Favored by Yodit Dishes on #Scandal Finale & New Fashion App!

If you are obsessed with #Scandal and #Fashion like I am then you will love today's post!!! Our good friends at WJLA/ ABC and Reporter Jummy Olabanji contacted me last week to get my thoughts on this new app, GetThis.TV! All I could say was GENIUS! This website, app allows users to find clothes stars wear on TV most notably the clothes worn by Kerry Washington in her role as Olivia Pope.

Next time you see your favorite actress wearing a beautiful coat, dress, or fedora like the one below from last night's Scandal episode, you can learn how to get it too instantly thanks to Get This TV!

Designed by (@louisegreenhats) Check out their site: http://www.louisegreen.com/

Thanks to everyone who texted, called or was even up at 6:45am this Friday morning checking out the full clip of my girls and I dishing on @abc7news! Cant wait to host more Scandal Watch Parties for Season 3 (Special Thanks to Scandal Creator Shonda Rhimes for making me obsessed!). Stay Connected and Tweet us @FavoredbyYodit!

Read more: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/05/website-app-allows-users-to-find-clothes-stars-wear-on-tv-88909.html#ixzz2TYQKzFYC| 

DIY Cupcake Flower Bouquet

Looking for a new way to display your cupcakes at your next event? Try a cupcake bouquet! It's so easy and will make a cute and tasty centerpiece

Supplies Needed:

• Cupcake Mix
• Piping bag with 1M tip or Buy Frosting in Can with a piping tip already attached
• Frosting
• Flower Pot
• Styrofoam Ball that fits inside of the flower pot
• Toothpicks
•  Tape
• Green Tissue Paper

Instructions:

1. Bake Cupcakes and Frost.
2. Place the cupcakes in the refrigerator, so that the frosting will get firm.
3. Place Styrofoam ball into flower pot. Place two toothpicks in each area where you want a cupcake. Make sure to place the toothpicks at a 45 degree angle on the sides to ensure that the cupcakes don't fall off after awhile
4. Slide a cupcake onto each pair of toothpicks, adjusting toothpicks as needed to place cupcakes close together. Cover as much of the Styrofoam as you can
5. Cut green tissue paper into small strips. Fold strips into accordions. Pinch the bottom of the accordion fold
6. Place a piece of clear tape at the pinched part of the tissue paper and stick it to the exposed Styrofoam in between the cupcakes. Make more tissue paper “leaves” until you cover all the uncovered areas. And you are Done!!

For full instructions and pictures, check out http://www.52kitchenadventures.com/2012/04/29/how-to-make-a-cupcake-bouquet/

Congrats to the Class of 2013!!

Congrats to all of the 2013 Graduates!!! Whether you graduated from high school, undergrad, graduate school or even pre-school, you have accomplished something great and now its time to celebrate!!! Sit back, relax and let Favored by Yodit plan you graduation party! Contact us for a FREE consultation! Until then check out some inspiration below...

You're Invited: Carine's Bridal Sample Sale

Mother of the Bride Sample Sale: May 9th - May 10th: By Appointment Only

Wedding Gown Sample Sale: May 22nd - May 23rd: By Appointment Only

You're Invited: DC Road Runners 2013 Singles Mingle 5K

Join Washington DC area singles for an amazing evening run along the Potomac River at the National Harbor. Looking to meet someone who shares your passion for fun and running, or interested in planning a cool date with someone new? The Singles Mingle 5k Fun Run & Walk is for you. While you take in the awesome sunset, smile and meet someone new while on the course.

Once you cross the finish line, enjoy complimentary refreshments and a really cool musical soundtrack from one of DC’s best DJs. Hang out with us after your run, meet other interesting people, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Register today, the race has a limited number of participant slots available.

Registration Fee:

•$37.50 (pre-event)

•$42.50 (on race day)

Packet Pickup and on-site registration (if available):

•5pm to 7:30pm

Race starts at 8:00pm

When: May 17th, 2013 8:00 PM through 10:00 PM

Location: 200 Waterfront Street Oxon Hill, MD 20745 United States

Click here to register!

Wedding Inspiration: Go Dark During the Summer

Break tradition and pick dark colors for your summer wedding! Just because your wedding is set during the summer months doesn't mean you have to pick bold bright colors. Shock your guests and go for black, dark purples, and dark reds. See below for some inspiration.

