Bridal Showers

Last weekend I hosted a "Something Blue" - kitchen themed - Bride's favorite things Bridal shower day.  It started off with decoration making and prep a couple weeks in advance (along with menu planning) and day coordination MONTHS in advance - I think I came up with the Kelly's favorite things idea about a month after she got engaged which was May 2010.  So it had been over 6 months of keeping the day a secret. All she knew was 1. It was her bridal shower and 2. She would be busy the entire day/night.

Decor:





At 9am I picked up the bride to be and blind folded her (okay it was actually a homemade wool scarf - not the best choice - that was the only aspect I left until the last minute okay!?) from there we went to get fellow bridesmaid (also a bride to be) Carly and headed to Coco Nail Lounge (a few slips and 180's along the way we made it there in perfect time.) I brought home made banana chocolate chip bran muffins and a fruit platter for breakfast for all the girls. Kelly went in for her 75 minute hydrating facial and the rest of the bridesmaids (me, Carly, Ali , Nicole and gf Brit) had mani/pedis. 


Then came the bridal shower - lots of family/friends and a whole lot of food!

 

I began the shower with an intro game to introduce everyone since it was a mix of family and friends, I had everyone tell either how they met the bride, how the knew the groom or when they realized this relationship was going to stand the test of time! It was a great way to get everyone introduced, lots of laughs and even some tears were shed!

From there we got right into the gifts and I arranged a bridal bingo to keep it interesting for everyone watching (and there were A TON of gifts).  I had 8 prizes which went like hot cakes! They were all kitchen related (cookie cutters & tea, hand soap, lotion etc.)

I also surprised our bride to be with recipes from all the guests (those attending and those who could not) and I compiled them on to recipe cue cards (the same ones to match her current recipe box/cards) and presented her with over 30 recipes.

After the main party fizzled out, the bridesmaids and MOB/MOG stayed for dinner and drinks! We CRUSHED 10 bottles of wine and had so much fun! There were so many inside jokes created from this one day/night I know Mexico is going to be a 8 days of fun times and laughing! I am really looking forward to it! 

 

Last Friday in FEB!

YESSS do you know what the last Friday in February means??? Well it means winter is that much closer to being over and I am that much closer to going to MEXICO! Only one week and I will be sipping cocktails on the beach of PV!!!!!!!!!!!

So I finally got to watch the Bachlor's ep. #8 - Home town dates from Monday night. I have to say I loved Ashley! She was so cute and in her element at home. She was so bubbly and I love the fact that she lives so close to Canada and eats POUTINE!!!!!!!!!!! YUMMM! I could go for one right meow!!!



I'm surprised more Americans don't know about the poutine!! It's fries, gravy and cheese... how has fat America not caught on to this?

Back the bachelor! It was pretty clear how this week would play out... Chantal show cased her parents mansion - Brad is seeing $$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!!! Money, money, money, money ... MONEY! (picture the theme song of the Apprentice)



Shawntal scared Brad to the grave... literally and enough said about that creep tour. Like she must REALLY passionate about her job to take him there?


Shawntal... did you need the mask? lol None of the other girls did tours of their work places? And her dad was not impressed that she was leaving the family business with no succession plans... I said to my hubby don't worry - he's sending her home after this one and she'll be able to take over the funeral home. ANDDDDDDDDDD I was right. Bye bye Shawntal (although I really liked her, it was clear Brad didn't. She told him she LOVED him again and he hugged her... no kiss? that's such a key sign he's not that into you.)

Speaking of kissing, he f'd it up with Emily!! I actually can see more of a connection with these two now, but I'm still convinced he is just infatuated with the way she looks...



Like REALLY... look at her!!!



Smoke Show!

Enough said about that. On to ANTM cycle 16!!!!!! Yes ANTM = America's Next Top Model.



They started this season off right - getting right into the nitty gritty! We found out the top 14 right off the bat and then they put them in gerbil/hamster balls like this one...



Nothing is better then models falling down, unless your the model of course! haha oh girls, you did good!

Hannah is my favorite so far... even though I don't know how far she'll make it as she's maybe main stream/commercial looking, I still like her best so far!!



