Photo courtesy of Oprah.com

It’s springtime, and it’s time to think about freshening things up. A new haircut? Some spunky highlights? Testing out great eyeshadow colors? Well, we have teamed up with Emily of Body Works Day Spa & Salon and Crystal of Crystal George Studios to bring you something fun and exciting… someone is getting a makeover and some beautiful photographs to go along with it!

What do you do? Well, you can either nominate yourself or another woman. Is there someone that inspires you that works hard, in fact too hard to take time to pamper herself? Why not nominate her for a fun day? Are you a stay-at-home-mom looking for a sassy, easy to maintain look? Why not enter yourself? So fun!

Photo courtesy of Essence.com

We are looking for women of ALL ages and ethnicities, so no holds barred. Here is what you have to do below, and we would like to close entries on June 1, 2012.

1. Write a short story about the person you are nominating and why she deserves a fun makeover (try to keep it short… under 300 words).

2. Submit a photo along with your story.

3. Email everything to info@theclutchguide.com on or by June 1, 2012.

It’s as easy as that. We are SO excited about doing this for a special lady, and we can’t wait to share the results with you!!

I am so excited about this, and I ordered some for myself as mini-business cards, but then I got to thinking how a bride could use them! These would be fantastic for brides to hand out to their vendors instead of having to write all of their contact information down, right? They would even come in handy at bridal shows so that you can enter all of the giveaways that vendors have … speaking of that save the date of February 12th for the next Lynchburg Bridal Expo.

Ok, here goes with what I am talking about that you can have for free. If you are a member of facebook (please tell me you are!), you can receive 50 free cards from MOO.com. I adore MOO cards. And honestly, there is NO catch … free cards and free shipping. Truly! I just placed my order now. Here is what to do …

1. Go to your facebook page (I have timeline, so I am giving instructions based on the new timeline profile), and click on “About”. Some of your vendors are in my friend photo there, too … say “hi” to Liz, Sandra and Jennifer (posing as Yoda … it’s actually a cake she made recently!).

2. On your About page, you will see “Contact Info” on the right side if you scroll down. Hover over the little card next to the words “Contact Info”, and the little box you see will pop up. Click on “print cards”.

3. Personalize your cards. If you look at the photo above, you will see that I do not have my high school listed on there, and I also altered my name and added Hill City Bride to it. You can NOT change the icons (the briefcase and house are there to stay), but you can toy with everything else. Make sure that your current profile pic is the one you want to use (I love that one of me because I feel that it shows who I really am, and it was taken by my dear friend, Allegra). Also, EVERY timeline cover photo will pop up, but you can delete the designs you do not want to use. I didn’t want to use my family’s Christmas photo, of course.

4. You can also personalize the back. I added the quote and text in the blue box (you can put whatever you want in there), and the only thing you can not alter is the facebook web page (your personal page). I say it’s a great deal for free!! Thank you to both facebook and MOO cards for this great deal!

I will warn you to pop on this quickly as I do not know how long you will be able to do this. Also, I tried to make some last week, but I received a message that they were “sold out” for the day and to try again another day. Today was the day because it went through. Ok, have a great start to your week … I hope to have brightened it by sending a little freebie your way!

PS. Speaking of facebook, I would love it if you would fan our page … just click HERE.

If you are a bride, you have probably heard of Wedding Wednesday … whether it be on Twitter or Facebook wedding vendors and aficionados post tips, photos and tidbits concerning all things wedding. Well, I actually have a “secret” Facebook group for our HCB vendors where I share news and ask for ideas. It is kind of like a meeting place for the advertisers.

A while back, Christopher from Christopher Breedlove Photography began a trend of posting a photo on Wedding Wednesday (now reduced to W/W on our page), and soon after many of the other vendors started to follow suit. I wanted to give you a glimpse into what the vendors are posting and also what they are saying … it is fun to have a little behind the scenes look, and I hope you enjoy this first of many W/W postings brought to you by our amazing HCB vendor family.

