Nearly all of the major cruise ship lines offer weddings these days. We briefly looked into this for our destination wedding, but had trouble with the logistics (too many family members coming from too many different places) to make it work.
But Ultimate Destination Weddings will be taking a much-deserved multi-week holiday cruise in December! Were going to be scoping out cruise ship weddings, ports of call and reporting back in early January! Watch for more details.
Today I am thrilled to introduce Amélie, Merci New Yorks newly appointed special markets editor. Amélie splits her time between New York City and Paris {lucky girl!}. She will be bringing a wonderful balance of both cities culture to the Merci blog, and keeping her fingers on the pulse of French details that translate into stateside wedding inspiration. Here at Merci, we adore the decidedly French focus on simple and elegant things, so we are thrilled to introduce Amélies unique perspective to the Merci New York site.Welcome, Amélie. On both sides of the Atlantic, when it comes its time to cut the cake, most brides want something sumptuous, something pretty, and something grand. But they also want a cake that tastes deliciously good {and as a French girl myself, I know that the French never neglect taste}! In France, the traditional wedding cake is called Pièce Montée. It is an architectural cake that was invented in early 1800s and became the favorite dessert of the French Kings Court. It is originally made of little round pastries called choux stuffed with flavoured cream, built up into a pyramid-shape. With time, French pastry cooks have invented countless shapes and flavors for Pièce Montée, and the concept has expanded into hundreds of creative, personalized options. Once macarons became trendy in France, some famed pastry cooks started to create Macaron Towers in lieu of choux, further developing Pièce Montée into the popular focal point of the stateside dessert table. But so much has been lost in this concept, and there are many other creative shapes, ideas and options that you may not know are available. Lenôtre, a prestigious French caterer known as the ambassador of French cuisine, has also developed a presence in the States, offering a scale of sumptuous Pièces Montées for every taste -- from the traditional choux, to the Macaron Tower, and countless concepts in between. They are both a delight for the eye as well as for your mouth, and certainly add an unexpected embellishment to your wedding! While Lenôtre has currently expanded to the West Coast, New York girls can certainly bring their unique and creative designs to reputable French pastry shops in Manhattan {think Payard, Bouchon or Ceci-Cela} for inspiration. Im sure they would also create a gorgeous masterpiece that will add a touch of French charm to your wedding!
Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.
Title: Vaux - Are You With Me (Clip FROM PARIS WITH LOVE)
Check out the music video of VAUX. A Denver-based act (http://www.myspace.com/vaux) whose song is in the closing credits of FROM PARIS WITH LOVE, the new Pierre Morel (TAKEN) movie with John Travolta et Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
Title: Wild War 2 Graffiti Clashs From Paris 2003 DVDRip XviD 1
At long last, the Ivy & Aster site is live... and lovelies, are you in for the treat of all treats. The line encompasses the fresh, young spin on bridal we've all been looking for... the perfect pairing of romance, whimsy and {le sigh!} true fashion. Ivy & Aster delivers a novel spin on traditional wedding attire. Delicate silk fabrics are fashioned in modern, refined silhouettes, crafting the perfect mix of bridal style that is both ethereal and wearable. A chiffon flower, rows of ruffles, a velvety swiss dot, {essentially anything that is one part sweet and one part sass}, is expertly captured in the line... And as of this week, it's yours for the taking at Lovely Bridal Shop, and over 20 other bridal stores in the US, Canada and Hong Kong! Take a look {the story is just the icing on the cake}...
Gorgeous, no? Seeing as the campaign was photographed by the {amazing, ethereal, tres-talented} Elizabeth Messina, how could it not be?
