Wedding Shoes...What to Wear?

Today's brides are not holding to tradition of the plain white heel for their wedding day. They are kicking it up a notch and expressing their individual personalities through their foot wear. Brides everywhere are keeping with there sassy shoe styles. I spoke with a few brides and here is what I found:

Melissa, Nevada:
I picked these shoes because I knew I wanted something bold that people would look at and say "that is SO Melissa!" Pink is by far my favorite color and I started my search for bright pink shoes. I had a hard time finding the exact ones I wanted because although I wanted pink shoes, I didn't want them to look cheap. I ended up finding these on ebay and thought they would be perfect!! I wore them around the house prior to the wedding in hopes of stretching them out but as I found at my ceremony I didn't stretch them enough!! They cut off circulation pretty much to my feet!! (I have wide, flat feet). But since when is beauty comfortable?

Honestly, I didn't care about the pain, it was SO worth it. I did change into flip flops for most of my reception until the garter toss. But all in all, I absolutely loved them and I feel it totally made my ensemble!! :)

Jennifer, California:
"I wore shoes so that I wouldn't have to worry about heels. I always fall and ever since my knee surgery in high school anything that is elevated hurts. Besides, I didn't want my feet to hurt!

Comfortable... oh yes I was! I just got the shoes that I would have worn any other day. I felt like "ME" wearing them, and that's all that matters. After all it was my day and I didn't want to be something I wasn't and wearing heels would have done that!"

Chris, California (YES Grooms express their fashion side too!):
I wanted to add some personality to the whole affair. So, I went with the custom black and red to match the color of the tux I wore.

What did your Bride think? She wasn't into it until she saw the shoes, then she liked em. She did respect that I wanted to add my own personality to the ceremony. I had wanted to do Hawaiian shirts and khakis, but she mandated the tux, and relaxed a bit for the shoes.

Millie, California- soon to be bride:
I don't want "traditional" wedding shoes; I want some oober fabulous ones that are vibrant and fun!!! That's my normal style for shoes anyway, so I should keep with MY tradition! lol!! Since the wedding is near/on the beach, I am wanting some fun, colorful shoes; I saw these shoes on Bebe that I might get, and they have them in turquoise or bright pink, and they are super tall and the straps are literally scarves that wrap around your feet a few times and then around your ankle. AMAZING!

Are you concerned about comfort? hahaha No, comfort is never part of my thought process for shoes lol, so why start now?

Sandy, Colorado- soon to be bride:
I am having a country wedding so I wanted cowboy boots. I wanted white ones or brown with blue and white stitching so it matched my bridesmaid dresses. I also thought they would be comfortable. I found the perfect boots!

Soozie, Pennsylvania Married & Wedding Photographer:
“Shoes should be like makeup for the feet.” The shoe a bride chooses on her wedding day need to be broken in and worn around the house for a few days... do it and you will thank me. So, go get those fabulous shoes and show then off in comfort on your wedding day. Here are a few of my favorites!

"Simple is classic"

"How about a little Animal Magnetism"?

"Little Bow Peep Toe"

" A classic white heel makes for a great prop in showcasing the rings"

Thanks everyone for sharing!

*hugs*
Denice

*ALL Photos were provided by the Brides & Groom
Bebe shoe photo credit: Bebe.com

Hey Dude Skincare™

That's right...a skin care line just for him! Hey Dude Skincare™ is a line of men’s skin care products designed to give today’s man the essential tools he needs to combat the natural effects of aging and external conditions upon his face and body.

Hey Dude Skincare™ products are made from high quality organic ingredients like hyaluronic acid and essential nutrients. Hey Dude Skincare™ products perform the most vital of functions to help a man protect, repair, and maintain his skin - Functions that include moisturizing and cleansing deeply into the cellular level of a man’s facial skin.

Does the man in your life need a little skin TLC? Well, then you should check out Hey Dude Skincare™. I have not personally used this skincare line (ahem I'm not a dude)BUT, Hey Dude Skincare™ is offering a lucky reader a chance to win an After Shave to try them out! Here's what you need to do for your chance to win a Hey Dude After Shave:

REQUIRED:
1) Leave us a comment on why you(if your a dude) or your man needs this After Shave- 1 entry
Additional Entry:
1) Become a fan of Hey Dude Skincare on Facebook here- 1 entry
2) Become a fan of KDCEvents on Facebook here- 1 entry
3) Follow us on Twitter here- 1 entry
4) Follow Hey Dude Skincare on Twitter here- 1 entry

So there you go! Have at it. We will choose a winner on April 1 (yup April fools day)! Tell your friends =)

Hey Dude Skincare Aftershave
4 oz. (120 ml) Fluid
Price $19.00

KEY INGREDIENTS
Seaweed Extracts
Purified Water- No longer contains bacteria or minerals
Phenoxyethanol- Natural preservative from grain
Ethylhexlglycerin- Natural preservative from vegetable

Aftershave contains seaweed extracts that combine with the proteins of the outer layer of the skin and the hair, forming protective moisturizing complexes. Efficient hydration enhances the skin’s natural ability to repair itself. Seaweed extracts decrease the irritation caused by shaving and depilation. Aftershave calms and moisturizes, as well as reduces skin redness and razor burn.

