We used to chant Kappas in the house to the Mariah Carey’s song Fantasy….sounds cheesy huh, but I used to think it was cool back in the days. It was great to see founders of the sorority who are 40 years old and also the newbes, girls that are just 19!  Kappa Zeta Phi, BC at UCI was founded in 1989, 20 years ago!  I had the honor of planning the event with Tricia Kubota Hojo, who resides in Nor Cal right now…We picked the amazing St.Regis to host an afternoon tea, well iced tea since it was so—hot. Sunny Lee from Filigree Cakes (I went to college with Sunny in 1994 and now our paths cross again) made the most beautiful cake…the little figurines represented various families within the sorority, I was in Pekkle family. Katrina, Details Details intern drove down from Nor Cal with handmade Family trees for everyone to see. Thanks to Alex from www.pacificphotobooths.com for bringing that for the girls to take momento pictures with…so many people have not seen that before!    HUGE shout out to Hugh for hanging in there with a hundreds of girls shouting at him to take their photos.  

Photos Courtesy of: Hugh Forte www.hughforte.com

When will you ever get 150+ of your closest friends and family over for a gourmet bar-b-que on 4th of July?  Probably never all together so Liz and Kelly wanted to take advantage of this for a post nuptial party at the Montage. Cabanas were set out during the day along with every park game, like frisbee and beer pong.  And dinner by the sea, steel drums, live band, an elaborate burger and grilled chicken station and smores by fireside…everyone raved about the cuban cigar roller dipping cigars in cognac, perfect for an out door event, you know the smoking rules in CA.  No one wanted the party to end, or the weekend to end, I can see why…..who wants to return to gloomy east coast weather, although some ladies were in shock of the uv rays as they didn’t wear enough sunscreen, I didn’t.

Photos Courtesy of : Carson Day , James Carson Photography

Chloe & reese make sweet and stylish dresses just right for that special occasion!  I love chloe and reese and their sassy dresses with just the right touch of femininity!  Chloe and reese is based out of Manhattan in the Garment District, but their collection can be seen in stores such as Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Aveneue, to name a few. Chloe and reese became such a hit that they have just launched their brand new Ardour Collection, which is the inspired bridal-collection! The Ardour Collection was created for brides and bridal parties, in response to their request for modern and sophisticated party dresses that offer versatility in dressing for any wedding occasion. The thousands of customized dress selections can take the bride or her attendants from the engagement party or rehearsal dinner to the wedding.  The variety of stylish and chic silhouettes from a flirty one-shoulder silk faille party frock, to elegant floor-length taffeta gowns, sweet silk dresses trimmed in feminine ruffles, to classic strapless sheaths. The personalization option allows every bride on every budget the opportunity to design styles that suit her individual wedding aesthetic.  The Ardour Collection will ship worldwide, and the company’s Bridal Specialists will work closely with out-of-state and international customers to send swatches, photographs and samples for brides who are unable to visit the Manhattan showroom. For further information, please call 888.317.1695. Go visit their website to see for yourself some of the fabulous dresses by chloe and reese.

www.chloeandreese.com

An interactive cooking party is such a great party idea for those who want to have some fun! This is a different alternative to the traditional bridal shower, engagement party, or birthday. The interactive cooking parties are great for people to socialize, learn, and enjoy great food. The Culinary Coach comes to your house and throws a cooking lesson party for you and your guests to enjoy. The Culinary Coach’s chefs are extremely talented with extensive cooking backgrounds. I know that Chef Eric Sauber is wonderful at throwing a party to remember, along with Chef Gregg Denter. You have to visit their website at www.myculinarycoach.com to see their services and impressive culinary backgrounds.  An interactive cooking party would have been the answer for one of our bride’s who had a kitchen shower since she wanted inspiration to learn how to cook.

Check out www.myculinarycoach.com for more info!

