My 50th Post.

This is my 50th post. Fifty is on my mind this month since we would be celebrating my parent's 50th Anniversary on August 30th if my mother was still here, but we lost her to lung cancer three years ago.

So, starting on August 25, it will be gold week here in honor of my parents Golden Anniversary. I will end the week with a gold inspiration board. Here's a little peek at what the board will have on it.

Happy Reading,

Photo courtesy of The Knot.

An ABC Garden Party

Yesterday, I went to a garden party and fashion show at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills with ABC Los Angeles. I went to the mansion a few years ago with my Mom so I was excited to see it set up for a party. We had cocktails and hors de oeuvres on the front terrace and then went to the Inner Courtyard for lunch. Lunch was catered by Patina Catering. All the tables were dressed in either pink or green. Of course, I sat at a pink table. The chargers and place settings were fabulous. I will talk more about Greystone as a venue on Saturday.

On a side note. It's been quite a few years since I have been down the Sunset Strip. I am a native Angeleno but I forget how cool this town can be. I went through Hollywood on the way there and then through Beverly Hills and by UCLA on the way home.

Here are some of the dresses from the fashion show. All dresses are from The Ivory Suite. The Bouquets are by Jackie Combs Floral Design. She was the host of the great Floral Workshop I went to earlier this year.

Enjoy,

Love Story Contest

I received an email from Ellen Braunstein of Courtship Stories. She is looking for engaged couples to share their love story.

From her email-
"Courtship Stories wedding favors and keepsakes announces a contest for engaged couples who are passionate about sharing their love story with friends and family at their wedding. The winning bride and groom will have their courtship story written and then receive some help submitting it to love story contests with wedding-related prizes.

For sample manuscripts, visit www.courtship-stories.com. Contestants should submit a brief synopsis of how they met and fell in love and why they would like to win. “Special consideration will be given to couples who have had to overcome physical and emotional obstacles to be with each other, or couples in which it would seem unbelievable that their paths would cross,” said Ellen Braunstein, writer and creative director of Courtship Stories.

All entrants will receive a tip sheet on how to write their own courtship story. Second place winners, who want to write their own essay, can have it edited for free by Ellen.

Participants must be getting married from November 30, 2008 through 2009. Send your entries to ellen@courtship-stories.com by November 1, 2008."

We all have a great love story to share and I know your family, friends and children would love a keepsake of that story.

Good Luck & Start Writing Your Story,

Beverage Monday. Firefly Vodka.

I just read about Firefly a fairly, new Vodka Company located in South Carolina on Create My Event. It caught my eye since I have loved drinking tea since I was a little girl. Then you distill it with vodka, what a great way to have a tea cocktail that's not a Long Island!!! I do have to admit I have spiked my ice tea with Jack Daniels on occasion!!! But that's for another time. The biggest bummer though is that it's not available in California. I have to go to Nevada or Arizona to taste it or bring it home.

This is the description of the 2 bottles in the photo from the web-site.

"Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka is the distillery's newest product on the market. The product is an infusion of American Tea and Firefly Vodka. Firefly Distillery is proud to bring true southern products to the marketplace. (70 proof)"

"Firefly Muscadine Wine Flavored Vodka- The inspiration for a muscadine wine flavored vodka came from the 11.5 acres of vineyard where the distillery is located. As the muscadine grape is native to the South, Firefly is a southern distillery. The muscadine infusion creates a smooth sippin' vodka that is easily imbibed. (80 proof)"

On the web-site they have photos of the distillery and the still!! So very cool and Southern.

Happy Reading,

The Sky Room

I completly forgot to put up photos from inside

The Sky Room in today's post.

Venus of the Southland. The Sky Room.

Today I'm talking about the Historic Sky Room. It is located on the 14th floor of the Breaker's Hotel in Downtown Long Beach. It is an Art Deco lover's dream. It has the feel of a supper club. It has been open since 1926 has received many awards for it's cuisine. There is a 360 degree view and on clear day you could see the Hollywood sign on one side and Catalina on the other. It seats about 240.

There is also a roof top terrace La Cantina del Cielo that is Spanish in flavor on top of The Sky Room. You have to go up a narrow flight of stairs get up there but it is worth the trek. It seats about 70 up there and is open air. Perfect for an intimate affair.

There is a wedding chapel on premises in a Grecian motif & the Empire Ballroom downstaris. A little weird compared to upstairs. They don't have the stlye or the view. I did notice a weird odor while touring the property, but with flowers and people I don't think it will be noticed.

If you want an elegant Art Deco wedding this is the perfect setting for it.

Happy Reading,

ABC GLA. Photography Panel at Matteos

I know I am a little late getting this one out but, I went to an ABC GLA meeting in July. It was the 1st one that I had gone to in Los Angles in a few months. Sadly, I missed a couple of really great ones. This one was held at Matteo's LA. It was a very informative meeting with a panel of photographers. They served us a five course meal of fantastic Italian food. YUM!!! We were seated in the 'Townhouse' their upstairs room with an outdoor patio and skylight. It is a light and airy room. We were all seated in a U-shape which is great style for a rehearsal dinner.

Downstairs is old school Hollywood. Dark, with red booths and leopard print carpet. You can imagine eating there with the mob!! Frank Sinatra was a regular in his time. They even have a train that runs around the bar on the upper wall.

The photographers had a lot to say and talked about the various styles of photography and why they price the way that they do. What has digital done for them. What can we as planners do to help the process. Traditional albums v. Montage (modern) albums. I learned a lot and had a great meal. I love learning about the other people who work the wedding and seeing their work.

They all had a lot to say and have great porfolios. Check them out.
Robert Evans Studios
Donald Norris
James Johnson
Kari Kochar
Jenny Stafford-Red Loft Studios
Nicole Caldwell

Happy Reading,