October 31, 2008 at 12:15 AM
On the eve of your nuptials, celebrate your marriage with a union of a different sort: the liquid kind. We found two great bachelorette bash beverages that are perfect, no matter what your party style.
If your crowd is the shot-loving kind, bring Dekuyper Bursts ($11) to the party. Keep the Kamikazes, Red Headeds and Washington Apples flowing without needing a bartender on hand to mix drinks.
If your gathering will be a quiet ladies night, then we highly recommend Seven Daughters Winemakers Blends ($15, 7daughters.com). The red and white varietals are an excellent introduction to the world of wine blending, without intensive classes, expensive kits and (potentially) disastrous trial and errors. Seven Daughters White Winemaker’s Blend has something for everyone, and includes Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and French Colombard,
So whether you down the Bursts or sip Seven Daughters, it’s sure to be a match made in heaven.
—Randy Miller, Editorial Assistant
October 30, 2008 at 6:42 PM
I know, I know. The economic outlook isn't looking any brighter and who can possibly think of spending right now? But to all your brides-to-be out there, listen to me—take a honeymoon!
No, I am not crazy, I just believe that there is no better way to start a marriage than with a few days of pure tranquility. And you don't have to go far or spends loads of money to get it. I've said it before and I will say it again—the U.S. has some (okay, a ton!) amazing destinations that are perfect for a postwedding wind down.
For example, the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa (montereyplazahotel.com) on the California coast. It's absolutely perfect if you're looking to get that Mediterranean feel here in the states. The European architecture and oceanviews will transport you to place of peace and relaxation, and the amazing spa is there to help with any lingering kinks.
—Jeanine Edwards, Associate Editor
October 29, 2008 at 12:00 PM
If you’re looking for a unique present for your groom (or his best buddies), go for the Slacker G2 Personal Radio Player. It's the world’s only completely portable radio that gives music lovers the freedom to listen to their favorite stations wherever they go—even if they are not connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Listeners can choose from more than 100 programmed Slacker stations, over 10,000 artist stations, or their own custom-created stations. My absolute favorite part? The “Favorite” and “Ban” buttons. Whenever a new song comes on, you can decide you love it and base a playlist around it by hitting the “Favorite” button. Or, you can completely nix a song from ever being played again—perfect for those overplayed top 40 hits! The CEO of Slacker, Dennis Mudd, puts it best: “It lets you listen to the music you love everywhere you go, without having to work at it.”
The Slacker G2 Personal Radio Player is available now for purchase at slacker.com. MP3 players are so last season.
—Rachel Jacoby, Assistant Editor
Click here for more great gift ideas.
October 28, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Lets face it, when planning a wedding, you spend so much time perfecting your look—the dress, the hair, the makeup—that it's easy to forget your groom needs to look good too.
If you’re planning a spring or summer wedding, now’s the time to get your man thinking about clearing up those razor bumps or that unsightly backne. If your fiancé is anything like mine and refuses to get a spa treatment, then take him to a beauty counter at your local department store and have the aesthetician behind the counter assess his problem and recommend products for his skin type.
If that’s still too much for him, have him take the skin regime test on labseries.com for a custom skin analysis in the comfort of your home. It's so easy—he can even do this while he’s watching the game. Once he's done, he'll find out what products work best for his skin type and then you can order them. It takes bit of work on our part, but trust me ladies, the end result makes it so worthwhile.
—Tasha Turner, Senior Beauty Editor
October 27, 2008 at 5:00 PM
The thought of discount shopping probably makes you think sale racks, consignment shops, or maybe even eBay. Bridal probably doesn't make your list—that is, until now. Designer site Bluefly.com found a great way to, erm, “marry” the two with their new addition, Wedding 2.0.
Whether in the bridal party or simply attending as a guest, Wedding 2.0’s wide selection of designer dresses, accessories and thoughtful gifts for the happy couple promise style without breaking the bank. Narrow down your dress search with their clever categories like the “Sex and the City Wedding” (colorful and glam) or the “Little Bitty Dress Wedding” (chic and simple). Or, if you’re the bride, scroll through the “Honeymoon Essentials” section to stock up on all you’ll need for your postwedding tropical bliss. They have everything from luggage to lingerie, all at discounted prices.
Between the current tough economic times and the expense of putting together (or even just attending) a wedding, we’re sure the bargains will be welcome. Along with not having to dig through sale racks to find them.
—Jessica Derschowitz
October 24, 2008 at 3:16 PM
At a loss for what to register for because you already have plenty of housewares? We’ve found the perfect present for you. Neiman Marcus’ annual Christmas Book has lived up to its 82-year legacy as the go-to-guide for fantasy gifts.
Flip to page 74 of the catalogue to find His & Hers Life-Size LEGO® Sculptures. Nathan Sawaya, the acclaimed “Brick Artist” will sculpt a realistic rendition of you. Simply, send in detailed photos and measurements, then Nathan gets to snapping and BOOM! One-of-a-kind, life-size sculptures.
