Chicago Wedding Films

Tips for Brides: Unique & Affordable Wedding & Bridal Party Gifts that get you Cookin'

 Tips for Brides:  Unique & Affordable Wedding & Bridal Party Gifts that get you Cookin'

Many brides like to give out personalized gifts to their bridal party.  Here's a new twist on an old favorite:   A personalized Cookbook!!! 

(To order this cookbook, contact Kris at 630-876-9604 or visit ElegantStorybooksByKris.com)

 A Bridal Party Gift:  Ask your bridal party members, grandparents, parents, the new in-laws, etc. to send you their favorite recipes.  Ask if they can include a photo too.   You can then create the cookbook online, order copies and give them out as gifts.   This cookbook will be so meaningful because it has recipes from all the people so near and dear to you!   Everytime they make a recipe from the cookbook, they will think of you!   This is a gift they will use and keep FORVER!

A Wedding Gift:   Bridesmaids and others can take this same idea and surprise the bride with her "first cookbook" made up of recipes from these same special people!    You can even make a "wedding gift basket" by including the cookbook with the ingredients to make her first meal as a married woman!  With the popularity of cooking shows, this is sure to be a big hit!!

This cookbook is so affordable!  It's only $24.95 (but for 4 days only, 2/23-2/26/09, they are selling for $14.95 each!).   As your personal publishing consultant, I am ready to help you get started!!

Read the details below:

The New Heritage Makers Cookbook is here. And to celebrate, we are having a big preview sale! You customize the cook book with your favorite recipes and photos!

For 4 days only, (Monday, February 23 – Thursday, February 26, 2009) you can get 4 cookbooks for $59.95. That’s JUST $15 for each cookbook!

That’s huge savings because the normal retail price for this product when it officially debuts on March 3rd will be $24.95. So you have the chance to save $39 by being one of the first to get your publishing credits in your Heritage Studio Account! You'll have a whole year to create & complete your cookbook, but I bet you'll want to give one to your sister, mom, grandma, in-laws, or friends well before next February!

Have you seen our new cook book? It's awesome! Check out this flyer for more information:http://support.heritagemakers.com/comm/promo/2009/cookbook/CookbookPresale09Flyer.pdf

Cookbook features:
-21 pages and can go up to 50 pages ($1/page for extra pages).
-Spiral bound and the front cover is a trifold that folds out!
-Size is about 7.5"x9.5"(portrait style)
-There will be some great templates in the Heritage Makers template gallery starting March 3rd (these templates are 100% editable so you an put as many recipes or pictures as you want on a page)- or you can completely design your own! You can even enter your design into our cookbook design contest and win free books!

This SPECIAL offer is ONLY available through ME and for FOUR days only! (Feb. 23-26, 2009). This is a GREAT time to buy for MOTHER'S DAY gifts or to plan for FAMILY REUNION COOKBOOKS this summer!

This design was intended for cookbooks but you could use it for so much more! Not only a cookbook but a . . .
Day planner
Address book
A class year book-which is a great ideas since the front cover opens up triple the normal size and it provides blank space for year book signings!
I am sure the ideas are endless, please send me yours!

EVERYONE will love them and they are SO affordable! ORDER NOW! Contact Kris today at 630-876-9604 or Kris@ElegantStorybooksByKris.com and I'll help you get started.

 

 

 

Recommended Reading: Get Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan book for free until Jan. 15!

 You can download a copy of Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan book for free until January 15th at Oprah's website

What bride or videographer couldn't use a little bit of free financial advice about now?  That's right - Financial guru, Suze Orman, was a guest on Oprah today as part of Oprah's "Your Best Life" week.  Suze Orman gave some great advice to people on how to handle their finances in 2009.  For the next week, Suze is giving away her new book as a free download!  That's a $10 value.  You must go to Oprah's website to download the Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan.  Download it here (but hurry because this free offer expires on January 15).   Thank you Suze & Oprah!

 

My recommended reading list from The School of U

 In my January 2009 column, The Reel Deal:  The Shift to Thrift, for EventDV magazine, I talk about how reading personal finance books can help your financial situation.  I am listing some of my favorite books here.   You should all be attending "The School of U" by always reading!   It is important to read books that improve YOU.   I'm always on the look-out for these types of books, so if you have a favorite that isn't listed here, please share it with me!  Here's to YOU!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kris' Recommended Reading List

 

The Snowball: Warren Buffet & The Business of Life – Alice Schroeder

The Success Principles – Jack Canfield

Harmonic Wealth – James Arthur Ray

The Speed of Trust – Stephen Covey, Jr.

