Saturday, January 31, 2009

Steelers Superbowl Inspiration...

Since the Giants didn't make it to the Superbowl this year I will be cheering for the Steelers, which I have to admit is only because they are the colors yellow, black and white. So in celebration of the Superbowl and the Pittsburgh Steelers, I thought it would be fun to create a storyboard based on one of my favorite color combinations and the colors of True Event.

Black and yellow tablescape by Bliss Events and Isari Flower Studio, photos via Lucky Me,
Invitations - Matzinger by Wiley Valentine, “Just Married” Taxi – Kirk Photo on Flickr, Satin Yellow Heels & Flats – Jcrew, Zebra rug pattern - source unknown, Favors via Style Me Pretty, Champagne glasses by Brides.com, Chandelier, White Flower Balls with Yellow Ribbon, Cake, Via Style Me Pretty, Hotel Room Viceroy Palm Springs


Friday, January 30, 2009

Life is Good...

The Life is good Book
Yesterday, while doing an event for the Life is good® Kids Foundation, at their flagship store in Boston, I discovered this truly amazing book. It is a collection of all of their best graphics and quotes we all know and love combined into one book. And the best thing is that Life is good® will donate 100% of its profit from the sale of this book to the Life is good Kids Foundation, established to help children facing unfair challenges. It is the perfect dose of daily inspiration and for such an amazing cause!

Some of my favorites from the book.
It is in the simplest things that we can find the greatest meaning.

Do what you like. Like what you do... Everything is a once in a lifetime experience... Remember the music is not in the guitar... Optimism can take you anywhere.
.. There are always flowers for those who want to see them.


Thursday, January 29, 2009

We've been blogged!

Justin & Mary Marantz gave us the nicest shout out on their blog today. We are BEYOND excited to be featured on their site! What a great thing to wake up to! Thanks guys! Check it out here.

Please Don't Go Domino!

I am just devastated. As I was doing my daily blog reads this morning I came across this breaking news Via A Cup Of Joe, Domino is closing! According to the WWD, Conde Nast made the decision on Wednesday.

I have saved every issue since the magazine launched and constantly turn to them to find design inspiration. It is always so much fun to flip through past issues, tagging interesting things I missed the first time around. I am really going to miss this magazine. I just can't believe it!

Lucinda's 10 things that will get her through winter

1. Clementines from spain-so love the crates they come in!!! -see your local grocer
2. Remote control car starter kit (hint hint Jono)
3. Arbonne- intelligence not so basic body lotion (new product coming feb 1st-FC5)
4. Fireback-they throw off the heat in a fireplace-they really work!!!
5. Mystic soup company- YUM! (only open in winter)
6. Travel & leisure magazine- when dreaming of a vacation
7. Village naturals white tea body soak , walmart-in-stores only
8. Kahlua and coffee (with a bit of whipped cream!)
9. Chillys women's flare pant, (who wants the skinny leg?)
10. Watching my son enjoying the cold and that the climb is as much fun as the ride.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Christian Louboutin and Kova T... A Match Made in Heaven

At Saks receive a free pair of Kova T leggings with your $700 purchase of Christian Louboutin Shoes.

A girl can dream can't she?

Etsy Find...Keep Calm and Carry On Spoof Calendar




This is the greatest concept, and it is only $5 bucks! Your calendar will arrive as a PDF file, so that you may print as many as you like. Print one, print ten or print twenty!

Two months fit on one page, so when assembled, the calendar is 4.25 x 11. Assembly is easy: simply print, cut each sheet in half and punch a hole in the top and tie with string or ribbon. All you need besides the pdf files is a standard color printer and heavy card stock. You'll receive paper recommendations and further instructions with your order.


To order visit the Etsy Shop online.

Custom Ties

I love this idea for the guys, Custom Ties to match your color story and the perfect groomsmen gift. To make it even more special you can have a customized label made bearing your wedding date, monogram, or some other personal note.

