Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Wedding Season is here... some helpful tips to save you money on that big day from Shades Within You, Event Planners
Choose a less popular day and time.
Most weddings take place on Saturdays which means it is the most expensive day to book a reception hall. Consider having an evening ceremony and reception on a Friday. If you really want a good price for a Saturday look into booking the ceremony in the morning and having an early afternoon reception. Brunch weddings are a popular new trend that are considerably less costly than evening dinner receptions. Other budget ideas for the ceremony and reception: consider a Sunday afternoon wedding or serving only a light meal instead of a full dinner.
Cut out unnecessary expenses.
One of the best ideas is to skip some extras you don’t really need. Do you really need a professional videographer? If you really want a video of the ceremony today’s high resolution handheld video cameras can do a great job and it’s likely you or someone you know has one. Ask someone in the front row to record the wedding for you. Other low cost wedding ideas include asking the photographer to deliver the negatives to you and arranging for your own prints and skipping rental cars or limousines and simply driving your own car to and from the wedding.
Do it yourself.
There are plenty of inexpensive things you can do yourself rather than hiring someone to do them. Make your own centerpieces and decorations even wedding favours! Low cost wedding ideas for the favours include things like small decorative pouches or boxes of candy or a candle that you have decorated yourself with ribbon. You can also print your own invitations place cards and thank you cards at home using affordable kits available at stationary stores. There are many do it yourself low cost wedding ideas that can save your budget while still making your wedding beautiful!
Look for experts among your friends.
There may be a wealth of inexpensive wedding ideas hidden among your friends and family. Find out if anyone is a good photographer and if they will do the honours at a good price for you. Do you have a friend who plays an instrument and can supply ceremony music? Or maybe you know someone who can officiate at your wedding. Not only are these great ideas but hiring friends also makes the day more special. Your friends may even have more ideas to share!
There are many wedding ideas to help you stay within your budget and still have a beautiful wedding. Doing a little work yourself and asking friends to help out are all wedding ideas that are easy to implement. Hopefully with these great low cost wedding ideas you will have some money left over for a great honeymoon
Let Shades help you make all your dreams come alive on that special day
Easter Crafts for the family
- Materials
- 14 plastic pull-apart eggs
- Puffy paint
- Egg cartons
- 2 large heavy-duty paper plates
- Scissors
- Glue
- Green craft foam
- Twist ties
- Instructions
- First, decorate 14 plastic pull-apart eggs with puffy paint and let them dry. (Overturned egg cartons make great workstations and drying racks; just set each egg half over a carton cup bottom.)
- Cut the rims from the paper plates and glue them together. Glue green craft foam leaves around the ring, leaving 1 1/2 inches between them.
- To attach the eggs, tightly wrap twist ties (one for each egg) between the leaves around the paper plate ring, then simply close the egg halves together over the ties.
- First, decorate 14 plastic pull-apart eggs with puffy paint and let them dry. (Overturned egg cartons make great workstations and drying racks; just set each egg half over a carton cup bottom.)
- Materials
-
- Shallow, handleless basket with a wide mouth
- Clear vinyl saucer
- Potting soil
- Ryegrass seed
- Water
- Undyed hard-boiled eggs
- Bunny cookies
- Animal figurines
- Chocolate eggs
- Brown paper bag
- Scissors
- Rafia
- Instructions
-
- Fill a clear vinyl saucer with potting soil, sprinkle on a layer of ryegrass seed, cover with a very thin layer of soil, and spritz with water.
- Keep in a sunny window and spritz daily. It will take 10 days for the grass to reach a few inches high.
- Place the saucer into the basket.
- Top the grass with undyed hard-boiled eggs, bunny cookies, animal figurines, and chocolate bunnies.
- Create a tag for your basket by cutting out a leaf shape from a brown paper bag.
- Tie it on with a raffia bow.
- Fill a clear vinyl saucer with potting soil, sprinkle on a layer of ryegrass seed, cover with a very thin layer of soil, and spritz with water.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Friday, September 26, 2008
Ceremony: 20 Ways to Personalize Your Ceremony
1. Lemonade Stand Paige and Marc, who wed on a ranch, chose a lemon theme to ensure a cheery celebration. Just before the ceremony, the couple served lemonade in big glass jars to quench guests' thirst under the hot summer sun.
2. Unity SandAt their destination beach wedding, Lisa and Mike, who both spent many summers under the boardwalk, extinguished the unity candle idea and instead chose to combine symbolic cups of sand from their respective hometowns.
3. Breezy ReadSummer brides, take note: Jennifer and David's fan-shaped wedding programs did double duty listing the wedding party and ceremony details-and cooling off guests.
4. Hung out to DryGuests crossing a bridge to Becky and Aaron's ceremony had a good chuckle at the couple's childhood photos strung along a clothesline.
5. Shoeless SuitorWhen Suzanne and Tripp's Jewish ceremony concluded, the "boot boy" presented a barefoot Tripp with yes, a boot, so the groom could smash the glass at their ceremony. Mazel tov!
6. Irish BlessingPamela and Tom's ceremony ended with the blessing of a Celtic cross, brought back from a family trip, which now hangs in their home.
7. Lucky LadyWhen it was time for Elisa and David to exchange their self-written vows, the best man flipped a coin to see who would go first (it was the groom!).
8. Bribing the BearerCristina and Mike's two-year-old ring bearer was a little aisle shy. So the groom did what anyone would-bribed him with candy. From the altar, Mike flashed a bag of jellybeans to coax the young boy down the aisle. Naturally, it worked.
9. Send & DeliverBlakely and Chris' gorgeous hand-sewn programs not only included details about the wedding party (including a lengthy children's procession) and Greek Orthodox traditions, it listed their new contact information for guests to keep in touch!
