Photo Booth "Flair"

I was over at Katelin's reading about how she went to a Bridal Expo this weekend. (Shudder. I think that's my worst nightmare - I couldn't deal with all of those brides and overzealous vendors in one place! I don't do well in big crowds lol.) She posted some great pictures of she and her friend trying out the photobooths that were around, and how she'd love one for her wedding. Well weeks ago Dave and I sent in our contract to have a photobooth at our wedding!

(It's pretty much going to be the one on the right. But not on a Boardwalk.)

It's pretty cool, you get 6 different poses, and then in the middle of the strips of pictures (3 on either side) will be room for a logo or something basically saying "Dave and Lacey's wedding, March 20, 2010." Then the attendant will ask the guests which side they want to keep, and the other half will go into a scrapbook that's on-site and then everyone writes stuff next to their pictures. How cool is that??
It is a little pricey, but honestly I think the memories are going to be freaking awesome. Especially the more people have to drink!!

But here's where I need suggestions from you guys. I'm thinking of buying all kinds of props and having a basket of them next to the photobooth for people to use. Here's what I've come up with so far:

- Feather boas
- Flapper headbands (like this)
- Goofy sunglasses
- Fake mustaches

....? And then I get stuck! What would you put in the prop basket for a photobooth?

New Look!

Not for me, but for my blog! Please go over and take a gander! The lovely Allison from Addie Designs is the creative mind behind my makeover, and I LOVE every thing that she did. (She also did the layout for my lovely friend D.A.R.) It was great working with her, and we comunicated SO often (which was especially great considering she's currently in Germany!), and she encourages you to be extremely honest. And best of all, she's super affordable. At least for me!!

Here's a sneak peak of my new header, but trust me, click over to my blog (if you're reading in a reader), and check it out!!!


And if you're in the market for a new blog makeover, I DEFINITELY suggest you head on over to Addie Designs to work with Allison!!

Whip it Up Week 2 - Frozen Mojito Cake-FAILS

This week's Whip it Up theme was something I was psyched for... Guilty Pleasures. (Oooooohhhhhhh!!!) I thought a lot about what I would make... clearly I wanted to make a dessert... how much more of a guilty pleasure can you get than dessert? But also.... I REALLY like alcohol. Hahaha. So, I THOUGHT I found the perfect recipe that had a combination of the two. Frozen Mojito Cake-tails by Rachael Ray. This is what the dessert was supposed to look like:

This is what I got:

FAIL
The filling and the crust did not stay together, so when you pried the "cake" out of the muffin tin (with a wet knife like Rachael says!), it didn't come out together. Boo-urns. It still tastes pretty good, just in separate pieces.

Frozen Mojito Cake-tails
Yields 12 servings
recipe from Rachael Ray Magazine

Ingredients
-2 sticks (8 ounces) butter
-3 cups salted pretzels, finely crushed
-Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
-Grated peel of 3 limes, plus 1/2 cup lime juice
-2 tablespoons white rum
-3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint, plus sprigs for garnish
-2 cups heavy cream

Directions
1. In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Stir in the pretzels and 2 tablespoons sugar and cook until lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool slightly. Press about 2 tablespoons into the bottom of each cup of a 12-cup muffin pan. Freeze for 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Mix in the remaining 1 1/4 cups sugar on low speed, then gradually mix in the lime peel, lime juice, rum and chopped mint.

3. In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into the cream cheese mixture.

4. Divide the cream cheese mixture evenly among the muffin cups; smooth the tops. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 8 hours or overnight.

5. To serve, run a wet knife around each cake, then invert the pan onto a clean work surface. Set each cake upright and top with a mint sprig.

Questions!!
1. Was the recipe easy to follow?
Sort of. I made WAY too much of the pretzel crust mixture, because I misinterpreted the 3 cups of finely crushed pretzels as 3 cups of whole pretzels, then crushed, when afterwards I realized it should have been 3 cups of pretzels, finely crushed. Stupid Rachael Ray. This would explain why the crust probably didn't stick, because there wasn't enough butter for the amount of pretzels. I would also grate the lime peels wth a zester next time, because the peel bits were a little too big.

2. Did the dish taste good?
Yes. The batter itself definitely tasted like a mojito, and it went well with the salty/sweetness of the pretzel mixture. It is a very powerful taste though. If you don't like mojitos, this probably isn't for you.

3. Would you make it again?
Yes, only to see if I could make it correctly this time. :)

4. Leftover quotient?
Well because I made too much of the pretzel mixture, I also had more batter leftover, since there was too much pretzel in the muffin tins. So, I made a bunch more. But otherwise, if you were making this for a dessert for company or something, I don't think you'd have leftovers.

