guest blogger: Erin Szeto Chan, bridalguide.com Intern

North Star

Everyone knows about Napa Valley Wine Country, but the East Coast boasts its own amazing wine region on the North Fork of Long Island. Located about two hours away from New York City, the 30-mile-long peninsula juts out into the Long Island Sound and is dotted with dozens of charming vineyards that offer picture-perfect backdrops for small, intimate weddings.

One such venue is Pellegrini Vineyards. The 30-acre property features a romantic white gazebo for ceremonies or photo ops. The open courtyard, perfect for dinner and dancing, can be covered with a tent and leads to the tasting room and a wide hallway that provides sweeping views of the lush green grapevines. Guests will love the peaceful country setting-and the chance to sample Pellegrini's world-class wines, from the robust 2005 cabernet franc to the crisp 2007 chardonnay with notes of pear, apple, vanilla and olive. For more information, check out Pellegrini at pellegrinivineyards.com.

Posted by Erin at 2:43 p.m.

guest blogger: Amy Rauch

The Scoop on St. Lucia, Part I: Escape to Almond Resorts

Ahhhh, St. Lucia -- The island where couples flock for romantic bliss, lush mountain scenery, and luxurious all-inclusive resorts. It was no surprise when I visited for a media tour, hosted by Almond Resorts, that I saw numerous brides and grooms at the airport holding David's Bridal and Mens Wearhouse garment bags, and still others walking around sporting 'Just Married' t-shirts and gleaming grins. I wish I had my camera out, but I was too busy waiting for my luggage to come off the plane -- last.

Amy and the Pitons

Almond Morgan Bay Property

Soufriere

Thanks to Almond Resorts and their public relations firm, the Zimmerman Agency, I was able to get away for a few days from big-city living, and enjoy some tropical weather, pleasant Caribbean hospitality and even a little time for relaxation. Almond Morgan Bay and Almond Smuggler's Cove both offer great facilities for destination weddings and plenty of romantic appeal for honeymooners. I was lucky enough to stay at the deluxe Almond Morgan Bay property -- in a spacious one-bedroom oceanview suite no less! Did I mention the ginormous soaking tub in my bathroom?

I found the resort property quite scenic, spacious and peaceful. It has a nice stretch of beach -- obviously well kept -- and 4 swimming pools, including one with a swim-up bar and another for adults only, tucked away on a hillside for extra seclusion.

Close up of pool area and private adult pool

There are a few great spots for wedding ceremonies, including a gazebo in a private nook with beautiful mountain and ocean views, or under a palm-decorated arch, right on the sand. The resort also has Morgan's Pier, a spacious, covered platform over the ocean, which they can set up for private parties. I seem to recall the kitschy sound of Kool and the Gang's 'Celebration' blasting from that direction one evening. Want more information specifically on Almond Weddings? Check out almondresortsweddings.com.

Gazebo

Arch at Sunset

Morgan's Pier

My favorite dining experience at Almond Morgan Bay was dinner at Le Jardin, serving up French Creole dishes with island flair. I had the crab callaloo soup to start, the lamb curry over coconut rice for my main course, and chocolate cream pie for dessert. Delish! After hours, Le Jardin turns into a piano bar some nights, and a nightclub on others. Good times had by all I'm told ;-).

Casual dining options are available throughout the day, whether you prefer buffet dining or a sit-down menu. Palm serves up buffet breakfast daily with a made-to-order omelet station, while Bamboo has a nice lunch menu -- including burgers and plantains dished hot off the beachfront barbecue.

Lamb Curry

Bamboo Restaurant

Amy & the Zimmerman Girls

Also, click here for a sample of Almond Morgan Bay Wedding Reception Menus. Warning: you will be hungry after you read this!

Call me spoiled, but when I go away, I always hear that little voice inside my head whispering, 'Boooook a spa appointment.' I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my hosts had already had a complimentary massage planned for me. Although the spa is a bit on the small side, they make up for this with an ample menu of services, including facials, body scrubs, and couples' massages, and impressively skilled technicians.

My massage was absolutely fantastic, and all the ladies I was traveling with said the same. I had my choice of oils, and of course I picked coconut! Where better to relax and unwind than in the Caribbean, right?

That's it for now. Stay tuned for my second post, The Scoop on St. Lucia, Part II: 5 Great Island Treasures.

Posted by Amy at 12:01 p.m.

guest blogger: Mara Berkoff, Bridal Guide Intern

Istanbul (Not Constantinople)

You've seen them. Fanny pack firmly clamped around the waist, camera hanging from their necks and their noses stuck in a guidebook. We all fear becoming the dreaded tourist who does the "culture light" tour: only the famous places with some indigenous food thrown in, but none of the weird stuff. Istanbul: The Collected Traveler, An Inspired Companion Guide edited by Barrie Kerper unfolds before us a city so full of fun and adventure that to not want to explore is impossible.

It only gets better from there. This book is not a tourist's guide to the big monuments or 'must see' destinations while in Istanbul, it's more like someone telling you a story about their beloved homeland and their treasured memories. People who have lived and worked in Istanbul and felt its elusive pull write the collection of articles and essays. You can feel the love pouring out of these people's souls as they describe the history of Topkapi palace with its lavish dinner parties and turtles trained to carry lit candles on their shells, or the Grand Seraglio where the wives of the Sultan wore 200 emeralds at a time and the gold knives were set with diamonds (where can I register for those!). For travelers with big imaginations, a trip to these sites is worth it to imagine such great wealth in what remains of these buildings now.

For all their fancy things, food is extremely important to the Turkish. Engagements were sealed with sherbet, a sweet coffee called lokum, and candy to ensure a sweet marriage. Imagine having your fiance hand you a Milky Way instead of a ring! Wedding dinners themselves had meat pilaf, warm vegetable dishes, fruit and nuts, and a bonus tray of desserts for the bride's family if all went well that night.

Newsweek's 'coolest city in the world' is the European Capital of Culture 2010, and with good reason. Istanbul: The Collected Traveler, An Inspired Companion Guide lets you fall in love with the history, but keeps you intrigued with recommendations for the present. If it's your dream to get lost in the emotion and color of Istanbul, this book educates without making you feel like an outsider, with the hope that you will be just as much in love with the city as the people who call Istanbul home.

Posted by Mara at 12:31 p.m.

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Posted by Amy Rauch at 2:08 p.m.

club wed:

A Whale of a Time

Oh, I'm sorry, are you sick to death of Jenna and her wedding? Did you come here to get some travel tips? Well, there's plenty of that to come…

But for now you'll just have to deal with the inside scoop. avec pics. from our mini-moon to the quaint island of Nantucket.

We stayed at the historic. and chachi. White Elephant, which has been a staple on the island's harbor front since 1920. The fancy-pants hotel got high marks on the T&L HotList. The beds are ginormous and super comfy. And the lawn overlooks the scenic harbor. Unfort. for these little love doves, the weather on the island of Nantucket (which was the hub of all US whaling activity at one point) wasn't so hot, so we didn't get any photos of us lounging on the coolio chaise chairs set by the sea.

Husband and I spent the first day of our cloudy island time racing around the island on a moped. *Travel tip: Many people rent bikes. But I'm not the two-wheeler kind of gal and Husband is a speed demon, so we opted for the moped. We zoomed out to the Siansconset lighthouse and tried to take a photo in the fog.

Then husband snapped a pic of the mileage out toward his home country of España. Olé.

We also took the fave pose of the Hubbahs leaning against the structure. (You think I kid? Look him up on FB and you'll see his profile pic is similar. he just swapped a windmill for the lighthouse).

Oh, and look, here he is again at the Nantucket Harbor Lighthouse. *smile.

Then we got cold. So we headed up to the White Elephant's swanky sister property, the Wauwinet, which is locted on a private stretch of land on the northern portion of the island. *Travel tip: The area is so exclusive that you can only pass with a resident off-road permit. There's a parking lot at the entrance to the protected beach land, where you can drop off your car/moped and hike into the pristine land.

We sat outdoors on the patio and enjoyed the expansive beach and lawn views. The Hubbahs had a burger and I loved loved loved my special order salad. And we both enjoyed the local Whale's Tale Pale Ale. Yum!

The second day we hung out in Nantuket town, which is a maze of cobblestone streets and historic brick buildings. It is so pictureqsue and uber New Englandy. (Even I think so, and I was raised in the area!) Many homes on the island are built of clapbaord that turns gray over time. It is also very common for them to be covered in wildroses that thrive in the acidic sand on the island.

We went to the town beach for a photo-op. Gosh, I think we look cute. And when it was time to depart, we headed to the harbor. it's literally a stone's throw from the town. And walked around the piers before hopping the ferry back to Cape Cod.

And this is what we left behind…

xoxo

Posted by Jenna at 1:37 p.m.

club wed:

Yes! We Did!

Lots of things can happen in 14 months-two Superbowls, a World Series, the rise and fall of a tender-loving family of 10, and the changing of the political landscape in America. But none of those is as personal as my Big. Fat. Spanish wedding. Et voila, some more pics for your viewing pleasure.

Xoxoxo and from now on you can call me senora.

Mama Bear made it very clear that the prettiest brides are the ones with the largest smiles. That's me! Here I am making the grand entrance to the church on time.

...more smiling!!!...

Doing the deed. Our priest conducted the mass in both Spanish and English. Our guests were shocked-shocked-at the fact that a bilingual matrimonial mass with three a-maze-ing solos from MOH, my sissy, only took an hour.

Here comes the bride. We got an fof (friend of the fam) to bring us from a marina to the reception. It was faboosh. We drank Moet and boogied to Madonna with our siblings before toasting with all of our special guests.

Smoochie. Smoochie.

That there is the second most important person of the Big Day, mama bear. Doesn't she look amazing!?! My mom was so beyond instrumental in creating the magic. Thanks, mommy. I love you. She's on deck there with Husband's dad.

Who are the best guys? My dad-e-o and the huzbee.

How amazing is my hair? It is a modern take on the traditional, regional 'do from Husband's hometown in Espana. It is all custom and held together with those amazing posts.

"The Best is Yet to Come." That was our first dance. And the sentiment is true.

Posted by Jenna at 1:13 p.m.

club wed:

Elvis Has Left the Building

Well, we did it. We got hitched. And all I can say is YIPS! PIPS!

After all that planning, worrying and running around, it was totally worth it. My wedding weekend was perfect. Absolutely, without a doubt, perfect. Everything went according to plan, everything worked out just as we wished, and at the end of it all-I got the raddest hubz in the world!

I want to give an extra-special shout-out to:

**Karen Rood, the wedding coordinator at Wychmere Harbor Club, our amazing wedding venue. Karen was patient, kind, understanding and, most of all, responsible for making everyone and everything run as smoothly as possible. She also dealt with my only 'zilla moment and made sure that my glass was filled with champs at all times. If it weren't for Karen, there is no way I would have been able to have such a fantastic-and yes, perfect-day.

**The girls at JLM Couture, home of Lazaro. Holla! My wedding dress was the awesome-est, most gorge, totally best-thing-evs. And that's what all the guests said! Thank you to the fantastic design team at Lazaro for my gorgeous gown-I certainly wouldn't have felt half as pretty if it weren't for you. (And my sisters looked fantastique in their Jim Hjlem dresses too!) Mwah to you all.

**Marita Burns, owner extraordinaire of Swan River Seafood Restaurant, the site of our lobstah welcome dinner. The surprise service bar, the stay-as-long-as-you-want attitude and the delish-on-a-dish fresh lobbies made our guests swoon. Marita and her staff went way beyond the call of duty to make our clambake celebration truly special.

Trip woooots (!) to you all!

Now, before I get to the rest of the pictures, here are my Top Five Tips for all you ladies still planning. Arm yourself with them and I promise your day will be as perfect as mine. (I know that may be a mondo guarantee, but trust, I've been there.)

1. Sweat the small stuff. There's a reason why people say 'The devil is in the details.' And it is because the details are the most difficult-and quite frankly-annoying part of planning a wedding. But the details are also the little pieces of magic that make weddings so memorable. From the bags of Cape Cod Chips and the fans brought from Spain in the church to the sparkler send-off and the sandwiches we served late-night, every.single.one of our guests mentioned something about what they thought was that extra-special something.
2. 'Music makes the people come together.' A wise, wise woman wrote that lyric. And let me tell you: She was darn right. Music can make or break your party. When you book your space pay attention to the acoustics. Ask your band or DJ if they have played the space before. Also, inquire if they have a sound tech, which often translates into non-bleeding ears for guests.
3. Have a photog wrangler. The only item that didn't go as smooth sailing as the boat we arrived at the reception on was the photo sesh. We have some fantastic photos and great memories, but it could have been a little easier on my vocal cords and nerves. Pick someone who isn't in the wedding party to help organize and coordinate all of the principle players. A bridesmaid may be a good choice, but I'd suggest a cousin or uncle who knows the entire family and has a booming voice.
4. Factor in tailoring costs. You discovered pure perfection and it comes in the form of form-fitting lace avec train, the only deal: you need to take it in just a bit. It may seem like a little job and it may well be, but it is going to cost you. My dress fit perfectly. I mean like made for me perfectly and had I worn the 3 inch heels that I wanted, I wouldn't have needed a hem. Since I didn't want to tower over Husband, I went shorter on the stiletto and needed a hem. I also got a French bustle attached, so I could boogie the night away. Those little jobs cost me 500 buck-os. So JS.
5. Let go. There comes a point after all the planning, all the decision-making and all the re-deciding if you made the right choice when you just have to trust your instincts. For me, it happened about two days before the Main Event. And I just resigned myself to know that if it wasn't done then it wasn't going to ever be done. All my guests noticed-and enjoyed-the fact that I was so laid-back. It made them feel like I was having as much fun as they were-and they were right!

Now for the part you've been waiting for-the pics!

Our wedding venue, the Wychmere Harbor Club:

Just married:

Arriving by boat:

Cutting the cake-and a full view of my fab wedding dress:

xoxo
jenna

Posted by Jenna at 5:31 p.m.

guest blogger: Mara Berkoff, Bridal Guide Intern

Let Them Eat Cake!

Raise your hand if you get chills at the wedding scene in Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette. Now, raise your hand if you know a bride-to-be with a taste for all things sweet. Still got those hands up? Then get thee and she and a group of your favorite gals to Patisserie at The Bazaar in the super chic SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills and shower her with sweet love and confections.

The Patisserie at The Bazaar boasts a cool glass-encased pastry kitchen that is reminiscent of a life-size castle complete with a ballet performance. Toast, giggle and savor the treats created by famed Spanish Chef Jose Andres in this frilly fantasyland-come-alive. Bonbons intensified with flavors like lemon ginger and star anise, green tea cookies, decadent dark chocolate cakes with caramel and traditional Spanish flan are some of the sweet shop's offerings. (And don't forget to try the passion fruit marshmallows.)

Weekends at the Patisserie welcome High Tea, a glam gal dining experience that is perfect for a shower. Served from 3-5 in the afternoon, the menu overflows with tasty bites like salmon roe cones with creme fraiche, mini fois gras sandwiches on brioche and beet macarons with goat cheese filling. Dessert selections range from nostalgic with chocolates studded with pop rocks, to novel with saffron fruit jellies and hazelnut volcano cookies. And don't forget the champagne! There is an extensive list of the bubbly on offer. But the best part is the price: High tea at Patisserie at The Bazaar is only $25 per person.

If you are feeling a little more spicy, head to the hotel's tapas bar, Rojo y Blanca. Also a product of that super duper famous from Espana, the hot spot features a menu of traditional Spanish fare-think jamon, quesos from the peninsula and tortillas (omelets)-mixed with fanciful, modern creations of 'Philly Cheestake' on air bread, foam tortillas and other dishes of essence.

Posted by Mara at 3:37 p.m.

guest blogger: Mara Berkoff, Bridal Guide Intern

Yay! Crew

Vows, Set. First dance. Set. Going away outfit….whoops. Busy brides may not have enough time to shop for the honeymoon. And let's face it, after months and years of deciding, shopping and deciding some more, do you really want to scour the department stores for something sweet, simple (and more importantly) clean on your romantic jaunt to a hidden hideaway with your new hubby?

Thank goodness for the consummate savior of any ensemble emergency. J. Crew.

The new “Honeymoon” category of clothing has been recently posted to the company's website (jcrew.com), and it promises to take all the toil out of selecting the prefect getaway gear. Their solid cotton petal cami paired with jean shorts is great for sightseeing or touring local hotspots. Under a blazer it adds a pretty, feminine air to the drudgery of workplace attire. The Odessa tunic is great for bringing a splash of the Mediterranean to your regular bikini cover-up, while skirts are classic yet flirty and able to work for you day or night. Our absolute favorite has to be The Linen Getaway Dress, an easy, breezy one-piece that retails for under $50.

Happy Honeymooning!

Posted by Mara at 10:17 a.m.

guest blogger: Mara Berkoff, Bridal Guide Intern

A Greek Harmony

In ancient Greece, weddings were a simple affair as far as destination goes. In book IV of the Odyssey, Menelaus hosts a large banquet at home to celebrate his son's marriage. Today, however, a quiet(ish) wedding at home is not the only option.

Enter the destination wedding! Fabulous exotic and exclusive, the happy couple's closest family and friends embark on a beautiful journey that will guarantee looks of pure envy when your wedding photos develop. The only fly in the ointment? Draining flights to wedded bliss.

Delta Airlines is now stepping in to help frazzled fliers everywhere soothe their nerves by teaming up with Korres, an all-natural beauty brand based in Athens, to create a flying kit for their Business Elite Class travelers. By using active plant extracts and homeopathic principles of skincare, Korres has developed two products exclusively for Delta. There's the Korres Shea Butter Lip Balm, a super emollient lip hydrator with a kissable vanilla-honey scent that moisturizes. The Yoghurt Moisturizing Face Cream is airy and not at all oily, which is a must for hydrating on-the-go. For those intent on channeling your inner Greek goddess after some beauty rest: a silk sleeping mask is included in the travel kit.

The Korres essentials provided on Delta flights bring a welcome, earthy undercurrent to the mechanical machinations of flight. Soft lips, a smooth face and a little rest with our eyes covered in silk are bound to make a difference between scrambling with last-minute plans on your tray table or taking the time to remember that you are about to embrace paradise in the arms of the ones you love.

Posted by Mara at 2:08 p.m.

guest blogger: Lori Francisco, bridalguide.com Managing Editor

Southern Charm

With everything that's going on in the world, you may be looking at destinations within the U.S. for your wedding or honeymoon. Or maybe you're just looking for a romantic escape from it all.

Well, allow me to recommend one of my personal favorites. Wilmington, North Carolina. For those of you not familiar with this town, it's a historic port located along North Carolina's Cape Fear Coast. There are so many great things I could say about this place, but I'll try to narrow it down to my Top 5 Reasons for Visiting Wilmington:

1. Perfect for Movie and TV Buffs: As a self-proclaimed movie and TV nut, this is probably my favorite reason for visiting the area. If a Hollywood vacay is out of your budget, this is the next best thing. Nicknamed Hollywood East, Wilmington is home to one of the largest movie studios outside Hollywood, Screen Gems Studios. More than 350 films, TV shows and commercials were filmed here, including The Secret Lives of Bees, Nights in Rodanthe, Firestarter, One Tree Hill and Dawson's Creek. Scheduled tours are even available if you want to check out some of their sound stages.

If you're looking for a wedding location fit for the big screen, you'll find it at Airlie Gardens. I stumbled upon a wedding during a visit in one of the most beautiful areas of this historic 67-acre garden:

2. Experience a Piece of History: If you're a big history buff, Wilmington offers museums and historic tours (they also have a ghost tour I'm itching to experience on my next visit), including one of the battleship USS North Carolina. I'm currently reading David Brinkley's memoirs and in it he talks about growing up here in the 1930s. As I was reading it I could envision all the places he mentioned, including historic downtown Wilmington, which I'm sure is far different from what Mr. Brinkley grew up with:

3. Beautiful Beaches: Wilmington is just a short drive to some pretty great beaches. Wrightsville Beach is the one I usually frequent, but you can also explore Carolina Beach or Kure Beach.

4. Relaxed Atmosphere: As someone who's constantly surrounded by the buzz of a big city, it's nice to escape to a place that's peaceful and laid back. One of my favorite things to do is pick up an ice cream cone from Kilwin's (which also has the most amazing fudge ever!) and sit by the waterfront. It offers the perfect view of the battleship. On the weekends you'll see a Farmer's Market with vendors selling food, jewelry, crafts. you name it. This summer there's also a Downtown Sundown Concert Series that features a different band each week.

While you're walking around downtown, you may even run into former One Tree Hill star Hilarie Burton and the rest of the Southern Gothic Productions team doing random man-on-the-street interviews. Their site features video shorts, updates on their current projects and even a few tidbits about the area from a local's point of view. They're super-enthusiastic about what they do and this town, so I highly recommend checking out their site when you get the chance.

