Archives for April 2015

Mint Julep: Twist on the Original

April 24, 2015 By Jackie Fo Leave a Comment

So the Kentucky Derby is a week(ish) away and to be honest the only thing I know about it is there are horses and mint juleps. And hats. But it’s supposed to be the most exhilarating minute in sports, or something like that? Anywho, I’m celebrating the way I know best, with a cocktail.

You may think hazelnut and mint aren’t a good combo but I promise you my friend, they are. Check out my Hazelnut Mint Julep recipe over on Homes.com for a twist on the original. Gooooooo horses!

In about an hour I’m heading to Asheville, NC for the weekend to have fun before a few very busy weeks of events. I plan to drink local beer and eat local food. Will be glorious. You can follow me on Instagram @jackiefo to check out all my foodie pics.

Now I need to pack because as I mentioned, I’m leaving in an hour and haven’t packed a thing.

Whoops. Cheers and Happy Weekend!

Proposal Planning: Plan the Perfect Wedding Proposal!

April 21, 2015 By Jackie Fo Leave a Comment

Heyyyyy friends! Usually on this blog I’m showing you pictures of beautiful weddings long after the couple has said their I Dos! But there’s an important piece of the puzzle I’ve never really touched on, and that’s the proposal! If you’ve been engaged before, you KNOW that the number one question you get asked is “how did he do it?”

Let’s face it, between You tube videos of surprise flash mobs and elaborate surprise vacations, the proposal has become as important as the ring and there’s tons of pressure to get it just right! Luckily, there’s two professionals out there who can help make your proposal go off without a hitch. Lauren & Nicole, owners of Perfect Proposals are guest blogging today with tips on how to create the perfect proposal that she’ll remember forever!

(Note: All photos are by Tiffani Evans Photo)

I’m loving this big city proposal planned by Nicole and Lauren!

Here a few helpful tips from these ladies to keep in mind when envisioning yourself getting down on one knee:

Envision the Perfect Setting and Date – Think about when and where you first met or where you had your first date. Have you been back there since? Could you relive it for your proposal? Also, consider the time of day, especially if you’d like it to be photographed and have the chance to catch some great photos with the sun setting as a mini-engagement session!

Private or Public – What do you think your soon to be fiancé would prefer? It would be ideal to be in a setting that you think she would be most comfortable. If they are more of a reserved, quite person that doesn’t like too much attention, then I wouldn’t recommend coordinating you up on the jumbo-tron at a sporting event with you proposing for the whole world to see. Maybe try something more intimate and romantic, such as dinner and a carriage ride or a private wine tasting for two. You want to consider her personality and how you think she would dream about being proposed too…with still keeping the element of surprise!

Ring Shopping – If she’d prefer not to go that route as some prefer not to spoil the element of surprise, then maybe ask her to give you an idea based on pictures in magazines or pinterest

Ask Parents, Especially Dad – Traditional and very respectful. No man could go wrong with asking.

Incorporate Other Special Details – Does she have a favorite band or song you could have playing in the background? Is she a huge animal lover and you could include any pets? Consider things she is passionate about and if it would mean the world for any of those things to be involved.

Catch It On Camera! – Every new bride LOVES to be able to relive the proposal by watching or seeing photos of it all! When you are in the moment, it’s just an adrenaline rush that you don’t even realize what’s going on. If you’re able to capture the special moment through photos or on video, that’s a huge plus as it’s something you’ll have forever to share with family, friends and your future children.

This picnic proposal is perfect for the laid back couple!

So if you know someone looking for a little help to make their proposal perfect, look no further than Perfect Proposals, based in Charlotte, NC!

Website: Perfect Proposals

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectProposals

Fun stuff around the web!

April 17, 2015 By Jackie Fo 2 Comments

Hey-o! First and foremost, I’m on an airplane. You guys. Clearly I need to get out more because I get ticked pink when I can be on my computer on the INTERNET when I’m flying. Who even knows a) what the Internet is and b) how the heck these planes fly in the air. Ooh hold, beverage cart is coming around…

………

I’m back. Anyways, if you’re wondering what fabulous place I’m going to on this airplane I’m flying to NJ to see my fam. More on that later. This post is a random assortment of fun things I’ve seen on the Internet and the old TV. So sit back, relax and read about my latest fun finds:

Living to 100. Did you know that all you have to do to live to 100 is drink red wine? Okay, there’s more to it than that. But I saw this intriguing story on the Today Show (my source for news) about how people in Sardinia, Italy are doing this whole thing right. Sardinia is one of the “blue zones” meaning one of the areas around the world where its residents are more likely to live to 100 years old. You can read the article HERE and can see some of these healthy folks below.

Jake Whitman / TODAY

Speaking of health, and the Today Show, I saw another segment worth noting. Lidia’s (as in Bastianich) kids have a cookbook out called “Healthy Pasta!”

Now while this book title may sound like an oxymoron, the recpes featured on the Today Show actually looked really good. Like this spaghetti with turkey meatballs…Maybe I’ll make this soon and put it on the ole blog…

From pasta to flowers…sounds about right for this blog. I stumbled across this beautiful DIY floral arrangement perfect for spring from The Sweetest Occasion. I love love love this and if you have a big white bowl you can do it too.

How about some funnies?

If you’re into emojis, and if you have an iPhone – you are, you will LOVE this list of emojis for thirty somethings. Like this one below that screams “FRIDAY NIGHT!” Man I wish these were real.

This other article is. so. funny. I credit my friend Leighton for sending me this. Just read the comments. I die. It’s a buzzfeed article that focuses on a Humans of New York post about a girl named Beyonce. Need I say more?

In wedding news, I’ve stumbled across this gorgeous courthouse wedding pic I wanted to share. While a courthouse wedding isn’t flashy enough for some people (ahem, my giant wedding) I think they can be so beautiful and intimate. Nobody can argue that this couple isn’t happy as as heck. Plus you get to wear one of these adorably short white dresses.

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Speaking of weddings, I literally am in love with this garden wedding from Napa. I’m in love with this light installation under the trees.

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You know what would be perfect with this garden wedding? This beautiful single tier wedding cake brimming with flowers.

Image Credit

Also check out this link for more beautiful single-tier cakes. Love.

In the world of my writing, I’ve got two fun articles out in local Charlotte papers. First off, I wrote a confession in Today’s Charlotte Woman magazine about how I can’t garden. I want to, but I can’t. Or I’m too lazy to water. You decide. Pick up a copy or check it out online on page: 48-49.