doing for our centerpieces!!!

Angelina Jolie is one of the 25 Top Stars of 2007

Angelina Jolie

Entertainment Weekly has list out 25 Top Stars of 2007 and Angelina Jolie is one of them.

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Angelina Jolie and Myleene Klass are world's hot mummies!

Angelina Jolie

British newspaper The Sun has carry an online survey on hottest moms and the top winners are Myleene and Hollywood actress Jolie. Both of them have 20 percent of the vote.

Third place went to Katie Holmes and fourth went to Emma Bunton.

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Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver called Angelina's daughter Shiloh in wrong name

Angelina Jolie

Jamie Oliver has make a mistake by saying Angelina Jolie's daughter Shiloh Pitt's name wrongly. This happen when he was having discussion with Jolie about her new movie Beowulf.

Oliver reportedly called her daughter "Piloh S**t" by mistake.

A source commented: "It was just a slip of the tongue. But it did sound like he was dissing her first-born."

After that incident, according to reports, he apologised by sending the actress a pudding made from Cheerios cereal.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

I wish you and your family the most blessed Thanksgiving possible! There is just so much for all of us to be thankful for. Our families, our happiness, our love for one another. I just hope that you take a moment at sometime today and tell someone that you are thankful that they are apart of your life. I know that I am thankful for my health, my husband, my family, my nieces, I guess I could go on and on...

I wanted to share my turkey recipe (well really Martha's) I have made this for about 5 years now, and I promise it's totally a fool-proof turkey and it's amazing!!! I hope you enjoy your turkey (side dishes) and family and friends as much as we have!

Happy Gobble Gobble!!!

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie bought sex toys!

Angelina Jolie

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are still having good sex life and they want to add some spice buy buying sex toys. Both of them were spotted in London’s luxury sex shop Coco De mer. This shop is owned by daughter of the late Anita Roddick, Sam.

According to Webindia reports, after spending several hours shopping, they bought a bagfuls of sex toys.

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie no plans to buy Dubai island

Angelina Jolie

Pitt's publicist tells The Celebrity Truth that reports about Brad Pitt and partner Angelina purchased a man-made island in the shape of Ethiopia off the coast of Dubai are hoax.

The report says that Brad Pitt and Jolie plans to use the island for to showcase environmental issues but Pitt's publicist, Cindy Guagenti says that all these report are not true.

"It's not true and completely made up," Guagenti said.

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Angelina Jolie and son Maddox Jolie-Pitt went shopping together

Angelina Jolie and son Maddox Jolie-Pitt having their great time shopping on sunday afternoon. Some of the shops they went were Edwards-Lowell Fur Boutique, Beverly Hills.

Image source from here

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Coming Hits

Lil' Kim - Chillin' Tonight Lyrics

Michael Jackson - Let Me Go Lyrics

Akon - Wanna Be Starting Something Lyrics

Jessica Simpson - How Could I Let You Down Lyrics

John Mayer - Say Lyrics

Mariah Carey - How Much I Love You Lyrics

Bow Wow - Hey Baby Lyrics

One Chance - You Can't Lyrics

Nicole Scherzinger - Power's Out Lyrics

Nicole Scherzinger - No Happily Never After Lyrics

Free song list for your blog here.

Angelina Jolie pays no attention to Brad Pitt

According to the report from Life & Style Weekly, Brad Pitt is fed up of being less attention from his partner Angelina Jolie.

When Brad Pitt told what his feelings regarding about this matter to Angie, his friend said "She either tells him he’s being silly or she offers to try to stay in the background at one of Brad's events.But Brad says the idea of Angie being in the background of anything is absurd — and he has a point."

The magazine pertains the reason why he feel ignored by her. At a movie premier while Brad spoke to a reporter at the London Beowulf premiere on Nov. 11, “Angelina has already moved on,” notes body-language expert Patti Ann Wood. “She’s not interested in what Brad’s doing.”

With all the attention on Angelina, “Brad sometimes feels like he might as well have stayed home,” says a friend. Does Angelina really outshine Pitt? Together they created quite the buzz when they first blasted on to the dating scene. But two years out, neither has had a hit movie (other than the Ocean's series where Brad has a supporting role). Can they regain the buzz?

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Biological mother of Angelina Jolie's adopted daughter Zahara support her

The biological mother of Angelina Jolie's daughter Zahara denies she that she disapprove the adoption and says she is happy her daughter is in good hands.

Mendewad Dawid says her words had been twisted by "so-called journalists" who had visited her.

She told Reuters "I have never disputed the adoption. Then she added "This was a mistake. It was something I never said."

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Angelina Jolie's adoption on Zahara is legal

According to reports, Tsegaye Berhe,who is the head of Wide Horizons for Children, which conducted the adoption of Zahara for Angelina Jolie insists that it was "legal and irrevocable.

It seems that Zahara's family wants her back. Zahara's mother Mentewab Dawit Lebiso was raped by a stranger who broke into her home and gave birth to Zahara. After she ran away.

Mentewab'smother allegedly signed the baby over for adoption and thought they will see Zahara again and able to keep in touch. But this wasn't done.

