Winter Wonderland Wedding

 Images Courtesy of Australia Entertains

Courtesy of Pearls Events

Dinner in the Dark?

Are you looking for a new "date night" or an Over the Top Rehearsal Dinner or Bachelor/Bachelorette Outing?


Opaque Los Angeles could be the place...
Just imagine, that you can not see for an hour or two, that you are abandoning vision in exchange for a new, multi-sensual dining experience.Opaque is enhancing our senses of taste, smell, touch, and hearing by abandoning one that we often take for granted – this is “Dining in the Dark”. 

Brought to you by Opaque, the dining in the dark experience allows you to willingly plunge into a world of sensitivity you have never experienced before, taking you through a journey of taste, sound and touch, all in the dark. 

Opaque - Dining in the Dark – will seat you in a literally pitch-black dining room where you will be guided and served by blind or visually impaired individuals that have been specially trained to serve meals in the dark, casually and comfortably offering guidance and reassurance for sighted guests.

Upon arriving at the Dining in the Dark venue, you will be welcomed in a lighted lounge area where you will pick from a specially prepared menu (designed by a sighted local ‘star’ chef), and we check your coat or bag as you don't need anything but your senses. Once you have ordered, you will be personally guided into the darkened dining room. Special security measures are taken to make your experience both safe and enjoyable.

For more information, please visit www.darkdining.com to check event dates, directions or book your journey. 
Parking:
Valet Parking is available for $7/Car.

Driving directions:
To V Lounge

2020 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica
California 90403
Tel: 310 546 7619

Holiday Party Season is Upon us...

While we adults probably have multiple "office" functions to go to...keep in mind the little ones love to celebrate too!

Nicole Wills, owner of Tradewind Tiaras sent in these gorgeous photos, along with all of the details of how she created this exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy/Nutcracker party! 

Kristi sent in pictures from her Gingerbread House Party

This Adorable Vintage Rudolph Party comes from the great minds of TomKat Studio, 

Laura Winslow Photography, Modern Frills and Pink Taffy

Checkout the Reindeer "Food" to leave out Christmas Eve

(courtesy of Tomkat Studio)

Sweet Eats

Good news! Pastry extraordinaire Melody Brandon from the popular dessert studio Sweet and Saucy Shop just opened up a brand new online store that features many of the same stylish pieces that she uses to display her own desserts! You’ll find gorgeous cake stands, bowls & platters, display domes, and decorative cupcake liners at the new Sweet and Saucy Supply.

A few personal favorites are pictured above… and I’m definitely thinking this will be a great place for Santa to shop… how about you?

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for so much this year and I am looking forward to a delicious Thanksgiving at my Mother-in-Law's house.  Here are a few beautiful tablescapes to inspire you...

A Mod Thanksgiving Table

Hostess with the Mostess  

A Kid's Outdoor Table

www.livinglocurto.com

Dwell Studio

If the Shoe Fits...

Red, Yellow, Blue, Purple...there's a rainbow of color out there.

Spice up your Wedding Attire with Shoes that really show your personality...

[Image Courtesy of Manolo the Shoe Blogger]

[Image Courtesy of Tanya Hanson]

Photo Courtesy of www.bridalcookie.com

{Photo Credits: TOP ROW: Max Studio Scent Lilac Satin by PiperLime, Jacer Blue Suede Shoes by Nine West, Faith Yellow Chigwell Court Shoes by Debenhams.com, Green Rose Satin Shoes by Debenhams.com. SECOND ROW: Nine West Two Tone T-Bar Shoes by Oli, Nine West Pink Gatier Peep Toe Pump by Kaboodle.com, Nina Electra Red Evening Sandal by Macy’s, Precious Premium Teal High Shoes by TopShop.com. THIRD ROW: Christian Louboutin Blue Satin Very Noeud Slingbacks by BlueFly.com, Johnsons Yellow Fayruz Strappy Sandals byEndless.com, Nine West Green Jojus by Kaboodle.com, Faith Fuchsia Frill Front T-Bar Sandals byOli. FOURTH ROW: ASOS Pink Premium Side Corsage Satin Shoes by Asos.com, Lavender Shallow-Lace Up Shoes by TopShop.com, Nine West Turquoise Jojus Open Toe byKaboodle.com, Red Satin Corsage Peep Toe Shoes by KarenMillen.com. FIFTH ROW: Carvela Greet Green Classic Shoes by KurtGeiger.com, Seychelles Reservations For Two Teal Shoes byZappos.com, Prada Slate Suede Petal Peep Toe Pumps by BlueFly.com, Electra Fuchsia Luster Satin by NinaShoes.com}

Dresses to Love...

