Heather Sconza ~ Get In My Head

9/11 What HAS Been Forgotten

2011-09-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

Some questions were recently brought up by reporter Joe D'Aquila at the Trentonian newspaper, and although I'm sure he was searching for answers leaning more towards public safety, government, etc., I had an answer all my own and I'd like to share it with you!

9/11 is often referred to in the media, as the "day everything changed," or "the day America changed." Do you think this is accurate? What has changed for you? What needs to still change? Does anything need to change?

The fear, the terror, the uncertainty, and the anxiety made a huge impact on America on the eleventh day of September of 2001. As buildings came crashing down and mass hysteria set in, the world came together. Strangers were hand-in-hand whether fleeing to safety or hugging in grief. Men and women risked and lost their lives to save others who in some cases they had never even met. Everyone rushed to the aid of those in need with food, money, transportation, and shelter. Ten years later, even though we say "never forget", it seems as though, too many already have.

Maybe people haven't forgotten the sight of the planes crashing in to the buildings or people jumping to their deaths. Maybe some people are still terrified of the safety of public transportation or feel uncomfortable visiting their once favorite city. Maybe heroes are still honored in homes by their families where they are missed. And maybe once a year, we bow our heads and take a moment of silence to remember those innocent people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, what I don't believe anyone seems to remember is how on that one day, despite the great losses we suffered, we all united!

For a short period of time, race, religion, and social status did not matter. It was not every man for himself. It was a time of brotherhood. I remember having a great sense of peace watching Mayor Guiliani on the television speaking and assuring everyone we would be okay, and I remember a sense of hope as distraught men and women covered in soot hugged, carried each other, and walked together. Even though it was sad that it took a tragedy to bring everyone together, I thought at that time that we were going to become a stronger nation than ever before!

Ten years later, it seems as if many have forgotten that gloomy day and how much we needed to rely on our neighbor. It seems as though we have become a nation divided. It seems as though the middle class is disappearing as we are becoming labeled "rich" and "poor". It seems as though we have taken steps back when it comes to prejudicy. It seems as though we still live in fear. It seems as though it does unfortunately take a catastrophy for people to come together whether it be through hurricanes, tornados, or earthquakes, but when we are living in "normal day-to-day life", we seem to forget one another. We seem to forget that we need each other. We seem to forget that we are in fact all equal and that one life is not more important than another.

On this September 11th, I hope that everyone can take a moment to extend a helping hand to someone in need, offer a smile to a stranger, and most importantly realize from the great words of Ronald Reagan, that "If we ever forget that we are ONE nation UNDER GOD, then we are one nation gone under". And that is what I'll never forget.

Kim Kardashian's wearing GREEN!

2011-08-17T07:54:00.000-07:00

Kim is the new face of a product...and judging by the advertisement and wrapping my twisted brain around it, I think I have unravelled the thread on the wedding dress she will be wearing on Saturday! I think Kim is going GREEN! Whether I'm right or wrong, I think I am 100% right I know what's in her signature drink!

Most of the world was obsessed with the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The days leading up to their big day, there were speculations flying as to what type of gown Kate would be wearing, how she'd have her hair done, and so on. Well, I don't "know" Kate Middleton. She's not in my house on my television every Sunday night, and I do not "Keep up with the Middletons". I do however keep up with the Kardashians as I'm sure most of the country does, and because of that, I am UBERexcited about Kim's nuptials this weekend! The fact that it's been said that her wedding is going to trump the recent royal wedding fills me with that much more anticipation to hear about it and see pictures! Those are big shoes to fill, but Kim knows how to strut her stuff in them!!

Personally, I'm obsessed with wedding attire and I think it's fun to take guesses at what the bride will be wearing. Some people like to bet on basketball games, call me crazy, but I like to make bets with myself about what people are wearing! So, as you can only imagine, I've played detective and disected everything that's going on in the media and have come to my own conclusions. We'll see how close I come to getting this right.

Things we do now know are that the dress code for guests is very strict. Everyone has been asked to wear black and white. That being the case, I don't believe Kim will be blending in by any means. We also know that Vera Wang who made sister Khloe's gown, is also making Kim's gown. What I know about Vera Wang is that she has been playing with a lot of color in her wedding dresses. She has really been pushing the envelope. She's not just creating pinkish hues that we've already seen, but she's been using blues, silvers, reds, greens, and so forth. Some of her gowns even have mixtures of colors. Could it be a new trend in the making that the guests show up in black and white and now the bridal party is in color? Flip it and reverse it! Hmmm...keep that in mind as I ramble on.

One might think that as a socialite, Kim would wear pink. I think that color has probably been claimed by Paris Hilton, and in girl code, should not be touched by another socialite (What? You don't have a socialite guidebook too?). Some would suggest red as it would in fact be dramatic against the black and white. A thought then came to my mind. I often see Kim decked out in GREEN in pictures. It seems to be her color of choice to wear. In fact, she does have a t-shirt she wears that says "Green is the New Black". Maybe she is claiming that color. Maybe for more than one reason...

I then thought I'd research a little bit about Armenian wedding culture since Kim is Armenian and embraces her heritage which her late father taught her about. Through my research, I found out that there is a ceremony in Armenian weddings in which green and red ribbons are used. The red symbolizes health and the green symbolizes happiness! We KNOW Kim is happy settling down with Kris Humphries! However, I don't think this had anything to do with the color choice.

What may have inspired Kim though is something she has recently done! Being the new face of Midori liquor, I shouted "BINGO"! When I googled Kim and Midori...I found the following ad that shows Kim "standing out" in green with the folks in the background wearing white! Kim MUST be wearing green! Vera Wang even has some very pretty gowns that are part of her collection now in shades such as celadon! I have to be right!

Then I saw in the media that when Kourtney was asked by a fan on Twitter what color the bridesmaid dresses were, she replied "GREEN". Well, that was a blow to my ego. I thought I had it all figured out. So now, in my head, only a few things remain and I narrowed it down to my final guess.

1. If the bridesmaids are wearing green, would Kim wear red (to represent health and happiness)? No. Her pictures would look too much like a Christmas card.

2. Could Kourtney be fibbing? Why would she give up that detail so easily? Maybe they're wearing a different color while Kim is wearing green? Then again, why would it be necessary to keep the bridesmaid dress color underwraps especially knowing it only makes people like me (not sure how many of me there are) sit here and spend endless hours conjuring up all possible scenarios of a wedding I'm unfortunately not invited to. lol. Or, maybe the bridesmaids are wearing green and Kim is going to wear something like a nude color hue? That would look pretty!

3. ORRRR...Since the guests are all in black and white and we are going to be introducing COLOR...could we be going to Emarald City?!?! Could ALL of the girls be wearing green? I think it's possible! It'd most likely be a first in the wedding world! There have been brides who have worn white and dressed their bridesmaids in white as well, but have you ever seen a bride in a color matching her bridesmaids to her?!?!

Now, as for the silhouette of the dress...it has been reported that Tyra Banks gave Kim some advice the other day telling her to "go with a silhouette she doesn't normally wear". Kim must've been swaying with trying to make a decision. Kim flew to New York the other day and I saw where Vera Wang did some tweeting telling Kim something on the lines that she was glad they made those changes, but time was basically of the essence.

As for my thoughts...Kim is generally always in short dresses. I don't think she'll be doing short and if she was, I have a feeling there is now a skirt attached and maybe that is the change. She's done the one-shoulder several times, so I do not see that happening. Khloe's gown was a mermaid and Kim has done mermaid on the red carpet, so I'm thinking that might not be it either. Being known for her curves, Kim has shown them off plenty of times in tight fitting dresses and gowns, so doing something different, to me, would mean that Kim IS going to trump royalty when she makes her debut in somewhat of a ball gown! My guess is that Vera is busy in New York adding tons of tulle and ruffles.

Whether I unlocked the secret to this weekend's big day or not, it sure was fun just playing for a moment! Although it's a sin, I bet a lot of people will be seeing green on Saturday whether it's a color incorporated in to the wedding or not! Kim is a trendsetter and I'm so excited to see what the outcome is!

Black to the Future

2011-08-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

It's always been an ongoing joke that bridesmaid dresses are flat out ugly! We all hear funny stories from friends who wore the dresses with the big puffy sleeves or the color that was meant to make you gag! There's the age old thought that the brides purposely put their girls in dresses to be 100% positiviely absolutely sure that they stand out on their big day (and from the looks of some past pictures, you can believe this to be true in some cases like the one that shows the girls in gold lame). In actuality though, times change and so do trends. So what may've once made for the perfect puffy sleeve may now work out better for the perfect puffy pillowcase.

There has been a change in the past decade though with all of the amazing bridesmaid lines out there to choose from who make certain that the bridesmaid dresses are sometimes just as gorgeous as the bridal gowns! Let's face reality...just as you would buy clothes that go out of style or that you don't fit in to anymore, the same may hold true for your bridesmaid dress.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that a large percent of women have never even worn their bridesmaid dress after its apperance at the wedding. Many of us have been a bridesmaid more than once, some more than five times, and if you are like Katherine Heigl in the movie 27 dresses, your poor closet is bursting with tafetta! What do you do with these dresses or gowns that were too costly to just throw away? Hopefully you have donated them, but if you are still holding on to them and would like to revamp your wardrobe, there is something exciting and new waiting for you!

Dessy Group who is just simply brilliant, has created Newlymaid and is now providing you with the ability to pretty much trade in your dress for what every girl needs - a little black dress! When you send your dress in, you will receive credit towards a new dress! The material from your old dress will either be recycled to create new yarns or it will be donated to the charity Clothes4Souls. Some criteria does apply, so be sure to read the website first. And, they also accept mother of the bride gowns and prom dresses!

It gets better though! Would you believe that after you receive and wear your new little black dress, that can also be traded back in to Newlymaid?!?! The fun just doesn't end. It's all about the future - recycling, charity, and reinventing yourself!

http://www.newlymaid.com/

'Fresh To Death' Do You Part!

2011-08-01T14:13:00.001-07:00

Let's face it, we've learned a lot from MTV's Jersey Shore. I bet 80% of the population never knew about "T-Shirt time" before the airing of the show! T-shirt time is actually something that takes place after the famous G.T.L. (gym, tan, and laundry) which is what the guys thrive on doing to keep their "gorilla juice head bodies", as Snooki would say. You may've also heard the tagline "Fresh to Death" (coined by DJ Pauly D) on some of the episodes. Well, if you're with me so far, and hip to the situation (no pun intended) then you'll know that being "Fresh to Death" goes hand-in-hand with these regimens. What does it mean? Getting a hair cut, a shave, facial cleansing, styling your hair, dressing to the nines, and accessorizing when going out on the town! All of these words to live by are what makes Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino who he is - one of the most recognizable faces of 2011!

FLOW Formal Alliance, who is a license holder for other lines such as Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, is looking to keep things fresh and young. Not only have they recognized Sitch's face, but they have signed it (and his body) to their line.

Wanting to engage younger consumers, FLOW Formal Alliance will now have Mike Sorrentino sporting their tuxedos and accessories. Tell your brother, tell your man, tell your best friend's man! Whether for weddings or proms or just to own...do it in style and go with the FLOW!

http://www.flowformal.com/

http://www.tuxedos.com/

Best Dressed Wedding Guests

2011-04-29T08:33:00.001-07:00

To have the chance to "people watch" at this Royal Wedding...must have been amazing! I think America needs to take on some customs like wearing hats! Maybe every Friday can be hat day! From the hats to the attire, I picked my favorite guests and named them the best dressed!

I have to start with the Queen who absolutely made my day in her canary yellow Angela Kelly pleated dress with sparkly brooch! You go, girlfriend!

Now, I've never been a girl who went gaga over David Beckham, but today my jaw dropped! He looked beyond dapper in his Ralph Lauren! I see he carried his top hat to not mess up his elegant do. I have to say I wasn't completely fond of Victoria's dress or hat. It just didn't sit well with me. The hat didn't sit well on her head either.

Simplistic beauty was worn well by Charlene Wittstock. I absolutely love the color she chose and it blended perfectly with her gloves, purse, and hat. Very classy and well put together.

I usually like very outlandish garments and accessories, but my favorite hat very well might be Sophie Winkleman's!

In a daring Deborah Milner, while some critics might bash socialite Tara Palmer Tompkinson for her electric blue dress and hat, I have to say that it was dashing and my favorite! It's a little over-the-top, but so is this entire wedding, right?

American Idol Look-Alikes from My Childhood

2011-03-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

This article is meant for fun only! I really hope no one takes offense to this. I just really started cracking up one of the first nights of this season's American Idol competition as the Top 12 began reminding me of characters from my childhood. Each week, the thoughts tickle me more and more, and so I had to share.

What HAS to be obvious to probably just about everyone watching, is that Scotty McCreery has the most striking resemblance to Alfred E. Neuman from the MAD comic!

The other great and really amusing resemblance is that of Casey Abrams to Yukon Cornelius from 'Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer'! Somewhat sexy!!

