Blogs

global goss.:

Having spent the bulk of last year gearing up for the Super Boda (wedding in Spainsh), my travel adventures weren’t as often as I prefer. One thing that I’ve promised myself I’ll do this year is a self-improvement retreat that focuses on fitness and introspection in a fantabulous locale free of the trappings of my regular life. Years ago I spent a week at surf camp just north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and it truly changed my life perspective. And weeks before my wedding, I climbed the awesome Machu Picchu. Aside: There’s an amazing account of my trip to Peru in the current issue, so check it out!

This year I’d like to work on my breathing and yoga and see some more of Asia. Enter stage left: The new Leela Travel, a boutique tour operator that specializes in earth-friendly (and all-levels) yoga retreats. The group promises introspective adventures in remote, eco-friendly spots with pro instructors, amazing food and the opportunity to give back to the community. Itineraries include surfing and Vinyasa in Nicaragua, Ashtanga and Ayurveda in India, and eco-adventure and flow on a private island resort in Thailand. With all-inclusive pricing starting at about $1,200 a person, these retreats are just as easy on the wallet as they are the earth. For more information, go to leelatravel.com, and make sure you told them Jenna sent you! Namaste.

Here’s a quick idea for all you Budget-ettes out there. A survey conducted by our friends over at David’s Bridal has found that brides are still feeling the burn from the economic slowdown—even when it comes to weddings. Take a peek at a website called eDivvy.com, which promises to help you reduce spending throughout the planning process. (I can’t guarantee anything—but it’s worth a look!) For instance, they offer a way for your pals and family to chip in for one really nice gift, as well as an option for guests to actually contribute to the big day—pitching in for flowers and photography, for example. See what you think!

Posted by Susan at 3:12 p.m.

For more information, visit:
jlmcouture.com
verawang.com
clairepettibone.com
aimee.it

Posted by Naima at 10:43 a.m.

Looking for something fun and funky to spice up your table decor? Then you have to check out Harvard Sweet Boutique. The founder, Susan George, creates avant-garde centerpieces from stylish favor boxes that are artfully stacked on the table. Not only does this save you on floral arrangements, but it also provides a tasty treat that your guests can take home. All their cookies and other goodies are made in small batches from all-natural ingredients, and can be delivered to any part of the country. There are lots of styles to choose from, but check out harvardsweetboutique.com to see what’s right for your special day. Cheers!

Posted by Aimée at 5:21 p.m.

global goss. & extravagant item:

Hey there, honeymooners. Have you got half a year and 60 grand to burn? Then this is the trip for you! The Silverseas Cruise line just announced an intiniray that circumnavigates the globe, hitting 60 different destinations in 25 countries. The ultra luxe ship departs from Los Angeles a year from now and docks in Southhampton 119 days later.

Along the way, passengers are promised amazing land excursions such as touring top wineries in Australia, shopping at a traditional souk in Dubai and having a private tour of the mind-blowing Picasso Museum in Barcelona. Onboard you’ll be treated to dream-worthy cuisine on offer at six different eateries, a ship-shape spa, Bulgari in-room prods (my absolute fave) and private butler service—oooh, la la. Shorter segments of 30 days or more are also available. But those booking the entire 119-day extravaganza (starting at $61,924) receive a $2,000 onboard credit as well as roundtrip business class air, private airport transfers and four complimentary world-cruise events. Go to crowncruisecollection.com for more information. And smooth sailing!

Posted by Jenna at 3:26 p.m.

For more information, visit:
jennypackham.com
priscillaofboston.com
verawang.com
moniquelhuillier.com
inesdisanto.com

Posted by Naima at 10:26 a.m.

Party Time!

A couple of nights ago Diane Forden and I taxied over to the W Hotel in Union Square for David Tutera’s book-signing party. (I wrote about the book a couple of blogs ago—scroll down!) Tons of you “real brides” were there, mingling in the ballroom and enjoying cocktails and wedding cake while waiting for a glimpse and an autographed book. When he appeared on stage, there was so much screaming and picture taking I thought, Wow, David’s getting to be as popular as the Beatles! He took questions from the happy crowd and gave a shout-out to us Bridal Guide ladies in the back, and then off we went.

Now I’m putting my budget guru hat back on to quote a morsel of wisdom from David’s Big White Book of Weddings: “If you’re in a bind with affording a big wedding, do just a cocktail party reception. If you have to choose between doing something big on a sparse budget or doing something small with a grander budget, choose the latter—your guests will enjoy it more!” So be it!

Take a look at these fun shots from the event:

travel tip:

Jenna Mahoney?

The short answer is at my desk with a blinking light above my head. But the longer and certainly more travel-interesting answer is that I’ve been getting all Carmen Sandiego lately. After my big Club Wed extravaganza (look out for the actual wedding photos in the May/June 2010 issue), my wanderlust kicked it into high gear and I’ve been bouncing from country to country like a pinball. That also means more time in the airports. Now this is the part in the movie where I whine because I’m not a big fan of flying. I hate it in fact. But it is a necessary evil if I’m going to jet—literally to Peru, Jamaica, Thailand, Mexico and Spain (and that was just in the past five months!).

So what’s a gal to do when she is sitting all alone in the airport destined for great destinations? Well, here’s a tip: Hit the lounge. First and Business Class lounges are the bomb-diggity (oh, sorry TSA, was I not supposed to use that word?). They offer Wi-Fi, food, booze, cable TV and sometimes showers, all gratis. That’s right, all those First Class folks can get nice and liquored for free before soaring high in the friendly skies. “But, Jenna,” you’re saying, “I got a great deal on a tourist class ticket, so who cares about all that lounge activity since I can’t get in?” To that I say: Yes. You. Can. All you need to do is buy a day pass.

OK, not that I want to add any more stress to your day or another task to your to-do list, but do you realize that when you change your name there are a gazillion places that need to be notified? Let’s see, you have to inform Social Security, the IRS, the U.S. Postal Service, banks, medical institutions, insurance companies, mortgage companies, voter registration as well as get your driver’s license and passport changed. I don’t know about you, but I hate filling out forms and just renewing my license or passport is an ordeal, so imagine the time and effort you’ll need to invest in order to fulfill all these name-changing requirements. Not fun.

Until, that is, MissNowMrs.com was created to do all the legwork for you. I recently received a press kit from Founder/President Danielle Tate who started this site two years ago after she herself went through hours and hours of researching and completing all the proper forms. “I got married in 2005 and took one day off from work thinking I could take care of all the name-changing obligations,” Danielle told me. “Well, after three trips to the Department of Motor Vehicles and lots of frustration I asked my fiancé why there wasn’t one website devoted to everything needed for a name change? He said, ‘Why don’t you start one?’ And so I did!” (Isn’t it amazing how genius ideas happen?)

Visit zales.com for more information.

Posted by Maureen at 1:15 p.m.