Lookeeee!!!!

I was a bad girl and went shopping today! (I'm supposed to be doing my bookeeping today so that my accountant doesn't give me a time out when tax time comes!) I found the most DARLING necklace for an outfit I'm wearing to a Holiday party next week.

The designer is a woman by the name of Katherine DeJarnette Babin and she has an online website for her exclusive jewelry - dejarnette - new orleans - She's definitely one of my new favorites!!



Isn't it gorgeous?

Pajamas!!!

For those of you that know me, you know that I am a pajama FANATIC! I LOVE to lounge around the house in my favorite PJs...snuggled up under my favorite throw. And now that the temps here in Phoenix are dropping, I can enjoy some of my fav-flannels.

Anyway...

I got home tonight and stopped at the mailbox. Included in the mountain of catalogs I got, was one for...you guessed it...a company that sells PAJAMAS!!! (Can you tell how excited I am??)

Pajama Gram

They have pajama sets for men, women, boys, girls and children. The also have sets for my brides!! There is even a red, dropseat PJ for the family dog!



Each set comes in its own unique packaging ready for gift giving. TOO CUTE!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Isn't He CUTE?

If by chance my husband happens to read this, I'd like him to take a really good look at this puppy's face. "Honey?? Sweetie?? How can you resist this face?? Ummm...in case you're wondering what I want for Chirstmas, wonder no more! I want one just like this! :) "

"Can I please, please...can I??"

Ok girls...send me some feedback. What else I can do to ensure that I see this face on Christmas morning?

Ask the Expert: What to Buy For the Guys?

"Should my fiance buy gifts for his groomsmen?"

Absoulutely...YES!

The male characters of this major production called "The Wedding" need love too. Besides...when those 20lb. bags of ice need to be lugged from the car to the kitchen, they'll be the first ones you'll call, right? We girls sometime forget that today's man is very "metro" and often times VERY stylish. So when it comes to choosing gifts for the guys, make sure you check out one of my FAVORITE spots...Z Gallerie. I LOVE their barware collection. And what guy do you know that wouldn't love a new addition to his bar?

Below are pictures of a few examples...be sure to check out the manhole cover coasters! American cities, like New York, L.A., Chicago and Beverly Hills...each coaster boasts an authentic and special pattern specific to the city.

How to Ask For More Money

You gotta pay the bills somehow. Whether you're asking a potential employer for more money or your current boss for a raise, talking about money is awkward, especially when you are searching for the best way to phrase your request.

read more | digg story

New and Improved Website

Hi everyone!

Part of my Thanksgiving vacation was spent updating our website with new content and images from the weddings we've done in the last 2 years. It was hard work but I really like how it turned out. Take a peek and let me know what you think. I'm becoming really good at this whole webmaster thing! :)

The best part was re-visiting each wedding while going through all the pictures. The memories reminded me why I love this business so much...and that is helping couples celebrate one of the most sacred moments in their lives. The blending of two families in order to spread love and togetherness. But more importantly, to celebrate the love of two people who can't imagine living life without each other.

Marriage is such a wonderful thing!

Give Thanks!

This morning I smiled at a young mother that was on her way to see the doctor. She looked to be about 7 or 8 months pregnant and she had a 3 year old with her. She looked tired and sad. Her little one wanted to push the elevator button so I picked her up so she could reach it and both she and her mom smiled at the accomplishment. Then the mother said, "Thank you...I wouldn't have been able to pick her up and she loves to push the elevator button." It was such a small thing, but obviously she appreciated the gesture. And it made me feel good just to see that little angel and her mom smile!

Have you ever noticed that the holiday for giving thanks comes before the holiday of giving? The atmosphere of this time of year is one that should surround us each and every day. We get so caught up in the business of being "busy" that we forget about those who are less fortunate and the things they struggle for each day just to survive. I thank God that I have a job that I love and family to spend time with...my heart aches for those who don't.

This year, give of yourselves...money isn't always the answer...and you'll be blessed just to make someone smile!

