Almost end of the year wedding trunk shows and events

Can you believe it’s almost the end of the year?  Where did the time go?  Here are a few events that I wanted to let you know about and in some cases, shops and designers have posted their final trunk shows through the end of the year.  Don’t forget, even if you haven’t found your dream gown yet, a trunk show is a great opportunity to find a ‘bargain’.

WEST COAST:
Vera Wang Event: November 11-13, 2010. Receive 10% off of your gown  and $450 off of any Vera Wang Bridal Accessory if purchased during the trunk show.
By Appointment Only
8445 Melrose Avenue – West Hollywood, CA 90069    Tel. 323.602.0174

NY Trunk Shows:
Reem Acra
Nov 5, 2010 from 10-6pm and Nov 6, 2010 9:30-5:50
14 East 60^th Street – 212.308.8760
Saks Fifth Avenue remaining trunk shows for 2010

OSCAR DE LA RENTA
November 11-13^th, 2010
MARCHESA
December 9 -11^th, 2010
611 5th Avenue – NYC – 212.753.4000

Bridal Reflections remaining trunk shows (Fifth Ave) for 2010
Ines Di Santo November 5th – 7th
David Tutera November 12th – 14th
Simone Carvalli November 19th – 21st
Romona Keveza November 26th – 28th
260 Fifth Avenue – (At W. 28th St) – 212.764.3040


Bridal Reflections remaining trunk shows (Carle Place/Westbury) for 2010

Alvina Valenta Bridal and Bridesmaids November 12th – 14th
Anne Barge November 19th – 21st
Simone Carvalli November 26th – 28th
80 Westbury Ave – Carle Place, NY 11514 – 516.742.7788

NYC Events:
The Wedding Salon is once again having a luxury event at Manhattan Center Studios.  Of course their incredible lineup with everyone from Sylvia Weinstock to Shawn Rabideau (RHONY- Bethanny Frankle Wedding Planner) to Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings (by Alfred Angelo – my article will be posted on these ‘grown-up princess dream dresses’ next week).  Nov 15 from 4-9pm at Manhattan Center.   Go to www.WeddingSalon.com to get your ticket.

Are you looking for a special gift for your mom, his mom or your maid of honor?  Phillips Frankel designers Lisa and Danielle Frankel will be presenting their fine jewelry collection at Henri Bendel on November 19^th and 20^th.   I love these ladies. Their pieces are colorful, fun and would make a special gift.  They are not inexpensive but, worth the memory they will create.
Henri Bendel
712 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY – 10:00AM – 8:00PM

Are you DIY kind of girl?  Have you ever wanted to learn how to create a beautiful centerpiece?  Well there is a Thanksgiving Centerpiece special class given by Blossom and Branch and Pasanella & Son, Vintners.   They are calling it an evening of flowers and wine.
November 18, 2010, 7-9PM
Pasanella & Son, Vintners
115 South St. – NYC – 212.233.8383
* $150 for Floral Design Class, Flower Container & Wine Tasting
* RSVP and advance payment is required, as seating is limited
* For reservations, call Sarah @ 347.422.7066 or email sarah@blossomandbranch.com

2010 Designer Bridal Group: a new concept in the wedding industry

Designer Bride is not just a new label…it’s a concept for the wedding industry.  Created in 2010 its focus is the “new” bride meaning a more mature, sophisticated and independent woman.  What makes this concept so unique; the designers who created this already have an extremely successful ready-to-wear lines.  Lilly Pulitzer, Carmen Marc Valvo, David Meister and Angel Sanchez.  The designer’s collection can be found at Neiman Marcus, Kleinfeld Manhattan and Mon Amie bridal Salon.

 Angel Sanchez

 Carmen Marc Valvo

 David Meister

 Lilly Pulitzer

These mid-level price points for the bride that is brand savvy and price-conscious. With gowns that range from $1,200-$4,000 which is an absolute steal considering their individual brands. Sales will begin Dec. 2010.  If you want to see (and I think you really should) the entire collection of these designers, go to my facebook page "Yours in bridal" in the photo section.

2011 Farah Angsana Bridal collection

Always fresh and uniquely modern, Farah Angsana Bridal Couture exudes femininity, elegance with a timeless sensuality.  Meeting Farah is always a joy.  Her energy and laugh is contagious and her design are what dreams are made of.

This season she decided she wanted a more intimate editor viewing experience, which is pretty rare in the industry.  “I want editors to understand my work, to see the details up-close and feel the quality of the fabrics I use.  One simply can’t see that as models are racing down the runway.”  How right she is.
Her silk felt like melted butter; so creamy soft is her silk charmeuse the fabric could be your most comfy pajamas.  You really wouldn’t want to take your bridal gown off.  Farah also showcases various parts for her brides: A crystal neckline, pleated bust line, or a sweetheart bodice added to the exquisite details that she has become known for.

Things to love (beyond her obvious talent) she designs and creates for all sizes and how perfect that her models reflected a range of them.

 Having viewed her extensive ready-to-wear collection, I’m amazed that her bridal is so different.  Where does she find the time to create two very distinct collections?  While I can’t answer the question, I’m sure glad she did

To see more photographs of her collection, please visit my Facebook page and look in the photo section for Farah

Wine Wednesday: Skyy Vodak goes goolish for halloween

Gather your “groan-up” friends and family for a “spooktacular” night of hauntingly delicious spirits, featuring a collection of easy concoctions perfect for any All Hallow’s Eve celebration.  Whether you’re planning a chilling house party or headed out for a night of flirtatious fun, these sweet tricks will add some pizzazz to your Halloween celebration -- and you’ll be in for a real treat!

All Natural SKYY Infusions are the perfect base for a variety of sinfully festive cocktails designed to really put you and your guests in the Halloween spirit.  In honor of HBO’s wickedly good “True Blood,” get your guests’ blood pumping with the “Vampire’s Punch,” or for those with a real sweet tooth, indulge in a cocktail inspired by an old Halloween favorite like the eye-catching “Candy Corn Cocktail.”

No matter how you celebrate this Halloween, there is no doubt that your guests will happily drink in the spooky spirit of the season with these bewitching cocktails.  
Cocktails created by Alex Straus, Suite 700 at the Hotel Shangri-La in Los Angeles 

Vampire’s Punch
Serves 12    //   
18 oz. SKYY Infusions Cherry
8 oz. Lime Juice
6 oz. Cranberry Juice
2.5 oz. Grenadine
7UP

Fresh cherries, pits removed
 
Wash and remove pits and stems from fresh cherries, and muddle in cocktail shaker.  Combine the rest of the ingredients except 7UP in bowl and stir.  Top with 7UP and muddled cherries. 

Pumpkin Spice

2 oz. SKYY Infusions Ginger
0.5 oz. Lime Juice
1 oz. Pumpkin Puree
Splash of Honey Water*
Slice of Fresh Ginger
 
Combine all ingredients except ginger slice in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously.  Strain over fresh ice into a Collins glass. Add long slice of ginger into glass lengthwise for garnish.  
 
*Honey Water is made using equal parts honey and water.  

Candy Corn Cocktail

2 oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple

1.5 oz. Orange Sherbet, softened
1 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 oz. Milk
1 oz. Simple Syrup
 
Combine SKYY Infusions Pineapple and pineapple juice in cocktail shaker with ice.  Strain over fresh ice into a clear Collins glass.  Combine softened orange sherbet and ice in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.  Strain, and pour over bar spoon to layer in the rocks glass.  Then, combine simple syrup and milk in cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.  Layer milk mixture on top of sorbet mixture. 

 Ghostly Coolada

2 oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple 

 
1 oz. Cream of Coconut or Coconut Milk
 

0.5 oz. Lime Juice
 

2 Circular Chocolates
 
Place all ingredients except chocolate in cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously.  Strain into a cocktail glass, and float chocolate circles on the top of the drink for your Ghostly Coolada’s eyes

What's Halloween cocktails with out a little apple treat - not a real day at all, I say.  So here is a fun, easy to make treat for you and your sweetheart.

Here's a Halloween treat that will please people who love apples as well as those who love candy. Use the smallest apples you can find. Lady apples are great, but small (no bigger than a tangerine). McIntosh, Empire, and Granny Smith apples will also work. Coat the caramel with whatever candy you like. I like the candies listed here for the way they taste or look: Toffee bars are universally appealing; Reese's Pieces come in seasonal fall colors of orange, yellow, and brown; the cinnamon flavor of Red Hots complements the apples; and candy corn just says Halloween.  Serves 8

 One 1.4 oz. chocolate-and-toffee bar such as Skor, crushed
One 1.5 oz. bag Reese's Pieces
1/4 cup candy corn
1/4 cup Red Hots
8 small apples, washed and dried
One 14-oz. bag Kraft caramels
1/4 cup heavy cream

Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Place the candies in separate small bowls. Insert a craft stick into the stem end of each apple.

Put unwrapped caramels and heavy cream in a medium-size, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat and stir until the caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth.

Hold an apple by its stick over the pot of caramel and spoon the caramel over the apple to coat, allowing the excess to drip back into the pot (if the caramel gets too stiff to spoon, reheat for a minute or two to loosen). Press the candy into the apple and place, stick side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining apples, coating two apples in each type of candy. Let stand until the caramel has cooled, about 10 minutes. The apples will keep, loosely covered with plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Jenny Packham bridal collection 2011 beautiful for brides worldwide

What a lucky person am I to have had the pleasure and privilege to see Jenny Packham twice in a 4-week time span?  From her New York City Fashion Week début to her 2011 bridal collection, I am a total fan.

This 2011 collection is inspired by the Ballet Russes, a Midsummer Night’s Dream, and 1930’s Paris.  It is all about unbridled decadence, sculptured femininity and fluid movement.  There are luxurious layers of Cascading tulle, soft and dreamy silhouettes and romantically sexy pleated tulle corsetry.

You may have seen but not known her designs.  From ‘Sex and the City’, ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ to ‘James Bonds Casino Royal’ and ‘Die Another Day‘, she designs clothes that make you drool! As if she didn’t have enough to do, she has also created an accessories (bejeweled headdresses, bracelets and earrings) and lingerie line.  Both capture Jenny’s glamorous philosophy.

Honestly if Jenny had re-run her ready-to-wear collection from a few weeks ago, I would have been just as happy.  Her 2011 Spring RTW collection was breathtaking and could have easily been a bridal collection as well.  In my opinion, it was flawless and perfect for a night on the town or your wedding day.  I can honestly say that Jenny Packham is my can of Pringles.  I don’t want just one.

If you care to see all 40 pieces in her collection, please check out the photos in on my FB page "Yours in bridal"