DramaticAnnie

Okay, I would like to know about the luggage tags too And secondly, I'm not sure about you guys but the Staples flier in my area is celebrating their 20th anniversary and they are selling 60ml bottles of One Step hand sanitizer for 20 cents. Just thought I'd share

That's cool about the Dollar Tree buying out Dollar Giant.. except I don't know if there's a Dollar Giant around here... we have Dollarama and the Great Canadian Dollar Store.. (both of which sell lots of stuff thats more then $1 so unfair lol). Speaking of Dollar stores.. I was in Dollarama last night and came across these cute totes!: They're $2 each and they zip along the top, the inside has like a lining to it, something like what you would see waterproof bags except since these are from the dollar store I wouldn't put anything soaking wet in there and expect it not to leak through.. but yeah they come in lots of cute colors, I like the one on the bottom left myself since I have turquoise, green and hints of purple in my wedding colors. I am waiting for another BDW bride to get back to me on some bags she had left over but she hasn't been on since her wedding date.. which was like in July.. and as much as I loved her bags I do have to have a backup plan... so seriously thinking about these ones, good size for what I need too

Sorry I have never ordered through the site, but it is $1.99 Aloe Gel and it is on the last page of the "Look Beautiful for Less" flier that was distributed with the current regular avon books (the Campaign 21 due to Avon October 2nd 2011). The item number is 191-011 if that helps you search for it! Good luck

I found the G2 packs at grocery store called Hannaford.. not sure how widespread it is in the states, but it is all over Maine. the Avon aloe is on sale again for this Campaign in AVON, it is $1.99 per bottle and the bottle itself is pretty big, not giant size but I didn't want to get the small travel size aloe personally, since when I get burned (and I always do, and so does my fiancee) we need gobs of it all over our shoulders and back and I figure one of those lil ones will be used up during the first application.. but yeah.. it was $1.89 this summer when people were grabbing it up, but it is in the "Look Beautiful for Less" sale flier in the Avon Campaign 21 (goes out October 2nd) if you're interested! I think I got enough last time

I just came across the border from Maine to Canada (home) and while we were waiting inside at customs, a couple in front of us were asking about fireworks. They wanted to bring back big packs of sparklers, not the big fireworks or anything, and the customs officer said nothing combustible.. no fireworks would be allowed across the border. Yes they said, sparklers count as fireworks. Sorry! Maybe you can use them at a jack and jill or some kind of going away party?

Avon update - if any of you are looking for manicure kits, the Avon order thats going out next weekend (Campaign 20) has these little manicure kits in their Outlet flier - it's called the Brights Manicure kit and its a pretty stripey kit on for $2.99, was $10. I'll put a pic below. Also, I took a peek at the next campaign (orders due Oct 2nd) the ALOE is back on sale, it's $1.99, not the $1.89 price as before but only a ten cent difference, and it's a really nice size. Ok, manicure kit pic in case anyone is interested:

Also in the US (I am from Canada but travelled across the border) you can buy a box of 3 packets of individually packed advil and tylenol at the Dollar Tree (for $1)

