Penn West Christmas Party November 27/2010

When Stacy contacted me from Penn West to do their Christmas Party, I knew it had to be nothing short of perfect! They told me right away they wanted white and silver as their colours, which excited and scared me. Having no pops of a "colour" could potentially make a room look bland...BUT
five broken nails later, when the whole room transformed into this amazingly elegant ambiance, I knew I killed it!

I need you to know that I truly have the best friends in the whole world! The pre-stress that went into this event was solely and only due to these organza chair sashes. For those of you who have used an organza chair sash you know that they are flimsy and don't hold big bows nicely, and me being a perfectionist I needed them to look better then good, and would settle for nothing short of this. So thankfully the week before Sarah, Patrick, Lorne and Amanda were there to help me per-fect the end result!

This event wouldn't have turned out  if it wasn't for Amanda. She was there all day for me, twisting the balls around the chair sash's, setting up the Christmas tree and just really being there for me and I am just so thankful for her!  I also want to thank the Penn West girls that were there in the morning, as well as Danita for her advice and dealing with Amanda and I's singing all day :)

I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I do!

Quick Update

Ok so I said I was going to better with posting and I wasn't....so I apologize! Since my last posting there was Halloween, which was fantastic for me. My 3 year old nephew Easton came down from Regina to do his trick-r-treating here...needless to say the whole event was hilarious! He was a frog...who didn't speak..sometimes he actually just awkwardly stood there and stared as people while they would give him candy...his manners though were tremendous,  thank you's were no problem.  Unfortunately Tina and I were too busy laughing the whole time so we didn't get a single picture! Terrible, I know. But just so you know how cute he is, here is Easty, being Easty.

November so far has been fantastically crazy...for real, there is always something happening! 'Tis the season of Christmas I suppose! First off I love Christmas... the best part of Christmas for me is all the funny stories that come out of. My family Christmas's never disappoint in that department. Last year I found labels in the kitchen and proceeded to "re-name" everyone in my family with completely ridiculous names. For example, my brothers name is Colin ..so I renamed him "Rectum" hahaha I laugh just thinking about it again.
Not to mention when you give a killer gift, and you see the person's reaction and you know they love it....there is nothing better! My next favorite part of Christmas is all the lights...is there anything more beautiful then driving around on a calm white winter night looking at all the different lights on peoples houses...its perfect!
You see though my problem is my husband bought a sled....sooooo I am very interested to see if he will "find the time" to hang our lights...I would try but you see me, heights, snow, tangled lights....it's a recipe for disaster! I know better! Ha

Back to decorating though. I did these centerpieces for for the Quota Club here in Estevan. They had a press conference at Houston Pizza, and gave these away along with their door prizes at the end of the night. There colors are blue and silver. So I filled the vases with blue Hersey cookies N cream chocolates!

Orange, Yellow, Red - Fall how I love you!

Fall is my second favorite season, next to spring. In fall everything looks beautiful.The trees change to the most beautiful warm colors, and when the leaves fall it just looks delightful. Not to mention fall fashion, people stop wearing nothing like in summer and put on cute sweater dresses, and boots, and fun jackets. Then there is Thanksgiving, a holiday that gives you an excuse to stuff your face with food until your stomach pretty much hurts, and when you have reached that point you fill it with pumpkin pie. Ahhh how I love turkey dinners!

For the past two years we have had a wedding on this Thanksgiving long weekend. Last year we were in Airdrie for my cousins wedding and it was snowing and cold out. It was a very beautiful wedding and they had the best midnight lunch I have ever had! At 11:00 like 10 different Pizza Hut pizza's showed up, it was so perfect!
So go figure this year it was about 20 some degrees out. The wedding we went to was in Regina and was a high school friend of Lorne's. Lorne is from Oungre, a town that has a population of about 20, and people say where they are from, based on where they get their mail not where they are closest to....this is very strange to me. But everyone farms and knows everyone and it just such a great atmosphere to be around. So when I seen the wheat and flax centerpieces with all fall colors, I just feel in love with this reception! Most weddings are always personal, but when you can incorporate something meaningful to you in your centerpiece I think that is so awesome!

I just had to share some of the pictures!

