wedding forecast by JM :: W Hollywood Hotel & Residences

"W Hollywood Hotel & Residences a Must See"
On January 28th, the red carpet was rolled out for the camera ready W Hollywood Hotel & Residences. All the glitz and glam were not spared with this contemporary property. The hotel has 305 guest rooms and 143 residences…W Residences being the first in California. The property has approximately 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space but photos are not available yet. With signature amenities and services Ws are known to provide along with venues by Innovative Dining Group (IDG), guests, residents and even locals are in for an experience.





Photos: via WHollywoodResidence.com

IDG has brought three venues to W Hollywood featuring extraordinary talent in the kitchen, unrivaled hospitality in the dining room and lounge, and cutting-edge design that inspires new trends. Upon check-in, enter The Living Room, a hip and vibrant lobby lounge. Or make your way to the outdoor theater and bar where you can sip on a cocktail by a fire pit while enjoying a featured film on the 35’ movie screen. As with any scenster, you always have the urge to hop around as you need to make your appearance. Station Hollywood will be your next stop as the W Hollywood’s exclusive outdoor oasis. With all the mingling and pre-dinner drinks, it’s time to indulge at Delphine, a brasserie with a menu consisting of French, Spanish and Italian Riviera influences.

With a place like this, the fun doesn’t end at dinner. Come March 10th, Drai's Hollywood will make its premier as your night club destination. Can you handle more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space? I don’t even have to ask. And with their Whatever/Whenever service meant to make all wishes come true, this can only lead to the unexpected.
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bloomies + the white dress

Planning to surprise your guests by slipping into a cocktail dress or evening gown for the reception, but still want to honor the tradition of wearing white? Or thinking about wearing something more suited for your choreographed first dance? Check Bloomingdale's current White Dress Trends. Here you'll find some festive cocktail pieces full of feathers and petals and also, ankle length gowns that are still sexy and formal. These will definitely let your guests know you are ready to party and rock the night away, whilst standing out as the honorary bride.









Photo source: via Bloomingdales.com . . .(click for full post)

NEWS: blog transformation in the works!

NEWS: We want to keep you updated with the progress we are making here at B&W. One of the things we plan to work on this year is to completely give our blog a transformation. As of today, we will begin work on re-vamping the blog! We will also be updating our lovely website with more recent projects. This may take several weeks to a month or so, but no worries, we will still be here! *Our blog address may change, but a link to this blog will be made available for you. . . .(click for full post)

bellz&whistlez + Andaz (San Diego)

NEWS: Exciting update...! Yesterday, we were notified that bellz&whistlez was added to the preferred vendor list for the swank Andaz hotel (San Diego). Managed by the Hyatt, Andaz (formerly The Ivy Hotel) is currently SDs premiere boutique accommodation located at 600 F Street (SD, CA 92101) right in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. With access to one of the best rooftops in Downtown San Diego, Andaz is a spectacular venue with exceptional customer service. And if you're a bride who likes to think outside of the box, check out this venue as a potential wedding site for your big day. YES, they do host weddings here!





Photos: via Andaz (San Diego) . . .(click for full post)

wedding forecast by JM :: upcoming wedding events in Southern CA

"Upcoming Events (Feb + Mar 2010) in Southern CA"
Here are a couple of events that will be taking place in February and March in Southern California.

FEBRUARY
**Feb 21, 2010**
Bridal Showplace
Knott's Berry Farm Resort Hotel - Buena Park
7675 Crescent Ave., Buena Park, CA
11am–4pm
T (562) 381-2865
$5 admission

Temecula Wedding Event
45000 Pechanga Pkwy Temecula, CA 92592
11am–4pm
T (877) 522-7158
$10 admission

**Feb 28, 2010**
Festival of Brides (The Upscale Bridal Show)
Terranea Resort
6610 Palos Verdes Drive South Palos Verdes, CA 90275
T (310) 577-7788
$25 admission

MARCH
**Mar 7, 2010**
The Wedding Party Bridal Show
San Diego's Hard Rock Hotel
207 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
$20 admission

**Mar 14, 2010**
Festival of Brides (The Upscale Bridal Show)
Millennium Biltmore Hotel
506 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90071
T (310) 577-7788
$25 admission

**Mar 21, 2010**
Bridal Showplace
Sheraton Cerritos Hotel
12725 Center Court Dr Cerritos, CA
T (562) 924-2048
$5 admission

The San Diego Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show
Bahia Resort Hotel
998 W. Mission Bay Drive San Diego, CA 92109
T (949) 278-0965
$10 admission

**Mar 28, 2010**
International Wedding Festival
San Diego Convention Center
111 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
11am–5pm

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wedding forecast by JM :: the princess project

"Tax Season and The Princess Project"
Tax season has kicked off, and as our W-2s and 1099s start coming in, we prepare to file by gathering important documentation. Tax deductibles can be very beneficial to your pocket and to the community. At B&W we feature our fabulous weddings and blog about glamorous events, but we are philanthropists and will always give back when we can. With this, I'd like to highlight a way that every one can benefit from this tax season -- The Princess Project.

