Change is good! Our new blog!

Thank you so much for visiting our blog! We are excited to share our new blog where we will be posting more wedding, event and lifestyle goodness! Visit us there and tell us what you think of our new JOURNAL. xoxo CountDown Events

Follow Friday - #FF with Andrea Baxter

Name: Andrea Baxter

Occupation: Co-Founder of Smart Cookies; Founder & Principal of Bratface Marketing

Who is your role model/mentor: My father who was an extraordinary businessman (he recently retired).

What do you like most about your job: The freedom, creativity and unknowingness of not knowing where I will be in a year. I guess that’s the risk-taker in me :)

Daily ritual: It depends if I’m at home or on the road for travel. But typically it starts with caffeinated coffee (a must!) followed by heading to the gym 3x a week and then going through emails & responding to as many as I can before the real work starts. Rinse and repeat.

The most rewarding part of my job is: Seeing my business ideas & collaborations come to fruition when I work with clients. I also speak at a lot of events for both Smart Cookies and Bratface Marketing and nothing makes me happier than sharing my story, ideas and inspiration with others.

What has been your biggest strength that’s helped you succeed in your industry? My go-gettem’ attitude, tenacity and ballsy nature. I will try anything once and it has certainly taken me far and opened doors I never thought possible. I literally flew to NYC last summer and had set up over 20 business meetings with influencers and business people. Amazing the connections I made & people I met.

Memorable celebrity encounter/interview: Duh, Oprah! Meeting her, being a guest on her show and seeing Harpo Studios behind the scenes was a-m-a-z-i-n-g and an opportunity I will forever be grateful for. Not once but twice.

Where do you go for some retail therapy? Being a Smart Cookie and all I try to curb my spending when I can but spend wisely when I do. I love Anthropology for unique items & new designers (excited they are coming to Vancouver!), H&M for cheap thrills, Joe Fresh for affordable fashion-forward items and Club Monaco for the classic, long-lasting items.

Dream vacation spot? In one of those amazing water front cabins in Bora Bora. I wonder if there is a Smart Cookie way to do such a trip? *sigh*

What has been your favourite event to attend? Oh don’t make me choose! So many of them! The CRAVE Company events are always great for networking & getting some good info. The FWE is very valuable & worth its weight in gold. But if I could dream of one to attend, it would be NYC Fashion Week :)

Favourite hangout: I recently fell in love with the Fairmont Pacific Rim Lobby Lounge. They have such a great atmosphere, food and wine and awesome jazz artists that are quite impressive.

Favourite childhood memory: Spending summers up at our cottage in Haliburton, Ontario.

What is your favourite ice-cream flavor? Sweet + simple vanilla

If there was more time in the day you would: I would read more. I really have to get better about that considering I have many business books & subscribe to 5 magazines!

Favourite social network: Twitter

Favourite Blog: Because I’m a marketer, I love Seth Godin’s blog but I also love Design*Sponge & The Pioneer Woman. All amazing blogs in their own way to fulfill all my guilty pleasures (food, home decor and marketing).

Last song you downloaded: Robyn’s new CD’s Body Talk Prt 1 & 2. She has finally found her groove since her pop days in the 90’s.

I now have a quarterly newsletter people can sign up via my website’s home page. We are also regularly contributing to Design*Sponge’s Biz Ladies section which is jam-packed with great small business information. We (Bratface Marketing) were also signed on as regular contributors to a new radio show on 650 CISL AM called “The Broad Perspective”. I will be speaking twice a month on all topics business and marketing.

CountDown Events would like to thank Andrea for being part of our "Friday Favourite" blog post. Follow sweet Andrea on Twitter @andreabaxter 

Photos by Kien Ly  

Crème de la Crème Grand Wedding Showcase 2011

CountDown Events is in the final planning stages for the 2011 Crème de la Crème Grand Wedding Showcase. We are so excited to launch this event - we hope all of you will come experience some class at the glamorous exhibit this year! 

