Landra's Bridal Shower

This Saturday I had the pleasure of coordinating the bridal shower of one of my dearest friends. Being a lover of New York City, a label lover and fabulous friend it was only fitting to have theme be Sex and the City. The shower was an intimate affair of the brides closest friends and family. Keeping this event under wraps wasn't an easy task but it definitely paid off in the end....

The Invitation:

You are cordially invited to the bridal shower of Landra V. To celebrate friendship, fun and fabulousness we ask that you dress your SATC best and join us for this once in a lifetime event besides what's a party in New York without a little Sex!September 20th, 2008

The Decor:

Stilettos and pearls donned the bar area to pay homage to Ms. Bradshaw and her style. Martini glasses with candies, photos of the fearsome foursome and favorite quotes rounded out the decor of the location to put the guests in the mood. The guests dined on chinese food which was favorite of Carrie and Miranda while the specialty drink of the day were of course pink cosmos!

The Favors:

Wanting to keep with the theme of the shower, the favors were a little bit of a questions at first. The bride had made a suggestion that she would like for her guests to have something that was either edible or a gift that they could really use. Once that was said there was only one thing left to do..have 'Smith Jarrod' give them the rock every girl would want...no not that kind! Diamond ring key chains fit the bill along with a special thank you from the absolute hunk himself.

Special Thanks To:

Mirrors on Grand (for the location and wonderful drinks and service)
284 Grand Avenue
Brooklyn, NY

Sweet Bellas (for the beautiful and yummy cupcakes)

Let Them Eat Cake

Once you let the baker know how many guests will be attending you get into the details, which is where the figures will change even more. A standard wedding cake is 3 tiers and anything above that will cost extra. Additional items such as pearls or flowers (either in between tiers or cascading down the cake) will raise the price depending on the time, size and type of flowers you want. Materials used to make these kinds of items vary from fondant to marzipan to royal icing and can drastically change the cost of cake. Don't be afraid to ask the confectioner how they make these items.

In addition to these extras there is the cake itself. Depending on whether you choose a sponge cake or pound cake or even cheesecake will alter the price as well. Adding liquiers, fruit, ganaches, icings and other filling will also increase your bill. Something else that people don't know is that square cakes cost more than round. This is due to the fact that they used special sized square pans to make these cakes. Covering a square cake takes more time as well due to all of the corners that need to be frosted. Anything that has the baker doing more work than the standard 3 tiers will cost you in the end.

• Make sure you do research before you choose a baker and go over exactly what you want with them and how much ti swill total up to be. Don't forget to include tax and delivery charges in that estimate.


• Don't go for the gusto if you really don't need too. Sometimes we want bigger to mean better but with wedding cake it means bigger bill. If you don't need a 4 tier cake for your 75 guests, skip it and use the extra funds somewhere else.


• There is always the option to skip a cake baker and try your local supermarkets catering department for a cake. It may sound like something you'd never want to do but they may be able to offer you your dream cake at a lesser price. Don't be afraid to find up and coming cake designeres and cateres who's prices will be pocket friendly and can give you a stunning cake ala Sylvia Weinstock! (well maybe not exactly like Sylvia).

Did You Know?

You can bring nature and a more earthy feel into your home by changing just the accessories and a few decor points in your home! Our homes are our own personal signatures we establish in life, each one as unique as our voices and penmanship. In this day in age being green is a concept that has a large following and will most likely be here to stay so why not bring that green nature feeling inside for awhile? How can you bring something so vast as nature into your home you ask? It's not very difficult at all and can be easy enough for even the most low maintenance person that wants to connect a little further with mother earth.

Outdoor Elements
Bringing in some scenic elements such as a waterfall or setting up stones or shells in glass vases around to give the feel of a natural setting is a good way to start. Setting up a small area for plants either hanging or potted can give the feel of outdoors. Another way is to have fake branches in a tall floor vase displayed in a rooms corner or a whole fake tree can give you that indoor garden appeal.

Textures and Colors

Creating different textures in a space is an easy and quick way to change the feel of a room. By using fabrics like corduroy, linen and distressed cotton you can give off a rustic feel. Color is always a definite way to change a room from normal to nature filled. Rich hues like navy blue, hunter green and chocolate can invoke a natural rich feel for a room. You can also go lighter on the spectrum and incorporate palettes that include sea foam, birch, sienna and ivory.

Furniture and Fixtures
When thinking about bringing nature inside, furniture is a large element to think about. The most common way is using exposed wood furniture such as desks, bookcases and coffee table. You can also go a little further and get furniture pieces that are created from logs or bring wicker pieces into your living space, they aren't just for outside anymore! Fixtures are the often forgotten element of a room but can have a great impact on the feel. Try something with a rustic feel such as brushed chrome or wood styled metal.

Scents and Solar Power

Aromas can trigger our senses just so that they whisk us of to a fond memory or favorite place in time. This is a perfect way to bring nature into your home and not have it take up any space. Scents of forest, musk, birch, lavender, ocean, linen and even chocolate and graham cracker can give your place the smell of nature. Lighting your place in new ways or just by changing up the way your windows look in your home can give a fresh new aspect to the room. Opting for wood shutters or sheer curtains in an earthy tone will open the room up. If you really want more light loose the curtains and add some greenery or flowers to the ledge!

Carrie Bradshaw: Wedded in Westwood!

If you are a fan of the show Sex and the City as we are then you have ridden the long roller coaster ride that was Carrie and Big. In the newly released on DVD movie, we catch up with Ms. Bradshaw and her closest cronies as they prepare to say goodbye to the last single girl and shuffle her off into wedded bliss. For you fashionistas the Vogue shoot montage left your tongue wagging from bridal confections and creations by Lanvin, Dior, Carolina Herrera. The climactic appearance of the Vivianne Westwood gown sent our love for satin into overdrive! Before you run to re-watch the extended version of the film let's see what Carrie bridal ensemble was really made of....being such a fashion forward gal she had two ensembles.

Down the Aisle Take 1

Hailing from the Fall 2007 Wake up, Cave Girl! collection by Vivianne Westwood. The dress features and ivory silk-satin corset and ivory silk Radzimir taffeta skirt. Since this is a custom piece its starting cost is $18,000.

Accessoriezed with an elbow length veil and blue bird, Ms. Bradshaw's ensemble is completed with these Extreme Gladiator Platform's by Dior. Retailing at about $990 without the custom crystals added.

Down the Aisle Take 2

Ms. Bradshaw's "dress by no one" may not be available at any designer store but the vintage creation surely drew in buzz for its chic, spohisticated style and detail. If yuo are searching for a suit to say your I Do's in then you may want to try finding a pattern for this look and having a seamstress make your own version of the dress. Of course to reall feel like Carrie did you must not forget the signature blue satin Manolo Bhlanik pumps that she wore with it.
These beauties were custom made my Manolo for the movie and now retail from $885 at a store near you. These are the first shoes that were made specifically for Carrie's character although she has been a fan of the shoemaker for years.