Why You Should Wake-up Earlier

I read an amazing article on why you should get up earlier. As you know, the first hours of the day are crucial to the rest of your day. Not just the first hours.. actually i’d like to say the first 10 minutes will make up how the rest of your day will go. Wake-up with a positive mind-set and your day will amazingly..full of happiness and peacefulness. Wake-up with negative thoughts and you will miss opportunities in front of you, lose your temper and you know the rest.
The most successful people know how to leverage those early hours to accomplish more. Studies have shown that early risers are more likely to be optimistic, have better performance, greater career success and higher wages.

Here are the morning routines of 10 successful people that I hope will inspire you:
1. Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief, Vogue
The infamous fashion editor wakes up every day pre-dawn to get her adrenaline pumping. At 6:45 a.m., she’s already played an hour of tennis, then it’s off to have her hair styled into her signature bob. She’s in the office by 9 a.m.

2. David Karp, founder, Tumblr
At 25 years old, Karp is the founder and CEO of Tumblr, a growing microblogging platform that has reached over 26.9 million users. As demanding as his schedule is, Karp makes sure he doesn’t check his email until he gets in the office around 9:30 a.m. As quoted in Inc. Magazine, “Reading e-mails at home never feels good or productive . If something urgently needs my attention, someone will call or text me.”

3. Tony Robbins, self-help writer and motivational speaker
As a self-help guru, Robbins helps motivate people to become better leaders and achieve greater success. He says that the thing that changed his life was when he decided he wasn’t living up to his standard, so he changed his habits and way of thinking. His advice is to do an “Hour of Power ” every morning, which includes motivational sayings and visualization.

4. Matt Ouimet, president and CEO, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company
Ouimet was president of Disneyland Resort then Starwood Hotels & Resorts before becoming CEO of the North American amusement park company. Like many CEOs, he wakes up early to get a head start at work. He’s at the office by 6 a.m., when it’s quiet, to answer emails.

5. Craig Newmark, founder,Craigslist
The internet entrepreneur founded the classified advertisement website that has grown to service over 50 countries since 1995. According to a Fast Companyarticle, Newmark starts his day focusing on customer service and answering complaints, which he says anchors him to reality.
6. Obie Mackenzie, managing director, BlackRock
The award-winning business executive spends 84 minutes every morning chatting with his wife on their morning commute. He says, “It keeps us connected all day.”

7. Steve Reinemund, former Chairman and CEO, Pepsi
According to What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast , the now business school dean does a four mile run at 5 a.m. every morning, followed by prayer, reading the news and breakfast with his teenage kids.

8. Michelle Gass, president, Starbucks
For over 15 years, the coffee queen has woken up each morning at 4:30 a.m. to go running. She believes her morning routine has helped boost her happiness and business success .

9. Steve Jobs, late Apple CEO
Jobs spent his mornings re-evaluating his work and desires. In his speech to a graduating class at Stanford , Jobs said, “For the past 33 years I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”

10. Jane Francisco, editor-in-chief, Chatelaine
Jane wakes up every morning at 6:30 a.m. and spends half an hour doing work before her son wakes up at 7 a.m. Between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., she spends quality time with her son (cuddles in bed!) before getting him dressed and ready herself. By 8:30 a.m., she’s out the door for a 9 a.m. office start.

By Caroline Cakebread

Red Velvet Cake History

Often used as an alternative to the traditional birthday cake, the classic red velvet cake is a rich, layered dessert consisting of a mild chocolate flavor with a distinctive red color, and white frosting that both fills between the layers and covers the cake, usually made of cream cheese or butter cream.

The Mystery of the Red Velvet Cake Origin

The true origin of the Red Velvet Cake is a mystery. The earliest story or documentation involving this decadent chocolate cake was believed to be around 1959, when a woman dining at the elegant Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City was served the dessert. She was so pleased with this early Red Velvet Cake that she asked for the recipe. The kitchen obliged to her request, but she found out later she was charged $100 (or $200, depending on the version of the story) for the recipe itself.

