DIY Camera-Ready Makeup Tips ~ Bridal Makeup Artist Susmta Patel

Bridal Makeup Artist and Studio Sush Owner Susmta Patel Provides DIY Camera-Ready Makeup Tips

Flowers, check. Dress, check. Photographer, check.
Now all you need is the perfect look for the big day. Always remember that when planning to apply your own bridal makeup, what you see in the mirror may not necessarily be what you get on film. But have no worries, Professional Bridal Makeup Artist Susmta Patel has provided tips that every bride should consider before the big day to achieve a flawless camera-ready look.

Practice Makes Perfect
Take the time to practice putting on your makeup prior to the big day and have a camera handy.  Snap away after completing the look and study the photo critically. Don’t put it to rest after one try— if you are not a professional makeup artist, experiment until you get it right!

Moisturize
The camera tends to capture oily skin. Be sure to moisturize with an oil-free moisturizer.  Let it sink in for a minute and then start applying makeup. Also, do not experiment with a brand new/newly-tested, moisturizer on your skin to avoid any surprises.

Blend and Match
Wearing a beautiful strapless gown? Room lighting may be tricky. Look hard and close, and make sure your neck and chest match your face color. Pat some powder on your chest and neck to even out your tone. Before doing so, insert paper towels securely into your dress and let it cover your neckline to avoid a powdered messy dress! Be sure to blend the foundation around your neck and hairline to avoid apparent multi-colored skin in photos. Steer clear of shimmery bronzers and blush; they do not translate well on camera.

Paint Those Lips
Natural lip color or applying sheer gloss is a no-no for the big day. Color on your lips will bring life to those still photos. Lip gloss should be applied on top of color, not substituted for lipstick.  To make your lip color last, prior to applying lipstick, line and fill in your lips with lip liner.

Touch-Up
Bridesmaids are girl’s best friends and “foundation”, in more ways than one. So pass along a wedding day touch-up kit to your favorite girl. Be sure to include the essentials—lipstick, eyeliner and powder/foundation. Have her keep it throughout the night and remind you to refresh your makeup so your photos look good— from beginning to end!

ABOUT SUSMTA PATEL-www.studiosush.com


Susmta Patel is a multiple threat in the beauty industry as a licensed makeup artist, aesthetician, nail technician, hairstylist and waxing expert. Susmta was born in India and came to the US at the age of 20. This single mother wasted no time in diving head first into her passion for personal aesthetic services. As she says, “nothing makes me happier than the priceless smile of approval. This recognition motivates me to continue my pursuit of excellence.”

As the founder and creative director of “Studio Sush” she has been a personal consultant to more than 900 brides. Susmta has impeccable training having begun her career at the New Jersey Capri Institute in 1996 from which she earned her cosmetology license.  To further hone her skills, she attended the legendary Joe Blasco School of Makeup Artistry in Hollywood, CA and received her diploma in makeup artistry and special effects makeup.  Joe Blasco is credited with creating the most comprehensive series of encyclopedic textbooks for the professional make-up artistry. The series, entitled “The Professional Make-up Artist” featured Susmta in all three volumes.

Susmta has consulted for some of the beauty industries most prestigious brands such as Shiseido, Lancome, Versace, Christian Dior, Dr. Nicholas Perricone, Laura Mercier and Clinique. At the famed Completely Bare Salons in Manhattan and Scarsdale, Susmta was revered by clients for her prowess in full body waxing, permanent hair removal and eyebrow threading. Susmta was also the key makeup artist on the set of the Bollywood Film “Sama” and has judged Miss India worldwide beauty pageants.

Hope you found this helpful and interesting! Thanks to our friends over at KMR Communications for sharing!

*hugs*
Denice


Photo Credit:
Makeup: Google Images
Susmta: KMR
Susmta logo: www.studiosush.com

Glowing Skin for Your Big Day - 4 Big No...No's!

Our friends over at KMR Communications have provided us with a great list on what to avoid when it comes to your skin care the week of your wedding, check it out!

All brides want flawless and glowing skin on their wedding day. But in an effort to look and feel especially beautiful, soon-to-be brides often splurge on beauty treatments that they haven't done before, says Mike Sendogan, Clinical Director of LaserTouch Aesthetics, a luxury medspa in SoHo and Midtown Manhattan. Any beauty treatment that you're trying for the first time should be done a minimum of two weeks before your wedding day to give any unexpected reactions or irritations time to fade.

