Weekends are for.... Tastings

In an effort to blog more, I am starting a new weekend series of posts all about my Friday-Monday activities! (No I don't take off 4 days a week but when I have to work weddings on the real weekend, sometimes I take Friday or Monday off) well cover weddings were doing, bridal shows or tastings and some personal activities! So let's get started! 

Well, this weekend actually DID start a bit early. I live about 10 miles from Atlantic City and this weekend they hosted 2 free concerts on the beach! I personally hate country music but I do enjoy the beach, it was a reason to party and Mr. Viola loves country, so we went! It was so crowded but we really had a great time! 

On Friday, I stopped at our local fish market to get some fresh little necks for steams and some scallops to serve over risotto. Mr. Viola must have been super excited because he brought me home flowers! And look what we found! I had never seen this before! 

And to end the weekend we had one of our favorite events, the Stockton Seaview wedding tasting panel! Instead of doing individual tastings for their couples, Seaview does seasonal tastings where couples & their families get to taste all different hors devours, salads, entrees and cakes! AND they invite all their house vendors! Did you know we were the house stationery vendor to Seaview? Have been for a few years now! Check out our display! 

Not only do we get to set up a display but The Seaview asks us to do the table numbers and escort cards! It's always so hard to decide one style to show all the couples with different taste so I usually go with something that's on trend! This time is was watercolor & gold! Two personal favorites! 

After the tasting, we headed over to Brigantine to have a big family feast at my parents house! And that's how the weekend ended! All in all, it was a perfect mix of work & play! 

xoxo

be.

Soapbox: Saltwater Studios

 

Although I wouldn't change my profession for anything, the wedding vendor realm can be pretty crazy. I literally meet and connect with new vendors daily, but when it comes to recommending services to one of my brides, I take that very seriously. 90% of this business is based on referrals, which is why caring about what you do and putting everything into it is so important. Over a year ago I contacted Stephanie from Saltwater Studio. She had shot one of my brides photos and they were gorgeous! I had never heard of her (they were based out of Philadelphia at the time) and I wanted to tell her how beautiful her work was and try to steal a beautiful image she took of my work. Well that email led to such an awesome vendor & personal friendship. I call her my co-worker because when you own a company but work by yourself most days, sometimes you just need someone to bounce ideas off of and tell you that you aren't crazy!

 

Well recently (for the second time since we met) Stephanie offered to photograph some of my recent work, and of course I jumped at the opportunity to get some fabulous images! My studio was just completed so we set up a little lunch followed by a photo shoot for some lovely paper items.

 

A full pocket invitation for a classic, Cape May wedding, with a touch of Victorian charm.

 

 

A sewn vintage, romantic invitation for a wedding at The Smithville Inn.

 

 

A modern, nautical single pocket invitation for a fun couple who were married at The Golden Nugget

 

 

A simple, traditional full pocket invitation for a wedding brunch at Rams Head Inn.

 

 

An old Hollywood glamour inspired sewn invitation for a wedding at The Carriage House

 

 

A modern, elegant full invitation inspired by the Philadelphia cityscape.

 

 

A full pocket wedding invitation inspired by the charm of Smithville Inn and winter colors.

 

 

A huge thank you to one of my favorite photographers, an amazing friend

and my full time "coworker"! Make sure you check out her amazing work!

Her fiancé does the cinematography too!



Valentine's Day at Just Be.

When I was little, my dad would always spoil my mom & I on Valentine's day. He would give my mom a beautiful arrangement of roses, a gift and a cute card. And I would always get a single pink rose, a gift like hers but miniature and a sweet daddy/daughter card. My moms card was always funny or silly, not super romantic. I remember year after year watching my mom open it and either laugh or roll her eyes at my fathers humor. I loved this moment every year because it reminded me how lucky I was to have two loving parents. Their relationship, far from perfect, was always something I idealized when I was young. And it was always on Valentine's Day every year that I told myself one day I would find a husband who would treat me the way my dad treats my mom.

Well, I lucked out and found myself a hopeless romantic man and I married him! And every year on Valentine's Day he spoils me with fun homemade gifts, secret adventures and adorable personalized cards. So every year, I decorate the house and enjoy the 14 days leading up to the "hallmark holiday" ad many of you may call it! And this year, I ever got a few extra special Valentine greetings...

Here is a little glimpse into our 2014 Valentine's Day!

If you follow my instagram, you know that my fireplace mantel is my favorite part 

of the house to decorate! I change it every month, and this February was no different!

This is wat my Valentines did V-day morning

 INSTEAD of making me breakfast in bed... gotta love em!

 Gifts for Mr. Viola,  the hunting & port enthusiast

And a homemade gift from him.

All in all, it was a lovely Valentine's Day! We went to the movies to see A Winter's Tale (mixed reviews on this one) and out to one of our favorite BYOB restaurants! Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day, Hallmark Holiday or just your average Friday!

xoxo

be.