Day 62. Me myself and I
August 18, 2010
My Cynthia, My Girls, Oman, Project 365 1 Comment
Day 53. My inspirations
July 29, 2010
My Cynthia, My Girls, Project 365 4 Comments
I am very lucky to work in an architecturally brilliant property. Although I spend 95% of my time behind the desk at my computer, the moment I step out to the grounds of the hotel the magnificence of it hits me like a blast of cool air. And I am inspired. The contemporary contours, the rich fabrics, the sparkling chandeliers all buzz through my veins like a much needed dose of Redbull. I am a junkie for all things beautiful. To some extent, I am also easily distracted and terribly forgetful. There, now all my cards are right out there on the table- please feel free to use them against me. The good news is that with the help of vitamins, modern gadgets and a few god-sent people in my life I am successfully combating these waves of “I am sure I am not easily distra…oh look a Bunny!!!”. There are also days when my brain would be perfectly content with achieving one (!!!) critical task and after it will happily hibernate for the next 24 hours. I have managed to keep these personality disorders well away from my work-Olga-persona, because work-Olga and casual-Olga are the very different people. Sometimes I think I am overwhelmed, and that’s when I start feeling sorry for myself and….hibernate. These moods are deadly-especially with project 365 running non-stop. I cannot afford to slack off; I can’t allow myself to procrastinate. Over the years of this patterned and predictable behavior I have learned to effectively recharge my batteries, so below are just a few of the things that inspire me to get off my butt and do what it is that I have set out to accomplish:
The wedding countdown…
July 28, 2010
I recently got my hands on Emirates Bride magazine, which is full of gorgeous gowns and good reads. I came across an article that I wish I had read while getting my own wedding together. It basically breaks down into timelines, all the to-dos…oh the wonders of being organized and in control.
Since I have a few gals in mind that may walk down the aisle this year or the next, this is for you ladies. Feel free to use it, copy-paste it or add your own check points:
After the engagement:
Choose a wedding date
Calculate your budget and draw up a spreadsheet
Decide on the style and the theme of the wedding you want
Decide on and book the wedding and reception venues and note the guest capacity
Make a preliminary guest-list, including your bridesmaids, best man and full wedding party.
Choose those taking part in the ceremony
Create and post Save The Date cards to notify guests of the engagement and wedding
Discuss menu options, look at estimates for food and drink, then confirm caterer.
Start looking for your wedding dress
Book your photographer and videographer
Start a health/beauty regime
Three months before:

Pick your wedding stationery and order of services and place your order
Choose your wedding bands and order them
Decide on your wedding dress, groom’s suit and the wedding parties attire for fittings
Confirm wedding guest list
Two months before:
Confirm all of your prior bookings
Give your caterer the final head count noting any special dietary requirements
Buy all of your accessories to match your dress including jewellery and shoes
Speak to a hair and make-up artist and discuss potential looks
Book another dress fitting appointment
If you are getting married in a hotel, make sure you have a room booked for the day/night of the wedding for getting ready
Decide if you are having centerpieces, discuss with florists and order them
Notify your bank and any other official government bodies that require your change of name status
One month before:
Book your hair and make-up artist for a trial and arrange timing for your wedding day
Collect your wedding bands
Arrange for a trusted friend or family member to bring the cake knife, toasting glasses, ring bearer pillow and flower girl baskets
Draw up a seating plan
Finalize the outfits for the groom, bride, bridesmaids, best man and bridal party
Confirm running order of the ceremony with all relevant parties taking part in the ceremony
Two weeks before:
Speak to your DJ and confirm a first dance song for the reception
Have a final fitting of your dress with your veil, jewellery and shows. It helps to practice walking
Reconfirm the honeymoon arrangements and pack for the vacation
Confirm the number of guests with your caterer and finalize the seating plan
The day before:
Help to decorate the reception venue if necessary and make sure all final details are in place
Arrange for the cake to be delivered to the reception
Relax and have an early night
On the day:
Start with a good breakfast, as you will be on your feet for most of the day
Ensure that you have plenty of time to get your hair an make up done
Get everyone dressed and ready
At the ceremony, the speeches rung in the order of father-of-the-bride, followed by the groom and then the best man
At the end of the evening its tradition for the bride and groom to leave the reception first
Day 50. She would have inspired even Dr. Seuss
July 15, 2010
Friends, My Girls, Project 365 1 Comment
If you have ever watched “Horton Hears a Who” then you are without a doubt familiar with the yellow ball of fuzzy fluff by the name of Katie. The most memorable moment of the entire cartoon is when Katie says: “In my world everyone is a pony, and they all eat rainbows, and poop butterflies.” I have a Katie. Her name is Lyu and she is one of my closest friends. She is the kind of person that lights up an entire room by just walking into it. She is a muse, an inspiration and a rainbow of everything good in this world. I met Lyu in university, from the first week and to this momment she brightened my life with her huge,magical blue eyes and her ways- which are unique and splendid. She astonishes me with her fantastic fashion sense and her grace. I don’t think she knows how special she is to me, I was too busy being astonished by her to tell her how loved she is.Without a doubt she is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. I hope you all enjoy her guest post below, I have to share her…she is too remarkable to be kept to myself.