5. Any additions/edits to the recipe?
Nope. Although next time I would also crush the pretzels more fine than I did.

6. Dave's thoughts:
"We really need a lime zester and not a cheese grater to use on the limes. Sugar, butter and pretzels are one of the best combinations ever." (Since we had leftover, we sampled some on it's own.) "And the strong flavor demands that you eat it after a meal, and not first thing in the morning." (We also sampled them first thing this morning, since we had to wait for them to freeze overnight.)


Technically I should have known that this recipe was not set up for success since we had such trouble finding fresh mint! I went to every supermarket in our town, and none of them had it. Luckily Dave is awesome and went looking for me the next day, and found some in a fruit stand nearby. Phew!

Happiness comes in a box (from the GAP!)

Yesterday I was FLIPPING OUT when bloggers were twittering about getting welcome boxes from Brand About Town and the GAP. Where was mine? OMG was I not chosen? How could I not be chosen? I'm pretty freaking awesome! What was going on?? I asked Dave if anything came for me from the GAP and he said no. Then I was sad. But it turns out that I spoke too soon, because not much later I got a text from Dave letting me know that a box had come from the GAP addressed to "Lacey Bean". Hahaha. (Bean is not my last name, in case you didn't know.)

I didn't get home until late at night, but you bet I tore into that box the minute I walked into the door!

Opening the box

The goodies! Mini lip-glosses (can't wait to try!), SUPER CUTE ginormous bag that I LOVE, and "Close" perfume, which smells delicious! (Even though it took me 5 minutes to get that case open. I is not smart.)

And of course, the Born to Blog t-shirt!! As a GAP Brand Enthusiast, one must model the clothing that one is given. No?

This shirt is SO comfortable. OMG it's like wearing a shirt your boyfriend had for 7 years that you've claimed as your own because it's so worn in. (Please ignore the fact that due to my shortness, and Dave's tallness, the "Born To" is partially hidden by my cleavage.)
I'm so excited to have my party! I wish I could do it ASAP, but I'm leaving for Costa Rica on the 19th so it looks like it'll have to be right after I get back!

Now you Know my Nose

Since my tweets and facebook update this past Sunday that I pierced my nose, you people, (Yes, YOU people) have been clamoring to see it. I'll be honest, at first I wasn't sure if I liked it, and I keep thinking that it's way bigger than it really is. (The piercing, not my nose. Jerks.) But now, almost a week later, I think it's growing on me. :)

Also, we basically went straight from the piercer to my aunt's house for a family get together. Most of them didn't even notice, or thought I had it done already! Many people have actually said this to me, I guess I have a nose fit for piercing? And my parents... sheesh. My Dad finally saw it and said, "I thought you were better than that." Ouch. All was fine 5 minutes later, but still. And my mom, well once I told her I was going to take it out for the wedding, she didn't care as much. Priorities!


















Ta-da!!! I know you love the EXTREME CLOSE UP on the right. Please excuse my shiny, shiny face. We had just come home from a Reel Big Fish concert, and it was like 12:30am. The shininess was not in the forefront of my mind at that moment.

Thought? I have to wait like 2 months before I can change it/take it out, so I guess by then it'll either grow on me or I'll get rid of it.

IT'S HERE!!!

I got a call at work yesterday that made me SO happy. My wedding dress came in!!! Early!!! It was supposed to come at the end of July, but was at the store yesterday, and IT'S HERE!!!!

I immediately called my mom... who didn't pick up at first. Ughh. So I IM'd my Co-MOHs, and we all did a virtual jumping up and down dance. Via GChat. And then I called my mom again, and she picked up FINALLY, and we "YAY"d to each other over the phone.

Then after I stopped celebrating I had to call the alterations department at the store to schedule my "try-on". Not a fitting, but just an appointment to try on the dress and make sure its correct. The first appointment they had was the 16th, which sadly means my mom wont be able to join, since she is going to Florida. I was going to push it back, but I'm on vacation from the 19th until the 26th, and I don't want to wait that long!! Luckily Arielle, Co-MOH extraordinaire can come, so off we will go to try on my dress, and take pictures of it, and then hide those pictures from Dave so he can't see it. (Sorry babe!)

Now I just have to remember to look semi-presentable that day, so I don't look like a bum in my dress!!! (Yes, even for trying it on, I have to look nice.)

Summer of Accomplishment Part Deux!! (NYC-to-See)

It's that time once again. Last year Dave and I compiled a list of things that we wanted to do during the summer in NYC. We actually got a bunch of those things done, and as for walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, well you all know that occurred this past February when we got engaged. :) Regardless, that list was from 2008, and so we need one for 2009!

HOWEVER - I am now calling this list the "NYC-to-See" list, because it's already July, and Dave and I are going to Costa Rica for 8 days, so I can't see us having time to do everything by summer's end. So, it's a NYC bucket list, if you will. Even though I have no plans to leave the city anytime soon.

So here it is, and because I'm OCD, I categorized the list by borough. :)

Manhattan
1. Guggenheim Museum - namely the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit.