According to LaserTouch Aesthetics, below are four wedding-week DON’TS:

1.Botox
Botox takes four to five days to kick in, and you wouldn't want to discover one day before the wedding that a brow has dropped or elevated unattractively.

2.Chemical Peels
This type of facial is designed to dissolve dead skin cells and reveal brighter skin. It also helps erase fine lines and lighten dark blotches for a more even-toned complexion. Do this at least two weeks before your wedding day because even a gentle chemical peel can cause drying that may be annoying to apply makeup over.

3.Fillers
Lip plumping is popular with brides, but filler in the lips can look swollen initially—which is not very photogenic. All fillers can also cause bruising that may last up to two weeks, so be sure to give yourself time to heal.

4.Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion, which uses a machine to buff skin, is also a commonly sought-after pre wedding beauty treatment. Mike suggests not going the week before your wedding day because side effects may include redness, sensitivity, and breakouts. Avoid that stress by consulting with a professional three months before your wedding day to come up with a personalized routine.

Click here for their blog, or visit them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

So, take the advice ladies! Don't do ANYTHING drastic before your big day...Guys, this goes for you too!!

*hugs*
Denice

Photo and Content Credit:
KMR Communications
http://www.lasertouchsoho.com/

Choosing the Right Florist: Floral Artist & Master Designer- Kenji Takenaka

The venue is booked, now it’s time to decide on one of the most important elements of décor—the flowers. There are almost always certain factors a couple tends to overlook when it comes to choosing the right type of floral arrangements for the wedding.

For instance,—whether high or low, small or large—couples sometimes fail to visualize the whole reception room when making decisions. Sitting at a table with a tall floral arrangement obstructing the view of the New York City skyline or clear turquoise ocean, is just one of the many mistakes a couple may make when deciding floral table décor.

Kenji Takenaka, floral artist and master designer of Noir Hanna International, a premiere, world class floral design company in New York, is available to provide tips on what couples should know before meeting with florists:

Timeline
Book the florist at least 6 months prior to the wedding date. Couples want be certain to book their florist of choice, especially if the selected date is a popular one. Waiting too long may result in losing the first option.

Choosing the right size
There are many factors to take into consideration when determining the right-sized floral table arrangement for the wedding. Couples should consider the look of the venue, spacing, table setup and linens, to name a few. “Bigger is better” may not apply for a particular venue. Although flowers are a great focal piece for any wedding, floral centerpieces should fit the overall look.

Season-friendly=Budget-friendly
Ask the florist what flowers are in season around the wedding date to conserve costs. Requesting certain flowers off-season can take the budget to a higher than anticipated number. Flowers that are in-season will cut costs significantly, without having to compromise the overall look of the centerpiece and end product, keeping the couple happy.

Listen to the expert
Take a step back and leave it to the expert. Trusting the florist is imperative to achieving the best look for the wedding. Micromanaging can limit the vision of the florist. The florist has been hired based on the couple’s taste, now it’s time to give the initial vision and leave it in the florists’ hands.

Reuse flower arrangements
When deciding on ceremony floral arrangements, why not consider arrangements you can reuse for the reception? Don’t let the stunning ceremony arrangements go to waste. Arrange for your ceremony flowers to be moved to the bar for décor.

Meet Kenji Takenaka
Under the artistic direction of Kenji, Noir Hanna has a flourishing clientele of high-profile institutions, celebrities and the fashion industry. Noir Hanna remains on the cutting edge of floral design with Kenji’s relentless quest for fresh new ideas that are always executed to his highest standards of quality. Kenji takes an architectural approach to flowers: modern and minimal. He is one of the pioneers of the fuss-free floral look. Known for his minimalist style, Kenji often makes arrangements with masses of a single type of flower and color.

Kenji’s green thumb stems from a long family history in Japan. A fourth generation florist, Kenji has lived with flowers all his life. For more than 100 years, the Takenaka Teienryokka Company has been committed to keeping the value that has established itself as a legend in the floral industry. With more than 20 branches and dozens of floral boutiques throughout the major cities of Japan, the Takenaka Teienryokka Company is the country’s leading floral provider. While this family-run business embraces both their past while always striving for the future, such aspirations do not come without leadership.

