High Five for FRIDAY!

TGIF! I don't know about you but for me this week was loooooong. I am super excited for this long weekend which includes a pool party, BBQ, Euro finals, a festival, lots of food and unfortunately some studying. 


Some fun things about my week:
1.) Studying while catching up on my new favourite show "Suits".

2.) Aravind found this great website called "Rock My Run" which has seamless sets of playlists to keep you motivated during your run or work out. I am back on the work out train so I will definitely be using this to keep me motivated! http://www.rockmyrun.com/

3.) Frisbee! Although I didn't have the best game, my team won and we worked really hard to win! I was impressed with a bunch of our plays and I'm excited to finally get our shirts next week :) 


4.) My WPIC Wedding Coordinator course! It was a great but intense 2 days of classes but I the opportunity to learn about many aspects of wedding planning that would take me years to learn. I now know lots of little facts about weddings in general, running my business, media and much more. I'm excited to begin writing up my business plan and starting my business!

My week wasn't filled with super exciting things so I'm going to cap my list off at 4 today. I hope you guys have a change to link up with Lauren From My Grey Desk and that you guys a wonderful weekend!

Happy Canada Day weekend! 

Affordable Bridesmaid Dresses

Check out this adorable online store that would be great for country and casual weddings as well as everyday wear: http://www.lilyboutique.com

A friend of mine recently ordered the Rose Pink Lace Dress and with shipping it came to $60 which is pretty great when you are shipping something to Canada! The online shopping is a breeze, it was shipped very quickly and the dress fits perfectly! My friend's mom is a little worried it may be a touch too short for a bridesmaids dress but that is also because my friend is 5'9' so all you shorter girls won't have to worry!

The girls are wearing these dresses with cowboy boots! I love it! 

While you are here why not take a look at some of these wallet friendly bridesmaid dress ideas:

Both of these dress are from Banana Republic for under $200

I think the idea of convertible dresses for bridesmaids dress is a genius idea! This is something the girls can definitely wear again! Even if you want matching for the wedding, the dress can be personalized after!

The Jersey Maid on Etsy sells these dresses for $83!

Don't be afraid to check out your local mall for dresses! I know a couple of brides who have found perfect bridesmaid dresses at random stores like The Bay and Mexx. Try Macy's, Target, or even second hand stores if you have a small bridal party. You never know what you can find! Also keep an eye out for those deal websites like Dealfind and Groupon because I have seen some gorgeous dresses for cheap! Kasia got a beautiful maxi convertible dress for $59 dollars regular $140 with dealfind!

Marriage Advice

Hi Loves!

I have some exciting news that I have been anxiously awaiting to share with you! I am going to be starting a new series on marriage advice. So many of you fellow bloggers work incredibly hard to have a successful marriage and I truly admire you for that! Since I'm not married myself, I’m asking married bloggers to contribute a post on their best marriage advice to share. If you would like to be a part of this please let me know, I’d love to have you! :) I plan to do these posts on Tuesday’s for a month or so depending on how many guest posts I get. 

The first guest post will be starting next Tuesday, July 3rd! 

Twitter

I finally gave in and decided to join Twitter! You can follow me @EDandBMevents

I also have a Twitter button on the right side of my blog under Blog Lovin'. 

I'd love for you guys to follow me so I can see how this Twitter thing is really done! (Annnd so my only follower isn't my best friend! Ha!)

Busy Bee!

Lately I have been quite the busy bee! As you may or may not know I had my Wedding Coordinator's course this weekend and it was amazing! I learned so much and I can't wait to keep learning. I have an exam in a week and until then I will be studying as much as I can. The course covered absolutely everything and gave me all the skills and practical knowledge I will need to help further my career.

I apologize if my blogging is scarce this week but I want to try to learn as much as possible over the next week so that I can ace my exam as well as absorb everything I can about wedding planning.

P.S - isn't that picture adorable? I was looking up pictures of the insect and since it gave me goosebumps, I decided to go with an adorable baby. Who doesn't like an adorable baby picture?