Paul McDonald who IS quite a character with a gigantic smile, reminds me of none other than (and appropriately named) Dr. Teeth from 'The Muppets'!

It doesn't stop there though. As Lauren Alaina performs, I wait to see Uncle Joey and Uncle Jesse make an appearance! Does Lauren Alaina not look exactly like DJ Tanner aka Candace Cameron from 'Full House'?

There is no comparison to my Stefano Langone, but he definitely has a familiar hearthrob look to my old Chachi from 'Happy Days'!

Next, is the beautiful and exotic Naima Adedapo. I was still playing with the thought of all of my childhood favorites and how they resemble the American Idol contestants, when I couldn't get past Naima's hair. I used to love to sit for hours and put tons of braids and flowers in to My Little Ponies hair. So, I couldn't help but make that comparison.

If you're my age and are a girl, you most likely had a cornsilk cabbage patch kid! Well, because of her precious dimples and shiny flowy hair, Haiely Reinhart fills those shoes!

As if you didn't see this one coming, when I was a little girl, my favorite barbies had brown hair like me! So, pretty Pia probably most reminds me of my barbie dolls!

I really can't find a comparison for the lovable Jacob Lusk. To play along though, I thought of a jolly character because I LOVE Jacob's boisterous and large personality. The only charcter who matched that description was Fat Albert. Lusty Lusk is by no means fat though! He is however PHAT!

Maybe it's the denim jackets, vests, bandanas, and bad boy persona that makes me think of the late great Corey Haim when I see James Durbin!

Singing "Colors of the Wind" may have had something to do with it, but when I look at the natural beauty Thia Megia, I think of Disney and Pocohontas!

Hope you had fun with my selection of look-alikes from this season's American Idol!

Ryan's Quest Valentine Ball - Shine the Light on DMD

2011-03-11T14:55:00.001-08:00

In the matter of about two days in November, the 2011 Ryan's Quest Valentine Ball was near sold out thanks to efforts of local salons selling tickets! On February 12th, there was a packed house at the new Stone Terrace in Hamilton, NJ as a near 400 guests attended what was a spectacular evening and a success for the charity!

I wanted to give a recap of the evening in case you weren't able to attend this year. Upon entering the Stone Terrace, a cocktail hour took place where a signature drink was served on a martini ice luge and hors d'ouerves were passed as Bob Orlowski performed. Many contests took place as Miss New Jersey and many other pageant winners helped out and a silent auction including trips to Puntal Cana, Disney World, and Broadway were displayed for all to bid on. Once seated, the Glam Slam began which was a contest in which Alexa Prisco, The Glam Fairy from 'Jerseylicious' judged and picked the Most Glamtastic look of the evening. The award went to Great Looks 4 Less for the fantastic hair and make-up they did on their model! Mercer County Freeholder John Cimino then said a few words and gave a proclamation to David and Maria Schultz. Next we were fascinated by Dr. Brian Tseng who told us about new developments in DMD research. After that, John Crowley spoke to the crowd and made some referrences to the movie based upon him - 'Extraordinary Measures'. All of this conversation was very intriguing to listen to while enjoying an excellent land/sea dinner! A video followed which showed why Ryan's Quest is such a wonderful charity and how many boys it aims to help!

The beautifully lighted room was done through the efforts of Sound Connection Entertainment who also provided us with CJ Westcott, an amazing DJ who also emceed the entire event! Floral centerpieces were donated by various florists and beautiful work was contributed by those such as Corey Fyffe and Customized Wedding Creations. Snapshot Photobooths provided a unique photo booth in the foyer in which guests had fun striking a pose! The GForce band blaired their horns and rocked the dancefloor for the remainder of the evening and the floor remained packed with people dancing. The silent auction winners were announced at the end of the evening and so many amazing prizes were won! The biggest winner though, was Ryan's Quest. It was able to achieve it's goal of 'Shining the Light on DMD'.

We hope many more people are now aware of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and will continue to come to our exciting events throughout the year!

A huge thank you to our big sponsors: First Choice Bank, PNC, Princeton Bank, PSE&G. This was by far an All The Rave Event!

Photos courtesy of Martelli Photography.

For more on Ryan's Quest, please visit http://www.ryansquest.org/ .

Be sure to like Ryan's Quest on Facebook!

DO Get it Twisted!

2011-02-22T11:08:00.000-08:00

Dessy Group now offers a jersey matte dress that is convertible and changes in to a variety of styles from formal to sexy in the matter of seconds! This is the perfect dress for brides wishing to change in to a fun reception dress without having to purchase one, a neat way for bridesmaids to all express their indiviual personalities, and for women in general to have a great piece in their collection that they can wear over and over again, but always have a new look! This dress is great to travel with and perfect for destination weddings. What I like most is that now your bridesmaids can go to the ceremony elegant and sophisticated, then switch it up before cocktail hour for a whole new look! It comes in a bunch of great Dessy colors and the price is not bad at all at $180 (especially since you get so many looks out of it).

GLAMTASTIC CONTEST

2011-02-22T08:36:00.000-08:00

To get a celebrity to come out for a charity event isn't always the easiest thing, but as much as New Jersey often gets a bad reputation, I think we might be one of the states with the hugest hearts! Alexa Prisco, The Glam Fairy of TV's 'Jerseylicious' did not even hesitate when I asked her if she would get involved for the 2011 Ryan's Quest Valentine Ball! Because of her selflessness, we were able to sell tickets to the Ball at local hair salons where anyone purchasing a ticket would be able to enter themselves in to a drawing at THAT salon to get their hair and make-up done complimentary for the evening of the Ball. The catch? (Not that it's a bad one). They would also be representing the salon as their "model" who would work the look and be part of the Glam Slam where Alexa chose THE MOST GLAMTASTIC SALON based on the looks of the evening! Everyone had so much fun with this contest and Alexa really brought excitement in to the room when she walked in with her shiny sequin dress!

I just wanted to do a fun little recap for anyone who didn't attend and also for the salons and models who we thank so much for being part!

Alexa is excited to see what Central Jersey has to offer in the glam department!Katie Mutz is up first representing Salon Cusato. Her make-up and hair were pretty close to perfection and yes, she looks like a real life Barbie doll! Alexa really didn't have anything negative to say at all, but how could she?Kristin Seitz is also representing! And again, Alexa says the look is near flawless! You wouldn't even know that Kristin is a police officer by day as she looks as though she models for a living!

(I may have to put Kristin Seitz in to the 'Best Dress' category! Girl, where did you get that?)Jaime Young is all smiles as she works it and KNOWS she can! Absolutely breathtaking stunning work by Salon Pure! You can see in a picture above how her hair was pulled to the side and tossled. Her smokey eyes were subtle and rocked! I believe the words to Denise Chiarello worked on by Salon Belissima were "Hey Hot Mama!" What I love most about this is that Denise KNOWS she looks good! That's what a great salon can do for you - make you FEEL it too!Jen Besserman represents Salon Artigiano giving a sweet sophisticated look with an intricate updo while Alyssa Potena (below) goes fierce even shaving a part of her head for this competition! I love that two opposite styles were taken on for this challenge as these girls went 'head to head'. This shows diversity in work under one roof! Alexa was pleased with both!

Robin Cipriano, who was made up by Salon Eclipse, was told that her "sexy" (that we know this red-headed firecracker has) could've been brought out a little more for the evening, but watch out wedding world as this salon knows what they are doing in polished updos! Alexa was impressed by that!New mom Melissa Hanson had a blast being made over by Salon Di Moda. I believe she let the artists "Snookify" her as she called it! Melissa really looked and felt beautiful! I'm pretty sure Alexa loved this "Jersey look" too!The very elegant looking Gabby Bagherian, made over by Robert James Salon, is all smiles as Alexa is commenting on how much she loves the flowers in her hair! Nice touch!Bridget Rogers got a big smile from Alexa when Alexa noticed the peacock feathers in her updo, but moreso, there was some extra glitz and glamour lurking on her eyes which were adorned with tiny blue crystals. This was top notch work done by Great Looks 4 Less.Wilmary Pardo showed up adorning pure Classic Hollywood due to the excellence of Terra Salon. Alexa commented on how wonderfully this "period piece" (a look of the 20's and 30's) was brought to life and said this team really knows their stuff.Miss New Jersey Ashleigh Udalovas and Miss New Jersey Oustanding Teen Natalie Ragazzo stand by with the crystal trophy, brought to us from Crown Trophy, ready to award the winner.And the winner is...Great Looks 4 Less and "Miss Peacock" named by Alexa, for their hot and trendy work on Bridget Rogers!A huge thank you to the models who put their look in the hands of the professionals, represented the salons, and put on a fabulous show for the crowd! Loved your enthusiasm!

You were all glamorous, dahlings!

Photos courtesy of Martelli Photography

The Hamiltonian February 2011 - Ryan's Quest

2011-02-06T12:35:00.000-08:00

This is an article from The February 2011 Edition of The Hamiltonian on Ryan's Quest, DMD, and upcoming events like the Valentine's Ball! Click each to enlarge.

THE COMBINATION

2011-01-27T15:03:00.000-08:00

We are receiving SO many excellent donations for the 2011 Ryan's Quest Valentine Ball! Something in which I'm very excited about is to be able to introduce something new to 400 people! Andrew Adelman, an entrepeneur who hails from my area and actually opened up one of the nightclubs I used to frequently fist pump at - Polly Esther's, has generously donated his Devotion Vodka to our event. While Adelman is the Founder/CEO, Devotion Vodka has also come to be known as "The Situation's Vodka" as Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino has become the perfect spokesman for this drink. Unlike any other vodka, this smooth drink is something new on the market as it is infused with the protein casein. It's no wonder this is the Situation's drink of choice. Protein is ABSolutely something that won't hurt if you're working on a six pack of your own!

Speaking of things that do a body good...(did I really just say that vodka is good for the body? Well, protein is, right?)...we have been generously hooked up through Jerry Caggia who is devoted to one of the newest soft drinks - CinCyn! Have you ever heard of a cinnamon flavored soft drink? This bubbly sensation is something you don't have to feel guilty drinking as it has no calories, sugars, carbs, OR caffeine! As you drink CinCyn and watch what you're putting in to your body (which is pretty much a great taste in a can), realize the added bonus that the cinnamon gives you as it lowers blood pressure and acts as an anti-inflammatory (perfect for after the gym before you do your laundry and tanning)!

I'm thinking if you mix Devotion Vodka and CinCyn together, you've got yourself

THE COMBINATION!

GET CONNECTED!

2010-12-31T08:48:00.000-08:00

Every bride and groom have a goal - to have their guests walk away saying "that was the best wedding I've ever been to"! What makes a wedding "the best"? Sure, it's all about the beautiful bride and what she wore, and the venue and food play a role, and of course those special touches, but for the entire part of the reception, it's the entertainment you choose that will take your wedding to that next level!

When planning your big celebration, keep in mind that entertainment can make or break your event! The MC (master of ceremonies) is the first person to speak at a wedding reception, and it is through his voice and personality that a mood will be set and that the crowd will reciprocate. Finding the right MCs and DJs is very important when searching for your vendors! If you are looking for quality, don't just choose an average DJ. Why not choose a professional DJ who has had experience on the radio or playing nightclubs in NYC?!?! A DJ who can take a Bon Jovi song and mash it up with a Frank Sinatra song to wow everyone from the Best Man to Uncle Tony! When can you find these musical geniuses and party enthusiasts? Sound Connection Entertainment, my friends!

An entertainment empire run by mastermind Jason Jani, doesn't just specialize in the music thought. When you dream about creating the perfect night, Sound Connection is the company who offers all the pizazz! From uplighting a room in pink through your elegant dinner and then turning it to a cool blue for tearing up the dance floor, to intelligent lighting that will turn your reception in to your very own nightclub, Sound Connection creates an atmosphere to add to your fairytale!

As if music and lights aren't enough, they also provide plasma screens in which you can view photo montages during father-daughter dances or toasts. Guests can be videoed and viewed live on the screens throughout the night if you wish. You can even have some of your favorite music videos playing in the background. Getting married on the 4th of July? Here's an easy and inexpensive way to have fireworks through your entire event!

The fun still doesn't end there though! It keeps piling on, but only as you wish as these services are all just additives, special side dishes, sprinkles on top! Sound Connection also brings to you Snapshot Photo Booths! Whether you want a traditional photo booth found on a boardwalk or your very own backdrop, guests will be excited to walk away with strips of photographs as a memento from your wedding. The best part? A copy of these strips of photos are also included in to a guest book so that your guests can write a little message next to their mugshots or silly faces. Wow, a guest book that you'd actually take out and look at!

Sound Connection's stellar work has even been seen on David Tutera's 'My Fair Wedding'! And, although you're probably thinking "sure, they're great, but I bet they cost a ton of money", you'd be surprised! Sound Connection is a company that works to fit what YOU are looking for! You can build packages that suit your event!

