Today is the day, Illinois!

An Opportunity to Win a FREE Ceremony - and Support a Great Cause!

This Saturday, May 18th from 2-5 p.m. at Marty's Martini Bar - help  support the Chainbite Gang, a team of riders participating in the Ride for AIDS Chicago!

Ride for AIDS Chicago is a two-day, 200-mile, bicycling event produced by Test Positive Aware Network. The Ride is an essential fundraiser for TPAN and its Community Partners, which include  organizations throughout Chicagoland that provide HIV/AIDS services. 

Since this is such a great cause and these organizations really need help, I am donating a hand-crafted, personalized ceremony to be raffled off at the event. 

The gift certificate can be redeemed for a wedding ceremony, baby blessing.... you name it! Here's the info on the ceremony details:

• The ceremony must take place at a location within 30 miles of O'Hare Airport
• Ceremony dates are based on my availability, through 2014
• Gift certificate may be used as a gift
• This offer is not valid for current clients. Current clients may use the gift certificate for remaining balance of officiating fee.
• Certificate valued at up to $900

In addition, there will be some other fantastic Raffle Prizes, including:

• Thomas Pheasant Lamp valued at $1600.00
• Designer Pillows from Scalamandre valued at $1000
• Broadway in Chicago Theater Tickets
• Chicago Blackhawks autographed hockey puck 
• and much, much more!

So stop by, have a martini, and buy some raffle tickets!! 

A Perfect Mother's Day!

I am one lucky mama - and wife! It began last night, when I was treated to a great dinner at Lucky Platter in Evanston. We talked, laughed, and had the best banana cream pie ever!

This morning, I slept in and lingered lazily in bed, cuddling with Frannie, our big furball of a cat.

Then, I came downstairs to the most amazing gifts from my family! And they were absolutely perfect!

I now have a new orchid for my growing collection, two gorgeous scarves (for my other ever-expanding collection!), yummy treats, and.... two new necklaces handcrafted by my son and daughter.

What's that, you say? Is that a sweet little bird necklace AND a TARDIS necklace!? Why, yes it is. Thank you for noticing.

All these wondrous delights = the Best Mother's Day ever! Happy Mother's Day!

Marina & Bill's Ceremony at the Lincoln Park Conservatory

A view from the back of the space, just before guests arrived.

Yesterday, I had the honor of officiating Marina and Bill's ceremony at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. They are such a sweet couple! They are also very laid back. When I asked Marina what her Maid of Honor would be wearing, she said she didn't know - she was leaving it up to her. I love that! (And Nadia looked great in her green outfit, as you can see in the photo below.)

Being nature lovers, this was the perfect spot for Bill and Marina's ceremony. They didn't want all the bells and whistles, but rather something that would reflect their tastes. And so, they picked a beautiful, natural space. They gathered their closest friends and family members and enjoyed an intimate celebration.

Their good friend, Nick, provided the musical accompaniment on the saxophone. It was simply magical when Marina walked in to Glen Miller's "Moonlight Serenade."  The music filled the space and set the tone for the day. Another perfect touch.

Congratulations, Marina and Bill. I wish you all the best! Much love to you both!

Show Room - ceremony took place on the path in front of the white lilies.

Bill and Marina after the ceremony. Marina opted to forgo the traditional bridal bouquet.
Instead, she wore a green orchid in her hair. Gorgeous! 

The bride and groom with the Maid of Honor and Best Man

BYOB Painting Party!

Eliane giving me some painting tips

If you live anywhere in or around Chicago, you know all about the flooding we've endured. If you live near the airport (like me!) you have horror stories of nightmarish commutes for the past week. Therefore, it was a lovely distraction from the weather woes to enjoy a girls night last Friday. Organized by my sister, I joined a group of lovely ladies for a BYOB Painting Party at  The Art Station Studio in Park Ridge.

It was so much FUN!!!! 

Here I am with the owner, artist Eliane Balsewich, getting some pointers on my technique (or maybe the lack thereof).  

The great thing about this (besides getting to drink wine and eat goodies with friends) is that you don't need to know how to paint. Eliane and her team of artists will provide you with as much help as you need. Heck, they're even willing to do the finishing touches, if you like!

Moni & Rosemary with their finished work

The happy artists!

Everyone picks their own project to paint - our group leaned towards flowers and booze. You can also choose to stick with a theme for the group. Eliane mentioned that a local book club had their meeting at the studio and each person painted something related to the book they read. I love that!

I think this would be a great outing for just about any group, for any occasion - bachelorette party, birthday, you name it. Wouldn't it be fun to have a baby shower where everyone paints something for the nursery? 

Whatever the reason, I highly recommend contacting Eliane at The Art Station Studio to organize your own BYOB Painting Party. 

And she'll even let you pain something like this:

My octopus dutifully guarding the bookshelf

Finding the Right Partner

A Lego Save the Date!

Check out this save-the-date video that I came across on one of my favorite blogs, When Geeks Wed.

I want to be invited to this wedding!