Resolutions

Every year I make a mental list of things I want and usually by the time my birthday comes around in February I usually can't name one thing. Except for loose weight which has been on the list for years.



This year, my first year as a married woman, I have actually taken the time to write 5 things down that I plan to accomplish and I've put them in frame. The frame will sit on my desk at work hopefully reminding me that this year, a new year, needs to be different. Except for loosing weight, its still my number 5.

It's Party Time!

Here's hoping all of you have a Happy & Prosperous New Year!

Remember all you party animals BE SAFE!

The Shoe Hunt

A fellow blogger, and friend in my head, An Atlanta Bride, is on the hunt for her wedding day shoes. Oh no big deal you may all be thinking. Just Google Bridal Shoes, there are thousands of pairs.

Unfortunately these shoes must be glamorous (ok do-able), fashionable (easy), neutral or white/ivory toned because we don't actually know what her dress looks like (piece of cake) and... flat (oh dear...).

That's right I said flat. Sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it? Let's see A Bride is to Flat Shoes as Micheal Jackson is to

A) Talented
B) Icon
C) Musical Genius
D) Sane

That's right, lets here it for D) Sane. It's just not gonna happen. BUT because she is so resourceful, and super sweet and because her blog is very addictive, I decided to try to see what I could find. Father help us...

Here's what i found:


Uhhuh NOTHING! There wasn't 1 flat shoe that spoke to me. And I can only imagine if this is how I feel , what she must be going through??? Not good.

Now I remember her saying that shes about 5'7" and he's about 6' so she can do an itty bitty heel. So I saw these...

Photosource: be creative photography

But of course they were on someones blog, and the person commented on the photo not the shoes. And obviously, with my luck, the post is from 2006! So uhhh that leaves me with nothing once again.

Wedding obsessed as I am, I sat down and started to think it over. Atlanta Bride, you should definitely get 2 pairs of shoes. 1 that you can walk down the aisle in and take pictures with Mr. Wonderful and the other for any other instance in which someone might get a look at your feet. Or dare they get a shot of them.

And yea, I know, we are supposed to be minding the budget and all. But honestly how will we get the awe inspiring shoe photos like these:

Photosource: Shoe Crazed Blog

Photosource: Jason Angelini Photography

Photosource: Angelica Glass

Photosource: VCS Photo

With shoes that look like this????



Ummm no. It's not happening.

So get a pair of white satin shoes like these pair by Steve Madden which aren't too bad. I think the heel is listed at 2 inches. And buy the shoe clips that you raved about so that we can feel a little bit better about how they look:

Photosource: www.endless.com

Photosource: Absolute Audrey

But please, please, please for me, and the true Fashionista I imagine you to be, get a pair like this:

Photosource: W Magazine

So that when you do post your wedding pictures I can oooooh and ahhhhhhh at every little detail. Even your shoes.

:)

Good Luck! I hope you can find something soon.

To learn more about An Atlanta Bride as she Plans Her Wedding to Mr. Wonderful read along with me every day here: www.jessicaralph.blogspot.com.

Vendor Spotlight: Artisan Events

How to display your wedding photos is one of the most trivial tasks that Newlyweds take on.

Today's Vendor, Artisan Events offers a wide variety of custom services dedicated to the art of handmade events. Their services include fine art photography for celebrations and special events, portraiture, documentary video, design, multi-media production services, couture albums, a unique retail album experience. They are becoming very well known for making what they call "The Coffee Table Book."

photo source: Inside Weddings

Artisan Events website describes the product as:

"... an exclusive collage album creation! This is the ultimate coffee table book designed for you with every attention to detail paid. It is anything but your everyday wedding album. Our staff of designers will create an ultra-unique book that reflects the story of your day and the artistry of our work. Each design is created from scratch and based on your image selections... Each page is an entire print holding anywhere from 1 to 20 images in a collage style. These original creations come with their very own keepsake box."

The finished product looks more like a collectors item that can be found in the book section of a Metropolitan Museum of Art Shop. There are over 10 options for the books cover including a designer book jacket if that's what you prefer. There are 5 square sizes available ranging from 2.5 x 2.5 and up to 13 x 13. Rectangular sizes are available upon request.

