Holiday Movie Noel

Last week, over the holidays, my husband and I watched the movie Noel starring Penélope Cruz, Susan Sarandon, Paul Walker, and Alan Arkin. This movie takes place in NYC on Christmas Eve and tells the story of 5 strangers whose lives cross at different points along the night, all leading to miraculous results in the end. The story is one of peace, understanding, love, comfort, healing and inspiration.

My husband and I both enjoyed this movie - it was different than the usual holiday movies shown on tv (they're usually too much of a chick-flick for my husband to willingly watch). This movie reminds you that the holiday season is filled with magic and miracles truly are closer than you think.

In the write ups about Noel, it's mentioned that the movie will become a holiday classic, like 'It's a Wonderful Life'. I know I'm probably one of the few... but I actually haven't seen this movie, so I can't say if that comparison holds true. While Noel is an inspiring holiday movie that leads to each of the characters discovering new meaning on Christmas day, I'm not certain that it has quite all the makings to become a classic. (Personally, for both my husband and I, one movie, although different in terms of the premise, but one that we definitely consider a holiday classic is A Christmas Story with Peter Billingsley as little Ralphie)

One thing that I do have to mention is in regards to the story line with Jules, played by Marcus Thomas. His story could have been improved upon. While the basis of his story (longing to spend Christmas night in the hospital as that was the best Christmas he had when he was a teenager) touches your heart, how he actually gets himself to be put in the hospital was definitely out of place for the premise of the movie.

Drop me a line if you get a chance to see this movie or if you have already seen it. I recall seeing it on Lifetime TV over the past few weeks.

PS. Congratulations to our winners who won a copy of the movie in the contest we held at BestWeddingSites.com

Jim Brickman Romantic Holiday Concert

I've realized today that I already have one New Year's resolution - to post messages in this blog more often :). Again, I'm sorry for such a long time between my posts - I've been spending my non-working hours with family, friends and of course my husband. Last Monday night, the two of us went to see Jim Brickman's holiday concert at Proctor's Theatre, with Anne Cochran and electric violinist Tracy Silverman. What a wonderful show - definitely put us in the holiday spirit even more.

At our wedding 3 years ago I had Jim Brickman's song 'Simple Things' (vocals by Rebecca Lynn Howard) played before the start of our ceremony (it's one of Jim's popular love songs, and mentions 'A thousand chiming church bells ring'), so I thought it would be an appropriate song for our guests to listen to). Many couples select a Jim Brickman song for their first dance as husband and wife (ex. Love of My Life, Valentine, Destiny, and The Gift - wedding favorites of many). We had another Jim Brickman's song 'You' (featuring Jane Krakowski) played during our reception. (For our first dance, we opted for a song that wasn't one of the traditional songs typically selected - it was 'Plan On Forever' with Sue Ann Carwell, Mervyn Warren from 'The Wedding Planner' movie soundtrack)

Here is a list of all the albums Jim Brickman has available:
The Disney Songbook
Grace
Greatest Hits
Peace
Love Songs & Lullabies
Simple Things
My Romance
Destiny
Visions Of Love
The Gift
Picture This
By Heart

What was your first dance song?
Feel free to post a comment with your selection.

Weddings at the Otesaga Resort Hotel

My apologies for not posting in a while.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

A few weeks ago, my husband and I attended a function his work held at the Otesaga Resort Hotel in Copperstown, NY, a very popular wedding location in upstate New York's Leatherstocking Region. We enjoyed a catered dinner in the evening and stayed overnight with a buffet breakfast served in the main dining room the next morning. Overall, the stay was relaxing and the Otesaga is a beautiful hotel with lovely grounds and the Leatherstocking Golf Course along the shore of Otsego Lake.

My husband works with someone who had their wedding at the Otesaga. His wife showed me pictures taken during their wedding and I can see why the hotel is a popular wedding destination for either a wedding reception or a wedding weekend. Currently the veranda is being renovated, but I've been to the Otesaga at another time for dinner (my husband, then boyfriend) surprised me one night and before dinner we sat on the veranda overlooking the beautiful Lake Otsego. The perfect spot for your pre-wedding dinner or cocktail reception. The Otesaga is capable of holding weddings with as many as 350 guests.

