Blog

The journey to the wedding day may be a winding one. I’m happy to share some tips and tricks along the way. I continually offer ways to strengthen your relationship, and provide additional resources & tools. Scroll on down, and click on a post that interests you. The comments are always open, and I would love to know what you think!

Gratituesday 2.5.19 - Discover the Good
Gratitudes Hope Mirlis Gratitudes Hope Mirlis

Gratituesday 2.5.19 - Discover the Good

For those of you who may not have been able to read through the cryptic notes and comments over the past few weeks, I am a homeowner again. The process that I experienced in buying an apartment Atlanta versus New York was amazingly different. So while everything was difficult in NY, I am currently trying to discover the good. That also goes for the renovation.

Read More
Vendors I Love: AMY SIMS PHOTOGRAPHY
Vendors I Love Hope Mirlis Vendors I Love Hope Mirlis

Vendors I Love: AMY SIMS PHOTOGRAPHY

I met Amy a few years ago working on a wedding up in Tarrytown. And then our paths kept crossing. I love her positive energy, and just as she mentions in feedback from a bride below, she's just so cheerful to be around. Every year, the folks at 501 Union open their doors to the industry for a week of co-working and collaboration. I was not only able to spend some time with Amy, but lucky enough to have her take my gorgeous new headshots! Without further ado, I'm happy to introduce Amy Sims of AMY SIMS PHOTOGRAPHY!

Read More
Gratituesday 1.22.19 - A World of Unknown
Gratitudes Hope Mirlis Gratitudes Hope Mirlis

Gratituesday 1.22.19 - A World of Unknown

As I've said lots lately, in living in a World of Unknown. Yes, I've always had lots of flux, but this is ridiculous. I am in the middle of a housing transition and there are regular shifts in my business. Surprisingly enough, I am taking the lack of firm answers and a clear path rather well.

Read More
Gratituesday 1.15.19 - It's Going to Be Okay
Gratitudes Hope Mirlis Gratitudes Hope Mirlis

Gratituesday 1.15.19 - It's Going to Be Okay

It's all about perspective. And that good news is that it's going to be okay. I mean, perhaps I just need to repeat the phrase over and over again to believe it. But truthfully most of us are just experiencing first-world problems. We may think that everything is going to shit, but if we look at the details, are they really?

Read More
Celebration Thursday 12.27.18 - Positivity
Gratitudes Hope Mirlis Gratitudes Hope Mirlis

Celebration Thursday 12.27.18 - Positivity

In tonight's counseling session, one of my beautiful couples spoke about an experience they shared. When I asked R what he needed, he struggled a bit and his courageous wife finally said, "You'd like for me to complain less." While it was not quite what he was asking, it was a welcome offering. The idea of positivity came up. How can you find the positivity in all things? Or at least in MOST things?

Read More
Creating Rituals
Healthy Living, Motivation, Zen Bride Hope Mirlis Healthy Living, Motivation, Zen Bride Hope Mirlis

Creating Rituals

We are surrounded by ritual. I am not just saying that because I spend a good chunk of time writing and performing wedding ceremonies. When I speak to my couples about rituals, some look at me with fear or doubt. Yes, the definition of 'ritual' comes from a religious place, but it certainly doesn't have to. But I find the need for ritual in the every day. Um, Taco Tuesday, anyone?

Read More
Gratituesday 12.18.18 - Being proactive
Gratitudes Hope Mirlis Gratitudes Hope Mirlis

Gratituesday 12.18.18 - Being proactive

I've reached an age where I'm done "paying my dues." Actually I reached it years ago. Instead of being proactive, I sit back. I'm active and available, but passive. So that means that I am largely waiting for things to happen rather than going out and getting them.

Read More
Vendors I Love: TWO KINDRED EVENT PLANNERS
Vendors I Love Hope Mirlis Vendors I Love Hope Mirlis

Vendors I Love: TWO KINDRED EVENT PLANNERS

I met Alison a few years ago working on a wedding in Brooklyn. I was then honored to work with both Alison and Jonathan on a wedding at a 'super secret hotel' this past October. I love their attention to detail, their willingness to go the extra mile and just how easily they work together. They could certainly plan and execute an event on their own, but choose not to. And for their couples and clients they say, "why have one planner, when you can have two?" Without further ado, I'm proud to introduce you to JONATHAN STAMPER-HALPIN & ALISON SZLEIFER from TWO KINDRED EVENT PLANNERS!

Read More
Gratituesday 12.4.18 - The Rush is On!
Gratitudes Hope Mirlis Gratitudes Hope Mirlis

Gratituesday 12.4.18 - The Rush is On!

Oh my gosh, how on Earth is it already December??!! The Rush is On! I feel like I've had quite a few posts that express the quick passing of time. But it does still surprise me. I have started doing more regular to-do lists that look at the day vs. ALL of the things that need to get done. But now the rush is on to complete it all.

Read More
Gratituesday 11.27.18 - Sleeping through Life
Gratitudes Hope Mirlis Gratitudes Hope Mirlis

Gratituesday 11.27.18 - Sleeping through Life

So I read a post on social media recently that said that if you're tired, you may not need more SLEEP, you may need to LIVE more. I cannot remember where I saw it, nevertheless it was certainly presented more eloquently than I just said it. Still it totally resonated with me. In fact, it was a complete paradigm shift. Rather than trying to catch up on my sleep, perhaps I am just sleeping THROUGH life.

Read More
Gratituesday 11.20.18 - Not Making Sense
Gratitudes, Uncategorized Hope Mirlis Gratitudes, Uncategorized Hope Mirlis

Gratituesday 11.20.18 - Not Making Sense

I'm a sleuth. I like to find order and put pieces together, especially when things are not making sense. But with many things around me right now - mostly around career and buying an apartment - I spend more time trying to find reason when honestly, there is none. Sometimes it's okay to just not know. Or not waste time trying to figure out the why.

Read More
Gratitudesday 11.13.18 - Finding Solutions
Gratitudes Hope Mirlis Gratitudes Hope Mirlis

Gratitudesday 11.13.18 - Finding Solutions

Life isn't easy. I know, I am not sharing anything we don't already know. But we tend to get beaten down by the challenges and disappointments. What happens if we focus on finding solutions? Even tonight during a counseling session, one of the pair had a shitty day and couldn't get out of the doldrums to consider all of the positivity around them.

Read More
Celebration Thursday 11.8.18 - Details & Shapes
Gratitudes Hope Mirlis Gratitudes Hope Mirlis

Celebration Thursday 11.8.18 - Details & Shapes

A few weeks ago, my parents suggested I come out to Long Island so we could look for appliances and bathroom fixtures in preparation for the renovation of my apartment. It's all about the details & shapes. There is a part of me that is jazzed to create my home - and then I think it would be so nice if my mother and my friend Carlos would just take care of it and I would handle the move when it's done!

Read More
Gratituesday 10.23.18 - Waiting for Life to Begin
Gratitudes Hope Mirlis Gratitudes Hope Mirlis

Gratituesday 10.23.18 - Waiting for Life to Begin

I have never felt settled. I've always felt like I'm waiting for life to begin. For those musical theater lovers out there, there's a song in the musical, 'Once on this Island' with that title. The central character, Ti Moune prays to the gods so she can have assistance to follow her path.

Read More