A Pretty Way to Heat a Party... FINALLY!!!

HELLO FRIENDS!!!! WOW! That was a SERIOUS hiatus! I am soooo sorry! I dove into a project three weeks ago that was probably (ok... not probably...) TOTALLY more than I could handle. I ended up having to completely train myself in something that was WWWAAAAYYYY beyond what I thought I was capable of! But, the good news is the final product was INCREDIBLE! Thank you for your patience... I really mean it!

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For years, I have been trying to come up with some sort of way to "disguise" ugly, eye sore, industrial and completely impersonal and un-pretty heaters... I always need them at events and they are just BAD!!! I mean BAD! Lots of rental companies have come up with ways to wrap them with linens to hide the terrible sight of them but I know its all still there!

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Until today... I was meeting with a client and she told me that she attended an event in Oxnard, CA this past weekend and saw the COOLEST heaters she'd ever seen! She, of course, took pictures and pulled out her digital camera to share with me! OHHHHH THE WORLD IS SAVED!!! Today, I share with you....

The Kindle Glow

YAY!! YAY!!! YAY!!!! YAY!!!!!

Isn't it sooo pretty!!! The Kindle Glow makes such a strong first impression -- modern, playful, irreverent -- you almost need to ask twice: That's a space heater? Yes, it is.

David Tannenbaum, managing director of L.A.-based Kindle Living, says the idea originated from party rental customers, including brides who wanted to keep guests warm but hated the industrial look of typical heaters. Now, as more yards are being turned into round-the-clock outdoor living spaces, the company sees a market for outdoor heaters with the visual appeal of indoor furnishings.

Kindle's composite shell can stand up to high temperatures, and the shade "canopies" heat better than traditional heaters, Tannenbaum says. The piece recently won a Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. Not only do Kindle’s provide heat, but some models also serve as as a lamp too! It is available in several colors for purchase and in black and white for rental.

At this point, I don't think they are available from many rental companies. Classic Party Rentals has them available in their California territories but just wait...

I am sure they will be available everywhere soon.

Don't you love it??? I am trying to get more info on these from the manufacturer so stay tuned... I just think they are so fun and finally such a breath of fresh air - or a beautiful way to stay warm! WHOO HOO!!! Thank you Kindle Glow....

Until next time...

Carolina Herrera - Spring Preview - Artfully Masterful

Have you missed us??? I am soooooo sorry my fellow bloggers! I am working on a last minute project for a wedding in South Carolina right now and it is just absorbing all of my time! It's going to be great and I cannot wait to share it with you next week but WOW! I hope I can make it up to you with a FANTASTIC post and the info I found to share with you today MIGHT JUST DO THAT! I am going to share with you the LATEST AND GREATEST from the one, the only... Carolina Herrera! Let me tell you... It's pretty incredible!

Herrera’s Spring 2010 bridal collection pays homage to some of the world’s most inspiring artists. Inspirations from Vincent Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse, Degas and Goya are just a few artists who are all evident in this fashion-forward bridal collection that debuted at Tiffany & Co.’s 5th Avenue location in New York City.

The collection’s meticulous detailing was quite apparent with Van Gogh’s sunflowers shown in taffeta ruffles, Monet’s water lilies hand painted onto English tulle, and Matisse’s paper cutouts transformed into duchess satin leaves. Striped grosgrain ribbon detailing, gold straw hats and cathedral veils all added to the nostalgic styling of the collection. From bustles to corsets all accessorized with Tiffany & Co. diamond rings and jewelry, the Carolina Herrera Spring 2010 bridal gown collection exemplifies the meaning of couture.

Take a look...

The dresses? Inspired by the greatest artists, who in their own work have displayed elements of fashion, Carolina Herrera blew our bridal minds out of the water! Here are five of my favorites, attached to work from the artists said to have inspired the collection.

Dress #1: A Vincent van Gogh inspired floral jacquard dress with ruffle applique’. This is SUPER interesting. I bet it is GORGEOUS in person...

Dress #2: This Monet inspired strapless tulle ball gown incorporates hand-painted water lilies. ISN'T THIS GORGEOUS??? It's SUPER subtle but just really pretty. It reminds me a little of the dress that Rachel McAdams wore to the Oscars... but more descrete!!