To get her revenge on the NYC Hotel, she shared the kitchen’s Red Velvet Cake recipe in the form of chain letters, which she sent to hundreds of individuals, therefore exposing the “secret” and exploding the popularity of and demand for the Red Velvet Cake as a birthday cake and elegant dessert.

Although it’s possible that the first recipe for the Red Velvet Cake was created at the Waldorf Astoria, others believe that its story began at the bakery of the Eaton’s department store in Canada, even though the first Eaton’s documentation appeared in a 1961 newspaper announcing the “new” Red Velvet Cake, which would position Eaton’s as the second “founder” of this desired dessert.

Still others say that it is a U.S. Southern creation that grew into a tradition, spurring hundreds of bakers and dessert enthusiasts to dive into the recipe and adapt it to craft their own, custom-made version of the ruby colored cake to use as their own birthday cakes, or to be featured in their bakeries.

Today's Red Velvet Cake Popularity

 Regardless of where it first appeared, the Red Velvet Cake is suddenly all the rage. If they didn’t already offer it at one time, bakeries all over the United States are beginning to add this treat to their dessert and birthday cake menus, tweaking the original recipe to fit their own personal style, and attempting to keep up with the demand. In New York City, the Red Velvet Cake is threatening to take over the cheesecake’s place as the traditional city cake favorite.

February 29.... Wedding

I am so excited to be having a February wedding. I would like to have my wedding on 2/29/2012. I just love the idea of a winter wedding, with all of your wedding pictures including snow :)

 February is such a rare month for weddings/anniversaries/birthdays it's so awesome I love it! Also, i've heard the prices are lower, so why would anyone want to go for something cliché

Try something different from everyone else, that is my advice for everyone! I'm sure i'll be one of the only people who is getting married in February 29, just because it's a very original idea - but I just love Feb…. Sahsa Abdullah

Having a New Years Eve Wedding

Here are some ideas to make it as festive and memorable as possible!

There cannot be a more a romantic way to ring in a new year than with a celebration of marriage! We put together some ideas and tips to help plan your New Years Eve Wedding.
Attire:
Have your guests wear their most elegant attire by making it a special black tie event. The bride would look beautiful wearing a Long Satin Gown with shimmering sequins and a glittery tiara. The bridesmaids can wear long black velvet gowns and the groomsmen in all black tuxedos.

Flowers:

All red roses are an elegant choice for a black tie event, you can also mix in some white roses too.

Invitations:

Send out "save the date" cards as soon as you know the date, and send out your invites three months in advance instead of two just to give your guests plenty of time since it is a holiday.
For the invitation style, choose white and gold or white and silver. Also to make the wording special by adding a phrase like, "A new year, a new beginning" or "A countdown to the rest of our lives"

Favors:

Small bottles of champagne with personalized labels, chocolate covered fortune cookies with a new years fortune, a cd with your favorite hits from the past year with a personalized label, bells with a label that says "ring in the new year with your names", have someone take each guests instant photo as they arrive and place the photo in a personalized frame for them to take home with them when they leave.

Colors:

New years eve colors are typically black and silver or gold and silver.

Decorations:

To make a festive atmosphere, place noise makers , Party hats , candles, and confetti on the tables. Place balloons, white lights, and glittery snowflakes throughout. Place a large clock right behind the DJ to countdown, or have a large screen tv to watch the ball drop! Also, place balloons in netting over the dancefloor to drop down at the stroke of midnight.

Time:

Try to make it a late event, starting around 8:00pm. You want your guests to stay through the stroke of midnight to ring in the new year!

Food:

If you decide to serve a full meal, remind guests to have something light to eat before the event since they will be eating dinner later than usual(if your event starts at 8PM), but let them know you will be serving a full meal and to come hungry!

You may want to skip having a full meal and opt for hot appetizers offered throughout the night. You can serve hot wings, chicken/beef sticks, scallops and bacon, etc. Or, you can have stations set up so guests can help themselves.

Be sure to have plenty of coffee available throughout the night, or consider a coffee station when serving dessert.

These are just a few ideas to make your New Years Eve wedding special, but there are so many more possibilities to use your own creativity to add something unique to your special day.