So I had a great Thanksgiving weekend! I hope you all did too!!

Me in a nut shell

I almost forgot to post this, and maybe I should have...but it is way too funny to not share.

This post has nothing to do with decorating, but it has everything to do with me. For those of you who don't personally know me, funny things tend to happen to me, or in others words sometimes I have really bad luck. I am the type of person that falls down the last stair and rolls my ankle, or walks into a sliding glass door because I didn't realize it wasn't open. Most of the things are frustrating when its happening but always funny afterwards.... but this was funny while it was happening.

This happened at the beginning of September.

First off I never wash my own vehicle at a wand wash place, its big and black and apparently I never do a good job because I always have streaks after I leave.
SO I always go to the touch less car wash here in Estevan. On this particular day it was beautiful out so there was an extremely long line up at the co-op car wash, so I figured what the hell I will just wash it myself. So off I went to Matt's car wash which was also very busy. There was a vehicle in the stall in front of me and a truck behind me waiting... I never have cash so I got the kid to put the timer on my stall.
So I'm in my stall, all proud to be washing my own vehicle, I flicked the button to turn the timer on and all hell broke loose. The wand flew out of the holder hit me in the crotch and went in between my legs spraying my whole back, then somehow flew back through my legs again and started flying around in the air. Not kidding by this time I am soaking wet, wearing heels and this wand is whipping around in the air. All I can think is "it is soo smashing my windshield" Finally I graved the hose while the wand sprayed me in the face which P.S. might I add hurts alot!
I turn around and the guy in the truck waiting behind is balling laughing and the guy washing his vehicle in front of me, is just standing there... staring haha so what do I say..."I Got it" hahaha
I was so mortified at the moment because I probably looked like a wet dog with heels on.
So I was determined to give my vehicle the best wash....like I do it all them.....Needless to say, I left with 11 dollars less in my pocket, soaking wet, with streaks still on my vehicle!

So note to self...Never try to wash your vehicle again.

Nikki's Baby Shower

Sept 9th my brother Colin, and his finance Nicole had a baby girl Sophia Cole. And over the weekend I had the privilege of decorating and helping her sister Tiffany and friend Christa plan.

We really just wanted a low key baby shower, where everyone could  mingle and see the baby and it turned out soo great!

The shower was held at the Parish Hall in Beinfait and Sophia's baby room is pink and yellow, so we went with those colors.



We used yellow plastic table cloths and candy baby bottles as the center pieces/favors



We had all the guests decorate a onesy with permanent markers and fabric paint. This one is mine (don't judge I am not an artist)



Head Table with the baby clothes line above.

Diaper cake I made

The very yummy cake Amy made

Guest Book Table with the picture frame for everyone to sign

Finally baby Sophia!

My New Space

Ok, so when I decided to start a blog, I told myself I was going to be the best blogger. (Yes I am serious, I really did say this) I wanted to post a blog minimum every few days....I figured I always have so much to say, so this would be the best way for me to get all of my words out.
Well as you can see I haven't  posted anything in a month...so definitely not the best blogger.
September was insane. It seemed like there was always something happening and when I did have a chance to be on the computer I was searching and purchasing new rentals. But none the less, I am going to be better now....
September was super exciting though, because my office is finally done!....well minus the chandelier I want, but haven't found yet :)
I have pictured this room for almost a year now, so to see it come together with the wainscoting on the walls and furniture is super super exciting!

Decorating a room is very much like decorating a hall. First you have to know your space and be able to work with it, not against it. Then you have to choose your colors, and they should definitely reflect the feel you want your room to have every time you walk into it. Finally the placement of your furniture. Whatever room you are putting together you always want your room to feel inviting.

For me I wanted a clean and sophisticated office. Simple but elegant.
(Special thanks to my fantastic husband Lorne for putting it together for me)

Elite Event's Ad's

Figuring out how I wanted to market Elite Events was pretty simple to me... I figured the most important thing to do first, was get my name out there! So last week was super exciting since it was Elite Event's first week of advertising. I was really pleased with how the ad's turned out and I hope by now all of you were able to see it in the Estevan Mercury or The Trader Express.
Encase you missed it, I attached them below!

