Tag Archives: friends

Mar3

7 Alternative Wedding Entertainment Ideas

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7 Alternative Wedding Entertainment Ideas

Keeping your guests entertained on your wedding day can help to make it an enjoyable and memorable day for them too. While many couples stick to classic entertainment options such as a DJ or a live band, there are many alternative options that you can try if you want to make your wedding day truly unique.

In fact, you could include these entertainment options alongside traditional entertainment choices, resulting in a wedding party that is certain to appeal to everyone. It is important to remember to always check with your chosen wedding venue first, however, to see if they are okay with your chosen entertainment. If you are having your wedding somewhere such as The Orchard Event Venue & Retreat, you should get in touch with a wedding venue azle tx company to see what their terms and conditions are first, and whether they provide anything that you can work with instead. Regardless of how you do it, here are just a few different wedding entertainment options:

Singing waiters:

Singing waiters could be a fun and comical touch to throw in during the wedding meal. As the food is being served up, you could surprise all your guests by having the waiting staff break out into song. There are catering companies that specialize in this novel form of entertainment. Such a fun spectacle will need to be captured on camera so be sure to look into personalized wedding photography options to catch all of those special moments and let you focus on having the best time ever.

Caricature artist:

At the beginning of the reception party, you could arrange for a caricature artist to be present alongside the photographer. You could then pay them to draw caricatures of any guests that want a personal cartoon. It could result in some unique memories for guests to take away.

A corn hole board:

You could also encourage guests to get competitive by supplying a corn hole board. This is a fun and classic sport that your guests can still play while dressed up. Sites such as https://www.cornholeworldwide.com/ can even supply custom-made corn hole boards. This could a fun way of personalizing this entertainment. Games like corn hole, croquet, and giant chess will provide a great time and it’s perfect if you are hosting an outdoor wedding. Have the games set up in stations around your sailcloth marquee reception space. Then, the guests can make their way through all of them without getting clustered.

A roulette table:

For a taste of Vegas, you could turn your reception hall into a casino! This could be operated by a professional croupier who will be able to take people’s bets and ensure that all gambling is done fairly and sensibly. You can read up on the rules of Roulette at https://www.mastersofgames.com.

Fire performers:

Fire performers could bring some thrills to your wedding. Obviously, this is an entertainment option best suited for an outdoor wedding – and even then you’ll probably need to double-check that the venue is happy to host these entertainers. You could even hire performers to perform alongside a firework display if you want your wedding to be truly explosive.

Something as dynamic as fire performers or fireworks requires a skilled photographer so be sure to consider all options seriously for the perfect lasting memories. Photographers like Jules Bower, for example, are well versed in editorial shots that revolve around emotion, story telling, and excellent lighting. An editorial photographer knows how to pull out all of the stops which is just what you need for a wedding with unique entertainment.

Petting zoo:

If you’re having an outdoor wedding, a petting zoo could be a cute option for kids and adults alike. There are many mobile petting zoos that are available for hire which may include animals such as goats, donkeys, or sheep. Make sure to hire a reputable company so that you know the animals are well looked after.

A carousel:

You could also add some fairground magic to your wedding day by hiring out a carousel. Kids will love this and adults are likely to also give it a go. It could also make for some unique wedding photographs. You can read some tips on hiring a carousel ride for your wedding here https://www.candyflosscrazy.com/Tips-For-Hiring-Funfair-Rides.html.

Use the ideas above to create the ultimate experience for your wedding guests!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb25

Thoughtful Ways To Honor A Friend Who Passed Away

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Thoughtful Ways To Honor A Friend Who Passed Away

When a friend passes away, it can take a massive toll on your mental health and well being. You go through various stages of grief and loss that last for months. Honoring friends who pass away is a great way to cherish the memories that you have and somehow “give back,” even if you didn’t get the chance in life. You can do so with the following ideas:

Visit Their Favorite Vacation Spot Annually:

If your friend had a favorite place that they liked to go, then it can be an excellent idea to visit that spot with your other friends in honor of their memory. It could be a relaxing trip to the beach or a tour of a city destination – it depends on what they enjoyed. Here, you’ll have a chance to reminisce about the times that you shared and continue to enjoy the things that they liked before they passed away.

