THE MASTER WEDDING PLANNER

CLICK COVER TO SUBSCRIBEFor any woman you know planning the big day - turn to the expert in all things Wedding.   Martha Stewart has built an empire by reshaping America's view of good taste and good manners.  Martha's sometimes excessive attention to detail has set her apart from any home decor, cooking, or gardening expert that has come before her.  Add her roster of impeccable magazines to the mix and there is no other choice.  Do the young lady you know planning to walk down the aisle a big favor and subscribe her to Martha Stewart Weddings now.MARTHA STEWART  This glossy is the best planning tool for all things nuptial.   click the cover to send a gift subscription now.

For any bride in need of last minute favors - check AMERICAN BRIDAL - they have just about everything!

WEDDING WATCH-ERS

LADIES STAINLESS OYSTER BLUE FACE ROMAN Few accessories have as much statusLADIES PINK FACE STICK DIAL as a statement watch.   While new shoes or a handbag are chic, a new luxury watch - that is substantial!  Right up there with your engagment ring, a Rolex can be your prized possession.    Melrose Jewelers is the largest on-line seller of Rolex watches in the U.S.   With the holidays coming, make it easy for that special guy in your life to get you that watch you have been dreaming of!   Melrose has free next day shipping for all you guys that almost forgot that anniversary or birthday that is TODAY!   Click ROLEX to see these and so many more choices.

FALL for OVANDO

The Summer is over!  Cooler weather is creeping into reality here in the Northeast.  Fall foliage and the brilliant colors of Autumn are getting brighter by the day!  Two of the most colorful spots in NYC are made possible by the same creative talent - Sandra de Ovando.

Ovando works with color and texture in a way that sets her apart from all other floral and event designers.  Both Ovando boutiques are famous landmarks for locals and tourists from around the city,  and also around the world!   The innovative window displays changed the face of floral design for NY and the industry.  The feel is a cross between the laboratory of a sci-fi mad scientist and the flower garden of mother nature!  The Bleecker street location has become as famous as the Magnolia Bakery -just down the block.   In fact, the whole street feels like the back lot of a movie studio these days!

One of the best aspects to the Ovando design team is that they work with huge hotel groups and fashion houses, and yet they maintain relationships with local customers.  Ovando can create an intimate arrangement or display for a small party - or even that one special bouquet you need to help celebrate, thank, or apologize..you know who you are!

This Summer we paid a visit to Ovando's latest space on the Upper East Side of NYC.  The beautiful shop is also an event space - perfect for that intimate celebration - or perfect for a business event.   ** The space is already a favorite with the fragrance and beauty industry for product launches**    Click above to watch the latest video visit from aLIFEofSTYLE.com -

Special thanks to Sandra de Ovando and her super pro team.  Click- Ovando to visit the website and to get in touch with the design team.   Let this creative force make your next event something to remember!

Additional thanks to Kevin Russell & Red Shadow Productions. Click Kevin to find out more about Red Shadow and the work they do.

YOUR RED CARPET DAY!

FERRAGAMO RED CARPET COLLECTION - MAKE THEM YOUR OWNPlanning your wedding dress is one of the biggest fashion decisions you will probably every make.  Even though we now live in a world full of ever changing online profile pics, your wedding picture is still the one that will be framed- front and center for (hopefully) the next 50 years!

With all the endless options that are involved with choosing your dress:  length, silhouette, shade of white, FERRAGAMO RED CARPET COLLECTIONfabric, etc - I hate to tell you that there are almost as many options to choosing your shoes.  

Why not skip all the stress and worry and head straight to the authority on designer shoes - Salvatore Ferragamo.  Ferragamo is the man that invented the concept of designer shoes back in the 1920's.   The legend of Salvatore's dream and the way he achieved it reads like a fable - or at least a Hollywood tale - but it all really happened.   From a barefoot child in Southern Italy, to the most famous shoe designer in history are the bullet points of Ferragamo's tale.   But you have more pressing issues if you are planning your big day!  fyi. if you need any help with party favors or theme decorations - check out American Bridal - great resource!

The company recently launched an exclusive program offered at Ferragamo boutiques.   The Red Carpet Collection is a series of six styles that can be special ordered in a range of 23 colors and with various hardware options - making your shoes as unique as your flowers or your dress.   The shoes can even be monogrammed, making them truly your own.  One of the best parts is that the shoes won't cost you an arm and a leg - most are under $1,000.00, and take about 6 weeks to arrive.  

Make a day of it to go shopping with your whole bridal party.   Everyone can find a pair of shoes that they love.  All the styles can be dyed to match the chosen color for the brides maids - this way, everybody gets what they want!  The MOTB and the MOTG can also find shoes - that is, if you want to invite them!

To find out more about the Ferragamo Red Carpet Collection - call the boutique near you today.   To find the nearest store (they have about 600 around the world!) - click MY FERRAGAMO BOUTIQUE. 

