Tag: www.kinetabooker.com (Page 1 of 3)

Lockdown Love: The Ultimate Love Guide – Part I

April 26, 2020 / Kineta

YES, the rumours are true, I have released the definitive guide for navigating you and your partner through this COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown period – with my Lockdown Love Lessons.

And, yes, it’s all a bit of fun, and no I’m not a couples counsellor… obviously…

So, how did this all start? Remember that day when PM Jacinda Ardern announced we were moving into lockdown, and everyone who wasn’t an essential worker, had to work from home? Who could forget…

OK, so you find yourself at home, working alongside your significant other for the first time. Or, you’re a stay-at-home parent and your main squeeze is suddenly now working from home. Fun, right?

My girl Sara Green messaged me that night cheekily asking for my top tips for getting through the next four weeks, and still liking her man, cos, you know, as the “Queen of Love” (her words not mine 😆) I must have some creative ideas. As she says: “Like, I still wanna be in love in 30 days.”

Girl, you’re not going to still like each other, you’re going to adore one other!

So, for a bit of fun, here are the first seven “lessons” I released over the course of Lockdown at Level 4:

Let’s start with the foundation of all things good: *kindness*. Instead of saying to your partner: “Would you STOP touching my bloody computer screen!” say, “Wow! Your hands are so clean right now! But would you kindly remove them from my screen?”
See, simple! Not only did you give your partner a compliment on how clean their hands are, during times such as these, you’re also giving them a clear direction on what you’d like them to discontinue doing.
Ahhhhh love in times of a lockdown.

Can we hit CTRL Z on yesterday? 😅
Or to put it into song: from the wise words of Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, “Could we start again, please?”
I know there are many of you wanting to rewind your first day of working in close proximity to your love, during these COVID-19 lockdown days. And the answer is – YES!!! If not, I’m in trouble 😆 Stressful times call for rewind measures! So, yes, go ahead and CTRL Z yesterday! ❤️

Do I really need to say anymore?
In times such as these (and actually any other time in the history of time), the mere suggestion of chips ‘n’ dip on offer is an absolute language of love.
Chippies for the win!

Look, I’m no couples counsellor or psychologist, (I mean, look at yesterday’s advice – “Chippies” 😆) but I find a bit of alone time works every time!
After four days together in the same house, living and working together, there’s bound to be a grrrrr moment.
Instead of competing for air time to get your point across, this is your chance to say, “Goodnight, I’m going to bed.” Even if it’s only 6.30pm. Some long hours away from each other is just what your relationship needs until you work out a routine for livin’ it up in each other’s grill for the next four weeks.
And, as P!nk says – “Go away, give me a chance to miss you…”
But, pretend your partner is singing it to you.
Take your leave, and enjoy some alone time. ❤️

Now’s the time to flip the lid on the age-old question: seat up, seat down?
Look, if your home is mostly boys, do yourself a favour – leave it up. Firstly, less cleaning (for whoever’s task it is) from when they don’t lift the seat up for themselves; less grizzling (“who left the bloody seat up?!; “Didn’t realise we lived in a zoo!” etc); AND most importantly – it shows a great deal of love in these times, through: less cleaning and less grizzling.
And from the famous, paraphrased words of Joe Cocker:
“You can leave the seat up.”
So, seat up for next four weeks? Let’s go….! 😆

Never has there been a greater time to show your ‘other’ how much you love them, by sharing the tele remote with them.
I’ve never really watched a lot of television, but one of my besties keeps introducing me to the greatest shows, and Outlander is one of the best programmes on Earth (and books, to be fair) and we’re a liiiiiiiittle bit addicted to the storyline (and Jamie… 😆).
Last season, we both watched the new releases from our own homes by pressing play on Lightbox at the exact same time and would commentate to each other along the way over Messenger. Yes, we’re crazy cat ladies (although, neither of us has an actual cat but I do have a dog and she has a dog brother)… I digress…
My point is (and I’m getting to it now), don’t be a tele hog. No one owns the remote (although some may dispute that they in fact DO own the remote AND the tele). Again, I digress.
Share! Let them watch their favourite show. It may be ‘My 600LB Life’; it might be a repeat of some World Cup Finals of their third favourite sport. Whatever it is, let’s just share the control of whatever is on the tele, because when you share (especially during times of lockdown when they’re the only other person/people in your ‘bubble’) people will love and appreciate you that much more.

