Marrakesh House

With a crazy quarter at school, I have been pretty MIA. Fortunately I've been on winter break, so Craig and I got to see a lovely venue today. The Marrakesh House was designed by the guy who did "Who Killed the Electric Car" and is very green. Best of all, they have a pool!

The Entrance

Side Courtyard

Some of the Insides

The Red Room Lounge

The Blue Courtyard (potential ceremony site too)

Backyard- the tea house and pool!

Zombie Wedding Followup

We had a great zombie shoot!  You can check out my followup on my other blog here or catch the zombie Examiner article here.  Stay tuned for future videos, photos, and behind the scenes shots!  Enjoy!

Crystal Butterfly Bouquet Update

After weeks of scouring eBay for a good deal, I finally won a bid on a crystal butterfly! It was a bit pricey (about $80 with shipping), but still a great deal less than the retail price ($130). As mentioned in a previous post, I am really interested in the idea of a crystal butterfly in my bouquet.

I think the topaz colors will work well with the tentative colors I want, and have enough to resell the butterfly if the colors don't work out. I think a center of green orchids surrounded by yellow roses tied with a blue ribbon would look nice.

Of course, I also change my mind every week, so we'll see if this idea is still a winner in a few months.

Zombies Attack Wedding!

For those of you that read my other blog, this will be posted there as well. But you don't have to read it twice. But you can if you. After all, this covers my life, my art, weddings, and zombies.

I've decided that what this world needs is more zombies attacking weddings. So my production team, Junebug Media, is going to make this dream a reality!
We also gotten some great press on NBC LA:

A local artist is looking for zombies to help ruin a wedding in Sherman Oaks.

The undead mayhem is the brainchild of artist Brandie June Chernow. The idea began as a photo shoot to document a staged wedding dissolving into chaos (Imagine spilled wine, bad toasts, perhaps a few awkward moments).

Chernow and her production team at Junebug Media started brainstorming ways to up the ante. One of her coworkers suggested a Bridezilla vs. Godzilla theme. That's when things got interesting.

"…and that led to me thinking that zombies would be a great way to worsen a bad situation. Zombies attacking a wedding it became. Because when you think things can't get worse, that's when the zombies attack," Chernow said.

Chernow is now accepting applications for zombies. The project is on a tight budget, so all undead work will be pro bono. Not all applicants will score a role in the Sept. 13 photo shoot. Those interested can reach Chernow at junebugmedia@gmail.com.

Ideally, Chernow says, she'd like the photos displayed at an appropriate venue, such as the Downtown Art Walk.

"But mainly we think it'd be fun. Art for art's sake. Or zombies for art's sake. Or art for zombies' sake," Chernow said.

And the Examiner also ran a story:

On September 13th in Sherman Oaks, zombies will be busting up a wedding, and you have a chance at getting involved in the mayhem!

Junebug Media, founded by Brandie June Chernow in 2008, is putting together a still photography shoot and slide show-style video of the events, which Brandie described in an email as being "about a wedding that starts sweet and then goes wrong (think passed-out drunk groomsmen, bridesmaid making out with groom)," but quickly turns into a bloodbath when zombies attack. With her team rounded out by Ray McCoy, Damon D. Brown and Craig Johnson, Brandie has a group of experienced TV production folks at the helm of this project, and they have already put down some hard-earned money on the zombie makeup that will be used for the event.

Anyone and everyone can get involved by contacting Brandie at junebugmedia@gmail.com and showing up to the event. Although there's no pay -- this is an ultra-low budget event -- Brandie says that she can get people copies of the photos, and will be shopping around the slideshow and photos to be displayed locally, such as at the Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk. As Brandie puts it, "mainly we think it'd be fun. Art for art's sake. Or zombies for art's sake. Or art for zombie's sake." How can you beat that?

If you've never heard of Junebug Media, they have completed several short videos, and have won second place at the UCLA Anderson School of Business and Management video contest with a mock 1950s parody PSA. Additional team members support them on various projects. This may very well be an outfit to watch out for in the future.

And by the way, is anyone else reminded of Adam's (Jeremy Sisto) short film in May?

Tree Sapling Favors

In case you're interested in favors that are relatively inexpensive and green, take a gander at GreenWorld Project.  For just a few dollars, you can get a tree seedling in a reusable container, all tired with a ribbon.

