Hi friends! We are 44 days into 2019, and what a 44 days it has been. Here are my favorite things right now. C+L Dinners // Without fail whenever Alicia, Ariel, and I meet there is some bomb food involved. Nothing beats when we cook a delicious homemade meal together, pour some wine, and laugh around the table. Sometimes we get fancy and light a candle and use cloth napkins. Sometimes we have our hobo clothes on and eat straight out of the pizza delivery box. It’s all about balance. But most importantly, it’s all about the company - and Alicia and Ariel are always great company. White Chili // At some point within the past four years I started making White Chili in my crock pot. The recipe is slowly started evolving, and tasting even better every time I make it. Now it’s a crowd favorite. The best part about this recipe is 90% of the time I already have all the ingredients in my kitchen no matter how desperately I need to go grocery shopping. So check it, at the start of your day you put a container of chicken broth, two or three seasoned chicken breast (I use salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne, garlic salt, and onion salt. Really whatever feels right), chopped white onion, can of diced chili peppers, a can of corn, and a can of great northern beans (or whatever beans, I’m not here to tell you what to do, just make sure they’re white). Cook on low for eight hours, or on high for four-ish hours. About thirty minutes before you serve, mix in heavy whipping cream and softened cream cheese. Cook and stir until nice and thick. Garnish with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, anything your heart desires. Look, I’m not the best at typing out recipes because I don’t measure anything. I just guess and hope for the best, because that’s the way I handle everything in my life. Game of Thrones // Up until a couple months ago, I was probably the only person on the planet who hasn’t seen an episode of Game of Thrones (I haven’t read the books either). Anyways, GOT isn’t really a guilty pleasure, but it is something that has been occupying a ton of my time lately, and has been a good distraction from my daily responsibilities. I’m about halfway through season five, and really the only reason I keep watching is for Tyrion Lannister (I really really love little people, and his character is just awesome). Khaleesi and her dragons are pretty dope too. Also, I don’t want to give away any spoilers for the other 2% who haven’t watched the show, but King Joffrey is the biggest douche canoe ever. He’s actually King of the douche canoes. So needless to say I had a celebratory glass of champagne when Joffrey died. Oops, sorry, spoiler alert. As an added bonus, I would like to share a GOT Drinking game with you! Because GOT wouldn’t be GOT without half of the characters getting smashed every episode. ** Take One Sip Every Time ** Jon Snow is called a bastard Littlefinger creepily hits on Sansa Cersei casually sips wine Daenerys lists all of her titles Someone mentions The Iron Throne Whenever Hodor says, “Hodor!” ** Take Two Sips Every Time ** Anyone says, “Winter is coming.” Arya goes through her revenge list Bran’s eyes go white Anyone says, “King of the North.” You see a dragon or someone mentions dragons ** Take Three Sips Every time ** When a sword is drawn Someone says, “A Lannister always pays his debts.” Someone is naked on screen Gay sex scene ** Finish Your Drink When ** Incest happens or is mentioned When you see a White Walker Whenever Joffrey acts like a major dick Dragon breathes fire A major character dies Thank you everyone for taking the time to read my “What’s Good”. I am excited to share more good things with you this 2019! We would also love to hear your personal “What’s Good” So drop us a line, let's chat about it! In the meantime make yourself some white chili, put on Game of Thrones, and pour yourself a drink! You deserve it! Warmest regards, Mariah Photography // Marissa Irene Photography
0 Comments
The one essential that every wedding needs // Champagne + Linen // Western Montana Wedding Planners2/11/2019 If you ask us, there is one non-negotiable item. It will make your day run so much smoother. You won’t have to worry about the ceremony starting on time or Uncle Bub trying to give a drunken speech. Any guesses? A day of coordinator. I mean, we totally get that WE are day of coordinators and this might be a little bias, but hear us out! First of all, let’s set one thing straight: “day of” does not truly mean “day of”. Once our couples book with us, we give them various resources and planning documents. A month before the wedding day we set up a meeting to go over all the details. We want to know your big day forwards and backwards. We’ll review your wedding timeline and make sure all the little tasks are finalized. We’re professional cat herders // You know how hard it is to make 100+ people move from cocktail hour to their reception seats so the couple can be announced? Much longer than one would ever think. You're about to have your first dance but the mother of the bride went missing? We’ll track her down to make sure she doesn’t miss this moment. We can be the hard asses // Your caterer is late, we’ll give them a call (or ten). You want to make sure your Aunt Karen doesn’t help set up, we can give her another project. You want to make sure a certain friend doesn’t give a too long, drunken speech - WE. GOT. YOU. We have that emergency kit STOCKED // No matter how hard you try, accidents still happen. Wine gets spilled on wedding dresses. Candle wax gets on tables. Flowers fly off arches. We got it covered. Allow your friends and family to be guests // Raise your hand if you’ve been a bridesmaid or groomsmen and been put to work on the wedding day? It does come with the territory, but we cannot tell you how many times we’ve heard that bridesmaids have had to pick up trash, serve food, set up tables. All while wearing their wedding attire. Be completely present on your wedding day // No need for you to be running around setting up tables, stressing about signage that might not be up yet, the gross fact that the bathroom is out of TP. Leave those details to the pros.