Well we did our shopping in Maine last weekend and had a fab fab fab time. Said yes to the dress and ordered two bridesmaid dresses too, at David's Bridal. Picked up Tide handwash/sink packs, Shout wipes in little boxes of 12 wipes per box, and Advil at the Christmas Tree Shoppes (Shops? I seem to remember an e in there - anyway). Picked up my little sunblocks from Target for 0.99 cents each, and picked up those little Wisp toothbrushes at the Dollar Tree - I wasn't planning to get them but when I seen them there for a dollar I couldn't resist. Oh and I couldn't find any gatorade pouches at Big Lots but I did pick some up at the grocery store there in Maine, and they had the Gatorade G2 as well which was great, because quite a few of our guests are diabetic and Gatorade has so much sugar in it, but the G2 lower calorie stuff is not so bad at all. I was really surprised I didn't really get anything from Walmart (since I love Walmart in the states for like a billion other things) except for like two packs of Tums in case I need a couple more. I already have my Bubbas and didn't even look for them in Maine because I didn't want to tempt myself into picking one up for EVERYone since they are so big and I'm having nightmares about packing stuff already. Oh and I went into Bath and Body works because you guys are always talking about it and picked up really nice smelling hand sanitizers, 5 for $5, so I picked up five for my bridesmaids. And a loofah for me in my wedding color, but that's not for the trip or anything. Oh and another thing I picked up at Walmart, they were selling bolts of pre measured fabric for five bucks each. All different kinds and colors. I picked up a bolt in my wedding color with the idea in mind that since we're all travelling as one group, I want to tear strips of fabric and attach it to everyone's luggage. That way, whenever we see a suitcase with my turquoise color hanging off the handle, the people in our group will just grab it so we'll collect and keep all the luggage together. The only thing I don't have are the bags themselves, and I was in negotiations with another bride on here who had bought too many and was going to sell me hers, but then her wedding date was approaching and finally she was off to her wedding and I haven't heard from her again. Hope she didn't forget about me. I know it's going to be hard for me to stay away from here after my wedding.. me and my fiancee already live together and it's not like anything is going to change much after the wedding, it's just kind of making it official kind of thing. And this is supposed to be like one of the biggest celebrations you'll ever put on, so.. Which is why I'm so OOT obsessed maybe?? lol.. I was saying on our way home from the USA "I'm so happy I'm almost done with my oots" and my mom is like "Can't you please say youre DONE?! Just say you're done! You have so much already" and went into her tirade of how are we going to pack all of this, etc.. oh dear.

OMG, total virtual high-five to you. Although getting great deals on oot stuff is awesome, free is always better! Great find!

Thanks for the awesome news, capecodder I am heading there this weekend, leaving Thursday actually. I have an appointment Saturday at David's Bridal in Portland. Definetely going to the Christmas tree shop for shout wipes and advil

YAY I'm so glad there is that Canadian Wholesale thinger out west.. and since you found Advil's there, the Atlantic Cash and Carry must have advils too, just maybe not in stock at the time. I will check the dollarama too, apparently they went super fast at the dollaramas here, according to the cashiers. My trip to the states is next weekend tho! Eeek excited.. and feel like I don't have enough money.. lol

Omg I started doing a welcome book like a 'facebook' of people going on the cruise with us via a publisher newsletter, annnnd.. its taking me bloody forever. And if I don't stop soon I'm going to have like a 60 page newsletter, lol

Thanks for the Staples tip in the US having the little advil and stuff, I will check that out labor day weekend when we go down to Maine Hmm... not sure if this is all over Canada but here the Superstore has like a.. warehouse thingy here like.. it's called Atlantic Cash & Carry but it's basically like a mini costco of superstore stuff? You can get stuff in bulk or just buy one and you don't need a membership. I went there today because we needed bulk items for a dinner we are doing tomorrow and it's like the last place I thought I would look for OOT stuff but they sell like boxes of the Tylenol regular strength and extra strength 10ct tubes ($1.89), that's the individual price but I saw a case out there too so I'm sure it would be cheaper if you bought the whole case (I dunno how many were in there) they also sell tubes of Motrin and tubes of Reactin.. I forgot to check the prices of those because I was looking for Advil.. I also bought a box of Tums there, 18 inidividal rolls inside the pack for like ten bucks. There was a couple of other things there that I already have.. so if you have this in your area or know what I'm talking about.. lol.. put it on your list of places to check out anyway.

We are also planning a trip across the border (to David's Bridal!) and back to school shopping for my sister and mom for my younger brothers... Hi Capecodder, good to see another nova scotian bride! There are tons of fantastic ideas here, I've stolen lots myself lol Yeah, I want to see the other side of the 25 cent luggage tags as well pleasie Speaking of Dollarama, for anyone that's bought Poly to Go, whats the expiration date on yours? lol.. Mine is May 2012.. and my wedding is April 2012.. but the cruise goes from April 28 - May 5th - so kinda cutting it close lol.. just wondering if anyone elses is different?

Yay dai! I was following you guys for a bit on cruise critic, I'm so happy for you guys, and so happy you guys had a great cruise wedding I hope you have pics posted somewhere!

