The Royal Dress

I have not seen ALL of the Royal Wedding coverage, but here is a link to the Royal Channel on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRoyalChannel

Now on to the DRESS!!!  It's AMAZING, FABULOUS and totally classy! I love it!
What are your thoughts?

I love this photo! That little girl is priceless!

See more photos and videos by checking out the site I grabbed the photos from: http://royalwedding.yahoo.com/photos/sets/1092/The-balcony-kiss.html

*hugs*
Denice

Photo Credit: Royalwedding.yahoo.com

It's Coming... Table Etiquette

We are working on a Table Etiquette post. What are your fears about a formal dinner setting? PLEASE Share them with us so we can help you with them.  Looking forward to the responses.

*hugs*

Denice

Photo credit: Me!

Bridal Handbags By Laura Lee Designs

I have been blogging for a few years now, but just recently caught on to the twitter phenom.  I never really understood it, or had the time to "tweet".  Well, this year I made that my goal, and boy, am I glad I did!  Through Twitter, I have made some great connections, one being Laura Lee Designs. Laura Lee Designs handcrafts the best looking bags I have seen. They are super cute... SUPER CUTE I say!!   Their web site says it all:

"Laura Lee's handmade beaded handbags are a fusion of cultures, fabrics and trimmings discovered during her travels abroad. Stylishly appealing and refreshingly chic, each handbag is adorned with high quality satins and swirling patterns of Japanese beads. Colorful snakeskin and leathers compliment the intricate beading, adding a functional elegance to every handbag. Less an accessory and more a piece of wearable art, Laura Lee handbags capture your style and verve."

Well,  we have tweeted back and forth a bit and the individuals behind this brand are super nice. Laura Lee agreed to let me interview her!! (Exciting!!) So without further adoo, I introduce THE Laura Lee of Laura Lee Designs (LLD):

Denice: Is Laura Lee Designs a one-woman show, or is there a team behind it all?
Laura Lee: An excellent team is behind LLD! A manufacturing team in NYC, material and leather resource group in NYC,  A "photo-shop" Associate & NY Assistant, Washington D.C. Assistant, Graphic Artist and Advisory Board. LLD COULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT THIS FANTASTIC TEAM!

D: What inspired you to start your company?

LL: I was surrounded by brands while living overseas and hadn't seen anything unique or one-of-a-kind that showed a "personality". I had access to artisans that could help me with samples and felt if I didn't start with my small idea of a beaded bag, somebody else might take this idea and run with it...so I began the "journey" of Laura Lee Designs.

D: For Brides who have never heard of Laura Lee Designs, what is your single most important selling point of your Bridal Bag?

LL: The most distinct element that defines the "SOMETHING" BRIDAL BAG is the 4 pockets inside labeled "OLD-NEW-BORROWED-BLUE”.  little keepsakes can be put into each pocket by the Mother of the Bride or the Maid of honor.  These Bridal Bags come in ivory/silver and gold. Finally, they can be handed down to the next generation.  A sentimental gift indeed!

D: How did you develop the idea for the Bridal Bag and all its fabulous compartments?

LL: I was in a girlfriend's wedding when I started this line.  The day of the rehearsal she was panicked because she did not have anything that had the "SOMETHING"  themes and she thought it would be bad luck if she did not have something with the traditional necessities. Also, she could not find a decent bag to hold her mints, lip gloss and hanky.  All of the bridesmaids scrambled, and it made me think that there could be an incorporated item; finally I made the decision to come up with the Bridal Bag that would serve both of these needs.  The "SOMETHING" bag was created!!

D: When people request custom-designed Bridal Bags, what are their options?

LL: We currently do not do custom design Bridal bags, but we will do custom-colored bridesmaids handbags, but with a minimum of 6 bags required.

D: Summer is here, what is your “must-have” pick from your line?

LL: The clutches, especially the STEPPIN’ OUT with 3 straps: MAGENTA/CANADIAN BLUE AND GOLD. This one can be used wearing jeans or a little Spring/Summer dress!

D: Is there anything else that you would like our readers to know?

LL: There are some new lines that are coming out: OUR ALUMNI SERIES, currently featuring the VIRGINIA TECH BAG. Then in the fall; UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, TEXAS A&M and UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON.

Also, Next year we are looking forward to participating in the KENTUCKY DERBY, THE 167 YEAR OF "RUNNING WITH THE ROSES",  and finally, we are doing private label for companies such as ROLLER BAGS and TOTE BAGS.   In the pipeline: "RAIL" EQUESTRIAN SHIRTS FOR DRESSAGE/SHOWINGS and WHITE WEDDING BOOTS.   At LAURA LEE DESIGNS, we are always looking for ways to keep the brand and women fresh and unique!

 

Thanks Laura Lee!  I have to say, I love the M bag!! What's great about them is they come in virtually every color!

I hope you enjoyed this interview and getting to know Laura Lee Designs.  Should you want to contact them, here is their info: General inquiries: info@lauraleedesigns.com OR for PR info Lindsay: Lindsay@lauraleedesigns.com. OR, you can always go to their web site, blog, Twitter, or Facebook!

*hugs*

Denice

Photo Credits: Laura Lee Designs

Wedding Shoes...What to Wear?

