Cake Pops-WONDERFUL TREND FOR A WONDERFUL CAUSE

~written by Cendi Micor

Be part of an amazing event, tomorrow, August 19, 2010 from 5pm-8pm at T & M Sidewalk Café (1344 Danforth Avenue). Jennifer Borgh (Jennifer Borgh Events) and Robin Wight (Wight Weddings) are selling cake pops ($25 per dozen).



~Photo courtesy of www.thesweetstyle.com

Jennifer had a co-worker whose daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. She would like to raise money to help their family go on vacation or use the funds to aid with her treatment. Regardless, this is an incredible reason to not only help a family but also enjoy scrumptious treats. Pass this on to anyone and everyone you know to help make this a successful event.



~Photo courtesy of www.buttercream.com.au

A Date to Remember....

~written by Cendi Micor

I had the pleasure of assisting with a Vow Renewal this past weekend. It was absolutely beautiful…the ceremony was very touching and emotional. As much as a wedding is reason to celebrate, renewing your vows to your spouse is just as much, if not more, of a reason to celebrate.



~Photo courtesy of www.lovetripper.com

However, as nice as it is to have a party that will be much like a wedding, there are a few things you should avoid:

1) Do not invite EVERYONE from your first wedding. There are many people who have touched your lives but it should be an intimate setting with those closest to you.

2) Do not register for gifts. You should be showered with everyone’s love and presence, not gifts. You have established and settled your lives together and should not need material or monetary assistance.

3) It is not necessary to have a bridal party. This avoids giving someone responsibilities in helping with the planning of the event. If you do choose to have one, keep it small.

4) Do not have bachelor/bachelorette parties…pretty self-explanatory!


As a guest, it is not necessary to provide cash, however this is a personal decision.

Here is a quick reminder of Annual Anniversary gifts/symbols:
FIRST YEAR: Paper or Plastic/Clock
SECOND YEAR: Cotton or China
THIRD YEAR: Leather or Crystal/Glass
FOURTH YEAR: Flowers or Linen/Silk
FIFTH YEAR: Wood or Silverware
TENTH YEAR: Tin or Aluminum
TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR: Silver
FIFTIETH YEAR: Gold

Marriage is not always easy and anniversaries are definitely a joyous occasion that deserve to be recognized.

"Get Hitched 2010"

~written by Cendi Micor


~Image courtesy of www.pridetoronto.com

On Sunday, July 4, 2010, come support an amazing event. As part of the Pride Parade in Toronto, you can witness 6 same sex couples (2 from Toronto, 1 from Calgary, 1 from Atlanta, 1 from California and 1 from Chicago) get married on a float.

This event is symbolic of the open-mindedness Toronto exerts and is all possible thanks to the sponsor, Man Crunch and the official Coordinator, Jennifer Dobrijevic of Diva Weddings and Events.

Hope to see you all there!

Midnight Food Station-"Bye Bye Hangover"

~written by Cendi Micor

If you are having alcohol at your wedding reception, especially if it is open-bar (which, for your guests' sake,hopefully it is!), you are bound to have many of your guests suffer from a hangover the next morning. Here are a few ideas to help prevent an agonizing morning of headache, nausea and laziness.

POUTINE-It is not “scientifically” proven to prevent or cure a hangover but it is definitely a WELL-KNOWN remedy. It may be the carbs and the fact that it is just overall a heavy dish which provides enzymes something else to break down other than Ethanol.


~Photo courtesy of www.food.sulekha.com

Ethanol creates a dehydrating effect and causes headaches. Why not have some Vitamin Water offered and display them in cocktail glasses? This is great even for your non-drinking guests. Vitamin A, B (especially B6) is depleted by the alcohol, so offer these.


~Photo courtesy of www.thenibble.com

If you have a signature drink, choose liquors that are low in Congeners. This is a by-product of fermentation and adds to the severity of a hangover. Clear liquors such as Vodka and White wine have less congeners than darker ones such as cognac, brandy, etc. Also, don't make the drink too sweet. Sugar intensifies hangovers as well.

Most importantly, ensure that your guests have a proper meal. There is nothing worse than drinking on an empty stomach.

There are many other things you can do to decrease your chances of a hangover but these are a few fun ways to include it into your midnight snacking.

I never drink while on the job but who DOESN'T love a good poutine. Or, if you want, just fries and gravy...yummy! Just remember, happy and SAFE partying!!

The 3 Ts of Planning- TASTE, TRADITIONS AND TRENDS

~written by Cendi Micor

When it comes to making decisions about your wedding, there are many things to consider. It all boils down to you and your partner's style and taste. You may also consider traditions that both of your families value. Plus, to make things a bit simpler, you should also take note of current trends, which may make certain items more accessible than obscure ones.

PICKING A DATE : You may have a date that is meaningful to both of your. For example, a dating anniversary. You may also be set on a specific time of year. As for your family, they may have superstitions regarding certain numbers and dates. Lately, it has become very popular to choose a date that is extremely easy to remember. For instance, October 10, 2010 = 10/10/10.

