Look.  I plan for a living.  I like things that are pretty.  I don't typically like funeral flowers because everyone orders what they like and usually it doesn't match.  It's the thought that counts.  So I'm not going to put that down.  It's something we all should send when a loved one has passed. 

But, this funeral for MJ is not normal.  I mean they have elephants coming into the Staple center.  There are sixteen thousand people attending.  It is a circus.  No pun intended.

Couldn't they have asked Preston Bailey or Paige Davis even Colin Cowie to take over in the decor department?  How about just a huge float  to look like the Rose Bowl parade.  Whitney Houston is coming out to sing and there are carnations up here with a bow with glitter lettering.  Okay maybe that is fitting for her.  She was married to Bobby Brown. 

The arrangement on the casket is beautiful.  I like that a lot.  I just don't like the huge sprays that are against the stage. 

And now even worse there are people yelling in the center.  Fans.  It's really disgusting.  You don't scream people when the pastor gets on stage. It may be the Staple center.  But, it's not the time or the place.  AND how much do you want to bet there are people in jeans!  And t-shirts.  I have to get back to work.  The disrespect in dress and manners is going to send me over the edge.

 

Oh my my.  It's the best.  It's on the Soap channel which I have never really watched unless there was a Dallas episode on.  I just happened to stumble upon this show over the weekend and I loved it.

Five belles.  All which I can identify with in one way or the other.  I don't think you can really get into this show unless you are from the South.  You understand the traditions.  The standard of morals and values you are held to even when everyone else is breaking them around you.  Not to mention being able to grasp the pressures of growing up in a small town where everyone knows you, your mama and daddy and don't mind telling them what you are up to.  Actually are looking for something to report back to your mama and daddy about.

If you get the show with your cable package definitely watch!  It's a hoot!  Plus, if you are like me you will just be happy to hear the drawl and listen to a bunch of girls find a way to make something into drama.   For instance my favorite was when Kellie who apparently had a huge eating disorder and a drug addiction took the time to invite her mother over for take out.  She took her moment to play with her food and say there had been things that went on.  Terrible things.  Things you didn't know mama.  I was a coke addict.  Only when her mother cried and said she was sorry for not knowing did Kellie seem on the road to recovery.  It makes you wonder why she felt the need to share.  I guess she had to make sure her mother felt the pain in order to feel better. 

Shea went shopping for a diamond with her beau and since I am in the wedding business I'd like to say the line from the store sales girl made me choke.  "The normal amount to spend on a ring is 250 to 450.  And I don't mean hundred."  Ummmmm really?  Really?  Give me a break.  You can buy a nice diamond and a big one for less than a hundred thousand, fifty thousand, and even twenty thousand. 

Which reminds me..........a friend today said that she had a client come in who was a wife  of player for a team here in Denver.  I know the team.  Not the player or wife.  Apparently the ring was gigantic.  My friend said she grabbed her hand and without a second thought said "Is this real?"  The wife said but of course.  And there were high fives given out I imagine.  My friend and the wife chatted about rings and the best line of the day was "Anyone that says they don't like a big diamond never had one."  I loved it!!!!  It's kind of true b/c in all honesty nobody ever turns a big ole diamond down.  

Back to Shea.  She did get a big ring.  Nobody knows how much it was., which I don't think they should.  That's tacky.  It's like asking someone how many carats their ring is.  The voice over on the show says.....something like anyone that knows Shea knows that he will pay for it for the rest of his life.  YIKES.  I must say in watching the show I have to wonder if they will even make it to the alter.  If they do I hope she realizes she is marrying a man that is her daddy.  She doesn't see it.  But I think the viewers do and just about any wedding planner can tell.  I've said it before I can predict a marriage within a month of how long it will last.  Someone once asked me if I thought their marriage was going to work.  I couldn't bring myself to say no.  I knew it wasn't.  I thought it would last at least two or three years.  They didn't even make it a year.  It was sad.  But, their wedding was fun. 

There is Hadley who is a hoot and I think of all the girls I like her the best.  I love that name too!

Emily is the one that is trying to find her way.  She is trying to break from her roots and it's painful to watch.  I don't think she sees how pretty she is b/c she should stop with all the make-up and bleached hair.  The clothes are kind of too much too.

Julie is the 35 single gal model.  She is beautiful!  I don't think she is friends with everyone because she seems really disconnected.  But, I guarantee she gets something fabulous in acting or modeling after this show.  I think out of all the girls she is the most normal.  I like her a lot!

This show is just a hoot.  Again maybe you need to be from the South.  Maybe not.  But, either way try to watch...........it's fabulous.

I always try to get my clients to keep the wedding dress as a surprise not only for the groom, but also for the bridal party and the guests.  It's more fun to see the reactions of the bridal party the minute the bride walks out in the suite (or whatever room they are getting dressed in) the day of the wedding.  The veil is on.  The make-up and hair is complete.  Sometimes all that is left to do is to put a necklace on or a pair of earrings.  The whole vision is together and ready for preceremony photos!  The oohs and aahs are so loud in the suite sometimes that you don't know who is saying what it's such a frenzy of excitement. 

I've been present when the bride didn't keep it a secret and took everyone and her neighbors to dress fittings with her.  While I'm not saying it is not as exciting when she is dressed the wedding day.  It's just a different feel in the room.  I'd say it reminds me of a "been there seen that will the bar be open prior to the wedding?"  There are oohs and aahs.  But, they are not the same.  And typically if the bride has let everyone know what the wedding dress looks like then it's pretty much a given she has told every other detail of the day as well. 

I can't preach it enough.  Keep your wedding day plans a secret.  Keep everything private.  Let it be a surprise.  From the dress to the place settings.  From the band to the cake flavors.  A wedding should be a present not only for you on your wedding day but for your guests.  It should be like unwrapping a stack of gift boxes on Christmas.  Each one has a surprise in it. 

I know the bride that I chatted with this morning is going to be a show stopper in her dress at her wedding.  I told her to keep the dress top secret.  If anyone asks for a link to it then say it's not on line.  If they ask for a digital photo.  She didn't take one.  And honestly I don't think anyone should ever take a pix of themselves in their wedding dress prior to the wedding day.  Too risky that it will be seen by the groom.  If anyone asks for a description then say it's long, white and kind of fluffy.  Aren't they all kind of like that in some way?

 

So I am only really three days into vacation.  I am glad we started on a Friday with travel.  We had the whole entire weekend to relax with my family.  Now it's Monday and a work week.  While I am on vacation and taking a break, I am still in the creative mode so to speak. 

I have found an amazing idea for  golf tournament centerpiece.  Or for that matter I think I can actually reuse it for a morning after brunch at the country club.

I am feeling at ease with a new color palette of greens and blues.  Obviously that is the ocean talking to me.  Just say no to hot pink and green girls.  I beg you. 

We had just a lovely weekend with my brother and sister in law while they were here.  Unfortunately they had to leave today.  It made me sad because my sister in law loves Caroline and it's obvious the feeling is mutual.  It makes me sad that Caroline doesn't have that at all back home.  But, one day when Caroline voices how we cheated her of seeing them more often, I am going to direct her to her father.  So yes we are at that point in our trip where my husband and I will be having the coming to Jesus on where our lives are going.  Funny thing though.  He brought up buying houses here...........so I am going to pray to the baby Jesus that this is our new direction.  At least give me a vacation house.  That is all I need.

It's been fun to see Caroline play with my parents on the beach.  My dad painted with her and if she gets any artistic ability that is where she will inherit it.  My brother and I are atistic.  We got that gene straight from him.  I think I am more like my father's father though since he made furniture by hand.  Not that I widdle things from wood.  But, he knew how to put design with fabrics.  hello!  You know how I like fabric.

I am loving waking up in the morning and having to remember where I am and what day it is.  I like that a lot!

I also think that any day that requires a beer at lunch and then a mojito starting no later than 3:30 is really the way we should work!  Just kidding! 

I am getting anxious to go into Charleston in the next few days and shop for work.  I have so many things to pick up and find for my clients. 
I'm also going by to see a my favorite antique store.  He is tucked into a corner shop and I think that he may have something that I have been looking for for many years.  The silver punch bowl.  It's a certaiin design.  He emailed a few months ago to let me know.  I am praying it's what I've been looking for.  Because I know exactly what I am going to use it for when it comes to clients weddings.  I'm very excited!
 

If you are shopping for a dress then make note immediately! 

Special Events
Little White Dress Bridal Shop
303.814.8972   www.LWDBridal.com

After Hours Private Dress Up Parties!  Weekday evenings 6:30-8:30
and Sunday mornings 10:00-noon
Bring up to six guests and have Little White Dress Bridal Shop all to yourselves to find your perfect wedding dress, spectacular accessories and/or bridesmaid dresses!  Enjoy music, food and refreshments, tons of personal attention and fun!  Fabulous menu options available.  $15 -17/person.  Please call 303-814-8972 to schedule your party today!

Veil Sale! 
 Ivory or white Veils in a variety of lengths and trims are priced at only $25, $50 or $100!  While supplies last.

June 18, 19, 20, 21, 2009 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Claire Pettibone comes to Colorado!!  Meet this spectacular lingerie and bridal designer and join Little White Dress Bridal Shop and Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie  Thursday evening June 18th with a fashion show and cocktail party at the Lumber Baron Inn & Gardens in the Highlands neighborhood in Denver.  All Claire Pettibone bridal gowns and lingerie will be at Little White Dress Bridal Shop on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the opportunity to meet with Claire one-on-one.  Call Little White Dress today to reserve a seat at the fashion show and/or make a trunk show appointment! show! Purchase your ticket now!

I just got home last night after a few days in Florida.  It was wonderful.  Much needed and I found a fabulous new resort to suggest for more than one reason.  Plus, the big bonus I got to spend time with my BFF in Wedding Planning.  Oh and I got a tan and I was able to relax a little. 

Kelly and I were talking about cotillion classes while I was there.  She said that didn't know of any in her area.  Of course I suggested she look to see if Jon Williams Cotillion www.cotillion.com/index.shtml had any in the area.  Prior to that she said it's a Southern thing.   I agree.  Because you only hear of them in the South usually.  HOWEVER Jon Williams is located in Denver and they travel everywhere to teach.  There is a huge class each year down in Colorado Springs at the Air Force Academy.  They have a huge class or five for young children around Devnver each year.  It's really not just a Southern thing.  But, Southerners are typically sterotyped as the only ones that care about manners.  (Thank you on behalf of all of them!  That is an ultimate compliment in my opinion!)

What I loved about the chat Kelly and I had was that she didn't once put down cotillion.  Why?  Because she and I work in the same business and we know that cotillion is not just about teaching stuffy manners that went out with pantyhose and slips.  But, it's about giving a child the chance to learn social graces that will take them further than a ballroom one day.  They learn to shake hands and remember the persons name they are being introduced to.  They understand the importance of looking someone in the eye when they meet them.  They learn to dance.  They learn respect.  Not just for others but most importantly for themselves.  Being considerate towards others is not a crime.  And to me it's kind of funny to hear when people make fun of etiquette.  Because usually the person putting it down doesn't have a clue what they are talking about.  It's not about walking thru life with an engraved calling card to leave in someones front hall when the butler answers the door.  Oh if only it was.  KIDDING! 

The reason for me to be bringing this up today?  Because while traveling over the last few days I decided that perhaps having a future son was not something I wanted.  I need to probably break this to my husband.  And I am honestly only half kidding about this.  On my flight out of Colorado two teen boys were seated next to me.  They were slouching in their seats.  Grumbled and looked for the most part just miserable.  The boy seated next to me looked dirty.  He was in runing pants and looked like he had not showered in days.  From what I have heard these are the teen years and it seems it's to be what is expected.  Shoot me now if this is what I have to look forward to in hygiene from a teen.  During the flight the boy started eating Doritos.  It stunk.  Then he licked his fingers and wiped them on his pants.  I know his mother was proud.  He pulled out a huge soda to guzzle and then there was candy galore.  All in a two hour time period.  He stuffed his trash in the pocket in front of him and I assume was hoping that the next passenger would find it on the next flight.  When we were all leaving the plane I watched him cut off an older woman and of course he was on his phone texting as he walked a nice slow pace down the walk way to the main terminal sharing his thoughts of the day with someone a far.  I guess he wasn't a boy scout in his younger days (you know just five or six years ago) that would instruct him to respect the elderly.  Or maybe that is not part of the boy scout way any longer?  Maybe they give a badge for texting?  

Yesterday I was boarding the plane for home and I once again found myself seated to two kids again.  Mental note to self:  I need to request a seat change next time this happens because it seems like every time I end up in a window seat with two kids beside me on an afternoon flight to Denver, we are delayed.  This was the third time!  Yesterday I had a two hour delay on the runway.  So it ended up being a six hour flight.

