New Blog For the New Year

Please check back later for new posts!!
BTP is going through a facelift!!
www.beantime.net

XM Green Broad & BTP News

Wow - so much is happening. GreenEleganceWeddings, Ethical Weddings, Host Papa (green web hosting), Naked Cotton, Delforte Denim, and Henderson Creative have all jumped on board to help promote the nationwide green wedding contest that I'm sponsoring, plus all are being super supportive to XM & the Duffy House!!! I'm so taken back by the kindness and generosity of everyone!

The Green Broad website should be up and running soon - that should be a blast - get ready broads because I will need your help:)
Anyone who operates a green business in broadville - let me know - I want to feature you on this site!
Also - anyone who is running marathons for breast cancer, leukemia, etc. I want to feature you as well. The goal is to leave this site educated and feel like we are making an impact on our local community as well as globally! Since we are so scattered..this is the best place to do that (on the world wide web)

Bride Submissions: Enter by March 21 - voting starts online at Green Broads Website - April 1st. Winner will be announced 2 weeks from then.
Prizes: Free Naked Cotton T-shirt & Pair of DelForte Denim Jeans or skirt!!! Also your wedding will be featured in my upcoming coffee table book!

Anyone who was a green bride - talk to me (want to include you in the book as well).

And for all of you MonaVie Broads - a message board for you to post all of your success with MonaVie! Drink It - Feel It - Share It!!! And for everyone who has not felt the effects you may just need to up your dosage:)

Thanks again for all of your support and I hope to hear from you soon:)

XM's Newest Broad - "Green Broad"

I am sooo excited:) To be apart of something not only so large, but to help so many people!! 2008 is a change in the right direction. To think that every 2 weeks I will get to chat with broads nationwide - about what other broads are doing in their community, reivew new products, keep everyone up to date with the nationwide contest for brides in 2008 (and publish a book).....geez!!!!I'm tickeled green:)

I just want to thank everyone for all of their love and support and I hope that 2008 brings everyone a breath of fresh air and leads them down a path that they have always wanted to travel in. My old dreams are finally becoming a reality!!!!

Fire Robin Farm Pottery

2008 has been such an amazing year for not just BTP, but for the whole Evans's family. Just this week, I was checking through my email and old friends(like Missy Hartka) - friends who I have not heard from since High School - who were just surfing the internet finding old classmates happened to send me an email:) Those emails leave lasting impacts on my sole!! Even today, an old friend/coworker - Mike McIntyre (in my opinion, the best video editor in the world) sent me an email. Unfortunalty he is not editing video at the moment - however he is doing something amazing!!!! Making Pottery:)
So eager to see his work - knowing that he is so gifted.......a link was sent to my inbox today:) LOVE IT!!! So want some for my house!!! You know what is going in your stocking for Christmas 2009!!!!!

Anyway, I just find friendships so uplifting....true friends, regaurdless to when you last speak with them remain friends forever. I'm so blessed to have Mike as a friend and I'm so glad that we are back in touch. Now I want to share the world with him - let his pottery bless everyone's homes and give you an ounce of creativity to do something special for 2008!!!


Lots of love for Mike McIntyre.

Feb 5th BTP on XM Satellite Radio: Broadminded

Tuesday

Join the ladies from Broadminded for great show with guests including Jennifer Sabini Evans from BeanTime Productions, Marc Malkin from E! TV, true crime author Fred Rosen, and stress therapist Jane Beard in studio too!!
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I cannot wait to see my dear friend Christine and talk about all of the latest health news - MonaVie and both of our upcoming projects: Eco Friendly Brides Contest and The Duffy House!!! It's been a long time in the making and finally 2008 brings a year of change for us all!

Loo-Bee Designs

Even if you are not getting married this year, chances are you know someone who is having a baby!!! A really close family friend of mine makes the most adorable hand-painted and personalized baby onesie, tee, infant hat, and tote bag. They come in many design styles and can be customized to meet any particular requests!! Great for Moms and Dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles, or anyone with little ones on their gift-giving list!