5. Cute, Romantic Places to Stay: B&Bs are abundant in the area and are perfect for the engaged couple taking a break from the planning or newlyweds ready to relax after the big event. Some even offer wedding services if you're interested in a destination wedding. I'll be honest, I've never stayed in a B&B here, but I've researched a couple for future trips. A few that caught my eye included Front Street Inn, The Verandas, Graystone Inn and Four Porches.

It really is one of my favorite places to hang out and relax, and I hope you find it just as charming as I do. If you end up visiting, I'd love to hear about it. Or, let me know what your favorite vacation spot is. I need some new ideas for this summer! Just drop me an email at suggestions@bridalguide.com.

For more information about planning a trip to Wilmington, visit cape-fear.nc.us.

Posted by Lori at 10:22 a.m.

guest blogger: Anne Fritz, The Jet Set Girls

Mom-Daughter Getaway

*Hola fellow Novias! The gals over at The Jet Set Girls took a special mom/daughter bonding trip and are here to tell us all about it. I for one, wish I could treat the mama bear (and wedding planner extraordinaire) to such a fabu pre-wed vacay, but alas my days are limited. 19 to be exact. Perhaps post-wed and post-honeymoon, we'll do a spaaaaaah getaway, just the two of us special ladies. xoxo, Jenna

Growing up in the south, I always wanted to go to Asheville. It's consistently rated one of the top vacation destinations by Southern Living and the Biltmore, the Vanderbilt's former vacation residence, is the closest thing we have in this country to a castle. But somehow I never found time to make the trek to this town, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Until now…

My mom lives in Mobile, Alabama and I reside in New York City. When we were looking for a spot to rendez vous for Mother's Day weekend, we realized Asheville was the perfect halfway spot. Funny enough, it was easier for me to get there than her, thanks to a non-stop flight from Newark on Continental.

We stayed at the brand new Grand Bohemian Asheville and signed up for the “Girlfriend Getaway” package. The hotel is loosely designed to look like a hunting lodge, but in a very modern and sexy, yet totally comfortable way. The lobby has a fireplace, animal statues, a smattering of animal trophies and an antler chandelier studded with crystals. We were delighted with our room, particularly the oversized tub and plush beds.

Our first stop was Laurey's catering for lunch. The wide selection of veggies, salads and grilled chicken was just the thing mom and I needed after our respective mornings of travel. We left our rental car there and walked around town. Now that I'm a homeowner, home design stores are more interesting to me than clothing stores. (I hope this is merely a phase that will soon pass, so I can get back to focusing on shoes!) Asheville is known for its art galleries and antique shops. Mom and I had fun perusing them and dreaming about how we would decorate my apartment if we had an unlimited budget.

The entire downtown area is easy to navigate on foot. Many of the original art deco building built in the 1920s survived. Be sure to check out the Grove Arcade and nearby S&W cafeteria is you're into architecture. In addition to the art galleries, you'll want to stop by Top's, the area's largest shoe store. It carries everything from Frye to Cole Hahn to Birkenstocks. Alas, I didn't indulge as my boyfriend and I are saving to redo my kitchen.

Mom and I had dinner that night at the Corner Kitchen, a small restaurant that makes good use of the local produce and seafood. My mom had the pecan-crusted trout and I had the macadamia nut pesto mahi mahi. It was a short walk from the Grand Bohemian hotel and obviously a local fave for a special night out. we saw quite a few tables of young couples headed to prom.

The next day was Mother's Day and mom and I headed out early for the Biltmore Estate. Our tickets were included in our “Girlfriend Getaway” package. While the entrance to the estate is just across the street from the Grand Bohemian, a car is a must. The entire estate is 125,000 acres! We opted to tour the gardens first, as we figured it would be too hot later in the day. The walk around the Italian Gardens and Rose Gardens was gorgeous, though about 2 weeks out of full bloom, and took about an hour.

By the time we got to the house itself, mom was a little tired and the house was crowded. We took an abbreviated tour (it's self-guided) of the 250-room home. (I told you it's the closest thing to a castle we have in America!) By then we were ready for lunch at the Stable Café, adjacent to the house. We both enjoyed gigantic salads and bottomless glasses of iced tea along with the best cornbread I've ever tasted. The secret is creamed corn. don't want to think about the calorie count in that one!

Next stop was the estate's winery for wine tasting. Yes, the estate is big enough that they grow the grapes on site and blend the wine! Mom loved the cabernet sauvignon, while I was partial to the Riesling. We each bought a few bottles of our favorite to enjoy at home.

After touring the Biltmore, we were pretty beat, so we rested before dinner. Thankfully it was in the Red Stag Grill, the hotel's restaurant, so we didn't have to go far. I stuck with the fish and enjoyed Chilean Sea Bass, while mom opted for the filet mignon.

Before flying out the following morning, mom and I both enjoyed massages in the hotel's spa (also included in the “Girlfriend Getaway” package). I couldn't' think of a better way to end a mom/daughter weekend!

Posted by Jenna at 11:26 a.m.

guest blogger: Kristen Finello

Yummy Lessons from the CIA

As a regular contributor to Bridal Guide. I write many of the reception feature stories. I get to chat with top wedding planners, event designers, chefs and other experts about everything that goes into a wedding celebration from food to flowers. I love hearing about trends and tricks of the trade from talented pros, so when I was invited to take a class at the famed Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York, I jumped at the chance. And since I can only stand to benefit from my hubby building on his already quite good cooking skills, I decided to bring him along. Thoughtful, I know!

Arriving at the beautiful CIA campus bright and early on a Saturday morning, my husband Matt and I had an opportunity to chat with Laura Pickover, a CIA grad who runs the food enthusiast programs. (Matt is seriously coveting her job!) Laura told us that cooking classes have become really popular with younger people and with pairs. in addition to mother/daughter duos and friends, they see lots of engaged couples, newlyweds and long-married couples. They even had a couple whose marriage therapist told them to take a class to brush up on their team work skills. I had to wonder if a class that involved sharp knives but the best choice but hey, whatever works!

After speaking with Laura, it was off to class. Matt was dying to get into the kitchen. I admit I was a little nervous. Maybe it was all those episodes of Kitchen Nightmares and Hell's Kitchen that I've watched but I had visions of a Gordon Ramsay-like chef barking orders at me. Boy was I relieved to meet our instructor, Chef Leo Jones. He immediately put everyone at ease with his humor and entertaining anecdotes (plus he's English and has a great accent!). After an intro and kitchen tour, it was time to get “suited up.” We each got a toque (aka a tall white chef's hat) and apron. I'll be honest: It wasn't the best look for me but I did feel more “official.” Here I am with Chef Jones.

Once we were properly attired, it was time to get cooking! The sixteen students in the class were divided into four teams. Matt and I were grouped with a nice mother/daughter duo and tasked with whipping up three dishes: Chilled Cucumber Soup with Shrimp and Dill, Satay of Beef with Peanut Sauce, and Veal Scaloppine with Lemon and Capers. The four of us flipped open our sheath of recipes and got right to work on the first recipe. cucumber, tomato and feta salad. We thought we were off to a great start until we realized that we were making another team's recipe. Oops!

As the morning went on, I learned that I'd have to speed up big time to cut it the high-speed hustle and bustle of a real restaurant kitchen. (If Chef Ramsay were there, he would surely have been screaming at me!) Taking on the job of slicing celery, cucumbers and onions, I was precise (A fellow student asked me if I was a surgeon. and he was serious.) but w-a-a-a-y too slow. Chef Jones intervened (kindly!) at one point to show me a better way to dice celery. The fact that my station was a disaster by the end didn't exactly make me Top Chef material either. Oh well. At least I was learning a lot and enjoying myself!

Besides cooking ourselves, we benefitted from Chef Jones demo-ing skills such as making lemon and caper sauce for the veal scaloppine. With the economy the way it is and take-out and eating out so expensive, it will definitely come in handy to know how to prepare some good eats at home.

After two hours of cooking flew by, we admired all the scrumptious-looking dishes lined up on the counter and then it was time to chow down. We were all so proud of the food we made! For dessert, we had a little “prezzie” (his word!) from the Chef which was a delicious rhubarb dish.

Since Chef Jones knew I would be reporting back to all of you brides, he took the time to create a gorgeous three-tier wedding cake centerpiece for our dining table. As you can see, his attention to detail is amazing. The flowers are completely edible (they're made from sugar) but looked so real! My favorite touch was the tulle accented with icing scrollwork and tiny icing flowers. Gorgeous!

So brides, I highly recommend a visit to The Culinary Institute. Besides the Hyde Park campus that I visited, classes are also available at their outposts in San Antonio, Texas and Napa Valley, California. A cooking class for two would make an awesome addition to your honeymoon (or a great mini-moon on its own) or an ideal getaway from the stress of wedding planning. And just think of all the fabulous dinner parties you can host as newlyweds with your new culinary skills. I also think it would be a blast to gather the girls for a cooking class instead of the usual bachelorette party at a restaurant or bar.

In addition to the “CIA Favorites” class that I took through the “Weekends at the CIA” program, there are dozens of other classes available from Cake Decorating (perfect for you DIY brides!!) to Breakfasts and Brunches (you know your fiancé will want to make his new bride breakfast in bed!) to The Italian Table (just plain yummy!).

And for the true foodies among us, a week-long CIA Boot Camp would be a great fit. You'll get in-depth training in topics such as BBQ, Entertaining, Healthy Cooking, Asian Cuisine or Pastries. I'm told that the CIA is working on setting up a registry for the boot camps so in the not-too-distant future you can register and ask your wedding guests to chip in on the fun.

For more information about cooking classes and boot camps, visit the CIA's website at ciachef.edu. Okay ladies, I don't know about you but I'm off the raid the fridge now. Just reminiscing about my class at the CIA is making me hungry!

Posted by Kristen at 3:47 p.m.

travel tips:

Port Authority

Ahoy all you cruisin' honeymooners, there are some important changes happening on the high seas.

Starting June 1 (AKA ahora), the United States government will be requiring all U.S. citizens traveling on cruises that begin and end in different ports in the United States, or begin or end in a foreign port, to have a valid passport or recognized WHTI-compliant document. Yeah, come again?

Basically, in English it means that if you are embarking on an open-ended sail or a foreign one, you are going to have to show that your passport is as blue as your blood. Travel experts a-la moi (yes, I've totally been on a French-speaking kick) suggest that all cruisers bring their passports aboard. you'll never know if you have to return home via plane. All the mayjah lines (we're talking Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and the like) have document info on their websites, so it should be smooth sailing.

Posted by Jenna at 12:04 p.m.

club wed:

Last Chance for Kisses

Posted by Jenna at 12:03 p.m.

Quickie Update

Hi everyone! Sorry for the lack of travel info, but things have been super-busy around here. As many of you brides know, juggling wedding planning and deadlines at work can make you go a little crazy. But don't worry, I'll be back soon with some new updates!

Posted by Jenna at 12:03 p.m.

The Green (Mountain) State

My mother tells me I'm selfish. So I'm going to use that as the excuse for why my bloggity-blog has been feeling a little neglected. girl has been planning a wedding here! But, my friendly fellow brides-to-be, I'll have you know that the blog is the only facet of my life suffering. my travel sched. has gone from criss-crossing the globe to taking a bus to Cape Cod to do op: Wed.
And since I haven't been traveling, I haven't been able to share photos of your fave global gal jaunting. Until now.

While I was going through images for a digital frame representation for our welcome party, I found these gems. In November, my other half, formally known to the blogosphere as Novio turned that age that The New York Times dubbed the new 21. I surprised him with a last-minute weekend away to the gloriously green, super pristine, the Green Mountain State itself. Vermont.

We stayed two nights at the awesome Equinox Resort & Spa, a full-service retreat that is actually comprised of a series of historic buildings. Abraham Lincoln's fam stayed here and the dude that wrote the Cider House Rules lives right down the street in the quaint town of Manchester Village.

Since Novio's bday is in November, we missed the height of leaf pepping. But there was plenty to do. complimentary yoga, hikes through the expansive wooded grounds and strolling around the outlet shops in town. (Although a champion shopper, I was good and only scored two (!) pairs of cool-io Burberry sunglasses for less than 20 buckos.) And I almost forgot to mention: we also looooooved the meal we had at the delicioso eatery on property called the Marsh Tavern and really relaxed with those massages at the pine-scented spa.

Ok enough babbling let's get to the photos:

They don't call it the Green Mountain State for nothing. Check out the gorgeous expanse behind the resort. There is a host of hiking trails right there at the edge. They wind through old-growth trees and tons of towering pines. We took a path that lead to Lake Equinox.

There was pretty foliage, even though it was a bit past its prime.

After a day of hiking, strolling and yoga-ing, we headed back to the room for some chillaxing. (Side note: The resort just underwent a major renovation. All the rooms have been updated. Doesn't it look comfy? We had a balcony too.) We sipped locally made Chardonnay and enjoyed a Vermont cheese plate. And I insisted on watching Say Yes to the Dress. Also, please no letters about the ug. factor on this photo, I think I was caught laughing…but don't you love my MJ pointy black velvet Minnie Mouse shoes?

On the last day, we climbed (in the car) Mount Equinox, the mountain that stands guard on the town. The entrance fee to the top and trails goes to a discreet order of cloistered (and non-talking) monks. Even without tons of foliage, the views were pretty awesome.

We stopped for lunch at a clearing with picnic tables and broke out the Long Trail Ale, a local VT brew, which just so happens to be Novio's absolute favorite in the world. We also had local cheddar, hummus, carrots and some crackers. Yum! The cheese was so good, Novio insisted on buying more when we stopped for veggies at the farm stand on our journey home.

C'est moi on the top of Mount Equinox. I'm looking like a fat head and wearing my new sunglasses! Aren't they tres chic? The scarf I scored for less than $5 in India.

P.S. For more on weddings at Equinox Resort & Spa, check out the July/August issue of Bridal Guide!

Xoxo

Posted by Jenna at 10:10 a.m.

club wed & global goss:

Out of Africa

Bonjour my fellow brides-to-be, how are your plans coming? Et moi? Well, I'm on the homestretch. The dreamy dress is now with the tailor getting a quickie hem, my Novio's suit is on its way stateside and I just OK'd my invitation proof.

So what's next on the list?

Well, my dear readers, ze honeymoon! Now, traditionally speaking here the groom is the responsible party when planning the honeymoon, but let's just say. that's not the way it works in my house. And one would think it would be pretty easy; I literally have the whole world at my fingers. But as with everything wedding related, making the right choice (for photos, prosperity and long-life memories) is actually a little more difficult than originally thought.

Below, the saga in five acts:

• Costa Rica? We love it there. I mean L.O.V.E. it. The people are awesome, the beaches are so wide and supah empty, and there's an honest to Ganesh erupting volcano in the middle of the rainforest. The underground lava activity feeds some unbelievably cool natural hot springs, which b-t-dubs we covered in the May/June issue. But Novio and I want CR to remain our run-away-from-the-corporate-jungle-and-open-a-surf-bar/internet-café fantasy desti, so that's a no-go.
• Hawaii is another honeymooner's dream that lives high on our list of most awesomest places evs (and yes, I know that 'most awesomest' is not grammatically correct). Novio and I heart the sleepy island of Lanai in Maui County. It has absolutely nothing to do with just the right mix of outdoor activities. There we hiked over ocean-side volcanic rock formations, explored a wind-swept mountain-top area of red boulders that I swear looked like Mars and ate the best tofu steak dinner in my life at the Hotel Lanai. But that was where we spent our post-engagement getaway and well, what if it is shy of, or worse, eclipses our previous memories? Pssst: Did you see the story and cutie pics of my intended in the March/April issue?
• And what about the classic romance story of visiting Europe? It's no secret that je adore the continent, but given the fact that the gorgeous Greek isles, the coast of the Boot and the up-and-coming hotspot, Croatia are so similar culturally, gastronomy-ly and picturesque-ly to Novio's home country España, we are going to give those places a pass.

So tick, tock, tick, tock. Where's a couple to go?

• Novio suggested Southeast Asia with a country-hopping tour of Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. All are fairly safe, have unbelievably yummers cuisine, cheap spa treatments and loads of cool sites to explore. And did he mention elephant riding excursions? Novio has never been to Asia, so he doesn't know that although the experience is a-maz-ing, it also takes a lot of work to get around and one is expected to haggle for every last item. including in some spots. food.
• Enter Stage Left: The announcement of the opening of an exclusive new One&Only property in Cape Town, ZAF. Set to open doors in early September, which say the experts is ze best time to visit the Mother continent, the 131-room resort promises the same exquisite service, décor, cuisine (and did I mention spa?) as the other hideaways in the chainlet. I have friends who have honeymooned at other One&Only resorts and they tell me the name is Spot. On. (Plus, the hotels are tops with my besites, the celebs).

The Cape Town property has everything we are looking for in a honeymoon destination: New place to explore, easy (ish) to get to from NYC, and tons and tons of pampering, which translates into easy breezy touring and honeymooning for us. Nobu and potty mouth chef Ramsey both have eateries there and the hotel promises fantastic water views. another big requirement for moi.

One&Only Cape Town has also teamed up with supah special safari co., Singita, for an ultimate city and safari package that includes lush accommodations, two game drives daily, all meals and, um, laundry service! The six-night package is about $8,500 for two. Go to One&Only's website for more info: oneandonlyresorts.com.

We may take that option or hook on a stop over to the sister property on the tony isle of Mauritius, a French republic island nation in the middle of the Indian Ocean. That is more beach-y, which is more us, but Novio seems to have this thing for seeing elephants…

P.S. For more info on theOne&Onlyon Mauritius, check out the July/August issue of your absolute fave mag: Bridal Guide.

Posted by Jenna at 12:20 p.m.

Detoxifying in Oaxaca

Guest blogger: Susan Schneider, Executive Editor

Was I up for an adventure? Yes! Strolling the cobblestone streets of the Mexican colonial city of Oaxaca, located in the southwestern part of the country, I noticed a sign in the window of a pretty little bed and breakfast called Las Bugambilias. On offer was a special Temazcal experience. a steam bath and massage that would, it said, use indigenous Aztec herbs and ancient rituals to purify my body, mind and spirit. As an inhabitant of dirty, noisy New York City, how could I not want to be purified?

At Bridal Guide we're always looking for new honeymoon ideas, so I wondered if Temazcal was designed for couples visiting this architecturally fascinating city. Indeed it is: for two people, it's just 1500 pesos, which comes to about $113 for a two-hour total immersion experience. I brought my traveling friend, Eve, with me, who also needed some serious detoxification.

Next morning, which was warm and sunny (as always), Eve and I climbed into a car provided by the B&B, and were driven up the hilly streets of the town (from nearly everywhere in Oaxaca there are views of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains) and were deposited in a quiet neighborhood, in front of a simple adobe wall. Most of the homes in Oaxaca present walled exteriors to the street, opening onto charming courtyards. Hidden behind this wall was a fairy-tale garden of herbs and flowers, wild looking and enchantingly fragrant.

An American couple emerged from a little adobe house, almost hidden among the plants. “You are in for the treat of your life,” the woman assured us, practically swooning. She held out a tiny bouquet of herbs for us to sniff. I could already tell what she meant.

It was our turn. Eve and I were led into a changing room and our guide indicated that we should undress completely and wrap ourselves in sheets. We looked at each other. Yikes! But our pride in being adventurous won out, so off came the clothes and on went the sheets. Then our guide. the temazcalera. motioned for us to follow her into a room filled with painted wooden carvings, embroidered throw pillows and two huge inviting mattresses.

I looked longingly at the mattresses, but our temazcalera was motioning us over to a pair of little doors, about thigh-high, in the brick wall. Again, Eve and I looked at each other. Now the guide was pantomiming that we should crawl on our hands and knees through the little doors that led…somewhere? But where? Feeling like Alice in Wonderland after she got very, very tall, I crawled through the miniature doors, into the bath chamber, which was heated by rocks. Our temazcalera laid parcels of herbs on the rocks and tossed water on them. sending up billows of steam fragrant with eucalyptus and rosemary. She lit a candle to help us meditate. and then left us alone!

Eve and I sat silently, sweat and steam soaking our sheets. I tried to keep in mind that toxins were draining from my body. I tried to meditate on the candle but sweat kept dripping into my eyes. It was perfectly clear that neither of us wanted to be the one who chickened out first.
After a few moments Eve gave up. “I think I'm detoxified,” she squeaked.

“Me too,” I replied thankfully.

We crawled back out through the little doors and cooled off on the couch. thoroughly alarming our temazcalera when she returned to the room. Gently tut-tutting, she led us back into the steam room. There the three of us sat, knee to knee, as she threw more water on the rocks until there was so much steam we lost sight of each other.