The kids seated next to me were in a word FABULOUS.  I think the girl was probably about 13 or 14.  The boy beside me had to be about 12.  They were traveling with about thirty or more kids and they were on their way back from a trip in DC.  They sat for six hours entertaining themselves by reading, listening to the air traffic control tower talk on channel 9.  Or playing games on their ipods and listening to music.  Every now and then they would ask me a question about the weather.  Or they would encourage me to listen in on the air traffic controllers talking. 

The three boys seated behind me I wasn't as impressed with.  Actually only one of them.  He had long hair.  Skinny jeans on.  Which I am sorry MOTHERS get a grip on yourselves.  Sons should not wear skinny jeans.  It's hideous.   To top it off (literally) the boy had on a trucker cap.  I know this is probably the look and the style.  But, why do we encourage style that is tacky and dirty looking?

From the get go he was just a non stop talker.  And it was clear he really wasn't comfortable with himself because he was trying so hard to make his friends laugh.  If he hit the back of my seat once he hit it five times.  Finally after the death blow kick to my seat I turned around and just gave him the look.  He meekly apologized and then I heard him making comments about how he always gets in trouble.  Apparently he gets tossed out of Target all the time.  The cops have been called on him a dozen times in his words.  I will give credit for not once hearing foul language from him.  That was nice!  I can predict where this kid is going in life.  I don't even know his life at home and I could tell that he's not getting guidance.  But, he is really not getting lessons in manners!  Manners are free! 

Three hours into the flight skinny jean boy fell asleep.  Thank goodness!  It finally was quiet.  For the record everyone around me that was not with this group kept turning around to see what this kid was doing.  He was so loud. 

By the end of the flight I wanted to adopt the two children beside me.  Instead I asked where they attend school.  Century.  I wanted to ask for their parents email addresses just so I could email and say BRAVO and How did you do it?  If I had seen their parents in baggage claim I would have made a point of telling them how great their kids were on the flight.  I truly think now as a parent that you just want your kids to behave at the very least in public. 

They say all children are formed in their personalities by five.  They will be who they are going to be.  I tend to agree.  That's why we are trying to drive hom thank you, yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir, no sir in this house every second of the day.  So far so good.  But, you know it's going to be the death of me the day my daughter yells thru the house "yeah".  I pray skinny jeans are out by then.  Not for fear that my daughter will wear them.  But, for fear that when she is 17 and dating that her date comes to the door in them! 

My point in all of this is that I don't believe we need to live by the strict rules of Emily Post.  Times have changed.  But, I wish that we could live in a world where people are just trying to be courteous and know how to meet n greet and where there boundaries are.  That's all.  I'm not asking for much, right?


 

Only it's not in Colorado.  It's in Florida.  I am running around today tying up business and odds and ends so that I can enjoy the lovely resort South Seas in Captiva.  www.southseas.com/
I love destination weddings.  I had one myself.  But, I love seeing what a venue that I have never visited to begin with can do for a bride and groom on their special day.

The best part of the weekend is that I get to see my very dear friend and partner in champagne crime and wedding planning Kelly.  I adore her!  I seriously do not know how I did this business for so long without knowing her.  www.destinationnapleswedding.com/  She is the queen of destination weddings in Florida. 

Have a good weekend!  I can't wait to see a few new ideas.  And hopefully get a little sun.  Plus, I'll get to be in humidity which I LOVE!

As in ridiculous how HUGE it is.  So let me state the obvious right?

Today I was looking for ideas for quotes on an invite that is being specially designed.  I ended up clicking on one blog that came up in google then it led to another blog, then another and then another.

It is amazing how much you can find out in a blog that someone keeps daily.  There are goregous blogs out there too.  People really have come a long way since when I started.  Which was over five or six years ago now.  Who knew!

I get such inspiration from other blogs.  But, honestly I don't have the time to blog between clients, meetings, and trying to price out items for my clients these days.  I am just in such a busy season.  

I am loving that it's nice and cool out today.  It's aging flower pots for me (which are for a client) rather nicely.  I need cool temps to mold them.  Gross right?  But, it's really difficult in Colorado to get pots to look aged when you live in a dry climate without humidity.  In the South you just throw a pot in the shade beside your house and in two months you have so much moss and mold growing on it that you fool yourself into thinking you live on an English country side. 

I need to get back to sending photos to Grace Ormonde!

The windows in our house have been covered with plastic that you can't see through for a week now.  I never knew how much I love seeing the tree in the front of the house through the front window.  Or the side of the house out of the kitchen windows.  Or the sky.  Or the moon.  Whatever.

They are finally painting our house.  It's thrilling!  But, nerve racking because every now and then we have to make a decision on which color should go where.

They are also redoing our front porch.  It's going to look so much better than what was there before.  I wish we had done this years ago.  Never will I live with an ugly exterior for so long again.  Famous last words of course.  Since I keep saying I am never remodeling a home again either.  But, some how I know it's my destiny.

is having parties!  I just read this on another site and I have to agree with the author.  The way to succeed as a hostess is to host. 

I've had friends say that I make entertaining look easy.  Which is nice because that means I must appear to be enjoying myself.  Which I am!  I love having people over to our house.  I love everything about it.  I love planning a menu.  Picking out which china, silveware and even down to the color of napkins I'll use.  I love getting flowers ahead of time and arranging them.  I love even cleaning the house.  

I always have a list.  I have a list of lists of things to do if it's a party that is being planned weeks or months ahead.  Or if it's on the spur of the moment I have a list of things to remember to do.  When it's a spur of the moment party I don't really worry about the house being spotless or even if I have flowers. 

The key to entertaining is just getting over the small things.  You don't have to serve a five course meal with your best china.  You can have a party of ships and dip and good beer.  It doesn't matter. 

You don't have to plan for a party like this:  Photo courtesy of Life.com


You can plan for just having fun and seeing friends.  Believe me your guests will just be thrilled to have a cocktail, relax and catch up with friends. 

I realized yesterday that I have to get a gift in the mail asap for my mom!  This year I decided to make her something.  I'm trying to finish it in time to get it into the mail.  It's actually something from both Caroline and me.  Mother's day is supposed to be a gift from me.  But, now that I have a child my gift to my mother ends up being about my child.   

On the flip side my mom and actually Scott's mom usually gives me a gift for Mother's day.  It's very nice to be thought of.  And recognized as a mother.  My mom asked me yesterday if there was anything I wanted.  I said Williams Sonoma or Canyon Ranch.  Which really just means gift certificates.  Either I'll get the gift of relaxation or the gift of pots and pans in a round about way!  I typically would ask for something for the garden.  But, I am flowered out in the yard currently.  In fact I've had to replant almost all the rose bushes so that Caroline doesn't get scratched up.  Or poke an eye out!

Right now I am getting emails daily from companies reminding me that Mother's day is May 10th and to shop now while shipping is still possible.  Aside from the flowers you can send, the gift certificate to a spa or a box of candy here are a few items that I thought were pretty good this year!  You'll find everything here on www.horchow.com, www.redenvelope.com,  

 
 

Any gift that shows that you gave time and thought to it is lovely.  I just don't believe in giving Mother's day gifts that make a mother think that you only see them as a cook, or housekeeper.  If it was a day for you would you be happy to receive a Dyson to get at those hard to reach dust balls under the bed?  I'm just sayin'.

There are quite a few gifts shown on the internet that I think are just wrong.  They are tacky in their own form.  But, they are just rude to even be placed in a category for a mother.  See below.

an apron set really lets a mother know that her children and husband not only want to see her in the kitchen but they want to see her really taking the cooking more serious.  "Take out is not okay mom.  You need to be rollin' out biscuits and bakin pies!  Hop to it momma!"

First of all who cleans their shoes or polishes them?  MEN.  So this one has been designed to look like a womans high heel shoe in an effort to make any woman out there that doesn't know we are able to vote now have more fun when she is polishing the hubbys shoes.  Oh I just wish someone would give this thing to me as a gift. 


Instead of getting that fabulous new bag that she wants at Neimans or Nordstroms in black this would definitely be the best bet.  That way again the mom knows what to do with any free time she has.  Pick up snacks and make sure the house is stocked with plenty of grub for the kids and their friends too. 

Soup can clock.  So while the whisk is swinging back from side to side keeping time it can remind mom that it's time to be cookin.  Don't waste time.  Not only that but who in the heck would hang this thing on their wall?  

Other gifts to avoid:  Dishes, utensils to cook with, silverware, new dish towels, car wax, a gift certificate for a car wash (or oil change), duster buster, cleaning supplies for the home, or fruit of the month club.  

Mother's day gifts should not be extravagant.  They just need to be a gift that shows that you care. 

This morning my husband came into the bedroom and the first question I had for him "was there any news" from his brother about the baby.  He said no. He said he didn't have a voicemail, a phone call or a text.  But, he had an email.  From his mother.  And he was pretty unhappy.

I asked what it said and he just said that the title said "It's a boy."  He said he didn't read the rest of it because he was so mad that was how he found out that he couldn't even read it.  I checked my email and sure enough it was to the entire family.  Which I get.  But, you kind of think that when you are the sibling that you would get the news before extended family.

When we had Caroline I made sure that Scott didn't call his parents until he had called his brother.  I knew that if he didn't give him the news first then this exact same thing would happen.  I just felt that siblings should call one another and share the big news.  It's how we do it in my family.  But, I guess my mom can be given credit for that.  She never tells anything between my brother and me. 

Something I've learned and I have to remember when it comes to my mother in law is that she wants to be in the middle of everything.  And she wants to make sure you know that she knew everything and anything before you.  It hilarious!  I don't know if that is what having six girls in a family does to a woman.  Or what.  From the aunts that I know though they are not like that all.  That is just how my mother in law is about things.  I am glad I figured it out more than anything because I think it's made life easier for me.   My father in law has resigned himself to it.  I'm trying to be more like my father in law.  But, I'm not sure that I can be that laid back!   Or into outdoor things.  Like hunting and amo.  LOL   

It was a late birth.  And I know they were excited.  I just wish that we would have heard before a mass email was sent.  That's all.  

Finally!  This baby is here!  It's a boy and named Aiden.  It makes me think of Sex and the City.  My favorite boyfriend for Carrie and I am still recovering over their break-up.  I still don't like Big for Carrie.  I'm just sayin. 

I am glad it's a boy. A week ago at dinner my brother in law said he was certain it was a boy and I don't think he would have really been pleased if it wasn't.  Lucky for my sister in law she gave him what he wanted!  Because that is so how it works right?

In this day and age I just think things like twitter, facebook, and old fashion email can really take the fun out of things.  Like finding out about a new baby.  We have to keep in mind that we are all really connected via the internet and that we do have to make the effort to have human contact. 




 

I think Salma Hayek is a bride that should inspire other brides right now!  Her dress was gorgeous.  She looked gorgeous.  The style of dress was such a great choice.  I was happy to see that it wasn't strapless and it wasn't too modern.  it was more traditional and a great choice for a woman getting married for the first or second time.  It doesn't matter!

She didn't over do the accessories either.  Her flowers were even perfect!

This weekend we are hosting a party for our friends that are newly engaged.  All this time I thought it was going to be rather warm out.  HA.  Jokes on me.  It's snowing right now.  It's supposed to continue tonight and I think into tomorrow. 

I was picturing people being out on the patio of the club where we are holding it.  Again.  Jokes on me.   We will be inside without a doubt.  I am not going to let this get to me though.  I am going to wear the cute new open toed shoes I have!  I don't care if there is five feet of snow on the ground.  I will wear them!

Over the last few weeks we've revceived replies to the invitations that were sent out.  People are always so kind in saying thank you for the invite.  Or that they are looking forward to coming.   Sometimes a guest can't make it so they end their email or message with how happy they are for the couple.  I love getting rsvps!  Just love it.  Mostly because it gives you a small chance at getting to know someone.

This invitation list had people that we knew on it.  But, there are quite a few that I know we have not met yet.  I'm excited.  This is going to be a chance to get to know the bride to be's friends and family.  We've heard about them often.  So now it's time to put a face to the name.  My husband has been friends with the groom to be for a bazillion years I believe.  They went to college together.  Lived together.  Went to camp together they found out years later.  And he was one of the best men that stood up for my husband when we got married.  Oh and he even lived with us for a small period of time.  He is finally getting married and let me tell you this is one party that I've been waiting to host for what seems like years.  We keep saying this is our last engagement party to host ever.  Not really but for now it is.  I don't think we will have anyone else to throw one for until there are a few children that grow up.  So we have what.....twenty years.... I hope before that. 

The comment that everyone seems to have for us when replying to this party is "Thank you for the invite."  Our pleasure.  Only I feel odd saying that because while yes we did mail the invite to them.  We are hosting.  But, I didn't make the guest list.  The guests of honors did.  So I feel kind of awkward saying 'your welcome' to people I don't always know. 

