Courtney and Noah at The Alfond Inn: Part II: The Highlight Video!

A picture-perfect day flooded with sunshine, friends that are thick as thieves and the warmth, love and unending support of two families coming together for this once exceptional couple. That is the story that is Courtney and Noah's wedding day.

Imagery is timeless and beautiful, but video, my friends, captures nuances, mannerisms and a different emotion.  

This was an especially poignant reminder as Courtney lost her beloved Pappy shortly after this perfect day. I know that she, and the entire family were not only grateful that he could be there on their wedding day, but also forever more in their wedding video memories.

I'm so pleased to share with you this loving and fun video masterfully done by Jeffrey Stoner. [otherwise known as the Mister!]

xx, LS

Super Bowl Party vs. Real Life


Super Bowl 2015 is upon us, and let's face it ...you could use a welcome break from tax prep, resolution keeping, wedding planning, blizzard prep and everything that goes with real life!

This is a rare circumstance where you will find me actually taking the "theme" and running with it. The kitschy details are plentiful: invitations, food display, activities...the possibilites and your creativity can be endless-



I adore the above invitation from a simple jewelry box, the Super Bowl Bingo and commercial rating paddles, {via Jeff Mindell Photography} the whimsical tablescape and always welcome an occasion for signature cocktails!



Think about this welcome reprieve from day-to-day menu planning and responsibilities: you don't have to worry about your decor looking "too much," D.I.Y projects are applauded rather than judged, dress is casual and you can eat indulgent {i.e., unhealthy!} foods and concern yourself with only fitting in your jogger pants and not your jeans!
*See previous post o Athleisure Wear!*


Admittedly, I am no sports {let alone football} enthusiast, so in the spirit of "if you can't bet 'em, join 'em," I party plan. {and bless the Mister for enduring all of my party planning details and DIY projects!

Because let's face it, I'm really in it for the perfect outfit and Puppy Bowl...

*heart randomly explodes in glitter pieces*



NYC SPRING ELOPEMENT {ME AND THE MISTER!}


When we made the decision to get married, {a very natural and easy decision I might add!} Jeffrey and I mulled over various ideas for consideration. Inexplicably almost, we both immediately and innately knew we would elope. We had a few spots of great importance to us, and I even toyed around the idea of Paris, France for the sheer romance of it all! In the end, the where, when and why could not have been a more perfect solution for us. As I always advise my very own clients, the details of your wedding need to make sense. Does this {detail} tell your story individually and as a couple? Does it make sense?

It is, after all, your story and your "happily ever after…"

*Image Courtesy of Root Photography*

Crockpot Pork Ramen Noodle Soup

Happy Monday!

Now, I'm not sure if it's the chillier weather, {yes, even here in Florida!} or the slower pace that January offers post-holiday, but I seem to crave comfort-filled evenings with the Mister and the Girlies.

Supper sets the comfort-tone for them, but the preparation of supper ALWAYS sets the tone for me!  I just love planning and preparing to cook for my family and friends.  It actually helps me to decompress!

Forever appreciative to the crock pot for allowing me to plan ahead, prepare a meal and multi-task for the remainder of the day on my other responsibilities, my priorities  stayed the same, which was healthy, flavorful and innovative meals.

Cue my new foodie-crush, and sweetheart of a gal, Tieghan Gerard, founder and author of Half Baked Harvest. She has been kind enough to allow me to share some favorite recipes with you, and her spunk and energy are so infectious.

Goodness gracious, just look at this healthy and fresh ramen dish!

The acorn squash and mushrooms are delicious!

But let's face it, the pork and the egg are EVERYTHING!

