{Thursday's Food Tidbit}::Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps-Yum!

{Thursday's Food Tidbit}::Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps-Yum!

Today I want to share with you a recipe from a chef that makes some amazing dishes!! Aaron Mc.Cargo Jr. won season four of The Next Food Network Star in 2008 and aired Big Daddy's House in August of 2008. Since then Aaron Mc.Cargo Jr. has been producing non-stop amazing dishes.

Below is a must try recipe and since your recieving this awesome recipe early in the AM you still have time to run to the market and try it for dinner tonight. What's great about this dish is that it takes less than 30 minutes and it's on the rather healthy side!!

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps 

(Time Yourself Here!)

~~Ingredients~~

Spicy Salsa:

• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup sweet marinated peppers, chopped (recommended: Peppadew)
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1/4 cup pickled jalapenos, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Blue Cheese Sauce:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup blue cheese
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1 lime, zested
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Buffalo Chicken:

• 1/4 cup mild hot sauce
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon pepper
• Olive oil, for frying
• 16 Bibb lettuce leaves, washed, dried, and separated

~~Directions~~

For the salsa: Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Allow to marinate.

For the blue cheese sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, blue cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, lime juice, garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste. Mix in the cilantro, chives, and parsley.
For the chicken: Place the hot sauce into a bowl. Dredge the chicken with the hot sauce. In a casserole dish, mix together the flour, salt, paprika, and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture. Shake off any excess flour.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil to about 1/4-inch up the sides of the skillet. 

When the oil is hot (it will bubble around the handle of a wooden spoon), add the chicken to the skillet. 

After 4 minutes, turn the chicken over and cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 4 more minutes. Place the lettuce leaves on a platter and spoon the chicken into the lettuce. 

Top the chicken with 1 tablespoon of the blue cheese sauce and salsa. Serve immediately.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I too will be experimenting with this great recipe and posting my experience and would love to share your experiences too. If you don't get to this yummy recipe tonight, try it out this weekend and email your experience with pics to info@beautifulbeyonddreams.com. Would love to share your experience on the blog!!

<---- {Wednesday's Inspiration}::Texture's Talk

{Friday's Spotlight}:: ---->

{Wednesday's Inspiration}::Texture's Talk!

{Wednesday's Inspiration}::Texture's Talk!

Today on the blog it is all about inspiration. I want to know what truly inspires you! Do you look at a design and see the bigger picture? What is it that makes your creative juices flow?? Below are a few pictures all different textures. What do they say to you? Call me crazy...but I do believe texture's talk to our creative thought process. 

What do these pictures say to you? What do they inspire you to do? 

(Pictures from iStockPhoto.com)

 Checkered Tablecloth

Bamboo Window Shade

Seashells

What do these pictures say to you? What do they inspire you to do, plan, wear, etc?

Share your inspirations!!

<---- {Tuesday's Insight}::UrDreamPlanner Internship Program

{Thursday's Food Tidbit}:: ---->

{Tuesday's Insight}::UrDreamPlanner Internship Program

{Tuesday's Insight}::UrDreamPlanner Internship Program

Last Tuesday on the blog the topic was about What makes a great intern. Today on the blog we wanted to share with you all our UrDreamPlanner Internship Program! Read below to learn more about our internship program.

Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC is looking for interns to be apart of our UrDreamPlanner Internship Program. This program is 12 months long with a 6 month evaluation interview. It is a non-paid position. During the UrDreamPlanner Internship Program you will learn business basics, event design, inspiration boards, blogging & social media, experience real weddings & events, attend industry networking events and more. An assistant consultant position with Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC is not guaranteed, but it is a possibility as we are looking to expand our Beautiful Beyond Dreams, LLC family!

The UrDreamPlanner InternshipProgram requires a four step process: Application Submission, Phone Interview, In-Person Interview and Hands-on Interview.

 To learn more about the internship and apply visit any of the above links! 

<---- {Monday's Starter}::Question-"What gets your morning going?"

{Wednesday's Inspiration}:: ---->

{Monday's Starter}::Question-"What gets your morning going?"

{Monday's Starter}::Question-"What gets your morning going?"

It's Monday morning and you have to be out the door and at work by 9am! Depending where you work and your lifestyle at home that could mean you woke up at 5:00am or 7:30am. You're either the type of person that has a set routine that you follow diligently every day that allows you to enjoy breakfast, get dressed, do your hair, and walk out the door ready for your day or you may wake up after snoozing the alarm clock 3 times with only 30 minutes to get dressed and scuffle down a half toasted bagel as you fly down 42 to get to work. Either way you have got into a set routine that may or may not work for your life. 