And then she did something wonderful (it won't sound wonderful, but trust me, it was!). She brushed our heads and shoulders with the parcels of herbs and sang to us. yes, she sang. I closed my eyes and enjoyed. Next thing I knew, cool water was being poured over my head. after the heat of the steam, surely the most refreshing “bath” I've ever had.

After that, it was into the massage room, where we finally got to stretch out on those wonderfully comfortable mattresses while two women, our temazclara and another woman, gave us hour-long massages using a soothing herbal lotion. Eve and I both fell asleep. that's how relaxed (and detoxified!) we were.

So go for it, honeymooners. the couple who detoxifies together, stays together.

For more information, visit lasbugambilias.com.

Posted by Susan at 12:23 p.m.

guest blogger: Alison Musselman

Ocean Reef Club

Recently, I was invited down to Key Largo, FL to check out the very luxurious Ocean Reef Club, and they kindly said I could bring a friend along, too. Much to the chagrin of my BFF who had imagined a fabulous girls' vacation, I took my hubby with me. it was our wedding anniversary after all, so I would have felt slightly guilty leaving him behind.

We arrived at Ocean Reef at about 9pm, and were met by Bill, the very knowledgeable, very friendly Executive Director of Communications. We grabbed a quick bite to eat at the Burgee Bar and had a chance to chat with some of the local characters who seemed happy to sit and share a few stories with us.

This is pretty much what our room looked like. We had an iHome to listen to music and an incredibly well stocked mini bar!

And this is what our bathroom looked like. (Both these pics are from the press kit. I can't take credit for them.)

Waking up the next morning, we got to see how beautiful the place really was. After breakfast at Michelle's at Carysford (a restaurant that boasts renowned chef Michelle Bernstein in the kitchen during their high season, and an amazing wine cellar), Bill took us on a guided tour.

The secluded property actually started as a private fishing community back in 1945 and over the years has expanded from a couple of rustic buildings into what it is today. Nestled at the northern tip of Key Largo, it's set on 2000 acres of lush flora and is surrounded almost entirely by the Atlantic Ocean.

The preferred mode of transport at the Ocean Reef is the golf cart, so we hopped in Bill's and set off to see the property. I was surprised at how expansive it was and all the things there were to see and do. (Imagine wishing for a luxurious town where anything you could possibly want to do is no more than a golf cart ride away.) He showed us the three golf courses, multiple tennis courts, the airstrip (if only we'd known we could have chartered a plane!!), the shopping village, medical center, library, cultural center, movie theatre, church, the town hall, the arts center, fitness centers, spa, school (for the families that spend months at a time here), nature trails, nine top-notch restaurants, (did I mention there was a lot to do?) and. and this was one of my favorite things. ORCAT, their cat rescue facility.

Ocean Reef has taken a natural, eco-friendly approach when it comes to keeping shipyard pests in check, and as such, there are a number of cats that roam about the property. Keeping them healthy, and their numbers under control, is what the facility is all about, so they generally have kittens that need homes. I was able to play with some when we stopped by.

And of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention all the aquatic options. The fishing is fantastic. you can go reef fishing, deep sea sport fishing or bone fishing, and depending on the time of year, you can expect to catch a long list of different kinds of fish including Mahi Mahi, Marlin, Kingfish, Wahoo, snapper and grouper. There are three swimming pools to choose from, scuba diving or snorkeling and they even have guided eco-kayak tours on the weekends.

After the morning of sightseeing, I was treated to a 'bridal luncheon.' (Hubby was banished to lounge poolside. sigh…) The catering team set things up as they would for a girl's bridal party lunch, and it was gorgeous. They had prepared a table in one of the villas overlooking the ocean, so all you could see was miles and miles of water. The food was absolutely delicious, and as with everything else that I had experienced there, the attention to detail was meticulous. I ate with a couple of girls from the team, and they told me that menus are planned out and personalized for each event, whether it be a girls' luncheon, rehearsal dinner or the reception itself.

The menu was chilled mango soup with crispy duck cracklings to start, followed by curried chicken salad with fried green tomatoes and poppyseed lavash, then Passionfruit Bavarian with a duet of kalamansi and raspberry coulis. YUM! (OK, I'm still not totally sure what kalamansi is, but it was delicious.)

It was so good I forgot to take a picture before we started eating. we were sitting in one of the villas overlooking the ocean. Oh, and there was an infinity pool out there on the balcony, too!

That afternoon, they showed me the different wedding venue options on the property, and it was obvious that they can be as elaborate or as low-key as you like. The staff works closely with renowned florists and vendors from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and beyond, to ensure everything is exactly as you want it.

A popular ceremony spot is The Point, which as the name suggests is a piece of land that juts out into the water, so your backdrop is the ocean. and the occasional passing yacht.

Or you can opt for the palm tree-lined beach. there are Tiki Huts, too you just can't see them in this picture.

For the reception, you could go ultra-formal in the Town Hall (think cocktail hour on the roof deck overlooking the boats), followed by a sit-down affair inside, or you could check out the Ocean Room for a more laid-back Keys-inspired soiree. Its décor of rattan chairs and lazily rotating ceiling fans, fully embraces the location, and there's a dance floor and room for a live band, too if grandma wants to kick her heels up.

Or, you could chose nature as your backdrop and spend your first few hours as Mr. & Mrs. at the Palm Court, a paved area. also overlooking the water. surrounded by palms. They string lights in trees and turn them on when night falls for a little extra ambiance.

After saying goodbye to the girls, I went to join the hubby by the pool. As you can see, we had our pick of the loungers!

We decided to have an early dinner as we were meeting Bill and his wife for a movie in the Club's movie theatre, and made reservations at The Islander. It's known for serving up delicious fresh seafood caught by the local boats. (They serve sushi there, too, but there was a crab cake with my name on it!)

Our waiter took this picture. we were the first people at the restaurant that evening as we were off to an early movie. He was telling us about some of the more lavish weddings Ocean Reef has hosted; multi-million dollar affairs with celebrity entertainment; Miami Sound Machine apparently played at someone's reception!

As we were waiting to go into the movie, we saw playbills on the wall of the theatre and realized that Ocean Reef Club was no stranger to the celebrity set. People like Willie Nelson and Kenny Loggins had come through and performed there, and Liza Minelli, Christopher Cross and America were on their way. Even Mikael Gorbachov had come down to speak.

The next morning, before we left, we did a little more exploring on our own and wandered through The Village. Everywhere was so perfectly manicured, and I loved the colorful buildings. As we were there during the off season, there weren't very many people there.

In addition to the fine dining restaurants, Ocean Reef has some fun casual places, too. The Raw Bar serves fantastic local seafood overlooking the water. (Think plastic tables and chairs. very low key.)

Did I mention there was a beach volleyball court?

Who is that cute cabana boy?

We had such a wonderful time there, the weekend just wasn't enough!

Posted by Alison at 3:50 p.m.

club wed:

Semper Fi

In addition to being the resident affianced here at Bridal Guide (side note: can you believe it has been an entire year!?!? since I said yes and received my love-it-for-life piece of cushion-cut perfection?), I'm also the I-know-about-health-and-fitness cap wearer. I'm a recovering vegan vegetarian, beginner surfer, flamenco dancer, 30-minute daily walker, Pilates obsessor and practioner of Iyengar yoga. (The fact that I was also on staff at one of the nation's largest health and fitness mags before I scored this here plum post probs. also has something to do with that honor.) So, when an invitation to try a sesh at Warrior Fitness Bootcamp came into the office, I got the tap.

Located in a non-descript office building in Midtown Manhattan, Warrior Fitness Bootcamp is a marine-style gym, offering fitness classes for less than 16 at a time in a militaryesque setting that's complete with an obstacle course surrounded by a minitrack. Each training session is different and concentrates on what gym-rats call circuit training, which translated into human speak as high-intensity cardio intervals mixed with strength-training moves and dexterity challenges on the aforementioned obstacle course. The brain-child of real-life marines and fitness trainers (and, um, gosh, swoon, total cuties) Alex Fell and Ruben Bellard, the program promises to not only reshape your body, but also “bring out the warrior within you.”

Now, I'm not sure these guys helped me tap into my inner warrior, but they certainly kicked my butt. literally. And I accessed dormant muscle groups that I honestly. never. ever. I'm talking not even in my dreams used (um, hello, buns of blob).

The session, which b-t-dubs I entered about 3 minutes after the official marine start, began with a series of calisthenics. You know like Alice in the Brady Bunch used to make the kids do. jumping jacks, mountain climbers and some other moves that I have mentally blocked out. All the while there was crazy techno blaring and Ruben was shouting military-style call and responses.

Then came the running.

Now, before I get to that, I've got a little secret to share: I H.A.T.E. cardio workouts. If you look at that list of waaay activities up there at the top of the post, you'll notice that running, boxing, elliptical training, tennis playing and the like are not there. And for good reason. I have the cardio capacity of a bulldog. And I'm not even exaggerating. One time, in Sedona, Arizona, while being filmed for a documentary, I got schooled and I mean scho. ooled by a 90 year old (!!) guy as we hiked up the (in my humble opinion) very steep David Miller Trail.

So, yeah.

Then came the running. We ran around the track and then ran around again and then we need these things called bear walks, to which I was all DoubleUTeeEff is this weirdo movement? Then we paired up and started to do sit-ups, planks, push-ups, mountain climbers and other torturous moves. The timing, cadence and military shouts varied. Sometimes, my partner sat on my feet as I did sit-ups for three full mintues, sometimes, I would do that for her. Other times we would do mountain climbers in unison calling out the reps and cadence in marine-ish voices. Well, hers was mariney, mine was more like a raspy gasp. Other times I would have to do pushups or squats until my partner ran two laps around the track. I can't even imagine how many squats that poor girl had to do while I limped and wheezed around that gym.

Did I mention that at one point I told Alex and Ruben (who b-t-dubs totes wear fatigues) that I wished I hadn't signed the release form?

Yeah. I could barely breathe or walk, but I was able to say it.

Now, in the words the “Boys Entering Anarchistic States Towards Internal Excellence” AKA to all you wack MCs The Beastie Boys: “You think this story's over, but it's ready to begin…”

[Writer Note: 10 Points if you can name the song and album. 20 if you know the following line]

Because now comes the obstacle course.

And obstacle it was for me to do it. Although at one point smiley Alex did tell me I had a strong core when I was “jumping” some hurdle walls or whatever the heck they call them in marine lingo. thank you very much. There were also monkey bars, crawly-tunnel things, a rope climb (I did it inverted) and more hurdle/wall things.

I scampered and lifted and I'm pretty sure cried.

And then it was over (the muscle pain, well not so much).

And once the yelling stopped and my heart lowered from my neck back to its rightful place, I couldn't believe that I had actually done it. I pushed myself and my cardio level to places I never thought I'd be able to achieve and for that I am grateful.

And I'm even planning on going back.

Posted by Jenna at 12:50 p.m.

Guest Blogger: Stella Katsipoutis, Bridal Guide Intern

Beating Boeing Boredom

For me, long flights are the most dreaded part of any trip. possibly because I don't do much else but hope that my Dramamine-induced sleep will last long enough to make air-time as painless as possible. There has to be something better to do with my time, right? Yes. 747 better things to do, to be exact. In his manual, 747 Things to Do on a Plane, Justin Cord Hayes shows readers how to make the most out of their free time in the sky (frequent flyers, take notes).

Feel bad for “accidentally” ruining your lovebird's favorite shirt in the wash (you know, the one that makes the corner of your nose twist up every time you see it)? According to Hayes, you can use those spare hours to pen an apology letter and clear your conscience (remember, you don't have to actually send it!). If you and your neighbor are more social types, see if the person sitting next to you is up for a game of tray-table hockey, or figure out what they do for a living and pick their brain for professional advice. You can also use the time to do those every-day chores that always slip through the cracks, like balancing your checkbook, writing out a shopping list, or cleaning out your purse/wallet. You can read that great American novel that's been sitting on your nightstand, or you can start writing your own. For those of you who don't mind some extra attention, Hayes also suggests breaking out a box of hair dye and giving yourself a fab-tastic makeover. You have plenty of time to kill. why not?

Chock-full of fun ideas, plus puzzles and high-flying exercise routines, 747 Things to Do on a Plane is definitely one of the most useful travel companions I've come across. I think my bottle of Dramamine has met its replacement.

Posted by Stella at 11:24 a.m.

Guest Blogger: Stella Katsipoutis, Bridal Guide Intern

Vive Le Canada

Hi! My name is Stella, and I'm the newbie intern here at Bridal Guide. I'll be making some appearances on Jenna's blog, sharing any adventures (or misadventures), news, and travel tips that come my way!

Up until recently, Greece has been the only other country I've seen besides the good ol' U.S. of A (perks of having parents who emigrated from Greece: annual summer vacations in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, minus the hotel bill). But, since I'm a nature-lover/adventurer/culture-junkie at heart, these past few months I've been jumping at any opportunity for travel. In fact, the night before my first day at Bridal Guide, I was scrambling through the N.Y.C. Port Authority after a 9-hour homeward-bound bus trip from Montreal.

To be honest, the only thing I knew about Canada before my trip was that most residents feel safe enough to leave the front doors of their homes unlocked (being a native New Yorker, that sounded a bit twilight zone-ish to me). What I wish I had known, before scampering off for two days, is just how cold it could get there during the winter months. Being the type of person who's perpetually shivering, even in warm weather, I nearly fainted when I saw “–22°F” flashing on the taxi's dashboard on my way to the hotel. The friendly locals informed me that the best time to visit Montreal is in the spring or summer, since the winter snow and ice can get pretty unbearable (I made sure to lock that bit of info in my memory bank).

Thankfully, Montreal has the perfect attraction for heat-freaks like me. the underground city. With hundreds of entrances scattered throughout the downtown area, the underground city is home to countless (warm) malls, museums, banks, and train stations that allow tourists and citizens alike to enjoy a day out, without having to brave the wicked cold. But, if ice is your thing, Montreal also annually hosts Igloofest, a four-night outdoor party with ice bars, music, performances… and, you guessed it, igloos! St. Catherine Street and St. Laurent Boulevard are also studded with Soho-esque shopping plazas, restaurants, lounges, and nighttime hot spots.

Now that I'm back home in the +23°F New York weather (oh, it feels like summertime!), Canada has left me with some great shopping experiences…and an urge to teach myself a word or two of French.

Posted by Stella at 10:30 a.m.

global goss., club wed:

The Right Stuff

Best. Bachelorette. Getaway. Evs. Alert!

NKOTB the OG of all boy bands [writer note: yes, I realize that *technically* the other boys from Boston. New Edition. were the O.OGs…but The Kids were my first], announced that they are giving a cruise ship concert. The New Kids ship sets sail from sunny Ft. Lauderdale, FL, on May 15, and the three-day intin. includes a stop in the Bahamas, mama, so you can show off your hot bod that you've been working with your WD diet. Ship time means giggling with the girls, sipping piña coladas and, of course, attending the aforementioned concert. Plus, with virtually guaranteed ship sightings of the hotties from Beantown, you and the girls might just be Hangin' Tough with your high-school crush. Just remember: You are engaged to the guy with the Right Stuff who is Loving You Forever. Well that and the fact is being the wife of a rockstar ain't so hot.

For a Step By Step breakdown of the cruise and pricing, go to the New Kids on the Block homepage.

Posted by Jenna at 5:24 p.m.

Happy Holidays

MWAH and PEACE ON EARTH.

Until 2009, or henceforth known as the year of my wedding!!!

Posted by Jenna at 3:40 p.m.

guest blogger: Natalie, Bridal Guide Intern

J'Adore Dior's New Spa

The only object I own (and can afford...) from the esteemed House of Dior is a black eye pencil which, even after multiple eye-scrubbings and soakings with makeup remover, refuses to come off. So because I can attest to the staying power of Dior cosmetics, I think I can safely recommend the new Dior Institut, a spa the fashion house opened in October at the charming Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris - just a stone's throw from the Champs Elysees.

Haute couture pampering.

Imagine you're off on a Parisian honeymoon with your one and only and you've whiled away the morning-afternoon sipping cappuccino and munching on croissants at a chic outdoor cafe. You're strolling along the chestnut-tree-lined Avenue Montaigne (carrying your baguettes, cheese and wine, of course) when a very French idea occurs to you: Let's indulge in even more relaxing activities. Your companion says 'oui, oui' and, within moments, you're in the grand marble lobby of the Plaza Athenee.

After some broken-French fumbling for directions with the hotel staff, you descend an historic staircase a flight down from the lobby, and are greeted with a wall showing Dior fashion show clips past and present. Ah, Paris... And beyond this reception area is the spa itself. Five treatment rooms beckon with their sleek, mirrored, silver-and-white decor, including a gorgeous 'VIP' room with two massage beds, perfect for couples. You, of course, stake out this room.

One of the luxurious treatment rooms.

The treatment choices are tres honeymoon-worthy, i.e. pricey but satisfying. Signature treatments include the two-hour L'Or de Vie (Euro 490), a regenerating treatment based on Dior's collaboration with the legendary Chateau d'Yquem vineyard. It uses rare ingredients derived from Yquem grapevines, which have powerful antioxidant capacities. And we all know those antioxidants are good for you! There's also the 75-minute anti-jetlag treatment (Euro 190), which includes a massage that straightens the back, boosts energy levels, brightens the complexion and refreshes the eyes; and the 75-minute 'Jambes en Apesanteur' ('weightless legs' in anglais) treatment, which, according to the spa's press, is 'marvelous after shopping' because it relieves fatigue and puts a spring back in your step. So you can do more shopping, presumably.

The spa also offers multi-day treatments for those lucky enough to stay in the upstairs hotel. In fact, until Dec. 28, 2009, the hotel is offering two free one-hour Dior Institut treatments with a couple's two-night stay (rooms start at Euro 850).

Thoughtfully enough, there are also face and body treatments for the man in your life - he's got to be tired from carrying all those shopping bags. The facial anti-jetlag treatment massages the facial muscles and the rejuvenating eye treatment massages the head, nape of neck and shoulders. Body treatments include the full-body anti-jetlag treatment and one-hour detox energy treatment, which is said to nourish the skin and regularize circulation.
Ahh. Now you can retreat to the relaxation lounge for a soothing herbal tea, enjoy the sauna or soak in the steam bath. That way, you'll be ready to get all dressed up and hit the town for a night out!

Posted by Natalie at 3:17 p.m.

website watch:

Beauty Booty

There are a thousand and one ga-jillon travel websites out there, and figuring out which one to trust can be a major time-suck. That's where I come in.

In my other not-so-secret life, I like to fancy myself “a beauty girl.” I keep up with the latest in antiaging; can decipher the ingredient list on any prod. and have an arsenal of at-home spa remedies that rival a resort sanctuary. Being that I go all Lady Gaga over shower gels and shampoos, I often find myself *accidentally* stashing all the bath goodies from my hotel room into my carry-on. I keep a running mental tab of my top hotels based on prod selection. (Hello, Alvear Palace with the Hermès, I'm talking to you! Of course the Rome Cavalieri Hilton's in-room selection of Bulgari ain't so bad neither. And did I mention the La Prairie Spas at the Ritz-Carlton hotels?)

But like Christmas and those Russell Stover chocolate packs your dad used to give your mother for Vday, you don't really know what to expect until you arrive at your hotel. And like those confections, the results can go either way. (God, I always hated those cherry-filled ones.) And that's where Hotel Chatter comes in. The travel site with excellent editorial, travel deals and little things we kids in the biz call listicles. And for those of us who are product-obsessed there's a roundup of major hotel brands and their bath-stashes. Sometimes, it's ok to peek…

Posted by Jenna at 12:55 p.m.

club wed:

Bargain Basement

Raise your hand if you watch Ugly Betty. I love that show. And in many ways I identify with that spunky little assistant. But buying my clothes in Queens isn't one of them. (No offense to Queens-I actually lived there for four years when I first moved to NYC.) As amazing and diverse as it is (the borough is home to the best Indian, Dominican, Korean and Cuban places in town), Queens isn't what you'd call a fashion Mecca, as you viewers of Ugly Betty know so well.

But as the Blues Brothers say 'we're on a mission from God,' and I've got to find my dream dress at even a dreamier price. So when my mom insisted that my sissy and I check out this bridal salon in nearby Queens, the Amanda in me got going and I pretty much knew what was in store, but in no way did I think it would be verging on ripped-from-the-headlines bad.

Here's a real account of that fateful day:

My sissy and I climbed into my new-to-me Volv. and headed north to the Can Not Be Mentioned In Public Bridal Salon in search of a dress that my mom found on the internets that had been 'inspired' by the dream gown I have been visiting online for weeks. When we arrived at the spot-which I may add is located in a residential neighborhood-we had two thoughts: 1. Damn that MapQuest, it sent us to the wrong address. 2. Are you kidding me? This is definitely shady bride town USA.