I really like how close together her eyes are! It works for her!

I also like... Molly!


I'm all about blonds lately!!

Can't get rid of me that easily!

Good evening b-logs! Have you missed me? I'm in cow-town on business hence my no blogging action! Looks like I'll be back Friday with bridal shower up dates and surprised! See you then! Xo L

Bach'n it!

Emily gets first one on one surprise surprise! 3 things Brad NEEDS to have on a deserted island - obv em is number 1... I think she'd make most people's top 3? She makes mine.

Did anyone else notice how awkward it was at first? They had nothing to say to each other because they have nothing in common.  Brad only likes her because she's the hottest girl he's ever seen.

Then Em drops the bombshell that she won't let him meet rikki.  She's a protective mother, that's understandable! Especially when you really don't know this guy. When you aren't sure you want to introduce your potential fiancee to your daughter it only means two things. 1. You don't know him well enough and don't trust him and 2. NO ONE should get engaged after 6 weeks... you DON"T KNOW EACHOTHER! Why do 95% of the bachelor engagements fail? Because real life isn't like the bachelor. We can't all have a helicopter pick us up for our dates!

Then Brad breaks the rules by telling her he's giving her a rose!!!! Hmmmm he's so in love! You know why? Cause she's the only one to play hard to get! All the other girls are just automatically in love... it's magic!

Second one on one date goes to ... SHAWNtal, not Chantal, SHAWNtal.

Beauty Brad has this to say "Shawntal telling me that shes falling in love with me really has me thinking.................but last nights date with Emily was on such a deeper level!" Translation, I like that shawntal stroked my ego but I'm in love with Emily! After she tells him she's falling in love...what does Brad do? He hugs Shawntal. Really! No kiss!? He goes on to say "Tonight has to be big!" Aka if you love me you'll sleep with me.

Shawntal thinks she's special because they kiss in the rain.  Brad's like mm hmm it's what I do on every date!

Third one on one date goes to Britt. FINALLY... is this girl the pet dog? Like seriously, she's been such a non factor in this whole show. She's just the cute skinny dog they forget to feed? Seriously B, eat something. You're painful to look at. Slash girls ana inspiration.

Michelle of course has the nicest things to say about this... "Sea of love or ship going down."
and this one "Britt and Brad would not even friend eachother on facebook"

Turns out she was bang on... Brad basically said, "Listen, there's no romantic connection - now get the f off my boat! No no I said get in the dingy!"

Group Date: Michelle, Ashley & Chantal

Michelle is too excited to be in sports illustrated! We get it, you're a model and you came on this show to further your career - goal accomplished. Moving on. Ash = hot bod!

Chantelle seemed to have a hard round stomach?? Pregs?



Michelle the aggressor takes on brad.

Did anyone else notice all the green veins in micelles chest and boobs?

Ashley is (thankfully) over being crazy and is now being sane good level headed girl!



No Brad, I just felt like a little sister watching on.. .whatever, I'm over this and going home.

OHHHHHHH NO you are not.



UMMM remember how Ashley and Chantal complained that Michelle did her shoot with Brad? Umm hello? Apparently you did too???



Licking lips Michelle finally gets sent home!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here are some classic Michelle moves.






Not one word to Brad before you left Mich? Really... okay just lay there stewing in your own craziness!!!

WHO WILL MARRY BRAD? Shawntal? Emily? Ashley? or Chantal?

Speaking of weddings, here's my wedding montage!


Kress Wedding Montage from lex kress on Vimeo.

Styled Engagement Photo Contest

My Wedding and Event Planning business along with Laurie Ann Photography conducted a contest... check out Old, New, Borrowed & Blue's Blog Posting for more details.

Yesterday we announced the 5 finalists! And now it is time to vote! You can vote for our couples in a multitude of ways! 1. Click like on the facebook picture on Old, New, Borrowed & Blue's Facebook page (must first become a fan or "like" the page) 2. comment on the picture 3. comment on our wall 4. comment on our blog posting! Want to double the votes? Do all of the above on Laurie Ann Photography's page & blog as well. That's a total of 8 possible votes per person. VOTE vote vote!

