Monthly Archives: April 2012

WIN IT: Hair Accessories You Must Have

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Alison in Featured, Gotta Have It, Inside Scoop

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY!! Read on for more information about what you’re entering to win and how the prize can be yours!

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Hair today… married tomorrow!

That should be your mantra when it comes to looking your best on your wedding day. You pour hours and tears and pins and diets into find our dream dress. You walk around your house and do chores in your shoes so you’ll break them in and avoid painful tootsies on the big day. Natural makeup, loose curls, spray tan — the appointments are made and you’re ready to complete the look. What’s missing in your head-to-toe wedding day beauty? Your oh-so fabulous hair accessory from Fascinate Me!

Fascinate Me specializes in handmade fascinators, floral sashes, and birdcage veils for modern brides. Since opening, Fascinate Me has had the honor of being worn by brides all over the world. Joanne, owner and artist of Fascinate Me, began making fascinators when she just couldn’t find the right piece for her own wedding. She enjoyed it so much that she kept making more and eventually decided to open her store.

As we may recall from last year’s royal wedding, “fascinator” is another term for a hair accessory and is the inspiration for the store name. Don’t worry, a fascinator from Fascinate Me won’t have you looking like Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice of York who made “British hats” the talk of the town slash world when all eyes were also on ~~William~~ Pippa and Kate. Major oy veys there.

Now that that’s out of the way and you can take a deep breath knowing you won’t have to find a bigger venue to accommodate your fascinator, let’s gush over some beautiful hair accessories from Fascinate Me that would complement any bride’s individual style.

Must love the variety! There are so many details and variations that can be perfect for a beachy destination bride, a traditional Jewish bride with a bit of flair, and a modern bride who wants a simple birdcage veil.

And each variation is made with beautiful high-quality materials like feathers, lace, and beading. There are even two-pieces fascinators in the event you want to space out the coverage in your hair. And if you have your own idea of what your dream hair accessory should look like, Joanne can customize one for you! She’s just that good. Gosh, I love featuring devoted and talented wedding vendors!

So, good news in all this: YOU CAN WIN A FASCINATE ME FASCINATOR! Sprinkle yourself with a fascinating fascinator on your wedding day, compliments of Joanne, herself! Enter to win a beautiful oversized feather flower fascinator that is approximately 6.0″ in diameter and has a sparkly 1″ rhinestone center. The Gone with the Wind fascinator is made with two luxurious layers of feathers and accented with countless ostrich feathers that give it fun and flirty movement. This little baby will attach securely to your hair via a 1.5″ alligator clip.

You will look so beautiful in your Gone With The Wind fascinator with its feminine and delicate touch! This would seriously go with any style wedding gown! Ball gown, sleek, fit-n-flare, reception dress: it’s perfection! Note: fascinator does not come with the promise of bony shoulders shown on model.

See what you can win as shown on a real bride with photos by Kurt Boomer Photography:

fascinate-me

As a recent bride, Joanne can relate to the pressure that a new bride goes through during the wedding planning process. Therefore, she makes every piece as if she is making it for her own wedding. Joanne is a perfectionist and has no problem answering any and all questions that you might have. All of her pieces were designed and are handmade by her in her studio.

Ready to enter? Here are the details!

From now through 11:59 p.m. PST on May 14th, you have two weeks to enter yourself (and your friends!) to win!
How To Enter: Leave a comment on this page and tell us about your favorite Fascinate Me fascinator. Leave a comment on the Fascinate Me Facebook page for an additional entry! Two entries total per person (we, we can see IP addresses!). Wink wink. A random winner will be selected and then announced on Tuesday, May 15th.

What You Can Win: The winner will receive the above fascinator or choose a $65 store credit instead of the Gone With The Wind fascinator. The store credit is non-transferrable and is NOT redeemable for cash. It is for single use only; it may not be split up for use in multiple transactions. If the winner’s order total exceeds $65, then the winner is responsible for paying the remaining balance of the order. The winner can customize her fascinator; the color options are: White, Light Ivory, or Black.

How You’ll Get It: Shipping will be free for a U.S. and international winners via USPS First Class mail. Please note that international shipping will not be insured or trackable. Additionally, any customs fees or taxes must be paid by the recipient. The fascinator will be handcrafted and shipped within 2 weeks of the announcement of the winner. US shipping will take about a week and international shipping takes 2-4 weeks (depending on customs). Once a package is shipped, Fascinate Me, LLC cannot be held responsible for the Postal Service’s actions.

Also, as an added bonus to all Yentas readers, everyone can take advantage of a 10% discount via the coupon code “YENTAS” — thanks, Fascinate Me!

Good luck!

Yours, Mine, and Ours — Oy!

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Alison in From the Expert, Inside Scoop, Planning

Unlike Tevye’s daughters in “Fiddler on the Roof,” you don’t exactly need a dowry and probably already have your own apartment or home filled with furniture, dishes, and tchotchkes galore. Odds are you’ve been living on your own for quite some time and have your own way of doing things.