2. Visit the new Water Taxi Beach at the South Street Seaport.

3. The High Line. This elevated abandoned train track was made into a park, and just opened about a month ago. It's supposed to be really pretty and has art installations.

4. Mani's and Martinis at Beauty Bar.

5. Eat at the following establishments: S'MAC, Shake Shack, Peanut Butter & Co., Serendipity.

6. Chelsea Brewing Company for some beers and views.

7. NYC Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side.

8. Bike ride on Govenor's Island.

9. Rock climbing at Chelsea Piers.

10. Visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex. Dave got to take his classes, but I want to go!

11. Take the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. I've been to Ellis Island, but never the Statue of Liberty, and I think Dave did the opposite.

12. Experience the New York City Duck Tour! I want to do this so bad! Maybe for the NYC Blogger meet up??

13. Explore Chinatown. Maybe I'll finally do the $1 Walking Tour from Time Out NY that was on my list last year.

14. Go to a Colbert Report or Daily Show taping. I will do this one day!

15. Get half-price tickets to a Broadway show at the TKTS booth. (added 7/13)

16. See the limited engagement Titanic exhibition in Times Square. (added 7/13)

Brooklyn
1. Coney Island. I've lived here my entire life and have not yet been to Coney Island. I hang my head in shame.

2. The Brooklyn Flea. I missed the Renegade Craft Fair, but I WILL get to the Flea!

3. Eat at Totonno's, supposedly the best pizza in Brooklyn (don't tell Grimaldi's!).

4. Play games and booze up at Barcade.

5. Go to BAMcafé Live at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

6. Get cheesecake and an egg cream at Junior's.

7. Hang out in Williamsburg. Now that my Chase has moved, I have no excuse to visit, but I love just walking around there.

8. Go kayaking w/ the Sebago Canoe Club in Jamaica Bay.

9. Happy Hour at the Brooklyn Brewery.

10. Sell my used clothes at Beacon's Closet. (This isn't really an "NYC" thing to do, but I want to see if my clothes are hip enough to sell there. Haha!)


THE Bronx
1. Arthur Avenue. Home to the best Italian food and desserts and I haven't eaten there yet.

2. Bronx Zoo! Enough said.

3. Hang out and take pictures at Wave Hill.

4. Go to a Yankees game at the new stadium.

5. Visit the Van Cortlandt House - an old wheat plantation and now gorgeous park.

6. Tour the Edgar Allen Poe cottage. Where he wrote Annabell Lee!

7. Ride the Bronx Trolley. Yes we have a trolley. We're that awesome of a borough.


Queens
1. Lemon Ice King of Corona. I used to go ALL THE TIME when I lived at home, now, I think I went once last summer. I need me some peanut butter ices. (Trust me, they are amazing!)

2. Boating at Flushing Meadows Park. I've driven past it so many times, but have never gone!

3. Go to a Mets game at the new Citi Field.

4. Get ice cream at Eddie's Sweet Shop. This place is amazing, and they make their own whipped cream! Drool.

5. Hang out at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden. I love this place. Amazingly large glasses of beer and the best kielbasa you've ever had.

6. Tour the Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City.


Miscellaneous items include:
1. Trying to use as many Diner's Deck cards as we can before December 31, 2009.

2. Use and keep accumulating awesome Groupons. So far I have a bunch for a tapas place, a cheese and wine bar, wine classes, etc.


If you noticed that Staten Island isn't listed on here, that's because in my opinion there's nothing to do there. Sorry, Staten Island people. Your little strip of land does not impress me. (Let the hating comments come out now!)

And if there's anything you think I missed that I need to do, please throw it my way! I'm going to keep adding to this list if I find more things I need to see/do. And I'll keep ya'll updated as I bang out each one. :)

Birthday Weekend awesomeness

Oh what a weekend. Between the birthday celebrations, BBQs, hitting up the beach, and getting baby fever for the first time, this was such a good weekend. Except for when my eye kept being itchy all weekend and I woke up in the middle of the night scratching the shit out of it. No fun.

ANYWAY, I don't want to go into long winded detail about the weekend, but here are four very important things.

1. My birthday cookie cake, courtesy of my co-worker Brian:

There was all kinds of deliciousness up in here. And it was HUGE.
2. The best shirt EVER (made for me by the lovely Arielle):
LOVE IT!
3. The biggest bra you've ever seen in your life, courtesy of Jeremy's Ale House (where the beers come in quantities of 32 ounces, and only in Styrofoam cups:
Giggidy!
And 4., I got my nose pierced!! I've wanted it for awhile, and finally got the guts to do it on Sunday! My parents weren't too thrilled, but what can they do? Im 26. Also my mom was fine with it after I said yes, I would take it out for the wedding. Haha. No pictures yet, but I'll have them soon!

And thank you everyone for all the birthday comments, FB messages and tweets! It was awesome, thanks soooooooooo much!!!