10. Ceremony CheersTake the toast up a notch with a champagne cocktail. At Elaine and Kevin's wedding, guests were given glasses of bubbly garnished with strawberries as they entered the ceremony space.
11. Exceptional PetsWho says weddings aren't for the dogs? Animal lovers Clayton and Andrew asked the bride's mom to escort two four-legged friends, outfitted with flowers, down the aisle.
12. Homemade HuppahFrom the handcrafted woodworking of Meet the Parents fame to treasured heirloom quilts, our brides get pretty crafty with the traditional Jewish huppah. Our favorite sentimental touch? Joanna and Scott sewed together old handkerchiefs from all eight of their grandparents to create their wedding canopy.
13. Baker's DuoAndrea and John gave rise to a new tradition: Several days before their Catholic ceremony, the couple got busy in the kitchen and baked the communion bread themselves.
14. Welcome CommitteeIn lieu of a receiving line, Maribeth and Erik threw tradition out the door and greeted guests arriving at the church. Even though many were surprised to see the bride before the ceremony, it helped calm Maribeth's down-the-aisle stage fright.
15. Personal PetalsElizabeth honored her deceased father, a huge University of Tennessee fan, with a bouquet of bright orange roses-the school's signature color.
16. Holiday SpiritEbenezer Scrooge definitely didn't make the cut on this guest list. Before the start to Amy and Shawn's Christmas celebration, guests were welcomed into the barn where the ceremony was held with hot cocoa, holiday cookies, and Christmas carols.
17. Fountain of YouthEmily and Sean stocked a child's red wagon with monogrammed water bottles and tied a glass to every seat at their outdoor ceremony.
18. Not-So Empty NestFor their intimate garden-theme wedding, Joiye and Gino's rings were nestled in a delicate bird's nest woven with pale peach roses and green ribbons.
19. Bug OffRachel and Chris made sure guests were well equipped for the outdoor ceremony with a welcome basket filled with bug spray.
20. Exit with a PopFollowing a performance by a quartet of professional singers, actors Kendra and Eric exited the church in a shower of rather fitting theater popcorn. At Lauren and Scott's ceremony, guests were handed personalized kazoos and party horns to blow on the steps of the church.
2. Unity SandAt their destination beach wedding, Lisa and Mike, who both spent many summers under the boardwalk, extinguished the unity candle idea and instead chose to combine symbolic cups of sand from their respective hometowns.
3. Breezy ReadSummer brides, take note: Jennifer and David's fan-shaped wedding programs did double duty listing the wedding party and ceremony details-and cooling off guests.
4. Hung out to DryGuests crossing a bridge to Becky and Aaron's ceremony had a good chuckle at the couple's childhood photos strung along a clothesline.
5. Shoeless SuitorWhen Suzanne and Tripp's Jewish ceremony concluded, the "boot boy" presented a barefoot Tripp with yes, a boot, so the groom could smash the glass at their ceremony. Mazel tov!
6. Irish BlessingPamela and Tom's ceremony ended with the blessing of a Celtic cross, brought back from a family trip, which now hangs in their home.
7. Lucky LadyWhen it was time for Elisa and David to exchange their self-written vows, the best man flipped a coin to see who would go first (it was the groom!).
8. Bribing the BearerCristina and Mike's two-year-old ring bearer was a little aisle shy. So the groom did what anyone would-bribed him with candy. From the altar, Mike flashed a bag of jellybeans to coax the young boy down the aisle. Naturally, it worked.
9. Send & DeliverBlakely and Chris' gorgeous hand-sewn programs not only included details about the wedding party (including a lengthy children's procession) and Greek Orthodox traditions, it listed their new contact information for guests to keep in touch!
10. Ceremony CheersTake the toast up a notch with a champagne cocktail. At Elaine and Kevin's wedding, guests were given glasses of bubbly garnished with strawberries as they entered the ceremony space.
11. Exceptional PetsWho says weddings aren't for the dogs? Animal lovers Clayton and Andrew asked the bride's mom to escort two four-legged friends, outfitted with flowers, down the aisle.
12. Homemade HuppahFrom the handcrafted woodworking of Meet the Parents fame to treasured heirloom quilts, our brides get pretty crafty with the traditional Jewish huppah. Our favorite sentimental touch? Joanna and Scott sewed together old handkerchiefs from all eight of their grandparents to create their wedding canopy.
13. Baker's DuoAndrea and John gave rise to a new tradition: Several days before their Catholic ceremony, the couple got busy in the kitchen and baked the communion bread themselves.
14. Welcome CommitteeIn lieu of a receiving line, Maribeth and Erik threw tradition out the door and greeted guests arriving at the church. Even though many were surprised to see the bride before the ceremony, it helped calm Maribeth's down-the-aisle stage fright.
15. Personal PetalsElizabeth honored her deceased father, a huge University of Tennessee fan, with a bouquet of bright orange roses-the school's signature color.
16. Holiday SpiritEbenezer Scrooge definitely didn't make the cut on this guest list. Before the start to Amy and Shawn's Christmas celebration, guests were welcomed into the barn where the ceremony was held with hot cocoa, holiday cookies, and Christmas carols.
17. Fountain of YouthEmily and Sean stocked a child's red wagon with monogrammed water bottles and tied a glass to every seat at their outdoor ceremony.
18. Not-So Empty NestFor their intimate garden-theme wedding, Joiye and Gino's rings were nestled in a delicate bird's nest woven with pale peach roses and green ribbons.
19. Bug OffRachel and Chris made sure guests were well equipped for the outdoor ceremony with a welcome basket filled with bug spray.
20. Exit with a PopFollowing a performance by a quartet of professional singers, actors Kendra and Eric exited the church in a shower of rather fitting theater popcorn. At Lauren and Scott's ceremony, guests were handed personalized kazoos and party horns to blow on the steps of the church.