We found a parking spot in a nearby grocery store and were greeted by the owner of the Can Not Be Mentioned In Public Bridal Salon at the stoop of his shop/home/brothel. He quickly snapped his cell phone off and threw his cig. butt toward the road as he opened the storm door. My sister and I delicately walked over stained linoleum tiles and he ushered us down some wooden stairs. 'We call this the underground bridal shop because we are literally under the ground,' he joked as we entered a dank smelling box of a room with ceilings so low I swear my hair was touching the asbestos-laden panels.

There we were stunned in a windowless, airless smelly and dingy basement lined with racks of plastic-wrapped wedding dresses. Since I was unable to speak, my sister whipped out my dreamy photo and showed it to the woman in charge. As she located it among the piles of 'inspired' gowns, I asked the man why it was so difficult to get in touch with them. (Back story: A flurry of emails, phone calls and messages went back and forth and unanswered until my mom and mastermind behind locating the mainly online outfit, nailed down an addy and appt for me and my sissy.) The guy mentioned something about having an email server problem and a bad phone answering service. Riiight I said. Then the woman explained that the Can Not Be Mentioned In Public Bridal Salon is being sued by well-known co.s including David's and Priscilla. That makes more sense I reasoned in my mind. The Can Not Be Mentioned In Public Bridal Salon also has a mailing addy on fanc. Park Avenue. When my sister asked what was up with that the duo did the duck and weave. And I swear Vincent D'Onofrio was going to bust up the place all CSI Miami-style any second. (Yes, I realize I'm mixing metaphors here-but that is how scary the place was-it needs double the explanation.)

My 'inspired' dreamy dress located, I was ushered into a backroom piled high with crap covered in drop clothes. There, a part-time nursing student helped me step into the 'inspired' confection. After being led back to the main room, I did what every mature bride of a certain age swathed in itchy poly-surely flammable blend of beading and did I mention itchy fabric does, I cried.

I cried at the fact that I felt like an infection was spreading all over my poor body as I stood in that reeking, water-stained basement where the guy from Silence of the Lambs probably sublets when he's in town. I cried because I had had it (!) with wedding planning, the conversations and the running around. And I cried because I don't have the duckets to buy a proper wedding gown. It was the worst feeling ever. And my sister, God bless her, kept asking the lady if they could do stuff to make the cheap Jack knockoff look a little better.

I ran away into the back room and ripped the itchy, tacky, spangled piece of poly-blend flammable something or other off my body. As I looked around the dingy dungeon I heard my sister in the other room. She was wheeling and dealing the fabrics, beading and embroidery to somehow make the dress look like it cost way more than $600. But I was completely over it. And I realized that this house was a bad house. It was quite possibly the site of an illegal sweatshop, counterfeit ring or worse, and underground, ahem, massage parlor. And that is how these shady dudes can keep their prices so low! Fearing a serious bust any second, I grabbed my sister and ran, not walked, out of that hole passing a few padlocked doors on the way. I'm pretty sure SVU wasn't far behind...

Posted by Jenna at 10:37 a.m.

travel trends:

Dollars and Sense

The other day The Man (the guy in charge of the Big Guns and the Boss Lady) came by my office for quick chat on the topic du année. the econ. He mentioned a news report on Iceland and how since the government declared bankruptcy it is now a good deal for visitors. The same holds true for other countries where the currency value compared to the Greenback is sliding. And The Man told me that in Mexico, for example that could be as much as a 25% savings from last year's prices. And then there's Australia with its dollar and South Africa's rand which has gone so far downtown you can score a whopping 67% savings compared with previous rates. So it makes good sense to book now and stretch your dollar. (Speaking of which, be on the lookout for a big, beautiful article on the subj. in our May/June issue.)

Posted by Jenna at 12:44 p.m.

guest blogger: Natalie, Bridal Guide Intern

Putting on the Ritz

Hello, the other intern here. It's a cold and dreary, I'm-getting-sick, the-economy-sucks, I-need-coffee, where-are-all-the-cute-guys-hanging-out day, so I thought I might get some kicks by guest-starring on Jenna's lovely travel blog and telling you about a sweet tropical vacation deal that's come my way (so this way I can at least mentally be somewhere warm)!

The Ritz-Carlton wants to offer you and your new husband a free three-night stay at one of its Caribbean or Mexico resorts to celebrate your first anniversary. The catch? You have to get married at one of the resorts. So grab any ol' dude, head to Vegas… OK, just kidding. Marry your fiancé at Ritz-Carlton in Cancun, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, St. Thomas or San Juan and book at least 75 nights worth of rooms (so you could book, say, 15 rooms for five nights each) and, for your one-year anniversary, receive a complimentary three-night stay at any of those five resorts.

And that's not all: The lovely deal includes, besides your stay, daily breakfast for two and a $110-200 (depending on which resort it is) credit to use toward recreational activities, spas, etc. You can use it, for instance, to take an $80, one-and-a-half hour sail aboard St. Thomas's Lady Lynsey, a 53-foot sailing catamaran. Or take a full-day excursion from St. Thomas to nearby St. John, the most untouched and pristine of the Virgin Islands.

If teeing off is your thang, use that credit to play a round of golf on the White Which golf course at the Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort in Rose Hall, Jamaica ($125 per person, per round). At the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, relax with the Silver Rain Facial at the La Prairie spa ($280). You'll go over your credit but feel oh-so-chilled-out.

And here's the fine print, ladies: You can only go on your anniversary stay 30 days before or after your actual one-year anniversary date. Current room rates for your guests are $539 in Cancun, $465 in Jamaica, $659 in Grand Cayman, $475 in San Juan and $745 in St. Thomas. Go to the company's website for more info, ritzcarlton.com.

There, that ought to cure someone's dreary-weather blues.

Posted by Natalie at 10:30 a.m.

guest blogger: Tiffany, Bridal Guide Intern

Oasis Of The Seas

I've been to the Caribbean, all over Western Europe-even India-but I have yet to go on a cruise. I have marveled at the size and power of the boats; they seem to be getting bigger with each new cruise line. Well, such is the case with Royal Caribbean's new New York City-themed Oasis of the Seas, set to sail in December 2009.

This boat holds a mind-boggling 5,400 passengers, 10 restaurants and 8 bars, and houses seven distinct city 'neighborhoods.' They include a Central Park, Boardwalk, Royal Promenade and four others that are still top secret. Each has its own feel. The Boardwalk is reminiscent of Coney Island-Jersey Shore-Boardwalk U.S.A, complete with the first-ever carousel and zip-line at sea, ice cream shops, and even a psychic and tattoo parlor! Near the end of the boardwalk lies the AquaTheatre, a giant pool by day and an entertainment venue at night offering water, light and acrobatic shows. For a more nature-inspired setting, passengers can head down to Central Park, an expansive area with lush, tropical foliage that spans one football field. There's also the Royal Promenade neighborhood, which hosts a strip of restaurants, bars and shops as well as a mezzanine level that overlooks the entire mall area. This neighborhood has the first moving bar at sea, the Rising Tide, which slowly ascends and descends three decks, so hang onto your hats!

With all the features this cruise has, I can see why some won't want to get off the boat! The 7-night cruise goes to both the eastern and western Caribbean, and rates start at about $900. For more information, visit royalcaribbeanoasisoftheseas.com.

Posted by Tiffany at 12:58 p.m.

guest blogger: Tiffany, Bridal Guide Intern

Pretty Polish

I'm a bit of a nail-polish junkie, so when Jenna showed me One&Only Red, I automatically had the “ooh-ahh!” effect. The super high-end One&Only Resorts collaborated with world-renowned pedicurist Bastien Gonzalez to create this marvelous nail polish in an ultra-sexy scarlet hue. This long-lasting warm red color makes you feel flirty and oh-so-sassy! Bastien Gonzalez created this fast-drying nail polish with no formaldehyde, toluene or DBP, so it's actually better for your nails!

One&Only Red nail polish is just as exclusive as the resort that offers it, being a go-to place for the rich and famous and known to host guests such as John Travolta, Oprah Winfrey and Julia Roberts. Eli Manning and his college sweetheart Abby McGrew even held their April wedding at the One&Only Palmilla in Mexico, which is featured in the next issue of Bridal Guide. At about $29 a bottle, One&Only Red can be purchased at One&Only hotels or at Bastien Gonzalez Pedi:Mani:Cure studios.

Posted by Tiffany at 1:41 p.m.

global goss:

Ole Miss

In the spring, the Big Guns (AKA the money dudes here at Bridal Guide) made me an offer I couldn't refuse. They, along with the state of Mississippi, organized a hoedown about destination weddings. And as the travel editor and resident affianced I was called upon to be among the speakers at the event. Formally called a “collaborative effort between the Mississippi Development Authority's Department of Tourism and Bridal Guide magazine, the 2008 Bridal Symposium” by the Natchez Democrat (that's the local paper not a person, mom) the two-day event focused on trends in weddings, destination bachelor and bachelorette weekends and, of course, honeymoons.

Even though I was cooped up in speeches for the majority of my time in Natchez, Mississippi, population 18,500, I took advantage of all the breaks and in-between time to explore the historic city. just like a good little travel editor should.

The city of Natchez rests on the hilly eastern banks of the mighty Mississippi River. Since it was never taken in The War (translation for y'all yanks: the American Civil War), Natchez has more historic homes and buildings on the National Register than any other city in the United States. So, it is pretty common to see mondo antebellum mansions with gorgeous columns, lovely porches and sprawling grounds a-la Dunleith Plantation circa 1856 and Twin Oaks (both of which offer wedding packages b-t-dubs):

Dunleith Plantation

Twin Oaks

We stayed at Monmouth Plantation, which features 30 guestrooms and suites and a whole lot of Southern hospitality. Built in 1818, the national landmark houses tons 'o locally sourced antiques, modern conveniences like WiFi and generations of stories.

I slept here. Check out that fancy bed! This room is one of four located on the upper floor of the mansion. Each are uniquely decorated in antebellum antiques and accessed by the upper balcony.

Before the meetings began at 9am, I raced downtown for a beignet breakfast at the Farmer's Market, an open-air, garage-like structure located in the center of the little city. Beignets. deep fried dough smothered and I mean smothered with a capital S in powdered sugar. are a delicious way to start the day. Yum! Sugar and coffee at 8am was exactly what I needed to get me going before my big speech. But even more exciting than feasting on traditional Southern food was getting to meet all the important people in the coffee klatch, among them was the senator. Yep, that's how I roll, y'all.

After the meetings, we gathered at Monmouth's bar area, called the Quitman Lounge, after the original owners of the home, and toasted with some mint juleps. The bartender Roosevelt is what you could call famous for his sweet, Southern concoction. He won a contest at the Kentucky Derby and has been awarded the title of Colonel, which is a very big honor!

Before heading back to Jackson (I couldn't stop singing the Johnny Cash and June Carter song the entire time I was there), we drove down to the Mississippi River. The architecture in this area of town is noticeably different, thanks to the fact that it was developed both during and after The War. The river port and wharf area became a hub for cotton trade, as well as local logging. But what really put it on the map was the influx of manufactured goods from the North as well as Pennsylvania coal. Many of the houses that line the riverbanks were built by a Jewish merchant class transplanted from cities north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Then we stopped in the Under The Hill Saloon. The bi-level brick building's insides may be the definition of a dive bar, but according to historians this place is important. It has been used as a brothel, bar, warehouse and general merchandise store since the late 1700s. It is a total must-see. If you position yourself at the right table, you can watch the sun set over the Mississippi while enjoying a local brew.

Posted by Jenna at 12:31 p.m.

travel tip:

Gas It Up

Lately the only traveling I've been doing is up and down the elevator (I blame it on the fact that every. single. weekend in October has been dedicated to op:wed maneuvers), so my travel witticisms and insider knowledge have been limited to knowing which lift in the bank's Close Doors button actually works. That was until the other day, when watching the elevator news. (Yes, there is a tv screen there flashing all the headlines, I know, supa fanc.) Across the screen flashed a tip about drinking water while traveling. The screen said that it is a better idea to order carbonated water. (It assumes we all know that downing agua from the tap is a big no-no especially while on the road.) The reasoning behind the claim is that all those bubbles bouncing around the gassy version of H20 let you know that the water is fresh and not some icky recycled unidentified yuckiness. And some experts believe that fizzy water can alleviate an upset stomach and constipation, two common traveler ailments. See the things you learn hanging out with me? And I learned that sometimes you don't have to travel far to learn something new…

Posted by Jenna at 10:52 a.m.

website watch:

The Girls Club

There are a thousand and one ga-jillon travel websites out there, and figuring out which one to trust can be a major time-suck. That's where I come in.

I love the idea of taking a girls trip. And as is the definition of the word idea the true actuality of the situation is that I've actually only ever been on one. single. girls trip in my entire life. Needless to say, I'm not exactly the go-to-girl expert when it comes to girlfriends getaways. So, to get inspiration and ideas, I hit up the new(ish) The Jet Set Girls.

Founded by BFFs since forevs, Anne L. Fritz and Hope Schmid, the blog is an insider guide to all things girlfriend travel–related. And when I say all things, I really mean it. There are luggage reports, packing features and hotel reviews. They dish on deals, spa treatments and give shopping lists. They also interview lifestyle experts about their travel habits. But the best part of the site. in my humble opinion. is the beauty coverage. A former beauty ed., Anne's got the inside scoop on packable prods, in-flight must-haves and that all-important tropical destination necessity. sunscreens.

The Jet Set Girls (or JSG as they refer to themselves) are also members of Total Beauty, a mondo community of expert beauty bloggers who put trends, tips and tricks to the test. The JSG give a roundup (or turn-down service as they call it) of the best across the online community. Pretty rad, right? Oh! And did I mention the giveaways? Go to thejetsetgirls.com for more goodness. And b-t-dubs make sure you type in 'the' if you are typing in the URL. just trust me on that.

Posted by Jenna at 2:10 p.m.

Argentina Parte Dos

The second half of my jaunt to the land of Evita, tango and las Pampas, took me to Iguazu. Now raise your hand if you've even heard of Iguazu Falls. Yeah, I thought so… I, on the other hand, have sort of always wanted to go to the small town and its Falls that straddle the Argentinean and Brazilian borders. You see, I first learned of this mythic site when I began studying Spanish in the 6th grade. OK, but enough about me and my precocious ways, let's get to me and my travel pics!

The town of Iguazu is tucked into a northeast extension of Argentina in the province of Missiones. It is about a three-hour jumper flight from B.A. and a 12 plus hours drive from the capital city. The only thing to do in this tiney tiny town is see the famous Falls and chillax at one of three hotels. Not ones to be chained to the inside, we took a stroll around the main Plaza area and stopped for a liter of Quilmes, the cerveza nacional.

We also hit up this cultural reserve place called the Aripuca. Admittedly, we thought it was going to be a handicraft center and in some respects it was (even still we scored big on bangles made from horn and fantastic wooden bowls), but the property is owned, preserved and operated by the same family for more than four generations. The entrance is this ginormous tree that dates back a bazillion and one years. And then there is an oversized construction of an aripuca. The aripuca is a primitive trap that was used by the native people in the area to catch food and whatnot. That woman with the small one is the head of the fam. And that's my pal Daniel in front of the life-size one. Check out his smokin' leather jacket that he bought in B.A.

Here I am inside the behemoth Aripuca with Juanito, our guide who has a serious crush on Norah Jones. Notice my cashmere leg warmers. totally toasty and virtually weightless. And I've transformed my scarf into a wrap for more warmth. *Remember: The seasons are inversed in the Southern Hemisphere. Translation: They celebrate Christmas in the hottest month!

As aforementioned, the biggest. and really. only draw to the area is The Falls. The Iguazu Falls (and town) take the name from the Guarani (indigenous folks to this region) works y, which means water, and ûasú that means big. And, um, lemme tell you. that name is right on the money! The Iguazu Falls are the second highest in the world (Victoria Falls in Africa are the tallest). But in terms of volume, they are the largest. In fact the biggest/tallest/most unbelievable area of the falls, called the Devil's Throat, drops more than 35,000 cubic centimeters of water per second. [Writer note: Translation? Tons ‘o agua!!!]

C'est moi with Daniel at Devil's Throat. Truth be told, I was not very impressed with the National Park of Iguazu at first. The entrance was super touristy and there were all of these overpaved roads and walkways that crisscorssed this “natural area.” Then when we came upon the Devil's Throat (and first of the Falls that we encountered), my face literally dropped. I have never seen such a spectacular natural phenom. To-ta-lly awe-shume. On a side note, I realize this is another totally unflattering shot (not to mention that ridic outfit of two hoodies, although I looove that bball cap). but, my dear fellow brides-to-be. I was battling a fever and a monster zit.

It is rumored that when Eleanor Roosevelt saw Iguazu she exclaimed “Poor Niagara.” And I would bet all the tea in India that every other American visitor has a similar reaction. Even if you see the smaller Falls first, it is completely breathtaking. There are rainbows everywhere. As someone who looked forward to the yearly televised event of The Wizard of Oz, I get wicked stoked every time I see a rainbow.

The highlight of our trip to Iguazu was a boat trip under the Falls. Yeah, see that? We went under there in a little tiny speedboat, just like that one, which was in front of us.

It was totally exhilirating. And a lot like riding a flume ride without the big drops. They make you wear all this waterproof stuff (which b-t-dubs totes doesn't help you stay dry) and the safety equipment. It is crazy! Even as I was fighting the fever, I still felt like this was one of the coolest things evs. I mean at one point we sped through a rainbow that was a full circle. A-maz-ing.

Posted by Jenna at 10:33 a.m.

club wed:

Playing Dress Up

Yes, I am a real bride. And yes, I work at a bridal mag. But even with all the resources literally across the hall from my office, I still have to make the same difficult decisions. Do I want a male vocalist at the mass? How about the cake, will it look prettier with some flowers or sans? And then there are the bigger Qs. Like what in the heck is my dress going to look like?? And that, my friends, is when working at the 'How-To For I Do' bridal mag totes comes in handy... Check out my mini-office fashion show at the beauty and fashion blog. Oh and b-t-dubs, I finally found out the maker of the mystery dress. It's Pnina Tornai, exclusive for Klienfeld.

Posted by Jenna at 1:24 p.m.

Buenos Aires

OK my pretties, get ready for a pic-a-palooza. I told you that I'd been jet, jet, jetting along this summer so here is the proof from trip numero uno to Buenos Aires and Iguazu, Argentina:

I know this photo is the H.O.doubleTest thing evs., but my purpose for posting this is two-fold:

Uno: Check out my no-fail travel uniform. I've got the cotton dress, the silk scarf and a cardi. Since June is winter in Argentina, I added my vintage YSL oxford shirt to the ensemble for extra warmth.

Dos: I also want to give props to LAN airlines. It's the only carrier to South America to have fully reclining seats (AKA flat beds) in biz. class. Which for me, translated into actually sleeping (!) on a plane for the first time I think ever in my young life. Believe me when I tell you how much it rules to sleep in a bed on a plane. Plus they give you real pillows and a puffy downy comforter. I got so much rest during the nearly 12-hour flight from Santiago de Chile (LAN's hub) that I came into the office after landing at 8 a.m.

We stayed at the Hotel Alvear Palace. And it is pretty over the top-I mean the bath stash is Hermes! I know this may come off a little uncouth, but every night before bed, I packed away the prods and prayed that the housekeeping team would refresh. And of course they did, because this former private mansion is faaanceee. And that is what they do at faaaanceee places. You know what else they do? Have butler service on each floor, free Internet connectivity and fresh flowers in your room. This snap is of the lobby bar. I sat there one afternoon and ordered a Kir Royale for a whopping $4. (Did I mention the greenbacks go way far here in B.A.?) Anyhow, the yum-in-my-tum treat came with a ginormous plate of canapes. Had I A) known and B) not had plans, I would have had a full dinner right there-that's how many appis were on that plate.

I know this sounds all Tales From the Crypt (remember that show!?!?) creepy, but the highest rent district in all of B.A. is by the famous La Recoleta Cemetery. People actually pay more pesos for an apartment overlooking the sprawling mausoleum land. And getting a spot inside the cemetery is even pricier. Plus, unlike most places to rest, which charge a one-time plot fee, this one has yearly dues. And if your heirs don't pay the dues, you can get evicted. So it is pretty common to find some tenants being evicted.

