This upcoming three-day weekend gives me more than one reason to smile: With only nine months to go until the big day, we can finally go to Bloomingdale's and start our wedding registry! Although having a two-year engagement can be beneficial, it also comes with one big disadvantage—WAITING. From the moment Mike proposed, I wanted to dive into all things wedding-related, but I was forced to pace myself. I used this waiting period to reflect on which items are essential to my registry and which ones I could do without. 

I originally thought I wanted to register for a KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Stand Mixer. This item seems to have its own fan base, making its way onto countless registries. At first, I was content to follow the crowd, but ultimately realized that I have no use for this gadget. Do I find it pretty? Yes, I adore the ruby red color. However, I had to ask myself: Is it worth the counter space when my baking skills consist of combining box mix, eggs, water and vegetable oil? I'm going to go with no.

Mary here, filling in for Diane. Our fearless editor-in-chief was in Fiji this week—Fiji!—so I was lucky enough to take her place as a guest at Joan Rivers’ New York City apartment. Yep, Joan Rivers, whom I worship. (If you haven’t seen it already, be sure to watch the documentary film Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work.
Preston Bailey and Joan Rivers at the party.

Joan’s party celebrated the launch of Preston Bailey: Flowers (Rizzoli) his fabulous new book. A true floral couturier, Preston designed Melissa Rivers’ 1998 nuptials at The Plaza in NYC—a tour de force of a winter wedding that ushered in the era of lush celebrity fêtes. (Preston’s clients also include Oprah Winfrey, Matt Lauer, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jennifer Hudson and Ivanka Trump.) If you want to see extraordinary imagination brought to life via flowers, lighting and décor, start with this book—you’re sure to find wedding inspiration within its pages.

Guests received a signed copy of Preston’s book.