Thursday, July 29, 2010

Celebrity Style Vacation - Guest Blog

Over-water bungalows may only seem like a dream. However, for many followers of the Bachelorette on ABC, last week's show probably had you wishing for a destination filled with clear, blue water and amazing island sights in real life. If you're anything like me, I pictured this to be an expensive venture but Eva, owner Tailored Travel Services, talks below about this gorgeous location in real terms.


Where To Go?

So you’re planning your honeymoon and want to go somewhere unique, tropical, very romantic and off the beaten track but you have a budget?


How about Tahiti? Yes, Tahiti! You can have the amazing experience of the French Polynesian islands and still stay within budget. At Tailored Travel Services, we always recommend contacting your trusted travel agency to assist you with planning your special experiences. We like to focus on what you would like to do while on your honeymoon to make it just right for the both of you! Here is some useful information to get you started on dreaming about your honeymoon in The French Polynesia.

French Polynisia?

French Polynesia consists of 118 islands and atolls. The Society islands are the islands most popular to visitors which include the high-rising islands of Moorea, Huaine, Raitea,Taha’a, and Bora Bora. Although the official language is French and Tahitian, English is commonly spoken. The overwater bungalows with panel floors showing you a view of the incredible waters below you are famous and very memorable!


How Do We Get There?

These beautiful islands are located south of the equator and are in the same time zone as Hawai’i. Located half way between California and Australia; the flight is surprisingly under 8 hours from Los Angeles airport. With non-stop flights departing daily from LAX, you can get to Papeete’s Faa’a airport on the main island in no time at all!

What Do We Pack?

With the average temperature at 79 degrees, the breezy, sunny days make the French Polynesia ideal for comfortable, natural fabrics. Packing loose fitting, casual clothing are a good idea. Your favorite sundresses for ladies along with a sports shirt and slacks for gentlemen should be great for the evenings.

Don’t forget to pack your:

  • Sunblock
  • Reef-walking shoes
  • Insect repellent
  • Prescription medicine
  • Camera
As always, leave a little room for some souvenirs. Remember that Tahiti is well known for their beautiful Black Pearls! You can also expect o find products made with coconut, monoi oil, vanilla beans, wood carvings, and woven hats.

What Do We Do?

Make certain to speak to your travel agent about the wonderful activities available and reserve them before going. Since there aren’t too many companies offering the activities and they tend to sell out reserve as soon as you can. This will ensure you get to do the activities you want to enjoy!

You can try a few of these activities:
  • Ray feeding
  • 4 x 4 excursions
  • Sailing
  • Snorkeling
  • Shark feeding
  • Scuba diving
  • Jet skiing
  • Sunset cruising
  • Horseback riding
  • Deep sea fishing
  • Bicycling
  • Parasailing
  • Helicopter touring
  • Waterskiing
  • Glass-bottom boat touring
  • Windsurfing
  • Dolphin Interaction
  • Circle island touring
  • Mountain exploration
  • Relaxing
So you’re probably wondering, can we really afford this? Here is an example of a stay in the French Polynesia’s Bora Bora.

INTERCONTINENTAL BORA BORA and THALASSO SPA

From $3799 per person

• Roundtrip economy airfare from Los Angeles to Bora Bora
• 1 Night InterContinental Tahiti, Garden View Room
• 5 Nights InterContinental Thalasso Bora Bora, Emerald Overwater Villa
• Daily breakfast and dinner for 2 persons on Bora Bora
• Breakfast for 2 on Tahiti
• 25 minute spa treatment for 2 on Bora Bora

Contact your certified honeymoon specialists at Tailored Travel Services to help you with your honeymoon.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

NEW Styling Engagement Sessions

Blueprint Affairs is proud to announce NEW engagement styling sessions with Shelly Love Photography. Michelle Myers, owner of Shelly Love Photography brings fashion and photojournalism to every shot. Together, we take your ordinary engagement session and meet ahead of time to create a session of your dreams, making photography personalized even before your wedding day. This includes deciding on the perfect session location, time, and prop items to create a unique styling session made for just you.

