10.08.2009

Glamnuptials: La Bosse des Noces (We were on TV)


Being a blogger for Weddingbee has definitely made me feel special / sort of celebrity-ish at times (but seriously I'm just a normal gal who blogged about her wedding planning) and it was an honor to share it with all of yous. Some bees have been recognized in public on several occasions (crazy I know!) So when Mr.Flamingo and I took part of a wedding tv show called La Bosse des Noces, well that definetly an interesting experience.

A couple of weeks ago, I was flipping the channels on the television and came face to face... with me. Yup, our wedding was airing again on television. Kinda neat I know. I know you have been waiting to view this video for quite some time, but trying to find a way to upload the video took longer than I anticipated. But I can finally share it with you now. So for those of you who understand french - enjoy!




Though it may not look like it, but I was extremely nervous. Its not every day you have cameras in your face and someone prepping your makeup. A hint ? Notice how many times I say "Glamour" lol ...

The show was about helping us out with issues we came across while planning our wedding. They helped us out with decor elements and our place card chandelier tree. What's great is that they even featured Wes Jones of Film Jones because they found the whole 8mm video really intriguing... plus that whole segment is in english  :)

Our wedding was also on the web with a detailed description of the episode (for canadians only), list of stores where they purchased the items for our wedding and DIY explanations. Check it out here (if you can read in french) Our wedding will be playing for the next 5 years (re-runs obviously) So the "Hey weren't you on TV?" remark will be common, but i can get use to that...LOL But seriously we loved our experience and would do it again in a heartbeat.

So that's it... I'm officially done my wedding recaps. Sniff sniff. I hope you enjoyed my blogging as Mrs.Flamingo. Now this is not an official goodbye, because I will stick around the hive and maybe blog a few more things ;) but my journey as a bee is finished. I've been around for 2 years exactly... and its my time to sign-off and let the spotlight shine on the new bees.

You can visit me on Glamour This! my personal blog. Or better yet, follow even more my randomness on twitter @blushink

Best of luck to everyone, and thank you for reading/listening to my rambling :)
Now and forever,
Flamingo
xox


If you want to see all the Glamnuptials recap posts... they are listed below.
Glamnuptials: Beauty Time
Glamnuptials: Prep Time
Glamnuptials: Our details

Glamnuptials: Ceremony Part 1
Glamnuptials: Ceremony Part 2
Glamnuptials: Bride Posing
Glamnuptials: Groom Posing
Glamnuptials: Strike the pose Part 1
Glamnuptials: Strike the pose Part 2
Glamnuptials: The Newlyweds
Glamnuptials: We are Family
Glamnuptials: The first dance
Glamnuptials: Toast time a lot of tears
Glamnuptials: Boogie on Down
Glamnuptials: 3,2,1 and Catch!
Glamnuptials: The Favors
Glamnuptials: Le Gâteau
Glamnuptials: The Guestbook
Glamnuptials: Decor Elements
Glamnuptials: Giving our gifts
Glamnuptials: Our mini moon
Glamnuptials: DAS aka Day after Shoot
Glamnuptials: Wedding Movie Trailer
Glamnuptials: Real Wedding Inspiration Board
Glamnuptials: The REAL Budget


8.23.2009

A Bee's Life: Flamingo Edition

Being a graphic designer, its a given that the computer is my best friend. Ask me what I can't live without? I would say the Computer/Internet... hey, its a combo, one can't live without the other... ;) Call it an addiction or just plain curiosity but I'm always online searching the net, sharing cool sites all of that. Little did I know about blogging though.

How my Blogging obsession began: (2006)
I had heard about it from another designer friend and was really interested by this whole concept. He had a really cool personal blog sharing some personal stuff... and it got me thinking, "hmm I wonder if people would read my blog" intrigued and of course willing to spend a couple more hours on a computer a day... I decided to start my own blog.

I was debating at first if I would go the personal or more general route... and decided to give the personal approach a try. So I blogged about me, (still hesitate on who would actually read my blog) but I did it, shared personal and professional experiences. I did it for a couple of months but felt something was lacking. I decided to take the plunge and abandon my old blog (about me) to start a new one. One about weddings in general. Since I had been engaged for over a year, I was right in the planning and what better way to share my knowledge with others. Hence that's when Glamour This! was born.

How I found the Hive of awesomeness:
Since I was blogging about weddings, posting about inspiration boards, themes, dresses... I became an avid reader of many wedding blogs DIY Bride, Style Me Pretty, Something Old Something New, Perfect Bound, Eco-Chic Weddings (that I would literally type in their URL in 5 times a day cuz Google Reader wasn't introduced yet... could you even believe that!!!) So when I saw several of my fave bloggers posted about being featured on Weddingbee... I clicked on the link... and that's when my life was over, and the obsession began.

