If you haven't entered the current giveaway yet, now is your chance as the end is drawing near. Be sure to enter to win Marilyn’s Keepsakes’ Personalized Tube Stem with Crystal Stones Champagne Flutes. They feature a glass stem that encloses crystal stones and they even come with free engraving. Giveaway ends on Monday night so hurry on over to enter. 

And, to get your weekend started, I have exclusive news to share with you {along with two signature cocktail recipes}.

The official launch of two new SMIRNOFF flavors from the Confections portfolio kicks off on Monday . . . but, I have the scoop right here before they're publicly released.

"Adding to SMIRNOFF’s deliciously indulgent Confections line, Wild Honey and Cinna-Sugar Twist both create the perfect treat for dessert lovers. SMIRNOFF Wild Honey Flavored Vodka blends the pure sweet taste of golden honey with a wild side of floral fruitiness, while SMIRNOFF Cinna-Sugar Twist Flavored Vodka combines an indulgent, irresistibly sweet and smooth taste." 

SMIRNOFF True Temptation
 • 1.5 oz. SMIRNOFF Wild Honey Flavored Vodka
 • 3 oz. lemonade
 • 2 oz. club soda
 • Glassware: Highball
 • Garnish: Lemon wheel
 • Preparation: Shake and serve over ice; top with club soda

SMIRNOFF Lucky Lemonade
• 1.5 oz. SMIRNOFF Cinna-Sugar Twist Flavored Vodka
• 2 oz. lemonade
• 3 oz. apple juice

Glassware: Stemless wine glass
Garnish: Lemon wheel
Preparation: Shake and serve over ice

This morning we're starting the day off with a great guest blog from Ross who works at a London based mobile bar company.  He's here to tell us about a great way to make your wedding unique by carrying the wedding theme you’re exploring (or have already chosen) right through to the drinks. He writes . . . "I like consistency; it really adds an extra touch to offer a special cocktail that matches the colour scheme, décor or feeling you’re trying to create." And, now here's Ross with more . . .

Classic Mojito, Shade Hotel Wedding

Holding your wedding in the city gives you the possibility of having an urban glamour theme. I envision a modern and clean décor at a restaurant or hotel with lots of light, and then serving Lechee Martinis as an option. You could also go with my personal favourite the Comopolitian; its name and sweet taste give it a glam feeling. There’s always the Classic Mojito made with white rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water and mint. It has a clean taste with a mint and lime garish, making it look fresh with an upscale allure. 

Sunflower Centerpiece, Fig Sidecar, Bulleit Manhattan

There’s a certain je ne sais quoi to an autumn romance theme. I love the idea of designing a decor with the colours of the changing leaves: deep reds, pumpkin oranges and earthy browns. The sunflower centerpieces will go nicely with the Bulleit Manhattan you can serve. This cocktail is a perfect blend of bourbon whiskey and sweet vermouth with a maraschino cherry at the bottom. The Fig Sidecar is a beautiful red that will match your theme and has a seasonal flavour. Make things romantic with Love in a Glass, it’s not a cheap option as the original recipe includes GreyGoose Vodka; however, there are always substitutes. It also includes two liqueurs making it both delicious and its name will go well with the intimate atmosphere you're planning.

Vintage Dress, Martini, Vintage Shabby Chic Cake

Imagine having a vintage chic wedding and offering your guests old time classics with an added element of sophistication. I picture a dress with lace and short, white gloves, and a reception with soft colours and a black and white wedding cake. Serving a Tom Collins could be your something old, as it’s been around at least since 1876. You could also choose the smooth taste of a Gin Rickey, first created by a bartender in Washington, DC. There’s always the classic Dirty Martini, which has been popular for seventy years and for good reason. Made with gin, vermouth and garnished with a lemon (or olive), the dirty martini has a clean look to it that will match the elegant theme you're creating. 

