TERRY SHEA & LAUREN KEANE CELEBRATE THEIR WEDDING DAYWhile most of us are thinking of new coats and sweaters as the weather gets colder, those planning Spring weddings are right in the thick of deliberations and decision making. Holiday shopping is nothing compared to the myriad of choices every bride makes, for even the smallest of wedding receptions.

This past Spring a New York couple had the perfect THE SHEA-KEANE-BELFORD FAMILY CELEBRATE THEIR UNION IN CONNECTICUTidea.   A wedding ceremony in the green countryside of Connecticut, followed by a reception on the water in NYC.   Lauren Keane and Terry Shea celebrated their day surrounded by family and friends.  With both the bride and groom's children involved in the ceremony, the Keane-Shea wedding truly celebrated the marriage of these two families.

Ms. Keane was a beautiful bride from head-to-toe.  Her choices were top notch, but one thing sheTHE UNDERSTATED AND ELEGANT TABLE wore impressed me more than any dress could - that smile!   In photo after photo Ms. Keane has the confident glow of a content and happy bride.  This expression of joy isLAUREN KEANE-SHEA - A BEAUTIFUL BRIDE rarely seen in brides in their twenties.  How could it be?  This sense of happiness is reserved for someone who has faced challenges and gained the rewards of adulthood.  Professional success, motherhood, buying a home - all milestones in a well examined life.

The couple were married in the garden of a friends beautiful home in Fairfield, Connecticut.   The manicured lawns - luxurious, yet understated, were the perfect backdrop for Ms. Keane & Mr. Shea.   The two have a carefree style that is natural, not studied.  They met while working on a project together at Pzizer.  The groom is originally from Michigan, and cupid helped him make the move to New York.  Mr. Shea is now a partner at Onestream Software.  The bride lives in New York and is an executive at Edgewater consulting.

The lifelong friends in the wedding, SOPHISTICATED PLANTINGS MAKE A STATEMENTand in attendance are testament to the character of Lauren & Terry.  Having childhood friends in your life when you're twenty is not such a challenge, but maintaining those relationships into your thirties - that is a committment.   One such friend was happy to celebrate, but also happy to lend his artistic skill to the day.  Chris Lopez is a talented photographer and lifelong friend of the bride.  Lopez is a versatile photographer with a huge range in his portfolio. Click Chris Lopez Photography to visit his site.

DuringNYC BACKDROP AT THE RECEPTION the ceremony Ms. Keane wore a white floral lace dress by Beth Bowley from BHLDN.com.  The sheer sleeves and bodice gave the look a subtle vintage feel.  Think Chloe meets Marni.  BHLDN (Beholden) is a great on-line resource that has a fantastic assortment of romantic wedding and party dresses.COLORFUL DAISES CELEBRATE THE DAY  Many have that old-world-charm  or glam-vintage flair.   Ms. Keane chose wisely!  Also, her hair and makeup choices were modern and beautiful.  Wearing her hair down was feminine and pretty as her soft curls fell on the sheer tulle on her neck and shoulders.  (Amazingly there are still brides who end up looking like a child pagaent stars on their Wedding Day - Big Mistake).    The groom's style was perfectly balanced with the bride's, completing this picture of happiness in a movie set worthy Connecticut garden.  Mr. Shea wore Banana Republic and he was a stylish groom!   

For the reception at Harbour Lights on Pier 17, Lauren chose an Ivory Tracy Reese dress (also found at BHLDN) to celebrate the night!  Wearing her hair up gave a sophisticated look that was beautiful and yet somehow playful.   Super chic choices that really let her personality shine. 

It is incredible how many resources are available  on-line today.  With iPhones, iPads, and every tablet you can think of brimming with apps, brides can find everything from shoes to invites on the web. Sites like Beholden are terrific for wardrobe, and American Bridal is an excellent resource for wedding favors of all kinds.  HelloLucky.com was Ms. Keane's choice for invites. 

Brides to be -take note: CHIC & FUN- that's how you have a flawless wedding!

Congratulations to Lauren & Terry!THE KEANE-SHEA WEDDING PARTY MAY 2012

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!

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.

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.

MARILYN GOES GAGA FOR DIAMONDS!

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.