Which style are you?

So this past weekend, I was in Toronto to celebrate the Baby Shower of one of my best friends and was thrilled to learn that she had booked us appointments to get our hair done. I love nothing more than knowing that I will have fabulous hair and not have to do it myself!!!

I was more thrilled when I discovered that we were hitting up one of the new trends in salons - a blow dry bar! Blo is a franchised salon whose tag line reads: "no cut, no colour, just wash, blow, go." For $30, you get a terrific wash (I say terrific because my lovely stylist went to town massaging my scalp....I think my leg starting shaking at one point?!) and then you choose from one of their signature styles to finish the look that you want to achieve for the day. Your options are Red Carpet, Executive Sweet (super straight), Hunt Club (the perfect ponytail), High Society, Holly Would, Hugs Sex and Rock and Roll, and the Boho Braid (a la Lauren Conrad)!

So what style did I choose...the Holly Would of course! Anything to get a little bounce and big curls in my pin straight locks.

I would absolutely recommend this salon - what a fun idea before a girl's night out, Bridal Shower, Baby Shower, Engagement Party or just because. What an affordable way to feel fantastic for a couple of days.

Brides-to-be, they also offer Bridal services, consultations and updos or special styles for all the ladies in your party. They will even come to you in your hotel or home. Check out all the details online here.

Say YES to the TP Dress!

It's one of those must-do games at Bridal Showers and Bachelorette Parties: how can create the best wedding dress and veil using toilet paper, right? If you find yourself constantly winning this game, you could earn a lot more than a bag of candy coated almonds!!!

Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com is having their annual Toilet Paper Wedding Dress contest, which has the first place winner walking away with $1000 (USD) or a second prize of $500, or third prize of $250. Worth the couple bucks a case of toilet paper rolls will cost you, I'd say. You can use tape, glue or even your sewing machine to create your signature gown...this is serious stuff! If you've been pulling off the winning look for years by twisting and tucking the paper, imagine what you can do with glue, tape and thread!

You have from now until June 17th, 2011 to get your photos submitted to their website....so get to it!

If you're a creative lady, this is your big chance - start unrolling the paper today. Just think of all the fabulous things that you could buy with the cash prize!!! (I've already spent it all in my head)!

Click here for all the details and Happy TP-ing!

Sweet Stickers

Well it's that busy time of year for those of us in the Canadian wedding business, but I did get a chance to surf the lovely Etsy site while waiting for an appointment (Thanks for the iPhone Rob xoxo)! And although there are tonnes of amazing gems for brides and grooms alike, I wanted to share these super sweet stickers for your shoes! When you are ready to kick up your feet either with a rest or dancing later in the evening, your all too important words "I Do!" will be sparkling for all to see!

Click here to check them out. They start at $13 (USD). Note to bridesmaids - these would make a great shower gift!

Grooms, don't be too jealous - I found you some special stickers as well on WeddingStar. With options like "Heart & Sole," "Yes Dear" and "I'm Taken," you can't go wrong...just be sure to take the decals off before returning the shoes!

Wills & Kate - It's Official!

It is with a little sadness, but lots of joy that I announce that they are officially married - Wills & Kate are now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge!

So I have only seen the carriage ride to Buckingham Palace...but I'm so looking forward to watching the whole ceremony after work today (with a glass or two of bubbly of course!) It was such a sweet ride, however, with the newlyweds looking so young and shy. I loved how Kate gently bowed her head everytime Wills saluted. I also loved watching Harry in the "kids" carriage!!! It looked like he was alone, and then you would see little heads bobbing around!

I was watching CBC and they had viewers posting notes on the bottom of the screen, wishing the couple well...but my favourite was a viewer in Kitchener who wrote in: "Hey Wills - send your best man my way!"

Anyways, I really loved the simplicity of Kate's dress. Designed by Sarah Burton (of House of McQueen) she looked stunning but not overdone. The train was long enough to fit royalty, but not obnoxious either! Kate's "something borrowed" today were her diamond earrings, passed to her by her parents. Her sister, Pippa, looked amazing too in her form fitting white gown...I need to look that one up too!

So I am a little sad that I can no longer obsess about this...I wonder how long until knock-offs of everything Kate's wearing will be available???

Happy Royal Wedding Day! xoxo

P.S. How amazing are these facemasks? Sweet tribute...or creepy?!!!

The BRIDESMAIDS are coming soon...

Check it out ladies - The producers of "Knocked Up" have created another sure-to-be classic movie called "Bridesmaids" and it is coming to theatres next month. Personally, I just love that Kristen Wiig; she plays the role of the Maid of Honour (or dishonour) in this film, while Melissa McCarthy plays another bridesmaid...but a rather manly-looking one (She was so much cuter as Sookie on Gilmore Girls, wasn't she?!!!)

Anyways, grab your favourite girls and head to the theatres to check this one out next month. I can't wait to see how the parties, ceremony and reception are designed and decorated - I love the lack of budget in movie weddings...they're always so over-the-top and drool-worthy too!!! I guess we'll have to wait and see!

Check out a trailer for Bridesmaids here.

Yes, I've got the fever!

How can you not talk about, think about and dream about the Royal Wedding when you're in the wedding business? Please forgive me for going overboard, but you all know I've been rooting for Kate for years! Just wanted to remind you to tune into CBC Newsworld Friday night at 8pm or Saturday night at 7pm (make it a family Easter event!) to catch the "William and Kate: Wedding of the Century" special. I happened to stumble upon it when stuck in my hotel room at the Toronto Airport and was sooooooo excited! It's really well done and hilarious too: you will love the part when they discuss her "possible" hairstyle and end up super-imposing Kate's face on different Hollywood celebs hair...classic!!!

I was hoping they might go so far as to mix William and Kate's faces to show what their future children would look like, but I was disappointed in that area!!!

So tune in and let me know what you think!

xoxo Renee

New Gowns & Bridesmaids Line...

NEWS: The always funky and fabulous store "Anthropology" has launched a line for those ladies heading to the alter! Whether you're the bride or her official posse, there's something unique for everyone in this collection.

For brides, my personal favourite is the "Tiered Tulip" gown - which features a striking black bow and asymmetrical details at the hem. It just looks so fun and flirty. A close second is the "Burnished Organza" gown because the skirt reminds me of the style worn by Luisana Lopilato when she married (sniff sniff) my Michael Buble! Click HERE to check out all the gowns.



For the bridesmaids, the "Origami Pleated" and "Twirled Sweetheart" dresses are my winners. They are classic styles that would suit many body types. Check out the dress options HERE.



Hope you're feeling inspired to at least try something new when you're shopping...you never know what it might look like on you!

Happy Shopping!

Renee
(p.s. 9 DAYS UNTIL THE ROYAL WEDDING!)