Book Sound Connection Entertainment and have confidence that your wedding is simply going to rock! Everyone will be having so much fun, they won't have time to remember what color your linens were! Yes brides, save stress and let them hand the rest!

If you are engaged and/or planning and event and looking for THE BEST entertainment services in the Tri-State area, you MUST SEE this video http://vimeo.com/14101708

Be sure to fan Sound Connection Entertainment on Facebook to see samples of their events! You can also visit:
http://www.sceweddings.com/

http://www.soundconnectdj.com/

GLAM SLAM

2010-09-27T06:19:00.000-07:00

This year's Ryan's Quest Valentine Ball will surely be an exciting event! We're kicking it off with ticket sales that will run November 18th-November 24th at participating hair salons in the area. Those salons who agree to sell tickets will be participating in the GLAM SLAM! They will be holding a raffle for each buyer. At the end of the sales week, a name will be drawn and one lucky winner will have professional hair and make-up done for the night of the Ball. Then, at the ball, after cocktail hour when everyone is seated, we will be bringing these lucky make-overs to the dancefloor and out will come The Glam Fairy, Alexa Prisco, from TV's "Jerseylicious" to judge the best look! It's definitely going to be glamorous! So be ready because the lucky person can be YOU! Which salon will you be buying from?

For more on The Glam Fairy, you can check out her website at http://www.theglamfairy.com/

For more on Ryan's Quest, you can check out http://www.ryansquest.org/

For any questions, you can contact Heather at AllTheRaveEvents@aol.com

BE SUPER! VOTE FOR SOUPER VAN!

2010-09-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

My friends have become part of the Pepsi Refresh Everything Challenge and need your votes!!! They are helping to end hunger! Are you? Right now, Cathie and Nik are featured on Cheerios boxes along the East Coast as their idea is being noticed. I'd like to eat breakfast with the champions, so please VOTE NOW!!!

All you need to do is sign up on the Pepsi site or Text. In the same amount of time it took you to read this message, you could've helped make a difference!! They're moving up in the rankings!! Let's help them to get their project fueled by Pepsi!!

www.refresheverything.com/soupervan

or text 102362 to Pepsi at 73774

VOTE FOR THE SOUPER VAN!!!

2010-09-04T13:26:00.000-07:00

If you'd like to make a change...here's your chance! Vote now!

http://www.refresheverything.com/soupervan

And The Winner Is...

2010-08-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

Live from the Red Carpet...there were some really incredible gowns at last night's Emmys! Designers like David Tutera were keeping an eye open looking for inspiration for their next wedding gown creations!

I wanted to share my top picks of the night and a conclusion I've made - the winner goes to the nude-ish/champagne color as you will see in the first few pictures. Also, romance, ruffles, and bling are what's hot!

Nina Dobrev wore my favorite gown of the evening by Zuhair Murad.

Claire Danes was a VERY close second in her dazzling Armani Prive gown.

Jewel and Guiliana Rancic also had gorgeous gowns! I especially loved Guiliana's halter neckline.

Marisa Hargitay's Vera Wang was an absolute STUNNER!

Stepping out of the nude-ish/champagne color box, my next favorite would have to definitely be Lea Michele's Oscar de la Renta!

Finally, I saw a few gowns that were stellar for bridesmaid gowns and possibly the best colors imaginable for this year!

Sofia Vergara's butter color gown definitely sparkled! Imagine this on bridesmaids for a New Year's Eve wedding!

Naya Rivera's gown is hot hot hot, but in the

coolest shade of blue/green! Nancy Juvonen's gown was probably the most beautiful shade of a pumpkin color I've ever seen. Perfect for fall, ladies!

Some pictures were taken from Just Jared for sharing purposes on this blog.

A KK Doll's Creation - The Spin Crowd

2010-08-22T11:56:00.000-07:00

In the earlier part of the decade I did a ton of PR work and was a feature writer for a popular online Entertainment magazine. It was exciting to interview celebrities yet at the same time be given a challenge to promote a lot of no name bands and artists and finally watch them make it! I was even lucky enough to have my hand in setting up some events in Hollywood from premier parties to fashion shows. Now with party and event planning being my main gig, I've actually been on both sides of the fence. So it's no wonder that I can't wait for tonight's airing of The Spin Crowd!

A few years back, powerhouse Lizzie Grubman brought us the show PoweR Girls which gave us a look in to the PR world. I'm not sure the world was ready for that at the time, but with the rise of reality TV revolving around celebrities and the glamorous life, Kim Kardashian has created and is executive producing The Spin Crowd featuring some familiar faces you may remember from episodes of Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami. Jonathan Cheban, a close friend, is one of the main guys who seems to be running things with his sidekick Simon Huck.

I think this show has the ability to be a hit and I can't wait to tune in to E! tonight after the new season of Keeping Up With The Kardashian begins! Love my KK dolls! Can't wait to see what spins off!

Lights On Loli

2010-08-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

Still using the Harajuku lolita style aka loli, I've now created a nighttime affair

using lots of different lights. From Japanese lanterns in different shapes to twinkle lights and candles inside of frosted take-out boxes, the light is on loli! Round pomanders mimic the round lanterns and are a beautiful way to incorporate flowers. You'll notice that the bride has a Harajuku hair style with bow and is in a pink gown. I'm showing you a way to have fun with the bridesmaids by incorporating alternate styles of cosplay. There are the frilly pinks and then blacks and whites incorporating the popular stripes. The pink, black, and white can be used throughout to create a very rich yet feminine touch. Even the sushi is pink! Do you love it?

A Little Lolita

2010-08-21T17:15:00.000-07:00

I've always been intrigued by Harajuku cosplay, so I have themed this board to show a very girly frilly Lolita theme that you can pull inspiration from for a garden wedding or a bridal shower. The use of light pastels, lace, and flowers are the basis to create this theme and then it is up to you if you'd like to make it shabby or chic. Cupcakes are of course a cute addition to something of this nature. This is very feminine and fun!

Get Connected

2010-08-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

Here's just a small taste of what

Sound Connection Entertainment

brings to your event!

For more, check out www.soundconnectdj.com

Two Become One

2010-08-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

I'm absolutely in love with the Unity Cross! This is something that can potentially replace the unity candle at ceremonies. The groom places the outside part of the cross in to the stand and the bride places the other beautiful cross inside. This represents two becoming one. Furthermore, each golden peg is then twisted to hold the statue in place in the name of the father, the son, and holy spirit. It's a gorgeous keepsake that can be personalized too!

An Eco Friendly Finishing Touch

2010-08-14T07:35:00.000-07:00

Flower petals can be used in so many ways to create romantic and dramatic touches at your wedding. They can be tossed by the flower girl as she walks down the aisle before you, they can create an aisle, they can be tossed by guests as you exit your ceremony, they can blanket the cake table, surround your centerpieces, and make their way to the honeymoon suite! The best part about these petals are not only the fact that they come in over 100 color choices, but that they are freeze dried and eco friendly! We are not just talking rose petals here, but also peony and hydrangea (as seen in the above picture), and others like lilac. Not only are these petals safe for the environment, but they are safe for the bride! They are not slippery and they do not stain! Hence, they are safe to place on aisle runners, table linens, and well, sheets! Add this finishing touch by contacting Heather at AllTheRaveEvents@aol.com. Many combinations can be made to fit your color scheme! Ask about personalized/customized cones that hold the petals.Ask about the personalized/customized individual cones that hold the petals. Just another wow factor for your guests!

Let's Take a Walk - Aisle Style

2010-08-13T08:05:00.000-07:00

above photo courtesy of Corinna Hoffman

One of the very last things brides seem to remember when taking their walk down the aisle is actually what they will be walking on to. Some brides rush out to the nearest craft store the night before their big day to find a paper made aisle runner that can be pulled before them as they make their way to their groom. (After walking around once with toilet paper stuck to the bottom of my shoe, you can see why this doesn't mesh well with me. haha). This is the one special day where you get to have the carpet rolled out before you, so you should consider having your very own "red carpet".

Cherin Szul of Hamilton, NJ creates something extra special and personal just for you to grace your presence (and you know I'm all about personalizing the big day)! As you take that first step towards your future in your perfectly matching Badgley Mischka shoes, don't just walk on any carpet or floor. As elegant as you look, consider stepping on to elegance. Consider one of her handmade aisle runners fit exactly to your order! Handpainted with enhancements such as rhinestone banding, you can have verses, monograms, and even designs painted to fit your big day.

Cherin, who owns Customized Wedding Creations, has created a multiple number of gorgeous designs over the past few years and her business is so stellar it's to the point where she is now being requested by well known celebrities. In fact, she was stuck in silence as rapper T.I. was secretly tying the knot just a few weeks ago. Her work was a part of his big day, but she was one of the many that had to keep their lips sealed until they could unveil the story. Well, I am proud to unveil Cherin's work!

The runner below was made for Thomas Davis of the Carolina Panthers.

photo courtesy of Critsey Rowe

photo courtesy of Blue Crush PhotographyCherin doesn't just provide aisle runners, but parasols, table runners, and more. Stop by to check out her work at http://www.customizedweddingcreations.com/ .

Tree's Company

2010-08-11T11:56:00.000-07:00

Hot pink and lime green...such an awesome color combo for winter! Not only letting color be my guide, but also working with trees and ornaments in those color families, I have created this somewhat whimsical board for you. Yes, I'm a huge fan of Whoville and hope to be a resident one day, but even though this seems somewhat who-ish...you've seen nothing yet! I promise to bring you more! This particular board showcases a Henry Roth wedding gown and a unique bridesmaid dress by Jenny Yoo.

commitMINT

2010-08-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

Minty green is sneaking up on us. A color that reminds me truly of the 80's and 90's is just such a pretty color to accent a wedding with. Look at these bridesmaids who are all cozied up in mint green dresses with pink matching scarves and black jackets. It's really kinda cute! Working with minty spearmints and peppermints as the color scheme definitely says "winter"! The bride is wearing a Paolma Blanca gown that just reminded me of whipped cream on top of hot chocolate. You can't say you're not getting a sweet tooth looking at this board! Chocolate browns or black can be worked in to this scheme as well as white and silver. This wedding will be a great achieveMINT with a special commitMINT!

The Bright Stuff

2010-08-08T14:29:00.000-07:00

Hot Pink and Orange became very trendy a couple years ago, so putting different twists on it is a lot of fun. For example, carrying a bouquet with something different like pink anenomes or adding chandeliers and bling can take just a color theme to another level. With this color theme, it is definitely being taken advantage of in it's usage of linens and chair sashes.

This fun short dress with crumb catcher top by Vineyard Collection is very young and hip. The bridesmaid dresses follow suit in black with hot pink sashes that can coordinate nicely with the groomsmen. A cute etsy find completes the jewelry to make this wedding very virbrant, young, flirty, and fun!

tatTOO cute

2010-08-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

I'd say this one is pretty self-explanatory. I just watned to theme a wedding around tattoos. With a little bit of rockabilly flare, this mission has been accomplished.

Butterfly Kisses

2010-07-31T14:56:00.000-07:00

If bridesmaid gowns can have print, well then how about the bridal gowns? Maybe you are very much in love with butterflies. Well, then take what you love and give it wings and let it fly! Let your ideas soar!

Mod About You

2010-07-31T14:39:00.000-07:00

I'm still not sure how I feel about the printed bridesmaid gowns, however I've been finding some cute ones lately. This one in fact, so full of color, inspired me to make a very mod-like board. The gown by La Femme boasts a late 60's style in pinks, orange, teal, and white. Why not have your bridemaids make a beautiful background for you in your white gown? In this case, I continued on the mod path and chose a square neck gown with belt by Allen Schwartz for the bride. Vintage styled invitations in orange and yellow were chosen and those colors with hints of pink flowed throughout whether with the signature drink, flowers, bowtie, or favor boxes. Inside the favor boxes, some vintage candy celebrating the 60's such as Starburst is a cute touch. Have fun with the shoes. I found these pink patent leather heels that matched a pink and white patent leather bag. Aside from the bride, another focal point of the room is usually the cake, so I went above and beyond with a very mod and odd colorful cake. This is for a bride with lots of personality or maybe for a bride who grew up in the 60's who is making her debut down the aisle now!

AUTUMMMN

2010-07-31T14:24:00.000-07:00

With Autumn just around the corner, I'm looking forward to my most favorite time of year and I wanted to make a board inspired by that! After finding a gorgeous colored bridesmaid dress by Jim Hjelm, I was able to create a sultry and luxurious wedding that incorporates a lot of elements of this beautiful season.

I wanted this board to be flowing with richness whether it be through fabrics or colors, so I started with a strapless ballgown by Ian Stuart for the bride. I gave the bride and/or bridesmaids some feathers to carry that were in almost a nudeish color. This same nudeish color is carried in to the linens that were ruffled by Textile Furnishings. Gorgeous manzanita tree centerpieces have votive holders hanging from them with pops of orange calla lilies inside. The beautiful bouquet is made up mainly of orange and chartreuse colors in the roses, mums, and poms topped off with fiddlehead ferns. The cake is a glorious orange hue to match the decor and is embelished in gold. Surrounded by candle light, this wedding will surely be the one you FALL in love with!

