Honey, I do, makeup!!

Well well well folks, look what done happened?

Another week has passed!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Thank you. Some of you MAY think that I am making myself nervous, but time is just zoooooming away and I went with my fast self and started this:

NERVOUS MUCH??!?!

Now if you follow me on Instagram (@ModenMUA or modenmakeup), you would have seen it. And I am sooooo happy to have it as it's a constant reminder in my phone of a very important happy event that's set to take place APPARENTLY in the not too distant future.

When I first downloaded the app I was SOOO excited. This gave me the push I needed to get on with the planning. About 5 minutes later, I emailed Andy a screenshot and chile, I had to admit to him the butterflies kicked in.

The Good Lord in His wisdom has made it so that every time I look at it and the seconds count down, I also remember that He is in control. No joke! Everytime!

I am sooo excited to become Andy's wife, and continue to build our friendship and partnership. But lemme tell ya, after going to that Forever I Do Wedding Seminar and Expo, I got a smidge MORE nervous. Here's why:

The Not So Good:

Where are all the Bridal Boutiques/ Wedding Attire Specialists?
Florists?
Videographers/ Photographers? (there were two)
Event Co-Ordinators
Decor Specialists
Shoe Stores
Jeweller's
Mortgage & Loan Institutions

And I could go on...

Cost: $15

Now, I Heidi Renee had NO CLUE this event used to be FREEE?!?!? WHAAATTT And I paid $15, ya must be mad. Had I known, I woulda told Andy uh uh, dem is two children plates and we woulda wait for @Nation246 to release the winners and to see what was involved in the paper.

I expected at least two main rooms (forgetting that LESC is under reno)  jampacked with booths and businesses.

I have no clue either, blah!

The Forever I Do Competition needs a SERIOUS overhaul. Anyone from the Nation reading this I would GLADLY offer assistance and suggestion, both for the written portion and the Expo!! For the price of Two videographers and Decor. P.S. Kimtara Clarke GFE BOSS, you are NEEDED!!

What we got was approximately 20 (if so many) booths and table top displays, ranging from CIBC First Caribbean and Sagicor to Pangroove. I know the cost of the booths and I do believe that may have been a deterrent for many small businesses. However I must commend BPWCCUL (my former workplace), their booth was beautiful, Laurie Dash, WOW Photo Booth Rentals, Geetu's Jewellery and Men's Room (shoutout to Dom, EXCELLENT Customer Service!!).

The Good:

I got to meet the proprietress Annika (sweetheart!) of WOW Photo Booth Rentals and Andykins ACTUALLY took silly photos with me (SHOCKER) (and that's all I have to say on that!).

The staff at the Men's Room FINALLY got confirmation from Andy that we ARE getting married this time and he will NOT be coming in as Best Man or Groomsman.

I found out that Laurie Dash carries the rhinestones on a card!! (more on this later)

BPWCCUL has a Wedding Registry so instead of having a wishing well or some other receptacle at your wedding, guests can just send back the voucher when they are RSVP'ing.

My dress will be coming from Kleinfeld's, David's Bridal (can you say $99 sale), or some other boutique in America.

Bridal Gown

The forever I do competition gives couples a chance to have the wedding of their dreams. Even if most of the decisions are already made for them.

I got to see my former makeup student and buddy Miss Lisa Maynard, one of the contestants in the upcoming Miss Barbados World 2013 contest. (Message her for tickets to Tale of a Swan - Masquerade Ball, this weekend).

Future Miss Barbados World 2013 Miss Lisa Maynard and Heidi.

Update: Men's Room will be receiving new stock this week or next, ask for the English Tailored Suits (slim fit and to die for on tall dudes like Andy , seriously).

Congratulations to the Winners Elica and Kristian (couple pictured last week was soooo wrong!) I do hope and pray that your wedding and marriage will be blessed, happy and fulfillling.

This week's finds and photos:

 

Thomson Dream - 1st Anniversary!!!!?!??! Andy, what's up!?!??!

 

Two weeks ago Sunday, I was fortunate enough to win two passes to go on a ship tour and have lunch on the Thomson Dream YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!