Minimum order of 10 dozen? That's ridiculous. I got 2 dozen and it came to like $104 with express shipping and tracking number. That's including the 2 dozen pashmina's. Just to be clear the email I used was [email protected] and I was talking to someone named Luanna. They had asked ground or express in the email conversations and I said the cheaper of the two but then it was shipped express anyway. I spoke to them over the phone to do the credit card transaction because I didn't want to email my cc number, their number is 212-779-8872. The little tags on them say 100% pashmina, which according to wikipedia: Pashmina refers to a type of fine cashmere wool and the textiles made from it.[1][2] The name comes from Pashmineh (پشمینه), made from Persian pashm ("wool").[2] The wool comes from changthangi or pashmina goat, which is a special breed of goat indigenous to high altitudes of the Himalayas in Nepal, Pakistan and northern India And they really are super soft and feel really nice. They are also pretty big, when I measured it out it's 6 ft long not counting the little tassles and just over 2ft wide. I dug em out to take pictures: That's it in the package it came in - now, the rest of them are all beautifully folded in their individual packages that say Pashmina like this one, but this is the one I took out to feel and stuff and I couldn't get it folded back the way it was, lol. This is it out of the package, the color shows up funny in the pictures or maybe its the bad lighting in my living room but its a really nice bright turquoise This is it opened up and stretched across my sectional couch, like I said its about 6 feet long x 2 feet 2inches wide, but its silky enough that if you double it up and loop it around your neck as a scarf its not bulky or anything, but you can also use it as a big wrap/shawl and its very smooth on the skin. Anyway, that ends my little pashmina information session. You tell them someone you know bought 2 dozen pashmina's. I paid$54 for 2 dozen then another $50 for shipping, but I could have had the $30 ground shipping.. oh well.. they are here and I really like them so I guess my total cost per one is really $4.33 as opposed to the $2.25 that sounded so good to begin with, so if you do have someone going to NYC it would be way better, but this is good too. And I'll tell FI that it was 2.25 for one, lol. Shipping shouldnt count The thread where I originally got information about pioneer group and the address and stuff to their physical location is: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/thread/55781/nyc-cheap-pashminas

You guys really should try pioneer group, I paid less then $105 for 2 dozen pashmina's and that included the fancy shipping costs in a big heavy box. Do you want me to dig them up and take a picture? lol

I'm totally stealing the wording of the second paragraph of your welcome book. I mean I'll tweak it just a bit but that is just what I have been looking for, hope you don't mind!

Oh wow what a great find for those cups! The colors are so awesome, I think people would think you had them special ordered for the wedding! I honestly wouldn't worry about the barcode. They look great! Cuz if you put a sticker with your logo there or anything.. it's in an awkward spot.. so I would just go with them!

I have seen brides getting off the ship to go to their weddings on the port stops and yes, they have gotten off the ship in their dresses.

I booked an April 2012 cruise on the Carnival Dream and we are getting married on the ship before it leaves Port Canaveral.. I have seen brides getting off the ship on embarkation days and they always look so stressed! So when I get on I want to get the wedding over with and then celebrate it with our family and friends all week. I would book with Carnival's wedding department if you're planning a wedding at one of the stops.. and yes if the weather is bad they may not be able to stop at your stop, the tenders at Grand Cayman would be especially affected by weather like another poster said. I have been on these tenders. I am taking my parents including my dad and my fiancee's mom who both have limited mobility, I would not expect them to be comfortable getting on the tenders, so you might want to think about your guests as well. Look into your Carnival wedding package more. I think you can have a beach wedding with more then just the bride and the groom, but the documentation I have is for on-board weddings so I'm not sure. For us the reception includes 20 ppl, and we have 34 booked so far, so for the extra 14 ppl I'll have to pay another $30 a head. Except for children under 7, which I have one of attending, which will be free for the reception, big woop, lol. Happy Planning! Great hearing from another April 2012 Carnival bride! A woman messaged me on here actually that said she is getting married on the Carnival Dream the same day as me! So I'm sure we'll see each other somewhere, we'll be the only guests (maybe one other? I think Carnival does a max of 3 weddings per embarkation day) with wedding dresses on, lol.