BRIDAL PARTY: The size is the first thing to decide. Do you want it to just be your closest family and friends or do you want to include as many people as possible? Does your family have a say as to whom you choose? Many people are no longer following traditional etiquette in terms of their bridal party. The number of bridesmaids does not have to match the number of groomsmen. There are now best women as opposed to strictly just best men.


~Photo courtesy of www.flickr.com

SHOWER: If you want all of your closest family and friends present, you can choose to have a co-ed shower. Traditionally, if you are not currently living together, you may want to have a gift registry. Traditionally, it should be the bridal party throwing the shower...you can have a potluck or luncheon. One modern trend that is occurring these days is to throw a Stag and Doe, which is essentially, to raise money for the couple.

STAG/STAGETTE: Do you want to go all out with the partying? If so, you may go clubbing, to the strip clubs, and get around in a limo. Traditionally, celebrating your last night as a "single", used to occur the night before the wedding, but this is no longer as common. Nowadays, a weekend getaway is huge...Vegas is a very popular trend.


~Photo courtesy of www.destination360.com

CEREMONY: Will you be exchanging vows in a church? Are there cultural aspects that you would like to include. Traditionally, the couple has their backs towards the guests. Throw a twist into your ceremony and ask your priest/officiant if he/she can stand off to the side on an angle or if you can face your guests. It is very common now to also have the ceremony and reception held at one venue.

FLOWERS: Are you going to include your favourite flower into your bouquet and/or decor? As it is tradition to keep your bouquet, why not have a mixture of both real and fake flowers? As for your bridesmaids and maid of honour, make it different and have them hold a single flower as opposed to a bouquet. Consider what is popular and what is in-season.


~Photo courtesy of www.womensweddingsdresses.com

ATTIRE: How traditional do you want your outfit to be? Do you want to wear a white dress...men, to wear black tuxedos? How will your family feel about it? It has become very acceptable to now add more colour to the bridal gown and the colour black is also now acceptable. The length no longer has to be full-length. Another twist could be to wear coloured pumps.

FOOD: What better time to have your favourite meal than your wedding? Traditionally, dinners are more common but it may suit you and your guests better to have a luncheon. A very popular trend right now is having food stations, giving everyone more of a chance to mingle. Also think about what type of bar you will offer. Plus, your cake...how many tiers and how much detail do you want?

MUSIC: What route are you going to take with your music? A DJ or a band? Traditionally, a receiving line occurs and an introduction to music takes place. Is this something your want? You must also consider how speeches will occur during the event. Are you going to have an MC? A great trend right is to allow guests to request songs on the back of their RSVP cards.

HONEYMOON: Are you more into hot, tropical atmospheres or sight-seeing in Europe? To have a more relaxed approach to your wedding, you can have a mini-moon, which is a small trip prior to your wedding. Traditionally, couples used to depart on the night of their weddings, whereas most couples no longer do this. An extremely huge trend now is the Destination Wedding. This way, you and all your closest family and friends can vacation together.


~Photo courtesy of www.sdweddinginsider.com

No matter what you ultimately decide, make your wedding about what YOU want. Not what you think you're supposed to do based on family opinions, nor what today's society is doing. Stand apart and make it memorable! And enjoy it!!

My FAVE-FIVE Movie Couples

~written by Cendi Micor

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a total movie-geek! I am absolutely content as long as I have my movie collection nearby. My next in theatre movie, is going to be Sex and the City 2, so in honour of the many movie couples we've grown to love, here's a list of my Top 5, in random order:

CARRIE BRADSHAW & JOHN PRESTON "BIG" (Sex and the City): The pair is quite the dramatic duo. They are the couple we all love to hate because they are constantly "on-and-off", they are breaking-up then making-up. In spite of it all, they always find a way back to each other. Let's face it...not even Aidan could compare because after all they have been through, her columns would not have been as successful as they were without the infamous Mr. Big. As much as they both feared the idea of marriage, they needed each other to finally settle down.



~Photo courtesy of www.sheknows.com

HOLLY KENNEDY & GERRY (P.S. I Love You...): This couple really went deeper with the term, " 'til death do us part". Rather than allow his death stop her life, Gerry enables her to move on with his blessing. We all know that when a loved one passes, we try to live life as they want us to, but it is much easier said then done. In this movie, he wrote her letters and encouraged her to date, travel, etc. Her happiness was his absolute goal and he wanted nothing more than her life to continue. True love is evident as he put his own happiness aside for hers but putting an incredible amount of time into his letters.


~Photo coutesy of www.allmoviephoto.com

KATE REYNOLDS & JACK CAMPBELL (The Family Man): Married with two children- this couple is extremely realistic and practical in the sense that most of us can relate to Kate and Jack's situation. The movie explores what "could have been" in terms of career, goals and dreams. It focuses on what Jack lost by settling down with a family but the lesson at the end, shows true meaning of "no regrets" by enforcing the idea of appreciating what you have now. The infamous line, "I choose us", reiterates the life long commitment of really putting your family first.


