Champagne, the perfect accessory to any party celebration: holidays, birthdays, New Year’s, and of course any Central NJ wedding. After all, what is a New Year’s resolution without making a wish at the bottom of a toasting glass at midnight? Today Hotels Unlimited asks our audience: is Champagne really limited to only black tie affairs? This particular blogger (and aficionado of Champagne) thinks not. A good Champagne, ( like any other type of fine wine) is not just limited to one kind of occasion, but rather a key ingredient in some delicious recipes to be shared with good friends and family at any time.
The Mimosa
A classic drink of Champagne and orange juice, the mimosa serves great versatility and is also a classy twist for any Sunday brunch. For a more flavorful twist, try adding some lychee for a sweet delight.
Champagne Sangria
What girl doesn’t love a good chat with friends while enjoying a pitcher of Sangria? Although Sangria is traditionally made with a wine base, Champagne can add a light bubbly flair for your cocktail by simply adding your favorite fruit to your champagne. For a refreshing holiday twist, try using orange slices and some sprigs of fresh mint.
What are some of your favorite Champagne recipes? Comment and share!
“Santa baby did I forget to mention one little thing? A ring.” Although Christmas and the holiday season is a popular time to propose, there are many different styles of rings that can reflect the style of the bride. This cute article by bridal guide, gives some cute insight into cuts of diamond engagement rings.
Round
The look: Also known as brilliant-cut, this tried-and-true shape reflects more light than any other, and is the most popular. Avril Lavigne showed her traditional side by wearing a round diamond engagement ring.
This choice says you’re: Trustworthy and easygoing.
Emerald
The look: Inspired by the Asscher, this glamorous choice is also a rectangular step-cut shape. It has fewer facets than some of the other shapes, so look for an emerald-cut that offers maximum brilliance.
This choice says you’re: Efficient and straightforward.
Cushion
The look: Rectangular with curved sides, the cushion-cut first hit big in the 18th century. A recent resurgence in popularity has given it a modern-meets-vintage feel. Ben Affleck gave Jennifer Garner a cushion-cut rock.
This choice says you’re: Organized and daring.
Princess
The look: This relatively new square shape, with a modern, understated feel, combines a sparkly, brilliant effect with a geometric step-cut. You can attribute its spectacular glitter to extra faceting around the rim.
This choice says you’re: Decisive and fun-loving.
Heart
The look: This century-old shape, symbolizing love and devotion, should be well proportioned for optimum sparkle. Kid Rock proposed to Pamela Anderson with a yellow heart-shaped diamond.
This choice says you’re: Sentimental and dreamy.
Pear
The look: Resembling a teardrop, a pear-shaped diamond has the fire and beauty of a round shape, but with a less conventional look. This shape can also make a wide finger look slimmer.
This choice says you’re: Even-tempered and adaptable.
Oval
The look: If you love the gorgeous sparkle of a round, brilliant-cut diamond but still want something unique, consider an oval. A fresh take on a timeless style, this new shape came about in the early 1960s. Actor Jerry O’Connell recently gave his betrothed fashionista, Rebecca Romijn, an oval-shaped sparkler.
This choice says you’re: Risk-taking and creative.
Asscher
The look: Square with angular corners, this shape dates back to the late 1800s. If you look closely, you’ll see that it’s step-cut, meaning the facets are rectangular and seem to descend into the stone.
This choice says you’re: Feminine and meticulous.
Diamonds by the Numbers
73: Percentage of brides who help choose or affect the choice of engagement ring.
4: Average number of jewelry stores those brides visit.
$2,600: Average amount spent on an engagement ring.
50: Percentage of diamond engagement rings that include round diamonds. The runner-up: square shapes like princess and emerald-cut. The biggest rise in popularity has been in vintage-inspired shapes like cushion and Asscher.
Yes folks, it is two days away from Christmas Day which is why today our topic of inspiration here is Fruitcake: the good, the bad, and the misunderstood.
please don't judge.
