Events, inspired thoughts, creative moments, or whatever comes to mind…to inspire you to action.
“Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society. “Pantone has chosen Radiant Orchid as its luscious hue. Hints of pink and fuchsia, Radiant Orchid is a romantic purple. Expect to see it everywhere, from fashion, beauty, events, weddings and interiors event food! Here are some Radiant Orchid-inspired ideas to add a hint of vibrancy to your world. “An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.” Visit: www.pantone.com...
read moreBuild Your Destination Market Fam Trip to Italy for Wedding and Event Planners You are invited to an exclusive opportunity to meet in Rome Italy, the most romantic city in the world, to meet local wedding and event planners and suppliers, and expand your destination market. Registration: $475.00 (Includes: 3 day seminars, 3 luncheons, 3 dinners, tour of Rome) Spouses: meals only and tours $250.00. Other activities are available at your own expense. Your Investment: Airfare, Accommodations and registration fees Proposes Itinerary: April 4, 2014 Arrival of planners – transfers provided from airport 8:00 PM Welcome Reception Hotel De Russie April 5, 2014 10:00 – 6:00 PM Bridal Show & Education 9:30 Registration Lunch provided Education/Speakers: Milena Santoro JoAnn Gregoli Michelle Turner Bianca Trusiani *speakers subject to change 8PM Hosted Dinner: location to be announced April 6, 2014 10-2PM Fashion Show and Tradeshow 12:00 Luncheon provided 2:00 PM Afternoon of Leisure 8:00 PM Hosted Dinner: Casina Valadier April 7, 2014 10-1 PM master class with Milena Santoro (additional fee $100) Luncheon 2:00 PM Tour of the city 8:00 PM Hosted dinner: Arrivederci Roma! April 8, 2014 Planners depart – transfers provided to airport *Itinerary subject to change Canada contact: Milena Santoro milena@milenasantoro.com or call 780-999-5799 Register at: http://www.expodellasposa.it/ Accommodations: To secure your hotel room – we have listed the following hotels on- line for your convenience. Once you register and book your hotel, please be sure to forward us your flight information, so we can arrange transfers. Hotel de Russie, (luxury) www.roccofortehotels.com Hotel Beverly Hills, (deluxe) www.beverlyhotelrome.it Hotel Panama Graden.com www.hotelpanamagarden.com Hotel Kent Roma www.hotelkentroma.com Hotel Buenosaires...
read moreThis Red Tip is intended to get your MOJO flow’n by helping you generate some inspired action and momentum. Every great idea started out with a concept on a napkin or a burst of inspiration in the shower. Whatever yours is, today is the day you take action knowing that what you focus on expands. When we ignite our passion and purpose we get our inspired juices flowing and everyone wants to get on board with your BIG IDEA. I love Mondays – its the perfect time to kick-start new ideas into gear. Its a fresh week so clear a path this afternoon and layout 5 action steps and 5 people that you can share your ideas with. – your new MOJO...
read moreCome the end of your wedding day; you may feel wound up, wiped out and wonder how anyone could have the energy for any action beyond sleep. Whether it’s finding the perfect wedding night lingerie or packing your favorite bottle of wine, preparing for your wedding night is key. Music can also play an important role in creating the mood. Here’s a guide to the sexiest music selections to get you started in creating your perfect playlist and some of the tackiest, just-plain-awkward genres to avoid for your weddingnight. SEXY GENRE # 1: Rhythmic Synth Music Synth music is always appropriate for bedroom activities, since most synth songs offer a fun beat and a consistent rhythm. For the sexiest musical accompaniment on yourwedding night, add synth songs to your play-list that can establish a good pace for your horizontal mambo. TACKY: Comical Porn Music Anything that goes, “Bow Chica Wow-Wow” and reminds you of Ron Jeremy will probably just make you both laugh rather than entice you. SEXY GENRE #2: Bass-Heavy Soul A heavy bass and a smooth, soulful voice are sure to put you and your spouse in the mood. Try lesser known soul artists and underrated slow jams to keep your playlist from entering karaoke territory. TACKY: Obvious R&B Top 40s R&B hits like Marvin Gay’s “Let’s Get It On” or anything by Barry White are generally so over-played that they’ve lost their sexy edge, and so obvious that they’re more ironic and cheesy than appropriately sexual. SEXY GENRE #3: Instrumental Progressive Rock Much like the progression of your wedding night, progressive rock songs generally start out slow and progress to strong, heavy chords. It’s actually the perfect type of music to set the stage and heighten the mood on your wedding night, since most prog bands are instrumental, so you won’t be distracted by bizarre lyrics or shouting vocalists. Prog songs also tend to last anywhere from 5-25 minutes each, so you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck. TACKY: Yoga Music Listening to Enya’s greatest hits may be relaxing when you’re on your yoga mat, but in your bedroom, “Sail Away” might as well be titled, “Snore Away.” Day spa music will only put you both to sleep, so if you want to stay awake for your wedding night, leave the Pilates mix at the gym. SEXY GENRE #4: Indie Ballads When you think of sexy music, ballads don’t usually come to mind like they once did, but great artists are still making beautiful, sensual, and very sexy songs that fall under the category of love ballads. If you want to include good ballads in your wedding night playlist, your best bet is to go Indie. TACKY: Power Ballads of the 70s, 80s, and 90s Similar to the Top 40s R&B jams, Top 40s Power Ballads are usually too overplayed and obvious to be all that sexy. Heart’s “Alone” could be great for a playful reception duet, but it’s far too cheesy for yourwedding night play-list. SEXY GENRE #5: ‘Your’ Love Songs First of all, including your couple songs in your wedding night playlist will give you a sense of familiarity. Wedding planning chaos can sometimes throw off the balance of your normal routine, so including songs you frequently listen to will bring you back down to earth and back together. For another thing, it will be romantic, because each song will be distinct to your relationship. If you tend to play a certain album...