So what is it that gives you the boost of energy to get out the door??

Is it the amazing cup of coffee that you can't live without, 2 scrabbled eggs/with a side of toast and jelly? Maybe breakfast isn't your thing and just the feel of the shower water is what gets you moving!

What ever it may be, it is something that you do often that gives you that boost of energy for the day. What is that "something" that gets you going? Do share!! :-)

<---- {Friday's Spotlight}::Wish Upon A Wedding NJ & PA 

{Tuesday's Insight}::UrDreamPlanner Internship Program---->

{Friday's Spotlight}::Wish Upon A Wedding-NJ & Philadelphia

 {Friday's Spotlight}::Wish Upon A Wedding-NJ & Philadelphia

 Logo designed by Kimberly Schwede. www.kimberlyschwede.com

Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. Often, couples facing such situations do not have the energy, time, money, or resources needed to plan their wedding. Wish Upon A Wedding organization takes care of all the details, offering couples a chance to relax and enjoy a very special day while surrounded by the love of their closest family and friends.

By celebrating the courage & spirit of these couples, they help create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come. It is their wish to instill a sense of hope and strength in other couples who may be facing similar situations. Wish Upon A Wedding officially launched in January of 2010, Wish Upon a Wedding currently has over a dozen chapters to serve Wish Applicants.

Below is two of the 17 launched chapters with 4 more chapters in the works to be launched.

Wish Upon A Wedding New Jersey & Metro New York

Launched January 18, 2011

Chapter President: Candice Benson

Wish Upon A Wedding Philadelphia {Delaware, Pennsylvania, & South Jersey}

Launched January 31, 2011

Chapter President: Mark Kingsdorf

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Get Involved:

Become a Wish Granter!

Make a Donation!

Volunteer!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Get Connected:

via Facebook

Like Wish Upon a Wedding

Like Wish Upon A Wedding NJ

Like Wish Upon A Wedding Philadelphia

via Twitter

Follow @WishUponWedding

Follow @WUW_New_Jersey

Follow @WUW_Philly

Happy #FF (#FollowFriday)

<----{Thursday's Food Tidbit}::Cocktail Hour

{Thursday's Food Tidbit}::Cocktail Hour

{Thursday's Food Tidbit}::Cocktail Hour

I love weddings whether I am a guest or the planner. Being a guests does have it's perks because I get to attend and enjoy the cocktail hour and that means enjoying the food! Last week we talked about the great wedding drink "Shirley Temple's" and this week I would like to focus on the cocktail hour as a whole. When doing the meeting for the cocktail hour think about your guests and also the type of reception you will be having.

The purpose of the cocktail hour is to provide your guests with a pre-dinner teaser. This teaser should be light and have a few options that are appeasing to everyone in attendance. Advice: don't fill your guests up during cocktail hour. Allow your guests to have enough food where they can still eat the food at the reception.  Remember you are paying for this and you do not want wasted food at the end of the night. 

Cocktail hours are a great transition from the ceremony to the reception. Enjoy planning your special day and think about your guests belly's as your selecting your menu options and quantity.

Are you having a cocktail hour? If so what kind of foods? If not, what made you not decide to do one? Do share!! :-)

<---- {Wednesday's Inspiration}:: Tradition- "Jumping The Broom"

{Friday's Spotlight}:: ---->

{Wednesday's Inspiration}::Tradition- "Jumping The Broom"

It's Wednesday so all posts will be in honor of Wedding Wednesday (#WeddingWednesday) (#WW)! I am one that loves to be inspired so the UrDreamPlanner blog will display Wednesday inspiration involving the wedding industry. 

{Wednesday's Inspiration}::Tradition-"Jumping The Broom" 

 The tradition of "Broom Jumping" dates all the way back to the 18th Century when slaves were not allowed to marry. The couples would place sticks down to jump over symbolizing their marriage. This tradition is seen mainly in the African-American culture. Meaning of "Broom Jumping"- Sweeping away the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of new beginnings. This was also a symbolism that the woman would be care taker of the home, whoever jumped the highest over the broom (usually the man) would be the head of the household. These ceremonies usually were accompanied by drums and singing.

In today's culture the tradition still lives on. The "broom" used in the ceremony is either one that has been passed down from generations, ordered custom made or brought at stores that cater to this tradition and decorated by the couple. The movie "Jumping the Broom" displayed this tradition in a great light. If you haven't seen it, head to the movies now and watch it. It is a meaningful movie that shows family and tradition and how it goes hand in hand.