Concrete Jungle of Love

2010-07-20T18:40:00.000-07:00

City girl? Here's one for you! Inspired by the lighted streets of New York City, the black and white of newspaper print, and yellow taxi cabs lining the streets, this board is one for the IT girl, the socialite, the rebel bride who dares to be different! This wedding is for the bride not afraid to stand out. In fact, she DOES stand out! Look at this amazing black and white Pnina Tornai gown! It screams rockstar, fashionista, bride of the milenium! This racey/lacey black gown is perfect for your fashion forward bridesmaids. Something about it is so sensual yet also says "business" as in your girls are ready to work it for you! Yellow flower bouquets and centerpieces are appropriate glimmers of cheer to help make clean crisp straight lines. You can include yellow in many places whether it be the napkins, ribbon around the cake, furniture, on monogrammed stickers, and so on. Use odd furniture and unique tableware. The point is to be different - be unforgettable! And by all means, check out those marimekko sneakers for the groom! Talk about kickin some class! If you're a bride wearing that Pnina, your man needs something to make him stand out a little too! Well, it is your day...we'll just give him something to stand in! hehe. "Concrete jungles where dreams are made of"...

Green with Love

2010-07-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

Are you an Earthy chick who's chic? Have I got a neat combo for you! Still taking some of the popular blues from the year such as cobalt and teal and paring them with chocolate brown and lime green, I've given you the water, the sky, and the land. These colors would surely put a neat twist on any outdoorsy wedding. The style of this board is preppy and lucious at the same time.

When I found the square brown pillow with lime green ruffles down the front, I knew I wanted squares and ruffles to round out this board. The Oscar de la Renta gown with cascading ruffles flaring out on the bottom contrasts yet matches perfectly with the neck ruffles on the top of the bridesmaid gown. The stream of flowers trickling down the cake tie everything together. More ruffles can be incorporated in linens, while squares can be incorporated in the actual tables, invitations, flower arrangements, etc. Think outside the box!

Never Saw Blue Like That Before

2010-07-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

Cobalt Blue! One of the most popular colors of the year brought to you by the rich and famous who strolled the red carpet. While to me this seems almost an odd pick for a wedding color, it is after all "something blue" right? Now usually I use colors, items, shapes, etc. for inspiration, but this time around I actually used Lauren Conrad of the Hills and her trend-setting styles to get me on board. After all, this is a color probably first brought to life by "LC". I think it's safe to trust a girl with her own clothing line! So what I did was envisioned a wedding that would take place right in Beverly Hills. In this board, I focused more on the fancy cocktail hour or hours that could take place rather than the reception (which is something I don't normally do). I created a chic lounge-like atmosphere in one room with blue lighting and then an elaborate high-end ritzy atmosphere in another with a shiny screaming chandelier settled atop silky fancy cobalt blue furniture.

Lauren isn't so much of a girl you'd see in a poofy gown. She's more of a sophisticated Audrey Hepburn, but glammed up to the hilt. That being the case, I chose 'Brillance' by Kenneth Pool as the gown. This halter is blinged out just enough, but not over doing it in any way. The flowers she would carry would be a mixture of white and ivory and include blue, but be a brilliant design like the one seen here full of hydrangea, roses, cala lilies, and delphinium. The colors would bleed in to lilacs and finding the right shade of blue might not be the easiest thing to do, but blending colors of the same family is an excellent thing to do anyway. The cobalt blue bridesmaid dresses seemed to yearn for the perfect accessory - Kate Spade shoes! A formal invitation with again...just enough sparkle to give that sense of royalty...is what I chose to be the first impression to guests. A classy and sophisticated blue signature drink would lead off a nice toast and the cake would be a Hollywood Hills finish as it's very decked out and probably tastes as expensive as it looks.

Finally, as an added bonus, every good show needs a theme song, right? I'll give away a wonderful song that could be played at a wedding like this - "Never Saw Blue Like That Before" by Shawn Colvin. Might even be a cute song to play for the bridal party's dance *hint hint*.

Flying High at Eagle Ridge

2010-07-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

In honor of their one year anniversary, I decided to highlight Danielle and Tim's wedding at the Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Lakewood, NJ. This venue has beautiful atmosphere to begin with with it's darker color decor, taupe-ish colored chairs with deep brown trim, complete with darker colored chandeliers and sconces. So bringing in a caramel color enhanced with champagne seen throughout the bridesmaids' wear and accessories was a great choice in sticking with the scheme. For another smart move, lightening things up with pops of bright and light pinks for flowers, made everything come together in a very luxurious way. Since the couple was headed to Hawaii on their honeymoon, you could spot pieces of the island here and there whether it be through small pineapple symbols or the giant pineapple fruit display. The cocktail hour was on the outdoor patio accompanied by a steel drum band to really bring in that islandy feel. And a Mets ice sculpture was incorporated for the groom. Also inside, beautiful linen invaded by swrils of champagne added to the vintage-type feel the bride hoped to incorporate. She really captured that aspect in her Maggie Sottero gown though embellished with a golden lace undtertone and caramel/gold beading. Tall elaborate centerpieces created even more romance in the room. And of course, the outdoors did lead to some beautiful snapshots!

Although this was a summer wedding, I think Eagle Ridge would also be great for an Autumn wedding!

Look BACK On It!

2010-06-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

My inspiration for this board was honestly the back of this gorgeous Alfred Sung gown. The bride should look beautiful all the way around since she is on display throughout the wedding, so encrusting yourself in strands of bling is definitely one way to go. After you take that long walk down the aisle, as the people are looking at the back of you most of the time throughout the ceremony, why not make it look nice back?

Next I envisioned what it must be like to be invited to a wedding of let's say socialites marrying one another. Or perhaps you can envision what it might be like to go to a wedding hosted by the Vanderbilts or the Rockefellers. When I open my mind to that thought, I don't see bright colors, but I see a more subdued elegance with the most perfect linens, vases upon vases of something like calla lilies, strands of pearls, etc. That's how I began working with these very earthy oyster-ish looking colors combined with almost that of a clay. Very fancy I think!

Pink Cake Box just so happened to be displaying the perfect cake to match my calla lilies, so I added that to the mix.

It's all very crisp, clean, and screams money and stature! Pictures of this wedding would be compiled in a gorgeous leatherbound album and handed down generation after generation. It would definitely be an event that would be looked back on!

Razzle Dazzle

2010-06-18T07:37:00.000-07:00

For chic elegance, try incorporating raspberry in to your wedding instead of the usual merlots or fuschias. It's such a fun color that can be paired with just about anything from teal to lime to create a young vibrant feel.

For the attire, I've chosen a beautiful Kenneth Pool crumb catcher gown and paired it with a gorgeous Bari Jay single sleeve dress.

Working with some sleek black will give a sex appeal to the decor. Adding crystals always fancies things up a bit. I happen to be a fan of golds with raspberry, so I was sure to include gold in the flatware and jewelry. I also added a little lemon yellow to the invitations and make-up to show you that you can play the vibe up and down with the formality of the gold tones.

Of course you'll want to add something raspberry flavored like sorbet to give your day that final razzle dazzle!

SNOWSTOPPER

2010-05-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

Close your eyes and picture yourself stepping outside on one of the coldest of winter days. There's a white blanket of snow on the ground and there are icicles everywhere! You stop for a second and take in a deep breath of that amazing cold air and it somehow seems to fill your body. Kinda cool, right? Well, this wedding is sure to be one chilling event! This board is perfect inspiration for a blingy bride who wants to go another route. Maybe the rhinestones embellishing just about everything have been done before amongst her friends. This takes it to a whole different pole! Variety of crystal chandeliers can be rented for an amazing setting throughout the venue or just in one area. A white dance floor would give guests the sense they are almost skating on ice. Of course having an ice bar or ice luge of some sort would definitely tie in with the theme. Don't forget to hang crystals from branches (preferibly silver or white branches). Be sure to incorporate some faux fur for the bridesmaids and the bride herself who should more than likely be in an outstanding ball gown to show that she is the Ice Princess. Bridesmaids can dress in icey colors of light silvers. A little blue uplighting can't hurt to achieve this sense of cool. And, I just really admire the cake adorned in strands of bling. This is one of those themes where I just don't think you can get too gaudy! Ice ice everywhere ice! Sure to be a snowstopper!

Something Old AND Blue!

2010-05-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

Originally I had in mind making a board that was nautical in pale blues and white. I've always liked this picture of a Bari Jay's bridesmaid dress (featured at the bottom right in a pale blue with the headpiece) and so that became part of my inspiration for this board. The vintage feel that it gave reminded me of the flapper-era when women wore bathing caps. So, I was able to just tie it all together. Just as the ladies of yester years are holding parasols and posing on the beach, I'm showing you a picture of today's maids with parasols that are such a cute touch for any outdoor wedding to shield the sun and avoid squinty eyes in pictures. The bride could wear a vintage style dress for this, a birdcage veil, and use vintage napkin rings and it'll fee just like you're back in the earlier part of the 1900s. Sticking with the pale blue and white, no other flower was more perfect for this than hydrangea. Something old and blue!

Regal Romance

2010-05-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

I love to mix unexpected colors! That's why I chose to work with a teal, lime, and golden hue. To bring regalness in to the year 2010, I emeralds, chandeliers, and feathers, but merged them with modern. The chandelier bleeds the blue, green, and yellow. Chartreuse greem poms are enveloped in teal blue feathers. The shoes show contrast which would make for realyl cute pictures. I chose to put the bride in a gold gown and pair up the groomsmen in gold accessories to match. The antiqued look can be updated through using damask designs. Make-up is fun for this one as since you have so many colors to work with, you can incorporate them in to the eyeshadows you wear. Bringing the tree in and surrounding it with drapery sets a romantic mood. You can feel a sense of a modern day Romeo and Juliet...if they were rockstars!

Just My Type

2010-05-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

Being in a very romantic mood and dreaming of old-fashioned love, I was actually inspired by the thought of love letters...you know the old kind that would be mailed overseas back and forth to lovers who longed for each other. Today so many people find love online, so they can relate. Colors for this theme seem as though they should be vintage...almost sepia...a Shakespearean type of a vibe. Decor is full of damasks and monograms. A St. Pucchi gown seems to be fitting for a bride. This kind of romance is "just my type".

Some of my fave 2011 Spring Gowns

2010-04-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

This trumpet gown couldn't be any cuter! I'm in love with the center portion! The one-shoulder is still very much in style. I happen to like the way the rest of this dress is very topsy-turvy! I really love this corset type of top, and paired with the bottom part of the dress which is exquisite, this dress screams rockstar of royalty!
I love the way the tulle starts high up and puffs in layers vertically! The outer layer of this dress is really modern and sharp! Love the detail!

These sheer off-the-shoulder long sleeves are really different! I love them! I love the draping on the bottom! And something about the asymetrical top is intriguing!

The color and fabric are a very romantic combination!

Really? If you can pull it off, this is one amazing way to walk down the aisle!

The slit up the center is hot!
"Bestill my heart" is what I said when I saw this gown that turns in to a short dress! I love the very faint see through sleeves that sparkle!

I absolutely had to share some of my favorite gowns for spring 2011! Some of my faves for this season are St. Pucchi, Badgley Mischka, Romona Keveza, Priscilla of Boston, Vera Wang, Melissa Sweet, and Monique Lhuillier. I am just in love with a designer who can envision and create a brand new bridal gown! There are soooo many, so to find ones that are different, amazes me!

Polka Dot It

2010-04-09T21:01:00.000-07:00

Can you stand the cuteness of this one? If you're a retro girl or just a girl with a great personality and you're looking to do something very sweet with your wedding, this is for you! Polka dots are adorable and very girly! You'll see that the bridal gown is showered with them. Red with teal (or turquoise) is one of my most absolute favorite color combos! There's something so inviting and fun about it! A very cute touch is the red shoes on the bridesmaids who are in white dresses too.

Having a wedding in July? Are you or your hubby-to-be part of the military? Is your career with the government? This color scheme is also a neat way to show off your patriotism without making it very basic and predictable with your typical red, white, and blue.

Different Shades of Beauty

2010-04-04T19:51:00.000-07:00

So you're the type of bride who is laid back and wants to make your bridesmaids happy by putting them in styles they like to wear and that are comfortable for them. At the same time, you're looking to create a wow-factor. Maybe you're a fan of mixing up the colors, but don't know the right ones to choose. Since you want your wedding to look designed with exceptional taste even though there will not be uniformity throughout the bridal party, I've designed this board to show you how to do it in a way in which you don't have to have a multi-colored wedding of pastels if you don't want to. To achieve a look where each bridesmaid can stand out in her own color, why not pick a color family and offer out different shades of the dress? Here you'll see I've played with the purple family. This included everything from berry colors to lavendar. You can even highlight the flower girl in the lightest shade. I also recommend if you are doing different styles of dresses to at least keep the same length for each girl. That can be where the uniformity comes in. Since each girl will have a completely different color, be sure to pair up the groomsmen with coordinating ties. Another neat touch would be to have the same purse for each girl, but instead of giving them the purse that matches, give them a different shade. For flowers, consider having the girls carry chartreuse green.

