Archive for September, 2009
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
Sure, luxurious pre-wedding spa and salon treatments are a necessary bridal indulgence. They’re also expensive, and let’s face it, most busy Houston brides-to-be can’t spend hours a day getting rubbed and scrubbed and professionally lavished with lotions and potions.
That’s where beauty products come in. Fortunately, the marketplace is bubbling over with effective, high-quality products that feel good, smell good and, when used at home regularly, will have you looking not just good, but GORGEOUS, by your wedding day.
Here are some of our favorite picks for head-to-toe bridal beauty:
 Kerastase Oleo-Relax Masque Hair Masque
When it comes to getting hair into wedding-ready condition, nothing holds a candle to celebrity standby Kerastase Oleo-Relax Masque. Excellent for dry, curly, coarse or over-processed hair, as well as normal hair, this five-minute masque leaves hair incredibly soft, smooth and shiny.
 Philosophy Purity Made Simple Skin Cleanser
Sephora loves Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple facial cleanser and so do we. The 2008 “Best of Sephora” award-winner packs in sandalwood, sage, carrot and coconut, in a daily cleanser that rids skin of makeup AND excess oil without drying or irritation of any kind.
 Origins Ginger Body Scrub Body Scrub
Sweet-almond oil, macadamia oil, ginger zest—we don’t know if we want to shower with it or eat it! Origins Ginger Body Scrub is full of delicious ingredients, along with sloughing Dead Sea salts—amazing for all-over buffing and silk-smooth skin (even knees and elbows!).
 Butter London Stiletto Stick Hydrating Heel Balm Foot Balm
Butter London’s Stiletto Stick Hydrating Heel Balm really does transform hard, dry, cracked feet and heels into wedding-worthy tootsies. We love its purse-size packaging and heavenly scent. Use daily in conjunction with a good pumice for best results, and get ready to slip confidently into those designer slingbacks, Houston bride.
 Opi's Original Nail Envy Natural Nail Strengthener Nail Strengthener
Weak, soft, thin nails? Get prepped for your wedding mani-pedi with OPI’s Original Nail Envy Natural Nail Strengthener. Applied every other day, Nail Envy strengthens and repairs brittle and damaged nails—even if you’ve worn acrylics for ages. Your ring finger will thank you, Houston bride!
Posted in Beauty | 3 Comments »
Monday, September 28th, 2009
 Photo: D. Jones Hey Houston bride with the wedding in the works—you got a license for that thing?
If you’re planning to get hitched in Houston, you’re going to need a marriage license from the Harris County Clerk’s office. To get one, you and your fiancé will need to pay a visit to either the main office, or one of numerous branch offices.
Here’s what you need to know before you go:
• To get a marriage license without parental consent, both parties need to be 18; 16 with parental consent.
• You need to purchase your marriage license at least 72 hours, but no more than one month, before the date of your ceremony. The license expires 30 days after the date on which it was issued, if the ceremony has not been conducted in that time. The 72-hour “waiting period” is automatically waived for military personnel, who can get married as soon as they have their license (though they’ll need to show military ID at time of license purchase).
• To purchase a marriage license, you need to bring a valid ID with you to the county clerk’s office (driver license, DPS ID card, passport, resident alien card or other government-issued identification).
• The fee for the license is $71 (a bargain, considering it’s for a lifetime of wedded bliss).
• You DO NOT need to bring a witness to purchase your license; you DO NOT need to have a blood test.
• Once you have your marriage license, you’ll need to be married by someone authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in Houston.
These include
–Licensed or ordained Christian ministers and priests
–Jewish rabbis
–Officers of religious organizations who are duly authorized by the organization to conduct marriage ceremonies
–Justices of the supreme court; justices of the court of appeals; judges of the district, county and probate courts; judges of the county court-at-law, courts of domestic relations and juvenile courts; retired justices and judges of such courts; justices of the peace; retired justices of the peace; and judges and magistrates of the federal courts of Texas
They do NOT include:
–Friends who owe you a favor
–The guy who dresses as General Sam Houston at the annual San Jacinto Day Festival & Battle Reenactment
–Your beloved Labradoodle, Mr. Snickers
So put that visit to the county clerk on your calendar (no less than three days, no more than 30, BEFORE your wedding day), and make a date of it—a romantic lunch for two, a stroll and a signing of the document that makes it official in the eyes of Houston, Texas and everywhere else.