Below is the photo that started it all, and here is what Christopher had so say … I thought I would start a new trend on the group wall. Whether photographer, florist, or designer, we need to showcase our work. With that in mind, here is a teaser of an amazing intimate wedding post to come … Chris and Rachel’s first dance.

Next to post was Linda of Love Is in the Air, who does amazing work with catering, cakes, decor, flowers and so much more. Here is what Linda had to say … Ok, Christopher! This is one of our favorite photos – our Shrimp Louisiana in glow martini glasses. Photo by Stone Blue Productions.

Kimberly from KD Burke Photography posted the photo below, which is so classic and beautiful. Vendors offered comments of … beautiful, Kim; some of your best!  and elegant, nostalgic and lovely. I love the way our vendors support each other even behind the scenes!

What a sweet exit that was caught by Liz of Sincerely, Liz: Photography. She said … I love this shot from a super fun wedding back in May, and I agree!

This next photo from Kim Jennings of Capture It Photography and Events
is so sweet! Kim said … this kid is taking his ring holding job pretty seriously. He is!! I’m sure he did a fantastic job.

Of course our photographers were quick to get in on the fun as was Jeremiah Colling of Colling Photography, who said … this is my first time posting for Wedding Wednesday as well. I love the anticipation as the B&G are about to see each other for the first time!

It’s not all weddings behind the scenes as you will see by this photo taken by Jeremiah Guelzo of Stone Blue Productions who said … our couple was having fun on an engagement session we shot a few weeks back. She looks like she IS having a great time!

This was from the Connor Wedding shot on June 11th at Boonsboro Country Club … said David of David Duncan Photography. Other vendors said … can’t wait to see more and very cool! I agree, and the colors are great.

Below is Crystal of Crystal George Studios‘ first W/W posting to which she said … well, I guess it’s time to join in on the Wedding Wednesday fun with the rest of you crazy people. I love this. It just happened randomly while we were on the beach. I think it’s past and future looking at each other.

The next photo is a moment captured from a “first look” by Allegra of Allegra’s Studio. One vendor said … I love the framing. Allegra definitely does have an eye for that!

Of course it is always a treat to see a beautiful cake made by Jennifer of La Bella Torta, who said … This is this past weekends’ cake with hand painted gold scrollwork and adorned with handmade gumpaste flowers. For those of you who are curious about the flavor (as one vendor did ask!), it was strawberry lemonade. Delish!

Adam of Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography shot this beautiful image to which one of the vendors commented … Check out that captured emotion! BRAVO! What a sweet moment.

The next image hails from Thomasina from Photography by Thomasina. She stated that she … wanted to get in on the W/W fun. And what fun it is when there are stunning images such as the ones below.

You never know what you will find on the page on a Wednesday as is evidenced by this photo by Heather of Visions by Heather. Vendors commented … lovely, lovely! and the clouds behind her are so cool. 

Our vendors are so talented as is shown by this photo of the work done by RS Exclusive. Rachel of RS said …Enjoy a photo from an outdoor wedding RS decorated for, and directed, this weekend. We were so happy with the way their bridal pagoda turned out! It’s no wonder … it is so gorgeous!

And last, but not least, even our hair experts get in on the fun! Here is a hairstyle by Gwen of Mitchell’s Salon on 7th to which vendors said … nice, soft curls and so pretty Gwen! You’re the bomb with a pair of scissors and a few hairs – I’ve seen you at work! Again, I adore how much our HCB family really supports each other.

I hope that you have enjoyed this little glimpse into our secret Facebook group … it is a lot of fun to see what the vendors come up with to show us each week, and I am looking forward to sharing more with you soon.

So, our 12 Days of Christmas is over, BUT our contest is just starting. I was able to pick 12 of my favorite postings from 2011, and now it is up to you to pick the best one … fun! Remember, our couple/bride featured in the winning posting will receive a $25 Starbucks gift card and also a $50 gift certificate to Charley’s restaurant in Lynchburg, and the photographer who submitted the winning posting will also receive a $50 gift certificate to Gerald’s in Wyndhurst. What a great time of year to get a treat!