 I got it from my mama!!

Now when I told my friends they were like ohh wow you and Andy will have a wonderful time. I did NOT take Anderson, he needs to go to church! I need him focused on the Lord as often as possible! So I took Mummy. ( Andy and I have cruised already, AND Mummy and Heidi needed some mother daughter time). Andy loves her and she him so no hard feelings AT ALL!

One of the fancy pants suites, uh uh me can't afford dis one boah!

This would be my dream vacay for us for our honeymoon. oh goodness me. Plush facilities, every amenity you can think of and the FOOD??? TO DIE FOR! I ate all the foods I never ate before and some I have, and had lil wine to wash it down wid too Pee No Gree Gyo if ya please!

Steak and Mushroom Pie: Hot, Tasty and Just enough!!

I ate bread. NOOO?!?!? But it was sooo tasty!

Sitting area in room.

Smaller cabin, still plush and nice!

I would recommend it for those of you who have already experienced the Carnival line and are tired of that kind of cruise life. It caters to a more sophisticated cruise afficionado, one who is accustomed to but still enjoys the bliss of travelling from port to port and savouring the solitude it can offer at times without the party party constant activity.

I've only been on one Carnival cruise, and i'd love to take one annually, alas, I do not own a gas station and must pray that come next year Andy and I after what one of my friends recently dubbed the Wedding of the Decade is over can afford it!

My Makeup for wedding and possible Thank You Card Photo:

I love how this couple looks. Peaceful and happy. I'm sure I want to feel like this next year. 

HAPPY!

So I didn't want to do false eyelashes next year in case I cry, but I LOVE the effect they give on camera, so can you say RECONSIDER??? And if all else fails I can pull them right off. I'm gonna have a bomb MUA tho, so I'm set!

Catch you all next week, Fitness login AND Reigning in the In Laws!!

 

Love,

 

Heidi xoxo

 

 



 

Forever I do....

Beautiful People!!!

Have you been enjoying the blog? If you have, then please please please share it with everyone and anyone you think may be interested. And guess who's found the PERFECT flower girl dresses? MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! They are so adorable, chic and DIFFERENT! And I don't do same old, so my little bootsies will be rockin that aisle like they own it. Now to find a nice hair accessory and shoes! My girls MUST be on point from tip to toe!!! Woop woop!

The title should give this week's topic away. This Saturday the winners of the Nation Newspaper's Forever I Do Competition will be announced. Now I MUST be honest. I approached Andy with the idea of entering, and he flat out said NO! Further honesty? I want as many expenses paid as possible peeps, call me Star Jones if you want to I do NOT care! Weddings are expensive and if we can get some discounts/concessions HALLELUJAH!!! More money for the house AND honeymoon FO SHO! And that was my ONLY motivation for even considering it. Plus, it seems if you have no problem with people knowing all your business, sordid details and all, this is the competition to participate in.  But I agree with Andy, it is way too personal and invasive, but the allure of having a reception partially paid for, attire and all the other trimmings was sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

This is PROBABLY where they got the title of the contest from (another CHEESY wedding song, it's lovely, you know the words and all but UGH) ...

Forever I Do - Lou Rawls http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyaPDE0C9y0

Let me say it now and get it outta the way. It is THE cheesiest, most cringe-worthy execution of what COULD be a truly romantic, exciting and fun filled experience for the contestants AND supporters/voters. Please tell me why my eyes are required to bleed every time I read about how her mother didn't like him at first, the couple went through a trying period when she lost her job and then ooops, "they" became pregnant. Somebody nearly lost an eyeball watching the other partner walk by and one dude developed cavities cause the lady was just too sweet. Need I go on?

I am STILL clueless about the type of dress I want. But I know I'm getting close!! Dress Fitting soon ;)     

I speak for both Andy and myself. In fact, he suggested that I write about this as this week's topic. We feel similarly about the competition AND let me say it's potential. I love the prizes they win, the audience involvement etc, but the stories leave SO MUCH to be desired! I get that sensationalism sells. I worked at both local publications, I have a pretty decent idea about what makes the gen pop tick. But can I have some substance? Would it be possible for the stories NOT to be laced with saccharine and splenda. So much so that I wonder if Enid Blyton is relaying these obviously inflated and EXAGGERATED stories.

