Here at Polka Dot Bride, we’ve long been fans of Paloma’s Nest creations – they adorn our office shelves (Text bowl 2008), are pinned to our inspiration board (Star garland Christmas 2009), and adorn our Christmas tree (Jingle Bells decoration 2010). The raw organic nature of the handmade creations is so beautiful and has become a household name in the wedding industry.
Paloma’s Nest has recently expanded their range to include the gentlemen with custom, beautifully made monogram pins and cufflinks and to celebrate, they’re giving two Polka Dot Bride readers a gorgeous prize pack of Paloma’s Nest Items!
The prize pack includes :
One pair (winners choice) of Custom Wood and Porcelain Cuff Links
One Custom Wooden Frame Ornament (choice of oval, rectangular, or heart shaped)
To win one of two Paloma’s Nest Prize Packs (containing one pair of Paloma’s Nest cufflinks, One Custom Ring Bearer Bowl™, One Custom Wooden Frame Ornament (valued at US$189) –
simply answer the following three questions and get your groom (or bride!) to answer them too – the most creative answers as chosen by Paloma’s Nest win!
1. What is your favourite trait of your partner?
2. What made you fall in love with your partner?
3. What is your fondest memory of your partner?
The winner will be chosen by Paloma’s Nest and will be informed by Polka Dot Bride via email. Total prize value is US$378. This prize is not redeemable for cash and cannot be substituted for any other Paloma’s Nest products. Costs above the package inclusions will be paid for by the winner. The prize must be redeemed within one month. If no contact is made within the designated one month, the prize will become null and void. Entrants must be aged 18 or older. This competition is open worldwide. This competition is a game of skill; no chance enters into deciding the winner. No late entries will be considered. This Competition closes on 10th May 2011 at 5.00 pm (Australian Eastern Standard time).
This competition is now closed.
1. That he is the only boy who has EVER stood up to me
2. That he treats my like a princess and one of the boys at the same time, and that he knows to bring my cheeseburgers when I am sad.
3. When I first told him I loved him it was only after one month, I was nervous and thought that it was crazy but I had to tell him how I felt. When I told him (we were outside lying under the stars) he started having a massive coughing fit like he couldn’t breathe.
It was at this point that I thought to myself, “Oh mi god he thinks I’m crazy and is having a coughing attack at the audacity of what I said”
Turns out that just when I uttered the words I love you, a bug flew into his mouth and straight into the back of his throat. Once he has swallowed the pesky bug (which seemed like an eternity to me) he let me know what had happened and told me that he loved me too!
1. Bride: His best trait is that, without prompting, he sometimes calls my mom to “chat.” What guy does that?!? It melts my heart that they have a good relationship. Ever since she was diagnosed with cancer last month, I realize that the only thing I want for my wedding is that she’s there and healthy. So it means the world to me that my partner loves her…none of that “ugh mother-in-law” stuff. (His second-best trait is that he watches musicals with me)
Groom: Her best trait is that she loves surprising me, so will sometimes just pack a bag and drive me to a secret picnic spot, or take me to a museum exhibit I’ve been wanting to see. She’s incredibly thoughtful and romantic, and I will strive to be that guy for her (starting with a trip I’m planning for her birthday…shhhh)
2. Bride: I fell in love with his passion for the world. Anyone who cares that much about making it a better place, is someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
Groom: The first time I knew I loved her was when she cried in front of me. I loved her vulnerability, the fact that even with her makeup running down her face she was more beautiful than anyone I’d ever seen.
3. Bride: My fondest memory is when we were in Italy for my brother’s wedding, and he looked over at me during the ceremony with such love in his eyes, I just knew we’d be the ones walking down the aisle soon.
Groom: Probably my favorite memory is last summer, we watched the meteor shower at our campsite. I realized that if the world ended tomorrow, I had everything I needed right there in that moment.
1. Kindness! I have never known anyone more kind and it’s something I never considered until it was a wonderful part of every day of my life
2. He is a man who I admire and respect. He always supports me to be the best person I can be and that makes me want to be the best person I can. He is my rock and constant support in this life.
3.My fondest memory is of our recent trip to Europe to visit with my fiance’s Opa and Oma. His Opa, had cancer, and has now passed away, and we spent the last few weeks of his life with him. My fiance was so happy and grateful to be there with his family for that one last special Christmas. You could see how much he loved being there and how much he loves his grandparents. He tried his very best to make everything special, then and in our memories.