Like any other type of food or delicacy, Fruitcake has its good and bad varieties. Although sources indicate that Fruitcake has historical dates as far back as Ancient Egypt & Rome, it wasn’t until Victorian England in the 1800s that would dictate the Fruitcake that we have come to know it by today. The English had created fruitcake as early as the 1600s using dried fruit when they discovered that fruit could be preserved using sugar. Instantaneously becoming a hit in England, fruitcake began to emerge as a contender for any major celebration and holidays. So popular in fact that the Church had deemed it “sinfully rich” and made Fruitcake illegal. (literally).
Despite its reputation, fruitcake still represents an iconic food of the holiday season and still maintains its popularity in England to this day. -Proof you ask? Well, talk to Fiona Cairns, wedding cake designer for the English Royal Wedding. Kate Middleton and Prince William had enjoyed an eight tier wedding fruitcake during their celebration in April 2011. That’s right folks. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Royal Wedding Cake was made with 17 individual fruitcakes with 12 of those cakes serving at just the base alone.
Kate Middleton & Prince William's wedding fruitcake
So next time some one offers a fruitcake, at least attempt to try a piece as it could easily be the most misunderstood confection of the baking world.
Welcome to the Atlantis Ballroom of the Holiday Inn of Toms River. This Central NJ wedding destination is an ideal location that is ten minutes to the beach but without the banquet catering prices found with venues on the water.
This behind the scenes wedding video shows the Atlantis Ballroom features including:
Veranda cocktail hour space
Ice Sculptures included in our packages
Wedding Food Displays
The Ceremony Space
The Dance Floor/ Reception Space/ Sweet Heart Table
Be sure to leave us a comment. Thanks for watching.
In honor of the wonderful year in 2011, each Hotels Unlimited property likes to host an annual Holiday Party for our loyal patrons and friends in the neighborhood. We invite you to take a look at the Versailles Ballroom of the Ramada in Toms River, and wish you the happiest for the season. For more information, please contact us at 732-905-2626 x164 or at www.versaillescaterers.com
According to mycentraljersey.com, New Jersey legislation has passed a bill allowing for couples to marry without a three day waiting period. Legislators say that this will allow for couples vacationing in Atlantic City to experience the same kind of convenience as those who travel to Las Vegas. New Jersey is the only state in the Northeast region to offer an immediate marriage as PA, NY, DE, and MD all have a waiting period. Otherwise couples will have to travel to Connecticut and Rhode Island for a same day marriage license.
So what does this mean for New Jersey couples? Couples looking to be married will now be paying a higher license fee at $60 instead of $28. Also, traveling couples do not need to make advanced travel plans to apply for the license. Legislators are hoping that the bill will attract more couples into the state as well as attract further revenue for towns and municipalities. Legislation has also instated a 30 day annulment period after the ceremony should anyone decide to pull a Britney Spears Vegas wedding…. hopefully this is not a frequent occurrence.
We invite you to take a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of 2011 and celebrate with us during last night’s Mix and Mingle Holiday Jingle at the Holiday Inn of East Windsor along with the National Conference Center. We annually invite our NJ corporate events partners to celebrate with us as both a thank you and a way to warm up for the holiday season ahead.
Whether the company is having a fourth quarter report meeting or strategizing for the upcoming year ahead, one needs a meeting space that is convenient and centrally located. Our Central NJ meeting and banquet facilities are holding a deal for the businesses that look forward to 2012. With this offer, people who book 5 rooms inside our hotels can redeem a FREE meeting room space up to $500. Companies can take advantage of getting a well rested night’s sleep before the big meeting early in the morning.
As a way of saying thank you, we are inviting you to our New Year’s eve 2012 celebration. Help us kick off the new year with Versatile DJs along with a 5 hour open bar, gourmet cuisine, and of course free champagne at midnight. The party will be hosted inside of the Atlantis Ballroom at the Holiday Inn of Toms River. This location is 10 minutes from the Seaside Heights boardwalk which is a nice peaceful walk during the day just before you gear up for the big party at midnight. This central NJ party is one that no one should miss.
Thanks for watching.