Image source from here

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Angelina Jolie written a column for The Economist

Angelina Jolie has many talents and she has written a column for The Economist’s annual The World issue calling for accountability in Darfur. In that article, it pertains similar articles from “several presidents, an exiled god-king[gotta find out more about this one], the head of the United Nations and other political heavyweights.”

Here are some quotes from the article:

– “Accountability is perhaps the only force powerful enough to break the cycle of violence and retribution that marks so many conflicts.”
– “I hope that the Sudanese government will hand over the government minister and the Janjaweed militia leader who have been indicted for war crimes (by the International Criminal Court in The Hague), and that the teenager I met in Chad will get the trial he seeks.”
– “I hope that those responsible for the atrocities in Darfur will be held to account, not only for that young man’s sake, but for the world’s.”

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Registry, it's not just for Weddings anymore!

Okay, so by now I am sure you've heard about it, My Registry - and in case you haven't give me a moment to explain. Basically, for Christmas, Hanukkah, Birthday's, Holidays, or just everyday - you can register for gifts. Whatever you want. And this will allow your friends and family to know exactly what you want, instead of them guessing.

Let me know what you think- I think, that I think it's a terribly cheesy idea, but then there is that side of me that wants to like it, because my Grandmother is the Queen of Terrible Gifts...but then again, she doesn't know what an Internet is....

Let me know in the comments, cheesy or a wonderfully ingenious idea!

Biological mother wants Angelina Jolie's daughter Zahara back

Angelina Jolie's daughter Zahara's biological mom wants her back. Her biological mother, Mentewab Dawit Lebiso never signed the papers giving up her daughter, which could give her a case for getting Zahara back. To pursue the case, she just needs the money.

Adoption specialist Jerri Jenista told In Touch Weekly: "If some family member comes in and leaves the child at an orphanage and signs her over, and then the mother wants her back, you can make the argument that the person didn't truly understand that their child was gone forever."

Lebiso said "I want my daughter to come home to see where she is from.Her grandmother and I both tried very hard to raise her, and I want her to come home to regain her identity."

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Angelina Jolie's tight pants was malfunction while premiere of "Beowulf"

Angelina Jolie attended her premiere of "Beowulf and while she was on the red carpet, her tight pants malfunction. Her partner Brad tries covering up the hole with his right hand on her butt. Well, now we know tight pants can be very dangerous.

But there is another mishap, she stepped in a big wad of gum. What unlucky night for her.


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Save the Bridesmaids Gift, Save the World!

Okay so that's a little Heroes'ism...

Oprah and Macy's have teamed up and have these fantastically beautiful O Bracelets! Gorgeous gemstones and exclusive designs are just the beginning of the O Bracelets' appeal. Each is handmade in Rwanda by women whose lives—disrupted by poverty, HIV/AIDS and the 1994 genocide—are changing dramatically because of the income earned while making the bracelets.
Born out of a unique partnership between O, The Oprah Magazine, Fair Winds Trading and Macy's, the first O Bracelets were introduced in May of 2007 to an immediate, overwhelming response.

The new collection includes exquisite designs by jewelry designer Christine Brandt; artist and AIDS activist Mary Fisher (who designed the first O Bracelets); and artist and president of Fair Winds Trading, Inc., Dean Ericson. Fair Winds Trading—the same talented, compassionate bunch behind the Rwandan Path to Peace Baskets—are involved throughout the entire process, working directly with the beaders from training through production and beyond.

I think they are just beautiful! It would make a great gift, and you'd being doing some good - which is what it's all about right?

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at the premiere of Beowulf

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have good taste in fashion. They always wear matching clothes. You can see from here. Don't they look matching? They were at the European premiere of Beowulf at the Vue cinema on Sunday in London, England.

Angelina told reporters: “She’s a great character. It’s great to play a bad guy and a mom.”

Image from here

Source from here

Looking forward to...

Erykah Badu - Honey Lyrics

Mary J Blige - I Miss You Lyrics

Chingy - Fly Like Me Lyrics

Fergie - Pick It Up Lyrics

Kelly Rowland - Daylight Lyrics

Fat Joe - I Won't Tell Lyrics

Kylie Minogue - I Don't Know What It Is Lyrics

Cascada - What Hurts The Most Lyrics

Jordin Sparks - No Air Lyrics

Usher - Dat Girl Lyrics

Get your free list here.

Change of Plans...

Don't you hate it when you have this image, this idea, this plan, and you start to execute this plan, this idea, this image and everything just falls apart.

Okay, well maybe I am being over dramatic. Just a little bit.

As an Event Planner, nothing ever just falls apart, it just shifts a little bit. So that is what needed to happen. A minor shift in thinking.

For our grand opening celebration on the 27th, I had this fantastic idea for the centerpieces.... but it would take 2 weeks to execute and since the Grand Opening is two weeks away that timing should have been perfect. But, well, it just wasn't meant to be exactly.

You'll have to wait to see the final product - heck I have wait to see the final product. But to give you a hint, Jennifer will be SO proud of me!

What I wanted to have as the centerpieces:

I think this post is leading me to talk about being open to ideas and understanding that although you might have an idea for something and you want that exact pink for that exact rose and that exact photograph or that exact pose.

