Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I hope you all had a wonderful, fulfilling day!!! I know I am stuffed and now resting in my comfy pj's! 


The center piece of our feast filled table this year was simple yet beautiful and would be perfect for any upcoming holiday/fall weddings or parties! So enjoy and be thankful for this wonderful time with your loved ones!

XOXO

               Christine

St. Mary Sunshine = A Sweet Tooth!

Do you want, need, crave a table full of CANDY? I know I do and if you do too, then your in luck because St. Mary Sunshine is here to fulfill all your candy and sweet treat needs. Mrs. Brittany Pasion owner of St. Mary Sunshine is a candy table creator extraordinaire and she is just as sweet as the tables full of candy she creates. If you have not seen her designs be prepared to be blown away! So without further ado meet Mrs. Brittany, also know as St. Mary Sunshine and see her candy creations.

Tell  us a little about yourself and what got you started in the candy/wedding industry?  
Hello all!  My name is Brittany Pasion.  I have been married to my wonderful husband, Adam for a little over 2 years. I've always loved everything about weddings and design and I knew that I wanted to do something that involved both. Weddings are particularly special because they are one of the happiest days in a person's life. It is an event that I am honored to offer up my talents to make it that much sweeter for the couple.
    Now for how it all started... My mom and I made a candy buffet for my own wedding and it was an absolute hit! It's been over two years and I still have people coming up to me saying how much they enjoyed it and thought it was a great idea. After my wedding, a friend who was getting married asked if I could create a candy buffet for her wedding. I had a ton of fun, so I started making them for bridal and baby showers, I hosted. My sister-in-law mentioned the idea of turning it into something more… I did some googling on other candy buffets and thought that I really could take this recent trend to the next level making it bigger, better and chicer than before. It's becoming something that brides desire, especially with very few resources on finding a wedding professional who offers candy buffets such as mine.  And so began St. Mary Sunshine Candy Buffets! And since then, I’ve been improving and loving it ever since! I am blessed to say that I truly love my job!

How do you pick the candy, theme, etc. for the candy bar at the wedding?
Our candy buffets are 100% all about the couple and who they are! I sit down with a bride to figure out their theme, style, and personality.  From there we explore all the possibilities of making their dream candy buffet bigger and better than they imagined.  Another important element is color.  Generally brides or event hostesses have a color story that they would like to coordinate their candy buffet with.  We spend a lot of time trying to find candies and desserts to match their exact color.      

 
What elements create a memorable candy bar?
Definitely the unique details or props on the table that paint a picture of the couple's style and personality.  The more personal, the more the guests feel like they're enjoying something straight from the heart of the couple. Coordinated colors also bring a major impact to the table.  It takes it from just candy in a container to a unique focal point of the party, that guests can take part in. Ultimately, what truly makes a candy buffet memorable is St. Mary Sunshine's attention to detail and hours of dedication we spend on each one as if it were at our own party.

Where do you get your inspiration for the candy bars?
For me, inspiration comes from everywhere!  The bride, my family and friends, fashion, nature, everywhere!  I can and do many kinds of themes and styles for different brides but I find myself personally more drawn to and inspired by styles such as shabby chic and vintage. Wonderful blogs such as the Purple Peacock Weddings can be very helpful in brainstorming as well.

Blushing..Thank you, we are equally inspired by St. Mary Sunshine!

Any advice you would give future clients?
Think outside of the box! We love doing new things. These candy buffets are all about being custom, fun, and totally awesome!  Don't think for a second that this is just simply candy, it is a statement!

How can future clients get in touch with you? 
I always love to hear from brides and answer their questions. I also provide complimentary, one-on-one consultations and phone/email consultations for my long distance brides.  

 Lastly I have to ask what is your favorite candy and why?
I'm a huge sucker for cotton candy!  I don't know if it technically counts as candy but I love it!  It's usually only sold at carnivals or touristy areas and usually horribly overpriced, but I just can't resist!!

Yum Yum Yum!!! I know all of you are getting ready to head to the store and buy some candy, well why not just call St. Mary Sunshine! They can create candy buffets for wedding, parties, holiday's and so much more!!! Contact Mrs. Brittany Pasion, at her website, facebook, phone or email!

   

  Brittany Pasion

     brittany@stmarysunshine.com
     www.stmarysunshine.com
     805-714-7283 

http://www.facebook.com/search.php?q&init=quick&tas=0.6417116807268668#!/pages/Arroyo-Grande-CA/St-Mary-Sunshine-Candy-Buffets/127603223943189

                                                                      XOXO


                                                                            Christine

The holidays are coming...

I can't believe that it is already that time of year again when your nose gets cold when you step outside and you crave hot chocolate pretty much all the time. It always seems to sneak up on me and I am never ready in time...but maybe I am changing because here's a preview of holiday ideas for those of you having holiday weddings...Pine cone seating arrangements. They are easy, inexpensive and holidayriffic (I know not a word, but I sometimes like to make up my own : )  ).

All you need is a collection of pine cones and some patterned paper and ribbon to attach your guest names to the pine cone. There are many other ways to add your guests names to the pine cones, but this is just one I liked!

Enjoy! And stayed tuned for many more Holidayriffic (there I go again) ideas!


                                                                           XOXO

                                                                                Christine

Champion of the Chalk

Thank you all who participated in the Chalkboard Giveaway!!! All the entries were so sweet and beautifully written and most of your favorite parts of weddings are my favorite parts too!

But there can only be one winner...and the Champion of the chalk is...

Miss Michelle San Jose!!!!!

I hope that you are able to use this in your upcoming wedding! Please send me an email to PurplePeacockWeddings@gmail.com with your address, thank you. This was lots of fun and I love giveaways so readers stayed tuned for them in the future!

