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I was blessed to receive a copy of Susie Coelho’s  Style Your Dream Wedding, and let me tell you, luxelings, this is a MUST HAVE.  And this could be quite possibly the only wedding book that you will buy for your planning.  (Seriously, it’s that good). 

If you don’t know who Susie Coelho is, first let me premise that she is a genius. The thoughtful way that this book has been put together is PHENOMENAL!  I am so in luxe with it.  Susie  is the rockstar host of HGTV’s "Outer Spaces", and "Surprise Gardener". She has also been on NBC, ABC, and Oprah.

But let me tell you about this book, honey…

First of all, the pictures are fantastic.  It gives you ideas for photography styles and details that you would (read: should) incorporate into your wedding.  Susie breaks a wedding down into "styles":  Classic, Classic Holiday, Contemporary, Beach, Countryside, Garden, Fanciful or Exotic.  From there, it goes in depth into each style’s concept.  What I love is that the pages open up (think gatefolds) to give you an extended look into different details of the wedding styles. 

Special features include:
· Quiz booklet
· Color palette booklet
· Dress silhouette accordion pullout
· Six 8-page gatefolds
· CD of wedding music – (how many songs)
· Postcards
· More than 600 world-class color photographs

You can even take Susie’s Style Your Dream Wedding Quiz online. 

Susie goes on to explore with you the different styles of weddings– all illustrated with stunning photos.  This book is like one big storyboard by one of the best in the design industry.  But Susie isn’t upstaged by the photos at all; her advice is concise, practical, and relevant.  Moreover, her words paint the picture in your mind that makes you say, "Why didn’t I think of that!?" or "I MUST have it!"

She pays special attention to styling your cake to reflect the style of your wedding, as well as choosing the right photography and photographer for your wedding.  The book has over 600 photos from some of the best in the industry, like Joe Photo and Amy Squires.

I don’t typically gush about books, but this one is SO very worth it. You can purchase the book, and you can also enter to win a copy right here at the Fabuluxe Blog courtesy of Fabuluxe and Thomas Nelson Publishers!  Simply leave a comment below!  Pros, you are welcome, too.  A winner will be chosen at random on May 5th, 2008.

This book, in my opinion, is perfect for the bride who is tired of the same cookie cutter concepts seen in typical wedding books, websites and glossies. One thing I love is that she says, "Make your own rules, and you’ll find a  style that one no one else could’ve dreamed of".  This book is a good investment for brides and their planners/designers.  Susie shows you color palettes for each style, which is awesome.  She then takes you through the different elements of your wedding, and gives examples from each style.  hat also makes it so great is that Susie gives you an inspiration and an explanation of those elements.  She teaches you about invitation fonts, dress silhouettes, bouquets, centerpieces, bridal parties, place settings, food and favors. 

Prior to my blissful getaway with Captain America, the fab squad and I worked together on Kellie and Colin’s wedding at Crane Cottage at the Jekyll Club on Jekyll Island.  It was an awesome time!  Kellie looked beautiful!  Of course, it was another great get together with Scarlett, and I was lucky enough to meet her second shooter, Kenzie.  Scarlett was so sweet to allow me to share some photos! 

I love this shot…the look on her face says it all!

Each bridesmaid had a different bouquet.  Heidi from Rosalee’s Flowery was awesome, and was on hand to make sure everything was perfect.

We had an awesome time drawing up inspiration and concepts for this wedding. 

Yes, that is my head! I’m "under" the table, telling Kellie and Colin how to cut the cake. 

Thanks again, Scarlett– and Kellie and Colin for allowing us to share your day with you. You and your families are so lucky to have you and you two are so blessed and in love…and it shows!

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My fabulous twin saw this coming in her post, Grey is the New Blonde. Grey has completely replaced beige and brown and even black for the luxe factor in eye makeup. It’s classic, sleek and can be glammed up or ingenued down. Your choice (you know what I’d go for ). Here are some hot products you will want to try out to see if this trend is something you would like to try out for your wedding or next party.

Bobbi Brown has a beautiful Long Wear Gel Eyeliner that comes in Granite Ink or Graphite Shimmer Ink, which is a darker, shimmery version of the Granite Ink. These can be used to create subtle or dramatic looks ($19, each. Bobbi Brown)

Bobbi Brown also has a Longwear Cream Eyeshadow in Slate (and a silver version called Galaxy). Cream eyeshadows are great because you can increase the intensity without looking “too made up” or worry about creasing. ($22, each. Bobbi Brown)

Cherline– a high gloss, high impact pigment by MAC comes in “Dark Soul” which they describe as “deep smoke grey with silver, gold, and white pearl” ($58 for the set of three. MAC )

Sephora’s creamy, long-wearing eye pencil comes in two awesome shades: Pewter and Dark Grey. These are perfect to have in your arsenal when you want to go for a sexy, smoky eye (which can be done subtly, by the way, if you like the concept, but not being too made up).

