Flourish Friday

So... how are those smiles working?? Have you changed any part of the world?? If you were doing it right... you did! If not, keep trying, it's worth it. Either way continue to work the smile, each Friday it is not time to forget the last step and move on, it is a building block. We are going to put one block on top of the other so we can build up to the ultimate "us".
So KEEP SMILING.

Now onto this weeks step. This is more of an inside step. Most people will not be able to tell you are working on it. This is between you and your brain. Did you know that you control your brain? Your brain does NOT control you. That is worth repeating; YOU CONTROL YOUR BRAIN. YOUR BRAIN DOES NOT CONTROL YOU. I am not sure that many people believe this. I think if they did, this world would be a totally different place. Now please note, I am not speaking as someone who has this mastered. I am speaking as someone that is working on this right along with each of you. In fact, this has been a major topic of discussion with myself this week.
Did you know that you can convince yourself to like something & you can convince yourself to stop liking something. It won't be easy. However, I believe that it is more important than any of us can fathom.

So, this next week my challenge to you is that you would learn to train your brain. The first step is this: Speak it out loud. If you want to train yourself to like broccoli then I want you to say it out loud through out the next week. "I like broccoli." "Broccoli is good." Then test it, put broccoli in front of you and when you go to take a bite, fight the urge to cringe or think negatively about the broccoli, continue to tell yourself that you like it. Don't expect it to work perfectly the first time, just like training for anything, it takes time and persistence. But continue to persevere if this is important to you. Then try it with other things; exercising, finishing the big project that has been haunting you, whatever it may be, work for it. You are worth it! Have a wonderful weekend and check back on Monday.

Take My Breath Away...

Have you ever come across something that just takes your breath away? That, no matter how hard you try, you just can't get it out of your head? Well, that is what happened to me a few weeks back. Just like every other day, I clicked on the Style Me Pretty blog to see what wonderful "eye candy" Abby had chosen for us that day... and GASP! There were the most mesmerizing photos I had ever seen. So here I am, sharing them with you today. Take your time and pour over the details in these tablescapes staged by Cournetnay Lambert of Courtenay Lambert Florals and Kortnee Miller of Simply Timeless Photography. Apparently this is what amazingly talented people do in the Off-Season...

Inside the Envelope...

So we've been talking about the outside of the envelope, now I would like to talk about what is in it! Here are some fun examples from one of my favorite companies. Check out their websites... They have OODLES of designs to choose from! The links are at the bottom of this page. :)

Jessica Lemmons Photography

I for one have got to say that I adore the direction that modern day photography has taken. Out are the days of posing with your head tilted awkwardly and holding a fake smile until you burst! Hooray! If you haven't spent any time swooning over a great photographers site lately... you have no idea what you are missing! Here are some amazing examples from a local photographer that I am obsessed with. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Here's to an artistic eye! Thank you Jessica! Jessica Lemmons Photography.

Flourish Fridays

ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT!! Life's Little Polka Dot's is proud to announce the new theme of the Friday post. Flourish Friday. That's right, Flourish. Whether we are professional planners, amateur planners or not planning anything, I think we can all agree that we can all be better people. So every Friday we will be leaving the world of event planning and focus on just plain old US. First we should probably establish what "Flourish" really means.

flour⋅ish [flur-ish, fluhr-]

1. to be successful; prosper.

2. to grow luxuriantly

3. to make dramatic, sweeping gestures

To be successful & prosper! Who doesn't want to do that!!! To grow luxuriantly! Which is roughly translated as "a richly supplied and lush growth." And I know that making dramatic, sweeping gestures is referring to doing it "with an object" but I feel encouraged to think of it as "with ourselves."

So, every Friday we will look into what it takes to flourish. One week at a time. One action at a time. Please take the challenge that I present each week and live it. Let it become part of you...

Week 1 - A Smile Can Change the World

Very few people could argue the fact, that a simple smile can change your entire mood. You could be having a really rotten day and then someone smiles at you... really smiles, and although your day won't necessarily turn full circle. It will improve. And you don't have to rely on others to do that for you. You can do that for yourself. No matter how bad you feel, smile...really smile and again, it will improve your mood. PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT SURFACY, FAKE SMILES - THERE IS A DIFFERENCE. To REALLY smile you have to take a minute and focus on something that REALLY makes you happy. Taking the time to think about these things are guaranteed to make you a happier person. Which will lead to more smiles...
Now, my favorite part, making it about others. What can we do for others? If this is a foreign concept to you bear with me. There is no way that you can succeed at this challenge and NOT have it change you, forever. My family has laughed at me for years; when I go into the grocery store and smile and say "Hi" to a good majority of the people that we pass. When I leave the checkout counter knowing at least one piece of personal information about the clerk. (Not always, I too have a schedule that occasionally prohibits me from "befriending" all store clerks.) I do at least always SMILE and talk nicely to them, respectfully.
So as you go into your weekend take this challenge: Smile. Smile at everyone you meet, and watch the immediate reaction to this very easy gesture. If someone is walking slowly and looking defeated, make eye contact, and smile. Watch as they will most likely straighten up and walk more briskly. You have more power than you may ever know. Lets change the world. One smile at a time!