Applying to Weddingbee (September 2007)
I couldn't believe I hadn't found this site before... all the time I spent online and never came across this goldmine. I was impressed about all the different brides blogging about their planning, DIY projects and more. It was a whole new world for me... and like many of yous, I would refresh my page a good 15 times a day (no joke)

Blogging was my way of talking about wedding stuff without having my family and friends sigh every two minutes because they were fed-up hearing about the dresses, the colors, the theme... you get the point. Since majority of the brides (at the time I started reading WB )were from the States (with the exception of Pumpkin) I thought I would send in my application and hope I'd be accepted and become another Canadian Bee.

Obviously I didn't have a personal wedding blog... but submitted my Glamour This! blog in my application. Ya, not the best idea. I received an email from Mrs.Bee saying that she really liked my current blog, but since WB was about blogging on a personal level, she wanted me to write up a few posts to see if I would be WB material ;) So I created a new blog just for Weddingbee. I was dedicated and wanted this so bad.

After a week of personal wedding posts... I received the email that changed my life. (I know it sounds cheesy - but I swear its true) I got accepted to become a BEE. I couldn't really share the news with my family and friends... because no one had a clue what I was talking about... but that didn't matter. I GOT ACCEPTED TO BE A BEE... was introduced on October 26th and started blogging officially on October 27th 2007.


Why the pink bird?
When I was given the choice to choose an icon only a few birds were left in the pile, amongst them was the Flamingo. Mrs.Bee had told me I could wait for the next generation of icons (desserts) but that would mean I would only start blogging after the new year. Um... there was no way I could wait that long, are you kidding me. I was more excited than a kid in a candy store. Plus... looking at the flamingo put a smile on my face. It reminded me of 2 things: Pink being by far my favorite color and just the whole story behind searching for Flamingos in Cuba when they were in our hotel all along. So it was perfect for me, um I mean us :)

Bee Blogging advice:
Blogging is like anything in life, represent yourself, blog about the "real you "and not someone you think people will like. Don't loose yourself in what you see out there in the blog-o-sphere. Of course there will be prettier DIY projects, cooler invitation designs... but that doesn't mean yours aren't awesome. Respect your wedding, your budget and stop comparing apple with pears.

Also when writing posts... know that people are visual and love pictures. Now that doesn't mean you need to put in as many pictures as you can (relevant or not) but know that breaking long posts with imagery helps the flow of the post more (obviously ... do not use this post as an example)

Lastly, never give up. Some applications are accepted first time around, others after 3 tries... there's really no winning recipe. You simply need to find your blogging voice and speak it loud and clear :)

Why I heart WB more than I do chocolate:
Weddingbee has held my sanity together throughout the wedding planning. Fellow Bees and readers have given the best advice and ongoing support when I needed it the most. Plus this has become my second family and even though I've only met 3 bees, I feel like I have a connection with many of them. I've even extended this connection and made awesome friendships and talk to these bees on a regular basis.

What I love the most about being an old bee, is that I have seen Weddingbee grow. So many changes in the last 2 years. Addition of boards, WB pro, WB TV, the new WB look... all these little features that seem indispensable... weren't always there. Way to go WB!!! Keep the awesomeness coming.


Life after Weddingbee:
Obviously I'll stick around as long as I can, heck I've been married 15 months, haven't completed my recaps, plus I find reasons to blog, lurk the boards and comment. I heart Weddingbee and to be honest thinking about my goodbye post or what will be the official reason for the separation scares me. So I stick around... and hope you don't mind. Lets just say I'm not ready to say goodbye just yet ;)

If you want to know about what's going on in my crazy life... you can follow me on Twitter, or read my blog: www.glamourthis.com (soon to be revamped) with all my adventures of being a new home owner.

Thank you for reading my posts, commenting, giving your advice and just being there.
xox
Flamingo

8.12.2009

Glamnuptials : Our Minimoon

WOW, I'm almost at the end of my recap posts and I've been married over a year. Can you believe its been a that long since I got married!!! Time flies. I know, I know I can all hear you say, "its about time those recaps are done!" LOL I admit, it took me forever.


We when were planning our wedding, the honeymoon was something that was rather important (to me at least)... a getaway after the whole 1 year and a half of planning. Unfortunately, we soon realized that things were rather expensive... and the honeymoon was put on hold.

