Always a Blogsmaid

The Sticky Ex Situation

The Q: This is so very, very weird, but my fiance has an ex-girlfriend.  It's not that he invited her or anything like that, but, I just received my RSVP's and she is coming as the guest of one of my friends!  Talk about small world. I don't know what to do, because I know it shouldn't matter, but they dated for a fairly long time.  I haven't mentioned this to anyone yet, except for my fiance, and he felt like it didn't matter to him if she was there.  Should I ask my friend not to bring her?

The A:  Wow!  It IS a small world.  The occasionally jealous woman in me would venture to say almost suspiciously small, but no one loves a cynic, right? Anyway, I think I wouldn't make a HUGE deal out of it, because it's not like your future Hubby invited her and it's not like she even came to show up through a friend of his.  That said, totally worth a casual phone call to your friend to say, in your most forced nonchalant voice "O, so weird- I just got your RSVP and did you know that So and So dated (insert fiance's name here) back in the day."  Chances are, he'll be as surprised as you are, and it's even possible that the girlfriend herself didn't realize whose wedding she was going to be attending.  Your friend will probably ask if you are OK with him bringing her, and you need to be prepared to say either "Well, it is a little weird, but if it's serious between you two, what do I care?" or "No, not weird at all." or "Yes, too weird for words, leave her at home and I'll sit you with my cousin Clara."   I would probably gauge my feelings based on his reaction.   

If it so turns out that he did know about the sticky history, well.... you may want to write to me again.  Kidding.  I think if he did know, you may want to say that he should check with her that she doesn't feel awkward.   

Ultimately, not knowing the players involved or their personalities, it's hard to totally guide you, but my step A would be the non-offensive phone call and possibly simply not caring.  Happily it looks like all parties involved have found happiness.

Andre J. and The Girls' Club

Rosario Dawson hugged me yesterday.  Seriously.   I was greeting guests at the door of the Lower East Side Girls' Club annual Willow Awards and she was our Hostess.

I was on the Host Committee for the event, which was as interesting, fun and diverse as the Lower East Side itself.  The highlight of the night, was not Rosario Dawson, or the wonderful girls who are part of the Girls' Club or even the other amazing women who were on the Committee.  The highlight FOR ME was, simply put, Andre J.  I'm obsessed with him and when he walked through the door (and kissed me on both cheeks- of course) I nearly fainted.  It was better than when I saw Beyonce at The Hotel On Rivington.   I told him how much I loved him on the cover of Vogue and, thanked him for supporting The Girls' Club.  In short, I was star struck.  If you're in New York, it's an amazing organization to become involved with. Actually, I ended up meeting Archana from Sweet Melissa who is involved with the club's elaborate Sweet Things bake shop.

Giambattista Valli's Bridal Collection

Yesterday, I hiked my way to mid-town for a breakfast preview of Giambattista Valli's new bridal collection carried exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman. 

It was at 9AM, and the store wasn't open yet; so I had the ODD experience of entering Bergdorf's through a side entrance and, like a dream I've had before, wander the hallways of Bergdorf's alone.  (Though in my dream I walk out with a boatload of shoes- that didn't happen in the reality.)  Anyway, what I saw was fabulous.  Giambattista Valli's dresses are romantic, but humorous and a bit whimsical with grosgrain details.  More amazingly though, they are insanely well crafted (it is Petit-Couture) and most of the dresses were both light as a feather AND still featured built in corseting to keep the girls looking their best.   The only downer is, I don't know if the gowns are cut for the bride who might have a lot of décolletage.  Regardless, gorgeous.  They range from 8-15K and they can ONLY be ordered at their three trunk shows at Bergdorf's- Today and again December 2-4th.  Give a call for an appointment to 212.872.8774

The Pret a Porter Emergency Kit

I'd been posting over at Real Simple about contents for  emergency kits. I had, what I thought was the mother of all emergency kits, and then suddenly, it went missing at our last wedding!!! I was totally distraught. It must have been a years worth of clorox bleach pens and nail polish remover. But then Mayra found this.  It's not as intense as our kit, but a seemingly worthwhile replacement on Ms. & Mrs.  It contains:  Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Dental Floss, Mints, Drinking Straw, Pain Reliever, Antacid, Hand Lotion, Emery Board, Clear Nail Polish, Nail Polish Remover, Facial Tissues, Deodorant, Tampons, Adhesive Bandages, Hair Brush, Hair Spray, Bobby Pins, Interior Mirror, Lint Remover, Mending Kit, Scissors, Safety Pins, Stain Remover, Static Remover, Super Glue, Double-Sided Hem Tape, Earring Backs, Corsage Pins, and Extra Wedding Bands.  I'd like to add on clorox bleach pens- I love them, but this is a pretty great start.  And it looks cute too.  They also have awesome, $18 kits for bridesmaids.  A nice "stocking stuffer" of a present for the gals.