An amazing backdrop of pomanders hang from a wooden arbor in this garden/outdoorsy wedding. Each of these balls of flowers coincide with the colors the bridesmaids are wearing. What really puts a beautiful modern twist on this color pallette is throwing in the greens and light pinks. It offsets the purples and creates a scene very pleasing to the eye.

During cocktail hour you might consider using the lighter purple linens and then taking it in to dark purple linens for the reception. You can play with the purples throughout maybe even starting with the absolute lightest for the ceremony, so you are creating a sequence from light to dark just as the evening will go. Again, when decorating, add touches of green. For that matter, if it is in fact an outdoor garden wedding, adding browns will work well too.

You may also notice I played with a shape in this board. Since these pomanders are round, I also included round trees for escort cards, round lanterns, round labels, etc.

Working with this type of theme is fun because you have such a wide variety of colors to play with that you really can't go wrong if you stay within those 7-10 shades. The invitation is a light purple, the cupcakes are the green, berry, and pink. Everything just blends so well together!

Maid of Merlot

2010-03-29T19:29:00.000-07:00

Okay wine lovers...this one's for you! Inspired by the mountainside of Capri, I've taken the colors from flowers, shrubs, rock, and water to create this board. Draping tables in a merlot linen will enhance any tableware you use whether it is white, gold, or silver and will help define flowers. In this case, I recommend bringing as much green in as possible to captivate the greenery that lines the mountain. Putting the bridesmaids in a two-tone blue/green bridesmaid dress shows the spectrum of colors that lie beneath the mountain and make up the body of water. Wine bottles top the tables and serve as both a table number and favor to take home. (A cute idea for the bride-and-groom to be would be to go to a local winery and bottle their own wine). And of course, incorporating wine corks for escort card holders is the perfect little touch. Cheeses and chocolates are the absolute way to go for cocktail hour and dessert. Salute!

French Kiss

2010-03-28T08:49:00.000-07:00

When I was younger, I really did not like the color pink. However, now it is one of my favorite colors. I can see how pink means so many things and creates so many moods. Pink is very feminine and dainty which is the perfect color to celebrate a woman, especially on her wedding day. In this case, I went with a very pale pink hue. By contrasting it with black, a very chic, sophisticated, and sensual vibe is created. I wanted to add my favorite flower - anenomes! They are also very dainty and airy and have the contrasting black centers so they coincide perfectly. Adding some crystal touches whether it be in a chandelier or adorning the invitation, makes the look evtra exquisite and makes me think of Paris, hence the name.

Pretty Pretty Peacock

2010-03-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

In 2009 we were introduced to the peacock feather trend. Peacock featheres were popping up in bridesmaids' hair and then they were making their way in to centerpieces. I love the idea of a peacock feather, but usually it is worked in with all of the dark blues and purples in which it consists of. I wanted to show how to lighten and brighten this idea by adding teals, golds, champagne, orange, and pinks. It's a great color palette!

Chic Autumn Elegance

2010-03-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

For brides getting married in Autumn, you may just "Fall in Love" with this inspiration board! I took the trendy gray and mixed in the oranges and golds of the season. A very sophisticated and somewhat futuristic short bridal dress is very fashion forward! The cake shares the silver belt on the dress as ribbon highlights each layer. Both the bridesmad dress and the invitation mimic that of the bridal dress with their sash and bow. Cala lillies are the perfect pick for flowers as they make nice compact and thin bouquets and provide the exact hue I was going for. Throwing in a manzanita tree draping in crystals puts a little chill in the air setting the stage for an event that is chic, cool, modern, and elegant!

Striped with Class

2010-03-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

Black and white has always been the staple in formality, so when it comes to having a wedding where pinky fingers should be seen during the toast, this is as elegant as it comes! Black and white can be used year round and it's meaning doesn't change. By creating different pieces that stand out according to their shapes, in this case I used stripes, you are creating a simple theme that will cause guests to tie it all together by the end of the night. It'll be in black and white!

Have the Time of Your Life!!

2010-02-25T20:35:00.000-08:00

Really, have the time of your life and set the mood as to how the rest of the evening will go with an amazing and unforgettable first dance! If you as a couple are upbeat and having fun, your guests will be right alongside you in no time sharing in the excitement! I've seen many choreographed first dances and I have to say that this couple really had a lot to do with putting the idea on the map! Thanks to their excellent re-enactment of Dirty Dancing, couples are not afraid to take the first dance to the next level!

And, should you be interested in the NJ/PA area and are interested in a choreographed first dance, do not hesitate to contact me!

happily ever AFTER PARTY!

2010-02-23T13:30:00.000-08:00

All The Rave presents happily ever AFTER PARTIES! Now you can keep the party going after the "last dance". Let's face it, no one wants the wedding to end, not even the bride and groom! So why let it? The average bride and groom have about 150 guests to their wedding. The average reception is about 4 hours long. If you break it down, as a bride and groom, the quality time you actually get to spend with each of your guests, is about 1.6 minutes! Think about it. Often guests travel from out-of-town and sometimes out-of-state for your special day. Wouldn't it be nice to spend more than 2 minutes with them? AND...after all of that dancing, it's safe to say people are hungry all over again! Soooo why not take the next step and book a party by All The Rave where you finish the wedding and get ready for phase 2! We will theme it to your liking.

Some themes can include:

Karaoke (you just KNOW that would be fun)

Boardwalk Fun If you're a foodie, you'll love to have french fries with different toppings, ice cream, or funnel cake. The best pictures of the night might be captured inside the photo booth!

Carnival Can you taste the cotton candy? How bout the sno cones? Hot dog anyone?

Spa Wouldn't it be nice to unwind with some massages and fun drinks while rehashing the events of the evening?

Go to the BAR Whatever type of bar you'd like: ice cream, candy, pancake, you name it!

Let Them Eat Cake Hey, not everyone gets to have a piece of the wedding cake, why not have an "after party cake" for those partiers?!

Breakfast in Bed Mmmm what tastes better than some bagels, donuts, and egg sandwhiches with some nice strong coffee OR mimosas while lounging on a cloud of pillows with friends for some "pillow talk"

Cigar Rolling Keep the party on a roll! What a way to celebrate!

We will work with your venue or locate a different venue to ensure a quality event while of course keeping in mind that your guests' saftey is important, so the proper transportation will be suggested.

Having an "after party" will SURELY make your wedding All The Rave!

Shut it Off! Goin Green Quick Tip

2010-02-21T06:06:00.000-08:00

Every moment that you're not using your faucet, shut it off. It's something simple you can do to save water and the release of CO2 in to the environment. Did you know the average faucet runs through 3 gallons of water per minute?!?! What's worse is that if you leave it on while brushing your teeth for the 2 minutes that dentists recommend and you brush your teeth twice a day, that comes out to be 12 gallons of water a day! Makes you think!

Flat Out Fancy!

2010-02-18T13:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Brides,

For years now it has been a popular trend for your bridesmaids to change in to comfy flip-flops at the reception. I mean no disrespect and don't want to offend anyone when I say it's time to examine the fact that when your girls are wearing short dresses, be it tea length or cocktail, you are spoiling the image you've tried so hard to create. When you want your wedding to be elegant from head to toe, you need to think about the toe part. Ladies, it's time for a change. When girls are in such beautiful dresses on such a special day, changing in to flip flops is not the classiest thing to do. (The exception would be with gowns since you cannot see your shoes. You could get away with it then). If your girls cannot stay in heels for the same amount of hours as most of the female guests (if you think about it, they're going through the same torture to look good), then why not opt for a ballet flat that will match the gowns and polish off the look? Dessy sells a beautiful duchess satin flat which is sold in every Dessy Pantone color. It's a nice finishing touch and also something the girls will wear afterwards. They'd also make a cute bridesmaid gift!

Bright Idea for Going Green~Quick Tip

2010-02-18T13:11:00.000-08:00

Here's a bright idea! You may've heard about switching over to energy saving lightbulbs, but for one reason or another you haven't yet. You see, regular lightbulbs make light by creating heat. Ever touch one of them suckers after they've been on? By switching bulbs, you will be saving energy which will again, not only help our environment, but also your wallet. I've made the switch and I love the light!

Go Green and Cool It~Quick Tip

2010-02-17T06:42:00.001-08:00

Did you know that washing your laundry in cold water is just the same as washing it in hot? Items get just as clean and even retain color better! Did you know we are wasting sooo much gas and energy buy simply using hot water in our washers? By not using the hot water, you are saving energy and gasoline, and by doing that, you are cutting cost in your energy bill! Going green can also mean saving green if you know what I mean!

It's Easy Being Green QUICK TIP

2010-02-15T21:16:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick tip for us all...when you are not charging your cell phones and when you are done with appliances, unplug them! Most devices are still using energy even when they are not turned on. Let's not waste energy. Just unplug!

It's Easy Being Green!

2010-02-14T21:10:00.000-08:00

"Going Green" is something I've always thought about, but haven't given much thought (if that makes sense). It wasn't until I started taking note of some things Tori Spelling was doing on her reality show that I realized people really take this going green thing seriously! At first when I saw Tori obsessively turning the water on and off as she brushed her teeth, I thought she might be a little wacky. Now that I'm starting to learn about our planet, I see that Tori is someone who is helping us save it! She inspired me and now I want to inspire you!

My eyes were really opened as I was recently asked to coordinate an event for this year's 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and make the event a green one. I've been enjoying educating myself on the matter! However, when I speak to people and share some of my new knowledge, I seem to get the same response. A lot of people are intimidated by going green. A lot of people don't actually understand what it means. A lot of people don't understand that our planet actually does need saving. A lot of things are being taken for granted. It'd be awful to fast forward in to the next decade when we are really in trouble and needing to cut down on things such as water usage and tell the story to our children that "When I was your age, I used to play in the bath tub for hours" or "When I was your age, we took hot showers" or "When I was your age, we didn't have to worry about this". So, why don't we all take a load off of our future plates and start taking small steps toward bettering our environment?!

There are so many little things you can do in your daily life that will make a big difference! This is why I'd like to make it easy on you and not fill you with tons of information. Who has time to read nowadays anyway? Instead, I figure I will just share some tips that you might find to be very simple and maybe you'll get inspired too. Then maybe you'll inspire someone else. Maybe together, we CAN make a difference!

Continue to take a peak at my blog as I share away!

Book the Sweet!!!

2010-02-11T08:41:00.000-08:00

Now THIS is so up my alley! haha. I wish this wasn't just something that Dylan's Candy Bar and the Renaissance Hotel did for Valentine's Day! They should have sweet suites like this all the time! Talk about having "sweet dreams"...with gummy bears at the foot of the bed, swirly pops at the head, and edible wallpaper...yes, I said edible...this is definitely a step up from chocolates on your pillow! If the robes could just be made of cotton candy...! I can dream, right? In that bed though...you'd probably wake up with a cavity! hehe. While this is taking place at the Renaissance Hotel in NYC, there are more participating throughout the country and in Canada. Only for the next few days though. So...check it out! Your dentist will love you! www.renhotelsromance.com

2010-01-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

I recently learned from Alfred Angelo that just as there are birthstones to celebrate the month in which you were born, there are also wedding stones to celebrate, well, the month in which you tied the knot! (Perfect gift by the way for any husband wanting to wow his wife this Valentine's Day with something thoughtful and special!).

It makes me wonder if women will choose particular months to get married in. Hmmm could diamonds or pearls sway you?

Here's a list of the months and their coordinating stones:
January - Garnet
February - Sapphire
March - Emerald
April - Aquamarine
May - Peridot
June - Amethyst
July - Opal
August - Citrine
September - Pearl
October - Blue Topaz
November - Ruby

*Pictured is a pink sapphire ring from Kay Jewelers in case you may be celebrating a February Anniversary

Bridesmaid Dresses - Bari Jay

2010-01-13T19:01:00.000-08:00

And now it's time for my favorite bridesmaid gown desinger - Bari Jay! Hands down, this is the hottest line this season in bridesmaid dresses! Simply exquisite! There are dresses like the one featured above that have detachable skirts!!! Do you believe it? There are also detachable shrugs like shown below! Perfect for having a very sophisticated and formal look in Church and then gettin your sexy on for the reception! I am in love with the ruffles, color contrasts, and amazing details that are added to the dresses. If you're a bride, I urge you to take a close look at this line and pay attention to detail. After all, it's those details that everyone remembers! Enjoy some of my favorite bridesmaid dresses ever...

JERSEY SHORE THEME PARTIES!!!!

