I’ve always been a candle girl, but I’m now head over heals for¬†candles by Voluspa.¬† Although I’m a fan of Yankee Candle and Jo Malone, the Voluspa “Fleur’s De Fete” candles are simply a breath of expensive air.¬† These will surely make you feel luxurious, glamorous & beautiful.¬†¬† Burn these¬†while getting ready¬†on your wedding day and you’ll see what I mean.

…words from hairstylist Brian Hawkins

“Hair styles for today’s bride is¬†all about simplicity.¬† Women are no longer wanting tight curls and sculpted hair with 1000 bobby pins. Hair is more natural and soft looking. Loose curls, soft waves and the majority of what I have seen and done the hair is down and loosely pulled off the face. “Romantic” with as little fuss as possible is the best way to describe. Not a lot of product is being used either: usually a smoothing creme, light hair spray and serum/gloss to tame the ends and fly-aways.

I believe Brides now are more about really THEIR moment and enjoying themselves as opposed to putting on a production that looks like a fairy tale romance.¬† Therefore the hair reflects that as well.”

Wedding season for me began months ago and I look forward to blogging about them. 

However, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity in sharing¬†with you this awesome video provided by First Image Video.¬† The wedding of Stephanie & Mark¬†took place in Kentucky this past March.¬† It was such a joy to work with Stephanie and her bridesmaids.¬† And Ron Beach of Beach Photography captured every beautiful moment.

Stephanie wanted a more glamorous look and¬†with great skin like her’s, well let’s say she made my job¬†very easy.¬† It’s so funny watching Mark’s reaction…that let’s me know I truly did my job!

When I was a teenager there were so many things that I admired about¬†the women in my family..¬†especially¬†fashion and MAKEUP!¬†¬†But one thing that keeps coming to mind is my grandmother’s vintage magazine clutch.¬† I sooo wish I had asked to keep it before she passed away when I was 19 but I’m sure she’s being loved by someone else.¬† And now I’m on the hunt in getting one for myself.¬† Wish me luck.

Everyone that knows me¬†is knowledgeable of my love for¬†shoes!¬†¬†I get such a rush on a cute pair of shoes.. the same feeling¬†I get when shopping for makeup.¬† And the spring/summer seasons is¬†when I get the itch to shoe shop.¬† And¬†yet this year¬†I’m¬†a serious budget. OMG! Aren’t these BCBG’s cute?¬†¬†

Well you have to visit ShoeDazzle, this shoe membership has celebrity stylists picking shoe options for you based off of your style for $39 a month!

… words from men’s neck wear designer Corwyn Thomas “Corwyn Apparel”

“First I’d like to say congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Gifts for the groomsmen is one of the most frustrating things for a bride and groom to decide on.

We have the answer – giving a necktie will not only compliment any assortment of bridesmaids dresses by tying into your wedding motif, but something of a keepsake for future occasions.

The new hottest trend in gift giving.¬† What a way to say thank you!”

Photo: Deb Knoske / Hair: Steven Edinburg / Makeup: Chenese

Be sure to watch the 2009 Miss USA Pageant¬†Sunday, April 19 on NBC!¬† I had the pleasure to work one of the contestants representing Ohio (Natasha Vivoda).¬† We had such a good time on the set and she’s such a lovely person.¬† Go girl!¬†¬†

 

My countdown to leave¬†for California has begun!¬† Even though I’m traveling to work with a bride, I’ll try to fit in time to relax and enjoy being away from home for a little while.¬† The above photo is where I’m staying, The Grand Del Mar.¬† How lovely darling.

The England Family Weddings / (L-R) Lindsey, Katherine, Ashley w/husband Nick

It has been brought to my attention that one of my past brides mother passed away Easter Sunday from breast cancer.¬†¬†I’m blogging about this¬†because I’m so deeply full of emotions right now.¬† Though I meet a lot of people on a daily basis, there are times I feel a closeness to some and this was one of those situations.¬†¬†

Lindsey (England) Bayer was a client of mine in 2007; Lindsey¬†and¬†her family were¬†so openly friendly toward me.¬† The emotional part is that me and her mother had such a good conversation while she was in the makeup chair.¬† And then last year they¬†reached out to me again¬†seeing if I was available for their other daughter’s destination wedding (Ashley) in Sea Island, GA.¬† That just blew me away and at that moment it really made me feel appreciated and respected.¬†¬†I actually¬†cried in my hotel room later that night after arriving.¬† I really felt apart of their family!

Katherine¬†England aka “Kit”¬† expressed¬†to have donations sent to¬†breast cancer research instead of sending flowers.¬† And in honor of the cause and to¬†Kit, the England family will be walking in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and is raising $1,800 to participate.

If you would like to donate and/or join, click here!

To read more about Katherine, click here.

My heart goes out to the family, I will definitely keep them in my prayers.

(this cause affects and has affected many households, including mine.  My mother is a breast cancer survivor and had a mastectomy in 1995)

…. words from¬†wedding & event planner Kathy Piech-Lukas “Your Dream Day”

“I get so many people that ask me why they need a wedding planner. Wedding planning is supposed to be fun — you’re planning one of the best days of your life! However, when a family or couple begins to feel overwhelmed, stressed, or in over their heads, that’s when it’s time to hire a wedding planner.

A wedding planner will be able to save you hundreds of hours of research, provide you with cost-saving tips, help you use your time and resources more efficiently, and most importantly, relax.  A good wedding planner should be able to demonstrate their value to you almost immediately!

A mom should be a mother, not a director. A bride should be a bride, not a consultant. A groom should be a groom, not a planner. There is a reason why wedding planners do 30+ weddings a year and brides and couples (hopefully!) only get married once!”