All this being said, I was honored to help style this amazing project, and am beyond thrilled to share inspirations by Ivy & Aster's owner and designer, Jessica Brown, in our fun little interview, below. What makes Ivy & Aster different from what is in the marketplace? We felt there as a real need in the dress market for something young and whimsical, that still has the fit and polish that a professional bridal house can provide. Ivy & Aster dresses have a sweet innocence to them, and are refined without being too simple. And the best thing is, they fit like a DREAM {no yanking on that strapless dress all night!} We also take some cues from ready-to-wear trends, offering brides stylish gowns that she can personalize with cool accessories and add-ons. And we always want yummy and interesting fabrics. More of that to come next season. What inspires you? We love a good story! Ivy & Aster was created as the ultimate story .the romance of wedding dress shopping. The characters are fictitious, but we plan on updating their stories along the way so you can read more about their adventures. We thought it would be fun to create a brand that the bride can get wrapped up in herself its all about the fairy tale. Well also update our Diary every week with just anything that woos us music, fashion, and other things that move us. How did Ivy & Aster begin and where is it sold? We just launched Ivy & Aster in October market, and already over 22 stores are carrying it {even one in Hong Kong!}. We have the best factories and the best fabric sources, so we are ready to grow quickly. Today, you can find the dresses at Lovely in NYC, but check out our site to find other stores that will get Ivy & Aster in January. Why are brides already in love with Ivy & Aster? We think the best email weve gotten so far is one bride who has said, this brand really understands me, Im going to have a hard time choosing just one dress. We are so excited that we are connecting with brides who are young and hip and romantic. They love living the dream with us! Oh, and we also think they love the awesome prices for the quality they are getting. If you could dress one celebrity in Ivy & Aster, who would it be? Hands down, Zooey Deschanel. She has an innate sexiness, but still has a playful, girly look to her. She is not afraid to be fashionable, but always looks effortless, just like Ivy & Aster!
Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.
Title: Umile_Idol Master Sora picturecard story re-take ver
KOTORI!!!!
namida..
Title: FF XIII Boss Fight: Chapter 5: Aster Protoflorian
SPOILER ALERT: This may reveal an important part of the story so do not watch if you want to keep surprise of the storyline.It also show one of the boss and the strategy to kill him. Don't watch if you want to find it by yourself.
So we're back for part two of our chic clutch hunt. We've scoured the stores on Fifth, dug through our downtown favorites and browsed a few e-boutiques to find finishing touches as ravishing as the rest of your wedding day wardrobe. {p.s. Want more? Check out part one here... And if you have a great resource we've yet to find, do share! We'll add your suggestions to the next segment in our series}.
Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.
Title: IMAN Global Chic Must-Have Icon Flat Sandals and Couture Clutch
For More Info or to Buy Now: http://www.hsn.com/redirect.aspx?id=il&url=http%3A//www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx%3Fpfid%3D338178&afsrc=1&sourceid=youtube&cm_mmc=advsvc*youtube*na*338178
Must-Have Icon Flat Sandals and Couture Clutch by IMAN Global Chic
Flat Sandal - smooth leather upper. Thong construction. Elastic gore insert.
Iconic signature goldtone metal logo ornament and...
Prices shown on the previously recorded video may not represent the current price. View hsn.com to view the current selling price. HSN Item #338178
Title: IMAN Global Chic Holiday Elegance Beaded Clutch
For More Info or to Buy Now: http://www.hsn.com/redirect.aspx?id=il&url=http%3A//www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx%3Fpfid%3D358831&afsrc=1&sourceid=youtube&cm_mmc=advsvc*youtube*na*358831 Holiday Elegance Beaded Clutch by IMAN Global Chic
Satin and glass seed beaded walls. Glass cube beaded trim. Long, slim asymmetrical profile. Top open with rounded bottom. Decorative beaded... Prices shown on the previously recorded video may not represent the current price. View hsn.com to view the current selling price. HSN Item #358831
Wow- We sure had a wonderful response to our Chic Clutch Hunt Giveaway with Amanda Pearl! And though I'd love to give everyone a prize for spreading the word, in the end we could only have one winner... Hazel at "I Do" Bugdet Weddings is our lucky girl! She was selected at random and will be the recipient of a gorgeous Le Pouf clutch for her wedding day! Congratulations! Everyone else: stay tuned! Our next giveaway will be live on Merci New York next week, and we promise it's just as fashionably fabulous!
Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.