Originally when we would talk about honeymoon destinations, Mr.Flamingo and I weren't on the same page. He wanted Disney, I wanted Italy/Paris. Then it switched, since I knew we wouldn't agree on a place... we considered going down south, but we abandoned all those ideas and figured a minimoon was a better option. So right after the wedding... we packed our bags, fill the tank and drove to my favorite city NYC!


Not having lots of money to invest in our trip, we used Priceline to book our hotel in Jersey. It was our first time using this site and we were quite happy about the price and hotel.

The view of Manhattan from our room

Yup I even brought our laptop so that I can blog while we were away.

Very comfy bed...

Every morning we would grab a chai latte at starbucks (which happened to be in the hotel lobby - isnt that amazing!!! ) and would take the shuttle to the train station. It was my first time taking the train to Penn station but other than getting lost a couple of times we finally got the hang of it ;)




As a wedding gift, we received a brand new Samsung NV24HD digital camera from work and we were so excited to put our new camera to good use. We took lots of pictures on the first day but when it came time to recharge the battery... oops there was a problem. It wasn't charging - a defect in the battery. So you know what that means...we didnt take pics of our other days in NYC... what a shame.

But at least we caught this on camera.


We visited the famous Madame Tussaud. I've been to NYC at least 5 times and never got the chance to check out the famous wax museum... we seriously had a blast.



Of course Mr.Flamingo needed to take a picture with his favorite superhero... sometimes I seriously think he would love to be Clark Kent. lol

I, on the other hand need to take a pic with my girl power chicas! I almost look like Geri Haliwells replacement... almost. So, Mr.F felt he needed to be part of something too... so Nsync was his choice of the hour.

We absoultely wanted to see a Broadway show (even though Mr.Flamingo is french) our first choice was Wicked, but tickets were sold out and decided to see The Mel Brooks musical The Young Frankenstein.

This is the only proof we were at a broadway show. No pictures allowed so before they confiscated our camera we put it away. We seriously LOVED it... to the point that its going to be on our "must" list next time around.


The rest of our stay we did lots of walking and continued to visit places. We even got the chance to meet Mrs. Bee, Mr. and Mrs. Pumpkin and Mrs. Lovebird for a nice meal at the Spice Market in the Meatpacking District.

Can't wait to go to NYC again, hopefully I'll meet even more bees. (Thats the funnest part - I find)


Up next: La Bosse Des Noces (us on TV) ...

——————–
Previously:
Glamnuptials: Beauty Time
Glamnuptials: Prep Time
Glamnuptials: Our details

Glamnuptials: Ceremony Part 1
Glamnuptials: Ceremony Part 2
Glamnuptials: Bride Posing
Glamnuptials: Groom Posing
Glamnuptials: Strike the pose Part 1
Glamnuptials: Strike the pose Part 2
Glamnuptials: The Newlyweds
Glamnuptials: We are Family
Glamnuptials: The first dance
Glamnuptials: Toast time a lot of tears
Glamnuptials: Boogie on Down
Glamnuptials: 3,2,1 and Catch!
Glamnuptials: The Favors
Glamnuptials: Le Gâteau
Glamnuptials: The Guestbook
Glamnuptials: Decor Elements
Glamnuptials: Giving our gifts
Glamnuptials: DAS aka Day after Shoot
Glamnuptials: Wedding Movie Trailer
Glamnuptials: Real Wedding Inspiration Board
Glamnuptials: The REAL Budget











8.11.2009

Glamnuptials: The favors

When we were planning our wedding, the favors had been the subject of quite a big debate. We knew we wanted to offer a donation to the Quebec Breast Cancer Association, but felt that our guests needed to leave with something as well. We wanted to offer something glamorous and these beautiful imported Italian Sparkling Water bottles were just what we were looking for.

We created little cards and DIY pink ribbons with the mention that a donation was made in memory of my grandmother and in honor of my mother, who is a proud survivor. My mother felt so touched by the gesture.

We put all the bottles in a nice design pattern and placed some centerpieces at the end of the table to tie everything in. Plus I had received this awesome Pottern Barn Vintage Movie Projector as a gift and it added that touch of movie our favor table was lacking.


The guests loved our favors and still talk about them today… some even shed some tears! I'm glad we gave back to a cause that was important to the both of us... and hopefully one day, our contribution will have paid off.


Up next: The Mini Moon..


