Fashion: Cynthia Rowley Sunglasses On Sale

Posted by Sherri Caudell Brennan, Shopping and Fashion Expert

Cynthia Rowley has some of the coolest sunglasses around in her Spring 2010 collection. I can't wait until the styles, ranging from rectangular enamel sunglasses to metal brow sunglasses, are available. Why not wear a different style every day of your honeymoon? While you're browsing on the website, check out Cynthia's cool "hide and seek" video showing off her clothes in an artistic way.  Also enjoy reading her model bios that showcase her models' personalities beyond the runway.

If you're honeymooning before next Spring, you're in luck. Zappos.com has some of Cynthia's shades from this season discounted! You can also grab sunglasses from other style makers including Kate Spade.

 

Photos courtesy of Cynthia Rowley

When In Rome...

Posted by Jennifer Miranda, Associate Editor

How many of you would plan your honeymoon around a specific local event or festival? In fact, is anyone doing just that?

For example, in London just a few weeks ago, there was the 2009 Restaurant Festival, a six-day party that rolled out prix-fixe menus at over 500 different establishments throughout the city. There's even a pop-up restaurant being housed on the roof of Selfridges until October 31, helmed by famed French chef Pierre Koffman. It was such a huge success this (its inaugural) year that I'm thinking of booking a trip next October just for the occasion.

Or are you thinking something bigger, like Oktoberfest in Germany? Or El Dia de los Muertos in Mexico? Or Mardi Gras in New Orleans?

Luxury on the Farm

Posted by Matthew Robbins, Contributor

A growing trend in event and wedding decor is a fascination with all things rustic and country. "Farmhouse chic," as I like to call it, is an approach I incorporate in many of my events because I'm so inspired by country and rustic elements combined with a more modern, luxurious aesthetic. I'm noticing many brides are looking for new ideas to infuse their wedding day with this rustic luxury, and I found the perfect venue for inspiration or for your next event!

Locusts on Hudson is an incredible property that mixes modern luxury with the history and original detail of the place. I can imagine starting with a picnic for your rehearsal dinner, then completing your wedding weekend with a beautiful outdoor ceremony followed by an enchanting reception in the open house. Then, you'd end your perfect weekend with a sunny brunch by the pool.

If you're interested in Locusts on Hudson, whether it's to see the venue or just have your questions answered, Jennifer MacCarthy is your go-to. She was so generous, spending the entirety of a very hot afternoon with my client and me last weekend. We toured the house and property, and I was so inspired by the beautiful surroundings. I can't wait to share photos of our first event there! What do you think?

 

I'm Going To Disney World!

Posted by Darcy Miller, Editorial Director

For anyone who has not already entered our Perfect Proposal contest, my advice is to enter right now! No, I'm not just saying that because it’s on our website, but because I just spent three days in Disney World with my family, and it was amazing. They call that place magical, and now I see why.

I must admit, I've always been a huge fan of Disney—way before I had three daughters to take there—and it was my first visit back since I was eight. My favorite was the SpectroMagic night time parade in the Magic Kingdom.

But if you're thinking that Disney is only about characters and princesses, think again. There are pools, golf courses, tennis courts, spas, etc. The winner receives room accommodations for five nights, one of which is in the Cinderella Castle Suite. The winner also gets two 6-Day Theme Park Tickets for touring the theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom), and one Disney Gift Card with a value of $1000.00 for use toward your Disney experience. Runners up have chances to win fun Disney merchandise.

I would enter myself but I'm not allowed!  Enter now, the deadline is April 15th!

P.S.  For those of you looking for a destination wedding, Disney has a wide range of weddings, the top of the line being "Disney's Couture Wedding Collection by David Tutera"  Click here to learn more.

 

 Mickey Mouse, my girls, and me          cake from Couture Collection

 

Wedding Pavillion

 

Destination Aspen

Posted by Alexis Givens, Real Bride and marthastewartweddings.com Editor

I'm back from a weekend of revising my grand ambitions for our Save-the-Date. I ended up designing a postcard on Adobe Illustrator that is simple and to the point. All I have to do is print those babies out this week and we're good to go. Once I send them out (I want to keep them secret until guests open their mailbox), I'll post a pic.

Now I'm starting to focus on our trip to Colorado next week. Step one was choosing the destination. Check. Now all we have to do is find the location and put down the deposit. I'm so excited to meet with vendors and actually see all of the places that we've looked at online. A huge weight will be lifted off my shoulders when we do this. Although I've been to Aspen many times, and it has always been a great vacation spot for us, I wasn't thinking about what would make a great reception location or how I could transport my wedding dress up the gondola when we went to restaurants or skied down mountains. It will be great to see Aspen in this new light and to meet with people who really know and love the area. And to finalize the location means that I can really start envisioning this wedding not in la-la-fantasy land but in a real place.

Most importantly, my fiance (see above on one our previous ski trips), my mother, and my future mother-in-law are all coming, and this will be the first time that my mom will see Aspen. I'm crossing my fingers that she'll love it but I have a sneaking suspicion that she'll be quite pleased.

I'm bringing my inspiration binder, a jam-packed schedule of meetings, and my digital camera to keep track of all of the different locations we'll visit. I'll be sure to share when I get back. In the meantime, here's what I need to figure out before I leave next week:

*Are there any really important questions that I need to ask potential vendors?

*How much wiggle room do I have to negotiate prices?

*What do I absolutely need to do before I leave Aspen? I probably won't be going back until the wedding in August so this is my one big chance to get everything done.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. This is my first time planning something so far away and I need all the help I can get!