WEDDING CHECKLIST - 3 Months To Countdown

Hall Arrangements and DécorHave you chosen the place of ceremony and reception hall? Have you made bookings? If you have not,
 

DO IT NOW!Have you ordered the flowers and décor? Have you booked the caterer? Have you booked the band? If you are having it in hotel, have you made the booking and made deposit? Have you chosen the menu? Have you booked the wedding car? Have you this and have you that – the list is endless. If not

 

DO IT NOWHave you ordered the groom and bride attire? What about the pageboy, bridesmaid, bestman, flower boys? Have you bought the jewellery? Shoes? Have you made reservations for the Honeymoon? In the first place you decided where you would like to go? Do not wait!!!

 

1 Month To CountdownYou only have one more month to the wedding. In other words, it is only four weeks. In other words still, you have only 28 days. Do you have everything in place? Have you sent out all your invitations? What? You have not finalised your guest list? Do you think everybody has nothing better to do than wait for you to get married?
You had better send out your invitations now and give enough time for your invitees to schedule their time.
Oh Yes! One more thing! Do not waste your time with `RSVP' Nobody bothers to reply – not in this country anyway. It would be best to follow up by phone calls to every of your invitees and confirm with them. Only then will you able to finalise your guest list and make all arrangements.
Order the Wedding Cake now!
Do your final fitting for your gown and other attire, both the bride and groom and their attendants.
Do you need to arrange for lodging for outstation guests? DO IT NOW!
 
2 Weeks to Countdown - Make arrangements for the marriage licence and registration. Do not goof on this one. There are people who have been `married' for years with children but their marriage was not registered and legally they are not deemed to be married.
1 Week To Countdown - You may not be married yet, but it would be wise to start packing for the honeymoon. Once the ceremony is all over, and with relatives and friends swarming all over the place, you will not have time for anything.
Last day - REST! DO NOTHING ELSE. BE ROMANTIC AND CUDDLE EACH OTHER. SAY NICE THINGS TO EACH OTHER!
With all the pressure, I am sure many a quarrel would have ensued between you and your sweetheart.

If you have your checklist in place and use it as your guide,

CONGRATULATIONS!

You are ready to be married.

WEDDING CHECKLIST - 6 Months To Countdown

Select a Wedding Date and Time

• When your sweetheart and you have finally agreed to tie the nuptial knot, first and foremost choose an appropriate date and time for the wedding. Enough cannot be said about this. You want to have a wedding when most if not all your invited guests should be able to attend the ceremony. Do not for example have it on a day when everyone would rather stay at home and watch the soccer final. Most preferred days are Saturdays or Sundays. Any other day is also fine, but it would be better if it were not a working day. Of course you could consult the stars to see your ` lucky day' , but if you are not the type to believe in such things, choose a day where most people would be able to attend.

2. Discuss Your Budget

• You must know how much both parties are willing to contribute towards the expenses of the entire wedding, reception, attire, etc. Knowing how much you have and budgeting is necessary so that you do not run into the red. Allocate how much you are willing to spend on each item, and do not over spend. Have an item called Miscellaneous. If ever you do over spend, you can take funds from your miscellaneous account.

3. Discuss and Choose Location

• Choose a location that you both like. Infact, in our Asian cultures other family members and friends can also participate in the planning stages of your marriage and it can be more fun. In western culture, the couple decide everything on their own, and though this ensures privacy and non-meddling from others, I do not see `the happy family getting involved' environment.  In the villages, and this is not peculiar to the East, the whole village celebrates, even in the West.

4. Things To Finalise

• 6 months before the Wedding day is not very far away. Start preparing now. Do not wait till the last minute as is so popular with Malaysians. It is now time to choose your wedding attire and place orders. Choose and buy your jewellery and other ornaments. Order other accessories that you would I repeat – Do not wait till the last minute!
• There is nothing wrong in having a written checklist and checking it off everytime something has been done. Add and subtract to the list as you see fit. Let the checklist be your ultimate guide to a successful wedding.