A few years ago my friend and I were talking and she is from Boston.   I said I was throwing a party for a friend and just waiting on their guest list.  My Boston friend said she didn't understand why I was waiting for a list.  Why wouldn't I invite who I wanted to invite for a party I was hosting?  I had never heard of such a thing.  I'm from the South.  We host parties in honor of people all the time.  Usually we know a good portion of the guest list.  But, I would never host a party for my friends from Raleigh and then invite people that I only know.  That seems odd to me.  Plus, I can't imagine sending that invite to a friend that doesn't know the other friend.  How awkward to suggest they go to the stated store that my friend is registered at for a wedding or baby gift. 

I've spent years looking for this topic to be covered to a tee in Emily Post (Peggy Post) and other etiquette type books.  But, nobody has covered it yet to the extent that I am looking for.  I probably should write this in to someone and see if it makes their next book. 

Tomorrow night we will definitely get the chance to catch up with a lot of our mutual friends.  But, I am looking forward to a party that will bring together the families for the bride and groom along with all the friends that can meet n greet for the first time or the ten millionth time.   It also makes attending a wedding down the road exciting when people will have already met ahead of time.  I love it!  So let's hope the snow stops.  Or that the sidewalk is dry where this hostess needs to walk in her open toed heels tomorrow night.

I am still feeling like I've been run down by a big ole' mack truck.

I am working from the couch and watching Priss in the other room play with her toys.  It's so funny to watch your child be in their own world.  She keeps going to the window to watch our neighbor rake for the sod he is putting down.  Then she runs between turning the music on between two toys and bobbing her head to both.  She is really good at entertaining herself.  Could it be that I have done something right as a mother?

This weekend we are hosting a party for our friends and I am emailing people to see if they are going to be able to make it or not.  I am really excited about this party because it's not at our house and I don't have to get ready for it.  I get to walk in and walk out.  My work will be done come party time.  I'm really looking forward to this part.

Back to work!  I have proposals to write!

So this weekend didn't quite go as planned.  After a week of being sick and trying to work and keep on schedule I had a little accident on Friday.  Long story short I had to go to the ER and get five stitches.  I was loopy on Saturday.  By Sunday I thought I would be back to normal.  The joke was on me.  I was in worse shape.

We were supposed to host Easter brunch.  That definitely didn't happen.  But, all was not lost.  Caroline still wore her cute little Easter dress and we still had dinner together last night as a family.  Caroline got into her basket this year which was pretty adorable. 

I look like road kill if you ask me.  I looked in the mirror this morning and I am so glad that I don't have any face to face meetings this week.  Only phone meetings.  Hooray! 

Thank goodness for help though.  Caroline will have someone here everyday this week while I am here.  Times like this I really miss being home in NC where my family is.  I could use help.  We had to scramble to make phone calls last night to get things arranged for the week.  It's hard when you do actually live close to family and there is not an offer of help.  That is the tricky part.  It makes you feel kind of weird. 

We have a party coming up this weekend that we are hosting.  So there are still a lot of last minute things to do for that.  Like getting a guest count! 

I hope I am healed by party time.  I must say having a black swollen eye with shades of purple isn't the fashion look I have been planning on. 

Easter weekend went by so quickly!  We are on our way to wedding season.  It seems just like yesterday we were celebrating Christmas!
 

This week and next I have booked our nanny service daily while everyone is on break from school.  I decided I would go on this insane cleaning spree.

So far I've done great.  I cleaned out the master closet, guest room closet, the baby room, coat, and even the linen closet.  I finally finished Caroline's 'scrapbooks' and updated everything in her baby book.  I have cleaned out her toys.  I've even managed to organize wedding supplies.  I truly do not need another glassine bag in five different sizes for about ten more years.  I also have tons of tapered candles.  I need someone to want to have a Phantom of the Opera wedding so that we can maybe use them in the candelabras?  I don't know?

I am being very good about getting rid of something as I get something new.  For instance.  I finally have let an old purse from Harold's go.  Along with a black work bag I have had for at least ten years.  Just so that the new bag I bought yesterday (a black on black tote by Tory Burch) can have a spot to hang out when not in use.

I've gotten this years business receipts organized by date even.  But, I don't think this is so impressive.  It's just a file folder that goes by the months.  Baby steps.

In the middle of this I am planning three parties for this year.  Not weddings.  Just parties.  But, they are actually more detailed than an average wedding.  So it's keeping me busy.

I have had more contracts come in this week that are complete, changes have been made and ready to be signed without delay.  It's a sign of the times.  I hate to say that too.  It seems like sometimes I have to beg for a revised contract for a client.  But, right now people are just so happy to have business they are jumping to get contracts squared away so that deposits can be made and dates blocked off.  I like it!

I feel so much better just knowing our closet is neat and tidy right now.  I really am a visual person (hence my job and my passion for planning.)  I need to have everything in order so that I can work more efficiently. 

I went thru my floral supply items yesterday and organized everything to make sure I had what I needed for an urn arrangement I am getting ready to do in the next few weeks.  It was funny how I was coming up with new ideas for arrangements as I was finding new floral tape that hasn't been opened.  Or wire that I used recently for tying twigs together. 

I really want to make this floral arrangement for Easter this year:
 

I'm avoiding the temptation to buy new dishes or anything along those lines for Easter.  I swear it's like Williams Sonoma is calling my name each time I am in the mall and see their new Easter items.  But, I don't want to have to get rid of something else to justify having something new. 

But, if I was going to buy just to buy I would have to get a few of these:



I have never been a breakfast person.  I use to love when I was little seeing my dad having an egg with toast.  I liked it because the egg sat in this little cup.  I thought it was very she-she.  Remember, in the old movies with people coming down to breakfast (obviously they had help) and they would sit and have their little egg with toast while sipping coffee from a dainty little cup?  Oh my gosh I was in love with the lives they led.  Mostly because they had servants and were wearing frilly robes and eating off the good china for breakfast.  It doesn't seem like we lead lives where people are sitting around their breakfast tables eating soft boiled eggs with toast from our tiny silver spoons.  For one who has the time?  Plus, there is that whole saminola thing and we definitly like to cook food thoroughly.  I personally don't like egg yolks that are runny.  So the whole egg cup is wasted on me.  Unfortunately.

I'd use the egg cups as a place card holder instead.  Have a decorated egg and write the guests name on it.  It would be adorable!  Or do this cute little idea from Martha Stewart.  I love these!

I'm not so sure about ths bell jar decor that WS is promoting this year.  I look at these and I just want to dust.  Seeing a birds nest under glass with twigs and moss makes me want to clean.  I think that is one item I'd skip for this year.  I don't even know what I would do with the glass bell jar.  I've been trying to come up with something creative. Maybe fill with brightly covered eggs?  It would be tricky to get that set in place.  But, it could be really pretty as a centerpiece. 

I definitely don't believe in going over board with decor for a holiday if it's not your thing.  I'd say a birds nest under glass could be considered over the top.  Just my opinion.  I still can't get use to the idea of hanging Easter eggs from trees as if it was a Christmas tree with ornaments.  That's a bit much for me.  If I was in Europe I'd be fine with it.  That is their tradition.  If driving thru Cherry Creek and I see a yard tree with plastic eggs in neon colors dangling from fishing wire.....well I think that was time wasted.  But, I do love fresh flowers, lovely linens, and a china pattern that is bright and reflective of the season.  I think you can go simple:

 

Or you can go more detailed:

Do not make yourself for a minute believe that you are going to pull this off.  (This is strictly for the midwest RSVP blog readers.)  That grass can't be found at your local gardening center. You are way too late to grow your own.  So move on to another idea.  This is not happening.  I speak from experience.  I couldn't get any at the wholesale market.  I was driving all over Denver looking for it.  Not even the local florists had it.  So stop falling in love now.  You will just ruin your entire Easter planning of decor. 

The first time I saw Martha use this grass in a basket instead of the plastic I thought it was genius. I was twelve.  I thought for certain I too would one day use real grass in my child's basket.  HA.  Twelve years later and one sweet little girl later I am still bitter that I thought I would be the perfect mother with my live green grass.  I'm slowly learning to let the dream go.  The chocolate Easter bunnies have helped. 

Everyone knows I live for a wedding story.  Sentimental.  Hilarious.  Or just down right odd.  I'll take it!

So this is the story of the day.  Email as follows from my friend that always calls on a Sunday or a Monday to report the weekends wedding events.  This is the email I opened first:

so a friend of mine went to a wedding in knoxville tn this weekend and the bride
had 5 portraits of herself and 2 engagement portraits displayed - at least 20x24
of all of them...and the bride changed clothes during the reception and they
danced to the dirty dancing song (time of your life) and he even did the lift at
the end....

she is going to send their website to me today to forward to you

Then I replied back with:
OMG.........OMG
SEND IMMEDIATELY
Can I blog this?  Without the names?  Yours........will be removed.

Then her reply:
of course - i will send you the website once she emails it to me.  I don't know the bride - my suitemate from meredith, crystal - it is her husband's family - so no one close to me. 

and another thing - at the rehearsal dinner, the bride and groom had a 45 minute slideshow of themselves - no other person in their family was in one picture.  The guest book included 50 pages of engagement pictures of the couple. 

Now I don't know if I can actually post their website.  But, I am so going to be looking for those photos of the first dance.  I mean come on!!!!!!!  That is good stuff right there.

Also, they threw down some money for those photos that were at the reception.  The photographer that did Caroline's first year photos would have loved me if I had bout even one large photo.  But, you know I just don't like hanging photos on my walls like I've said before.  I prefer paintings.  I like photos in frames on book shelves and tables. 

Meanwhile, what is going on with someone that only has a video of themselves at their wedding?  Of course I for one have said before that I am not in favor of videos that couples put together themselves at weddings or rehearsal dinners.  I also don't like the photo montages.  Seen it a million times.  Let's move on.  Like have someone come and paint your portraits on the dance floor for the guests to watch during the night. OMG note to self.  I am going to do this for something coming up.  Gotta get on that asap.

Next I just want to say that I want people to remember that sometimes those engagement books can be vandalized.  I love them though.  A friend went to another friends wedding (we were unable to attend) and she said that  someone had drawn mustaches on their pixs.  If it was a photobook printed by the photographer then the whole thing had to be reprinted.  If it was the books where you insert the photos yourself then the pixs had to be redone.  Either way that is money lost and how mean and cruel can you get?

But, at a wedding (this one had over 300 peeps) there is no way to monitor the guest book if you don't have an attendant on guard the whole time.  So beware if you do a book like this.  That is my tip of the day and what a great way to start the week off huh?  With a story like that the week can only be absolutely exciting!

I am exhausted.  Today was very productive.  I am organized for tomorrow morning.  I have only thirty vendor calls so far this week to make.  That is pretty good.

I organized a few cabinets today and cleaned out a closet.  I cleaned out three work bags.  I didn't really have that much in any of them.  But, I had receipts that had to be filed. 

Now I am sitting here trying to learn how to use my new phone.  I finally caved and have a Blackberry.  So far I am not addicted.  I hope that is how I remain.  I just hate when you see people constantly staring at their phone and reading email.  It's rude and to me people miss what is going on around them at that moment just to look at the screen to see they have yet another email that is probably spam.

We had a nice family day.  The weather today reminded me of the Sunday's that we use to go to my grandmother's for Sunday dinners.  It was always so much fun to go to my grandmother's house when I was little.  I miss those Sundays.  I wish that the family that lives here in Colorado would do dinners like that.  My husband has requested for years that his parents do Sunday dinners.  But, they are retired and are usually away on the weekends.  So we do Sunday dinners at our house. Which are kind of quiet since there are only three of us.  Or we will have friends over which is such a blast.  I just love Sundays!  

Lately though I do wonder are weekends supposed to be for relaxation?  Or are they for catching up on work?  When I have an event it's typically on the weekend.  So obviously that is a work weekend.  But, it seems like even when I don't have an event I am working just as hard.  Just minus guests. 

I am really excited for the work week to begin.  I have super cute custom invites being made for a party we are hosting in a month.  I can't wait to see them!  Even all these years later putting together an invitation is still really exciting for me.  I've hosted more parties than I can count.  I've planned three times that number for clients.  And every single time it's the invite that I can't contain myself over.  It's the first glimpse that a guest gets of the event.  So of course ya gotta make it count!  I hope that this invite will not only please the guests of honor but get their guest list of peeps excited about our little shindig. 

It's going to be a busy week!  But, I'm excited because I have so many things to plan........and I love to plan.

So after living in a house the color of pink mixed with salmon and then a drop of bubble gum we are finally getting our house painted.  If you've been to our house I give directions by saying it's one of the three brown/pink ones in a row.  We are in the middle.

We painted the garage years ago and thought that we had the colors.  HA.  We never finished painting that garage and now we are not only changing those colors but we are not even attempting to do it ourselves.  I don't know why we even tried to do it ourselves to begin with.  Maybe we were tipsy?  Seriously.  I am not sure.

