A Royal Wedding Proposal Out of Africa

Come April 29, 2011 Prince William will marry his fiance and long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton after proposing to her during a romantic trip to Kenya, East Africa in October 2010. It all happened in a Masai lodge called Il Ngwesiin, from which they took a helicopter to a remote lake on the slopes of Mount Kenya where Prince William proposed 12,000ft above sea level.

After eight years of dating, the Prince, 28, gave Kate his late mother Princess Diana's oval blue Sapphaire ring surrounded by diamonds. Prince William told the press about the ring: "It's very special to me. "This was my way of making sure my mother didn't miss out on today."

The couple first met at university eight years ago and said about their engagement: "The timing is right now, we're both very, very happy and I'm very glad I've done it."
Kate described it as “very romantic”.

Getting ready to say "I do" to your own Prince Charming? Royalty and romance are at the very heart of every union so romantic "wedding souvenirs" for your guests are a perfect fit for your happily ever after.

For a wedding theme that's out of this world whether your wedding proposal is out of Kenya East Africa, Nigeria West Africa or a Safari in South Africa, these unique wedding souvenir ideas are perfect as romantic keepsakes for your guests to take home from your Fairytale wedding celebration.




Hand Crafted Crown Jewelry Holder


Engraved Heart shaped wood keepsake - skillfully hand carved by Kenyan artisans from wild olive wood.


Embellished Crown Jewel Scented Candles


Prince William and Kate Middleton are to marry at Westminster Abbey. April 29, 2011, has been declared a bank holiday in celebration of this momentous day.

Congratulations You're Newly Engaged, Now What?

He's just proposed to you in the most romantic way, and you said "Yes"! Congratulations! you are now officially engaged and rocking a fabulous rock on your finger, a symbol of the promise of your future together.

While you're basking in the euphoria of being newly engaged, the next thing you'll want to do with your new status is to begin those planning steps toward the BIG DAY.

Here are 6 things to consider now that you're newly engaged.

1. Celebrate with your spouse. Go somewhere romantic and enjoy each others company, the next couple of months (assuming you have a short engagement) will be filled with a lot of planning and you both have to be in sync. Here's also your chance to take wedding proposal pictures that may come in handy if you decide to keep a wedding blog, give out "unique save-the-date magnets", or even to share with guests as a special highlight on your wedding day.

2. Set a wedding date or at least have an inkling as how long you want to be engaged for before you get married. Be prepared, once the word gets out, the next question to expect is "when is the wedding?"

3. Announce to close friends and family. You might want to have a night out with your girlfriends to show off your bling.

4. Keep a journal - you'll find that everyone will give you ideas, advice, and express their opinion on aspects of planning your wedding. You'll want to jot down those that you definitely want to remember.

5. Determine a budget - Think about how elaborate you want your wedding to be. Whether you're considering an all out no expenses spared wedding celebration or a conservative one, a budget goes a long way in managing key components in the planning process such as venue selection, and determining what support you might need and from whom.

6. Consider hiring a wedding planner if you can afford one. Planners save you time researching venues, and vendors such as caterers, florists, photographers and more. They are also helpful in relieving stress on your wedding day by coordinating details to make sure you have a successful celebration!

Practical engagement party favors such as our "diamond key ring holder" is a unique wedding souvenir to say thank you for your support to your female guests as they join in celebrating your new status.

Best Wishes!

Elise Charles Fan Love Giveaway!

We're showing our fans some love! Enter to win an Elise Charles $100 Gift Card. Share your most memorable Valentine’s Day with us. A winner will be randomly selected on February 2nd.

Love Is In The Air!

Feb 14th Valentine's day is considered to be one of the most romantic days of the year. This is a perfect day to share and express your love in countless ways; a bouquet of roses, a box of chocolates, a sentimental card, some bling, favorite perfumes, a thoughtful visit to the less fortunate, a nice surprise or maybe a Wedding? Lots of couples choose to embrace this day to celebrate the theme of love and romance as their wedding day.
Here are a few inspirations to set the mood for your Valentine themed wedding:

Steps covered in rose petals:

Guest Favors: Love Measuring spoons, apple cake petite fours, personalized light up heart key holder, scented rose petal soaps, conversation hearts.

Valentine Colors are typically red or pink, you can choose to create some contrast by adding a touch of shimmering gold, regal blue, deep green or rich ivory shades.
Serve up some pink champagne or your favorite drink blend and spread some love by toasting all newly wed couples present at your event.

Here's to happy wedded bliss.

Cheers!

Enjoy!