A must see for the 2008 year!!

Sabini Customers Like Environmentally Friendly Options

Floors Etc. has carried natural products for years. These have always been a draw for customers who react to harsher materials, and new choices address the increased interest in green products, Lisa said.

"We definitely have a good percentage of people who are concerned about environmental materials. It used to be that they were chemically sensitive, and now there are more (customers) who are just looking for products that are environmentally friendly," she said.

One area Lisa has seen expand is sustainable materials. Bamboo and cork flooring appeal to customers because they are better for the earth and look good, she said, and sisal rugs continue to be a popular natural choice.

She's also enthusiastic about Marmoleum, a linoleum product made completely from sustainable products including cork and linseed oils. "It's tough — it will really last and it comes in some fabulous colors," she explained.

Another trend she's seen in the last decade is a movement away from carpeting in most rooms.

"People are going more toward hard surfaces. Ten years ago your kitchen may have had tile in it but you'd still have carpet in the dining room," she said. "The hard surfaces are easier to maintain and clean, especially with kids and animals and traffic." (more to article)

By Linda Fridy

Disposable Camera Alternative

Smile Albums...for family, friends, or just for you!!
Based out of the UK, this company gives brides an alternative to purchasing disposable cameras. Many of your family and friends have switched to digital - just collect their photos and upload them to Smile Albums. From an ethical standpoint they are trying to reduce the wasted at landfills since so many digital alternatives are available. And to attract consumers, like us they keep their prices low.
So if you are thinking to purchase disposable cameras at your wedding...look into Smile Camera's first!! I think they may surprise you!

Forget White - Go Green!!

Photo by: Dusty Photos
Show friends and family that living an environmentally responsible lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean going without by going green on your big day. It’s a great way to make your wedding unique and memorable and make a statement at the same time. Here are ten sensible tips to help you save the earth and your money too:


1. Let mother nature be your decorator :: an outdoor setting will infuse the whole event with a lush, natural beauty and require less decorating on your part too! You will use less electricity and create unbeatable lighting for your photographs. If you are concerned about weather conditions, choose a venue that offers indoor facilities incase of rain or consider renting a tent to ensure that your guests stay dry and cozy.

2. Simple & elegant invitations :: no need for multiple sheets of paper with tissue between each - consider using a single sheet of recycled paper or cardstock for your invitations and have guests RSVP by email.

3. Go local :: by buying your food and flowers from local vendors, you not only help support your community, but you also save a large amount of fuel in the process.

4. Recycled & antique rings :: vintage rings, whether a family heirloom or a great find at an antique store, will ensure that your ring is as unique as you are. If you just can’t find “the one”, you can always have old gold melted down and refashioned into your own design.

5. Vintage dresses & sustainable fabrics :: when looking for that perfect dress, consider a stylish secondhand find or look for something you could wear again. Your bridesmaids will also thank you if you let them do the same.

6. Do your guests a favor :: thank your guests by giving them a favor that won’t end up in the trash at the end of the night. Think about favors like wildflower seeds, bulbs or potted, or a photograph from the wedding. Use leaves or other natural objects as place cards.

7. Cleanup :: avoid adding to landfills by using as few disposable items as possible. Consider renting white plates for a sophisticated look or go for a chic eclectic look by mixing and matching thrift store plates and dishes (and donating them back when you're done of course!). You can also request that the staff separate any recyclable materials that could otherwise end up in the trash.

8. Ask for only what you need :: keep your storage closets from getting packed by asking for less. Give guests the option to donate to a favorite charity or cause instead of buying you a gift you won’t use. You can also request for guests to put their money together towards one big purchase. It will save you space, time and the inconvenience of returning unwanted items.

9. Location :: choose a setting that's convenient to the majority of your guests to minimize travel impacts. Having the ceremony and the reception at the same place or providing eco-friendly transportation between them is also a big help.