Or, think beyond the ice sculpture with this over-the-top showpiece. Sure it’ll cost more, but it will also last longer. Imagine your guests’ surprise when they enter the reception hall and see Mr. and Mrs. LEGO® staring back at them—tuxedo, wedding gown and all. That’s assuming you have $60,000 to spare. Otherwise, keep dreaming. This work of art will have to remain a fantasy.
—Randy Miller, Editorial Assistant
October 23, 2008 at 3:15 PM
I recently interviewed one of the travel experts at the new site TravelTicker.com for a story I'm working on for the magazine, but I just had to share one of her tips. She suggested couples consider delaying their honeymoon if the timining isn't right. It seems so obvious, but because most newlyweds are in such a rush to get away, they don't really consider the advantages of waiting. By postponing your trip a few weeks or months, you could easily get better weather, activities and prices (and who doesn't want that in this economy?).
That being said, I do believe that a few days of postwedding wind down right after the festivities is essential. After all the planning and all the buildup, you need to relax. But why not stay some place super luxurious, closer to home until the time is right to take your honeymoon? I happen to love the W Hotel chain—all their properties are so modern and chic, but the rates aren't over-the-top expensive. Arizonans (and those of you close to Arizona) should absolutely take advantage of the new W that opens tomorrow in Scottsdale. True to form, the furnishings are contemporary and the amenities are amazing. Plus, there's a Bliss Spa, which is perfect for indulging yourself. Visit starwoodhotels.com for more info.
—Jeanine Edwards, Associate Editor
P.S. That's the bathroom. How cool, right?
October 22, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Customized gifts are traditional for your bridesmaids. They usually take the form of a tote bag or makeup case, but hangers? Ladybug Art (ladybug-art.com) has adorable hand painted hangers perfect for hang any bridesmaid to hang her dress!
Recent celebrity fans include Milla Jovovich, who ordered a closet full of child-size hangers when her daugher, Ever, was born.
Ladybug Art’s sweet adult collections feature designs that are 3 for $50 and are available directly on their site or in select stores (see the website for details). For beauty obsessed bridesmaids, go with the “silhouettes” collection, which feature cameo-like pictures of a girl with a sixties inspired flip do, a classic ponytail, or flowing curls. Got goth chic friends? Choose the “pretty punk”, which features a tattoo, skull and barbed wire. Or, have a throwback girls night sleepover for your bachelorette bash, and gift your gals with the appropriately named “slumber party” collection, which feature cute photos of nail polish, a phone, and a feathery slipper.
If you’re dead set on customization, Ladybug Art makes custom invitation hangers, which have a $150 design fee and are then $10 a hanger. Use them for your shower invites—they’ll double as a functional extra gift!
To order, contact Suzanne at 804.254.7301 or at suzanne@ladybugart.com.
—Rachel Jacoby, Assistant Editor
October 21, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Who wants to show off a shiny new engagement ring with chipped polish or even worse, stubby, chewed down nail beds? When you wave your hand out to show off that shiny new rock, make sure your hands are in top shape.
My best friend just got engaged and after marveling over her ring, I noticed her hands. I immediately suggested that she start getting weekly manicures. I know, I know, with all of the planning and the everyday stress of life most of us can’t find the time to sit for a manicure. And in this economic uncertainty, who can afford it? You can! Take an hour while sitting watching TV to treat yourself to an at-home manicure. Follow these tips for picture perfect hands and nail color that lasts:
Hydrate hands and nails with a hand cream to ensure smooth soft and to prevent cuticles from becoming dry and brittle.
File nails in same direction—this prevents nails from breaking and splitting.
Before applying polish, always start with a base coat to prevent the color from staining the nail bed.
Swipe an extra layer of nail color across the nail tip to create an extra wrap that will prevent chipping before applying color.
If your having a tough time choosing the right color, nude polish with a bit of shimmer always looks great. Think sheer pinks, champagnes or pearl.
Finish off color with a high shine topcoat—it provides a protective shell over the nail color. Be sure to reapply the topcoat every other day.
—Tasha Turner, Senior Beauty Editor
October 20, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Yesterday was day 2 for me at fall 2009 Bridal Market. The morning started with a bang at 9 a.m. Ines Di Santo, who is celebrating the 10th anniversary of her company, showed a dazzling medley of ethereal ball gowns embellished with Swarovski crystals and oversized hoop shirts.
Next, Reem Acra transported the crowd to Paris with a vintage-inspired show complete with bejeweled gowns with blue and green gems and a stunning pale lavender sheath covered in pearls.
Other highlights of the day included Monique Lhuillier's dreamy parade of 24 gowns that as she put it, were "inspired by pictures of Grace Kelly on her wedding day." Think timeless, regal and oh-so-feminine.
On the other hand, Vera Wang seemed to draw inspiration from A Midsummer Night's Dream as her models walked the catwalk in frothy fairy-tale gowns accented with garden-like hues of yellow and pink, as well as dainty ivy head wreaths and purple nosegay bouquets.
Check back later today for more highlights as well as photos from the shows.
Cheers!
—Stephanie Davila, Senior Editor
