Mother's Day is fast approaching, and will arrive this year on Sunday May 10th. I'm always on the lookout for fresh, new, and creative gifts for my Mom. If your Mom is anything like mine, and is hard to shop for, try looking for an updated and fun twist to something she uses everyday. For example, these retro inspired dish gloves and aprons from Carolyn's Kitchen:
How can you not love these everyday products, retro-fitted with cute girly touches? Boring, yellow gloves, be gone! Most of the aprons offered have matching gloves that are sold separately. This company also offers matching Mother & Daughter aprons! Adorable! Even though your Mom will look oh so stylish, don't forget to actually help her wash the dishes...especially on Mother's Day!!
Feathers have taken the wedding world by storm this season, but recently I came across this gown that, hands down, takes the cake.
It took eight patient designers two months to create this feathery feat. Adorned with more than 2,000 pieces of peacock feathers, this gown will set one daring bride back $1.5 million.
If you're looking to make a more subtle fashion statement while still incorporating the trend, this bridesmaid's dress from Shop Bop is a fun option that your girls can enjoy wearing again and again.
The feathery motif can be carried throughout your celebration, from your stationary to your bouquet, and even napkin rings. Be careful - it's easy to go overboard with this one, so a few simple touches is all you need. Don't forget your coordinating clutch!
We've all been there--we pose for a photo and think we look totally hot, but when we actually see the picture, we look horrible! (and yet, somehow, it finds it's way to the Internet!) Here's how to always look your best in photos and get a self-esteem boost every time you see pictures of yourself, compliments again to Shape magazine.
Create some space between your body and arm so you appear more shapely--put your hand on your waist and bring your elbow out, preventing that flat/flabby arm that appears so frequently in pictures.
Avoid a double chin by having the photographer hold the camera slightly above eye level and pointing it down--you will be looking up slightly, instead of forcing your chin down. Good riddance, double chin!
Turn your face a little to one side instead of looking straight on at the camera--you will look slimmer!
Giggle out loud right before the picture is taken--laughter is the best medicine, and it looks the most natural instead of a forced (also unattractive) smile.
Don't forget to change your pose, have fun in front of the camera, relax, and even practice in front of your mirror at home! You will look stunning the next time you say "Cheese!"
The possibilities for transportation these days are endless, but after coming across the London Luxury Car, my eyes have been opened to a whole new, stylish world!!! The London Luxury Car is a unique way of riding in style, as this car is a London taxi that's been re-upholstered and transported all the way to Phoenix. Elegant, classy, memorable and extremely fun, this car comes with an affordable price , superior service, and is also handicap accessible. London Luxury Car is the perfect way to travel around town for the evening or your next event. You'll be sure to turn heads and have transportation like no other Phoenician since London Luxury Car is known as "Arizona's ONLY authentic, unique and stand-out-in-the-crowd London Cab!" I can't wait to blast some Beatles music, pop some bubbly, and ride in style in the back of the London Luxury Cab for my next night out! Contact the talented and vivacious drivers, The Duchess and The Diva, here.
In honor of Earth day, we have a very earth-friendly idea to share with you. It's no secret that weddings generate a LOT of waste. From flowers, to food, to decorations, to favors...if it doesn't go home with you at the end of the night, odds are it ends up in the garbage.
Special E gathers up all of your extras and takes them to organizations in need. So rather than ending up in a landfill, your leftovers can go to your local church, nursing home, or homeless shelter. How great is that?? Special E operates in most major cities around the country (including Phoenix), and is a super easy way to be earth-friendly on your big day!
For more ideas on how to alleviate your carbon footprint as you walk down the aisle, check out these eco-reads:
I was flippin' through my copy of the new Shape magazine for the month of May, with the super fit Jenny McCarthy on the cover, and came across this statistic: 48% of women say they'll exercise to get in better shape for their wedding day. That's a lot of sweaty brides-to-be! I know that there is a lot of pressure to look amazing on your big day, but a lot of brides who want to lose weight forget that this process takes time and dedication...not immediate results and binge dieting.
