Work your sexy this weekend !

5 great ways to work your sexy this weekend for Sweetest Day

1) Make a Sweet Breakfast or Lunch - Instead of being extra cautious about your loves health, weight & diet, create a breakfast from the heart ala comfort foods- pancakes, eggs, biscuits & bacon or chicken wings, fries & beer---have their favorite eats prepared. Hopefully you can make them yourself , but if not- be sure to go to their favorite eateries and pick up his favorite dishes. Don't worry the calories will be burned up by the end of the night :-)

2)Pamper - Why not book a massage appt for your mate? or maybe even a couples massage. It's a great way to relax together and enjoy each other in a calm environment. If this is too expensive, you can always administer one at home- a nice massage or foot rub will be appreciated.

3)Shake it fast- the art of the strip tease, lap dance and all around erotic dancing is nothing new- people have being seducing others with their dance skills for thousands of years. If you have trouble getting in the mood, make a CD with all your ahem "stripper hits" on them - you know the ones I'm talking about- the ones you dnace to in the mirror, when you think you got it going on. This time, turns the lights down low and let your partner watch. This will get the nite started.

4)Show your curves- Everyone has that outfit that makes your man or woman say -- daymmmmm!! Make sure you wear it this weekend. Later on in the day do a quick change and surprise them with a new dress, suit or whatever garment you know they will love.

5)Human Candy Bar--
Give them a surprise with a sexy gift of yourself. Select their favorite type of chocolate whether dark, milk or white. Melt and cool until it's spreadable but will not burn your skin. Pour the chocolate over specific parts of your lovers body or cover yourself. Don't forget to lay towels down or everything will be all sticky !

The key is to keep it sexy ALL day no matter what!
Happy sweetest day lovers!

Natural Hair Brides—Rock your crowns !!

This post is all about the natural hair ladies, who want to highlight your crowns on the wedding day- but you don't have a clue of where to start! Merely 5 yrs ago, when I was rocking my locs, it seemed the only visual references I had for hairstyles was the hair care pioneers Khamit Kinks in New York. (Thank God!) I chose a crisscross updo that was fierce & complemented my shoulder length locs --see the second pic in the bunch. Since then, the natural hair care industry has exploded in its availability & creativity-- blogs, websites & magazines are poping up everywhere-- and more & more natural hair fashionistas are rocking their hair loud & proud as they say I Do! Here's a few examples I found to be hot to def!












Photo credits & websites for more info: www.afrobella.com,www.khamitkinks.com,http://thankgodimnatural.wordpress.com,http://niaonline.org/bride,http://www.naturalchica.com/,http://naturalhairbrides.tumblr.com/

Love is in the details...

There are wedding pictures and then there are wedding MOMENTS captured on film! I mean, when a picture is so wonderful it feels like you are standing right there in enjoying that moment with the couple. That's how this these pictures came out.

For a few years now, I have quietly followed the blog of Atlanta's My True Vision Photography and today I HAD to repost this wedding!! I heart EVERYTHING, I mean every freaking thing this couple had @ their wedding-- no seriously I do ! :-) Kari & Carlton of True Visio -- kudos to you both on a job well done - (Georgia area brides, what are you waiting for?!) Take a look at the wedding I'm drooling over right here!

http://hopeculturelove.blogspot.com/2011/06/lovely-outdoor-atlanta-wedding-at.html

A Seattle/Texas bride with Vision...

You know I love Etsy.com , because I get to meet some very creative brides with vision who are so trusting to have a complete stranger to create something for their wedding day! Etsy.com has been a God-send for a lot of artisans all over the globe- so thanks to them as well :-)

To close off my wedding season for 2010, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to create the flowers for a lovely bride named Angela. I can honestly say I so anxious to see her wedding pics. She is going to have a FABULOUSLY creative wedding - from her unique Wai-Ching wedding dress, to the handpainted bridal bouquet I created for her. In all, I created 11 bouquets, 5 corsages and 14 bouts for the men.