Well not exactly…for the wedding party YES, they stayed up but most retired before day light.  Megan and Kyle’s after party was not to be missed, not even for those over 65+.  The La Capella ballroom at Resort at Pelican Hill was completely transformed to a modern, eccletic hip chic night club where you can dance just about anywhere as the entire floor was covered with a high gloss black dance floor, every inch of it!   The pictures tell it all…and yes, that is Victor Sizmore!

Photos courtesy of: Victor Sizmore www.vcsphoto.com

Sprinkles Cupcakes have hit the road and has now gone mobile!  Since they opened their first cupcake bakery in Beverly Hills, Sprinkles has exploded with popularity.  The Sprinkles van travels all around the LA area and you can follow them on Twitter.  Sprinkles even makes wedding cupcakes for favors that come individually packaged, or even stacks cupcakes on tiers as a modern alternative to the traditional wedding cake.  I am a fan of the red velvet cupcakes and would love to take one home any day! 

If you take one look at the groom/groomsmen shot you can immediately tell what kind of wedding this was, fun fun! While the girls sipped champagne and prepped, the guys partied!  But they made it to the church on time..they wed at The Mission in San Juan Capistrano. It’s old outer wall made beautiful backdrops for portraits. Heading back to the Montage Resort on Limo Buses for beach photos and a great party. Liz wanted touches of beach, not too much though….hints of it on escort card, napkin treatment, and some blue seaglass here and there. The talented RJACK Balthazar team designed lounge seating on both sides of the ballroom near the bars of course. Just adored the champagne oval dance floor which matched the wavy matte gold linens. Liz and Kelly didn’t stop here…day after the wedding, they invited the guests back to the Montage for a day of tanning, beer pong and smores. And of course fireworks. Those photos coming soon.

Photos: Courtesy of Barnett Photo  barnettphoto.com

We have exciting news for the weekend!  Monique Lhuillier is having a sample sale in LA!  There will be lots of amazing dresses that all brides searching for their perfect dress must check out.

What: Find ready-to-wear and dreamy bridal samples and overstock frocks at 40-90 percent off.
Why: Get that vow factor.
When: Sun., 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Where: 1201 S. Grand Ave., at W. 12th St., 2nd flr., Downtown. (Los Angeles)

Information found off of www.dailycandy.com

Have fun shopping!

*These dresses may not be included at the sample sale.

Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? There is even a designated National Ice Cream Day, which is on Sunday, July 19th this year. Who says ice cream can’t be included in a healthy diet? Not me! I abide by the American Dietetic Association’s belief that “all foods can fit” in a healthy diet and lifestyle. So go ahead, enjoy a scoop of ice cream this month! To make your scoop more nutritious, top it with a handful of antioxidant-rich blueberries and some heart healthy walnuts.

For one 1/2 cup serving of Breyer’s All Natural Vanilla, you’ll get 130 calories, 7g total fat (4 of which are saturated), and about 8% of your daily calcium needs. Looking to burn those calories? 36 minutes of walking, 15 minutes of jogging, 11 minutes of swimming, or 20 minutes of cycling will do the trick!

Looking to upgrade your diet or plan a corporate wellness event for your business? Contact Janice Holm, MPH, RD, CHES at janice@socalnw.com or 310.270.8985. Janice is a dietitian based in southern California. Janice owns a private practice and consulting company called SoCal Nutrition & Wellness and is a college nutrition instructor and freelance writer.

I can’t resist a piece of chocolate and I am sure most of you can relate! These adorable designer chocolates made by Vita Dolce are the perfect favor for your wedding as you can see by the photos. The Vita Dolce Company was started by two childhood friends, Jessica and Dana, and they have perfected chocolate. Their hand-crafted truffles, toffees, mints, and artisan chocolates are created with quality ingredients and with care in packaging. Vita Dolce also specializes in chocolates customized for weddings and corporate events. They “pride themselves on providing the final touch on your special day. They believe that the beauty is in the details and do all that they can to help you create a favor that will compliment your wedding theme and delight your guests.” Each order is customized with a white gift box and your choice of ribbon color to fit your wedding favor desires.

You have to visit their website at www.vitadolcechocolates.com to see for yourself the fabulous chocolates!