We were going through some photos when we crossed these fun pictures! These images reminded us of last years Grand Wedding Showcase at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, where we had a photo booth from Pixstar Rentals, to capture everyone's experience at the show.

For more details on Crème de la Crème Grand Wedding Showcase - stay tuned on our webpage at www.countdownevents.com 

Follow Friday - (FF) with Jessica Latimer

Name: Jessica Latimer

Occupation: The Managing Editor for Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazines and Grace Ormonde Wedding Style New England Magazines. Editor for the online; weddingstylemagazine.com, weddingstylenewengland.com, graceormonde.com

Who is your role model/mentor: Since I was a little girl I have always admired Katie Couric for her strength and intelligence. Not to mention I think she has always done a great job being fashionable, while still being taken seriously. When she left The Today Show, it threw off my whole morning routine.

What do you like most about your job: I like the fact that every day is different and because I have worked for Grace since 2003, I think she trusts me and lets me get involved in a lot of different areas of her brand that I probably wouldn’t be able to if I worked for a larger, more corporate-style company. Since most of her staff has been with the magazine for several years, we have formed this odd little family.

MEN&FLOWERS; a Grace Ormonde Magazine tradition, Men holding beautiful bouquets of flowers.   

Daily ritual: I cannot leave my house without eating breakfast, watching the news and walking my dog. Without this little routine my whole day is doomed. From there work changes daily and then at night it’s time to walk my dog again, cook or order dinner (I don’t get in the kitchen nearly as much as I should), and then you will probably find me on the computer, reading or indulging in some reality TV—I’m such a sucker for Bravo.

The most rewarding part of my job is: Telling a client or contributor good news. Sometimes I forget how much of an icon Grace is in the industry, and reactions to finding out their work will be in the magazine have varied from screaming on the other end of the phone (my ear still hurts from that one, but it made my day), to explanations about how this has always been their dream and what they strive to achieve, to complete joy. I have never been one to work somewhere for a short period of time, and the relationships I have built with people over these past eight years have been amazing. I have heard about breakups, engagement, divorces, weddings, babies, and of course more personal things. I don’t get to travel a lot with the workload I have to contend with in house, so I have met so few of these people in person, but between Facebook, Twitter and emails galore, I feel like they have all become my friends and I am honored to have had the privilege to e-meet so many incredible people.

CAKE: Cake Opera Co., Toronto, ON, Canada; Photography: Richard Emmanuel Photography & Cinematography, Toronto, ON, Canada

What has been your biggest strength that’s helped you succeed in your industry? Have I succeeded? I take my job very seriously and I work so hard, but there is always room for improvement.

Memorable celebrity encounter/interview: When I first started working here, I went to Bridal Market in New York City with our fashion director, Tracy Trouf, twice. Going backstage to meet the designers put me in awe. I got to meet Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Reem Acra, Monique Lhuillier, Romona Keveza, Ines Di Santo, Kenneth Pool, Melissa Sweet and so many more. After the Melissa Sweet show, Tracy and I went backstage and somehow or another, the two of us, along with our photographer, Mike Colón, ended up getting invited to meet up with Melissa for cocktails at Spice Market in the city’s Meatpacking District. I had to pinch myself to see if it was really happening.

Where do you go for some retail therapy? I have tried to be good, but my weakness is actually shopping online. I get so many of those coupon codes via email and when the moment strikes, well, watch out. I have a particular weakness for shoes.

GOWN/FASHION SHOOT: Photography: Elizabeth Messina; Hair: Tara Jean for Unite Products/Artmix Beauty; Makeup: Daniele Piersons for MAC Cosmetics/Artmix Beauty; Wardrobe Stylist: Brian Primeaux for Artmix Beauty; Location: Villa Sancti Di Bella Vista, Malibu, CA; Gown: Romona Keveza; Earrings: Sherri Jennings; Ring: De Beers; Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Dream vacation spot? My dream spot is Venice, but I am just dying to go anywhere in Europe. My husband and I are actually finally going to the UK in late August after all of The Royal Wedding hoopla is over and I can’t wait!

