The Perfect Wedding Shoes: J. Crew

If you read my blog regularly, you know that I absolutely love J. Crew. I received their catalog earlier this week and saw a different pattern of this shoe. So I went to the web site to find these beauties. Are these perfect, or what? You have to love 'em.

The Modern Bridal Veil: Head Dress Couture

I received a lovely email from Heather at Head Dress Couture about her wonderful bridal head dress. Her designs are gorgeous and very modern. The first headpiece and the last veil are my absolute favorites! See the entire collection here


Headpieces






Veils

What a Location: The Viceroy in Palm Springs

I received the Daily Candy Travel edition yesterday and the first listing was for this fabulous hotel, The Viceroy Palm Springs. I absolutely got right on trying to book a flight but the airline industry has completely lost its mind. Why was a flight from Reagan National to Palm Springs International over $1,000? Why? I am so bummed. But I am determined to visit this gorgeous hotel before it gets too hot.



Could you imagine having your wedding at this incredible hotel? Mind blowing!

More Fierceness: Christian Siriano

I am still buzzing about Christian Siriano winning Project Runway. I was so upset last year when Jeffrey won. He was a piece of work. But Christian was so deserving. This was my favorite piece from his collection. I would work this dress to death!! Move over VB!

Congratulations Homey: Christian Siriano

I was so blown away to see hometown boy, Christian Siriano, win Project Runway last night. He was SO FIERCE!!! I love Christian and thought that he definitely deserved to win. Christian is from Annapolis, MD and is only 21!! Look out world, Christian is just getting started. Congratulations!

Making the Grand Entrance: Finesse Event Design

Australian event design firm, Finesse Event Design, surely knows what it means to make a grand entrance. These entrances are amazing! Just beautiful. The second one is my favorite. Aussie brides - see more and get information about this event design firm on their web site.

What's New @ Bella-Bijou

I went to check out what was new with Jaime Pickering at Bella Bijou and look what I found. Isn't this gorgeous? I love it. She is so talented. See all of her wares on her web site.

An Enchanting Favor: Kate Aspen

I love this cute favor box, The Enchanted Carriage from Kate Aspen. See more favor boxes on their web site.

My Lack of Impulse Control with Smartbargains.com

I am really exhausted today. Too tired to post my usual finds. So I decided to confess my lack of impulse control with Smartbargains.com. My first mistake was signing up for their email. My second mistake was purchasing shoes because without a doubt someone at Smart Bargains has figured me out. It is so sad for me because they always send me just the right email to kick my shoe obsession into overdrive. Hence, I just purchased the most amazing Charles David gray snakeskin pumps. Why? Because I needed them. I did not. But I run home everyday with the hope that the FedEx person has paid me a visit. I have issues. LOL! So this morning, they could not wait to send me a new email (mind you, I just bought those gray shoes on Tuesday) about their new shoe arrivals and look what I found. These are by Isaac Mizrahi, whom I love to death!!! Somebody please stop me.

A Lovely Find from Paris: Tara Jarmon

I love this dress by Tara Jarmon. Tara Jarmon is the brainchild of businessman David Jarmon, and a young and lovely Canadian student, Tara. He manages the collection and she is in charge of the design. A Parisian gem. See more on their web site.

Metallic Goodness from Felix Ray

This is the cutest bag from Felix Ray. Get it at Bluefly.

What to Wear to Your Engagement Party: Nicole Miller

I love Nicole Miller. Her wedding dresses are wonderful. I noticed that she also now has a line of lovely bridesmaids dresses. But she also has a fabulous ready-to-wear collection. Too fabulous. Just the right thing to twirl in at your engagement party. See more on her web site. Here are my favorites:

NEWS: New Skin Care Line with Diamonds

A Brilliant Path to Flawless Skin
JaanVi Diamond Skincare Line



JaanVi Skincare, of Roop Ayurevda Center & Day Spa, Hoboken, N.J., has announced the launch of its Diamond Skincare Line. Comprising a Gel, Scrub, and Mask, the products feature the powerful healing properties of Diamond Powder along with Aloe Vera as a calming agent, nourishing Vitamin E, and Rose Oil. By its nature, Rose Oil quickly penetrates the skin for a tonic, astringent effect on the capillaries just below the skin surface. The effects of the Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and Rose Oil amplify the rejuvenating and restorative properties of the Diamond Powder for radiant, glowing skin.

Beautiful Skin... it doesn't have to be Rare
*JaanVi Diamond Gel moisturizer - Featuring anti-aging and exfoliating properties, it leaves skin radiant; a natural alternative to microdermabrasion. While removing toxins and improving cell re-generation, Diamond Gel works to rejuvenate the skin and control aging for a radiant, youthful look. Diamond Gel also helps control regular moisture and collagen loss, to keep skin looking firm and flawless. Retail $65.

*JannVi Diamond Scrub - With true exfoliating properties, this deep cleansing scrub removes dead skin cells and embedded dirt and grime, giving the face and neck a cleaner and smoother feel. Retail $65.
*JaanVi Diamond Mask - Deeply purifying, this incredibly powerful mask exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal the skin's original youthful glow. Deeply hydrating, the mask provides a visible lift while tightening the pores. Retail $65.

A Complexion a Cut Above
For best results, the following JaanVi product skincare regimen is suggested: daily cleansing with Jaanvi 24k Gold Rejuvenating Skin Gel, a clear gel made from pure plant extracts and enriched with 24k Gold, part of the JaanVi 24k Gold skincare line; daily moisturizing with JaanVi’s anti-aging Diamond Gel moisturizer; weekly application of JaanVi's Diamond Mask.