Not Evita though. The most famous Argentine and resident of La Recoleta cemetery has her plot paid by the government. And these days, nobody can mess with her mausoleum. Check out that crazy ironwork! That's because the former first lady's body was, at one point, exhumed and shipped to different points across the globe. For years, she was in some random dude's basement in FLA of all places. How she got there exactly seems to be as mysterious as the fact that her body was floating around the globe for so many years. Some people say her devotees, who wished Evita to be inducted into sainthood, stole her body from its original grave to make it look like she had risen from the dead. Others claim that it was the haters who were looking to do harm to the manipulative ice queen's dead body. I read a book about the entire ordeal about a decade ago. (Yes, apparently I'm so old; I talk in chunks of time.) If you are interested in learning more about this crazy story, check out the book Santa Evita by Tomas Eloy Martinez.

Argentina suffered a debilitating economic crisis in 2001, which for Americans translates into sick shopping. The leather goods and shoes are off the hook here! There are fantastic antiques and an enormous flea market every Sunday. There's also a burgeoning community of local designers. We hit up the Palermo Soho part of town (there's also a Palermo Queens) and strolled among the shops, street performers and antique dealers. At one point I noticed-the shops are actually bars. Imagine two of my favorite locales rolled into one...I was supah stoked!

The only reason I posted this pic is because I think I look dayum skinny twisting the night away at some random disco in B.A. Well...truth be told it is more like early morning. Argentines are lingerers. They like long lunches and stay up way past sunrise. I think that's thanks to the major Italian and Spanish influences. Not only can you see those fabu Med. cultures reflected in la marcha of the capital, you can also thank those classy countries for Argentina's unbelievably delish food, yum-o wines and of course ultra-chic fashion.

Those are two of my my traveling companions, Artie and Daniel, in the oldest restaurant in Buenos Aires on our last day in the city. (Insert sad face.) They both had steaks (Argentina is known for its beef), while my pal Sandra and I had some yummers veggie sandwiches with all the fixins.

Stay tuned for part dos of my Argentine adventure when I hit up Iguazu.

xoxoxj

Posted by Jenna at 11:52 a.m.

club wed:

The Ring Cycle

I've got to come out of the closet about something: I don't always wear my engagement ring. Don't get me wrong. I totes love it more than anything I've ever owned. I mean, how could I not? It is pure cushion-cut perfection. But sometimes I feel like it just isn't necessary to be flashing the bling.

Take Pilates and Iygengar classes, for example. Is it really all that appropriate to be rockin' the rock while I'm standing on my head and sporting sweat pants? Ditto for the errands around the nabe. I kind of feel like I don't need my neighborhood Dollar Store guy/dry cleaner/barista upping the prices on me now that I'm engaged. And I don't really feel any guilt about not sparkling and shining all over town, but one time I do feel the pang of guilt is when I travel.

See, I'm a bit of a walking travel dis-aster. (On a side note, it is kind of hipster ironic hilarity that I travel for a job.) I always misplace things in my over-packed suitcases and I never leave stuff in the safe. But with good reason. once, when I was staying at a supah ritz place on the Big Island, the safe got jammed and they sent a tech to fix it. And well, let's just say those safes don't feel so safe anymore. So, early on I made an executive decision not to travel with the bauble. And while I'm confident in the practicality of the decision (especially since I'm often doing water sport-o things like surfing when I'm on the road), I also feel a twinge of guilt. And wonder if this lack of ring commitment will make me a lame wife. Thoughts? Ideas? Anyone, anyone….Bueller…..

Posted by Jenna at 10:01 a.m.

club wed:

Operation: Dress ID

Hola chiquitas. I know I've been waaaay on the dl this summer on the blog front, but I've been waaaay into the wed action (plus, I jetted off to Argentina, Cape Cod. lots, SoCal and Mississippi. So yeah, I've been totes uber biz girl 5 thous. G. On the wed front, I've booked my band. They are called Kahootz.

AKA the Bostons' best wedding band, and they rock. Now I just have to pick my first dance song. I've got a few finalists, so I'm not sweating that decision. I've met my florists. He's brillz and I totally want to set him up with my hair and makeup guy. Because, you know, love is in the air. I've got my tasting coming up in a few weeks. And last night I started my registry. I'm obsessed with my china. Not to name drop or anything, but it's Vera and it is gorg!

So I'm feeling like I am on track here for my big fat Spanish wedding that is slated to take place in June. But I'm missing a key ingredient. my dress. And in order to find it I need your help. See this photo:

It is of my perf dress supreme. Unfortch. no one has been able to correctly identify it. It looks like a Monique and some say it is the Scarlet, but the scallop around the neckline indicates otherwise. I'm in love with the cap sleeve and I think the back is pure perfection. So do you brides-to-be have any idea who makes my dream dresss?

And thanks! xoxox

Posted by Jenna at 9:41 a.m.

global goss:

An Open Letter to the Airlines

Dear CEOs and other big important people at the airlines:

Have you had the pleasure of traveling with Virgin America? It's a relatively new carrier with pretty limited routes. It's got a pretty pumpin' personal in-flight entertainment system called Red. The personalized screens offer a serious selection of iTunes rivaling music that you can create into a song list. For reals. they've got everything from Air and Amy Winehouse to the Grateful Dead, Weezer and Handel (and yes, that would be the dude who is supah famous for baroque operas, oratorios and a little ditty called 'The Messiah'). Red also has free personal TV (hello! Bravo reality….gotta love Shear Genius and Million Dollar Listing) and premium movies for purchase. At the back of the plane there are mini bottles of water. free for the taking. And all the snacks and meals are hand delivered with a sweet smile by the cabin team.

But you know what Virgin America does that you big guys don't? Well, you should really be sitting down, because this news is quite shocking, actually. Passengers are treated with respect. That's right, Mr. Important and chief of the airline we here like to call Don't Expect To Leave the Airport, the folks at Virgin America make their customers feel like humans, not some subclass of invertebrates that has the pleasure of being tortured.

And what's more: Every. Single. Person who deals with passangers puts on a real smile! I know this is shocking news, but it's all as True Blue as Madonna's best album. And you know what? Smiles equal smiles and happier customers a la moi. So keep jetting the way you are big overpriced carriers, and keep overlooking the fact that the bathrooms need cleaning, and you'll have a lot more to blame on the fact that biz is off than gas prices.

The only thing I would shy away from is the trance techno beats in the brooms and the blue lighting…

Yours,
Jenna

Posted by Jenna at 2:43 p.m.

guest blog:

I Have a Big Mappetite

Last week was my boyfriend's 21st birthday, so we celebrated in the "city that never sleeps" (is there anywhere better to celebrate?). So I was so totally excited when this awesome map called Mappetite came (fate? I think so) into the office. Mappetite perfectly caters to someone like me: A foodie and museum junkie. Even though I've been in New York City all summer I've refused to be the person sweating and struggling on some unknown street corner trying to re-fold my standard paper map. So, I've been leaving things up to my directional instinct, which, um, has often failed...but with my new Mappetite this will all change.

With its easy-to-fold, easy-to-read design, I'll be able to explore the city confidently. Mappetite has a unique flip-and-fold, book-like design, which lets you look at a specific neighborhood in depth. Once you flip to the neighborhood of your choice, you can see where you are, where the nearest subway is, if there are any landmarks, and then you can flip up another fold and it reveals the top-notch places to eat, visit and hang out.

On the other side of the map there are brief explanations about each neighborhood highlighting 'walksee, wanderbuy and stoptaste.' Walksees are the landmarks in each neighborhood. For example, the map suggests if you're in Midtown West to have a look at the Empire State Building, New York Public Library and St Patrick's Cathedral. For a 'wanderbuy,' (destination streets to go shopping-another passion of mine), they suggest walking down Spring, Prince and Mercer Streets if you are in SoHo (that reminds me...I do have some shopping to do). Stoptaste is my favorite part of the map because it suggests yummy, delicious places to dine. If you happen to be in the Upper East Side, you could whip out your Mappettie and see that Lady M Cake Boutique happens to be at 41 E. 78th St. (and if you've read caught my goings on over at Bridal Buzz-you'll know that I get weak in the knees for sweets).

Mappettie is a great alternative for peeps like me (sort of hometowners) and visitors who want to avoid the double-deck bus tours, but still learn about how cool and exciting NYC really is. Bon appetite!

Mappettie $14 at mappetite.com
Also available: Mappettie London.
Coming soon: Chicago, San Francisco and Paris.

Posted by Maggie at 12:22 p.m.

Travel Extra

Hey girls! Buzz on over to weddingbee.com where I guest posted about my fave bath stashes. oxoxox J

Posted by Jenna at 3:24 p.m.

global goss:

Incredible India

Hey, have you picked up the September/October Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Guide yet? If not, wha'cha waiting for? It is pa-acked with neat-o stuff-o. There's a dreamy story on the fairytale cities of Europa and an insider look at the spot where Izzie Stevens got married AKA Katherine 'I don't want to be known as that girl on Grey's' Heigl. And we got a little artsy this time around with features on some fantastic Hawaiian art collections as well as the sizzlin' sounds of some Caribbean music festivals.

But my fave piece in this issue-and yes, I know that I'm a bit biased-is the beautiful account of my 10-day train trip around the Maharashtra region of India. Since we couldn't fit all of the lovely photos into the special biannual guide, I thought I'd give you a few more here:

Here's yours truly with pal Jimmy Im at the 'air conditioned' (and I use that word loosely) VIP lounge at the Queen Victoria rail station in Mumbai. As per custom in India, we were greeted as important guests with a garland of flowers, a saffron dot on the forehead and an 'aura cleansing' waft of incense. Fun Fact: More than 45 million-yesmillion!-passengers pass through this train station daily-yes daily!

Every time we got on and disembarked the Deccan Odyssey, the Maharatra region's high-end tourist train, we got the red carpet treatment. It felt a little weird to be so pampered, but we quickly got used to it!

Day One: Ratnagiri. We're greeted by a spectacular show of traditional performers. Here's the gang with a real live snake charmer. Check out those coolio sand designs on the floor. They are created for special visitors. Are you sensing a theme here? It is also common for people to create such sand designs as an offering to a god, so we saw a lot of them at the various temples we saw.

And another morning brought these kids who did a traditional warrior dance.

The coolest thing about visiting this Temple that is dedicated to the elephant-head god Ganesh (he totes rulz b-t-dubs) was the out of nowhere 'call to prayer.' Just as we were in the middle of our tour, some bells rang, women in sarees and men in cotton shirts and heavy slacks appeared to chant and sing. We were divided by gender-boys on one side and girls on the other. And I was overwhelmed by the totes infection-ness of the singing in Sanskrit.

We voted Ganesh the coolest god. Not only does he have an elephant head, but he's also the official god of this region. And he is a Tuesday god, which means that he has a special helping spot for peeps that were born/married/other special thing on a Tuesday.

C'est moi getting a mendhi, a henna tattoo, during a chillaxing boat ride around the Western Ghats River.

And said henna tattoo four days later. So pretty, right!?!

Just passing by the Indian landscape in our high-end train. That guy is Haresh, our cabin butler. He rocks! He woke me up every morning with coffee and tea cookies, accompanied us to all the activities and took the gang shopping at Fashion Street in Pune.

That'd be the gang with Mr. Haresh. If you are lucky enough to take the Deccan Odyssey for your honeymoon, ask for him-seriously.

Here I am being artsy with Novio's camera at the mini Taj Mahal. Apparently the daughter-in-law of the woman for whom the Taj was built wanted one herself. But the son couldn't afford it, so he built this smaller replica. It isn't as lame as it sounds...the arches and details are super cool. Notice how I'm not wearing any shoes...that's because in India, all guests must remove their shoes in places of worship and other ultraspec. spots. Some fellow passengers brought along ped-like socks to take on and off as needed.

I've got lots more so stay tuned...

Posted by Jenna at 10:38 a.m.

club wed & global goss:

Tea for Two

A few weeks ago I headed to Boston and Cape Cod to do a slew of chores for op: wed. I met with a few florists, had a number of disappointing dress appointments (one word: attack of the killer crinoline) and hammered out the welcome party locale (it's so Patty Page Cape Cod. I'm obsessed!) Anyhoo, among all of that hula-boo, I thought my hardworking wedding planning team (read: moi and my Mama Bear) needed a little douse of five-star treatment. Enter stage left: High tea at The Four Seasons Hotel Boston, which is located on the picturesque Boston Gardens.

Now, for those of you who don't know me personally, let me tell you a little secret, I'm in love with all things Four Seasons. It is my hotel chain of choice. And I'm in good company. The Rolling Stones, the LA Lakers (more on that later) and some other fancy pants like to stay there too, because they are guaranteed excellent service, great food and beautiful rooms. So, I pretty much knew that Mama Bear would be totes impressed by her favorite (wink) daughter's surprise pressey. And right I was!

The Four Seasons Boston serves high tea from 3-5 p.m. in The Bristol Room, which the bigwigs at the hotel call 'Boston's living room.' It's a pretty expansive space with tons of comfy leather couches, a deep wood bar and several small-top tables. Mama Bear and I scored a table by the window, which gave us fantastique views of the beautiful Gahdens and all of the passerbys (more on that later). I ordered the Royal Tea ($34), which includes delicate finger sandwiches, a pot of piping hot tea (see it isn't just a clever name) and one of my all-time faves (!) a Kir Royale. Mama Bear had the Four Seasons Tea ($28) and that comes with scones, tea bread, strawberry jam, lemon curd and devonshire cream, plus a selection of tea Sandwiches and pastries, and of course, the namesake.

Mama Bear and I loooved the cranberry bread, cucumber sandwiches and scones. And she even took a liking to the lemon curd, which is just a fancy way of saying lemon-infused clotted cream. We intermittently discussed op:wed, life and how ladylike we were being. And at times simply gazed out the window at the wonderful view. And then it happened-our five-star experience became even more special. (Attention: It is now officially later!) Literally sauntering by in an oversize white tracksuit was the Magic himself, the original MJ; I'm talking about the legend Mr. Johnson.

Since Mama Bear and I are a little slow on the camera uptake (full disclosure, I don't even own a camera), we missed a shot. But once we got to the lobby we were hanging with the Bball king and some of the current Lakers too. OK, you got me, we weren't exactly hangin' with them as so much as looking up. That Center is literally twice Mama Bear's height!

Posted by Jenna at 3:02 p.m.

club wed:

A Rose by Any Other Name

This week's wedding question: Are you changing your name? Besides my dad (who has two daughters and therefore no hope of ever having his surname get all infinity and beyond) no one has asked me this question. That is, until this week. Q: To all you fellow club members do you too notice how this whole wedding thing gets all, ahem, themey each week/month? But I digress...Back to the subject at hand: The name change.

Now, I appreciate the whole 'we are a family now' thought behind changing your name, but I don't know if I can get on the bus. And I understand that 'a rose by another name would smell as sweet.' But come on. I've had my name for ummmm 26 years now (wink). And it isn't that I don't know people who haven't done the deed. In fact, most of my girlfriends have changed their names. And even though I've known them waaaay before they got their MRS degree, I've gotten accustomed to calling them by their newer names. I also know a few girls who have done the name combo thing-you know taking portions of both to create a whole new identity. And as much as I have totes Alias fantasies, that just seems a little OTT to me.

And then there's the cultural thing. You see, in Novio's home country, Espana, the senoras don't take their husband's name. They keep their own and then the kids get both. So the family names essentially meld and the children get to publicly identify with both mama and papa by wearing the two. Got that? Yeah it may seem confusing but I sort of like, and now that I'm going to be a senora myself, I might just keep up with a little tradition on the other side.

How about you ladies? Are you yea or nay on the name changing?

Posted by Jenna at 10:12 a.m.

guest blog:

Riviera Nayarit

Hi everyone! It's Isabel, and I'm here to help Jenna out by sharing some travel tidbits with you. This past week I was lucky enough to get to attend a luncheon where I got to learn about Riviera Nayarit, an area on the Pacific coast of Mexico. The Riviera Nayarit is celebrating its one-year anniversary, and at the luncheon they told us about everything they've accomplished in the past 12 months and everything they hope to accomplish in the next five years.

In between bites of my plantain empanadas, spicy guacamole and tuna tacos, I listened as the presenters talked about how the different municipalities along the coast have different personalities-they likened the Riviera Nayarit to Baskin Robbins, saying that it has 23 flavors and they want you to taste them all. I have actually never been to Mexico, but after hearing this presentation (and seeing the pictures that went with it!), I'm already mentally planning my first trip. Here are some of the things that won me over:

• The Riviera Nayarit is really easy to get to. There are direct flights from many locations in the U.S., including Newark and JFK.
• They're starting to focus a lot more on green tourism! There are even laws saying developers can't destroy mangroves-so a lot of places have completely reworked their plans to keep the mangroves-and the ecosystem-intact.
• There are also a lot of events in the Riviera Nayarit. There's a sailing cup, a fishing tournament, and a gourmet food festival in Puerto Vallerta (which is at the southern end of Riviera Nayarit). You'll never run out of things to do!
• It's also a big golfing destination. In the next few years, they're going to be building many more golf courses. I'm not a big golfer, but someone special I know is...
• And there are lots of spas for me! After a summer in the city, I could totally use a good facial.

By the time they served dessert-I chose chocolate mousse cake with pistachio ice cream-I had visions of myself winning the sailing cup floating in my head. Riviera Nayarit, here I come!

Posted by Isabel at 10:35 a.m.

My Trip to Italy!

I packed two travel bags with me, one of which I'm wearing in this picture in front of the fountain at Repubblica. Having a bag with straps long enough to put over your head and rest around your body protects against those daring pick-pockets, and the infamous “gypsies” around Rome that we were told to watch out for. (Seriously, they look like gypsies. think Esmeralda, The Hunchback of Notre Dame style.)

We got to spend one Saturday with a resident of Sacrofano, a medieval town about a half hour north of central Rome. People who live in the city often travel to Sacrofano for its restaurants. I understood why after a full spread of antipastos, three different pasta dishes, an assortment of grilled meats served with potatoes and salad, and cookies dipped in dessert wine at L'unico Ristorante “da Tonino” . Everyone agreed that it was the best meal we had the entire two weeks!

We frequented this bridge, the Ponte Sisto, in the Trastevere area, which was often our destination for meetings with Italian women and a few dinners. The bridge crosses the Tiber River. a beautiful picture during both the day and night.

The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence. (Makes sense since its name literally means “old bridge.”) It's filled with shops located under its porticos. Our tour guide told us that when the shops were built during the fourteenth century, they designed the doorways to be small enough that it was navigable to enter, but harder to exit. this was their way of discouraging thieves.

We boarded Rome's buses and metros, located at Termini station, daily with our weekly passes which cost 16 euros each. These passes gave us unlimited trips on the bus and metro for 7 days from when we first used them. They also offer 1-day, 3-day, and monthly passes, as well as a pass for one bus ride and one metro ride that expires after 75 minutes.

Posted by Lisa at 3:06 p.m.

Spend Wisely Abroad

Italy-it's known for its biggest collection of art in the world, incredible food and high-end fashion. Needless to say, the two weeks I was there, it was difficult not to max out my 'in case of emergency' credit card-and the exchange rate was an additional burden on my spending (while I was there, one U.S. dollar was approximately .65 euros).

Some notes on exchanging currencies:

• Don't exchange at airports or hotels-their rates are killers
• Banks usually give good rates, but they all add a convenience charge. (Check your local bank before jetting.)
• Withdrawing money from an ATM seems to be the fastest way to get cash at a pretty good rate, but, depending on your bank you may be charged above the normal different ATM tariff.
• Charging it is your best bet. Most credit card companies give you the lowest exchange rate over the course of the month (talk to yours to see their policy). Plus, credit card purchases are often eligible for VAT tax refunds. Go here for more info on that dealio.

In Florence, I went to the outdoor market in San Giovanni, located near the Aurelian Wall off Via Sannio. It's open Monday-Saturday, and is known for its great amounts of new and used clothing. There I made my proudest purchase: a saddle brown leather bag with adjustable straps. The price tag read 39 euros, but at outdoor markets it's easy and appropriate to bargain down the vendor (whereas indoor establishments aren't really fans of the practice). I bought the bag for 38 euros (59 dollars).

To make sure I didn't go too crazy (especially when I found myself holding a pair of simple black hair clips), I always followed this spending criteria when I found something I liked:

• What's the cost in U.S. dollars?
• Can I find it at home?
• Will I use it?

If you need an easier way to convert, try the XE Universal Currency Converter. That handy dandy BlackBerry can hook you up with the site before you can say, 'I'll take it.'

Posted by Lisa at 11:13 a.m.

Packing 101

I wish I could say I'm an efficient packer. But the reality is I have to literally sit on my suitcase to close it. When I was accepted to a cultural exchange program run by the National Organization of Italian American Women, I decided to make my first trip to Italy a cure for my over-packing disease. And with the weight limits for checked baggage on airlines always changing (in the downward trend) I had even more motivation.