I am pretty confident that many of you have a lonely dress hanging in your closet just waiting to be worn again. We like to think that we could put some use to our special occasion or bridesmaid dresses but most of the time that is not the case.




You have made your appearance, ate, drank, and danced the night away but your fairy tale does not have to end at the stroke of midnight. You could become a fairy godmother to a young, underprivileged teen to make her feel like the princess that she truly is. The Princess Project promotes self-confidence and individual beauty by providing free prom dresses and accessories to high school girls who cannot otherwise afford them.



After exploring their website, I was most inspired from their #1 core value:

We celebrate bodies of all sizes and avoid using body imagery in our marketing and outreach. Body-oriented graphics and artwork – like torso silhouettes, dress outlines or generic, stock prom photos – inadvertently convey an idealized body size, style and look. By instead using images of the girls we serve and royalty-related imagery like tiaras and crowns, we celebrate the beauty and diversity of girls everywhere, in every size. -- PrincessProject

From the trips to the mall with your girlfriends, from rummaging through hundreds of racks, or if you were like me, sketched a design, we all remember our prom dress. Prom is like a high school rite of passage. Think of the memories you’ll help create by donating your dress. It’s a beautiful thing! And it's a tax deduction!




After years of servicing the Bay Area, The Princess Project San Diego became the fourth location in 2009. Check out the San Diego 2nd Annual Runway Event next month. Local celebrities will be judging FIDM students as they compete to see who has the best reinvention of a prom dress. You can enjoy ½ off bar specials and appetizers under $15. Don’t forget your prom dress donation (check out the Donation Guidelines on the website)! And as they would say at The Princess Project, “Thanks for your time, talent and taffeta!”

San Diego 2nd Annual Runway Event
Thursday, February 11, 2010
6:00-9:00pm
@ CONFIDENTIAL
901 4th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
$20 pre-register or $25 at the door
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COLOR FANATIC: #007 Red Violet + Jelly Bean

This post is strictly for color matching. The scenario: You want pink. He wants blue. You want funk. He wants class. The solution: Pairing up both, but using slightly muted tones of each color. Pay attention to the saturation within the color palette -- it can make a huge impact on the design of your reception. Remember, colors like fuchsia or violates don't always have to be bright.



Photo sources: (T-B; L-R) Stephanie Williams Photography, The Knot, unknown, Lazaro, unknown, The Knot, Portabello Pixie, Amy Atlas, Cards and Pockets . . .(click for full post)

shoe pick from the O blog : alothman

Fashionistas, check out these sure-to-turn-heads heels. These shoes are my pick from the O Blog via Alothman. They're from a previous season, but I still find them intriguing!


Photo source: Alothman.com/blog . . .(click for full post)

red carpet at the 2010 Golden Globe Awards

If you didn't catch the 2010 Golden Globe Awards show on Jan. 17, 2010, then here's a peek at some of the fly gowns that trotted down the infamous red carpet. It was a rainy day in Beverly Hills, but it didn't stop these divas from getting all dolled up!






For the brides who want to have custom dresses made, whether it be for yourself or for your bridesmaids, get inspired from designer gowns at events like these -- they're like walking art shows.





Photo source: All photos are from GoldenGlobes.org
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wedding forecast by JM :: ANdAZ San Diego

"Ivy to ANdAZ"
From the Maryland, to Ivy, and now Andaz (ahn-dahz). On February 1st, Ivy Hotel will become Andaz San Diego. Andaz, Hyatt’s new luxury boutique brand debuted in 2007 and currently has three hotels under its umbrella. With locations in London, West Hollywood, and Wall Street, this brand continues to grow as hotels in San Diego, 5th Avenue and Austin are on their way.



Hyatt Corporation will manage the property under an agreement with Kelly Capital, Ivy’s owner. No need to be alarmed as Ivy Hotel will remain Ivy in the essence. Slight renovations and minor changes will be made to the property but only to enhance the elite service and experience that are signature to Ivy.