Today's brides are not holding to tradition of the plain white heel for their wedding day. They are kicking it up a notch and expressing their individual personalities through their foot wear. Brides everywhere are keeping with there sassy shoe styles. I spoke with a few brides and here is what I found:

Melissa, Nevada:
I picked these shoes because I knew I wanted something bold that people would look at and say "that is SO Melissa!" Pink is by far my favorite color and I started my search for bright pink shoes. I had a hard time finding the exact ones I wanted because although I wanted pink shoes, I didn't want them to look cheap. I ended up finding these on ebay and thought they would be perfect!! I wore them around the house prior to the wedding in hopes of stretching them out but as I found at my ceremony I didn't stretch them enough!! They cut off circulation pretty much to my feet!! (I have wide, flat feet). But since when is beauty comfortable?

Honestly, I didn't care about the pain, it was SO worth it. I did change into flip flops for most of my reception until the garter toss. But all in all, I absolutely loved them and I feel it totally made my ensemble!! :)

Jennifer, California:
"I wore shoes so that I wouldn't have to worry about heels. I always fall and ever since my knee surgery in high school anything that is elevated hurts. Besides, I didn't want my feet to hurt!

Comfortable... oh yes I was! I just got the shoes that I would have worn any other day. I felt like "ME" wearing them, and that's all that matters. After all it was my day and I didn't want to be something I wasn't and wearing heels would have done that!"

Chris, California (YES Grooms express their fashion side too!):
I wanted to add some personality to the whole affair. So, I went with the custom black and red to match the color of the tux I wore.

What did your Bride think? She wasn't into it until she saw the shoes, then she liked em. She did respect that I wanted to add my own personality to the ceremony. I had wanted to do Hawaiian shirts and khakis, but she mandated the tux, and relaxed a bit for the shoes.

Millie, California- soon to be bride:
I don't want "traditional" wedding shoes; I want some oober fabulous ones that are vibrant and fun!!! That's my normal style for shoes anyway, so I should keep with MY tradition! lol!! Since the wedding is near/on the beach, I am wanting some fun, colorful shoes; I saw these shoes on Bebe that I might get, and they have them in turquoise or bright pink, and they are super tall and the straps are literally scarves that wrap around your feet a few times and then around your ankle. AMAZING!

Are you concerned about comfort? hahaha No, comfort is never part of my thought process for shoes lol, so why start now?

Sandy, Colorado- soon to be bride:
I am having a country wedding so I wanted cowboy boots. I wanted white ones or brown with blue and white stitching so it matched my bridesmaid dresses. I also thought they would be comfortable. I found the perfect boots!

Soozie, Pennsylvania Married & Wedding Photographer:
“Shoes should be like makeup for the feet.” The shoe a bride chooses on her wedding day need to be broken in and worn around the house for a few days... do it and you will thank me. So, go get those fabulous shoes and show then off in comfort on your wedding day. Here are a few of my favorites!

"Simple is classic"

"How about a little Animal Magnetism"?

"Little Bow Peep Toe"

" A classic white heel makes for a great prop in showcasing the rings"

Thanks everyone for sharing!

*hugs*
Denice

*ALL Photos were provided by the Brides & Groom
Bebe shoe photo credit: Bebe.com

Christmas at Disneyland!

Two of my favorite things...Christmas and Disneyland, and when these two are combined, it's like heaven on earth for me!

If you have never been to Disneyland during the christmas season, I highly recommend you go. Not only is it beautiful, but it is magical! It puts you in the Christmas spirit and makes you feel like a kid all over again. From the sights to the sounds, it's amazing.

Main Street USA is all decked out with lights, decorations and a Christmas Tree that stands over 65 feet tall. The Main Street USA tree has over 2300 ornaments, and TONS of lights! There are Mickey shaped wreaths that line the street and ribbon, lots and lots of ribbon. You can check out all the fun facts about the Disney decorations directly from the Disney Blog.

The rest of the park is full of decorations as well. Each Land is specifically themed. There are so many Christmas trees scattered all through out the park. The Castle has been transformed into a winter wonderland. There is even a special enchanted Castle Dream Lights cermony in the evening. It is AMAZING!! And yes, it even snows at Disneyland!

My sons favorite part about Christmas at Disneyland is “A Christmas Fantasy” parade. He loves seeing all the characters, Gingerbread people, Reindeer and most of all Santa.

Have I convinced you to go yet? Well, if not here are a few more reasons:
-->Cookies
-->Candy Apples
-->Characters dressed for the Holiday
-->It's A Small World transformed with thousands of lights- and featuring "Jingle Bells" and "deck the Halls"
-->Mickey Santa Hats
--> The Haunted Mansion Holiday featuring The Nightmare Before Christmas
--> Listening to Christmas Carols sung by real carolers on Main Street
--> Visiting Santa and his Reindeer at the Big Thunder Ranch
--> The Holiday Fireworks

Not in Southern California? Well if you are anywhere near DisneyWorld, you can check out the holidays there too! Cinderellas Castle has been decked out in over 200,000 lights!! You heard right, 200,00! Check out this post form the Disney Blog that highlights this attraction: 200,000 Lights Transforms Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World.

I hope you get a chance to go. It really is the best thing ever! Merry Christmas everyone!!

*hugs*
Denice
Photo Credit: ME! My camera work =)