Then there’s the wedding theme that never gets old: tropical beach. This can be done in part by choosing a destination wedding in a warm climate; or it can be created with decorations that include seashells, starfish and sand. I would go with classics like the Alabama Slammer or Paradise as they are colourful and fun. If you want to go a bit fancier, I wouldn’t go with a Pina Colada (too cliché), but go with the Bahama Mama Sunrise or Hawaiian Island Sunset instead. 

Just remember that whichever drink you choose to match your themed wedding, it’s bound to wow your friends and family as they celebrate the union with you and your partner. 

Ross works for www.hirethebarman.co.uk, a London based mobile bar company. At weekends he tries to escape the city and loves going surfing on the dramatic Welsh coast.

If you are looking for the perfect last minute holiday printable for Thursday, this is it. These watercolor flags from Oh Happy Day and are just perfect for adding to white, striped or polka-dotted straws for your party drinks. If you are looking for some festive drinks, you might like these: The Sparkler, Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Float, Spiked Raspberry Lemonade, White Wine Sangria

Today is an exciting day on the blog as I'm thrilled to introduce you to a brand new monthly contributor on Brenda's Wedding Blog. Please meet Michelle who will be joining us each month with a brand new signature cocktail recipe. Michelle is from a small town in Upstate NY whose personal passion is for DIY projects, cooking and wellness. Please join me in welcoming Michelle and enjoy today's signature cocktail which is perfect for the warmer months heading our way. I will now turn the blog over to Michelle . . .

The wonderful thing about cocktails is that you can literally make anything you want, once you know what ingredients go together. You can be as creative as you like with cocktails. Often, at parties and weddings, we can come across cocktails, which are interesting and unique, and we can't wait until the next wedding and the next wonderful unique cocktail we might encounter. Some of the fun of going to a wedding is sampling these new concoctions. But, with a little creativity you don't have to wait. You can invent your own signature cocktail.

One essential ingredient for cocktail enthusiasts is simple syrup. You could make a bottle of simple syrup yourself at home and store in the fridge for anytime you want to make cocktails. It adds a delicious sweetness and thick consistency to some cocktails. To make your own simple syrup, you need two parts water, one part sugar. Bring your water to the boil on the stove. Add the sugar and dissolve, stirring all the while. Remove from the boil as soon as the sugar is dissolved. Allow it to cool and then bottle it and keep in the fridge. Below is a sample recipe for an Orange Sunrise Cocktail you could easily make at home. Don't be afraid to experiment with your cocktails and add whatever you like to this recipe, a small leaf of mint, or maybe try brandy instead of tequila.

Ingredients:
6 oz. orange juice
1 tsp simple syrup
1 1/4 oz. tequila
1 tsp grenadine
1 slice of lime

Method:
Combine orange juice, simple syrup and tequila. Pour 2/3 over ice in a glass. Mix grenadine with your remaining mixture and slowly pour into the glass. Add anything else you think might work with your signature cocktail and garnish with a slice of lime.

There you have it: a simple recipe for a delicious cocktail. Play around with drinks and different ideas and see if you can create your own creative characteristic cocktail. Why not hold your own cocktail party and let your guests invent their own drinks? Or hold a dinner party and serve up some of your creative concoctions? So get inventing and most of all, have fun.

These Contemporary Champagne Flutes have a contemporary style and traditional appeal, this set of four modern flutes each feature a square edge top, tall stem and are custom engraved on each one with the word:  "Toast", "Sparkle", "Celebrate" and "Cheers" vertically on the bell of each glass. Sold as a set of four. A great gift for the newlyweds.

Whether you're looking to give your groomsmen a unique gift or your dad the perfect Father's Day present, this slender cylinder makes an amazing choice for all the beer lovers on your list. The Personalized Half Yard Ale & Stand is crafted of smooth glass and will make a fun and unique gift.

The Gentleman's Mustache Pilsners are topping the trend charts. These shapely pilsners will make an entertaining addition to anyone's barware collection. With their curvy silhouettes, weighted bottoms and intricately etched moustaches, the hourglass pilsners will create an ideal blend of charm and panache.