Here are some pics I sent her of her products before they were shipped to the Lone Star State. I really enjoyed making these for her, and I hope to do more bouquets similiar to these in the near future.

Over a simple pizza dinner ...

my husband I, had great conversation with a friend about marriage last night. He said something that was really simple, and yet really profound- marriage should be like your relationship with God, its a DAILY walk. Something you actively chose/do/think/become everyday for the rest of your life. I love it! :-)

For All The Single Ladies...

He's out there ladies! Don't get discouraged, focus on you and believe God will bless you with that One to love you :-)

This Day... This Very Moment!

I love this song because if anybody knows me I am a HUGE Jodeci fan and so is my hubby :-) I never even knew this song was a "wedding" song until my then boyfriend and soon to be fiance showed me the video. He went on to joke, "if" we get married - we gotta use this song :-) Needless, to say we used this song during our processional!

Enjoy!

Married Folks Can Dance!

If you all haven't already seen this video, you're going to love it! - Trinity United Church of Christ here in Chicago, has a marriage ministry that is doing something special with their couples- Isn't it refreshing to see Black married couples dancing together in church! It really is a sweet idea :-) Go head Trinity!

Encouragement for the Ear & Mind!

Renewal of the mind & spirit is essential to a long lasting marriage! I pray that if there is any of you who are or have faced some difficult obstacles in your marriage -that you will be renewed by this oldie (but goodie) song from MJ! Be blessed everybody!

Americana Wedding Style...

Happy July 4th Everybody! Since the holiday is on Sunday, it got me to thinking how convienent this three day weekend could be for a creative fun, holiday wedding! And no I'm not talking the cheesy over the top American flag wedding dress type of event either. LOL. I envision an outdoor wedding, white tent, streamers, confetti, the wonderful smell from a bbq grill and my favorite- FIREWORKS!! LOL

You get the picture right? This weekend marks the celebration of America's independence, but it also represents a time when family and friends gather to celebrate each other- so what better way to start you lives together than to have a Americana theme wedding?

I created two mood boards featuring the good old stars and stripes inspired dresses and paired them with some of my floral bouquets, just for fun. I hope you like them!

Have a great weekend & be sure to eat lots of BBQ for me! - Mrs B.




Dress Designer Credits:

Star Spangled Dress by Tracy Reese
2008


Red & White Stripe Dress from dressingvintage.com
Jacques Heim
1950's Dress

Exceptional red and ivory silk cocktail party dress. Jeunes Filles designed by Jacques Heim. Sold at Bonwit Teller in the 1950's. There are a couple of very tiny, only noticeable upon very close inspection, faint micro dots. They wouldn't even show up in photographs, near the hemline, but I like to mention everything. Otherwise, this dress is in excellent condition and is ready to wear! Fully lined with linen and tulle with back metal zipper. Would even make an amazing out of the box wedding gown!

Be careful what you pray for because you just might get it!...

I was reminded of my grandmother advice when I sat down last night after working feverishly to complete all of my 2010 prom orders- and I went to bed with a huge smile. As tired as I still am - I am thankful business is picking up and I really enjoy what I'm doing :-) My talent is a blessing that I don't take for granted and I am thankful to have the opportunity to share it with my clients. Thank you to every student & bride that has supported me by sharing your beautiful vision - YOU ARE my inspiration to keep pressing on. God is good yall!

Anyhoo, I've been busy, and this weekend I have 3 weddings and a prom...I will take pictures of everything and post them soon :-) Toodles

Death to the Birdcage Veil! Seriously...

As of today, I am REALLY getting tired of birdcage veils. Now, don't give me wrong- I am very aware they look absolutely fabu, modern & vintage all in the same rip (hell i even wore one lol) but now i'm just sick of seeing them.

For almost the past 8 years!- the birdcage veil has been all the rage- ever since the release of the movie "sweet home alabama" reintroduced them to the masses. So it got me to thinking, about bridal headpeices again - what would look fab and totally set you apart from the flock of bird(cage) veils! (lol). Here's my top choices- in no particular order!