On this Thanksgiving Day I want to thank all of YOU...my family, friends and my clients for a wonderfully, prosperous year! But most of all, I want to thank God for giving me the talent and the smarts to do what I love to do!

Have a safe and joyous Thanksgiving, everyone!

Cool Guestbook Site

I stumbled upon this great website at my friend Michelle's Charming by Design wedding blog. It's called the Guestbook Store. The covers are darling and the guestbook pages come in several different formats. Here are a few of the covers:







I'm a big fan of products out there that are no nonsense and don't cost a small fortune. The owners of the company are a husband and wife team that created a fun and entertaining activity for their wedding guests to participate in while they were off taking their pictures. Now they are sharing it with you! Enjoy!

Great find, Michelle!!

Time to Shop!

Can you believe it!? The holidays are here AGAIN! Soon (for those of us that haven't started yet), it will be time to hit the pavement and find the perfect gifts for the loved ones in our lives. I'm tempted to tag along with my cousin to hit the stores at 4am on Black Friday. (The day after Thanksgiving when most retailers go from being in the red financially to being in the black...hence Black Friday)

I don't know! She says we'll be done by 10am and can go have breakfast at Coco's or something but...getting up at 3:30am to start shopping by 4am is not my idea of a day off! But I hear the deals are amazing, so I just might step out on faith and do it!

Or...

I heard about a new website that will also get a lot of traffic this year...

http://www.gifts.com/

It's a website that will ask you a series of questions about your intended gift recipient and come up with a vast list of items that you can purchase.

I was impressed! Give it a try!

Picking Your Color Palette

I found the NEATEST website today! Ever see a picture that has the perfect combination of colors for an art or decorating project you are working on? Well, if you have a digital copy of that picture stored on your computer or if you know the URL, visit this website...

Big Huge Labs

You upload or point to the URL of the picture...click the "CREATE" button and VOILA! You'll have an almost perfectly matched color palette to use while out shopping!

Here's a photo that has inspired me for a wedding I'm designing:



And Here is the palette it created:



Neat!

Ask the Expert: Do You Know Any Nice Alternatives to the Traditional Vows?

I found these a few weeks ago on the MyPhoenixWedding.com planning website's blog. I LOVE them!

Perhaps they'll inspire you...

"Do you, Emily, take John to be your husband from this day forward? Do you promise to remain faithful to him and share your feelings honestly, to live with him and laugh with him, to comfort him when he is in pain and delight in his successes? Do you promise to challenge him and bring out the best in him, to never take him for granted, forgive him if he disappoints you, and look for ways to grow together? And do you promise to nurture your love until the end of your days?"

"Emily, do you now choose John to be your life companion, to share your life openly with him, to speak truthfully and lovingly to him, to accept him fully as he is and delight in who he is becoming, to respect his uniqueness, encourage his fulfillment, and compassionately support him through all the changes of your years together?"

"I, Emily, take you, John, just as you are to be my husband. I will share with you the many adventures of this life. I gift you with my love, my respect, and pledge to you my care and commitment in times of joy and sorrow, for today and throughout our tomorrows. So will it be."

Throwing the Bouquet?

This custom has its roots in England. It was believed that the bride could pass along good fortune to others by tossing her bouquet to the single women at the wedding. Tradition says that the single woman who catches the bouquet is the one who will marry next.

Um...nice tradition but I don’t “encourage” this practice with my brides. I do suggest a nice alternative. Presenting a smaller version of the bride’s bouquet to a cherished friend is much more meaningful. Why do I do this? More times than not I’ve seen the bouquet ripped into a million pieces with women sprawled all over the floor with unmentionables showing!

Not a pretty sight!

Winter Wedding Wonderland

Look at these ADORABLE coasters! Your guests will CERTAINLY not throw these on a shelf to collect dust!

You can get them at Get Married!, a new online resource that also has a great show on Lifetime, each weekday morning at 7:30AM.