read moreYou don’t have to be a starlet to have an A-list wedding. Try these affordable versions of celebritywedding trends to create a top-tier event of your own.ADD A SPLASH OF COLOR Celeb style: When Gwen Stefani wed Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, she knew she wanted something less traditional than a plain white dress. The singer/designer donned a one-of-a-kind John Galliano gown that graduated from a soft white into a hot-pink train. Do it for less: Instead of commissioning a custom Dior gown like Gwen’s, add a splash of color to your gown withwedding accessory waist bands and belts. Bright fabrics, beads and bows can also be fashioned into a sash, wrap or waist band. Celebrities love accents of black and jewel tones right now, so try a sapphire-navy, a ruby-pink, an emerald-green or a coral-red accent. Follow Gwen’s lead and match a single flower to your fabric to place on the strap of your gown or in your hair. ADD SOME CULTURE Celeb style: When My Girl actress Anna Chlumski married her husband Shaun So, the couple implemented traditions from both of their families’ backgrounds into their Wedding Day vision. To honor her husband’s Chinese heritage, Anna wore a traditional Chinese dress to her reception after the ceremony. The couple had both sides of their family partake in a time-honored tea ceremony before the reception, and for the party favors, the couple gave out chopsticks with the Chinese character for longevity printed on the sides. Do it for less: Whether or not you and your partner have different cultural backgrounds, you can add a fun cultural theme to your wedding by incorporating a few elements into your vision. Follow in Anna and Shaun’s footsteps and offer a traditional Chinese or Japanese tea with dessert, along with fun party favors, such as silver fortune cookies with a thank-you fortune inside. ADD FAUX-FUR PIECES Celeb Style:On June 1st, Sean Parker, billionaire Internet techy and one of the creators of Napster and Facebook, traded vows with singer and songwriter, Alexandra Lenas. The couple swooned their guests with an extravagant, ‘over-worldly’ outdoor wedding and reception surrounded by the magical woodland forests of Big Sur, California. Beautiful, eye catching, individual, faux-fur blankets were draped over the back of each guest’s chair, providing protection from the cooling temperatures as the outdoor celebration continued and daylight turned to nightfall. Large king size beds were also covered with faux-fur coverlets for comfortable conversation areas where guests could gather and mingle and feel protected from the crisp, cool mountain air. Do it For Less: You don’t have to gift each guest with their own fur to implement this years eye catching trend. If you think your guests may get chilly, try rolling individual faux-fur blankets and placing them in baskets throughout your reception area, letting guests help themselves if they need some extra warmth. If your reception includes a lounge area, add furry pillows with a couple of different types of textured blankets on top and over the backs of the sofas and chairs. The different textures will add a visual depth and dimension to the area and your guests can “snuggle-up” with pillows and blankets to stay warm and comfortable while they socialize with other guests. ADD A ROYAL ENTRANCE Celeb style: Like Lady Diana and Prince Charles, Kate Middleton (now the Duchess of Cambridge) and Prince William chose to take a royal...
read moreWhat does the end result of what you seek look like? To get what you want most out of life, you need to become that which you are seeking. Every resource, individual and opportunity has always been there waiting for you. The key is to starting BEING what you SEEK – only then can you truly draw these extraordinary gifts to you. Never has there been a more extraordinary time to be alive than right NOW. When you FIXATE on the end prize – you give yourself permission to be all that you can be. Looking back on the past – no longer serves you. It is time to cultivate a new success habit focused on creating what you want most. Focus on allocating energy towards creating your life knowing that what you focus on will expand. “Energy flows where your attention goes.” Some fear may present itself – recognize that fear is simply energy. Love what shows up, then focus only on what you want to create in your life. Love, Happiness, Inner-peace, Freedom, Simplicity and Abundance are all waiting for you and will ONLY appear in your life when you are ready to start BEING them.Push beyond the pain, stretch into your greatness and create the life you have imagined....