WEDDING CHECKLIST

6-10 Months

1. Set the date
2. Determine the type of wedding you want.  If you intend to have your wedding solemnized by your religious leaders, consult them on this.
3. Check with the Civil Registry that grants marriage licenses and follow their instructions.
4. Discuss the budget with your fiance as well as with both families.
5. Telephone the Catering Sales Manager to discuss the wedding packages available.  Make early reservations to avoid disappointment.
6. Choose the bridesmaid and bestman.
7. Meet with florist and photographer to discuss budgets and options.
8. Select your dress, veil, formal wear gown and going away dress.
9. Choose the bridesmaid's gown and the groomsmen's attire.
10. Decide on the number of guests and make a list.
11. Decide where you will be living after the wedding. If you are moving into your own home, you will also have to plan to furnish and decorate your new home so that it will be ready in time. (Back To Top)
    
     

4-6 Months

1. Mail the invitations and announcements.
2. Write thank you notes as gifts arrive.
3. Prepare the wedding thanksgiving speech.
4. arrange for a second fitting of your wedding gown and formal wear.
5. Put finishing touches to your new home home or your matrimonial room if you live with either parents.(Back To Top)
    

3-6 Months

1. Meet with your religious officials to discuss the service and premarital counseling which many places of worship require.
2. Order the invitations, announcements and personal stationery.
3. Make honeymoon plans and reservations.
4. Make accommodation arrangements for out-of-town guests.
5. Choose and order your wedding rings.
6. See your doctor for a complete physical.
7. Help both mothers select their dresses for the wedding.
8. Ensure Civil Registry's instructions on marriage registration are carried out.
9. If immunisations are necessary for the honeymoon abroad, arrange for them.
10. Check on validity of passports.
11. Compile a list of wedding presents.
12. Confirm wedding ceremony arrangements.
13. Appoint a master-of-ceremony.
14. Co-ordinate colours of dress, flowers, cakes, etc.(Back To Top)
     

 
2-4 Months

1. Arrange a display of wedding gifts.
2. Confirm accommodation arrangements for out-of-town guests.
3. Submit wedding announcements to the newspapers.
4. Schedule a pre-wedding appointment with your hairstylist and make-up artist.
5. Come to the hotel and review all the final details with the Catering Sales Manager .  Confirm the number of guests expected.  Place seating arrangements.
6. Do a final check with the photographer, car-hire company and cake-maker to make sure the bookings are in order.  If it's a church wedding, time the journey to the church.
7. Make sure you have assembled any new or special outfits for your honeymoon and check swimsuit and suitcase.
8. Groom, bestman, fathers and ushers should make arrangements for the hire of the clothes, or double check that their own are in good order.
9. Arrange rehearsals for the wedding party.(Back To Top)
   
    

 
7 Days

1. Notify the Catering Sales Manager of the final number of guests and check on reception/dinner plans.
2. Go over the final details with the florist, photographer and musicians.
3. Confirm honeymoon and travel arrangements and begin packing.
4. Make certain rehearsals are carried out and that any hitches are taken care of immediately.  Give gifts at rehearsals.
5. Make certain your guests have directions and know accommodation arrangements.(Back To Top)
    

 
1 Day

1. Greet out-of-town guests as they arrive or arrange for them to be met directed to their accommodation.
2. Pack everything you will need at the wedding venue. 
3. Make sure you have all bridal accessories, spare pantyhose, safety pins and other emergency items.
4. Find a quiet moment to exchange gifts between you and your husband-to be.
5. Take going-away clothes to the Hotel the night before the wedding and make arrangements for the bestman to pick up your honeymoon luggage.(Back To Top)
    

 
The Big Day

1. See you hairstylist and make-up artist for the final beauty preparations.
2. Have a good breakfast so you won't have butterflies in your stomach.
3. Relax, smile and thank everyone for his/her help.
4. Most of all, enjoy the celebrations you have worked so long and hard to plan for.(Back To Top)
    

 
After The Wedding

1. It's easy to forget that life does not stop after the ceremony.  Someone will have to tie up the loose ends of the arrangements while you are away on you honeymoon.(Back To Top)

 
Ask Family and Friends

1. Check your wedding clothes after you have changed into going-away clothes and return them to your home or hire company.
2. Send wedding cake to those who could not attend the wedding.
3. Pack the wedding presents if on display or given to you at the reception and have them delivered as possible.
4. Send the wedding pictures for development.