Finger Printed.

Idea 1:

 

Idea 2:



Idea 3: (My FAVORITE!)


I simply love the combination of BOTH fingerprints.  Either having his on her wedding band (& vice versa) or merging them to create a heart!  Spectacular idea!  I think this would be perfect on wedding invitations!!

Ok,Ok... This may not be a cute way to photograph your wedding bands, but seriously, AWESOME!  This would make a GREAT 1-year anniversary present! *hint, hint*

I now present Mr. & Mrs. ...

Mr. & Mrs. Forks

Mr. & Mrs. Place card!

Mr. & Mrs. Mug & Wine Glass


Coffee Mugs! Perfect with a nice slice of cake!

I think these are all cute personal touches you can add subtly to your wedding! Also, you will get to see your significant other with their new salutation! 

Ring(s) of Fire

Hi lovelies!!!

I hope y'all are having a great summer and staying safe from the heat and sun!  Check out this post for important sun safety tips!

Now.  Onto cute ways to snap those freshly polished wedding rings you just exchanged!!!

Exhibit A: Hand-prints in the Sand!



Seriously, how precious is that!?! Cute honeymoon or beach wedding idea!!

Exhibit B: To Put it in Love



ummm GENIUS! The only problem may be if you don't have this adorable piece of art... But clever nonetheless!

Exhibit C: Scramble? Scrabble!



I LOVE Scrabble! And if you are my friend, you know this... It is a terrible obsession, and if I can talk you into playing with me, it will happen!  But seriously, precious!  I would do this with both rings! Yours and his!! I can find so many creative things to do with the two photos!

Exhibit D: Home is...



I love this idea! Or the idea of printing a short phrase that is meaningful to you and placing your rings in the "O"!!

Exhibit E:  Just Desserts!



I may have a sweet tooth for this particular idea, because I love s'mores! Still sticky sappy sweet its so cute!

 Those are just a few creative ideas I have seen!  Make your engagement session, wedding and honeymoon as personal to as you can!! It is truly a day you will never forget!

I Spy with My little Eye....

image via Tumblr

EXCELLENT reception game!  And a great treat for the Bride and Groom!!!  I think this is a great way to engage guests!

You are my SUNSHINE!

Hello summertime!!!

Thank you so much for finally shaking those sleepy jitters off!!  

Now that summer is ago nationwide, it is important to take care of that time in the sun!

Always apply no less than SPF 15 sunscreen at least THIRTY minutes before hitting the pool, the beach, the lake, or participating outdoors!!!  Sunscreen is a topical treatment that needs time to be absorbed by the skin! 

Children are at higher risk for sunburn than adults are!  Especially fair skin-redheaded children!!  Always apply sunscreen to your child, whether it be yours or a child you are carrying for, before yourself!  Younger generations are always more important! They carry our habits, for better or worse.  Make it a habit that children see you apply sunscreen to yourself and help them apply it! This habit will stick with them!!  

Every sunburn you get before the age of 15 increases your chance of getting skin cancer by two times!!!  Skin is the bodies largest organ! How you take care of your skin is a direct reflection of how you take care of your body and nutrition!!  Your skin is your first impression of health.  Make it last!

Take care of your skin year round too!  If you drive a lot, frequently apply sunscreen or sunscreen lotion to your hands.  Also, do not neglect the tops of your feet or ears!  These areas tend to develop skin cancer more quickly because they are so frequently neglected!

Remember, you may not have that perfect golden glow now, but in 20-30 years from now your skin will be glossy and wrinkle free!!!

xo

-J-

The Spice of Life!

Thyme, Curry, Pepper, Rosemary, these are not your Gramma's golf ladies, these are allspices (see what I did there? ha! cooking humor) we use frequently to add spice to every dish as it touches part of your life.  Life craves flavor and variety, so why shouldn't your food?!  I am sure many of you are thinking, we get it out with the bland in with the flavor! And you are exactly right! IN with the FLAVOR!!

via google images

Did you know that most spices expire between one and two years after they are purchased?  Well it's true! So the next time you are making Gramma's award winning chili or your ninos favorite fajitas, think of how flavorful those spices might be.  I know the absolute ideal would be that everyone has their own garden out back full of lovely, aromatic spices, but that is just not real life for busy moms, dads and families!  That is why I want to teach you a better way to preserve those special spices of life!!!