Q1. See goes to the jimmy barnes concerts with me even though she can’t stand him but i do return the favour when she wants me to go with her
Q2. her personality and sometimes stupitity and her big heart
Q3. i was airlifted to RMH because i had an work accident and she orgainise the 2 children to my mothers and brothers place and drove to RMH it was about 4 hour drive just to be beside my bed after that she look after my children and came to see me every second day with the children until i got out of the RMH which was just over two months
1.
Bride says: He has nothing to prove to anyone, always remaining true to himself and what he is and believes in.
Groom says: She always speaks her mind, is headstrong and will never follow the pack. She always calls a spade a spade.
2.
Bride says: Everything about him. It’s like his soul reached out and took my heart hostage. I’ve been hooked since our first hello.
Groom says: She has old world morals and values, and in this fast paced modern society she loves to clean, cook and be domestic, like my Mum & Great Gran did. She’s a rare gem, with a good heart, warm soul and I adore and cherish everything about her. (All this said, she’s no door-mat and if a man can do it, she can too, and that’s awesome).
3.
Bride says: Our very first meeting, where we both thought the other was spoken for so fancied each other from afar and while I was gazing at him from across the room, he cocked his leg and farted loudly in my direction! To this day he claims that this is how he won me, by scenting me as his very own….deterring all other men & potential suitors!
Groom says: When she re-pointed the leaking roof, all by herself. Impressed doesn’t even begin to describe my recollection of this incredible feat she pulled of to perfection.
1. I love his gorgeous dimples! When he smiles the dimples show and it’s just too cute! 🙂
2. His kind and caring nature. He literally puts himself in other people’s shoes and tries to think how they would react to something or how they would feel before making a decision to do something.
3. His proposal of course! Everything was just perfect and it was such a surprise – I did not expect it at all. It was raining heavily at the time, but it didn’t matter because in that moment, it was just him and me and nothing else around us mattered.
1.ME: He’s a do-er. Not one of these lazy couch potato’s that expects the world with no or little input.
1.HIM: Her confidence and her timidness. To the world she’s a big brave warrior that no one will mess with, but when we’re alone her prickles come down & she’s pure heart filled marshmallow.
2.ME: His passionate pursuit of me. He knew what he wanted & wouldn’t give up until he won me over. Boy has he won me over!
2.HIM: I’m a man & admit initially her big blue eyes, long blonde hair, legs that go on forever until they meet the most perfect backside this world has ever seen. And that she wouldn’t succumb to my signature moves, rejecting me at every opportunity. Most of all I love the fact that she’s not easy, not one of these modern bed hopping women. She’s a ‘good’ girl.
3.ME: We were driving down a really busy highway in the dark during a torrential storm, with no where to stop. And all of the sudden he swerves off the side of the road, making a complete stop (& scaring the life out of me). When I asked him what was wrong he merely stated “I need a kiss from you right now”, so we did & then we continued along as if nothing had occurred, holding hands over the gear stick.
3.HIM: When she had security at her work drag me out of the building publicly, taking me to a lock up area for questioning (at this stage she was rejecting my every move, gift & gesture). After an hour of rubbish from the security staff, in she comes bold as brass, tells everyone to leave & kisses me like there’s no tomorrow. Then struts back out of the room as if nothing had happened.
1. What is your favourite trait of your partner?
ME – Inability to say no to me
HIM – Willing & able to organise myself and her
2. What made you fall in love with your partner?
ME – No choice, just happened, never been so comfortable with another person ever
HIM – as above
3. What is your fondest memory of your partner?
ME – Too many to mention, mostly made of lots of sweet little things, being allowed to watch what I wanted on TV, getting a cup of tea without having to ask
HIM – Too saucy to mention here
1. He knows me. He knows when I need help to carry on, when I need to be told I’m over reacting, when I need to rant and rave and when I just need a hug.
2. His smile. He has the widest, warmest boyish grin that never ceases to make me smile and giggle too. The night we first met he flashed his grin at me and I fell hard and fast. Years later it’s still his smile I look forward to every day.
