Author name: Madelyn

Personalized Service

I recently ordered some new spring clothes from Talbots.  Before you say “no she didn’t order clothes from that old lady store!”, you should really give Talbots another look.  I find their clothes to be a fresh take on traditional clothes. Fun colors, well made clothes for all shapes and sizes, and modern yet classic clothes; that’s what Talbots now offers.  See for yourself.

You, really should check out their website if you haven’t lately. Now on to the real reason for this post.

The last two items are ones that I purchased on a recent sale.  I wasn’t quire sure how the dress would work with my body type so I ordered the skirt in cream as a back-up.  The dress looked awesome on me so I decided to return the skirt.  The sales staff were extremely friendly and helpful so I left the store feeling good about the hospitality I had received, yet again, from Talbots.  

This morning I checked my e-mail to find this:


I was really impressed when I received this.  They went the extra mile to contact me and thank me for my business even though I was returning and not buying clothes from them.  I know it was an automated response triggered by the salesperson scanning the receipt but the fact that Talbots went to extra mile to set the response up and made notice that I’d interacted with them, impressed me.  I’ll definitely be shopping with them again, not just because of the e-mail but because of the entire experience I have when shopping with Talbots.  

The clothes I receive when placing an order with Talbots are always beautifully packaged as if someone took time and hand wrapped them.  Their customer service representatives are always friendly about answering questions when I call or chat with them and they add small, yet noticeable details to their clothing that make me feel special as a customer.

That’s what I call hospitality.  The touches may be small things but to me, their guest, Talbots shows me they value me and want to see me again.  

That’s what you’ll receive when working with Madelyn Ridgeway Events. Attention to detail, courteous staff and a real sense of love and appreciation for your business.  Most of all, it’s what we strive to help you communicate to the guests at  your event.  Each guest should leave your event feeling loved and wowed.

Contact us today for a complimentary consultation on your next event.

Love y’all,

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House wine of the South

Every Southerner worth their weight in gold knows how to make a good pitcher of sweet tea. As Dolly Parton’s character in Steel Magnolias said “it’s the house wine of the south”.  Like the use of the word coke for all types of sodas, many Southerners simply use the word tea to mean sweetened iced tea.

It’s the quintessential southern drink and its popularity is catching on in other areas of the country.  Over ten years ago when my then fiancé and I were eating out and I mistakenly ordered sweet tea at a midwestern restaurant, the waitress gave me a blank stare.  Fast-forward to 2012 and this sweet elixir can now be found in McDonalds nationwide as well as various dine-in restaurants including the one where I received the blank stare.

Iced sweet tea is a sign of hospitality that almost any household can offer.  Done right, it can make a lasting impression on your guests. Several years ago I discovered a great recipe for sweet tea that has always turned out well.  The color is just right and it doesn’t have the “trash” commonly found at the bottom of some pitchers of sweet tea.
Here it is the recipe for your delight:

6 regular or 3 family size tea bags (I normally use good old-fashioned Lipton tea bags

 2 cups boiling water

          1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 to 2 cups granulated sugar  (if you’re a sweet tea newbie, you may want to start with  1 1/4 cups instead

 6 cups cold water 

In a glass measuring cup or saucepan large enough to accommodate 2 cups boiling water, add tea bags and baking soda.  Cover and let steep for 15 minutes.

Remove tea bags, being careful not to squeeze the bags (this adds bitterness).  Pour the concentrate into a 2-quart pitcher and add sugar.  Stir until almost dissolved.  Add 6 cups cold water.  Cool and serve over ice. 

 It’s important to remember to add the sugar while the concentrate is hot or warm otherwise it won’t dissolve and you’ll end up with a bunch of sugar at the bottom of the pitcher.

One other note; I know the baking soda might seem strange, but it softens the natural tannins,  substances found in teas that can cause an acid or bitter taste.

There are many ways to serve sweet tea but one of my favorites is in an old-fashioned mason jar.  You can’t get much more hospitable than that!  This welcoming drink would be great used during a cocktail hour of a country chic wedding or as a wedding favor as shown below.

What about you, do you enjoy a cool glass of sweet tea? Do you have a favorite recipe?

Love y’all,
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It’s Party Time!

There’s not many things I love more than planning a good party and having children helps feed that obsession!  My youngest son, Max will turn one next month and I am so excited to give my little boy an unforgettable, first birthday party.  I can’t believe my little baby is turning one already.  Every time he hits a major milestone i.e teething and walking, I get a ting of sadness.  Max is likely my last baby so I want to nuzzle his little neck and get as many baby snuggles as I can get while they last.

Max and his signature mohawk

Let me put a little disclaimer out there; I confess that I’m a mom who goes a little overboard with her kid’s parties, especially the first one.  A friend of mine once told me that from now on I’ll have to give cartoon-character themed parties and give in to a little person’s opinions so I should enjoy planning the first one.  Duly noted and agreed!

Max’s party will feature a bow tie and balloon theme with turquoise, chartreuse, and splashes of grey as the color scheme.  Here’s a sneak peek of the invitation.

I designed the invitation using illustrator.  My plan is to add a couple of fun photos of the birthday boy to the back of the invitation and package the invites in some extra special packaging to be mailed out.

My brain has been in overdrive trying to pair down the ideas for this party.  My goal is to make his eyes light up when enters the room.  I think I’m on the right road!

Stay tuned for updates on the party planning process.

Love y’all,
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