Enjoy
Shades Within You, LLC
Event Planners
Photos
Flowers
One stop shop
Customers are number one
T Singleton Photos
L. Cook Design
Created by L. Cook Shades Within You, LLC
Design by L. Cook Shades Within You LLC all design below to Shades 
Event Planners
Photos
Flowers
One stop shop
Customers are number one
T Singleton Photos
L. Cook Design
Created by L. Cook Shades Within You, LLC 
Design by L. Cook Shades Within You LLC all design below to Shades Photos by T. Singleton and belong to Shades copyright
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Afrocentric Traditions
Designed by Shades Within You LLC (Ms. Lyndell Cook) Wedding 2007
1. Knocking on the Door
Since marriage in African culture is considered the official joining of two families, a large emphasis is placed on getting family permissions and blessings before the wedding. In Ghana, the groom requests permission through the custom of "knocking on the door." Bearing gifts, he visits his potential in-laws accompanied by his own family. If his "knock" is accepted, the families celebrate and wedding planning begins. Or, simply plan an outing (like a brunch or dinner date) to bring both families together before the wedding and begin forming family bonds.
2. Jumping the Broom
This tradition most likely originated with an African ritual in which a broom is used to demonstrate that all past problems have been swept away. During slave days, African-Americans were forbidden to marry and live together, so jumping over a broom was a formal and public declaration of the couple's commitment. Today, it has become very popular for African-American couples to follow suit at the conclusion of their wedding ceremony. The broom, often handmade and beautifully decorated, can be displayed in the couple's home after the wedding. Check with local cultural institutions for broom makers and suppliers.
3. Crossing Sticks
In a lesser-known tradition that also dates back to the slavery era, African-American couples demonstrated their commitment by crossing tall wooden sticks. By crossing the sticks, which represent the power and life force within trees, the couple expresses a wish for a strong and grounded beginning. If you decide to incorporate this tradition, choose large branches from both of your families' homes or from a place meaningful to you as a couple.
4. Libation Ceremony
Many African-American couples incorporate a libation ceremony into their weddings as a way to honor their African ancestors. Holy water, or alcohol, is poured onto the ground in each of the cardinal directions as prayers are recited to the ancestral spirits, and names of those that have recently passed are called out. The libation ceremony can also be used as an opportunity to honor the elders in a family, asking them to pass on their wisdom and guidance.
5. Tying the Knot
In some African tribes, the bride and groom have their wrists tied together with cloth or braided grass to represent their marriage. To symbolize your own unity, have your officiant or a close friend tie your wrists together with a piece of kente cloth or a strand of cowrie shells (symbols of fertility and prosperity), while affirming your commitment.
6. Tasting the Four Elements
In a ritual adapted from a Yoruba tradition, the bride and groom taste four flavors that represent different emotions within a relationship. The four flavors typically used are sour (lemon), bitter (vinegar), hot (cayenne), and sweet (honey). By tasting each of the flavors, the couple symbolically demonstrates that they will be able to get through the hard times in life, and, in the end, enjoy the sweetness of marriage.
7. Kola Nuts
Kola nuts play an important role in African weddings. The nut, which is used for medicinal purposes in Africa, represents the couple's (and their families') willingness to always help heal each other. In Nigeria, the ceremony is not complete until a kola nut is shared between the couple and their parents. Among African Muslims the nut is also a symbol of fertility, and is exchanged with family members during the engagement celebration. Many African-American couples incorporate the sharing of a kola nut into their ceremonies, and then keep the nut in their home afterwards as a reminder to always work at healing any problems they encounter.
Planning Basics: Dates to Avoid in 2008 and 2009
So you've just said "yes" and now the calendar is wide open! Kind of. Here are some dates that you might consider "wedding blackout" dates. Think twice before scheduling your wedding at these times.
Holiday Weekends
Holiday weekend wedding have pros and cons. You've got an extra day for the festivities (and recovery!), plus it's easier to host the affair on Sunday, which is often less expensive than Saturday events. However, costs of travel and hotels may be higher. Also, having your wedding on a holiday weekend might adversely affect your guest list. Some families have standing holiday weekend plans or traditions that they'd prefer not to have disrupted.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (always a Monday)
January 21, 2008
January 19, 2009
President's Day (always a Monday)
February 18, 2008
February 16, 2009
Memorial Day (always a Monday)
May 26, 2008
May 25, 2009
Independence Day
Friday, July 4, 2008
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Labor Day (always a Monday)
September 1, 2008
September 7, 2009
Columbus Day (always a Monday)
October 13, 2008
October 12, 2009
Thanksgiving (always a Thursday)
November 27, 2008
November 26, 2009
New Year's Eve
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Religious Holidays
Be mindful of religious holidays (yours and your guests') when planning your wedding. There may even be restrictions at your house of worship as to whether you're allowed to marry at these times.
Palm Sunday
March 16, 2008
April 5, 2009
Easter Sunday
March 23, 2008
April 12, 2009
Passover (begins at sunset the night before)
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Rosh Hashanah
In 2008, begins at sunset on Monday, September 29, and lasts until nightfall on Wednesday, October 1
In 2009, begins at sunset on Saturday, September 19, and lasts until nightfall on Sunday, September 20
Yom Kippur (begins at sunset the night before)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Monday, September 28, 2009
Hanukkah (begins at sunset the night before)
Monday, December 22, 2008
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Christmas
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Friday, December 25, 2009
Kwanzaa
Begins Friday, December 26, 2008
Begins Saturday, December 26, 2009 through Friday, January 1, 2010
Costly Holidays
If you're looking to marry around Valentine's Day, be wary of your floral bill, especially if you've got your heart set on red roses -- they're likely to be more costly than at any other time of the year. Likewise, reception sites often charge a higher fee for a New Year's Eve wedding.