Dress #3: Every ballerina knows the work of Degas…but Carolina took his work to a whole new level. This ribbon strapped, tulle point d’esprit dress is breathtaking. I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS! I would do a different colored sash but this really is just sooo pretty! One thing you have to know about Carolina is that she ALWAYS has a gown with polka dots... Of course, if you know me, I love this! One of her infamous polka dot dresses was featured in Martha Stewart weddings in 2007 and people were obsessed with it. The unfortunate thing was though that once the magazine was finally published and printed, the dress was no longer available and had been replaced with a new design that just wasn't as special... This one, however, is VERY SIMILAR! I guess Carolina listened to us... :)

Dress #4: Edouard Manet is channeled through this strapless ivory and black rose fils coupe’ gown with a blue taffeta bow. This too is gorgeous and would be stunning paired with a BIG fuschia pink bouquet! And... maybe some precious pink peep toe slingbacks! WHOO HOO!!!

Dress#5: Last, but not least, this was the absolute show-stopper! This ivory off-the-shoulder gown, adorned with black lace applique’ and a small coral bow (inspired by Diego Velasquez) is perfect for the most eclectic & daring bride! I LOVE THIS!!! WOW!!! RIGHT??? It's daring but what a statement!!!

Each piece in this collection was truly magical, and I’ve never seen a more beautiful living interpretation of art... I just love the connection between the pieces. There is nothing better than when a designer channels art. It is soooo moving! Plus, how special is it that your wedding dress has a story... Something you can share with your guests along with your family for years to come... It's just so special! Until next time...

And, I PROMISE... next time will be TOMORROW! :)

Jenny Yoo - WHOO HOO!!!

So, I thought I would just make it a week of FANTASTIC bridesmaids dress designers since I had so much fun on Monday checking out Lynn Lugo! Another favorite of mine is Miss Jenny Yoo! Her designs never cease to amaze me!!! I JUST LOVE THEM ALL!

A little history on Jenny...

Jenny Yoo hails from a small town outside of Philadelphia. She attended the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York City and received her bachelors degree in Fashion Design. She is the founder and designer of Jenny Yoo Collection, Inc., a highly successful and rapidly growing company within the bridal industry.

Ok... So, I have to say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress! I am not super sure of the color but I think the style of the dress is F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!!! I think it is sooo elegant and would be an absolute show stopper! Pair it with a fantastic pair of platform peep-toe pumps that match the dress and BANG! You have a TOTAL HIT!!!

This is really really pretty too! I just love how simple it is!!!

This is the dress above shown in a different color!

This is GORGEOUS! I love the sweetheart neckline! This would be soooo flattering and I can promise your bridesmaids would love it too!

This too! I love this color too! It's pink but it is sooooo soft and so feminine!

This is really great for a long dress! I even like the color! Though, I think it really washes people out!

Something about this is interesting to me too! The back is GORGEOUS! I couldn't get a picture of it but trust me! It's gorgeous!!!

Love this too for a long one! The waist features a wrap around sash and ties in a big bow in the back. It is really versatile and super cute!!!

Ok... This is soooo ELEGANT!!! I LOVE IT! I love the little lace shrug!!!

This one is GORGEOUS too!!! I love it in brown with the little lace trim and the little lace shrug!!! This is just sooo timeless!!! I LOVE IT!!!

This is really sweet too!

And this... WOW! This color is pretty loud but you could tone it down. The style is BEAUTIFUL!!!! I love the tied bow at the back!!!

Isn't Jenny Yoo GREAT??? It is soooo hard to find great bridesmaids gowns and she really has hit it out of the park. While parusing on her website today pulling off my favorite designs, I read her bio. She actually started as a designer for Ann Taylor! INTERESTING right??? Well Jenny... I am glad you left Ann Taylor and went out on your own because the world of "Bridesmaids Dresses" is MUCH BETTER OFF having you as a designer! WE LOVE YOU JENNY YOO!!!

For more info about Jenny Yoo and for a listing of stores where her collection is available, visit her website at:

http://www.jennyyoo.com/

Until next time....

Ringing in THE BRIDE...

Today I was doing research for a wedding and was on the hunt for a ULTRA COOL idea for the bridal entrance. Something really out of the norm... Something that guests would remember and would be SUPER CUTE! I came across this and I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!

