5 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Bag for Any Event

Since the summer is literally around the corner - and you know what that means... Party Season! We decided to collaborate with fellow entrepreneur and purse-a-holic, Jody- Ann from A Girls Next Best Friend. Jody-Ann talks about her tips for choosing the perfect handbag. Thanks Jody-Ann! 

Choosing the perfect purse can sometimes be as difficult as choosing the outfit itself. To make your selection (and life) much easier, we're offering a few tips to make shopping a breeze...

1. Purpose: When choosing purses always think of the event that you will be attending. For weddings, dinners and proms your requirements will be different from that needed at a conference, meeting, or lunch with a client. It is important to always shop with a purpose in mind to ensure your selection is suitable to your event.  
2. Size: The size of your purse is extremely important depending on the event you’re attending. A tote might be more appropriate for a day out with girlfriends, while a small clutch is more suitable for a wedding or evening event. Will you be dancing all night? Then smaller is always better. 
3. Colour: Choosing a purse colour is fairly easy if your outfit is already selected. If this is not the case, then go for neutral colours, these go great with almost anything and will blend flawlessly with the rest of your closet post event. If your event is on the fancier side something shiny or sparkly never hurts, gold and silver are perfect accents to little black dresses; Just think red carpet! While all these are true, let’s not forget colour. For the ladies who like to take it up a notch, selecting a purse with a pop of colour is guaranteed to keep all eyes on you.(Just the way we like it!) See a fuchsia clutch that is just begging to be bought? Go for it! Bright colours are great for spring and summer, and pairs well with neutral toned clothing.
4. Compartments: Personally a purse with at least one small interior pocket is a must-have for me. It is the perfect place for storing business cards and contact numbers I collect during my daily interactions. Select a purse that is functional for your event, and think of what items you will be taking with you, and if your selection will be able to store all these items. So important for any women! 
5. Details: Pay attention to external details on purses when shopping. A purse with lots of external hardware might not work well for a clean, classy, business look, but pairs well with jeans and a blazer for a casual lunch. Take note of the extras!                                                                                                                         

An outfit is as perfect as its accessories, so do not be shy to experiment. 

Jody-Ann is the owner of A Girl’s Next Best Friend, an online purse boutique that specializes in providing customers with fashionable purses at an affordable price. The first of its kind in Canada, A Girl’s Next Best Friend can be described as an online purse experience. 

Find A Girl’s Next Best Friend on Twitter and Facebook
Twitter: @nextbestfriend 

DivaGirl Launch Party - March 21, 2012

I got the chance to be a “Diva” for the night - at DivaGirl Inc’s Media Launch Party. This unstoppable brand (who happens to work with BYSS...) launched 3 new divisions; Instructional DVD, DivaGirl Boutique and a Clothing Collection in collaboration with Titika.

DivaGirl’s launch party was held at the swanky Cream Lounge in the trendy King West area. Laura Furtado and I were outfitted by the lovely ladies behind Rent Frock Repeat - we got the chance to strut our stuff in designer duds for the night. This was one of the highlights of my night - my dress was adorable and so comfortable! 

The night was an amazing success - we got the chance to mingle with the media, and our amazing DivaGirls. Sipping Rotkappchen Champagne who sponsored the evening was the icing on the cake. 

It was definitely a fantastic night - followed by the amazing DivaGirl Conference that happened that weekend. More to come on that in a later post. 

Want to see more photos from the Media Launch Party? Check out DivaGirl’s Flickr account. 

- Brooke 

Craig and Colette's Wedding - Ocotber 8th, 2011

 I know it has been forever since I posted on the blog - and for that I am sorry. Because You Said So... (BYSS) has been busy working with DivaGirl Fitness and Crave Toronto! Also for those of you who can’t tell ( I don’t blame you.. Mother Nature even forgot) it is ski season! The ladies of BYSS have been busy enjoying the beautiful mountains in BC and the gorgeous hills of Caledon in Ontario. 

In October BYSS had the pleasure of helping create an amazing wedding day for two of our favourite people. Our dear friends Craig and Colette got married at the beautiful, breath-taking Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet, BC. With the ocean and the mountains as the backdrop these two love birds said “I do...” 

This wedding was a family affair for us Milnes - Chris (dad) was co-efficient for the wedding talking about marriage (my mom and him have been married for 30 years - 2 weeks happy according to dad!) As Chris began his speech he decided to go the humour route, and started by saying “When Colette asked me to do this I started writing down ideas about what to say... let me get my notes” as he pulls a roll of toilet paper from his pocket. 

Staying true to Colette and Craig’s vision of their wedding day we kept it simple and connected to nature. Cathy, the creative one out of the two of us created a guest book from a tree off our weekend property. Allowing guests to sign their names and well wishes to the couple - on a piece of nature that they will have forever.  Sticking to the nature theme Cathy and her mom, Ann (like I said, family affair) collected rocks and wrote the names of the guests - creating unique name cards for the table. 

The seating chart was another unique creation of Cathy’s - using wood from the same tree as the guest book she created a seating chart. 