Still, they're like a car crash, I simply cannot look away. I must read them and often I'm tempted to vote for the LEAST cheesy, pathetic SOUNDING couple. Now don't get me wrong. I am not at all suggesting that the couples' love is not true or beautiful. I'm sure it is, but can we romanticize the how they met part? And NOT the negative parts of their lives. It's NOT always rainbows and butterflies peeps, no. But the how and THEN the why would be more appropriate to make all passionate and cute and sugary NOT the devastation or sadness. But then again, who cares about the happy, when the depressing is so much easier to relate to.

Kristian and Elica- Finalists in the 2013 Forever I Do Competition (not a bad story at all!)

So if you are unfamiliar with the competition ( how could you be?) You submit your love story and a panel of judges sifts through to determine who is eligible. After the finalists are selected, over the course of about 3/4 months via public voting winners are announced sometime in April. Criteria includes: romantic appeal, determination despite adversity, believability, uniqueness, commitment. HA.

Andy and I are planning on attending the expo this Saturday and I CANNOT WAIT to see all that it has to offer. As a bride I need to know what is available to me locally and even through research and internet and yellow page trolling, there's SO MUCH to learn. So we're spending the $30 ($15 per ticket) to see what Mr. Greg Williams of Flawless puts out, how all the local decorating vendors show out, and what Mr. Brian Green - Atlanta based Barbadian Wedding Planner person has to deliver. I'm excited!

Back to True Love Stories and the voting criteria:

Well if you bring a couple that was together for 20 years and one that was together for 2, you automatically think the first couple has stood the test of time. If you just give me the usual story about how they had financial problems, housing problems, car problems, job problems, BUT the couple that have only been together for 2 endured LONG DISTANCE for 18 months out of those two years, how am I supposed to rate their commitment? I am SO LOST!


Take the the couples highlighted on March 31, 2013 for instance:

"During this time, things progressed well and both thought the relationship was on solid ground, Bruce professed his feelings of love for Sarah, calmed her anxieties... they spoke of a future together, shared similar interests and everything seemed aligned. That is why, a year into the relationship, a sudden declaration by Bruce that he wanted out, floored Sarah.

The Proposal:

In keeping with the couple's personality, the proposal was 'casual'... he came home from work one evening late as he passed by my parent's house to ask my father's permission before coming."... "He cited one of the catch phrases from one of his favourite shows by saying, you know what would make me happy,happy,happy? If you wold become my wife, and I hugged him forgetting to say yes!"

Four more lines and that was it for the proposal! Seriously Nation? Where's the build up? The excitement? What did they do that day? Was she expecting it? Was he nervous? Hesitant? Vomiting? Good Gosh man!

Example #2: Couple #2:

'When she finally called, it was the beginning of what they call a great relationship - and as the saying goes: they never looked back.  (not cliche' at allllll)

Later in the article:

"Things continued to progress nicely (sound familiar MASSIVE EYEROLL).. blah blah.. Donna had a rough pregnancy, barely keeping anything down: Tyrone, unable to stay home during the day, would leave her buckets so she would not have to move much, cleaning up in the evenings when he returned home."

WHAT???!?!? Why is that even a part of the story? I don't know about you, but I'm glad to know he didn't leave her to have to drag herself to the bathroom, but then again did I have to hear about it at allllll? How about, he loves how reliable she is, committed, determined ambitious BECAUSE...??

He stood by her through a difficult pregnancy FULL STOP.

What about the qualities, the shared likes or even dislikes. Their hobbies, their joint interests. What they do apart, what they do to recommit. There are soooo many angles they could cover but nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo crappy, cheesiness takes precedence.

Man look, ya'll ever read the Just Engaged and Bridal Bliss Stories on www.essence.com
http://photos.essence.com/galleries/bridal-bliss-tracey-and-bradley ?

Still want believability? I love this!



From this month's article. Love her colours!!

