BEAUTIFUL YET SIMPLE WEDDING DRESS

I want to get divorced and married again, just so that I can wear this silk white brocade dress with from Oscar De La Renta. ($3,190 at Saks). Don't get me started on those beautiful white satin dorsay shoes with the diamond buckle. ; )

OSCAR BLANDI

I'm in desperate need of a pre-holiday haircut. Sadly, my favorite stylist at Bumble has left the business. Ugh! How could she? Doesn't she know how long it took me to find her? You see, I have short hair. If you have short hair, you know what I mean when I say there's a fine line between "stylish pixie" and "lesbian chic". I stumbled across a listing on Ny Magazine regarding Oscar Blandi Salon offering 20% off on all cuts and colors on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays through 12/31. A favorite among celebrities such as Katie Holmes, Julianne Moore and Jennifer Connelly, Oscar was designated 'the perfect stylist' by Allure Magazine. How bad could it be, right? I'll post the outcome after Thanksgiving : )

ONCE UPON YOUR WEDDING

If you haven't done so already, definitely check out Golden Isles Wedding Planner, Terrica Skaggs's blog Once Upon Your Wedding. The girl is just plain hysterical. I was cracking up out loud at today's post re: "New Rules"...see below...

"New Rule: Let’s cease and desist on telling people you have a designer wedding dress. You got it for $22 off of eBay. The tag even says “Oscar de la Rented“. And seriously, no one believes you anyway– you’re spending a total of 7,000 for your entire wedding with 250 guests, yet have the money for a designer gown? Ok. Sure. If you want a nice term for it, say your gown is “designer inspired”.

New Rule: No more going to bridal shows for the food and freebies when you have 95% of your wedding planned. Why are you entering to win a free 10X14 from XYZ photographer when you already have paid off the photographer for your own wedding? Oh, and FYI– eyeballing vendors’ tables while sucking the life out of a chicken bone and pawing their pictures and brochures is so uncute. Ask me how I know.

New Rule: Your wedding planner really doesn’t need you to give her a timeline. Believe it or not, she does this for a living. Giving the planner a timeline is like giving your surgeon an anatomy book. Think we’ve pretty much got it covered. Should the heavens fall and the oceans run over, thank goodness we have your timeline to fall back on.

New Rule: If you put any type of plastic on your reception tables (tablecloths, cutlery, plates, etc.), that’s an automatic 5 years in a maximum security prison. If you then say at any time, “…because I want a real classy event” while doing the above, your sentence is then changed to life with no parole.

New Rule: Stop cutting corners for your wedding! You can’t expect the very best when you get everything for your wedding at Ray Ray’s Chicken and Weddings. Anyone who claims to put “Clazz” or “Stylez” in your event is LYING TO YOU. You’ll be lucky if you don’t have the police at your wedding. The giveaway should’ve been when they showed you the birds for the dove release after the ceremony…and they were pigeons. Or maybe it should’ve been the illegal craps game going on in front of the door. Not sure. Take your pick. Public Service Announcement: Ray Ray cannot be your caterer, photographer and DJ too. Splurge a little. Get three SEPARATE vendors.

New Rule: She’s a four year old flower girl, not a Stepford Wife. Why is she in a huge replica of the bride’s dress? Furthermore, she only has an inch of hair– why do you have 30 rhinestone barrettes in it? She has on more make up than a burn victim and her head looks like a disco ball. If I were her mother, I’d probably fight you. No one will say “Oooh”, they’re probably saying “Eeewww”.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE PART 2 (FOR HER)

What girl wouldn't appreciate a little bling at Christmas? There are so many gorgeous options, you’re sure to find something in your price range. Here’s a few of my favorites…

Fresh, feminine and glamorous are the best words to describe Marcela Castillo’s fashion forward jewelry, Urban Embellishments. As designer and silversmith, Marcela crafts each piece individually, for many pieces selecting from vintage and antique elements, semi-precious stones, beads, and custom-made silver pieces. She creates her distinctive style by contrasting old and new. Stunning!

Charmed and Dangerous, the creation of mother and daughter team Sally Daner and Ariana (Daner) Falerni features a lovely collection of charm necklaces and earrings perfect for personalized gifts. Below is the ultimate gift for a new Mom or even a mom to be. Baby feet charm with a star personalized with the first initial of the baby’s name. ($35)

Anything from jewelry designer Max B is sure to please...(hint hint, honey if you're reading this...)

and ditto for Abigail Percy
like these Sweet Horse Chestnut leaves hoop earrings on the left ($240) or on the right, these dark smokey quartz cluster earrings which are hand-wired and clustered together to hang from hand-made ear hooks. These earrings are made from solid Sterling Silver wire that is then plated with 18ct gold for a soft antique look. ($50)

Sterling silver earrings from Indiaylaluna are dainty simple and perfect. (From $30)

and of course, my all time favorite, Lisa Levine

HILARIOUS INVITATION

I stumbled across this on Once Upon a Wedding and had to share...I needed a good laugh tonight...: )

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE PART 1 (THE BUSINESS ASSOCIATE)

Business associates and clients tend to be the most difficult people to buy for. We don't know them that well, yet especially in my business, we don't want to give them something completely impersonal and boring. Luckily most of my clients and business associates are women, and working in a creative field, they typically appeciate things that are a little out of the ordinary. Here's a great list of options to consider for gifts for the client or business associate:

Who couldn’t use a beautiful hanging calendar from one of my favorite designers, Papaya. Available in Bird and Blooms or Bohemian. $14

The Little Pie Company, based in NYC, provides a delicious selection of homemade pies such as Sour Cream Apple Walnet, Key Lime, Southern Pecan and Cherry Pies among other flavors which are beautifully and not to mention sturdily packaged and sent via FED EX anywhere in the US. Starting @ $54 plus shipping.

I’m a sucker for anything roses. The La Vie en Rose Gift set from UK based Mirror Mirror features a stunning rose garland beaker from my favorite Swedish designer, Karin Eriksson as well as a large box of luxurious rose trimmed and rose scented aromatherapy bath melts. Mirror Mirror’s gift sets are wrapped in tissue and ribbon and presented in a chic white gift box making a beautiful presentation. About $57 USD plus shipping.




Stunning day planners, address books and journals from Paperblanks would make a lovely gift for a paper loving business associate. Available online at Amazon and Borders.



MORE TO COME : )

KATE SPADE SAMPLE SALE

No lines, just click, click click to some great deals on Kate Spade bags, wallets and shoes. Brilliant! I scored a great baby tote for a friend's shower gift for $99. : )