Red Wine Sale Ends Tomorrow -- white Wine Sale ends July 15th

Due to popular demand, the home winery has extended the Red Wine Specials through July 4th!! Take advantage of it while you can. The Prism at $12.80 is one of the best values I've ever witnessed from our winery!!

                                                                        Was                 Sale
Nouveau Muse 2009 Sangiovese                18.00            14.40

Lumiére de Vie 2009 Prism                           16.00            12.80

Mariana Vineyard 2009 Petite Sirah             22.50            18.00

Fog Vineyards 2009 Valley Mist Blend          23.50            18.80

Fleur Bleu 2009 Mourvedre                          23.00            18.40

White Wine Specials will continue as planned through July 15th or While Supplies Last.
PS - If you want the Halcyon Chardonnay order it NOW!! I heard that they were down to less than 10 cases!

White Wines

Halcyon 2009 Chardonnay                         19.00             15.20

Albion 2009 Cuvée Blanc                            19.00             15.20

Sun Fish 2009 Chardonnay                        19.00             15.20

Milano Cellars 2009 Pinot Grigio                 17.75              14.20
- great summer white

Frisch 2010 Gewürztraminer                      17.50               14.00

Sun Fish 2009 Pinot Blanc                          17.00               13.60

We ship to anywhere in the US!   Visit www.tastyvines.com for more wine selections and info!!

Bridal Shows: 10 Things to Know Before Attending

August 14, 2010 By Maureen Chapdelaine

Guest post by Kim Francis, member of the MOB Squad ,and current MOB.
 
Bridal shows ~ to attend or not to attend? Are they worth it?  My daughter & I have pondered the importance of attending bridal shows. We are planning to attend one or more in the coming months before her December wedding if for nothing else but to get some great ideas! Pretending to be a wedding expert…Lol… I have jotted down a few ideas that have helped me to organize my thoughts, ideas and the expectations I have before attending our first event. It looks as though brides can save a lot of time and huge amounts of money, have the opportunity to meet face to face with top wedding industry experts, see the latest fashions in wedding gowns and tuxedos, pick up great ideas for the wedding and while doing all of this you could possibly walk away with a wonderful door prize!! That alone is enough to entice me to go to one or more bridal events!

Here are some great tips to use & remember when attending bridal shows:

1.Arrive early; the earlier the better! Many times bridal shows offer extra incentives for those that do so; a free prize to the first 100 customers…etc…

2. Pre-register before the show. Most of the events I have seen coming to my area are offering deals when you pre-register. Most offer a buy one get one free admission or a discounted admission price.

3. Bring your friends. Bringing family & members of your bridal party along will help them to feel more involved. It is a great opportunity to ask their opinions or get their help when you need to make a decision on hiring services for your wedding day. It is also a great time to just have fun and make memories together! Who doesn’t love a Girls Day Out?

4. Make contact info labels. Wedding vendors will often have drawings for prizes at their booths. Instead of having to fill out multiple forms with your contact info, prepare some labels before the bridal show. Information you might want to include are: your name, address, phone number, and email address. We have found using pre-printed return address labels work well. 

5. Bring a notebook and pen so you can take notes. Write down contact info of vendors, attach flyers or business cards from those you talked to and any thought or ideas you have while attending the bridal show. This way all of your thoughts & ideas will be in one handy dandy notebook!! I also carry a swatch of my daughter’s ribbon and any other coordinating color swatches with me at all times! This has come in handy on more than one occasion! Sometimes the colors of ribbons & flowers will look differently under different lights. This way you will always be sure you are buying the right color!

 
6. Bring a digital camera. This will allow you to quickly remember some of the great things you saw at the show. Did you see a great dress during a bridal fashion show; a unique centerpiece idea? Maybe there is a great cake from a wedding cake designer. It’s always a good idea to ask before snapping the photos.

7. Know your budget. Setting your wedding budget and knowing who is responsible for each thing will help you make decisions and know what you are looking for while attending the show.

8. Bring your checkbook. Many wedding vendors will offer a “Show Day Only” discount. Take advantage of these deals. This will help you save even more money if you are able to find your vendors at the bridal show. It might also be a good idea to bring a wad of cash! Sometimes cash in the hand speaks volumes to a tired vendor who is sick of packing up all those vases or other wedding must haves!

9. Do your research. Know which services you will need before the show. Also, try to find out which wedding vendors will be exhibiting. This will help you know what questions to ask and allow you to visit those vendors you are particularly interested in as not to waste time on items that you do not need!

 

10. Plan to be there for several hours. Plan on attending the bridal show for several hours. Allow yourself time to visit all the vendors and find everything you need. Don’t rush yourself. Also, stay for the fashion shows. Great prizes are given away after each of them. Most importantly, have a good time with your friends & family and make lots of memories!

How To Make Networking Comfortable by Robert McPhee

Very few people argue with the value of networking, so why do people resist doing it? Aside from all the excuses–I don’t have time, I’m not a good networker, I don’t like to network–what’s the REAL reason people resist networking?  I was reading a book the other day called “Manifesting for Non-Gurus,” which was written by my friend Robert MacPhee (pictured at right) whom I’m in the Transformational Leadership Council with, and the book explains a concept which I think gets right to the core of this question–Comfort Zones.


The real reason most people do not network is because it makes them uncomfortable.

We’ve all heard about the concept of Comfort Zones before.  However, Robert explains it in a very unique way. He talks about how our resistance to doing something new often shows up as wanting to continue to do what is comfortable–even if it is not working well for us.  In outlining his “Manifesting for Non-Gurus” approach, Robert explains that a comfort zone exists when our beliefs about who we are match the results we are getting. Think about it . . . if you consider yourself to be a great networker, do you show up at a networking meeting or event and present yourself differently than someone who thinks of himself as a poor networker?  Who is more comfortable?

