New Blog Design!!

I am veryyy excited to announce that the blog is getting a new look!! Kelly De Luca at BlushInk and I are working together to create a fabulous new layout for the Erin Ax Events Blog. I can't wait to see what's in store! She has also worked with a ton of really great wedding industry professionals including Merci NYC and Kate Miller Events.

Below is a little preview of my color inspirations via Betsy White Flights of Fancy Blog. =)

Let the countdown begin...

Today is the last day of August. Sad for some (like those who have to go back to school), and exciting for others (because fall is in the air). I am among those who are excited. Not only for the fall, but because I am finally getting a vacation! Later in September I will be going to Miami for a long weekend and am ready for some serious sun. I barely made it to the beach this summer and will be trying my best to make up for it. Miami here I come!

Watermelon Sangria

I LOVE watermelon. I'm pretty sure I can eat a whole one by myself. Summer wouldn't be the same without it!

Today I made some Watermelon Sangria for the going away party that we are throwing for my sister tomorrow. She's leaving us for sunny California, and even though I'm sad she's going, she'll be back for Thanksgiving. And Christmas. So at least I know it will only be a few short weeks before she's back!

I never knew until after I read 101 Sangria's by Kim Haasarud that you're "technically" supposed to refrigerate Sangria for a day before serving. I always just made it and drank it. (Whoops!)

Recipe...

1 bottle dry white wine

3/4 cup watermelon schnapps

1/2 cup white cranberry juice

2 cups freshly scooped watermelon balls

2 limes, cut into half wheels

Fingers crossed everyone likes it tomorrow!

The Details...

Erin Ax Events can assist you with the creation of Dessert Tables, Welcome Bags, and Favors for your guests. We also brainstorm and present options for Bridal Party Gifts, and can provide you with small personalized detail options tailored to meet your specific needs. Send an email to planit@erinaxevents.com for more information!

Honeymoon Hotspot: Huvafen Fushi, Maldives

I mean, really?

I initially stumbled across some photos of the Maldives and fell in love. The color of the water is what drew me in at first. I have never seen water like this. And then to top it off- your going to put me in a hut with my own private hot tub and or pool with stairs leading directly into the water? Where do I sign and how do I get there?

Here a little background. The Maldives lies in two rows of atolls in the Indian Ocean, just across the equator. The weather is usually picture perfect and the temperature hardly ever changes. But, Maldives has two distinct seasons; dry season (northeast monsoon) and wet season (southwest monsoon), with the former extending from January to March and the latter from mid-May to November. The average temperature is about 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit aka pure bliss). The Maldivian currency is the Rufiyaa. One Rufiyaa is 100 Laari and is available in 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 Rufiyaa notes. One US Dollar is equivalent to is Rufiyaa 12.85. {Info found here}

This photo found here

Here is the scoop on Huvafen Fushi. There are six different types of room here- my favorites being either the Lagoon or Ocean Bungalow (duh). The two rooms range from about $1300- $5300 USD per night depending on what time of year you plan on going. And you'd probably be able to catch me at anyone of their ocean side restaurants or bars. Or maybe at their underwater spa. Or maybe on their Dolphin Cruise. I could on and on. You just need to check this place out for yourselves. It is truly unbelievable.

New Camera!

Here is my first shot with my new Canon Rebel T2i Camera. Figures that it's of my stack of mail, magazines, and sangria book that I still need to sort through. Let's hope I can get to that soon!

When writing is just too much...

You use stamps. Plain and simple. I love that I am seeing custom stamp design for not only return address, but for save the dates!! Do you know what kind of time this saves when you have a couple who plans on using the good old label maker- or better yet, their own hand writing? I would opt in for stamps any day.

This return address stamp was created by Primele. They have a bunch of different calligraphy styles and stamp options. You can have:

Your name,

 return address,

and individual numbers!

If this is something that looks right up your alley, I would also ask about having custom save the date information made on one! If your sending out post cards as your save the dates, there is no better way to send them out then with a stamp. That will save you a ton of time, and a ton of stress!

Weekend...

Summer / landscape / sunset / light / rainforest / tropical / palm tree / sun light
Originally uploaded by Cuba Gallery

This has been one seriously long week. All I can say is that I am so glad that it's Friday!!