Day of coordinators don’t just show up on your wedding day, we take time to get to know your day inside and out. We’ll make sure all the little tasks are taken care of so all you do is marry the love of your life and celebrate with the people who matter to you most! Book your 2019 day of coordination service by Valentine’s Day, you’ll get $200 off and HALF off our rentals! Contact Us! Valentines Day Date Ideas // Champagne + Linen //Western Montana Wedding Designers + Planners2/6/2019 Ring-a-ling, C+L babes and dudes! It’s February, which means it’s the season of loooovvvveeeeeeee *heart eyes emoji* We LOVE love over here at C+L, which means February is one of our favorite months. Bust out those Russell Stover heart shaped boxes and buckle up kids, cause we’re here to bring you our top picks for Valentines Day date ideas! AliciaFrugal // Build a blanket fort in your living room and have a movie marathon! Order pizza (or if you’re feeling fancy make your own. Dough is super easy to make. This is my favorite recipe - thanks, Bobbie!) Local // The first official date that my husband took me on was the Finn & Porter. Ever since we’ve tried to hit up some swanky Missoula restaurant for dinner. My current fave is Plonk. Be sure to get yourself a GFC and cheese board to start. After a delicious dinner, hit up Sweet Peaks! Boujee // Boujee is hard for me. The first thing that comes to mind is the episode of Friends where Monica’s dating a millionaire and he casually whisks her away to a pizzeria in Rome. Even though logistically that just wouldn’t work - a flight from NYC to Rome has to be a few hours and I would most definitely get hangry. Buuuuuut when in Rome? MariahFrugal // Lovely long walk together. Even better, bring your doggy friend(s). When you get home snuggle in with Chinese take out, get in your comfy jammies, and binge watch your favorite Netflix series. If you really want to add some cheesy romance - chocolate covered strawberries are very simple to make (and low cost!). Local // My boo and I LOVE breakfast/brunch. When we want to treat ourselves we go to Paul's Pancake Parlor, and indulge in all our favorite breakfast food. Then we go home and nap. Boujee // I have always wanted to ride a hot air balloon. So riding a balloon to a scenic remote location. When we land we find a beautiful picnic spread waiting for us. Along with a fine gentleman playing the harp. Also white doves. ArielFrugal // All the chocolate strawberries. Milk chocolate with white drizzle *hint hint* and a homemade meal that we make together. Cast iron steak, mashed potatoes and green beans anyone? And a classic romance to end the night. And by classic I mean Princess Bride, Pretty Woman, Jerry MaGuire, etc. Flowers are optional. Local // I adore wine, especially good wine and trying new wine. I would want to do a wine tasting at one of our favorite local restaurants (Stone of Accord, I’m lookin at you). And then sushi for dinner (Hey yooooooo Saketume), ending the night at a cute movie at The Roxy or playing arcade games below our new brewery, Guild. Boujee // There is nowhere in the world that is so magically romantic as Venice, Italy. I would want to start our day with cappuccinos in a side street cafe, and then walking through the side streets until we get to Piazza San Marco where we eat the MOST amazing gelato and watch all the (excessive amounts) of pigeons. We would take a gondola ride through every single canal, have an outrageously romantic kiss under the Bridge of Sighs, followed by drinking all the table wine at a quiet corner restaurant, where we eat all the food. Preferred desserts would be tiramisu. MaredithFrugal // Due to the current winter Missoula is having... grab some sleds and a cozy outfit and hit the slopes. Don’t forget the hot cocoa and the peppermint schnapps if you're realllllly feelin' it. Then head home, get cozy, make dinner and binge watch your favorite show/movies.