In 2009, the Takenaka Teienryokka Company was ushered into the American market with the opening of Noir Hanna International in New York City. With his high level of creativity and technique; Kenji is poised to introduce his family’s philosophy and Japanese style to the American public. The Noir Hanna International brand is now paving a new road in the American floral market – and starting some new traditions of its own along the way.

Hope this helps in your next floral appointment!  I hope to be interviewing lots of different floral designers to get lots of great perspective, so check back!

*hugs*
Denice

Photo and Content Credit: KMR Communications

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

Upcoming Bridal Shows- So Cal Area

Interested in attending an upcoming Bridal Show? I just received this one in my inbox today, and it looks pretty good.  I have never been to this one, but thought I would share the info:

Premier Bridal Shows
SEE 100s of ideas and services for your wedding day including:


- Fashion
- Advice
- DJ's
- Wedding Planners
- Florists
- Photographers
- Videographers
- Honeymoon Travel
- Transportation
- Invitations and much, much more!

Brides receive SWAG Bags filled with goodies from Crate & Barrel, Magazines, Wedding Planning ideas, Samples and more!

May 1, 2011
Ontario Hilton
Over 300 Brides already registered/tickets sold!

May 22, 2011
DoubleTree Anaheim/OC

June 5, 2011
Long Beach Convention Center

http://www.premierbridalshows.com/showdates.htm

*hugs*
Denice

Photo Credit: http://www.premierbridalshows.com/index.htm

Are You a Gracious Bride? Wedding Question Wednesday

Question: Am I a Gracious Bride?

Answer: Holly Lefevre from over at Hip Weddings has a FABULOUS list that EVERY bride should carry in her bridal bag. We have all seen the unsightly bride on TV.  She is demanding, pushy, rude, ungrateful, nasty, inconsiderate and above all...a Bridezilla! No one wants to remember themselves, their daughter, friend or sister as, "that bride".  So - READ this list, memorize it, and then go buy Holly's book so you are sure to keep up on everything Wedding Etiquette.

Top 10 Things A Gracious Bride Knows
(list provided by Hip Weddings)

1. Just because others do not know proper etiquette, doesn’t mean you should ignore it.

2. Be humble. You may be a bride now, but soon you will re-enter life as a mere mortal.

3. Respect tradition, but give it your own personal spin.

4. Mind your manners. “Please” and “Thank you” will take you a long way.

5. These people are your friends and family – they do not work for you, but are here to help you…because they love you.

6. Don’t assume anything - ask questions and get the details in writing.

7. These people are your GUESTS! Don’t keep them waiting and don’t ask them to pay for anything.

8. Treat your vendors kindly, and they will do the same for you.

9. Thank you notes are a must. It is never wrong to express your thanks to your parents, your guests, and your vendors.

10. If it doesn’t feel right don’t do it. When in doubt trust yourself.

Holly also has a new book coming out, The Everything Wedding Checklist Book: All you need to remember for a day you'll never forget (Everything Series)- you can check it out at Amazon.

Click here for Holly's Gracious Bride post.  Thanks Holly for being so knowledgeable!

*hugs*
Denice
Photo Credits:
Bride: Photography By Soozie
Book: Amazon

I'm A Mother-in-Law! What's My Role? ~ Wedding Question Wednesday

Today's question comes from Emily, author of Scribbles from Emily

Question: As a mother-in-law, how involved can I be in the wedding planning without overstepping my bounds?

Answer: I believe a Mother-in-law and a Mother can be very involved in the planning of a wedding. It's a good idea to all sit down BEFORE the planning begins and see what everyone's expectations are. Once this is done, you will know where everyone stands. You then can start setting YOUR expectation. The main thing to remember is that everyone has feelings and everyone has been planning and waiting for this moment.

One tip I always follow is to never say NO, and never shut someone down.  The way to handle it with tact is to say something like, "That is a great idea, we will keep it and see how everything comes together, thank you." OR "that is a lovely color, I am just not sure how it will look with everyone's tone and hair color". See you are taking their suggestion into consideration, and not putting them on the defense!

Try to head off confrontations by:

1. Not putting people on the defensive
2. Keeping everyone in on the plans- don't leave out important details, dates and times- keep everyone informed
3. Try incorporating some of the traditions from each side of the family
4. If you give in a little you can take a little =)

Here are some great blog post on the Bride and Mother of the Bride by Holly Lefevre.  I HIGHLY recommend reading them!! Also check out our post on last minute to do lists!

