Cocktails, Couture and Vera Wang

We are finally posting the LONG OVERDUE Cocktails and Couture party pics.  We had so much fun co-hosting this event!   The fun surrounded the Vera Wang Trunk Show in town just for the weekend and exclusive to Big Rock Little Rooster.  The Friday evening party kicked off with fab makeup by Lindsay Remley of Cheek By Lindsay and hair by the talented Josie Schweitzer.   David Thielebeule, Accessories Director at Allure magazine was in town giving our lucky brides and fashionistas expert fashion advice.  We were on hand as the featured wedding planner and enjoyed chatting with brides and making new friends!  Take a peak at the fun!   And big thanks to very talented photog Stephanie Lehnert of Novia Distinctive Photography for sharing these FABULOUS pics with us!   We had such a hard time choosing which to feature!   xo

 There she is!  The fabulous and adorable Lindsay making beautiful faces even prettier!  

Creative and fun Josie!  We sure do love a good tease and she knows what she is doing! 

Bridal look inspired by KE$HA??  You like??   

Getting close to showtime!

We also featured the amazing millinery creations by Granville's own Amy Hamilton.  

 We DIE for her hats both for brides and for tea time!  Amy is a delight to know, as well! 

Romantic and pretty in Vera. 

 Yes, it did taste as good as it looks!

 AWWWW!

 The detail!   The pretty!  Oh how we love white dresses!

 Our good friend and very talented interior designer, Andrea Freeman of Arrange LTD. stopped by to take a look and perhaps garner inspiration.  Perhaps a room draped in silk organza?

Architectural and romantic.  Two more great designs by Vera.   And of course the hat just tops it off!

We absolutely LOVE this look for a Fall wedding! 

That chandelier!  J'adore.

Good party!  Fun guests. 

Adrianne with David from Allure (left) and dear friend Dallas (right).  We had so much fun!

This just delights our eye!   Love love love black and white.  Such a chic and timeless combo. 

The chick in charge!   Our good friend, Kristin - great party sister! 

If that is not a show-stopping window, what is? 

OH-IO!!  We prefer the tomahawk chop, but hey...when in Rome!!  :)

Friends of AE: Great Makeup Tips From Cheek By Lindsay

Our favorite makeup artist Lindsay Remley from Cheek By Lindsay has put together some amazing tips for reworking that makeup bag and navigating through the Beauty Jungle.  We recently took her advice to try the La Mer eye cream (details below) and we already look more revitalized and refreshed  (let us lose sleep over your event so that you don't have to - we have La Mer now)! 

Lindsay specializes in wedding day makeup (look at our recent bride, Leslie - how beautiful??) and overall makeup expertise.  Call on her to help you redo your makeup bag or to do makeup for that fabulous upcoming gala or if you are a bride, do not look any further.  Lindsay is the BEST in the biz (and so fun to have around too)!  Thanks Lindsay for being a FRIEND OF AE!!! 

LINDSAY SAYS:

Splurge or Save?

You get what you pay for, right?  Well…..sometimes.  The beauty industry can be difficult to navigate and you can easily spend a fortune.  So, here are some suggestions on what you should splurge on and what you can save on in your beauty routine.  Save that extra cash for a night out with the girls!

Save:  Makeup brushes 

Sonia Kashuk makes great brushes that last.   They range in price from $3.99- $19.99.  I have been using some of her brushes for over 5 years and they are still in great condition.  The trick to making them last:  proper storage and care.  Always store your brushes in a cup, not a bag and clean them regularly with a brush cleanser.

Splurge:  Eye cream

La Mer makes the BEST eye cream.  It is pricey but it is worth it- I promise!  La Mer eye concentrate $165 (at least a 6 month supply).  I hesitate to say that this eye cream changed my life, but it definitely changed my skincare life.   The first week I started using it I got compliments on my complexion and stopped using concealer!  I swear.  I have not worn concealer in over a year.  Please note:  I have kids, a full time job and lots of obligations so I am always tired.

