Blog

February 2013

My Favorite Date Spots

If you've been planning a wedding these past few weeks or months, chances are you are getting a little stressed out! Make sure to take time out during this 'month of love' to enjoy your sweetheart and to remember what getting married is all about. 

There was no discussion this year how I wanted to celebrate with Sam, we will be heading to three of our favorite places!

Stop #1- La Jolla Groves

Sam and I have eaten here a few times and we have never been disappointed. The wait staff are friendly and accomodating, and the ambiance and food are fantastic! The location we have visited is in Provo at the Riverwoods, but they have recently opened a second location in Salt Lake City in the new City Creek Center. It is a little pricey, but perfect for a Valentine's date out.

photo courtesy of lajollagroves.com

Stop #2- The Provo LDS Temple

LDS temples have a very special meaning to Sam and me because we were married in the Salt Lake Temple. We live closest to the Provo Temple but there so many beautiful temples throughout the valley. If you aren't married yet, it may be nice to visit the temple grounds together or any other place thats special for the two of you.

Dave Neeley Photography

Stop #3- The Chocolate for a Cazookie

If you haven't visited The Chocolate yet, you are missing out. It is the cutest little bakery nestled inside of a house for seating. They have cupcakes, cookies, cakes and more, but the only thing Sam and I ever order is the white chocolate macadamia nut Cazookie. It is a huge underbaked cookie with a very generous scoop of ice cream on top. Every time I have a bite of this sinful dessert I am convinced that I've never eaten anything better. I am a die hard Cazookie lover for life. There are two locations of The Chocolate, one in Orem and the other in South Jordan. Share a Cazookie with someone you love!

photo courtesy of eatbyu.com
Wishing you a wonderful Valentines Day from Ruffles and Lace Weddings!


January 2013 
Budget Friendly DIY Centerpieces

If you are a DIY-junkie like me, then you've probably considered making your own wedding centerpieces to save money. I have found three, easy and affordable looks that you can incorporate in your own wedding designs.

The first is perfect for a romantic, outdoor wedding. By using baby's breath (which is very affordable, yet chic right now) you can create a very rustic, soft look. All you need is a collection of mason jars, yarn/twine and the baby's breath.

The photo shows all blue glass jars, which can be harder to find. I know our local DI (Deseret Industries) sells mason jars for $.30. If you want to add a splash of color, and your budget allows, you can use pastel colored chalk paint and paint the jars. Wrap the tops of the jars with the yarn/twine, fill with water and you're ready to add your baby's breath!

Munster Rose Floral & Styling

The second look is for the more modern bride. All over the Internet you'll find tutorials on how to make yarn/twine vases and lamps. Channel your inner child, whip up some paper mache paste (water + flour), blow up a couple balloons and you're already half there. Cover the balloon in the paste, wrap yarn to get the desired look and wait for it all to dry. Once dried, pop the balloon and you're left with a vase perfect for adding a small bouquet of bright colored flowers for a bold, yet classy centerpiece to wow your guests.

photo courtesy of joyfulweddingsandevents.com


The third look works best for a glamorous themed wedding, using clear glass vases. To create this look, add a little water to the vase (plus enough for the flower), plus your desired color of sequins. Cover the top of the vase with your hand, and swirl the sequins around. Some will attach to the sides of the glass vase, while others will float on the bottom. The result is extremely glitzy and glam. Whats great about this, is the wide range of sequin colors available allow you to customize your centerpieces for your wedding easily. By using a single rose you can cut down on your floral costs. I recommend using three vases of different sizes to create height and interest.

photo courtesy of decor8blog.com
Here are some final tips for creating your own centerpieces. When purchasing your supplies, always use coupons. Craft stores like Hobby Lobby, Joanns and Michaels usually have a 40-50% coupon available to print or to use off of your smart phone. Also, you can order flowers in bulk at a discounted price from wholesale stores such as Costco or Sam's Club. Good luck and have fun channeling your inner craft goddess!