Title: IMAN Global Chic Vintage Glamour Bow Clutch
For More Info or to Buy Now: http://www.hsn.com/redirect.aspx?id=il&url=http%3A//www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx%3Fpfid%3D359333&afsrc=1&sourceid=youtube&cm_mmc=advsvc*youtube*na*359333 Vintage Glamour Bow Clutch by IMAN Global Chic
Metallic snake-print walls. Handheld clutch profile. Banded center. Ruched detail trim creates bow silhouette. Foldover flap with... Prices shown on the previously recorded video may not represent the current price. View hsn.com to view the current selling price. HSN Item #359333
Title: IMAN Global Chic Vintage Glamour Beaded Clutch
For More Info or to Buy Now: http://www.hsn.com/redirect.aspx?id=il&url=http%3A//www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx%3Fpfid%3D358831&afsrc=1&sourceid=youtube&cm_mmc=advsvc*youtube*na*358831 Vintage Glamour Beaded Clutch by IMAN Global Chic
Satin and glass seed beaded walls. Glass cube beaded trim. Long, slim asymmetrical profile. Top open with rounded bottom. ... Prices shown on the previously recorded video may not represent the current price. View hsn.com to view the current selling price. HSN Item #358831
I'm currently loving these chic photos shot by Rumi {and Colin} at Fashion Toast during NYFW. Granted my mind was more focused on fashion-styling than weddings when I pulled them, but I am just obsessed with their rough city edge. I'd love to style an engagement shoot with this vibe in mind. Any takers? We'll just hail a particularly dirty cab and take it from there... Be sure to check out the rest of Rumi's NYC photo diary here.
Two friends returned from the Dominican Republic with a sobering tale.
They were drinking in the resort bar two nights before they left. Several drinks in and that is all that they remember. They awoke the next morning, in their room, their cash was gone. And in the 9 hours of their drug-induced slumber (they were slipped something in their drinks), the robbers had maxed out their credit cards in the hotel casino. They never left the resort and the only people with them were hotel staff. This was an inside job.
Unfortunately, the hotel management and the local police were not very receptive and didnt even want to take a police report. They seemed more interested in getting rid of my friends, didnt want to take a police report and really didnt want them to talk to any other guests. They were able to contest the charges via the credit card company (who reports a substantial increase in credit care fraud in the Dominican Republic).
If you are considering a destination wedding at one of the resorts in the Dominican Republic, we would urge you visit the State Departments website for Dominican Republic Travel Warnings.
Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.
Title: Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are occupied by two countries. Both by area and population, the Dominican Republic is the second largest Caribbean nation (after Cuba), with 48,442 square kilometres (18,704 sq mi) and an estimated 10 million people.
Inhabited by Taínos since the seventh century, the territory of the Dominican Republic was reached by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and became the site of the first permanent European settlement in the Americas, namely Santo Domingo, the country's capital and Spain's first capital in the New World. In Santo Domingo stand, among other firsts in the Americas, the first university, cathedral, and castle, the latter two in the Ciudad Colonial area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After three centuries of Spanish rule, with French and Haitian interludes, the country became independent in 1821 but was quickly taken over by Haiti. Victorious in the Dominican War of Independence in 1844, Dominicans experienced mostly political turmoil and a brief return to Spanish rule over the next 72 years. The United States occupation of 19161924, and a subsequent, calm and prosperous six-year period under Horacio Vásquez Lajara, were followed by the military dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina until 1961. The last civil war was ended by the 1965 United States occupation of the Dominican Republic, and was followed by the authoritarian rule of Joaquin Balaguer, 1966 1978. Since then, the Dominican Republic has moved toward representative democracy, and has been led by Leonel Fernández for most of the time after 1996.
The Dominican Republic has adopted economic liberalism, and has the second largest economy in the Caribbean.Though long known for sugar production, the economy is now dominated by services. The country's economic progress is exemplified by its advanced telecommunication system. Nevertheless, unemployment, government corruption, and inconsistent electric service remain major Dominican problems. The country also has "marked income inequality".
International migration greatly affects the country, as it receives and sends large flows of migrants. Haitian immigration and the integration of Dominicans of Haitian descent are major issues; the total population of Haitian origin is estimated to be 800,000. A large Dominican diaspora exists, most of it in the United States, where it comprises 1.3 million. They aid national development as they send billions of dollars to their families, accounting for one-tenth of the Dominican GDP.
