The Gift of Beauty

I had a BFF of a Bride just give me a call asking if she could purchase a bridal beauty package for her besty. Of course, I said yes and because I was in a giving mood... I extended to her our "RCBB Affiliate Planner" discount of $150.00 off of the Total Bridal Indulgence package.


Now the "RCBB Affiliate Planner" program is a discount that we extend to all the event planners that refer bridal beauty bookings to us. This is an incentive they can offer to their prospective brides or just help their bridal client to save a little money. We certainly appreciate our Planners so throughout the year, there's always a discount extended to them..

Since I'm still in a giving mood, I've decided to offer this discount to anyone, not only my beloved Planners, who reserves Bridal Beauty services with RCBB by January 31.


photo by Barnaby Draper

If you are a wedding planner and would like to be added to our RCBB Affiliate Planner program, feel free to send your contact info. We'd be thrilled to have you join the party!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all who may read my lil 'ole blog of wedding musings... a safe, fabulous, love and many gifts, filled Christmas!

Lust Have!

photo-The Chiconomist

The Chloe Paraty Python Bag. 'Nuff said.

Oh and another pair of Mink Lashes. Mine has had a great run but it's time to replace my fluttery, sexy, doe-eyed goodness. I've placed another order for my fab brides, for the upcoming wedding season. I can't wait...hurry FEDEX!

So Cute!

I have an affinity for all things culinary cute. Remember the cute mini waffle maker



It's fabulous! Presenting Treasure with BNB (breakfast in bed) with those darling waffles, dusted with powered sugar... just makes me squeal inside!

Now my latest culinary cute must have is the Big City Slider Station.

*Removed the video...cuz it was annoying me a tad* You can see it on the website.

I know this video presentation is a little in your face but wow, that slider station is the bees knees! I just love the daintiness of it all. Having a girlfriend get together would be a breeze. I could whip up a few when Treasure's watching the game. I'm hooked and going to buy it right now!

Couture Cuppies

So the fabulous Beverly sent over sketches a few weeks ago with designs for our couture cupcakes. I was thrilled but secretly wished I could see the real thing. And as if she was a fly on the wall, she sent these over a few days ago.





Aren't they LOVE!?!?! I was totally bubbling with delight. And as if reading my mind AGAIN, she included the flavors:

Cosmopolitan Cupcakes

Cranberry/Grenadine Cupcakes filled with Lime Mousseline Buttercream then finished with Cointreau Mousseline Buttercream.

Cocoa Frangelico

Dutch Cocoa Cupcakes filled with Dark Chocolate Ganache and finished with Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur Mousseline Buttercream

Club Vanilla Espresso

Vanilla Cupcakes filled with Canandian Club Whiskey Mousseline Buttercream then finished with Espresso Mousseline Buttercream

No plain ole chocolate and vanilla cupcakes here... I'm just amazed at these flavor combos. I certainly would have never thought of it. These will be wonderful amongst the dessert bar. I'm thinking we should go with less rich dessert accompaniments for a variety of tastebud experiences. Hmmmm, we'll see.

I just *wish* I could have a tasting.

If I Were A New Year's Eve Bride

I would wear this fabulous frock!!


Not those shoes though

I couldn't see myself wearing a traditional bridal "gown" for a NYE wedding. My friends and family would be so tickled and think as I saunter down the aisle, "That's totally her!!" I could see Treasure in a tux with white jacket and an ascot.

The ceremony would be at 11:25pm by candlelight and everyone would be all aglow with joy for us as we say our vows, trying not to get choked up, then by timing it perfectly with the help of our planner and Pastor, seal our vows with a kiss and a dip. At percisely midnight, we'd be pronounced "Man and Wife" and a flurry of white balloons would float from the ceiling and everyone would scream, "Happy New Year!!!".

A little ambitious with the time, I know but wouldn't it be sweet!

Have My Cake and Eat It Too!

Look at the DAZZLING work of Beverly, creative director of SugarBloom Cupcakes. A Pucci Cake!







She said she was inspired by my wedding theme. This cake is too cute. I can't wait to see what she does for the couture cupcakes she's designing for the wedding. I just heart her so much... she's figuring out the best way for them to ship all the way from Australia to the US for lil' 'ole me and Tresure.

Here's what's inside all of that Pucci fabulousness:

A really rich 3 layer Dutch Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Mousseline Buttercream covered in a thin layer of Pucci-esque vanilla fondant.