I LOVE them! The love story is on the first page. It's usually very honest and open, yet matter of fact and succinct. And while the focus is on either the proposal or Wedding Day it is CAPTIVATING and MOTIVATING. And then there is a photo gallery with captions that offer tidbits about the couple and their journey. I'll give them a 3/5 for cheesy. But let me level with you, the strength of the quotes and the NATURAL look of the photos encourages me to read them every week. I am inspired by the photos that I see and by some of the couple's ideas AND ideals. I love that the stories are real and often it seems that they were at the point of breaking up BUT what is SUPER cool about it is that there IS the REAL! I don't doubt the love at ALLLLL. And the adversity? Is not glossed over, but it isn't glorified either. It really does make for a satisfying positive way to pass your time.
Nothing is forced and while they include things like " The bride was so excited when she saw her man for the first time, she squealed with excitement" it's still not OTT. I dunno you all can tell me if you agree or disagree.

Weigh in PLEASE! Comment on FB or here on Blogger Or send me an email (heidi@modenmakeup.com). Please indicate if you want your comment publicized or not.

Will I be seeing you on Saturday? Andy and I have loads to do. So we probably won't get there before 6/7, but I am DETERMINED to go!!

And by the way, here are two of me and Andy's fave 'Wedding Day Songs'. We are HUGE music buffs, so our playlist will be PHENOMENAL, just saying ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0PjEntMdpw - Kenny
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fihlBfuA2B4 - Stevie
Enjoy!!

Take care!

Love
Heidi xoxo.

Distractions and Blessings...

Ladies and gents. Where is the time going? Month just started and it's already 9th April, 2013.

Heidi and Andy have been very good wedding wise and house wise. Putting a few thoughts together about the wedding. Nothing hard core. The past few days we've been focusing on and will continue to focus on us. We are still really excited about the wedding, and we get questions about it all the time. And you all follow our blog which is at over 2000 views and counting! We cannot thank you enough!!

But sometimes life gets in the way. Andy works three jobs. normal work, Looking after Andy and trying to keep abreast of  Hurricane Heidi. I work four, looking after me, looking after Andy, looking after Moden and staying sane.

What we do know!

We know the type of cut and shave Andy is doing. Mr. Morris Chestnut lookalike ( his words NOT mine, some nutty girl back in the day lied and gave him the moniker, these girls need to fallback and get a clue, he's soo much more Idris Elba (HAHHAHAHAHAHAHA) has decided he's shaving his OWN beard (jokes) Nah he normally does and it looks kool. His barber however, is Floyd (shout out to de top man!!)

Andy's Barber Shop - Ask for Floyd ( One Accord Plaza, Warrens  PM me for his number) And I know you dudes be reading this blog, don't act like you're not! He's SUPER talented and quite popular!

WE decided for sure for sure on colours. I can tell you one of them is Platinum. And that's all I'm saying about that. If you watched The Best Man, you know what I'm talking about. I love the richness of the colour and how regal it is! It really does look stunning on most complexions and it's so easy to work into a colour scheme.

I love it! 

WE decided on the location for our Post Ceremony Photography. Just have to run it by Wade ;)

We have a home!!! FOR SURE!! We are SO blessed to have the support and love of both our families. And my mum in particular is the reason we have a home. She gave us one and I cannot say how indebted to her I am. But that's what Mummy's do. My Mummy and Andy's Mum and Dad are SUPER SUPPORTIVE AND LOVING!! They look after us and that is SUCH a huge blessing!

Andy and our friend David lifting cabinets from bottom apartment to top at our house!!! Work work work! MUSSHHH lol! 

So it's necessary for us to get rid of any and all distractions right now. Andy is meticulous, borderline obsessive about maintaining a healthy balance with his commitments. But sometimes he slips up. And I think that's cool. He's allowed. Things tend to crossover at times and as long as everything and everyone stays in their lane, Heidi is happy and comfortable. But as soon as anything or anyone crosses that boundary and starts to act a fool, I'm going to let him know. WE are fiercely protective and loyal and we do NOT mess around when it comes to our relationship. Without that, there's no point to a wedding or a marriage. WE need to both be comfortable and settled.  And what is SUPER cool about our relationship is that we talk about things. Uncomfortable things, weird, strange, irrational, embarrassing, you name it. And I believe we're going to make it work, because it's what God wants and what we both want, a happy healthy life together, free of encumbrances and distractions. Regardless of how big or small or how long or short a time they last.