Julie and Tyler's Wedding - June 26th 2010

Julie and I went to high school together, but we didn't hang out in the same circles or really know each other. Two years ago I started working in the same office building as her, we hit it off right away and became very close. I was so honored to plan, design and be there every step of her wedding, as these two couldn't love each other more.

Entrance to the tent

Tables with centerpieces

The beautiful cake by Fadiah

Hostess with the Mostess

Entertaining at your house for 80% of people is always stressful. For the other 20%...easy, like a second nature and they make it look easy! That I believe comes with experience....or a lot of knowledge. You see when hosting not only are you worrying about how everything looks in your house and who will all show up, you get to worry about all the little details. Like, "Do I have enough food" to "Are my bathrooms stocked and cleaned".
I absolutely love hosting parties, being able to socialize with your friends and family while at your home just feels right to me....but it wasnt always like that.
My first house party was my dads birthday, an outdoor BBQ in August 3 years ago. We had just moved into our first house and I wanted everything to be perfect because all my family was coming. I was so worried about not having enough food, that I decided to make enough for a small army...not kidding, the amount of potato's I made was ridiculous! Not to mention it decided to start raining, thankfully at the end of supper so it was a quick dash inside. I was so stressed out, that I barley got to enjoy myself, I even recall my dad saying to me "Chandell sit down and relax already".
After hosting a lot more after that, and attending other house parties, I found out what needed to be done to have an excellent party.

Here are some tips to hosting that should help hosting come more "naturally"

Do your homework and make a plan - Know how you are going to invite your guest and what kind of party you will be throwing.
Do a To Do List -  Anything you might need to buy or do to your house before the party, write it down!
Don't stress about food - Your guest are not coming to gorge themselves, figure out how many guest should be coming what you will be preparing and add enough for a little bit extra.
Decide on booze - Will this be a BYOB? If not there is no need to have a ton of options, you are a home not a bar. Have your standard high ball selections with plenty of mix and beer. If someone likes something special they will bring it regardless.

Lastly Enjoy yourself! Once your guest get there don't stress! Sit back have a glass of wine, there isn't much you can do now to change anything. I quickly realized your guests will always feed off the mood of the hostess, and if the host is stressed out and not enjoying themselves the chances of your guests enjoying themselves is very slim.

Say Yes to the Dress.....for how much?

Weddings have been performed since the Middle Ages and the wedding dress has always been based on the popular styles of the day. Most commonly wedding dresses are white or a shade of white, but always a representative of the bride and chosing a dress can be one of the happiest, most rewarding but yet stressful decisions put on a bride.
Today the popular show on TLC "Say Yes To The Dress" has provided a show, that displays the inner workings of the world's premier bridal salon, Kleinfeld Bridal. They carry dresses by such designers, Pnina Tornai, Lazaro, Augusta Jones and much more.

Pnina Tornai Dress

The problem is not with how beautiful these dresses are, but the cost. My worry is brides to be or girls growing up watching this show, believe you need to spend upwards to 10,000 dollars or more on a dress to look beautiful. Now don't get me wrong, if you can afford these dresses than absolutely you should want one, but I don't think people should be taking out loans to afford one. 

In most bridal stores in our area, designers such as Maggie Sottero, Allure and Mori lee are carried. In prices ranging from 800 - 1800.

Paigely Dress by Maggie Sottero

Then there is Davids Bridal a wholesale bridal store that offers wedding dresses at prices ranging from 150 - 1000 dollars.

Davids Bridal Gown

As a bride you should feel more beautiful than ever and find the perfect dress that makes you feel that way. Before you start your dress shopping, decide on a budget or if you have one, and determine what shops carry dresses in your price range. Do your research, don't rush on the decision and ensure you find the dress that 100% represents you!

My Wedding - May 30th 2009

After deciding on a spring wedding, everything else came together easily. Lorne proposed to me after we layed sod  in the front and back of our house. So not only was the grass representing spring, it really meant a lot more than that to me. To be honest my whole wedding was more than I could have ever imagined.                                  
                                                                                               Daisy & Lilly Boquets by Estevan Florists

Our ceremony at St. Pauls United Church

Guest Table & Centerpieces at the Plaza. The grass was grown by Shand Green House.