Let's Talk About Sex.... really.

I hope that everyone's Thanksgiving was full of turkey and stuffing and cranberry sauce- and that each of your refridgerators do not have any left overs lingering....


This morning I opened up office to find hundreds of emails from clients, vendors, and salespeople alike--- but one stopped me in my tracks (which is hard to do on a Monday after a long weekend)... it was from Rebecca at The While Aisle- for those of you that drop by often, I am sure that you have seen her link to the right and possibly even stopped in here and there to see her fabulous little shop. I believe that I was first introduced a few months ago and instantly fell in love with the lacey-vintage designs of her invitation lines....

Today's email, however, was not full of lace and lovelies- it told of her travels around Asia. You see, the wedding industry (despite geographical location) has "seasons"... when we are in season- it is BANANAS... and when we are out of season, it is a ghost town. Some vendors take this off-season to travel and catch up on much-needed vacationing. Rebecca and hubby close up their shop and travel for an entire month- you can track them on their blog....




During their recent trip to Cambodia, they were faced with the cruel reality of the child sex trade.... and felt compelled, if not obligated and passionate about making a difference. You see, the difficulty with these children being caught up in the brothels is that they can not leave even if they are permitted to do so... as this is their source of income and they are reliant on it for food and shelter. Thus, the most powerful way to make an impact on these childrens' futures is to give them an alternative way to become self-sufficient. Rebecca is teaming upwith an organization in Phnom Penh- which offers children the ability to come to their vocational training facilities to work during the day. Additionally, all workers are encouraged to sleep at the neighboring housing. Over time, this method has proved to be rather successful in generating independent and reformed women ready to re-enter "normal" society.



Rachel is taking part in the cause by offering several of the products in her shop, with 100% of her profits on these items going back to the women. The beautiful silk sashes would compliment nearly any bridesmaid dress.... and the matching ring pillows and hand-made flowers are too sweet to pass up....

In addition to the amazing craftmanship that these products offer, the message that they represent is worth far more than their weight in gold. I encourage each of you to stop by The White Aisle and give these items a looksie- and while you are there... give a few kudos to Rebecca as well....

THE PINK FILES...

Not sure why this did not post on Monday? In any case... here it is... a little belated...

As promised, I will unveil the project that I have been working on... sort of. You see, about a month and a half ago I was contacted and asked to post "pink" for the month of October. I scoured the internet just as many other bloggers did, in hopes of finding some unique way to bind the wedding industry with breast cancer awareness. What I found was Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation- and the project that most drew me in was The Pink Envelope Project. It was created by a group of women who began throwing girls nights out and asking that the guests bring a pink envelope filled with a donation to the foundation in whatever amount they were able to donate. The envelope allowed the monetary amounts to remain annonymous- and in the end everyone was able to feel great about the overall contribution. This project has since turned into an international movement.... with many brides adopting the "Pink Envelope Party" to incorporate their bridal luncheons, showers, and bachelorette parties. Furthermore, brides are taking it upon themselves to donate funds on behalf of their guests. All monies then go to the foundation, which grants the wishes of women suffering from breast cancer with less than a year left to live. These wishes range from wanting their child to have the funding to attend college once they are gone- to having their family flown in for one last hoorah. The courage and strength of these women is so powerful!

I have decided to bring the PEP to my neck of the woods. I am organizing a regional effort to have brides hold as many pink envelope parties as they can and come up with as many creative ways to get pink envelopes donated to the foundation. What's in it for them? I am teaming up with the top industry professionals in Jacksonville and asking that they donate their talents, services, products, and time to produce one AMAZING wedding.... and that the best boutiques and shops around town donate to a DREAM "Second Chance Registry". For every $25 raised, brides will earn ONE raffle ticket to win the wedding (for 100 guests to take place on 08-08-08)... for every $5 raised, non-brides and brides too far into their planning process will earn ONE raffle ticket for the registry. I will be teaming up with the community and be out and about around town raising breast cancer awareness and promoting the importance of mammograms. Additional information will be available on the website (which I have been working on for DAYS- I openly admit that I am no webmaster so be nice when you visit)... the website is set to premier by early next week... I will keep you informed...

If you are a bride in the Jacksonville area or a bride eyeing the sunshine state for a destination wedding for 08-08-08... then I encourage you to participate. If you are a vendor interested in sponsoring the event, please contact me at thepinkfiles.tscw@gmail.com

Like I stated, more information will follow soon- but I did want to get the buzz started as I feel that this is such a great win-win project for everyone involved...