Local // If you’re into brunch like I am, and in Missoula, head to the Catalyst, their cheesy potato casserole + the espresso bar are life-changing. If you’re not in a food coma from that, then make your way down to Jerry Johnson Hot Springs and relax. Boujee // Ok since we are going allll out for this one here we go and buckle your seatbelts. Like really, we’re going on a private jet to Bora Bora, poppin’ the bubbly and staying in one of the overwater bungalows. While at our sweet bungalow, we’d obviously be jumping off our deck, enjoying all the paddle boards, and snorkeling in the crystal clear water. Hey Ariel, What's Good?? // 2019 // Champagne + Linen //Western Montana Wedding Designers + Planners1/30/2019 What’s gooooooood C+L Babes and Dudes?! Last year brought a ton of new changes in my life, and I’ve been focusing on things that make me happy and bring me joy in the new year (no, that does not include any Marie Kondo BS). So what are my favorite things these days?? Let’s talk about it. C+L Road Trips // Every. Single. Time. Alicia, Mariah and I come up with life changing ideas for C+L every damn time we get in the car. Why?! Who knows...maybe it’s the McDonalds…???? Last time we brainstormed all kinds of new, fun ideas to keep ourselves entertained (and all of you entertained) with more than just wedding details. We’re talking lots of boozy Saturday afternoons and some Dungeons and Dragons. Stay tuned. Parmesan Pesto Chicken // I’m working on not eating out so much lately (those holiday pounds are real, ya’lll). One of my favorite recipes is one that I got from Hello Fresh. Basically slather some chicken breasts with pesto. If your name is Ina Garten, if you can’t travel to Asia to hand pick your own Genovese Basil or travel to Europe to harvest your own pine nuts and make your own pesto, store bought will do. Then cover it with a mix of parmesan, olive oil, and italian bread crumbs that you mix in a bowl. As it cooks it creates a hard crust over the pesto chicken, and voila! It’s freakin amazing. I like to serve it with a side salad or some cooked broccoli. Real Housewives of Potomac // Listen. I love the Real Housewives franchise. Why? Cause it’s entertaining, that's why. RHOP is next level though. These ladies know how to throw some SHADE and look damn good doing it. It can never compare to Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for me though. LVP and Kyle are goals. When I was in LA I got to see Pandora walking out of Pump. I’m not even ashamed to admit that I fangirled. Like. A LOT. 2019 started off with a bang for me, I can’t wait to see what else is REAL GOOD this year. I can’t wait to start the wedding season off with a Gatsby themed wedding, and arranging SO many flowers this year. I see you 2019, and I’m not scared. A HUGE thank you to Of the Wolves for capturing these absolutely amazing pictures of me and my entire family.
How it is almost 2019? I feel like we were just slipping into those sparkly gowns from our C+L anniversary shoot. This year has been a whirlwind both in C+L land and our personal lives. Even though life gets crazy, we need to remember to take a step back and reflect. 2018 has been a wild crazy ride for the ladies of C+L. We are so incredibly lucky for all of the vendors and C+L couples we have gotten work with this past year. Because this year has been so amazing we wanted to share our favorite moments with you all. Strap in friends, this is going to have lots of pictures of pretty things. Highlights
Last year we posted our goals for 2018 and now it's our time to tell you how we did!
PERFECT OUR CLIENT PROCESS // First of all, is this ever perfect? The answer is no. We're constantly improving our client process whether that is noting down questions we need to ask them, budget templates, welcome guides, all the things. We're in a much more streamlined place than we were last year, but cannot wait to keep improving! STYLED ELOPEMENT // Level up: planning a Glacier National Park elopement for 2019! BLOG POSTS // Our goal was to have one blog post a month. Well we did have 15 blog posts, but we missed posting in March, June, July, and August...have you noticed that since we hired an intern, we've had more blog posts? #blessMaredith NEWSLETTER // We started a newsletter last new years and had some great interactions! We chose to put this on the back burner while we worked on our client experience. Maybe we'll bring this back to life in 2019?! BOOKINGS // We didn't set a number goal for 2018, but we had ten! We currently have seven for 2019 and are completely content with that number. This year we're getting more large packages - our fave! NETWORK // 2018 was the year of networking. We have straightened our relationships with vendors we've already had and created new bonds. We hosted our second annual vendor appreciation with the help of White Raven. We ate delicious Clove Cart Pizza and drank festive holiday punches. FOCUS ON OUR FRIENDSHIP // Boy, did we. The first year of C+L was all about hustle. We were stumbling along trying to figure out our new business and it's all we could talk about. This year, life happened for all of us. We leaned on each other more than ever. THANK U NEXT 2018! |
Archives
January 2021
Categories
All
|