For parents, we’re ‘celebrating’ making it to one full week of being home with our tiny tornadoes! 🥂
I think the hardest thing was when schools were suddenly closed down within hours, we weren’t fully prepped for it. I mean, we kinda knew it was coming, but it was like giving birth: when you’re preggers you know it’s gonna happen but when your waters break – “OMG! That was totally unexpected!” Anyway, as usual I’m off track!
“How’s your brain doing?” is an actual question that was asked in our home this week. Because this is a great question to ask, as your brain is where everything starts… Brain is foggy? Take a walk. Brain is tired? Take a nap.
Brain is over being in lockdown? Talk it out.
Even better – talk and walk it out!
From me to you: how’s your brain?
Hope you and your other are doing OK xo

As you can see from this list, especially with the likes of “chippies” and “Outlander“, I really have no great insight into how any couple can ensure their relationship endures this unusual situation we all find ourselves in, BUT if we share a laugh then perhaps it’ll make it a little easier 🤷‍♀️

Part II coming tomorrow.

Favourite products and services

August 17, 2017 / Kineta

Look wedding day perfect everyday

For those of us not born as flawless Greek gods or goddesses a little bit of prep might have to go into looking your absolute stunning best on your wedding day.

Heck, I remember my own husband getting a spray tan for our wedding – and it ended up being one of the funniest stories at the reception – thanks to his best man who’d discovered his secret.

But I say embrace the season. It’s your time to shine!

With the number of weddings I officiate each season, I always have to look like I haven’t just rocked up straight out of the shower. I, too, like to look my best at your wedding.

Here are some of my favourite products and services to look wedding day perfect everyday.

PRODUCTS

Beautifully bright wedding pearly whites!

I’ve had so many of my couples and friends try this whitening toothpaste and I’ve already seen some awesome results! It’s the secret to my confident smile.

It’s a whitening fluoride toothpaste which is selling out around the world. Here are the facts:
No peroxide or harsh abrasives
Protects enamel
Reduces plaque
Quickly removes red wine, coffee & nicotine stains
Safe for the whole family (two years plus)
Lovely MILD vanilla/mint flavour

Flick me a message if you’d like to give the toothpaste a go! [email protected]

Luscious lashes!

How would you like gorgeous lashes, curled and lengthened by just using your mascara?
– No oils
– It’s water-based for sensitive eyes
– Perfect for eyelash extensions
– No fibres!

From the same people who brought us the whitening toothpaste. Let me know if you’d like to try some! [email protected]

Get a natural-looking Eco Tan

What I love most about this product is that you apply it just like toner with just your hands to a clean face.

It feels like water and you basically can’t get the tanning process wrong. I wear this on my face, neck and décolletage.

Eco Face Tan Water makes your skin look so lovely and even that you can go without foundation – perfect for when you’re on honeymoon! But it’s also a great base for your wedding day beauty regime.

Use Google to find the best price for it, but I found THIS one to be cheapest at time of writing this.

Don’t forget sunscreen!

In all honesty, it makes my eyes roll every time I read people’s beauty tips ‘to always wear sunscreen’ – cos I hate* the stuff!

That was until I met Image Daily Ultra Sheer Spray SPF 45+. It’s an ultra-sheer, lightweight moisturising spray!

The reason I loathed sunscreen was because it was thick, gunky, hurt my sensitive skin, I couldn’t put make-up on because it wouldn’t sit on top of it etc etc.

Most of my weddings are outside so sunblock is actually one of the most important things in my celebrant’s beauty kit.

The only place I could find who stocks it in Christchurch actually turned out to be one of my most favourite places around – Making Faces (see eyebrows post below).