Think Big & Kiss Ass – Donald Trump

Women & Money – Suze Orman

The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke – Suze Orman

The Laws of Money – Suze Orman

The Last Lecture – Randy Pausch

The Tipping Point – Malcom Gladwell

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff About Money – Richard Carlson

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff About Work – Richard Carlson

The Secret – Rhonda Bryne

The Millionaire Next Door – Dr. Thomas Stanley

Who Stole My Cheese – Ilene Hochburg

Think & Grow Rich – Napolean Hill

5 Lessons A Millionaire Taught Me –  Richard Paul Evans

The Attraction Factor – Joe Vitale

Acres of Diamonds – Russell Conwell

As A Man Thinketh – James Allan

The Four Pillars of Investing – William Bernstein

Unlimited Power – Anthony Robbins

Rich Dad/Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki

Rich Kid/Smart Kid – Robert Kiyosaki

How To Win Friends & Influence People – Dale Carnegie

The Travelers Gift – Andy Andrews

The Passion Test – Janet Attword

The Right Words At The Right Time – Marlo Thomas & friends

The Daffodil Principle – Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards

Discovering The Laws Of Life – John Templeton

Ordinary People-Extraordinary Wealth – Ric Edelman

Motley Foots Money After 40 – Tom & David Gardnere

The Must-Have Customer – Robert Gordon

Guerilla Marketing in 30 Days – Jay Levinston

The Automatic Millionaire – David Bach

Smart Couples Finish Rich – David Bach

Nice Girls Don’t Finish Rich – Lois Frankel

I’ve Seen Famous People Naked and They’ve Got Nothing On You – Jake Stenfield

Debt-Proof Living – Mary Hunt

Over The Top – Zig Ziglar

A New Earth – Eckhart Tolle

Reading People – Jo-Ellen Dimitrius

The Bible

**and other books by the above authors!

Recommended Reading: The Snowball (Warren Buffet & The Business of Life)

 I highly recommend The Snowball (Warren Buffet & The Business of Life) by Alice Schroeder  Hardcover, published in Sept. 2008, 976 pages

I started reading this book as soon as it came out. Don't make the mistake I did of getting this book from the library, it is impossible to read in two weeks (new books can only be checked out for 2 weeks) due to the length of the book.   Just go ahead and buy it  (I got it at Sam's Club for $19).  It's a long book at 976 pages!

The timing of this book being published was phenomenal as the 2008 October stock market crash hit.  Warren predicted it all and more!  This book was years in the making. I was hooked from the first chapter.  The books starts out in 1999 with people thinking Warren is nuts and a has-been for not investing in Technology stocks.  Warren explains that he doesn't invest in what he can't see - technology is "outside his circle of competence."  Even though Warren and Bill Gates were best friends, he didn't invest in technology.   Those who had technology stocks know what happened next in March 2000.

This is not so much a book on investing as it is a book on the life of Warren Buffet.  When you read about his childhood, then you totally understand why he is the way he is.   There is no way Warren couldn't be a billionaire based on the way he was as a child.   Have you read the book, "The Millionare Next Door" by Dr. Thomas Stanley?  It's a favorite of mine.  Well, Warren is the true "Billionaire Next Door."

I will never read another book on Warren Buffet because this book covers it all!   This is the only book that Warren fully cooperated with.   Warren is quoted in his own words throughout the book.  Warren bares his soul.  You can't ask for anymore of someone than to tell it like it is, warts and all.  If you love economics, finances, stocks and the business of life - get this book!  The Snowball is the perfect title for this book.

Love it, love it, love it!

Colin Cowie is the featured speaker at the 2008 ABC Business of Brides Conference

  Colin Cowie is the featured speaker at the 2008 ABC Business of Brides Conference held in Newport Beach on November 11, 2008.

There was much anticipation of Colin speaking, and the ABC staff spoke fondly of him, and they kept on saying how nice and friendly Colin was.  Colin previously spoke to ABC in 1997, 1999 and 2002.  I am happy to report that Colin was gracious and charming to everyone.  There was no "rockstar attitude" from him.

 

 

 

Colin signs his book "Colin Cowie Chic" for me.  I'm half-way through it already and I really like it.   The key is being organized and no one is more organized than Colin.  No wonder he can pull off these fabulous events!

 

Recommended Reading: Make Money Not Excuses by Jean Chatzky

Recommended Reading:  Make Money Not Excuses by Jean Chatzky  (March 2008 - updated) 288 pages

I bought this book at the airport as I was getting ready for my long flight to Tokyo, Japan.   I LOVE financial and business books, so I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  This book is geared more toward women then men.  The book implies that alot of women leave the family finances up to the men in their lives and don't have a clue on what they should be doing...is this really true of women?  In 1958 maybe...but in 2008? This is a must-read book for college age students or college graduates, or for those who are (finally) taking control of their financial lives for the first time. 