From the delightfully talented Tieghan's kitchen to yours and mine: 

Ingredients

  • Soup
  • 2-3 pounds pork shoulder roast (or butt)
  • 4 cups low sodium chicken broth, plus more of needed
  • 1/4-1/2 cup + 2-4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce <--Use low sodium
  • 1/4 cup + 2-4 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons thai red curry paste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon sambal oelek (chili paste) (or to taste)
  • The juice of 1 lime
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese five spice
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 cups wild mushrooms, left whole - or button mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 packs Ramen noodles, seasoning packets discarded
  • 4 soft boiled or fried eggs, for serving
  • Chopped carrots, sliced jalapenos, cilantro + green onions, for serving
  • Curry Roasted Acorn Squash
  • 1 medium acorn squash, seeded + diced
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder (I use spicy curry)
  • 1 tablespoon white miso paste
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • Pepper, to taste

Instructions

Add the pork to the bowl of a crockpot. Pour the chicken broth, 1/4-1/2 cup soy sauce (depending on your taste), 1/4 cup rice vinegar and fish sauce over the pork. Add the thai red curry paste, ginger, sambal oelek, juice of 1 lime, Chinese five spice powder, black pepper and 1 tablespoon brown sugar. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours (I recommend going low and slow).

About 40 minutes before you are ready to eat, roast the squash. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a small bowl mix together the melted coconut oil, curry powder, miso, brown sugar and a good pinch of pepper. Add the cubed squash to a greased baking sheet and pour the curry mixture over the squash. Toss well. Bake for 30-40 minutes, tossing a couple of times during cooking. You want the squash to be lightly browned and crisp.

Meanwhile, remove the pork from the crockpot and add the mushrooms. Cover the crockpot and crank the heat up to high. Lightly shred the pork with two forks or your hands.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sesame oil. Once hot, add enough pork to cover just the surface of your skillet, do not over crowd the skillet. Sprinkle a little brown sugar over the pork, add 2 tablespoons soy sauce and 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, toss. Allow the pork to caramelize, about 2 minutes. Stir and allow the pork to continue to caramelize, about 3-5 minutes total. Remove the pork from the skillet, repeat with the remaining pork. Keep the pork warm.

Add the Ramen noodles to the crockpot and allow them to cook 5 minutes. Once the noodles are cooked, stir in only half of the pork. Ladle the soup into bowls. Top with extra caramelized pork, curry roasted acorn squash and an egg. Season the egg with salt and pepper, Add the carrots, jalapeños, green onions and cilantro if desired. Happy slurping!

*Recipe and Images Courtesy of Tieghan Gerard | Half Baked Harvest


Me and The Mister

Love and marriage.

Upon the launch of Me Actually, I reached out to several friends and followers of mine and the Mister's to find out what in "lifestyle" piqued their interest.  Sure, there were many shared passions that were thrown out there:  fashion, design, music, film, cooking, etc. , but it was becoming evident that a curiosity into our personal lives existed as well.  For a particularly private couple with a very (and I mean very!) tightly-knit circle, this seemed like the biggest challenge of all.  With all of that being said, what you see is what you get, and if you are willing to follow us, we are more than willing to share.

The Mister and I met each other 10 years ago as business acquaintances.  I was relatively new in the wedding business, { E Events Design} he was well-established, {Jeffrey Stoner Video} and you'd better believe that I had already been very well acquainted with his work.  Huge fan.  I mean, HUGE!  From a very quick introduction at a networking event, I vowed that we would work together, and work together we did on countless beautiful weddings!  As time and years passed, a very meaningful friendship had developed.  Every time I had a creative concept or marketing idea, he'd be the first I'd run it by.  He never laughed, and maybe not always agreed, but ALWAYS listened.   Business pow-pows transitioned into an easy and comfortable friendship.  

Here we are at a meeting in Denver, CO prior to a wedding fashion showcase that I  produced, and managed to convince him to document on video in 2008


Transitioning out of a marriage for me, and a long-term relationship for the Mister, it was this friendship that we relied upon so heavily to be a place of non-judgement and calm during a very tumultuous storm.  I was navigating keeping my business thriving, raising my two young daughters and building a new home for us to live, while the Mister moved out of his home to start a new life. Our friendship seemed more like a life-line in that we were constantly confiding and leaning on one another for support. "Buddy" - that's what we called each other, and that's what we definitely were.