The Dominican Republic has become the Caribbean's largest tourist destination; the country's year-round golf courses are among the top attractions. In this mountainous land is located the Caribbean's highest mountain, Pico Duarte, as is Lake Enriquillo, the Caribbean's largest lake and lowest elevation. Quisqueya, as Dominicans often call their country, has an average temperature of 26 °C (79°F) and great biological diversity.
Music and sport are of the highest importance in Dominican culture, with merengue as the national dance and song and baseball the favorite sport. ( source Wikipedia )
Title: 50 Cent x G-Unit in Dominican Republic with Wisin Y Yandel - 8/29/10
50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo were in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic last week end for a surprise performance during Wisin Y Yandel show!
Check out 50 Cent performing 'I Get Money', and 'Mujeres En El Club', as well as Lloyd Banks performing 'Beamer, Benz, or Bentley' in front of 70,000 people!!!
The Upper East Side was a-buzz last night as press, style casters and design luminaries flocked to the opening of J. Crew's posh bridal boutique on Madison Avenue. Guests perused two floors of gorgeous wedding gowns {priced $295-$3,500}, accessories, veils and jewelery, and ogled over the new 769 collection {an exclusive assortment of party dresses and accessories named after the boutique's location at 769 Madison Avenue}. Upon walking into the soiree, I had the pleasure of meeting Tracy Gardner, President of J. Crew, who enthusiastically discussed the store's development and their exclusive collection of vintage jewelry, which is truly to die for. Layered with the company's chic assortment of collection pieces {which Darcy Miller modeled throughout the evening}, the line also includes handmade exclusive pieces from famed jewelers, such as New York City-based Miriam Haskell. Truly stunning. And dangerously enticing for brides, maids and moms. The shelves circulating the French-inspired space are stocked with a rainbow of soft cashmere cardigans, polished clutches and glittery shoes, as well as seductively coquettish lingerie and perfect shades of pink Essie polish. Brides looking to add a decidedly couture touch to their look can snag exclusive Leah C. veils that would put SJP to shame. Truly, there was gorgeous eye candy from every vantage point; and as influencers such as Kate Spade, Aerin Lauder, and Robert Verde perused the racks with Jenna Lyons, the space was giddy with excitement and accolades. The store is not only stunning, it's a must-see resource for any city bride. But don't just take my word for it. There's another sure to be fabulous fete at the J Crew Bridal Boutique... and it's taking place tonight. Check out our events section for more details. Large images courtesy AisleDash, montaged images from Merci New York's iPhone, last image of Kate Spade, Darcy Miller and Jenna Lyons courtesy of Maria Cooke at Ritzy Bee.
Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.
Title: Hatch Opens To Complete Station Crew
NASA astronaut and Flight Engineer Tracy Caldwell Dyson, along with Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov and Flight Engineer Mikhail Kornienko, were greeted by the three Expedition 23 crew members already aboard the International Space Station on Apr. 4. Expedition 23 Commander Oleg Kotov, and Flight Engineers Soichi Noguchi and T.J. Creamer welcomed the newcomers after their spacecraft docked with the ISS following their journey from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The now-complete six-member Expedition 23 crew received greetings from officials gathered at the Russian Mission Control Center outside Moscow.
Title: Sparrow Love Crew - Detroit Bar 1.8.07
Sparrow Love Crew opens The Colour & Delta Spirit's Monday Night residency at The Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, CA! 1.8.07
Funny how things happen sometimes. When we first peeked at Cara and Michael's photos on the Ciro Photography website, we were completely smitten with their wedding day. Of course, Cara looked absolutely beautiful. But there was something so glamorous {yet soft}, and modern {yet vintage} about her style. We immediately sent a note to her photographer, Rich, to learn more... and {voila!} found out that the bride in question was Cara Sullivan, deputy editor at Martha Stewart Weddings. Knowing that Cara not only planned a tres-beautiful wedding, but was also a seasoned beauty professional, we asked her to share some wedding day beauty tips alongside the gorgeous photos of her big day. We're beyond thrilled to share Cara and Michael's autumn wedding at the Angel Orensanz foundation with you. How would you describe your wedding style? Modern and romantic, but not in the traditional sense. We wanted it to feel like a dark, cozy fall night in New York City. It poured on the morning of the wedding, but I was actually really psyched about it. The gray skies made the reception feel warm and invitingit literally glowed. If we had wanted it to be bright and sunny, we wouldnt have chosen to get married in a Gothic cathedral in November! Do you have any advice for brides on pulling together their wedding day look with hair and makeup? Be sure to have at least one consultation. It may add to your overall budget, but its so worth it. You spend so much time and money perfecting what youre going to wear, but the hair and makeup are really what tie it all together.