The Unrivaled Treasures
Since so many of my dearest people are far away from me in different corners of the world, the simplest things that somewhat relate to them gain a unique value. Thus, behold the unrivaled and incomparable… See More treasures that I own! These things, which may seem useless to some, remind me of so many dear moments more valuable than chests of gold and diamonds! So, everyone who knows what I am talking about, I am sharing my treasures with you and that you for making me so rich!
With love. Lyu.
You’ve already won me over…
August 2, 2009
Biker-people, Bride, My Girls, tradition 3 Comments
(Alanis Morisette, Head Over Feet, lyrics)
When I heard the honking of car horns around 10 a.m, I knew that he was close. The bikers were coming to take me away from my grand mothers house-but it was not going to be as easy as they thought. My girls devised a cunning and particularly cruel maze of questions and dares that would have to be fulfilled to their satisfaction. They came up with such witty riddles and never done before tricks, in about 24 hours! They did such an amazing job. I still consider this to be the best part of the day. It all started as they greeted the bikers about 20 meters from the door…
They stood holding hands as 3 bikes roared towards them. Alex was riding together with the best man and my bouquette. The other bikers, were close friends of ours. They got off their bikes when they reached the girls and the first challenge was to cut the ribbon behind them to let them pass. The girls presented them with a tray which had 3 types of scissors on them. They had to pay to buy a pair. The next trick was to step on the footsteps laid out on the ground, and pick up the paper footstep and read the dare on it. These ranged from “dance the little ducklings dance”, “name 4 britney spears songs” to “scream as loudly as you can”. At this point, Alex screamed “Olga, I love you more than anything in the world”. I know. Anything. Thing. Ok. I told myself-anything-means bike. He loves me more that his bike. I can live with that. Other memorable moments included when he had to dress a baby doll in just 20 seconds, he had managed to put one of the legs into the pants, and then as he had 3 seconds left, he stuffed the doll upside down, inside his jacket. Which kind of works, because at least the poor thing was warm! At the door of the building, another unusuall challenge require bows and arrows. He had to shoot at the reason he married me, he shot three times, and mostly got “The party has ordered me”. Inside the hall, he had to guess the outline of my hand trace, and the color of my lipstick. He guessed neither 🙂 Alex them bravely drank 1 ltr of very questionable water to pick out the key to the house. He guessed the key from his first try! The last task included finding the room in which the bride was awaiting him. Alex had a choice of 4 rooms, my room, my grandmothers room, the bathroom and the toilet. I ofcourse hid in my grandmothers room. Biker people kept yelling “pick the room with the baloons!!!” but ofcourse I wasnt there. Instead there was my grandma with a white scarf over her head, yelling “You have found your bride!!!” it was hilarous! Alex them unsuccessfully peaked into the bathroom and the toilet, found me in neither and went for my grandma’s room. I was standing there, trembling, listening closely to the commotion outside. And as the handle of the door turned, my heart stopped beating. He walked in,tall and handsome and his eyes opened wide in amazement. He hugged and kissed for the longest time-unable to believe our luck…