Photo source: Andaz.com

Global in scale while local in perspective, ANdAZ delivers an innovative hospitality experience blending personal preferences with attentive and uncomplicated service. The unique collection of hotels reflects the personality of each locale, and is dedicated to creating natural and vibrant living space where travelers can indulge in their own personal sense of comfort and style. --Hotel-Online.com

The property’s swanky adult playground has created quite a name for itself and has secured its place on the list of hot spots in San Diego. Ivy will always be associated with the nightlife scene which is why the name will stick around even with the rolling out of Andaz San Diego. The venues will now be referred to as: Ivy Rooftop, Ivy Ultra Lounge & Wine Bar and Ivy Nightclub (formerly Envy).



Photo source: Andaz.com

The transition promises to be smooth and since I am in the middle of it all, you will definitely be kept in the loop ;-).
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love is in the air :: eunice + francis by featherlove

TEASER!! Oh, man...have you ever seen photos like these? In my years doing this, I don't think I can say I have. Two beautiful people together with one phenomenal photographer, Noa from FeatherLove Photography equals the most darling e-session shoot. Francis (Fro) and Eunice took their e-session to the next level, with this vintage 1940s military-inspired direction, complete with the cool tie Fro sports in these shots, Eunice's matching 'fit,' military backdrop, and Noa's rad lighting/style + technique. With Fro's service in the military and Eunice's profession as a nurse, this e-session makes complete sense -- totally original and matches their style. *Couples, get inspired from this e-session and personalize your photos by doing something different and reflective of you! Creativity has no boundaries, and B&W is the perfect solution to showing you what that means.

B&W has been working alongside Eunice and Fro to plan their big day (April). This is one of our year-long D+I+C events, and we are so excited! These photos are a snippet into what's in the works. A lot of thought has gone into this production...I can't wait for you to see what we're doing!

To see more fabulous photos of this e-session by FeatherLove, click here.






Photos by: Feather Love Photography . . .(click for full post)

our promo ends tomorrow (Jan 16, 2010)

Reminder: Our promo ends tomorrow, January 16, 2010! Save $ by securing our 2009 prices...

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jewelry cases for the modern bride

You're at the nail salon, and the first thing you do is take off your rings and stuff them into a pocket in your jeans. Or you go to the spa with your girlfriends, and in the locker room, you find yourself tucking your engagement ring in the deepest compartment within your purse. Ladies, it's time to start taking good care of your jewelry. Whether it be your rings, necklace, or earrings, there is a proper way to store your valuables, especially when you're traveling, or temporarily in need of removing your jewelry - a jewelry case. A variety of cases, pockets, pouches or pochettes are available, from Louis Vuitton's $700 Folding Jewelry Case, to recycling a Tiffany's sheepskin jewelry pocket, these pouches will save your jewelry from scratches, dents, and most importantly from being lost.



Photo source: LouisVuitton.com

Though I posted LV's designer jewelry case, really, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg on one. You can use a mini coin purse, like the Coach one in the collage, but put a non-abrasive cloth inside for protection. Most jewelry cases are lined with plush fabric or leather to keep from scratching. I actually bought my case, which is a jewelry pocket, from Banana Republic on sale for $5, and it sure does make me feel 100% better about keeping my rings secured in a case when I'm at the spa or nail salon. I never know when I'm going to need to take my rings or earrings off, so I keep my case with me wherever I go (in my purse). Note: I'd stay away from drawstring pouches since they can easily untie; use something that has a zipper or button, or spring hinge as an enclosure.


Photo source: PurseBlog.com
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BRIDES q+a: the groom's cake

Contemplating on ordering a groom's cake? I found this interesting snippet in the Q+A section ("Etiquette Police") in the Feb '10 issue of BRIDES magazine (p. 156).

Q: What's the deal with the groom's cake? Do we need one?
A: Traditionally, the groom's cake was a fruitcake that was cut into small pieces and boxed for guests to take home. Single women put it under their pillows that night in hopes of dreaming about their future husbands. Today, this cake is optional and as varied as the guys themselves: We've seen simple creations in the groom's favorite flavor, as well as wackier cakes inspired by his interests (footballs, guitars, NASCAR). And it's eaten at the reception, not squashed under a pillow.

Just when I thought the groom's cake was something of last five years, I learn that it has actually been around for some time! But fruitcake? Under the pillow? To dream about their future husbands?


Photo source: NakedAuthors.com

Look at the cakes some grooms are luckily to get these days! Pink Cake Box is one of my favorite places to see amazing pastry art.






Photo source: PinkCakeBox.com . . .(click for full post)

movie ticket guest book

Are you a person who saves movie ticket stubs?...lucky for you, I saw this photo and thought of a great idea on what to do with them! Neatly display them in a blank album (*along with space for guests to write) and custom make your guest book! What an innovative idea for the movie buff couple -- adds a very personalized touch and makes for an even more valuable keepsake. You can tab the sides of the pages for easy alphabetization.


Photo source: Jesse Deanna (Blurb) . . .(click for full post)