read moreUp to this point, you have under estimated your true potential. Today is the day you look in the mirror and confidently say to yourself: “This is my time. I am creating my life. I am taking 100% responsibility for the results that I wish to experience. This is my time to experience the love that I deserve.” Today is a new day, a rainy day to wash away all of your past doubts, fears and regrets that have been holding you back. Today is the day you move forward with even greater passion and purpose to claim YOUR life – the one that you want to create on your terms. This is your time to show others and more importantly, yourself that you can make your dreams come true. Every thing and everyone has always been there, waiting to ‘take your hand’ and cross that finish line. Now you are ready to receive it, you are ready to embrace everything and everyone that you deserve. This is your time to come alive. www.defyeneurs.com Push beyond the pain, stretch into your greatness and create the life you have imagined....
read moreA wedding video captures the events you’re part of—and those you’ll inevitably miss, such as your family and friends arriving to the ceremony or your guests’ expressions while the best man delivers his toast. A great wedding video captures all those moments so that long after your Wedding Day, you can experience, enjoy and share them.Thankfully, a lot has changed since the Dark Ages when wedding videography first became popular back in the early ’90s. Dreadful hallmarks of that era include shaky camera work, a mess of bulky equipment, videos that went twice as long as “Gone with the Wind” and cheesy graphics almost too cringe-worthy to watch now (floating hearts, disembodied heads in cartoon champagne glasses, etc.)New technology means that the wedding videographer (or nowadays, “wedding filmmaker”) can remain unobtrusive and still get the very best footage. Finished videos can be ready in days, not months, and those corny overlay graphics are a thing of the past—replaced by some new wedding videography trends that hopefully will still be considered as cool in 20 years as they are today. Here’s a preview of the hottest trends: Wedding trailers People joke about it, but it’s actually true: One of the first things that many brides (and a few grooms) do right after the ceremony is update their Facebook relationship status. It’s also become expected in many circles that Facebook friends (or counterparts at all the other social media sites) will get a glimpse of your Big Day within hours of the ceremony being over, let alone the reception, and just as many couples are interested in being the first to upload a peek of theirwedding as well. For this reason, a social-media-ready montage available to the couple immediately after the wedding is an increasingly common request. The best of these are brief—easy to upload and perfect for short attention spans as well as attaching to emails—and are perfect teasers for the real thing, offering snap-shots of the big moments that even casual acquaintances will want to see. Wedding interviews are out For a few years it was all the rage to have “guest interviews” included as a standard part of a weddingvideo, usually with pretty dreadful and awkward results. This has become passé as it seems the majority of guests would rather not feel they have to speak into the camera and newlyweds would rather not have that disruption for their guests. Couples instead want to see the natural way the day unfolds, and in some cases, filmmakers record the unexpected moments and even some of those funnier, unplanned weddingbloopers. Stop-motion video booths This is a very fresh idea, but one that has been creating a lot of buzz. It’s an extension of the photo booth, and one that, in the right hands, can produce some very funky footage and will likely impress your friends. The idea, pioneered by a Seattle company, recently has been featured nationally, and now plenty of others are following suit. The stop-motion booth doesn’t focus on providing images of your actual event; instead it creates a stop-motion video of what happens just in the booth. The video and downloads are available free for guests to view and print shortly after the wedding. Live streaming For those who can’t make it to the wedding, couples can stream their nuptials online and connect with people anywhere in the world. Live streaming is perfect for destination weddings, relatives too ill or...
read moreScary Planner Stories – 5th Anniversary We all have them, right? And sometimes (if we were lucky!), we’ve managed to live through them with jobs intact and can now look back and laugh about them (whew!). In the spirit of the spooky-scary holiday that October screams about, this month’s issue contains scary planner stories, a visit to India (through Shawna’s eyes), and more.We also start to Celebrate SPIN’s 5th Anniversary! www.spinplanners.com/spinnews.html. Read my story about “Scary” Clients on p.4 & p.8 In this issue: Meetings Planners GONE WILD Happy 5th Anniversary to SPIN “Scary” Clients Meeting Value Metrics & ROI Incredible India Scary Planner Stories SPIN’s Virtual Costume Contest Sustainable Business Practices Course SPIN to IMEX America For more info about SPIN go to...
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