Photosource: Artisan Events

Isn't the super tiny 2.5 x 2.5 album cute?!?

For more information including other album options, frequently asked questions & contact information visit their website at www.artisianevents.com.

Bride Wars

So just when I thought that I was the only one on earth who was excited to see this movie (The Huzz really doesnt co-sign my wedding obsessions), my friends on Facebook confirm that I'm not alone! The commercials look funny as hell!

I'm so there on opening night!

The 5 Pointz

There's something really funky about a bride that's all dolled up in all her tulle, lace and satin standing beside a dumpster to get her picture taken. Every bone in her body should be saying "ewwww run! Dirt!" But it's becoming more and more popular. Tons of brides are straying away from taking the cutesy pictures in gardens, in front of statues or historic buildings, for a more urban approach.

A very popular place for such photos in NYC is the graffiti mecca known as The 5 Pointz in the borough of queens. The color contrast makes these photos nothing less than amazing!



















All photos in this post, even those not labeled, were taken by wonderful NYC based photographer Angelica Glass. More examples of her amazing work can be seen on her website www.angelicaglass.com

Fore more information on The 5 Pointz please visit www.5ptz.com

It's New Years! Let's Get Married!

So now that Christmas is over... WHEW! We can officially concentrate on weddings. And what could be a bigger party than a wedding on New Years Eve. With a palette of black, gold, and ivory and a ceremony filled with sparkle and lights, nothing could be better. Here's an inspiration palette for all you brides who consider this an option for 2009 into 2010.

Happy Planning!



Don't forget besides your fabulous dress at a New Years wedding you have to have sparklers for the countdown. And mini bottles of champagne for your favors!

Where in the World

For our honeymoon The Huzz and I went to beautiful Cabo San Lucus, Mexico. We stayed at the wonderfully luxurious Cabo Azul Resort which recently made the Conde Nast Traveler: Hot List Hotel 2008.

Although we had an amazing time, since getting back all we have been able to talk about is where were we will be going for our anniversaries over the lifetime of our marriage. We want to visit some really exotic places and for us it's not a real vacation unless there is a beach.

Here are my top three:

The Seychelles Islands

The Republic of Seychelles is comprised of 115 islands occupying an area in the western Indian Ocean. We would love to stay at the Banyan Tree Resort because the villas and views are to die for!

all photos courtesy of www.banyantree.com

Another option is

Mayakoba, Mexico

Mayakoba is situated on the southeastern shore of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. We would love to stay at the Rosewood Mayakoba Resort.This one actually made our initial honeymoon list. But it turned out to be a liiiiiiittle out of our reach budget wise.

all photos courtesy of www.rosewoodmayakoba.com

And last but certainly not least,

Crete, Greece

I have had a love affair going on with Greece ever since I was a little girl. My grandmother lives in London and one summer when visiting my mom took us to Greece for a few days. I don't remember much but I definitely remember the blue water and blue skies that never seemed to end. If I were to go back as an adult Huzz and I would like to stay at The Blue Palace Resort and Spa at Elounda.

all photos courtesy of www.bluepalace.gr

So Many Dresses... So Little Time!

I've been invited to a wedding! Isn’t this the greatest high for me, the confirmed wedding junkie! It’s next month right after new years. And that means DRESS SHOPPING!

At first I was thinking RED

Max & Cleo

David Meister

Calvin Klein

Eliza J

Then I saw these and they totally changed my mind:

JS Collections

Ruby Rox

But then i found her, and promptly pulled out my charge card:

BCBGMAXAZRIA

Okay i have to be perfectly honest, my friend Angie found this dress first 2 months ago when she was shopping for a dress for my wedding. Buuutttt, since she didn't buy it I've now claimed it for my own. All's fair in love and dress shopping!

And I might still get my red fix with these:

Nina

What's another accent color for black and white? Something unexpected...

All Dress Photos Courtesy of www.nordstrom.com.

Shoe Photo courtesy of www.endless.com