A Gem of a Healer
The ancient Indian text, Rasa-Jala-Nidhi, states: “Diamond is increaser of longevity. It makes its good qualities felt quickly. It is…curer of all the diseases. It is an enemy of death, and is like nectar itself.(1)”

In Ayurveda, Diamond is the most prized gemstone for its rejuvenating and medicinal qualities. First mined in India more than 2800 years ago(2), Diamonds have been used for centuries for their healing properties. The hardest and most precious of all the gemstones, they are believed to physically strengthen the reproductive system and are said to aid in the treatment of chronic diseases. Indicated for tumors, particularly brain tumors, Diamond has a radiating quality that removes toxins from the body. Known to increase the strength of all remedies it is combined with, Diamond improves the complexion, stabilizes blood pressure, and is credited with increasing passion and sexual desires.

Diamond Mindset
Traditionally seen as a symbol of virtue and invincibility, Diamond is thought to help those with psychological disorders achieve a clear, focused state of mind. Also known to be spiritually uplifting and to boost emotional support, Diamond is thought to increase artistic and creative abilities.

For additional information on the JaanVi Diamond Skincare Line and other products and services, visit www.roopdayspa.com. The Roop Ayurvedic Center & Day Spa is located at 69 10th Street, Hoboken, NJ.

1 - www.adiamondisforever.com
2 - (Mookerji, Kaviraj Bhudeb [Translator]: Rasa-Jala-Nidhi or Ocean of Indian Chemistry and Alchemy, vol. 3, Delhi 1990, Parimal publishing, p. 163)

I Have Been Tagged!

Thanks to the wonderful and amazing Rebecca at White Aisle (Rebecca also has a fantastic blog here), I have been tagged.
Thanks, Rebecca!

The rules? Copy this entire list of questions and change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then tag and pass it along to other blogging friends. Let’s see how well we can get to know one another!

1. What is your occupation? I wear two hats: Division Chief/Creative Director

2. What color are your socks right now? no socks.

3. What are you listening to right now? Oh my... my iPod has everything including Sting, Dave Matthews, Parliament Funkadelic, Old school rap, Sia, Zero 7, EWF, Anthony Hamilton, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Sheryl Crow, Robin Thicke, Elbow, Oasis (my favorite band), Seal, Richard Ashcroft, Chic, Roberta Flack, Aqualung, Sade, Ray Lamontagne, U2, etc...

4. What was the last thing that you ate? banana pudding

5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yup. Love manual shift.

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Umm? I would probably be orange.

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? A client

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Definitely!!

9. Favorite drink? Patron tequilla.

10. What is your favorite sport to watch? OMG. I am a ridiculous sports fan but football (soccer) rules my life. I do not move on the weekend until Chelsea FC has played somebody! LOL!

11. Have you ever dyed your hair? No.

12. Pets? Golden Retriever named Cherokee.

13. Favorite food? I love a little bit of everything.

14. Last movie you watched? Perfect Stranger. What a shock ending!

15. Favorite Day of the year? My birthday and my sons' birthdays.

16. What do you do to vent anger? Go shopping.

17. What was your favorite toy as a child? My record player. I would die without my music.

18. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Spring. I have the best spring wardrobe :-)

19. Hugs or kisses? Both

20. What kind of pie? Banana cream pie

21. Living arrangements? Home in MD.

22. When was the last time you cried? Oh my... I am a big crybaby. I get really moved by things that happen to ordinary folks like myself. It was the new story about the father throwing his child off the bridge.

23. What is on the floor of your closet? Everything. I am a mess sometimes.

24. Favorite smell? I love perfume. My favorites are Clinique's Happy Heart and Calvin Klein's Euphoria

25. What inspires you? I get inspiration from everywhere... just everyday life.

26. What are you afraid of? Something happening to my kids.

27. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheeseburgers

28. Favorite car? Actually, favorite SUVs - Audi Q7 or Porsche Cayenne

29. Favorite cat breed? Not a cat person.

30. Number of keys on your key ring? Way too many!

31. How many years at your current job? 9 years

32. Favorite day of the week? Friday

33. How many states have you lived in? 2

34. How many countries have you been to? 4

I am going to tag... Laura at Soiree Special Events, Lakendra at Affairs with Elegance, and Diana at Bon Mariage!

A Little Bit of Light from Anthropologie

I love these lanterns from Anthropologie. As an invitation designer, I haven't really had the opportunity to create something using this wonderful turquoise color. Brides really need to consider breaking away from the usual suspects (lavender, pink, kelly green) when looking for color combinations for their weddings and give this amazing color a try. I would just imagine that these lanterns would look amazing strewn throughout a reception, maybe with orange accents.

What a Man Wants: Wedding Bands from Novell Design Studio

What does a man want? Hopefully, your groom is pretty low-key. If so, then here are some gorgeous wedding band options from Novell Design Studio. I have seen a lot of bands for men and always see the same ol' thing. But these designs are definitely different. Novell can create rings to the your specifications.

Also, Novell recently released a brochure entitled “Choosing the Right Metal for Your Bridal Jewelry.” This brochure is designed to help the average consumer decide which metal will be the best choice for their wedding or engagement ring. You can get this brochure and see their entire jewelry collection, including these wonderful bands on their web site. Here are my favorites (I am partial to platinum but they offer bands in yellow gold):