I know this for sure though.  Our house will be three colors.  A dark green.  A cream/white for accent.  And the big accent will be Charleston green.  But, secretly I know people will think it's black. But, only a true Southerner (well a Carolina Southerner) will know it's Charleston Green.

Charleston green is the color made from mixing black paint with yellow.  After the Civil War, the federal government gave paint to the citizens of Charleston (as well as other parts of the South for the reconstruction) and in Charleston they could not bring themselves to use it.  Not only was it black paint that made them think of mourning, but it was also from the Yankees.  Look growing up in the South I knew older people that would say the word Yankee like they were cussing.  Things have definitely changed.

Anyway, they mixed their black paint with yellow making a color that is kind of a green, but it usually looks black to people that are not into decor or history. 

I'm having it mixed and that is my third color.  I know it's not the South in this neighborhood.  And believe you me it's not an old antebellum that we live in.  But, I do feel that it will look good in the neighborhood and make us different from the other two pink/brown houses. 

You know I was thinking being from the South doesn't sometimes make me think of living a green life.  As in a life of recycling and thinking about what happens with trash.  I mean I certainly remember people burning trash.  My parents recycle.  I was the one that got them on that kick.  But, the only time I remember seeing people recycle prior to that was when they were taking their Coca Cola bottle in so they could get a new one. 

In the South we also seem to like our spray paint.  Not for walls of graffiti either.  We like to find things in the attic, or the barn, or in storage as some refer to and make a new use for it.  Wicker is what I think of first.  I don't know anyone that has not spray painted flower pots, wicker chairs, baskets, outdoor furniture, a dresser or bookcase.  In a way I think we justify the spray paint can because after all we are reusing a piece of furniture that has probably been in our family for twenty years or more.  I know I have reused my grandmothers table, chairs, a wicker chair, and a few odds and ends.

I'm not saying it's right.  I'm just sayin'

I'm not the best at being green in my everyday life.  I am trying though.  And though painting my house Charleston green is not considered Earth friendly or saving the environment, I do think it will make me feel more at home.  It will make me not cringe at having to describe our house.  And in the end next time you drive by or come over I just gave you a tiny piece of history!  I'm Southern.  That's what we do.



 

Oh my goodness.

Where to begin?  It was the best Bachelor ending last night ever.  

I will not deny for a second that I never intended to watch the Bachelor this season.  I thought Jason was an emotional train wreck when he was on with Deanna.  I was not impressed.  I didn't care for him and truly thought he would be the dullest Bachelor ever.  WOW.  Was I wrong. 

I knew he was going to pick Melissa due to the power of the internet.  It was predicted months ago.  Yet, I still watched.  I also didn't really think she was the best choice.  She was too young and made reference at times that sounded like she felt she nailed a conversation.  What was it a job interview?

Yes it was if she was trying out for the Bachlorette.

Molly is a bit more grounded.  I like her.  Still young though.

Okay so he proposed to Melissa.  She does the dumbest ever screech.  What was that?  Aside from proving the point that she is young.  Oh and while we are on it, those nails.  Really?  When did acrylic with the wide french tip come back in?  Oh I know.  It didn't.  Also, her pony tails bugged me the whole show.  She and Molly had the same hair the entire show.  Mess ponytail.  But, flat first on the back of the head.  It was a little better for the rose ceremony.

Not so much for Molly though.  She had the same thing going she always did.  Really?  You thought he was going to propose so the purple dress (which was a horrible choice) and the dark liner with the same ole' style was what you went for?  Interesting. 

Melissa's dress looked like a Gary's Bridal.  I didn't like it at all.  The color was good on her.  But, why do they always put such heavy make-up on those girls?  It's really unflattering.  They look as if their make-up was done on top of three days worth of make-up.  

So end of show.  I knew they were not clicking when they were all in the pool as a family (ha ha) and she was jumping on Jason's back and holding on and he was into his son.  Rightly so.  But, I think to have just gotten engaged you would be a bit more into the girl you just gave a free diamond ring to.

It was not even three minutes later when we were watching and he said he made a mistake.  My husband at that moment decided to watch the Bachelor.  Of course the rest of the night he had something to say about Jason constantly crying like a baby.  Which I agree.  He cries more than girls.  Come on Jason.  It's nice to be in touch with your emotions.  But, not so much that you may need horomone replacement.

So Melissa comes out and I was a little surprised to hear her say she thought they were happy.  Really?  Then why didn't you come out and kiss and hug and be all over Jason like you were so happy!?!  Hmmmm

After he dumped her on stage with Chris Harrison sitting there I felt really sorry for her.  I mean who needs that?  But, she was ridiculous with the 'fight' for us.  If the chemistry is off and you have spent that much time together (remember when they use to actually be kept away from one another?  That is odd that they spent the holidays and took two trips together) and the fiance is telling you that they are thinking about someone else........punch them and move on.  Really.  There is not much else to do.  Other than say you will never get this ring off my hand.  Over my cold dead body.  Or by the power of the ABC security guards.  In court it's usually considered a gift.  She should have kept it.

I am sure cheers went up all over the country when she said "Don't call me.  Don't text me.  Leave me alone."  You go girl.  I loved it.  

Okay and how hilarious that Chris Harrison excuses himself to give Melissa and Jason privacy to say good-bye.  Uh huh.  Sure.  Just the two of you, the camera guy, and ten to twenty other people.  And of course the millions of people that will watch this later. 

Fast forward to Molly coming out.  Blah blah.  She thinks of him each day.  What if he did still want me?  I'm not sure b/c this headband is killing me.  

I think Jason in the end did the right thing.  It was GREAT television.  Yes it was the most dramatic Bachelor ever.  About time! 

Maybe they will have a better chance because of this?  I don't know.  If I was Molly I would bring it up like everyday that he didn't pick me first and that I told him he was making the wrong decision.  Bring up how stupid he must feel having it recorded for all the country to see. 

Poor Ty in all of this.  One minute he thinks the girl doing the jumping splits (she was a cheerleader) is going to be his mommy.  Now maybe that chick with the kite skills is going to be his mom.  Maybe the make-up artist or the lighting chick.  Poor thing has no clue at this point.

Tonight is part two.  I can't wait to see what they have to say.  That should be quite interesting.  I wish I could say I don't plan to watch..........but you so know I will be.  I'm counting down the hours now!

Look this is getting very old to me.  Michelle Obama needs a stylist that knows the proper attire for certain occassions.
 
At one time in my life I dated a boy that was on his way to be an Air Force pilot.  One trip home to his uncles house for a proper Southern dinner (with the silver pattern Repousse) and a few comments on how I would be a good military wife and that was all I needed to dive straight into what the protocol of being a military wife was.  I of course didn't really need much of an excuse to read about things like this.  He had made it clear that he was going to be career.  I wanted to know what to expect.  Not everyday life if he was deployed.  No I needed to know the social aspect more so.  Oh law, what if I was on my way to a military ball without gloves when they were required for the occassion?!  I'd rather wear white after Labor day!

The books I found to read were so old.  I found them interesting and useful.  And I find it appalling today that there are wives, girlfriends and mothers that attend ceremonies for their sons, spouses, and family members wearing anything other than a dress.  I can give in on sleeveless.  That use to not be okay.  Now I think as the military becomes more casual these things are not as big of deal. 

Where am I going with this?  Our President is Commander in Chief.  So I hold Michelle Obama to the same protocols as military.  Oh and in fact my friends brother was going to take a new position in DC not so long ago.  His wife Blair went and took a huge etiquette class that the military arranged.  She would have to know how to seat people at dinner.  Which general next to whom.  Things like that.  She has the basics.  Don't drink from the finger bowl.  Fish fork next to dinner fork then the salad fork.  But, it's a huge deal when you get past which fork to use and how to place your knife after cutting your meat.  When I heard she got to take a class with such detail and know how I was jealous.  I would love to take that class. 

Back to Michelle.  She needs to dress for the occassion.  That is all I am saying.  Sleeveless in February for the biggest speech to date that her husband (who is the President) is kind of important.........and not okay.    The color was okay.  She has to die for skin.  It's beautiful.  As was her make-up.  But, the dangly earrings need to be saved for the dance floor and the sleeveless dress with the only accessory other than her ring and the dangles is a watch is not cutting it.  End of story. 

When in doubt it's called the Chanel suit and pearls.  I would love to see her in a tasteful two piece suit.  Jill Biden once again was dressed for the occassion.  You would think that Michelle would be over this by now.  Everyone is chomping at the bit to dress her.  Take advantage Michelle.  Don't delay.  

If she had worn the same outfit to a dinner party then it would have been fine.  But, this was business.  The dress was not a good choice. 

Seriously who is her stylist?  Someone get on this immediately.  We need an intervention at once. 

I'm off to scrub my face and pray for skin like Michelles.  I think her make-up was gorgeous.  Oh and you know what else.....her husband needs to step up with diamond bands to add to her wedding ring.  Nothing huge.  He can afford it.  I'm sure someone would jump to give them to him on the house.  But given that she is now in this spotlight and is being such a great mom and wife he needs to make sure he thanks her.  And at this stage of the game diamonds are the way to go.  But, then again that is how I like to be acknowledged..........so I may not be a good source.

Well, I must say for the first time in perhaps EVER?  Dare I say the show was good.  I liked how they ran through how a movie is made.  For me it was educational.  I also like Hugh Jackman did a good job.  It wasn't a side splitting show with laughter for me.   But, I enjoyed it.  I also enjoyed watching it via the beauty of Tivo.  Why in the world did it take us so long to get that service?  

It was a good night.  And a not so good night for some.  Where to begin?

First I want to say I know I have read way too many posts on DListed when I see Sarah Jessica Parker and my first words to my husband are "Oh look there is My Pretty Pony Parker."  Who did her hair?  I looked terrible.  I also thought the dress made her look like she had implants.  She needs to get back to her Garnier red hair and a softer look.  It was harsh last night and didn't look as stunning as she probably wanted to look.  I felt like I was watching the Fairy Godmother in Wizard of Oz......or what was her name?  Glenda the Good Witch.  I'm so sure she used her powers for good though last night. 

 

Secondly,  I didn't know who this was presenting last night.  It was Alicia Keyes?  Seriously? She looked beautiful.  But, she didn't even look like herself.  Did she have something done?  Not loving the dress.  But, it was a great color on her and the cut was interesting.  Almost too prom in my opinion. 



Kate Winslet won big last night.  The dress was pretty.  But is this the new thing everyone is doing now?  The one strap draped tapered with lace look?  It seems like there was a lot of it going on last night.  It was a great cut on her.  I like that she is thin and healthy.  I am so sick of stick figures. 


If only Penelope Cruz had done something with herself!  She always looks amazing.  So this is no surprise at all.  The dress is gorgeous.  It does have a hint of wedding to it.  I could see someone wearing this.  Also, notice she isn't spilling over in the chest.  Proper fit.  What a concept!

Not loving Meryl Streeps dress.  But, thank the Lord that she didn't come back out in a white blouse and big ole necklace like a few years ago.  She will never be a fashionista.  I think she is okay with that.  Meanwhile Sophia Loren looked nice.  I think for her age the dress worked.  If that dress had been on anyone else it would be a huge no.  But, she is what 70 now?  Probably closer to 80 than we think.  She looks really great for age.  So I can't be rude about her dress choice.  I think the sleeves helped hide her arms.  When women get older their arms, hands and necks show the signs.  Notice the necklace helping this out?

Marissa looked amazing!  You know I felt bad she didn't win.  But, then who knew she would win for My Cousin Vinny over The Wrestler?  I love this dress on her.  She looked perfect. 


Anne Hathaway has had a rough year.  But, she showed up on the red carpet with one of the better dresses.  I didn't however love the lipstick she had on.  Her make-up wasn't doing it for me.  Probably because they kept placing the camera on her last night and it was just too close.  From the photo below she looks perfect.  The camera should have backed off.  I don't need to see eyeliner that close up!
 

 I love Heidi Klum.  I think she always has one of the best dresses.  I loved her dress color last night.  I did not like the dyeable shoes from Pic N Pay though.  Nude/tan.  That's all she needed.  When you notice the shoes that much it's never a good thing.  It reminds me of prom.


Okay one of my faves...........Taraji!  I love the layers.  I love the feminine look to it.  I love it all.  Jewelry.  Hair.  It was probably the best one on the carpet.  I would wear this in a second.  I want to get married again and have this.  No veil obviously.  I just think it's stunning.

Viola Davis looked so pretty.  I think the color was perfect for her.  She had me crying when they were talking about her performance.  By the way loved how they did that.  Bringing back past winners.  It was so lovely and I would imagine that it would be an honor to have someone that is such an accomplished actress talk about you.  Of course poor Nicole Kidman got stuck with Gelina. 

Melissa Leo...what the heck is this?  Well, we are supposedly in a recession (I say supposedly since it seems like vendors are not in a hurry to book clients these days).  I guess at times like this we should recycle.  Perhaps Melissa tore down drapes like Scarlett and had her dress made?  It certainly looks like it.  And that cut across the hips.  Oh puhlease.  Is it 1988? 




