Monday, August 31, 2009

Key To My Heart

Stat Key Designer Keys

He has the key to your heart and you have the key to his. Make it literal, Sat Key Designer Keys can make it true. Now that you have entered into holy matrimony, make the key exchange more personal. I love the house key for a newlyweds first home. There are 10 designs to choose from. You can even suggest your own design. Log on and find out more about these special keys. Stat Key Company

DIY-licious


It is the place where creativity and spirits soar to it's highest. With light and love Sabirah (the owner) has created a neighborhood shop and all are welcome with a hug and a smile. Everyone gathers at the table with beads, ideas, and stories. You know the ole sayin' each one teach one and at Beadalicious, that is taken literally. It is a learning and teaching experience and no one leaves without teaching or learning something new.


When I spoke to Sabirah through email I asked her about bridesmaids jewelry parties. She said there is no formal class at the moment but this is a welcome idea. Also if you needed to make your own wedding jewelry Sabirah or her staff will assist you to create something personal and beautiful. It is a wonderful opportunity to sit, relax, and slow down. Sabirah's motto is "Save the drama for the stage", which means you will be safe in this temple of creating.

Beadalicious
3500 Harford Road
Baltimore Md. 21218
443.527.7006
sabirah@beadalicious.biz

She also has begun her line of Somethin Blu
jewelry for the extraordinary brides.




Sunday, August 30, 2009

For Gladys

I have been saying "Wear a wedding dress every day" for years. Now you can wear a wedding dress more than one day for a good cause. You can wear a wedding dress for Gladys.

For the ninth year in a row, women dressed in wedding gowns, along with approximately 100 other women in white and men dressed in black, marched through the streets of Manhattan and the South Bronx to raise awareness about domestic violence in our families and communities. This was done in remembrance of Gladys Ricart and others who have lost their lives to acts of domestic violence.


Save the date, a wedding dress, and your high heel sneakers
Saturday, September 26th
More on
NY Latinas Against Domestic Violence
Gladys Ricart and Victims of Domestic Violence Memorial Walk

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Crystalized DIY

Swarovski takes DIY to another level with the new store Swarovski-Crystallized. All that glitters is not gold and it shines with a thousand points of light. You will need sunglasses when you visit the store.

The Soho NY Store has THOUSANDS of gems-o-licious filling up the Lucite drawers. You will roam around the store dazed muttering "I can make something" , and you can. I met these ladies from Toronto who were enjoying coffee and creating in the cafe.

Everything is there findings, tools (you can use to make it there), and of course CRYSTALS!

It is a Couture DIY adventure and even if you don't want to make anything sit and sip in the cafe among the sparkles. It is a wonderful treat for you and your girlfriends this is the perfect to make their jewelry for the wedding and exercise your artistic muscles.


Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED
499 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
212.966.3322

Celebrating The Fabric Of Our Culture

Patchwork 4 ply silk and crepe back satin bias cut gown in the works

The MCAI will celebrate The Fabric Of Our Culture at an event filled with jazz, art, fashion, and more. Myself, designers from Pittsburgh and Therese Fleetwood will be creating jazz inspired garments for the fashion show.
I have been assigned Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, and Billi Holiday (above dress). The fashion show is produced by Fashion Africana, that celebrates the beauty and diversity of African Diaspora.

Details of the event below


Saturday, September 12th, 2009
7:00pm
The August Wilson Center
980 Liberty Ave
Pittsburgh Downtown Cultural District
Tickets
VIP: $75
Show and After Party: $50
Show Only: $35

Order Tickets and more info: 412.394.3353
Pro Arts Tickets.org


Thursday, August 27, 2009

Image Is Everything



If you put in a search for Afrocentric Cake toppers, there are quite a few toppers that are chocolate couples in wedding gear and with a few spattering of couples in African Clothing. I should be satisfied that there are some great cake toppers available, but I STILL WANT MORE!

Back in the early part of August, The African Bride questions the wedding market on African Inspired Cake Toppers?. Then Revisited the question in her post Cake Toppers Revisited. This inspires a search for the best and most creative culturally inspired cake toppers available.
Let me know what you find.
Drop me a line, a link and I will spread the word. cabcomp@aol.com

Something Blue: Something On The Horizon

Monday, August 24, 2009

Dancing Like The Stars

If you dance like you have two left feet and the thought of "performing" the first dance, feels like someone is tap dancing in your stomach, the NY Wedding Dance has all the right moves. Their instructors will have you whirling and twirling like a pro in only a few classes.
If you have never taken a class, visit the studio for a free class at the open house every first Wednesday of every month. You must register, see the more info below.



Mike and Jill


Megan and Roy

Open House Every first Wednesday of the month
7:00pm to 8:15pm free sample dance class, gift certificates, prizes, champagne punch and demonstrations.
Seating is limited.

