DIY'ed IT!...Wedding DIY's (Professional Pics)

We just go our wedding pictures back, and I couldn't be any more happier with how they turned out.  Photography by Costas did an unbelievable job in capturing our special day.  Here are some pro pics of my table signs, sweetheart table sign, pew kissing balls, church programs, my peacock hair fascinator, "In Case of Cold Feet" groomsmen gifts, peacock cake topper, escort cards, and reception menu cards.

Here they are!

Pew Kissing Balls

Church Programs

Table Sign

Peacock Cake Topper

Escort Cards

Sweetheart Table Sign

Reception Menu Card

 "In Case of Cold Feet" Socks Groomsmen Gift

My Peacock Hair Fascinator

Taking a Crack on the Lobster Roll...Our Valentine's Day Lobster Roll Recipe

After being hooked on Lobster Rolls after paying a visit to Luke's Lobster in NYC, I've been dying to find a good alternative.  Also, Luke's Lobster's price tag of $15 was a no bueno too...

Lobster Roll from Luke's Lobster

Here's what you need to make these succulent rolls...

Makes Two Lobster Rolls

*1 Heaping Tablespoon of Hellmann’s Mayo

*Juice of Half a Lemon

*4 Tablespoons of Melted Butter (DO NOT use the fake stuff i.e. “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter”)

*1/4 Cup Finely Minced Celery

*Challah Rolls (found them at Whole Foods)

*Cayenne Pepper, Coarse Ground Black Pepper, and Kosher Salt to Taste

*2 Lobster Tails (4 oz)

Step 1:

Finely mince the celery.  You can do it by hand or in a food processor.

Step 2:

Take the meat out of the lobster shell.  You do this by cutting along the underside of the lobster tail where the feathery filaments are.  You can use a pair of sharp scissors or poultry/meat shears.  Then carefully break apart the shell from the meat.  This should be fairly easy.

Step 3:

Cut the lobster into 1" pieces.  Melt 2 tbsp. of butter in a saute pan over medium heat.  Once the butter is melted, saute the lobster pieces in the butter for 3-5 minutes. 

Step 4:

Put the cooked lobster pieces along with the butter it was sauteed in into a mixing bowl.  Add a heaping tablespoon of Hellmann's mayo (many lobster roll connoisseurs insist on using this brand of mayo), the 1/4 cup of minced celery, and the juice of half a lemon.  Sprinkle in cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and coarse black pepper to taste.  Lightly toss mixture together.  Let the mixture marry together for at least 5-10 minutes.  You can even place it in the fridge if you would like.

Step 5:

While the lobster mixture is in the fridge, start melting the rest of the 2 tbsp of butter in a small saucepan.  Break apart two challah rolls (keeping them connected).  Cut a V shaped slit from the top across the two challah rolls. Make sure you do not cut all the way down.  It forms almost a hot dog bun shape.  This was a genius idea invented by Mr. Domesticated Diva =)  Butter sides of the challah bread with melted butter.

Grill sides of your challah bread on a skillet.  It should take about 5 minutes to brown sides.



Step 6:

Now time to plate!  Spoon your lobster mixture into your make-shift challah hot dog bun.  Drizzle some melted butter over the top, along with another squeeze of lemon juice, and a dash of cayenne pepper to finish.

Although Luke's Lobster had a lot more lobster meat and seemed to taste fresher (he brings in live lobsters from Maine everyday), I think we did a good job in making a comparable Lobster roll.  I would definitely use more lobster meat next time.

Price Breakdown:

1 Lemon: $0.25

2 Lobster Tails: $12 (on sale for $5.99/each)

Challah Bread: $2

Celery Stalk: $1

TOTAL = $15.25

Mr. and Mrs...DIY Wedding Card Wall Collage

Yes, me and Mr. Domesticated Diva are official.  After going through all of our wedding cards, I realized I should capture the day of our wedding in a very special way.  I decided I wanted to reuse our wedding cards and display them is a unique way.  A light bulb went off ,and I decided to do a collage using our wedding cards.  This is what I used...

I started by cutting out scalloped circles using my circle punch.  I choose to cut of words/phrases that dealt with weddings or images on the card that were wedding related.



I then applied mod podge to the back of the scalloped circles with a paint brush and applied it to the canvas (the size of the canvas I used was 16 x 20).  I was able to fit ten circles across and eight circles down.  Allow the mod podge to dry for about 25 minutes.  It is okay if the circles aren't permanently stuck to the canvas.  Here's what it should look like...

I then applied two more coats of mod podge on top.  Ensure you do not apply a heavy coat.  Just a couple of light swipes with your paint brush should be sufficient.  Allow the mod podge to dry about 25 minutes between coats.  A nice glossy finish is made once dry.  See pic below...

Here's the finished product hanging on our wall =)

Here's a closeup pic of the collage...

Cost Breakdown:

-Mod Podge: $6
-Wedding Cards: $0
-Canvas: $6.50 (50% off of $12.99)
-Paint Brush: $0 (already had)
-Circle Scallop Craft Punch: $6 (50% off of $12)

TOTAL: $18.50