Giveaway: Win a ZAAF Amadeus Laptop Case at The ZAAF Launch Event!

 

In honor of the Official Launch Event, ZAAF is giving away a FREE Amadeus Laptop Case, which retails for $300 to one lucky fan!

To enter to win, follow the simple steps below:

• You must follow @zaaf_collection on Twitter & @zaafcollection on Instagram.
• Attend & Purchase a $10 raffle ticket at the #ZAAFLaunch on 2/2/2014 at Barcelona Wine Bar!
• We will select the winner during the event! 
• Note: You must be present at the #ZAAFLaunch to to win.

Enjoy Complimentary Cocktails & Passed Brunch Inspired Hors d'oeuvres and 20% Off of ZAAF Products during this Stylish Shopping Soiree. 

We invite Press & Media to attend & cover the #ZAAFLaunch!

Event Details:

ZAAF Official Launch Event

Date: Sunday, February 2nd 2014

Time: 12:00pm-4:00pm

Location: Barcelona Wine Bar - 1622 14th St NW Washington, DC 20005

RSVP: zaaflaunchdc.eventbrite.com

Dress: Brunch Chic Attire Requested

Street Parking Available

Event Hashtag: #ZAAFLaunch

Social Media: @Zaafcollection (Instagram)

{Purple + Gray + Yellow Inspiration} Habesha Garden Romance Styling Shoot at Meridian Hill Park!

  In 2013 I had the opportunity to plan and coordinate over ten weddings, twenty special events and my very first styling shoot! This shoot was inspired by my love for gardens and the 2013 trend of outdoor weddings that was very popular among couples everywhere so what better place than Meridian Hill Park.

A couple of months ago I had the idea to do the "Garden Romance" Styling Shoot with some great vendors at Meridian Hill Park, a structured urban park located in the Washington, D.C. neighborhood of Columbia Heights. The place is filled with beautiful areas like a cascading fountain, overlooking ledges, gorgeous landscape and much more! I wanted to photograph a young Ethiopian couple so my team and I enlisted in the talents of up and coming models, Alem & Samuel who were great to work with!

Our amazing stylist, Erica Joi from Distinctiv Style knew my color palette and vision and found the perfect bridal boutique in Old Town Alexandria named Ellie's Bridal to pick out a stunning long & lace gown which was very popular all over the bridal salons last year. The gown was also accompanied by long, traditional veil, which we also saw popular with our Favored Brides! The groom's attire was from Savvy Formalwear who has also dressed some of my past clients with great attention to detail and I think they hit the mark with this modern light gray suit and vest combination. The purple tie and handkerchief were the perfect palette addition to finish the look.

Creative Team:

• Bride & Groom Models – Alem Kifle & Samuel Zeleke
• Photography – Damion Miller Photography
• Venue – Meridian Hill Park
• Shoot Styling & Florals - Favored by Yodit Events
• Jewelry & Attire Styling - Distinctiv Style
• Wedding Gown & Veil – Ellie's Bridal Boutique in Old Town Alexandria, VA
• Groom’s Attire – Savvi Formalwear by Sarno & Son Tuxedos
• Makeup - Makeup by Fifi
• Hair - Yene Damtew

#FavoredFriday Vendor Spotlight: Olivera Music Entertainment

Olivera Music Entertainment is a "full-service agency, providing high quality, service-oriented, professional music entertainment production to suit your special events." If you are a music lover like me, the entertainment aspect of your event is just as important as the food and decor. Olivera Music Entertainment is a one stop shop for all of your musical needs, including unconventional requests such as calypso and mariachi bands! For more on this #FavoredFriday Vendor see below.

Olivera History:

Olivera Music Entertainment maintains a loyal talent base of excellent musicians and performers. The owners, Kevin and Connie Olivera, each hold music degrees from outstanding music universities.

Early in their performing careers, they saw a need for a music entertainment agency with an emphasis on service. As their experience as professional musicians continued to provide wide-ranging opportunities, their list of performers expanded. The result is a polished look and style presented alongside their signature customer service for the past 26 years.

They Offer:

• National acts with complete production services, including talent booking, rider and release negotiation, back line and stage management, lighting, sound, transportation, hotel arrangements, on-site recording, videography, and production personnel.
• More than 150 dance and specialty bands.
• All styles of small ensembles, including classical, show tunes, Dixieland, Cajun, jazz, swing, new age, contemporary dance music, bluegrass, country steel and calypso bands, mariachi and ethnic groups.
• Soloists of all music genres, from background entertainment to featured performers.
• Unique themed event production, tailored to your imagination.
• DJs and karaoke.
• Customized arrangements, scored specifically for your event.

For more information about Olivera Music Entertainment and to book them for your next event, check out their website at http://www.oliveramusic.com/.