Utilize a feather headband (Wendy Louise Designs)...


recreate a vintage look


or a modernly vintage bride (Doir ad campaign)


Wear a lovely bow ...


or a chapeaux (Maggie Mae Designs)


Add a little understated sparkle...


or a lot of sparkle! (Stephanie Browne Couture Jewelry collection)


Be a queen(Wilsdom African Designs)...


Or a Lovebird! (Topsy Turvy Designs)

Artsy Love & Bridal Show Info

Hey everyone- Sorry, I've been MIA for a little while getting ready for a bridal show on the 27th & completing my first full wedding design ( the entire event is pratically designed by me) YAY!! But I had to take a moment, and show some kitschy accessories that I LOVEEEE - I think they are PERFECT for the artsy bride. Tell me what you think.

Oh before I forget, I hope to see you at the WEDDING FAIR on Saturday, March 27th @ the Apostolic Church of God - 6320 Dorchester Ave.- Chicago, Illinois 60637 from 10-2PM!





Vendor: Pearl Accented Updo, Wedding Veil by Toni Federici, Vivienne Westwood/Melissa Shoes, Lace Manicured Nails/McQueen handbag

Style Me Pretty seriously...

For most wedding/fashion/design stalkers like myself (lol- i am not ashamed however :-))the website StyleMePretty.com is a absolute must read for those who like to see real life weddings, gather inspiration and so forth. Every now and again, I'll see a wedding that truly makes me smile from the inner core of my artsy fartsy heart lol - and this is one of those weddings
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2010/02/24/san-francisco-wedding-by-tanja-lippert/

I looovveee everything about it and I think you will to!

My first award!

Its official, my blood pressure has shot off the charts!

My company, Chocolate Brooms and Bouquets has been chosen to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2010. This award recognizes the top 5 percent of local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service and professionalism!! Whoo- hooo!

What does that mean, you say? Well, the Bride’s Choice Awards™ are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds (brides and grooms) through extensive surveys and reviews, which means your past clients have spoken on my behalf and selected me to receive this honor!

Im excited & thankful to God that he keeps reminding me to press onwards!

Gotta love our first lady's style!

Did you all see the first pics of Michelle Obama at the First State dinner with India's First family? Between the dress and the table setting...all I can say is STUNNING!!!!!.

Quote of the week... be blessed!

"In marriage we marry a mystery, an other, a counterpart. In a sense the person we marry is a stranger about whom we have a magnificent hunch. The person we choose to marry is someone we love, but his depths, her intimate intricacies - we will come to know only in the long unraveling of time. We know enough about our beloved to know that we love him, to imagine that, as time goes on, we will come to enjoy her even more, become even more of ourselves in her presence. To our knowledge we add our willingness to embark on the journey of getting to know him, of coming to see her, even so wonderfully more. Swept up by attraction, attention, fantasy, hope, and a certain happy measure of recognition, we agree to come together for the mysterious future, to see where the journey will take us. This companionship on life’s journey is the hallmark of marriage, its natural province, its sweetest and most primal gift.In promising always, we promise each other time. We promise to exercise our love, to stretch it large enough to embrace the unforeseen realities of the future. We promise to learn to love beyond the level of our instincts and inclinations, to love in foul weather as well as good, In hard times as well as when we are exhilarated by the pleasures of romance.We change because of these promises. We shape ourselves according to them; we live in their midst and live differently because of them. We feel protected because of them. We try some things and resist trying others because, having promised, we feel secure. Marriage, the bond, makes us free to see, to be, to love. Our souls are protected; our hearts have come home."

Daphne Rose Kingma

**Swoon**

I just came across these underwater pictures of a bride & groom and I absolutely fell in love!!! I can definetely see myself & Mr B. doing this in like 8 more years!! lol. The photographer is Jessica Peterson. Be sure to check out her beautiful blog www.jesslorraine.blogspot.com/