Monthly Archives: March 2011

How To Create Smoky Eyes

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Alison in Featured, Inside Scoop

After you read today’s article you’ll have to get the fire extinguisher because your eyes will be smoky!

Let’s face it, you are a hot commodity. I mean, you’re a blushing bride and you’ve never felt prettier, right? It’s time to step it up a notch. Hence the fire extinguisher. Even if you are hiring a makeup artist for your wedding day, certainly you will be enjoying other bridal-related events during your engagement. Between engagement soirees, bridal showers, and bachelorette parties, you have your fair share of lookin’-good moments. When it’s time to dress up your pretty lil punim, consider smoky eyes with this easy-to-use tutorial by Aura Schwartz, a bi-coastal makeup artist whose background includes artistry for photo shoots, fashion shows, red carpet events, and weddings. She’s a talented gal who can also be found in the elite Vendor Directory of The Wedding Yentas.

Aura was featured as an expert in StyleCaster, providing a step-by-step tutorial for achieving the sexy smoky eye look.

As listed on StyleCaster, here is a breakdown of the steps you should follow to get the look yourself:

1. COVERGIRL’s SmokyShadow Blast comes in six expertly coordinated color and has two specially contoured ends to make it easy for you to use.

2. Start with the rounded tipped one . Apply the shadow from lash line till the crease, making sure you get it all over the lid.

3. Then take the other side, and apply it all over the lid going up into the crease. Put a second coat of this color onto the outer corners of the lid for a little more emphasis there.

4. Take a brush and blend the crease and outer corner of the lids to make sure there are no hard lines anywhere around the eye lids.

5. Use Liquiline Blast eyeliner in Black Fire and apply it near your lash line on your top lid and underneath your bottom lashes.

6. Liquiline blast eyeliner in silver spark and go into your waterline for a more intense look.

7. Then take the same end as you used for the crease color and use it like a pencil going right under your bottom lash line. This will give your eyes a smudged smoky finish.

8. Finish this look with Lash Blast Mascara.

If you are interested in learning more about Aura for your professional, event, or wedding beauty needs, you can visit her blog or get in touch with her via phone: 347.453.3327 or email: aura.beauty@gmail.com

Jewish Mothers Get Dolled Up

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Alison in Featured, Inside Scoop

Mothers, get ready to plotz. Today is about you! Your daughter is going to be a gorgeous bride on her wedding day, but does that mean that the mother of the bride should hide and be banished from all things beautiful? Feh! Of course not! You are the epitome of “Proud Mother” on the day your daughter meets her groom under the chuppah, and you should be kvelling the way a Jewish mother kvells. Now, mothers of the groom: This does not exclude you either! We are assuming that brides’ mothers are reading The Wedding Yentas in depth, but we are well aware that many mothers of grooms are just as involved and proud, so know that when we refer to MOB dresses, you are absolutely included in this category.

After all, a hot mom is a hot mom, no matter if you raised the bride or the groom. And for that, we bow.

MOB dresses can be found just about anywhere. In fact, what was once deemed a “mother of the bride dress” is no longer the must or the norm. Yes, you can walk into just about any bridal salon and see a number of taffeta matchy-matchy separates or gowns to wear on your child’s wedding day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t shop somewhere that doesn’t have a section with a big old sign above saying “Mother of the Bride.” Macy’s, Nordstrom, Saks, Neiman Marcus, and many specialty dress stores carry formal wear that is appropriate to wear to your son or daughter’s wedding. Do not feel cornered into purchasing at the same location as your daughter. Just like bridesmaid dresses, MOB gowns can be ready-to-wear at a department store.

Allow us to play a positive and happy Joan Rivers as we take a look back on some weddings with beautiful options for mothers.

Both moms at Runya and Jason’s Beverly Hills wedding were stunning! The mothers wore copper with varying looks and styles. Off the shoulder cap sleeves on Runya’s mother is so timeless, and the strapless, deep sweetheart neck on Jason’s mom is super feminine.
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At Lauren and Graeme’s wedding, Graeme’s mom wore a lovely, flowy gown in soft blue that coordinates with her son’s color palette. We think the sheer wrap that covers the shoulders for the ceremony is a winner!
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We totally appreciate how Lisa’s mother didn’t try to compete with the beautiful surroundings of Lisa and Tyler’s Rhode Island wedding. She absolutely sparkles as she walks her daughter down the aisle in a modern, strapless gown of neutral colors!
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Nicole’s mom walked her daughter down the aisle like the aisle was a runway at Fashion Week! At Nicole and Michael’s wedding, we love how this mom knows how to wear black! You can’t go wrong with a sleek, form-fitting gown and V-necks are always flattering!
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We absolutely love the mothers of Arielle and Dave’s wedding, who wore shades of blue in slate and teal. The feminine touches included ruffles and rouching.
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Taryn’s mother shown in Taryn and Todd’s wedding chose a formal blazer gown and we give her a thumbs up for bold details like an extra wide lapel and rosette flourish. She looks radiant!
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At Yenta Alison and Bryan’s wedding, Alison’s mom wore a three-piece bronze gown with beaded details, ruffles, and rouching. Alison’s mom wanted something neutral, but formal, and we think she picked a winner.
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Real Weddings | Newport, RI

