Updates

Life Chest Adventures in New York

By Donna Yost

President & CEO of The Life Chest Follow on Linked In

The alarm goes off, you might hit the snooze and rest for a measly nine more minutes... Or you jump out of bed and gear up for your day. You help your kids get ready. One of them drops her bowl of cereal all over your outfit, grrr... You fly out the door after handling what seemed to be ten fires all at once. An office arrival comes with its own set of challenges... Prep for your executive meeting... That conference call at 11:00 isn't going to call itself... What's on the menu for lunch...? Nothing, you just got called to a meeting you should have had yesterday... We've all been through those days. They can be both fun and challenging.

Let's take you onboard one of many days we live here at The Life Chest. NYC – New York International Bridal Fashion Week to be exact, featuring The Life Chest and Katerina Bocci, Couture Bridal Designer.

The destination? The London Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, a few short blocks from the theater district and Central Park.

Being our first experience in New York Fashion Week, the team, eyes as big as saucers, heels as high as the Empire State Building, designer fashion from head to toe with the brightest red lipstick we could find, poured ourselves into preparing for the most challenging, yet rewarding experience of our lives. In a daze of travel, hunger setting in, and the awe of the city, we maintained our focus.

Our one mission, branding The Life Chest. One of the most successful retailers in the world tagged The Life Chest as “the most soulful product on the planet”. Wow!

With dresses steaming and flowers flying, clouds of hairspray and puffs of powder, 15 of the most elegant New York City Models had donned Katerina Bocci’s 2017 Couture Collection.

Lining the runway were the best of New York’s fashion critics; cameras flashing and film crews squeezing tight to ensure every curve, jewel, and drip of romance is captured forever. Enter “The Life Chest”, equally as elegant; there to preserve every bit of New York City’s 2016 Bridal Fashion Week’s keepsakes and history for generations to come.

If we could have caught every sigh, every tear of joy, and every gasp as each of Katerina’s couture gowns entered the runway, you would now understand why we do what we do.

As if NYC Fashion Week wasn’t enough, not only does The Life Chest help us record our most amazing experiences of today, it also reminds us of our past. Jill Brzezinski-Conley, our angel, connected us to Hoda Kotb in a very divine way. Hoda, I hope you love your Glamour Life Chest as much as Jill loved hers and fill it with as many cherished moments as you can… Please visit www.jillswish.org and watch the 15 minute documentary at the end of this post. It is definitely worth your time!

NYC…It was a #LifeChestMoment to remember!

Every piece of the Life Chest Moment is soulful and rich with integrity. It feels fluid, not rigid, and like peace in our not so peaceful world.

We live in the same hectic world as we began our story above, but we control how the world is perceived by us and those around us.

There are less times where we feel anguish and more times where we feel love. This can not only be productive; it can be powerful.

NYC can have a lasting impact. We now own a mini-storage in Manhattan. Who knew that would ever happen?! The adventures we go on leave our legacy with the stories we have to tell. This is our brand. That is what The Life Chest is all about... Oh, and P.S... We already lost the key. If found, please return. :)

The White Chapel Memorial Park Inaugural 5k Walk/Run to Help Our Heroes

The Life Chest will be taking part in the White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery's inaugural 5K/1 Mile Run/Walk Help Our Heroes Patriots Race on September 11, 2016.

Following the race will be the official unveiling and dedication of the one of a kind War on Terror Memorial and The Life Chest will be donating eight Freedom Military Life Chest’s to The Michigan Wounded & Returning Warriors Project (MW&RWP).

The Patriots Race will allow participants to run or walk down the boulevards of over 400 large American flags and past the existing memorials honoring; WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf War heroes as well as the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action memorial. The funds raised by this race will help our combat veterans who return from battle to cope with the mental and physical challenges they have suffered and endured during war.  