J. CREW DOWN THE AISLE!

SILK TRICOTINE "AVERY" DRESS -CLICK IMAGE TO SHOPThe company that built it's reputation on college campuses across the U.S. as a preppy staple has come a long way baby!  J. Crew became a campus must-have by direct mailing enough catalogs to stack from the Earth to the Moon back in the late 80's & early 90's.   J. Crew was part of the unofficial uniform on my campus -think "ochre" barn jackets and "loden" green corduroys.  J.Crew was the g-rated precursor to the sexed up A&F catalog that was yet to come.  That was then.. this is now.   Under the leadership of Chairmen and C.E.O. Mickey Drexler, and creative direction of President Jenna Lyons, the collection and the company profile sky-rocketed into a stratosphere your barn jacket never saw coming!   By upgrading the raw materials (think cashmere and virgin wool) and modernizing design ( think fitted and cropped), J. Crew carved out a new space among fashion brands that skate just below designer wear, but stay head and shoulders above the fast fashion crowds.DESIGNER - TOM MORA

One brilliant brainstorm and commercial success was the addition of the bridal division known as J. Crew Wedding.  Under the creative leadership of designer Tom Mora, the division created a place for the modern bride looking for style and design without requiring a mortgage to pay for her wedding.   Including all the needs for the bride and bridal party, J. Crew Wedding is a one stop shopping experience.   The company chose a very uptown location for it's first stand alone bridal boutique on New York's Madison Avenue at 66th Stree.  The store opened to much fan fare and J. CREW "LUDLOW" 2-BUTTON TUXEDO - CLICK IMAGE TO SHOPimmediately brides-to-be sought out the brand they grew up wearing, to dress them on this most important fashion day of most young women's lives.  There are now 11 J. Crew Wedding boutiques across the country and the e-commerce site within  J.Crew.com is brilliant.  

Start planning the big day today by visiting J. Crew Wedding.   You can also find just what your Mr. Right should be wearing on his big day.. not many collections can dress both of you!  While you're clicking around, pick up some great cashmere items for your Fall wardrobe.

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER...

MARILYN GOES GAGA FOR DIAMONDS!Shirley Bassey, Marilyn Monroe, and countless legends of stage and screen have been singing about DIAMONDS since music went with lyrics!   Thought to have first been seen in India between 3,000 and 6,000 years ago, diamonds have captivated the world like no other gem.  

Of course, few celebrities can match the ultimate collection of diamonds and gems amassed by the late Elizabeth Taylor.   SHIRLEY BASSEY BELTS OUT HER HIT BOND THEME SONG - DIAMONDS ARE FOREVERTaylor has a weak spot for anything that sparkled and the budget (and the husbands) to make those dreamy stones her own.   The legendary actress would create a fragrance empire built around the mystique of, and her love of Diamonds.   White Diamonds remains one of the best selling fragrances in the world more than 20 years after it launched.   After her death this year at the age of 79, it was announced that Christies will auction off 300 of Taylor's gems in December.   The auction house and jewelry world are buzzing as it is sure to be one of the biggest sales of it's kind- EVER!   

With all the glamour and celebrity surrounding diamonds, it is no wonder that the mere idea of buying a diamond ring can LIZ TAYLORS INFAMOUS PERFUMEmake a guy break out into a cold sweat.   The fact is, the majority of diamond buyers are men, buying engagement rings for the love of their lives.   We all know - if the ring is bad - she might not say yes!    The fear factor is partly due to the huge margin of error that can occur when buying a diamond.   Add to that all the factors that make the stones valuable and you have a recipe for rip-offs and regrets.  

That's where www.TruthAboutDiamonds.com  comes to the rescue!   This super informative (and free) website breaks down all the mystery and confusion surrounding this oh-so-important purchase.   From Color to Clarity, the site has all the information you could possibly need when choosing a diamond.    The site shows you what you can expect to pay for certain pieces, and also what you can buy with a certain budget.  

Truth About Diamonds is a "MUST VISIT" for anyone thinking of buying a diamond.   Any friends thinking of popping the question would love for you to steer them in the direction of this website.  Even if you are not in the market for a new sparkler, it is a fascinating subject matter.   Click around the site and learn something about diamonds today.  www.TruthAboutDiamonds.com

Also, while we are on the topic - take a moment and listen to the legends sing about diamonds!

Click - Shirley or Marilyn to hear a classic little gem now! Oh, let's not forget Nicole in Moulin Rouge - click below.

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
Moulin Rouge! — MOVIECLIPS.com

SUMMER WHITES BLOOM AT OVANDO

ORCHIDS, CALLAS, & ROSES from OVANDONothing says Summer like the bursting blooms of whiteWHITE ROSES, CALLAS, ORCHIDS, & EUCALYPTUS from OVANDO bouquets.  White flowers can add sophisticated dimension to the soft delicate colors of the season.  The creative design team at Ovando is known for their skill in combining colors and textures that make a statement but somehow remain subtle.   Here are just two examples of the magic they do.   Just one look at the Ovando website and you see this is not your average florist.  With locations in two of New York's hottest zip codes, it is no surprise the biggest names from fashion to finance have all their events designed here.  Click OVANDO to visit this most creative place.