With all the excitement of planning a wedding and the anticipation of the big day, you might not have thought about how you will merge two homes into one. It’s quite possible that between you exist duplicates of everyday living, such as small appliances, flat-screen TVs, and the cushy sofa you snuggle up on to watch Mad Men.

Here are some ideas to help you blend your two homes into one and survive the process without coming to blows. I think we all remember the famous “wagon-wheel” coffee table scene from the movie, When Harry Met Sally, and would do anything to avoid that situation.

when-harry-met-sally

Compromise is an integral ingredient of a successful marriage and communication is key. Figure out which items are most important to you, what you are willing to let go, and be sensitive to your partner’s desires as well.

What to Keep/What to Donate/Sell
Take a full inventory of both homes to identify duplicates. Try to be objective and figure which items will fit best in your new space, and how they will be used. This can really come in handy as you develop your bridal registry. No sense in having something in triplicate. I recommend taking measurements of large furniture (sofas, tables, chairs) to determine which pieces will fit best in your new home.

Be sensible: keep the newer, small appliances and donate the old toaster, can opener, etc. Be sensitive, too, if your partner just loves the coffee mug with his fraternity logo; it’s okay to keep it. Don’t sweat the small stuff!

Anything you don’t keep can be sold or donated. If you have the time and an accessible yard or driveway holding a garage sale could be fun. If that doesn’t float your boat, Craigslist is a good place to sell just about anything. Things that don’t sell can be donated to the charity of your choice. The National Council of Jewish Women will come and pick up your items.
To schedule a pick-up call 1-800-400-6259 or visit their website.

Household Chores/Bill Paying
The unfortunate truth is that our daily lives are filled with many mundane tasks. Identifying who does what and choosing the tasks you like to do can make life so much easier. Sit down with your fiance and make a list of household chores. Talk about how each of you currently accomplish these tasks and which ones you like and don’t like to do. Maybe one person likes to pay bills while the other one is happy to do the dishes.

Home Organization
Think of your new home as the foundation of your new life together. With the infrastructure in place, maintaining a sense of order and organization will be so much easier.

Essentially, everything needs a home and like-items go together. This really applies to every area of the home. The pantry is a good example. Set up zones with categorical items: baking, pasta/sauces; canned goods; cereals/breakfast items; spices/oils/vinegars; cookies/candy/desserts, etc. Creating zones in your pantry cuts down on overbuying at the grocery store.

This philosophy can applied to any area where items are stored: wardrobe closet, linen closet, drawers, and under the sink. If all your black pants are hanging next to each other it makes it easier to find them and pretty obvious that you don’t need another pair!

Files Instead of Piles
With mail coming in for two things can pile up quickly. Papers need a home, too. You can certainly maintain two sets of files but I would recommend merging household files, such as insurance, shared credit cards, etc. If you decide to merge your household files, be sure to agree on the name of file so you both can retrieve information. For example, create a tab called AUTO and have two files, one with the name of your car and the other with the name of your finance’s car.

Going through this process before you are married will save time, money, and aggravation later. With a little upfront planning, merging your two homes into one will be a breeze. Take the time to set up your foundation and enjoy the results.

Follow my motto: organize to simplify, and have more time for the fun stuff.

Cindy Kamm has been an organizing specialist since 2003. A former marketing professional, Cindy brings her passion for organizing to homes and offices in greater L.A. Customized solutions are created for each client, designed to fit with their personality and lifestyle. From kitchens to closets, no job is too big or too small. Cindy can be reached at 310-963-5826; cindy@details-etc.com; www.details-etc.com.

Inspiration Board: Pink and Gold — So Happy Together

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Alison in Inspiration Boards

Gold: it’s not the old lady color it used to be. There was a time when I pooh-poohed gold and would only wear silver jewelry. Gold reminded me of old things that were tarnished and no longer special. Gold used to have such an antique attitude about things: “Well, I’M important because I was here first.” Gold was also tacky and retro a la wood paneling on living room walls. But gold has made a comeback and it’s not just a fad. Gold figured out how to be chic, classic, and current, even with its vintage roots.

And then there’s pink. The ultimate girly color. Pink can take on so many different personalities: sweet, soft, and gentle. Or fun, playful, and perky. Pink is a timeless color, and when it comes to everything wedding, is also an easy and convenient color. With many hues under its belt, it can accommodate almost any palette of flowers, fabrics, and believe it or not, alcohol. Long live the pink.

So, pink and gold together? Power couple. Move over newly-engaged Brangelina. Here’s a duo that can do more than adopt entire orphanages. This team can make weddings sparkle, brides delight, and guests wowed. There’s a richness to pink and gold that creates a fantasy land where playful and elegant are the best of friends.

If I had to do it all over again, I would go the pink and gold route and soak up the shimmer.

Top Row Left to Right: Shandro Photo, via Weddings by Color, Shandro Photo
Bottom Row Left to Right: Martha Stewart Weddings, Victor Sizemore Photography, via Sweetapolita.com

Top Row Left, Bottom, Right: via Before the Big Day, via Emmaline Bride, via Elizabeth Anne Designs
Bottom Row Left to Right: via Etsy Shop SerasiJewelry, via The Knot, via Save the Date For Cupcakes

Pingback: Pink And Gold « David Tutera Wedding Blog • It’s a Bride’s Life • Real Brides Blogging til I do!