If you and/or your company would like to be featured as a #FavoredFriday Vendor contact me at carol@favoredbyyodit.com!

#FavoredFriday Blog Post: Airplanes & Trains Styled Shoot from Tunji Sarumi Photography

I came across some gorgeous images from a styled shoot from last week's #Favored Spotlight Vendor, Photographer Tunji Sarumi. It seems to be a very small world because I know the dapper gentlemen in the shoot & fell in love with all of Leanne and Mekdim (a real married couple). You can see their engagement photos here and their wedding and traditional here and here. also shot by Tunji Sarumi Photography. The shoot was styled and planned by J Garner Events and shot at Fort Meade Flying Activity Club. Ready to take flight and fall in love!

Source: Tunji Sarumi Studios

You're Invited: Engaged! in Washington

"Brides and grooms can meet {truly} the best of the best wedding vendors, see their work, and make appointments on the spot. Vendors are vetted and and known for their stellar reputations in the wedding market. Seriously, you could meet all of your wedding vendors in one day!"

The first 300 brides/grooms receive a fabulous goody bag AND the cost of admission is rebated by many of the vendors when contracting their services!* Hire 4 of the vendors, receive a rebate of $65 x 4, so it pays to attend Engaged! in Washington! (*Exceptions will apply; see the show program the day of the show!)

Limo buses will shuttle between each venue throughout the event so guests can stay as long as they want and not worry about parking!

Mark your calendars and don't miss simply the finest bridal event in the city! Purchase your tickets HERE

Take a look at a recap of last year's show!

How to Host A Superbowl Party in Style!

Superbowl Sunday is only a month away! While the typical parties will be serving Buffalo wings and pizza, we have a few suggestions to help host your party in style! I pulled a few of our favorite recipes that will have your guests running into the kitchen every chance they get!

Triple Pork Sliders

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground pork

• 1/2 pound fresh Mexican chorizo sausage, casings removed

• 1/4 cup finely grated pepper jack cheese

• 1 small shallot, finely chopped

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 8 slices applewood smoked bacon, cooked crisp

• 16 small dinner rolls, sliced in half

• Curly leaf lettuce

• 3 sliced plum tomatoes

• Smoked Paprika Mayonnaise, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat a flat top grill pan to medium-high heat.

In a medium bowl, mix the ground pork, sausage, cheese, shallot, garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste. Form the meat mixture into small equal-sized patties.

Cook the burgers for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove them from the pan and serve on split rolls with a half a slice of bacon, lettuce, tomato and Smoked Paprika Mayonnaise.

Smoked Paprika Mayonnaise:

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (recommended: Sriracha)

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients together in s medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving, allowing the flavors to meld. Can be made a day ahead.

Smoked Gouda-Chorizo Jalapeno Poppers

Ingredients:

• 2 links Mexican chorizo, casings removed

• 1/2 pound smoked gouda, shredded

• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onions

• 1 egg

• 1/2 cup cream cheese

• 3 tablespoons sour cream

• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (recommended: Frank's Red Hot)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 12 large jalapeno peppers, stemmed, seeded and halved

Directions:

Special Equipment: parchment paper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Brown chorizo in a skillet over medium-high heat, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and place into a large mixing bowl. Add the cheese, red onion, egg, cream cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, and salt and pepper, to taste. Press into jalapeno halves and assemble on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 20 minutes.

Grilled Shrimp with Orange-Habanero Mojo

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon seeded and chopped pickled habanero chile peppers (or use 1 tablespoon habanero hot sauce)

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard

• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

• 16 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined (about 1 pound)

Directions:

Soak eight 8-inch wooden skewers in cold water for at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour. Meanwhile, make the mojo: Combine the orange juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, the pickled habaneros, half of the garlic, the cilantro, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl; whisk well and set aside.

Combine the remaining garlic and 1/4 cup olive oil in a small bowl. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Skewer the shrimp and brush with some of the oil-garlic mixture on both sides; season with salt and pepper. Grill until opaque, about 2 minutes per side, brushing with the remaining oil-garlic mixture. Arrange on a platter and drizzle with the orange-habanero mojo.

The Year of the Flowers 2014

While flowers tend to part of every wedding, this year, floral arrangements are getting a serious upgrade. Flowers are being woven into the décor more than ever before from oversized cascade bridal bouquets, elaborate flower installations that hang over the dance floor to draping elaborate displays at tables, having fresh flower ceremony arches, decking out cake canopies with flowers and displaying escort cards and seating arrangements on a fresh flower wall. Here are a few great ideas to consider when planning your big day.