Velveteen Rabbit

Did you guys ever read the Velveteen Rabbit as a kid? The story about a stuffed toy rabbit who becomes real through the love of his owner just so happens to be my favourite ceremony reading for a wedding.  


"What is real?" asked the Rabbit one day. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, then you become real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse. "When you are real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

"I suppose you are real," said the Rabbit.

The Skin Horse smiled. "The boy's uncle made me real," he said. "That was a great many years ago, but once you are real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."

What do you guys think? I think it's absolutely beautiful and you can incorporate this into lots of different ceremonies.

21 Pictures

Have you seen the 21 Pictures That Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity? I cried while looking at these pictures.
An article in The Globe and Mail claims it has 'heartstring-tugging potential and it definitely does.


"People aren't always awful. Sometimes, they're maybe even just a little bit wonderful. Here are 21 pictures to remind you of that fact." Buzzfeed.com


http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/pictures-that-will-restore-your-faith-in-humanity

High Five for Friday

TGIF! It's finally Friday and I couldn't be more excited. I'm linking up with Lauren over at From My Grey Desk for High Five for Friday.

My favourite things from this week are:
1.) Thai Food! On Wednesday my department at work went for Thai food and did it up family style. We had a whole bunch of dishes brought to the table and were able to eat little bits of everything. Lately I hear more and more people doing this for wedding receptions and I love it! I think it's a great way to keep everyone happy and well fed.

2.) My weekly ultimate frisbee game. Hamilton reached a scorching temperature of 41° C so we were definitely sweating buckets! We lost but it was a great game! The other team has improved greatly and it was  a very good challenge.
3.) Kitten snuggles in the morning. I've been living at Aravind's since he had surgery and their house has sort of adopted a cat. I will explain more about that later but 2 mornings this week, Max has come into the bedroom to snuggle until I get up for work. Hearing him purr puts a smile on my face all morning.

Sorry this picture is so dark! I hope you can see it!

4.) Rainy evenings.♥ I made some dinner, crawled into bed and caught up on a few shows. It was a perfect night!
5.) My wedding coordinator course is FINALLY here! I will be learning all about weddings this weekend and  I can't wait to tell you guys all about my course. I am incredibly excited and a little bit nervous. Wish me luck!

Have a fabulous weekend! :)

Love

by Roy Croft

"I love you, 

Not only for what you are, 

But for what I am 

When I am with you. 

I love you, 

Not only for what 

You have made of yourself, 

But for what 

You are making of me. 

I love you 

For the part of me 

That you bring out; 

I love you 

For putting your hand 

Into my heaped-up heart 

And passing over 

All the foolish, weak things 

That you can't help 

Dimly seeing there, 

And for drawing out

Into the light 

All the beautiful belongings 

That no one else had looked 

Quite far enough to find. 

I love you because you 

Are helping me to make 

Of the lumber of my life 

Not a tavern 

But a temple; 

Out of the works 

Of my every day 

Not a reproach 

But a song. 

I love you 

Because you have done 

More than any creed 

Could have done 

To make me good, 

And more than any fate

To make me happy. 

You have done it 

Without a touch, 

Without a word, 

Without a sign. 

You have done it 

By being yourself."

Mint Green!

Mint Green seems to always pop up every couple of years as a hot wedding colour and I am absolutely loving it this summer!

Some possible colour combinations:

• Mint green and coral
• Mint green and peach
• Mint green, brown and white
• Mint green and navy
• Mint green and raspberry
• Mint green, black and white
• Mint green and lilac

My inspiration and second favourite mint colour combination. Mint, chocolate and white! Delicious!

My favourite colour scheme with mint green is definitely mint and navy! This is how I picture it:

• Navy bridesmaid dresses with mint green jewellery.
• Grey suits for the groom and groomsmen
• Navy ties (with mint green accents if possible)
• All white bouquets with navy ribbon
• White boutonnieres
• Mint green cake

What do you guys think? Also a big shout out to PicMonkey for making it extremely easy to create a collage! :)

Don't Be A No-Reply Blogger!