As seen in Martha Stewart Weddings... Choose any fabric (silk, wool, and cotton weaves work better than stretchy knits), then send it to Tiecrafters, which will fashion the material into neckties or bow ties. (You can also pick from their own selection of solid and patterned cloths.) Dress the guys to match, or opt for a range of coordinating colors or patterns, such as we show here.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Hitched The Country Wedding Collection

This morning as I searched on Rhapsody for music to inspire me while I worked. I came across a great instrumental collection of some of my favorite wedding songs, with a bluegrass twist. Thought my brides to be would appreciate the collection as you start to think about ceremony music.
  1. Bridal Chorus - Here Comes The Bride (Acoustic Version)
  2. When I Said I Do
  3. Bless The Broken Road
  4. Amazed
  5. You Had Me From Hello
  6. The Keeper Of The Stars
  7. From This Moment On
  8. To Make You Feel My Love
  9. Making Memories Of Us
  10. Valentine
  11. Forever And Ever, Amen
  12. Wedding March

Sarah's 10 Things that make me Happy in the Winter...



1. Johnson & Johnson’s Baby oil Body Wash, CVS
2. Knitted Coffee Sleeves, The Curiosity Shoppe
3. Allegro Coffee, El Salvador Light Roast (Whole Foods)
4. Grey Short Uggs, Ugg Australia
5. Kiehls Crème de Corps, Kiehls
6. La Mer, crème de la Mer, Neiman Marcus
7. Skinny Stripe Legwarmer, Free People
8. Bottle of Red Wine, Monte Oton Granacha
9. Burberry Ear Muffs, Ebay
10. Cashmere Jackie Cardigan, J. Crew

Today...

(taken from, Le Love, one of my favorite blogs)

Monday, January 26, 2009

Honeymoon Destination... Oia, Santorini, Greece




One of our brides recently shared pictures with us from their honeymoon to Greece and I was totally blown away! It instantly became one of the top honeymoon destinations on my list. Not to mention the photos above illustrate my favorite color story of the year, White, Turquoise, Navy and Fuchsia.

Accomodations: Featured Hotel is the Kirini Hotel. Nestled on the Cliff, Kirini, is overlooking the Volcanic islands of the Caldera basin, taking in the beauty of the most dramatic views of the Aegean. The Kirini combines an Aegean traditional charm with modern day comforts.

Friday, January 23, 2009

The Perfect Blanket



I recently discovered the nuddle (nap+cuddle=nuddle) Brilliant! Trying to get warm in our house in the winter is always a great challenge, my husband and I play a game with turning the heat up and down. I turn it up and he turns it back down when I'm not looking, so this blanket is the perfect solution to my cold nights watching tv or typing on the computer in my office.

The nuddle blanket has open slats for your arms, which allows you to read a book, type on your computer, or drink a glass of wine - all while staying totally warm and cozy. The blanket also comes with an outer hand pocket to keep your hands warm and a foot pocket to keep your feet warm. It is basically the perfect blanket! It is a great Valentines Day gift, and if you enter code cozy 8 you will get 20% off. To learn more about the nuddle blanket, you can check out the site here.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Pop Up Valentine

I recently discovered a new blog that instantly became a new favorite, Modern Vintage Blog, and while on the site I came across a really cool Etsy Designer, Tracy Chong who designs these amazing pop up cards.

I have been counting down the days until February so I could post about all things Valentines Day related but I just couldn't resist when I saw these cards.




In addition to Valentine's Day Cards you will find cards for all occasions and she will even do custom cards for weddings, holiday greetings or other special occasions!


Also stay tuned for some really cool designs from Lucinda and Chocolate Creative Design. Can't wait to post them.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Yellow and the First Lady




In a time of economic uncertainty and political change, optimism is paramount and no other color expresses hope and reassurance more than yellow.


Quote taken from Pantone Color Institute 2008 Press Release

The Voice Inside




I was invited over for a lunch date last week by an incredible friend and host Josh Chalmers from Chalmers Creative Group and Hey Cinderella Weddings and the lovely Miss Felicia from Felicia's Sweet Face Pastry Shoppe. And while it was supposed to be a simple lunch every detail was planned to perfection. I don't think Josh can do simple.