Notable Holidays
April Fool's Day
If you and your fiance are jokesters at heart, this could be the perfect wedding day for you. If not, choose another day.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Mother's Day
Make sure your mom is okay with sharing this weekend with your wedding -- but it could be the perfect opportunity to honor her. If you do choose it, at your day-after brunch make a toast to all the mothers in the room.
May 11, 2008
May 10, 2009
Father's Day
Ditto for dad.
June 15, 2008
June 21, 2009
Halloween
Avoid it if you're terrified that someone might actually show up in costume.
Friday, October, 31, 2008
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Days of Remembrance
Historically significant days may cause a conflict of interest for some guests.
September 11: Falls on a Thursday in 2008 and a Friday in 2009
December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: In 2008 it's on a Sunday, and falls on a Monday in 2009
Super Bowl
If you don't live in Arizona or Tampa, and are marrying on the Saturday rather than the Sunday of Super Bowl weekend, then the big game shouldn't affect your wedding too much -- unless you and your hubby are diehard pigskin fans and can't bear to miss the big game for your honeymoon. If in doubt, steer clear of these dates:
Sunday, February 3, 2008, Glendale, AZ
Sunday, February 1, 2009, Tampa, FL
Final Four/March Madness
Everyone loves the excitement of college b-ball (and betting on it!). Keep your sports fans at bay by avoiding these dates:
Saturday, April 5 and Tuesday, April 7, 2008, San Antonio, TX
Saturday, April 4, 2009 and Monday, April 6, 2009, Detroit, MI
Quirky Dates
8/8/08: Although it lands on a Friday, numerological significance and the novelty of marrying on a date that occurs once in a lifetime make 8/8/08 an attractive wedding date. (Click here for more info on 8/8/08 weddings)
03/06/09 falls on a Friday
09/09/09 falls on a Wednesday
Other Dates to Avoid
College reunions and/or homecoming, big conventions in your city (call your local chamber of commerce), and any annual charity events that involve your family or close friends.
Holiday Weekends
Holiday weekend wedding have pros and cons. You've got an extra day for the festivities (and recovery!), plus it's easier to host the affair on Sunday, which is often less expensive than Saturday events. However, costs of travel and hotels may be higher. Also, having your wedding on a holiday weekend might adversely affect your guest list. Some families have standing holiday weekend plans or traditions that they'd prefer not to have disrupted.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (always a Monday)
January 21, 2008
January 19, 2009
President's Day (always a Monday)
February 18, 2008
February 16, 2009
Memorial Day (always a Monday)
May 26, 2008
May 25, 2009
Independence Day
Friday, July 4, 2008
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Labor Day (always a Monday)
September 1, 2008
September 7, 2009
Columbus Day (always a Monday)
October 13, 2008
October 12, 2009
Thanksgiving (always a Thursday)
November 27, 2008
November 26, 2009
New Year's Eve
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Religious Holidays
Be mindful of religious holidays (yours and your guests') when planning your wedding. There may even be restrictions at your house of worship as to whether you're allowed to marry at these times.
Palm Sunday
March 16, 2008
April 5, 2009
Easter Sunday
March 23, 2008
April 12, 2009
Passover (begins at sunset the night before)
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Rosh Hashanah
In 2008, begins at sunset on Monday, September 29, and lasts until nightfall on Wednesday, October 1
In 2009, begins at sunset on Saturday, September 19, and lasts until nightfall on Sunday, September 20
Yom Kippur (begins at sunset the night before)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Monday, September 28, 2009
Hanukkah (begins at sunset the night before)
Monday, December 22, 2008
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Christmas
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Friday, December 25, 2009
Kwanzaa
Begins Friday, December 26, 2008
Begins Saturday, December 26, 2009 through Friday, January 1, 2010
Costly Holidays
If you're looking to marry around Valentine's Day, be wary of your floral bill, especially if you've got your heart set on red roses -- they're likely to be more costly than at any other time of the year. Likewise, reception sites often charge a higher fee for a New Year's Eve wedding.
Notable Holidays
April Fool's Day
If you and your fiance are jokesters at heart, this could be the perfect wedding day for you. If not, choose another day.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Mother's Day
Make sure your mom is okay with sharing this weekend with your wedding -- but it could be the perfect opportunity to honor her. If you do choose it, at your day-after brunch make a toast to all the mothers in the room.
May 11, 2008
May 10, 2009
Father's Day
Ditto for dad.
June 15, 2008
June 21, 2009
Halloween
Avoid it if you're terrified that someone might actually show up in costume.
Friday, October, 31, 2008
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Days of Remembrance
Historically significant days may cause a conflict of interest for some guests.
September 11: Falls on a Thursday in 2008 and a Friday in 2009
December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: In 2008 it's on a Sunday, and falls on a Monday in 2009
Super Bowl
If you don't live in Arizona or Tampa, and are marrying on the Saturday rather than the Sunday of Super Bowl weekend, then the big game shouldn't affect your wedding too much -- unless you and your hubby are diehard pigskin fans and can't bear to miss the big game for your honeymoon. If in doubt, steer clear of these dates:
Sunday, February 3, 2008, Glendale, AZ
Sunday, February 1, 2009, Tampa, FL
Final Four/March Madness
Everyone loves the excitement of college b-ball (and betting on it!). Keep your sports fans at bay by avoiding these dates:
Saturday, April 5 and Tuesday, April 7, 2008, San Antonio, TX
Saturday, April 4, 2009 and Monday, April 6, 2009, Detroit, MI
Quirky Dates
8/8/08: Although it lands on a Friday, numerological significance and the novelty of marrying on a date that occurs once in a lifetime make 8/8/08 an attractive wedding date. (Click here for more info on 8/8/08 weddings)
03/06/09 falls on a Friday
09/09/09 falls on a Wednesday
Other Dates to Avoid
College reunions and/or homecoming, big conventions in your city (call your local chamber of commerce), and any annual charity events that involve your family or close friends.
