Champagne Bubbles, Sugar Plums and Seven Swans a Swimming....Getting Re-Coiffed

A time for contemplation, enjoying the moment, admiring and sharing the new extension of your hand.

Rhinestones and lace, every bride's dream come true...

A reminder of the past, present and future..

Trust and admiration for a new sister...

A whole lot of eye candy and sparkle for the toes...

Family heirlooms. Honoring those who cannot be there.

Sharing secrets between generations..

Stay tuned for a special post describing the amazing talent of the Jennie Fresa Beauty Library and the fabulous hair & makeup they produced..

Images by Anna Sawin Photography

Makeup & Hair-Jennie Fresa Beauty Library, Jennie Fresa & Lindsay Milan

Bride's dress, Bridesmaids dresses- Tove Vigen, Tova's Vintage

Bridemaid's Gold Beaded Heels- Anna Sui-Tove Vigen

Bridesmaid's Ivory deco sparkle heels- DSW

Flowergirls ensembles- Silver sequin dress-Gap Kids, Purple Sparkle Tights, Silver sparkle sweater-H&M, Silver glitter Converse sneakers-Target, Purple sparkle dress, Pink sparkle sweater-H&M, Silver sparkle skirt- Old Navy

LSW

A look into where, how and why magical ideas are sparked...

Image by Anna Sawin Photography

Sarah True (True Event), Abby Larson (Style Me Pretty), Yumiko Fletcher (Hana Floral Design) and

Lucinda Wesson (Chocolate Creative Design) at the Weddings, The Creative Process Event

in Stonington, CT at Saltwater Farm Vineyard.

Yumiko Fletcher of Hana Floral Design, Sarah True of True Event and I have been talking about producing a shoot over the past several years. We wanted to be able to showcase our own styles as well as some very talented vendors who work on the Connecticut Shoreline, from Clinton to Stonington. We decided to do two shoots, one modern (designed by Sarah True) and one vintage (designed by me). Using the same talented vendors and color palette for both, we are able to show the wide range of looks and talents. We have been working with Jennie Fresa, Anna Sawin and Mike Cyr for some time now and not only do we respect each other’s talents but really have a great time working with one another. This allows for us to have some really successful collaborations. We also believe that not one person is more important than the other, and that a true collaboration comes from a true team. I gave inspiration boards to all of the vendors but really allowed them to have fun and add their own style to the mix. There is nothing more exhilarating and creative than to have someone completely trust you and your work. So as much as this was work, it was also a great creative experiment.

As designers, we are constantly trying to push ourselves. Deeply inspired by an intimate wedding of 50 at Island Farm that I co-designed this past fall, I thought about an intimate winter wedding inside the “Big House” on the Island.

With the economic climate we all face, a burst of creativity and an acknowledgement of the things that matter most to us, family, comes shining through. I wanted to create something different than just a beautiful table shoot. With my background in film and photography, I wanted to reveal a “real wedding,” that would allow the viewer to be brought in undetected. In some ways it’s like looking through the eyes of a wedding coordinator. My love is to create details as well as an inspiring table but the real challenge is to show it being used and useable.

My love of vintage goes way back, but what inspires me most is the story that each vintage piece carries. When I design or style weddings, I love to add elements of family. Isn’t that what weddings are about? Bringing two families together?

So let's begin the tale....

LSW

Holiday Gift Giving Guide... Jennie Fresa Beauty Library

Spa Room at the Beauty Library

I can hardly believe it is officially holiday season and we are into the first week of December. This year flew by faster than I think any other year, although I seem to be saying that more and more as I get older and busier. I think with all that is happening, the hustle and bustle of our routines, crazy schedules, work, family, commitments... life is it just blowing by. I often forget how important it is to find time for me, time to take a moment to read a magazine, time to forget about the outside world and just be, and time to truly be pampered.

Yesterday I was treated to one of the most fabulous spa treatments I have ever had at the Beauty Library, and it reminded me how to do all of those things. Specially designed by the uber talented Jennie Fresa, The Fassage, is a combination of all of her favorite spa treatments (pedicure, facial, massage, all in one) and is totally blissful. It would make the most perfect holiday gift for all the ladies on your list.

She also has an incredible line of makeup with the most fabulous lip gloss collection that is the perfect stocking stuffer. Since I know sister reads the blog this is a hint for you. I love the pomegranate gloss, perfect shade of coral/pink/red.

Happy Shopping!

About the Fassage:
Introducing the FASSAGE: Available exclusively at the Beauty Library.

.....A few years ago, every evening at 6:30, Jennie would find herself briskly walking up Lexington Avenue. Jennie found her stride here, working with makeup maven Trish McEvoy. Often, as Jennie pushed along passed the bakeries, boutiques, and shops that line the blocks from Saks Fifth Avenue to her 80th street studio apartment, she would detour into a quaint, neighborhood salon. A neck massage would melt away the stresses of the workday. A pedicure could empower her for a night on the town. Or, a luxurious facial transformed the working gal into the glamour girl. Often, Jennie fantasized about combining all of her favorite indulgences into one specialized treatment. And, so, the Fassage was born!

The FASSAGE: $90 Holiday Special: $72

A head to toe experience- 1 hour treatment includes a soothing foot soak with essential oils, paraffin hand treatment, deep cleansing facial with enzyme mask, and stress-relieving massage of the feet, legs, hands, arms and decoltee.