YUM!

This is LOVE!

I just stumbled upon this venue, that seriously took my breath away. If I had known about it last year, we would have had an intimate wedding here.




It's the Villa Del Balbinello and it's beyond fabulous! It's heavenly.






photo credit: Grace Ormond Wedding Style Magazine &
Garrett Nudd

It's such a romantic place..the water, the mountains.. ahhhh I just love it to pieces.

Just gazing at the photos makes me wish I had Dorothy's ruby red shoes and with two clicks of my heels, transport Treasure and myself to the most beautiful place I've laid my eyes on in a very long time.

Perhaps we can do a vow renewal for our 10th anniversary? Or I could win the Mega Millions and we can move the wedding there!

Boooooo!

*sigh* It's a no go with the dresses from H&M. I went to see them for the first time in person and could not believe the fly dress I saw in the ad was not the same sad dress my eyes beheld. So it's back to the drawing board. Also the sisters' want to wear something more fancy. So I told them to find a bunch of dresses on their own and we'll vote on it at the next Dessertee.

You probably want to know what a Dessertee (think partee-party) is.. well since we're all so busy with our lives, school, careers, families and stuff, once a month, we make a point to get together no matter what. We meet at a designated sister's home and we all bring a new dessert that we've made, even the hostess has to make something. No store bought crap either! And we catch up on each other's lives, take pictures maybe some video, make frozen drinks and just reconnect without any distractions. Sometimes we may opt to go shopping to walk off some of the kabillions of calories we've just inhaled.

I really love it because it's the most I laugh in EVER!! My sisters are hilarious.

This Dessertee, we'll hopefully vote on a stupid, I mean, cute dress and put that issue to bed...finally.

Curiously though, with all this searching for a cute black dress, I've found a few to add to my collection for upcoming holiday parties. Like this stunner:


dress from Express

Isn't it LOVE!?!?! It has feathers and it's strapless. I would just add a medium-ish wide belt to create more shape, put my hair up with a sexy side swept bang, light up my face with some obnoxious shoulders dusting statement earrings , opaque tights and throw on a pair of killer stilettos and I'm stylin' and profilin'! (but not dancin', weak ankles and 10 inch heels, spell diaster.)

Haute Momma

Baby talk when I'm still planning the wedding is what I call speeding but I had to make a note of how I want to leave the hospital, if and when we decide to procreate.


photos by Brad Pitt for W magazine

Ok, let me take inventory... Hat? Check! Sunglasses? Check! Now all I need is the baby and baby carrier. She looks so effortlessly, freakin' fashionable.

I would, however, have to add this dress along with some industrial strength Spanx, to hide the all the non-fab flab, from just having a baby, under this boho chic frock... adding a low slung belt, of course, to show off my new, non-surgically enhanced, chi-chis:

Dress by Laundry

Do you think it would be too much to ask Treasure to snap a few ridiculously cool, black and white shots of us as we leave the hospital?

I Heart Hennez and Mauritz!

I have always loved shopping at H&M for cute pieces.. I have found a few of cutest dresses in my closet there. And now that I've found my bridesmaids dresses' there, I love them even more. Know why?? Because the dresses were only $34.00 each!!! Of course we'll have to nix the straps and merchandise it up a bit with fab shoes and accessories but all in all, I'm totally satisfied.

I have been searching high and low for the ad in the Metro newspaper that lead my to my cheap, chic find but I haven't so I will have to scan it to share it.

As soon as I saw the front page ad, I was captivated. I hit the speed dial for my sister and told her if she hadn't yet picked up the paper, to do so and let me know what she thought of the dress. She quickly texted with a bunch of = )

See, the dress is black and she totally didn't want to wear black but when she saw the photo, she loved it. However, we had to confirm our love by seeing it in person. I was enroute to an appointment with a bride so she had to stop by the H&M on 5th Avenue. She quickly snatched up 4 dresses, all one size too big for each girl, to allow for perfect alterations. I have to pick them up today.

I'm so excited to have gotten that task out of the way and saved a TON doing it.

While I get that scan ready, peep this cute take on a boudoir shoot ala H&M. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE their ads. The photography, styling, lighting, props, locations, hair and makeup is always breathtakingly fabulous!!! The second picture just SINGS!

Do You Ban.Do?

