Upcoming Guests on LE Radio…

LE Radio will be back on the air August 10, 2008 and following is a list of our upcoming guests/shows. Join us at our new time of 10 AM PST/1 PM EST

August 10 ~ Mercina from Fairy GodMother Gown Rentals ~ Gown Rentals
August 24 ~ Maureen Daniels from Mar Lee Travel ~ Honeymoon Registry
September 28 ~ Lena Gott from Milian Jewlery Design ~ Bridal Jewelry

I hope that you will be able to join us and see you on the radio!

LE Buzz…Neosoul Essentials

Ok so every now and then, I will try a product that I really like and I decided that I give it a buzz.

Ok so I “meet” a sista friend online who makes her own natural shea butter products and I love, love love natural goodness and small business made. Her name is CeCe and we meet on a mutual networking board.

I recently ordered a Megamix Whip sample with a new scent that she was trying, African Musk. I got the order on Friday and the envelope smelled good and I got excited…just like a kid at Christmas.

Opened the envelope and I not only have my sample of Megamix Whip but I also have a soap sample called Island Passion…woohoo! Free Stuff always ROCKS!

You can find her products online at http://sheaproducts.info/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=3 and tell her Margaret and Lexus Events sent ya!

Enjoy!

Before You Tie The Knot….

Before You Tie The Knot” is an engaged Couples retreat or for those just recently married.

Topics include:
Relationships,
Finances,
Home,
Housekeeping/Chores
Children/Parenting.
Faciliated by Rev. Angela Butts-Chester of Blessings All Around http://www.blessingsallaround.com

$1500 for the weekend per couple,
$300 deposit (both are non refundable)

Hurry! We are only accepting 20 couples for this event! To register, go to www.lexusevents.biz click on events and download the registration form

A how to from Martha Stewart Weddings: Paper Bouquets

Crafted Bouquet
The luscious blooms in this bouquet are always in season. We chose shades of pink, but a bride could fashion them in any color she wishes. What’s more, you can make these paper flowers, which are suitable for formal and casual weddings, in advance. They’re easy: A bouquet takes only an afternoon; all you need are a few supplies and your own loving hands.

How to make flowers and leaves:

A bouquet like ours requires about 25 flowers and 10 leaves. Once you have arranged them, cover the stems in wide ribbon. You will need tissue paper, a rotary cutter or scissors, 24-gauge green cloth-covered floral wire, white craft glue in a bottle with a needle-nose tip, two Styrofoam balls (1-inch and 1 1/2-inch), artificial stamens, and green floral tape. Purchase supplies online or at crafts or floral-supply stores. If using a rotary cutter, work on a self-healing mat.

Double Leaf

To make three double leaves, stack tissue in three hues of green. Cut 2-by-3-inch rectangles through all layers; fold in half. Trim tips into points; unfold. Twist each sheet at center. Fold 18-inch floral wire in half, slip over center of leaf, and twist. Fold tips toward each other, and curl.
Long LeafStack tissue in two hues of green. Cut 2-by-3-inch rectangles through both layers. Apply glue along the upper third of a 9-inch piece of floral wire; sandwich between tissue layers. Let dry. Cut a leaf shape. Separate layers of tissue.

Folded Petal

Cut several 1 3/4-by-2 3/4-inch and 1 1/4-by-2-inch rectangles from tissue paper; fold each in half lengthwise; cut one end to be rounded, and twist other end to shape. For the center, roll white tissue paper into a tiny ball; cut out a square from white tissue paper, and wrap it around the ball, twisting tissue at its base. Attach the twisted end of the ball to a piece of floral wire by wrapping with green floral tape; add petals one at a time (start with small petals and end with large ones), taping twisted ends onto floral wire. Trim floral tape; spread out petals.

Bubble Petal

Each bloom requires 12 (or six pairs) stamens attached to floral wire with floral tape and five 4-by-2 1/4-inch pieces of tissue paper. For each petal, wrap tissue halfway around 1 1/2-inch Styrofoam ball, forming a half-sphere; twist ends, and remove ball. Attach one end of a petal to the base of stamen with floral tape. Add the other petals one at a time. Trim pointy ends. Gently pull petals away from center.