So I got this via email and thought I should post it...Enjoy!

A couple had only been married for two weeks and the husband, athough very much in love, couldn't wait to go out on the town and party with his old buddies. So, he said to his wife: "Honey, I'll be right back.
"Where are you going, Coochy Coo?" asked the wife.
"I'm going to the bar, Pretty Face," he answered. I'm going to have a beer."
The wife said, "You want a beer, my love?" She opened the door to the
refrigerator and showed him 25 different kinds of beer, brands from 12 different countries: Germany , Holland , Japan , India, etc
The husband didn't know what to do, and the only thing that he could think of saying was: "Yes, Lollipop... but at the bar... You know...they have frozen glasses...."
He didn't get to finish the sentence, because the wife interrupted him by saying: "You want a frozen glass, Puppy Face?" She took a huge beer mug out of the freezer, so frozen that she was getting chills just holding it.
The husband, looking a bit pale, said, "Yes, Tootsie Roll, but at the bar they have those hors d'oeuvres that are really delicious...I won't be long. I'll be right back. I promise. OK?"
"You want hors d'oeuvres, Poochie Pooh?" She opened the oven and took out 5 different hors d'oeuvres: chicken wings, pigs in blankets, mushroom caps, and little quiches.
"But my sweet honey... at the bar.... you know there's swearing, dirty words and all that..."
"You want dirty words, Cutie Pie?
LISTEN UP CHICKEN SHIT! SIT YOUR ASS DOWN, SHUT THE HELL UP, DRINK YOUR BEER IN YOUR FROZEN MUG AND EAT YOUR HORS D'OEUVRES BECAUSE YOUR MARRIED ASS ISN'T GOING TO A DAMNED BAR! THAT SHIT IS OVER, GOT IT, JACKASS?"

and...they lived happily ever after..
Married life - makes my eyes tear up...lol

Cheers!

Fergie Gets Married + Pre Wedding Weight Loss

Miss Fergilicious has tied the knot with fiance Josh Duhamel who played Leo Du Pres in All My Children & Danny Mc Coy in Sin City. After dating for three years, the pair got engaged in Dec. 2007 and finally tied the knot today January 10th 2009 in L.A. Fergie who recently had to put on 13lbs(28.6kg) for her role in the movie Nine has been sweating it out and working hard to shed those extra pounds before her D day.

Hmn...getting in shape wether you've got the big bucks like Fergie or not is no easy task especially if you have a deadline like YOUR WEDDING DAY!
All brides want to fit perfectly into their wedding dress and have the seams taken in instead of let out.
Here are a few tips on what worked for me (post baby) I lost about 28lbs in all(61kg)....
*These weight loss tips are based on my experience and are not intended to be a substitute for medical or psychological advice or counselling. Therefore, you should consult a physician and/or mental health professional regarding your individual physical and mental health needs before undertaking this or any diet, exercise, or fitness program. Individual results may vary....

1. Use smaller size plates to eat as it helps with portion control. Dinner plate should not be more than 71/2 " wide and cereal bowl no more than 5" wide and 21/2" deep. It's really only psychological that you think you're sooo hungry, when u start to reduce your portions, your body will naturally adjust and you really would not have the desire to eat large portions anymore.

2. Drink liquids in between bites, this tends to make you feel fuller.

3. Portion your meals as follows:
- Half your plate filled with fruits & vegetables( try to stick to eating fruits in the mornings only), the other half filled with carbohydrate/whole grains and protein. You can have more servings of vegetables if you're still hungry.

4. Eat more frequently, like every 4hrs so you're speeding up your metabolism, constantly burning fat and your body doesn't get the chance to start storing fat cells.

5.Do not skip your breakfast, I ALWAYS made sure i ate within an hr of waking up to jump start my day.

6. Something else that was VERY effective for me ( and i personally still enjoy) is green tea with lemon and a little bit of honey. It's an antioxidant and helps to burn fat naturally in your body.

7. Stay away from foods with hydrogenated oil, enriched wheat, high fructose corn syrup like ketchup, pancake syrup, salad dressing (especially the THICK ones that we like in nigeria!)et.c there are the healthier versions of these foods available without the fattening components.

8. Eat your last meal for the day at least 3hrs before you go to bed, if you can stick to eating your dinner by 6/7p.m

9. Make soups, they are very filling and have much less calories.

10. Try to stay away from white foods stick to whole wheat, whole grains e.g for pancakes use buckwheat pancake mix, whole wheat pasta, et.c, stay away from fried foods, use only healthy oils to cook like canola oil or olive oil and NO palm oil is not a healthy oil.