Next time you purchase new spices for a recipe, date them.  Not tomorrow, not a month from now, TODAY!  This will help you control flavor and valuable cupboard space.  Not only does this control flavor, but it can help control budget too!  Some spices can be quite expensive (ahem! Ms. Saffron!!)  While others are quite inexpensive (pepper, garlic salt).  But we want them to taste as flavorful as possible for as long as possible, right?  Also, as you are cooking/cleaning in your kitchen, check the pigment of the spices you have.  As pigment fades so does flavor.  Think of how bright a banana that is just off of the tree is compared to a few days later when it has been sitting on your drainboard.  The same goes for spices, not as quickly as a ripening banana, but you get the picture.  Pigment is a direct reflection of the flavor quality.  It is a great visual queue to know when a spices life may be coming to an end.

Buying fresh herbs & spices not only ups the nutritional level of the spice, but also the flavor.  Thus you can (potentially) get away with using less, that is until the spices begins to age.  As the spice ages, you will need to evaluate if you are OK with using more spice for maximum flavor or purchasing new.  That is up to you and not for me to dictate or tell you what choice is best.  Cooking is personal, you have to do what feels right by you, and sometimes your wallet.

Now, on to storing these flavor game changers!!  Many people tend to store spices nearest their stove or oven.  I would kindly advise against this.  Heat can change the flavor of spices.  Most spices beg to be stored in a cool, dry environment.  (That is unless you are a Martha wannabe and have your own herb/spice garden/shop, if you do snaps for you!!)  In the vain of your own personal herb garden, the best place to store spices is nearest the coolest, driest place in your kitchen.  Yes you may have to walk a bit further while cooking, but think of how great that food will taste!!!  If you have a wine cellar or wine rack I recommend storing spices as closely to this place as possible.  (Wine is generally stored in the coolest place in your living quarters or kitchen)  These places are also, generally, furthest from heat or sudden exposure to heat.  Very different environment than next to or above your stove or oven.

Happy spice hunting!

xo
-J-

Youthful Tastes with a Grown-up Sophistication

Attention: Busy moms, college coeds, working professionals!!

I have found the cutest recipe for our childhood favorite, PopTarts!

Come on y'all! Who didn't love these "pastries" as a kid!?!

Well here is a spruced up, much more appealing and definitely tastier version of a childhood staple!

Visit the link below for a step by step guide on making these decadent breakfast pastries!

homemade pop tarts | smitten kitchen

*all images are via smitten kitchen*

XO-

-J-

Give 'Em The Boot

In a spurt of intense spring cleaning I decided to show you all how I store my boots during and after the winter season!

For added life of your hot winter boots, roll-up old catalogs or magazines and stuff one in each shaft.  This will preserve the life of your boots!  And keep them looking brand-new for the next chilly season!

Step one:  Roll any old catalog or magazine.

Step two: Place rolled-up mag/catalog into boots.

Step 3:  Stretch mag/catalog to fill boot.

Final Result:  Boots that stand up and don't flop over!!!  This will preserve the aesthetic AND the leather!

Boots in my closet.  

I cannot tell you how happy I am that I started doing this!  My boots fit better and my closet is more organized!  No more boot shafts flopping around over other shoes or folding over themselves!!

Enjoy!

xo-

J

Let Them Take Cake!

Is there anything more perfect in this world than getting to eat your cake and take it too?!



How perfect are these cake slice boxes?! I mean seriously? SO much better than a traditional to-go box! I would totally take a piece of cake just for the adorable packaging!

These would make a great accompaniment for your special day or an event!  There is nothing better than getting to take a small piece of delicious heaven home after a great event!  It is a great way to remember a fun day or evening!

These precious cake slice boxes can be found at the UK's Cox & Cox.  But for us Yanks it can be found on their website!  6 Euros will get you 10 boxes in a choice of 3 colors.

I would recommend these adorable favors for:

• Bridal showers
• Baby showers
• Tea parties
• Weddings

Happy Eventing!

xo

-J-

So Fly!

I do not recall where I heard of Fly Lady, but I heard about it!!!  They have a great starter program, Beginner Baby Steps.  (Free of charge).  Below I have compiled my favorite tips & tricks from Fly Lady.  I hope these help you organize and sort chores and activities the way they helped me!!!

I am already hyper-organizational, but this definitely refined these skills.

First: Shine Your Sink

This is simply making sure your sink is clear and dry when you are finished with it after:

                 *your morning wake-up/beauty routine

                 *breakfast/lunch prep

                 *dinner/dessert prep

                 *evening cleansing routine

by doing this you come home to a clean bathroom and a clean kitchen sink.
You will be amazed at how much stress this relieves!

Second: Get Dressed all the way

*This is a variation of their Get Dressed Up to Lace Up Shoes

This will allow you to be ready for the day no matter what is thrown your way.  I say get dressed all the way because I do not like walking around the house in my shoes.  (This saves on vacuuming time later and keeps floors looking nicer longer!)  

Third:  Pick Out Your Clothes

Set out what you would like to wear the next day before you go to bed at night, after you shine your sink and you will be time ahead in the morning.  I also do this with my meals up to dinner the evening before.  It makes for less hassle and less stress in the morning.  I find morning to be hectic as it is, so why not make it easier and less hectic?!

Fourth:  Write These Things Down

Write reminders down that help you stay on task!  I am by nature a list maker.  I constantly have a minimum of three, yes THREE, notepads on my desk.  They all vary in size according to the length of list needed.  I also, place post-its around that are tasks I need to do or little inspirations.  But I am careful as to not let them clutter!  If I have looked at something for more than about a week or two, I take it down and refresh it!

Fifth: Declutter for a Few Minutes

For me this may mean putting laundry away (my absolute least favorite chore) or wandering the house and tidying a little at a time.  It could also mean organizing for later in the day or for the next day.  But make it something that works for you!!

There are 30 total of these little tips.  These 5 are my standbys.  I will post 5 a week until I have posted all the ones I think are relevant! But all these links are linked to a point on the Fly Lady website!  That means you can view all of the tips/tricks at anytime and determine which are your favorites.

xo

-J-

Goody Goody Cupcakes!

This weekend was not productive for me other than work and making a LOT of cuppycakes!!!

Earlier in the week my father brought home a cupcake.  I saw it and intended to share it or simply refrain from eating it at all... But if you know you know that I canNOT refrain from eating a cupcake at all.  It is not in my DNA to say "Oh wow that surely is a gorgeous looking cupcake, I'll share it or let someone else eat it."  That will never happen.  Sharing is caring does not apply to a cupcake, unless I make a HUGE batch... Which is exactly what I did Saturday morning!  I should say "baked" because to be shamefully earnest I used store bought mix and icing! Shame, shame, shame on me!! I do usually make my own batter and icing from scratch. But the ideas were too fresh on my mind, and I did not want to use the extra time on cupcakes that were an experiment.

I find using some store bought items for a first try of cupcakes is great!  I found one cuppycake recipe I am keeping and one that needs LOTS of work.  So it was a successful baking weekend.

So onto the actual cupcakes...

The first was a cookies 'n' cream.  This was the absolute BEST! Oh my word, (I am sure this cupcake has been made plenty of times before by others) I have no clue how the idea for this cupcake never struck me before! I used yellow cake mix.  HOWEVER! I chopped up Oreos (R) and added them to the mix.  Delicious.  Then used simple vanilla icing and dipped the iced cupcakes in leftover crushed Oreos (R) for the topping!  Please I am begging you, make these! You will not be disappointed!

The second was S'mores.  Great concept. Poor execution.  But hey it was for fun and I have an even better idea how to execute this cupcake another time. So great learning experience!  Again, store bought rich chocolate cake mix.  Marshmallow creme and crushed up graham crackers on top.  The idea was well-intentioned however the marshmallow creme had other plans...  I will be re-doing this cupcake later in spring/early summer because I am dedicated to perfecting it.  In the meantime, I fully plan on enjoying what is leftover.

The cookies 'n' cream was a hit at work.  And the cake mix from the S'mores was a hit.  But the next time I make these cupcakes it will be with homemade batter!

Oh the adventures in cuppycakes!!!

Have a sweet week!!

xo
-J-

Business Casual

My business cards came today!!! While I was at work.  Such a nice little surprise to come home to, especially considering I didn't think they would come for another week!  And it was a fantastic night at HGCC.

Short & Sweet.  I was just really excited about the business cards!  (I would post a picture of them, but I do not want to take the time to edit them so my personal info isn't made very public.)

Have a great Sunday!  I'll hopefully be shopping in the morning and studying and writing a blog line up in the afternoon.  And that is A-OK with me!!!

XO
-J-

Bag Necessities

Emergency bag necessities:

• bobby pins
• safety pins
• mini superglue (or KrazyGlue)
• clear nail polish
• breath fresheners
• earring backs
• floss
• double sided clear tape
• jingle change & a few bucks cash
• clear ponytail holders
• bandages (you never know!)
• nail fill
• Mini black mascara & eyeliner
• mirror
• travel size extra hold hairspray (this works for more than just hair!)

These are just random items we seem to forget about until we need them!  Brides & bridesmaids, lucky for you, they now make prefab kits for the big day!!! Visit here, here and here for kits!

