Always a Blogsmaid

Free Dress for Brides from Kathlin Argiro

Big bridal party?  No problem! From now until April 15th, Kathlin Argiro is offering a free rehearsal dinner/ cocktail dress for each bride whose bridal party orders 5 or more dresses!

Choose from over 20 silhouettes, countless fabrics and great accessories like sashes, belts and flowers to design a one-of-a-kind dress that can be simple and sweet or cocktail chic.

Come to their NYC studio for a Brides and Bubbly appointment and meet with Kathlin herself, or order your bridal party and free dress from one of our bridal boutique partners.  Call 212.268.8774 or [email protected] to book an appointment or visit www.kathlinargiro.com.  And for you environmental brides out there, Kathlin Argiro dresses are designed and sewn right in New York!

Special Offer: Nicole Miller Wedding Gowns for a Steal!

Wow!  Ruelala.com is having a Bridal Boutique for Nicole Miller Wedding Gowns on Monday, March 30th at 11AM.  If you don't know, Ruelala.com is an exclusive, invitation-only online shop connecting you to that which only fashion insiders used to be privy to.  The site features up to two new private sale boutiques a day, each open for just a brief window of time.   Boutiques offer members access to current season merchandise from a mix of fashion and lifestyle brands that range from super premium labels to more mainstream must-haves at discounts of 30% to 80% below retail.

In this case, these gorgeous Nicole Miller gowns that retailed from $820-$2800 are selling for prices as low as $250-450. 

RueLaLa is accessible through membership only and they've extended a membership to all of our AlwaysaBlogsmaid Readers! Here's how to get your  VIP Membership Code:

- Go to www.ruelala.com

- Select "Invited by a Member"

- Enter this email address as your key to get in:  [email protected]

Too Hip Groomsmen Gifts

I was out of the office for most of the day today... I had a final walk through for Max and Mara's wedding which is this weekend at the Bowery.  It's also like a college reunion for me, since many of my classmates will be there! The rest of my day was spent being on a panel at West Brooklyn Community High School's Career Day.  I spoke with two other entrepreneurs (whose businesses seemed much cooler than mine; wedding planning is awesome, but I don't know if it's cool, per se, especially to high school kids).  One of my Co-Panelists is a partner/ Marketing Manager at this awesome company called Flud Watches.  I kind of think they are the PERFECT gift for the ultra-hip groomsmen out there!  Plus, because I think like a wedding planner, the solid color digital ones are a great way to work in an accent color in those photos!!

The Carrie Dress, postponed

Much like the wedding of Big and Carrie, the unveiling of the Carrie Dress at Gabriella New York, set to happen last night, was postponed...  Hopefully, just as in the movie, when the event does happen (which will be soon!) we will all be more excited and more prepared than we were set to be the first time. 

If you hadn't heard the news, Gabriella is, for a limited time taking orders for only 30 reproductions of the famous Carrie dresses. Once the dress is launched I will keep you posted because there will only be two days to place your orders for the 15,000 gowns.

I can't lie, I was sorry the event was postponed. I had been excited a) to see Gabriella's take on the gown and b) to go to an event held in honor of a piece of clothing.  Anyway, I'll keep you posted on the date of the new event/ when the window opens for placing your orders.

MUST go to Sales for Brides and Non Brides!

Ladies, Recession + Holidays = AMAZING shopping ops!!!! Get your bridesmaids, get your friends and get it moving this week and next.

BUTTER BY NADIA SAMPLE SALE.  50-80% Off of the AMAZING wrap dresses.  I own them, I wear them (I've written about them a few times) and you've seen them EVERYWHERE as the new "it" bridesmaids dress that you really will wear again- a million ways.  It's possible you could outfit the entire bridal party in one afternoon (PS, the wrap dress is One Size Fits All)
Here is the INFO:
BUTTER BY NADIA SAMPLE SALE
SATURDAY DECEMBER 6TH / 11 - 6
SUNDAY DECEMBER 7TH / 12- 5
House of Butter 405 Van Brunt st. Brooklyn Ny 11231
BOAT/ water taxi to ikea, just around the corner
TRAIN/  a, c, f  to jay st then b 61 bus to coffey st in red hook
TRAIN / f train to smith and 9th, b77 or ikea shuttle to beard st.
CAB, CAR, BIKE/ see map quest! We are closer than you think!

(actually, ladies, if you are in the area, check out the Ikea, its FABU)

But, butter by Nadia isn't the only thing going on.  Another Oft-blogged product I love, GEMMA REDUX Jewelry is having a sample sale alongside shoes by Tashkent, Urulu clothing and the organic designs of Loyale Clothing The true gem though are Rachels' amazing jewelry designs.  Time and again, I've thought her chunky, statement pieces would be a great addition to a simple sheath dress or an arty bridesmaids' gift.  Or just a holiday treat.
 In addition to the seasonless necklaces, earrings and bracelets, there will be samples used on Gossip Girl and other photo shoots at up to 80% off.  The hours will be:
Dec. 11th 12-7pm, Dec. 12th 12-7pm andDec. 13th 11-4pm
Location: 939 8th Ave (55TH-56TH Street)  Suite 501

If you want a more celebratory shopping experience (and order your invites, pick up amazing stationary sets to use as bridesmaids gifts, thank you notes OR vendor tip cards)  then I suggest you cap off your weekend with The CECI NEW YORK HOLIDAY SHOPPING PARTY

First, it's a chance to check out their new white label collection AND it's a great opportunity to scoop up her great new notecards (I have one of the Kimono sets).
They are only $39.95 and I think would ber great bridesmaids dresses, and FANTASTIC, stylish, economic holiday presents (cousin Anne, sorry to spoil the surprise).   Bonus: Personalized hand calligraphed gift tags with every purchase! (PLUS, Lisa and the ladies at Ceci will probably serve champagne or wine and that might be the closest thing some people are seeing to a company Christmas party this season.  That said, I'll probably be there for that very same reason.  (I like to call her Scrooge Mc Mayra).  Here are the details:
Ceci Holiday Shopping Party,  Tuesday - December 9th  6:00pm - 9:00 pm
130 West 23rd Street, Second Floor
Please respond to [email protected].