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Alison in Real Jewish Weddings

Joining a sorority was the best thing Lisa ever did. Her chapter held a party where the sisters set up blind dates for each other, and dutifully, her roommate found Lisa’s future husband. Lisa and the good looking, tall boy named Tyler hit it off instantly after a fun night with friends. Winter break was two weeks later, and Tyler offered to take her plant home and feed it over break to be sure that they’d have a reason to reconnect after break. Miraculously, Tyler’s green thumb kept the plant alive, and so did their connection. Lisa and Tyler still have that plant in their apartment to this day and it reminds them of all the fun that they’ve had together!

Cue the proposal: Tyler decided to plan a special day for them and took Lisa ice skating on the frog pond in the Boston Commons. They followed the skate with dinner at a nice restaurant called No. 9 Park and a movie. Back at home, Tyler presented Lisa with a nice card of pictures throughout the years and old notes. Just before falling asleep, he held out his hand and had the ring box inside. That special green thumb — and the rest of his hand — asked for her hand in marriage, and together they planned a most beautiful Rhode Island wedding.

Mazel tov, Lisa and Tyler!

Venue – The Newport Experience
Photographer – Armor & Martel
Floral Design – Toni Chandler Flowers and Events
Entertainment – Current Affair Music
Officiants – Rabbi Lev Ba’esh and Father Walter Cuenin
Bakery – Cappuccino’s
Bridal Dress – Kleinfelds
Tuxedos – Men’s Wearhouse

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Calabasas Candy Co. Winner Announced!

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Alison in Thursday Thrills

WOW! Yentas Sweepstakes History was totally made this weekend! With 41 entries, we have a winner, but we first have to thank you for your participation and enthusiasm. Not like it was hard. I mean, hello? Did you take a look at these candies?! DEEEELICIOUS!

We’re so happy that you liked this weekend’s giveaway and we wish we could shower you all with caramels and marshmallows galore. But, thanks to random.org, we do have one lucky winner and maybe if you comment on this post and send her notes of kind words (i.e., kiss butt), she’ll share with you!

So who’s the winner?

Big mazels to STACEY EVANS who will be receiving a yum-tastic goodie bag from Calabasas Candy Company! Like our grandmas would say, “Enjoy in good health.”

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Please make sure to check out Calabasas Candy Company and their etsy page so you can shop for your own wedding, birthday, bridal/baby shower, bachelorette shin-dig, and “I’m Just Hungry” party needs!

Join us for the next giveaway. We have some fabulous items lined up that you will be happy to win! Trust us!

Thursday Thrills: Brides Sweet Like Candy

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Alison in Friday Favorites, Thursday Thrills

Get ready for your mouth to water. Ready? Promise? Last chance!

Lavender Fleur d’ Sel Caramel, Strawberry and Coffee Marshmallows, Chocolate Truffles — how do those all sound to you?

These all could be yours, for the price of a… comment!

Calabasas Candy Company offers delicious, kosher, melt-in-your-mouth caramels, marshmallows, and truffles that would make faaaaabulous wedding favors, shower hostess gifts, or bridesmaid goodie bag swag. With over 3005 etsy sales and 100% positive feedback, this is one giveaway you don’t want to miss!

Treats are always a win-win. And when you don’t have to do the hard work, it’s really more of a WIN-WIN! You get to relax knowing that Calabasas Candy Company is taking care of your sweet tooth order, and recipients of such a gift will thank you — with their mouths full — for providing such deliciousness. And if you want to gift these to the best person you know — yourself! — then by all means, feel free. We’re totally not judging. In fact, we shamelessly wish we could win this grab bag of goodies for ourselves!

High quality treats are hard to come by these days. But we promise you’ll enjoy these adorably designed delicacies. It should be illegal that they taste this yummy. And they’re so cute and perfect! After all, you deserve it, you sweet bride, you!

Calabasas Candy Company will be giving one very LUCKY winner a grab bag of delicious treats. Just visit their etsy page and tell us what treats you wish you could eat right through your computer screen! Leave your comment below and random.org will help us find the winner! The giveaway will run until Sunday night at 11:59 p.m. and the winner will be announced on Monday. Anyone can win (you do not have to be Jewish or a current bride in order to enter to win), so leave a comment and dream about the luscious goodies that could be yours!

Good luck!

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