Nautical/ Blue Wedding Inspiration

Are you looking for a way to include you and your hubby's love of sailing? Or maybe you want to try a different spin on blues, try a Nautical Theme! A Nautical Theme can be dressed down for a beach wedding or dressed up for a formal outdoor reception. What I love most about the nautical theme is the small details that bring everything together. Check out some inspiration below.

Wedding Wednesday: Recycle Your Wedding!

Looking for a place to sell that cake stand you will never use again, or those table runners you just knew you would keep forever? Check out Ruffled! This site has everything from dresses, to linens, to candle holders. Ruffled is organized by state to make it easy to buy and sell all of your wedding items in your area. So before you pay full price at a popular retailer, check out the recycle your wedding blog on ruffled.com.

RECAP: #FavoredLaunch Event at The W Hotel

(Check out our DIY White Spray Painted Red Stripe Vases; They made perfect floral centerpieces)

Thursday was a good day...and an even better night! This morning, I woke up so happy knowing that everyone who attended had a great time and I was able to connect with each person...even if it was only for a few minutes!

The "invite only" #FavoredLaunch was specifically for everyone who had made an effort to support me in the past or the new business, Favored by Yodit Events! Either you subscribed or contacted me directly to get an invitation for our special event for close friends and family. The room was filled with 150 of past colleagues, socialites, media, bloggers and wedding / event vendors who I look up.

(Me giving my emotional impromptu "Thank you" speech!)

(Guest enjoying the PoshBooth Photo Props & The Favored by Yodit Events Table)

Everyone had a special hand in helping the Favored team in meeting our goal of having a successful #FavoredLaunch and I'm so appreciative to all the continued support.

The event was not only to celebrate the launch of our new boutique event planning firm but to have everyone in the room network, connect and have a little fun. Check out more silly Posh Booth video and pictures here.

Look forward to sharing more "Favorable" moments with you!

Photo credit: Insana Collins and Amora Films

Must-Have Hue: Blue Wedding Inspiration

Something about nice weather that reminds us of the ocean, waves and gorgeous outdoor weddings and events! I have alot of people ask me for some cool ideas to incorporate hints of blues to inspire their marine blue beach weddings!

If you are thinking about having a blue wedding, let Favored know how we can assist in making it "blue-tiful"!

The Digital Bride

Thanks to the internet and social media, wedding planning has changed drastically over the years. Instead of depending on friends and family to help plan every aspect of the wedding, brides are looking to Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter for help. Brides are hiring wedding planners for more Day of Coordination instead of Full Planning. Recently David’s Bridal conducted a study with 500 woman who were “either engaged to be married or were married within the last two months.” Below are some of the results from the study.

The online bride: 59% of brides say online resources like Pinterest, Facebook and blogs are the best places to find wedding inspiration.

Pinterest dibs: With Pinterest celebrating its third anniversary this month, it has quickly become the ultimate tool for brides-to-be. Nearly half of brides (46%) wouldn't use an idea they found on a friend's Pinterest board!

Fittings on your phone: Dress shopping isn't confined to the fitting room anymore! In fact, 68% of brides use technology during their fittings, from texting pictures to family to posting videos on a social media site.

Virtual wedding guests: Now trending, nearly half (49%) of all respondents say they would consider "skype-ing" their wedding.

Digital rule of thumb: 56% of newlywed women think it's important to have social media rules at the wedding.

The dress is off limits: 61% forbid their bridesmaids from uploading pics of the bride donning her dress before the ceremony

My wedding, me first: 52% say the bride and groom must be the first to post a picture of their wedding to a social media site.

Facebook official: Up 11% from 2011, 59% of brides will update their Facebook status to "married" or update their new name within a day of walking down the aisle.

How do you feel about the modern bride and the involvement of social media? Do you think a more traditional approach to the big day is the way to go?

Source: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/wedding.planning.in.the.digital.age/32027.htm

Ethiopian Couple Celebrate Their Wedding on a Helicopter

When I read about this Ethiopian couple celebrating their wedding on a helicopter I was certainly surprised! Its seldom when you hear about foreigners taking the risk to do something so bold and different with special events, but when they do, they sure know how to do it BIG!