Images taken by Ipi-events
——————–
Previously:
Glamnuptials: Beauty Time
Glamnuptials: Prep Time
Glamnuptials: Our details

Glamnuptials: Ceremony Part 1
Glamnuptials: Ceremony Part 2
Glamnuptials: Bride Posing
Glamnuptials: Groom Posing
Glamnuptials: Strike the pose Part 1
Glamnuptials: Strike the pose Part 2
Glamnuptials: The Newlyweds
Glamnuptials: We are Family
Glamnuptials: The first dance
Glamnuptials: Toast time a lot of tears
Glamnuptials: Boogie on Down
Glamnuptials: 3,2,1 and Catch!
Glamnuptials: Le Gâteau
Glamnuptials: The Guestbook
Glamnuptials: Decor Elements
Glamnuptials: Giving our gifts
Glamnuptials: DAS aka Day after Shoot
Glamnuptials: Wedding Movie Trailer
Glamnuptials: Real Wedding Inspiration Board
Glamnuptials: The REAL Budget

7.30.2009

I'm not a photographer...

A couple of months ago, I was happy to find out that my cousin was getting married. What's funny is that I had never ever thought she would tie the knot, but admitted she did it for her fiance. Marriage was something very important to him and she knew she'd be with him forever... so why not make it officialy. A very nice gesture on her part I found.

They decided they wanted a really really really small wedding, 25 people tops. Heck I wasn't even invited (which was fine of course ;) ) They were planning a wedding in 6 months, and had a very little budget to make this wedding happen. Well 2 months ago, I received an email. She asked me if I would be willing to do both her makeup and be the official photog for her wedding. They weren't paying for a photographer so she thought that I would be a better candidate to take pics than say… uncle Bob.

Of course I said YES, I was actually honored that she asked me. I've had a photography background back in College but that was 6 years ago... so my photography skills were quite rusty. She lent me her Canon SX10-IS camera so that I would have time to play around with it. Let me say... it wasn't easy. I was more rusty then I thought. Luckily I did lots of research on the web.

Well the wedding was last weekend… and I was so freaken nervous. I was putting so much pressure on myself, that I vowed never to accept to be a photographer again. Don’t get me wrong I loved my experience but dang… I don’t need to have the nervous craps. I seriously bow down to all your photographers out there… (I have no clue how you do it! geez)

My cousin told me she just wanted say 40 good pics… Phew! I think were good. I took over 400… Now, Im in the process of editing them. Thats the long part... but with the Totally Rad Photoshop Actions ... its a breeze.


My advice if you ever decide on accepting an invitation to shoot a wedding.

BE PREPARED!!!!
Do lots and lots of research, and practice with the camera you will be using ahead of time. Even if you need to carry a little booklet with notes on what camera settings you used in which lighting... it will defintiely help you out. Oh and take at least 2 pictures per shot. To be sure at least one turns out.

TRY TO CONVINCE THEM TO HIRE A PRO
Explain to the couple that photography is something that takes time to learn and that its not because you have a camera you are automatically a photographer. Tell them that their wedding only happens once in their life (hopefully) and those moments are really really important. So slurging on a photographer is important. If they still ask you to take pictures after that... then go for it.

HAVE LOW EXPECTATIONS
I know this sounds bad... but make sure the person your shooting for knows your not a pro and that it IS huge possible the pictures don't turn out. Plus, if your expectations are low, you won't be disappointed if they are crappy... but on the contracty super excited if you did a good job.

HAVE FUN WITH IT - and drink a glass of wine of two
Once the day is finally here... theres not turning back (but you might wish it could; anyways I know I did) Relax, drink a glass of wine or two and simply have fun with it. It will definelty make the whole day so much more pleasant.

I’m not a photographer… but I did okay? Anyways I think so. :)
Good luck if your shooting a wedding... I wouldn't want to be in those shoes again. LOL

Flamingo on BeeTV

Hey Hive! Guess what? I'm hopping on the BeeTV wagon. Join me tomorrow night (Friday) starting at 8:30 PM EST!

I will have my sangria in hand and will talk about anything and everything...

For those interested.... thought I'd share my sangria recipe
  • 1 Bottle of red wine
  • 2 cup of orange juice
  • 1 cup of Cranberry juice
  • 1 cup of Pineapple Juice
  • 1 cup of sprite or 7up
  • 2 Shots of peach schnapps (optional)
  • 1 Orange cut into wedges
  • 1 Cup of frozen berries and/or peaches
Preparation : Mix it all up baby... add the fruit at the very end, and enjoy ;)

Hopefully you will have your glass of sangria too... see you tomorrow!!!

7.10.2009

Glamnuptials: 3,2,1 and Catch

Though I didn't do many traditional wedding things, the garter toss and bouquet toss were a must. Not because I had too... but because its something I've always looked forward to at my own wedding.