*hugs*
Denice

Photo Credit: Kano Photography

Bridalplasty- E! New Reality Show

What are your thoughts on the new E! reality show Bridalplasty?  Not sure exactly what that is, well, it is a show about Brides-to-be who compete in challenges to earn plastic-surgery procedures in a quest to win their ultimate dream wedding.

Hosted by Shanna Moakler and procedures performed by Dr. Terry Dubrow.

Share your thoughts!
Click here to see what Beauty Chat has to say.

*hugs*
Denice
Photo Credit: E! Online

Book Review: The Everything Wedding Etiquette Book by Holly Lefevre

I want to introduce you to one of my new bloggy friends, her name is Holly Lefevre.  I met this fabulous woman through two of her blogs, Hip Weddings, and 504 Main.  I fell in love with her posts, they were always full of such great ideas and information.  After reading her blogs for a while, I learned that she is the author of a great book called The Everything Wedding Etiquette Book.  I am a HUGE fan of etiquette (my other favorite bloggy friends is Etiquette with Miss Janice), so I was immediately intrigued!

Holly was nice enough to send me her book.  I read it cover to cover in one night, it is a very easy read, and FULL of great information.  Etiquette is something that people do not spend enough time on these days, so Holly is making it VERY easy for you to stay in line.  She was even gracious enough to answer a few questions for me.  So, without further ado...

Why did you decide to write an etiquette book?

It actually found me. I was working on another wedding project, when this opportunity came along. The other project was not moving along as quickly as I liked so I jumped at the chance to write something for the Everything series. There is a lot of wedding information out there, but I truly enjoy being able to provide advice that is real and honest - weddings are amazing but not always fun and "hearts and flowers" - there is real emotion and problems involved too. I had also been a speaker at bridal shows for years, covering planning design, and etiquette, so this was a natural progression.

How long did it take you to write the book?

If I recall the whole process was only about 3-4 months. Since this book is part of the Everything Series, there had been previous editions. I was not starting from scratch, but rather updating and rearranging a previous edition, which in some ways is a lot easier than starting from scratch, and other ways not. While I had the basic premise and a lot of viable information already, it was up to me to update the book with new etiquette questions and standards, to make the book my own, and to make it fit withe the series of books.

 

What is your favorite section of the book?

Tough one - they are all my favorites in different ways and for different reasons. I think I like The Business of Being A Bride. So many brides do not realize what it takes to pull a wedding - as they envisions weddings to be - off. I strive to be realistic in my advice and answers. I want them to understand this is a business for the vendors and for them, for two reasons...I do not believe in negotiating anyone to death or manipulating anyone into a price or service they cannot afford...this is both for the vendors and the brides. I want brides to realize help is out there in the form of a wedding planner or by involving your groom or family members. As much as I wish everyone would hire a wedding planner, I know this is not going to happen, so I really want to educate brides.

Which etiquette standard is ignored the most by brides, or grooms?

The one etiquette standard I see brides wanting to wiggle on all the time is not having the guests pay for anything. Too many times, to save money they want to have a cash bar or have the guests pay for their own valet parking. No, no, no! If you cannot afford it do not do it. Plan a wedding within your means.

I once worked with a couple who married at a major luxury hotel. They thought food was of the utmost importance (which it is to a degree). They had 10 different hor d'oeuvres and paid over $10,000 for their cocktail hour and then refused to pick up the valet parking (the only parking available without having to walk a number of blocks) bill of $10.00 per car. The hotel was even advising against this amount of hors d'oeuvres and they refused to listen. As a planner you can only do so much. Couples should also learn to trust the experts they hire and are working with.

Overall I say being gracious goes a long way. I was fortunate to work with mainly wonderful, kind brides, but I have also worked with my share of diva brides. The guests are paying the bride and groom an honor by coming to the wedding, as the bride/groom is honoring them with the invitation. This extends from beginning the ceremony on time and not making the guests wait for an unreasonable amount of time to planning your timeline so that guests are not left waiting for 2 hours for dinner to begin after the ceremony to playing appropriate music at the appropriate times of the reception.

 

Some of my Favorite Holly posts:
~ A Gracious Bride Knows
~ What's A Mother To Do?
~ True or False...The Mom's Must Match?

THANK YOU Holly for writing this book. I hope future brides realize how important it is, and read it! If you are interested in buying Holly's book, check out Amazon.
 