Get A Tattoo:

When somebody passes away, a lot of people like to create some sort of permanent reminder that reminds them of the time that they spent with them. Getting a tattoo related to that person can be a gesture that ensures that they remain a permanent fixture on your body. You have a lot of freedom over the type of tattoo that you get. Some people ask the tattoo artist to recreate their likeness on their skin. Others will enshrine the date of their death or the time that they first met them. Or it could be something as simple as a line from a poem that they liked.

Of course, getting a tattoo isn’t for everyone. However, there are many ways to permanently express your sentiments for your loved one. You could host an annual gathering for remembrance or even design a special marker at their resting place. You could custom design one with Tegeler Monument (or a similar company in your local area) and include a favorite quote, animal, or a picture of the two of you together and it will always be there.

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Pixabay Image

Plant A Tree:

The beautiful thing about life is that no matter how many people pass away, new life will always emerge. Many people grieving because of the death of a friend, therefore, plant trees.

Trees are a fantastic way to cherish a memory. If you plant an oak, it could stand tall for a thousand years or more, paying permanent homage to your loved one. What’s more, you can visit the tree regularly, and it’ll always be there to pay respects to the person you lost.

Buy A Special Necklace:

A lot of people now wear an urn cremation necklace in memory of a person who has passed away. The idea is simple. You collect some of their ashes and then use them to fill a pendant that you wear around your neck. It’s a way of ensuring that a part of their spirit remains close to you at all times. Urn necklaces last forever and ensure that you never forget the person you lost. For this reason, they can provide comfort.

Donate To Charity In Their Honor:

If you had a friend who had a passion for a particular cause, you might want to donate to a related charity in their honor. Part of paying respects to the passing of a dear friend is continuing to do things that they would have done to make the world a better place. Had they lived, they may have donated to animal shelters or water aid charities. You can help maintain their legacy by making donations of your own.

Create A Memory Journal:

If you have a load of photos of your friend lying around, why not create a memory journal? The concept is pretty simple. You just create a set of themes – like your friend being silly or enjoying a holiday – and then glue photos to the pages of a notebook. Everyone can then refer to the journal whenever they want to think more about the person they’ve lost, creating a permanent homage to their life.

Learn A New Skill:

If your friend was a whizz on computers or loved to play the piano, then you might want to learn that skill and continue it in their stead. Learning a new skill is a great way to deal with the grieving process. It allows you to direct your energy into something positive. The last thing you want is to wallow in misery. You want to be able to move on with your life. That’s what your friend would have wanted too.

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Try learning the piano!

Create A Memorial In Your Home:

For some people, creating a memorial in their home can help a lot with the grieving process. A permanent memorial is a way to allow their memory to live on, even if the person isn’t here anymore. When creating a memorial, you don’t have to do anything complicated. Something as simple as a picture on the wall or a bunch of flowers in a vase can be all you need. You can be more extravagant if you want, but there’s usually no need.

Keep the memory of your friend alive with the tips above. ❤

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb19

Sweet Surprises: Valentine’s Day Bouquet Edition

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Sweet Surprises: Valentine’s Day Bouquet Edition

Hi! One of my clients, a freshly turned sixty year old with Down Syndrome has a love for all holidays. He revels in decorating for and celebrating each calendar holiday and Valentine’s Day was no exception. From mid January on, it was all about paper hearts, stickers, and Valentine’s Day themed episodes of his favorite old TV shows.

While shopping at Walmart for the finishing touches on the valentines he was going to mail out, he surprised me with a bouquet of a dozen colorful roses. It was quite possibly the sweetest thing in the world and I just had to share how beautiful they are with all of  you:

valval1val2

While browsing through the Valentine’s Day decor at Walmart, my client “ooh-ed” and “ahh-ed” at everything he found appealing. So, I told him to pick out a small treat for me to purchase for him as a little V-Day gift. He selected his items – some more heart decor and a pair of heart shaped glasses and we continued to make our rounds in the store.

Once we came across Walmart’s aisle way of bouquets, without missing a beat, my friend plucked a colorful arrangement and placed it in his cart. “I get these for you” he said and my heart literally melted. I have never met someone with such a joy for each individual holiday and sharing that enthusiasm with all of his loved ones. It’s simply beautiful and all I need do is think about him to get a smile on my face.

