Monday, August 16, 2010

Julia's Fashion File: These Shoes are Made for Walking

Shoes are important. They protect and provide comfort for our feet from the wear and tear of our daily grind, they keep our tootsies warm in the winter months, they showcase our colorful nails in the summer after an expensive pedicure and most importantly, they're an avenue of self expression. From stilettos to sneakers and every size heel in between, there's something for everyone out there...but is there something for every bride?



Being a woman who has exceptionally finicky feet, I've found myself on one too many occasions breaking in to a cold sweat at the thought of having to pick out shoes for any occasion let alone for my hypothetical big day. I'd like to believe that I'm not the only one out there who can't wear a 5 inch heel but regardless of what you desire out of your bridal shoes, I've found the perfect site for all tastes and sizes.



Bridalshoes.com offers a huge assortment of quality and fashionable choices for a wide variety of brides out there. I've come across quite a few cheesy and cheap looking bridal shoes so it was refreshing to come across an abundance of awesome finds on one site, most of which I'd recommend to a friend. The prices are reasonable as well so you won't feel guilty buying your favorite pair and then kicking them off when the dancing starts.

Speaking of recommendations, I picked out a few awesome pairs of heels that if I could sport, I would wear in a heartbeat. Nina Ambert offers a stunning white satin, strappy open-toe sandal with a 3 1/2 heel for brides who want a classy yet look-at-me style.

Chinese Laundry offers a sassy ivory sandal adorned with a classic bow and a few flashy touches for the bride who wants the wow factor.

Alternatively, for those that can't or don't want to walk down the isle in treacherously high heels, they offer flats as well! This was the biggest selling point for me; elegant and flat don't typically belong together in the same sentence but bridalshoes.com offers a huge variety of small heels to flats. It's a dream come true for sensitive feet.



My favorite pair is the kitten heel with crossed toe straps by Coloriffics.


Your dress is the centerpiece but your shoes are going to take you to the alter. Choose wisely, fashionably and comfortably; you shouldn't have to sacrifice one over the other.

xoxo
Jules

Friday, August 13, 2010

Spotted: Glamour Closet, San Francisco

Who doesn't love designer clothes at a good bargain. Why can’t it be like that for wedding dresses? It is - at Glamour Closet! Rick Wee, Co-Founder, explains: “We felt that if you could buy designer goods from the likes of Gucci, Prada, and Coach at designer outlets across the country, why couldn’t you get a similar offering from Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Reem Acra, Amsale and other luxury bridal designers?”


Glamour Closet is an elegant, boutique-like environment with outlet store price tags. They offer an incredible selection of unique, sophisticated and elegant gowns - all off the rack - including couture and well-known designers at 25 - 75% off retail prices. They work closely with designers and salons across the country and receive showroom floor and runway samples and excess inventory on an ongoing basis. So what this means for you is if you go once and don’t quite your dream dress, plan to go a few other times. No appointments are necessary, they provide one-on-one expert consultation with their style consultants, and luckily, photos are allowed!


So in between those 4am wake-up-calls to those one-day-only sample sales, visit Glamour Closet. It's one of the only ways to save money on your wedding without sacrificing designer quality or the shopping experience itself. They even like to say, “It’s a sample sale everyday!”

Glamour Closet
114 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco
Tel. (415) 391-1515

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Vendor Spotlight: Todd Parsons, Photographer

Todd Parsons tells us about getting his head start to becoming a photographer: “When I was a kid, my family moved around a lot. To make friends, I learned quickly to get a handle on any situation, read people and make them feel relaxed and comfortable. I've studied how to allow people to be themselves my whole life. It was the perfect apprenticeship on the way to becoming a photographer."


When we asked him ‘why weddings?’ he tells us, “I remember when the lightening bolt struck. I was at a friend's wedding, the ‘I want to do this’ moment. The energy, the family, the love. Weddings bring out so many emotions and they are a fascinating experience. I have been behind the camera many times with a tear streaking down; I can't help but sometimes getting wrapped up in it all.”