You don't have to wear an all white wedding dress.  Here are some unique takes on the Wedding Dress...


Bride Quinn had this beautiful butterfly dress custom made for her by the talented Collen Quen Couture.

Kevin and Loralie were married in San Francisco and the Bride's dress was her "Something Blue".  Photo Courtesy of Flory Photo.

They called her "Mello Yellow"...what a sweet looking couple.  The Bride, Katie was gorgeous in her yellow gown by Vera Wang.  Images courtesy of Di Bezi Photography.

The "Delilah" by Vera Wang Bridal is a stunning gown for an evening Wedding.

A "Movember" to Remember

The Mo, slang for moustache, and November come together each year for Movember.  

Movember challenges men to change their appearance and the face of men’s health by growing a moustache. The rules are simple, start Movember 1st  clean-shaven and then grow a moustache for the entire month.  The moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised for cancers that affect men.  Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days.  

Fun mustaches can light up any party (or any photo op imaginable)! Give your guests the chance to show off their silly side... and to talk about it for months to come!

Let your family and friends experience the joy of the mustache....Mustache on a stick.

Isabella's Owl Halloween Photoshoot

My daughter Isabella loves Owls...so I got a DIY bug up my butt and tried to make this owl costume for Halloween.  Fortunately we made it to this wonderful photoshoot where Juls Megill took the most darling shots....but sadly the "Fabric Glue" that was holding all the "Feathers" together...bit the dust when water from her sippy cup doused her lap.  

Oh well...there's still 3 days to find another outfit.  

Hope Everyone has a Safe & Happy Halloween!

Bridal Shower Tips...

An amazing and memorable bridal shower is probably the most important job the Maid of Honor has.  I’ve always been the kind of person that likes to do fun, silly things at parties that most people wouldn’t have even thought about doing. So here is my stab at a creative non-traditional bridal shower to remember!

While you know your girlfriend and bride-to-be better than almost anyone else out there, here are a few out-of-the-box suggestions on how to make sure her Bridal Shower is spectacular.

1. Be Unique.  You know her best features, her quirks and her hiccups.  Take the time to show you care by steering away from the standard, everyday, boring, generic party and instead, choose the personality trait you love most about her and run with it.
2. Make a Great Invitation. All parties start with an invitation.  Make yours great!  It will probably be something the bride will want to keep as a momento too, so this is one area that I don’t mind splurging on.   Purple Trail has a nice selection of bridal shower invites at competitive prices (about 40% lower than other popular sites!).  No need to “splurge” here!  Their online design studio is really comprehensive and allows you personalize each design extensively.  You even have the option of purchasing a digital download of your creation so you can print more if you need to later, or send them via email!  Shipping is a low flat rate of only $6.95 or free if you order over $50.
3. Make a Memorable Gift. When you send out the invitations, ask your guests to mail or email you their favorite photo with themselves and the bride-to-be, by a certain date before the shower event.  You can then create a collage or a scrapbookto showcase your friend’s “before” life that she will most certainly cherish.  The best part of this is that you can include people and friends that won’t be able to attend as well!
   • If you aren’t crafty enough to do this by hand – that’s ok!  Just ask for digital pictures and then use a simple program like Smilebox to create a page for you!  If you are familiar with Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, there are some really beautiful “digital scrapbook kits” that are amazing.  They are pre-made layouts that look like real scrapbook pages and all you do is insert photos!  Here is a sample from the Remember When Kit available here.
   