As soon as I got home, I grabbed my spooky vases (Also from Walmart!) and began arranging my flowers. I have them proudly displayed on my coffee table and plan on keeping them there even after they have dried out as a sweet reminder of my friend and his joie de vivre. ❤

What is your favorite kind of flower? What were you treated to on Valentine’s Day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb16

Planning The Ultimate Girls Night In

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Planning The Ultimate Girls Night In

Hi! The recent drop in temperatures in my neck of the woods has left me feeling like doing anything but heading outside and braving the cold. In fact, I’m perfectly content in my living room bubble! However, you can’t watch America’s Next Top Model alone all of the time… Even though you totally can. 😉 So, today, we’re going to talk about Planning The Ultimate Girls Night In for the next time it’s too frigid in your area to remove even one layer of fleece blankets! Let’s get to it:

Create A Theme:

If you are hosting a girls night in at your place, then activities must be agreed upon before the party shows up. The easiest way to plan activities for the night is to come up with a theme to base them around. Having a wine and paint night? The answer is in the question! How about a chick flick marathon? Mani/pedis, face masks, and chocolate for all!

Planned activities help keep the night moving at a fun pace and will also prevent any of those awkward pauses that come after everyone has caught up with each other. Of course, every waking minute doesn’t have to be accounted for in a Task Journal, so save some time for spontaneity, too. 😀

Food & Drinks:

To some of the girls attending your little shindig, the refreshments are the most important part! I often find ordering in to be the best way to go, especially because I’m sure not every gal will feel like cooking for a potluck style meal (I never do!). Everyone could pop for pizza or just DoorDash whatever sounds the best to them to their heart’s content.

If this will be a boozy event, encourage each girl to bring a bottle of their favorite wine. If your ladies aren’t the biggest drinkers, create some delicious mocktails or ice cream sodas for a sweet treat to enjoy.

Encourage A Rotation:

A girls night in could become a monthly or however frequently you want it event with your besties. Create a rotation of which house you will be posting up in for the night and that girl will become the master of ceremonies for the evening. This will allow for each girl to participate in the favorite activities of all of their friends. It will be a blast seeing what each friend comes up with and how creative they can get for the evening’s entertainment.

Still Pressed For Activity Ideas?

If your turn to host girls night in is fast approaching and you are pressed for activity ideas, feel free to use any of the following:

  • Game night
  • Cake/cookie decorating
  • Arts and crafts (Pinterest party, anyone?!)
  • Clothing swap
  • Pampering party
  • Dinner party

Get ready, get set, and girls night in with the tips above!

How would you spend a girls night in with your BFFs? What is your favorite snack to bring to a party? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan27

Planning The Ultimate Game Night With Your Friends

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Planning The Ultimate Game Night With Your Friends

Hi! The weather in Akron, Ohio is currently snowy and freezing which ultimately makes going out a real drag. Believe me, I love nothing more than being out and about with my boyfriend and friends. However, it’s a hard pass when I need thirteen layers on to stay warm! This cold existence has left all of us stranded in our homes, riddled with the desire to still do something while remaining on the couch the whole time.

Cue: A game night

This past month, I have participated in so many game nights, I have lost track. Am I mad about it? No! Quite the opposite, actually. You know why? Because I prefer something like this to going to the bar any day of the week. In this post, we’re going to discuss the makings of a perfect game night for you and your friends to enjoy:

Location:

The host of the game night should reside in a good central location from all of the guests if they have enough room for such tom foolery. You might not want to be Keeper Of The Games in your studio apartment! Make sure there is enough space for everyone to spread out comfortably and I do mean comfortably because no one wants to sit on a threadbare couch! If your place is small, you might not have the room for a full on casino experience if you are planning a poker or blackjack night. That’s okay! Websites like mawinbet offer games like slot machines or sports themed experiences that can be played right from your phone. No trip to the casino or squeezing oversized card tables into your living room required!

Snacks:

Snacks are a crucial part of the game night and the responsibility can be divided up pretty evenly among your group. Everyone could throw in money for pizza, share a snack of their own, or a potluck style meal could be what suits you guys best. Either way, it shouldn’t be up to one person to provide all of the snacks for your evening.

Drinks:

Does your group of friends enjoy drinking? Great. Everyone can bring some beer or a bottle of wine. Does your group of friends not enjoy drinking? Great. Everyone can bring some pop, juice, or you can make mocktails. All I know is, you can’t be snacking on salty treats without something to wash it down with!

