Category Archives: Business

May is ‘Movies about Marriage’ Month

Posted in Events + Contests + Giveaways by

If you’ve been looking for a way to get the gal pals or bridal party together for a night out on the town, May is giving you several movie nights with the release of these highly anticipated wedding related comedies:

SOMETHING BORROWED [IN THEATRES MAY 6th]

Director: Luke Greenfield
Screenwriter: Jennie Urman, Jordan Roberts
Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, Colin Egglesfield, John Krasinski, Steve Howey
Genre: Comedy, Romance
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sexual content including dialogue, and some drug material)
Official Website: SomethingBorrowedmovie.com

Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) is a talented attorney at a top New York law firm, a generous and loyal friend and, unhappily, still single…as her engaged best friend Darcy (Kate Hudson) is constantly reminding her. But after one drink too many at her 30th birthday party, perpetual good girl Rachel unexpectedly ends up in bed with the guy she’s had a crush on since law school, Dex (Colin Egglesfield), who just happens to be Darcy’s fiancé. When Rachel and Darcy’s lifelong friendship collides with true love, it leads to unexpected complications and potentially explosive romantic revelations. Meanwhile, Ethan (John Krasinski), who has been Rachel’s constant confidante and sometimes conscience, has been harboring a secret of his own, and Marcus (Steve Howey), an irrepressible womanizer, can’t keep his mind out of the gutter or his hands off any girl within reach.

JUMPING THE BROOM [IN THEATRES  MAY 6th]

Director: Salim Akil 
Screenwriter: Arlene Gibbs, Elizabeth Hunter 
Starring: Angela Bassett, Paula Patton, Laz Alonso, Mike Epps, Loretta Devine, Meagan Good, Tasha Smith, DeRay Davis, Julie Bowen, Romeo Miller, Gary Dourdan, Pooch Hall, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Valarie Pettiford 
Genre: Comedy 
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for some sexual content) 
Official Website: JumpingtheBroom-movie.com 

“Jumping the Broom” focuses on a weekend wedding in Martha’s Vineyard where two families from divergent socioeconomic backgrounds clash during their first meeting before the big event and are ultimately forced to get along.

BRIDESMAIDS [IN THEATRES MAY 13th]

Director: Paul Feig
Screenwriter: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Melissa McCarthy, Chris O’Dowd, Matt Lucas, Jill Clayburgh, Rebel Wilson, Michael Hitchcock
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R (for some strong sexuality, and language throughout)
Official Website: Bridesmaidsmovie.com

Annie (Kristen Wiig), is a maid of honor whose life unravels as she leads her best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), and a group of colorful bridesmaids (Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper) on a wild ride down the road to matrimony. Annie’s life is a mess. But when she finds out her lifetime best friend is engaged, she simply must serve as Lillian’s maid of honor. Though lovelorn and broke, Annie bluffs her way through the expensive and bizarre rituals. With one chance to get it perfect, she’ll show Lillian and her bridesmaids just how far you’ll go for someone you love.  

HANGOVER PART 2 [IN THEATRES MAY 26th]

Director: Todd Phillips
Screenwriter: Scot Armstrong, Todd Phillips, Craig Mazin
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Jeffrey Tambor, Mike Tyson, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, Bryan Callen, Nick Cassavetes
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: Not Available
Official Website: HangoverPart2.com

In the follow-up to the record-breaking hit comedy “The Hangover,” Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha) travel to exotic Thailand for Stu’s wedding. After the unforgettable bachelor party in Las Vegas, Stu is taking no chances and has opted for a safe, subdued pre-wedding brunch. However, things don’t always go as planned. What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but what happens in Bangkok can’t even be imagined. 

 Sidebar but noteworthy: Since being an adult means schedules, poll the group in advance to determine the WHO [is interested in going], WHAT[ you’re going to see], WHEN [is the best day/time for everyone], and WHERE [is the most convenient location for everyone].  Now, call me crazy, but I don’t really consider a trip to the movies a complete social experience so I also recommend writing  an interactive activity, such as (pre or post) dinner/cocktails or dancing into the timeline.

{photo credits: comingsoon.net}

April is Mouthwatering at Williams-Sonoma

Posted in Events + Contests + Giveaways, Food + Drink by

Williams-Sonoma just released their April calendar and it is absolutely mouthwatering!  They’re certainly kicking off spring with a month-long schedule of FREE, fun technique classes and food demonstrations which are sure to have you and your honey deliciously feeding your way into each others hearts.