Plus, your out of town guests can stay right at the Otesaga Resort Hotel. One thing I should mention that really surprised me is The Otesaga IS NOT a smoke free hotel. They DO NOT offer non-smoking accommodations, but on the web site, it does say that the Housekeeping Department has air purifiers to use if necessary. I remembered having read this when I opened a drawer and saw an ash tray in it. I'll admit, the room didn't smell of cigarette smoke, but as soon as you got into bed, the sheets and pillows smelled of stale cigarette smoke. If this would affect your guests, I recommend you have them stay at the nearby Cooper Inn - their web site says "For the health and safety of all our guests, the Inn is a smoke-free environment".

One other note I should mention is regarding room service - when my husband had to attend a meeting, I wanted to order lunch via room service.....but, that didn't work out too well because there was no menu in our room to the hotel's restaurant, The Hawkeye Bar and Grill. So, I went down to see if I could order it there and have it brought up to the room - only to be told that it would be a while and probably be quicker if I was to eat there. Which I did, but it still seemed to take a while and their service wasn't all that great, but when you eat there you can't control the tip - it's automatically included in the bill. On the plus side, the meals that I had were very good... lunch (ham and cheese on pumpernickel with cucumber salad), 3 course dinner with dessert (shrimp cocktail, baby romaine salad with artichokes, salmon with dill butter sauce and cheesecake with rasberry sauce), and the buffet breakfast.

Other than those few things I experienced while staying at here, I do recommend a stay or wedding at the Otesaga. If you have either stayed at the Otesaga or had a wedding there - please either email me or post a comment - I'd love to hear about your experience(s) there.

Shop Etc.'s Hot Web Site is ...

Just received the Holiday '05 issue of Shop Etc. - currently my favorite magazine, along with wedding magazines, of course. While I was quickly flipping through it before responding to emails, I saw they had selected Plum Party as their Hot Web Site. I couldn't agree more. I've recently discovered this web site and could spend hours clicking amongst their well organized categories and viewing the amazing selection of decorations and party favors - more than 3,000 actually.

One of my favorite items is the product pictured here - the Ornament Place Card Holders ($15 for 6). These are perfect for upcoming holiday weddings, bridal showers or any other festive party you have planned.

Plum Party has organized their web site into over 70 party themes - including Bridal Shower, Beach Party, New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day, Wedding Favors, Wine Party, and many more.

Click here to visit Plum Party to see if you can find party supplies for your engagement party, bridal shower or wedding reception.

We have our own online wedding store

We are so excited to tell you about our brand new store that launched this week. Come visit the all new Best Wedding Sites Shop. You will find all things to make yourself sparkle - we have tees for the bride, wedding party, bachelorette and tshirts with monogram initials. All our tees feature Swarovski crystal rhinestones, and all our thank you notes cards, bridal shower invitations and bachelorette party invitations feature embellishments with glitter.

We also carry our exclusive print at home wedding place cards. We supply the artwork and template, you supply the paper and printer. Never before have place cards for bridal shower, wedding receptions and dinner parties been more affordable.

And don't forget to sign up for our mailing list - you will receive an instant 5% off coupon good towards your purchase. All purchases over $100 receive FREE shipping!

When you're in our wedding directory at BestWeddingSites.com - you can always access our wedding store by clicking on the Shop link at the top of every page.

Happy Shopping!

Miami Wedding Salon Show - date change

We wanted to let you know that the date of the Miami Wedding Salon Luxury Showcase has been changed after very careful consideration of the weather in South Florida to: Monday November 21st, 2005. The Biltmore Hotel Country Club Ballroom will be magically transformed into a lavish ceremony and reception over-flowing with flowers, live wedding bands, reception tables set for dinner, wedding cakes for sampling and much more.

Click Here to purchase your discounted tickets to the event

View the original post on this event in our wedding news blog here

e.l.f. Cosmetics - a true Bargain!

I came across the e.l.f. makeup collection (the name stands for Eyes, Lips, Face) last week and thought I would try them out. With everything except for the travel totes being only $1 throughout the end of October, I decided I couldn't go wrong. I placed my order on Thursday and it arrived today (2 business days later). Now, that's what I call great service! Seeing that I've already done my makeup for the day, I've only been able to try the Soothing Lip Gloss in Mauve Luxe and I have to say - it's amazing! My lips have the glossy look, it's staying on and not fading, plus it contains an anti-inflammatory rich lip conditioner to protect against dryness (perfect for the winter months ahead of us). And the reason why I think it will become my favorite lip stick/gloss - I don't have to apply lip balm on first. I never like the way lipstick feels on my lips without it - always gets into my lines. Taking a step out of applying makeup is always a good thing. Tomorrow I'll try the Shimmering Facial Whip in Persimmon.

Another great thing about e.l.f. - each week there is always a free item with any purchase. Give e.l.f. a try, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.