Consider the Cook Islands for your Honeymoon

As a travel agent, specializing in destination weddings and honeymoons, I am always on the look out for great destinations. From Vancouver, most brides think of Mexico and the Caribbean. Great choices, but have you ever thought of the Cook Islands? The prices are truly affordable from the Vancouver area. The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands scattered over some 2 million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean.
They lie in the centre of the Polynesian Triangle, flanked to the west by the Kingdom of Tonga and the Samoas and to the east by Tahiti and the islands of French Polynesia. It's very laid back here - no buildings taller than a palm tree and no chain hotels or restaurants. You can dive in the clearest water, swim in underground caves, be captivated by the local culture and people and return home truly relaxed. I have met many of the resort owners, and they promise an unforgettable escape. Call me for resorts and prices.

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Brock House Annual Wedding Show

Another year, another show. But this one is a must see.

The Wedding Show at the Brock House on October 18th, 2009 is the best wedding show in Vancouver! It's small, intimate, with a host of talented wedding vendors, including me creating the makeup and hair looks!

The fashion show is huge, with a wide range of gowns, and bridesmaid's dresses. You have the opportunity of sampling some fabulous food, drinking great wine, and truly getting a feel for what your wedding could be.

This year, the hosts, DreamGroup and the Cinderella Project are working together to gather beautiful dresses for young ladies to wear to their high school prom or graduation event.

So check into getting ticket today: http://www.dreamgroup.ca/weddingshow

Yes - to professional makeup

Most of us are aware that adding a bit of makeup can somewhat change our looks - longer lashes, fuller lips, great skin etc. And when it comes time for weddings, brides are very aware of makeup creating the flawless bridal look. This bride is a great example of just how far you can go to enhancing your features. She is a beautiful woman without one bit of makeup applied. But for her wedding, she wanted to look her ultimate best. "Dazzling" is a word to best describe her wedding day glow.

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Lucky Me!

Being a professional makeup artist is exciting work. I have the opportunity to work with many interesting women, and creates some wonderful looks.

One of the perks of my job is to work with other professional makeup artists. In April I was invited to spend time with 2 of the busiest, most creative, famous makeup artists in the business. Gregory Arlt and Marie Delprete. Gregory is from LA, and has creative juices oozing from every pore. He has been profiled on Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, works all the big shows in Paris and Milan, designs looks for Alexander McQween, and works routinely with Alicia Keys, Brittany Murphy, Gwen Stefani and Kim Catrell to name but a few. Marie is from New York. She won an Emmy as the head makeup artist for the Gilmore Girls, has worked on the Academy Awards, Golden Globes and creates looks for with Angelina Jolie, Melanie Griffin, Jude Law, Lucy Liu to name a few.

They both shared some great stories, and all there current tips, and techniques.

Some of their tips: experiment with looks, don't be afraid to drop old habits and try something new, and less is often better. So don't over apply eye colors and lips - pick one to profile. And with brides - makeup should be fresh, natural looking. And one great tip - trust your professional makeup artist - the common goal of women everywhere, even Angelina, is to look like the "A-Plus Version of Yourself!"

It was a fabulous evening and I certainly will be happy to share all these techniques with you.

As your makeup Artist...

It will be my job to enhance your features, bring out your very best, all the while maintaining your true self. As you hair stylist, it is my job to create a hairstyle that is long wearing, feels comfortable for 12 hours, compliments your face, personality, time of day, and and gown. Is all this doable? You bet, BUT you and I have to work hand in hand. I am not creating a Susan look, but your look. I like to ask every question I can think of that will allow me to understand your true bridal vision.
But, I do need your help! When you are planning this whole look, you have many things to consider. Are you currently on a skin care program? Is your skin in the best possible shape you can achieve? This takes work for most of us. If your skin is oily, and you complain about it regularly, notice your makeup wears off quickly, are prone to large pores or breakouts, just know that no makeup I have will change that!
You have to start thinking about skin care before you come to me. The makeup I use is all top notch, but it can only enhance your look. It can't change skin that is in poor condition. Sun damage, poor eating habits or lack of hydration will show. When skin is dry it cries out for moisture. Start using sunscreen daily and a good moisturizer formulated to your skin type. When skin is oily, it causes breakouts, or looks greasy, especially in photos. I can only work with what you present me. So take time now to get your skin in optimum condition!
And for hair, be realistic. I receive requests from brides for hair styles that are not achievable. Brides show me images of models with hair 12 inches longer that theirs, and want it to look like the image. With extensions, yes! If you know your hair need coloring do it before you come to me. If you have not had a trim in 6 months, do it now.
If any of you are questioning your current skin condition or need advise on hair, please ask me. I have been doing this for over 25 years, and can certainly provide some answers.
Our common goal - pictures for your wedding album that are breathtaking!

Jamaica mon!

As you may have read, I have added destination wedding and honeymoon planning to my bag of tricks. A great benefit is I get to travel to these fabulous destinations to check them out for you. I just returned from Jamaica at the end of February. It's the third largest Caribbean island with a wide range of hotels, inns resorts, and guest houses ranging from standard to super luxurious.

The water is so blue, and the beach sand feel like icing sugar. The major hubs are Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril and the South Coast. Visitors can be married just 24 hours after arrival. The resorts range from the ever popular all inclusive Sandals resorts with a great selection of room categories and water sports.

All the way to a quaint exotic 17 room resort called The Caves. Here there is no beach, but rocky cliffs where you can dive into the bluest water and dine in caves - yes, caves!

There are no-stop flights from Vancouver during peak travel times with a 6 1/2 hour flight time.

The local people are fabulous, relaxing is the order of the day. Food is great, and the resorts certainly cater to weddings, honeymooners, and visiotrs in need of some fun and sun.

Contact me for some great deals - Sandals is offering 45% to 60% off for a limited time!

Makeup for Brides

What look should you consider for makeup? My best advise is to be true to who you are. If you are a minimalist with your daily makeup routine, you may not be comfortable with a full coverage foundation, or dramatic eye shadow. But if you do want more dramatic eyes, or dewy skin, you will have to apply a bit more that your routine application. You can look natural with foundations that are water based, and light in texture. Powder can be long wearing but light in texture to allow your skin to look dewy. Eye shadows can be earth tones, liner can light and smoky, and lashes can be individual clusters. If you do not wear lipstick, gloss is totally acceptable.

A key to the natural look, but with enough drama for the camera, is to blend colors and product well. Avoid anything with too much glitter, frost or shimmer. Bronzers provide a naturally sun kissed look.

On the flip side, if MAC is your favorite store, and you love all the newest shades of Viva Glam, and love long dramatic false lashes, then go for it on your wedding day. Be sure to choose water resistant or water proof products, ensure all is blended well with a equal mix of flat and shimmer products.