Wedding Planning Secrets-From my Good Friend Susan Southerland

Shhhhh...I adore secrets! Okay perhaps I won't be revealing any wedding planning secrets as poised and emotive as my great friend Susan Southerland but she most certainly has-

I could not be more proud or supportive of the well executed DVD that Susan has recently completed. My knees virtually buckle at the thought of the research, experience, time, energy and heart that must have gone into constructing such a valuable tool and source of inspiration to both brides-to-be and wedding professionals alike!

I know Susan to be a grande dame, a wonderful mother, a fierce multi-tasker and caring friend. My hunch is you may detect many or all of these qualities in her new Wedding Planning DVD as well.
The DVD, sixty minutes in length, is a complete wedding planning guide and offers tips for planning a stress-free wedding on any budget. It is available for $29.95 on Amazon.com. Highlights of the DVD are available on justmarry.com.

I'll step back for a moment and let Susan do the talking:

"All couples want a memorable and worry-free wedding, yet oftentimes the event can be loaded with undue stress and pressure,” says Southerland. “My DVD shows brides how to plan a perfect wedding without all the pressure that can sometimes accompany it. It explores how couples can make their budget work - whatever its size – and unveils the secrets of working with vendors, selecting a wedding cake, scheduling events and activities, selecting a gown, and much more. My tips will show brides how easy it is to save money and time, so they can relax, relax, enjoy, and just marry!”

Congratulations and my very best wishes to a job well done!

Friday's Chic Style Sheet: March 14, 2008

I adore these boxes/vases...what are these "Blumeboxes" anyway??

I'll let them tell you:

"A blumebox is an opportunity to add color and style to any floral bouquet, whether creating an arrangement from your garden, grabbing a bouquet from your local supermarket, or having your local florist design a bouquet for you. A blumebox is the perfect solution.

A blumebox is more than a vase or delivery box. It’s a gift box for flowers. And the best bit, they’re 100% recyclable so they’re perfect for hospital deliveries, hostess gifts, corporate and social events (big or small) or a self-indulgent arrangement for yourself. Standing 6 and 10 inches tall with radiant color and style, a blumebox is the perfect compliment to any decor."

Wouldn't these be sweet for a dinner party, a hostess gift or your upcoming Easter table?!?

Better yet, I am constantly faced with guests at weddings wanting some of the floral to take home after the reception. We are always so inhibited as the vases or vessels they are in are usually rentals...

I still say have those gorgeous centerpieces on your dining tables, but for a cocktail hour or after-glow reception--these are perfect! They have so many other fabulous inspiration ideas on their website as well.

And for those eco-conscious folks--these are perfect; my daughter Sara is thrilled that these were selected as this week's Chic Style Sheet!

Happy Friday!

Going, Going....GOLD!!!!

We are busting at the seams with pride here over my long time friend and colleague Dale Dees who just won the GOLD at the 2008 Hairworld Championships this month.
It feels just like yesterday when he was just out of school with big dreams and that was 8 years ago...dreams do come true! Dale and I have been joking that GOLD is our new favorite color; it certainly seems to be flattering him-

Here is the press release that Nancy worked on for him as he was just featured on the TODAY Show!!

"While you may be familiar with Dale Dees work here in Orlando, you may not know he is also an accomplished stylist in competitive hairdressing.

Dale’s achievements in the sport will be highlighted this Thursday, March 13, on NBC’s The TODAY Show.

Challenged by 55 competitors, representing 15 countries, Dale won the only US gold medal in individual professional competition at the 2008 Hairworld Championships earlier this month.

Dale will be featured in two time slots: First appearing at approximately 8 a.m., Dale’s interview recorded prior to competition and after final results will show his work on the competition floor.

Ten o’clock will find Dale live on The TODAY Show searching for a head worthy to recreate a dramatic competition look. Final styles will be revealed in the last half hour of the show.

Make sure to tune in or record The TODAY Show this Thursday, March 13th at 8 and 10 a.m.



NBC’s The TODAY Show is broadcast on local NBC affiliate WESH TV.

Dale Dees the Salon is located at 910 N. Mills Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803 ~ 407-898-7174."

Friday's Chic Style Sheet: March 7, 2008

"The Queen of Sole..."

I don't even try to hide my shoe fetish, so when I stumbled along Morgan Miller's boutique in Miami, (My old stomping grounds, no less!) It was love at first kitten-heel!

This is one of those "why didn't I think of that?!?" ideas, but surely none other than Morgan Miller could have perfected this concept. Sure, there are beautiful shoes with beautiful embellishments in a beautiful boutique. However, being in this business has taught me the importance of personal service and that is exactly what is offered here. As The Miami Herald writes:
"The boutique resembles a candy store for grown-ups. Big candy jars hold rhinestones and other embellishments. Crystal chandeliers illuminate the sparkling shop. The shoes, which can resemble those by Jimmy Choo, arrive a mere half-hour later—on Tiffany & Co. silver platters."

**SWOON!!!!!**

Better yet, this uber-chic boutique is now hosting bachelorette parties! I'll skip the paper-plate, gift-wrap bridal bouquet and bridal bingo any day for THAT experience!

Road trip anyone???

Friday's Chic Style Sheet: February 23, 2008

Uninspired and disenchanted by those tried wood dance floors offered at every venue? Consider covering your dance floor...
Inquire with your wedding coordinator or event designer about a vinyl wrapped dance floor.
This concept began with dance company performances (wonder how I knew that??!?) and stage productions. More versatile than ever, the vinyl is currently being offered in a rainbow of colors to suit your design requirements and desires.
Above is a dance floor we had wrapped for dream clients Joy and Sateesh. During our planning process we joked some that I wanted to bring water into (yes, as in real water!!)the ballroom to look like a reflecting pond much like the one leading toward the Taj Majal. As expected, I was met with those funny little looks from the hotel that I usually get when I come up with one of my hair-brained ideas! Hey, we are all good sports, so we came up with plan 'B." An aqua wrapped dance floor!! Our ambient perimeter and accent lighting really helped us along with the overall look. The "cherry on the cake" was also putting the couple's symbol in the center which was recurrent in the overall design.
The other image is what I call "less is more." This couple had a very organic, rustic-yet glamorous aesthetic and a simple black vinyl covering did the trick. Once again, the optimal ambient lighting was my best friend!
I have to thank client Laura Grubl who helped me come up with this week's chic tip! We were in a meeting in the morning discussing decor when she ultimately decided to wrap her dance floor for her upcoming June wedding. You will be thrilled that you did, and thanks for the idea for this week's Chic Style Sheet!