The race proceeds will benefit The Michigan Wounded & Returning Warriors Project (MW&RWP).  The Michigan Wounded & Returning Warriors Project is a 501(c)3 and is a part of the Michigan American Legion family of organizations serving and supporting veterans.  

MW&RWP runs several successful programs including :

  • Returning veteran re-integration family retreats in Northern Michigan

  • PTSD and Eco-Therapy Retreats in partnership with therapists from the Michigan Psychological Association Foundation

  • PTSD community educational presentations

  • Emergency temporary financial assistance

  • Home accessibility modification assistance

  • Disability claims assistance and guidance &

  • Adaptive services provider, clinic and network guidance

 

VISIT HTTPS://THEPATRIOTSRACE.COM FOR DETAILS

AND TO REGISTER FOR THE RACE.

Wedding Traditions, Lasting a Lifetime

From throwing the bouquet to making a toast, there are so many examples of wedding traditions that go back through history. Here we have details and explanations to some of the most popular ones. 

  • In Jewish tradition, after the bride and groom are married, the groom will stomp on a glass and say "Mazel Tov," which means good luck. The glass shattering implies that the marriage will never break.

Another Jewish tradition is the chuppa, a canopy in which a Jewish couple stand under during their wedding ceremony. The chuppa signifies "The groom's home and the bride's new domain."

"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." This is a rhyme that associates with what the bride should wear on her wedding day. While it may be superstitious, many brides aren't willing to take the chance. It is said that by wearing each one of these items, the bride can avoid "The Evil Eye." Something old could be a piece of jewelry worn by someone else in the bride's family history. Such as, a necklace worn by her grandmother. Something new could easily be your wedding dress! Something borrowed could be an accessory borrowed from a friend. For example, a bracelet. Something blue could be light blue shoes!

In Greek Orthodox Weddings, it is customary for the bride and the groom to be wearing a crown. The crowns are usually placed on their heads just after the rings are exchanged.The crowns are a visible reminder of the crowns that await us in heaven.

"Jumping the Broom," is a tradition demonstrated when couples literally jump over a broomstick after being pronounced husband and wife. This custom is significant in African-American weddings. It dates back to the 18th century in Ghana. "Brooms were waved over the heads of marrying couples to ward off spirits." Usually, the couple would jump over the broom at the end of the ceremony in order to show commitment.

We couldn't forget about the maid of honor and best man! The best man is the 3rd most important person at a wedding, behind the bride and groom. This right hand man is someone really close to the groom. The best man is in charge of keeping track of the rings, preparing a speech for the reception, and assisting the groom on the wedding day. On the other hand, the maid of honor is the bride's go to girl. The maid of honor is there to assist the bride with anything she needs on the day of the wedding. They are also legal witnesses to the wedding itself.

The tradition of the groom not seeing the bride before the wedding dates back to the time that arranged marriages were customary. The brides parents, who wanted their daughter to marry a man from a rich family, were afraid the groom would see their daughter before the wedding and call it off because of appearance. They would wait until the ceremony to present her to the groom. A wedding was more of a business deal than anything else during this time. Now, the bride and groom traditionally don't see each other before the wedding because it is good luck and a fun way to keep up those butterflies.

Hand-fasting is a wedding tradition that goes back to the 1960's. So, it is a fairly new tradition. The bride and the groom put their hands on top of each other's and recite their vows. Usually the bride and the groom maintain keen eye contact while describing their deep emotional thoughts about each other.

Have an upcoming wedding to go to? Looking for a gift? Look no further! The Life Chest Wedding Sale is going on NOW through Sunday! SHOP NOW

Sources:

  1. www.weddingphotography.com.ph

  2. www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/jumping-broom-short-history

  3. www.theweddingyentas.com

  4. www.weddingideasmag.com/something-old-something-new-traditions/

  5. www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/476806/jewish/The-Bridal-Canopy-Chuppah.htm

  6. www.themodernjewishwedding.com

  7. www.orthodoxweddingcrowns.com/crownhistory.php

  8. www.apracticalwedding.com/2013/08/sample-handfasting-ceremony/

Breathtaking Church Wedding Locations, In Michigan!