20% off all services at the Beauty Library, including the FASSAGE, Makeup Lessons, Brow Shaping and JF Mineral product purchases of $100 or more.

Offer good through December 27th, 2009

Gift Certificates are available.

A glass of wine and a bit o' sparkle and shimmer

This is definitely an event not to be missed! A little bit of wine from Chamard Vineyards and a whole lot sparkle and shimmer from the Jennie Fresa Beauty Library! I seriously jump at any chance that I can get to have the talented Ms. Jennie Fresa work on this old face with her new line of makeup. I can't say enough about her mineral powder in Kenya!! Add a glass of wine from Chamard Vineyards and sit by their massive stone fireplace with a view overlooking fields of grapes....A little slice of Heaven on a cold Fall evening!!

Rsvp quickly as I know it will fill up fast!!!

See you there!

LSW

A Memorable Day in CT... Open House Recap and Launch of Wedding Row

The Red House

110 E. Main Street, Home of True Event and Jennie Fresa Beauty Library

True Event

True and Wesson Portfolio. Some of our favorite events this season, collaboration of Chocolate Creative Design and True Event.The adorable Bruce Plotkin towering over meWesson & True

Jennie Fresa Beauty Library

Spa Room at the Beauty LibraryJustin Marantz, Jennie Fresa and Mary Marantz

On Sunday we opened the doors of the Red House and home of our new studio in Clinton, CT for a celebration that brought together brides, friends, family and industry experts for a truly memorable day. Not only an incredibly special day for True Event but for the other new businesses opening with us, Jennie Fresa Beauty Library (my housemate in the red house) and Beneath the Gown (Second Floor of 110 E. Main St.).

In collaboration with these incredibly talented, wonderful ladies and the ladies of Stonington Design and Paperie (110 E. Main St.) and the White Dress by the Shore (110 E. Main St.) we launched Wedding Row... Great Style, One Destination. Stretched between the historic properties of 104 East Main Street (Red House) and 110 East Main Street we have established a wedding community offering the best in events, bridal attire, lingerie, beauty, paper and design. The creative energy floating between the two houses is incredible and we are so excited about all that is to come over the next year on Wedding Row.

We feel so incredibly blessed to have such wonderful friends in the industry that supported us in this huge celebration to toast with us as guests and as sponsors of the event and would like to give an extra special thank you to all of you for making Sunday a huge success.

Collaboration:
Betty Parri of Perfect Parties, and her amazing crew crafted an incredible display of stationary and passed savory Hors D'oeuvres and sweet treats throughout the afternoon. Also showcasing the talents of her in house pastry chef, with a gorgeous collection of cakes that were designed and presented in the spirit of the four seasons.

The uber talented, Yumiko of Hana Floral Design, totally went above and beyond to decorate each one of our spaces and the tent. The arrangements were crafted in the theme and design of each space and season. Absolutely gorgeous!

Geof Gordon of Photobooth Planet kept the crowd entertained as they got together to take photos in his old school, fabulous photobooth. A huge hit at every event!

Chamard Vineyards treated guests to a tasting of their impressive portfolio of local wines. The winery is just a short trip up the road from the Red House.

Rentals Unlimited provided the fabulous linens and rentals throughout the properties and Sperry Tents set up two of their tents in between the houses, showcasing their gorgeous blue star tent.

Elan Artists and the talented ladies of Loukoum, an accordion and violin/cello duo, played as guests came in and out of the tent. They were not only absolutely adorable and super sweet but the sound that they created was brilliant. With a unique sound and combination of instruments they are the perfect accent of music for any special occasion and we were so lucky to have them be a part of our opening.

Lastly a huge thank you to Anna Sawin who captured all of the details so perfectly in a portfolio of pictures that will always mark November 1st as a day to remember.

Inspiration to Reality Shoot Featured on Style Me Pretty

Inspiration to Reality Board Winner

I was so honored to be asked to participate in a photo shoot that the lovely Miss Abby from Style Me Pretty was coordinating, with Yumiko of Hana Floral Design, Jennie of Jennie Fresa Beauty Library, Beth of the White Dress by the Shore, Karen of Grapevine Invitations, and Justin and Mary of Marantz Photography. We all came together at the Back Porch in Old Saybrook. It was an incredible collaboration of creativity, design and talent.

Abby had reached out to readers to submit an inspiration board and after looking through the many submissions we selected one as a winner to bring to reality for the shoot. As I went through the boards I was immediately drawn to Bran Coprata's vision. The color palette, a mix of reds, pinks and turquoise was one I had been dying to use in the design of an event. A 50's inspired style with girly, super flirty details... it was perfect!

Inspired by the bold colors and perfect combination of details, making the board come to life was so much fun. The design board created the perfect mood for an event, using color to create energy and ice cream, cherries, and the beach to illustrate a feeling of whimsy and nostalgia. Some of my happiest memories are at the beach , eating ice cream and soaking up the Summer. This is the emotion that this board taps into. So I thought all of those details were incredibly important at bringing the table to life to create the mood that was designed in the board. We used bright cherry red latte bowls for the bases of the flowers and a mix of vintage pink cut glasses. We found a polka dot linen from Party Rental to capture the playfulness of the board. Layering vintage linens from Yumiko’s personal collection over the polka dot linen helped us to blend the details of vintage and modern.
-Sarah True (as quoted on Style Me Pretty)

For a complete feature of the pictures log onto Style Me Pretty, there are so many fabulous details!

The rentals on the table were supplied by Party Rental Ltd.