2010-01-10T11:35:00.001-08:00

That's right!! All The Rave Events by Heather, LLC. is bringing you a very UNIQUE

Jersey Shore

theme party complete with invitations, decorations, games, favors, cake, and so much more!!! It will be the most talked about party ever!!! Best part? I'll work on any budget to bring you three different levels of party:

The Solution $

The Combination $$

The Celebration $$$

It will surely make everyone say WOWW!!

Email: AllTheRaveEvents@aol.com for more info.

Bridesmaid Dresses - Jim Hjelm

2010-01-10T10:09:00.000-08:00

I just absolutely love the fabrication of this line. It's something very different. With the right hair styles and accessories, you can make the gowns Vogue-esque or Bohemian Chic. These dresses are definitely very romantic and dramatic, so if you're going for the wedding drenched in candlelight and flowers, these are a great choice!

I like to think of bridesmaid dresses as "costumes". So, if your wedding were a show, story, or a movie...what would the characters be wearing? Being a dance choreographer and designing has made me realize how important it is to create visualizations...one way is through what everyone is wearing!

Bridesmaid Dresses - Impression Bridal

2010-01-10T09:58:00.000-08:00

Let's talk "stunning"! That's just what Impression Bridal has in bridesmaid gowns. If you are having a lavish and elegant wedding full of style, you want to check out this line. These gowns are luxurious! There are ball gowns, drop waists, you name it. The colors are amazing and this is the perfect line to use if you want your bridesmaids in one color and different styles. With all of the rouching and design, I believe there is something that is flattering for each one of your girls!

Bridesmaid Dresses - Eden Maids

2010-01-09T14:55:00.000-08:00

I love Eden Maids selection of shorter dresses. They do a great job with creating dresses with duel colors whether it be through a belt, a bow, trimming, etc. They also give different skirting options from bubble skirts to ruffle swing skirts.
I'm in love with their turquoise/white combo for a summer wedding!

Bridesmaid Dresses - Mia Solano

2010-01-05T21:43:00.000-08:00

Red still remains a popular color for romantic weddings. Some of the hottest red dresses I found were part of Mia Solano's line like the following where the short dress gathers above the knee with a bow and the gown has a black band around the waist. Very chic!

I love the following style. It highlights what I call "peek-a-boo ruffles". The dresses have a contrasting fabric flowing out from underneath. The color of the ruffle matches that of the band around the waist.

The next two gowns are rouched and gathered in a manner that would compliment most bridesmaids.

Mia Solano uses some great shades of color!

Bridesmaid Dresses - Alyce

2010-01-03T16:12:00.000-08:00

What I'm about to say is quite odd, but really, check out the bust lines on these dresses! They're pretty unique! Not something you see every day on bridesmaid dresses. I love the belts bows and sashes on the gowns in the line 312. The pastel colors are cute too especially for spring.
312 by Alyce

The Alyce line itself has some really beautiful gowns that flair out in to trumpet bottoms. Again, the bustlines are different. One of my favorites is the black and white striped gown!

This line has a wide range of dresses going from casual to elegant.

Alyce

Bridesmaid Dresses by Jenny Yoo

2010-01-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

Jenny Yoo gets an 'A' for being innovative. Not only has she really rocked out the one shoulder look as you will see at the latter part of the article, but she has made it very easy for you to style your bridesmaids differently by creating a convertible sash. In the Eastern Shantung designs, you will see that the sash is removable and it can be tied in to a bow in the front, in the back, around the top, or wherever you want. This is great for the bride looking to make each of her girls stand out, but by sticking with one dress of one length and style. At the same time, you can always switch up your bridesmaids in two separate colors and have them swap their sashes so that you have let's say pink on green and green on pink. Smart, right?

Eastern Shantung/Convertible Sash

Charmeuse and more...

Although she works with many colors, Jenny Yoo's best looks are in jewel tone colors.

Day 12 of Design - Vera Wang

2009-12-27T15:23:00.001-08:00

Well, last but not least by any means, one of my most favorite wedding gown designers is the one and only -Vera Wang. Always unveiling showstopper looks, she really knows how to design for a bride who wants to be slightly ahead of the times. She's right on top of the trend and is often a trendsetter tweeking the current trends by pushing the envelope a bit. Her gowns are full of luscious draping, swirls of silk and tulle and even hints of black through sashes and bows. Slightly whimsical, yet elegant beyond words!

Vera Wang gowns are perfect for the trendsetter brides!

Day 11 of Design - Rosa Clara

2009-12-23T19:31:00.000-08:00

Go big or go home! Look at the amazing skirt on the one-shoulder Rosa Clara gown. The dress is simple as far as there being no beading, but the ruffles that layer the bottom are so exquisite; it is the epitome of a wedding gown!

Rosa Clara makes many gowns that seem pure in a sense. There is also a little bit of conservativeness in her gowns, but at the same time, there is something extravagant with them all that take them in to 2010!

This year she has gowns with sleeves. They're not just regular sleeves though, look at the way they are wrapped around the back and the cape sleeves. Beautiful. There's also a gown with pockets for the new-age bride. I think it looks very futuristic, still remaining simple, but definitely a show piece. Finally I had to share the gown with the drop waist because I LOVE bows and the one on this gown completes it perfectly!

Rosa Clara gowns are for the conservative, but not necessarily traditional bride.

Best Eyeliner Ever!

2009-12-21T22:15:00.000-08:00

I've been wearing make-up since I was 2-years-old performing as a dancer in numerous shows until I was in my teens. So, it's no wonder at age 31, I'm still a huge fan of "painting my face". Black eye make-up is my main weakness. I go lighter with it for day and create a smokey eye for nighttime and special occasions). I put my eye liner on both top and bottom lids.

I've been SO over eye pencils for a long time because they don't work that great. (Unless you know that the trick is to burn them for 2 seconds after you sharpen them). There's still always a chance of getting a splinter though. Ever cut your eye on the unsharpened edge of an eye pencil? Uh-huh! Hurts! Sure, there are liquid liners out that you can use, but if you're like me and have experimented, it's likely that you've also gotten it IN your eye which lead to big black tears or you've had it ALL OVER your eyes because you have to magically keep your eyes from blinking while it takes forever to dry. This is why I became SO impressed with and fell madly in love with MAC's Penultimate eye liner!

This liquid liner is actually inside this marker-like utensil. When you draw the lines on, it dries instantly! You are able to draw your best cat eyes and anything else you might like as you have complete control over where the make-up is going. It's definitely on my Christmas list!

Something Blue

2009-12-21T22:06:00.000-08:00

Since it's Christmas, when I went for my manicure the other day, I couldn't resist having little snowflakes painted on to my ring fingers. I don't have a very good picture of it, but this gave me the idea of doing 'something blue' on your nails for your wedding. There are so many designs you could possibly get. You could also maybe just get your monogram unless you wanted either your fingernails or toenails to be completely blue. A tropical manicure would be pretty too (with just a line of blue).(If your bridesmaids are wearing blue, it might be cute for you to have open-toed shoes with a blue pedicure). It'd be cute for the pictures too! Just so happens, China Glaze has the perfect color for this. 'For Audrey'. And yes, they are talking about Ms. Hepburn.

Day 10 of Design - Lazaro

2009-12-21T21:02:00.000-08:00

Looking for something whimsical and dramatic? Lazaro has an incredible imagination for creating fairytale gowns. Lazaro offers a large selection from simple to very extravagant (with variations in price too). There is amazing use of beading and drop-waist on these gowns. Breathtaking!

I love the first gown featured above and how the tulle seems to be streaming from underneath the overlay of the skirt featuring silk flowers.

Notice the amazing handbeaded bodice.

The simplicity of this gown excretes pure elegance!

A beautiful play on ruffles!

Lazaro is perfect for the fairytale bride. If you are having a wedding enveloped in flowers and formality, these gowns are perfect!

Turquoise and Yellow Wedding

2009-12-20T21:09:00.000-08:00

click on pic to enlarge

When Dave asked me to theme a turquoise and yellow wedding board, I took in to consideration that he and his wife are moving to Florida, and designed a really fun South Beachy wedding using those colors. Since Dave and his fiance are already legally married, I thought this would be the perfect way to celebrate with their loved ones - very bright and fun, yet something sexy and chic that can be taken in to the night.

The set up of stark white cabanas maybe housing tables for guests can make for a really neat cocktail-type reception. Maybe our bride will want to opt for a shorter white dress. Adding hints of gray in to the mix through the mens' suits, gives it a touch of elegance. I say 'suits' instead of 'tuxedos' because it's a nice way for the guys to stay dressy, but to also be a bit more casual. Giving the groomsmen yellow ties and the bridesmaids turquoise dresses will create a balanced mix. Highlighting the flowergirl (their daughter) will be important, so it'd be neat to dress her in yellow so that she stands out amongst the girls. She is after all, I'm sure, their little sunshine! Dave fishes as a hobby, so adding items found on the shore such as starfish and shells, are cute and personal touches. A fun themed drink in the turquoise color with a customized label is an exciting additive whether it be for a favor or something for the guests to actually drink all night. Cute little individual cakes (similar to cupcakes) also take the formality away, but keep the classiness alive.

This is a fashionable young couple, so something very hot, young, and hip, would be the way to go for them. Make it a night to remember!

Day 9 of Design - Alvina Valenta

2009-12-20T20:12:00.000-08:00

Alvina Valenta is very innovative! With sweep trains, 'fit and flare' and 'fluted' styles, and a signature 'rum pink silke' hue, the bridal gown has been taken in to 2010!

Alvina Valenta is a great choice for a confident bride who has a regal air about her!

Day 8 of Design - Monique Lhuillier

2009-12-20T19:40:00.000-08:00

Give the bride options! Monique Lhuillier designs gorgeous seemingly tranditional wedding gowns, but as a bonus, some of the pieces are sold separately so that you can change your look to fit you!

Ever hear of a detachable skirt like the one featured above?

This corset and skirt are sold separately!

Purchase the bolero featured for the ceremony and then lose it for the reception.

You'll also find beautiful mermaid gowns made by Monique.

The line by Monique Lhuillier is perfect for the traditional bride who can't make up her mind. hehe. All joking aside, it is perfect for a bride who wants to have options.

Day 7 of Design - Ian Stuart

2009-12-18T18:25:00.000-08:00

Variety is the spice of life! And what you'll find in Ian Stuart's line is just that...variety and spice! Use of different fabrics, embellishments, and structures, are the basis of luxury gowns.

Take notice of the handmade flowers that line the side of the gown.

The bow of course, you can not miss! Stunning!

Amazing amounts of embellishments - crystals, sequins, beads...bling it on!

Rosettes and Ruffles = Romance.

This is one of the hottest short white dresses out there right now!

These gowns are perfect for the bride having a ritzy wedding and for a bride who loves being the center of attention!

Day 6 of Design - Pnina Tornai

2009-12-18T08:06:00.000-08:00

Are you ready to wed like a rockstar? It takes a certain type of girl to pull off Pnina Tornai as it's really taking it to the next level. The line is unique and breathtaking and embodies Haute Couture. As I told you previously, tulle has made a big comeback for this season and Pnina Tornai has used it in some exhilarating ways, but they've also used feathers and FUR! Yes, I said it! It's wild and I love it! These dresses are very showy. If you have the personality to fit a Pnina Tornai, then you should go for it to the extreme! I've not even showed you the most daring of them. You're going to have to check those corset dresses out on your own. Caution: Not for the faint of heart! They're not all completely wild though. These are some of the most beautiful one-of-a-kind gowns out there right now.

Pnina Tornai is for the girl who can carry herself in Haute Couture! It's for the showgirls and the rockstars of the wedding world. Want to unleash your inner rockstar?

Chattin with Ashton Kutcher and Kim Kardashian

2009-12-16T20:54:00.000-08:00

Ashton Kutcher went LIVE tonight in what is called a "social stream" and I tuned in (or signed on rather) to get involved! He took the camera behind the scenes at his production company Katalyst. To prove he was actually live, he gave out his phone number and had us call. He did accept the call from one of us! And, to go one further, he repeated a message I sent to him. So, yes, we had contact with the REAL Ashton. His concept behind this social group was really neat although I'm not sure it played out as well as it could have.

He had a decent amount of celebrities and entertainment. Kenna was walking on a treadmill as Ashton interviewed him, Kat Badar covered Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian was actually on Skype in her car on her way over. She was talking to us as she applied her lip gloss. When she did arrive, even though she had to pee, they put a mic on her and she started showing Ashton pictures of her newborn nephew (Kourtney's baby) Mason Dash. She then talked about an upcoming role she's playing on CSI NY, but Ashton spoiled the ending and we know "who did it"! That's what's great about being live! You can see slip-ups, celebs being human, and even catch some interesting news you may not have known otherwise!

Although Ashton promised he was live and that there would be no commercials, every couple of minutes, major product placement would take place during a clip he would switch over to. Let's just say a lot of us left this experience craving hot pockets in the worst way! Ashton would also show some previously recorded clips of interviews he did. The Jersey Shore cast is one example (where he learned to become "guido").

