Here Comes The Guide's Blog

A Mixx of Good Things

More really, really hard work…

From one fine event to another. Perhaps you all read my post on the YWD magazine lunch at the Trentadue Winery. Well, if you can believe it, I got to gussy up and go to yet another beautiful festivity the very next evening: Mixx at the Ferry Building with my dear colleagues, Denise and Jan.

This one was hosted and catered by one of our faves, Paula LeDuc Catering. The lighting, the brightly colored drinks gleaming in martini glasses and the seamless stream of house music made it feel like we were in an upscale club in SF.

In case no one knew this, we at Here Comes The Guide love ourselves some fine food. We probably tasted everything about…I’ll say 3 times so we don’t sound as ravenous as we really were. We also had the pleasure of telling Paula how beautiful and delicious everything was in person! I must say she looked just as stunning as ever.

Speaking of stunning, look at these pictures of the décor. Being ever so inquisitive, I took a closer look at one of the optically alluring wall pieces to see what it was made of, and I was surprised: Cardboard! Recyclable, sustainable, green…

Shortly after, I ran into the owner of Branch, the masterminds behind those enviro-friendly wall pieces. We talked a little about this quickly growing movement of green alternatives in events, weddings, and even things you can do in your own home. All you eco-conscious brides out there, please check out his company’s website. Be warned: everything is not only environmentally friendly; it’s also clean, chic, and aesthetically pleasing. You may want to buy everything. While it’s true I may have enabled you, don’t say I didn’t warn you if you end up indulging yourself more than you planned.

A big hug and a thank you to Jack at Orange Exposure for taking these awesome pictures! And no, I’m not stealing those cards…they were free, I swear!

The Great One: Vera Wang

It must nice to be a fashion icon. As Sex and the City’s fictional wedding coordinator definitively told an engaged Charlotte: “I have just 2 words for you—Vera Wang.“

But the woman who revolutionized wedding dress design is herself rather demure and understated—it’s surprising, really, when you see her photos and interviews. One would expect the arrogance and glamour of a movie star walking down the red carpet, flashbulbs popping, to accept another award.

But quietly, persistently, and with the taste and style for which her name is synonymous, Vera has extended her empire from dresses to accessories to jewelry, then the requisite eponyomous perfume, now housewares, linens… mattresses!… Is there no end to what this woman can do? And Martha Stewart better watch her back: Now Vera’s actually become accessible. The barrier to the common woman—price—has been removed, since the launch of Ms. Wang’s exclusive Simply Vera line at Kohl’s department stores.

After seeing a Vera-Kohl’s commercial for the first time, I confess: I immediately went to my computer and window-shopped. Items from her collection are at the top of my Holiday Wish List.

And if you are shopping for your wedding dress instead of casual wear, you can now find a real Vera at Bridal Galleria, one of San Francisco’s largest bridal salons, as well as The Unique Bride in Burlingame. (So Cal ladies should visit The White Dress in Corona del Mar for their Vera Wang store-in-store.)

My one complaint about Vera—her models look suicidal. Malnourished, pale and downright miserable! Is that any way to celebrate your wedding? I prefer the vibrant, freshness of Kirstie Kelly’s runway divas, one of the only designers whose models actually SMILED while walking the catwalk of last season’s New York wedding market.

So here’s what I want to know: Who out there plans a visit to Kohl’s to get their “Vera Look” on the cheap??

View Vera Wang’s Fall/Summer 2008 Bridal Fashion Show.

A Little Holiday Inspiration

At a holiday networking event in San Francisco last night, I got the chance to to catch up one of our Certified By The Guide floral designers, Laurel Winzler of Laurel Designs. She was recently cited in San Francisco Magazine’s December article, “101 Shortcuts to Elegant, No-Stress Entertaining”, on stands now. Since I had her attention (and I didn’t have a copy of the magazine with me!), I had to ask: What IS hot in the entertaining world this holiday season?

Laurel’s answer: go bold. For a little holiday inspiration, look at the jewel-toned flowers, fruits, and napkins on one of Laurel’s recent creations. By using floral arrangements with several different heights, the guests have plenty to feast their eyes on—and they can still see the person across from them.

If you want something even more dramatic and out-of-the-ordinary, Laurel suggests ditching the traditional long holiday table for square, Asian-themed ones. Using warm, rich reds and oranges is a surefire way to make an event memorable, and the smaller, simple tables invite more intimate conversation. Very Zen.

If you’re like me and just realized it’s December, Laurel Designs even provides in-home decoration for the season. That’s one way to take some stress out of holiday entertaining…