All kinds of traditions are incorporated into ceremonies and receptions.

Are you "Broom Jumping"? What traditions are you/ did you incorporate in your wedding? Do share!! :-) 

<---- {Tuesday's Insight}:: 5 Characteristics That Make A Great Intern!
{Thursday's Food Tidbit}:: Cocktail Hour---->

{Tuesday's Insight}:: 5 Characteristics That Make A Great Intern!

The UrDreamPlanner blog wants to provide you with a variety of posts throughout the week. Tuesday is dedicated to insightful facts, behind the scenes information, great tips for wedding/event industry pros and more!

{Tuesday's Insight}:: 5 Characteristics That Make A Great Intern!

• Honesty- When looking for an internship you want to find one that will allow to you gain a lot. Business owners who are successful like a good intern because they know that these younger inspired minds will one day take over the industry. As a prospective Intern being honest will get you far. If you know you are entering an internship (paid or non-paid) and you know that you one day want to start your own business share that information during the interview. Otherwise it will look like your trying to steal business. Honesty will get you far. 

• Commitment- A great intern will be committed to the company that he/she is apart of. Showing that you are committed means: arriving early, being knowledgeable outside of trainings, going the extra mile; just to name a few. Commitment means not calling out and signing up for all opportunities that may arise. Don't be a suck up, just be yourself and everything else will fall into place. A committed intern has a chance of moving up the industry ladder. 

• Passion- I love this characteristic because although some may say passion is not key, when your interning it is a great characteristic to have. A passionate intern goes above and beyond to impress those that make a difference. I tend to blog a lot about not worrying about others, but this is a good time to dress to impress and show what your truly made of! 

• Tough Skin- In this industry (the wedding/event industry) you have to be able to hold your own. This is a cut throat industry full a people that want to help you but do not want to spoon feed or baby you. The information to succeed is right at your fingers tips. Be the intern that finds it on your own and then applies it when a situation arises. Those that can handle the hustle and bustle of the wedding day frenzy and behind the scenes madness with a smile will go far! If you really can't handle it, (maybe your having a bad day, time of the month, bf/gf rubbed you the wrong way before you left the house, etc); take those aspects and use it as drive to succeed. If you must, go in the bathroom cry for 1 minute(that's all you get), wipe you face, put a smile on your face and get back out there. Only those that truly want this career actually succeed. No one is going to hand you your dream job, you have to show you want it, show that you can do it, and simply make it happen!

• Gratitude- Being an intern is an opportunity that not every one gets. When getting an internship be grateful for what ever experience you get. Whether you get to assist with actual weddings & events, learn how to do meaningful research, sit in on an initial consultation, etc. This time is valuable and priceless; something no book or class can teach you. Internships do not guarantee a hired position. If you actually get one, considered yourself lucky and your foot in the door. If you do not take what you learned and begin to network. Look into shadowing other wedding planners, event planners, anything related to the industry. Hands-on experience is something that can not be taught so be thankful to those that give you an opportunity. Make sure you get the most out of it! :-)

For more tips visit: www.internshiper.com
Also check out these 17 great tips to being a good intern.

Good luck! :-)

<----{Monday's Starter's}::How to Translate Your Wife!
{Wednesday's Inspiration}::Tradition's-"Jumping The Broom"---->

{Monday's Starter}::How to Translate Your Wife!

Today is Monday and one thing that is true about Monday's is that they are slow. Most are dreading coming into work and are already looking forward to Friday. So on the UrDreamPlanner blog Monday's post are going to be dedicated to relaxation, great tips to get you through the week, wedding jokes, general jokes, funny videos, etc. The blog will be light-hearted and fun to get your busy week started!!

{Monday's Starter}::How to Translate Your Wife!

(enjoy)

The wife says: You want
The wife means: You want

The wife says: We need
The wife means: I want

The wife says: It's your decision
The wife means: The correct decision should be obvious

The wife says: Do what you want
The wife means: You'll pay for this later

The wife says: We need to talk
The wife means: I need to complain

The wife says: Sure... go ahead
The wife means: I don't want you to

The wife says: I'm not upset
The wife means: Of course I'm upset you moron

The wife says: You're ... so manly
The wife means: You need a shave and sweat a lot

The wife says: Be romantic, turn out the lights
The wife means: I have flabby thighs.

The wife says: This kitchen is so inconvenient
The wife means: I want a new house.

The wife says: I want new curtains.
The wife means: Also carpeting, furniture, and wallpaper!