3. During our Christmas holiday in Europe I suddenly and mysteriously became really ill. In a strange country where he couldn’t speak the language, my hero not only got me bundled up and carried me through the driving snow to the hospital but remembered to grab my passport and travel insurance details too! He later confessed how scared he was and yet to me he was nothing but strong, brave and comforting.
1. My favorite trait is his friendliness. He is a kind and loving person with a heart of gold and his friendly nature means that barely a day goes by where he doesn’t make a stranger smile.
2. I fell in love with him because of his smile. It has been called a cheesy-grin, but to me, it encapsulates happiness, joy, and kindness. The world feels like a good place when he smiles.
3. My fondest memory is of him taking me out for lunch for my birthday while we were holidaying in Paris. He took me to a little market where had fun buying all my favorite foods and then we ate in a nearby park. It was the happiest day for me and little did I know he would propose two days later.
My favourite trait of my hubby is the way he interacts with children. He becomes a big little kid! We don’t have any children of our own yet but when we do, I know that he’ll be a great dad as has so much love for kids.
I fell in love with him when I discovered that when I was at the lowest of lows, he helped pick me up.
Fondest memory of him is when I first met him, I thought he looked like a gnome and I thought he was gay. 7 months after our first meeting, we got married. Maybe I have a thing for homosexual gnomes?!!! LOL
I love my partners hairy face. How many Asian men can grow a full chin of hair?
I fell in love with his facial hair. It’s over if he shaves,
My fondest memory is when he didn’t shave for a month while we were travelling overseas. He looked so hot!
My answer: I love that he talks to everyone he meets, from the mail carrier to the cashier…he is just like my grandfather.
His: My partner is incredibly selfless, always thinking of others
My answer: when I listened to the first mix tape he made me
His: the first time I saw her brush her hair away from her face
My answer: The first time he called me his best friend, I remember feeling so incredibly lucky
His: any day she listens to my advice. j/k The Story begins at a bar, like many do and after a night of imbibing intoxicants, I came back to my home with extreme hand pain. I had tripped over a curb and braced my fall with my hands, and the concrete was much mightier then the bones in my hand. Upon my return, she took me in, didn’t chastise or make fun, She just comforted and attempted to mend my broken wing. While I am aware this story does not place me in the best of light, I believe having my own Florance Nightingale is pretty awesome.
1. That he pushes me, with ideas and arguments, as my equal.
2. The little things – hugs, cookies when I’m not in the mood to bake, helping me in the kitchen when I do bake, the way he smiles when he knows he just delivered a particularly horrible pun, the random poetry recitations (he’s really into The Walrus and The Carpenter)…
3. I have a few, so here’s one. Over one summer in college, a group of us went to the beach. I wore my scuba diving boots, as they had thick soles and I didn’t have time to get beach appropriate shoes, and ended up with a case of heat exhaustion. I went home and didn’t feel the side effects until late – a blinding headache with fever, where all I could do is close my eyes and cry. I wasn’t very alert, so I called Chris. He biked the three miles over, in the rain and dark, so I could have advil and a damp washcloth. The lady I was staying with didn’t approve of him staying over, so he waited until I was improving and went home.
1. He has a tender heart, and he gives without expecting anything in return. If you need something, he is there for you.
2. His listening skills. I fell in love with him during our all night phonecalls at the beginning of our relationship. He really listens to what I have to say.
3. In highschool, we took a trip to Colorado with a group of friends. It was one of the greatest weeks of my life, we got to know each other better, we got to eat amazing food, and he told me all the ways he loves me. Who could ask for more?
1.BRIDE: Devotion. The reassurance of his deep steady affection, faithfulness and loyalty to myself and our little four-legged family. 🙂
GROOM: Non-judgemental. She will never judge a book by it’s cover. It is very admirable.
2.BRIDE: The moment I realised that I not only loved him for who he was, but for who I was when I was with him. He brought out the best in me.
GROOM: For the first time in my life I tried to NOT fall in love with someone (due to conflict of interests), but it still happened. I knew she was special then.
3.BRIDE: One evening, early into our relationship, we came home from a dinner and sat on his balcony drinking mojitos, talking and snuggling ALL night. It was so romantic. I still get butterflies when he makes me a mojito 🙂
GROOM: The night I asked her to marry me. I had high expecations for the night and had rehearsed what I was going to say and how I was going to do pop the question. I became so nervous that of course nothing went to plan. The moment she said yes and kissed me I didn’t care anymore, because I knew that the fact that she just agreed to spend the rest of her life with me was all that mattered.
