Author Archives: socialbfly

The Story of Lover’s Rock

Posted in Pleasure, Socialbfly About Town by

If you’re in New York on the 23rd (of February), you may want to add this film screening to your social itinerary.  It’s a love story about reggae music but a love story nonetheless.

Film Screening: The Story of Lover’s Rock
Thursday, February 23, 7 p.m.
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor

The Story of Lover’s Rock documents the rise of romantic reggae, and its influence on UK culture in the late 1970s and early 80s, through a combination of live performances, interviews, and comedy sketches.

The Story of Lovers Rock sees the welcome return after an absence of 15 years,
one of Britain’s most important storytellers, director Menelik Shabazz.

He is perhaps best known for his award winning feature BURNING AN ILLUSION (1982).

Space is limited, and advance ticket purchase for general admission and entrance to the screening is recommended via www.museumtix.com.

I’m interested in seeing this so check out the preview below and let me know if you plan on checking it out.

Target Unveils Bridesmaid Collection

Posted in Decor + Style, The Bridal Party, Weddings by

You can now add Target to the list of chain retailers to have recently entered the bridal business.  They’ve officially debuted 9 unique bridesmaid styles which are available in 3 fabric options and 17 colors.

All of the styles (seen below) are a budget-friendly $69.99 and come in sizes 2-28W.   You won’t find these dresses in your local store – they’re available only at Target.

My opinion? I love how each dress can easily be worn after the wedding and I can easily envision how the right accessories would bring out the best in each style so not bad for $69.99.

Your thoughts?  Could you see yourself dressing your bridesmaids in any of the dresses from Target’s new bridesmaid collection?

Ruffle Neck Shantung Dress

Womens Strapless Wrap-Front Chiffon Dress

Strapless Twist Front Sweetheart Sateen Dress

One-Shoulder Rosette Chiffon Dress

One Shoulder Shantung Dress

Crossover V-Neck Sateen Dress

Ring Neck Sateen Dress

Strapless Sweetheart Shantung Dress

{All photos provided courtesy of Target.com}

Celebrate NBA Day on Jan 31st

Posted in Holiday Spirit by

I couldn’t resist the urge to grab the fellas attention with the sports acronym however, truth be told, I’m not referring to NBA as in National Basketball Association but as in something far more delectable and celebration worthy – National Brandy Alexander Day.

Brandy Alexander is rumored to have been first concocted at the wedding of Princess Mary and Lord Lascelles in 1922 and whether true or not, it’s a tasty brandy dessert cocktail that is based from the recipe for a gin drink called an Alexander.

After a little research, it seems this drink is super-easy to make as is seen in this quick YouTube tutorial…

Happy Brandy Alexander Day!  Cheers!

The Year of the Dragon

Posted in Holiday Spirit by

Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year – the single most important holiday in China.  It’s a celebration that lasts for 15 days, culminating with the Lantern Festival. Each year is associated with one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac and for 2012, it’s the Year of the Dragon – a year that will be  marked by excitement, unpredictability, exhilaration and intensity.

The Chinese New Year is full of dragon dances, fireworks, feasts, gift-giving, and lantern festivals. Red is the traditional color of the holiday – a color that in Chinese culture symbolizes luck and prosperity.  Dragons, fireworks, gift-giving and RED?  Sounds like the perfect theme for a fun and sexy wedding or party.  What do you think of these Asian inspired elements?

photo credit: weddingx.net

photo credit: flickr.com

photo credit: bestgiftsforwedding.com

photo credit: weddingthings.com

photo credit: weddingphotography.com

photo credit: china-wedding-supplies.com

photo credit: 1001chineseweddinginvitations.com

photo credit: weddingbee.com

Complimentary Party Printables from HGTV

Posted in Anatomy of a Party, Do It Yourself Diva by

I stumbled across these pretty party printables while seaching the HGTV site. This particular suite includes 17 printables that are fun, colorful, and rather stylish.  They offer an array of options for various party types, including weddings, baby showers, and summer gatherings.  Best part…THEY’RE FREE!!  They’re also very easy to use – each download is an edittable PDF so all you’ll need is ADOBE to edit.