Sunday, Monday... Where's Friday?

Goooooood morning Bloggers and Blogettes! How's your day? Seriously, tell me! I want to know that more than 4 people actually read this blog.... no one? Okay, fine.

Back to me, my weekend was really good! Friday night Hub and I got our wedding video! That's right 6 months after the wedding, it was the best little Valentine's surprise! I think I watched it a minimum of 10 times... the videographer - Emery Wolfe (http://www.sgmedia.ca/) did an amazing job! I will try to get the excerpt of the montage he put together and post it for you. AH I just loved it. Then I went over to hang with 3 other cop wives! 

   

Shantal                                         Steph                            Karlee (okay she's a cop FIANCEE!)

We had planned an elaborate pub crawl that was to go something like this... Shanny's then to The Tap, The Keg, Earls East, Earls South, Moxies, etc. Guess how far we made it? Shanny's... that's right, we stayed at Shantal's all night long! And I mean ALL NIGHT long. I didn't get home until 4am! And then I had to watch our wedding video again. Don't judge. I said I HAD to!!

Saturday was a fun filled day of shopping with one of my bff's Britt. We hit Muse, Blush Beauty Bar and Cornwall Centre! $200 later and I came home with two new suits, a dress and $200 poorer. Thank you Visa for paying for this little outing.

Then we hit up Lindsay & Kyle's Engagement Party, it was lots of fun, good food & friends!



Britt, Lindsay & Kelly               Me, Chelsea, Katie & Nicole

(please note: I stole these photos from B Smart Cookie's Blog as I didn't take a single photo...shameful, I know.)

Sunday I did 20 minutes on the elliptical, I am going to do that every day until we leave for Mexico! That is my plan and I am sticking to it! Gotta shed a couple LBS before hittin the beach!

After I got a little sweat on, I headed off to Costco - who doesn't love an unshowered smelly girl with black make up under her eyes from the night before wearing sweats and a hoody at costco? I thought it was the dress code so off I went. I came out $250 poorer but a whole lot of food richer! It was a much needed shopping trip as I hadn't been to A grocery store in... 3 weeks... ok ok I think it was actually 4.

As I was leaving Costco I noticed a nice grey/black area rug that might look nice in our living room, so I decided I would bring hubby back when he woke up. BIG mistake... if I thought $250 was an outrageous bill I had another thing coming. I took hub back to look at the $88 area rug, he liked it. Done. Oh no, wait... Hubby decided that we should look at the TVs. You see he decided we needed another TV for the basement (note: we have a 50" plasma with surround sound in our "movie room", a 40" LCD in the living room on the main floor and a 32" LCD in our bedroom....) just as I thought we were in the clear he spotted the 32" LED TV which was the "best" price he'd seen anywhere. OK fine, throw it in the cart. Along with that 180 degree wall mount... why not!  $800 later...

I also picked up a Valentine's Day present for Bobo & Rocky...

This cute little dog bed! Awe. It was only $20! How could I not? We have a similar one from Pet Smart that was $100!

That wasn't the end of our shopping spree... we also took the dogs to Pet Smart to get mani/pedi's! It was long over due... Bobo's nails were getting so long she was practically walking on JUST her nails. While we were there we found a metal cage for the back of hub's new Ford Explorer. We bought it, and if it holds tight for the two crazies we will get another one for Neysa the Nissan! The groomers or should I say manicurist also told us that Rocky is the best looking frenchie in the city. He is so cocky right now! Bobo was appalled since she so clearly thinks she's the hottest shit to grace the earth. She went to bed early and pouted (actually the poor thing was sicky, puked twice last night. I hope she's better today!)  

So it's Monday is it? This is the last week I will be in the office until March 14th!! So enjoy my posts while you can, it may be a while until I am back in action.

Today - I dropped Neysa off at Nissan to get a few minor things fixed (weather stripping and a tiny chip) hopefully I will have her back today so I can go for a tan. Yoga at noon and volleyball tonight! AND another elliptical session after work!  

Tuesday - meetings all day, Tan & elliptical - no plans for the evening! Finish getting ready for Saturday...