Did you do your own wedding makeup? Yes! I wanted it to look clean, classic, and just a little bit retro. My inspiration was Angelina Jolies makeup at the 2007 Golden Globes: a glossy nude lip, black liner, major lashes, and glowing skin. Do you have any advice brides wanting to do their own makeup on their wedding day? Practice, practice, practice. Its not Friday night out with the girls, its your wedding day. Tear out pictures of makeup looks you like, map out a plan, and spend time mastering the techniques youre not so skilled at, whether its winged-out liquid liner, a red-lip that doesnt budge, or dewy skin that doesnt look cakey. And play around with products you may not normally wear, like individual false lashes and primer. In photos, they make a world of difference. Have a friend take pictures of the finished look with and without flash, and in and out of daylight so you can see how itll all come together on film. Another must? Test out all the products you plan on using well before the big day rolls around. I once heard of a bride who was late to her own wedding because shed had an allergic reaction to eyeliner shed bought that morning. What is your best advice for brides looking for a makeup artist? Ask for recommendations from your wedding planner, hair stylist, or friends whove recently tied the knot. Once youve gathered a few names, browse through their websites and ask to see photos of their recent work. If youre not into their style, dont bother scheduling a consultationthere are tons of other makeup artists in the sea. At the consultation, communicate your likes and dislikes as clearly as possible, bring lots of photos {you at your best, red carpet looks you love, etc}. Rather than showing up freshly scrubbed, wear your typical going out face. Its a great way to give your makeup artist an idea of your style. And if you dont like something, speak up! Thats what consultations are for. Requesting a different lipstick doesnt make you a diva. What was your wedding splurge? Why was it important to you? The venue. The first time we saw it, it literally took our breaths away. It was way out of our price range, but we cut back in other places to make it work. Im so glad we did. Two years later, our guests are still talking about how special it was.
What was your vision for the ceremony? The venue was super ornate, so I wanted the palette to be neutral. I went with antique gold bridesmaids dresses (to play off the gilded walls) and simple bouquets of ivory hydrangeas. I asked my florist to hang antique moss from the chandeliers, and the altar was backlit in pale gold. The only other light came from candles, and I remember it being really dark as I walked down the aisle. The drama queen in me really loved that part. Additional Style Ingredients: Flowers: Ariston Flowers Wedding dress: Junko Yoshioka Bridesmaids dresses: Jim Hjelm
Many thanks to Cara for sharing her gorgeous wedding and bridal beauty tips with Merci New York readers. Want more? Be sure to visit Martha Stewart Weddings to learn more about how Cara documented her big day with DIY details.
Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.
Title: Sergeant York "Over the Top" Battle Scene
Hollywood Version of the 1918 Battle that earned Alvin C. York the Congressional Medal of Honor. For more on the real life story of Alvin C. York see his personal diary and other info here: http://acacia.pair.com/Acacia.Vignettes/The.Diary.of.Alvin.York.html
http://www.sgtyork.org/index_legacy.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_C._York
A True American Hero, a phrase that is overused but I believe very proper in this case.