Wisdom to Live By
Images by Tassajo S.Lombardi On Work
The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.
Ghandi On Forgiveness
Man should forget his anger before he lies down to sleep.
Ford On Learning
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80.
Buddha On Focus
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
Wonder On Talent
Ya gots to work with what you gots to work with.
Focus Your Time and Money
Work for the Love of It
Productivity is the science of creating the best with the most efficient effort. You do that when you're engaged in working at what you love. You're more productive every minute, and you don't put time limits on it because you're enjoying it so much - as opposed to procrastinating through work you don't enjoy.
So why not do what you love all the time?
1) Delegate Duties: If you eliminate the things you're not good at and focus on where your special talents lie, you can boost your income.
2) Find It. Go on a quest to find out what you love to do. Once you have the answer, the law of attraction - thinking about it and researching it - will lead you to how you can make money doing it.
3) Spell it out: Everybody knows if you write your goals down, you have a greater chance of achieving them.
4) Know your industry: Study the field you're interested in. Nurture curiosity by asking yourself where the industry is broken and how you can fix it.
Wisdom to Live By
Saroyan - On Character
The manner in which a man chooses to gamble indicates his character or lack of it.
Emerson - On Instinct
Trust instinct to the end, even though you can give no reason.
Olivier - On Action
Keep your eyes open and get on with it.
Lansing - On Knowing Your Audience
I like to stand in line, buy my popcorn and see a picture with the people.
On Ethics
There is no right way to do a wrong thing. (Unknown)
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Organic and Earth Friendly Weddings
Reduce & Reuse
The key to a wedding that's eco- and style-conscious is to simplify. Reusing accents or materials doesn't just save money, it saves resources. Work with what you've got nearby (and in season) and feel good about your efforts.
Choose a Site with Significance
Look for a space that will benefit from your event, like a museum, a cultural organization, or an art gallery. Ask how the site will use your fee (hopefully toward new programs and upkeep of the institution). Want an outdoor event? Opt for a botanical garden, arboretum, or the grounds of a historic home -- it's likely you can even find one run by a nonprofit organization.
Recycle Your Decor
Decorate your ceremony space with items you can reuse at the reception, whether it's topiaries that go from the altar to the entryway or arrangements that decorate the program table and dress up your guest book area. You'll save money and waste less. When the evening is over, plan to donate the pieces to a nursing home or hospital. Call ahead to see if you can arrange a pickup from your site.
Decorate with Bamboo
A great and modern-looking option, bamboo is considered one of the most sustainable materials on earth -- it can grow up to two feet a day, "So it takes only three to seven years to mature, as opposed to 120 years for some nice oak!" explains Ariel Dekovic, coauthor of 365 Ways to Save the Earth. Use tall stalks of curly bamboo in centerpieces, or choose bamboo chargers for your reception tables. And of course, mini stalks of lucky bamboo are always a favorite favor.
Arrive in (Low Emission) Style
A Prius limo? That might not yet be a reality, but there are ecologically friendly options out there. If your wedding is near the water, leave your ceremony in a canoe. We've also seen couples depart on tandem bicycles, rickshaws, or old-school conveyances like a horse and buggy.
Light Soy Candles
Candlelight isn't only romantic, it's energy efficient. Look for soy candles -- they're made from a renewable resource, are cleaner and longer burning than regular candles, plus spills are easy to clean (just use soap and hot water). They're available in nearly every size, shape, color, and scent you can imagine.
The key to a wedding that's eco- and style-conscious is to simplify. Reusing accents or materials doesn't just save money, it saves resources. Work with what you've got nearby (and in season) and feel good about your efforts.
Choose a Site with Significance
Look for a space that will benefit from your event, like a museum, a cultural organization, or an art gallery. Ask how the site will use your fee (hopefully toward new programs and upkeep of the institution). Want an outdoor event? Opt for a botanical garden, arboretum, or the grounds of a historic home -- it's likely you can even find one run by a nonprofit organization.
Recycle Your Decor
Decorate your ceremony space with items you can reuse at the reception, whether it's topiaries that go from the altar to the entryway or arrangements that decorate the program table and dress up your guest book area. You'll save money and waste less. When the evening is over, plan to donate the pieces to a nursing home or hospital. Call ahead to see if you can arrange a pickup from your site.
Decorate with Bamboo
A great and modern-looking option, bamboo is considered one of the most sustainable materials on earth -- it can grow up to two feet a day, "So it takes only three to seven years to mature, as opposed to 120 years for some nice oak!" explains Ariel Dekovic, coauthor of 365 Ways to Save the Earth. Use tall stalks of curly bamboo in centerpieces, or choose bamboo chargers for your reception tables. And of course, mini stalks of lucky bamboo are always a favorite favor.
Arrive in (Low Emission) Style
A Prius limo? That might not yet be a reality, but there are ecologically friendly options out there. If your wedding is near the water, leave your ceremony in a canoe. We've also seen couples depart on tandem bicycles, rickshaws, or old-school conveyances like a horse and buggy.
Light Soy Candles
Candlelight isn't only romantic, it's energy efficient. Look for soy candles -- they're made from a renewable resource, are cleaner and longer burning than regular candles, plus spills are easy to clean (just use soap and hot water). They're available in nearly every size, shape, color, and scent you can imagine.
10 Ways to Make your Menu Memorable
There is no sincerer love than the love of food," said George Bernard Shaw. While you and your sweetie may disagree, your wedding guests will most likely be eager to fill their bellies with tasty treats. A little menu planning can easily woo the crowd. Here are ten tantalizing tips to make your wedding meal memorable -- and have your guests licking their lips:
1. Dream Up a Theme
One of the most fun (and often easiest) parts of developing a theme wedding is deciding the menu. From a traditional New England clambake to a spicy Southern barbecue, theme-wedding menus create a fun, exciting, and memorable event. It might even be the way you eat the food that stays in your guests' minds -- cracking crabs at a Maryland riverside wedding, nibbling satay at a Thai-inspired city garden reception, or roasting marshmallows over the flaming bonfire at a wedding "campsite."