Recently Natalie from He, Me & Them informed me that I was a no-reply blogger! I definitely didn't want to be a no-reply blogger and set out on a search to figure out how to change this!
I found Gen from Color Me Domestic who has a great, east to follow post of how to not be a no-reply blogger! Thanks Gen! :) Link here to check out Gen's post and while you are there you should check out her blog! She has some really awesome ideas and full tutorials.

Enzoani's Spring 2013 Line

Take a moment to check out some of the beautiful Enzoani dresses from the St. Regis Monach Beach Runway. As always there is plenty of lace!

The 1st dress is definitely my favourite. What dress you guy guys like the most?

How Do I Love Thee?

How Do I Love Thee?
By Elizabeth Barrett Browning 


How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, -- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! -- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

High Five for FRIDAY!

Happy Friday, Loves! I hope you all had a wonderful week!

5 of my favourite things from this week:
1.) Watermelon slices candy! Yumm. I got these for my birthday last week and have been pigging out  enjoying them in reasonable amounts all week

2.) Aravind graduated!! It was really exciting to watch him graduate and I'm so proud of him. He now has an Honours Bachelors of Science and made the Dean's Honour list. He has worked incredibly hard this year and deserves everything he received at his convocation.

3. We won our Ultimate Frisbee game! It was super windy and made the game last 2 hours but we made some really good plays and were able to pull off a win. :)

4.) Kasia who recently started blogging over at Armor & Adorn was filming a quick and easy summer make up look which will air in August on the local TV channel! I'm so proud of her!!! Kasia is an amazingly talented make up artist and I really hope this opens many doors for her.

5.) Last night my dad and step mom came down to celebrate my birthday so Aravind and I took them to a delicious Mediterranean restaurant. It was great spending the evening with them. I really wish we could see more of my family.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Talk to you on Monday :)

P.S - There were lots of pictures taken at Aravind's convocation buuuut they are on his mom's camera. I'm half way there! I remembered to take them but then I never took them off her camera. Next week my goal is to try to take at least 1 picture and download it! I really need to be investing in a camera.

Bathroom Goodies!

Bathroom baskets! These are a wonderful and fairly inexpensive way to make guests feel more welcomed, appreciated and it's a small detail that makes a big impact!

I would check out Goodwill or the Dollarstore to look for vases, dishes, trays or baskets to keep everything in. Remember you can always add ribbon, crystals, paper, paint or anything you can think of to decorate these.

For the items I would suggest using your Shoppers Optimum Points (if you live in Canada! I would also suggest going on a day with some form of deal to get more bang for your buck), Air Miles or any drug store points card to get these items for 'free'. You can also find most of these items at Dollar and Discount stores.

In both the baskets I would recommend some of the following:

• Lint roller
• Spray deodorant
• Hair spray
• Floss
• Gum/mints
• Some cologne or perfume samples (stock up at your local drug store!)
• Tide to go pen
• Tums/Pepto Bismol (Pepto comes in tablets now which is even more convenient)
• Combs
• Advil
• Band Aids
• Contact Lens Solution/Eye Drops
• Kleenex  
• Safety Pins
• Pre threaded needles
• Shoe Shine wipes

I would also put some feminine products in the women's basket as well as clear nail polish (to fix runs in pantyhose), static spray, maybe some lip chap or translucent powder. 

Most of these items will come in travel size containers which will be a lot cheaper than regular sized items. 

Like most things at Weddings if you pick up a few items at a time and keep an eye out for sales you can actually save money. 

Love

Happy Endings

Aravind and I are in the middle of watching 2 shows: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Happy Endings. Buffy is an amazing blast from the past! Part way through Buffy we fell in love with Happy Endings. I started watching it when it came out as part of my love for random comedy shows. I always have to give new TV series a chance and occasionally they turn out to be gems! Happy Endings was originally supposed to be a mid season filler but has just renewed for their 3rd season.Yay! :)

I'm constantly laughing and can't seem to get enough of this show! I may also be a little bit biased because the married couple often reminds me of my relationship with Aravind.


If you are in the market for a new show I would strongly recommend this one! Let me know if any of you guys start watching it. 