Todd tells us he looks at work from other photographers whom he respects and admires for inspiration. He loves the outdoors and is equally fascinated with urban landscape. He also stresses that constant education is critical explaining, “Technology is changing so fast, and photographers have to stay ahead of the curve. I attend several workshops a year, sometimes wedding related, but most of the time not. Yet I find applying knowledge learned from photographing landscapes or action sports leads to wonderful wedding images.”

Why Todd? “My clients can expect 100% satisfaction, professionalism and a good-natured human being. Style is important but so is a personal connection with each other. I let my brides know that, ‘Hey, I've got it covered. Of all the things you're going to worry about, photography isn't one of them.’ Grooms? Just buy them a beer and they're good.”
To view more of Todd’s beautiful work, visit:
http://www.toddparsons.net/

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Scene & Heard: Modern Bridal Faire at the Ritz-Carlton



Ladies, for inspiration and to perhaps meet a couple of your dream vendors face-to-face, head down to the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco for Modern Bridal's Modern Luxury Weddings bridal faire a week from today. Yes, it will be over the top (Monique Lhullier and Vera Wang dresses will be on the bridal runway), but these luxury-type bridal faires are a great way to see things you like and even get creative ideas for your Big Day. Bring a note pad!

For more information, visit www.modernluxuryweddings.com or, if you've made up your pretty li'l mind already and just needed a reminder, RSVP at attending@modernbridal.com.

Modern Bridal Fair
Tickets: $20 (a steal for such an event)
Sunday, August 15
11am-4pm
Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
600 Stockton Street

Friday, August 6, 2010

Scene & Heard: Vera Wang Trunk Show at Bridal Galleria


No doubt, Bridal Galleria is fabulously known for their trunk shows and this weekend begs a mention. Beginning yesterday, Vera Wang dresses are adorning their racks beginning at $2500. Of course, not all of us can afford such a price tag, but if you can, head down there stat. Or heck, go and oogle and get ideas for styles and trends as Vera clearly reigns. Call first for an appointment or book online at http://www.bridalgalleria.com/Contact.htm.

Bridal Galleria

3 Embarcadero Ctr.
Lobby Level
San Francisco, CA 94111

415.362.2227
Friday, 10-6
Saturday, 10-5
Sunday, 11-5

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Vendor Spotlight: Sarah Lindsay Cakes


Ever since she began baking sugar cookies with her Grandma for Christmas, Sarah's love of baking only grew. After a semester abroad exploring all things culinary and pastry, she attended Tante Marie’s Professional Culinary Program and stayed on to tackle their infamous Professional Baking and Pastry Program. And it was after stints at Restaurant Lulu and Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant, where she honed in on her dessert making skills, that Sarah Lindsay Cakes was born.

About weddings Sarah says, “I enjoy creating whimsical, unusual requests. I have fun exploring ideas with brides and grooms and coming up with sketches. I call it “cakestorming”. I also appreciate the creative aspect of baking; my favorite – carving the cakes.” Her style: elegant and classic cakes, as well as cakes full of imagination.

Her inspiration? “Nature all around me inspires me. I also love reading cake books by such amazing cake artists such as Collette Peters, Debbie Brown, Margaret Braun and Toba Garrett. The zoo and aquariums; and I am an avid snorkeler and aquatic or ocean themed cakes excite me.”

Why Sarah for the cake of your dreams? Besides excellent customer service and attention to detail, Sarah uses only high-quality ingredients: Belgian and Valhrona cocoa, Madagascar vanilla beans, and Swiss fondant. Plus, Sarah will personally bake and design your cake as well as make sure every ounce of butter cream is whipped and smoothed on your cake to perfection.

Contact her at http://www.sarahlindsaycakes.com/

Monday, August 2, 2010

Planner on Patrol: Ring on Fire

While many prefer to go the tried-and-true route of a traditional engagement ring, there’s also the demand for more avant-garde designs. Refinery 29 has assembled twenty beautiful rings that go beyond the usual expectations for some stunningly unique results. Perfect for engagements, weddings and commitment ceremonies that wander off the beaten path: http://www.refinery29.com/engagement-rings-youll-love-wedding-bands.php