Download Easton Place Designs’ Pink and Yellow Floral Invitation

Download Jayme Marie Gonzalez’s Floral Party Invitation

Download Paper & Pigtails’ Table Setting Party Invitation

Choosing to use printables as your invitation template is a budget saving idea that doesn’t have to look cheesy – the  magic is in the paper.  By using quality stock paper and pairing your invites with matching envelopes, you end up with an invitation that looks like it just stepped out of a printing press.  Your guests will never know the difference.

Don’t forget you can see the entire suite of printables at HGtv and if, by chance, you use one for your next event, let us know which one!

Happy Planning!

‘Angry Brides’ FIGHT for a Cause

Posted in Brands, Sites + Technology We Love by

Despite being illegal since 1961, the tradition of paying dowry’s, both financial and material, to the groom’s family is still alive in well in the country of India.

It may sound romantic to some, after all, dowries were once meant to assist the new husband in making sure that his wife is taken care of.  But in 2010, India’s National Crime Records Bureau cited an alarming 8,391 dowry-related deaths.  It seems the tradition has turned ugly and husbands are now demanding dowries well after the ceremony is over.  When families don’t comply, brides may end up tortured or even worse, murdered.

Thankfully, a new online game called Angry Brides hopes to shed light on the problem of dowries and inform the world of the increasing number of crimes against women living in India.  It’s a play on the popular game Angry Birds and in order to play the user (Bride) has to strike the dodging grooms.  Each groom (there are 3 – an engineer, doctor, and pilot) starts of at a dowry value of 1.5 million rupees (~30,000 USD). Each hit decreases the total cost of the groom’s dowry and credits money back to her Anti-Dowry fund.

The game is available as a free Facebook application and can be downloaded at app.facebook.com/angrybrides.

Photo credits: facebook.com/angrybrides

13 Wedding Superstitions

Posted in Holiday Spirit by

It’s interesting to note that many of our current wedding traditions are the result of ancient folklore – oftentimes, drummed up to ward off evil spirits that were thought to plague couples on their wedding day.  And believe it or not, superstition exists around just about every detail of your wedding day.  So, in honor of Friday the 13th, the unluckiest day of the year, I thought I’d share 13 ancient wedding superstitions you may not be too familiar with.

  1. A final look in the mirror right before the bride leaves her home for the ceremony will bring good luck. However, if she looks in a mirror once again before the ceremony, her luck will go bad.
  2. Wedding cake is considered good luck and all wedding guests should eat some to ensure their own personal good luck — an unmarried male guest who keeps a piece of wedding cake under his pillow as he sleeps will increase his chances of finding a mate and an unmarried bridesmaid who does the same will dream of her future husband.
  3. The first member of the newlywed couple to purchase a new item following the wedding will dominate the relationship.
  4. On the wedding day, a bride should exit her house from the front door and step out right foot first. She should also enter her home by the main door and must never trip or fall or, you guessed it, she’ll have bad luck.
  5. Marrying when the hands on the clock are on their way down is bad luck. It`s considered far better to marry between the half hour and the hour, when the hands are moving back up, otherwise, your marriage will always be going downhill.
  6. To see a Monk or nun on your wedding day is considered bad luck, as they represent barreness and a life dependent on charity.
  7. The bride is said to be doomed to a life of heartbreak and tragedy if she wears her complete wedding outfit before the big day.
  8. Dropping the ring during the ceremony is an evil omen and whoever dropped the ring would die first.
  9. Sapphire or aquamarine in a wedding ring means marital happiness and is said to ensure a long, happy marriage.
  10. If you can persuade a cat to eat out of your left shoe one week before the wedding good luck will bless your married life.
  11. It is unlucky for the bride or groom to wear their rings before the wedding ceremony and once the wedding ring has been placed on the finger, it is considered bad luck to remove it. If the ring accidentally comes off, your spouse must replace it on your finger.
  12. Wedding flowers to avoid are peonies, as they symbolize shame.
  13. It’s considered good luck for the bride to cry on her wedding day, as this symbolizes that she has shed all her tears and will not have any to shed during her marriage.

Did you or will you be recognizing any of these superstitions on your wedding day? Let us know.

Happy Friday the 13th!!!