So, review the postings below, and head on off to vote … there are two ways to do so, so scroll down to the end to find out how to vote. Happy 12 Days!!

Below: Day 1, Tyler and Alex’s Wedding by Sincerely, Liz: Photography.  For the full posting, click here. 

Below: Day 2, Angila, Queen of Hearts, by Crystal George Studios. Click here to see the full posting. 

Below: Day 3, Tim and Lisa’s Wedding by David Duncan Photography. For the full photo gallery, click here. 

Below: Day 4, Jonathan and Amanda’s Engagement Session by Colling Photography. For more photos, click here. 

Below: Day 5, The Wedding of Jonathan and Samuelle by S Carter Studios. For the full wedding, click here. 

Below: Day 6, Troy and Kayla’s Wedding by Jane Bradley Photography. Check out the full posting by clicking here. 

Below: Day 7, The Wedding of Jason and Kate by Allegra’s Studio. Click here for the full wedding. 

Below: Day 8, The Engagement Session of Jake and Ez by Stone Blue Productions. For the full photography posting click here. 

Below: Day 9, Nathan and Jessie’s Wedding by Visions by Heather. Click here to see all of this wedding. 

Below: Day 10, The Wedding of Nathan and Bethany by KD Burke Photography. Click here to see more of this wedding. 

Below: Day 11, Mike and Lucy’s Engagement Session by Christopher Breedlove Photography. Click here to see their full session. 

Below: Day 12 – Brad and Lyndsey by Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography. Click here to see their full wedding. 

What a spectacular array of postings … it was hard to narrow it down to twelve, although admittedly, I do have a few really personal favorites. Now it is YOUR turn to vote, and I am giving you two ways to do so.

One is to click HERE, which will take you to a survey where you can vote for your favorite.

The second is to click HERE, and all you have to do is “like” the photo(s) of your favorite postings … you can vote for more than one in this manner. So … ready, set, vote! Voting closes on the 21st of December at midnight. I can’t wait to see who wins!!

PS. Comments are closed on this posting … please hit the links above to vote. I can’t wait to see who wins!!

Your bridesmaids are there for you … they are comprised of friends and family that have been by your side and mean so much to you. They will also be a part of your big day standing by your side during the ceremony and also providing a listening ear or a helping hand on the big day. Choosing a gift for them that they will treasure and keep for years to come while being a meaningful reminder to them can be difficult, but I have a suggestion for you … why not think about a beautiful piece of initial jewelry? John Wind Maximal Art has some wonderful pieces to choose from.

Here are some options to consider before we get to our giveaway …

 The Gold Script Initial Pom Pom Bracelet would be such a beautiful touch at the wrist of your longtime best friend.

This is so pretty! It’s the Pom Pom Sorority Gal Silver Initial Necklace and can be ordered in any initial.

The above design (the Petite Scallop Initial on Crystal Necklace) is from their fall collection … beautiful!

Also from their new fall collection are the Bronze Crystal Initial bracelet (left) and necklace (right). I have the necklace (in a “J”, of course!), and you can also win a necklace in your choice of initial … how exciting!!!

In order to be entered for the giveaway, there are just a few things that you need to do below (each thing counts as a separate entry but be sure to post one comment for each thing you do!).

1. Head on over to the John Wind Maximal Art website (click HERE) and come back here to tell me something you love!!

2. “Like” John Wind Maximal Art on Facebook (click HERE), and come back here saying you did so.

3. Head over to Facebook again to “like” Hill City Bride (click HERE), and let me know that you did by commenting.

4. Did you either give or receive (or are planning to give?) a great gift to your bridesmaids? If so, let me know in the comments below … I would love to hear your ideas!!

Happy entering, and good luck.