Save:  Eyeliner

Sephora makes their own brand of makeup and they have an unbelievable range of colors- all for only $8!  You can get metallic, glitter, waterproof, you name it.  I discovered these when I was 16 and first experimenting with makeup and haven’t found anything I like better.

Splurge:  Fragrance

Jo Malone is hands down the leader in personal and home fragrance.  Each scent is meant to be combined with another and there are endless possibilities.  You can invest in a few scents and always create a new scent by mixing and matching.  Fragrances start at $55 and candles are $65- these make great hostess gifts!

And just because I love a good bargain…here is one more Save!

Save:  Shampoo and Conditioner

Organix makes a great collection of shampoo’s and conditioners that are paraben and sulfate free (great for color treated hair).  I love the Moroccan argan oil line ($7.99 each) because it protects against styling and heat while restoring shine and strengthening your hair.

Wedding Wednesday: HIRE A PLANNER

She planned her own wedding... 

Hire a professional!

(This may sound a little self-serving and it just might be, but trust us, we are serving you more!)

Please, please, unless you have unlimited free time (who does?) and have planned many events for 100+ guests, (in which case you probably aren’t reading this blog), you have got to hire a wedding planner.   You will not regret it.  If you are shaking your head and asking yourself “But why?  Planning this will be a cinch”, then keep reading.

It all seems pretty simple, right?  You pick out a location, think about your favorite menu items, décor you love, your favorite stationery, color palettes you want, memorable tunes and voila!  Party planned.  Well, there are two distinct differences here.  Thinking about what you want and getting what you want, the way you want it (without having any meltdowns) are two entirely different things.  Trust us, it gets difficult fast, questions begin to mount and so does the anxiety.  Don't do this to yourself!

An wedding planner is a professional who can talk the talk and walk the walk (so to speak).  We have experience using event jargon with vendors, we know the industry (and also what items should cost and what terms are appropriate in negotiations) and simply have the skill and experience to seamlessly bring your vision to life. 

Imagine this during the planning process:
You are locked into a contract with a venue.  The chairs they provide are mauve and that does not fit your color scheme.  Ok, so you rent chairs.   The venue now wants to charge you what seems like an extraordinary amount for these new chairs.   Do chairs really cost $3500?  Am I being taken advantage of?   Why do I need 7 extra people to unload said chairs? Aren't we talking about chairs here?   Are you getting stressed thinking this through?   Call your local planner.

How about this one on the DAY OF:
You are enjoying your first glass of champagne, your hair is set in hot rollers, everything is going as planned, you are relaxing and enjoying the morning with your bridesmaids.  The phone rings.  You pick it up, it's your florist.  He/She actually had you on the books for the FOLLOWING Saturday.  They are very sorry, but there will be no flowers available for your wedding.  Call waiting - it's your DJ, he lost the playlist you sent him and the special CD with the special version of your first-dance song on it, can you please resend to him within the next hour?  What to do now?  Who is going to handle this?  Am I really getting on the phone with everyone in the Yellowpages to get a replacement florist while tracking down my laptop to resend this music?  My glass of champagne is now flat and warm (and your hair is about to be too; flat at least).   Again, if this is stressing you out - DEFINITELY call a planner. 



David and Adrianne at a Milly
show during NYC Fashion Week

 Still not convinced?  We will be at Big Rock Little Rooster on Saturday, August 27th as part of the Vera Wang trunk show.  We are currently scheduling appointments and giving out complimentary advice to brides.   Join us!  We would love to chat with you.  Email us if you would like to set an appointment.   Contact Big Rock Little Rooster for a dress appointment.  Tons of GORGEOUS Vera Wang dresses.  NO pressure!  Promise!  That's what this blog is for!  :)

Added bonus:  David Thielebeule, Accessories Director at Allure magazine will also be available doling out bridal fashion advice.  He can help guide you on chic, sleek and fun color combo's for your wedding day, too!  Makeup expert, Lindsay Remley and Hair Guru, Josie Schweitzer will also be available.  It's quadruple the fun!  Quadruple the experts.  USE US!