2. Go Regional
There are many people who take culinary vacations, traveling through countries in search of the local fare. Turn your wedding reception into its own culinary vacation by creating a menu featuring regional specialties. It may be foie gras from the Hudson Valley, spicy chicken wings in Buffalo, or even the largest cheese spread ever seen in Wisconsin.
3. That's Entertainment
Who said that food only pleases the palate? You can devise a wedding menu where the food preparation is as flavorful as the food itself. Consider a sushi bar complete with professional sushi chef -- the performance of slicing and rolling turns simple ingredients into works of art right before your guests' eyes. Or perhaps French chefs donned in aprons and hats will create flaming crepes tableside.
4. All in the Family
Something in between a sit-down meal and a buffet, family style offers a natural way to get tables of guests talking while creating a very festive and homey atmosphere. Each dish is delivered to the center of the table and guests pass them politely (or grab and hoard, depending on your family). Italian food might be an obvious choice, but Asian, Mexican, and Indian cuisines work well here too.
5. That's So You!
The wedding day is all about the bride and the groom, so why not plan a menu that has special meaning to the two of you? Perhaps your first date was at a baseball game -- why not serve hot dogs? Or maybe the two of you love to fly fish -- highlight freshwater fish on the menu. Or he proposed over a romantic picnic lunch -- recreate the magic by recreating the meal. When your guests think about what they ate, they will automatically think about the couple of honor.
6. Presenting...
The eyes have it -- when it comes to remembering things, that is. Your guests will very likely recall a fabulous-looking buffet table before they remember what foods it featured. Be creative -- instead of serving soup in a bowl, have it ladled into a hollowed-out acorn squash. Or have asparagus tied up like a present with leek leaves. You could even serve coconut shrimp inside a coconut and garnish with a tropical flower.
7. Less is More
Sometimes the simplest foods presented in an elegant, bountiful manner have a more memorable effect than a wide variety of offerings. Colin Cowie offers this advice in his book For The Bride: "You can make a statement of style with one or two spectacular dishes. For example, instead of having ten different tray-passed appetizers during the cocktail hour, serve mountains of jumbo shrimp or sliced smoked salmon." Remember, KISS -- keep it simple, sweetie.
8. Ride with a Trend
Trends come and go and if you can jump on one before it's passé, all the more power to you. Ask your caterer what's up and coming. Perhaps she's got some unusual idea that will make the kind of memorable statement you're looking for. It might be something as homey/funky as a mashed potato bar, complete with your choice of spuds and toppings, presented in a martini glass. Or maybe a true Belgian treat -- pomme frittes served with the traditional mayonnaise in paper cones. Just remember -- they're trends, so plan accordingly if you're setting up your wedding menu a year in advance.
9. A Honeymoon Preview
Don't worry-we're not suggesting anything X-rated here! Just that you consider planning a menu based on your honeymoon spot. If you're off to Venice, serve a spread one could imagine eating in a gondola. Or if Hawaii's your destination, feature luau fare (without the flame-eaters) -- perhaps even the spit-roasted pig. Maybe it's Japan where you'll be spending the week -- how about a Tepanyaki station (Japanese barbecue), where guests choose raw meats, shrimp, veggies, noodles, and sauces and watch it get stir-fried.
10. Five-Star Elegance
If dining out in the fanciest of restaurants is your idea of luxury and you happen to have a lot of dough, treat you and your guests to gourmet, white-glove-service dinner. Plan a multi-course meal, complete with a refreshing intermezzo (with hot lemon-scented towels after the fish course, of course). You can choose from French or Russian service: With French, the waiters prepare food on stands set up next to the table and then serve individual plates; Russian service features white-gloved waiters who carry each course on a large tray and serve guests directly from it. For that added touch, offer a different complementary wine with each course.
1. Dream Up a Theme
One of the most fun (and often easiest) parts of developing a theme wedding is deciding the menu. From a traditional New England clambake to a spicy Southern barbecue, theme-wedding menus create a fun, exciting, and memorable event. It might even be the way you eat the food that stays in your guests' minds -- cracking crabs at a Maryland riverside wedding, nibbling satay at a Thai-inspired city garden reception, or roasting marshmallows over the flaming bonfire at a wedding "campsite."
2. Go Regional
There are many people who take culinary vacations, traveling through countries in search of the local fare. Turn your wedding reception into its own culinary vacation by creating a menu featuring regional specialties. It may be foie gras from the Hudson Valley, spicy chicken wings in Buffalo, or even the largest cheese spread ever seen in Wisconsin.
3. That's Entertainment
Who said that food only pleases the palate? You can devise a wedding menu where the food preparation is as flavorful as the food itself. Consider a sushi bar complete with professional sushi chef -- the performance of slicing and rolling turns simple ingredients into works of art right before your guests' eyes. Or perhaps French chefs donned in aprons and hats will create flaming crepes tableside.
4. All in the Family
Something in between a sit-down meal and a buffet, family style offers a natural way to get tables of guests talking while creating a very festive and homey atmosphere. Each dish is delivered to the center of the table and guests pass them politely (or grab and hoard, depending on your family). Italian food might be an obvious choice, but Asian, Mexican, and Indian cuisines work well here too.
5. That's So You!
The wedding day is all about the bride and the groom, so why not plan a menu that has special meaning to the two of you? Perhaps your first date was at a baseball game -- why not serve hot dogs? Or maybe the two of you love to fly fish -- highlight freshwater fish on the menu. Or he proposed over a romantic picnic lunch -- recreate the magic by recreating the meal. When your guests think about what they ate, they will automatically think about the couple of honor.