I also like the little suitcases with the stuff in them, I could do some up for the kids since there's only like.. two kids going.. and write like "Isabella's Stationary Set" label since I'm sure I'll give her a notepad or journal or whatever in her bag too.. not that there's going to be any shortage of things for kids to do on the cruise ship! Ok, next dollarama trip: - check for more Advil's - Poly to Go - Little stationary set suitcases

The only reason things that were previously free and then when you add something else they come up regular price is if you a) trying to add a second one of the free item - for example, if you have one free pen in your cart, if you add another, then the first one will be regular price and the second one will be free or you clicked on a different link to order the other item for free, during which promotion the previous item wasn't free (like if you have one email with free postcards and one email with a free pen but postcards cost $4.80, and you clicked the free pen email your postcards will now be $4.80) also if you're playing around with your vistaprint like trying to find a coupon code or whatever, clicking those links that get you 25% off or whatnot makes everything in your cart regular price, but 25% off.. get it? Not everything has to have your logo or photo on it! My free pens and free tshirts are vistaprint 'designs' but we edited them as much as we could and they look like things we would have designed anyway

YES you can save those "free" emails and go back to the links in them later - however much later (I have been using the same one for months.. if you never click any of their new emails, you'll always have your free pricing) you can still get the same deals! And yes, you are limited to 10 free things in each order. I have ordered pens, sticky notes, banners large and small, mugs, hats (the hats are kinda small, ok if they're free but I wouldn't pay for them), tshirts, notepads, mousepads, note books, keychains, lawn signs, car door magnets, small tote bags, regular magnets, postcards large and regular sized (I made wedding bookmarks out of the large size postcards), posters, stamps galore, and you can upload like a logo onto a stamp.. it doesn't have to be just text, and they come out really nice. I have mastered the art of free items on vistaprint. You will never get free shipping UNLESS you're BUYING stuff and they have those promotions that are like.. buy 40$ worth of stuff and get free shipping. If you're only going for the freebies, which I do now, you'll always have to pay some kind of shipping. Go with the slowest (cheapest) option - they almost always 'ship early' anyway. Items have their own shipping rate - like I've noticed besides the obvious items like lawn signs that come with their own metal stand thing you stick in the ground.. stamps have a big shipping fee on them. But seriously, if you go to Staples or anywhere to order a custom stamp it's going to be like, $25 at least, and that's about how much I pay for shipping 10 items. The boxes are huge, I've bought lawn signs and large banners for a non-profit dance that I help organize every year, and a couple of years ago we paid over 200 dollars to get two large outdoor banners that we got our logo printed on.. now I can get these free from vistaprint, so this year we made new ones, put "welcome to the 5th annual" on there, lots of stuff. I've even ordered stuff for my work and one order came to like 80 bucks with fast shipping, plus I paid for a couple of things but with everything I got it would have cost literally hundreds to get custom printed at a print shop. I mean come on, where else is going to print you a single tshirt that you customize yourself, for free (pay for shipping). Some places wouldn't even do a single shirt, there has to be a minimum order or they're all the same, or whatever. I have vistaprint tshirts that have "Cruising with our friends Annie & Blaine on their Carnival Dream Wedding!" on there, along with the person's name, their role in the wedding if they are part of the wedding party, plus "April 2012". Free~ Some people feel ripped off by the shipping but take it from someone who has ordered many a printed item for my work as well as for that annual dance I was talking about, and this site is awesomeness.

I like those turquoise lanterns, but we're getting married on a cruise ship and decorations are none to minimal.. but I would so grab them for our AHR, and later use them for at the house! The pashmina tassles.. hmm they are packed away right now but they aren't cheap looking at all.. very luxurious feel to them I thought. More silky then cottony if that makes sense. Their shipping charge cost almost as much as the pashmina's themselves I think, no duty. The box is a heavy box but they shipped it express and had a tracking number and everything, I got the sense that their english wasn't the best but if I were to order again I'd definetely ask for the cheapest shipping option they could find. I think the US has these 'flat rate' boxes for shipping stuff. I will have to look into those more as I am planning to mail stuff from Maine to Florida. Oh and someone asked where to get flip flop manicure sets - I got mine through Hautelook, they are Kate Aspen ones (you can google Kate Aspen Flip Flop manicure set to find a picture) they are cute and pink and black, but Avon has some mini pedicure flip flop sets on sale for $3.99 right now, they are like a denim color with pink accent, really cute too.