Don't Forget....

to enter A Hot Pink Petticoat Giveaway!!!

What better way to get through the winter blahs than have a 2 hour consultation with Alison Kelly, Founder/Party Director of Toronto-based A Hot Pink Petticoat. This contest is open to anyone in the Greater Toronto Area who is in the midst of planning a killer party who would love someone to bounce their ideas off of. No strings attached!

So for those of you planning an event (does not have to be a wedding) in the GTA, or know of a friend who is, do not miss out on entering into this giveaway!

Here are the deets:

1) Leave a comment here telling me why you should win the free consultation session.

2) For an additional entry, follow A Hot Pink Petticoat on Twitter (http://twitter.com/HotPinkPetti) or leave a comment on Alison's blog at ahotpinkpetticoat.blogspot.com. Be sure to leave me a comment here that you've done so.

3) Maximum 2 entries per person. Contest ends Monday, March 1st at 11:59PM EST.

4) I'll announce the Winner on the following Wednesday.

5) Open to those who reside/planning an event (e.g. wedding, anniversary party, elopement) in the Greater Toronto Area.

To learn more about A Hot Pink Petticoat, who recently won a 2010 Bride's Choice Award, check out my interview last year with Alison.

Good Luck!!

Reem Acra Trunk Show - White Toronto

Sorry for the late notice on this one! If you're on the hunt for the perfect gown (or want to chase away the February blahs!), check out the Reem Acra trunk show this weekend.

via Reem Acra

WHEN?
Saturday, February 27th & Sunday, February 28th by appointment

WHERE?
White Toronto (www.whitetoronto.com)
19 Hazelton Avenue, Toronto, ON. M5R 2E1
Tel: 416 849 9196 / info@whitetoronto.com
Call to make an appointment.

To see the latest Reem Acra Bridal collection, visit www.reemacra.com

Divine Wedding Venues

via Kevin Lam Photography

How stunning is this church? While many couples choose to marry in churches, temples, synagogues, and other religious institutions, not many couples have the privilege of marrying in a grand, stained glassed-filled historical church like this one - the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. I know many couples who forgo the familiar nature of their regular church/synagogue in favour of a church/synagogue that is more grand or ornate, i.e. more apropos for a wedding. For those of you who were or will be married in a religious institution, how did you decide on your venue?

* To see more from this wedding, visit by Kevin Lam Photography
** Don't forget to enter "A Hot Pink Petticoat Giveaway"!!!!!!

Banana Republic After Five Event

NOTE: In-store event at US stores only

Christos Trunk Show - Greater Toronto Area

WHEN?
Saturday, December 5th by appointment

WHERE?
Pearl Bridal House
76 Lakeshore Rd. East
Mississauga, ON L5G 1E1
905.278.5407
hello@pearlbridalhouse.com
www.pearlbridalhouse.com

To see the latest Christos collection, visit www.christosbridal.com.

*Don't forget to enter the A Hot Pink Petticoat Giveaway!

A Hot Pink Petticoat Giveaway

Happy Monday! Did you watch the Canada vs. USA hockey last night? The BF and I watched at a nearby Irish pub. The BF is a good ol' SoCal boy, doesn't know much about the great Canadian sport. However, since it's the Olympics, and his country is playing against my country, well, let's just say he got very animated. I called the US's first goal 'lucky.' Their second goal, I swore very loudly. By the 3rd goal, I sold out the BF to a pub of angry Canadians - I pointed to him and declared very loudly, "He's AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!" Lucky for the BF, he didn't get beat up. ;) Though I can tell you that I debated letting him sleep on the couch last night.

Anyways, let's get back to business, shall we? I'm super excited to announce our A Hot Pink Petticoat Giveaway. Intrigued? I'll let Alison, the mastermind behind this Toronto-based event planning company, tell you what A Hot Pink Petticoat is giving away.......

What better way to get through the winter blahs than have a 2 hour consultation with Alison Kelly, Founder/Party Director of Toronto-based A Hot Pink Petticoat. This contest is open to anyone in the Greater Toronto Area who is in the midst of planning a killer party who would love someone to bounce their ideas off of. No strings attached!

So for those of you planning an event (does not have to be a wedding) in the GTA, or know of a friend who is, do not miss out on entering into this giveaway!

Here are the deets:

1) Leave a comment here telling me why you should win the free consultation session.