I love when couples realize their wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and welcome the opportunity to share in the joyous occasion with friends and family! But there is something so romantic about taking a moment to sit back and take it all in with your partner and I cant see a more spontaneous and fun way than a private helicopter ride!

It definitely makes your special day a treasured memory by flying over some of the most romantic and beautiful areas Mother Nature ever created.

Kudos to this beautiful couple for taking a leap of faith and doing something different than the norm! I’m excited to assist my current and future wedding clients with all the details to create a fun and fabulous experience they will never forget!

Here are some local places to get married in the air: D.C. Helicopter Charters and New York Helicopter Charters 

Event: Tacori & Mervis Bring Large Jewelry Trunk Show to DC this Weekend

For brides on the hunt for the perfect wedding bands and jewelry, Tacori holds a can’t-miss event this weekend. Known for swoon-worthy sparklers, worn on various red carpets by the likes of Nikki Reed, Katy Perry, Katherine Heigl and Kate Beckinsale,Tacori takes over Mervis Diamond Importers on April 27 and 28 to host its biggest trunk show ever.

The event, held simultaneously at Mervis’s Rockville, DC, and Tysons Corner locations, will feature the largest selection of Tacori bridal and fashion pieces worldwide and showcase baubles from Precision Set, Verragio, Martin Flyer, JB Star, and Ritani. Overwhelmed by the idea of so many options? Tacori representatives and Mervis Diamond experts will assist and guide brides-to-be in finding their ideal wedding rings and accessories.

For grooms in need of some ring-shopping motivation, a complimentary Tacori sport band—a durable band built to withstand fading and tarnish—will be added to every purchase of the brand’s gentleman’s wedding band. Another bonus: Customers who spend $1,000 will have a chance to win gift cards for future purchase.

To attend the epic trunk show and score some major bling, RSVP online.

1700 K St., NW, 202-293-0600; Tysons Corner, 800-437-5683; 1775 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 301-231-0030.

Source: Washingtonian by Irina Grechko Photo credit: Mervis Diamond Importers

Joel + Clarissa’s Engagement Photos: A #DMV Love Story

There's a saying "You know real love when you see it" and since the day I met Joel and Clarissa for the first time together at the Tasting Room at the National Harbor I knew they had something special.

A couple of months ago Clarissa reached out to me for wedding planning services and I immediately told her I would love to help! After our initial vision session, multiple phone and email conversations I knew she was a "Girl's Girl" like me and this was not only going to be a memorable experience for the bride-to-be, but for me too!

Since their wedding theme is a surprise to guest, I cant indulge in any details, but I can say it will be gorgeous!  And I'm very pleased to be able to share these amazing engagement photos taken by the renowned Rodney Bailey Photography! They are one of the finest wedding photographers in Washington D.C. with a pure passion for the art of photojournalism and I cant wait to work with them on the couple's wedding day.

Favored by Yodit Events is so happy to be assisting with the planning of their wedding which is scheduled for October 2013. Nothing makes our team happier than to work with people in love and being able to be apart of such a memorable time of their lives. Thank you Clarissa and Joel and continued blessings to you and yours!

#Favored Facts:

Clarissa adores her family, her soon-to-be hubby (Joel) and nice things!

Joel is laid back and will do anything to make Clarissa happy, a great quality to have in a partner.

Photo Credit: Rodney Bailey 

Wedding Wednesday: Vendor Spotlight- @SeatingChartBtq

This week for Wedding Wednesday we wanted to give you a break from the proposals and Spotlight a Unique Wedding Vendor. Are you looking for a classy way to display your seating chart? Check out The Seating Chart Boutique.

While the seating chart seems like a minor detail, it can be the difference between a smooth or chaotic transition from cocktail hour to the reception. According to The Seating Chart Boutique's CEO, they offer their clients:

1. Over 25 standard designs that are completely customizable

2. Mounting and Framing in-house

3. Exceptional quality and service that has been backed up by a 5 star rating on Wedding Wire and the Wedding Channel

4. Fast Turnaround! Most orders are delivered within 3-5 business days

5. You can also order other wedding stationary (programs, table numbers, menus, etc...) to complete the look

The Seating Chart Boutique is a great idea and a one top shop for all of your stationary needs! Make sure you check out their website and follow them on Twitter @SeatingChartBtq !!