Tags: Clerk, Harris County, License
Posted in Legal | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
 Photo: DW Photography Nothing stokes the appetite like a wedding ceremony. All that pre-wedding preparation and gussying-up, all that pomp and circumstance, all that love being pledged and promised and celebrated. After sighing and smiling their way through your ceremony, you can bet your guests will be hungry. So give them what they need, Houston bride: sustenance, served up with special-occasion flair.
Remember, your cocktail reception hors d’oeuvre will be the first taste guests get of your wedding, and they need to set the right impression. Where presentation is concerned, elegance and artistry are de rigueur, but don’t overdo it—nobody wants to confront food they can’t identify or figure out how to insert into their mouths.
We suggest keeping things simple and delicious, with a focus on quality and handle-ability. As for cocktail reception hors d’oeuvre no-nos? They include messy items (save the Buffalo wings for a post-wedding poker night), bad-breath and heartburn inducers (raw onions do NOT make for pleasant close-quarters mingling), and a lack of choices for vegetarians or guests who observe religious food restrictions (maybe rethink that all-pork smorgasbord your fiancé fancies, Houston bride).
Here are some of our all-time favorite hors d’oeuvre items, any one of which your caterer is likely to be able to provide, along with unique signature specialties of their very own. Can’t decide just by browsing? That’s what tastings are for, Houston bride! Isn’t wedding-planning yummy?
• Goat cheese tart with fig jam
• Smoked salmon tartare on potato slices
• Tuna tartare on crispy wontons
• Tandoori or satay chicken skewers
• Scallops wrapped in smoked bacon
• Coconut shrimp
• Stuffed mushroom caps
• Crispy spring rolls
• Baby lamb chops
• Mini Beef Wellington
• Mini crab cakes
• Mini gourmet pizzas
• Gourmet sliders
• Assorted crostini (savory toasted crackers topped with cheese, vegetables or meat—make sure they’re not too crunchy or they’ll shatter when guests try to bite them!)
Posted in Food, Reception | No Comments »
Monday, September 21st, 2009
A couple of weeks ago, the Wedding Buzz, our must-have weekly e-newsletter, featured a recipe for a fabulous, bright red Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail. Well, seeing as how you brides went ga-ga for this refreshing “ruby sipper,” we thought we’d offer up some more fun ideas for yummy cocktails that can be color-coordinated with your reception palette.
Matching a signature cocktail to your wedding reception color scheme isn’t just a cool design touch, it’s also a smart choice for brides on a budget. At your cocktail reception, instead of offering a full premium bar (at a premium price to you—or whoever is footing your wedding bill), have waiters tray-pass one of these eye-catching drink choices, or a custom-designed, color-matched mix of your own invention. Give your signature cocktail a cute name—the “Mike and Lisa Love-tini” or the “Together Forever,” for instance—and dress up trays with hand-lettered signs letting guests know what they’re sipping.
 Photo Courtesy of White on Rice Couple Green Scene
We love the tropical look of the Green Flash Cocktail, which we found on this happy couple’s great blog, along with the recipe. Concocted by a bartender at Club Med Columbus Isle in the Bahamas, the drink gets its pretty green color and sweet-citrusy flavor from a combo of Blue Curacao, Peach Schnapps and orange juice.
 Photo Courtesy of Blue Cocktails Blog True Blue
For a veritable library of blue-hued libations, you can’t do much better than the Blue Cocktails blog. Our favorite? The Blue Sapphire Martini, a tart, stylish blend of Bombay Sapphire, Cointreau, Blue Curacao and sour mix.
 Photo Courtesy of Deep Glamour Blog Purple Passion
We couldn’t believe our luck when we stumbled upon the oh-so-sophisticated Deep Glamour Cosmotini at the blog for which this jewel-toned gem of a cocktail is named. Check out the recipe, which includes purple-dyed tapioca pearls—a fabulous look for a wedding with a high-style, lounge-y vibe.