Are you a great networker?

Hopefully you can answer this question with a highly-confident YES.  Unfortunately, most businesspeople would probably answer with a resounding NO.  Their image of themselves is of not being a great networker so, to remain comfortable, they will avoid networking, despite the fact that they know networking is valuable. Crazy, right?  Yet, we all know people who do this.

Fortunately, Robert explains that there is a very simple solution for anyone stuck in this kind of comfort zone.  It starts with a simple decision that part of who you are is a great networker. To declare that you love meeting new people, sharing what you do, and helping them in any way you can.  Start thinking about networking events as the valuable, exciting opportunities they are, instead of as dreaded situations that will pull you from your comfort zone.  This is the way successful networkers see themselves and perceive networking functions and that is a huge part of why they are successful networkers.

So, what about that voice in your head saying, “What about the evidence that seems to support the fact that I am not such a great networker?”  Well, according to Robert, that’s just your comfort zone crying out to reel you back in because the “I am a great networker” statement doesn’t match your current results.  If a “great networker” is who you want to be, the next step is to continue to declare that you are a great networker and “act as if” until the results you want start to show up!  This is the same thing you have done your whole life with any new skill you successfully learned. 

Robert teaches a simple five step approach to making these kinds of changes more quickly and easily, getting out of our current comfort zones, trying new things and creating the lasting results we want.  I highly recommend his work.  Maybe we can get him to write “Networking for Non-Gurus” next . . .


For more information about Robert and his work, please visit www.ManifestingMonth.com.

 
OCBrides has monthly mixers at different locations in Orange County,CA. Come network with us and build your business!!

They Did It Their Way

With all the industry professionals that Matt an Molly Fitzgerald know, I was so honored to be invited to their Elopement Celebration yesterday.  After eloping in wine country a few months ago, the elopement celebration was held at the beautiful Red Horse Barn in Huntington Beach.  Of course that was right up my alley, as I showed English Jumpers as a teenager!

I never knew this Equestrian Center was also an event center of sorts.  And what a beautiful day for this fabulous couple to celebrate!
Matt and Molly kept it "Green" as the food was served on bamboo plates with bamboo forks and toothpicks.  I must say that bamboo forks are hard to use sometimes.  Mine broke eating a salad!  But I loved that they thought of the environment as they planned this event!  The passed appetizers and fabulous salads were by the great Mark's Catering and the Taco Cart by Taqueria El Tapatio #1

What a great way to celebrate your new life with family and friends.  Music by Danny Maika, and Horse Shoes and Croquet kept everyone entertained.  It felt as if we were at a family picnic! 

 

 Thanks Matt and Molly for "Doing It Your Way" and including us in your awesome celebration!

April Networking Mixer -- Brides are FREE

 

OCBrides.com Monthly Networking Mixer

Come meet and network with other wedding professionals. In this economy networking is the cheapest form of advertising for your business. Help your wedding business grow by attending this mixer and be sure to bring plenty of business cards so you can exchange information with others.

Come Join Us at di Venue Costa Mesa April 20th, 2011

di Venue is a beautifully restored building perfect for any wedding, reception, anniversary, quinceanera and other special events! At di Venue, historic charm meets modern elegance to create the event of a lifetime with multiple rooms that can host from 50 - 1250 seated guests or up to 3000 unseated guests.

Get more exposure and bring a raffle gift!!

Featured Vendors so far ....

Open Bar by Concierge di Venue
Photography by Portraits by Dawn
Entertainment by Silver Disc Entertainment
Flowers by Lavender Memory
Photobooth by Photobooth Artist
Catering by Go2Girl and Concierge di Venue
Sweets by Amazing Cakes
Marriage Matters More
His and Hers Secrets
Bryde-n-all Weddings
My Dazzling Affairs
Stephanie's Linens
Photobooth Artist

Mixer is $10.00 Prepaid and $15.00 at the door.  Brides and Grooms are FREE!!!

Register early and $AVE!!!  Click the link below!


REGISTER NOW

OCBrides Mixer February 2011 Woman's Club Old Town

The February OCBrides mixer was at the beautiful and historical Woman's Club in Old Towne Orange. PJ's Catering, formerly of PJ's Abbey restaurant, provided some great appetizers including cheese stuffed deep fried artichoke hearts. They were to die for! The roses weren't in bloom this time of year but I have included some shots of the rose garden and set up for a wedding in October in this slideshow. Photobooth Artist did a fantastic job with the photobooth fun as well as the Time Lapse Video shown in the slideshow as well. The great Gary Gould surprised us with a nice Irish Penny Whistle tune to get us ready for St. Patrick's Day.

We had a handful of brides attend the mixer. All who said they had a nice time meeting the vendors. And a lot of vendors stepped up and provided a lot of great raffle prizes for them!

Special Thanks goes out to our featured vendors ...
The Woman's Club of Old Towne Orange
PJ's Catering
Gary Gould Entertainment
Rick Rosen Photography
Flowery of Irvine
DJ Mike
and to Sam Legaspi, our fantastic speaker that evening!

Cindy

Bridal Faire at Nixon Library

I had the opportunity to attend the bridal faire at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda today. It's funny that I live less than a mile away but have only toured the place once when it first opened as well as standing in line all night long for President Nixon's viewing. It is such a beautiful place, I wish I had been there before.

The vendors did an amazing job with the table decor, flowers, and food.

Personally I'm hoping to have an OCBrides mixer at this fabulous location so our network of vendors can check it out!

Photos taken from Nixon Library website!