A Different Kind of Wedding Faire

What are you doing Sunday, March 1 from 11 AM to 4 PM? The Hotel Cabana in Palo Alto is having a FREE wedding fair. But with a twist. 

Our good friend Stacie Tamaki of The Flirty Guide will be moderating a panel discussion of how to DIY four elements of your wedding at 1 PM. 

Joining her will be Ron Grandia who will talk about how to be your own DJ. 

Sabrina Moyel of Hello!Lucky will talk about DIY invitations. 

Sachi Yamazaki and Tina Thao of Fleurty will demonstrate how to DIY your flowers. 

And I'll be giving practical tips on how to DIY your wedding video.

There will be food, displays and a fashion show at 2 PM.

Although it's free, your advance registration is appreciated. 

Register for a FREE VIP pass and FREE valet parking at...

Phone:  650.857.0787

Email:  sales.catering@cabanapaloalto.net

Final Answer: Slumdog Millionaire

There are plenty of other promotional photos of Slumdog Millionaire you will see, but none tell the story better than this one. 

Slumdog Millionaire is about a boy born into dire poverty in Mumbai who finds a way out of the worst imaginable circumstances, motivated by love for a girl, armed only with his wits, intelligence and survival skills. He's like Oliver Twist, but scrappier.

He is at the whim of fate, but makes the best of it. He's thrown off a train in front of the Taj Mahal where he anoints himself a "guide", instructs tourists to take off their shoes, then steals the shoes and sells them.  

We learn the details of his first 20 years when he is a contestant on India's TV show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. How does a poor boy from the slums, a slumdog, know all the answers? We learn in a series of flashbacks how life's tragedies and sorrows befell Jamel in his childhood providing him the answers to each question. A whole country is gathered 'round the TV rooting for the underdog in this movie. And the underdog prevailed at the Oscars. 

It's one of those movies you keep returning to in your mind days and weeks later. My rating: 4 stars.

CAT FOUND

I ran across this ad on Craigs List and thought I'd help this "cat" find its way home.

The ad read "I found this guy the other day on my back porch. I tried feeding him and it turns out that he is not very friendly because i think he may be scared. Not quite sure the breed but I am assuming he is part Siamese. I have him in a crate because he is not really house broken. If he is yours please reply."

Lisa N James

Let me introduce you to one of our favorite photographic teams - Lisa N James.

They met while James was shooting a Super 8 film project. Lisa's background was in cinematography, then coordinating weddings at one of San Francisco's most prestigious hotels. 

They bring all their talents to the field of photography along with a keen eye for detail, a willingness to try anything, a laid back attitude and an understanding about what a wedding day is all about. 

I love the way they capture movement like this bride on a carousel.

I love the way they capture a casual moment between two people so that they look natural.

If you'd like to see more of their work, please come visit a private wedding faire. Lovely Details Showcase, this Sunday, February 22 from 11 - 3 PM at Fort Mason, Building A, Golden Gate Room.  Open to the public and totally FREE!

DK Designs - Extraordinary Flowers

Take a look.  Take a close look.  Isn't that a beautiful flower?  Diane Phillips of DK Designs makes stunning flowers...out of clay!  They are sooo realistic and light as a feather.  

We saw them in the hair of the models at Wedding University; we've seen them as cake toppers. And last night at Lea McIntosh's party, I won my very own petite arrangement.  I was so thrilled!

Diane Phillips is so sweet. Every time I see her, she is smiling and her eyes are dancing.  That pure sweetness is infused into each of her works of art.

You have an opportunity to see Diane and her little treasures at the Bridal Faire at Ralston Hall Mansion on Sunday, February 22 from 1 PM - 4 PM. Admission is complimentary and as a great big bonus, you can WIN A WEDDING GOWN! Also, two free tickets to the MOVIE-ME SEMINAR will be raffled.

As for me, tomorrow I'm going to set a petite Valentine's Day table with this arrangement as the inspiration and centerpiece. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Cyber Dating Tips for Valentine's Day

OK.  You are deliriously happy that you have found "the" guy for you.  But, maybe one of your friends is not so lucky.

A cyber-dating expert suggest 10 Top Tips for cyber-dating, based upon her 15 years of experience. My favorite is Tip #3 When in doubt, eat chocolate.

But what if you don't have a date on Saturday night? Join 100s of people on Sat, Feb 14 in Justin Herman Plaza for the flash mob annual San Francisco pillow fight. When the clock strikes 6 PM, let the games begin.

Bella Bridesmaid, You're Beautiful

If you asked a friend you REALLY liked to be your bridesmaid, where would you go to find her a beautiful dress?  Bella Bridesmaid, of course! And what dress might you choose? One from Hannah Williams who just happens to have a trunk show of her Queue dress collection on February 14.  Great fabrics. Great colors. And I love the little flower appliques the designer carefully places on the bodice, around the hem or even on the whole skirt, like the full length gown in the picture to the left.  

Another adorable little detail you just have to see are the cocktail length dresses with a tiny bit of tulle peeking out. The designer created her collection so each dress worked well for weddings as well as for other events.  Finally.  It's no longer a lie - you CAN wear that beautiful dress again.

As I was looking at all the gorgeous bridesmaid's dresses at Bella Bridesmaid, it occurred to me that some of these bridesmaids dresses could be worn by a bride.  Some of the designers such as Alix & Kelly and Jenny Yoo offer just that - simple silhouettes, in white or off-white, in sensational fabrics such as silk, chiffon or taffeta for as little as $650.  For a non-traditional bride, imagine accessorizing with a metallic shoe or just a touch of feathers in the hair.  For the groom?  Maybe a '40's or '50's retro tuxedo or dark suit with tie to complement the bridal party.  

The ladies at Bella Bridesmaid are just so nice and the store is airy and inviting. So before the big Valentine's Night celebration, take your bridesmaids to 2250 Union Street and have a bella, bella beautiful day.