Things were going great and Ashton was taking questions from us until a magician showed up. Then things got weird. The serious magician Dynamo was trying to do a card trick and Kim was messing around with questions, and before you knew it...it was almost like the three of them were hanging out and leaving us out of the conversation. People started leaving and attention was lost. Then by surprise, Ashton shut down. I'm thinking it may've been due to technical difficulties OR it may've infact been over. We did however experience some glitches early on when his computer went down and he was not in chat with us. It was back up and running in no time though.

Humor value was not so high, but this was his first time going live and doing this. It was a risk to take. As for entertainment and originality...I give him an A+!! I do see this as being the way of the future. Everyone can now be involved in live interviews and see what takes place behind-the-scenes in Hollywood.

*pic from the Insider

"Mint to Be"

2009-12-16T20:47:00.000-08:00

Denny thought he was being funny when he challenged me to create a wedding inspiration board that was to be inspired by the Andes Mint green color wrapper. Well, I took him up on the challenge and incorporated the mint candy and I theme this wedding "Mint to Be". What would really be neat is if the groom's name was Andy! hehe.

At any rate, I took the green that is pleasant to some, but not necessarily the first choice for others. This Kelly/Emerald-Green, for lack of knowing the exact hue, may not even be a color found in your reperitoire, but when paired with chocolate brown (hmmm chocolate...makes sense), it is absolutely tasteful (no pun intended...well, maybe)!

Starting with a blank template and using white linens will allow you to use the green and brown as accent colors. By all means, have your bridal party in the green. It looks excellent in pictures! Wrapping the napkins in chocolate brown ribbons to match the ribbon on the cake, is very chic. Bringing the mint candy in to the desserts whether it be through mint cupcakes, a specialty drink, or a green candy bar, is a cute touch that will have the guests raving. Try a chocolate brown aisle runner. Have fun with the invitations. They can be brown with green inside (just like the Andes Mints).

Speaking of invitations, if you know you are going to do this theme early enough, you can always send out "engageMINTS" to your guests as Save-The-Dates! There are many places that offer customized mint tins in which you can have your names and a message printed and then add some mints inside. These would make for great favors too! Maybe they could then be called "commitMINTS". Do you not love it?

Day 5 of Design - Maggie Sottero

2009-12-16T19:43:00.000-08:00

This wouldn't be much of a wedding designer countdown if I didn't feature the ever-so-popular Maggie Sottero! This line is the ultimate in wedding wear for women who dreamt of being brides since they were little girls. When you think of the poofy princess dress and the essence of what it is to be a bride, this is what you're imagining, created by Maggie to give it that extra special touch. From ruffles and layers to beautiful corset bodices and exquisite a-lines, every girl wants a "Maggie" for her wedding! They are extremely flattering and I've never seen a bride in a Maggie Sottero gown who didn't look beyond stunning!

Even though these gowns are so complex in structure and made with beautiful materials, prices on these gowns are great compared to the couture gowns I have and will feature. As a bonus, you can find them in many bridal shops. Personally, I think I have fallen in love with one (maybe two) of them. Just sayin...

Perfect for the girl who closes her eyes and hears "Here Comes the Bride"! Perfect for the Princess Bride, the Diva Bride, the Sophisticated Bride, and any other Bride-to-Be! True class and elegance!

dresses featured: sabelle . laura . amour bouquet . barbara . dallas marie . melissa bouquet . amour royale . krystalyn marie

We Be Married Mon

2009-12-15T20:58:00.001-08:00

click on picture to enlarge

Monzeil asked me to create a Rasta-styled Wedding Inspiration Board. Red, Gold, and Green are absolutely key in creating this theme, for without them, it could be just any other wedding. Since Rastafarians are known for their laid-back hippy-esque party personas, I wanted to create something very pretty, but fun at the same time. I chose golden gowns for the bridesmaids and also a wedding gown with a red streak for the bride. The groomsmen have green ties. The flowers will bring all of the colors together as the bouquets will host the red, gold, and green. Throwing in a Rasta-themed cake or two (maybe one for the groom) help to bring this party to life. Some accents such as the threaded earrings really are that added touch. A nice outdoor setting of red and black lounge furniture create a chill atmosphere. Using black linens and chair covers accented with red, gold, and green bands and napkins up the spirit and formality even more. Signature shots in all three colors are just another way of combining the flavor. Bracelets that say 'love' will make for a cute favor. Dress them up in favor boxes of red, black, gold, green and you can create a cute stack of rasta. OH...and be sure to have some Rasta Pasta at this bash! You can have red, yellow, and green peppers added to it if you really want to go all the way with the theme.

Day 4 of Design - J. Crew

2009-12-15T18:28:00.000-08:00

Okay, let's face it...not all girls are in to ruffles or frills and looking like a princess on their wedding day. Some like to get married in a nature-type setting like in a wooded area or on the beach, and they want their dress to be something easy to move around in. Not to mention, there are many girls who consider themselves tomboys who can't imagine themselves in a dress. So, we're going to take the layers down a notch, and focus on J. Crew's comfort. I like that these straighter white dresses have actual style! They are each different in design making them a very interesting line. I can picture a bride wearing one of these gowns running through a field of wildflowers for her pictures.

J. Crew's line is perfect for the girl who doesn't like to dress-up or for the bride who is having a unique destination wedding in a setting where a ball gown would not quite fit in.

This dress is gorgeous for a seaside wedding!

This dress flooded in rosettes is gorgeous for a romantic outdoorsy wedding!

Purple and Green Spring Garden Wedding

2009-12-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

I'm starting with Jen, who asked me to make up a board of a purple and green spring garden wedding.

You'll notice that I didn't only use the colors and garden idea to create a theme, but I also worked with circle shapes and a vine pattern. Some nice touches are the round pomander bouquets. The one pictured is made up of green and purple hydrangea. You'll also see the backdrop in which the bride and groom are kissing is covered with pomanders (also known as kissing balls). Mixing shades really pleases the eye. The vine shape, I worked in to the table overlays.

I picture garden weddings to be under big tents, so hanging lanterns really sets a fun mood. By bringing different shades of purples in to the mix, you will see that the atmosphere gets brighter and more beautiful. Adding green chair covers brings the green of the grass up as if you're sitting in it. Fun objects that you would find in a garden can be used to create cute conversation pieces. Little round topiary trees can be used for decoration and also for escort cards. I love the wooden monograms covered in moss! I added a touch of feathers in a headpiece for another hint of outdoors. Finally, I threw in some jeweled napkin rings to add a touch of elegance. The great thing about this theme is that you can make it as casual as possible with bridesmaids in sundresses or as elegant as possible (think Great Gatsby). I decided to go in between.

This type of garden wedding calls for short bridesmaid dresses! You can have your bridesmaids in different shades of the same color and even different style dresses. As for the men, a nice light taupe or gray tuxedo or suit would really match well. Don't be afraid to mix it up with some striped ties and a fun flower boutonnier.

I know Jen loves to bake, so a cake has to be exquisite for her (and you'll notice a touch of butterflies doesn't hurt), but throwing some cupcakes in there too would really match her personality!

Click pic to enlarge!

Get Inspired

2009-12-15T12:55:00.000-08:00

I put a post on my Facebook today to have people send in their input as to what colors/themes they'd like to see in a wedding and that I would make an inspiration board for it. Some requests have been crazy, but I love a good challenge!! I'm going to be creating these and adding them to my site. If there is something YOU would like to see, go ahead and leave me a comment.

Day 3 of Design - Romona Keveza

2009-12-14T19:54:00.001-08:00

Romona Keveza takes the current trends to the next level by coloring them in. If you are a bride wanting to step out of the box, you can slip in to one of these beautiful silver-toned or golden gowns. Ruffles on the gowns give a soft look to the silhouette. Romona Keveza, whose gowns can be seen all over the red carpet, has an extensive line of gowns that will make you feel like a celebrity!

Romona Keveza gowns are for the starlet - a bride not afraid to shine!

Day 2 of Design - Kenneth Pool

2009-12-13T19:52:00.000-08:00

Looking for something different? Hoping to look different? Create an illusion! If you have a straighter body or minimal curves, a drop waist dress with a crumb catcher top by Kenneth Pool will be your dream dress! Usually flaring out in to a trumpet silhouette, these dresses inspired by the 1920's popularized drop waist dress are glamorous and sophisticated.
Kenneth Pool places just the right amount of details on his gowns whether it be with rouching, ruffles, or embelishments.

Kenneth Pool dresses are perfect for the plainer bride who wants to stand out and dazzle! This particular style is great for taller brides!

Day 1 of Design - AMSALE

2009-12-13T08:19:00.000-08:00

I'm going to start with a designer I am very impressed by this season. Amsale has really captured a lot of the latest and hottest trends in their collection. They also have the widest collection I've seen of cute short dresses with their line "The Little White Dress". From one shoulder dresses, pockets, pink dresses, bubble dresses, and more, there is something for everyone in this collection.

Pictured above is 'Aurora' a pink silk taffeta bubble gown that is short in the front with a train in the back. It's 'bubble' design looks like your floating in a pink cloud.

The short dresses I have featured are the one shoulder ecentric design 'Flora', 'Danielle' which has flowing tulle (which is popular this season), and 'Audrey' accented with a bow.

Below, the bubble dress 'Ibiza' is gorgeous and modern with it's extremely low back line also accented with a tie around bow and pockets. It is absolutely one of my favorite dresses at the moment! It screams "2010 bride"! 'Kenna' is a one shoulder layered and ruched gown.

You will often find that Amsale dresses are the ones featured on shows like 'My Fair Wedding' and 'Say Yes to the Dress'.

If you are a bride who is trendy and likes to be "in the now", Amsale is a great line for you!

12 Days of Design

2009-12-13T07:16:00.000-08:00

Stay tuned as I am about to bring you 12 Days of Design. I will be highlighting my absolute favorite wedding gown designers and also categorizing their styles. Let me help you to narrow your selections so that you know where you want to shop. Bridal salons only carry certain designers, so shorten your travels by knowing where you're going. Then, you can walk in to a salon with an idea of what you're looking for. You'll be able to find your personality one of these 12 days! Let the countdown begin!

Jersey Shore Girl Representin'

2009-12-10T13:50:00.000-08:00

With such controversy over MTV's new show 'Jersey Shore', I felt as though I had to write and give my point of view to those of you reading this from all over the country. Living only 35 minutes away from the Jersey shore, I've spent all of my summers there vacationing. There are many different beaches that make up the Jersey shore, some of the most popular are located in Pt. Pleasant, Long Beach Island, Belmar, Long Branch, and Wildwood. Then there is Seaside Heights which is where the show takes place. Seaside Heights was always very popular. But, like all good things, some must come to an end, and while as a kid many of us enjoyed Seaside Heights for it's amazing boardwalk with tons of games, rides, food, and shops, it seems as though it is its own little world now popular to the tweenagers to twenty-somethings looking for an ummm "good time".

I think the outrage from New Jersey residents, comes from the fact that WE know (and I put myself in that category being that I am now 31-years-old life long resident) of a time when things were seemingly innocent. The beach was a place where you went to build sand castles and play in the waves and the boardwalk was where you went to grab a slice of pizza or where the kids would run around in to the arcades or hop on the big merry-go-round. It was a family place. Generations of summer vacations for many. While we've all witnessed this area go downhill for the past several years as Seaside started to earn the nickname 'Sleazeside', we've still held on to hope to a degree. Well, say goodbye to hope and hello to dirty Jersey as it's being magnified and exaggerated times a billion with this fist-pumping show! Many of us wish they had picked one of our many beautiful beaches to have a show based out of, but had MTV picked one of those spots along the Jersey shore, you would not have had the same raunchy setting for Guidos Gone Wild (and I say that with love)!

Italian-Americans are most upset with the show that was obviously type-cast having eight "guidos and guidettes" living in one house for the summer. It's even been stated by some big news authorities that death threats were received for it to be taken off the air (this was not confirmed however). Tempers do flair on both sides of the screen it seems. At any rate, while some of these characters are your traditional Italian boys and proud of it, others have a different persona where it seems as though they may've fell off the boot of Italy somewhere and left their class at the heel. As an Italian-American girl, I don't want to be classified as to what some of these tasteless "bambinas" are portraying. I want to have my own commercial/warning prior to the show that states "What you are about to see is in no way, shape, or form what REALLY goes on in Jersey. All of the actors you see here are fake from their hair to their tan. This is a dramatization. Do NOT try this at home". (On a side note, these people are mostly all from New York, so they are technically not even true New Jersey Shore people, but vacationers instead. Maybe that's why they are not such a good representation of it). What this new generation of out-of-towners knows is that the strip of Seaside is hook-up central. A place to go where you "don't fall in love", but surprisingly take your clothes off at "hello". Kinda gives "you had me at hello" a different meaning actually.

