Frugal Fridays: Goodies from the Interweb

I admit it. I'm feeling a little lazy this Frugal Friday. Instead of coming up with an original post, here are some links to some freebies, coupons, sales and articles on how to pinch your pennies. Forgive me. Happy Friday!

Win your dream 'green' wedding dress! - Sponsored by lululemon & Adele Wechsler

Wedding Photos: Saving Money One Shot at a Time - The Washington Post

Cheap and Chic Weddings - The Washington Post

Tips on Filming and Editing Your Own Wedding Video - Movie--Me

DIY: Flower Fabric Boutonnieres - Once Wed

Free Fonts from iDiY

Free Printable Envelopes - VintageGlamWeddings

Free Pink Wallpaper - Mujka Designs

Preferred Customer Sale - Best Buy Canada

1/2 price off sale boots - Aldo Shoes

Earn AirMiles while you search the Internet! - AIR MILES

20% off $100 or more coupon - Banana Republic (Canada only)

20% off coupon - The Gap (Canada only)

Here are some pre-loved wedding gowns in Canada, currently listed on preownedweddingdress.com, who need a new owner:

Antoniette Catennacci - Elisa

Justin Alexander - 8115

Vera Wang - 11168

Kiss the Sunset

I am absolutely spellbound by this photo.

Image by Susan Yee, en pointe photography

Obama is in Canada!

President Obama touched down in Canada's capital city, Ottawa, this morning, his first foreign trip since taking office in January. Reports suggest that the environment will be on the top of the agenda today. I recently read a very funny article in the Toronto Star on how Americans view Canadians titled "The truth is, Canada, America isn't into you." Whether you're American or Canadian, you'll find it amusing.

Wake and Flake!

I truly believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day (along with lunch and dinner!) No, seriously I love all breakfast foods especially bacon. Lucky for me, the BF lives by the best breakfast place in LA, Flake. Decorated with cereal box art from your childhood, orange striped surfboards, and chalkboard menus, Flake resembles a cross between a surfers' shack and a retro kitchen nook.




First and foremost a cereal bar, Flake serves over 25 types of cereal and granola (Lucky Charms, Trix, Wheaties, Kashi to name just a few) and just as many toppings (fruits, nuts & grains, sweets & sauces). If you are a cereal aficionado, then this is the place for you - the combinations of cereal, granola, and toppings are endless!

I have to admit that I've never had a bowl of cereal at Flake. I'm a hot brekkie person and Flake does not disappoint in this regard. Two words - Croissan-wich Jones. Picture scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and bacon all sandwiched between a warm, buttery croissant. I'm drooling just thinking about it. A close second to the Croissan-wich Jones is the Nutty Munkee - your choice of nutella, honey, or jam, with peanut butter and banana on a warm English muffin. Wash this down with an Illy latte and there my friends, is the perfect way to 'break the fast.'

The atmosphere at Flake is always warm and inviting. Doggies are welcomed with doggy treats and kids are encouraged to create art for the counter space. Feel free to show up in your jammies....trust me, I've seen others do it.

Here is a photo of our breakfast this past weekend. BF ordered the Breakwater Bagel and I ordered the day's special - ham, Gouda & scrambled egg on a croissant. Yum. How cute are the Tony the Tiger mugs?!? I know, they're grrrreat!

Not a morning person? Flake also serves delicious panini sandwiches for lunch, including the Redneck Cowboy Chicken panini (spicy BBQ chicken) and the Frenchie (black forest ham).

So the next time you need a breakfast (or lunch or dinner) of champions, check out Flake in Venice, CA. For more information, visit Flake's website at www.veniceflake.com.

Jenny Packham Trunk Show in Toronto

Jenny Packham's wedding gowns just ooze glamour. Her trademark pairing of soft, flowy fabrics with detailed beading and crystals will make any modern glam bride swoon. White Toronto will be hosting a Jenny Packham trunk show for the next few days - call to make an appointment if you're interested.

WHEN: February 19-21

WHERE:

White Toronto
19 Hazelton Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M45 4NI
416-849-9169
www.whitetoronto.com

Images from Jenny Packahm's website

Winter Wonderland

It's been snowing on and off all day here in Toronto. Sigh. I usually curse the snow but when I found this lovely photo by Calla Evans, I had to smile.

