Getting what you pay for

Happy Monday! 

Recently I came across a inquiry on a popular bridal website which promotes itself as a help to Brides and engaged couples. There is an open forum on there where Brides-To-Be can ask a question and other "experienced" Brides can answer back.

I got a bit concerned when I saw one particular thread of question which happens to pertain to our area. It went a little something like this:

BTB(Bride-To_Be): Hello looking for an inexpensive DJ for my upcoming wedding. I only have $XXX for a DJ but if I can't find one I will have my reception done with an ipod

Some of the advice she got was alright, like "post this on a different board, it may help narrow your search better" but then I see another response saying a particular DJ (whom we have worked with and wouldn't recommend) was in the BTB's area and that particular DJ's rates were reasonable. There was nothing else though, no "and that DJ is so good" or "this DJ did my wedding, he rocked it and he was inexpensive"

Lovely Brides-To Be, do yourself a favor, make sure when looking for the deals and the "inexpensive vendors", please please get some references from past clients, look into their business a bit and get more information before signing a contract. Ask other vendors if they have worked with a particular vendor. I can't tell you how many times, we refer a wonderful vendor (who may be a bit more expensive than the bottom of the barrel inexpensive one that a Bride found) and the couple ends up going with with the bottom of the barrel vendor to save money, then ends up regretting it afterward.

This is the most important day of your life, you want to make sure that the people who are helping you throw it are professional, care about you and will help to make sure it goes off as smoothly as possible. Do your homework on each vendor, interview different vendors and ask people in the industry if they have worked with particular vendors.


On another note we had an amazing wedding this weekend with some really great, professional vendors who worked as a team to make the day go perfectly!

 Thanks to all involved and a BIG congratulations to the beautiful and fun couple Stacie and Stephen!

Related Site

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Title: Kylie Minogue - Get Outta My Way

Music video by Kylie Minogue performing Get Outta My Way.

Title: Halestorm - I Get Off

Director: Phil Mucci
Album: Halestorm (2009)
Label(s): Atlantic Records

Lyrics/Letra...

You don't know that I know,
You watch me every night
And I just can't resist the urge
To stand here in the light
You're greedy eyes upon me
And then I come undone
And I could close the curtains
But this too much fun

[Chorus/Refrão]
I get off on you
Getting off on me
I give you what you want
But nothing is for free
It's a give and take
Kinda life we make
When your line is crossed
I get off
I get off

So much left unspoken
Between the two of us
It's so much more exciting
To look when you can touch
You could say I am different
And maybe am afraid
But I know how to twist ya
To bring you to your knees

[Chorus/Refrão]
I get off on you
getting off on me
I give you what you want
[ Halestorm Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
but nothing is for free
it's give and take
kinda life we make
when your line is crossed
I get off
I get off

But you don't know
but you can't see
What i'll do for you
I'll do for me

[Pre-chorus/Pré-Refrão]
I get off on you
getting off on me
I give you what you want
Yeaaaaaaaaa...

[Chorus/Refrão]
I get off on you
Getting off on me
I give you what you want
But nothing is for free
It's a give and take
Kinda life we make
When your line is crossed
I get off
I get off

YEaa....I get off
YEaa....I get off
I get off

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Recipe of the Week: Tofu Scramble with Broccoli and Sweet Potatoes

Tofu gets a bad rap in most culinary circles for being bland and blase. In our fridge, it often languishes in its little plastic tub next to the prosciutto and fancy-schmancy cheeses. I'm sure the cheeses are the mean girls of the fridge, making every other resident feel ugly and unoriginal. I can just see them making fun of the celery for being flat as a board, the ketchup for being sooooo obvious, and the eggs for being scaredy-cats. But I'm positive tofu gets the brunt of it all with its plain looks and sometimes spineless attitude.

Well, tofu can give that shi-shi-la-la cheese a run for it's money with this recipe. The turmeric gives the tofu's plain complexion a healthy tan and the spices add a kick in the pants. It may not be the prettiest dish, but nobody's gonna push tofu around after this dance with broccoli and sweet potatoes!

Tofu Scramble with Broccoli and Sweet Potatoes
Serves 2 with leftover tofu stuffing and broccoli for lunch tomorrow
Ingredients:
2 small sweet potatoes, scrubbed clean, pricked all over with a fork, and wrapped in tinfoil
1 large crown of fresh broccoli
1 tub of firm or extra firm tofu, drained
2 T extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, peeled and finely minced
1 T turmeric
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Bragg's Liquid Amino's to taste
1 T Pickapeppa Sauce
1 t hot chili sauce (or more if you like it spicy!)
1 T Worcestershire Sauce or up the Pickapeppa dosage if vegan!
1 1/2 T Hungarian paprika
Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt to garnish

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and throw in the sweet potatoes. They'll take around an hour to an hour and a half to bake, so do this right when you get home from work or school! Also, put a cookie sheet underneath the potatoes, since they like to ooze and spit more than regular bakers, this will save you some serious elbow grease when it comes to oven-cleaning time!