2) For an additional entry, follow A Hot Pink Petticoat on Twitter (http://twitter.com/HotPinkPetti) or leave a comment on Alison's blog at ahotpinkpetticoat.blogspot.com. Be sure to leave me a comment here that you've done so.

3) Maximum 2 entries per person. Contest ends Monday, March 1st at 11:59PM EST.

4) I'll announce the Winner on the following Wednesday.

5) Open to those who reside/planning an event (e.g. wedding, anniversary party, elopement) in the Greater Toronto Area.

To learn more about A Hot Pink Petticoat, who recently won a 2010 Bride's Choice Award, check out my interview last year with Alison.

Good Luck!!

Katerina Bocci Trunk Show - Kleinburg, ON

WHEN?
Monday, February 22 to Sunday, February 28 by appointment

WHERE?
10449 Islington Avenue
Kleinburg, ON L0J 1C0
(905) 893-8100
info@sutdiosposa.com
http://www.studiosposa.ca

To see the latest Katerina Bocci collection, visit www.katerinabocci.com.

Coming Up...

Happy Weekend! The BF and I just inhaled homemade French toast and crispy bacon. I love Saturdays. I have a contest coming up next week and the above image is a hint of what's to come! So be sure to come back on Monday!

Carolina Herrera Spring 2010 Trunk show - Toronto

With Love, From Toronto

Last month, Style Me Pretty, featured this "Bohemian Romance" photo shoot styled by Toronto wedding planner Cynthia Martyn, with the assistance of a talented group of Toronto vendors. I love the colours - very apropos for a Valentine's Day themed wedding or engagement party. For those are you getting married in the Toronto area, this gives you an idea as to what this city's vendors can offer! To see more photos, visit Style Me Pretty or Cynthia Martyn's blog.



Concept Design & Styling: Cynthia Martyn Events Inc. www.cynthiamartyn.com
Photography: Mimmo+Naz www.mimmoandnaz.com
Cake & Sweet Table: Cake Opera Co. www.cakeoperaco.com
Stationery Design: Bella Invites www.bellainvites.com
Floral Design: Fuscia Designs www.fusciadesigns.ca
Vintage Gown: Cabaret Vintage www.cabaretvintage.com
Hair & Makeup Styling: Faces By Carla www.facesbycarla.com
Rentals: Chairman Mills www.chairmanmills.com
Linens & Chair Overlays: Susan Murray International www.susanmurray.com
Favor Boxes and Packaging: Liloo www.liloo.ca
Caramel Apples: Bruce Co. Nut & Fudge www.nutandfudge.com
Calligraphy: Calligraphy By Diane www.calligraphybydiane.com
Venue: Fermenting Cellar, The Distillery District, Toronto www.fermentingcellar.ca

President's Day Deals

Happy President's Day! Over here in Ontario (and some other Canadian provinces), we have the day off due to Family Day. Who doesn't love a long weekend!! The BF and I are taking easy, watching the Olympic coverage and then later on will be joining my family for Chinese New Year celebrations. Enjoy your day off!

Banana Republic

50% of Magazines at Amazon.com

Thanks to Very Married for the tip on this. Very Married is starting to do recaps of her December wedding. Go on over to check her out!

Kenneth Pool Trunk Show - GTA

via Kenneth Pool

WHEN?
Thursday, February 18 to Sunday, February 21 by appointment

WHERE?
Pearl Bridal House
76 Lakeshore Rd. East
Mississauga, ON L5G 1E1
905.278.5407
hello@pearlbridalhouse.com
www.pearlbridalhouse.com

To see the latest Kenneth Pool collection, visit www.kennethpool.com.

Year of the Tiger

Happy New Year to those welcoming in the Year of the Tiger! The tiger is the king of the animals in Chinese culture, and is the move revered amongst the 12 animals in Chinese zodiac. This year is to be a year of "grand beginnings and new directions." The BF and I will be having an epic feast with my family and I'm ready to collect my "lucky money" (in red envelopes). Note that only single people can collect "lucky money." Once you're married, you start passing out the "lucky money" - a fact I remind my married younger sister all the time. ;)

And of course, Happy Valentine's Day to all! Especially to the BF.

Who's Got Olympic Spirit?

I do! I love the Olympics. I'm not sporty in any kind of way (unless you consider napping a sport, in which case I would be the gold medalist) but I love watching the Games. This year, us Canadians, are hosting! Kasia Fink (aka Mrs. Sea Breeze) a fellow Canadian blogger and proprietress of Kasia Fink Veils will be participating in tonight's opening ceremonies and she's been blogging about the rehearsal over the last few months - go check out her blog.