BENEFITS:
Promotes skin hydration; Group of sea plants of all sizes and shapes with a gelatin-like consistency containing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

DIRECTIONS FOR USE:
Use daily after shaving the face to hydrate your skin, all without the irritating fragrance of other aftershaves.

SO- Contest ends March 31 with the winner announced on APRIL 1!!

*hugs*
Denice

Photo Credit:
After Shave- Hey Dude Skincare™

Happy Birthday Cooper!

So the day came, and my baby turned 1. WOW, where did the last year go? I can't believe Cooper is 1!! I tried to keep his party low key (since he is only one and will not remember a thing anyways) and not go too over board.

Well, that did not happen! I decided to combine Cooper's 1st birthday with my nieces 3rd birthday and we had a Peter Pan and Tinkerbell bash (more on the Tinkerbell since Claire knows whats going on!)

We had a lost boys treasure hunt, complete with map, lava pit and jungle. My nephew, Thomas, made sure I had all the correct land marks, he was so cute.

Happy Birthday Cooper!! I love you little man =)

*hugs*
Mommy
(aka Denice)

Photo Credit: Me
Birthday Sign: Paul Cope- Auto Graphics
Cakes: Albertsons (my creative thought & action figures on the Peter Pan cake!)

Fantastic Finds!

Today's fantastic finds is all about them MEN!!! Yup, we searched the Internet for the happening sites dedicated to MEN and their event needs. So pass along to your favorite guy. Happy reading!


Bachelor party
~ ©FireFly Group Events, Inc.: Providing bachelor party services in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and Las Vegas areas for any size group. It's simple and easy to put together a last night out. Your friends pay direct so the Best Man doesn't have to collect money.

Grooms Needs (learning about the bridal necessities)
~ In an industry that is wholly focused on the bride, The Plunge addresses the needs of the other half of the equation. With advice written for men by men.

~ GroomGroove.com the web's best road map for a groom's trip down the aisle.

~ Grooms Online’s offerings include knowledgeable advice and tips, bachelor party information, wedding day checklists, honeymoon planning tools, groom’s apparel suggestions, music selections and more.

~ Guy Code is the unwritten and written code that all guys must follow in order to be a man. We are a group of men dedicated to preserving masculinity in a society trying to be pimped by feminism and we are winning triumphantly. Check out this article on 50 Ways to be the Perfect Man.

Getting Gifts
~ TheManRegistry.com is an online resource for grooms and is the Internet leader in grooms wedding tips and wedding advice for grooms. The website features a specialized wedding gift registry featuring hundreds of wedding gifts tailored toward grooms

The growing trend of GROOMS CAKES!! Yup you heard me...a cake especially for the groom. These cakes are mostly seen at the Bachelor party, the Engagement Party and on occasion, as a gift from the Bride to her Groom on their wedding day. Here are some fun designs:

Coors Cake

We hope you enjoyed these Groom Tips! If you know of any we missed, please share. =)

*hugs*
Denice

Photo Credits:
- Groom Group: My Wedding! Photographer Stephanie Kano
- Coors Cake: GroomsAdvice.com
- XBOX 360: Pink Cake Box
- Groom Beer: Pink Cake Box

[Blogging]
[Grooms]

Getting the Perfect Shot

Important moments in life should be captured, and not just in our memory but in pictures. I am a photo freak! I take pictures of everyone and everything. I am by no means good at it, but I am terrified I am going to miss some fantastic moment in life, so I document it in thousands of photos. As most of you know, I had a baby last year, and he is quickly approaching his first birthday. I wish I could say I was as on top of things as I was with my first child, but come on...let's be serious, the second child is often caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. He is a photographed child, but on my iPhone!

So, as his first birthday quickly snuck up on me, I had never even thought of having him photographed! Then I received an email from a local Photographer asking my opinion on an association I used to belong to. We began chatting through email and we instantly clicked! She offered to photograph Cooper for his birthday and I accepted.

Her name is Angel and that's exactly what she is. She was amazing with both of my children, and captured them and their personalities exceptionally. I was so impressed with her that I needed to know more about her and why she does what she does. Here is a brief interview with Angel from Angel Diane Photography:

1) What made you decide to be a photographer?
My father's untimely death. He was 44 and I was 17. He took pictures of the family and they are all I have left of that life. They are images of my memories and a life that is now gone and the only proof of a childhood. From that I started speaking the gospel of, "you MUST take pictures." The photography came secondary. My passion was fueled and the camera found me.