Bring a bit of the season indoors with these ice blue snowflake design coasters, warmed up by the word "LOVE" centered on the snowflake design. These cozy looking coasters are made of heavy tempered glass and have pads on the bottom to protect tables. Two individual coasters are neatly packaged in a clear box, white satin ribbon and a coordinated small note of thanks.

These would also be a great addition to a "Tiffany Blue" themed wedding, don't you think?

Happy Planning!!

Ask the Expert: How Do I Choose a Wedding Planner?

10 Important Questions to Ask When Interviewing Your Wedding Planner

Some of you have written in and WOW...the questions you've asked are GREAT! I thank you and appreciate every one of you who have taken the time to write in. Keep them coming and you may win a beautiful, personalized Wedding Planner from Exclusively Weddings. Read about contest details here.

I've listed some of the questions you've asked below:



1. What is your experience level?

This is equally as important as asking “how many weddings have you done?” The planner may not have done any weddings officially but have helped friends or their church with coordination. This is good experience. What you want to avoid is the consultant who tells you she did her own wedding and decided to start the business. Too many times, this consultant is still full of the romantic and fun part of the process and has no clue about the brick and mortar it takes to build a wedding to accommodate someone else’s taste.

2. How do you charge for your services?

Some wedding planners charge by the hour, some do an estimate of time your wedding will require and some charge a flat fee and still others work on a percentage of your wedding budget basis. Make sure you know what wedding planner services are included in that fee.

3. Do you receive commissions or referral fees from vendors?

Ethics dictate that the consultant is paid only by the bride, thereby devoting loyalty to the bride. Consultants who accept referral fees from vendors will often pressure you to use the vendor they get the best fee from rather than the vendor who will do the best job.

4. What is your procedure on the day of the wedding?

Some consultants get you through the ceremony and appear at the reception just long enough to see the set up and then they are gone. You want to make sure the consultant will be there throughout the reception to coordinate your special dances, cake cutting, etc. If your consultant gives you an hour block on the day of the wedding, be sure you and the consultant discuss when to start that time and when to stop. You can then plan your events within that time block.

5. What is the procedure for a replacement should you not be able to perform?

A well connected consultant will have a good working relationship with other consultants in your area. If she is unable to perform her duties, she should be able to help you find a qualified replacement.

6. How many weddings do you do per day?

You can do better with a consultant who has only one event per day. Their attention will be on your wedding not on the next one.

7. Can you provide References?

Ask the consultant to provide at least 3 references. It is also a good idea to ask for at least one vendor reference.

8. What is your record keeping system?

You need to know that your wedding coordinator uses some written form of record of your wedding details and vendors details.

9. What other services can you offer?

Many offer invitations and accessories which makes it easy to take care of multiple details with one contact. However, beware of the consultant who is also a caterer, DJ, photographer, etc. If they are doing that job, how can they be there for you as your wedding coordinator too?

10. How will the wedding coordinator be dressed for your wedding?

You'll want the consultant to blend in with your guests and be in proper attire to exude authority and expertise.

Flowers and What They Mean

Here are some names of flowers and their meaning:

Baby’s breath = Everlasting love
Calla lily = Magnificent beauty
Carnation (pink) = Woman’s love
Carnation = Pure love
Cornflower = Delicacy
Crocus = Cheerfulness
Daisy = Innocence
Fern = Magic
Forget-me-not = Remember me
Freesia = Innocence
Hyacinth = Sport and play
Iris = I have a message for you
Ivy = Friendship
Lady’s mantle = Comfort
Lilac = First emotions of love
Lily-of-the-valley = Return of happiness
Orchid = Beauty
Pansy = You’re in my thoughts
Peony = Bashful
Peppermint = Warmth of feeling
Ranunculus = Radiant with charms
Rose (white) = I am worthy of you
Rose = Love
Rosemary = Remembrance
Snowdrop = Hope
Sweet pea = Delicate pleasures
Sweet violet = Modesty
Sweet William = Sensitivity
Tulip (pink) = Caring
Tulip (variegated) = Beautiful eyes
Tulip = Declaration of love
Violet (blue) = Faithfulness

Happy Planning!