Things To Budget For

As I promised earlier this week, here is a list of things to keep in mind when planning your wedding budget: (please note that you may not have a need for everything on this list and you may have needs that are not specified on this list. It is just to give you an idea of what to consider.)

CEREMONY

Ceremony Site-Officiant Fees

Flower Girl Basket - Ring Bearer Pillow

Unity Candle

WEDDING ATTIRE

Bridal Gown - Alterations -Headpiece & Veil

Gloves -Jewelry

Stockings -Garter

Shoes -Hairdresser

Makeup Artist -Manicure/Pedicure

Groom's Formal Wear

PHOTOGRAPHY

Bride & Groom's Album -Parents' Album

Extra Prints-Proofs/Previews-Negatives

Engagement Photograph

Formal Bridal Portrait

VIDEOGRAPHY

Main Video Titles-Extra Hours

Photo Montage-Extra Copies

STATIONERY

Invitations-Response Cards

Reception Cards-Ceremony Cards

Pew Cards-Seating/Place Cards

Maps-Ceremony Programs

Announcements-Thank You Notes

Stamps-Calligraphy

Napkins/ Matchbooks

MUSIC

Ceremony Music-Reception Music

RECEPTION

Reception Site Fee-Hoers D' Oeuvres -Favors

Main Meal/Caterer-Liquor/ Beverages

Bar tending Fee

Bar Set-up Fee-Corkage Fee

Fee to Pour Coffee-Service Providers'

Meals -Gratuity-Disposable Cameras

Parking Fee-Valet Services

FLOWERS

Bride's Bouquet-Tossing Bouquet

Maid of Honor's & Bridesmaids' Bouquets

Flower Girl's head piece & pedals

Corsages for Family Members'

Boutonnieres for Groom & Ushers & Family

Any arrangements that you may want at the ceremony

Flowers for reception

BAKERY

Wedding Cake-Groom's Cake Cake

Delivery/Set-up Fee-Cake-Cutting Fee

Cake Top-Cake Knife/Toast Glasses

DECORATIONS

Table Centerpieces -Balloons

Candles - Anything else you envision!

RENTAL ITEMS

Ceremony Accessories -Tent/Canopy

Dance Floor -Tables/Chairs

Linen/Tableware

Heaters -Lanterns

GIFTS

Bride's Gift -Groom's Gift

Bridesmaids' Gifts -Ushers' Gifts

MISCELLANEOUS

Newspaper Announcement-Marriage License

Bridal Gown/Bouquet Preservation

Wedding Consultant

Wedding Software

Taxes

Spring Has Sprung -So Have These Favors

Are you looking for favors that will last forever? Well why not take a hint from mother nature and offer your guests these lasting tokens of your appreciation? These wonderful favors are perfect for spring and summer weddings. They are friendly to the environment too! Your guests can go home and plant these in their own gardens or planters and be reminded of you year after year. Plus, you can cluster them in the middle of your tables for a fun centerpiece, and since everyone takes them with them when they leave, clean ups a snap!

There are a number of ways to make these wonderful as well. There are a number of companies online that offer some sort of seedling, you can get them by themselves or already in containers with bows or tags. You can get them from your local Nursery in most cases as well. This is a fun way to keep things local. You can also cut them from your own garden as "starters". This is the least expensive option, you just need to make sure that you know what you are doing. There are many resources for this. It isn't very difficult. Or as with these amazing lucky bamboo shoots, you can look on eBay! The total is about .15 cents each on these 4" stems. They come in all sizes however, so why not buy many sizes and display all around!

If you get them by themselves the sky's the limit on what you can put them in. You can wrap them in pretty paper depending on the variety of plant. (some will need to be in soil or water full time) You can put them in adorable pots that you have painted or leave them plain for an earthy feel. The ones above are in fun little boxes! With each of them you can find fun ways to incorporate your theme or a signature tag. Have fun with it!

Fonts

I was on a mission today, a mission to find a certain font... what a daunting task that was! But alas, I have found it! It is amazing as we get older the things that really excite us... Anyway as I was on my great font quest I realized that I had been captivated by all of the wonderful varieties out there. Seriously, I poured over them for... well, lets just say, longer than I probably should have. :) So I thought that maybe I would share some of my favorites with you!

They don't always have to be elegant or fancy... check out these fun and casual fonts:

And I love these!!! The sky's the limit folks! Never settle for ordinary...

These and thousands more can be found at What The Font {dot} com . The ones posted here cost anywhere from $12 - $40. Happy browsing!