6. Presenting...
The eyes have it -- when it comes to remembering things, that is. Your guests will very likely recall a fabulous-looking buffet table before they remember what foods it featured. Be creative -- instead of serving soup in a bowl, have it ladled into a hollowed-out acorn squash. Or have asparagus tied up like a present with leek leaves. You could even serve coconut shrimp inside a coconut and garnish with a tropical flower.
7. Less is More
Sometimes the simplest foods presented in an elegant, bountiful manner have a more memorable effect than a wide variety of offerings. Colin Cowie offers this advice in his book For The Bride: "You can make a statement of style with one or two spectacular dishes. For example, instead of having ten different tray-passed appetizers during the cocktail hour, serve mountains of jumbo shrimp or sliced smoked salmon." Remember, KISS -- keep it simple, sweetie.
8. Ride with a Trend
Trends come and go and if you can jump on one before it's passé, all the more power to you. Ask your caterer what's up and coming. Perhaps she's got some unusual idea that will make the kind of memorable statement you're looking for. It might be something as homey/funky as a mashed potato bar, complete with your choice of spuds and toppings, presented in a martini glass. Or maybe a true Belgian treat -- pomme frittes served with the traditional mayonnaise in paper cones. Just remember -- they're trends, so plan accordingly if you're setting up your wedding menu a year in advance.
9. A Honeymoon Preview
Don't worry-we're not suggesting anything X-rated here! Just that you consider planning a menu based on your honeymoon spot. If you're off to Venice, serve a spread one could imagine eating in a gondola. Or if Hawaii's your destination, feature luau fare (without the flame-eaters) -- perhaps even the spit-roasted pig. Maybe it's Japan where you'll be spending the week -- how about a Tepanyaki station (Japanese barbecue), where guests choose raw meats, shrimp, veggies, noodles, and sauces and watch it get stir-fried.
10. Five-Star Elegance
If dining out in the fanciest of restaurants is your idea of luxury and you happen to have a lot of dough, treat you and your guests to gourmet, white-glove-service dinner. Plan a multi-course meal, complete with a refreshing intermezzo (with hot lemon-scented towels after the fish course, of course). You can choose from French or Russian service: With French, the waiters prepare food on stands set up next to the table and then serve individual plates; Russian service features white-gloved waiters who carry each course on a large tray and serve guests directly from it. For that added touch, offer a different complementary wine with each course.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Business Wisdom to Live By
Dalai Lama- On values
Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
Brock - On Risk
Show me a guy who is afraid to look bad, and I'll show you a guy you can beat every times.
Winfrey - On Vison
Create te highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Delegates
Presidential campaign intends to go after delegates whom have already won in the caucuses and primaries should this be allowed. It's not the "superdelegates" we are talking about pledged delegates.
It is possible for a for pledge delegate to switch. Pledged delegates are not really pledged at all, not even on the first ballot. This has been an open secret in the party for years, but it has never really mattered because there has almost always been a clear victor by the time the convention convened.
But not this time.
This time one candidate may enter the convention leading by just a few pledged delegates, and those delegates may find themselves being promised the sun, moon and stars to switch sides.
The notion that pledged delegates must vote for a certain candidate is, according to the Democratic National Committe, a "myth."
"Delegates are NOT bound to vote for the candidate they are pledged to at the convention or on the first ballot," A delegate goes to the convention with a signed pledge of support for a particular presidential candidate. At the convention, while it is assumed that the delegate will cast their vote for the candidate they are publicly pledged to, it is not required."
It is possible for a for pledge delegate to switch. Pledged delegates are not really pledged at all, not even on the first ballot. This has been an open secret in the party for years, but it has never really mattered because there has almost always been a clear victor by the time the convention convened.
But not this time.
This time one candidate may enter the convention leading by just a few pledged delegates, and those delegates may find themselves being promised the sun, moon and stars to switch sides.
The notion that pledged delegates must vote for a certain candidate is, according to the Democratic National Committe, a "myth."
"Delegates are NOT bound to vote for the candidate they are pledged to at the convention or on the first ballot," A delegate goes to the convention with a signed pledge of support for a particular presidential candidate. At the convention, while it is assumed that the delegate will cast their vote for the candidate they are publicly pledged to, it is not required."
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Wisdom to Live By
Woods On Passion
I get to play golf for a living. What can you ask for getting paid for doing what you love.
Alda On Wisdom
Be as smart as you can, but remember that it is always better to be wise than to be smart.
Churchill On Motivation
I am certainly not one of those who need to be prodded. In fact, if anything, I am the prod.
I get to play golf for a living. What can you ask for getting paid for doing what you love.
Alda On Wisdom
Be as smart as you can, but remember that it is always better to be wise than to be smart.
Churchill On Motivation
I am certainly not one of those who need to be prodded. In fact, if anything, I am the prod.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Business Leaders & Success (Tassajo)
Here’s To Your Success
Seven winning ways to grow your company
By James C. Johnson
February 1, 2007--Turning a small startup into a multimillion-dollar enterprise is an entrepreneur’s dream come true. But what are the secrets to growing a successful company? Business growth expert and speaker Steven S. Little (www.stevenslittle.com) provides some answers -- which he says most experts will agree with -- on how to achieve "profitable growth."
"Most entrepreneurs have a growth plan in their head," explains Little. "But to sustain an effective growth strategy, that plan needs to be written down, well communicated, and regularly updated." In his book, The 7 Irrefutable Rules of Small Business Growth (John Wiley & Sons; $18.95), Little outlines his effective principles for sustained small business growth and success.
