Amazing photographer and Videographer has new website!

Happy almost New Years you Swanky Celebrators, you!

I hope you have some spectacular way to ring in the new year this year! After full days of what I call "Box Bonanza", we are about ready to settle in for our New Years Eve dinner party fete, where we have a few friends come over and we all make a big meal together, sipping bubbly and playing card games all night - perfect! Oh and don't forget the 11:30 dance party as we push aside the living room rug to "cut a rug" before 2010 comes a knockin!

But I know what you are thinking ~ New Years Eve means I am that much closer to my 2010 wedding!!!! So in that case, I'll give you some insiders info and come out with one of my favorite photographers of all time.

Kevin Von Qualen is an amazing photographer who also corners the market in one of a kind vintage videography - he shoots on real live Super 8! I have to say that I wish I knew Kevin when I got married, because a Super 8 transferred to digital would be treasured forever!

His new website is up, complete with wedding pictures and videos for you to peruse.

Check Out http://www.kevinvonqualen.com/

Now go out there and enjoy the dwindling hours of 2009! May 2010 be your best year ever!

With cider glass in hand, and my fanciest party hat atop my head,

Courtney

Swank Soirees New logo!

Here it is! Please e-mail me and let me know what you think! I really like it - I think it encompasses all that Swank Soirees is - fresh, funky and a bit classic all rolled into one big shiny ball of wedding awesome-ness! Now all I need to do is update all business cards and letterheads and contracts and all official files...whew! I am exhausted just thinking about it....better go get a Peanut butter cup!

Holiday vegan peanut butter cups!

Happy Holidays all you hip festive trendsetters!

I hope your Holidays are starting off well! I am in a bit of a holiday rut, since we are in the midst of packing and moving and house showings and keeping the house looking "hotel -like" at all times! And that is no simple feat when you are trying to pack it all up at the same time!

Nevertheless, this time of year always makes me long for classic movies and home made goodies. And did I mention our new home will have a fireplace? That's right, and original 1904 wood burning fireplace - complete with original wood mantel! So chestnuts will be roasting over that open fire, believe you me!

A good friend of mine found this amazing recipe for vegan peanut butter cups and I had to share it with all of you - so simple to make, but will make all your neighbors think you really slaved away in the kitchen, all for them!

Alicia Silverstone's Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

TIP Look for graham crackers that are naturally sweetened or low in sugar (Health Valley makes a good one), and store the leftover crackers or crumbs in an airtight container for future use.

SERVINGS 12

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup Earth Balance butter

3/4 cup crunchy peanut butter (preferably unsweetened and unsalted)

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs or 10 graham cracker squares

1/4 cup maple sugar or other granulated sweetener

1 cup grain-sweetened, nondairy chocolate or carob chips

1/4 cup soy, rice, or nut milk

1/4 cup chopped pecans, almonds, or peanuts

PREPARATION

1. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. (If You Care makes unbleached liners made from recycled paper.) Set aside.2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. 3. Stir in the peanut butter, graham cracker crumbs, and maple sugar and mix well. 4. Remove the mixture from the heat. Evenly divide the mixture, approximately 2 tablespoons per cup, among the muffin cups. 5. Combine the chocolate and milk in another pan. Stir over medium heat until the chocolate has melted.6. Spoon the chocolate evenly over the peanut butter mixture. 7. Top with chopped nuts. 8. Place in the refrigerator to set for at least 2 hours before serving.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/recipes/chocolate-peanut-butter-cups-recipe#ixzz0Z1nTI5Ry