Cocktail Thursdays: Jalapeno Martinis

photo credit: www.cbsnews.com

Ah, the simple pleasure of the dirty martini. Crisp vodka combined with nippy olive juice makes a cocktail that is so refreshing amongst the sugary, syrupy cocktails that seem to be everywhere these days. Next time you feel like a martini, try this recipe for one infused with the spice of jalapenos. Making the jalapeno vodka takes a bit of prep work, but a bottle lasts for ages and the taste makes it well worth it!

3 ounces jalapeño vodka
1 teaspoon dry vermouth
crushed ice

1. Pour the vermouth into a chilled martini glass and swirl to coat the inside of the glass.
2. Dispose of excess vermouth.
3. In a shaker full of ice, gently swirl or stir the vodka before straining into glass.
4. Garnish with thin slices of fresh jalapenos.

Jalapeño Vodka:
1 750-ml bottle best quality vodka
2 fresh red jalapeno, slit in 1/2 lengthwise, stem left intact
2 fresh green jalapeno, slit in 1/2 lengthwise, stem left intact
2 cloves of garlic, peeled

To prepare vodka, pour out a little from the bottle to make room for the jalapenos. Drop peppers and garlic into the bottle. Put cap back on and store in freezer over night, but preferably for a week.

Adorn Brides

I originally posted about Adorn Brides back in October but thought I'd re-post it with an exciting addition. As of today clients, family & friends of Bliss Weddings & Event can receive 20% off any rental with Adorn Brides. You'll need to use this code: CVULS1JJ when checking out to receive the discount.

Happy Shopping!

I am so excited to share this post with you today! I just LOVE my diamonds and was so happy when I found this lovely little company called Adorn Brides. They rent diamond jewelery for wedding day or special occasion. All of the jewelery is real and very affordable to rent for the day. For example a stunning pair of diamond earrings is only $110 to rent. The matching necklace is $380. I only wish Adorn Brides was around when I got married. I tried to do this and no one would even consider something like this.

TOMS Shoes

TOMS shoes are an American shoe company started by Blake Mycoskie, a former contestant on The Amazing Race. For every pair sold, they donate a pair of shoes to people in impoverished villages. Since May of 2006, TOMS has given over 60,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina and South Africa.



Not only are these shoes part of a worthy cause, but they are also cute and super stylish. They are made of natural materials and slide on for a relaxed and comfortable fit. They would make a great pair of traveling shoes or slippers for unfamiliar planes and hotel rooms. They fold up fairly small as well, making them good to tuck in the luggage for a honeymoon. Check them out at www.tomsshoes.com

Classic Cocktail Comeback: The Sidecar

The Sidecar was created in Paris during World War I and enjoyed popularity for many years before seemingly falling off the map in the 70s. Any good bartender should know how to make this classic, but many mix it poorly (probably the reason for its decline in popularity). Recently, however, the Cognac Martini has been making a comeback at trendy bars in New York City. Try this recipe for yourself and see why it's fast becoming a hipster favorite!

• 1 1/2 oz bourbon, Cognac or Armagnac
• 3/4 oz Cointreau
• 1/4 oz lemon juice

1. Pour ingredients in a mixing tin with a scoop full of ice.
2. Shake well (6-8 times or until tin is frosted over).
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a lemon wedge (try pineapple or orange if you're feeling sassy!)

SteamLine Luggage

Have you ever been in the line for the luggage carousel at their airport and stood helplessly as an endless sea of identical black bags parade before you, totally unable to identify your own suitcase?



With a piece of SteamLine Luggage, this may never happen to you again. Styled after the fantastic vintage steamline trunk of days past, they retain a nostalgic charm but with a lightweight and modern twist. Our favorites are the Editor Series, which features trim in pink, mustard, and chocolate, and the Explorer Series, which is cased in bine and features either mustard or chocolate leather straps. They would also make excellent wedding gifts for stylish honeymoon travel. Check out the entire line at www.steamlineluggage.com.