You’ll enjoy 10% “student” savings on same day purchases from the store following your completion of a TECHNIQUE Class and you’re encouraged to contact your local store to reserve a space for all of the TECHNIQUE Classes as space is limited. Each hour-long class is dedicated to a specific topic led by one of their culinary experts and an overview of the classes are as follows:

From Scratch – Sausage (Sunday, April 3 )

Our next series of technique classes will have you excited about rolling your sleeves up and getting your hands dirty in the kitchen. Our first class uncovers the art of sausage making, a basic charcuterie skill easy to master at home! Learn how to select different meats, how to flavor and season, make delicious sausage blends for everything from breakfast sausage to classic Italian sausage and peppers for dinner.

From Scratch – Fresh Pasta (Sunday, April 10)

Pasta fresca (fresh pasta), pasta fatta in casa (pasta made at home), pasta fatta a mano (pasta made by hand), sfoglia (“thin sheets” of pasta), and pasta all’uovo (egg pasta) are all terms Italians use when referring to homemade pasta. Although the dough calls for just a handful of ingredients and the method is simple, making fresh pasta takes time. There is, however, nothing more satisfying than enjoying the delicate results of your labor at the dinner table. This class will walk through all the steps, equipment needed and some delicious ways to serve fresh pasta.

Sunday, April 17 – Eggs: Sweet & Savory

Packed with creative recipes and ideas, eggs are one of the most versatile foods. Prepared both sweet and savory – they can be served for breakfast, lunch and dinner, even snacks in between! Eggs are a great entertaining item for both casual meals and elegant occasions. We’ll teach you some of our sweet and savory favorites as we celebrate the egg!

The DEMONSTRATION classes  focus on seasonal foods and entertaining – perfect for the couple who loves to host in-home social events.  They do not require reservation and are held at 11:00 AM; unless otherwise noted.

In the event you’re looking for a great gift to surprise your newly married or homeowner friends with, we’re LOVING these ideas from Williams-Sonoma:

Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker

Meet the Pixie: an eye-catching new single-cup machine that combines a super-compact silhouette with superb espresso-making abilities. The smallest Nespresso machine ever, this stylish little dynamo is easy to use and is the ideal size for small kitchens, apartments and offices. $249.95

SodaStream Fizz Sparkling Water Maker

Do away with the waste of plastic bottles while enjoying sparkling water, homemade cocktails and sodas carbonated to whatever “fizziness” you prefer with this eco-friendly water carbonator. Operation is easy and requires no electrical power. $149.95

If you attend one of the classes let us know how it went and what you applied your 10% towards.  Happy Cooking!

Do You Tweet?

Posted in Behind the Scenes by

There’s a pretty awesome North Jersey bridal community that’s growing over on Twitter. Lots of popular wedding pros from all around the area are steadily active on it and it’s proving to be a great way for casual interaction and introductions. With so much activity, it’s sometimes difficult to keep up with exactly what cool kids from the North Jersey wedding community have joined, so we’ve put together a list of local North Jersey wedding professionals on Twitter.


To be included on the list, simply leave your twitter @name along with your specialty as a comment below and we’ll publish the complete list in a future blog.  Don’t forget to drop by our twitter page, follow us, and say “hi”!

p.s.: please help us spread the word and tell other wedding professionals in the area.

No Time To Cook? There’s an APP for that!

Posted in Brands, Sites + Technology We Love, Food + Drink by

Here’s an app I think all of our busy singles, nesties and knotties will appreciate.  RealSimple has recently released their No Time To Cook app – designed to give you weekly grocery lists, step by step instructions, and how-to videos for more than 850 easy dinner recipes that can be prepared in 40 minutes or less.  It will cost you $4.99 and is only available for Android, iPhone, and iPAD.  Start cooking now and download this RealSimple app for your Android or iPHONE/iPAD today!

Have you already started using this app?  Has it made your life easier?  Tell us your experience below.

EXPOSED: Angela McKnight of Care About You

Posted in Brands, Sites + Technology We Love by

Throughout life, our parents are the ones we rely upon most for guidance and emotional strength.  After all, they mended our wounds after the first fall, walked us through the doors on the first day of school and dried our crying eyes after heartbreak.  The mark they leave on our lives is hard to ignore and impossible to erase.  Sometimes though, a day comes when our parents can no longer function alone and the parent-child roles become reversed.  Admittedly, anyone who’s ever experienced it will confess that it’s a jagged little pill where the side effects include feelings of being overwhelmed, bereft of answers, and inability to find adequate help.  Thankfully, the world still holds within it, individuals who care enough to help lighten the load of children caring for parents and empower elderly parents to reclaim as much of their independence as possible for as long as they can.  I like to think of them as Ambassadors of the Elderly and I’d like to introduce to you to Mrs. Angela McKnight, CEO of Care About You and a diva with a big heart.