We are thrilled to announce that Merci New York has made it to the pages of Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine! Can you see me? Yes, that's right... I'm the awe-inspired blond in the far left corner, swooning over the luscious dresses sweeping down the runway. Each one was more gorgeous than the last, truly.Last month, Merci New York was thrilled to sit in on a runway-inspired fashion editorial that is now gracing the pages of Martha Stewart Weddings' {amazing} Fall 2010 Fashion Issue. The spread is packed with pages upon pages of luxe and stylish eye candy. From ethereal gowns {think Oscar de la Renta, Angel Sanchez, Carolina Herrera...} to elegant baubles {Harry Winston, Van Cleef and Arpels...} and every accessory in between {Christian Louboutin...}, it was truly a fashion-loving bride's dream -- and a wonderful afternoon for myself and fellow wedding bloggers Bee Kim of Wedding Bee and Jillian Clark of 100 Layer Cake. Also sharing the fruits of the MSW styling team's impeccable eye were industry style-luminaries Sylvia Weinstock, Mark Ingram, Ronnie Rothstein, Gabriella Risatti, and of course, Martha Stewart Weddings Editorial Director, Darcy Miller.... whom you can also see sitting around the front row of the stunning Ukrainian Institute, {which actually happens to be a tres-chic wedding locale for the uptown bride}. The historic Upper East Side mansion was actually a private home until 1955, and has played host to several posh events and iconic films in the past 50 years. It's beautiful architecture and dramatic moldings made me feel swept up and dropped down in the reels of Valentino: The Last Emperor. It was a phenomenal setting. But I digress. Let's talk fashion. Suffice it to say, my behind-the scenes i-Phone shots couldn't hold a candle to these gorgeous images... so you will just have to take my word on the pure scope of this project. As Sherri Caudell Brennan, MSW's Fashion Editor, swirled past endless racks of taffeta, lace and silk, and escorted me to her accessories pulls, my heart almost sank. Tables upon tables of stunning shoes anxiously awaited their five seconds of fame, including some very sparkly favorites by Giuseppe Zanotti, ribbony peep-toes by Badgely Mischka, and ever-chic Christian Louboutin pumps. Be-ribboned belts? Plush boleros? Blinding rings worthy for the likes of Tinsley Mortimer? Check, check and check! The back rooms were stocked with so many beautiful pieces, I wasn't sure how Sherry, Kate Berry and Daniel Biasatti could even select their looks. Their choices were remarkable though, and the pages of Martha Stewart Weddings proves it. Anyways, here I am waxing poetic, when you can actually experience this beautiful fashion editorial for yourself... The Martha Stewart Weddings Fall 2010 Fashion Issue hit newsstands this week, and I've already spied a few lucky brides perusing the pages at Hudson News at Grand Central Terminal. While they were probably {ie, most certainly} ogling over this spread, these are a few of the other articles they may have missed their train by reading:
The Shape of Things to Come: The New Look of Flowers- Centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres and more.
Works of Art: The culinary arts meet the visual arts in museum-worthy wedding cakes
Sealed With a Kiss: Creative ways to work love's sweetest and most iconic expressions into your day
La Dolce Vita: Lake Como, Italy, sets the scene for a New York City couple's lavish affair.
Though I've vowed of late to post mostly New York area weddings, Sarah and Mark's gorgeous California celebration had so many glamorous details, it just needed to be shared. Everything looks so cohesive- the jewel tones and peacock plume accents are just exquisite. It's hard to believe that Sarah was able to plan this fabulous fete without the help of a wedding planner... What a great eye for detail!
About the photographer:Jean Tsai is a LA based wedding photographer who has found a way to merge her experience in fashion design and all things romantic through her photographs.
Related Videos :below I show related videos and not so related to this article.
Title: Real Bride, Asian Bridal Makeup- Registry & Wedding
Take a peek at a behind the scenes video of a real asian bride getting ready for two different occasions for her registry and her wedding day. Congratulations to Sheena on a wonderful registry and wedding day and thank you for sharing these special moments with other brides to-be! If your looking to hire an asian bridal makeup artist in London or Birmingham contact me or visit http://www.glamface.co.uk and arrange a trial today.
Title: Yosemite Weddings, Yosemite Wedding Locations, Real Weddings, Wedding Ideas
Real Weddings as seen on http://www.FresnoWeddings.Net/ a free online wedding guide referring some of the top California wedding services from all over california.