Rolled Petal

Cut a 16-by-3 1/2-inch strip of tissue paper; make 2-inch accordion folds. Trim and notch one end of tissue through all layers, as shown; unfold. Insert floral wire into a 1-inch Styrofoam ball; place ball near bottom of tissue strip. Roll tissue around ball; twist bottom. Remove the ball with tweezers. Wrap floral tape around the twisted tissue and wire. Trim the floral tape.

Curly Petal

Cut a 16-by-3 1/2-inch strip of tissue paper; make 2-inch-wide accordion folds. Make 3-inch-deep snips in tissue to create fringe. Wrap unfringed end around floral wire. Secure with floral tape. Run scissors blade along pieces of fringe to curl; fluff.
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Copyright 2008 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Featured Business: Chocolate Truffle Baby Boutique

Latana Broadnax offers a unique and whimsical line of Boutique Quality Hair Bows, Accessories and gifts. Chocolate Truffle Baby is a cute and whimsical line created for sassy babies that loves to be adorned with a jazzy twist. From dainty girls to swanky boys, Chocolate Truffle baby is sure please some of the most discriminating taste. Chocolate Truffle Baby designs with the utmost attention to detail and love designing exclusives so if you have an idea or I’d love to custom design something just for you. Chocolate Truffle Baby Boutique is expanding so frequently so please drop in as often as you like, for something is always brewing at Chocolate Truffle Baby Boutique.

Find her on the web at www.myspace.com/chocolatetrufflebaby

This business is this weeks featured business of The Buy Black Collective of Black Business Women Online. For more information about the group, check us out at http://sistapreneurs.ning.com

Featured Business: Just Right Candles

No Flame..No Soot..Just Scent. Just Right Candles offers you a SAFE alternative to traditional candle. As the candle melts, it releases your favorite scent throughout your home, dorm, or office, without the danger of flames or the messy hassle of soot. Wickless candles are great for places that do not allow a traditional flame such as classroom, apartment, or assisted living facilities. You don’t have to worry about leaving it on or children and pets burning themselves on the flame.

You can find her on the web at http://www.justrightcandles.com

This business is this weeks featured business of The Buy Black Collective of Black Business Women Online. For more information about the group, check us out at http://sistapreneurs.ning.com

From AAWP: Do You Have a Valid Marriage License?

Hi AAWPs:

Today’s Words of Wedding Wisdom™ concern marriage licenses and their validity—especially since high wedding season is upon us.

AAWP gets lots of emails from couples who want to know the legal requirements for obtaining a marriage license. It’s important to know that marriage license requirements are dictated by the state in which the marriage will take place—not the state in which you live—and each state has its own requirements…

Some states still require blood tests, others demand proof of divorce, and some like states like Florida, require a waiting period unless you have proof that you’ve had premarital counseling.

That’s why it’s critical that you contact the marriage license bureau in the state where you’ll be married to determine what the requirements are… and get those requirements in writing. Check the requirements often because they may change before the wedding date.

Don’t take chances… and don’t forget to get a license! We know of a bride who forgot to do just that. The story comes from one of our wedding planners.

On the day of the wedding, the bride, groom, officiant and the bride’s parents were holed up in a room while the guests sat outside for over an hour, sweltering in the heat, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Our consultant told us that the bride and the groom had forgotten to secure a license and the judge refused to marry them. (She had reminded them, but they forgot.) They begged and pleaded and the judge relented, although he put himself in legal jeopardy. The next day, the couple went to the courthouse to get a marriage license, instead of leaving on their honeymoon.

Don’t let yourself in for that kind of aggravation! Get those legal ducks in a row and find out way before your wedding date what your state’s requirements are for a marriage license and check them often. And take note, both of you must show up in person to apply.

Happy Wedding Planning!
AAWP
Toll Free: 866-648-2146
www.aa-wp.com

© 2008 American Academy of Wedding Professionals. All rights reserved.