What has been your favourite event to attend? I am a huge music person. My life has a soundtrack of varied styles and every memorable moment has a song that I associate with it, so when I can get to a concert, any concert, it is memorable. Hearing an artist live is completely different than listening to one of their tracks on your iPod.

Favourite hangout: I have been blessed to have the same group of friends since I was 12, plus a close group of people who I have met along the way. So anything that involves cocktails, friends and laughing is my kind of night. To be honest, one of my favorite spots is a local dive bar near my house and if I tell you the name, it will become the next it spot, so I will have to keep it to myself.

Favourite childhood memory: You will never believe me, but on my first birthday in addition to cake, presents and being the total center of attention I got to have my first lollipop. It was grape and I swear I can remember exactly how it tastes. Other memorable moments include being the second in my family to graduate college (everyone was so proud), my wedding day to the love of my life back in 2009, and adopting a puppy last year. I just love her to pieces.

LOUNGE: Location: Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE; Event Design and Production: designlab events by Hibah Albakree, Dubai, UAE; Furniture and Installation: Mootassim el Baba and Marwan Maalouf, Dubai, UAE; Pillows: Table Tops Events, Dubai, UAE; Lighting: Wide Angle Productions, Dubai, UAE; Photography: Danny Lyann, Dubai, UAE

What is your favourite ice-cream flavor? How embarrassing. I am actually lactose intolerant, but what they have done with soy, tofu and lactaid ice cream is pretty amazing. However, the flavors are still limited so I am just happy to get a scoop of anything that won’t make me sick afterward.

If there was more time in the day you would: Do more. I have a bucket list. Doesn’t everyone? And I have barely done anything on it. I think we need to take the lead of Europe and take more vacations, longer lunches and enjoy life a bit more.

Favourite social network: I will admit it, I used to be slightly addicted to Facebook, but now I only access it through my phone and do not log on through a computer for personal use, otherwise I might get sucked back in.

Favourite Blog: Ours, haha … but before we had ours, when I was planning my wedding I had a few, although I am still mainly a sucker for reading a magazine. After studying journalism and graphic design in college, nothing beats flipping those pages while sipping on some hot tea or coffee and I am proud to say that 95% of my wedding was planned via Wedding Style.

Last song you downloaded: I don’t even know, but artists I love include Florence and The Machine, Black Eyed Peas, Kings of Leon, Moss Def, Robin Thicke, old school Madonna, anything 80s and so on.

"We have been having lots of round-table discussions and really trying to bring the brand to another level. Although I curse the time social media takes up, without it I don’t think companies would be as widely accessible. From Facebook, to Twitter, to our blog, websites, the magazines, Grace’s new book, and other marketing projects there is always something new."

Thank you Jessica for being part of our #FF Friday Favourite Blog Post! We love to be inspired by our favourite people in the industry and you are most definitely one of them. To learn more about Grace Ormonde and their beautiful brand, visit http://www.weddingstylemagazine.com/ 



Where will you have your wedding photos?

Everyone loves Gastown, West Vancouver and Stanley Park, but there are some hidden gems in these particular places that we love as wedding photo backdrops.

Gastown; a hip, historical corner of Vancouver city - with a lot of beautiful brick. Blood Alley is one of the most surprising narrow streets in Vancouver. With dim lighting, raw building materials and contemporary hidden restaurants, this secret alley makes for magical photos.

Stanley Park is another stunning place to consider for engagement or wedding photos. Covered with soft cherry blossoms in the spring, romantic bridges and sculptural piece in the park, this backdrop is timeless. There is one area of the park that isn't well know - the sea wall under the light house park. Interesting concrete archways and hints of natural light creates a modern & impactful look.