Try a kickboxing class to spice up your workout routine and get your bridal booty in gear. I've always wanted to try kickboxing because of the wonderful benefits that come along with this high energy, calorie blasting sweat session. Remember the Billy Blanks Tae Bo craze? I think he was on to something! Cardio kickboxing supposedly gives you an incredible workout with fantastic results, and is also the perfect way to let out pre-wedding stress with all of that punching and kicking. Valley-wide 24 Hour Fitness offers some of the best kickboxing classes, multiple times throughout the week. I'm sure that almost every gym in Phoenix offers some variation of this class as well. You can also check out a boxing gym to get an authentic boxing workout, a la Rocky Balboa style! Click here for a list of Arizona boxing gyms and clubs. No one will want to mess with you once you've got those hooks and jabs down!
See you in the ring! With all that Life has to offer,
I really like that extra touch of bling, you can never sparkle too much on your wedding day! What a great way to add in the good luck omen of "Something Blue" also! Mindy's shoe applique is currently unavailable on her website, but I have seen this product offered at many bridal boutiques and stores, and also around the Internet.
If you're a DIY kind of gal, check out this "Rhinestone Wedding Shoes" project on Do It Yourself Weddings. With a few simple steps, and a little rhinestone glue, you can have your own personalized wedding shoes.
Step One: Choose your font & letters
Step Two: Poke the outline with a safety pin, kind of similar to the pumpkin carving method!
Step Three: Rhinestone the outline--place small glue dots along the border, then place rhinestones on the glue using tweezers. Michael's, or any related craft store, has a great offering of fabric glue and rhinestones.
Step Four: Strut your stuff down that aisle with some fabulous, blinged out shoes!
Rhine-stoned shoes will make for some awesome photo opps., for both engagement and wedding day pictures, with that discreet and sassy sparkle on your sole.
I am thrilled to announce the official addition of Mrs. Sarah Hubbell to the Life Design Event Planning team. Sarah's experience in planning events began in the world of non-profit benefits and galas. Following her graduation from Arizona State, she took some time off from the real world to appear on the 20th season of MTV's Real World...after never having seen a single episode!
Sarah and Life Design Event Planning crossed paths while she was traveling back and forth between New York City and Phoenix to plan her own wedding to her college sweetheart after filming of the show wrapped. Having lived in Manhattan and Los Angeles, Sarah knew there was no place like home, and so returned to the Valley of the Sun eager to join the ranks of Life Design's very talented event planning team.
In February of this year, I wrote a post about how Sarah planned an spectacular event she called, Brides Give Back held at the breathtaking Villa Siena. The goal of this event was to round up donated items from wedding vendors so that Brides can attend an auction to bid on the packages. This in turn raised thousands of dollars for Faith House; a domestic violence shelter in Phoenix, not to mention the event gave brides screaming deals from top notch vendors to use for their wedding day. Ingenious and an suburb way to give back to our community. Now that Sarah has jumped on board we will be in collaboration for planning next years event so please stay tuned for those announcements.
We can't thank all the amazing vendors that were a part of the event in February and bravo to Sarah and her amazing team for doing such an awesome job putting it together.
Here is a short synopsis on what went down that night. Thank you to Serendipity Videography for filming this ::
I am looking forward to next years event and if you would like to donate or be involved please email Sarah to get you on the list.
Also, to learn more about Sarah visit our website and click on contact us. Lastly, Sarah will be joining us as an official writer for this blog so start to look for her posts every Wednesday!
I've heard from countless brides-to-be, like my past client Mrs. Ashley Richardson, that it is a great idea to have newly engaged and newly married brides write in a journal. The whole process of becoming engaged, planning your wedding, and being a newlywed can be a whirlwind of emotions and events that seem to just fly by. Getting a journal and writing down your experience is the perfect way to savor every second of this process, clear your head, and have on hand for future reflection once you've been happily married after many years. A journal would also make a cute gift for a bride-to-be, along with a matching pen of course.
These are by Jazzy Journals, and are made from actual books! Jazzy Journals, based out of Salt Lake City, buys old books from estate and rummage sales, then fills them will nice & thick paper. Each journal is special and unique, as each journal is a different book. Their website hasn't been up for too long, look for online purchasing soon! If you're in the Salt Lake City area, look for them at the downtown farmer's market during the summer.