*Yes, hate is a strong word, but I’m sure you know what I mean now.

Wipe your makeup away with just water!

Throw away those horrendous makeup wipes you bought at the supermarket, unless they have ingredients you know and recognise in them.

Norwex makeup wipes are all you need! Just use water!

The company is changing the way of living by offering chemical-free products and cloths.

Those who have met me (and also by reading above) you’ll know I like to wear makeup… Quite a bit of makeup… And this is exactly how I take it off each day – with a damp Norwex cloth! No cleanser, just water! My skin has never looked or felt this good! (The cloths also come with a two-year warrantee!)

Flick me a message if you’d like to know more! [email protected]

SERVICES

My biggest secret… shhhh!

OK, so I talk about how my whitening toothpaste is the secret to my confident smile, but do you want to know my biggest secret? My eyebrows!

I was blessed with mediocre brows growing up but thanks to Making Faces in Ferrymead, I’ve now been blessed with amazing brows!

Great brows frame the face beautifully. Micropigmentation is applied by Pip at Making Faces to form the perfect brow for your face shape.

My first appointment was in March 2016, and there’s never been a day that I’ve regretted getting it done. I expect to need a top up every 2-5 years.

Perfect for your wedding day! Just make sure you book in well in advance. They’re a very popular place.

Perfect hair every time

I first met Stewart Corkin when I presented a daily show on CTV. Out of the plethora of choice we have in Christchurch, he was my chosen and preferred stylist, and was so happy that he could do my wedding hair, too.

Having a great relationship with the person who performs magic on your hair on your wedding day is so important because, frankly, it’s a nerve-wracking time.

Stewart handled my dramatics with ease… probably with a glass of bubbly and a goss.

Get yourself a Stewart Corkin, or maybe even contact the man himself at Corkin + Friends. Tell him I sent you x

The most beautiful eyes!

I don’t know how she does it, but Fiona Maguire knows how to master perfect eyes. And flawless skin.

So, she was an obvious choice for my wedding day.

Fiona, too, was someone I worked with while on CTV, so I knew her and her craft well. She’s an absolute stunner!

Email me and I’ll put you in touch with her – [email protected]

Weddings needn’t take long to plan

May 18, 2017 / Kineta

There are lots of things to consider for your wedding but it need not take long to plan, writes Christchurch marriage celebrant Kineta Booker.

So, you just got engaged at the top of Conical Hill, and you’re very happily walking back down to the Hanmer village, hand-in-hand with your brand new fiancé, admiring your sparkling new diamond, whilst planning your whole wedding in your head, when he turns to you and says “You know we don’t have to get married right away, eh?”

Not how it went for you? Oh, maybe that was just me.

So, I ignored him and six months later we were married.

I know what you’re thinking, isn’t “obey” in wedding vows. Not ours.

And, besides, he wasn’t my husband at that point.

Six months to plan a wedding? Yes, it can definitely be done.

Chat with your partner about what their vision is. Discuss budget, number of guests, anything they specifically want to include
Get yourself in front of a computer. Open a new document – this is where you’ll download all your ideas onto. This can be anything from flowers to dresses (for wedding dress inspiration you can start here) and everything in between! Delete what you don’t need as you go along. You don’t want the file to become crowded with old ideas
On Facebook there are some great groups for engaged couples. It’s a community of people with a big thing in common – weddings! They’re either recent brides or brides-to-be. Check out Wedding Discussion Group – New Zealand, and Christchurch Brides NZ Ideas, Advice & Support
Pinterest is a good place to find themes and get great ideas, but beware – you may come away with too many. Find what you’re looking for and get out
Venues: What are you looking for? BYO option?
Photographers: Do you like their work? Fit your budget? Make sure you spend plenty of time researching photographers as you want the perfect fit for your wedding. Don’t be afraid to ask for samples of their work. Some photographers will have an online gallery you can check out. For example, olgatopchii.com has various galleries for different events, making it easy for you to do your research.
Celebrants: Are they available? Do you click?