When the potatoes are close to being finished, set a small saucepan on the stove with about a cup and a half of salted water. Bring to a simmer and add the cleaned and roughly chopped broccoli crowns. Cover and keep an eye on them until they turn bright green and are still tender crisp.

In a large saute pan, add your olive oil and onions and saute until the onions are translucent. Crumble in the tofu with your hands. Add the Bragg's, pepper, turmeric, Pickapeppa, chili sauce, Worcestershire, and paprika. Stir until well combined and the tofu dries out and starts to brown in places. You may need to add a little more olive oil to keep the pan moving.

Remove your sweet potatoes from the oven and remove tin foil. Add your broccoli to the saute pan full of tofu and stir well until the broccoli is seasoned. Plate your potatoes and cut in half. Spoon your tofu-broccoli mixture over the tops of the potatoes. Be generous!

Garnish with a little sour cream (if not vegan)! Enjoy!

Related Site

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Title: Raw Food Recipe for Onion Bread #287

http://www.therenegadehealthshow.com I can't stop talking about Shea's potluck, so many awesome raw food recipes! Today, we'll show you how to make one that rivals the Outback Bloomin' Onion.

Title: "Ridiculously Easy Roasted Asparagus" Food Tip of the Week

Slim stalks of asparagus just scream of spring. Blanching or steaming has long been the cooking method of choice for these tender spears, though all that moisture can leach out the bright green color and make asparagus stringy, even mushy. Roasting or grilling asparagus concentrates the sweet, green-ness of the vegetable and adds a crispy, caramelized crunch that makes it irresistible. Toss the spears with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast in a 400-degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the stalks are just tender and have taken on a rich, caramel brown in places (don't fear the browning, this makes it delicious).

If you're grilling, just toss the oiled and seasoned spears onto a pre-heated grill -- just be sure to use a grill basket, or some careful tong-work, to prevent the spears from slipping between the grate. Sprinkle the hot spears with a little balsamic vinegar or serve plain. You'll never go back to steaming.

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Reality Bites

Whew. Like really.  

How hard is it to get back into the swing of things in "real life" after a vacation?  I was with a difficult client yesterday and it took EVERY BONE IN MY BODY to not ponder what I had been doing exactly a week before.  But, of course, I still did.

Shug and I had been sitting in the park by the Louvre enjoying a bottle of Côtes du Rhône wine that was cheaper than our bottle of water.  We had stopped at a Monoprix market and scored some of the stinky cheese Shug and I had been fantasizing about stateside.  It was a lovely, lovely afternoon.

See how easy it was to not listen to my client?  The client that made me go back to Wendy's and get her more fries because hers weren't hot enough?  But she still managed to eat them all??  Gah.

I'm on a pretend retreat.  I'm going to imagine I get to spend all day on this Marina Abramovic installation that was at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.  The headrest was carved completely out of quartz.  Pretty amazing.

I hope you all have a restorative and restful fall weekend!  What will you be doing to recharge?

xo.

Related Site

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Title: Reality Bites - Patience - GunsN'Roses

I fall asleep thinking about her, and wake up missing her. There is still no one I rather wake up next to.


Shed a tear 'cause I'm missing you
I'm still alright to smile
Girl, I think about you every day now
Was a time when I wasn't sure
But you set my mind at ease
There is no doubt you're in my heart now
Said woman take it slow
It'll work itself out fine
All we need is just a little patience
Said sugar make it slow
And we'll come together fine
All we need is just a little patience
(inhale) Patience...
Ooh, oh, yeah

Sit here on the stairs
'Cause I'd rather be alone
If I can't have you right now, I'll wait dear
Sometimes, I get so tense
But I can't speed up the time
But you know, love, there's one more thing to consider
Said woman take it slow
Things will be just fine
You and I'll just use a little patience
Said sugar take the time
'Cause the lights are shining bright
You and I've got what it takes to make it
We won't fake it, Oh never break it
'Cause I can't take it

...little patience, mm yeah, ooh yeah,
Need a little patience, yeah
Just a little patience, yeah
Some more pati... (ence, yeah)
I've been walking these streets at night
Just trying to get it right (Need some patience, yeah)
It's hard to see with so many around
You know I don't like being stuck in a crowd (Could use some patience, yeah)
And the streets don't change but maybe the name
I ain't got time for the game
'Cause I need you (Patience, yeah)
Yeah, yeah well I need you
Oh, I need you (Take some patience)
Whoa, I need you (Just a little patience is all we need)
Ooh, this ti- me....