*hugs*
Denice
 
Photo Credit: http://hipweddings.blogspot.com/

Last Minute Wedding "To Do" List

The last few weeks leading up to your wedding can be hectic.  Making sure everything is done, is enough to cause you (the bride), your mother, sister, best friend, soon to be mother in law, sister in law, father, dog, cat etc. to have insomnia! Trying to get every detail completed is complicated and almost impossible. That's because it takes a TEAM!

Here is a list that we have come up with to help you in your last minute planning frenzy.

1) Contact local and nearby hotels and reserve blocks of rooms for your guests. This help them by getting a discount rate.

2) Make sure you use the restroom BEFORE you put your dress on!! This goers for all members of the Bridal party!

3) Have the bridesmaids help keep the Mother of the Bride and Bride in the room out of sight of guests.

4) Draw out and list the details for your table set up, this includes: the gift table, cake table, guestbook table, bridal tables, reserved tables, guest tables, children's tables etc.

5) If there is to be water/wine/campaign in the glasses, be sure someone knows so they can notify the on site planner if this is not done.

6) Designate someone to hand out all the flowers- make sure they know who is to have them.

7) Create a photo shoot list of all the photos you (and your families) would like taken. Most likely your photographer will do this with you. Soozie, owner and photographer form Photography By Soozie,  is a great resource and fabulous photographer, check her out!

8) Be sure your Maid of Honor helps you get your garter on.

9) Designate someone to help pack up left over giveaways that were on the tables.

10) Designate someone to help gather up all the decorations that belong to you, and pack them up.

11) Designate someone to gather all of your gifts and cards, and load them into a car.

12) Make sure you notify the on site wedding planner to pack up any left over cake, and leave it with your parents (or another trusted person).

Do you have any suggestions we might have left out?
PLEASE share!!!

We hope it helps!

*hugs*
Denice

Photo Credit: Photography By Soozie

Venue Review- Serendipity Wedding Garden, Oak Glen, CA

My Sister-in-law's recent wedding was at the beautiful Serendipity Wedding Garden in Oak Glen, California.  It was a breathtakingly beautiful venue.  There were so many fabulous points to this place, that I just don't know where to begin! Lets start at the Rehearsal...

Rehearsal

The Rehearsal was held the Thursday before the wedding.  We all arrived at the grounds (which is located a little North of Redlands, CA) at 5:00pm.  The weather was perfect, it was warm. We ran through all the normal hub-bub for rehearsals. It took about an hour.  The staff was exceptional and great to work with.  

Wedding

The Wedding was beautiful.  Although the weather could have cooperated a little more (it was FREEZING!!!), the day still turned out as planned.  The venue sits on about 5 acres , up in the hills, and can hold a nice size group.  We had about 100 guests and it was very comfortable.   The brides room was decent and the bathrooms were clean.

The Ceremony area is separate from the reception area.  The pathway between the two is gorgeous and lined with roses.  This is where the Bride, and Father of the Bride make their entrance.  They arrive with a 2 team, horse drawn carriage.  It is quite the extravagant entrance!

The catering was on-site and delicious (although cold, due to the wind).  The chairs and linens were perfect, and the bar was right next to an awesome (and warm) fireplace.  Heaters present, but I think there could have been a few more. Also present was a fire pit, baby grand piano, and kicken dance floor.

All and all, I really enjoyed this place.  It was beautiful, local and elegant.

*hugs*
Denice

Photo Credits:
Various family members and me!
Serendipity Logo: http://www.serendipitygardenweddings.com/

Fantastic Finds- June 18, 2010

Here are some Fantastic Finds that I have come across this past week in bloggyland. I hope you find them useful and entertaining!

Fathers Day/Graduation:

~ Cute Fathers Day cake ideas on Tweedle Designs
~ Super cute ideas for Graduation Dessert Display form Save the Date for Cupcakes

Kids:

~ A super cute Snow-White themed tutu from TuTuBug: I wish I had a daughter to put in this...do you think Cooper would mind?? LOL!

Party:

~ Danielle from Sugar and Spice Events is fabulous, I love reading her blogs. This one is a MUST read: Dinner is served- 10 things for a perfect dinner party
~ Miss Janice is the "Go to Lady" for all things Etiquette: Check out the correct way to drink your Iced Tea with Mind your "Teas"s and Q's

Health:

~ Turbo Fire In House from: Feeling Fit with Dana

Wedding:

~ Who decides what the Flower Girl should wear from: The Bridal Party LLC
~ Pre-marital Counseling? Check out Bridal Buds

Happy Weekend y'all!