XOXO

              Christine

Envelopes...

If you are a DIYer..(I know probably not a word but, I am going to say it for the sake that it fits in my sentence), then you probably wouldn't want to miss this simple and easy craft that can take your wedding invitations to another level. Give up what level that is..well so do I, so I am just going to tell you what the craft is...Making your own custom envelopes. You can use colored paper, patterned paper, handkerchiefs, music sheets, magazine paper and pretty much anything that you can fold around your invite and write the address on or stick a sticker on : )

Make your own envelopes in 4 easy steps..

1. Pick out your paper!

2. Fold all four corners of your paper into the center so they all touch and look somewhat like a square.

3. Next you will need either glue, double sided tape or photo sticky's (I prefer the photo sticky's). You want to place the sticky on top of two of your triangle folds to hold the them together, like in the photo below.

4. Lastly you bring one side of the remaining open sides and place the tip on top of the sticky and hold down for 30 seconds so it stays firm.

Then you are free to place your invitation or letter inside and seal by sticking the last remaining triangle onto the sticky, then write the address, put a stamp on it and mail!

                                                                          XOXO

                                                                                Christine

Oh that BRIDESMAID'S Dress!

I know that like me, most of you have a bridesmaid dress sitting in the back of your closet that you're not to sure what to do with, but do not want to get rid of it because of the expensive price tag...Well below you will find three easy to do and chic options for your dress.

First the original bridesmaids dress...

 First option is adding fun and funky accessories to the dress that your Bride would probably not allow. Try tights, jewelry, sweaters, belts, shoes, headbands, etc.

Second option entitles a quick stitch or a full fledge seamstress depending on how you want to alter your dress. The easiest choice is a quick hem, but you could also chose to remove the straps or add straps, change the neckline or add volume or take away volume.

The third and final option is dying the dress. I prefer to use Rit Dye, because of its accurate and simple instructions (Read the instructions! I repeat read the instructions and be careful when washing other clothing items with the dyed dress).



Now would you wear your bridesmaid dress again, that is after doing one of the three options or maybe you prefer something else. Let me know what you've done to your bridesmaid's dress..Have you worn it again?

                                                                             XOXO

                                                                                    Christine

The Golden Apple

One of the biggest concerns I hear from brides is about how expensive flowers, center pieces and the whole wedding can become, so I spent some time thinking of different, yet still beautiful looking options for center pieces and will continue to share them over the next few weeks. The first one I thought of was the golden apple, which could become the silver pear or the any color any fruit, but beware I found out the pear and apple work best.

You first need to decide on a fruit....I choose apples!

Next you need to pick the color of spray paint or regular paint. I like the elegant touch that gold or silver add, but if you are going for a monochromatic white/creme theme, white looks fabulous too!

After letting the paint dry you must decide how you want to display the apples, whether on a cake stand, in a basket or whatever else works for you and your wedding.

If you choose you can also add feathers, pearls or leaves for that extra touch.

Lastly there is one more option that your golden apples can serve as, and that is as table seating. You can create miniature flags and glue them to a tooth pic that as your guests name and table number. This idea can would also be great for Thanksgiving or any dinner party.

Would you consider using something other than flowers as your center piece? If so would you do this? Or what would you do?


                                                                                XOXO

                                                                                    Christine


  

Make it yourself Monday...Chalkboards!

Lately I have seen quite a few chalkboards at weddings, including my own, so I decided I would let you all in on the easy secrets of how to make your own. Two of the best things about the chalkboard craft is that you can easily make it your own style and secondly you can use it after for a number of things. We have ours in our kitchen and use it to leave notes to one another, make grocery lists and maybe even someday our future children will use it to doodle : )

Chalkboard Supplies
- Any size or shape piece of wood
- Paint color
- Chalkboard paint
- Paint brushes
- Chalk
And some little extras if you want, like clear plastic frames, ribbon, buttons, etc.

Step 1 - First you want to paint with the color you choose around the piece of wood everywhere besides the place you want to put the chalkboard. I choose purple!

Step 2 - After the paint color dries, you next want to paint with your chalkboard paint in the spot or shape you want your chalkboard to be. Helpful hint: I used tape to tape off the area and shape I want my chalkboard to be.

Step 3 - You next want to let the chalk paint dry for 24 hours as the directions state, and then you are free to apply any extras you want! Have fun make it your own. If you are using it at your wedding adding plastic frames around it gives you a chance to display some of your engagement photos. If you want a simpler touch a lace bow will do the trick!

Photo Credit: Beth Armsheimer Photography

 

What do you think of the chalkboard craft? Do you like it? Would you use it at your wedding or in your home....If you answered YES, your in luck because today's "Make it yourself Monday," is going to be given away to one lucky Purple Peacock Weddings reader! All you have to do is leave a comment about what you love most about weddings..The winner will be chosen Friday morning, so stay tuned!

If you do not win and would still like a custom chalkboard they can be purchased at http://www.etsy.com/listing/61905449/creative-custom-chalkboards



                                                                               XOXO

                                                                                   Christine
                                                                        

Engagement Imagination...Love is baking!

The theme of sweet treats from this week is taking over my brain and stomach, maybe it is because I have been on an only fruit and veggie fast all week or the more believable reason is I just LOVE sweets. Any of my friends or people who have just barley meet me could testify that I would give up most anything for a little chocolate..yum yum! 

This segment of engagement imagination would be perfect for anyone who loves to bake, loves desserts or just wants a cute theme! This idea of cupcakes could also be used to announce, "It's a girl/boy" or "Will you Marry Me" or any phrase you would like to apply.

So enjoy these tasty treats and let me know what you think...

Have a sweet weekend!

                                                                    XOXO

                                                                          Christine