Clustrmaps

This is A Joyeux Blog's actual map!

I don't know if you have noticed the map on the lower right side of A Joyeux Blog. It is from Clustrmaps. It shows you where people have visited you from. I put it up on September 29th and during the last 30 days I have had visitors from six continents. {I don't think there are that many people getting married in Antarctica!} When I put it up I thought I would probably just get visited from a few people in California. How surprised I have been to have people from all over the world reading my blog. It does only count people who have visited my blog directly not those who receive email subscriptions or my feed. So if you want to show up as a dot click on through.

Thank you to all of you that have visited,

MTV Casting Call

If you are between the ages of 18 and 22 and engaged, MTV is looking for you. See below on how to apply for the opportunity to appear on Engaged and Underage.

Below is from the flyer.

MTV’s popular documentary series, Engaged & Underage, wants to tell your love story – the excitement of the engagement, the ups and downs of the planning, the fun along the way, and, of course, THE BIG DAY!!! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…
You and your future spouse should both appear to be between the ages of 18 and 22. Best case scenario: you're getting married in 2008 or January 2009.

TO APPLY FOR THE SHOW, DOWNLOAD A CASTING QUESTIONNAIRE AT: http://www.mtv.com/ontv/castingcall/index.jhtml?castingId=1509138
OR EMAIL THEM TO OBTAIN ONE AT: engagedandunderage@mtvstaff.com.

Tell them when and where you are getting married and why this is important to you. Include your name, phone number, email address and a digital photo of you and your future spouse, if possible.

Good Luck to everbody,

Beverage Monday.

Adult Trick or Treating

Today I am featuring candy inspired cocktails. Indulge your sweet tooth with these adult only treats.

photo courtesy of Fine Living

Almond Joy Martini
1 oz. chocolate vodka

1 oz. Frangelica

1 oz. coconut rum
Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Milky Way Martini
1 1/2 oz. Starbucks Cream Liqueur

1 oz. chocolate vodka

1/2 oz. cream
Put all ingredients into a shot glass filled with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Green Jolly Rancher

1/2 oz Midori

1/2 oz Southern Comfort

1 splash sweet and sour mix
Pour ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and strain into a shot glass.

Tootsie Roll

1/2 oz Kahlua

1/2 oz vodka

1/2 oz orange juice

Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Strain into a shot glass.

SweeTart
1/4 oz. lime juice
1/4 oz. pineapple juice
1/4 oz. raspberry liqueur

1 oz vodka

Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Strain into a shot glass.

Cheers,

Candy photos courtesy of Candy Warehouse.

Traditions & Superstitions-Pre-Wedding Parties

Photo courtesy of The Hostess with the Mostess.

This month's edition is about all the Pre-Wedding Parties.

Engagement Party

• Traditionally it is hosted by the Bride's parents about a month or two after the announcement.
• Any one can host it now.
• It can be as formal or informal as you want.
• Sometimes guests will bring gifts but not everybody will.

Bridal Shower

• To shower the Bride with love and good wishes.
• Traditionally they were hosted by the Maid of Honor.
• It is an alternative to the dowry/trousseau (the money, goods, or estate that the woman brings to her marriage).
• There is the Dutch story of a young maiden who loved a young miller. The miller was so generous to others that he didn't save up money for himself. Since the miller was not rich, the maiden's father disapproved and refused to give her a dowry. The whole town loved the couple so they decided to give the girl a dowry by giving her something of theirs. With these items they 'showered' the maiden.
• During the Victorian Era family and friends would put small gifts into a parasol and then pore them over the brides' head.
• They started here in the US in the late 1800's, with the upper middle class.
• By the 1930's people were giving bridal showers all across the US.
• One of the earliest reports of the new tradition is in the Grand Rapids Michigan Evening Press 22 on June 4, 1904: "The ‘shower parties’ that through mistaken hospitality the wedded couple are forced to attend..."
• A shower emphasizes traditional gender roles.
• In an etiquette guide from the 1920's it said that showers should be "purely spontaneous and informal", with guests arriving unannounced at the bride-to-be's home.
• During the 1950's they started to be more complex with themes and games.
• Friendship and support is at the center of the bridal shower tradition.
• Showers are meant to be an outpouring from the community.
• They are not usually arranged or hosted by the brides immediate relatives.
• Sunday afternoon is the traditional time for a bridal shower.
• Registry information wasn't usually included in the invitation. Although, we usually put it into a shower invitation now.
• Nowadays it is common to have couples shower's so everybody can participate.
• Was the only pre-wedding party for a woman.