Recommended Reading: Harmonic Wealth by James Arthur Ray

Recommended Reading:  Harmonic Wealth by James Arthur Ray

Copyright 2008, 324 pages, Retails for $24.95 but you can buy from Amazon for $16.95 and less.

I love books on business, personal finance and self-improvement and this book fits the bill.  In fact, it discusses the 5 Pillars of our lives:  Financial, Relational, Mental, Physical, Spiritual.  All pillars need to be firing on all pistons for us to experience true harmonic wealth.  I love his straight-forward way of speaking.  You get concrete ways to work on each pillar. This is one of my "new" favorites books which I'll be re-reading.  Once I started reading I couldn't put this book down. For more information on James, check out his website.

 

Recommended Reading: The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey

Recommended Reading:  The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey

Copyright 2006 (paperback 2008), 322 pages, $15

 Have you read the international best-seller  7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, Sr.  Well, this book is written by his son.  Just like the cover says "the one thing that changes everything" is trust.  How true!   I really enjoyed this book and couldn't agree more.  Trust affects your personal life just as much as your business life, so everyone should read this book.  I'm sure you all have friends and business associates you like, but don't trust (aside from the people you don't like OR trust).   When you have trust, things happen so much faster (an important quality in business where the speed of doing business can make or break a company).  The book does emphasize:  give trust to others until proven otherwise.

Would you like to find out how much people trust you? Find out for free at the official Speed of Trust website.

The books talks about the 4 Cores of Credibility.  Credibility is more than ethics.  Find out why personal credibility is the foundation of trust and how to create it.  Relationship Trust covers 13 behaviors: Behavior 1 - Talk Straight, Behavior 2 - Demonstrate Respect, Behavior 3 - Create Transparency, Behavior 4 - Right Wrongs, Behavior 5 - Show Loyalty, Behavior 6 - Deliver Results, Behavior 7 - Get Better, Behavior 8 - Confront Reality, Behavior 9 - Clarify Expectations, Behavior 10 - Practice Accountability, Behavior 11 - Listen First, Behavior 12 - Keep Commitments, Behavior 13 - Extend Trust

The book is peppered with quotes from famous people throughout: 

The moment there is suspicion about a person's motives, everything he does becomes tainted - Gandhi

Mistrust doubles the cost of doing business -  Prof. John Whitney, Columbia Business School

It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are - Roy Disney

The measure of your life will not be in what you accumulate, but in what you give away - Dr. Wayne Dyer

Rules cannot substitute for character - Alan Greenspan

 

Recommended Reading: Don't Sweat The Small Stuff at Work by Dr. Richard Carlson

Recommended Reading:  Don't Sweat The Small Stuff at Work by Richard Carlson, 284 pages (copyright 1998).   This book is about simple ways to minimize stress and conflict while bringing out the best in yourself and others  ($11.95)

I've read several of the "Don't Sweat the..." series by Richard Carlson and they are all great - this one is no exception.  Even if you are self-employed and run your own business, this book is still for you.   You still have to meet with clients, and if you volunteer in organizations, or attend meetings, there is good information to help you deal with people in an effective manner.   There are over 100 short-chapters in this book with each one filled with great information to help you go through your day!

Check out the official website for Kristine & Richard Carlson on "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" where you can find out more about living in the moment and while it's important to not sweat the small stuff - and it's all small stuff!  Happy Reading!! 

Recommended Reading: Women & Money By Suze Orman

Recommended Reading:  Women & Money by Suze Orman (272 pages, copyright 2007)

I'm already a Suze Orman fan and enjoy her books.  Suze was recently on the Oprah Winfrey show and for 24 hours, Suze put this book on the Oprah website which readers could download for free as a pdf.  Thanks Suze! 

This book retails for $24, though you can buy it on Amazon for $14 (or if you were lucky enough, you downloaded it on Feb. 14).   I consider myself financially savvy so this book reinforced alot of things for me, but my favorite chapter was Chapter 4:  You Are Not On Sale.    In fact, I already made more money by adhering to the advice in this chapter!

Sure, the title says "Woman & Money" but you can easily substitute the word "Videographers & Money"  or "Brides & Money" etc.  Don't let the title of the book keep you from reading it - this book is really geared towards anyone - including men!  Guys - read this book then pass it on to the women in your life:)  It would make a great shower gift for brides, moms-2B, etc.

Click here and scroll down the page to watch an exclusive VIDEO of Suze Orman as she talks about the book and what it can do for you.