I am constantly looking for ways to improve my apartment. So how excited was I when Xochitl sent me a Daily Candy post about  Suki Cheema, a new line of travel inspired home goods? VERY!

I love colors in theory, but in practice, I always find it difficult to pull the trigger. I need to start small. Which is why I loved these throw pillows. What a great way to add color splashes and make your living room a little more interesting!

The site is still not complete, but I was on a role, so I started to look elsewhere for places to buy home goods that remind you of your travels. I came across a company named Ten Thousand Villages. This company works with artisans around the world by marketing their goods in North America.  My favorite part about this site is that you can see which artisan created the item that you have fallen in love with. This paperweight (which you can flip according to your mood) is made by an artisan in Haiti. I want this on my desk so that everyone in the office knows where they stand in the morning:)

Everyone always makes fun of how much I love the color gold. I mean, I would totally wear it EVERY single day if I could (and honestly pretty much do). So, how excited was I when I saw this gold Owl Pouf on Global Home New York . This company, started by a couple who quit their corporate jobs to start their business, features pieces from around the world.

I also feel in love with these bins. Having a baby? Need something cool for your nursery? What about these adorable cotton toy bins to a help you keep your child’s toys nice and stylishly neat.

So when you are registering for things for your home, consider going global in your approach.  It’s a nice way to add some character (and possibly personal relevance) to your interior.

I never had any sisters, but growing up I was fortune enough to have a first cousin that was only 6 months older than me. We grew up together and got to do all of the things that sisters usually do together; wear horrible matching outfits, play dress-up, give each other horrible haircuts. You know, the usual. She married early and had two adorable children that have been a huge part of my life. SO, when she divorced and years later decided to re-marry, we were all very intent on making the kids feel a part of the ceremony. They loved their new step-dad and were exited about the wedding, and he and my cousin wanted to make sure that they felt that this was a ceremony that not only stated their new commitment to each other, but also his commitment to the kids. We decided that the kids should be in the bridal party. Since they were special they got to pick their own outfits, which made them both very happy. They also stood next to their mom and new step-father. We also had my young nephew hold the rings, and they both presented the couple with the rings.

Aren’t they adorable? In the end, these small gestures made them feel like they were included in the day and that they were a part of it all.

A few months ago, I helped a wonderful couple down the aisle. Our groom had a child from a previous relationship who they wanted to include in the ceremony. She was a huge part of their lives. Although she lived with her mother on the other side of the states, the couple would board a plane every other weekend to see her! She was most excited about serving as the flower girl, but we wanted to include her in a special way during the ceremony. We decided that they would ALL light a unity candle together to show that each of their lives would all be united. It was one of the most touching moments of the ceremony!

Some other great things that we have seen clients do are: having your children walk you down the aisle instead of a parent, including their names on the invitation, a family ring exchange, and a parental vow to take care of the children.

If you are planning to marry and have children from previous relationships, it might be helpful to sit down together as a family with your officiant to come up with different ways to include everyone during the ceremony!

I walk around the city and feel like a New Yorker. I can actually usually give better directions to tourists who are lost than Xochitl…and she grew up here. However, I remember moving here years ago and feeling so lost. You ask how that is possible since we are on a grid, but I was so overwhelmed by the city that I constantly got lost. Which is why I was so excited when someone sent me a Not For Tourists Guide to New York City! What a great thing to give all of your out of town guests. They can even personalize them with your names and wedding date!

You can also have custom maps made to show your guests your favorite New York (or Brooklyn:) spots. They can also help you create an insert, where you can personally greet all of your out-of-town guests.Currently the guides are only available in English, but the maps and inserts can be translated to the language of your choice!

Not getting married in New York? No worries, they have them for most major U.S. cities. Interested in the idea, but maybe need something a little smaller? What about these pocket maps? Even I love to carry something like this around!

When did the Electric Slide get a bad rap? Why is it that it sits right under the Chicken Dance on the “Do Not Play” list? I personally LOVE the Electric slide. I can’t remember the last family wedding where we didn’t play it. Okay, so we call it “El Caballo Doroado” and it sounds a lot like “The Achy Breaky Heart”, but it involves the exact same dance moves, and people pump their fists in the air and jump onto the dance floor when it starts to play.

Latinos aren’t the only group that tend to love Electric Slidin’ though. Not to generalize, but I have rarely been to or planned an African American, Flipino, or Caribbean American wedding where we didn’t get Electric. Not only is it NOT uncool, it is a must have that brings young and old alike onto the dance floor.

Case in point, I helped plan a baby shower for one of my oldest friends this weekend and midway through they had to bust it out.

So if you like the Electric Slide, please don’t be ashamed to say it. Play it loud and proud at your event. I promise people will dance! Some people might even pump their fist in the air:)

Terry Gruber sent me this movie the other day and I had to share it with you.  Terry Gruber’s photography studio is legendary and for the past 13 years they have been located in a suite of rooms in a lovely building on 57th Street.  He recently made the move downtown to the flatiron building and, because this is what they do, photo documented the entire move.  This VERY entertaining movie is a stop motion documentation of their move.

Part of why I LOVED it is because, having recently moved my office, it was so ABSOLUTELY the opposite of OUR move.  Our stop motion movie of our move would have involved Hong Dong Movers, picking up an antique table we found on craigslist and stop motion footage of Mayra yelling at Verizon every day while our phones didn’t work.   Anyway, for anyone who has EVER moved, this is how it SHOULD go.

Gruber Photographers: A Moving Story for a New York Wedding Photographer from terry d gruber on Vimeo.

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