You're Invited: ZAAF's Official Launch Party at Barcelona Wine Bar

We are excited to share some great client news! You're invited to the Official Launch Event for ZAAF™, a new collection of luxury apparel and leather accessories produced by highly skilled artisans in Ethiopia. We spotlighted them about a month ago and now we are planning their launch in Washington, D.C. Each piece is made to exact standards and showcases beautiful craftsmanship and natural resources unique to the region it draws its inspiration from. ZAAF™ is a word that means “tree” in the ancient and noble Amharic language. We hope you can join us in celebrating this great new business and support bringing economic development in Ethiopia!

Event: ZAAF Official Launch Event

Date: February 2nd 2014

Time: 12:00pm-4:00pm

Place: NEW! Barcelona Wine Bar - 1622 14th St NW Washington, DC 20005

RSVP: http://zaaflaunchdc.eventbrite.com

Attire: Brunch Chic 

Parking: Street Parking Available

Complimentary Cocktails & Passed Food for Guests

ZAAF Products will be on sale at the event with 20% off!

For more information: info@zaafcollection.com

Event Hashtag: #ZAAFLaunch

Social Media: @Zaafcollection (Instagram)

#FavoredFr​iday Vendor Spotlight: Tunji Sarumi Photograph​y

"We all see the world differently, and I believe my talent for telling stories through photography is a gift from God. I am neither especially clever, nor especially gifted. I am only very, very curious. I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination during some of life’s most important moments." - Tunji Sarumi

Tunji Sarumi is an extremely talented photographer based out of Baltimore, MD. His work is timeless, capturing moments during the wedding in a very artistic but natural way. Check out a few of his pictures that I absolutely loved below.

To see more of his amazing work and for contact information, check out his website http://tunjistudio.com/

Winter Wedding Decor Inspiration

Winter is my favorite time for the year for weddings. I love how you can use the already romantic and festive season to create a perfect indoor atmosphere. Instead of opting for the typical red and green, include purples, blues, and white combinations to naked trees for an icy feel. If you are thinking of planning a winter wonderland wedding, check out some inspiration below.

Instead of candles in tall cylinders, place tall trees draped in beaded strands or crystals to make your reception space pop.

Create an unexpected ceremony space with blue uplighting and lots and lots of trees.

Gold and subtle hints or green are a nice accent to any table. Add ornaments for an inexpensive way to stay with the festive theme.

A rosette tablecloth, various candle holders, and white naked trees are perfect for a winter reception.

Opt for ornament placeholders to guide your guests to the right seat.

What is winter without fur?! Drape fur around wicker seats for a winter vintage wedding. Add chandeliers to make it glamourous.

Sweets anyone? Gift your guests with mini pies, macaroons, and other tiny treats to remember your big day.

Don't fret flower lovers! You can bring spring into your wedding with big bold arrangements. Add a tree for good measure. : )

New Year, New Resolutions!

Since there is only one more day until New Years Eve...Get a head start & make a list of your resolutions that you want to set in 2014! Whether your getting ready to host your own new years eve party or attending someone else's make sure to take time to reflect on the good, the bad and things you want to improve from this year! Here are some of mine

In 2014 I resolve to:

1. Spend more time with my loved ones! Life is short and 2013 was a big year for me & Favored by Yodit Events! I found myself spending more time on my computer and the phone doing work than time for my family & friends.

2. Be healthy! No explanation needed for this one. Its always good to exercise more and eat healthy.

3. Take a little me time every day! Whether its 30 mins of meditation, a facial or a mask at home, or do a little shopping just to give myself some love :)

Share some of your new year resolutions in our comments section!

New Years Eve 2013 Beauty Ideas

 

Nails – Create a stunning nail look for any special occasion with this innovative two piece set that creates true mirror-like shine.

Scent – When you walk by or hug someone you want them to tell you how amazing you smell. From a floral explosion like Flower Bomb to Prada Candy impulsive charm and Marc Jacobs Daisy fresh and feminine, with a playful innocence you can never go wrong with any of these perfumes.

Lips – Your lipstick always makes or breaks your whole outfit. Use a ‘wow’ shade to brighten up a simple outfit, and if your outfit is the opposite opt for subtle nude lipstick.

Eyes – For those you want those bright sexy eyes for this NYE try a Holographic Glitter eye shadow look. Sephora has a three-piece kit for accomplishing this beauty look. "Clearly Liquid" glitter base keeps all loose product adhered to eyelids and lashes including all other skin surfaces. This formula also provides a comfortable protective layer over your base makeup, keeping colors bright and crease free. Also don’t forget those perfectly shaped brows and lashes to add more drama.

Face – As we all love to say “Got my Face Beat” it sounds a little too dramatic if you ask me. When doing your making always contour and highlight to show off those amazing high cheek bones.