The centre pieces were simple candle holders that combined the couples love of nature with a classy twist. Surrounded by pieces of drift wood that literally brought the atmosphere of the ocean inside. 

Craig and Colette took their love of the ocean to a whole new level - stepping into the waves (with a surf board!) to capture life long memories. Colette (the least girly girl you will ever meet) opted for two wedding dresses knowing that she would be emerging herself into the Pacific Ocean before the ceremony. 

A beautiful wedding for an amazing couple! 

An Afternoon in the Country!

We just returned from a week long vacation in Saint Lucia and it was amazing (not trying to brag). The island is beautiful flanked on either side by the Atlantic and Caribbean oceans which are absolutely breathtaking. We spent the week exploring and relaxing. Now why am I telling you all of this? 

While we were exploring the island and relaxing I realized that I haven’t really spent the time exploring this beautiful province (Ontario) that I live in. So I came up with an idea. Why not create a day where Torontonians can explore more of beautiful Ontario. Now I am not suggesting you take a week off to explore the province - because let’s get real we all have to work. But I am suggesting an afternoon in the country. Why not grab your family and friends and spend the day in nature?

So here is what I am thinking - a day at a beautiful, 100 acres farm. Spend the day riding horses, and remember why Ontario in November is so amazing. Escape the city for the day and take a moment to relax and breath in the fresh air the country has to offer. Only 45 minutes outside of Toronto. 

Let me know if you are interested in spending an afternoon in the country with family and friends. Contact me at brooke@becauseyousaidso.net for more information. 

Do somthing for yourself! :) You all deserve it. 

Testimonials from Jen and Adam's Wedding

Big thank you's to the lovely @BecauseUSaidSo for all her running around and help at yesterday's wedding! This girl rocks at planning!! 

~ Christian Reid, Photographer 

What an absolutley epic wedding @JenVivian. Never had so much fun. Amazing work @CreidPhoto and @BecauseUSaidSo 

~ Cameron Ward, Award Design 

Jen and Adam's wedding was incredibly special... meaningful, fun and wonderfully creative. Wow did you guys ever set the bar high. Cameron Ward, outstanding; Brooke Milne, superb. 

~ Bonnie Druxerman, Friend of Bride and Groom 

Cameron Ward and Brooke Milne are my lifesavers!!!! Thank you thank you thank for your help with the assembly of VILO! 

~ Jen Vivian, Bride 

Brooke was a STAR this weekend!! Everyone was asking who my planner was because she was doing such an AMAZING job! She enabled us to enjoy our special day without having to worry about anything! 

~ Jen and Adam Lowe, Bride and Groom 

Jen and Adam Lowe's Wedding

Jen and Adam Lowe were married 08.13.11 in front of their family and friends at the beautiful Hockley Valley Resort. It was there at Hockley that Jen and Adam met many years ago - it is where they first learned about their mutual love of snowboarding. Unknown to them at the time, their love for each other would blossom as they both continued to pursue their love for snowboarding. 

So naturally when it came time to choose a theme for their wedding, Jen and Adam knew instantly that it must involve snowboarding somehow. It began with the way Adam proposed on a snowboard - right on the hill. Written across the hill was “Jen V Marry Me?” as Adam snowboarded down to a tearful but happy Jen. 

The theme continued as Jen and Adam spent an intimate day at the hill on their boards for their engagement shoot. Christine Reid Photography spent the day at Caledon Ski Club with Jen and Adam as they stole moments and showed off their skills during a beautiful winter day. 

 

Guests were sent ski lift tickets as save the date cards created by a good friend of the couple; Cameron Ward, owner of Award Design. Following up with invitations that gave more detail and showed more of Cam’s creative talents. 

A unique touch that guests are still talking about were the snowboarding magazine themed itineraries (another of Cam’s creations) created for the couple on their special day. Filled with stories written by the couple, letters from friends and family and photos from their engagement shoot, the magazines were an ingenious way to provide the guests with details of their special day . Designed after snowboarding magazines; VILO (a combination of the couple’s last names.. Vivian and Lowe) was a special wedding addition! 

Once the wedding formalities were complete, friends and family walked to their tables and were greeted with individual, personalized “ski names” designed to look like ski signs. Taking a twist on the table numbers, each table was named after a ski hill or ski resort; like Caledon and Whistler. 

Seating Chart

All in all their wedding day was perfect, complete with a cake made by Ayoma Cakes, including a personalized, unique cake topper. Created to mimic Jen and Adam on a ski lift in their wedding attire. 

Jen and Adam proved that true love is out there and that a wedding day is meant to be about the couple’s true passions. Jen and Adam combined their love for snowboarding and each other - and with the help of those who matter most to them created the perfect day. 

Planning: Because You Said So... Promotions and Events

Photography:  Christine Reid Photography

Design: Award Design

Venue: Hockley Valley Resort

Cake: Ayoma Cakes

Welcome to our blog!

Hello Everybody! We are very excited to announce that we are launching our website today! Take a moment to check it out and let us know what you think. Check back once a month for blog posts about us, our events and anything else we find interesting! 

Great to meet you!!

Brooke and Cathy.