Title: Ethan Hawke and Winona Ryder in Reality Bites

Music fanvid about Ben Stiller's movie Reality Bites, litteraly "comedy about love in 90's". Starring terrigly young Ethan Hawke and Winona Ryder. Used song - Shocking you by Shocking Blue

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Dani & Martin Wallwork, "Cotton Candy & Pink Lemonade"

Dani & Martin’s Wedding was one of those really special days that I always feel so honoured to be a part of; for a start we (Sally & I) love Martin, we have no sensible explanation for this, he is “quite difficult” but utterly loveable, not in a cuddly cutesy way, no way, more of “you know you shouldn’t like him but you just do” sort of way.
Dani is quite simply fabulous, with a sensational figure and the most gorgeous gown.

Not only for all of the reasons above were we looking forward to this day, but in addition the guest list included so many of our all time favourite Brides, their Brothers, Mothers, Aunts and Uncle Tom Cobbly’s and all.

Dani & Martin's suppliers were all favourites of ours so it really was a day to enjoy!

The bouquet we created for Dani was in a “Flower Design” hand tied style with roses, particularly David Austin Patience & Miranda, Heaven roses, Red Lips Phalaenopsis Orchids, pink and cream calla lilies and lots of foliage.

Emma from Pure Beauty did all of the girls make-up.

We had lots of glorious corsages, the one for Martin's Mum included a fragrant Gardenia and Stephanotis.

The Setting for the Ceremony

We arranged two ginormous LSA Vases on either side of the Registrars Table, I Filled them with giant Black Dill, Pink Hydrangeas and Roses

Martin & I sharing a special pinning on the buttonhole moment!

Martin's rather special Boutonniere of Pinky Cream Calla "Captain Rosette" together with a "Heaven" Rose

The Boys wearing Akito Rose Boutonniere's

Phil & Kath the Registrars, old friends and excellent professionals

Paul Dobie & Daniel providing exceptional musical entertainment

David Murray seriously fabulous photographer, voted in the top Five or ten (Can't quite remember which, but either way it's pretty good!) photographers in the country, according to The Professional Photographers Magazine. He is such a nice man too!

The Biggest Congratulations to Dani & Martin

Farington Lodge is a splendid setting for a civil ceremony

The Bridesmaid's Bouquets were created ina perfect shade of Cotton Candy to compliment their gowns, I used Miranda Roses, Pale pink Pom Pom Dahlias, Heaven Roses, Celosia & Calla Lilies.

Flower Design Seating Plan

Ozzie & Michelle the very best cake makers ever

Simon from Farington doing the team talk

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Related Site

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Title: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Dani California w/ lyrics

http://bit.ly/bF1szc
lyrics:
Gettin' born in the state of Mississippi
Poppa was a copper and her momma was a hippie
In Alabama she was swinging hammer
Price you gotta pay when you break the panorama
She never knew that there was anything more than poor
What in the world does your company take me for?

Black bandana, sweet Louisiana
Robbin' on a bank in the state of Indiana
She's a runner, rebel and a stunner
On her merry way saying baby what you gonna
Lookin' down the barrel of a hot metal .45
Just another way to survive

California rest in peace
Simultaneous release
California show your teeth
She's my priestess, I'm your priest
Yeah, yeah

She's a lover, baby and a fighter
Should've seen her coming when it got a little brighter
With a name like Dani California
Day was gonna come when I was gonna mourn ya
A little loaded she was stealing another breath
I love my baby to death

California rest in peace
Simultaneous release
California show your teeth
She's my priestess, I'm your priest
Yeah, yeah

Who knew the other side of you?
Who knew what others died to prove?
Too true to say goodbye to you
Too true, too sad sad sad

Push the fader, gifted animator
One for the now and eleven for the later
Never made it up to Minnesota
North Dakota man was a gunnin' for the quota
Down in the badlands she was saving the best for last
It only hurts when I laugh
Gone too fast

California rest in peace
Simultaneous release
California show your teeth
She's my priestess, I'm your priest
Yeah, yeah

California rest in peace
Simultaneous release
California show your teeth
She's my priestess, I'm your priest
Yeah, yeah

Title: Ramadan Krasniqi - DANI - Tradhëtare

See this at Shoqni.com along with over 400 other videos!

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