There's something about that Tiffany blue. I just love that color, and I love this journal & pen set!
A rhinestone pen would be the perfect match to any journal. I like these from Charming Charlie. A great writing accessory for any girlie girl.
I hope that you enjoy, or will eventually enjoy, writing in a journal as much as I do. I always like looking back at my previous entries to see how much I've grown and what challenges I've overcome. It's also a great way for me to wind down at the end of a hectic day!
When I met Elena Flores I could not help but connect with her. From the get-go, we had such a bond that and at the end of the wedding planning process, I truly felt like I was one of her sisters. Meeting Jeff was an experience in itself. Looking at the guy, he seems to be so serious such a successful businessman but as soon as he starts to speak you fall in love with his tenacious jokes, his constant smile and his gifted ability to make me (and so many) laugh. He and Elena told me their awesome proposal story that took place in Australia and listening to them tell it sold me on how much love and passion they had for one another. These two are certainly destined to be together and I was honored to have been a part of the process.
I asked Elena a few questions are here were her answers ::
Q :: How did you two meet?
A :: My dad actually introduced us. Jeff was working for an insurance company and had met with my Dad, who is a financial advisor, several times to sell his products. My Dad always says that he liked Jeff right away because he was smart, funny, very ambitious, and reminded him of himself. He thought we would make a great match and he was right. That was four years ago and here we are, very happily married today. So to all the single ladies out there, who are looking for love, trust your parents’ judgment because they usually know you best!
Q :: What were your exact words when he proposed?
A :: My exact words were, “OMG, are you serious?!?” Part of the reason for my reaction was that we were at the very top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, in the driving rain, and I was looking at him down on his knee with 10 lanes of traffic below us. It was such a surprise! I was so excited that I hardly remember climbing down that gigantic bridge.
Q :: What was the very first thing you planned for the wedding?
A :: The first thing I did was hire Cicely to help us plan our day and it was by far the best decision we made. I met Cic through one of my best friends and we hit it off right away. Jeff loves Cicely because she laughs at everything he says! I think the next thing I did was pick out my dress.
Q :: Was your Groom involved in the planning process?
A :: He was very involved and very vocal about the things he did not want. The music was the most important thing to him so he picked out the band, which was amazing! I think Jeff’s favorite part about planning was the taste testing with the caterer and how can I forget the natural family planning classes we had to do through with the church.
Q :: What was your favorite part about designing your wedding?
A :: I had so much fun picking out the flowers and table settings. I was so surprised when I saw the reception room. I could not believe how beautiful the room was and how nicely everything came together. I will never forget it.
Q :: What was your least favorite part about planning your wedding?
A :: Planning my wedding! That is exactly why I hired Cicely. I completely trusted her and her fabulous team to do their job and they did more than I could have imagined. I am a busy girl and I don’t have time for the details. Would I relive my wedding day again, yes and I wish I could, but I would trade anything to not plan it again.
Q :: What moment were you most anxious to go perfectly on your wedding day?
A :: I was not anxious at all. I knew that things would go wrong but that ultimately the day was about Jeff and I and our love for one another. Everything else was just a detail.
Q :: To newly engaged brides, what is one piece of advice you would give to them?
A :: I have two pieces of advice. First, find someone you can trust, like Cicely and her team, to help you and don’t feel like you have to control everything. You will enjoy your day much more if you don’t have to worry about all the details. Second, make sure to get pre-marital counseling or go through marriage classes at your church. Jeff and I found that these classes brought up so many things to talk about and helped us build a strong foundation for a lasting marriage.
Below is a few pictures and a 7 minute slide how of their special day.
Special recognition goes to all the vendors that worked so hard to pull off all the details.
I find myself often thinking about traditions and the origins from where they came. As we approach Easter Weekend I couldn't help but think about all the yummy leftover chocolate I will be eating from my nieces and nephews Easter basket's on Sunday. Then I got to thinking, how did we even come up with the Easter Bunny being associated with such a religious holiday? So...I googled it. (of course) and I came up with this easy to read article.
He's fluffy, friendly, and oh, so fertile! Hippity, hoppity!