:) Just us ( Andy's a bit narcisstic, forgive the brother) LOLOLOLOL

Distractions. You know what I mean, people,events, things that just pop up out of nowhere and that we ALLOW to upset the apple cart. And I'm sure many of you brides and potentials and ladies in general know what I mean. These damn caterers haven't sent a quotation, what month should I book for travel, oh shoot I forgot to co-ordinate with the BOO to arrange dates anyway. Mummy I can't tell you when we are going to decide on a centrepiece ( she hasn't asked, just saying) and no RANDOM GUEST OR FAMILY MEMBER you are NOT wearing white to my wedding ARE YOU MAD?

Next thing you know you forget that stress and then you realise, oops back to reality, and wedding plans, and house repairs and oh crap, the bills have to be paid. I don't have time to hang with my friends or family like before, we all have families and commitments and work and mortgages and businesses that we need to thrive. So I need to get back to life. And the reality of it all is your life has changed. You're all grown up. Doing big things, making moves like a big person does. Because that's what life is. It's not static and unbreakable. Some of your friends can hang, and others, just won't make the cut. They won't understand that your life is different and you just can't do everything you used to do. Simply because of a new commitment. So they get in where they fit in RESPECTFULLY or you let them go. That's what we believe at least. So the dog has to wait to be fed, cause Andy needs to talk about his day or he wants to play Guitar Hero or watch Pawn Stars with me. OR Heidi has to vent about the latest client who refuses to pay or the latest cosmetic that just came out or SHE wants Andy to watch Criminal Minds with her.

Andy and I went to Ocean Park to hang with the fishies and each other and his family yearrrrs ago. It was such a good day!! After the wedding I plan to grow my hair back, I miss it and Andy likes the long hair thing.

I believe when you start a family with someone (married or not) you don't give up all of yourself. BUT you do decide to ENJOY a new way of living. Letting go of the past is incredibly hard, but it's necessary to slough off the old to reveal the new. People are gonna get hurt. Prior commitments will go unfulfilled. Your life is altered because this, this relationship, this is a fun, happy, loving critical part of our lives as humans. And we love to love and be loved.

I look at this whenever I feel overwhelmed, or tired, mad at Andy or I need to come back down to earth.  This ring isn't just a symbol of commitment from Andy. But I accepted it because I believe God wants me to be his life partner, lover, best friend and #1 supporter. I accepted it because I choose to be the #1 lady in his life, he proposed to me because I AM #1 for him. And for me that is more than a blessing, it's EVERYTHING. WOOP WOOP!

And then the blessings start flowing. God makes it so that when you jump a hurdle or two or three, there are green lights all the way. And that is SO necessary. You come to a point where you see that you aren't in school anymore, it's not cute to be all caught up with then, you're living in the now. And right NOW we have 445 days to go ( oh wow! That's only 80 days short of a year til marriage! Forget wedding!  ahhhhhhhhhhhhh)

So we are thankful for:

Faith. It moves mountains!
Love: WE have it unconditionally for each other and we display it often.
Hope: That through faith, by His grace and with love, we will live victoriously and enjoy a long and fruitful marriage, with a few tests and trials to keep us FAITHFUL and LOVING and HOPEFUL.
Mercy: So that we don't kill each other LOL

The ups, downs and floral arrangements??!???!

Hiiii! Super excited about this one. Not exactly wedding related, more relationship related and I reallly want your feedback, as it's a good one!

Hope all is well!!!

I'm in dress and accessories mode at the moment, still refining that list and does anybody know where I can rent a photobooth ? (another one of my creative but OTT ideas to make the reception FUNNERS!! I abhor boring receptions. Can I just say that I cannot express how dull I find the garter toss, bouquet toss, cake cutting business? I mean, they have their place, people look forward to them, and to be honest I think a wedding maaaay be a little weird without them, as they're expected on the agenda/running order. But I'm researching ways to make them interesting and interactive.