RECAP: Howard Theatre's 2nd Annual Gala and Benefit Concert

On Friday, April 19th I had the pleasure of attending Howard Theatre's 2nd Annual Gala and Benefit Concert. It was the “Who’s Who of the D.C. Music and Political Industry” and a great event with amazing performances by nationally recognized artists.

Inside the Howard Theatre guests were greeted by glamour and classic chic! The event decor was beautifully put together with blue uplighting, luxurious soft green table clothes, purple accented flower centerpieces, programs, and menus.

The menu was delicious and prepared by Food Network Star Season 8 Finalist, Chef Malcolm Mitchell, who lives in Washington, D.C. and added a healthy twist to his soulful recipes, which was a great compliment to the evening’s theme.

The evening was not only designed to raise funds for the Howard Theatre Restoration but celebrations of remarkable entertainers who have helped redefine the music industry. This year’s gala concert was filled with heartfelt tributes to honorees Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, and Valerie Simpson, who all had a personal connection with the historic establishment.

In addition, an impressive group of chart-topping recording artists including Marsha Ambrosius, Yolanda Adams, BeBe Winans, Lela James, Jaguar Wright, Kenny Lattimore and Sheila E. were just a few of the artist that lent their beautiful voices and talents for the performance tributes to the evening’s honorees.

Watching the many performances was definitely the highlight of the night! But just being in the presence of so many great and influential individuals was incredible! Check out more pictures taken by Insana Collins here.

Wedding and Events Boutique by Ann Taylor

Still looking for the perfect dress for a wedding or other special event coming up? Try Ann Taylor! Looking for a wedding dress? Ann Taylor has that to!

Perfect for bridesmaids or as a guest. A soft look for a nice spring outdoor event.

Still need accessories? Complete your look at Ann Taylor as well.

Find a beautiful Wedding Dress without breaking the bank! Simple yet very elegant.

Stand out in this Royal Blue Dress. Perfect for an evening formal event.

For more of the Ann Taylor Wedding and Events Boutique click here!

Adam + Renee's Engagement Photos: Laughter Meets Love!

Adam and Renee met in college at Salisbury University in the fall of 2003. Introduced by friends, the couple did not officially have their first date until February 2004. One thing I found so cute about their story was that Adam (being the jokester that he is) told Renee that he would fall in love with her because of her hair (which is gorgeous!!!) which she probably gets from being Chinese Jamaican. A great friendship grew and Adam continued to make Renee laugh and find more reasons to love her.

Since Renee is from Miami, the couple decided to make a trip and Adam made the necessary arrangements to pop the question! Adam found the perfect lighting + got down on one knee in front of Renee's family to propose. He said a few sweet things, she cried (a lot), her parents and brother screamed, and passersby clapped + cheered.

These two are getting married this weekend in Rivera Maya, Mexico and wish nothing but the best for this beautiful couple! Congrats :)

#Favored Facts:

Adam is a Wine Enthusiast + loves to cook (check his intagram @ad_renaissance)!

Renee loves dance + photography! 

Photo credit: CKJ Visuals 

Wedding Wednesday: The Amazing Proposal

This Proposal was very sweet. The future bride's favorite show is The Amazing Race, so her boyfriend spent two months preparing a proposal inspired by the show. He sent her on several challenges that involved a few of her friends all around New York City and ended of course with him. It is a little long, but I enjoyed the entire mini episode : ). Check out the video after the break!

Trending: Custom Cookies!

Move over gourmet cupcakes, custom cookies are the new hot desert item at events! While cakes are always a nice stable item, they are difficult to transfer and are sometimes messy. Cookies are perfect because they can be wrapped up and taken away as nice party favors.

Bakeries have taken this trend to the next level by making custom cookies available. If you can imagine the design, there is a company out there that can put it on a delicious sugar cookie. My personal favorites are company logo cookies which are great for branding, bridal cookies for showers and sport team logo cookies for viewing parties. Below are just a few companies in the greater Washington metro area that sell custom cookies:

1. Kalorama Cookie Company
2. The Cookie Cutter
3. Cakes by Chris Furin
4. Bundles of Cookies
5. Rae Bakes

Favored by Yodit hasn’t worked with all of the companies, but I was VERY impressed with their photo galleries and decided to share. Have you worked with any of these companies or know of another custom cookie company in the area? Share with us, we would love to hear from you!