Me and the Girlies, as we embarked on our "new normal" life. *Images by Abby Liga | Liga Photography*

Me and the Girlies+Lisa Stoner+Me Actually+Abby Liga Photography.jpg

 

As John Lennon once sang, “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”, and that about sums up our beginnings as a couple.  We weren’t planning it and could have never imagined it, but it just happened.  Here's the funny part: the girls had known the Mister since they were very little girls, and called him by his proper name, "Mr. Stoner." One evening while over for dinner, he explained to them that they no longer had to go through that formality.  They asked what they should call him instead, and he jokingly replied "you can call me Sir".  They combined that into "Sir Mister" and it stuck!  Hence, "Mister" for me to this day.

*Image Courtesy of Abby Liga | Liga Photography*

I frequently told the Mister that I never needed anything more than the beautiful relationship we seemed to be sharing.  I never needed to get married again, and I never wanted to rely on anyone but myself ever again.  Likewise, if you ever knew the Mister, then you knew he never wanted to get married either (he really was the George Clooney of the wedding industry!) Here's the lesson on that kids:  Never say never.

We were never engaged.  We never made an announcement or proclamation of any kind.  We eloped.  Just. Up. And. Eloped.  When I tell you that no one knew, NO ONE  knew (except for our photographers who not only served as witnesses for our marriage license, but are our closest and dearest friends to this day!)

Now, I am not suggesting we didn't talk about this; we certainly did. We considered everything imaginable, most especially my daughters. We planned for 3 months to clear our schedules and fly away to get married.  The girls thought we were going to NYC for Spring Break and would do a family photo shoot. This helped to explain why I was buying dresses for the three of us!

Post-Ceremony! *Image by Nathan and Jensey Root | Root Photography*

 

 

Someday soon, I'll share the details of our sweet elopement in Strawberry Fields, Central Park.

In the meantime, we've been living happily ever after ...!


*Image by Abby Liga | Liga Photography*

Happy weekending, friends!

xx, LS


Athleisure Wear | The Jogger Pant

 

It’s all fun and games until the pants are too tight…

 

Because the weeks from Thanksgiving to New Year’s consisted of countless calories, delectable desserts and savory sins at every corner, it’s no wonder we are all looking for something that not only looks stylish, but feels great. As much as I love dressing up and coordinating outfits, it’s as if I look for any excuse to stay in comfortable PJ’s all day! 

 

My struggle was this: everyday errands and casual evening’s out were beginning to look unkempt and thoughtless.  And then, as if a personal prayer was answered, the track pant trend was practically dropped in my lap.

 

Truth be told, I thought I happened upon this trend accidentally.  In full disclosure, I was in the Gap looking at their Gap Body selection, [my favorite loungewear and PJ’s!] and thought these stylish pants came by way of workout wear and were somehow misplaced. 

 

Athlesiure wear, as it is now referred to, is checking off every fashion box for me right now! Comfortable, casual, dressed up, dressed down and always stylish!  The drawstring keeps the fit comfortable enough while the tapered ankle offers a tailored look. Hallelujah! 

 

Casual: Wear a t-shirt or pullover with a fashion sneaker. {Source Image: EXPRESS}

Dressed Up: Choose a more structured top, button down or sweater, and wear with a sassy heel. {Source Image: GAP}

 

Oh, and I’ve tried this look on the Mister as well— quite successfully I might add!  Sans the sassy heel, of course! {Source Image J Crew and Gap }

 

Aaaand EXHALE.  Literally!

xx, LS

Man up!

Show of hands: Who struggles every birthday, holiday, anniversary, etc. to find a unique and meaningful gift for their Mister, or favorite man in their life? [hint: THIS girl right here!]

Our friends at Man Crates have got your covered, friends, and truth be told, I may be hard-pressed to keep my sticky fingers out of some of these fun and enviable gifts!

Clean Shave Crate+Man Crates+Lisa Stoner+Me Actually.jpg

Their manifesto is priceless: 

"We say 'no' to ugly neckties, cologne samplers and executive trinkets. We don't save wrapping paper, we don't do ribbons.

We ship bragworthy gifts for guys. Gifts that you can't wait to arrive because you know the recipient will love opening them.

Gifts that people gather round at the office, people following the sounds of wood being torn from wood by the included, laser-engraved crowbar.

We are Man Crates, and we deliver awesome gifts for men."