This week, our intern Kurt Karas was inspired by The Life Chest Wedding Week Sale. Over 50% off select chests! He explored some of the elegant local chapels in southeastern Michigan. 

First, Kurt visited St. Mary's Queen of Creation Church, located at 50931 Maria St, New Baltimore, MI. This church is said to be filled with friendly people and has a great atmosphere. He was inspired by the elegant displays of stained glass and gorgeous monuments. This would be a perfect place for any couple looking to get married! For more information on the church and upcoming events, visit their Facebook page here. The church was founded in 1876 and has been around ever since!

Kurt continued on to visit the Christ Lutheran Church just up the road. It is located at 50750 Walpole St, in New Baltimore, MI. He was amazed by the delicate design of the building, the narrow stained glass windows and triangle design are very unique. A perfect example of a Life Chest Moment! To view their Facebook page, click here. This church offers services at 8 and 10 AM on Sundays during the summer. Youth activities are also available!

Saving the best for last, Kurt went to visit the Immaculate Conception Church. Their Facebook page has everything you need to know about the church. In addition to being a church, it is also a Pre - 8th grade school! It is located at 9764 Dixie Hwy, Ira Township, MI. This beautiful church has an amazing garden and decor to surround it. If you were ever looking for a place to get married, this would be it. Here are a few photos that Kurt took during his visit:

They also had a banquet room, perfect for any occasion, especially a wedding.

Simply Amazing! To shop our Wedding Week Sale click HERE

Thank You to All of the Contest Entries!

We would like to thank all of the participants in our contest for the Detroit Tigers tickets! Hopefully your Father's Day was a great one! Congratulations to Courtney Cook whose story was randomly selected to win the contest!

Below are our favorite contest entries:

#1.  Courtney Cook

  • My dad has been there for me through everything. My senior year was hard on me because one of my best friends passed away and he was my rock behind it all. I found out at a Friday night football game and he was the one who hugged me while I had tears in my eyes in front of everyone.

#2. Ben Berry 

  • For the past 30 years, my dad and I have golfed every summer. Not all the time, not even every month, but it happens whenever we get together. It's a time when nothing else is discussed, any feuds set aside, and the only thing that matters is he and I and the golf. It's a renewal of our relationship.

#3. Barbara Kracht

  • My father died in March 1988. He was a very hard working man who would do anything for his children. My love for the Tigers comes from him. We would listen together. I remember a picnic and he had brought a radio so we could listen to the game. I must have been about 10 or 11. The Tigers scored 3 home runs back to back. His enthusiasm was contagious. My dad taught me so much, but his love of the Tigers and Lions live on in me. By the way that game would have been the late 50s or early sixties.

#4. Tiffiny Shipp

  • My father, Rogers Shipp Jr was a wonderful Dad. He served in the US Army and taught me about honor and integrity. He always showed strength and self control. I always honor him by holding these values close to my heart. RIP Dad I love and miss you so much.

#5. Branden Taylor

  • Growing up in the Detroit area in the 70's, my dad took me to my first Tiger game at Tiger Stadium. Prior to this, I had no interest in baseball, I knew nothing about the game. My Dad talked me through everything that was going on. I took an instant liking to Alan Trammell, and he remains my favorite player of all time. We left our seats and went behind home plate where my dad proceeded to tell me what each pitch was. I was hooked for life! That was almost 40 years ago and my love for baseball has only grown! I am forever grateful to my dad for introducing me to such a beautiful game that has become such a large part of my life!

#6. Jamie Rock

  • My Daddy played ball in the Army, he had a .410 batting average. He tried out for the Milwaukee Braves..but with 2 children and a wife, he took another job offer with AC Champion spark plug..ball players back then earned very little.