Freida Pinto is adorable.  So far her dresses had all been amazing.  This one didn't do it for me.  I loved it at first.  Then it was like the longer I looked at it the more I didn't.  The twist at the neck I loved.  But the sleeve added with it not so much.  But alone I think it would have been too mermaid.

 I kind of felt like Miley last night was getting in a few digs at her mother on the red carpet.  Why?  Because her mothers dress was amazing.  Her dress looked like something from the costume department at Disney.  If this Hannah Montana thing doesn't work out she can always go and sing and dance on stage at the Magic Kingdom with this ensemble.  It was just ugly.  But her mama needs to gain control of her daughter.  Does she not know about Britney?  Come on.  16 year old girls dont need their 20 year old hot model boyfriends living with them.  They were way too nice to her on the carpet.  I would have totally asked about. 


Look it's Carson from Shag..........I wonder how Buzz Ravenel is?  Phoebe Cates is still looking the exact same as she did in her 20's.  I love her.  I don't love the dress though.   The bag was too Cache for me. 



And speaking of Shag alumni.............Bridgette Fonda she have been dismissed from the carpet.  Did she get that dress at Dress Barn?  Even the necklace looks like something you find in the clearance bin at Ann Taylor Loft outlet mall store. 



Dear Academy I would like to take this time to tell you that my eyes are bleeding from having to see Beyonce ruin yet another show.  She ruins everything.  Stop making movies!  When Etta James is ticked off at you that is only the beginning of your problems.  Go back to singing and doing your Amex commercials.  Keep it simple.  I don't want to see another performance of her in anything that shows skin from the neck down or the knee up.  I don't want to see her thighs.  We get it.  You like to sing and dance and perform.  You are all about Beyonce.  Someone just give her a dang Oscar so she will go away.  

Also, stop letting your mother dress you Beyonce.  What is this crap you had on?  It reminds me of a couch you would see in a lounge of a club in the 80s.  It was ugly.  It was boring.  It was not worth air time. 



I have been saying for a month now that I thnk Reese is expecting.  I am wrong.........but not as wrong as this dress mess she had on last night.  So not pretty.  She is usually a top ten for these types of things.  I wonder if Ryan got custody of the stylist when they divorced.



Virgina Madsen......maybe next year.  This was not a hit for you.


Nicole Kidman looked the same.and my huband pointed that out.  Kind of funny.  She always looks the same.  She looked lovely.  But, I wish she had some how worked the words biotch and husband stealer into her speech about Gelina.

I admit Gelina always looks good no matter what.  I think she is stunning.  I just can't stand her though.  Homewrecker. 

Her dress was okay.  I didn't think it was anything that was that memorable.  By the way Brad's pants were too long.  He looked the same.  And did he have a ring on with diamonds?  ewwwwww.

If Gelinas dress had been a different color and she kept that jewelry I think it would have been something to talk about.  Now for sitting the dress and look worked.  And we obviously saw her sitting a lot.  The camera guy was on her every five minutes.  She had her game face on.  She looked worried when Hugh Jackman started talking about her and Brad.  I half expected to see him peel off his tux with a Team Jen shirt under it.  Or at the very least mention that she could adopt him.  But nooooooooooooo.  It was all sweetie pie lovie dovie.

I was not as impressed with Jen as I wanted to be.  But, after a cup of coffee this morning I am actually loving her dress much more.

I didn't really love the hair........but the color was good.  The make-up was amazing.  Her shoes looked good.  She looked GREAT.   To be honest for being older than Gelina....she looks younger.  She's so cute and everyone loves her.  Everyone is afraid of Gelina.  
She can do better than JM.  Just my opinion.  She needed a hotter date.  I would have rather seen her with Robert Redford (because he's good looking even more so now) only because that would have been the talk of the town as well as killing Brad.  Brad seems like he is always trying to smooch RR's rear end.  So that would be enjoyable to see Jen mocking him across the room while on the arm of RR. 

It was a good show.  There was not the cat fight I had wanted.  I wish that Jen had waved to Gelina.  That would have been awesome!  Or blown a kiss to her.  

Also, can we talk about the lack of affection between Brad and Gelina when they knew it was gong to be on screen?  Hmmmmmmmmmmmm  Kind of interesting.  I think Gelina would have been all over Brad if given the chance last night.  But, he seemed stand offish with her.  Only on screen though.  I did see some of them walking through the theater looking chummie.  You know Gelina just wanted to spread it on thick in hopes that Jen would see.  Honestly I probably would too if I were her.  But, I still don't like her and hands down Jen won this round.

 

I think you know.

Will Jen meet up with Gelina on the carpet?  OH I HOPE SO.  I am waiting with anticipation.  I first think Jen better be at home right now in rollers and starving off water and food.  It's a little trick you do when you want to look super thin.  You stop all fluids 24 hours prior.  That makes your body apparently become tighter.  Or something.  It's what they do in those body building shows.  Then the next day when they eat a real meal they nearly pass out from eating one potato chip because it's too many carbs at once.  I'm not saying I support this.  But, Jen needs to bring it tonight is all I'm sayin'. Whatever it takes.  I guarantee that Gelina is all over Brad tonight like white on rice.  I would kill for her to repeat the red carpet walk she did with Billy Bob the year that they apparently had been getting it on in the limo. 

I only wish Jen would have her BFF there to throw dagger eyes at her.  Or to be the most popular girls in the room where everyone is oh so charmed to see them and reminded of why to stay away from the Gelina show.  As I've said before you know that when Gelina is near that every woman in the room wants to know where her husband, boyfriend, hairdresser, gay best friend or girlfriend for that matter is.  With Gelina you can never play it safe. 

Apparently they are really going to see one another at a pre-Oscar bash where I doubt any cameras will capture the moment.  Let me tell you this.  Gelina doesn't deserve the courtesy of a hello and neither does that twit Brad.  If I had to meet and greet with her I'd say "Wow your tattoos really are as tacky as they look when photographed.  I thought so.  But, on you they seem fitting."  Then I'd toss in the kiss of death with a Bless your heart.  Or really just sell Brad down the river and talk about how boring he can be in bed.  If Gelina thought for a second she had used goods that nobody wanted he would find himself locked out at the end of this evening.

I've been thinking a lot about the whole Gelina clan lately and the recent mother in California with her obvious draw to be the next Gelina.

My mom said on Friday when talking about the Octuplets and their Gelina fan of a mama, that she didn't think the babies would probably even go home with her.  I didn't realize that could be the case or even one of the possibilities.  We started talking about what if they are adopted.  My mom (and I agree) said it would be sad to seperate all eight babies since they are brothers and sisters.  Who after all can adopt eight?

WHO?

I'll tell you who.........Jennifer Aniston.  This is just the Hollywood twist needed in the warped story.  Since the mother used money to look like Gelina and tried to get in touch with her on occassion to say how much she admired her, can you imagine if Jen A could adopt all eight babies?  It would be such a saving grace for those children.  Jennifer can afford to raise that many children.  I know this is far fetched......but indulge me

Not only would she once again prove to be America's sweetheart she would have two upped so to speak Gelina.  Now she would have kids that finally would get to live in Malibu (sorry Maddox and crew you got screwed when you thought you were going to live a life of luxury).  Whenever Gelina sees fit she drags those poor children back to a third world country in the middle of a school year.  I mean, don't you just know field day is just around the corner when Gelina packs Maddox off for a week or two for her photo ops.  I know they have nannies and tutors but come on.  Don't you remember how fun it was when the book fair or a play was going on at school?  You know good and well at that age you didn't know the difference of flying a private jet and flying coach or flying at all for that matter. But, you knew how much fun it was to sit in music class and get to play the triangle. 

If Jen adopted these bambinos I guarantee that Brad would suddenly be a bit worried that he left for the wrong soccer team.  To add insult to injury I bet Brad's mama would be over helping Jen in a heartbeat too.

Of course this would force Gelina to get another adoption rolling rather quickly and I don't think that is a good thing in the least bit.  I have one child and don't know how to give her enough attention sometimes in my opinion.  how the heck do people do it with six, eight, ten, or more?  

I hate that Jen may be walking the red carpet with John Mayer.  But, let's hope he is on best behavior.  If Vince Vaughn still looked like he did in Swingers he would be the better choice.  He's more interesting and tad bit more fun.  I am not that into the Oscars this year.  I haven't seen any of the movies.  But, the meeting on the floor and the the possible presentation from Jen with the obvious panning to Gelina and her minion watching on has me tivoing. 

Okay gotta run.  It's family day here and we have a hike to get to.  Then I am making an Oscar themed meal.  Only I don't know what that is yet!  But, we are having champage.  It's Sunday and we always have champagne. 
 

Look for tomorrows fifth annual review on what everyone wore. 

Cheers!

I am just a little frustrated today because there is this one photographer that I have done everything but drive to their studio and spray paint across the front of their studio that I NEED PHOTOS of the clients wedding that I did three years ago.

What this photographer really doesn't get is that she will never get business from me.  Ever.  Because if I have to beg for photos (and even the bride has emailed her and called her to try to get a response on a few things) then why would I ever send a client to her.  I don't want my clients to have to suffer after the wedding when dealing with photos.

This week James Christianson sent me a disk of photos from a wedding we did in Bozeman.  I usually just get them via email.  So it was a nice surprise when I received the disk in the mail and saw a hand written note on his cards.  It reminded me once again why I like his work.  Even after the photos are taken, he still is doing a good job.  I thought how nice it must be for clients to receive the same items in the mail.  That is what is important to me.  I want my clients taken care of. 

I have never had such a hard time getting photos in my life.  I am just shocked because this is also a photographer that a lot of brides have raved about on chat boards like something called the K-n-o-t.  I know only after doing a google to see if perhaps this photographer had something happen to her.  Nope.  At least not that I can find.

Everyday I feel like I learn more about my job.  What to do and not to do.  Another tip of how I want my clients to feel thru the process of wedding planning and beyond.  I know as a old married woman now myself, that I can call my photographer from our wedding (Greg Harring) and he will respond within minutes or hours.  I email him for photos a lot in fact from past clients weddings and he is always really fast with getting them to me.  It's the best!  Again I know he does that for my clients and that makes me happy as a coordinator.  It's my job to find the perfect vendors for my clients.  So I like when I know that they are getting the same service I do. 

I usually don't talk about vendors on my blog because I think it's a fine line.  But, today I think it's worth mentioning.  I love a good vendor!  Not just for their talent and skills but for their customer service as well!

jameschristianson.com
gregharring.com

It's nice to know that the clients were happy.......and to hear about their fabulous honeymoon.  It was like a month long trip!  It sounded divine.  I have a month of traveling ahead of me and none of it is pleasure as much as it is work.  But, since I have such a fun job I guess it actually is pleasure!  See how that works?  It's fabulous!!!!!!

Bozeman 2008

 

She knows who she is.........

 

I love that today is a holiday and that my husband is home (although working.)  We just got back from a two hour walk with the Priss Pot.  We started to do a tour to the north of our house.  I quickly reminded my husband that daylight doesn't keep us from being robbed.  I shouldn't be so negative about the streets that are past Manuel High School.  But it is difficult when you see some of the people in action.

We ended up heading towards 17th and had a bite to eat on the patio of St. Mark's.  The weather is gorgeous!  It's just fun to spend time with family.  Walking around our neighborhood and not only remember when a house was a total dump (now being fixed up) but to walk thru the neighborhood and meet and greet with a ton of people.

We decided to come around the block on our way home to see what is going on with the duplex.  The last person to live there just moved out Saturday.  They are getting ready to do a 150% make over.  Which is really awesome because they are not building up which has been our fear for years.  It seems like everyone pops the top on anything that is only one story.  I don't know why I thought to ask one of the owners when we were chatting, but I checked to see if hey were keeping their claw foot tubs.  He said yes.  And I asked if he had all of them.  They are missing one!  Hooray!  I told him we had one ready to go in the back yard.  For the record it's on the side of the garage hidden away.  I bet that our tub actually came from their place.   He gave us an offer and we will gladly take it.  I want that thing out of our yard.  I just never wanted to toss it because it's an antique for the most part. 

So in an odd way it was a productive day!

Now I need to get ready to talk shop for a meeting tomorrow with a friend.  I'm so excited to hear what her vision is for the big day. 

I always think a night in with good wine and food is the way to spend Valentine's day.  We will some what be doing that.  We are doing lunch this year and I am really excited about going out for the day instead of night for some reason.  I wouldn't be this excited if it wasn't for having all the plans taken care of by my husband and having a fabulous sitter.  Oh my gawd I wish she would give up her higher education and just be our nanny for life.  I seriously wouldn't be able to do my job without her.  She is the best.  Caroline just went down for her nap and my husband was telling her that the sitter would be here when she woke up.  She actually squealed.  It makes going out ten times better when you know your child will be home having a good day as well.