It Isn't Easy Being Green

Want to have a green wedding and don't know where to begin? Canada.com has some great tips and suggestions to get you started.

source

Kim and Trevor's Wedding Video

Kim and Trevor hired the very talented team at StillMotion to capture their day on film. One of the services StillMotion provides is the "Same Day Edit" which is short montage of the various events on your wedding day (e.g. getting ready time, the ceremony, the photo session) shown to your guests at the reception. Below is the Same Day Edit that was shown at Kim and Trevor's reception. All the guests were in complete awe that StillMotion had produced and edited this video in such a short amount of time. I never thought much of wedding cinematography (I thought it was a 'splurge' one could do without) but after seeing how well StillMotion captured the emotions of the day, the priest's sermon, the excitement in Kim and Trevor's voices, I can definitely see the pluses!

Now I'm not going to sugarcoat it - StillMotion is not for those couples who are pulling tightly on their purse strings. However, if you have the extra room in your budget or if cinematography and/or photography are top priorities for you, then definitely check StillMotion out. You'll be watching your wedding video for years to come!

* Remember how I mentioned Kim loved Hello Kitty? Watch carefully to see how she paid tribute to her favorite Sanrio character.


Kimberley + Trevor's SDE from StillMotion on Vimeo.

Kim and Trevor's Wedding: Part IV

Happy Family Day! Happy President's Day. I know I'm late in posting the rest of the pictures from Kim and Trevor's Wedding.....it's hard to blog while you're traveling! Anyways, let's get back to Kim and Trevor's special day. After the ceremony, the bridal party went off to Union Station for pictures. Union Station is a very popular place for wedding photos. If you're thinking of doing the same, remember to get your permit by calling 416-392-8188. The permit will cost around $100 and make sure you have it handy on the day of as security will ask to see it. Also be prepared to receive lots of warm wishes from the passerby's! Who can resist a bride and her groom?!

The photographer had to scare the pigeons in order to get this shot which made me anxious because I despise pigeons!! But they make for a great shot no?

This was the teaser that I posted last week. Love, love how the random people walking by are blurred in. This photo, along with other photos from Silvana's portfolio was recently featured in the photography trade magazine, Rangefinder.

Kim and Trevor had their reception at Paramount Conference & Event Venue in Woodbridge, Ontario. Before the reception, Kim and Trevor honoured their elders by participating in the traditional Chinese tea ceremony. The couple poured cups of tea to their elders and the elders in return handed them 'lai see' or 'lucky money.' Kim changed into a custom made traditional Chinese wedding dress, 'cheong sam' or 'qi pao,' for the tea ceremony.

It isn't a Chinese wedding without the dragon dance!!

Kim changed into her 3rd dress of the night, a sassy pink number, for her and Trevor's first dance. They had been taking ballroom dancing for weeks in preparation for this moment.

Apparently the groom's sister is telling a very funny story in this picture! Kim chose pink and gold as her colours.

That's it for the photos. Coming up - the video! Enjoy your day off if you have one today!

All images from Impulse Photography except the images of the lion dance and the tea ceremony which were taken by Kim's friend.

Kim and Trevor's Wedding: Part III

Happy Valentine's Day! Sorry for the delay on this post....I decided to surprise the BF and fly into LA earlier than planned. Even though he was surprised, the BF had an inkling....b/c I was missing for oh, about 5 and 1/2 hours!

Anyways, here are more photos from Kim and Trevor's big day. The ceremony took place at St. Paul's Basilica in Toronto. St. Paul's was built in 1822 and is the oldest Roman Catholic congregation in Toronto. The interior of the basilica is just stunning. One of the advantages of marrying inside a church is often times you don't have to spend too much on decor as the church is already ornate enough.

I love how the sunlight is captured in these photos of Kim.

Kim with her lovely bridesmaids waiting for the ceremony to start.

(c)C.Lye

Even though this picture is in b&w, you can still see the magnificence of the church.

Signing the marriage license.

(c) C.Lye

Yay! Kim and Trevor are married! Check out the paintings in the background, so beautiful.

I was hoping to post the remaining photos today but the BF and I have to get ready for our Anti-Valentine's Day party tonight (more on that later). Hopefully I'll have the rest posted tomorrow. Have a wonderful V-Day with your loved ones!