Bye, Bye Blogger!

Dear followers, friends & family,

Recently, we transitioned from our existing website to a fancy WordPress-based site - which can be found here. We are excited for this transition because it will allow us to keep our website more active and updated with photos and all sorts of other goodies!

Please check back early and often at the new site for news and updates on the ongoing YNI fun!

Much love,

Leanne

Summer in Review: Samantha's Graduation Party

This spring, Samantha graduated from college and her family wanted to celebrate the occasion - so on June 9, 2012 we helped them throw a two part shin dig. With a small luncheon for close friends and family at Shaw's Crabhouse in Schaumburg, followed by an open house at the home of the graduate for the rest of her family and friends, we had a blast getting things together for this Pretty in Pink celebration!

The inspiration for this event was "Pink!" and sparkles.

Our centerpieces were simple: bottles of pink moscato, lots of candles, and pink rose petals.

Place settings included folded black napkins, framing custom menus and then adorned with a single pink rose.

We added extra interest to the tables with these mini bud vases, each holding a pink blooming rose and accented with silver sequins.

We hand made three colors of glittered champagne flutes for the guests to take home.

Each flute had a tag asking guests to use the flutes to toast to the graduate!

A custom guest book had envelopes in the colors of the day, with tags and slips of paper for guests to write well wishes for the graduate.

Our dessert table with a balloon display and a custom cake.

Sparkly cake toppers with the graduate's initials.

Mimosa Bar! Peach, strawberry and traditional mimosas.

After the luncheon, we moved the part (and the decorations!) over to the graduate's home.

Salads and desserts were on this table - with a buffet line with italian beef sandwiches on the kitchen counter.

Pink chocolate chip cookies!

Pink champagne cupcakes by Peace of Cake!

We brought over the guest book for the continuation of the party.

Bringing our party colors into the open house with colorful plasticware.

Custom pink party punch served in simply decorated plastic cups finished off the options for this event.

 

Geneva Wedding: Sweet Treats!

by John Fern

On a chilly Monday, Sarah and I had our meeting at Graham's Chocolates in Geneva. Throughout my busy workday and drive to Geneva, all I could think about were the famous truffles I've heard about so much. Sarah and her family have visited the Geneva area often and have devoured boxes of Graham’s chocolates throughout the years. I wasn't as privileged to such delights, but was fortunate enough to taste Graham’s peanut butter cups last year at Sarah’s family Christmas. Naturally, if the peanut butter cups were the best I have ever had then the truffles had to be amazing! And, they were nothing short of that.

We arrived and met with Jayni, the daughter of Bob Graham, and quickly began discussing the vision for our wedding. Sarah showed her our wedding colors and she ran to the back and matched 3 truffle boxes with ribbons to our theme. After mixing and matching the boxes with ribbons, Sarah and I agreed on what was going to look the best for our tablescape - black boxes, with silver bows accented with purple-monogrammed ribbon.

Now was the fun part…. The feast! Jayni brought out a large tray with 2 of every truffle flavor for Sarah and I to try. Truffle flavors ranged from mint to raspberry, vanilla to hazelnut, and even jalapeno, each covered in milk, dark or white chocolate. Since the truffles were so rich in flavor, we decided to share each piece. Just like most sweets, Sarah and I have very similar tastes and picking out two flavors was relatively painless. Which ones did we pick out, you ask? I’d rather not say. Preferably, we would like you to go to Grahams and try them all yourself and then guess which ones we chose! One hint: we chose one of the newest (and tastiest) flavors along with a complimentary classic truffle.

After finishing our feast (and dinner!), Jayni was kind enough to wrap up the extras and add a few more so that we could continue to enjoy them for the next week. But who are we kidding, they barely lasted two days!

77 days and counting… We can't wait to share the wonderful Graham's truffles with our friends and family on 12-12-12!