   Click to enlarge
4. Food and Drink. Once again, rely on the bride’s personality for this one.  No need to be spendy – a personal touch is going to be much more appreciated than caviar!  Is the bride super casual and a big sports fan with an uncanny affinity for BBQ type food?  Try serving mini gourmet burgers or “sliders”.  Dress them up by adding fancy toppings like avocado & bacon, blue cheese or carmelized onions and serving them with an edible flower on the side    Serve beer in champagne glasses!  If you want to ooo and ahhh them with special treat – chocolate dipped strawberries are really easy and inexpensive to make!
5. Set the Mood.  Itune Playlists make the best background music.  Include her favorite songs and the songs that make you both look at each other and laugh because “remember when…”.  
6. Games and Activities. Games or no games?  Personally, I like games.  But I don’t like the lame, boring ones that everyone does.
   • Want to try something different?  Instead of a game – do this group activity instead!  Have everyone make a garter belt for the bride!  Wouldn’t it be funny if when the groom lifted her dress to fetch it, she was wearing 10 or 15 of them – all made by her friends?  Here are some easy no-sew instructions here.  This is a fun way for everyone to get to know one another, without having to play some dumb game of bingo.
7. Party Favors. I always like to make sure that if I go through the trouble of buying something for someone, that they are going to use it!!  I just don’t see the point in spending money on “traditional” party favors that people are just going to throw away.  Give your guests a choice and offer a few different favors.
   1. Make extra copies of the Itunes Playlist that you’re going to play during the party.  I guarantee several people will love the music and ask about it.  They’ll be thrilled to take a copy home!
   2. Another great, inexpensive idea is to buy some $25 Restaurant.com Gift Certificates to popular local restaurants.  You can often score these for only $2 each and they’ll surely be a hit!
   3. You could ask guests to bring a small girly gift under $5 and play White Elephant.
8. Capture Everything. Have a digital camera available and pass it around during the party.  Ask each guest to take a minimum of 10 pictures each before passing it on.  Make it a rule to NOT take any “posed” photographs.  They should all be candid or creative shots.  The bride will love the variety of photos that result from this – because everyone has a different creative eye!  Get everyone’s email address and post the collection of pictures online for everyone to enjoy later!
9. Gifts. Traditionally, one portion of the shower is dedicated to watching the opening of presents.  Some people enjoy this, some don’t.  I’d ask the bride what she wants to do.  I personally HATE opening presents in front of people and I hate putting my guests through that.  Feel free to skip this portion if you want and leave a sign at the present table that says “Thanks so much for your gift! My gift to you is that you don’t have to watch me open it!”
10. Timing is Everything. Short and sweet is usually a good way to go.  2-3 hours is usually a good goal to shoot for.

Thanks you www.dealsfordummies.com

Chalk Thought Bubble...

Say it loud and say it proud! These delightful little thought bubbles are perfect for any occasion! Great for a little photobooth at a party, conversation starters for a big dinner, or an adorable accessory for wedding photos! 

Write whatever you want to let the world know exactly what's on your mind (and look cute doing it)!Find it at Etsy.com

Thank You Very Much...

Gilt City is offering up to 40% off Papeterie Wedding Stationary.

Founded by Creative Director Kimberly Chiu in 2004, the folks at Papeterie are dedicated to working extremely closely with their clients: referring to each and every customer by their name, and offering unparalleled flexibility. Designs are created and produced in-house meaning the highest in quality control for the paper, ink and printing method: justifying the company’s distinguished list of famed fans like Jessica Alba, who chose their lavender wildflower paper to decorate her baby-shower invites in 2008. Gracing pages everywhere from The Knot and Lucky to InStyle Weddings and Martha Stewart’s Bride’s Guide, they’re serving up some seriously coveted cardstock.

Leila & Michael. October 16, 2010

Mother Nature had something else in mind today...but the Ceremony was a go outside and the setting could not have been more romantic with the floating candlelit aisle, foggy coastline and slight rainfall.  The Wedding Party consisted of Leila & Michael's wonderful children and they each read a verse and shared in a Unity Sand Ceremony.  Special Thanks to the talented TMK AllStar Band and the up-for-anything Photographer, Adam Sjoberg of Ira Lippke Studios, who kindly flew in from NY.  Big shout out to Jennifer and The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel for unparalleled service.


Here's a sneak peak...real photos will soon follow ;)

Cake by Ritz-Carlton

3 Tiered Square
Chocolate Devil's Food Cake with Buttercream Filling

Pastry Chef wrote their names on the White Chocolate Surfboard

Florals by Square Root

Centerpieces of Cream Roses, White Hydrangea, White Lilies and White/Green Orchids

Bridal Bouquet

Bridesmaids Bouquets

Bachelor/Bachelorette Scavenger Hunt?

My Clients are always looking for new ideas for shared Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties. This new theater tour sounds like quite the adventure...

Accomplice Hollywood...part walking tour, part game and part theater. Accomplice productions are unlike anything found in a theater, sending its audience on an actual journey through the streets of the city. Armed with a few initial bits of information, participants are sent on a mission, aided by clues and mysterious cast members strewn throughout various locations such as streetcorners, bars, out of the way shops, and seedy alleys. Audiences in groups of up to 10 traverse the city streets, piecing together clues of a meticulously crafted plot.

The Accomplice sites, naturally are kept secret - it's all part of the fun.

Who's in on it? Who's not? Accomplice is an experience you won't soon forget. "Not enough information," you say? Trust us—the fun is in the surprises.

Each production is a unique adventure, and no previous knowledge of other Accomplice shows is necessary.