Archive for April, 2010

Every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, in fact 1 in 8 women (13%) of women in the United States experience breast cancer. Think about your seven closest friends, it is likely that at least one of you will at some point be diagnosed with breast cancer.

This statistic hit close to home just a little over a month ago when my mother, Trill Ewing, was diagnosed with stage 2 carcinoma. We have been fortunate; her cancer was caught during the early stages and had not spread to her lymph nodes. A week ago today the surgeons were able to remove the lump and it is not expected that she will have to endure this experience again, thankfully. In addition to my mother there are two other people close to me who are currently dealing with breast cancer and countless other survivors in my circle.

Through this process I also learned that a woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, and daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. About 20-30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of breast cancer. This fact has been a bit overwhelming for me and has really placed the issue close to my heart.

I am excited to announce that Starr Studded Weddings & Events will be leading a team for the The Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer. The Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer produced by It’s The Journey, Inc. All of the money raised here, stays here to help local nonprofit organizations across metro-Atlanta and the surrounding areas.

I chose this organization because it is through Atlanta non-profit organizations that my mother and our family have been able to obtain the care and treatment that she needs without the stress of worrying about the financials.

On behalf of myself, my mother, and Starr Studded Weddings & Events I invite you to join us October 2-3, 2010 as a part of the “Stars for a Cure” team. This is not just another walk. It’s the journey!

For those unable to join in the walk, your donations to the team are appreciated! We have an aggressive goal of $22,000 and this is only possible with the help of others in the community.

Click Here to Join Our Team: http://www.2daywalk.org/2010walker/starrstudded

Click Here to Make a Donation: http://www.2daywalk.org/2010walker/bstarr

Source: Statistics found on www.breastcancer.org, event details found on www.2day.org

I always hate having to pop a piece of gum in my mouth after having a drink. If I want another drink, now it will taste bad because it’s clashing with my gum! But now, I found a way to avoid this! The trick is to get a mint drink. Here are two drinks that are sure to leave your mouth feeling minty fresh!

Drink #1 Mint Julep Recipe

• Mint leaves
• Crushed ice
• 2 tbsp. mint syrup (see recipe below)
• 2 tbsp. water
• 2 oz. good-quality Kentucky bourbon

Crush or muddle a few mint leaves in the bottom of an 8-ounce Mint Julep Cup (using the back of a spoon to crush mint leaves) until mixture forms a paste.

Read the rest of this entry »

Being from Kansas City, I am a girl who LOVES to eat barbeque. Kansas City is known for having the best barbeque and it is one of my favorite foods. So I’m very excited that the weather is getting warmer because with spring finally being here, it’s time to start having barbeques! Here are a few things to think about when planning a barbeque!

• Weather – Make sure you watch the forecast before your event. Although you want it to be a sunny day outside, sometimes too much sun can be uncomfortable. Covered patio areas are a good way to make sure your guests stay cool and out of the sun.
• Toilets – If you’re hosting a barbeque at home, this is not a big issue, but if you’re hosting at a park or somewhere other than your home you will need to make sure there are restrooms somewhere. If there is no restroom, you will have to rent portable toilets. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you having a wedding sometime in the near future, and debating how your guests are going to know their seat assignment. The most common way of doing this is escort cards, but I’m here to show you the various ways you can use your creativity to your wedding’s advantage. Many people just use folded cardboard because it is standard and simple, but my question to you is why not go the little extra step to make the entrance of your reception a bit more special? Here are a couple of examples you can use at your wedding, and you can take all the credit!! Read the rest of this entry »

Planning an event can often times be an expensive ordeal. In addition to buying all of the food and decorations, you also have to purchase party favors. An inexpensive way to provide party favors at your event is to utilize plates and napkins. Here are a few artistic ways that you can turn your party plates and napkins into creative party favors and decorations.

• Fortune Napkins – A fun way to turn your napkins into a party favor is to have fortunes printed onto the center of the napkins. When your guests unfold their napkins, they will see their fortune.
• Custom Printed Paper Napkins or Plates – You could customize your napkins and plates by printing dates, names or events on them. Read the rest of this entry »