Bon Jour Late Night Snacks!

This just in, Le Gamin, a NYC creperie and snack bar serving frech-style flair has launched Le Gamin Mobi.  Or, to non French speakers, a mobile food cart dishing out crepes and sandwiches, hot and cold.  I'm a freak about using all of New York's wonderful mobile resources for late night snacks like roasted nuts, Mr. Softee, mobile pizza and tacos.  Le Gamin Mobi is perfect for a late snack for the gourmand couples out there wanting guests to leave with a savory treat.

Egglings

We did a site visit to Wave Hill on Friday and as I was wandering through the gift shop (in search of the Restrooms- so much traffic!!!) I saw these adorable Eggling Favors.  Crack them like an egg and a little plant grows in each one.  Only after we got back to the office did I realize that Martha Stewart had them in her latest issue as a favor at her featured wedding.  They are totally adorable and bring something a little green into the world when your wedding is over!

 

Shoot Booth

Who doesn't love a photo booth?  But what if you're looking for something a little bit more.....well, unusual.  Enter The Shootbooth.  An amazing, oversize replica vintage camera, it enables your guests to get into the camera (and it fits several guests at a time) and take their photos.  To make it even cooler, each "shot" can have it's own unique design or "frame" that your guests can interact with.  They even have one that has a "light pen" and your guests' can send you messages, draw photos and more.  And at the end of the night, it's all yours on a disk to post online, email out or print for friends.  It's much easier to SHOW you then explain, so here it goes:

Hostess with the Mostess

The Q: My daughter is getting marrried this may and as of yet her maid of honor has not discussed with me her plans for the shower. I know that the girls in the party cannot afford to rent a place for the occasion. I have some ideas for where the shower could be. Would it be ok for me to cover the cost of a location. Also my daughter has expressed that she would like it to be held at my home. Howerver, I dont think I can fit the 40 -45 people she wants to invite. What should I do? wait for the maid of honor to approach me. and if so how long. Or should I offer my suggestions. Lastly what time before the wedding should a shower be held . Thanks

The A: It's actually increasingly common for the MOB to help with the costs associated with the shower, especially in Metro Areas where people have less space and not everyone can host a home-based shower. It's not "Post-Approved" etiquette, but for what it's worth, it's Blogsmaid approved etiquette for you to contact the MOH and say that you would really like to "help" with the shower by covering the cost of a location so that her and the other bridesmaids can put their money and energy into the other parts- favors, a little cake, decorations, etc. You should bring this up pretty soon because ideally showers are about 2-3 months before the wedding. This schedule helps your guests not feel totally overwhelmed by the wedding and gift buying.

In terms of the stuff about your home and your daughter wanting a home based shower, I think that space is the most important consideration. I feel like you should seriously consider if you could fit everyone, but if you can't make it work, don't feel too badly about it. Your ultimate goal is for her to have a lovely shower, and your warm intention won't be missed!

You've Come a Long Way Baby!

A couple of years ago I got an email from Holly Hatam contacted me.  She was in town for a business incubator from Canada and was starting her own line of unique, whimsical wedding invitations, called Tear Drop Weddings. She was wonderfully sweet and we chatted over email now and then ever since. She sent me some sample designs early on and I thought they were truly unique.  Well, imagine my surprise when, while strolling through the 4PM Wedding Salon yesterday, there she was in the flesh!  Tear Drop Weddings had a booth and so I ran over to introduce myself.  It was wonderful getting to meet Holly and even more wonderful to see how far her business AND her gorgeous invitations have come. Her designs are even more unique now than ever, and each suite is gorgeously letterpressed on wonderful papers.  She maintains her unique "voice" as a designer- creating these personalized artworks, really- but has added some glamour as well.  Here are some of my favorites.