I got tagged by Saundra at Planning Forever, and I must say, this is the best tag game yet.

I think we’ve all been hit with the “Name Seven Things About You…”, so to shake it up a bit (and she does that so well….”Them apple bottom jeans…boots with the fur”. Don’t try to get it. Saun will know what I mean), Saundra asked that we name 5 songs that we are embarrassed for anyone to know that we like/listen to.

SCORE.  As you can tell from some of my blog posts, I’m always listening to something or other.  I’m not necessarily embarrassed, but I bet you never would’ve thought that I rock out to…

1.) Anything Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana.  Right now, me and Mini Me rock out to Rock Star (perfect for us ) and See You Again.

2.) Toxic or I’m A Slave for You by Britney Spears.  That’s great Strippercise music.  Hey, to each it’s own, sister.

3.)   Any song from Bizet’s Carmen or Premminger’s Carmen Jones.  Remember, I’m an old soul.

4.)  Prima J’s Rock Star (notice a trend?).  I got this from Scarlett’s MySpace page, and it was TOTALLY infectious.  Mini Me and I scream this on the way to school. No wonder everyone calls her “Hollywood”.

5.)   Crank Dat by Soulja Boy.  Perhaps I am embarrassed by this one LOL.  But I LOVE the Travis Barker version to work out to….gets me pumped!

Who shall I tag….

Ok!

Stella Event Design  |  Kenzie Shores | Emilie Duncan   |  It’s A Jaime Thing    |  Scarlett Lillian

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Now playing: Sade – Please Send Me Someone To Love
via FoxyTunes

Rockstar Event Designers, Mark Held and Richard David, of the famous, Mark’s Garden has put out a book– Fabulous Parties.  You may remember when we blogged about Richard Mark’s famous contributions to this year’s Governor’s Ball.  In addition to that work of art, Richard and Mark has also worked for clients such as George Clooney, Heidi Klum, Oprah and many more!

But in the book, they have also teamed up with Peggy Dark, caterer to the stars, to help you pull off the perfect party of your own. 

From Christina for Mark’s Garden:

"The harmonious relationship between food and flowers is clearly demonstrated in specially commissioned photographs which showcase twenty themed events, inspired by those created for their celebrity clients. All of the events included have a theme, décor, and menu. Choose from a Rustic Italian Party, a colorful Caribbean Dinner, a Chic Cocktail Party, a lavish New Year’s Eve Celebration, a fun Mexican Fiesta, an elegant Wine Tasting or a glamorous Pink Ladies Luncheon, plus many more inspired yet achievable ideas.

Mouth-watering menus accompany each party idea and include suggestions for delicious cocktails, along with recipes for appetizers, entrées and desserts. The stylish floral designs shown in each setting include ideas for table centerpieces and other floral table treatments plus innovative ways of decorating rooms and outdoor spaces. Practical instruction on how to achieve professional results at home is given in a Floral Tips chapter."

I can NOT wait to get my hands on this book and add it to my library. I know it will be extremely worth it. I am always looking for ways to girlify my husband’s UFC parties. 

Oh Joy.

The April issue of {FÊTE}ish is out! A little late, but blame Capt. America…not me Hope you enjoy it!We will be looking for guest writers and photogs, so if you are interested, please let us know. Just send a fabulous email to blog {at} cocktailsdetails.com.

Sane people only, please.

I’ll be back to my regularly scheduled wedding blogging programming this week, but wanted to share another inspirational vitamin with you.

My husband and I were out eating recently, and I was telling him how very blessed and grateful I was to have some of the new people in my life. They came at just the right time, and for the right reasons.  Many have touched me professionally, but some have helped transcend my level of awareness both professionally and personally.  Precious has been such a dear friend to me– a confidant, sister, sounding board, and giggle partner.  Mattie shares my fetish or everything fabulous and is the sister that I need to tell me when I’m wrong, but back me up in a fight when I’m right.  Liene, as I was telling my husband, is a Godsend, because I truly believe that she was my business’ guardian angel (and my twin sister).  Everything I needed to hear came from her mouth, and I listened, and it worked.   Scarlett, has been my personal guardian angel without even knowing it. Because of her, my spiritual relationship with Christ and others has gone to a depth for the better and I owe everyone listed so much for their contributions….whether they know they have touched my life or not.

