A fab DIY idea - keep reading, I get there!

One of the blogs that I read regularly is "kissthegroom". It belongs to Elizabeth Messina who has a wonderful take on life. Her photography is amazing - just look at this image of Tori Spelling & Dean McDermott

and I LOVE this image which she captions with 

“You Are My Sunshine My only sunshine. 

You make me happy When skies are grey. 

You’ll never know, dear, How much I love you. 

Please don’t take my sunshine away” 

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE 

Also on her website, she has a Kissing Tree

All you do is write the words you want in the heart and print it ! 

I was thinking that would be a neat idea at a wedding reception/party. Either your guests would write you messages or they'd make one for themselves.

And before I forget, belated congratulations to Tori, Dean, Jack, Liam, Stella and Hattie on the birth of Finn Davey McDermott.

A styled wedding photo shoot

I've had these images for a while, really to see if the theme stood the test of time. It was called a "Burberry Wedding" and whilst the brand has by no means disappeared, I did wonder if they would look dated. On reflection, the colour theme is still good (obviously, or Burberry wouldn't still be using it) and the orange just 'pops' it.  

 

I'm liking for Autumn or Winter - what do you think?

Pinterest

Some time ago, I discovered Pinterest and I'm hooked. I just love being able to store photos I've found online or in magazines all in one place with their references. I've only just now realised that I have 50 different boards! Not all are wedding related but about half of them are. There's flowers, cakes, dresses, themes, decor, hair, real weddings, styled weddings and even one for grooms.

These are the two dresses that I really like from the board called THE dress

by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen 2012. 

As I've seen written elsewhere, it's 

DROP. DEAD. GORGEOUS.

and

as worn by Downton's Lady Mary

You can find all my boards here: http://pinterest.com/penniejl/

Fall is just around the corner

After a somewhat traumatic summer, we're back to normal. I have been here, there and everywhere, rushed off my feet, bored silly with nothing to do and getting too tired for words - chronic fatigue "they" call it, my Mum would have had another name but don't let's go there, please. Talking of mothers, I saw this on Facebook yesterday - reposted it to my daughter's wall but have had no response as yet!

Mind you that's probably because she is too busy with her newest addition to her family. A little girl, Mia who was born yesterday. I think that's why today feels like back to normal - I'm no longer worrying about her. Job done, baby delivered! She is a little poppet already adored by so many of our good friends and wished well by acquaintances, and strangers come to that, who wonder why I'm either grinning like the Cheshire Cat or crying. I now have a pair of a pair - two grandsons and two granddaughters!

If you were following last October, you may remember a couple of posts I did about my daughter's friend Helen who was getting married. Hannah was to be a bridesmaid and Ivy a flower girl. As it turned out, Hannah was kept in hospital for monitoring so Ivy went along with Daddy to be a flower girl. I did my best to get her ready and I'm happy to report she shone! (well, I would say that, wouldn't I? But she did!) She's not 3 until December and with all that was going on ... Helen also shone in a dress that was perfect for her. These photos were taken by guests.

and these by her official photographer Maryanne Scott Photography

and finally her flowers which were really English countryside AND Helen did them all herself

It was a fab day. Helen & Stuart are now on honeymoon in Mexico and I can't wait for them to get back and see all the other images.

Can you believe your eyes?

Not always, but this time, yes. WHAT a stunning photo of the solar eclipse.

A branch foregrounds the heart shaped sun during an annular solar eclipse seen from Los Angeles

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2147587/Solar-Eclipse-2012-Heart-shaped-sun-seen-LA-rare-ring-sweep-world.html#ixzz1vWdH6Y4H

And this one seems as if it belongs in ET.

Sorry I've been 'away' for so long - I will be back soon, promise.

Snow time

The last few days around Southern Georgian Bay have been fabulous winter weather - cold, yes but with sun and blue skies. If you like to ski, board - or just play in the snow, this is a great time to visit. Obviously, we can organise your wedding whilst you are there anywhere your fancy takes you. Horse drawn sleigh, dog-sled, carriage, hummer - we can arrange any of those alongside the more traditional aspects of a wedding like the celebrant [know a great one whose son plays ice-hockey locally], photographer, flowers and food. Accommodation in this area isn't a problem either, there are lots of high quality b&b's, hotels and chalets.

Here are some photos

Or take a look at our video - Snow Time 

Great ways to give 3

Bring your bear

Let me start by declaring an interest. I spend quite a bit of my spare time on the local fundraising committee for this charity. How did this come about? I had supported various charity fundraising events locally over the years but was surprised to be invited to join a committee. The approach came at just the right time as the kids had flown and I was left with an empty nest. What to do with my 'spare' time was something I had been stressing about. Obviously, I looked into what this charity actually DID. 

I was surprised, to say the least. However, apart from being a soft touch when it comes to kids, I thought that it wasn't really personal so if I asked somebody to help in any way and they refused, that would be it. My Mum suffered from dementia and I knew if I helped them, I would take a refusal very personally - as if the help had been directly refused to her. HOWEVER, in a very short space of time that proved not to be the case. If you know anyone who was given the polio vaccine - say thank you to Action, they funded  pioneering work on this; if you know anyone who has taken folic acid whilst pregnant - say thank you to Action for their financial contribution; an ultrasound scan in pregnancy? used a fetal heart monitor? ever heard of the Glasgow coma scale? they have even funded research to determine when to start milk feeds for sick premature babies.

So ... you get it?
It IS personal ... and not just to me -
they've made a difference in your life as well although you probably didn't know

This fundraiser is primarily aimed at children but you can join in too at your workplace because, go on, admit it - you DO have a favourite bear and it's fun!
All you have to do is visit the registration page on the Action Medical Research website and sign up. Then you nominate a day to take your bear in to work with you. It costs £2.00 per bear.
And that's it! Simple!

This is the link  http://www.action.org.uk/get_involved/bring_your_bear

and while you're there, why not take a look around the site to see what they do with the money they raise. 

[I never cease to be amazed at how much difference just a small amount can help]. Also, you may find a challenge that appeals.

What's all this got to do with wedding? Well you may just think that it's such a worthwhile cause you'd like your guests to bring a bear to your reception party and donate the appropriate amount of money instead of providing guest favours. If you're having an outdoor reception, what about a Teddy Bear's Picnic for your little guests? 

Go on ... do it today ... make a difference and feel good