Best Wishes and please let me know how you're making out.

Love This! Love That!

Hi!
Trust everyone is having a good week so far? Mine has been thus far. I need to take sometime off to get my hair done. I just changed my hairdresser, she's great n all but everrrrytime I go there she wants my hair all neat and tidy in tight curls & I ALWAYS find myself giving her a hug and saying thank you with a big smile on my face ( because i truly appreciate her efforts) but as soon as I get in the car, out comes my hair brush!
Is it just me or do a lot of ladies do this? Pray tell me.
Sorry, i'm talking my own hair here no weave or anything (don't have time to sit for that, takes way too long). I wear my own hair short and like "spunk" but Miss R (my ex-hairdresser) likes hair styles with not one strand left out of place. So, I'm supposed to be going to this new guy who I've heard a lot about, also seen what he's done for my friend A's hair and I love, love love!
Thought I should share some things I love with you guys, here goes...

1. I love Diva Derme Lash Extenders!
Ok so who doesn't want long luxurious lashes? Up your batting average with this fantastic product.
Here's the low down - It's called divaderme lash extenders and its great for us girls who want longer and fuller lashes without the hassle of fixing false lashes. Use it immediately after you apply a coat of mascara, the tiny fibers stick to your wet lashes. The result? dramatically obvious longer & fuller lashes.
I tell you it works wonders! (I use it so I know ).


Available @ www.eccosmetics.com

2. I Love Shoes!
I see shoes as a work of art, I love wearing shoes that are different and would make people say "look at her shoes".


Have I said I love shoes? Check out Avril Lavigne in Ruthie Davis


3. I love a Good Salad.
My friend O, she's so funny. Well, she came visiting and I thought I had made something really nice for her. I brought out my signature lemon & dill Salmon served with Shrimp & Avocado salad with feta cheese(yum o!, according to Rachel Ray). The next thing, O picks up her phone and without saying a word to me calls our friend F and proceeds to tell her I gave her fish & grass to eat!

Chewy & Delightful Shrimp & Avocado Salad

Obama's Inauguration + Miss Beyonce

So we all know that come January 20th 2009 It's on! Barack Obama will be sworn in is as the 44th President of the United States. The official inaugural theme will be: "A New Birth of Freedom" to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The theme came from the speech Lincoln gave at Gettysburg Pennsylvania. Here's an excerpt from one version of the speech: "that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth". Word! You can read the entire speech HERE.
I am personally excited as I know a lot of us are about this moment in history as it represents the dawn of a new era, limitless possibilities, optimism and it gives you that "I can fly & touch the sky feeling" enjoy Kanye West's "Touch The Sky" or R Kelly's "I believe I can Fly" (depending on your mood).
So, in the spirit of positivity, shine like the rare gem that you are in these customized Obama rhinestone tees. Be like my girl Beyonce here & put a "bling" on it.

Beyonce in support of Obama and her man Jay Z.



Put A "Bling" On It! - Custom Tees

Check out these Obama souvenirs fit for any Obama celebration.


Ciao!

Totally Random

So I just watched Hancock, yes JUST…I personally do not believe in flying to the movies immediately a movie comes out….I’d rather wait to see if it was worth all the hype, then stroll in leisurely when its not so crowded with my massive bucket of popcorn, gummies and “small” cup of soda…lol. In this case though I watched it on the small screen, lounging on my bed and did not fall asleep at all, which is extremely rare for me.
Personally, I thought Hancock was very good, I liked it because not only was Will Smith’s acting as cool as ever, it also starred another of my favorite actors: Charlize Theron, beautiful woman don’t you agree? I love her acting, and I love her “P” (persona) lol, am I using that in the right context? Mind you I only just found out the literal meaning from my dear friend J. Maybe I’ve been living under a rock and obviously not listening to the lyrics of the song properly. I tell you I just thought it meant maybe “profile”? but I guess persona, profile, personality, prototype, personal image, paradigm, etc, all na “P” thanks to synonyms and Naeto C!
Seeing Charlize Theron made me think of celebrity hook ups in ’09. So for your viewing pleasure and entertainment, here are some celebrity couples who in your opinion should:

A. Gosh! just go ahead & tie the Knot in 2009
B. What has this got to do with me?

Enjoy!...


Charlize Theron & Staurt Townsend who have been together for seven years.


Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt who are parents to SIX beautiful children.