Huh? What? Yeah, I know that title is a little screwy but apropos, indulge me. =D

I stumbled across these funky hair accessories while reading a story of a girl that met a boy and decided t0 marry after a week of dating. Awwwwwww

Said girl is Jen Gotch and she's the designer of some really cool bridal headbands. These are the hottest things since fire!

This first one is my fave but I would have to change the orientation to style the flower to the side of my head towards the back. You can't see it from the wee picture but the headband is made of rhinestones, which makes it ultra luxe, perfect for a fashionista bride to be. I wonder if she makes this in white?








If you wanna see these beauties in person, Jen is having a trunk sale at Henri Bendel's, this Friday and Saturday. A trunk show at Bendel's....I'd better hustle before the prices goes up!

Monogram Fabulousity!

My fab monogram designer featured our eyecandy on her website.

I was kinda vague in my explanation of how I would like to incorporate our new Pucci inspired wedding design in our personalized materials because I honestly had no idea what I wanted but Charlotte knocked my cashmere socks off when she presented these designs.






I love them so much, I'm dancing a jig.

It's December!!!

YEAAAAAAA! I LOVE December! I love the festive energy in the air... the possibility of snow (I only require a tad bit) on Christmas... the endless holiday parties... and the excuse to get away for a weekend at a tropical locale.

My most favorite activities are decorating the tree and giving (and receiving) presents. Every year, Treasure and I wait until the week before Christmas to get our tree. I just love the smell of a fresh tree. Then I painstakingly decorate it as if it were on display at Macy's.



Once I'm done, I could stare at it all night. =D

Then, comes wrapping the gifts, which we also kinda wait til the last minute to do...like on Christmas Eve. I just sip wine and wrap and wrap until I fall out..hopefully with all the gifts wrapped.

So far, I've only bought one gift. Sad, I know.. I really need to get on the ball. Problem is that it's really difficult when the giftees don't post their "wishlist" on the refrigerator and bathroom mirror, like I do. teee heeee

Here's what's on my list so far:


The cute factor made them a must have. I know I can buy them myself, but who wouldn't want to get this cuteness wrapped in a big bow?
24kt S'mores Hearts - Neiman Marcus



For said weekend jaunt to tropical locale
Louis Vuitton Cruiser Bag 45 - Eluxury




*SWOON - Get the smelling salts* (at $1800.00, they will STAY on the wishlist but they are lust worthy)

Christian Louboutin Engenie Satin Pumps - Net-A-Porter


I need another black leather jacket. This one is so fab!
Elizabeth and James Leather Corset Jacket - Intermix



If this was the only gift I was given, I would be a HAPPY camper. I would lounge around in this robe with my new Loubous on...for as long as my ankles and toes allowed. Did I mentioned the heel on the above beauties are 6" high?!?!?!
Long Cashmere Robe
Prague Pure Cashmere Robe - Overstock

What's on your Christmas wishlist?

Inspiration Board

While in the midst of preparing my Thanksgiving dinner, I was working on an inspiration board. Before I present my feeble attempt at making one, let me give you a little back story...

I've changed my venue, dress and "theme" three times!!! I've wasted ALOT of money on deposits because I was so caught up in the "perfect" wedding. Basically what it boiled down to was me not staying true to myself and trying to have this "princess" wedding.. which by all means is fabulous, just not me. But it took me a few tries to finally figure it out.

The last time we changed venues and themes was when I met with my event designer at the now current venue. I told her what I wanted, which was the pink, black and white Glam theme...with the chandeliers, pink tufted couches, mirrored furniture.. the whole nine. She took one look at my inspiration photos and the new venue and said "no". I was dumbfounded.. what did she mean no?? Being the openminded person I am.. I asked her to give me her thoughts. She went on to say that the venue and the theme I wanted, clashed and proceeded to give me a color palette to work with. The nerve of her right?! It was genuis and I appreciated her honesty and not trying to appease my poor judgement.

Hmmmm, I thought to myself, actually I kinda like that idea. So then I went to my trusty laptop and showed a photo of a pair of shoes I saved and were planning to buy.



The much coveted, by me, Puccis!! That's when then "Pucci" wedding was born!

She fell in love with the Pucci-esque wedding idea. I told her that I wanted a fashion forward type of feel- something ridiculously stylish, cool and effortless looking. We decided to incorporate our own Pucci-esque design to the decor and other decorative elements, including our own custom made Pucci-esque fabric for accents to bring the whole look together.