So the big question remains - who's going to light cauldron? Some say it will be "The Great One." Some say it might be a hologram of the late Terry Fox. I love the fact that we won't know until tonight!

The BF is on his way to Toronto as we speak so I'm doubly excited! He has no idea that for the next 2 weeks I'll be glued to the TV cheering on Canadian competing in sports that I would never dare to try!!

Will you be watching the opening ceremonies?

Cutest Cake Topper Ever

via Kevin Lam Photography

I saw this adorable cake topper on Toronto photographer Kevin Lam's blog the other day and had to share. I've never seen anything so fun! To see how true the resemblance of the cake topper is to the bride and groom, click here.

Before becoming "The Professional Bridesmaid," I had no idea the vast variety of cake toppers out there. Are you a fan of the cake topper? What are you having/did have as your cake topper?

*Update: The cake topper was made by a friend of the couple's!

Amsale Trunk Show - Greater Toronto Area

via Amsale

WHEN?
Saturday, February 13th by appointment

WHERE?
Pearl Bridal House
76 Lakeshore Rd. East
Mississauga, ON L5G 1E1
905.278.5407
hello@pearlbridalhouse.com
www.pearlbridalhouse.com

To see the latest Amsale collection, visit www.amsale.com.

Tara Keely Trunk Show - Vancouver

via Tara Keely

WHEN?
Thursday, February 11th and Sunday, February 14th
10am-6pm

WHERE?
Bisou Bridal
440-West 2nd Avenue
Vancouver BC V5Y 1E2
Tel: 604.696.0880/ info@bisoubridal.com
Call to make an appointment.

To see Tara Keely's collection, visit www.tarakeely.com.

Frugal Friday (Saturday Edition)

Click to print this coupon for Chapters-Indigo-Coles

Banana Republic - US only

Do You Drink Your Milk Out of A Bag?

I do. Well, I used to when I lived with my family. You see, in some parts of Canada, including my province of Ontario, milk comes in bags, not jugs. We have cartons of milk but if you want to go 'family size', you'll have to resort to buying 'bags' of milk. Check out this article in the Toronto Star and the below video if you don't believe me. As noted in the Toronto Star article, bags take up less space, are easier to transport, use less plastic than jugs, and on average, milk in a bag actually costs less than the comparable amount of milk in a carton. Milk in a Bag - weird? Perhaps. Environmentally friendly and economically economically conscious? Totally, eh?! Happy Friday.


So we drink milk out of bags. Does that make us weird? - thestar.com

Help! Which one?

Bonjour! I desperately need a new wallet, and I've been shopping for months. Help me decide between the two!

1) Cole Haan Felicity Slim Zip Wallet


2) MICHAEL Michael Kors Continental Wallet

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Cole Haan.

Am I the only one who agonizes over a wallet purchase?

Best Dressed at the Grammys

The Grammys is touted as 'the biggest event' in the industry I work in. Unfortunately, the last few years, it's been a bit lackluster. Every year I say I'm not going to watch but every year I tune in, just so I'm lost during the water cooler conversations at work the next day. I tuned in Sunday night, on breaks from Brothers & Sisters (love that show). Here's a quick summary of my thoughts:

-Lady GaGa rocks - she can sing, she can write, she can design, and she can truly ENTERTAIN
-Pink sang upside down, twirling from a piece of fabric, all in a wet, nude body suit. Need I say more?
- Beyonce covering Alanis. Awesome.
- Oh Taylor Swift. Yes, she's America's sweetheart. And yes she can song write (which many top selling artists can't do), but she can't sing. Well, she can sing, but off-key.
- Didn't understand Jamie Foxx's performance though it was cool to see Slash.
-Taylor Swift won over GaGa? WTF.

The one thing I do love about the Grammys is the fashion. It's less about elegance and old Hollywood, and more about funky, outrageous and avant garde.

My favourite of the evening - Rihanna. Fun, flirty and feathery. Love it.


Who's outfit was your favourite?

Kirstie Kelly Trunk Show

via Kirstie Kelly for Disney

When?
Wednesday, February 5 to Sunday, February 7 (11am-4pm)

Where?
Sposa Italia
4040 Steeles Avenue West, Suite 5,
Woodbridge, ON
905.856.5556 or 1-877-SPOSA 01 (766.7201)
sales@sposaitalia.com

To see more of Kirstie Kelly for Disney's collection, click here.