Plus, with the unique Garter I made my new husband.... I had to have him go fish ;)

So I stood on a speaker, turned around to look at the DJ and with a simple nod of the head... he knew it was time to cue the Superman Theme... Yup, that's seriously what played.

No no no.... Hands behind your back Mr.F. Now, Now, no cheating....


I had never seen someone smile as much as Mr.Flamingo did when he discovered the hidden treasure.... a superman garter, HIS superman garter. At that same moment, I saw a confused look on his face

"Am I really throwing this one?" he looked at me, and seemed almost heartbroken.

"No, No... I have a toss garter, that one you keep to add to your superman collection"
and the big smile reappeared quickly on his face.

Catch ...

Next it was the girls turn.... and my oh my were they ever anxious. When the DJ announced that he wanted all the single ladies to come to the dance floor, I felt as though I was at a concert or something... the girls were pushing and shoving :) geez... ladies, its only a bouquet. ;)


The DJ asked all the girls to turn around. (So they wouldn't see where I was throwing the bouquet) I too ... was back to them... so there was no way I was cheating on this one. I was really anxious to see who would catch the bouquets (yup I had 5 mini bouquets)

The DJ told me,"I'll count down to 1... and then you throw" sounds like some easy instructions... well believe it or not, I couldn't wait, and threw them when he said "3" Guess, I'm not good at counting down ;)


I was really happy two of my good friends caught the bouquets... They seriously paraded around with the mini-bouquet and showed it off to everyone. Its only a bogus tradition girls... Yet, I can't help but wonder if the next wedding I will be going to will be one of theirs... LOL



Will you be doing the garter and bouquet toss?
Is there something that you absolutely want at your wedding?

Up next: The Favors...


Images taken by guests
——————–
Previously:
Glamnuptials: Beauty Time
Glamnuptials: Prep Time
Glamnuptials: Our details

Glamnuptials: Ceremony Part 1
Glamnuptials: Ceremony Part 2
Glamnuptials: Bride Posing
Glamnuptials: Groom Posing
Glamnuptials: Strike the pose Part 1
Glamnuptials: Strike the pose Part 2
Glamnuptials: The Newlyweds
Glamnuptials: We are Family
Glamnuptials: The first dance
Glamnuptials: Toast time a lot of tears
Glamnuptials: Boogie on Down
Glamnuptials: Le Gâteau
Glamnuptials: The Guestbook
Glamnuptials: Decor Elements
Glamnuptials: Giving our gifts
Glamnuptials: DAS aka Day after Shoot
Glamnuptials: Wedding Movie Trailer
Glamnuptials: Real Wedding Inspiration Board
Glamnuptials: The REAL Budget


7.09.2009

Glamnuptials: Boogie on Down!!!

Enough tears had fallen and it was time for the real party to start. Let me tell you.. we did not have any problems with that, the guests were up an dancing even before the DJ cued the official "bust-a-move" music.

The dance floor was packed and we had such a great time. The music kept us on our feet... to the point that I missed a meal or two. Its shows how important great music is to any party... and my DJ did an awesome job!!!

My sisters and I, like to sing along to EVERY song... and with no exception. We aren't good singers but singing while dancing makes it that much more entertaining... so ya, you might see some open mouths or some funny faces in the pictures to come. :)


Of course there were the "must-have" dances:

The Thriller (RIP Michael):

The Suavemente:



The Twist-and-Shout:

and of course the Macarena:


All this dancing resulted in two things...

Lots of drinking and of course....


Taking off your shoes and dancing bare feet... a classic in any party/wedding.

Up next: 3,2,1 and catch!


Images taken by Ipi-events and guests
——————–
Previously:
Glamnuptials: Beauty Time
Glamnuptials: Prep Time
Glamnuptials: Our details

Glamnuptials: Ceremony Part 1
Glamnuptials: Ceremony Part 2
Glamnuptials: Bride Posing
Glamnuptials: Groom Posing
Glamnuptials: Strike the pose Part 1
Glamnuptials: Strike the pose Part 2
Glamnuptials: The Newlyweds
Glamnuptials: We are Family
Glamnuptials: The first dance
Glamnuptials: Toast time a lot of tears
Glamnuptials: Le Gâteau
Glamnuptials: The Guestbook
Glamnuptials: Decor Elements
Glamnuptials: Giving our gifts
Glamnuptials: DAS aka Day after Shoot
Glamnuptials: Wedding Movie Trailer
Glamnuptials: Real Wedding Inspiration Board
Glamnuptials: The REAL Budget