Since it's going to be super chilly willy tonight (16 degrees!)  A night in sounds pretty good to me.  On Valentine's day I think fondue is the best meal ever invented.  I'll include my two favorite recipes.  All you need to do is add a side salad and a bottle of champagne or wine or both and viola!  Happy Valentine's Day!

I think there is a lot of pressure on everyone for this day.  I've never been a fan of that.  But, it is nice to have a day where people take time to say I love you with chocolate and flowers.  Who doesn't like that?

CHEESE FONDUE
 

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 1/4 cups thinly sliced shallots (about 6 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 1/2 cups (or more) dry white wine
• 14 ounces grated Gruy(re cheese (about 3 1/2 cups packed)
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1 sourdough baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes
• apple, sliced
• red potatoes, boliled, sliced
• whatever you can think of.......

Melt butter in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add sliced shallots and sauté 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low; sprinkle shallots with sugar, salt and pepper. Sauté until shallots are caramelized, about 15 minutes. Transfer shallots to small bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups wine to skillet; boil 1 minute.

Pour wine into heavy medium saucepan; set over medium-low heat. Toss cheese with flour in medium bowl to coat. Add half of caramelized shallots to wine; add cheese mixture by handfuls, stirring until cheese melts and is smooth before adding more. Thin with more wine if mixture is too thick. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer cheese mixture to fondue pot. Set pot over candle or canned heat burner. Top fondue with remaining caramelized shallots. Serve with bread cubes.

I think pretty much anything goes with fondue.  If you want more veggies then make sure they are blanched.  You don't really want raw veggies to snack on with hot cheese in my opinion.  I went to a fondue party where the hostess had this awesome chicken & apple sausage.  That could be super yummy and filling.  But, on Valentine's day do you really want to be grossly full?  

CHOCOLATE FONDUE

• 1 15-ounce can sweetened cream of coconut (such as Coco López)
• 12 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup whipping cream
• 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract

• Assorted fresh fruit (such as whole strawberries, 1-inch-thick slices banana, 1-inch cubes peeled cored pineapple, and tangerine segments)

Combine sweetened cream of coconut and 12 ounces chocolate in heavy large saucepan. Stir mixture over very low heat until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Stir in whipping cream and extract. (Fondue can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover; store at room temperature. Stir over low heat to rewarm before serving.)

Transfer mixture to fondue pot. Place over candle or canned heat burner. Serve with fruit for dipping

Tomorrow instead of dinner we are doing lunch.  My how times have changed.  I actually am not a huge fan of going on out Valentine's day.  It's like a cattle call for all the people that never go out the rest of the year.  It reminds me of going out on Mother's day.  Which I am also not a fan of at all.  I especially hate the big buffet places on Mother's day.  

Tomorrow there are going to be so many people getting engaged.  You can set your watch by it.  I thought for certain I was getting engaged on the 14th of Feb myself a few years ago.  Of course I didn't.  And the evening didn't end so well for my now husband.  It was a week later....and a painful one at that I'm sure for my husband.  I truly thought for a week that we were never going to get married and I was trying to figure what to do.  It turned out the ring was still being set and had to be insured.  It's a whole routine which I wasn't aware of.  Luckily my husband didn't want to take it prior to being insured because when he proposed it almost fell in the snow and we never would have found it. 

Nine months later we got married.  I didn't want to have a very long engagement.  I had hoped to get married within six months.  But, it didn't work out between venue, our priests, and the time of year.  Oddly enough if we had gotten married on the date we had picked first we would have been in a hurricane type weather pattern.  The tent for our rehearsal dinner would have flown away like it did for the poor bride and groom who had their wedding reception under it.  I have always felt so bad for them after hearing that story.  I hope they have at least been able to go back and enjoy the club and beach and laugh about.

I always tell all of my brides the same thing.  Go with your gut.  And just enjoy whatever happens.  You can't control everything.  That is what your wedding planner is for!  If one vendor doesn't work out then move on.  There is another one for you.  If the unthinkable occurs laugh about it. 

There was one bride who lost a cake on her wedding day.  As in the cake fell while the couple was cutting into it.  She had two photographers and they captured the entire cake falling and the reactions of the people around the couple.  The brides father can be seen trying to catch the cake then he is of course quickly covered from wrist to elbow in white cake with raspberry filling and buttercream.  The bride said she was okay not having cake.  She had plenty in her tastings.  She said the photos were priceless and they were her favorite  from that day.  It reminded her of how her father was always trying to take care of everything for her and her sisters.  She actually picked those over the ones of her father walking her down the aisle when it came time to do her album. 

I hope tomorrow is a very happy day for a lot of couples!  And I am certainly looking forward to the phone calls of possible clients to be that come the week after.  It's always fun to hear how the question was asked!

 

My Grandmother will probably live to be at least 110.  We are all taking bets.  She is a very quiet woman.  She never drank, smoked or even ate fast food that I know of.  She lived a very clean healthy life.   It must have paid off.  I don't even think she drinks coffee!  I never smoked.  And I don't really eat fast food.  I've had to give in on a road trip to Kansas before.  Otherwise I am against fast food with all of my being.  But coffee and alcohol I can't even dare to pretend that I never have had any.  Coffee is what I need just to get out of bed most days.  How sad is that?

And well alcohol.......I'd take a bath in champagne if I could.  I love it.  I also never thought I would say this but since having a baby I can't really drink wine like I use to.  And I don't mind.  Who knew!

We are having the ultimate birthday party in 2010 for my Grandmother.  Surprisingly and thankfully I am staying out of that planning.  My mom and her sisters are doing all of it.  HOORAY!  All I have to do is show up.  Since there is major travel involved with one child right now that is all I need to plan for. 

This year we are all going to be caught up in the idea of attending a 100 year birthday party more than anything.  It's kind of crazy to think that someone we are related to is that healthy.....and of  course we are all thinking the same thing but don't want to say it out loud (only I will b/c you know my track record on saying what others are thinking) We are all wondering if we too will live to be as old as Grandma.  Sometimes I hope so.  Sometimes I don't.  But, today I am hoping so.  Only if I can still drive, live on my own, and shop for cute clothes.  I wouldn't want blue hair and bad shoes.  Tacky shoes?  I might as well be resting in peace at the age of 100 then.  That's all I'm sayin.

Oh please.

There is no way he is going to marry any of the girls that are left after tonights show.

I don't know who the stylist was for that rose ceremony.  Was it prom night?  Stephanie was the only one in a gown.  The dresses were all short and seemed to be some type of cheap polyester.

Naomi with the top that showed her tattoo.   Then the black pencil skirt.  Was she on her way to work or to a cocktail party?  It just didn't show well on camera.

Stephanie.   Bless her botox heart.  She was crying and you couldn't tell!  Plus, between the hair and make-up I kept thinking she was closer to 45 than 35! 

All of the girls seem to have one thing in common (besides Jill.)  Over waxed eyebrows.  What's up?

The hair looked like they had been at the pool all day and had only a half hour to get ready.  Again Jill was not in that category.

In fact Jill was the only one that looked good in my opinion.

I said I was not going to watch this season.   Clearly I lied.  I can't help myself.  It's just another train wreck each week!  I don't think he'll find love.  I don't even understand why he is doing the show.  Surely he can meet someone on his own.  If you don't want to introduce your son to a woman that you barely know, then why would you do that show?  

His house (if that was really his house) was precious.  I loved it. 

I can't wait for next week.  It looks like Naomi's mom is going to bring crazy as her side dish.  And of course Melissa will only have her crew of friends to convince Jason that she is a good catch.  I don't blame her parents for not inviting the cameras into their home.  But, at least meet Jason for coffee on the DL so you can size him up and so that he can see if crazy runs on both sides.  It's only fair!

Evey year Martha Stewart has those fabulous little ideas for Valentine's day.  Usually she has a floral arrangement around tulips for that blessed day of celebrating cupid and his little arrow.  I didn't see one this year though in her magazine.  I may have just missed it.  

I saw tulips today at the grocery store and thought I would grab a few and do a quick arrangement.  My latest quick arrangement has been getting one bunch (which in florist talk means ten) and cutting the stems down pretty short.  Making sure to remove all the leaves then placing in a glass votive holder.  See photo below:

 

I did skip using floral glue which honestly I shouldn't have.  Most people do not have floral glue on hand. So that is why I skipped it.  However it is pretty easy to find at a hobby store typically. 
 

Before you go any further do something I didn't do today.  Soak your oasis asap.  Cut it into the shape you need and either place in a sink full of water or place in your container and fill with water and leave to soak for at least a half hour.

For my container I ended up using my grandmothers milk glass sugar bowl.  I thought I was going to use the glass containter that you see in the photo, but since I didn't have anything to hide the oasis I decided to search my house for something.  It was either the milk glass or a Wedgewood vase.  I liked this the best. Keep in mind when you do a floral arrangement for yourself, you don't have to use a vase.  If I had not found this and if I had not had a sentimental moment thinking about my grandmother, then I was going to go out to the recycling bin and pull out a tin can.  To make the can look prettier I was either going to tie a ribbon on it.  Or do a piece of heavy cardstock in white with a heart cut out of a paper doily stuck to it.  Or I was going to make a monogram.  HA! 

I actually just took the flowers and rolled them between my hands until I had meshed it into one solid flower.  You can't be afraid to touch the bloom of a flower.  If you mess one up you always have an extra one and if you don't it's not the end of the world.  But, flowers go thru a lot before they arrive to you.  So just keep that in mind.  You can twist, shape, bend them into place more so than you really think.

You are just going to braid the stems.  Don't be afraid.  You rarely break a stem.........

Famous last words. I did break one.  But, for the record I knew it was b/c the entire flower was suspect to begin with.  Plus, I wanted to show that it happens and you don't have to give up and forget about doing it all together.

Cut on an angle so that you can get it down into the oasis a bit easier.

I'm not going to lie.  Sticking this thing into the oasis was work today.  For one the oasis wasn't soaking long enough.  In a perfect world I would have left it soaking for at least a half hour.  Today five minutes was my limit.  I ended up taking the scissors and making a nice hole in the center for the tupli stems to go into.  If I had not done that I would have broken them. 

If I did this again later today with my extra flowers I would soak the oasis longer.  The oasis when you all the flowers to go in on their own, will actually protect them and keep them in a stiffer position. 

I also have to say if the glue had been used the braid would be much tighter .  So I would use that in the future too.  I am kind of anxious to see how this looks in a few days though.  It could come out of the braid and look cool.  Or look like a hot mess.

 

I wish I had lemon or galax leaves today.  I would have used these at the base of the tulips in addition to the roses.  But, I liked the roses alone just as much.  I am not a big 'filler' person when it comes to flowers.  I think it takes away from the beauty of the flowers at times.

If you don't cut the roses on an angle you will end up having a really hard time getting them into the oasis.  Sometimes a good way to cheat with the oasis is to stick a toothpick in first them jab the stem in.  It will work easier for you if you are still timid about breaking a flower.  I love roses because they hide all imperfections when used this way.  Plus, if you use heads of roses in different stages from bud to partially or fully open, the look of the arrangement will change on you daily as you enjoy it.

Now to find the right spot in the house to enjoy it. 

You can use this arrangement in so many ways.  With different colors it could work for any occassion.  If I had a baby shower to host I would do the inner workings of this in a vase that I didn't care about.  Then hide that in a larger glass vase, and fill around it with jelly beans.  Or do the same thing with Valentine candy hearts.  I think you could do this in a clay pot that had been painted and perhaps let a child write their name on it or do their hand print and give to a teacher or grandparent.  You could do smaller versions of these and use as a placecard on a luncheon table. 

You can use just about anything for a filler.  Even more tulips. 

I love flowers.  I love coming up with something different.  I don't think I come up with anything earth shattering.  I look to Paige Eden for that at the Wynn.  But, flowers make me happy and I think anytime you can share even a simple little arrangement with someone that you have brightened their day!

 

I get so many calls for green weddings.  I think Colorado brides are definitely into green weddings more so than other parts of the country.  Not as a color scheme,  obviously.  Brides and grooms are concerned with being ecofriendly.  A lot of times being eco-friendly just means getting rid of the extra cha cha that helps push a bride and groom over their budget.

I am in my own category as a planner that I personally think that the recession is helping brides and grooms to get rid of certain aspects of their weddngs that I have felt for years has added too much stress.  Out of town baskets that become more than water, snacks and a note.  Lavish brunches (which include another map, note, invite, and sometimes new linens, plastic ware, water bottles, new flowers.)  I am not suggesting not to have these things.  I think rather keeping things simple and tasteful not only keeps stress down, but keeps the budget balanced and at the same time is kind to our planet.

What does eco-friendly mean?  Basically just being kind to mother nature.  My rule of thumb is if it's not natural......it's not your best option.  At the same time I try to weigh a choice out.  Some items are obvious.  Some are going to be up for debate.  Have a baby and find out that you will forever debate cloth diapers to disposable. 