Having an itinerary of sights, activities and the like, made my first step in the cure a bunch easier. The Sistine Chapel, like many houses of worship, requires visitors to cover their shoulders and knees. So, for that outing I packed white linen pants, a navy blue sleeveless button-down blouse, and a white pashmina to drape over my shoulders. Also on the docket were mentoring sessions with top Italian biz women, for which no jeans or shorts were allowed-I packed my favorite J. Crew summer weight chinos in navy and khaki, a few business casual, yet fun floaty tops from Forever 21 (I love it-never breaks the bank!), and I threw in two cotton dresses from the Gap for good measure.

For the total tourism hits to the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, I packed solid colored, lightweight (and breathable) cotton tees and some J. Crew shorts. My shorts in white, khaki, and olive never fail to mix and match perfectly with any top. Lots of walking requires a comfortable shoe, so I bought Michael Kors sandals with the supportive sole of a Birkenstock, but ooh-la-la chic of a black patent leather strap.

Some tips:

• Placing shoes in plastic bags and at the bottom of your suitcase when it's standing up mean your clothes won't be permanently stamped by any icky remnants from your soles.
• Placing plastic clothing liners from the dry cleaner in between your delicates can help prevent unwanted creases later.
• Group like items together: pants with shorts, scarves with pashminas, bathing suits with undergarments, and button-down sweaters with lightweight jackets. This makes organization easier when it's time to unpack.
• The fewer folds the better-I fold my nicer tops just once in half, limiting lines that need to be ironed.
• Don't have any pashminas or scarves? We found them in every color on the streets of Rome for as little as 3 euros. You can also find them all over Manhattan for 5 bucks each.
• Even if you're not tanning at the beach, the sun will find you outside the Pantheon, in front of St. Peter's Basilica or wherever. Pack some sunscreen. I love Neutrogena's Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 30.

Posted by Lisa at 12:14 p.m.

Passport Prep

Hey! I'm Lisa, an intern here at Bridal Guide this summer. I'm a journalism major at New York University, I love avocadoes, and I really want to skydive. I'm also quickly becoming a member of the jet set. (It's kinda perf that I'm interning in the travel department, huh?) After two family vacays on the beaches of Bermuda at Tucker's Point Club, I really earned my wings with a jaunt to Japan this past winter. My week in Tokyo was spent touring temples, eating authentic sushi, and sipping sake from a box. But the real reason I was there-to celebrate a dear friend's birthday. Being a new member of the frequent flier club, I've learned a lot about getting my passport in order. Here are some tips:

• Allow at least six weeks to get a new passport. Generally it takes a month for renewals. Applications can be found online at the U.S. Department of State website.
• You can get your passport photo taken at a local Kinko's, a major post office or even a big box retailer. (I got mine at CVS Pharmacy.)
• Once your paperwork is completed and you have your photo, hand everything in to a passport agency or acceptance facility-these include post offices, libraries, courthouses, and municipal offices. (I went to my local town hall.)
• A new passport for adults costs $100. Renewals are $75.
• For more particulars on the process, go to the U.S. Department of State's travel site, or call the National Passport Information Center.

Posted by Lisa at 12:48 p.m.

product picks:

Don't Cry For Me

I went to Argentina last week.

Regular readers of this blog know how obsessified I am with the guidebooks, so it may come as a little bit of shock and awe when I tell you that I've been so beyond biz that I haven't gotten around to doing my usual pre-trip research. (I blame it on all of that wedding planning.) Luckily, I edited and read (no less than 17 times) our July/August issue, which highlights the best bets, hottest hotels and excellent eateries across the capital city of Buenos Aires. (If you haven't checked it out yet, run, don't walk, to your kiosk. The issue is just that good!) And since I spent two days in the birthplace of tango about five years ago, I felt like I was in OK shape to do some exploring on my own.

But just when I was feeling all slack-a-dazical, behold the first edition of The Rough Guide to Buenos Aires. Yep, I'm just that important that the guidebook gods heard my cries and sent this hot-off-the-presses release to me literally two days before I was scheduled to take off for the land of Evita. And thank goodness, too.

The city-centric guide outlines all the must-sees like the Casa Rosada (Argentina's White House and exact spot where Evita and Madonna (!) gave the final good-bye), the Recoleta Cemetery (the most expensive land in the entire city and resting place-finally-of the polemic former first lady) and La Boca (the famous portside neighborhood with brightly colored tin buildings). But it also gives some serious info on the real importants like where to shop. No joke, this 300-page book lists more than 100 shops, plus it breaks down the nitty gritty on the famous flea market held in the San Telmo neighborhood each Sunday. All I can say is gracias al Rough Guide for helping my trip be a little more memorable.

Posted by Jenna at 2:55 p.m.

Life in the Fab Lane

This one's a scene from that hit TV show: I can't believe this is actually my life! A few nights ago I was invited to an intimate dinner with R&B superstar Usher. I know, I know it's totes O.T.T., specially since Benny Medina (AKA manager to the divas La Lopez, Tyra, my girl Mariah and. gasp!. the style-setter with the best hair in Hollywood, Nicole Richie) was one of the 15 or so peeps there. But don't worry; I still love all the little people.

Now for reals, the reason I was at this oh-my-goshness-pinch-me-now event was to celebrate. and I quote. Usher's “new album, new fragrance and [his] son.” And while the rest of the crowd was buzzing about the cutie baby and his hottie papa, I was swooning over the limited-edition fragrance, which is available in September at the beauty hot-spot Sephora. It's a light blend of pretty florals, jasmine and gardenia, with a lingering top note of sweet peach. The scent is so pretty and delicate I think I've found my special wedding-day scent.

Posted by Jenna at 5:15 p.m.

website watch:

The Old Country

There are a thousand and one ga-jillion travel websites out there, and figuring out which one to trust can be a major time-suck. That's where I come in.

J'adore Europa. And when I say that I mean j'adore waaaay more than your average beer. You see the first time I traveled to the Continent was in 1995 for a wedding in Innsbruck, Austria. My mom and I took an Alpine train ride (sooo pretty!) and partied at a local pub, where I tried RedBull for the first time. (At that point it had yet to be released in the U.S.-I know, so. cool.) We also toured Rome and Venice and drank viel Bier on a Sunday at the famed Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany. I had such a fantastic time exploring the Old World that (with the exception of 1997) I've been back to Europe every year since that first voyage.

But now with the Euro being so sky-high, it can be a challenge enjoying the finer things in the Old World without breaking the bank. Enter: EuroCheapo.com, a travel portal that specializes in highlighting the best-and you guessed it-cheapest dealios from Amsterdam to Vienna. The hotel reviews are what got this little site that could off the ground. And not only are the bits helpful, honest and insightful, they're also crafted by folks who've actually stayed there. (I know it sounds crazy, but some guidebook writers just do site inspections, they don't stay overnight in every. single. spot they review.)

But what I really like about EuroCheapo are the blogs. They are regularly updated with fantastically fun and uber cheap (and a lot of times free!) activities like the best walking tours in London and the coolest churches in Roma, plus they post deals on airfare, train travel and hotel stays. Vive le cheap!

Posted by Jenna at 12:35 p.m.

club wed:

15 Minutes

Hey ladies, now is your chance to get all Hills-level famous. We're looking for real couples to share your honeymoon stories in the pages of Bridal Guide. Don't worry-we don't need the naughty bits. We want to highlight your raves, faves and a few pics of your fabu honeymoon destination. Give me a shout at editorial@bridalguide.com. Please include the dates of your trip, a photo of you and your boo, and your contact info. I look forward to hearing all of your stories.

xoxo

Posted by Jenna at 11:51 a.m.

travel tip:

The Fast and Furious

Did you hear about that new study that just came out? It states that fasting may alleviate the effects of jet lag. Apparently some hot shots at Harvard concluded that since daily sleep cycles, behavior and metabolism are all governed by something called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (say that five times fast), which in turn is governed by sunlight. The scientists, who studied the behaviors of mice found that the 'feeding clock' actually overrides the 'master clock.' And when one forgoes meals, he is actually overriding the part of the nervous system that is in sync with hour, light and darkness.

OK, got that? Yeah, I'm not so sure either. But I do think it is interesting that fasting for a 16-hour flight will help alleviate the effects of jet lag, especially tiredness. While napping for a few hours on your long hauls can mess up the body rhythm nation and have you feelin' all groany and groggy. But I've got one question: Did American Airlines sponsor the study? That way they don't need any excuse not to feed us in the friendly skies...

Posted by Jenna at 5:11 p.m.

club wed:

Notes on a Theme

Since I got engaged, I've been making up for lost time with the lady doctor and the gastro guy. (T'ain't no way in Hades I'm going be all m-squared bloat-o monster on my big day.) The obligatory small talk always comes around to 'Where have you been?' (I'm a championship MD avoider), 'Oooh! What a pretty ring!' and 'What's your wedding theme?'

And this is the scene in the movie when I have to say: 'My wedding theme is no theme. My theme is a nice, pretty wedding.' It isn't that I'm anti-theme or anything, it's just the thought of emblazoning everything from my save-the-dates to the escort cards and multiple-tiered cake with starfish and shells gets me as excited as the prospects of sitting in a tollbooth. And while (yes, Mom) I realize that having a theme may make my planning a little more cohesive and perhaps a bit easier, I just think it seems a little hokey and unnecessary.

Case in point: The Eyeliner Wonder Twins AKA the Wentzes. They had an Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding complete with a crazy cake featuring a hat, tea pot, stopwatch and a pot of flowers on top. I don't know, guess I'm being all judgy-facey here, but does anyone else find this a little childish? (Bluebelle Madonna AKA daughter of Ginger Spice just had a similarly themed birthday party-she's 2 b-t-dubs.) And does anyone else remember that episode of Newlyweds when big sis Jess had an Alice in Wonderland cake at her bday celebration? I guess it comes down to me just not digging it. But I'm wondering, what are you other brides thinking-is it a yea or nay on the theme?

club wed:

Sea View

Remember that CIA statement a while back? Well, as far as the blogging goes, I've really been keeping up with being totes on the DL re: wedding stuff. So I figured it was time to break my silence and get you gals up to speed. The first order of biz: I've got a date and a place. June 28, 2009. (I know soooooo far away!) My parents, Novio's parents, one of his Hermanos and the happy couple, of course, took a tour of two top spots. Since I'm not much of a food person (I eat it I just don't get all I heart Batali on people), my biggest deal-breaker was the site. I feel like people recongnize pretty flowers and good food, and they certainly remember the dress (Oh Em Gee. How gorge was Jenna, daughter of an axis', dress!?!?), but the one thing peeps talk about 4evs is the locale. The one we decided to go with had super-duper views and a total sense of place, which is basically what I do for a living...

But I'm wondering what other brides are thinking (besides the girls in the office, I don't really have a bridal community), what are your big-day priorities?

Posted by Jenna at 11:35 a.m.

Hooray for Hollywood!

Donde estas? Is that what you've been asking of me? I'm so supa sorry. I've been working, working, working like a little bee to get you the best honeymoon advice and Bridal Guide Exclusives! deals on the planet. (Not to spill the beans or anything, but be on the look-out for an extra-special Venetian honeymoon and even free stuff from Disney!).

I've also been planning my own bridal bash, and...drum roll, please...making an impression on the morning news. Oh please, no it wasn't a Cops-esque sit. I was waxing poetic about what I know best-traveling trends and romance. That's right, little ole moi was one of those experts you see blabbing away.

Check out the segment here (click on honeymoon travel), and for more info on the fabu destinations I discuss-Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand and NOLA, pick up the July/August issue of Bridal Guide. It's on stands ahora (that means now).

xoxox

Posted by Jenna at 12:48 p.m.

guest blog:

Honeymoon Destinations

Exciting news! Bridal Guide and the real brides over at Weddingbee.com have teamed up to bring you their personal wedding planning stories. First up is Miss Dahlia who talks about her journey to finding the perfect honeymoon spot.

Planning a honeymoon has been one of the most fun parts of wedding planning. It's not every day (or at least, it's not my every day) that you get to plan a two-week trip to an amazing destination. Given the importance of this vacation, we spent quite a bit of time scouring the globe for the perfect location.

Our criteria:

• ability to stay in smaller, boutique-type places
• good food/wine
• city and beach/pool/lazing around time
• if possible, private outdoor swim area

Turns out, there are a large number of places all over the globe that meet these requirements.

First place we checked out: Mexico. Specifically Amuleto.

High up on the cliffs overlooking Zihuatanejo Bay, Amuleto seemed like the perfect place to get away from it all and relish in being married. With solid TripAdvisor ratings, it seemed perfect. Pricey at about $400 USD/night, not counting tax and gratuity, but it looks perfect. Consider one of the main suites, complete with hammock and private plunge pool!

And for a bit more, you could stay in the Palapa suite, which has a unique indoor/outdoor feel to it. It's like living in the rainforest with luxury accommodations. Just check out the shower!

Absolutely gorgeous. Seriously. And while this remains on our (well, my) list of places to go, we ended up vetoing it since my fiance was not really digging Mexico, and we're headed there next year for a friend's wedding.

So, no Mexico. We moved our search across the Atlantic and thought of Spain. So many people (my brother included) have said that Barcelona is amazing.

And you can rent out really nice apartments for way cheaper than you would get in a comparable hotel. Check it out here.

Just a sample of what is available: Studio apartment in Las Ramblas for 120 euros, or roughly $160. It has a nice kitchen, very chic bath, and your own private terrace!

And if we wanted beach time, there is always the Canary Islands. The pictures below are from the Hotel Palm Beach, which has modern rooms. This place has decent TripAdvisor ratings.

Or if you want something more traditional, consider the Hotel San Roque, also with good TripAdvisor reviews.

The regular room is top left. Or splurge on the tower room in the top right, complete with its own terrace that has views of the ocean.

But after some discussion, we decided that Spain was not the place for us-partly because we wanted some of the amenities offered at a hotel, like fresh linens and room service-and partly because my fiance had his heart set on another location...

Picture is from National Geographic.

Greece.

And we both fell in love with one place in particular-Ikies. Nestled on the outskirts of Oia, Ikies offered private outdoor jacuzzis, breakfast on your own private terrace, and the nearly impossible perfect 5 rating on TripAdvisor.

Isn't that terrace amazing? The rooms aren't too shabby either.

Only trick was, while Greece is new to my fiance, I have been to the Greek islands before. Although it was in college while on a backpacking trip, and was only on Santorini briefly because we missed our ferry stop in Ios (think MTV spring break, only with Aussies instead of Americans), I still wasn't settled on going someplace I had been before. Besides, we wanted city! And I am not a big fan of Athens. And somehow, to me, Greece just doesn't sound too exotic.

So what if we went to Istanbul as well? Turkey sounds exotic. And we could stay at MiSafir Suites, a place that has (say it with me now) amazing TripAdvisor ratings.
Just look at it:

That way I could get my passport stamped in a new country as well.

Like all the places thus discussed, there was just one trick. This time, it was that there is no good way to get from Santorini to Istanbul. Flights must go through Athens, and there are two airlines available: Olympic and Turkish. Flights are expensive, and it seemed difficult to justify spending $800 to go there just because I wanted to go to someplace new. But what if we just went to Turkey?

Then we could split our time between Istanbul and Cappadoccia.

Images found here.

Cappadoccia has a significant history; it was both the home to ancient Hittite civilization, and the underground tunnels were used by early Christians to avoid persecution. The Goreme Open-Air Museum contains many ancient churches, and the underground cities of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu are also places to visit. Perhaps the most popular thing for tourists is to take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise.

Image found here.

Now, there are also many fabulous places to stay in the area:

Sacred House has good TripAdvisor ratings; prices range from $130-170/night.

Gamarisu also has excellent TripAdvisor ratings; rooms range from $95-$700, with most $200 or less.

So we could spend time in Istanbul and some in Cappadoccia. We could also travel to Bodrum or other locations along the coast for the requisite beach time.

However, as we were planning our trip, the cost of airline tickets to Turkey kept increasing. And the value of the dollar kept declining. For not much more than the cost of our plane tickets to Turkey, we could fly to Asia.

We had already nixed India (my fiance has been there) and Thailand (May is the rainy season). We talked about Japan, but it would eliminate the whole being-cheaper-once-you-get-there idea, and it would definitely be more of a see-as-much-as-you-can sort of vacation than a relaxing one with some sightseeing. So we settled on the following location:

Bali. (And Singapore since we get a free stopover with Singapore Airways, and want some big-city fun.)

(Images from Wikimedia, Saptatours, Younan's blog)

I've never been to Asia. My fiance spent three weeks in India with his best friend (his best man) and his family. On the way there and back, they spent some time in Bangkok. But he has never been to other parts of Asia and really wants to go. (As do I!) And Bali seems to provide the best of all of the places we considered: good food, beach, culture, someplace new, and the possibility of a big-city adventure.

We're spending four nights at the Elysian Bali Villas. Located in Seminyak, it is near (but not on) the beach, and close to lots of restaurants and more upscale tourist attractions. (In other words, it's not near the college-backpacking crowd, which is good. I did the whole drunken college student thing for a couple of days in Ios, Greece, and that was plenty for me. For life.)

Bedroom looks good...

Complete with our own private pool!

I think I could handle this living room....

We will then be spending four nights in Ubud (cultural mecca) in the center of the island, at the Komaneka Resort.

Check out that view!

Overlooking the rice paddies!

In case we tire of staring at the rice paddies and decide to venture out in the world, there is a lot to do.

Like go to the Sacred Monkey Forest. Who doesn't want to see monkeys?

And after we leave Ubud, we are headed to Singapore for four nights, staying at the Fairmount Singapore (formerly Raffles the Plaza).

The room-pic from tripadvisor.com.

The view (every room comes with a balcony!)-pic from tripadvisor.com.

Needless to say, both of us are psyched for this trip. Seriously. You might even say that I'm more excited about the honeymoon than I am about the wedding.

Where are you going on your honeymoon?

Posted by Miss Dahlia at 11:06 a.m.

global goss.:

Totes TMI

Bordering on Hannah Montana inappropriate alert, The New York Times aka the source for 'All the News that's Fit to Print' ran an above-the-fold cover story (!) on the Sunday travel section about-are you ready for this-the rise in nude resorts. Jeez, talk about letting it all hang out on your vacation. Now regular readers of this blog know that I'm sooo not into this kind of talk, but the fact that a "reputable" paper would spend more than a gazillion words on the trend made me feel a bit compelled to share the news.

According to the article, the days of au-natural nude getaways equaling natural, granola-type hideaways are about as out as not having a sex tape. It seems that these days, folks that prefer to be in the buff also want the luxury experience to boot. And there's a host of resorts to cater to these sorts of free-from-clothing-seeking customers.

On Mexico's Maya Riviera, clothing-optional peeps can stay at the all-inclusive Hidden Beach Resort. It's got beach butlers, multiple pools and rose-petal turndown service starting at $215 per person per night. And the guest rooms at Sea Mountain Inn in Desert Hot Springs, Cali have flat screen TVs, high-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and down comforters. And the property even has a day spa. Rates start at $269 a night.

So if baring it all to strangers is your idea of a good time, it might be nice for you to know, you're not alone.

Posted by Jenna at 10:01 a.m.

website watch:

Smooth Sailing

There are a thousand and one ga-jillon travel websites out there, and figuring out which one to trust can be a major time-suck. That's where I come in.

This might be as earth shattering a fact to believe as the one where I honest to Ganesh tell you, I don't watch Gossip Girl, but personally I've never been on a cruise. That doesn't mean that I don't appreciate cruises. I think they are a total bang for the buck and they totes let you hopscotch without having to worry about accommodations, meals and entertainment. So when I get asked the inevitable, 'What do you think of X cruise line?" or 'Have you heard about a Hawaiian active itinerary?' questions from my fellow brides to be, I send them straight to my fave cruise source-Smarter Cruising with Clark Norton.

My pal Clark has been on so many cruises, I doubt if there is a single dude on earth that can beat him. (OK, maybe I'm being a little CW dramz but you get the point.) Clark's blogs and free newsletter give the heads up on serious deals at sea, insider cruising tips as well as some really fun ship and itinerary reviews. And I know that photo there on his site is a little dorky, but trust me, this guy's a cool cat. I trust his tips, picks and disses and so should you. Ahoy!

It's all about moi and travel at this blog. Here I am in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (a country that's recognized solely by Turkey) with that sassy smart cruiser, Clark Norton and Mr. I never stay at home long enough to check my mail, Johnny Jet. And to answer your question, yes, that is a cathedral that has been retrofitted into a mosque.

Posted by Jenna at 10:11 a.m.

global goss. & steals and deals:

Just Like Us

Attention all-things celebrity lovers: I've got a deal for you! How would you like to have a primo destination wedding at a luxe beach location prepared and produced by one of the top wedding coordinators on earth-Preston Bailey-for under $6 grand-ola? What? You say it's not possible, well, I'm here to tell you it is. And yes, you're welcome.