*hugs*
Denice

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

Fantastic Finds May 12, 2010

Hello Everyone! I hope you are all doing well. If you ever come across a Fantastic Find, please be sure to share it with us so we can include it in our next Fantastic Finds post. Happy Wednesday!

Health:

Check out Super Hot Chica in Training for a great book review: This is Why You're Fat: Review & Book Giveaway #2!  

~ Visit The Healthy Bride for wedding weight loss information.

Beauty:

~ Does self-tanner protect skin from the sun?  Check out what the New Beauty Blog has to say.

~ Win The Ultimate Smoky Eye Kit! Check out  Beauty on a Dime over at the Daily Makeover to enter.

Wedding:

~ What does hip really mean? Holly is full of great information, check out her blog!

~ Ceremony Stage Fright? Check out what the Broke Ass Bride has to say.

~ The Bridal Bud ran a poll on which accessory is best for a bridal do, and the VEIL won! Check out why.

~ More Veil Inspiration form Project Wedding!

~ Spring themed wedding cakes from Pink Cake Box

For the Guys:

~ Actual Toast Given by Actual Best Man: Reader Comment of the Day

~ Father Of The Bride.  Advice from iamstaggered.com.

Happy reading all =)

*hugs*

Denice

Hair Do or Don't?

Your wedding day is quickly approaching, how are you going to do your hair? You want to look glamorous, but not too over done. You want something that will stand the tests and trials of the day (all the hugs, kisses, and poses). There are no re-do's here, this is your BIG day and you only get one shot at it, so make sure you keep reading to get it RIGHT!

I received a great interview from my friends over at KMR Communications, Inc., so let me introduce you to Latrice Strader, master hair stylist & owner of Washington D.C. based salon and spa, Destiny De’ve. She knows all to well how stressful an up do appointment can be, and offers a few simple tips to make sure your up do’s don’t turn into do up don’ts!

* Down and Dirty: There is some prep work that you should be aware of before getting your up do. You may want to be fresh and clean when you go to the salon, but try to resist the urge to wash your hair the day of your up do. “Hair that’s a day or two old is easier to work with,” says Latrice. “When hair is too soft, it doesn’t hold curls or tease as well.” When planning for a glam hair style, forget the rule “lather, rinse and repeat!”

* Avoid a Wardrobe Malfunction: Wear a button-up shirt or a top with a loose fitting neck when you go in for your appointment. There’s nothing worse than trying to maneuver out of a small neck hole while keeping your tresses in tact! “Some women are so distracted with everything else on their mind that they don’t think about the shirt they are putting on over their head the morning of an up do,” says Latrice. Stick with an easily escapable top, or you might end up having to cut yourself out of one of your favorite blouses!

* Think Total Package: Make sure you consider your entire look when selecting an up do. Although choosing a hairstyle based on your face shape or hair-type are both effective techniques, don’t forget to factor in what you will be wearing for that special occasion. Think about the top of your dress and what would flatter it the most. “Strapless gowns generally look nice with some romantic waves or loose curls hanging down, whereas dresses with busy tops would look the best paired with a French twist or sleek pompadour ponytail,” advises Latrice. Do a run-through by fixing your own hair as close to how you want it as you can, along with trying on your complete ensemble (shoes, bag, jewelry, the works), to see the whole picture. You may discover everything doesn’t fit together quite like it does in your head, and you’ll want to be able to rethink things ahead of time.

* Don’t be afraid of hair accessories: Never underestimate the power of a well-placed accessory. If you see a piece in a store or magazine that attracts you, ask your stylist if it can be incorporated into your up do. Again, think total package. “If the rest of your look is simple, playing up your face with a stunning flower or sophisticated headband can add some high drama to your look,” says Latrice. But just don’t go overboard. You want one show piece that’s going to stand out, so don’t do this if you already plan on wearing an elaborate dress, necklace or other attention-grabbing piece. Simplicity is the key here.