Invites:
Some of the first items to choose for a wedding are invites.  As much as I love a heavy cardstock with engraving in black/gray it's not really the best choice for the environment.  Added ribbon and tissue can also be considered less than earth friendly.  Your best bet is to find someone that makes handmade invites.  You don't want the invite to come off looking cheap or super tacky.  I once received an invite on recycled paper that was this horrible color of an electric blue.  I don't even know if that color can describe it.  It was heinous.  Thankfully there was nothing at the wedding that color.  I am not kidding you that I went to the wedding just to see if they used that color.  I hung it on my fridge for everyone to see and I actually had a client who later said that she caught a glimpse of the invite and thought I had picked it out.  She said she was worried that my taste was not what she had paid for!  HA!  Find a paper supplier that uses recycled paper obviously. 

Some would just automatically suggest an e-vite type wedding invite.  I think not.  It's your wedding.  Not a night of bowling with your friends.  E-vites are NEVER okay for a wedding.  Again.  E-vites are NEVER okay for a WEDDING. 

Transportation:
I like when clients have guests (and this is obviously a destination wedding plus) that all choose the same lodging.  One or two hotels at most.  Then we can arrange for a car service/bus service to pick up guests.  We usually do shuttles for mountain weddings due to guests drinking and usually being out of state and not knowing the roads.  It's a great way to let guests enjoy themselves.  But, it's also friendly to the environment when we don't have fifty cars coming and going and can just have a shuttle that runs every few hours.

Let your guests know what green means to you:
Now that is not to say that you need a big screen and a dvd playing continuous of Al Gore and the inconvenient truth.  Instead keep it subtle but fun.  Instead of plastic water bottles why not have glass water bottles?  You can buy them.  You can personalize them.  Adults can surely handle a glass water bottle.  It's going to make a guest stop and take notice when they pick up a glass water bottle.  Also now you can buy them to reuse.  So that can double as a favor!

Pick in season items:
Picking flowers that are in season for your area is one of the smartest choices for staying on budget and for being kind to mother nature.  I went to a seminar on green weddings and the speaker (who was very earthy and truly was not excited to see me when I walked in with my Chanel sunglasses, Starbucks cup and a small spray bottle of Evian to hydrate with) suggested that brides, grooms, planners had friends and family grow flowers for the wedding/event.  Ummmm yeah.  We live in Colorado where you never know if it's going to be sunny, snowy or a blizzard.  I've had roses blooming in September when they should have bloomed in May.  It's very hard to depend on flowers in Colorado.  In other parts of the country I think you could do this.  If you do that in the midwest you have to be prepared to go without.  It is a sweet idea though.
 

There are so many ways to be green for a wedding.  I like the challenge of planning a totally green wedding for my clients.  I think this is the perfect time to think green with everyone trying to cut back on their guest lists and over all plans. 

Well, it's been said that this chicka may be getting hitched again.  Oh if only she can find time to write yet another book that I can have clients hire me to replicate.  Given this outfit and what's been going on with J.Simpson I have a feeling her next wedding will be less Mindy Weiss and more.......what's the word?  Common? 

My friend Jennifer went to see Rascal Flats on Saturday evening in Charleston.  She said that JS was the opening act.  Apparently Jennifer, her hubby and friends had amazing seats.  3rd row.  But, they were too good to show up early enough to see the hot mess that JS had going on.  Jennifer said the eye makeup was terrible.  And she had a dress on that was in her opinion (and mind) not the right choice for walking around on a stage that is hovering over heads.  She also noticed that she was wearing shoes from her collection but again she didn't feel they went with the outfit.  What's really funny is that Jennifer really wasn't taking survey of the show.  She was leaving the stage as they got there.  I've taught her well!

When she reported that outfit and the make-up I said I would definitely post a photo from Sunday of JS.  I don't think she even wiped off her make-up from the night before since it sounded much the same. 

This is just wrong.  I know her mom did not help pick this out.





If this is what she is picking for her on stage look........

Then I feel pretty confident that her next wedding dress will not be a Vera Wang:



We'll be looking at a Vera Wrong.

When JS has given interviews lately I've heard her say that she loves Tony b/c he lets her be herself.  It's good to be yourself in a relationship.  I had a feeling all along this was who she was.  But, I think her inner fashion self was much better with Nick.  I'm just sayin.  

Either way I am anxious to see if she does have a wedding this year.  I hope it's a big ole' Texas wedding.  Texas weddings are my favorite!!!!!  That is a theme in it's own.  Texas. 
 

Now more than ever in planning a wedding or event there are more risks in my opinion.  With restaurants and retail stores closing daily brides and grooms have to plan ahead.

Just last week I myself had a few minutes to spare so I thought I would run over to Cherry Creek to see if I could find something for my daughter.  The store I planned to visit was gone!  I didn't even see it go out of business.  I don't remember seeing a huge sale with those tacky posters announcing it was closing shop.

Imagine now that is a bridal shop.  You've been for your last fitting and now only have to pick it up.  You show up on Thursday before your wedding only to see that there is a closed sign on the door.  It's happened in Colorado.  It was only a few years ago that there was a line of women standing outside a shop near Westminster looking for answers. 

I've had venues go out of business months before an event.  I've also had a venue burn down only a few weeks before an event. 

Insurance for your wedding or event is something that you can't afford NOT to splurge on. 

Here are a few links: 

www.wedsafe.com
www.protectmywedding.com
www.onedayevent.com

You would be surprised how cheap it is to cover an event.  I think the most I have seen my clients spend yet is $250.00 that covered their liquor license, cancelation at the very last minute and covered three million dollars. 

Keep it in mind for your upcoming event.  You'll be so glad you did if there is a vendor that suddenly closes shop. 

I know I am supposed to praise Michelle Obama here.  But, I'm not there on this dress from last night.  I think the people that are raving are really the people that are so excited for change that they just automatically want to claim she was the fashionista last night.  It reminds me of when you go to a bridal shop and there is the girl in the dress that is strapless and five times too small for her and the least flattering and all her aunts along with her mother are crying and proclaiming she looks stunning and gorgeous and when you find out the back story they were all worried she would never get married so they are just happy to see her in a wedding dress period.  

I loved Michelle Obamas dress.  I really did.  It was a perfect color.  Loved the cut.  Loved the one strap.  Loved it.

Just not for her.  When I first saw her in it, I thought I was watching a camera shot of her being taped off of a screen.  Because she looked so oddly shaped.  Michelle has some junk in the trunk.  Not bad.  But she has some booty.  The dress showed that off.  I think if the dress had been strapless and let out around the waist and shorter it would have been more flattering and she would have owned the stage last night.  She still did own it because she is now the First Lady.  

The funny thing once I had totally redesigned it in my mind, that was when I saw Jill Biden and thought Uh oh.  Jill either knows what looks good on her.  Or she has a great stylist.  But, her dress was perfect.  I felt bad that Michelle had to keep picking up her skirt and move it.  It wasn't good for dancing.  And let me just comment on their dancing.  My husband and I had better moves than they did last night.  That totally bugged me when they were doing the dragging of feet dancing last night.  I found it charming later in the night when they were on their 7th dance.  But, for the first few.  I don't think so.  I remember Bush having such issue with dancing his 1st go around.  I was embaressed because I thought it was such a slap in the face to his wife in some regards.  Last night I was expecting a good show.  Nope.  They were dancing like we did at our first junior high dance.  And believe me it wasn't anything to brag about.

I loved Michelles shoes, jewelry.  The hair though?  I was surprised.  It was the same.  

I felt tired watching them though.  They looked exhausted.  I would have been. 

The designer of her dress Jason Wu did the dress for my mother of the bride this past summer.  It was pretty exciting to see his name last night.  He does some gorgeous dresses.  This one was obviously a hit.  Again I liked it.  I just didn't think it was perfect for her.  It was not a train wreck or anything. 

I think that Michelle is still not completely comfortable in her new role.  That was kind of easy to see in my opinion.  I think she will be there sooner than later.  But, I think she knows all eyes are on her.  She is not just another First Lady.  Let's face it. 

I can't wait to see what she is wearing to church today and if it will be the same outfit for their open house.  Meanwhile I leave you with this.  What in the heck is this mess?  Cynthia McFadden from ABC was reporting on one of the balls.  Wow.  Just WOW. 

What in the heck was Michelle wearing? 
 

That outfit is an event late.  As in she needed to wear that on election night.

As for the gloves, they should never be worn.  I am not into green gloves.  But, especially with a yellowish/goldish dress and jacket with a huge diamond necklace before noon on a Tuesday in January when your husband is being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America.  Have mercy.  I think her stylist should be fired before the hour is over.

You know people say the outfit of the First Lady sets a tone for the next four years.  I'm here to tell you all that we all better take cover then.  Because while she looked striking in the outfit.  The outfit was not appropriate for the occassion.  End of story.

I thought for sure that someone would have given Michelle a new do by now.  So I am going to be anxious to see how she wears it tonight. 

Malia and Sasha are two really cute girls.  I think having young children in the White House for our nation to watch is going to be refreshing for everyone. 

And let me go ahead and just say that I love Mrs. Joe Biden. I believe she is going to be Dr. Biden though when introduced.   She is going to be the one to watch or perhaps listen for.  The interview on Oprah was priceless.  Personally I feel like this, so what if Joe Biden was given the choice of VP or Secretary of State.  It's just funny that she was spilling the beans.  Now I love her choice of shoes.  I love that she seems to shoot from the hip.  And I kind of enjoy that she seems like she has just had a cocktail when she is on stage.  She seems fun.  My kind of girl.  I am loving her. 

Plus her choice of dress with belt was pretty good for the days events.  Her coat was kind of boring.  But, not the end of the world.

Michelle is just walking out for the luncheon now and again after seeing the sweater now with the dress.  All I have is a bless her heart.  I am not loving it.  It hurts me to say that too.  I really had high hopes.  But, I am crossing my fingers for tonight.

I guess I am more conservative than I think in clothing sometimes.  I just don't think rhinestones, sequins, fake diamonds, or even too many diamonds are okay before 5 p.m.  Pearls before diamonds ladies.  Keep it mind.

Jackie Kennedy was and is a fashion icon and will always be.  I know I have said it before.  But, my parents had this book on the Kennedys when I was growing up.  I ripped the photo of Jackie out of it and had it in my room.  I was seven and I wanted to be her.  I stole an evening purse of my mothers and tried to carry it with me for my 'daytime' look.  It was silver beaded.  It was too much.  Of course it was only later I realized silver beading didn't go with pearls for a day look.  I had to learn the hard way.

Rosalynn Carter wore the same dress that she had worn to her husbands governors inaugurations.  Apparently it wasn't greeted very well in the fashion world.  I respect what she was trying to do.  She was trying to save money and for a Southern woman she was keeping the tradition going.  Although as a Southern woman I have to say I personally wouldn't have done that.  It's in us to usually be better dressed than everyone else.  Who doesn't want to be the belle of the ball?  Seize the moment, ya know?  I would have been all over having a fabulous gown for the ball if my husband was the newly elected president.  You know me.  It would have become a second job in selecting my wardrobe for that day alone.

Nancy Reagan wore an off the shoulder dress that everyone talked about.  In fact I still hear people talking about it on the news now.  Nancy Reagan spent money on clothing that is without a doubt.  She was known for being a big spender!



Mrs. Reagan was also known for typically wearing really bright colors.  I don't think people were always very kind about her.  She did give us little lines like "Just Say No"  and "Hugs not Drugs."  I think she had pretty good style.  But, she was so tiny that sometimes it was hard to appreciate her fashion sense.  When I think of red, I think of her.  Red was her signature color.  Not pink like a good Southern girl who has watched Steel Magnolias a thousand times.

Tomorrow all eyes will be on Michelle Obama.  I have seen on line and in the media that some really want her to be another Jackie.  I have serious doubts because to be Jackie you have to talk like her in the soft manner with the Upper East accent with a hint of French.  She was a graceful woman.  She wanted privacy.  She wanted a happy family.  She was elegant.  She came into the White House with her husband bringing glamour that people wanted at that time.  I don't think glamour is in existence now like it was at that time.  It's a different tone now.

That is a lot to put on Michelle.  I don't think she will be a Jackie, however I would like her to find some little unknown designers to introduce to all of us.  In the past the First Lady's have tried to do this.  Then by the 2nd term they fall back on a designer that always will make them look good........Oscar.  Need I say more?

I love Oscar.  I would have a hard time trying to forge my own style since most of my time would be spent begging at the door for anything from Oscar de la Renta. 

I'm sure by now that Michelle Obama knows that she was not a hit on election night in that black and red dress.  So I have this feeling she could really pull it together for tomorrow.  I am anxious to see. 