A variety ribbon and cap colors to choose from.

My favorite favor was the Birdfeeder Tree.  The container becomes a birdfeeder, and each one contains a small pouch of birdseed.  

And to cut costs even more or simply personalize it to exactly your taste, they sell just the tree seedlings, for as low as $1.50.  A quick trip to the craft store (I like Michaels), and you can inexpensively wrap them up any way you like.

The Odd Couple (Combining Styles)

First, I have to preface, that there are over two years till Craig and I get married.  So, there is not a rush to come to any consensus.  But I am already surprise at how my greatest wedding-planing difficulty is creating a wedding that both Craig and I want.  Originally, Craig claimed he just wanted to 'show up,' but it turns out he's quite opinionated on our special day.  Almost as opinionated as I am.

Ideal:

Craig: (assuming he has to even have a wedding) - totally casual, kinda punk, and all of the food is covered in nacho cheese.

Me: tasteful, sparkly, tapas, and a chocolate fountain

Hmmm... noticing a bit of a difference?  Me too.  Trying to combine orchids with a tux that has the arms and legs torn off.  It's going to be an interesting journey to be sure.  At least we agree on the following:

• fun
• memorable
• pool party

But at least no matter what kind of flowers we have and even if there is nacho cheese (though I hope not!), we are getting married.  And big picture, I guess that really is the important part (that or the honeymoon).

Think about it.  Oh yeah.

The Strange, the Cute, and the Ugly... Commercial.

Here is another wedding commercial.  I found it odd, cute, bizarre, disturbing, and endearing- all in one.

It's for an Indian match making site.  Want to know what metro-monial mean?  So do I!

Crystal Time!

As a lover of bling and sparkly things, I stopped by a Swarovski store to check out a necklace I saw online that I though would look lovely with my dress.    

I want something unique, modern with some fun glitz.  My strapless dress is just screaming for a statement necklace.

Unfortunately, this necklace is out of season at their stores, and can only be bought online.  I never realized Swarovski has 'season items.'  So I tried on some other necklaces, and generally had fun with shiny things. 

Such as this one.

And then I had the idea of putting a crystal flower in my bouquet as a way to 'save' part of the bouquet for long after the wedding.  This one was one of my favorites.

But then I saw the butterflies!  Even better than a flower.  Now I really want to add a crystal butterfly to my bouquet.  I saw this one at the store. 

Then I saw this one online, and am torn between the topaz and the lavender butterfly.   

I'm debating the price tag ($130) and checking out what the prices are on Ebay.  I generally lean towards purples and blues, but I really like the 'pop' of the yellow one.  If we use a bright blue with a pale green or yellow, I think the topaz may work best.  But I'm still up for comments.

Dance to the Wedding, Dance to the 'Divorce'

My friend Amanda sent such a great video of a wedding party dancing down the aisle, I felt it deserved it's own post. Thanks Amanda!



Of course, then I saw this spoof of that video with the couple dancing to their 'divorce,' and it cracked me up. Enjoy!

Baby Got First Dance

Possibly the most amusing first dance video.  Ever.  

I just dare you to find something funnier.  Really.

Wind It Up Means I Love You

Craig doesn't plan a lot, but when he does, he makes it count!  Once, he told be to leave a night free.

November 29th, 2006 (man, I keep a good calendar).

I meet him at my place and we get in his car and drive around,  a lot.  After getting a little lost, we get to a concert venue.  Already running late, we race to our seats.  Running along the outside of the stadium, I hear these opening notes.

I should also add that the Barenaked Ladies are my favorite band.  I had already listened to the CD 'Wind It Up' was on so much that I knew the lyrics by heart.  Steven Page leaving the band has me a bit heartbroken, but that's another story.  So this guy I'd been dating, semi-long distance, took me to see my favorite band.  And the show was amazing.  I remember sitting way up in our see watching the tiny performers rock out, and I thought how I was damn luck to be with this guy.