Company Snapshot

  • Name: Care About You
  • Established: February 2010
  • What is your main line of business? We provide administrative and social services to senior citizens. The mission of Care About You is to address the needs of senior citizens and help them live life to the fullest. Whether a senior citizen cares for themselves or receives care from a loved one or caregiver, we are committed to helping senior citizens keep their independence.
  • What is the inspiration behind your business? My late mother & granny. Also, seeing many seniors being neglected, mistreated, and confused as to what to do next.
  • What is the best business advice you’ve ever received? Do what your heart tells you

Reflections

  • Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
  • School Creds: BA in Business Management
  • My First Job: Sears sales person in the children department
  • What keeps you up at night? Nothing, I love my sleep
  • What are some wise words that you live by? “This too shall pass”, “God does not give me too much to handle” and “Live your life”
  • What was/is your best career decision? Leaving the corporate world to dedicate my time helping senior citizens

Diversions

  • Reading now: My son’s homework assignment, The Bible, God’s Little Instruction Book for Women, Entrepreneur Magazine, Black Enterprise Magazine, Time Magazine, O Magazine and the Draft of my first book for caring for senior citizens
  • Reading next: Wouldn’t you say that my current list is too much to think about what’s next lol
  • Last fun purchase: Broccoli and Cheese Quiche from Houlihan’s
  • When you’re not working you can be found doing what? Working…lol

Playing Favorites

  • Hotel: The Westin (the heavenly beds are to die for)
  • Getaway: Aruba or Atlantic City
  • Guilty pleasure: Pizza

Looking for More Information

Amazing Orchids

Posted in Decor + Style, Events + Contests + Giveaways, Weddings by

Any florist will tell you that if you’re looking for a flower that is not only beautifully radiant but also durably versatile, orchids are the perfect choice. After all, there are over 25,000 species of the flower, all of which are edible, and come in every color except blue.

The glamour and irresistible allure of more than 300 types of species and hybrid orchids will take center stage at The New York Botanical Garden from March 5 through April 25, 2011.

The Orchid Show is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will cost $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students with ID, $8 for children ages 2-12, children under 2 are free. For more information, please call 718.817.8700 or visit www.nybg.org

Digitize Your Handwriting

Posted in Brands, Sites + Technology We Love by

PHOTO CREDIT: SHOCKMD.COM

Handwriting has long been a skill that, like fingerprints, identifies us from each other and while modern day technology has taken over some of the heavy lifting; it remains an integral part of who we are, giving everything we do that extra-added personal touch.

A social communication that has been largely overshadowed by modern day technology but will never go out of style is the time tested handwritten note. After conducting a very non-scientific poll of my closest friends, it seems that many of us have good intentions of sending handwritten notes of gratitude and appreciation but never do, citing, horrible handwriting, lack of time or a complete transition to digital life as the most common reasons.

Click for Free Download

But leave it to technology to save us from…well, technology.  Online sites like Fonts For Peas allow you to download from a variety of handwritten fonts (complete download included below) while YourFonts allow you to convert up to 200 of your submitted handwriting samples into fonts that can be saved to your computer.   Both sites allow you to submit your fonts for free (note: Your Fonts will cost $9.95 to download your favorite fonts onto your computer) and can help rescue you in the moments when email just won’t do.

Found: A SoleMate

Posted in Brands, Sites + Technology We Love, Decor + Style, Fashion + Beauty by

I think just about every woman has experienced that horrible moment when she realizes the heel of her new stiletto just sank in between the cracks of a city sidewalk.  It’s a paralyzing feeling; leaving you unable to look down because you know, more often than not, an unsightly and oftentimes irreparable scuffmark will be left behind. In an instant, your shoes have gone from fashion statement to fashion faux pas.

And as a wedding planner, there have been moments when I’ve found myself silently encouraging every muscle in my core to carry me  across the many grassy knolls that set the backdrop for outdoor weddings.  It’s an experience that becomes that much more difficult when your “greener pastures”have recently been watered by Mother Nature.  Ah, the joys of womanhood!

So, imagine my delight when I heard about SoleMates High Heeler®, a clever high hell protector that attaches to most stiletto and kitten heels to reduce heel pressure and prevent the heel from sinking into grass or falling into cracks. Ladies, I do believe all of our shoe prayers have been answered!!

They are currently available in four colors – Clear, Black, Silver and Gold – and will cost you about $9.95 a pair.  If you order directly from the SoleMates website, you’ll be treated to 10% off any order of 10 or more or free shipping on two or more pairs.  Retailers, such as DSW, David’s Bridal, and Kleinfield Manhattan, also carry SoleMates High Heeler® but you can also use their online zipcode finder to locate SoleMates in a store near you.

Getting Married Outside?  Then SoleMates are a must have accessory for any bride and her bride’s maids. Better yet, order in bulk and place them in a decorative container near your sign-in table for all of your female gal pals to pick up on their way in.

**all images courtesy of thesolemates.com**