As our conversation went on, a lot of my present hit me and it was quite a breathtaking moment. Everything I do is for my children.  I want to be the type of woman I want my daughter to be, the type of woman I want my sons to marry, and to achieve things and work hard in life to show my children that anything is possible.  And it is, but the woman today is a piece of the people listed above, and others as well.  I reminisced with my husband how when I started my business, back when it was Once Upon Your Wedding,  how hard it was to stay motivated in this industry.  Just when you think you’ve carved out your niche, you find someone else with the same idea or has stolen your idea. Or, when first getting started you run in to major roadblocks and unsupportive (and I’ll say it) downright catty and ignorant people.  Some were less than gracious to me when I got started, and if I didn’t see my vision for myself and was committed to seeing my business off to a soaring start, I would’ve quit.  But that ain’t the Terrica you’ve grown to know and love.

I realize every day how very important it is to help someone with their dream.  I have a few people who read the blog that email to ask me about getting started, and I can’t wait to return the favor to them as many have favored and honored me with their experiences.  Some people are doused in gasoline, some people are soaked in water.  So when you light that spark under them, sometimes they blaze and others just fizzle out.  That’s ok, what matters is that you took your time…you shared yourself, your knowledge and your love.  And just know that when  that one person’s fire is blazing, a piece of your own fire blazes with it, and others will want get a piece of that fire too.  None of us have cornered the market on anything in life– someone will always build a bigger and better mousetrap.  But when you take the time to help the next guy, a piece of you lives on– a piece of you enjoys that success with them.  And in turn, they will remember that and teach someone else.  Before you know it, there will be less and less people who are getting started (in this industry and in any industry, for that matter), that will say “When I got started, people were real jerks to me”. Instead, they will say, “I will be glad to help you, because when I got started, someone else helped me”.

I dare you to ignite someone’s flame this week.  Share your passion, share your fire, share yourself.

Each one, teach one.

When my daughter was about two, we went to a mule roundup. This was a completely new experience for me, being a city girl. Mini me loves horses, and a friend of ours had a mule whose stomach was six feet off the ground. The thing was huge. As we watched her, she got right on it, and rode it alone…absolutely no fear.

This morning, I was in bed with the baby, and watched him scale and crawl the mattress, attempting to get to something from my night table. I hooked one of his little ankles, which frustrated him, as he tried to get to his goal. As a mother, I just couldn’t let him fall. I let him crawl closer to the edge, with my hand still around his ankle, and he went along with a determined confidence. I let him go over the edge a little, to see when I pulled him back if his fear of falling over the edge would prevent him from going back to the end of the bed. No such luck, he did went again, faster– with no fear, tried his best and reached to get what he wanted…and did.

This had me thinking…how many times have I attempted something that seemed completely nuts or undoable by others, but completely attainable to me? It made me realize how close I have come to “the edge of the mattress”, reaching for something on life’s night table, and God has been kind enough to hold my ankles. Despite self-doubt, the fear of falling and failing, tirekickers and dreamstealers, I have still gone to the edge and tried my best. Sometimes…with no fear.I believe God puts obstacles in our way to materialize to us how bad we want what it is that we are reaching for. Sometimes, those obstacles are warning signs, and other times, they are a blatant, flat out NO. We all have to have the wisdom to know the difference. But no matter what the situation or outcome is, there is a lesson to be learned and a joy to be had. Do we fail to try or try (only) to fail?

The quote by Marianne Williamson, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure”, rings true. Is it enough to just think it or dream it? Can it be as equally fulfilling to try and miss, as it is to try and attain, than to do neither and think of what could have been?

I know that a lot of my attempts were only possible because I felt God’s presence (either subtly or powerfully) as I began. Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. The whole books of Proverbs and Philippians are powerful as they tell us to fear nothing, to rejoice, think positive thoughts, and acknowledge God’s goodness and presence. I realize not all of my readers share my faith– and that’s fine. But we are all threaded in one common spool of hopes and dreams. I dare you to try. I inspire you to be fearless. DO IT. Whatever it is that is on your mind today that you have been apprehensive about it…DO IT. The spotlight has always been on, it’s just waiting for you to step into it. So show up and SHOW OFF!

What would you do, if you knew you could not fail?