Just because something worked out for "that bride" doesn't mean that, whatever "that" is- is going to be perfect for you. The time of year may not work out correctly for you to have that exact rose, it may come into your florist and look like crud - so they need to make some minor adjustments to the flower - for the best obviously.

Or that exact pose may have looked great for that size 0 model, but for us normal people who wear clothes that actually have numbers (numbers being plural) as the sizes just don't work for us.

Just keep in mind while going through the process of planning that everyone wants what's best for you, and sometimes you need to take a deep breath and know that this is your day, and your dream, and it will be amazing, no matter what!

Thank You!

I wanted to take some time out today to thank our Veteran's and our current active military! I was talking to a friend of mine the other day and she had mentioned that her daughter, who is now 4 - has never lived in a time we weren't at war. This is an awfully sad reality.

There are so many things to be thankful for - the fact that I have a blog - free speech. Our freedoms we enjoy every day - the ability to own a business, drive a car, vote, and the many other things we absolutely take for granted each and every day. Most of which we have to thank our Military men and women!

There are so many of my family, friends and clients that fight for those freedoms each and every day, and I just wanted to say Thank YOU!

Thank you for your selfless giving! Thank you for all that your do for us!

Angelina Jolie wearing a traditional poppy pinned to her coat in memory of fallen soldiers

Angelina Jolie has spotted wearing a traditional poppy pinned to her coat when she went out to eat with Brad Pitt which marks memory of thousands of soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Poppy Appeal is additional to her long list of charities she supports.

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ate Japanese food

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie went out for a dinner together at Japanese Restaurant Roka in London on Saturday.

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Brad Pitt may buy Michael Jackson's Neverland

Brad Pitt may buy over Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch for his family to live,which comprise of partner Angelina and children.

A source said: "Brad and Angelina are very interested in the property and will be closely following any developments involving the Neverland Ranch."

The estate has tight security which has impressed them.

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Angelina Jolie gets visit from her son Pax while filming The Changeling

Wile filming The Changeling, Angelina Jolie gets visit from her adopted son Pax. He is so cute here.

Image source from here

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Friday Funny!

Happy Friday, ya'll! For most people they say Happy Friday, but the day-in-a-life of a wedding planner, it's really like a Thursday, because we have rehearsals tonight and a big long day tomorrow. So Happy Faux Thursday to the rest of us.

I was reading The Top Five Post over at Our Wedding Plus and I read the funniest thing, New Rule Friday from The Wedding Planner's Blog, here's a snippet, in case you missed it.


"I’m a HUGE fan of Bill Maher’s Real Time. I especially love the segment at the end of his show where he does his “New Rules“, a very blunt, albeit hilarious take on random news items. I sat listening to it on my iPod on the way to the airport, and thought– “I should so do a version of ‘New Rules’” for the blog. So each Friday will be “New Rule” Friday.

New Rule: Stop thinking you can invite 300 of your closest family and friends to your wedding on a $10,000 budget. The only place that will fit your budget is the McDonald’s playroom, catered by the redheaded clown himself.

New Rule: Your bridesmaids love you, but had no intention on becoming indentured servants. They really don’t want to do all 248 tasks on your to do list, no matter what the bridal magazines tell you.

New Rule: Fondant is only good to people with burned off tastebuds. With all the different types of icings and buttercreams (Royal, French, American, Italian, Swiss, etc.), why wrap your cake in Play-Do?"

If you think that's funny, there's more you must check it out at The Wedding Planners' Blog.

Angelina Jolie's brother James Haven confirms her ready to have another baby

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie has already four children but she is ready to have another one. This was hinted by her brother James Haven.

When quoted about his sister's plan to have more children, James said, "I would assume so, yes. I've even been like, 'So, when are you going to?' "

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Get on the Same Page....

It's difficult to discuss a book with someone if they've never read it - it's the same with your wedding. If you and fiance have different visions for your big day, then there will be more arguments then there needs to be.

Talk about your dreams and where your focus is. It's hard if one of the two of you really doesn't have much input. But even small discussions help.

If each of you write down 5 of the things that are most important to you for your wedding, or 3 adjectives describing what your expectations are - that might help.

Angelina Jolie signs her fan's “Adopt me, Angelina” t-shirt

Angelina Jolie saw one of her fans wearing “Adopt me, Angelina” t-shirt and she signed on her t-shirt at the Beowulf premiere yesterday.

You can look the video clip here

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Angelina Jolie refused to answer questions regarding Brad's ex wife Jennifer Aniston

What a Sweet Suprise!

After a long day of cleaning the new studio to have the new sign say "Now Open" I arrive to my desk to find an adorable box with the most beautiful hand-writing on the label to Moi!

I admittedly tore the box up trying to open it and it was the sweetest note and most adorably delicious white chocolate covered ghosts sugar cookies and gummy candy corns from Natalia and Jose! I just have the best clients, hands down!!!

Thanks you two, that was so sweet, I know the team will devour them!!! (and I am munching on a ghosts arm right now!)

Doesn't she have the prettiest hand-writing E.V.E.R!