Games:

The games for the event is definitely something that should be discussed beforehand amongst your group. Is it a video gaming night? Classic board games? How about a murder mystery night? You could even play games that pay cash so you can fund your next get together! This is all important to know ahead of time so everyone knows what to bring or how they should dress.

Normally, my game nights include a little bit of everything from video games and cards to trivial pursuit and dice. You might even include some Spinni Casino in there if you want to make that part of the experience. You can stick with a theme and alternate weekly or draw different games from a hat. Just make sure that everyone who has a game that they would like to play gets that opportunity at some point.

Game nights are an amazing way to spend time with your friends while saving money that would otherwise be spent at the bar or restaurant. Make your events a weekly or monthly thing and watch your friend group grow even more tight-knit through the bond of good old fashioned fun!

What are your favorite games to play? What are some of your tips for the ultimate game night? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan21

Valentine’s Day Card Call To Action

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Valentine’s Day Card Call To Action

Hi everyone! I often see people post different news articles about an individual asking for a bunch of cards in the mail for a holiday or birthday. I used to think nothing of it but, when the holiday season hit, I figured that it was the least I could do to send a little holiday cheer to someone who is down on their luck, struggling, or could just use a smile.

Now, every time I see a post on Facebook of someone with a card request, I happily comply and send some snail mail their way. I also like to publish it on lifewithlilred so a larger, world wide platform can be reached for those who would like to make a Random Act Of Kindness.

A few days ago, I saw a post about a 104 year old WWII veteran asking for an overflow of Valentine’s Day Cards. You can read the full article here and send a card to the following address:

Operation Valentine
ATTN: Hold for Maj Bill White, USMC (Ret)
The Oaks at Inglewood
6725 Inglewood Ave.
Stockton, CA 95207

I hope that Maj. White enjoys his Valentine’s Day and the influx of cards that he is sure to receive. He is going to keep every single one and it makes me happy that one of them is going to be mine! 🙂

How do you do Random Acts Of Kindness throughout the day? What is a Random Act Of Kindness that you have received recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan19

The Best Spinach Artichoke Dip EVER

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The Best Spinach Artichoke Dip EVER

Hi! One of my favorite snack foods has to be spinach artichoke dip with tortilla chips or Wheat Thins. I love the cheesy goodness along with the crunch of your dipping utensil and I enjoy it so much that I can eat it by the fork full! One of my client’s moms just so happens to make the best spinach artichoke dip that I have ever tasted and I am going to share it with all of you. The secret ingredient? Water chestnuts! Prepare to drool in five, four, three, two, one…

Spinach Artichoke Dip

  • 1 bag of fresh spinach (Think the size of a salad mix)
  • 1 bar of Philadelphia cream cheese
  • 1 can of water chestnuts
  • 1 can of artichoke hearts
  • 1 small bag of shredded mozzarella cheese

Chop up the veggies, mix everything together, and bake until light brown on top.

This recipe for spinach artichoke dip surpasses any kind that I’ve ordered at the restaurant or bought at the store by a landslide. The variety of cheeses combined with the crisp crunch of the water chestnuts makes my taste buds do a dance for joy every time. This is the perfect treat to make for a party or game night with your friends (I’ve already made it quite a few times for my “crew” and it has been a hit.) … But you might want to double the batch as it will go quick!

What is your favorite snack food? What do you like to cook for entertaining guests? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan14

Mean Muggin’ Pt. 2

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Mean Muggin’ Pt. 2

Hello! A simple gift that I really love to receive are coffee mugs. I don’t know why, but I am always so tickled when I am presented with them and I have quite the collection from many years of exchanging during gift giving occasions with my BFF. I enjoy selecting from my mug shelf for the perfect cup to put my morning coffee in and every one reminds me of a special time or person in my life. It always starts my morning off with a smile and this new one will more than likely start my day with a laugh… If I’m not too hungover, that is. 😉 Check it out and you’ll see what I mean:

mugmug2

While shopping at Target with one of my girlfriends so she could spend some Christmas gift cards, I pointed my “hungover” mug out to her because I thought it was hilarious. It was the last one on the shelf and I told her that I loved it. Without even missing a beat, my friend plucked the mug from its spot and placed it in her cart. I was so taken aback, because it was such an unexpected but pleasant surprise and I had to double check with her like a million times to make sure she was okay with the extra purchase.