 Photo Courtesy of Laylita.com Well Red
More and more wedding palettes seem to feature the color red, whether it’s teamed with celadon or violet, tangerine or watermelon, black-and-white or gold. This lovely Valentine’s-Day-inspired fizzy cocktail from Laylita makes a gorgeous day or evening reception drink, and those blood orange garnishes? Perfection!
Posted in Decor, Food, Wedding Day Details | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
 Photo Courtesy of Amsale Fashionable brides, this is one Houston trunk show you WON’T want to miss. This Friday through Sunday, Sept. 18 – 20, representatives of bridal gown goddess Amsale bring the Ethiopian-born designer’s prized collection to Houston’s beloved Mia Bridal Couture.
Spectacular silk radzimir, silk faille and silk taffeta, sumptuous satins and ethereal organzas, crystal beading and vintage brooches—these are signature Amsale touches certain to be on breathtaking display at this much-anticipated September show.
Follow in the footsteps of Amsale’s celebrity fans—the self-made, FIT-trained designer has outfitted such stars as Salma Hayek, Vanessa Williams and Julia Roberts, and her bridal gowns have been featured on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and in the blockbuster film “27 Dresses”—and make one of these magnificently constructed creations your very own.
Call 713.622-2022 today for an appointment, or simply pop in and soak up the glamour, girl.
And while you’re at it, how about a 15% discount for trunk-show purchases? Now that’s VIP treatment, indeed.
 Photo Courtesy of Amsale
Posted in Fashion | No Comments »
Monday, September 14th, 2009
Boring kitten heels? Dull dyeable pumps? Too-pointy T-straps that look like they’ll have you cringing in pain after the first dance? Even bona-fide shoeaholics can find themselves at their wits’ end when it comes to bridal footwear. If this sounds like your personal plight, Houston bride, you’re going to love this post.
We’ve been scanning the bridal fashion scene for knockout wedding shoes, and we’ve found some amazing beauties. For the sake of brevity, we’ve narrowed our picks down to closed-toe styles, in a nod to upcoming fall and winter weddings.
We invite you to try these darlings on for size:
 Photo Courtesy of Zappos.com Pretty, and so’s the price: That’s what we think about the Xion from longtime special-occasion favorite Nina. Along with a sassy “vamp band” and sweet rosette detail, this 3 ½-inch-heel pump has luxe features including leather lining and a leather sole. Nice!
 Photo Courtesy of bellissimabridalshoes.com From Paradox London, the Benjamin Adams Collection’s lovely Liza is handcrafted from duchesse silk and Swarovski crystals, with kid-leather lining. We adore the sweet pleats and itty-bitty bow.
 Photo Courtesy of myglassslipper.com Tall brides take note: The lower-heel (1 ¾ inches) Lilla by Grace features a lightly elasticized slingback for fit and comfort, and delicate embroidery for refined bridal elegance.
 Photo Courtesy of endless.com For a whisper-soft touch of color, we are mad about Badgley Mischka’s pale pink Carlo. With its fashion-forward raw-edged rosette and divine mesh-covered satin upper, this willowy 4 ¼-inch-heel pump will remain a dress-up favorite long after your special day.
 Photo Courtesy of NeimanMarcus.com O.K., so the Ceci Air Rose from Cole Haan is technically a peep-toe, not closed, but we’re going to let it slide. I mean, how can we not jump up and down for an Italian silk-satin, rose-covered wedding shoe that pairs a sexy 4-inch-heel with sporty NIKE AIR® technology? Score!
Posted in Fashion | No Comments »
Thursday, September 10th, 2009
Dramatic, beautiful eyes make for dramatic, beautiful wedding photos. And nothing makes for wow-worthy eyes like an enviable fringe of lashes. So just how do you get these aforementioned picture-perfect peepers, Houston bride? Your best bet is to enlist the expert assistance of a professional makeup artist. A talented makeup pro will know how to enhance your natural assets to best effect so that your bridal eyes look as gorgeous in person as they do in photos—with nary a mascara-streak in sight!
That’s the artist part of the picture. Here’s a tip on the canvas: To give your chosen makeup pro the best possible material to work with, you may want to consider revving up your lashes beforehand.