Once you have all the main things organised, everything else will fall into place quickly. And the ideas shared on brides’ online forums, in real time, makes organising a wedding in a shorter time frame easy to do with like-minded cheerleaders doing the same thing.

Know your theme

May 8, 2017 / Kineta

When it comes to planning your wedding day, knowing where to start is often the hardest part, writes Kineta Booker.

Some people grow up knowing exactly what they want on their big day, changing things in their minds along the way as trends and fashion change.

But what if ideas don’t come flowing as you thought they might? These tips might be a good starting place for you:

What do you want from your wedding? Do you want it to be a simple, elegant affair? Less than 80 guests? More than 150? Know exactly what you want.
What is your budget? $2000? $10,000? More?
What is your theme? Will you go with a current trend? Will you forget the latest trends and throw a superhero-themed wedding? Know which theme you want, then everything else seems to slot into place.
Where will it be? A local chapel with the reception in the church hall? A beautiful garden? Perhaps a destination wedding?
Who is coming? This is a big deal. You don’t want to accidentally leave anyone that matters off the list. It’s happened before and you don’t want to be the one that creates hurt and awkwardness among friends and family.
Who’s catering? Which photographer will you choose? What music will you walk up the aisle to, and dance your first dance to? Who’s in your wedding party? Who is doing your makeup? What will you wear? What will everyone else wear?

There are literally a hundred questions to ask, but only one to focus on for now: what is your theme?

When designing your wedding, as that’s exactly what you’re doing, having a theme is the first thing you want to do. Know your theme. Start with a blank Word document and type out everything that comes to mind. Do some research. If you want to go with a current trend Pinterest is always going to be a great starting place. It can either be your best friend or give you an overwhelming sense of confusion and dread.

Recent bride Lily Simons says ‘boho’ is trending at the moment – “big floral arrangements are everywhere, floral crowns, and boho dresses that only Victoria’s Secret models can wear.”

Simons loves the leafy green look with flowers hanging as far as the eye can see but feels this look may date. She believes “looking like a fairy on your wedding day is devine: I would have loved to incorporate this but it didn’t suit my natural state as a person. I am vintage and I love bringing old with new.”

Rather than go for the current boho trend, Simons went for ‘rustic carnivals’. “People say [this] has been done but I feel it had classic, simple elements. My dress lace was made to look older – more ‘Gatsby classic’ with a jewelled head piece for a ‘classic romantic’. I had a champagne lace which is also very current but I added my own twists of awesome.”

Her advice is “do what you know and love! Think about your images 20 years from now. Not about what Pinterest or Vogue Weddings are telling you to do. Just do you!”

Destination-wedding bride Jess Williams sees the current trends as anything DIY, photobooths, vintage, pastel colours and natural materials.

Williams says she got carried away with wanting to incorporate things into her wedding but it wasn’t practical taking it over in her luggage, so instead of going with a current trend she ended up as ‘Fiji’ being her theme.

She encourages other brides to “keep to your own style and what suits you. It’s easy to try and keep up with everyone else. Pinterest can sometimes be your enemy and get overwhelming and then you have too many ideas. Keep it simple and have a few special things. Stick to budget.” Williams says it’s easy to stray, so recommends checking out cheaper department stores, op shops and fairs to keep costs down, as well as looking at sites to book wedding bands Kent based just as one example.

Doing research and not being afraid to ask the silly questions, is also important, she says. “It will put your ‘bridezilla’ mind at ease in regard to destination weddings. Williams found joining a Facebook page for Fiji brides was helpful at finding all the information she needed – from nail colours to filling out wedding applications. If Fiji is the main theme throughout the wedding, the honeymoon could be had at a luxury five-star fiji resort on a beautiful exotic island, that the couple will love and enjoy as their own private area.

Williams’ final piece of advice – don’t sweat the small stuff: “On the day I didn’t even notice the small things you spent so much time worrying about.”

WIN – with NZ Opera’s The Mikado

February 27, 2017 / Kineta

W I N !!