I personally would like to see her wear a black evening gown tomorrow night.  We've seen blue, red, white and gold.  Enough.  Let's see something new.  I hope she has a better hair style kickin' than Hillary did for her first inaugural ball.  OY.  The hair looked like Carrie Fishers in Star Wars. 

Of course who can forget this look for daytime from Hillary?


Each piece of it was okay.  But together.  I was not loving it.

Laura Bush did the white coat last..........so I don't know if Michelle will do the same.  Although I think she should, because white seems like a good color for the slogan of Change.  At least to me.  It just seems fresh!  Lively!





One thing for sure.  Laura Bush is one First Lady that ages very well.  I hope that for Michelle.   If I can look like Laura Bush at her age I'll be happy!  She is very attractive.  I didn't think Hillary left the White House looking very good.  But, of course she had to go through a lot while her husband was in office with that little Monica scandal.  I would have left in a straight jacket personally. 

I will be watching......I can't wait to see what our new White House peeps are wearing.  After all if you don't dress for success then how can you run the country?  HA!

Last night when I was listening to someone say how they had rearranged travel plans over a baby that is due this spring, I didn't say a word about when we had a baby due we were told how a ski trip had been planned for months.  And it was greeted with an oh well.  We'll be skiing if your baby comes early or on time.  I wanted to mention how hurt I was when it felt like we were not very important.  And that it hurt when I was exhausted and needed help and never got any at all! 

In the past I would have said something.  I think I've come to learn that you can't have expectations of people.  Because really all you do is set yourself up for disappointment.  And it's not fair to do that to others or yourself.  I'm really trying to work on that.  No expectations.  It's my motto for 2009. 

I think the last year has taught me that I need to be patient. 

I feel like a new person!  Not really.  But, I do think patience could be helpful for me. 

Now I am off to get ready for a day with my sweet little child.  I can't believe a year ago she was just arriving.  I thought this would be an emotional day for me.  But, so far so good.  I am just happy that I survived the last year in motherhood, taking care of a household and keeping my business growing.  I didn't know if I could really do it.  And I did.  I didn't end up in Dorothea Dix either.  Of course it's been closed for a while now.  But, still I find that progress!

 

The location is STUNNING. 

I have never seen a wedding like this.  ENJOY!  It's truly unique and the photographer did an amazing job.  Tanja Lippert also did their engagement photos.  Let me know what you think!

These are not my strict business goals.  But, none the less it is my hope for 2009 to be a bit more green in my own office.

1.  I am going to stop printing to do lists if I am in the office all day.  I'm going to keep everything on the computer.  I waste so much paper with my lists of lists.  It's silly. 

2.  I'm going to stop printing photos and do a quarterly photo book of personal or business items.  I don't know if this will really do very much in the way of saving paper.  But, I find that my photos get disorganized quickly if I don't sit down and put them in albums as soon as they arrive.  I hate having it hang over my head.  This way I can take my computer with me when I am working and if I have a few minutes I can work.

3.  I have cleaned out the items that I have too much of.  My husband had a fit the other night because I have tons of linen napkins.  Some of them I like. Some of them I don't.  I like when I have counts of eight to twelve on things like napkins and placemats.  So I cleaned them all out and going forward I don't plan to buy anything I see on sale.  I like this feeling of less is more!  I got rid of silverplate too.  I donated it.  It's not that I don't like it.  It's just ridiculous that I clean it so often.  If it's not silver I don't want it.  My clients use my silver so it's needed.  That's my excuse.  I need more silver not silverplate because of my clients.

4.  Once again I have cleaned out closets.   I have to say the one thing I am adamantly against:  Clothing that comes from a thrift store.  I would rather that I only have one thing hanging in my closet instead of having a closet full of clothes if that one outfit came even from Family Dollar.  I drop clothes off to donate at the Salvation Army and I feel so badly for the people that are shopping in those stores (if they aren't college age b/c everyone in college finds their way to the thrift store.)   I have a few friends that love to shop in thrift stores.  Me, not so much.  I am not big into shopping to begin with.  But, I've always been a person that if I am going to spend money I am going to buy something that will last forever.  I don't buy clothes to last a season. 

I love the clothes that come from friends that are 'hand me downs."   I know where those clothes have come from.  We are given so many that Caroline can't get thru them sometimes.  So I am going to work at getting better organized with her clothes so that I can be better about not shopping for her at all.  She has so many clothes that I sometimes get overwhelmed with how to keep them organized.  

I also want to make sure I get better about giving children's clothes to a few of the organizations that need them for families in need.  My goal is going to be to give away a bag a month of clothes that are in perfect condition.  

5.  To do lists for clients are going to stop being printed and only emailed.  Once they are a page or two long then we'll print.  I also want a printer that will print front and back.  I feel wasteful with printing only on the front of a sheet of paper.

6.  I want to work on getting rid of clutter in the office and the house.  I don't have that much.  But, sometimes I feel like I am drowning in left overs from events.  I just did inventory and found that I had (once again!) a few hundred prepoured votives.  I thought prepoured was a dream come true when I first found them at the wholesaler.  Then I realized after they burned down that the glass candle holder wasn't worth anything.  They are horrible to clean.  The glass gets scratched.  It's messy.  

So we are going back to using our old ones and putting the water in the bottom before placing candles in so that it makes it easier to get the wax out.  Votives will never go away in this business.  It's not going to be a huge savings or anything like that.  But, at least the guilt will not hang over me each time I toss out glass votives.  It's wasteful and it kills me.

7.  My last wedding I did a spreadsheet on what needed ribbon (favors, guest baskets, programs, etc.,)  There were over fifteen items that had ribbon some how attached to it.  So due to colors and styles we tried to make sure we had it dialed in before ordering.  I had grosgrain with polka dot and without.  In five different sizes.  Then I had satin with and without wire in different sizes and two colors.   It saved time and it made sure we didn't over buy.  We had a problem using one of the ribbons in the end because of an issue with hanging these photos.  Luckily there is ribbon that wasn't cut to use again if another client comes along in the same color scheme.  So from here on out I am going to use this new spreadsheet for decor in a new and improved way.  I am pretty good about cutting out the over spending.  But, I did even better after organizing it and looking at it in a new way.

8.  New website has to go up soon. 

9.  I am changing my packages and such.  But, I am also going to start using interns more so.  I have to!  I need to quit doing it all since there are so many good interns that are anxious to be in this business.

10.  I want to find new vendors.  I need some new vendors since a few have gone out of business.  Or now that some of my favorites are so popular they seem to be booked on my dates more often.  Luckily they will try to work my clients in.  But, sometimes if there are clients getting married in Beaver Creek and they have to be in Durango......well that just doesn't work.  So it's time to start looking for the vendors that are good and hungry for business.  I love when I have a vendor that works hard for their clients.   I want vendors that are just like me in the way that they don't treat the client like it's just another day. They want to make it THE day of their clients life.  Sometimes I am disheartened when I am doing a set-up and a catering staff member is being a tad bit resistent to wanting to set the tables up in a different way then they have for the last hundred weddings.  Or when I have a dj that wants to do the same music line up they've done for the last ten weddings at the same venue.  I think this business can make people become redundant when they aren't having as much fun after a number of years in the business.  So I think that is why I love new vendors.  Or vendors that love what they are doing.  Let's face it.  If you are doing a job that is creative and making it into a business.....does it get any better than that?  

11.  I'm going to add new lines of invites this year.  Or find a new printer.  I like who I have.  But, I need more choices.  Or maybe I just want a change.  Which is probably more like it.

12.  Design.  Design.  Design.  It's my favorite part of my business.  I love the logistics and picking vendors to work with one another.  But, I love designing an event.  And looking at my last events I am good at it if I do say so myself.  I need to find people to help make the visions come alive and to carry through the over all look to the end.  I love design to the point where I can't even sleep sometimes.  I want to continue to help my clients have the day of their imagination.  As I've said before it's hard to imagine it and then make it happen.  I like that I can make it happen for them.

I guess my goals are just about the same as everyone else in this business.  I am anxious to work with my new clients this year and even a few of my past clients again.  I have past clients friends that have called too.  It's fabulous when you get to do an event that feels like you are going home.  It's the best!  I am excited for 2009!

We were all talking about this story at dinner on Christmas night at my house (my mom and mother in law and myself.)  The husbands were not so much into it. 

All these years I truly thought this was the best love story of all.  I wish they would have just let us believe in it.   

Here is a snip of what I'm talking about:

Herman Rosenblat, 79, told newspapers, magazines and twice appeared on the Oprah Winfrey TV show to tell the story of how he met his wife-to-be when she threw apples and bread to him over the fence of a Nazi concentration camp.

He said they met again by chance on a blind date in New York years later, fell in love and got married.

But under scrutiny from scholars writing in The New Republic, Rosenblat admitted this week that he invented the love story, prompting Penguin Book's imprint Berkley Books to cancel publication of his memoir due out in February.

For more here is a link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081231/lf_nm_life/us_books_holocaust

But I give it to Herman.  He knew if Oprah was going to have him on the show he better deliver!  He probably thought they had gotten the golden ticket for Oprah's favorite things.  When that didn't pan out he had to think fast! 

Of course that didn't happen like that.  It's just sad that someone would make up that story.  Although it was a great love story to believe in for ten years now!

I remember this because I was riding to Atlantic beach with a friend, her sister and another friend and their parents.  Everyone looked at me like I had three eyes.  It was a defining moment for me.  I thought to myself that they were just not cosmopolitan enough and that Seventeen magazine was too much for them to handle.  There for I was probably way to sophisticated to even be on the trip. 

Then the fall of 1992 brought us the show and I think I can speak for myself as well as many other girls that I couldn't stand a guy named Kevin from the get go.  I wanted the dancer body of Julie for my entire life.  Norm was very sweet.  There were two artsy people that seemed okay but didn't have enough drama!  And last but not least it was obvious that no matter how much attraction there was Julie and Eric were not going to be a couple and obviously this would be working to my advantage since he was going to be my future husband (if things didn't work out with Keanu who had just made Point Break.  

Well, that was then and we all went on to watch Eric Nies and The Grind.  

Apparently things were not so good for Eric after all that grinding and such.  His business manager stole all his money and little Eric Nies thought about suicide.  At least this is what the bubble under his photo in a current mag says.  He has a new reality show coming out that he will be on VH1 starting this weekend called (gotta love the title they are just sooooo creative at VH 1 HQ) Confessions of a Teen Idol.  

Here is a link if you want to read more about it for yourself:   
 http://blog.vh1.com/2008-12-08/confessions-of-a-teen-idol-coming-soon-to-vh1/

I don't know about you.......but I am so thankful to finally know what happened with none other than Mr. Jamie Walters.  After he gave the smack down to Donna Martin on 90210 and she finally came to her senses after what three seasons......he was written off the show.  But, not before he gave us this little ditty to have stuck in our head for how many years? www.youtube.com/watch

Chris Atkins is also on the show.  I can't wait to hear what he's been doing since swimming in the lagoon with Brooke Shields.  I swear I am waiting for someone to suggest to him if he is so hard up for money to sell his little loin cloth.  Oh please let that happen. 

There are some others on the show but none will hold a candle to Adrian Zmed aka Romano in TJ Hooker.  Hello!  I was in love with him.  I watched the show only for him.  The blonde clearly was without talent in my opinion.  But, of course at the age of seven what did I know?  

Come to think of it.........a lot of these guys have one thing in common.  Aaron Spelling.  Almost all of them were on one of his shows.  Hmmmmmm 

Oh well.  I myself am looking forward to this show.  It's about time we got another reality show on the air!  Especially one with washed up talent that we had all forgotten about.  Oh and what does it say with Scott Baio is the executive producer.  I'm sorry but your life is really headed in a questionable direction if he is going to help bring you back.  I'm just sayin.  But, I will be watching that is for sure!

 

A few weekends ago a friend of mine attended a little SHINDIG that we had.  Her hair was so long!  She has the hair to die for.  It's the perfect colors of reds, browns and golds.  It's kind of curly but has lots of bounce when straight. 

Her hair was more than half way down her back.  She said she was growing it out for the Locks of Love foundation.  I think that is just such a wonderful thing to do for a child!  If you are not familiar with the organization check out their website:

http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html

When you get engaged I swear one of the mental notes a bride to be makes is to "grow out the hair."  Gotta plan for that tiara updo.  Or the big veil with the Audrey Hepburn look a like twist.  . 

Once the wedding is over a lot of women go and get what they call the wife cut.  It just typicaly means they cut their hair shoulder length.  If it was a long engagement most brides are begging to cut their hair off before they leave on their honeymoons.  My friend Paolo who is a hairdresser has had a few brides show up on a Sunday pre-flight to cut their hair off. 

Locks of Love would be so fortunate to have a donation from one in every ten brides for 2009.  I hope that coordinators across the country remember to bring this topic up with their brides.  

If you are a bride to be (CONGRATS) and keep it in mind if you are growing your hair out for your upcoming 2009 wedding.  It doesn't take a lot to preplan for such a generous donation!