Introducing The Wedding Skills Workshop

Along with my dear friend Emilie from Emilie Duncan Event Planning, I am thrilled to introduce Wedding Skills Workshop!

Wedding Skills Workshop is a new way to learn and interact in the Columbus area. Emilie and I both agree that we have outstanding networking associations in the area but wanted more in depth and directed education. We hope that other vendors will join us in raising the bar and taking their knowledge and service levels to new heights!

Please visit The Wedding Skills Workshop's blog to learn more about our first offering: The Floral Rescue Workshop.

This workshop is perfect for photographers, catering managers, banquet managers, on site coordinators, videographers, wedding planners - anyone who comes into contact with the bride and groom and their flowers will benefit from this hands on, intensive workshop. We are limiting participants to 10 so everyone has a chance to learn and ask questions. We look forward to learning with you!

New & Exciting Bliss Weddings & Events Updates

I'm so happy to share that you're going to see some exciting changes coming up in the next month or so for us! We've got a new look planned for the blog, a new beautiful logo and a new adventure in store for you.

I hope you'll stay tuned to check them all out!

An Indian Wedding: Sheetal & Jason Part 4

Here it is! The final ballroom set. I can't wait to share all of the pro pics when they come in. Glam, Bling and Flowers everywhere - just what Sheetal wanted!

Congratulations Jason & Sheetal. Thank you for letting me be a part of your amazing wedding. I wish you many years of love and happiness!

An Indian Wedding: Sheetal & Jason Part 3

Saturday morning we were at Our Lady of Snows Catholic Church for Jason & Sheetal's christian ceremony. Sheetal wore a beautiful A line wedding gown with custom crystal and bead work on the side. She was stunning!

After the ceremony we headed over the the Hyatt Wind Watch for the reception. There was so much going on it was amazing. Major decor installation in the ballroom, cherry blossom trees lining the foyer hallway, ice bar installation, glow bar installation are just a few of the major items that were going on.

Here's a few of the before pictures that I snapped during set up. I was honestly a tiny bit concerned that we weren't going to finish on time, but as always, it magically comes together with time to spare.

Sorry for the blurry photos - they were snapped on my iphone and it's not the best camera as you can see...but you get the idea.

Tomorrow - the completed reception!

An Indian Wedding: Sheetal & Jason Part 2

After the first ceremony, we tore down the beautifully modern pink mandap and made room for the second, more traditional mandap for the actual wedding ceremony. This mandap was red, white a gold - traditional Indian colors.

There was a beautiful red runner lined with red and white rose petals, as well as a custom monogram made from red and white flowers. It was so beautiful! We had closer to 400 guests in attendance for the second ceremony. The groom arrived and remained outside until the bride's family greeted him - this is known as a Baraat. A more traditional Baraat would have had him arrive at the ceremony on a horse or similar animal. Jason didn't want to do this, so his white limo was just a good!

I couldn't believe how beautiful the saris were that the women wore. Sheetal's was so gorgeous in a deep red and gold...and the jewelery...oh my! I was feeling very under dressed!

The Wedding Ceremony Mandap

The Program

Guests are arriving!

Here comes the groom!

A groomsman and bridesmaid. I just love the pink & white!

Here comes the bride!

An Indian Wedding: Sheetal & Jason Part 1

As you may have seen I jetted off to NYC last week for my very first Indian Wedding experience. What a fantastic time I had to Preeti & her team! I'll be sharing images all week of the various parts of the weekend.

First up is the Sathak ceremony. I understand that typically this ceremony takes place in the home of the bride. This was not possible with over 350 guests in attendance for Sheetal's ceremony. Instead, we were at the Chateau Briand in Long Island.

Preeti & her team created a modern, glitzy mandap for this first ceremony. Sheetal loves flowers and crystals and wanted something on the modern side for this ceremony. I have to apologize for the blurry photo but it's the only one I snapped and didn't realize it until much later. Preeti has promised to send the pro pics once she gets them back from the photographers. I'll definitely share this with you as well so you can get a real feel for what she created.