Jennifer Aniston & John Mayer

Also speaking of couples reminds me of this incident, so this young lady had been wearing an engagement ring for 4years. Her dad called her one day and said, let me see that "ya" finger and proceeded to advise her in a not so subtle way to take it off!..."what kind of engagement is that?" he said. I AGREE or what do you guys think? How long should you be engaged for before you officially tie the knot?

Good night people.

Happy New Year!

May This Year Be Colorful & Bright.


May It Be Filled With Lots Of Sparkle...


And Seasoned With Love & Happiness...

May Your Tears Be Tears Of Joy...

May You "Ace It!" In All Your Endeavours...

May You Always Be Protected & Guided...


May You Always Have Peace & Love!

Happy '09 People
Ciao!

Event Managers + 2009 Event Trends

Planning a special event with a myriad of details is no easy task. It is such a relief to use the services of a professional event planner so that they can save you a lot of time and help realize the details of your event. An experienced event planner can make your event a most memorable one.
So, here are some things to expect when choosing an event planner:

Expert Consultation: An event planner should understand the clients overall vision and goal for the event. Details such as type of event, budget, guest count, theme, ensemble(for weddings; outfits for: bride & groom, accessories & bridal party), souvenirs/gifts, decor, equipment, food & drink preferences, etc should all be discussed at length.

Customization: A professional event planner should be able to effortlessly work with you through the entire process right from the proposal stage to the day of the event.

Familiarity with your venue: Established planners are familiar with popular venues and should provide great advice on what works best as well as provide cost saving alternatives.

Trusted Vendors: Your event planner should be familiar with top vendors and be able to recommend trusted and reputable vendors.

Experienced event planners will remain committed to a philosophy of value and quality by giving you the event you have envisioned at a cost that fits your budget.

Event Layout: Professional event planners will often create your event venue to scale to ensure that you are aware of what the space would look like and that everything will fit into the space before the event.

Complete Proposal: To avoid any form of confusion, your event planner makes sure you understand their fee structure with all costs predetermined and clearly defined. The best event planners pride themselves on giving you a complete quote ensuring you'll not be suprised when the final bill comes!

Details: Lastly, your event planner would go over the details of your event, gather pictures or catalogs to help you envision your event, walk you through the venue and address any final concerns you might have.


Planners often offer a wide range of services so you'll need to decide if you want your planner to provide just consulting services or play a more active role one that will include overseeing every minute detail of your event.
You should talk to several planners to determine which one you're most comfortable with and work with one who has experience with the type of event you're having.
All in all, the job of your event planner is to take the stress off you, giving you the value of receiving the undivided attention of a single collaborator.

Now on to the Event trends for 2009....
2009 will bring with it new trends and fresh ideas for memorable events, here's a sneak peak into hot trends for events in 2009....enjoy!

Colors, colors and more colors! We'll be seeing more of colors and bright, strong ones at that especially for weddings. Think orange, purples, reds, greens, shades of grey(yes thats not bright but we can't be all rainbow right?) Grey is the new brown in 2009 and it comes in different variations and hues, add a touch of purple or blue and you get lavender or pewter. The key is to coordinate it with bright colors for a toned down effect. Think outside the box and match colors you never thought would go. Here are some trendy color palettes you can cordinate for your next special event:



These personalizable flasks are great as souvenirs for your event and are in keeping with the trends, go ahead and grab some!




Combine these mini birds nests with "eggs"( wedding almonds available in a wide variety of colors in keeping with your theme), with personalized ribbons for a creative edible favor your guests will love!

See ya later "aragata" (according to my little one, lol)...Cheers!

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens;
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens;
Brown paper packages tied up with strings;
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels;
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles;
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings;
These are a few of my favorite things.

I was watching the sound of music this evening..this lovely classic was a staple in my house growing up. I am sure I've watched it 501 times in my life time. I couldn't help but sing along of course but had to stop half way because it reminded me of my dad so much. He really had a special relationship with me and my siblings. I remember we would sit around him and take turns singing yet another lovely song from this classic:

Edelweiss-(daddy)
Edelweiss- (kids)
Every morning you greet me
Small and white-(daddy), Small and white-(kids)
Clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever

...and we would go on and on, just like in the movie.
Needless to say, I got emotional and wanted to put my thoughts down. I miss my dad a lot, but I've had quite a number of beautiful dreams about him, I KNOW he's in a better place. Now my dad was present at my wedding, I wish he could be here for the others after me but it's all good...God dey.

This song is dedicated to all the brides who danced and will dance with their dads on their wedding day, may your hearts be filled with gladness always.


When the dog bites,
When the bee stings,
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad......