I think my brother in law, Johnny would go all manly "ga-ga" over this one:

The possibilities are so fun, and even endearing, like this one for your favorite Daddy to-be!

Even the finest of gentlemen will relish the opportunity to rip open their carte gift with a crowbar.

Shhh...this one's for the Mister! xx, LS


Right Now: Alice + Olivia Collaboration with Starbucks

I don't know if it's the "reentry management" that goes along with a post-holiday break, or the chillier weather, {yes, even in Florida!} but I am finding my need for an afternoon caffeine fix at an all-time high!

Cue a stylish, and timely collaboration with Alice + Olivia and Starbucks to unite sophisticated coffee and tea drinkers as we all embark on our first weeks into 2015.

Quirky, sophisticated and insulated...I won't even tell if you have hot chocolate in there! *wink!

Twenty-One Days

CHALLENGE ISSUED BY LISA STONER —

At the beginning of each month, we will launch a 21-day initiative, and we want to hear your stories, successful or just close enough, so we can share the journey together. We want to spark initiatives in all of you monthly, as we all work towards an improved and better, well…”me, actually.”

You’ve heard the phrase: “It takes 21 days to form a habit,“ haven’t you?

For the month of December, we incite you to save each $5.00 bill you encounter. For us, between groceries, those “more than a few” runs to Target, eating out, entertainment, etc. when paying with cash, the mister and I get quite the few $5.00 bills in return change.

What will you do with those accumulated $5.00’s after the 21 days? Chip away at some of that Holiday shopping debt? Add it to a vacation fund? Shoes?

Does budgeting and saving come easy to you, or is it more of a challenge and chore?

We can’t wait to hear from you in comments and on social media! Be sure to post your daily or weekly progress by using the #meactually21days hashtag!

 

The Beginning is always TODAY!

 

If you woke up every morning, epic bed head and all, and literally thought about the very same thing for 3 1/2 years, what would you do? In many ways, I was reborn 3 1/2 years ago. In the spring of 2011, I took the finest man I have ever come to know, my two beautiful daughters, a fun-loving husband/wife photography duo and whisked away to NYC in the wee hours of the morning. On March 20th, we married in Strawberry Fields, Central Park and my life has been on this continual upswing ever since. This "same thing" thought I had every day was the desire to have an online source or guide where my husband and I (always referred to as "Me and the Mister") could read and reference together, along with one that my friends and I could discuss and relate to.  This blog idea was born.

But there's more!  Sharing my vision with my friends Amy Morelli and Robyn Dixon, we realized that our lifestyles are very different at this stage of life.  Perhaps we could pool our perspectives to create a "something for everyone" approach!

So, let's introduce the team ...

LISA STONER: I love the fashion and lifestyle blogs I follow, I really do! That said, I feel like the style and voice I favored in those blogs was a little "young" for me. Remember, 45 is the new 30! I'm a gal with the world at her fingertips who also happens to be remarried, has a daughter in college, a freshman in high school and would have loved a little "preparation" for the triumphs and struggles that come along with navigating these years. #meandthemister

AMY MORELLI: What about the voice of the 40+ year old that is single (divorced), childless, with a lucrative career and VERY okay with that? She loves her family, is the most avid animal lover, a feminist, loyal friend, and yes, she actually loves children! (Especially her niece!) College, marriage, then children (in that order) isn't in the plan for everyone, and if that's you, you'll love Amy! #memyselfandi

ROBYN DIXON: Maybe college, marriage and children was in the cards for you. AFTER your career. No less loving and devoted to her husband and toddler son, this 35+ something will give you everything from trends on pleated leather skirts in the office, to getting little boy stains out of your cashmere. A self-proclaimed "virgin cook" she's scrambling just like you trying to find the balance between countless hours at the office and quality time with her family. I know you will have lots to relate to with Robyn! #meandtheminimister

We plan on mixing life and love, stylishly and tastefully of course, so grab your coffee, tea, or wine and join us for everything life has to offer us all.

This is me. This is us.

Collectively, the joys, growth, and challenges we face are at once unique and universal.  So, when you really think about it, Me Actually... is you.