Hope everyone has a nice weekend!!

Essie Fall Colors

Fall is my absolute FAVORITE season. I love everything about it. Football, Pumpkins, the return of the scarf... everything. I was so excited to see Essie's New Fall Collection- there wasn't 1 color that I didn't like! And the more I was looking at them, the more I was thinking about how great these would be as bridesmaid dresses! Even though I am already starting to see a lot of "sew psyched" colors incorporated into weddings, the "in stitches" and "little brown dress" are my favorites!!!

Red Velvet Recipe

Since I have been introduced to Bloglovin', I've been obsessed. I love reading blogs, and have found so many that I can relate to and have been inspired by. One being Lua Los Angeles. She has some seriously delicious recipes and I need to share her Red Velvet Post!!

Red Velvet Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

For Each Cake Layer:

1 1/4 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 T cocoa powder

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 egg

1 T red food coloring

1/2 tsp white vinegar

1 tsp vanilla

Sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa power. In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, buttermilk, egg, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla. While mixing at medium speed, gradually add dry mixture to wet mixture until just combined. Fill 8/9 inch cake pan. Back at 350 for 30-35 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Frosting

8 oz cream cheese

1 stick butter, room temp.

4 cups confectioners sugar

6 T coconut rum

Mix together ingredients with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Ice cake once cooled after at least 40 minutes.

Something Blue...

Tiffany Blue to be exact. Over the weekend I just so happened to "stop in" to Tiffany. The store was pretty quiet, especially over in the Engagement Ring section. I couldn't help but wonder how many people actually buy their fiances Tiffany Engagement Rings. Even though I feel as though every girl would just die if they opened up that perfect little box to find themselves an engagement ring, I wonder how many actually have!

While I was in there, I noticed that even though all of the rings were beautiful (and I would never complain if I was given any last one of them!), I actually didn't look at any of them and say "that's it". One thing led to another, and the next thing you know, I'm searching for engagement rings. By myself. No big deal. =)

I ended up coming across one I loved, and it just so happens to be Ivanka Trumps Engagement Ring. Again, no big deal.

Just how perfect is that 5.22 carat cushion cut ring!? I love everything about it. I always was a fan of the Princess Cut, but recently found myself enjoying the Round Cut rings even more! I feel like the cushion is the perfect balance.

What would you prefer?

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Signature Summer Cocktail

So what if it's Monday! =)

As I was skimming through my Brides Magazine, I decided to go on their website to see what other good stuff I could find. Since it feels like it's 130 degrees here in NJ today, I thought it would be a great idea to bring you a yummy, refreshing summer cocktail recipe. Enjoy!!

"The Absolut Brooklyn Stoop Party"

ingredients:

1 part Absolut Brooklyn

1 part Cranberry Juice

1 part Ginger Ale

Garnish with a Lime over ice.

Honeymoon Hot Spot: St.Barts

I was inspired to write this post after watching Bethenny Getting Married on Bravo. I'm totally hooked. I love her brutal honesty and think her witty humor is hysterical. Needless to say that also after watching her show I was on the hunt for a Skinny Girl Margarita, which was a tragic fail. After 4 trips to 4 different liquor stores, I gave in and said the Miller Light will do. So if anyone comes across an extra bottle of her signature drink, send it my way! =)

St. Barts is located in the French Caribbean near St. Martin and Anguilla. It is known for it's beautiful beaches, quaint eateries, and intimate villas. The only downfall- the Euro has .30 on our dollar. So your going to take a small hit when converting your money. But! Here is:

Where to stay:

Key Lime Villa

This beachfront villa is brandy new. It's a two bedroom villa located in Anse des Cayes that is right on the beach. That's why it was my favorite! It runs from rough $341-1214 USD per night. If you ask me, it is worth every penny!
Where to Eat:

On The Rocks The view- gorgeous. The food-top notch (and is the reason why I am eating and writing this post). Don't forget to look at the dessert menu: Warm red berries flavoured topped with Grand Marnier and vanilla ice cream for me please.
What to do:
Let's see... you can:


Jet ski, Windsurf, Kitesurf, Deep Sea Fish, Tennis, Yoga, take a tour on a Submarine and much more. Or you can just relax and soak up the sun while eating and drinking the entire time. All sound like good plans! =)