2) How long have you been a photographer?
Professionally, 9 years. I stumbled onto a kind man who saw my passion and graciously mentored me. He changed my life by mentoring me for a year. We did weddings & sporting events together, coupled by college classes. I started in film photography.

3) What is your favorite subject?
I enjoy capturing the bond between people / family. Emotion that exists between people. Weddings are special because I enjoy capturing such an intimate day and freeze framing it for future generations. I also favor capturing the bond between siblings. It's such a beautiful relationship. Siblings are those people that truly know us like no other. They know the good, the bad, and the ugly. And when it comes to hell or high water,they are typically the ones who will stand with us.

4) What is your favorite prop?
Something that is meaningful to the subject. Something that will invoke a memory for the person I am taking the picture for. I don't want them to remember me. I want them to remember a period in their lives.

5) What was your all time best shoot?
Wow! To pick just one is so so hard. I have so much fun with so many people. I laugh with my subjects and somehow become part of their lives. I am honored that my work will become part of their family history. This question causes a flood of memories with so many people I have photographed I seriously don't know how to name one singular experience.

6) What is your best advice for those looking for a photographer to photograph their event?
The food gets eaten, the flowers die, and the cake gets cut. After everything is over, the only thing they are left with is the pictures which will serve as their memories. Make sure you appreciate the photographer's style. It's so much more than telling people to, "smile!" Experience is so important because there are never two variables alike: lighting, time of day, weather, flesh tones, environment, etc...Google all of your vendor's names and find out what they have going on.

7) What is your favorite image you have captured?
This image is special. To me it represents life. Grandma's loving working hands. It was on a wedding shoot and the bride beamed with glee how her grandmother had made her veil. What she conveyed is that she was so happy that her grandmother had made it. I wanted her to have an image of the hand that worked on her veil. She included that image on her final wedding album.

Thank you so much Angel for sharing your passion, and Thank you for the fabulous images you took of Cooper!

If you are in the market for a photographer, contact Angel and check her out. She is very reasonably priced and like I said before, a pleasure to work with. Just a note to all, I paid for my photo session and prints, so this is a true testament of how much I liked Angel as a photographer.

*hugs*
Denice

Photo Credit:

[photography]

Fantastic Finds March 5th 2010

It's time again for KDCEvents.com Fantastic Finds! We searched the web this week to find you some of the best and most unique ideas out there. We hope you enjoy them, Happy Reading!

Wedding:
~ Looking for fabulous shoes for your big day? Check out this post from Wedding Wire: Wedding Shoe Trends We Love.

~ Need some original wedding day photo inspiration? Check out Bravo Bride.
~ Wording on your Wedding Invitation is important! Check out Wedding Invitation Etiquette at eInvite.

Kids Parties:
~ Need a fun cake for your upcoming kids party? Look no further and visit Cupcakes Take the Cake and see how to make a Ferris-wheel-of-cupcakes.

Beauty:
~ Lip gloss running low? Check out my favorite over at TINte Cosmetics.
~ Girls day out! Check out Pamper Me Fabulous for the the "oh-so-chic spa, beauty, and health & wellness event for women by women and about women"

This and That Fun:
~ Looking for something to do in Los Angeles? Check out Join the Gossip's recent post about a delicious dessert hot spot Syrup Desserts in Downtown LA
~Under Sea Adventures sound like fun? Check out Things To Do With Your Kids for their recent post about the The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.

Big Day? Be Sure Your Hair Looks Great!

I recently received a new flat iron to try out from Prosilk. I am not much of a flat iron kind of gal. Don't get me wrong, I have used one in the past, but it is not something I use everyday. So testing this new ProSilk Gold Flat Iron was a little bit of a challenge for me...I had to remember to use it!

Well, I tried out the flat iron for a week, and I have to say, It made a real difference in my hair. It made it less frizzy and added more of a shine. It was easy to use. It heated up quickly and did not leave my hair looking over processed.

Here is the run down on the ProSilk Gold Flat Iron:
(1) Heats up in 7 seconds
(2) Automatic sensor control system
(3) Preserves moisture and shine to give smooth silky hair and provides volume
(4) Eliminates damaging hot spots
(5) 9 ft swivel power cord
(6) Scratch free plate
(7) Easy to clean inhibits bacteria and odor build up
(8) Light weight, Slim, Easy to handle
(9) Instantly heats up to 435F(225C)
(10) Ionic Plate

The ProSilk site does not offer much in product description, but I did some researching on the Internet and found a wealth of information on this site: lastheplace.com. I currently have a ProSilk hair dryer that I have been using for the past few years, and I love it, so I knew I would like the flat iron. ProSilks ionic technology helps lock in moisture and shine so my hair looks really healthy.

I totally recommend checking this out if you are in the market for a new flat iron. It is not to bad on the price either, at $79.95, it's attainable! I am passing this flat iron along to my sister to try, so look for more info on this!

*hugs*
Denice

Photo Credit: ProSilk