Later that night, curled up and almost ready to go to sleep, I decided to doing something terribly rash.  I wanted to tell Craig I loved him.  Seemed in part a ridiculous idea to tell that to a guy I'd only dated 4 months.  Plus, I'd been hurt before telling that to guys I'd dated much longer.  So I thought, I'll wait.  Probably till he says it first.  But still... I was so happy, and wanted to share it with him.  I went ahead.  The conversation went something like this.

B: Honey...

C: Yes?

B: I have something...to... uhhh.... tell you...

C: Yes?

B: I.. uhh.... think I love you.

At which point, Craig said the second best thing someone could say in that situation.

C: That's awesome.

Then he said the best thing someone could say.

C: I love you too.

Happiness all around.  

:)

P.S. Looking for a good 'Wind It Up' video, I found this amazing fan video.  It has puppets.  Enjoy.

Thrifty/Thrilling Shoes

Another thrifty/thrilling post. Here are some amazing shoes, and of course, their thrifty alternatives!

For a cute, wrap heel...

Stuart Weitzman Glowicky
Price: $335


Chinese Laundry
$69

Something cute, classic, and open-toe


Something Bleu
$210



Payless ShoeSource
$24.99

Or a strappy sandal

Stuart Weitzman Glowicky
$298


Chinese Laundry
$59


And for extra bling


Benjamin Adams
$595



Touchups
$87 on sale




And for the extra-crafty, a DIY blingInstruction at M&J Trimming

Another Fun Commercial

Here is another fun, if slightly creepy, wedding commercial.  Enjoy!

Thrify/Thrilling Dresses

Here is my first thrifty/thrilling post. Let's take a look at some fabulously thrilling dresses and their thrifty, but no less fabulous, counterparts!

For an embellished, fitted, strapless look...

Vera Wang
Price: between $6,000-$18,000

Alfred Angelo
Price: between $999-$1,399

Or if you prefer a halter dress...

Vera Wang
Price: Between $5,000-$8,000

David's Bridal
Price: Originally $499, On Sale $299.99

I actually prefer the David's Bridal halter dress over the Vera Wang halter. It just proves you can get thrilling results on a thrifty budget.

Father of the Bride

My dad gets pretty nervous anytime I mention the wedding (even though it's 2 years away).  He wants me to be 'happy, but happy long term.'  And Craig's lack of... well, let's just say Dad would be less concerned if Craig was a doctor/lawyer/hedge fund manager - and preferably all three.  This stresses me out quite a bit sometimes.  There are certainly days I just want to yell, "Be happy for me damn it or shut up!"  But that's not a nice thing to say.  And I know my dad's a good guy, and just wants what (he thinks) is best for me.  

So, I saw this video, and it does remind me that he's probably just having some difficulty.  Poor guy.

More Important Than the Wedding

Flipping through channels last night, I ended up watching 'Bridezilla.'  One woman used a whistle (yes, a whistle) to command people's attention, yell at them, and order them around.  Another took her poor fiance to dance lessons till 1am.  Ok, it is TV, and probably the worst of the worse.  But whenever things aren't going the why I 'planned' or I have to make comprises because of a tight budget, I remember why I'm doing this.  

Because I'm marrying the person I love!!!

With that prospective, the rest- the wedding, the party, the reception, the honeymoon... they're all icing on the (wedding) cake of life.  Here is a free way to stress less when things don't go as planned or you ha

ve to cut costs.  Just remember- you

're marrying this wonderful person.

Whenever I get stressed about a tight budget, I just try to remember what I'm getting, no matter if we have centerpieces or not.

My Fiance...

He's weird, and he's mine!

• Makes me dinner when I come home tired and hungry from work.
• Does the dishes when I'm too tired (even if he cooked dinner).
• Let's me keep another cat.
• Keeps trying to teach me how to maintain my car, even though I'm terrible at checking the air and changing tires.
• Doesn't get upset when I'm uber-cranky because I'm hungry.  He'll even get me a snack.
• Listens to me when we argue, and always ends fighting by hugging and making up.
• Does the heavy lifting, kills the bugs, and gets the glasses on the high shelf.
• Indulges me- whether it's getting me Ben & Jerry's Dublin Mudslide ice cream at 11pm or driving over an hour to my favorite restaurant for my birthday.
• Love me and is there to support me- no matter what.  Lucky me.    
  

Craig, being useful.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on what helps you un-stress about your wedding!