Real Weddings | West Hollywood, CA

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Alison in Real Jewish Weddings

At Zack and Jessie’s ceremony, traditional Jewish rituals were included every step of the way while honoring the memory of special family members. In her grandfather’s memory, the couple incorporated his tallit into the chuppah above to symbolize his watching over them. Zack and Jessie also used the siddur that belonged to her mother’s father (also deceased) on the table with the kiddush cup. The kiddush cup is special because it belonged to Jessie’s great grandfather on her father’s side! It was important to feel that their families were all around them.

Zack and Jessie dreamed of a special and meaningful wedding. They both wanted a small affair, but large enough to include all of their loved ones. Zack comes from New York, and Jessie is from Los Angeles, so they planned an event that was very “L.A.” which is why The London was a perfect venue. The London boasts gorgeous views of the Hollywood Hills from one direction and the other side is the sweeping view of the cosmopolitan L.A. area. Jessie and Zack also knew that they wanted a dance party with amazing food and that is exactly what they got thanks to their phenomenal menu by Gordon Ramsey and dance floor tunes by West Coast Music. Their band kept everyone on the dance the entire night for the ultimate party atmosphere.

We love when couples celebrate their families and their unique styles at their wedding, a day that two individuals join as a union. Warm fuzzies all around!

Mazel tov, Zack and Jessie!

Venue – The London Hotel, West Hollywood
Coordinator – Amber Events
Photographer – Mi Belle Inc.
Videographer – Skyline Videography
Catering – Gordon Ramsey at The London
Officiant – Rabbi Eli Herscher
Bakery – Hansen Cakes
Entertainment – West Coast Music
Lighting – Aspect Lighting
Florist – Commerce Flowers
Rentals – Town & Country
Late-night snack – Lulu’s Mondel Bread
Hair – Mariah Nicole
Makeup – Glitz Beverly Hills
Ketubah – Gallery Judaica, Westwood

london,-west-hollywood-jewish-wedding

Tales From The Veil: Learning From Other Weddings

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Alison in Inside Scoop, Planning, Tales from the Veil

Another “Tales from the Veil” story is brought to us by Rachel Kitt who is the Executive Assistant at the Jewish Federation of San Diego County. She loves to run competitively and for pleasure, bake gluten-free sweets, and hang out with her hubby, a San Diego attorney. After eloping to the island of Oahu in December of 2007, Rachel finds herself looking back on her Jewish destination wedding adventure and laughing out loud. Her story will show you how any bride can take wedding disasters and turn them into wedded bliss. Lemons into lemonade. Grapes into Manischewitz. We’ll be hearing more from Rachel as a regular contributor to The Wedding Yentas.

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Once upon a time, your first girlfriend got engaged and you were, shall we say, hmmmmm, a tad jealous. Not jealous, like, you are angry with her. But more like, seriously, why can’t the boyfriend hurry up and propose so you could be the one in her shoes. We may not admit it out loud, but we’ve been there. Anyway, you sucked it up (or drank some wine) and a year or so later, you went to your friend’s happy occasion. You thought, “the flowers are so pretty” and “wow, look at her dress.” Maybe you were thinking, “yikes, I wish the food tasted better.” But mostly, you thought about how beautiful it all was. How happy you were for your girlfriend! And then with each friend’s wedding, the cycle continued and continued and continued.

Until the day you got engaged.

The day you get engaged definitely changed your life, but you also began to see weddings you attended in a whole new light. Instead of “wow, she looks beautiful!” you started thinking “hmmmm, that looks good, but maybe I’ll do looser curls.” When you saw the bridesmaids, you thought “ooh, knee length looks less formal! I like that!” or “do I want a black-tie wedding?”

Me as a bridesmaid with my sister-in-law at her and my brother's wedding.

What I’m trying to say is that your weddings of your friends and family will be more than just their special day: it will be a walk-through for you. A mini trial. It’s a free and safe test run. You need to not only enjoy the festivities, but take note of what you liked and didn’t like.

When I was engaged, I actually would go home after a wedding and write down what I liked and didn’t like. You know, it’s almost like a real, live (but private) Pinterest. It’s not a critique on your friend’s wedding, or anything personal about her. It’s not about your friends, the bride and groom, at all, actually. It’s about you getting real world experience from a guest’s perspective with a bridal point of view. You may have never thought twice — or even once! — about the difference between passed hors d’ oeuvres versus an appetizer station. Food was food and you were eating it. But now, with a wedding to plan, you are thinking more about these very decisions you’ll have to make yourself.

My husband and I with our friends Lindsey and Jody at their beautiful wedding in 2010.

So go in there with an agenda. Borrow your friend’s experience. And when your wedding day comes, hopefully you won’t realize it, but rest assured that as you are walking down the aisle, at least one of your girlfriends will probably be looking around and thinking, “I love the flowers she chose!” or “Wow, natural looking make-up is the way to go!”