I think this is GORGEOUS!! 

 Ostracizing people by highlighting their single status at a wedding has never been appealing to me. It's as though you're being branded with the scarlet letter! "Cuhdear, she neva coulda keep a man," Or chaa, this is what, the 5th wedding, he still aint got no woman?" Tings brown. Not our intention to make our guests, family or friends uncomfortable. Sooo, no "Hey all the Single Ladies with Beyonce' bellowing in the background," I'm brainstorming for my unwed AND hitched ladies!! Woop woop!

Big no no!

Flowers have suddenly become a huge concern. What type of flowers do we like? I love carnations and babies' breath. There I'm done. I don't like roses, not a fan of peonies or lilies or geraniums. I'm NOT sold on ginger lilies either, Andy says he is. He said "When ya get up dey dem ants in de ginger lilies gine truh bare bites in ya man!". Back to square one. And bougainvillea is soooo pretty but not at allll suitable for a wedding as it dies quickly. Why oh why would I have a big ol sunflower and don't you find orchids a little, I dunno 'funerally'?

This is one of the ugliest things I've ever seen! I'm sorry, but sunflowers? uh uh that ain't hot!

I DO know that I want a pastel, summery yet lush arrangement. I want it to be bountiful and glorious. Not dissimilar from the arrangements one sees on Platinum Weddings. Now I am NOT a fan of those ridiculously eerie weeping willow themes that those brides go for. They're a bit gothic, whack and over done. I want simple and elegant, kind of sassy and with a little bit of bling. Is all of that even possible with flowers, specifically arrangements and bouquets in Barbados?  Welllllllll the hunt is on! Hastings Flower Market and Seju Selektion Florist are my top picks. I'll get Andy on the case, he's SUPER good at weeding out the best of the best. And I do my background checks to make sure nobody has a rep for being flaky, so you vendors BETTER be on your toes!!!

CARNATIONS

Our Rela.. Frien... LOVE:

Andy and I haven't been focusing much on the wedding this week. I can't even remember mentioning it except on Sunday when my Pastor asked how the plans are coming along. I was momentarily stunned as I realised that I truly had no idea. How far are we, are we on track? LOLOLOL I know we have time, but I like to stay organised since I am a mad hatter and organisation is Mummy and Andy's forte' I'm the creative. That's my story I thereby stick! So I have my little black book and theknot.com to help.

Andy and I LOVE to talk. On reflection, it's our favourite thing to do apart from watch series and play Guitar Hero, or go driving. We discuss EVERYTHING and Andy doesn't like to say that we argue. But we do. WE have disagreements sometimes, and other times we have highly volatile knock down blow out arguments (usually about a current affair e.g Shanique Myrie/Brass Tacks). I reallly cannot stand talk radio, he loves it. We had a few disagreemens about it, then we met a resolution. He can listen to his RECORDED sessions of BARE CRAP TACKS , sorry BRASS TACKS for half of the trip which turns into 3/4 cause I zone out LOLOLOL and then I listen to my favourite station LOVE FM 104.1 for my easy breezy tunes and zen session.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

What I love about us is that we are both very passionate and committed. WE try really hard not to get involved in anything that won't benefit us spiritually or mentally OR THAT STRAIGHT MAKES US UNHAPPY!!. But what I especially love, is our ability to hash out our issues and agree. Or agree to disagree. We don't go to sleep angry ( one of us breaksdown and calls the other, i'd say 50% either way) and we allllllways come to a firm decision through talking. Communication has never been a problem for us. We discuss the real. Things about each other that are difficult to tolerate, understand or things we plain ol CANNOT stand about each other. But very very very often, we remind each other of our reasons for loving each other. We affirm our relationship, and then we talk about the latest event trending in Barbados or wherever. I love my bff Andy, no doubt!

That's my Andykins!!!

I knew my chattiness would come in handy some day ;)

How do you and yours handle differences of opinion, arguments, disagreements, WHATEVER you want to call them?