Here comes the Easter Bunny with his basket of Easter eggs and other springtime goodies! How did an egg-delivering rabbit come to represent Easter, the resurrection day of the Savior?
Actually, the entire Easter holiday has its roots in pre-Christian tradition. Early Christians adapted the Jewish Passover and pagan celebrations to mark their highest holiday of faith, in which the Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The ancient Anglo-Saxons worshipped Ostara, a goddess of fertility. During the spring moon, or vernal equinox, tribal members would offer seeds and colored eggs on a fertility altar to please and appease this goddess. Christians transformed the word "Ostara" to "Easter" to mark the celebration of Jesus' resurrection in the springtime. This timing was both historical and logical, as the Last Supper of Christ was actually a celebration of the Passover Seder, which also occurs in the spring.
How did Easter eggs become associated with Resurrection Sunday?
Since early Roman times and before, people have regarded the egg as a symbol of new life. As a sign of Christian rebirth, the egg is ideal. What once appeared to be lifeless has sprung into new life. A bird hatching from an egg has been seen as a type of resurrection, even as Christ stepped out of the sealed tomb of death. Incidentally, in Greece, Easter eggs are dyed red, to symbolize the shed blood of Christ. Elsewhere, eggs may be colored in rainbowed hues for festive fun. In the United States and other countries, children participate in indoor or outdoor Easter egg hunts.
How did the Easter Bunny traditions begin?
Rabbits are among the most prolific of all living creatures. They exemplify fertility, as they may produce many offspring at one time. According to Anglo-Saxon mythology, Ostara (again, the fertility goddess) transformed a bird into a bunny, who laid colorful eggs for children. Thus began the tradition of a bunny giving children decorated eggs in the spring. In America, Pennsylvania Dutch settlers recounted stories to their children of the "Oschter Haws" (Easter Hare), who visited homes and left colored eggs for well-behaved children. Little boys would leave their caps, and little girls would leave their bonnets, as nests. In time, families began weaving and crafting baskets instead. In the 19th century, German confectioners began making Easter bunnies from pastry. Today, in the United States, families perpetuate the tradition of the Easter Bunny, who brings treats and trinkets to children. Many other countries have similar traditions. As real rabbits begin birthing their many young this spring, one cannot help but consider our great blessings. Aren't we fortunate that the Easter Bunny drops jelly beans and chocolate eggs, instead of what all those other bunnies leave in our yards?
If you aren't planning to participate in an Easter Egg hunt yourself, think about attending this charity event tomorrow benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. It's a grown up way to join in on the fun and give back to a cause that needs our attention. Happy Hunting!
However you choose to celebrate I want to wish you a Happy Easter!
I recently met the talented Bonnie, from BonitaJ Bridal Jewelry, and was instantly impressed with her beautiful designs and products. She was gracious enough to provide Life Design Event Planning and our blog readers with some fabulous information to use when looking for bridal jewelry and accessories.
Read her article below for some insider tips, and check out her blog and website for more information, shopping, browsing, pricing, and overall inspiration! Blog readers also receive 15% off of your entire order with any purchase on BonitaJ! Just type in BLOG15 as your coupon code when you are checking out. Enjoy!!
Finding the right dress is the key part of planning a wedding. The entire bride’s look revolves around that dress and accessorizing it is just part of the fun planning process. There are many styles and options of hair jewelry to accent your look, even if you’re not a tiara girl, but want some glitz in your hair. Here are a few hints to help you decide along your way on what bridal hair accessories might work to finish off your wedding day look. The most common bridal accessory for the hair selected by brides is a tiara or headband. There are many styles and sizes tiaras, but they all add that formal and dramatic sparkle and elegance to the hair. Follow your gowns design and color scheme to help assist you in what colors to look for in your tiara. If your gown has pearls and crystals, search for a tiara that coordinates with that look. If your gown is white and not ivory, choose white pearls instead of ivory ones, to keep your look congruent.
For some brides a tiara is just not an option, but the desire to dress up the hair is still a priority for them. For these brides a nice hair comb might add that final glitzy touch they are looking for. Bridal hair combs also come in many sizes and styles from pearls and crystals, to rhinestones and flowers. Use the same rules of selecting your tiara as your hair comb – match it to your beautiful gown and veil materials and colors.