 Latisse By now you’ve probably encountered Latisse. Print ads for this FDA-approved “treatment” for hypotrichosis (a medical term for the, um, condition, of “inadequate” eyelashes) feature the lovely Brooke Shields lowering her long-lashed lids and singing the praises of this prescription-only solution. We’re not sure how Brooke’s lashes looked pre-Latisse, but we’ve gotta say, they sure do look full, feathery and pretty darn fabulous in those pix.
If you choose to fill out your sparse lashes with Latisse, you’ll need to start four months pre-wedding, and apply the solution every night, as directed, to get the full results in time for your big day. Of course, as with any medical treatment, there are a few potential side effects: These may include red or itchy eyes, possible eyelid-skin darkening and—gulp!—hair growth occurring in spots where Latisse comes in repeated contact with skin surface (steady hand, Houston bride, steady hand).
All that said, Web chatter among eye docs and Latisse users alike, and Latisse’s own before-and-after clinical trial gallery, seem to indicate that the stuff does work to boost lash growth.
 Revitalash Looking for a little lash oomph, but not quite ready to go the medical route? RevitaLash may be the beauty secret you seek. This eyelash “conditioner,” developed by an ophthalmologist as a gift for his wife, who had lost eyelashes as a side effect of breast-cancer chemotherapy, purports to thicken existing eyelashes while “encouraging” new eyelash growth. Like Latisse, RevitaLash requires that you start well ahead of your wedding—three months or so—to get the best results. And like Latisse, RevitaLash has some potential side effects like eye irritation and discoloration. Users report mixed results, but those who love the stuff REALLY love it AND their newly lush lashes. Might you, too?
Posted in Beauty, Wedding Day Details | 11 Comments »
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
When it comes to wedding bands, Houston brides love the look and feel of platinum. Who wouldn’t? That cool white luster, that substantial heft, that incredible durability (it’s the strongest of jewelry metals)—platinum just seems so perfectly suited to weddings.
We even like platinum’s relative softness: Platinum “scuffs” easily compared to gold, which means that platinum wedding bands tend to fossilize the many little moments of daily married life (running your hands through Hawaiian sands on your blissful honeymoon, moving furniture around in your newlywed love nest, preparing dinner parties as husband and wife, etc.). Of course, if you crave precious platinum but still prefer an unblemished look, you can always take your band to your jeweler for periodic polishing.
Here’s the thing: While we are crazy for wedding platinum, we aren’t quite as nuts about platinum’s traditionally sky-high cost—as much as five, six or many more times that of an equivalent gold band. Ouch!
Good news: In the last year, platinum prices, always volatile compared to many other jewelry metals, have plunged about 50% from early 2008. Since forecasts are predicting a rebound in platinum’s price in 2010, right now looks like a very good time to get a very good price on a pair of platinum bands.
To find the right platinum pieces for you and your betrothed, better start with the best. Click here for a directory of Houston’s top wedding jewelers, and start testing your metal, Houston bride!
 Men's Platinum Wedding Band: Whiteflash.com  Patinum and Diamond Wedding Band: Whiteflash.com
Posted in Jewelry | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
There is a regal elegance to Pronovias bridal gowns that makes us think “princess,” but not the girly, twirly, glittery, Disney-fied kind of princess—the stately, majestic, gorgeously groomed, destined-to-inherit-her-kingdom kind.
A bit about the design group: Barcelona-based Pronovias opened its first bridal salon in Spain in 1968, then 80 more in Spain and elsewhere in Europe in the decade that followed. In the 1990s, the esteemed bridal design house finally (blissfully) made its way to the U.S.A., where it’s been outfitting high-profile (and lower-profile but equally style-savvy) brides ever since. Under the leadership of creative director Manuel Mota, the 70-person-strong Pronovias creative team turns out some of the most alluring gowns and accessories in the bridal universe.
We are head-over-heels for the 2010 collection, which includes several non-strapless and one-shoulder styles, as well as a couple of drop-dead gorgeous ballgowns.
Behold a sampling:
 Photo Courtesy of Pronovias  Photo Courtesy of Pronovias  Photo Courtesy of Pronovias  Photo Courtesy of Pronovias
Posted in Fashion | No Comments »
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