My event designer plans to use beautiful blue table linens with accented with "pucci" napkins, there will be oversized pillows made for the lounge area- black leather couches and white lacquer end tables, plenty of candles and yellow orchids. She will be also using the fabric to wrap the personal bouquets, mine and the bridal party, there will be three flowergirls and the oldest will have a sash made out of the fabric and pocketsquares or ties for the groomsmen. I'm not sure where else she would want to use it but as long as it's done tastefully, I'm game. I'm so excited!!!

So now the colors were blue, aqua, black, white with yellow as an accent. I must say that it was kizmet because from the inception I wanted blue in our decor, as it's Treasure and my favorite color but didn't know how to pull it together without being boring. Finally, after much trial and error, we have something that's really cool and "works" FABULOUSLY with the waterfront, floor to ceiling windows, AMAZING view of the NY Skyline space and I owe it all to my lovely event designer.

Here's my first inspiration board with a preview of our monogram, by Delovely. I plan to do another once the fabric has been completed. We'll then design the tablescape and take pictures of it to share.



**Editor's notes - Nope, that's not my engagement ring but I do have a BEAUTIFUL 3ct canary diamond oval shaped ring with a diamond halo. I just can't take a good photo of it.

Why the photo of the couple on a boat?? Because we're getting married in the City but having the reception in Jersey, we'll have the opportunity to take the ferry to the venue. I think our guests will love the different mode of transportation.

Is that my gown? Yup! =D

Disappearing Act

This frigid weather is ravishing my skin and while I could go to my favorite spa for full body sugar scrub exfoliation and a hydrating body mask, I'd rather be here:

Just looking at the photo makes me happy so I can only imagine how over the moon I'd be, if I were there!!! I know the water, sun and sand would do my body and well being a heap of good.

The infinity pools are such a selling point for me in addition to all the other visual marvels of this resort. I've blogged about the Jade Mountain before, it's a BEAUTIFUL slice of heaven.

I find myself visiting the website more often and I really hope it's a consideration for the honeymoon. You see, I've been spamming Treasure with "P.S. I love this.." emails hoping he gets the hint as he's the one planning the honeymoon. I figure with me planning the wedding, he can plan the honeymoon. At this point, I don't know where we are going because I told him I want it to be a surprise. If the emails aren't a big enough "suggestion", then I will have to resort to my Jedi mind trick.

"...I Wore A Bird On My Head.."

Everytime I watch SATC, (yup I still watch it at least once a week) that part cracks me up. The girls are like, 'that's what that was.... oh it was nice'. I die laughing everytime. Just goes to show your bestiests are priceless.

That said, I think I wanna wear a bird on my head *giggle*. But nothing as fashion forward like Carrie's. I'm not that brave.

I've been looking for an addition or alternative to wearing the cage veil or cathedral veil. You know, something cute to adorn my hair after the veil comes off. And while I know I wanted a crystal comb or something, I hadn't found anything that spoke to me. I've come across plenty of pretty things but nothing that whispered, "buy me", until this...

I was really taken by it. It's vintage looking, sparkly and unique. Although it's a bird, it's designed in a way that doesn't exactly scream, look at me, I'm a bird! I think I could have found a better adjective but my brain has been mush all day. So anyhoo...not only do I love the design and the cute factor it will add to my hair and ensemb, I love what it will symbolize for me on that day. The bird represents me being free in my love with Treasure. It represents finding "The One" encouraging me to soar, in every facet of my life, beyond my wildest dreams. It represents the serenity I've found with him. It represents the beauty of knowing I'm making a wonderful decision to marry him. For that, I'll happily wear a bird on my head. =D

Invitation To Style 2

I've had the pleasure of being introduced to Minna Designs. Minna is a very new bride, married in May and has embarked on starting a invite design studio. Her designs are modern and wistful not to mention fabulous! It's always exciting to meet other wedding vendors born from exhibiting exceptional talent and skill when planning their own nuptuals. =D



Wasn't she a beautiful bride??

Minna is running a current promotion til the end of the year!

Love In The City

Most bridal magazines will suggest having photo inspiration ideas for your wedding day pics. Perhaps a list of 'must have' photos of friends and family or of semi -staged details... I don't have a must have list...but I do have lovely inspiration.

A quick jaunt to the Empire State Building for this stunning shot. Hey, we're getting married in NYC, so why not? =D

I just love the composition of this photo..

Fabulous!!!

THE getaway shot! Anybody have Louis luggage I can borrow? The hat box is a must!! lol

photos