Everytime I go to Josh's house I leave with a new inspiring thought and on this afternoon I came across a poem that was perched perfectly on a shelf behind the toilet. In the most unassuming place I found great inspiration.

It seems as though lately there have been many voices speaking to me, coming at me from all angles and amidst the excitement and anticipation of the past couple of weeks with the launch of my own business the one voice I had been forgetting to listen to was the one that was inside. I think we all forget that it is that simple if we just stop and listen.

THE VOICE

There is a voice inside of you
That whispers all day long,
"I feel that this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong."
No teacher, preacher, parent, friend
Or wise man can decide
What's right for you -- just listen to
The voice that speaks inside.


For more inspiring poems check out Shel Silverstein online.

O-B-A-M-A!



Today is a day we will all remember in history as Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. So in honor of the inauguration and thanks to Daily Candy check out this really cool site Obamicon.Me.

Monday, January 19, 2009

A Seat at the Table


I recently discovered a great new product that I just had to rave about. "A seat at the Table... Posh, Positive, Place cards. They are place cards that will give your guests something to talk about. What a great idea! I love the idea of using these cards for rehearsal dinners, birthdays, showers, or even an intimate dinner party amongst friends. And for all you Eco friendly brides out there they are constructed on recycled paper.

Turn your party, event or meeting into a memorable occasion and give your guests something to talk about at the table and long after. Each place card is printed with thought provoking questions that will spark creative dialogue, transform strangers into friends, and make your guests feel welcome and at ease.

Use these place cards:
  • to welcome your guests
  • to connect and converse
  • to complement a place-setting
  • to inspire conversation
  • to use as a party favor
  • to enliven a meeting

For information on ordering visit Posh Placecards

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Princess for a Day... True and Wesson Photoshoot


Everyone has the same sort of list in his or her lives. It may be on a fridge, carelessly shoved in a drawer and crumpled in the back, or simply filed away in our minds. As I have grown older, my “before I kick the bucket” list has been prominently displayed on my desk, always being added to and sometimes subtracted from.

To all you ladies out there, I know somewhere on your list is to be Giselle for a day. What woman between the ages of 1-100 wouldn't want to have their own personal photo shoot with photographer and makeup artists? Well, Sarah and I were lucky enough to cross that item off our lists. We had the privilege to have makeup artist Jennie Fresa and photographers, Justin and Mary Marantz, make us into princesses for a day for our first photo shoot for True & Wesson.

The morning began with Jennie Fresa, only 2 weeks away from her own wedding, who graciously traveled to our new studio in Stonington to support us. She is one of the most talented up and coming young makeup artists in the industry. She is not only the sweetest person, but is as cute as a button to boot. Jennie uses Trish McEvoy makeup, which we just love, as the colors are natural and warm. Jennie did her magic and gently painted our faces with her brushes, and when we looked in the mirror, we just glowed. She really had her work cut out for her that day with major dry winter skin and the horrible gleam of the overhead florescent lighting. She prevailed as she always does. She got me so hooked on the individual false eyelashes she meticulously put on me, I had to fight off Sarah who wanted to pull them off for fear of infection.

Finally with faces in place, it was Justin and Mary Marantz’s turn, an amazing husband and wife team who could turn even Jocelyn Wildenstein into a beauty. Although I majored in photography and have spent many years behind the lens, to be in front of the camera makes me extremely uncomfortable. But with Justin and Mary, I was able to relinquish all of my control and summon my inner Giselle. Watching them was like watching a choreographed dance. One is like a cat, moving too quick for you to notice, the other on the floor making you laugh and feel at ease. You can feel the love between them and you just know that they truly love what they do. Because of their passion for photographing people and building relationships, they have formed lasting friendships with their clients. They have the ability to bring out the best in everyone.

The 3 of them spent three hours with us out of the kindness of their hearts and pockets, collaborating to give us images for our marketing materials and websites to start our new businesses.