~Photo courtesy of www.imdb.com

ROSE DEWITT BUKATER & JACK DAWSON (Titanic): Rose and Jack could be viewed as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet by the simple fact that they were on opposite ends of society's social spectrum. She was from a wealthy background and he, from a less fortunate one. Many tried desperately to keep them apart but that just pushed them closer together. What they did have in common was that they were both very misunderstood but they found meaning in each other. When the ship was sinking, he let her go and she came back to him. They respected each other's ambitions and found freedom by exploring together.


~Photo courtesy of www.flickster.com

ALLIE HAMILTON & NOAH CALHOUN (The Notebook): As a young couple with very different backgrounds, they were forbidden to be together. As they were forced to separate by Allie moving away for school, fate led them back to each other and they would not let anything, nor anyone, stand in their way. Not even dementia....as Noah devoted his later years to keeping Allie company and living at her nursing home. He did this in hopes of flourishing her memory. The movie was a great example of how your spouse becomes your life and shows immense sacrifice.


~Photo courtesy of www.flickr.com

I'm normally not one for chick-flicks but every once in a while it's great to be reminded that a lifelong partnership is a true commitment that should not be taken lightly. With the news of many I know who are separating and divorcing, it really opens my eyes to what I am blessed with. If you have been lucky enough to find that special someone, know that you do have to work at it, and it won't be simple all the time.

"So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you, forever, you and me, every day." ~Noah (Ryan Gosling-The Notebook)

Who are your favourite movie couples? Feel free to comment...I'd love to hear from you

DAMASK it up!!

~written by Cendi Micor

Lately, I am absolutely in love with the Damask pattern!! It is quite evident on my site since I chose it for my background. I am one who is just recently embracing vibrant colours, so until I can completely, I think the Damask pattern is a great way to add a little "spice" (so to say) to those weddings that are leaning more towards simplicity. For example, if you're all about the black and white, or just want one main colour, adding some pattern here and there is a perfect alternative to make your event stand out.

Just one tip: DON'T include Damask everywhere!!! Too much of anything is not good and you do not want your event to look like a Damask explosion or give someone a headache; patterns can be too busy =D

INVITATIONS : You want your invitation to express the style and formality of your wedding. If you want to keep it as formal and elegant as possible, one way to include Damask is by having it on the inner section of the envelope.



~Photo courtesy of www.weddingstationerydesign.co.za

RIBBON: You can purchase Damask ribbon and just use it as an accent while keeping the rest of the invitation plain and simple.

STAMPS/STICKERS: If you want to include the pattern in a subtle manner, try including it solely on the envelope

To incorporate Damask in the ceremony, you can have Damask ribbon or fabric wrapped around the stems for your bouquet.


~Photo courtesy of www.etsy.com

RING BEARER PILLOW : An adorable way of incorporating the Damask pattern is by having your Ring Bearer carry a Damask pillow down the aisle. It will really give your guests a glimpse of what to expect at the reception.

Including patterns in attire is huge right now...

DRESS : Depending on your style, a Damask wedding dress may be a bit much. But if it's YOU, why not right?



~Photo courtesy of www.designsigh.com

If you do not something this loud, you can always find a dress that has a bit of Damask along the lining of the train or just along the bust line.

TIE: The groom and groomsmen can wear a Damask tie. How cute would that look on the Ring Bearer or a Junior Groomsmen!?


PURSE: The ladies know that it is all about accessories!!! You can take an old outfit and turn it into something different and glamorous every time you wear it depending on your accessories. Carrying a Damask purse with your lipstick, compact, or breath mints will unify your Damask feel even more so.



~Photo courtesy of www.shysiren.com

The reception is where you will have to wrap things up and really make it all blend togehter. So, make it as memorable as possible. All your tables, no matter what shape, can have a solid colour with a Damask runner. OR you can use the Damask napkins. However, I would not recommend using both, depending on the width of the runner as it may be too much.

I would also recommend sticking to one set of colours in the Damask pattern. For example, if you choose the black and white, stick to it throughout. Switching to the brown and blue in other areas, again, will be too much.

CAKE: Regardless of how much you want to spend on your cake or how extravagant you want it, if you are going with a Damask inspired wedding, you really should use it on your cake. A cake can go from simple to elegant by adding a Damask pattern to it. Regardless of whether or not you want it all over, you can achieve this modern look by using stencils in specific areas. Speak to your cake designer and see what she/he can arrange for you.



~Photo courtesy of www.cakecentral.com

MONEY BOX: Your guests will not miss your money box if you go all out with Damask on your money box.


As you have seen, Damask is offered in many colours, many differents shapes and variations of details. Stand out and DO NOT BE AFRAID TO USE PATTERNS!