FOLLOW THESE RULES FOR SUCCESS
* Establish and maintain a strong sense of purpose. Start by answering these questions: Why are you doing what you are doing? What is your company trying to accomplish? Honing your overall purpose is the first step toward growth.
* Thoroughly understand the marketplace. To grow a business, you need to recognize what customers are looking for and respond to it. Gain a better understanding of your market by reading industry magazines and trade journals. Join associations and trade groups to stay informed and share information.
* Build an effective growth planning system. Tap into employees, managers, and outside observers to help develop a good growth plan. Prioritize growth planning every day.
* Develop customer-driven processes. Define everything that you do from a customer’s perspective, and then look for ways to improve that every single day. Look for ways in which technology can improve your customer acquisition and retention.
* Put the power of technology to work. Educate yourself and become an expert on how technology will impact your business and industry. Identify technology experts who can propose ways to save you money and automate your business processes.
* Attract and keep the best and the brightest. A small business owner needs to continually find, train, and retain superior people to achieve sustainable growth. Recognize the importance of purpose for your employees.
* See the future more clearly. Find ways to record and measure signs of change within your organization. Gather information about emerging issues and consider the importance of these trends to your business. Finally, develop an action plan to respond to these forces of change.
Seven winning ways to grow your company
By James C. Johnson
February 1, 2007--Turning a small startup into a multimillion-dollar enterprise is an entrepreneur’s dream come true. But what are the secrets to growing a successful company? Business growth expert and speaker Steven S. Little (www.stevenslittle.com) provides some answers -- which he says most experts will agree with -- on how to achieve "profitable growth."
"Most entrepreneurs have a growth plan in their head," explains Little. "But to sustain an effective growth strategy, that plan needs to be written down, well communicated, and regularly updated." In his book, The 7 Irrefutable Rules of Small Business Growth (John Wiley & Sons; $18.95), Little outlines his effective principles for sustained small business growth and success.
FOLLOW THESE RULES FOR SUCCESS
* Establish and maintain a strong sense of purpose. Start by answering these questions: Why are you doing what you are doing? What is your company trying to accomplish? Honing your overall purpose is the first step toward growth.
* Thoroughly understand the marketplace. To grow a business, you need to recognize what customers are looking for and respond to it. Gain a better understanding of your market by reading industry magazines and trade journals. Join associations and trade groups to stay informed and share information.
* Build an effective growth planning system. Tap into employees, managers, and outside observers to help develop a good growth plan. Prioritize growth planning every day.
* Develop customer-driven processes. Define everything that you do from a customer’s perspective, and then look for ways to improve that every single day. Look for ways in which technology can improve your customer acquisition and retention.
* Put the power of technology to work. Educate yourself and become an expert on how technology will impact your business and industry. Identify technology experts who can propose ways to save you money and automate your business processes.
* Attract and keep the best and the brightest. A small business owner needs to continually find, train, and retain superior people to achieve sustainable growth. Recognize the importance of purpose for your employees.
* See the future more clearly. Find ways to record and measure signs of change within your organization. Gather information about emerging issues and consider the importance of these trends to your business. Finally, develop an action plan to respond to these forces of change.
Business Leaders & Success (Tassajo)
Can companies make money while doing good. --- Socially responsible companies
At first glance, socially responsible companies are hard to come by. Their goals range widely, entailing anything, from curbing pollution to educating students about substance abuse. Or a company might hire employees from disadvantaged neighborhoods or offer a great package of benefits. That variable nature can make it difficult to distinguish them from the many companies that boast about their environmental efforts or philanthropy when their main lines of business are not socially responsible, or worse.
A closer look, however, reveals that these companies' social and environmental goals aren't add-ons or marketing ploys. Of course, detractors insist that the very notion of building a business around a social agenda is misguided. They argue that companies can do more good by being as profitable as possible and assisting social causes through philanthropy or volunteerism.
But most social entrepreneurs believe that a corporate structure is the most efficient agent. As profit-seeking businesses, they are spared the need to chase a limited supply of grant money. They also have more tools to motivate employees and lure top-notch talent. True, it is difficult to manage and grow a business that is accountable to multiple constituencies. But, you can succeed, if you proceed with care.
To create a business with a social mission you have to have a product or service that people will want and an effective way to sell it. In some cases, the impetus to start a company may come well after you've committed to a social agenda.
At first glance, socially responsible companies are hard to come by. Their goals range widely, entailing anything, from curbing pollution to educating students about substance abuse. Or a company might hire employees from disadvantaged neighborhoods or offer a great package of benefits. That variable nature can make it difficult to distinguish them from the many companies that boast about their environmental efforts or philanthropy when their main lines of business are not socially responsible, or worse.
A closer look, however, reveals that these companies' social and environmental goals aren't add-ons or marketing ploys. Of course, detractors insist that the very notion of building a business around a social agenda is misguided. They argue that companies can do more good by being as profitable as possible and assisting social causes through philanthropy or volunteerism.
But most social entrepreneurs believe that a corporate structure is the most efficient agent. As profit-seeking businesses, they are spared the need to chase a limited supply of grant money. They also have more tools to motivate employees and lure top-notch talent. True, it is difficult to manage and grow a business that is accountable to multiple constituencies. But, you can succeed, if you proceed with care.
To create a business with a social mission you have to have a product or service that people will want and an effective way to sell it. In some cases, the impetus to start a company may come well after you've committed to a social agenda.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
As I walk (Created by Tassajo S)
All Photos created by Tassajo S.
"As I walk"
As I walk
Darkness fall
but in the end I see the light.
What attracts me is that I see the light
The Secret to happiness is life
"Every thought of yours is real thing - a force." Prentice Mulford (1834-1891)
We have to believe in the law
and light will follow
In the beginning there was light
not darkness
we had hope
we had peace.
So keep walking
and believe in the light
for darkness will fail
if you listen to your heart.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Shades Within You,
Event Planners