It was a dream come true for Sarah and I to work with amazingly talented vendors who also have beautiful personalities.

So here it is, a giant shout-out, props, holla, and high-five to Justin, Mary and Jennie!!

Visit their websites and you too will see how lucky we are to have these amazing super-humans in our lives.

www.justinmarantz.com
www.jenniesfresa.com

p.s.( The amazing Yumiko Fletcher who owns Hana Floral Design created the fabulous feather and orchid arrangement.) www.hanafloraldesign.com

Bride Wars





After being cooped up all day yesterday doing work at the computer I really needed to get out of the house and was so happy my dear friend Jill agreed to go to the movies with me to see Bride Wars, I never would have been able to convince my husband to join me otherwise. What is it about girls and weddings?! I can still remember getting my first Barbie and Ken doll and always fighting to be the bride as my best friend and I enacted a full wedding between them. Our whole lives we dream about the magic, romantisicm, dream of finding true love and the day we will walk down that aisle. And sometimes we forget about the important things as we become obsessed with the details.

In
Bride Wars Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) are childhood friends, inseperable in every way, and their dream is to one day get married in June at the Plaza. Their friendship was one that could not be broken, until both of their weddings were booked on the same day in June at the Plaza and the drama began.

In the movie it reminded me of how easy it is to get caught up in the planning of a wedding and to forget why it is that you are getting married in the first place. I remember the best advice I was given as a bride when I was in the middle of planning my own wedding, "Cherish every day throughout the planning process leading up to the day of your wedding because that day comes and goes so fast, if you appreciate every day it will be one of the best years of your life..."

So if you love romantic comedies like I do and can't get enough of Kate Hudson I recommend seeing Bride Wars! It won't win any awards but it is the perfect thing to do with your girlfriends on a freezing winter night.


Some of my other favorites are Father of the Bride, The Wedding Planner, Wedding Crashers, Runaway Bride and Sweet Home Alambama.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Pantone® Color of the Year for 2009... MIMOSA


I was so excited to see that Yellow (Mimosa) was the pantone color of the year. A color that is rich, vibrant, bright, energizing and makes us all feel a little warmer, especially this time of year. (-5 degrees this morning in CT)

This is exactly why I was inspired to choose yellow to be one of my company's prominent colors.

So in honor of Mimosa and the launch of True Event I have created a board with some of my favorite yellow things!


  1. Fairfax Bedroom Collection, by William Sonoma
  2. Chinese Laundry Scarlett, $70, by Piperlime
  3. 2009 Spring Ready to Wear Collection, by Monique Lhuillier
  4. Silk Gala Clutch, $88.00, by jcrew
  5. Hanky Panky, $32, Signature Lace Boy Short, by shopbop
  6. Danielle Nicole Kristi Mini Hobo, $575, by Neiman Marcus
  7. Lemon Toile Salad Plates, $32, by, Pottery Barn
  8. Mac Stowaways Eyes 4, $36, by Nordstrom
  9. Daisy Pillow, $24.95 by CB2
  10. Juicy Couture Jackie Print Ruffle One Shoulder Dress, $258.00, by shopbop
  11. Bandeau top and matching Bottoms, $34.50, by Victoria Secret
  12. Yellow Flower/Feather Jana Hair Clip, LF Jewelry Designs, by etsy

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

TRUE & WESSON



Well it is Official, TRUE & WESSON has Launched!

As Lucinda and I stood in her living room tonight and watched the website go live we jumped up and down and did a little dance in pure joy and utter excitement! I literally could feel the energy in the room. It has definitely been an incredible journey to get to this day and this place in our careers. Anything is possible and a new adventure awaits!!!

Our Blog will be a place for us to blab about what we think is new and exciting in design and fashion as well as sharing what we have been working on and creating.

We hope to inspire you!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

WE'VE LAUNCHED!!!

22 Bayview Avenue, Studio 6
Stonington, CT 06378

True Event: 203.530.5127
sarah@trueevent.com

Chocolate Creative Design: 860.912.1248
lucinda@chocolatecreativedesign.com

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY