Happy Earth Day / Fashion Friday!
In honor of both Earth Day and Fashion Friday, I present to you …
TOM’S Bridal Collection!
The collection launched in March and offers a fine selection of pastel Glitter and Grosgrain styles for brides and leather and velvet for grooms.
And as always, with every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Earth Day, and Happy Good Friday and a lovely Easter Sunday! For recipes and to check out my Easter Dinner menu click here.
Deviled Easter Eggs
My mother asked me if I wanted to color Easter eggs this year and for the first time ever, I actually didn’t want to. I thought about getting the dye all over my fingers and the cute bunny and chicky stickers that never actually stay on the eggs and the super fancy swirly, sparkly egg dye kits that always make me feel like I’m cheating on the old-fashioned dye kits with wax crayons … I just feel like I have grown beyond it. For now. I’m sure a time will come fairly soon when I’ll color eggs with my kids or nieces and nephews, but right now I have a different kind of Easter Egg on the brain.
Deviled Eggs.
Every time my family gets together for a holiday or special occasion, deviled eggs are on the menu. But no matter how many we make, there are never enough! Apparently it’s everyone’s secret favorite – especially my cousin Mallory, who always makes a special request for them even if they are already on the menu.
Usually my mom and I just make a traditional, southern deviled egg. I mix the ingredients, stealing glances at Paula Dean’s simple recipe, while my mother stands over me, urging me to add “just a little more” of this or that ingredient (the woman has an inexplicable aversion to recipes – it’s always “a little of this, a little of that” – no measurements. Don’t ask me why.)
But this year I’m taking Deviled Eggs to a new level: Deviled Eggs Four Ways. I scoured the internet for recipes (there are literally hundreds) and settled on 3 exciting and different recipes to accompany our traditional one.
Melissa d’Arabian’s Ranch Deviled Eggs
Creamy, ranch-flavored with a splash of Stubb’s.
photography courtesy of The Food Network
Sandra Lee’s Bacon Deviled Eggs
Everyone knows I’m a firm believer that everything’s better with bacon (and butter), especially eggs.
photography courtesy of The Food Network
Tyler Florence’s Lobster Deviled Eggs
My mom loves lobster rolls so this could potentially be a big hit.
photography courtesy of The Food Network
My Deviled Eggs Four Ways will accompany the rest of our Easter Feast, which at this point in time included pear and walnut salad with goat cheese crumbles, honey-baked ham, twice-baked potatoes, tomato pie, honey-glazed carrots and biscuits.
What’s on your menu?
Please forgive my recent absence! I’ve been traveling for work (sunny California!) and this blog just got away from me. But I’m back and kicking things off with Fashion Friday!
Spring is here! No more long sleeves! Show off your arms with these short numbers.
- Aria
- David Meister
Douglas Hannant
Enzoani
Jenny Packham
Justin Alexander
Kelima K
Melissa Sweet by Priscilla of Boston
Pnina Tornai
Priscilla of Boston
Sassi Holford
Costco Now Selling Wedding Gowns
I love Costco. I love to buy toilet paper in bulk. I love cherry pies big enough for 20 people. I love to buy cheap wine by the case. And now I love them even more because Costco is going into the wedding gown business.
Kirstie Kelly Signature Collection
Costco around the country are hosting traveling trunk shows of wedding gowns – complete with special dressing rooms and bridal consultants! (As someone who recently purchased and subsequently returned a bathing suit at Costco, I really appreciate their adding dressing rooms.)
Kirstie Kelly Signature Collection
The Kirstie Kelly Signature Collection, which will be available exclusively at Costco, offers “quality couture-inspired bridal gowns for the smart woman who doesn’t want to choose between affordability and elegance. Complimenting the gorgeous gowns are fingertip and cathedral style veils.”
Kirstie Kelly Signature Collection
The gowns are about 40% off retail pricing, anywhere from $699 to $1,399, and sizes run from 2 through 24. So while they aren’t exactly cheap, they are certainly more affordable than Vera or Oscar, which can cost up to $12,000.
Kirstie Kelly Signature Collection
Costco already sells engagement rings, flowers, cakes and honeymoon packages – if this gig works out in Reno Costco could be a one-stop-wedding-shop. Now if only they offered grooms …
These are the current dates – check out Costco’s website for future dates. Appointments recommended, walk ins welcome.
Torrence: 3/3 – 3/6
San Bernardino: 3/10 – 3/13
Los Feliz: 3/17 – 3/20
Van Nuys: 3/24 – 3/27
Because You Asked … Making Changes to Your Contracts
Dear Jaime,
I really love my vendors and I don’t want to offend them. How can I make changes to my proposals without hurting their feelings or sounding nit-picky?
Sincerely,
Christina
Christina,
Trust me, your vendors want you to love the end results. They’ve been through this before and you are certainly not the first bride who has changed her mind multiple times. But how you communicate is key. To keep tensions low, mention things you like as well as things you want to change. Be prepared for your vendor calls/meetings, don’t monopolize their time with incessant calls/emails with little changes, treat them respectfully, be polite, and they will reciprocate and accommodate any requests you make.
Good Luck!
Jaime
2011 Oscars Red Carpet Review
This past evening I had friends over for a little Oscars get-together. Among other items, we had some Biutiful Queso Fundido, Shrimp and True Grits and Black Swan Cheesecake Brownies. We watched the show from beginning to end – from Red Carpet to Best Picture. Overall I didn’t think it was as horrible as people are saying, but it wasn’t a smash. James Franco looked totally stoned and pretty much like he wished he could be somewhere else. Anne Hathaway tried a wee bit to hard to show everyone how great she is (although, who knew she could sing that well?)
Same goes for the fashion. There were lots of pretty dresses but there was not a single one that made me stop in my tracks and yell out “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme!” I don’t know if it’s the designers or the stylists, or if the ladies these days are just hesitant to put it out there, but the red carpet this awards season was just tired.
All the same, here are my picks.
Best Dressed
Mila Kunis looked so lovely in her lavender Ellie Saab gown. I love the come-hither lace, particularly around the bust line.
Mila Kunis
Who is this girl’s stylist? Hailee Steinfeld (who I hoped would steal the Best Supporting Actress Oscar away from Melissa Leo) looked adorable in her Marchesa frock. Apparently she drew her dream dress and POOF! Marchesa made it. We’re going to see good things from this girl – on the screen and on the red carpet.
Hailee Stenfeld
She’s not an actress, but Camila Alves looked A-MAZING last night. Usually black is boring but this is anything but. Her hair and earrings are perfecto.
Camila Alves
Helen Mirren … I don’t need to say anymore.
Helen Mirren
Jennifer Lawrence has a perfect body. This red Calvin Klein number looks like it was just painted on her. I seriously can’t find a flaw. Because the dress is so simple I would have loved to see some statement jewelry but otherwise, she nailed it. Of the MANY red dresses on the carpet this year, hers was the best.
Jennifer Lawrence
These were my favorites of all of Anne’s looks. This Lanvin tuxedo is so on-trend (with fabulously sparkly shoes!) and this liquid Armani Prive is Va-Va-Voom!
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway
Rarely does Reese miss the mark. Last night she looked like an adorable Barbie.
Reese Witherspoon
So close …
This was sooooo frustrating! This sapphire blue gown is amazing and the necklace RUINED it! The whole time I was watching her walk down the red carpet I just wanted to rip it off her neck.
Amy Adams
Again, accessories can kill it people. This Calvin Klein dress is beautiful – like a waterfall – it’s chic, modern and very fashion forward. The earrings and the pin are monstrosities. Gwyneth – you should know better.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Natalie Portman did much better on this occasion (for once this awards season she is not on my Worst Dressed list) but I think she could have done better. I LOVED the tassel earrings. The color of her gown is right on trend, but I do not enjoy this hem at all. Also, walking the red carpet she looked absolutely miserable, which did nothing for her look.
Natalie Portman
I love Cate Blanchett as an actress, and I love that she takes risks with her red carpet looks. I love this gown from the waist down, but from the waist up it reminds me of a robot, like that big round area is really a door where we can open her up and take a look at her wiring. Weird.
Cate Blanchett
Jennifer: Bravo, girl, on your rockin’ new body. But loosen up that neckline. (And shame on everybody around her who let her go out on the red carpet with these boobs! Especially you, Tim Gunn, I expect more from you.)
Jennifer Hudson
I admit that I’m a bit down on Scarlett at the moment for leaving Ryan Reynolds for Sean Penn (who does that?), so it’s possible that my judgement is affected. I really liked this dress – the color is to die for – but not for the Oscars. I would like to see it cut off into a mini-dress and paired with a leather jacket for an edgier occasion.
Scarlett Johansson
Sorry, but No.
Michelle Williams, why are you making it so hard for me to like you? What happened to your fashion sense? I respect the whole Mia Farrow thing you’ve got going on (even though Emma Watson is totally doing it better) but I want something more like the mustard Vera Wang dress with bright red lips ca. 2006.
Michelle Williams
Nicole, Nicole, Nicole. Why?
Nicole Kidman
I do not like Melissa Leo. I do not like her attitude. I did not like her speech. Her dress is ugly.
Melissa Leo
Marissa Tomei, what the hell is going on south of your hips???
Marissa Tomei
Hope you all enjoyed your Oscar Night!
Fashion Fridays! Fall 2011 Bridal Runway Trends: A Touch of Color
This trend has been around for a while and I doubt it’s going anywhere. A colored sash is a touch of contemporary on what is usually a traditional day. Personally I prefer bride’s wear all white for the ceremony and then add the colored sash for the reception, but to each their own 
- Angel Sanchez
Aria
Aria
Blush
Coren Moore
Enzoani
Enzoani
Fancy - I just love this one - so chic!
Jasmine Collection
Stay tuned for the Oscar Red Carpet Review on Monday!
What Color is Your Wedding?
When choosing the color palette for your wedding, consider this: color is powerful. It changes our moods and our perceptions. It reveals things about our personality and our preferences. It can send positive or negative messages. And every color means something, so choosing the right palette for your wedding is essential. Let’s review the rainbow.
Reds
If you want attention, choose red. It is often the color our eyes find first. Red is a vibrant, warm color that evokes strong emotions in everyone (people surrounded by red find their heart beating a little faster). It’s associated with love, warmth, and comfort but it’s also considered an intense, or even angry, color that creates feelings of excitement and intensity. Don’t over do it with red – for a wedding it’s a more appropriate accent color. Skip it for your bridesmaids dresses – red can make your girls look heavier and it’s more noticeable (attention should be on you!)
Oranges
Orange is an energetic color and makes us feel excited, enthusiastic, and warm. It’s the most flamboyant color on the spectrum and therefore associated with ambition. There is nothing even remotely calm associated with orange. It’s perfect as the main hue for a bright citrus-themed summer wedding, or use it as an accent color for an autumn wedding.
Yellows
Yellow, the color of the sun, fills us with cheer, laughter, happiness and good times. It makes us feel optimistic. But use it with caution – it’s the hardest color on the eye due to the high amount of light that is reflected, and people are more likely to lose their tempers in yellow rooms (and babies tend to cry more in yellow rooms).
Greens
You guessed it: green symbolizes nature and it’s calming, refreshing quality puts everyone in a good mood. It also represents tranquility, good luck, health, money, generosity and fertility. Hospitals actually use green rooms because they too are found to be calming to patients. It is the traditional color of peace.
Blues
Peaceful, tranquil, serene, orderly – blue makes us feel calm. A lot of the world is blue – sea and skies - but it can also create feelings of sadness or aloofness. Many bedrooms are blue because it’s calm, restful color. People tend to be more productive in a blue room because they are calm and focused on the task at hand.
Purples
Purple is the symbol of royalty and wealth and represents wisdom, sophistication and spirituality. Because Purple seldom occurs in nature, it can sometimes appear exotic. The various shades of purple are favored by most young girls – even over pink. Unsurprisingly, purple has been the most popular wedding color in recent years
Check out Colour Lovers to play around with potential color combos for your wedding – the possibilities are endless!
Congratulations to All The Engaged!
Valentine’s Day marks the end of what we in the biz refer to as Engagement Season. A whopping one-third of all proposals take place between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, which amounts to about one million couples. Some proposals are simple and sweet while others are more complicated and elaborate – or even public.
So what are some of your engagement stories? Please post them or email them to Jaime@JaimeLeeEvents.com!