Wednesday - yoga at noon, tan & elliptical & Volleyball - no other plans!

Thursday - Pre-Op doctor's appointment, ONBB meeting after work with a lighting source to learn about the latest and greatest lighting trends for weddings!

Friday - lunch with some co-workers, CT Scan and finish preparing for SATURDAY!

Saturday - SURPRISE filled Bridal Shower for Kelly!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will post more details after the big shower!

Sunday - Meeting with Carly & Trevor regarding their wedding stationary needs.

Monday - Holiday!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday - Thursday - Calgary

Friday - Surgery - I am having Endscopic Sinus Surgery... I have polyps growing in my sinuses and a deviated septum.  There is a one week recovery period in which I will be off of work recovering and then one week following my surgery we are off to MEXICO for Kelly & Colin's wedding!!!!!!!!!! 



Perils of the iPhone autocorrect

Yesterday I found myself hysterically laughing to the point of tears! This isn't a super regular occurrence, it usually takes quite a lot to bring me to even LOL (laugh out loud) let alone cry from laughing so hard. I LOVE it when it happens though. So yesterday was an extra special day, I laughed out loud numerous times.

 First was when I got this forward. So I HAD to share the Perils of the IPhone auto correct especially because I too have the IPhone (remember my blog iphone vs. blackberry) And I must say I do love the iphone but I do get frustrated with its auto correct at times. I can't say I've ever had any auto corrections quite this funny though. The funniest I've had is typing "groomsmen" which came out "broomcorns"

I hope you find this as funny as I did...picture me, reading this at work hand over mouth trying to muffle my laughter wiping the tears off my cheeks! Oh and for everyone that knows me, knows that I especially LOVE a dirty joke.

The second funniest thing that happened was during an episode of Millionaire Matchmaker - this was an old one from Season 1 (I was just settling into bed for some light hearted shows to soothe me to sleep) and I stumbled on this one Episode 7: Heinz/Paul 

This is Paul the (then) 31 year old self made millionaire:

So on this episode Paul and Cidney seem to be a really good match and at the end of their FIRST date he proposes! I love a good proposal story just as much as the next girl. But I was HOWLING over this. Seriously, did he just propose? It seemed legitimate and at the end of the episode update Cidney had moved in with Paul and they were making wedding plans! I could hardly believe it, I couldn't keep myself from laughing, which is a normal reaction to something crazy like this but not a normal reaction to a regular engagement story. And trust me I have seen my fair share of engagement stories as I'm currently holding a contest for the best engagement/love story for my business Old, New, Borrowed & Blue Wedding and Event Planning  (click to check out the details on the website blog). 

So today I had to google this to see if they were now happily married... guess what?

They aren't! I KNEW it was too good to be true! Even though I was secretly hoping that it was love at first sight and it would work out... but no such luck! Here's what Cidney herself had to say...

On her blog, she says that she and Paul lived together for a few months after they filmed the episode and that his marriage proposal was real, but she broke up with him.  You may also remember Cidney from TMZ. After the episode aired, they “exposed” her as a Playboy model, something Cidney says Bravo, Patti and Paul knew but that never made it on the air.
However, a few months after posting that nice entry about their break up, she changes her tune and has this to say:
From her Myspace blog:

Paul the Liar
So last night was my ten-year high school reunion. Some guy I don’t remember from high school came up to me and told me he was going to be on the premiere of the second season of Millionaire Matchmaker.
He said he also met Paul, b/c of course media-minded Paul makes an appearance on next season.
The guy also told me that Paul was engaged to another girl before we even met and that he is still engaged to her. Seems strange, considering I lived with him for several months, but then I called Patti, and she didn’t deny it!
She said she’s learnt that everything Paul has said or done has been one fat lie!
And the bastard had the audacity to email me a message of congratulations after I got engaged a few months ago to a man who is everything Paul wishes he could be. He even stalked the two of us when we first started dating.
I hope this time, the show makes him out to be the liar and schemer that he really is.
And if u read this Paul, NEVER EVER try to contact me again.

Source: http://crushable.com/entertainment/cidney-carson-paul-murad/