Call or email to register.
646.742.1520 info@nyweddingdance.com
1261 Broadway Suite 510 NewYork, NY 10001

www.nyweddingdance.com

Saturday, August 22, 2009

DIY: Wedding Swatch Card

The color theme for the wedding is so important to brides. They will carry swatches of fabrics and pictures around to share with vendors, family and who ever else will listen. At times brides can become so locked into a color that any shade slightly up or down, will send brides a flurry of emotions.

I once had a bride, who shared with me her beautifully designed invitation (by the groom) with red being a dominant feature. She wanted a red wedding gown to match the feeling of the invite. I showed her about 7 shad
es of red in the fabric choices from 2 of my fabric sources, she asked if there were more choices that would match more perfectly to the invite. The fabrics were as close as it could get and I told her "I understand you don't want the colors to look too different from the picture on the invite (art work of a woman) to your dress. But I promise you, not one of your invited guests will hold the invite up as you come down the aisle and complain UGH, THIS DOESN'T EVEN MATCH THE DRESS!". We both laughed and she was able to make a decision with ease.

I think I have come up with an idea that will help you make a color palette that you will keep every one on the same color page. Using this method you'll also have greater room for creativity. The specialist working on the wedding can coordinate their products instead of trying to find and exact match which may be impossible and disappointing.

Visit the paint store where you can pick up color cards. meant for picking paint colors Choose the colors that match your wedding theme. Which includes your dress, the grooms suit, bridesmaids dress, etc. Then begin to look for accent colors that coordinate with the dominant wedding colors. Be sure to take a few of each color card. I suggest you do this at a large store like Home Depot or Lowes, they will have a larger selection of colors.


Begin to cut out the colors and then label them, bridesmaids, maid of honor, and flowers.

Make a little hole in the corner


Label each little card, bridesmaids, flowers, groom etc.


Then tie all small squares together


Make a few so you can give this to the florist, event planner, etc.

Get a little fancy using a shape punch that resembles a dress or the fancy circles. These punches are from Paper Shapers (dress) and Martha Stewart (scalloped circle).



I couldn't seem to find the paper punches I used on line ANYWHERE (I found them at Paper Presentation 23 West 18th St., NYC)! I found that this site had a HUGE selection of Paper Punches: Create for Less

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Your Achillies Heel



According to a myth arising later, his mother had dipped the infant Achilles in the river Styx, holding onto him by his heel, and he became invulnerable where the waters touched him -- that is, everywhere but the areas covered by her thumb and forefinger (source:Wikipedia). You know the rest, Achilles' died because a vital part of his body was not protected.

You beautiful dress shoes can follow the same fate. Now there are two products on the market looking make your shoes invulnerable to sinking into the grass, scratched by the city streets, and destroyed by mud. It's like they dunked the shoe in the river Styx.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

The Kwanzaa Bride's Chronicles

In my business there is a lot of creativity which draws in so many special people. Making a dress is just a small part of the bigger picture. I don't take it lightly that this garment is a major component in the wedding. Which is why I bring you the wonderful stories my brides share with me.
I received an email from a bride who has signed her email from The Kwanzaa Bride. Audrey Davis who is the Assistant Artistic Director of the Iwa Lewa Heritage Ensemble, told me in her email she is looking for a drop dead gorgeous Afrocentric gown. Now I can do that. We made the appointment and I met Audrey last Saturday to talk about her December 27th, 2009 wedding (which is Kujichagulia Self-determination, read more about Kwanzaa). She is a free vibrant spirit and it brought back memories of African Dance Classes. It would give me a terrific work out and it kept me in shape.

Here is video of Audrey teaching a class in Red Bank, NJ.



In her words:
My visit with Cassandra

Most brides know that aside from a beautiful venue for your sacred event, your dress is the next REALLY BIG decision. It's your personal signature; the ultimate expression of yourself and how you want to be remembered that day. Where will I find such a dress? Who will make it? This is SOOOOOOO IMPORTANT! Who do I trust with such a task?

Well, I did some preliminary research and after a lovely conversation, I arranged my consultation with Cassandra Bromfield. I arrived at her doorstep and was greeted with a hearty hello and a megawatt smile. I knew that I had picked the right sistah immediately!!

What fun we had! I had brought a "show and tell bag" of some of my favorite outfits and flattering styles. I modeled them for her and she really "got me". The look I was going for, my personality, and the "wow factor" that I wanted to bring to my dress. I knew I was in good hands!!

Trying on Cassandra's creations was heavenly!! The fabrics appeal to the eye and feel great on your skin. A I began to fall in love with multiple pieces, I exclaimed, "Cassandra....you gonna get ALL my money!!"

The consultation exceeded my expectations!! Not only did I leave having found the perfect look for my bridal experience, Cassandra managed to stay within the budget AND give me PHENOMENAL tips for my Kwanzaa Wedding!! I mean "out of the box" unique tips that will surely make my wedding all that I want it to be!! Yeah!!

I can't wait for our next meeting!! Cassandra is a BLESSING!!