Hair – When it comes to hair one word VOLUME.!!!

Ladies this is the only time of the year we can do up our makeup and say “I Woke Up Like This”

Top 10 Engagement Rings of 2013

2013 was a big year for celebrity engagements and with engagements comes HUGE rings. Check out the list of the most expensive rings of 2013 put together by Simply Bridal.

I am going to add one more ring to the list, that didn't quite make the cut off. D.Wade proposed to his girlfriend Gabrielle Union over the weekend with a ring worth an estimated $1 million. It is a 8.5 carat, cushion cut ring designed by celeb jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills! Her rock FLAWLESS *in my Beyonce voice*!

You're Invited: Washingtonian Bride & Groom Unveiled

To buy tickets click here

Real Wedding: A Zimbabwean Safari Wedding

We have definitely seen an increase trend in couples from across the globe opting to tie the knot in a picturesque country, like Africa. But when I came across this gorgeous Zimbabwe Safari wedding, I see why this landscape, the people and the variety of stunning cultural aspects make it such a great place to get married. Corey and Lynette Perkins flew all the way to Zimbabwe from the United States for their wedding. It was the first time Lynette had been back in her home country in four years and the first time the groom had met her family.

Yes they even had a cute special guest :) How cool is this photo with an elephant?

The groom is American and even though he hadn’t met his in-laws before, they seem to have gotten along great.

The beautiful bridal party jumping for joy!

Love the wooden fram shots the photographer incorporated in their wedding photography. Great & low cost!

Love the colors of the bridesmaids traditional Zimbabwean dresses. The patterns, tangerine & lime green really pop!

The sweetest part of this couples lovely wedding story is before their wedding day, the couple spent time building a safe-house for young girls suffering from abuse. 

Ceremony setup right under a symbolic tree! Very simple but so classic.

When choosing a location for a destination wedding, many couples choose tropical islands as an easy and low cost option, but why not go for a gorgeous country like Zimbabwe, Senegal, South Africa or Ethiopia since there are an abundance of stunning locations to choose from. Love how this couple incorporated traditional dancers at their wedding.

The couple also honeymooned at beautiful Victoria Falls.

Overall from these gorgeous photos from Corey & Lynette we see that Zimbabwe is truly a remarkable destination, set apart from other international weddings locations due to the warm hospitable nature of the people and meticulous attention to detail and amazing scenic views. Congrats to them for staying true to themselves and having a beautiful love!

Recap: Ritz-Carlt​on Washington DC Ballroom Unveiled

A few weeks ago, we told you about Ritz-Carlton Washington, DC event where they unveiled their new ballroom. The event took place earlier this week and it was beautiful! The Ritz went with a Winter Wonderland Theme where guests were whisked into a ballroom with snowfall and evergreen trees. I love the elegant décor and the subtle hints of color that enhance the “icy” feel of winter. Check out how the staff at Capital Décor and Events executed this event flawlessly.

"The Ritz-Carlton Washington DC sponsored a Wishing Tree to assist Martha's Table in providing holiday presents to children in need."

Source: Engaged! Magazine

Photography: Steve Canning of Steve Canning Photography.

Venue: Ritz Carlton Washington, DC

VIDEO: In my Christmas Jammies!!

In the age of viral videos, the Holderness Family decided to one up all of our typical family portraits and put together a Christmas Card Video. In the video, Dad and Mom rap about all of their family accomplishments to Will Smith’s Miami. This may be my favorite Christmas video of the year and I may or may not be planning to do this next year with my friends lol. See the full video below. Enjoy!!

WestJet Gets in the Christmas Spirit!

WestJet Airlines may be my new favorite company! On Monday, the Canadian Airline released a video of them setting up a box with an electronic santa. One by one travelers stepped up to the box and gave their wishes to santa before boarding a plane. Once they got to thier destination, they all received a big surprise at baggage claim. See how WestJet spread the Christmas spirit to thier customers after the break.

This is what I love about Christmas! Its so nice to see a Company organize such a selfless act. Good for them!

Submit you Engagement and Bridal Photos to Engaged! Magazine

Hey brides and future brides! Have you ever looked through your favorite bridal magazine or website and wondered how brides got there wedding and/or engagement published? Well here is your chance! Dust off your wedding album and pick out your favorite photo for a chance to be published in Engaged! Magazine! See below for all criteria.

#WeddingWednesday: Luvabull Proposal

As most of our frequent readers know, we at Favored by Yodit are suckers for a cute proposal. When we came across this super cute proposal we had to share it. Check out how one boyfriend changed the sporting event proposal game with this flash mob proposal for his dancer girlfriend. *Grabs tissue*

If you need help planning a propoal that the love of your life will NEVER forget, contact Favored by Yodit today!