Going Green:

So you want to be a green bride, huh? Well if you are going to go- then PLEASE... go all out! There are so many resources available to the Green Wedding Market. It is not enough to just go green in ONE element of your day... it is important to do so throughout in order to really optimize the impact. Note, however, that this does NOT mean having a tree-hugger wedding of hemp and dandilions (no offense the the wonderful tree-hugging brides out there)... You see, the market is forming for this niche bride... and it is ever-so-concious of YOUR aesthetic and expectations with regards to service and convenience... Here are just a few of my favorites:

1. Green Karat- Diamonds are forever... and so is gold... so why buy new when there are so many lovely options already available? Mining for new diamonds and gold result in terrible effects on both our eco-systems and the inhumane work conditions for miners. Companies such as Green Karat are committed to bringing quality recycled gold and both recycled and synthetic diamonds. If you have looked into the estate ring market and found the designs to be a bit dated- then perhaps you should entertain this option, as the recycled gold can be customized to YOUR design and both the recycled and synthetic diamonds are available in shapes and sizes and clarity to meet all budgets and tastes!

2. Botanical Paperworks- I am sure that you have seen the lovely paper that can be planted... and thought that while it was great in theory- it just did not fit YOUR style... well look no further. Botanical Paperworks is reshaping this new trend. They offer everything from mini-calender save-the-dates to plantable favor boxes, invitations, and even gift tags. In addition, they offer many handmade paper options which showcase their lovely use of recycled paper.

3. California Organic Flowers- I have used this source several times- and always am impressed by the quality of service and product. They offer flowers organically grown in California- and they ship nationwide. While I understand that it is BEST to support your OWN local flowers- sometimes they are not available to all brides in all locations... if such is your situation, then consider utilizing this option and they offsetting the carbon emmissions and other effects on the earth in other parts of your wedding. Additionally, this vendor is GREAT because they take the guesswork out of flower quantities for not-so-flower-savvy brides... their pre-made "boxes" pair ample amounts of Dhalias, Callas, and Wildflowers.

4. Save The Dress- So you are not really up for the "organic and sustainable" wedding dress options.. fine. Visit this site often- where brides post their designer wedding dresses in hopes of earning back some of that money they put out for their wedding.... they have Melissa Sweet, Vera, and Ms. Lhuillier... give them a peek - and if you just sealed the deal, then perhaps you should consider this option (I know that you would love to preserve it in the BACK of your closet forever- or at least until the day that you try to force it on your daughter... but let's say that she is equally as enthusiastic about finding HER perfect gown- what then?)

5. Sillapere- I have posted on this amazingly creative design team before- but they are well worth another mention! Their talent is so ever-apparent and best of all- they are socially and environmentally concious in their designs. They can take the guess-work out of the planning process and ensure that you are actually staying on track both with the cohesive design AND your efforts in a green wedding!

6. Portovert... this is the most AMAZING resource for the eco-concious bride! It offers the perfect mesh of glam and green in order to provide a wedding that both leaves you in awe and the world less impacted. Pick up a copy from Barnes and Noble- or visit their site (their carbon emission calculator is a MUST have for any event)Their list of responsible resources is rather extensive and great to have on hand during your planning process.

Today, thousands of bloggers will be "posting green" in honor of Blog Action Day. I encourage you to visit all of the amazing wedding blogs out there and be impacted by each of their inspirations for an eco-concious tips....

Going Green: Armour Sans Anguish

You've thought of everything... your flowers are from local vendors... your guests are all having their carbon emissions offset by your efficient lightbulb favors... you are even renting all items and using an organic caterer.... what more could you possibly do to be green? How about green clothing- that's right... the gals at Armour Sans Anguish construct unique pieces from 100% recycled vintage lovelies and without the use of any sweatshops. While many of their pieces are a bit casual for the actual wedding day- how about for the bridal luncheon or the day-after brunch? Be sure to check out their fabulous green-lingerie as well!

Posting Pink: Brides Against Breast Cancer

This site is really amazing and important. I really urge each and every one of you that are reading this to take part...

The Brides Against Breast Cancer Project is a nation-wide tour which brings brides designer gowns at discounted rates... and the proceeds are then donated to the Making Memories Foundation.

Already have a gown? Take part in the Pink Envelope Project... get creative with it!! You can use the donations as favors... or you can really include your guests and have the age-old money dance's proceeds go to the cause... or put the charity on your registry in leui of that toaster you've been eyeing...
And now I am about to say something that I normally would not... but in this case- I feel it necessary to get down to the nitty gritty dirt that we sometimes sweep under the rug... all of you gorgeous girls out there that recently became part of the ex-engagement population or even those of you who are now ex-wives... you've contemplated what to do with that ring for a while now- it has lost its sentiment and you are not about to give it back for whatever your reasons are... so be it... but know that when you are ready to part ways and move on- Diamonds For Dreams would be such a wonderful home for the jewel... in letting go of the past you will be giving some other lucky woman a future....

Enough already... visit the site... fall in love with it as I did... and make a difference. Don't let this "Pink Day" end here... spread the word- send ripples .... save lives.

Posting Pink: Meli Meli

I LOVE this children's designer... I am over putting girls in mini-me bridal gowns... I feel that satin fru-fru is so passe... give that girl some girly ruffles in a fabric that can breathe- and let her shine in all her natural splendor! Meli Meli is all that is sweet about little girls and big dreams. (and here are a few not-so-pink but equally beautiful pieces... my favorites!)