Simply book a Preston Bailey Signature WeddingMoon package at any of the 12 Sandals locations across the Carib and you'll get to have a celeb-style celebration. (Preston is a FOO, FOM and FOD [that'd be super tight amigo of Orpah, Martha and the Donald]. He produced red carpet gabber, Melissa Rivers' wedding, as well as that of Catherine Zeta's to her old man.)

The dealios include floral arrangements, table decor, a cake and other fancy fun stuffs created by wedding wizard, Preston Bailey. The latest offering in the collection is called the 'Caribbean Sunset Collection' and it reflects-you guessed it-the colors of the tropical sundowners. The flowers, table settings, et. al are all hot pinks, golden and bright orange. 'Member that beautiful bouquet I got a few weeks back yup, that's the ticket.

The Caribbean Sunset Collection includes a twilight beach ceremony with officiant, a personal wedding consultation, decor, candlelight dinner for bride and groom, champers and appies, a wedding cake, romantic rose petal turndown service, a sexy scented bath for two, a wedding photo, t-shirts and something kind of imp.-the wedding certificate, all starting at $3,600. Go to sandals.com for more info.

Oh! And before I forget! Check out the cool Eight Steps of Love romance package or the 08/08/08 Preston Bailey WeddingMoon, which includes a lot of the components above plus-and this is a biggie-an eight-course dinz. Talk about the star treatment!

Posted by Jenna at 11:30 a.m.

Balling in Bombai

For all of you out there who are all 'more pics of the subcontinent, what gives?' I'm sayin' don't be a hater. This trip was truly the adventure of a lifetime. (For a day-by-day narrative of the time I spent touring the region on the Deccan Odyssey train ride, don't forget to pick up the Sept/Oct issue.)

In the meantime, I've got some snaps to share....

I know you are going to think I'm a crazy lady, but this is a Jewish temple, which is located in the heart of Mumbai. India is home to eight (!) major religions. (Wild, right?) So you can find a place of worship, no matter what your preference. The Goa region, for example, is home to a ton of Catholics, and in the North, there are many Sikhs and Muslims. Oh and another so not smarty-pants thing. Madonna visited this temple two weeks after I did-I'm that much of a style setter.

To continue on the religion kick, here are some shots of the awesome Jain temple we toured. This one is made of wood. (I know!)

Just look at this intricate carving.

The Jain are super strict about the veggie deal, which is a total plus in my book. They believe that everything is in essence alive and therefore posses a soul. And since they emphasis the notion of immediate consequences, Jain take great care (and pride) in respecting all creatures. See how this woman has her nose and mouth covered? That is so her breath doesn't harm the insects.

We didn't visit this mosque on the inside. But we were totally impressed by how large it loomed over the crazy Crawford Market.

Here's the aforementioned Crawford Market, or more accurately, the crowds. Honestly, this is the only place in all of India, that I felt a little overwhelmed.

But never fear, there is always a place for respite in this busy metropolis. Case in point. A little temple located on a corner in the financial district of town. And the inside of our cab.

And this is my A-Number One, Numero Uno Supremo spot in the entire city-the rooftop of the Intercontinenal Marine Drive-Mumbai. It is a complete oasis of the city offering unbeatable views of the Bay of Bengal and a portion of the capital. The spot is so total maxin' and chillaxin' at all hours. I love it so much, I honest to God think my new pal Stanley thought he was going to have a permanent guest. The pool has these fantastic chaises where Stanley and his buds make sure you've got a never-ending glass of Sula, a locally made champers. They also serve delicious yum-yum-in-your-tum treats up here.

Posted by Jenna at 12:19 p.m.

Salaam, Bombay!

With our fantastic July/August 2008 issue long gone (and boy was it a lot of work. Keep your eyes peeled for it: There's some fabu info on romantic destinations across the globe, including one of my fave places Valencia, Espana; a super in-depth roundup of the best beaches across the Caribbean; an unbelievably cool Hawaiian honeymoon giveaway, plus I scored some big budgeting and money-saving tips for you all out there.), I've been a little slow on the upswing to get the next one moving. And quite honestly, I've been procrastinating a bit on writing a story on my Darjeeling Limited-esque adventures in India. And to get inspiration, I sifted through the few hundred photos my amigito Daniel took of our two-week jaunt across the Maharashtra region of the subcontinent. Here are some (ok a lot) of my faves, that totes probs won't make it into the issue. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Here I am with my pals Daniel and Jimmy Im in the lobby of the old wing of the ultraluxe Taj Hotel in Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) . The flower necklaces and red saffron dots are given as welcome gifts to 'important and distinguished guests.' (Regular readers of this blog will note I've got my failsafe traveling gear on-cotton dress, silk scarf and a cardi.).

This is the view from my room at the Taj. A monster case of jet lag meant that we were able to get amazing (!) shots of the sunrise over the famed Gateway to India. It's a Gujurat-style arch that was constructed to commemorate the arrival of King George V and Queen Mary.

And this is a look at both the Taj (Did I mention that Brad, Ange and the kids slept here? As did Beyonce and Shakira?) and the Gateway to India via a shuttle boat to the island of Elephanta. The small island is home to monkeys and a series of cool temples.

Mahesamurti is the most recognizable carving in the Elephanta caves and it depicts the different manifest forms of Lord Siva. The entire temple structure is a monoith. Which means that everything is a single piece of stone. I know, crazy! This image also happens to be the tourism symbol for the entire Maharashtra region.

The gang doing our best ANTM at Elephanta.

Gandhi slept here! This is the room where Gandhi read, wrote and gave speeches from whenever he was in town. He was a wealthy lawyer, but he renounced all of his riches to seek equality for Indians. The story goes that he was traveling in South Africa by train and was told that he couldn't sit in the whites-only section. When he pled his case, he was kicked off the train. Thus began his peaceful revolt against white rule. He also spun his cotton clothing in this room. The Brits were buying silk from the subcontinent and then marking it waaaay up so that Indians had to pay a huge premium. Gandhi encouraged his people to renounce dependence on colonists and that's why he spun his own clothes. Today, cotton is one of the more expensive materials in all of India.

And here's a shot of a cotton factory we passed in the countryside. At first, we thought it was snow.

Stay tuned for more photos from Incredible India. xoxo

Posted by Jenna at 11:30 a.m.

guest blog:

Blackjack 101

Here's a fun fact you didn't know about this fierce intern-I'm a blackjack dealer at Harrah's in Atlantic City. I bet you weren't expecting that one.

And here's my personal crash course for all you beginners out there.

First and foremost, don't gamble with money that you can't afford to lose. And you never go into a casino thinking that you will walk away richer. Seriously, how do you think casinos stay in business? And unless you've got an advanced degree in all things NASA, I'd stick to the basics.
At Harrah's, I deal on the tables that play with eight decks, but you can find tables that play with one or six decks, too. The fewer amount of decks you play with, the better your odds of winning. Just know that the six-deck tables are only in the high-limit section. Before I continue, please remember these are just GUIDELINES, which means, just because you follow them doesn't mean you'll always win. Got that? OK, let's move on.

Now the object of Blackjack is kind of like the Price is Right, you've got to get as close to the number 21, without going over.

The best cards for a player to have are the face cards, because they have a value of 10. Aces have a value of one or 11. So, if you're dealt an ace and a four, for example, you've got five or 15 (AKA soft15). The closer the value of your first two cards is to 21 the better chances you have of winning.

But, the game isn't always about getting to 21. You can win when the dealer breaks (AKA goes over 21). The worst cards for a dealer to have are 4, 5 and 6 for the simple fact that these are more likely to cause a break. So, if a dealer has one of those cards facing up, it's better to stay on 12 (and higher) instead of trying for that 21. It's simple math; if you have 12 and you take another card (AKA hit), and it's a face card, well, sorry, you lose. Instead, keep the 12 and let the dealer take the face card so the house loses, and you win.

Confused? Print out a strategy card. It gives tips on what to do in any situation. So, if you forget what you're supposed to do, just whip that bad boy out of your pocket (you're allowed, it's not cheating). Many casinos sell the book in their gifts shops, but why buy it? Now you have more money to play with!

Basic Terms

• Blackjack is when you are dealt an ace and either a 10, jack, queen or king. It pays 3 to 2, for example, blackjack on a $10 bet will pay out $15.
• Hit means you want to take another card. For example, if your first two cards are two and three (five), you should hit. To signal this, tap your index finger on the table. Note: You must use hand signals or the dealer won't respond to your request.
• Stay means that you don't want another card. For example, if your first two cards add up to 19, you will stay. You signal this by waving your hand over your cards. *Note: You must use hand gestures at all times. There are security cameras watching the table and they need those signals to prove that the dealer fulfilled your request. If you verbally tell a dealer to hit, and you break, you could go back and say that you didn't want to hit. The gestures keep us dealers from getting into trouble. Using hand signals is so important I had to remind you twice.
• Splitting is used when you are dealt two cards of the same value (two 7s, two 9s, a jack and a ten, you get the picture). So, if you're dealt two eights, for example, and you want to split them place out a matching bet and put it next to (not on top of) your original bet. The dealer will split the cards and give you one more card on each. Let's say you get a 10 on one, and a nine on the other. Now it's as if you're playing two hands. You have the opportunity to hit these hands, but you will probably want to stay since they are pretty good. If you win both hands, you make twice as much money than if you decided not to split.
• Doubling down is useful when the dealer has one of the bad cards I mentioned above facing up. A popular double down is when you are dealt two cards that equal 11. Assuming you are playing $10, and you want to double down, simply place any amount of money you wish next to your original bet (the amount can't exceed the value of your original bet). The dealer will give you one card, and one card only. The rule is you cannot hit again once you've doubled down.
• Insurance is an option only when the dealer has an ace showing. The dealer will ask everyone at the table if they would like insurance before he checks to see if he has blackjack. If you think the dealer has blackjack, you will want to take the insurance. There is a designated area on the layout of the table to place an insurance bet. You are allowed to bet UP TO half of your original bet (you can insure a $10 bet anywhere from $1-$5). If the dealer has blackjack, your insurance bet is paid, but you still lose your original bet. Since insurance pays 2 to 1, if you bet half of your original bet, no money will be lost if the dealer has blackjack. Tip: This is an unpopular bet, but some people like to bet it.
• A push is when the dealer ties with a player. If you have 18 and the dealer gets 18 too, that's a push. You don't win or lose any money.

Do

• Assume the dealer has a 10 under the card that is facing up.
• Split aces and eights.
• Double down on an 11 unless the dealer has an ace showing.
• Double down on a 10 unless the dealer has a 10 or ace showing.
• Set a limit for yourself. Say, 'Self, if I win $X or if I lose $X, I'm going to leave the table.'
• Be excited to get blackjack!
• Tip the dealer!

Don't

• Split face cards (other than aces of course), 10s and 5s.
• Hit when you have an ace and an eight or an ace and a nine.
• Be afraid to hit or split when you're supposed to.
• Let the fact that men are sitting at the table intimidate you.
• See gambling as a form of income. It's for recreational purposes only.
• Touch the cards, ever.
• Use your cell phone at the table. (It may be general public decorum, but some people need to be reminded.)

Now go win some moolah!

Posted by Carie at 10:09 a.m.

guest blog:

Calling All Bachelorettes

Hello, ladies, Carie here with some more deets on my fabu week in Vegas.

Even though I don't have any bachelorette plans of my own, I know that I'll be headed back to Vegas when the time comes. I got so many ideas while I was visiting the City of Sin with my girlfriends.

Let's start with the most important thing-the spa! Out of all of the over-the-top hotels we explored on the Strip, the Bellagio's Spa & Salon was my fave. Just standing in the reception area was insta-relaxing. (There was this refreshing minty, rosemary scent. It was so yummy, I didn't want to leave). Like many spas the one at the Bellagio offers a private bachelorette-pampering party package, which includes custom-designed manis and pedis, aromatherapy oxygen treatments and keepsake photos-all while enjoying champagne and strawberries. But what makes it even more special is that the treatment room is extra large so you can fit your entire posse at the same time. And that's not all-each of you will take home a special gift bag packed with spa products! A girl can never have too many beauty products. Note: Friday through Sunday the spa and salon are only open to guests of the Bellagio. Spa packages start at $310 per person.

While I'm on the topic of relaxation, I might as well clue you in on which hotels have the best pools. Apparently the pool complex at the MGM Grand Hotel is a tropical paradise with a lazy river, waterfalls, five pools, palm trees and three whirlpools. Mandalay Bay's 'The Beach' was created using a mind-boggling 2,700 tons(!) of real sand. There's also a wave pool in addition to three swimming pools and a river. The Venetian's pool deck is located on the fourth floor and has great views of the Strip. The open-air has three pools, a hot tub, cocktail service and a Wolfgang Puck restaurant. How is that for fancy? It's also the home of TAO Beach atop the famous (or should I say infamous) TAO Asian Bistro and Nightclub. The only downfall to all of these great places, you've got to stay at the hotel to use the facilities ( I know, major whomp). So if you're all about the pool, choose your destination wisely.

Now for the best part-nightlife! For those of you who are looking for a little bit of a dance party, you may want to check out Australia's Thunder From Down Under male revue. C'mon, cutie boys + hot bods - clothes = fun times! And of course, they offer bachelorette specials. You can act like an A-lister and get bottle service at the ultra hot Pure in Caesars Palace or TAO nightclub at The Venetian.

If you want to hit any of the other rockin' clubs, don't bother buying the VIP nightclub passes. There are promoters all over Vegas that will give them to you for free (no joke)! Just be careful. Some people actually work for specific spots, while others are scams. Club promoters look pretty professional, wearing suits and taking down your contact info, while con artists, well, don't. True story: One guy who gave us 'free' VIP passes asked us for a $5 tip per person. Isn't that the same as paying for it? Bottom line-trust your instincts.

Posted by Carie at 10:21 a.m.

guest blog:

Viva Las Vegas

Hi! My name is Carie Wojdyla and I'm the editorial intern here at Bridal Guide. I'm a senior at Rutgers University in New Jersey (go Knights!) and since I'll be graduating in May, I wanted to have a trip to remember with my best pals for spring break. We decided to try our luck in Las Vegas because we heard it was the adult version of an amusement park. Hello, clubs, spas, casinos, shops and restaurants, galore. And who wouldn't want to see the spot where so many celebrities let down their guard? (Plus, I'll admit it-I'm a huge CSI fan. Ever since I saw that episode where Grissom rides the coaster on top of New York, New York I've wanted to visit.)

To make our plans, we did what every member of the MySpace generation would, and hit the Internet. We searched all the usual suspects: Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz and Priceline and found some great packages, but with all of them we could only afford a four-night stay. Then we searched the hotel site, and jackpot! We realized if we booked the air and lodging separately we could get roundtrip tickets from the east coast and a five-night stay at the aforementioned New York, New York for the cheapie price of $550 per person. See, sometimes it pays to shop around. Now, if I only had as much luck at the tables....

Posted by Carie at 12:47 p.m.

global goss. & indulgent item:

Fantasy and the City

It makes me all cringe-y on the inside to even mention this fact, but it is a rare occurrence that I miss the SATC reruns at midnight. And no matter how many times I see Miranda give Steve the Heisman, Big wink and say 'Hiya, Kid,' and those four girls down firewater, I mean, Cosmos, I still get sucked in (and care about it all) every. single. episode. And the fact that the series is hitting the Big Screen in May, obvs. points to the fact that I'm not alone. And one travel co. is hoping some gals are sooooo into the City that they'll get Carried away and hand over $15,000 for a four-day tour of (to quote SJP) 'the fifth lady.'

Hosted by Destination on Location, the extravaganza includes chauffeured stops at Barney's and Pat Field's shoppe, the Plaza Athenee hotel and the fave brunch spot, Cafeteria (which I may point out is 4 blocks from the Bridal Guide office!). There are also manis, pedis, cocktails and cupcakes at the famed Magnolia bakery. The package (which doesn't include airfare) can be customized for your character personality: Samantha sex bombs can hit up Babeland , a SoHo sex shop; high-powered Mirandas may take an invigorating run in Central Park and then there's the shoe shopping...

For more info, go to Destinationonlocation.com.

Rumor has it there's a wedding...or is there?

Posted by Jenna at 4:15 p.m.

club wed:

And Whiskers on Kittens

My good friends at Sandals and Susan Magrino got word about my upcoming special day and they sent over these fantastic flowers. Thanks, guys! It totally brightened my mood, espec. since lately I've been feeling a bit on planet lonely re: wedding. I placed these beautiful blooms right next to some of my favorites things that I've picked up (or been gifted) along my travels.

The hula girl is from-you guessed it-Hawaii. Whenever I'm looking for inspiration, I give her a little hula shake and somehow, it gets my brain into vocab-moving mode.

The small glass is from a souk in Morocco; my career mentor picked it up for me while she was at a fantastic weekend bday celebration in Marrakech and I keep it here to remind me of my goals.

Hanging off the side is a pair of earrings that my boss lady and editor of Bridal Guide, the sweet Diane Forden, gave me for my latest birthday. I turned 25 again while at the Grand Opening weekend party of the Mediterranean Sandals Grande Antigua. And Diane bought them there to remember our fantastic time together. (We hung out with a lot of Z-listers. It was supa!)

My surf instructors at Las Olas Surf Safari in the Nayarit region of Mexico gave me the little turtle. It reminds me that everyone wipes out and everyone has setbacks, but that hard work, determination and lots of paddling result in the biggest stoke of all.

I got the bangle in a small town in India. It cost me a whole of 2 cents and it is made of glass so maybe that is why it broke. But it sits here as a memory of one of the best trips I ever took.

The shoe ornament is from the Met here in NYC. I'm a semi-big shoe person and I'm a total-big sparkling person, so the copy chief at my last job thought it would be perfect for me. And she was right!

So there you have it, some of the stuff that gets me through the day. I mean even reading and writing about fantabulous and romantic destinations across the world can get a little stressful...

Posted by Jenna at 10:42 a.m.

travel tip:

Carry It On

Perhaps you've read the reports and heard the statistics, and you know what-it's all true. Lost or missing luggage incidence has risen a whopping 60+% since last year. That's right, now not only are airlines shoving us 'valuable' customers into smaller seats and making us go hungry (Have I mentioned how I refuse to pay $5 for Pringles!?!?), but the fabulous folks in the friendly skies are also messin' with your personal belongings. And I'm here to tell you it's all true.

In fact, on a trip to the Med. isle of Cyprus, my bags got lost in both directions! But luckily I employed my Fail-Safe carry-on method. And I was so stylin' at the welcome dinner that my fellow travelers thought I had dressed from my own (read: home) closet not a lost suitcase.
Here's what I always carry on:

1. 2 scarves/wraps. Depending on the season and destination, I carry at least one cotton or cash. one and a silk one. Not only do they come in handy for those chilly cabin temps, but they also instantly add pizzazz to any outfit. I've got a series of cotton dresses that I wear when I'm on the run and when I wrap a scarf in a jaunty way, it looks like I've spent hours pulling together the look. Plus (and this is a biggie) scarves are good to cover your head, shoulders and knees that may not be allowed to show in some temples, churches and other places where modesty rules. Case in point: Crawford Market, Bombay. Boy was I glad had my shoulders covered during that being leered at experience.
2. 2 pairs of shoes. I know. I know it sounds so over-the-top fashionista-ie of me, but this one is a very very important (and heavy) part of the equation. I always wear no lace required sneaks on the plane. Why? Well, besides begin the bomb of comfort, they are easy to slip off for security and it's always a good idea to have sturdy shoes on your soles, in case you need to exit the plane in a flash. (I got that tip from watching Oprah waaay back when fire was invented.)
   So, I always carry a pair of heels for those dinners on the town. And a pair of spiffy sandals to do some touring. If I'm going to a cooler (temp. wise) destination I throw in an extra pair of sneakers. After sitting on a plane, I like the change of tread.
   If you really want to be like me you can store them in cute little shoe bags. Some expensive brands give you the dust bags with purchase, or you can get some a-dorable cotton ones at uncommongoods.com. They also have wicked cute undies ones, which brings me to my next point:
3. Underoos. Pack 'em in your carry-on and you won't have to pick up some random Viva Las Vegas pair when you've got to wait for your luggage to arrive. I have an out of this world, cutest thing ever bag that says Wash Me and Wear Me. I stick all the changes I'm going to need, plus one to two in case of unforeseen layovers, into that divided pouch and I'm off. And let me tell you, sheepish security guys never open that zipper when they're trouncing through my stuff-which is every time I fly.
4. A swimsuit, a cotton dress, an oxford shirt and a cardigan. My mother always says: 'Bathing suits don't weigh anything.' And nothing feels better than jumping into the fancypants pool at your destination the minute you arrive. If you are one of those people that bloats to high heaven a-la-moi when inflight, the post-landing swim makes it all seem just a little ok. Cotton dresses take up zero to negative space on your bag; they are easy to iron (or steam while you are showering) and, depending on your shoes selection, can easily go from day-tonight.
   Personally, I never wear button-down shirts, except when I'm traveling. They make great swimsuit cover-ups, fantastic night shirts and you can top the aforementioned cotton dress during the day for a fantastic touring look. The cardi is an absolute must for chilly night, crisp mornings and unforeseeable strong air conditioning. I carry one wherever I go-even when I'm not on the road.
   Another item I always always bring is a blazer. Place it over the dress and abracabra you've got a meeting with the parents, dinner with publisher or romance in Paris evening look that's easy breezy and stylish. I usually wear it on the plane. It makes me look a little more presentable. And I also do it, so it doesn't get all bunched up in the bag.
5. Les jewels. I tend to over accessorize, but to quote Olympia Dukakis in Steel Magnolias: 'The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.' Now don't bring the good stuff, but a few costume pieces here and there make you look less like 'I'm not feeling myself in this place' and more like 'I'm so comfortable with myself in these cool new surroundings that you can't take your eyes off me.'
6. Rosebud Salve, toothpaste, toothbrush. Even though you should never use plane water to brush your teeth, givin a good 'ole brusha brusha after hours of being trapped in circulated air make you feel like a million bucks. As for the Rosebud Salve, it is my go-to for lips, cracked cuticles and even hair. And I may point out-it is neither a gel, nor a liquid...
7. Books, magazines, iPod-your choice here. But I like to be overly entertained when I'm trapped on a plane. Because as regular readers of this blog know, I hate to fly.