Brides Answer
1. What is your favourite trait of your partner? Everything! But most of all his attitude. He is never negative; always has the most positive attitude in every situation. His attitude towards life makes me feel like together we can conquer the world!
2. What made you fall in love with your partner? He embodies everything that I had ever imagined in my wildest dreams. His character, sense of humor, his kind hearted nature. I first fell in love with his smile and then everything else quickly followed. Still now I fall in love with him again everyday, when I see him playing with our nieces; when I see how loving and protective he is of both his and my family and when he sees me at my worst and loves me the same way he does when I am at my best.
3. What is your fondest memory of your partner? When he proposed, it was beautiful, personal and fun. Oh and his high knee jogging style, possibly one of the funniest awkward things I have seen a human do!
Grooms Answers
1. What is your favourite trait of your partner? Loyalty, she is more protective of me than I am of myself.
2. What made you fall in love with your partner? It hurt not to be near her, I went to Las Vegas without her and while I was there I realised i never wanted to be without her ever again.
3. What is your fondest memory of your partner? Seeing her face when I proposed to her, and then convincing her it was real.
1. What is your favourite trait of your partner?
Bride: His confidence, motivation and passion for life! We never have a dull moment and are just go go go!
Groom: *clears throat* I think I love her…. Bride: This is where I whacked him and told him that I think he thought the question meant ‘asset’ not ‘trait’ 🙂
2. What made you fall in love with your partner?
Bride: I have waited 10 years for my lovely guy to pop the question….there are so many reasons 🙂 But the main ones are because he makes me feel loved, like a princess and is always there for me as a best friend also!
Groom: She talks a lot and talked me into it over time. Bride: Seriously….
3. What is your fondest memory of your partner?
Bride: The way in which he surprised me with the proposal…after so long together I thought it would be impossible for me not to guess something was going on. I didnt! The twinkle in his eyes, gorgeous dimples and wonderful proposal are now my favourite memory.
Groom: The time she got chocolate cake all over her face and left it on there for most of the party (I didnt tell her because I assumed she was saving it for later).
1. What is your favourite trait of your partner?
Bride: I love the way he puts his heart and soul into anything he does. Hes not a quitter, even when the going gets tough.
Groom: I love the way she makes me laugh. When we are alone together we go crazy dancing around the house, if anyone saw us they’d have us committed! Its cool because we can truly be ourselves.
2. What made you fall in love with your partner?
Bride: When I learned that family came first to him. He does so much with his family, especially his grandmother. It melts my heart and I cant wait for us to have our own family together.
Groom: When I found out she has a passion for action movies… in particular the ones from the nineties.
3. What is your fondest memory of your partner?
Bride: I was only 17 and he was older than me and none of my friends knew him. He used to pick me up after school and take me to dinner at the beach, my first “real date”. I used to feel like I was a bad girl hooking up with this mysterious guy… Nine years later and we’re tying the knot.
Groom: When I was rushed to hospital – My work called her to let her know what had happened and she actually beat the ambulance there. She stayed by my side the whole time and thats when I decided she was a keeper!
Q1: He is the most thoughtful guy I have ever known in my life. I always get surprises on cultural occasions that mean something to me but I dont expect him to remember let alone do anything.
Q2: The moment I realized there is such a thing as a soul mate and being with your best friend. We could talk for hours on ends and were compatible on so many levels and sense of humor even though we were rather different minded people.
Q3: On our 2 month anniversay (I know…), he was working late and I’d been at uni all day. He came by at 9.30pm and picked me up. We headed up to windy point in Adelaide and parked up. He went to the car boot and emerged with this massive platter of cheeses, fruit, crisp breads, strawberries, dipping chocolate, everything!! And he even brought candles. It was a very nice surprise
1. What is your favorite trait of your partner?
BRIDE: I love Yariel’s good-natured way of seeing the good in everyone and everything. He helps me see the world like a bright-eyed child always discovering something new and always looking deeper into life and people to see the good that everyone has within and the beauty of our surroundings. He is a Marine Corps vet and I truly feel his military motto “Semper Fi” (meaning Always Faithful) describes him best…he’s always faithful in his love and devotion to me and he’s always faithful and committed to his family, friends and the people he meets- never hesitating to inspire or help others. I love that he strives to leave a positive footprint in this world.