LOVE YOU DAD!xx

My Wedding Dress

I have had the honor of being a part of the wedding dress selection process with a couple of my friends. I was so excited, you would have thought it was my wedding; I cried (ok i exaggerate): "you look gorgeous" and yelled: "perfect! this is it, "this is THE one". Trust me, it was fun!
So, I've been thinking... if I had had a white wedding, what would I have worn? There are sooo many beautiful dresses out there that selecting the perfect wedding dress can be daunting. Here are a few tips to consider when shopping for your wedding dress:

1. Research online, cut out pictures from bridal magazines, download and print images of gowns you wish to try on.
2. Have a price range and make sure the shops you are visiting have gowns within your chosen range.
3. Be prepared to pay a deposit of at least 50% of the cost of your dress.
4. Don't set your mind on one particular dress before you go shopping, try on a couple of different styles.
5. Please take one, max two shopping companions whose opinions mean the most to you.
6. Take shoes with the same size heel you expect to wear on your wedding day.
7. Once you've found the perfect dress, immediately discuss any alterations you would like.
8. Lastly, make sure you take home a fabric swatch to help you coordinate your shoes, veil, accessories & brides maids dresses.

I wonder what style dress I would have worn?

Eeny?

Vera Wang

Meeny?

Stephen Yearick

Miny?

Manuel Mota

Mo??!!

Chei!

Ok..I'm off to Sugar! Weddings to see what the trends are for wedding dresses in 2009

Later

I am..... Glamorous, Romantic, Classic....hmnn

It is important for brides to plan and design a wedding that reflects their unique sense of style. Details of your wedding: invitations, dress, jewelry, hairstyle, accessories, decorations, cake, souvenirs, music and photography should all be in synch with your personality.
So what type of bride are you?
Do you adore the spotlight with all its glitz and glamour - do you believe "more is more"? - Glamorous bride.
Perhaps you are are a romantic bride, you've always dreamed of a fairytale ending, your prince charming that would come sweep you off your feet.
Or maybe you're just "easy like a sunday morning" ( you can tell i'm singing Lionel Richies song right?)lol... goodness gracious!, it reminds me of those days were guys would use song lines to "toast" yes! we ALL had one or two of those, abeg don't pretend...any reminders? pleasssssssse share.

Back to your bridal style...so you're easy, tasteful, do not follow trends, you believe in timeless traditions - why hello mi lady - you're a classic bride!
Whatever unique style you are, go ahead and let it shine through at your wedding.
Do YOU girl!

Best Wishes

Welcome To The Club.

Ok, so you’ve met Mr Wonderful, he's just proposed and you've shared the wonderful news with your family and friends. You're officially a member of the prestigious "Engaged Couples Club" and you're ecstatic! I remember only too well... my husband now, and then boyfriend went to pay my parents a "special visit". I had kinda warned him about my dad (God bless his soul) I said he's very blunt so be prepared for anything. Even I was not prepared when my dad asked hubby: "So, what are your intentions..... Are you in LUST or in LOVE with my daughter?"....oh my goodness! No he didn’t just say that. Well, hubby was a bit uncomfortable but held his head up, looked my dad straight in the eye and answered the question...and the rest is history. Its your turn now, you've gone through the official introduction as is the tradition in Nigeria, families have met etc. Now its time for your traditional engagement ceremony. As a lot of us know, this is probably one of the biggest planning challenges as most of the time the ball is literarily in your folks court. There are stipulated rules on how this and that should be done.....take a deep breath, relax and just do what I did, call your older siblings, heck call everyone and cry over the phone. Swear that your mum is being extremely difficult and your dad who had said invitations were fine at the last minute decides you have to redo them because: "I don’t like the wordings"....they'll eventually give in when they get 1001 phone calls!(just messing around).
Seriously though...what's your take on the process of a traditional engagement ceremony in Nigeria. It’s YOUR wedding right? Or your parents?

Seasons Greetings + Best Wishes For the New Year!

Hello!
Welcome to Elise Charles blog where we hope to keep you in the know about a convinient selection of products, practical information and resources to help reduce the stress involved in planning your next wedding, corporate event, kids themed party or other special event.
Merry Christmas everyone! I am thankful for this year that's coming to an end, all the blessings and joys this year has brought to me and my loved ones and look ahead to a brighter 2009 for everyone.
Congratulations to all the 2008 brides, here's to a "Happier Ever After". May your homes be filled with Joy and Laughter ALWAYS.
For the brides-to-be, happy planning and please share your thoughts as you plan your special day.

Thanks for stopping by...

Enjoy!