Fun and Unique
Photos from this unique session are used by most couples to send announcements of their engagement, save the date announcements, wedding day décor, and even holiday greeting cards.

Preparation
In addition to wedding and event planning, this one hour session is here to assist the bride and groom in preparing for their photo engagement session. Many couples are unsure what to wear, bring, or even what to expect on this special photo day with your photographer. We make this day easy and stress-free by getting you prepared for your first official photos with your loved one.

That is why Blueprint Affairs offers this one hour engagement styling session at just $65.00.

However, if you are a client of Shelly Love Photography, we will offer this session at no cost to you.

Get Started
In addition, as a client of Shelly Love Photography, we offer an additional savings of $350 off our full-service wedding planning package, or $200 off our day-of-wedding coordinator package, a total savings of over 15%.

To learn more about booking your engagement styling session, contact Valerie at Blueprint Affairs 623-215-8657. Learn more about Shelly Love Photography by visiting http://www.shellylovephotography.com/

Visit our preferred vendor’s page on http://www.blueprintaffairs.com/

Monday, July 12, 2010

Website Shopping: What’s the Price?

BLUEman: The Male Perspective

Most of the time, when I want to learn about one product or another, I search the website of the company for which it was created by.

I already have an idea into what the products purpose is, so before I read into what it can completely do for me, I search for the price. Sometimes, I have to search a lot harder than I really want to, thus I lose interest in the product all together. Game over.

For example, after we got engaged, Valerie and I started to put together our ideas as to what we wanted are wedding to look like.

The most important thing for us, outside of the venue in San Diego, was the photographer. So our initial web search took us to different photographers throughout the San Diego area. If I was on a photographer’s website, or any wedding vendor website for that matter, and it didn’t have a price sheet, I’d move on to the next one.

It’s no different than shopping for a car. The main company website may have starting prices of the car, but when you really want to find out what the car will cost you, you head to the dealer website. If you’re like me, you’d rather not call to find out, because they will want you to come down and see the car, and then they’ll discuss the price.

It’s important to know what kind of price you might be looking at paying before really finding out if they are worth having at your wedding. At least when you meet with the vendor, both you and the vendor will know you are somewhat serious about having them as a part of your wedding.

But the most common of all the non-priced wedding vendors happens to be the business we are in, wedding planning.

For the reasons expressed above, that is why we at Blueprint Affairs publish our package pricing on our website, along with what it includes. And best yet, you still get a free one hour consultation so that we can see if we are a fit for your wedding.

For additional information or to schedule a free one hour consultation, visit the Blueprint Affairs website or email info@blueprintaffairs.com today.

Twirl’s “Serial Bridesmaid” Contest

Ever see the movie 27 Dresses? I guess that is a silly question.

Well, it just so happens that the owners of Twirl Boutique of both Arizona and Kentucky have been bridesmaids themselves a combined 27 times.

That is a little bit ironic.

Twirl has come up with its own way of finding the QUEEN of “serial bridesmaids” with the opportunity to win great prizes.

All you have to do is submit your personal stories of being a bridesmaid and explain why you think you are the ultimate serial bridesmaid.

Some topics to consider in writing your story include: What sets you apart other than being a bridesmaid so many times? What money have you spent? What wild and wacky dresses have you had to wear? What hair styles did you have to submit yourself to? Where have you traveled? How have you helped to put out fires at weddings? What showers have you thrown?

Twirl is looking for honest, heartfelt and humorous stories. There are many unique instances that could set you apart from every other serial bridesmaid.

To submit your stories to be considered in Arizona (if you live here or will be traveling here), email: angela@twirlboutique.com.

The prizes are as follows:
  • 1st Place: Up to $250.00 to spend on a dress at Twirl Scottsdale
  • 2nd Place: 10% off wedding services for the entire bridal party at Dolce Salon & Spa
  • 3rd Place: "Whateverz" spa set personalized with "serial bridesmaid"
The contest ends at midnight on July 31st. Winners will be announced the week of August 16th along with the stories on the Twirl blog.