From AAWP: Cohabitation, Marriage and the Wedding Ceremony…

Hello AAWPs:

This week’s Words of Wedding Wisdom™ regards cohabitation and begins with a a question: Since 1960, how much has cohabitation BEFORE marriage increased in the U.S.? The answer: A whopping 1,000%.

Today, most couples cohabit, meaning they live together before marriage. According to a recent study by Rutgers University, those who cohabit before marrying risk a much greater chance for divorce when they do marry. And all along, you thought it was the other way around—that you needed to live with your SO, to really get to know one another before the fact, to cut your chances of divorce. Not so.

Years ago, AAWP came across a study by Bumpus and Sweet, noted sociologists, who came up with the same result. Their study said, in effect, that if you live together before marriage, you almost double your chances for divorce. But there is a silver lining to this cloud. If you live together with plans for marriage, in other words, if you are engaged, the studies’ statistics don’t apply.

When it comes to making wedding plans, let us further caution you. The Catholic Church does not approve of cohabitation before marriage and it’s reason enough for a priest to deny your marriage. Other Christian faiths seem to look the other way when it comes to cohabitation and if you’re Jewish, it’s doubtful that your marriage would be denied. But it is a factor you should be made aware of before you meet with clergy. Many engaged couples decide to tell their clergy of their living arrangements, others don’t. The choice is yours.

Happy Wedding Planning!
AAWP
Toll Free: 866-648-2146
www.aa-wp.com
© 2008 American Academy of Wedding Professionals.
All rights reserved.

Doing You on Your Wedding Day!

Ah yes it’s your wedding day. The bride in her white wedding gown coming down a church aisle on Dad’s arm, meeting her groom and reciting the traditional vows and then walking in the Married-land.

But what if you want to do something different? Do It!

There is a lot to be said for tradition…it does have its place. But what about the non traditional couples out there that wants to have some fun with their wedding. Well here’s a few ideas that I know where couples have done them on their special day.

*You met your sweetie in a writing group and you get married in a Bookstore.

*Getting married at a park or in your backyard

*Combine traditions from your and your sweetie’s religious or family backgrounds in your ceremony

*Get married at a local landmark

*Have your best friend or family member become certified for perform your wedding ceremony

*Getting married while skydiving or snorkeling

*Instead of the traditional bridal bouquet, carry some paper flowers (Yeah I know shocked me too…but yeah all hail Martha Stewart, the Queen of almost everything LOL)

*Getting married at while sitting at the top of a Ferris Wheel

*Wearing Bride and Groom t-shirts and jeans while at your favorite rock concert

*You guys met at a sports game? Get married at your favorite sport arena

These are just a couple of ideas that have come across my desk in how couples are doing them on their special and I’m sure that are many more but just remember, its your day….Do you!

7 reasons to participate in Marriage Preparation

Originally posted at
The Marriage Academy of NY
http://marriageacademy.blogspot.com/

More and more engaged couples are participating in marriage preparation. Whether it’s with a religious leader or a secular counselor, it’s important to plan for the most important relationship of your life. So much time and energy is spent on planning weddings. I do believe that a wedding marks an important rite of passage and should be recognized and celebrated. However, the time spent planning the marriage should be considered more important.

With a divorce rate of almost 50% it is important, now more than ever, to take a proactive approach to marriage. Here are just a few of the benefits of marriage preparation.

1. You can take the time to focus on you, your partner & your relationship.

2. Highlight your strengths as a couple and plan for any potential areas of conflict.

3. There’s someone to guide the conversations who is a relationship expert and serves as an objective 3rd party.

4. Address common fears associated with giving up the independence and autonomy of single life.

5. Marriage Preparation is especially helpful for adult children of single or divorced parents.

6. Avoid repeating mistakes of previous marriage attempts (if this is your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th marriage).

7. Learn communication and conflict resolution skills that will be useful in times of stress.
Remember, NO couple gets married with the intention of ending in divorce. Participating in marriage preparation can reduce your odds of divorce by 30%. Marriage preparation is not a sign that your relationship is in trouble, but that you value it (and your partner) enough to invest in your shared future.