Eighty percent of the castmates have no interest in working, are not loyal, get in to fights, and show disrespect. While this drama all makes for good TV, you have to understand why some of us are cringing while watching. That's just the problem though. If you're like me, you probably can't stop watching. haha. There are some really great quotes and hilarious moments that came out of the very first show alone making me want to tune in for more laughs. Just as you would fall in love with the cast on Real World, you find yourself inviting these people in to your home too and making them your new BFFs. It's just that while they are painting a picture of skankdom, most of us want to show you what the Jersey Shore is REALLY about. I will give them props though for saying grace before dinner which is not something you see twenty-somethings doing often.

Can you imagine what the people of MTV's other reality show 'Laguna Beach' thought about this show and Jersey in itself? I must say that believe it or not though, people LOVE the show! One of Brody Jenner's friends thinks it's the best show EVER and Brody says through tweets that it's all everyone is talking about! I'm seeing reaction from girls around the country who are falling for these Jersey or um New York spikey-haired, muscley guidos. hehe.

I say "fuggedaboudit". Keep the show on the air. After all, it is VERY entertaining! Solve the problem by changing the name of the show to "Seaside Nights-Italians Do it Best" and get a laugh out of it instead of taking it to heart. These are young kids who are unfortunately doing what all of the other young kids out there are doing. Don't categorize it with our beautiful Jersey shore or our nationality as a whole.

Marcy's Fashion Forward Move

2009-12-10T07:42:00.000-08:00

Marcy, who is one of my coordinators, was ahead of the game a few years ago when she got married and made not one but TWO fashion forward moves. She opted for the shorter white dress WITH a black sash. Both are what you are seeing all over the runways right now by designers such as Vera Wang, Michele Rahn, and Amsale! Just goes to show that you shouldn't be afraid to choose a gown that highlights who you are. You may even become a trendsetter.

STARR Treatment

2009-12-09T21:09:00.000-08:00

These restaurants may only be located on the East Coast, but they are out-of-this-world fun! Stephen Starr's masterpiece restaurants are an excellent way to start off any bachelorette party! Located in Atlantic City, Philadelphia, New York, and Ft. Lauderdale, it is no wonder girls choose to grab a bite to eat before dancing the night away, hitting the slots, and playing silly bachelorette games with their maids! Continental has to be one of the most talked about restaurants on the list. From the array of crazy drinks you can order such as a 'Twizzle' garnished with a red licorice wheel to the miniature cheesesteak eggrolls...it is a girl's paradise! The upstairs terrace is the perfect atmosphere to take a seat on a couch, grab some great tapas, and sip on something sweet! Do you want to throw some Asian-Fusion in to the mix? Morimoto and Pod are two of my other favorite SS restaurants. The decor in these two places is futuristic and plush. You will take a bite of food only to notice that by the time you remove the fork from your mouth, your table has changed colors or the walls are completely different. Both places offer lounge areas for a group and the food is delicious! Maybe the bride will be going to Mexico on her honeymoon. Well, you can theme the bachelorette party by starting with dinner at El Vez! If the bride is a "rockstar", she will love the Day of the Dead inspired decor! Other excellent choices are Tangerine and Budakahn. I have not visited the rest yet, but plan on doing so. Eating at a Stephen Starr restaurant is an experience to say the least. Go to one of them to celebrate something special!

Takes the Cake!

2009-12-09T20:50:00.000-08:00

With the popularity of shows such as Cake Boss and Ace of Cakes, customized cakes are showing up at many weddings in the form of groom's cakes. Your traditional wedding cake, I think can also be customized to fit any theme (and they've come SUCH a long way), but some people understandably like to stay with tradition and get a three or four tiered cake and feed each other leaving the guests in suspense of cake smashing (which I feel is on its way out...let's face it, having beautiful make-up professionaly done is not going to be ruined by buttercream icing!). Since the bride gets to choose so many details regarding "her" big day, it's nice to throw a little touch of something in to the mix that represents the groom. Kristin chose to have a cake made in to a tackle box for her hubby-to-be whose main hobby is fishing. It definitely becomes a conversation piece and is something memorable to do. The options and ideas are endless. You can have a groom cake themed according to your hubby's occupation, favorite sports team, favorite hobby, favorite band, etc. Since the cake is generally small enough that it will feed about 25ppl (unless you order something bigger), you can choose to share it with just the bridal party or have the cake sliced small and offer it out to guests who would like to try it.

She's Arrived!

2009-12-09T20:39:00.001-08:00

That's what they'll say when you step out of something not-so-average. Even if it's just a cute way to cart your bridal party from the ceremony to the reception, it makes for great pictures to rent or borrow fun transportation. Our first couple shown opted for a rustic trolley to tour the beautiful Autumn streets of Princeton, NJ. A Rolls Royce was fitting for our princess bride who wanted her wedding to scream elegance! What about when you have a bride and groom who our both teachers? I say of course, take the bus!

Groomsmen Gift Homerun

2009-12-06T16:01:00.000-08:00

Looking for a unique Groomsmen gift or something different to do for your bachelor party? Maybe you're even looking for a special gift for your hubby-to-be. Why not spend a day at the home of the 2009 World Series Champions?! For $20 (and less if there are enough in your group), you can take a 45 minute tour of Yankee Stadium, Monument Park, and the dugout! You can even hit a few balls in the batting cages. Afterwards, you can get a great lunch or dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe OR check out the Yankees new steakhouse NYY Steak! Often, there are packages where you can combine the tour and your meal for a set price. I'm posting the link for you to check it out. Make it memorable!

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/stadium_tours.jsp

Walk in Paris Hilton's Shoes

2009-12-02T11:02:00.001-08:00

Many of you girls have been commenting to me about Paris Hilton's wedding shoe line after I posted it on my Facebook. Well, did you know that Paris Hilton has an entire line of shoes and boots and some are even perfect for bridesmaids?!?! I wanted to show you some of my picks. You'll notice that some of the shoes actually echo those for the bride. There are a variety of colors and styles!

Since silver and gold are a very popular choice for shoes and you can never really go wrong with metallics:

fierce * lucky * madrid * senorita * glitzy * catalina * chico

There are also some very cute shoes in exciting colors perfect for a wedding. Some even have kitten heels:

destiny * gala * maclay * spelled * charmed

These shoes and much more are available online at http://www.zappos.com/, http://www.amazon.com/

Tropical Shabby Chic Bridal Shower

2009-12-02T09:37:00.000-08:00

When bride-to-be Danielle found her wedding gown over a year ago and it had a very gorgeous antiqueness to it, she decided she was going to bring that flair in to her wedding by adding an old-Hollywood styled tiara and adorning her bridesmaid gowns with glamorous brooches. All The Rave was to plan her bridal shower. We knew she was a big fan of the antiqueness as well as the French Country Shabby Chic theme picnic that she had seen pictures of, so we were going to head in that direction. Then once she started planning her Honeymoon to Hawaii, it was no wonder where to take the theme of the surprise bridal shower! I created Tropical Shabby Chic.

The shower was to be held in her Matron of Honor's back yard making it super elegant - on a budget.

I just absolutely LOVE creating things that people have never seen or heard of and also personalizing my invitations! It sets the mood for the event and people know what to expect. You'll usually find that people also learn what to wear from this and will dress in tune with the theme (which just adds another special touch).

In addition to family-style brunch food at the tables, we also had fun butlered hors d'voures such as french toast sticks passed around.

A yard sale find became a great conversation piece!

Making sure to keep the centerpieces colorful on top of sand-colored table linens, we went with the bride’s favorites – gerbera daisies and some pretty lillies. I adorned each centerpiece covered in sea blue shabby fabric with an antique brooch and added some shells and marbles to the bottom of each vase to bring it all together.

Tons of special touches, such as this colorful handmade banner, were brought in to keep with the bridal shower theme!

We turned the water in the garden fountains island blue!

The backyard was turned in to a tropical paradise on a budget!

I made special “shower” umbrellas to sit inside the fruit cups.

The cake was delicious, and as you can see, themed perfectly!

And of course there were the adorable favors such as jam and antiqued tropical style jam spreaders so that everyone could “Spread the Love”, making this a Tropical Shabby Chic Shower to remember!

Photos courtesy of Al Sconza Photography

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood! My Chat with Chad!

2009-12-01T14:58:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of Bravo's hit show 'Million Dollar Listing' or have you been living under a rock? That's okay, if you are living under a rock; Chad Rogers is just the person you want to speak to about getting some new accomodations! The hip and new Mr. Rogers of 2009 is a real estate tycoon taking California by storm! You can watch this fireball of confidence as he is coming to you from other people's homes in to yours on Monday nights. Chad sells high end Real Estate and watching him close these deals always gives me the chills. He's THAT impressive! Too bad for us, the season finale is next week, but lucky for us...that does NOT mean the end of Chad Rogers!! In fact, it's probably just the beginning of his journey which makes me want to hop on the Chad Train (he doesn't like to fly, so we'll make it a train hehe)! I want to watch every moment. With his amazing work ethic, strategies, and determination, I feel as though this Mr. Rogers might be the next Mr. Trump!

Employed by Paris Hilton's father nonetheless and having Paris herself as one of his clients, Chad deals with only high end deals. If you've been following the show, he recently sold a 5 million dollar space at the W in Hollywood. You'd think while tending to big named celebrities and spending time with his super cute partner and lucky star Starla, his dog, and his beautiful girlfriend, he wouldn't have too much extra time on his hands. Well, this superhuman makes time and he made some for his fans last night providing us all with a live chat.

Able to talk about anything and ask Chad any question possible, people could not stay off of the subject of his hair. Chad joked that he was going to shave it, but I don't think he will. It suits him. His hair is sorta like the icing on the cake (no pun intended). For those of you who don't know, Chad and his girlfriend call each other "cake"...it's so "sweet"! There were a decent amount of fans ranging from all ages all over the country and in Canada too. I asked Chad what gives him the drive to get up and go every day. He says that he simply loves what he does and that's what makes him get out of bed. He then talked about a special drink that he enjoys having. He says it's the best medicine and probably great fuel. If it can make me be anymore like Chad, I'm going to drink it myself! He has such an endurance when it comes to his work. He has fight in his eyes and his not wanting to back down from situations makes me want to be that much stronger of a person in both personal and professional life.

Chad did bring Starla in to the room and put her on camera for us. She's sooo super cute! And then later Victoria made an appearance. Not sure how excited she was to be there (she did leave us to go watch Gossip Girl haha), but she answered some questions for a bit about her work and what type of make-up she wore and stuff. She is a fashion designer with no plans of marrying Chad anytime in the near future. She says she is too young.

What's really great about this guy is that in real life he is 100% the same as he is on television. Mind you, he did not go out and audition for this show or anything. Bravo went searching for him! What you see is what you get. And, as he would say, "Chad is Chad". He talked about personal stuff and he was ready with real estate advice. I'm an even bigger fan now than I was (and that was pretty big). Let's just say, I have Chad's book on the top of my wish list!! It will be out in the near future.

For those of you who know me, you know that I've always wanted to be on the Apprentice. Chad would want to too. He and I both grew up reading Donald Trump's biography. I'd love to go head-to-head with him just to have the experience of working along-side two of the greatest masterminds ever!

I hope you enjoyed my little article on someone I admire greatly. Keep your eye out for Mr. Rogers as he spices up the real estate market. And if you're smart, you'll be part of his neighborhood! Tune in to Bravo next Monday night for the season finale, and if you're in the LA area, you can go and celebrate with him. And remember...keep your money where your mouth is because "Talk Is Cheap"!

~ Heather Sconza

Photo from ChadRogersTV

Bonnet Island Estate/Mallard Island Yacht Club

2009-11-29T13:00:00.000-08:00

The Bonnet Island Estate in Long Beach Island was the perfect place for a June wedding! With the beach only being minutes away, there were tons of great spots for pictures! I'm very much looking forward to working at their sister site located a little down the road - The Mallard Island Yacht Club! Anyone getting married there?

Above: Bonnet Island Estate, LBI

Below: Mallard Yacht Club, LBI

Add Thought, Mix it Up!

2009-11-29T11:40:00.000-08:00

I love making homemade gifts! There's nothing more special than putting thought and time in to a gift to give someone you care about. I made two friends of mine recipe books. I absolutely love playing around with materials and so I took shreds and made some cute additives. I also made a Tuscan-themed recipe card holder which I painted and adorned with miniature eggplants and garlic. I love miniature things!

Presentation is Key

2009-11-29T11:27:00.000-08:00

It's so important to me to not only serve GREAT quality food at an event, but also to have it presented in a way that people will remember! One caterer I work with, gives many different options for menus and such. I'm a HUGE fan of doing great tasting items miniature sized! It's finger-friendly, diet-friendly, and just so darn cute!! Who doesn't love to dip miniature grilled cheeses in tomato soup or pop scrumptious cheesecakes without feeling the guilt?

Escort Cards Jazzed Up

2009-11-29T11:16:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite set of homemade escort cards were ones that I made last winter. Sticking with a gold and diamond theme, I made sure these were "blingy" at the bride's request. I then hung them on trees for the guests to take (after they were written out of course).