Paper Lantern Inspiration

Yesterday I wrote a post that had a paper lantern inspiration picture (see post here) and I mentioned that you can take inexpensive paper lanterns found on Ebay or in the dollarstore and add different items to turn them into fabulous pieces. While on Pinterest today I found a great example of exactly what I was talking about.:)

Check out my Pinterest Account for more inspiration!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, they are warm; but how can one be warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him.

I'm back!

Hi Loves,
As you may or may not have noticed I have been on a little blogging break! Between my birthday and getting my new blog design up and running I haven't had time for much posting. What do you guys think of my new blog? I'm completely in love and I wanted to spend a moment to thank Andrea over at Pics-O-Andrea! She was absolutely amazing to work with and was so helpful! She even went the extra mile and loaded my blog for me. Andrea has very reasonable prices and I would highly recommend her if you are thinking about a blog make over. Check out her blog when you have a moment! :)

I would also like to mention that I am going to try to do as many posts as possible on affordable weddings. I truly do love weddings and I believe they should be celebrated but they should focus on the marriage that is starting out and not just a party. I believe you can have a beautiful wedding at an affordable price and still have money to put towards a house, paying off debt or for whatever else is important to you. My goal is to help you guys come up with these affordable solutions as best as I can!

I'm glad to be back blogging and have a lot of great posts in the works! I am also in the middle of planning to have a guest blogger on here in the next week. I am quite excited for that! :)

I hope everyone had an incredible weekend, enjoyed the sunshine and has a hassle free work week.
Here are some Pinterest Inspirations that I'm loving today:

I love lanterns for out door weddings. Lanterns are fairly cheap on eBay and make a big statement. They come in a large amount of colours and sizes. You could always take this a step further and add something to some of the lanterns like glitter, crystals, butterflies, flowers or initials.

 I absolutely love the look of these chairs however it would get quite pricey to decorate them all this way. I would just do the chairs on the end which would still look great and keep your costs down!

LOVE the reeds in the sand! Affordable and looks great. You may want to take it a step further and add a pop of colour in a ribbon around the base of the reeds.

I love photo's that capture the couples real personality. For a fun loving couple I think this is a great shot! :)

Perfect for a country chic wedding! You could also use this idea for centerpieces to tie the wedding together.

On Pinterest it said to use pictures of the bride growing up on the one side of the isle and pictures of the groom on the other side of the isle. That's what I call a walk down memory lane!

A Hindu Marriage Poem

You have become mine forever.
Yes, we have become partners.
I have become yours.
Hereafter, I cannot live without you.
Do not live without me.

Let us share the joys.

We are word and meaning, unite.

You are thought and I am sound.

May the nights be honey sweet for us.

May the mornings be honey sweet for us.

May the plants be honey sweet for us.

May the earth be honey sweet for us. 

Twisted Updo's

I don't think I'll ever stop being amazed at Kate from The Small Things Blog. Her post yesterday on doing your own updo's was great! She is right when she says that nothing is worse than hating the way you look on a special occasion.
Check out her post here to see how she does the twisted updo as well as 3 other updo ideas!

It totally helps that she is gorgeous but how pretty is this twisted updo?! Let me know if you guys try out any of these hair styles! 

Something Borrowed!

To go with my post yesterday on your "something blue", here are some ideas that you could use for your "something borrowed". The third of the five items or "something borrowed" represents borrowed happiness. Most brides choose to borrow from a happily married couple but it can also be something borrowed from a friend or other relative who is symbolic of happiness for the bride and groom. 


Some ideas:

• borrow some jewellery from a happily married woman to wear
• borrow a handkerchief from one of the men in yours or the grooms family
• borrow a bible to use for the readings during the ceremony 
• borrow a veil 
• remember you can always have something sewn into your dress so that no one will see it and only you know it's there. This works well if your something borrow has sentimental value but doesn't really work with your overall look. 
• borrow your parents or future in-laws first dance song to use as yours
• borrow something some one else used at their wedding - cake topper, chuppah, arch, cake knife & server, etc.
• borrow advice. Make an advice tree where couples can write a note about how they have managed to have a successful marriage and hang it on a tree. 
• borrow your wedding date.

 An advice tree

The Duchess' something borrowed from Princess Diana..and possibly her something blue

Mirror, Mirror...