* Inject some personality: You should still look like yourself (albeit an even more devastatingly beautiful version of yourself) for your special occasion, so try to incorporate some of your own personal style. “If you always wear your hair down, maybe try an up do with a part that has some face-framing locks falling down,” Latrice says. “This way it’s similar to your typical look, but with some added glamour.” You will have pictures from this event for the rest of your life, so you probably want to be able to recognize yourself in them. Not only is it important to look like you, but also if you have an up do that fits your personality, you’re more likely to feel beautiful, and therefore more likely to work it!

* Honesty is the best policy: If you are not 100% happy with your up do, don’t keep it a secret from your stylist (chances are he/she can tell just by looking at your face). Let them know how you really feel so they can make changes before it’s too late! “You may not want to sound rude or demanding, but your stylist would rather know if things aren’t looking like you imagined,” says Latrice. “They will be able to adjust the up do for you better in the salon than you will be able to do yourself at home.” That being said, keep in mind up dos are works in progress, and may look a little crazy at some points. Feel free to ask questions if something concerns you, but remember that an up do generally doesn’t look chic and polished until the very end, when the final spritzing and smoothing is administered.

Meet Master Hair Stylist & Owner of Destiny De’ve, Latrice Strader:
Latrice Strader, a native Washingtonian, is the owner/master stylist of Destiny De’Ve Salon and Spa located in the revitalized neighborhood of Columbia Heights in Washington, D.C. Latrice began her career as a stylist by enrolling in her high school’s cosmetology program. During the summer months she worked as an assistant to master stylists which help her to perfect her craft. Latrice graduated from high school as a stylist and began working on historic U Street. During her 12 year tenure, Latrice built a reputation for her expertise in multi-cultural styling and fashion forward styles that demand attention.

I hope this help you all!  Send us some of your favorite up-do's and we will feature you!

*hugs*
Denice

Photo Credit: Destiny De’Ve Salon

Save the Date!

It seems as the years fly by...literally, people are more busy than ever. I don't remember people being this busy when I was a kid. Things seemed to happen slowly, not as fast as they do today. I mean, I can't believe Cooper is going to be a year old in 7 weeks! Where does the time go?

Well, as people get busy, and time moves faster, it is a good idea to notify them in advance of upcoming events (wedding, parties, etc). I like receiving an advanced notice that there is an upcoming wedding. It makes it much easier to plan, you know...get the sitter and the hubby gets the time off!

Several of my friends have sent out "Save The Date (STD)" notices. They are usually a nice card accompanied by a refrigerator magnet that includes the event details and a nice photo of the couple. My friend Nicole designed and created her own Save the Date Magnet:

This one is from my friend Jody:

I did a little browsing and research on the Internet and found some really CUTE and CREATIVE ides:
1) Create a CD with all the Save The Date info on the front with a cute pic of the couple. When the CD is played it can have photos of the couple (birth to engagement).
2) Create a CD with all the Save The Date info on the front with a cute pic of the couple. When the CD is played it can have songs the couple likes.
3) Create a bookmark with the STD info and some photos
4) Lotto style(Party 411): This is fun for those who are hooked on lotto tickets, or those who might be having a destination event in Las Vegas!

5) Photo Booth (Young House Love): This is SO Cute! It really brings out a couples personalities. Here is another booth idea from a site with LOTS of Save the Date ides: JuneBug Weddings

6) Ticket Style (Party 411): This is just fun for so many reasons. Great for those who love sports, theater, movies etc.

Just remember, it's your event, if you can think it up, you can do it! Get creative, and have your Save The Date notice reflect you as a couple.

Here are a few pointers on sending these out:
1) Save The Date notice's are a MUST if you are having a destination wedding or event
2) Send them out 5-6 months in advance
3) If the wedding or event is during the holidays, a Save The Date notice is a MUST
4) A Save The Date notice is a MUST if the wedding encompasses the weekend (full of fun events)

Good Luck, and if you have used (or seen) a creative Save The Date notice, please share it with us!

*hugs*
Denice

Photo Credits:
Lotto: Party 411
Photo Booth 1: YoungHouseLove.com
Photo Booth 2: Junebug Weddings
Ticket: Party 411

A Family Wedding

Recently Katie and Cindy embarked on yet another adventure...a family wedding! The two wonderful ladies helped a couple exchange vows in a backyard that was transformed into a dream.

With tons of twinkle lights and a nature theme, Katie and Cindy showed off some spectacular work. Katie even hand sculpted a chirping bird cake topper, complete with hand embroidered name banner.

These two never skimp on anything! Below are some photos from the event:

*hugs*

Denice