As the flower girls walk down the aisle and the bride prepares to enter, the flower girls walk down the aisle and ring bells... This features the little ones ringing old cow bells... I think it would be soooo fun!!! I also think it would be fun to find a great quote about ringing bells and tie a tiny little bell to each chair and ask the guests to ring the bells when it is time for the bride to appear! It would be AMAZING! Think about it... Nearly 100 bells ringing! I LOVE IT!!! Something different that your guests wouldn't forget FOR SURE!!! Until next time...

Announcing Lynn Lugo's 2010 NEW Collection - IT'S FABULOUS!!!

Today, I received word that Lynn Lugo has launched her 2010 line! Love these fashion forward styles -- the one shoulder style is extremely popular as we head into peak ordering season for Fall 2010 brides. And don't forget, any bodice style can be mixed and matched with any skirt style, so you have hundreds of style options for every bridesmaid, no matter how tall, petite or curvy! The designs are EXTREMELY fashion forward yet stay somewhat classic. None of these dresses would cause you to wish you had chosen something different when you look back at your wedding photos 20 years from now... Take a look!

Lynn is AWESOME! She offers a WIDE VARIETY of colors... I have a friend that wants COPPER for her fall wedding in AZ and she HAS NOT been able to find it. Well... Lynn has copper! It is absolutely gorgeous! Her colors are FANTASTIC!!

Wouldn't this be soooo fun for a beach wedding??? LOVE IT!!!

I think these are stunning! I love the one-shoulder look! It is sooo sexy and sooo stylish!

It really is super flattering!!!

I don't know what it is... But this long gown with the STUNNING ruffled shrug is sooooo fun to me! I don't know why but I LOVE IT! I would obviously do it in a different color but I think it is just soooo glamorous!!!

This is super cute too!!!

These are really fun and different too!

Have some fun browsing through her new collection. Her prices are pretty reasonable too! http://www.lynnlugo.com/ Let me know what you think!!! I AM EXCITED!!! Until next time...

Flower Girls - Pretty Little Princesses

A Flower Girl - A Pretty Little Princess OR a "Bride in Training..." Not sure which title is more appropriate... I am working with a client who wants her Flower Girls to be dressed in something other than a white sleeveless dress with a sash that coordinates with the wedding colors...

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So, I pulled some REALLY SUPER CUTE looks for her little princesses! I can tell you from many years of experience that these little darlings ACT THE BEST if they are dressed in something that is not only somewhat familiar to them, but something they like and something they are comfortable in! If they hate what they have on, they are not going to behave and a temper tantrum is ABSOLUTELY INEVITABLE!!! I PROMISE!!! Funny how this behavior starts sooooo young, right??? :) Find something fun and add great little accents! Take a look...

Isn't this little rhinestone cardigan darling??? J Crew's Crewcuts always has adorable little things like this... Check them out!

The Fairy Princess Tulle Skirt is always a hit for the "PRINCESS" flower girl... She will be sooo happy and will be twirling on the dance floor all night!

If you are dealing with a child who doesn't really prefer dresses, dress her in fabulous glittery leggings and a little tunic and pair it with glittery converse.

Wrap the shoe in coordinating ribbon... HOW PRECIOUS!!!!

For those who love to play dress up, give them Fairy Wings! What child isn't going to love this... And I can assure you, the wedding guests will be tickled pink to see them come down the aisle!

ABSOLUTELY DARLING!!!

Too Cute!!!

Dress them in all one color... Look how cute this is!!!

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I just love all of these!!! But, I have to confess... As gorgeous as I think Bride's are... I think Flower Girls and Ring Bearers ALWAYS steal the show!!! Until next time...

BE JEWELED!!!

I have a client that is looking for a DIY "Jeweled" box for Place Cards... She is really wanting to find a great box and put jewels on the outside and then down into the box for her guests place cards. I have seen a few things but really like this application! It is soooo pretty! I am going to try and find a white lacquered box and add rhinestones and pearls to that instead only because it will work better with what she is doing but isn't this fun...

It is going to be soooo pretty with her pearl white silk linens and her GORGEOUS place cards!

We are going to do lots of crystals on the tables too along with gorgeous white flowers and lots of candles. Did I mention there is a GIANT chandelier hanging above the place card table??? It's going to be ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!!

Promise we will use better crystals... But at least this gives you the idea!

Until next time... BE JEWELED!!!