GROOM: I adore Gaby’s zest for life. I love her boundless energy and endless imagination- she’s constantly making me laugh, always dreaming for a big and bright future and is a total ham that keeps me entertained and makes me smile. I love how she dances and sings in the car regardless of who may be watching and I love how she smiles and giggles with sweet treats, especially when I buy her favorite cupcake called “Happy Day” from Santa Monica. It’s the small things in life that make her happy.
2. What made you fall in love with your partner?
BRIDE: We have been together a “lucky 13+” years; we’re high school sweethearts, best friends, partners in this playground we call life and each other’s biggest fans – supporting each other every step of the way to reach our dreams. I fell in love with Yariel first as my best friend…who knew that we would be placed as lab partners in chemistry class and that now some 13+ years later the chemistry is still present more than ever and this Summer I marry my best friend. As best friends we have had what seems to be a billion conversations on everything from our love of Beatles music to how we met in high school, to what we dream for the future, then when he went to serve in the Marine Corps we shared hundreds of letters of how we missed each other even though we were spanned across countries. Not only did we send each other letters for 5 years while he was in the Marines but we coordinated phone calls on our different time zones so that we could call each other just for a few minutes to say hello and how much we loved each other. It is because of these conversations and snail mail (there was no facebook, texting back then) that we shared that I fell in love with Yariel…I feel in love with his soul, spirit and his heart. I fell in love with him from the inside out and nothing compares to these moments that have taken my breathe away because it has passed the test of time and spanned across countries.
GROOM: I fell in love with Gaby’s big green eyes in high school. She was beauty and brains combined. She was a high school Honor student and the fact that I was assigned as her lab partner I couldn’t have felt luckier and this is where I began to fall in love with her. I was head over heels for her the summer right after high school graduation, the same summer I was leaving for Marine boot camp. That summer we spent all day and night together, going to the beach, the movies and just talking. She made me a mix-tape to take with me to boot camp and this is when I fell madly in love with her, the thought of her creating a tape of our favorite songs to keep with me while going into training showed me how creative and loving she was.
3. What is your fondest memory of your partner?
BRIDE: Of the many fond memories I hold close of Yariel…one that is most recent and holds a special place in my heart is when my mother shattered her elbow in several pieces last summer. My mother had an unfortunate fall last year on her birthday weekend, the Fourth of July. It was really devastating- she had to spend her birthday in the hospital awaiting surgery the following day. After being at the hospital for hours with family it was announced that visiting hours were over. Everyone left, but Yariel was able to convince the nurse to let just the 2 of us stay. Although we had Fourth of July party plans it melted my heart that the only place Yariel wanted to be was beside my mom during this tragic time…and still today, 3 surgeries later my mother is having a rough time recuperating but Yariel is and has-been her cheer-meister, always giving her hope and acknowledging her improvements- motivating her know that she will get better in time for our wedding.
GROOM: My fondest memory of Gaby is seeing her waiting for me at the Marine Corps base hangar after serving 5 years in the military all dressed up and with a little bulldog stuffed animal in her arms (the Marine Corps mascot). The fact that she waited for me all these years and was standing there at the end of my service with a big smile and open arms made my heart skip a beat. She is my everything and stuck it out with me through thick and thin through a long-distance relationship while I was in the Marines.
1. What is your favourite trait of your partner?
He makes me laugh, smile, giggle and all things happy.
2. What made you fall in love with your partner?
We got along so well, we were friends first and his warm and gentle nature drew me to him, he was so kind and caring and thoughtful. AND 10 years later he still is. To have your best friend by your side day in day out is the best thing and I can’t wait to marry him.
3. What is your fondest memory of your partner?
How do you pick one? I would say any night spent curled up together on the couch watching our favourite TV shows, eating popcorn and enjoying each other’s company.
Even if I don’t win this beautiful prize I have a big smile across my face reminiscing about so many great times we have shared together and when planning a wedding you do need to take time and remember why we are doing this. It’s not all about the flowers and favors it’s about each other.