I can't wait either
.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Consign and Dine


Still not sure what to do with your gown now that the wedding is over? White Xchange.com, an online
extension of White Chicago in River North, is encouraging newlyweds to pass on the love and recoup some of the wedding costs by giving their gown another chance to walk down the aisle.
During the month of August, White Xchange.com is hosting "Cosign & Dine," an annual month-long promotion that gives a "complimentary diner for two" to any bride who consigns her once-wed gown online or in-store.
Courtesy of Scoozi! (410 W. Huron), Lettuce Entertain You's Neighborhood Italian Restaurant in River North, the first 20 brides to consign their gown will receive a $75 gift certificate (excluding tax and gratuity). By consigning, you will not only make another bride happy, but can "wine & dine" your new groom too.
So c'mon ladies, "Cosign & Dine" this August and enjoy a romantic dinner for tow at Scoozi!


Bottoms Up!

Who wants to have a saggy, flabby, anything on their wedding day or any other day. Let's see those hands. Eurotard by Julie France is the second step to making everything stop jingling. The first, of course, is exercise but it won't tighten everything up right away. The online catalog has an array of styles and shapes that help sculpt out a perfect figure.
See what fits your needs: Julie France Online Catalog.

Casting This Thursday

I just saw this on Facebook, sorry about the late announcement.

Deal or No Deal
is now casting newlyweds to be contestants on the next season of the show now taping in Connecticut. Casting is being held THIS Thursday, 8/13 in NYC. A 10am and 3pm session will be held. E-mail dondnewlywedcasting@gmail.com with your name, how long you have been married, and which time you prefer to attend. Good luck!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

LYAO, in 41 Seconds

As the wedding winds up, down, and all around. Tempers will flair up, the in laws make you question the next big step in life. You hate everything, from the dress, to flowers, your fiance`, and even your dear ole mother, makes you caaaaaarazy.
STOP THE MADNESS! Watch A Monkey Washing A Cat and laugh your a** off, really, just chill out.





Friday, August 07, 2009

Cute As A Button

Cute As A Button



This White Silk Bridal Pillow is cute as a button and has the just the right amount of adorable and sweet. The perfect combination for your fabulously cute wedding. The pillow is 8" x 5" and has buttons and beads adorning the corners.
The pillow is available on Etsy.com

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Loose Change

When you were in need of an extra $10 to get into the club, wasn't it your college buddy that handed you a ten spot, then gave you an extra $5 for a drink. Who was it that took you out to dinner with all the trimmings to celebrate the new job and even paid for the cab ride home. And when your car was low on gas, it was the best friend forever that rolled into the gas station jumped out and filled up the tank of your gas guzzler with premium. Every time you have promised to pay her back and she will just wave and say "You would have done the same in reverse".
I found a gift that I think your BFF would love. Pawilli creates a 10" or an 8" clutch in an assortment of fabrics. They begin at $31.00 and Patricia loves custom orders, which means you can order colors that coordinate with your wedding. Get different color and pattern for each friend and slip that ten spot inside for good measure.

Beauty By JoAnn

If you are not accustom to wearing anything more than lipstick, wearing a full facial mask of foundation, blush, eyeliner, etc will not make you feel beautiful on your wedding day. You will look at your wedding pictures, and wonder why would you have a picture of another women (in a wedding dress) and your husband on display in your home, creepy.
Opting for no make-up is not the best option although it seems like that's the direction to go in. I say work with a make-up artist that can give you a natural look, without making you look like a work as a rodeo clown with a wedding dress on.
JoAnn Robertson Makeup Artist is the best fit for your big day. What ever your personal style is JoAnn will highlight, blush, brush, and make you beautiful, naturally.

visit NYC Bridal Makeup and Hair for beauty news and tips

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Speaking of Cowrie Shells



This cowrie shell bridal pillow is a perfect fit for those who's wedding has a chic, elegant, and cultural theme. The pillow is made from a white silk satin with cowrie shells hand sewn around the edge. Small shells and pearls finish off the corners. The size is 8" x 5".

Available on Etsy.com

You may also like Cowrie Commerce

Jenea's Vegas Wedding

Vegas Baby Vegas, and what happens at Jenea's wedding does not stay in Vegas. Here just a few snaps from a relatives perspective. They tell me to wait for the professional photographers photos.
Just a few details about the gown. This is one of my more traditional dresses. Jenea wore a silk satin full length ball gown. It hung right at the tip of her shoulders and with pleating at the shoulders with pearl beading. There is a V front with shirring and silk flower detailing. There is so much personal time spent with a bride I learned that Jenea's late maternal grandmother was an important fixture in her life. Betsy, was a seamstress also and when I accidentally stuck her with a pin, we knew it was Betsy's way of letting her know she was there. One more detail of the dress, Betsy was spelled out in Swarovski pearls on the train. I also put a V for Vernel (Jenea's Mom) on the inside who I believed is Jenea's anchor.

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