The wife says: I need wedding shoes.
The wife means: The other forty pairs are the wrong shade of white.

The wife says: Hang the picture there
The wife means: No, I mean hang it there!

The wife says: I heard a noise
The wife means: I noticed you were almost asleep.

The wife says: Do you love me?
The wife means: I'm going to ask for something expensive.

The wife says: How much do you love me?
The wife means: I did something today you're not going to like.

The wife says: I'll be ready in a minute.
The wife means: Kick off your shoes and take an hour nap.

The wife says: Am I fat?
The wife means: Tell me I'm beautiful.

The wife says: You have to learn to communicate.
The wife means: Just agree with me.

The wife says: Are you listening to me?
The wife means: [Too late, your doomed.]

The wife says: Yes
The wife means: No

The wife says: No
The wife means: No

The wife says: Maybe
The wife means: No

The wife says: I'm sorry
The wife means: You'll be sorry

The wife says: Do you like this recipe?
The wife means: You better get used to it

The wife says: All we're going to buy is a soap dish
The wife means: I'm coming back with enough to fill this place.

The wife says: Was that the baby?
The wife means: Get out of bed and walk him

The wife says: I'm not yelling!
The wife means: Yes I am! I think this is important!

In answer to the question "What's wrong?"

The wife says: The same old thing.
The wife means: Nothing.

The wife says: Nothing.
The wife means: Everything.

The wife says: Nothing, really.
The wife means: It's just that you're an idiot.

The wife says: I don't want to talk about it.
The wife means: I'm still building up steam.

(found on: ahajokes.com)

<---- {Friday's Spotlight}::NNJWEP
{Tuesday's Insight}::5 Characteristics That Make A Great Intern! ---->

{Friday's Spotlight}::NNJWEP

It's Friday and if you follow social media then you know that means Friday is meant for #FollowFriday

Every Friday on the UrDreamPlanner blog I will highlight a company, organization, individual, group, etc who are doing amazing things! In this world having the support of others makes our business grow so after learning a little about these great accomplished people be sure to follow, like etc to help support them!

First Up:

{Friday's Spotlight}::NNJWEP

(Northern New Jersey Wedding & Event Planners)

http://photographybysky.com/

I chose NNJWEP because I absolutely enjoy being apart of this group of professionals. I first found NNJWEP on facebook and since then this community has grown tremendously and is constantly doing great things! Read more below to learn more about this great organization and see how you can become apart of it too! 

NNJWEP was started by Marni Gold, CEO of Creative Custom Card Boxes.  Marni saw a need for hyper-local networking opportunities for those in Northern New Jersey in the Wedding and Events business.  There are so many organizations and associations out there for those in this field but nothing stood out as a local, modern, and most importantly, FUN way to meet and greet other like-minded professionals and grab the attention of new clientele.

Now Marni has teamed up with Karina Alvela of Neptune Communications to create NNJWEP, your new home for Northern New Jersey networking, social events, business building and showcases!

What will joining NNJWEP do for you? Take a look at the wonderful Member Benefits and Membership Options available to NNJWEP members and sponsors. Become a part of our fantastic network of wedding and event professionals, Join Today!

Be sure for Follow NNJWEP! 

Like NNJWEP on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NNJWEP

Follow NNJWEP on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NNJWEP

Happy #FollowFriday to you all!

<---- {Thursday's Food Tidbit}::Wedding Drink!
{Monday's Starter's}::How to Translate Your Wife! ---->

{Thursday's Food Tidbit}::Wedding Drink!

Hello friends!

It has been a while, but I am happy to say that we are back in the blogging game!! If you haven't noticed we've added a few pages full of information just for you!! Hope you like. :-)

Today is Thursday's Food Tidbit Day! On Thursday's I will be sharing anything and everything food & drink related. Some weeks it will be wedding related, some weeks event related, and some weeks it will just be about food, drinks, desserts, etc. I look forward to sharing new discoveries with you all and hearing all about your likes and dislikes as well.

{Thursday's Food Tidbit}::Wedding Drink!

I love weddings! The music, the first dance, and the FOOD! I look forward to the food because well I love to eat. One thing that goes great with food is a great drink. I didn't notice this at first but I found myself ordering the same exact drink every time I attended or worked a wedding. That drink is the thee one and only

"Shirley Temple"

It's so yummy and has a pretty color to it. I just have to have it when it comes to weddings. lol And funny thing is, is that I don't even care for the cherry! Go figure...

What's your favorite wedding drink??

{Friday's Spotlight}::NNJWEP