Then there are brides that a hair comb and a tiara are too much and a simpler accessory will do. For these brides hairpins are the perfect way to go. There are hundreds of styles of hairpins from simple single pearls and crystals, to elaborate designs and beading. Whether you decide to add a few hairpins throughout your hair style or to cluster some together, the look can be both unique and fun. Hairpins are also nice accent pieces to coordinate with tiaras and hair combs. If you are wearing a tiara high atop your head, then a few scattered hairpins beneath accent very nicely.
Finding those final touches to finish off your wedding look is what brings it all together. This should be a fun and exciting planning part of your wedding day. Looking great on your special day with beautiful bridal accessory pieces in your hair adds to that beautiful gown. These hair pieces can be cherished and passed down to your family members and daughters.
Thank you so much, Bonnie, for providing such gorgeous pictures of your jewelry and for giving great tips! I am ready to go shopping for some bridal accessories now!!!
There are so many adorable, fun and flirty spring trends going on right now that I wanted to share a few of my favorites! I always love the spring season; everything is so fresh & new, the colors are bright, flowers are blooming, and it's the perfect opportunity to update your wardrobe, a.k.a., spring clean your closet! This year's trends incorporate bold patterns and loud colors, which are a fantastic contrast to the traditional floral and pastel springtime trends. 2009 is time to get daring!
I am loving this color. Shades of magenta look great on a wide variety of skin tones, but can easily be incorporated into any color scheme for your next event:This simple blend of black and white is fun & bold! I like the pattern of this dress--it would make a fabulous table cloth, or even a cute bridesmaid dress!
This dress showcases another spring trend: adding a touch of neon color to a simple white, black or cream article of clothing. Adding neon touches to the fabrics & textiles used at your event can really make everything stand out and show your attention to details, while also being uber-fashionable!
Thanks, Glamour for helping us channel our inner fashion divas. I look forward to seeing what will be trendy for the rest of 2009!
I was recently at the Arizona Biltmore, relaxing and admiring the gorgeous grounds, and was walking through the lobby during their "High Tea" time. Not only was I a little jealous that I couldn't dress up and partake in the tea & crumpets (due to my lack of reservations), but it made me want to throw my own tea party! A planned tea party can be a lot of fun, whether it's in celebration of a birthday, bridal shower, luncheon, engagement, or an afternoon with the ladies. A grownup tea party is also way better than the ones you had with your teddy bear as a kid.
Last spring, I had the incredible opportunity of appearing on ABC 15 Sonoran Living, with the beautiful Stephanie Sandoval, to present three different event themes and table settings. I designed a "Tea Time" themed event complete with personalized tea bags, a bright and cheery springtime floral centerpiece, and a "Tea Topic" ice breaker question as the place setting to encourage some fun and different conversation. Here are some of the pictures from the show:
Floral Centerpiece: (Provided by Table Tops, Etc.) I like the bright yellow flowers combined with the different shades of pink and white--not too colorful, considering the detailed & loud printed tablecloth
Personalized tea bags as place cards. I also like the idea of using monogrammed teacups as a placeholder or as a party favor for your guests. These are from Anthropologie, and are a steal at only $6:
A "Tea Topic" question was placed at each seat to stimulate the conversation and let guests learn a little something about each other:
This "Tea Topic" said "If you had to gain 10 pounds, what would you eat to gain the weight?" Mmm..I can think of a few things :)
Our blog connects with it's readers. We give ideas that they can grasp whole heartedly. We want to be able to share stories of weddings, events, and life filled with style & pizzazz. We have energy, a sense of humor and a passion for parties that we want to share with the world. This communication tool helps us to inspire and create moments in our readers lives where they can take away fantastic ideas for timeless memories. Life Design Event Planning is a company that seeks for the moments in lives that are filled with smile and appreciation. We choose to utilize blogging as an opportunity to share our drive with others.
This simple blend of black and white is fun & bold! I like the pattern of this dress--it would make a fabulous table cloth, or even a cute bridesmaid dress!
Here is me and my three table settings:
