Miami Rescue Mission

On Thursday July 29, I took my kids to the Miami Rescue Mission Women’s and Children Center. The purpose was for them to see what a homeless shelter looked like and learn to appreciate what they have at home which, they so often take for granted.

Prior to my arrival I called to make sure I was allowed to take my children and the donations I had collected. There was a very kind lady by the name of Michelle that explained that due to the privacy I would not be allowed to tour the facility but that I could remain in their lobby and turn my donations in. When we arrived, there was a woman waiting for the door to open. She was thirsty and wanted water. I almost broke down. I then met with Michelle and gave her the clothes and children’s book I had gathered from my house. She went to the back and spoke with a case manager. The case manager met with me in the lobby and introduced herself. She then allowed me to go on a mini tour to see their common areas. While touring, we met a little girl with her mom and my daughter gave her one of her drawings (I had the kids make 6 drawing each for girls and boys, not know they had 20 kids in total!!).

The cafeteria had 6 tables with chairs and their library/tv room was in the same vicinity but had wall dividers. The furniture in the media room was covered in plastic, there was only 1 television set and there were cribs and changing tables for the babies. There was a very nice play set in their backyard which was very well kept and the sleeping rooms which were located upstairs. Michelle mentioned that they currently had a full house and usually had to turn down 3-4 women with children daily. That really broke my heart.

Needless to say the ride home was in complete silence. I could tell in my children’s eyes that they were silently praying and counting their blessings. I made a promise to myself that I would take them back on a regular basis and volunteer our time.

For more information on how to become involved please visit www.miamirescuemission.com

Attire for trendy MOB's and MOG's

Sometimes when we think of the attire our moms are to wear for a special occasions like "YOUR" wedding we immediately think of an outfit that pairs them up with their age! Thankfully fashion has changed and most moms have kept up to speed with it. In research of our latest fashion trends, we found some pretty amazing dresses that scream modern MOB/MOG! What accessories would you pair these up with and is your mom daring enough to wear these? Check these out and let me know your thoughts

Hawaii Wedding - a true paradise!

For some that don't have the beach as your backyard, often dream of having a romantic beach side wedding. The top choice is usually Hawaii, but if your budget doesn't extend towards a lavish soiree on the island then opt to have the island brought to you!

We often think of seashells and sand as a centerpiece for a beach themed wedding but why stick to the norm? By extending your creativity you can come up with your own design and add your touch of island flair to your affair!

Some thoughts may be to include some bamboo and vibrant colors such as orange, hot pinks, yellows and greens. We found this arrangement on Pacific Weddings!

As inspiration we also found these vases/pots that are made from bamboo and would look just absolutely amazing with large banana leaves and some colorful orchids.

Some favor ideas can be these bamboo placecard holders from Kate Aspen and a tropical lemonade mix for your guest to enjoy at home!

We also found this board that carries an island feeling and wont make your wedding look like a home style luau!

A suggestion for the cocktail hour is to use pre-recorded Hawaiian music and have live dancers interacting with your guests as well as serving traditional Hawaiian drinks using fresh fruits. Because the Hawaiian palate blends in several cultures, there is an array of foods that can be incorporated into your menu to make it more traditional. The most commonly seen is the pulled pork. You may find that some guests may not eat pork so you may want to substitute with chicken or beef . Fruits play an important part on the island so you may want to include some chutneys on your proteins to introduce some tropical flavorings. Poi is the traditional island starch (for most of us its either rice or potatoes!!). Its a mixture of taro roots with water to make a mash (similar to mash potatoes), you may wish to add some garlic or parsley for additional flavors. For dessert you may want to serve anything that includes coconut, pineapples, guava or just simply fresh cut fruits!

Our intentions are not to reinvent the wheel but just help you push our creativity to the next level and save you some money along the way!

Affairs Remembered is back in the kitchen!

Our heart has always been in the kitchen, after all, our business started with cakes and desserts (Bakes n Cakes - our sister company) and later developed to what we are today, an elite Wedding and Event Planning firm . We are proud to introduce My Picture Cookie by Affairs Remembered. These delicious vanilla and chocolate cookies can be customized to include any chosen picture, logo or message and cost as low as $.99* each. Considered to be a wonderful party favor, this gourmet cookie can be used for weddings, showers, corporate functions and promotions as well as any other memorable event you may be planning! The icing for vanilla cookies include vanilla and key lime flavors while the chocolate cookies includes vanilla and mint flavors.
Although you have a choice of flavors, the icing is always white. We find it is the best canvas to create vibrant full color images.

The quality of the images that are reproduced are as close to perfection as possible. My Picture Cookie by Affairs Remembered uses an FDA approved state of the art technology that is guaranteed to ensure the best and tasteful quality available.

Ordering is simple and the best part about it is that you design and approve your final product online and receive it within 2-3 days. Freshness is always guaranteed and each package is carefully sealed to ensure freshness and avoid any unnecessary breakage.

Click on the picture below and place your order today!


* must purchase 360 or more to receive this price per cookie

Color of the day... BLUE

BLUE

My ultimate favorite color! Blue reminds me of happy times with an overwhelming feeling of calmness and serenity! In my opinion it is best paired with yellow (hence the very beautiful sunflower being my FAVE flower!!) and white. Check out this inspirational board for ideas and ways to combine the two while making a fashionable statement!