On Saturday night I went to see Snow White and the Huntsmen which is getting some mixed reviews. I personally liked it and didn't think it was a waste of money. Charlize Theron was excellent and Chris Hemsworth  (aka Thor) is just ridiculously good looking! The costumes were great and I was over all impressed.  I had some issues with some of the characters monologues not being very inspiring or eloquent and Snow White's (played by Kristen Stewart) appearance. I just wished Snow White was more fair, had black hair and red lips as was stated in the beginning of the movie. If you are looking for a decent movie to go see, you enjoy fair tales and/or like good looking men (ahem, Thor) I would definitely suggest Snow White and the Huntsmen.

Has anyone else seen it? What did you guys think?

Something Blue!

Happy Monday!
How amazing is this colour by Essie? It's called 'Borrowed & Blue'! I think this would be super cute on a bride's toes :)

Here are some other something blue ideas to help cope with your Monday blues.

Blue Garters like this one from Who Made That Bow on Etsy.

Isn't that gorgeous?! I love how delicate and romantic they look. Check out Etsy for other custom made blue garters.

Lillig Shoes from Aldo for $59.98. I think you could add some crystals, feathers or flowers and take inspiration from Bella Swan's shoes in Twilight (I blogged about them here ) to make a fabulous pair of shoes.

Hair pins from Esty Shop NorthWestBridal

• blue panties
• a blue flower in your bouquet (you can have it hidden in the middle if blue doesn't go with your colour scheme) 
• painting the bottoms of your shoes blue
• your wedding date stitched into your gown in blue thread
• blue jewellery
• paint the inside of your shoes blue
• put 'I do' or your wedding date on the bottom of your shoes with something blue like marker, jeweled stickers, pen
• blue eye shadow 
• write your vows in blue ink or blue stationary 
• blue clutch
• blue handkerchief 

High Five For FRIDAY!

Hi Loves! This Friday I have decided to link up with Lauren over at From My Grey Desk (whose blog is pretty great by the way) for High Five For Friday. Only one of these pictures is my own and it's from Easter this year so I'm going to try my best to try to remember to take more pictures during the week! Who ever remembers to take pictures during the week is my hero right now!

My favourite things from this past week:
1.) Raspberries! I can't seem to get enough of them recently. They have always been a favourite fruit of mine but for some reason they are tasting better than ever! I even stopped by the farmers market to pick up some to snack on at my desk. Amanda (the roommate) and I both love them so I have a  feeling these next couple of weeks are going to be deliciously raspberry filled!

2.) I've only had to work 2.5 days this week which is pretty special on it's own but on Tuesday Aravind (the boyfriend) had surgery so I have spent the past couple days taking care of him. The surgery went very well and now he is on the road to recovery. The fact that he had surgery isn't my favourite part so please don't think I'm a horrible girlfriend but I loved spending an entire 48 hours with him. We have had the chance to talk a lot, watch some TV shows together and experience a whole new level in our relationship. This surgery has definitely been a hidden blessing for us and has only brought us closer.

This is us at Easter showing off our Kinder Surprise tattoos. I don't think he was impressed to wear an egg tattoo all day but the things you do for love! 

3.) McDonald's dollar drink days! One of my addictions is Diet Coke which I know is extremely unhealthy but I love it! I try not to drink too much pop but when I do decide treat myself the $1 large Diet Coke at McDonald's is extra kind to my wallet which is always nice.

4.) I have begun redesigning my blog with the help of the fabulous Andrea over at Pics-O-Andrea. I have only see the header but I am definitely in love! She is super talented, nice and very easy to talk to. If anyone is considering redoing their blog I would definitely recommend using Andrea! :) I took this sample header off her website  just to show you how creative she can be. Seriously go check her out!

How cute is this?! I can't stop smiling at her work.

5.) Last but not least, this evening I am kicking off my birthday week with a BBQ and outdoor movie night! I can't wait to celebrate with my amazing friends and family. I love my birthday so bring on the celebrations!! 

Birthdays mean cupcakes which makes any day great in my books! :)

Have a fabulous weekend!