XO 

-J-

Service Please!

So I bet y'all are wondering what exactly is it that you do?
What is the purpose of this blog?

Here is what I do:
A) I am a student
B) I work as a server/bartender at a country club.
C) I run An Organized Affair

The purpose of this blog is to channel some of my creativity and to network my "business".  Ideally, I would love for AOA to become the face of event social media where I live!  I would like to post and promote local photographers, florists, planners, venues etc.  These people/businesses tend to very busy and don't always have time to social network to the best of their ability.  So I would like to be able to promote them on the level they deserve! Whether it be twitter, blogger, tumblr etc.

What I can provide from AOA:

• social networking
• networking
• cater waiter-ing
• bartending
• organization
• personal assistant duties
• house sitting
• animal sitting
• baby sitting

Please feel free to contact me though blogger by leaving a comment or email me at anorganizedaffair@gmail.com.  Please inquire for pricing on services using anorganizedaffair@gmail.com

For reference, I currently live in the Indianapolis area.

I am here to assist you and guide you in planning, organizing and networking! So please let me know how I can help you!

XO
-J-

Love is in the Air.

I would not be a very good event/wedding blog if I did not post a tidbit on valentines day.

Today is a day for love. To give love and to receive love.  Yes today might be a largely commercial, overly hyped holiday.  But let us not forget the true modern meaning of St. Valentine's Day.  Though coined a "Hallmark Holiday", Valentine's Day is an outlet of love and romance for many people.

To be perfectly honest with you, I used to despise the holiday.  I thought it was absolutely absurd that couples need a specific day every year that "forced" them to be romantic.  On some level I still agree with that.  However, I have come to the realization that it may not be everyone's reality that their significant other is spontaneously romantic.  Some people need a little push or a little reminder to truly remember why they love the people in their life.  Some people may not have the means to show their love-y, romantic side.  Thus, Valentine's Day is a great day, that almost absolutely no one can forget.

The perks of this consumer driven holiday are plentiful.  It shows people that even in times of loneliness they are loved and thought of.  It shows people that even though it is not shown everyday, all day that the people close to them do love and cherish them.  It promotes happiness and the spread of love.  (Something I believe the world is truly lacking right now.)  It lets us remember it is good to love and be loved.

So bring love to you today.  And be sure to spread it far and wide!

XO

-J-

Get to know me!

Hi there!

My name is Jesse.  I am currently a student at the Indiana University School of Medicine, School of Public Health!  I am getting my BS in Health Services Management.  How on Earth does that relate to the hospitality industry or assisting work in any way you ask.  To be quite honest, it doesn't!  I have a deep passion for event/wedding planning & catering tied closely with "personal" assistant work.  I have been working in the hospitality industry for about 5 years now and have loved just about every minute of it!

I started at a golf club in middle Tennessee, The Vanderbilt Legends.  This is an exceptional 36-hole course located in the heart of Franklin.  This course has been home to numerous LPGA and Junior PGA events and training!  It is also the home course for the Vanderbilt golf team.  During my time there I learned many different intricacies of the industry, including:  bartending, serving, beverage cart, snack bar, private member bar service, as well as formal and informal events.  I thoroughly enjoyed my three years with this club and was very sad to leave!

Next, I moved out West for personal reasons and found myself at the home of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, or the Classic Club located in Palm Desert California.  Let  me just tell you, there are fewer courses in the world, located in the middle of a desert, that are as beautiful and serene as this course!  While I was with the Classic Club, I worked as a hostess for RattleSnake.  RattleSnake consisted of fine dining, a lounge, and banquet facilities.  Though that job title seems somewhat insignificant, I can say with pride and joy that my duties far exceeded those of my job description.  I worked closely with catering sales to input and organize the behind the scenes "goings on" that make events run seamlessly.  I am beyond proud to have worked for such an incredible restaurant located in the heart of California desert.  During my time with RattleSnake I was also fortunate enough to work the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

The next chapter of my life has brought me to Indiana, where I am currently a student, but where I also work for one of the Midwest's finest golf and country clubs!  The Hawthorns Golf and Country Club is a phenomenal, family oriented country club located in Fishers, Indiana.  HGCC offers a wide variety of food and beverage service excellence. During my time with HGCC I have had the amazing opportunity to expand my knowledge in the hospitality industry!  I am so grateful to have an amazing mentor in the catering sales manager, Stephanie Rice.  I highly recommend taking a moment to view our website.

There you have it!  A little background about yours truly!  If you have any questions please feel free to comment below or email me directly at anorganizedaffair@gmail.com

Much Love,

Jesse