As it's the slow season here at Always a Bridesmaid, I've had a little bit of time between weddings to catch up on things in the wedding world and outside of it and I thought I'd tell you all about some of the wonderful things that I've been finding!!! I love to share when I see, hear about or get to do awesome stuff, so I hope you don't mind. I think I'll try and do this once a month, so note the new category.
Cool Bridal Wear: I got some info about this site the other day and it's the best! I'm getting a little tired of the "Future Mrs...." sweatsuits and I thought this was a fresh take on the old ideas. The ladies at Rock Star Bride have re-invented pre wedding lounge wear and the fun boy shorts too! It's sooo Carmen Elektra!
http://www.rockstar-bride.com/Rock Star Bride!
Amazing Invites!: Ok, one of our clients is getting married this summer and we wanted to do something really special for her invites. I had been meaning to get in touch with Rachel at Rock Paper Scissors for some time, but hadn't had the occassion. She has the MOST elegant, detailed custom invitations I've seen! You must check her out, even if it's just to browse! Anyway, the best part about her is probably that she is so wonderfully responsive and on top of it, which is such a plus to everyone!
http://www.rockpaperscissorsdesign.com/Rock Paper Scissors
My WORKOUT! So, I'm not going to lie, the last few months have taken a toll on my workouts and I've fallen off my pilates wagon. Yes, I needed a new instructor and YES, maybe I take pilates too seriously and YES I was weird enough to write a letter to potential instructors telling them that I was looking for someone to make pilates fun again. But, I worked out with Shonda at Pilates Co-op in Brooklyn yesterday and today it hurts to laugh, and carry my purse and walk. And I LOVE IT!!!! She was awesome and so nice as she made me practically want to vomit with hard work! If you are in Brooklyn, you should definitely give her a call!
Venues: During the busy season, I did have the chance to do several walk throughs of amazing venues in the city that I think are a bit underused for weddings. These aren't locations for everyone, nor are they really necessarily bargains, but they are exquisite and not overdone. We did a walk through of the Xchange, which is an event space on the West Side with amazing views and a roof deck. Much more minimal than Studio 450 (one of my favorite venues in the city) but for a downtown kind of couple, it's terrific and can easily do seated for 175. If you are looking for a loft with nighttime drama, this might be the place for you! http://www.go-xchange.com/Check them out!
Back in June I went to check out a party at the SoHo Grand up in the penthouse suite. Ok, yes it rents for 5,000 a night but if you wanted it for a wedding reception the suite, it's terrace with amazing views and the food and beverage can be yours for around 20K ++. About 75- 85 people could join you for a terrace ceremony and then party it up inside and out in this swanky pad! Or if you are really looking to live it up, you could host a rehearsal dinner here! At the party we went to they had a champagne bar in one of the giant restrooms and had the champagne chilling in this. 
I think it was one of the sexiest things I've ever seen!
Books: O My Goodness, I've gotten to read again! It's the most exciting thing that has happened to me in ages! Anyway, I read this really wonderful book called The Bad Girl by Mario Vargas Llosa. It is a modern version of Madame Bovary one of my favorite books from my college Comparative Lit. days. It's about a romance centered around a very capitalistic minded young woman!
Movies: Speaking of Capitalism, I went to see 2 (yes 2!!!) movies this weekend and I thoroughly enjoyed them both. It's such a thrill to have a Friday night off that I was so excited to go to the movies!!! I saw American Gangster on Friday and Before the Devil Knows Your Dead on Sunday. Everyone has been talking about American Gangster and I thought it totally lived up to the hype, but I love Scarface, etc, so I wasn't surprised. What was surprising though was Before the Devil, which is simply put, some of the best acting ever. But it's an awful, horrible, pessimistic take on human nature and greed and money and I don't know if it's for everyone! I also got to check out Lars and the Real Girl which a lot of my girlfriends had told me I MUST SEE. Mayra and I ran out to check it out after work last week and I thought it was sweet and Ryan Gosling charming as usual, but it didn't do it for me....
Gift Basket Items: We are putting together our holiday baskets and I have to tell you Camille in our office found some amazing stuff. I tasted today *Doh! There goes the pilates benefits!. But we got these amazing Brownies from Mari's here in the city (but they ship everwhere) The packaging was amazing and the taste was divine! I thought it would be fantastic for a hotel basket or Favors.
If you have recommendations of stuff you've seen and loved, please send them my way! Thanks everyone!