If you grew up on the North Shore you know of many beautiful, natural hideaways. One of our favourite quaint beaches in West Vancouver is Sandy Cover. This little beach is obscured by residential homes where the walkway is under a bridge, down stairs and into pure greenery. At the bottom, an intimate beach awaits you and your loved one. This particular place is beautiful at sunset, when the tides is still low enough to take photos in the stone cave to the right of the beach. To get to Sandy Cove, drive west on Marine Drive about a mile past Dundarave Beach, until you see a small bridge and a street called Rose Crescent.  The trail begins under the bridge.

CountDown Events believes you should pick backdrops that reflect your personal style as a couple and of course a few timeless options, for your timeless photos!

The Importance of Details - Bridal Accessories

Whether it be her jeweled purse, her satin heals or her flower hair piece; a bride is meant to stand out on her wedding day. These small details that can be overlooked, are actually layers of style that create a unique bride. Wedding accessories can be sentimental and personal, or simply glamorous and impressive. For those future anniversaries or dates with your husband, remind him of that special day by occasionally bringing out your wedding gems. Like the dress itself, a wedding accessory will never lose the memory attached to it.

These beautiful pictures were produced by CountDown Events & the images were taken by Jana Vackova - award winning Vancouver Photographer. 

Follow Friday - (#FF) with Jasalyn Thorne

Name: Jasalyn Thorne

Occupation: Photographer

Who is your role model/mentor: Love the work of Paolo Roversi, so moody and full of texture. Tim Walker is another favourite. His use of natural light is amazing.

What do you like most about your job: It’s the flexibility and creativity that our clients allow us on their wedding day to capture and create beautiful works of art for their lives and for their homes.

Daily ritual: First thing, hit the email, Facebook (of course); finish the day’s editing work, dinner with hubby and then some down time with my friend, ipod.

The most rewarding part of my job is: Hearing that our work allows the couple to relive their day and seeing the look on their face when they open up their beautiful custom album for the first time.

What has been your biggest strength that’s helped you succeed in your industry? I think you definitely have to be a people person and learn to work well with others. You, as a photographer are not the only person working on a client’s wedding and you have to be respectful of the other vendors that are working just as hard to make that day a success.

Memorable celebrity encounter/interview: Getting to photograph Rich Harden (an MLB pitcher for the Oakland Athletics) as he was a guest and close friend of one of our grooms. Jason was pretty excited.

Where do you go for some retail therapy? I love home decor stores but not so much for the items but I go to look at the packaging, I love paper and design, anything that sparkles! Often times I’ll buy something just because of the box it comes in.

Dream vacation spot? Anywhere with warm water as our favourite thing to do on vacation is snorkel. So if I had to pick one place, possibly the Maldives.

What has been your favourite event to attend? I would have to say WPPI (a photography convention) down in Las Vegas. Again, a perfect place for me, it’s so full of artistic design and gorgeous stores to shop at everywhere.

Favourite hangout: My couch, with my hubby and a good movie.

Favourite childhood memory: Going exploring with my Dad on Vancouver Island. Being out in Nature is another love of mine. I can never get enough of how intricate and beautiful our world is.

What is your favourite ice-cream flavor? Mint Chocolate Chip

If there was more time in the day you would: Design and create EVERYTHING in my sketchbook, projects ranging from packaging and artwork to chandeliers and inventions. I’m somewhat of a visual person, when I get a new idea I can see it completed and in its finished state and it makes me want to see it in a tangible form. It’s why I have Jason, to keep focused as an artist so I spend my time on the good ideas.

Favourite social network: Facebook, it’s much more visual than twitter.

Favourite Blog: A recent new favourite site is http://the99percent.com/ as it’s a great learning resource for us artists.

Last song you downloaded: Bach - Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major. I love movie soundtracks. Especially ones with a very moving feel to them.

We’ve recently launched our newest division, Portfolio Services, a commercial-style commission designed for the creative professional who is looking to fill their portfolio with a consistent look for their gallery of work. Images are one of, if not the most important thing in this digital age and images are the first thing clients see which can literally make or break that first contact.

Thank you Jasalyn for being CountDown Event's #FF this week - your photos are beautiful! To learn more about Jasalyn Thorn photography, see http://www.jasthorneps.com/