Imagine having to marry someone you didn’t love so you fled your hometown to escape the nuptials only to meet the love of your life!!

That’s the story of The Mikado – which opens next Tuesday at the Isaac Theatre Royal. And here’s a rare opportunity to WIN a double pass to New Zealand Opera‘s production!

The Mikado, New Zealand Opera, ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand, Sunday, February 12, 2017.Photo: David Rowland / One-Image.com

All you need to do is:
– LIKE Kineta Booker – Christchurch Celebrant page
– LIKE New Zealand Opera page
– Tag someone on my celebrant page who you’d like to take! (You can tag as many people as you like. Just give each person a new comment)

The draw will take place 10am this Friday (4 March) by a random number generator. You can book your tickets here. GOOD LUCK! xo

www.kinetabooker.com

And the Valentine’s Day winner is…

February 19, 2017 / Kineta

And the winner of my ‘Love is love is LOVE’ this Valentine’s Day competition, for the double pass to Showbiz Christchurch‘s Priscilla Queen of the Desert AND some delicious fudge from Mary Gray Confections Ltd is…..

Sarah Keenan !!

Congratulations Sarah! Flick me a message so I can get these awesome prizes to you!

Thanks so much for the 161 votes we had!

Priscilla opens at the Isaac Theatre Royal on Friday March 24. Find more information: http://isaactheatreroyal.co.nz/…/priscilla-queen-of-the-de…/

www.kinetabooker.com

Backstage:Weddings NZ – Choosing a Celebrant

February 16, 2017 / Kineta

Celebrants Scott Koorey and Kineta Booker

When it comes to planning your wedding, one person you’ll definitely need to book is a celebrant – as they are the ones that officially get you hitched!

So the big questions are – where do I find one, and what do I look for in a celebrant?

This podcast is a two-for-one: two awesome Christchurch celebrants chatting it out in one podcast. Scott Koorey and Kineta Booker discuss what the celebrant’s role is and so much more.

Definitely worth a listen! You can find out more about them at www.scottkoorey.nz and www.kinetabooker.com

Backstage Podcast:Weddings NZ is a brand new series for Backstage Podcast. You can find out more about it at kinetabooker.com/news

You can listen to the podcast with Scott and Kineta here:

And the winner is….

February 14, 2017 / Kineta

It is with great pleasure that I announce the winner of my free celebrant services – Adelle Anderson!!

Congratulations Adelle and your fiancé Sam. I truly can’t wait to work with you both towards crafting a beautiful wedding ceremony especially for you x

I was totally blown away by the 71 votes I received for this competition, and to celebrate I’ll have a wee Valentine’s Day treat in everyone’s Messenger inboxes shortly x

Love is love is LOVE this Valentine’s Day!

February 13, 2017 / Kineta

Love is love is LOVE this Valentine’s Day!

WIN a double pass to Showbiz Christchurch‘s Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. All you need to do is:
– ‘Like’ the Showbiz Christchurch page
– ‘Like’ the Kineta Booker – Christchurch Celebrant page
– Tag in someone you love on my FB page! (If, like me, you love lots of people, tag them all! Just give each ❤ a new comment)

Here’s a photo of Bernadette and Bob from the Christchurch cast ❤

Winner will be drawn this Sunday 19th February (cos it’s really Valentine’s week after all!) Good luck!

One day to go!

February 12, 2017 / Kineta

Hello!! As a recently registered marriage and civil union celebrant, I would love to offer my services for FREE to one couple getting married in the Christchurch area! If you know a couple (or are a couple) who would love a fun, friendly, vibrant and contemporary celebrant, please ‘like’ my Facebook page and vote for them by messaging me. Entries close midnight February 13, 2017, and will be announced on Valentines Day! ROMANCE! Ha!

You can read more about me at kinetabooker.com

Please note: I’ll have to be available on your wedding date, of course! Good luck!

Tag: www.kinetabooker.com (Page 1 of 3)

Lockdown Love: The Ultimate Love Guide – Part I