Posted by Jenna at 9:34 a.m.

guest blog:

The DR

Hi there! It's Elena from Bridal Buzz. Jenna asked me to guest blog and share the details of my recent amazing trip to the Dominican Republic. Lucky me, I was able to escape a bitter cold New York week and experience Dominican 'winter.' All that meant was a little wind and wonderfully sunny 80-degree weather (with nothing more than an hour-long afternoon rain shower one of the four days I was there).

In the DR, I stayed on a brand-new property, Cap Cana. And when I say property, I'm talking 30,000 acres-yes, you read that correctly. Currently, Cap Cana is in its first stage of development, and one of the first pieces of the property open to tourism is the Caletòn Villas, beautifully decorated, upscale 'huts' overlooking the Punta Espada Golf Course and Caribbean waters as vibrant blue as I've ever seen. This is where I stayed. And, I found out later, this is where Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony stayed just a few months ago-in my exact villa!

Yeah, I certainly was sitting in the lap of luxury usually reserved for uber-stars like Jen and Marc. The open-air living spaces are equipped with massive gourmet kitchens and, my favorite, a butler who takes care of you throughout your stay (why I ever left, I don't know). Each villa is slightly different, but mine had three bedrooms, which really felt like their own separate buildings. The master bedroom had an outdoor two-person shower with its own hot tub.

It was such a serene, laid-back atmosphere, that some days, I didn't even venture to the nearby beach club to hang out-poolside reading was fine by me. But I couldn't resist heading off to get a Swedish massage in a beachside palapa, with the soft sound of crashing waves lulling me to relaxation. J. Lo knows what she's doing... this is the life!

Posted by Elena at 10:21 a.m.

club wed:

The CIA

I'm hereby making a declaration: I, Jenna Bridal Guide's Global Girl and newest member of the club, do solemnly swear that I will only talk about my upcoming wedding on a need to know basis. I will no longer entertain ridiculous requests, idiotic input or doomsday predictions. Nor will I ask for advice from anyone that has no direct contact with the outcome of My Big Day.

So what's the dealio? Why am I making such a proclamation? Call it the first in a series of wedding planning walls. I've moved past the everyone-is-so-stoked-for-us phase headlong into the everyone-has-an-opinion-that-is-not-value-added phase. And I'm here to tell you, it aint pretty. So, I figure the only way to avoid feeling like this about my loved ones is by zippin' it. (I actually considered taking someone off of THE list after she pitched a fit or three about not having a plus one. And I started to cry while at work when I felt the pressure from one pal to make my wedding the must-be-invited-to party of the century.)

So that's it. No more updates on sites, dresses and dishes. And no more: 'So what do you think about the fact that we are getting hitched in a church?'

Instead I'm going to try and act as if everything is normal, and I am in no way headed toward Bridezilla counrty. I'm pretty confident this plan will work. What about you gals? Is it easier or more difficult to talk about your wedding?

(ps this declaration in no way means I'm going to stop blogging about my fabulous sparkling day...I mean I've got to get the Led out somewhere.....)

Posted by Jenna at 11:26 a.m.

global goss. & extravagant item:

The Last Dance

Call me what you will (some people use the word prude), but I long for the days when people's sex lives were their own business; the wonders of double-stick tape were known only to the woman wearing the dress (not the entire red carpet); and ladies of all ages left the house wearing proper knickers. So you can imagine my shock and awe when this fit-for-Charlie Sheen hotel press release popped into my inbox.

It seems that the Ivy Hotel in San Diego (not to be confused with the celeb lunch spot The Ivy) has a room that's beyond conducive for hosting a bachelor or bachelorette party. And I quote: 'Your imagination absolutely cannot run wild enough in this 1275 square foot suite.' And I'm here to tell you they are right on the dime with that assertion. The botique hotel's Star Suite is outfitted with a 42' HD TV, plush sofas, a fully stocked wet bar and unbeatable city views. But the piece de resistance? Well, that would be the King-sized bunk beds hung from chains and positioned directly in front of a private stipper pole. And did I mention the group-sized shower? Um, yeah, well there is one. And apparently, it turns opaque or not when touched.

I'm going back to read some Austin novels now.

Rates for this over-the-top, I'd-kill-him-in-his-sleep-for-ever-thinking-about-staying-here suite start at $3,400 a night.

Posted by Jenna at 10:27 a.m.

club wed:

Get in the Ring

Last night I was hanging out with my pals, Toberto (AKA Toby and Roberto. Get it? I guess stars are just like us.) It was the first time I had seen them after getting engaged and after ooh-ing and aawwh-ing of the shiny-ness that sits upon my finger, they spilled their news: They too are getting married! But since they're not sporting rings, they kind of feel like 'yeah, dude, we getting hitched, but since we ain't sporting the bling, nobody's got any way of knowing.' And well, somehow it feels like it doesn't count quite yet.

And they're not alone. The other night Novio asked when he was going to get a band. He said he wants everyone to know that he is off the market (yep, he's just that cute and that sweet). And he wants to use his hand as a billboard to announce it to the world. Now, I know that the Irish (of which I am one) use the Claddagh ring to show the state of one's heart (up means you're available and down equals taken), but short of using his MySpace page to announce his betrothal, how does a guy spread his good news?

I'm wondering, have your guys expressed interest in sporting a piece of engagement bling?

Posted by Jenna at 10:23 a.m.

website watch:

Security Detail

There are a thousand and one ga-jillon travel websites out there, and figuring out which one to trust can be a major time-suck. That's where I come in.

If you think watching paint dry is the cat's pajamas, well, you might just enjoy the new TSA blog. That's right, ladies, the folks at the Transportation Security Administration have joined the blog bandwagon. (Um, does anyone else think this techno-sphere is entering Fonz jumping territory here?)

According to the site, its purpose is “to facilitate an ongoing dialogue on innovations in security, technology and the checkpoint screening process.” The blog is updated weekly and it touches on all the important security line Qs like shoes, liquid and nail clippers. There's also a topic area called “Gripes and Grins,” which seems mostly to be user comments.

But all joking aside, if you're planning a trip, please please, please take a look at the site before you head to the airport. Knowing what is allowed on the plane and what's not will not only make your travel experience easier, but it will also insure that the pro traveler behind you isn't cussing at you under his breath because you're beeping due to the fact you forgot to take off your belt. And, really, doesn't breezing through security make the friendly skies all the more friendly?

Posted by Jenna at 11:02 a.m.

...And Found Again

Here's part two of my fabulous trip!

Here's our room at the Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay. Notice how I placed my welcome lei on my bedside lamp. That is one of my favorite ways to make a hotel room feel more homey. And Yes (!) the bed is so big-it should have its own zip code.

Pay no attention to the woman in front of the curtain. It's not one of my fave pics, but check out that background. That was essentially the view from our room at the Four Seasons. The nationally protected cove area has some of the best snorkeling on the Hawaiian islands and is home to a super friendly pod of flashy Spinner dolphins.

Check out my happin' T, which I totes adore. I scored it at the Pacific Whale Foundation in Lahaina on Maui. In addition to big group snorkeling excursions and whale watches, the org's mission is 'to promote appreciation, understanding and protection of whales, dolphins, coral reefs and our planet's oceans.' And while I wasn't a fan of my half-day crowded snorkeling adventure, I really believe in what they stand for. So I picked up this bad boy and the proceeds go toward saving the whales-literally.

Novio and I mastered the one-handed shot. And look how he's representing the best team in the world!

Trilogy Excursion's Captain Mike and his first mate Martin took us on a private sunset cruise around what's called Sweet Heart Rock by the white folk. After chasing dolphins and spotting literally 50 whales, we just floated in silence.

No, that's not Mars. It's the Garden of the Gods on Lana'i. You can see Oahu, Molokai and Maui from up here.

This was one of our fave spots. The old-school missionary church is all alone in the middle of the jungle. P.S. The Lana'i only has 30 miles of paved road, so a Jeep really was the only way to get around.

Posted by Jenna at 10:03 a.m.

...And Found

Since I'm beyond biz getting the next issue ready, featuring our first ever (!) Best Beaches roundup, I decided to flog this one....

Here's a photo essay of my trip to Maui. Here's an extra special mahalo shout out to my new friends Charlene, Waynette, Sandi, Kathy and Brad Packer.

Someone who shall remain nameless forgot his driver's license, so I had to navigate our little Crossfire. It's the first time I've been behind the wheel since I tooled around the Coba ruins in Riviera Maya, Mexico in 2000. In a word: Scary.

Out first day on Maui we took a hike with Hike Maui. We got to swim under a few waterfalls and traipse through a ton of mud. The setting was peaceful and calm. And even though our tour guide was a total chatty Cathy, it was a total treat to spend the entire day in the Hawaiian rainforest.

I'm a beginner surfer and I try to go out three times a week in the summer, but Novio did a great job for his second try at riding waves. Thanks to our pals at Maui Wave Riders, he's so confident that he rips. He's been talking about stealing my board.

I love, love, love paddling out at Kihei on Maui. The line-up is friendly, the sets are chill and even I never ride as well as I do here. It is my all-time top spot. (I hope my home break Rockaway Beach, Queens doesn't take it personally.)

After getting an amazing couples massage at the Fairmont Kea Lani, we spent Valentine's Day night chillin' on our balcony at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. We drank some Cava and watched the sunset from our front-row spot.

Stay tuned for part two of my trip featuring the pineapple island of Lana'i!

Posted by Jenna at 10:46 a.m.

travel tip:

The Girl's Room

Now, I'm not one to normally get all scatological. In fact, I completely shy away from this sort of talk. But there's a reality of traveling: It can often be a challenge to find a clean (and free) loo. Here are some secrets to finding the best.

My fail-safe, always go-to is the lobby of fancy hotels. Four- and five-star properties have fantastically clean facilities and fabu amenities like heated hand towels and Molton Brown products.

Now, in order for this tip to work, you've got to pick the right hotel. In my experience, it's best to stick with big-name, flagship chains like W, Marriott, Hilton, Westin, and my top pick, the Four Seasons. The trick is to look like you belong there, which is easy, since the people staying at the hotel are visitors too. Another hint: Restrooms are always located next to the public phones.

Discount names and second-line properties (think: ExecuStay and the Quality brand) may be a little less user-friendly. And avoid ubercool boutique hotels and chains like Ian Schrager properties, the Thompson group and the Standard hotels. They usually have velvet-rope hot spots, so doormen often ask for room keys upon entry. That happened to me in the City of Angels, once at the Standard Downtown LA and another at the Mondrian in West Hollywood (little did I know that a pre-meltdown Britney Spears was at the popular SkyBar).

I also shy away from fast food places, except when I'm traveling abroad. The Golden Arches, the Green Mermaid and the King all have a certain cache in other parts of the world, which translates into clean, western-style facilities, no purchase necessary.

Posted by Jenna at 12:07 p.m.

website watch:

The Jet Set

There are a thousand and one ga-jillon travel websites out there, and figuring out which one to trust can be a major time-suck. That's where I come in.

People think that I rack up the air miles, but I've got nothing on my pal Johnny Jet. Case in point: In 2007 he logged a whopping 163,330. Lucky for all of us who can't traipse across the globe with such ease, Johnny blogs about his adventures on JohnnyJet.com. In his weekly entries, he includes all the details on the hotels he visits, the sights he sees and the activities he tries. Johnny's posts are honest and helpful. And his writing style is so fun, you feel like you're right there with him. Another great thing about JohnnyJet.com-the photos. Johnny snaps about 300 a day and posts everything from the breakfast buffets to the evening entertainment. Plus, his YouTube vids are the tops!

Johnny also has an exhaustive list of travel links. I'm not going to lie, parts of the site are a bit difficult to navigate, so I stick to the top portion of the homepage, where Johnny links to can't-beat deals to the destinations he visits, photos and, of course, the blog. I think you're going to enjoy the site as much as I do. And as Johnny Jet would say, 'Happy Travels.'

Posted by Jenna at 1:09 p.m.

Almost Paradise

So, I'm going to Maui and I'm totally freaking out about it. I mean I know I shouldn't be all whiney-baby about getting to go to what is my fave Hawaiian island with my beloved novio, but I am. I mean, come on I've got a wedding to plan, people.

Well there's that, and there's also the fact that I've got a ton of work to do because I've spent valuable work hours flashing my fabulous cushion-cut and polling people on my ideal wedding locale. So yeah, I'm freaking out about my trip to Maui. I still need to figure out what airline I'm flying, find a place where I can get a weekly surfboard rental and oh, yeah, I've got to pack.

And while I'd like to blame getting engaged on the fact that I'm so waaaay off schedule (all of those phone calls to share the good news), I know it isn't true. You see, I hate to fly. I mean I do it. But I don't like it. And I pretty much do everything in my power to be the absolute last person on the plane. Yep, I'm the one who is running through the corridors of Chicago's O'Hare with T-minus a millisecond until the plane doors close. I'm so bad that I once missed a flight to LAX (I was still at home during the scheduled taxi) and got to the gate just as the jetway was being pulled away for the following flight. I made it, but the flight attendant told me that I need to pull it together.

I mean I want to be one of those travelers who is organized and all traveling looking with their fabu cashmere throws and comfy, but still stylish Stella McCartney for Adidas slip-on shoes, but I'm not. I'm just too much of a nervous Nelly. And I need some tricks to keeping calm inflight. Sometimes I order the champers and try to watch the movie and other times, I imagine my fantastic destination, but I'm wondering what you guys do to keep it together in times of flight and fright...

Thanks!

Posted by Jenna at 12:10 p.m.

steals and deals:

Ice Capades

Calling all chick flick fans. If you're a total sucker for romantic New York City ice-skating scenes, you're going to looove this package. In honor of its 75th anniversary, the famous Rockefeller Center Ice Rink is offernig a fantastic dinner and Skate a Date promo. For 75 smackers you get a two-course dinner at the Rock Center Cafe, skate rentals and a VIP outing (which includes long-line cutting). This is such a great deal because not only can you relive your fave movie scenes-Autumn in New York and Serendipity anyone?-you also get to dine on fancy New York restaurant fare like roasted beet carpaccio with goat cheese emulsion, apple slaw and candied walnuts, and crispy-seared organic chicken served au jus over spagetti squash. The package is available from now until early April, when the rink closes. Go to Rockefeller Center Ice Rink's website for more information.

Posted by Jenna at 11:05 a.m.

global goss. & extravagant item:

Vive le Louis!

One of my favorite procrastination activities is pricing Speedys on eBay. I lust over the iconic Louis Vuitton monogrammed bags, but I never buy for fear of picking up a fake (and not having the disposable dinero). I guess one of the reasons I worship the bags so much is due to the fact that the infamous LV got its start as a luggage co. in 1854. I always picture sophisticated ladies boarding steamships en-route to some glorious new land with their fabulous airtight and waterproof traveling trunks and wardrobes in tow. And it looks like I'm not the only one who has such an active imagination.

This past week, LVMH announced that the company will run television ads for the first time ever. The 90-second spots are dreamlike sequences that focus on real people and pay homage to the company's history as a travel accessories provider with screen grabs asking 'What's Your Journey?' and 'It's a process of self-discovery.' You'll be able to see the artsy adverts, which feature an original score by Oscar-winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla, on premium cable channels and in select theaters starting February 15.

Posted by Jenna at 11:39 a.m.

global goss. & extravagant item:

A Toast

To two of my absolute favorite things in the world getting together. Cheers! My love-it-to-the-last-drop champagne of choice, Veuve Clicquot is opening the first, freestanding branded bar in the U.S. in one of my top cities in the world-Boston. (Full disclosure: It's my hometown. Go Pats! Go Sox!)

Housed on the second floor of the new Liberty Hotel, the sparkling spot is slated to pop the cork in late January. The luxe La Grande Dame Bar will offer a selection of bottles and flutes, ranging from the company's popular yellow label brut ($19 a glass) to the Vintage Rose ($49 a glass), which was created in 1972 as a bicentennial tribute to the founder, Madame Clicquot.

I know, I know, the prices seem a little extravagant. But I'm convinced that sipping bubbly whilst sitting in a magical crystal decor in a gorgeously, renovated historic building is a honeymoon-worthy experience.

Posted by Jenna at 1:51 p.m.

In the Club

Boy, oh boy! I'm officially one of you now. I got engaged (!) this weekend. And my novio and I are over the moon.

Now all I need to do is plan a wedding. Sounds easy, right? I mean I am an editor at a bridal magazine. All I need to do is call on my friends Dana and Alison for fantastic fashion advice and the low-down on the best in beauty. And I can swing by Valerie's piles of products on my way to my daily Starbucks run. Sounds easy, right?

Except I need to decide on the where the big event is happening first. And when I say that, I mean in what country. You see I live in Bklyn, my parents live in Boston, I grew up on Cape Cod and novio is from Spain. And each spot holds a special place in my heart so trying to narrow it down is a bit difficult. Then there is the option of a destination wedding. Novio and I love to travel (I mean obvs. it is in the job description) and since our guests are coming from all over, it may just be the best bet.

So, in addition to bringing you the latest and greatest on the travel tip, I'm also going to use this blog as a space to talk about my process. Like I said I'm in the club now.

Posted by Jenna at 11:51 a.m.

global goss:

Dream On

Have you seen the latest photos for Disney's Year of a Million Dreams campaign? Just like the last batch, celeb photog Annie Leibovitz did these amazing shots, which feature A-listers like J-Lo and Jessica Biel. The extra-special Disney promotion invites visitors to customize and win (!) magical getaways that money can't buy. For example, at Disney World in Florida, participants can be among the select few to stay in the awesomely romantic Cinderella Castle Suite. (There's even a New Year's Eve giveaway!). While big Dancing with the Stars fans can attend a taping and stay at the original California park for a few days. Another fantastic prize is a VIP 15-day trip to all the properties-Hong Kong, California, Florida and France. Fun Fact: Disney is one of the top honeymoon spots in the U.S.

Posted by Jenna at 11:33 a.m.

product pick:

Reading Rainbow

Call it a symptom of the trade, but I'm mildly obsessed with travel guidebooks. Whenever I go anywhere, I get at least two. I study the books with the concentration of CSI's Gil Grissom on a big case, highlighting, underlining and cross-referencing anything that piques my interest. And I'm one of those people who refuses to eat in a restaurant unless it has been suggested by my trusty books. One of the prettiest (and, of course, useful) series out there is DK Eyewitness Travel.

Sure, the guides are filled with all the usual info on hotels, restaurants and must-see sights, but what really sets this series apart are the layouts. The sections are color-coded, which is something I absolutely adore, and the photos are drop-dead gorgeous. And the cultural information is illustrated with such descriptive visuals that you know exactly what you are getting yourself into. The real kicker-the topographical maps. Popular city districts and cultural institutions get the 3-D treatment, so it's nearly impossible to get lost.

DK Eyewitness Travel has two different kinds of guidebooks. There are the run-of-the-mill country and city ones and the Top 10, which are packed with lists of shops, hotels and restaurants.

The newest titles to join the ranks are Hungary, Brazil and Top 10: Istanbul. In the spring, the company is launching Argentina and Peru guides. Top 10 Guides are $12; Guidebooks start at $25; dk.com.

Posted by Jenna at 10:11 a.m.