10. Get involved :: The more of yourself you put into each detail, the more personal your wedding celebration feels. Know exactly how many guests you are buying for to avoid overbuying supplies. Don’t be afraid to ask vendors such as caterers & florists what they are doing with your extra materials. You can also skip the middleman all together by making handmade decorations, gifts and invitations that are sure to be cherished by the recipient.

Peace In A Box

"The Priority Boxes" A global art series.
What would you do if you suddenly received a box via mail, labeled “FRAGILE: Contains Peace”? How would you use it? Would you give it to someone else? Would you sell it? Would you just throw it away?

Such a box is exactly what painter Franck de Las Mercedes has been sending since May of 2006 to anyone who asks him, anywhere in the world, for free.

"The Priority Boxes" project is a public art series that seeks to provoke thought, to make people reconsider their ability to influence change, communicate through art and make art accessible to people from all walks of life.

Get Your Peace Box today and email BTP your photo or video about your box!!!

Eco-Chic Wedding Decor: Save Paper, Write on the Walls Instead!

Graffiti at your wedding? Perish the thought. But wait! I'm talking about Wedding Graffiti, a company that creates custom wall decor with beautiful calligraphy and lovely embellishments. And you'll be saving trees, because any signs you need for the event will be written on the wall instead. These unique designs are meant to be saved, frame them and place upon the wall in your new home. You'll smile every time you walk by.
Available at: http://www.wonderfulgraffitiwedding.com/

Attention Eco-Friendly Brides!

Photo taken by: Dusty Photos

The amazing and talented VA videographer, Jennifer Sabini Evans is offering 6 hours of her time to 4 couples who are having a Green Wedding in 2008! This package is normally worth $1200!
To enter, email a description of your green wedding event to beachybeanie@yahoo.com. I'm looking for the most creative, authentic green and organic wedding. It’s simply beautiful to see more couples not only making a commitment of love to each other but to love the Earth as well.

The Contest has 4 deadlines. The couple chosen during each season will be announced through BeanTime Productions website, XM's Broadminded, and everyone who submits photos (with photographer permission) has a chance to be featured in BTP's upcoming Earth Friendly Brides Book!

Contest Submission Deadlines:
Spring 2008 Brides: March 2008
Summer 2008 Brides: May 2008
Autumn 2008 Brides: August 2008
Winter 2008 Brides: November 2008

BTP Joins World Wildlife Fund

With such a new found interest in becoming eco friendly this 2008 year, what better way to start it off by joing a foundation! The word that best describes WWF and its wildlife conservation mission is 'action.' Our wildlife conservation mission is illustrated as much by our victories in the corridors of government as it is by the results we achieve through our on-the-ground, 'muddy boots' activities in wildlife animal conservation corridors around the world.

For me it is important that I give back to my community. I'm very excited for a fresh start to a cleaner me in 2008. Thank you everyone for all of your help!!.

Earth Friendly Weddings in 2008

In the media we have constantly been bombarded with issues such as "Global Warming", "Save the Earth", "Recycle", etc....but to think that brides have also taken a stand is rather remarkable. I find it refreshing that a bride will take the time to think of ways she can save her environment yet still entertain hundreds of guests!!

Did you know that there are wedding planners who specialize in "Going Green Weddings"?, and companies that only use recycled paper for invitations and save the date cards....not to mention eco friendly rings? The possibilities are endless, and with today's bride, the sky is the limit!!!

I would love to hear from brides who have gone green and chat with those are are planning on doing so!! It would make a great feature to film - possibly create a book.

For the next year, I'm going to check into this whole issue. I'm very excited about this up and coming trend!!!

Chantix Update

Seems like Chantix is working for Bob!! Since Saturday Bob has only smoked 1 pack of cigs. (considering he normally smoked 2 packs a day - i cannot complain!!). Today he only had 6. The medicine at first started to take away the cravings.....now he is starting to realize that they do not taste all that great - in fact, they are making him get sick. Not the pills - the cigs. He tries to smoke one and then after about the 3rd or 4th puff - he has to put it out. The taste alone is enough to get him sick. Keep routing for him!!!