The Bachelor Party { Stag, Bull's or Buck's}

• It is thought that the Bachelor Party originated in Sparta around 5 BC. Soldiers would toast and pay homage to the groom on his last night of being a single man.
• It is usually thrown by the Best Man or the groom's brothers.
• The party usually involves drinking, going to strip club or hiring a stripper and gambling.
• Sometimes they involved hazing and pranks towards the groom.
• It is a rite of passage for a man from being an bachelor (adolescent lifestyle) to a more responsible married adult.
• Historically, it was held the night before the wedding. Although, in recent times it is held well in advance of the wedding day.

Bachelorette Party{Hen Party or Stagette}

• The bachelorette party is modeled after the centuries-old bachelor's party.
• In its modern form, it is thought that the bachelorette party may have begun during the sexual revolution of the 1960's.
• From the 60's to the 80's women just went out for drinks after the shower.
• It wasn't that common till the mid-1980's.
• The first book on planning bachelorette parties wasn't published until 1998.
• Its cultural significance is largely tied to concepts of gender equality.
• A bachelorette party is an expression of social and sexual freedom.
• Initially, woman would attend male revues, asking strangers intimate questions, or just got drunk.
• Destination weekends are becoming more popular for both the men and the women to celebrate the end of their singlehood.

Bridesmaids Luncheon or Tea

• The bride hosts this.
• It is to thank the bridesmaids for all their help during the wedding planning process.
• Usually held a few days before the wedding.
• A girls only affair.
• A classy event.

Rehearsal Dinner

• Tradtionally hosted by the groom's parents.
• It should be after the ceremony rehearsal.
• Normally, it is held the night before the wedding. Sometimes 2 days before.
• It can be as formal or as casual as you want.
• All parents and the bridal party attend with their significant others.
• You can include your out-of-town guests.

Happy Planning,

Beverage Monday.

Halloween Themed Drinks

Here are a few drinks to get the party started early.

Black Devil Martini

• 2 oz. dark rum
• 1/2 oz. dry vermouth
• olive

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into chilled martini glass, garnish with olive.

Zombie

• 1 oz. apricot brandy
• 1 oz. light rum 1 oz. dark or Jamaican rum
• 1 oz. lime juice
• 2 dashes grenadine
• orange juice
• 1 oz. Bacardi 151 rum

Mix light and dark rum and brandy in a cocktail shaker, add lime juice and grenadine. Shake well and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Fill glass with orange juice almost to the top. Float the 151 on top. Garnish with a cherry and orange flag.

Liquefied Ghost

• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. vanilla simple syrup
• 1 oz. cream
• 2 oz. soda

Pour all the ingredients into a ice filled shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Bloody Brain

• 1 1/4 oz. strawberry vodka or Strawberry Schnapps
• 1/8 oz. Rose's lime juice
• 3/4 oz. Bailey's Irish Cream
• splash of grenadine

Add vodka and lime juice to a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a shot glass. Using a straw, dip some Bailey's Irish Cream into the shot. Once you submerge the straw into the Bailey's put your finger on top of the straw to hold the Bailey's in the straw. Dip the straw tip into the vodka and slowly release your top finger. The Bailey's will curdle a little bit due to the lime juice and you should be able to make strands of Bailey's. Repeat the straw/Bailey's process to build a "brain" in the shot glass. Add a splash of grenadine to the concoction to add the 'blood' to the mix. Down the hatch as a shot.

Cheers,

All recipes and photos courtesy of Fine Living.

Attention Los Angeles Brides

Brides Against Breast Cancer Nationwide Tour of Gowns is coming to Los Angeles. They will be at the Hyatt Regency, Century City at the end of October.

Monday, October 27, Noon-4 Tickets $20.00 and from 5-9 FREE

Tuesday, October 28, Noon-9, FREE

Wednesday, October 29, 10-5, FREE

Donate a gown, Buy a gown or Volunteer for a great cause.

I'll see you there.

Honeymoon Registries

This is an great idea for couples who already have most of the basic items and don't want or need china, but want a Fantastic Honeymoon.

There are few different kind of Honeymoon registries out there. Some companies actually book the place for you and some just save it for you and you take out the money when needed. Pick which one works best for you. Here a few to check out.
The Honeymoon
Traveler's Joy
The Big Day
Honeymoon Wishes
Honey Fund
Honey Luna
Traveler's Joy
Our Wishing Well
Smart Honeymoon
If you have used one. Let us know what you thought.
Happy Honeymoon Planning,



Mentioning of any of the Honeymoon Registries does not mean an endorsement.
Photo courtesy of Ask Me About Destination Weddings & Honeymoons