Not only do I get a kick out of the funny saying on the mug, but I think the pretty flowers against the stark white background are beautiful and the sentiment behind it makes it even better. There is nothing like a sweet and simple gift to turn your day around completely and I am so thankful to my friend for her generosity. I don’t think I’ll ever not feel a warmness in my heart every time I select this mug from the cabinet! ❤

What is a simple gift that you love to receive? What does your favorite coffee mug look like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan2

7 Ways To Say Thank You

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7 Ways To Say Thank You

The most difficult thing to do these days is to tell someone “thank you”, and do it with feeling. There will be people in your life who you are grateful for every day, and sometimes, the words are just not enough to convey how thankful you are. The best thing to do is to go the extra mile and make your thank you the best one ever. This means getting a little more creative sometimes; more than just firing off an email and hoping for the best.

With our help below, you’re going to have seven new ways to say thank you to those whom you love the most. Let’s take a look:

A New Gift:

We don’t mean running to the nearest store and buying bath salts. Sometimes, only the most unique Hawaiian gifts will do! You can pair this with a beautiful home made gift bag like the ones that you find here. It’s a great way to show your appreciation to someone who deserves it!

A Toast To Them:

Not many people enjoy public speaking – we get that. However, giving a toast at an event you’re both at can make them feel so good! A sincere toast is one that is well-received, so practice in front of the mirror so that you can see that your toast is done with eloquence!

Write A Heartfelt Poem:

Words really are all you need. Go online and do some searching for the best poetry rhythms around and you’ll likely find something that is perfect for you and the person you want to gush to! Write a poem according to that rhythm and make them feel fantastic about themselves.

Take Them Out:

There are times where a thank you cannot be put into words or gifts and you need to do a little more. Does your friend or relative love musicals? Why not take them to a show and treat them to dinner while you’re there? It can make a huge difference: your time is all they need.

Think About A Gift Card:

Choosing a present isn’t always easy, but a gift card for a store that you know that they love is always a good way to go. They’re not impersonal if you know the best stores that they shop in, and if you make the amount on the gift card generous enough, you’re going to find that you have the perfect present.

Write A Letter:

You can say why you are thanking someone on the phone but it never seems to have the same impact as the written word. Never panic about how long the letter is – it can be as long as you feel is necessary to get your feelings across.

Declare Thanks On Social Media:

Everyone knows that social media has an impact on people these days; a positive one for the most part. So, put out a blast on social media and let them know how much they mean to you there, too. Social media blasts can then be shared, and everyone will know how grateful you are to that person.

The holiday season is the perfect time for giving thanks to your loved ones. Do so with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan1

Holiday Haul: Sweet Friends Edition

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Holiday Haul: Sweet Friends Edition

Hello hello! This Christmas, I was so touched to receive some lovely gifts from two of my dear friends. One of which is my neighbor, Alice, at my family home who has been one of my besties for years now. What started out as me dog sitting her pups has turned into weekly coffee dates and hang outs and I treasure our time together so much.

Another was from my skating coach, Sarah, who I’ve known since I was at least eight years old. I love our weekly skating seshes and am so happy to have her in my life again since I rekindled my passion for figure skating. Check it out:

bffs

Alice provided the prezzies on the left and she truly does know me so well because she got me all of my favorite things: Anything dog related, candles, and gift cards to Starbucks and TJMaxx! Alice and I always spoil each other during gift giving occasions and I definitely view her as a second mom while she sees me as the daughter she never had as a mom of three boys! We had such a lovely morning of coffee and chit chat during our gift exchange and I feel so incredibly lucky to have her as one of my best friends.

My skating coach, Sarah, gifted me with an adorable pencil pouch filled with goodies to utilize in my skating binder, which she writes notes in during our practices. It included chapstick and tons of great office supplies that will come in handy on and off the rink! I was so tickled by this thoughtful gift because it’s something that I will be putting to good use and I have already made quite a dent in the delicious sugar plum scented lip chap!

I am so thankful for having such sweet friends to share holiday cheer with and am blessed to have two wonderful women looking out for me. ❤

Do you have a second mom in your life? Have you rekindled an old passion recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah