Backstage at a Masquerade Ball

(Photo Credit | Priceline.com)

About two weeks ago I received a special invitation from Harmony Walton of Bridal Bar to attend a masquerade ball on November 17th!  I was so giddy that I could barely stand it!  I have always wanted to attend such an event and now here was my chance.

I procrastinated on getting my mask.  (I know, what type of person is excited and doesn't run out and get a mask? Me, that's who).  I admit, I only put it off because I thought finding a mask would be super easy, but I quickly learned that is not the case.  After appropriately kicking myself a few times for not getting a fab mask online, I ended up picking up a few supplies at JoAnn's Fabrics.  Those supplies, my old and discarded choker and a crafty eye, helped me put my mask together at the last minute.  Here it is along with the shoes & necklace I chose for this occasion.  (Why do I post my shoes?  Because they are fantastic, of course!  Plus they were a birthday gift from Tianna, my wonderful oldest daughter).

 

(taken with my iPhone)

The ball was held at Petit Ermitage in the fabulous West Hollywood district.  Everything about this little hotel is fabulous.  It is historic, filled with all kinds of unique details and the perfect place for a masquerade.

Upon arrival Tuesday night, I had my photo snapped in good old Hollywood red carpet style (wondering how I can get a copy of that pic) and then I was ushered up to the fourth floor.  Petit Ermitage boasts a four-level event space complete with gardens, fireplace, a butterfly bar and pool!

I had the pleasure of hanging out with masked wedding peeps and having a good old time.  The night was topped off by a sychronized swim performed by the talented and beautiful Aqua Lilies!

(Taken with my iPhone)

It was a fantastic evening filled with color, sounds and good times!  Take a look for yourself at these great photos taken by Cakes & Kisses Photography (whom I might add is pretty rad!)

(Photo credit for all below | Cakes and Kisses Photography)

Creative Montage $150 Giveaway!

 

I just opened my email to find a fantastic message from Aimee O'Boyle of Creative Montage.  Aimee is giving away a $150 gift certificate towards Creative Montage custom invitations.

WHY IS SHE DOING THIS?

Because she cares.  She cares about brides who so desperately want the wedding of their dreams but are working with a limited budget and trying financial times as a result of our current economy.

Why settle for pre-designed invitations when you don't have to.  You can receive a custom design set that perfectly reflects the tone and style of the wedding you have spent so much time planning and dreaming of.  Not only is Aimee great at what she does, she is also incredible to work with and an all around super nice person.

Read more about her on my previous post, Sneak Peek: Creative Montage, HERE.

SO HOW DO I GET FANTASTIC INVITATIONS MADE JUST FOR ME?

That's the easy part.  Visit her blog, Creative Odds and Ends and leave a comment.  But you must hurry!  The contest ends on Friday, November 20th.  The winner will be announced on Monday, November 23rd.

BEST OF LUCK!

Cheers!

tami brown

Khloe and Lamar Faux Wedding... WTHeck!

America has been taking peeks into the Kardashian home and lifestyle for quite a while, so it comes as no surprise that the wedding of my favorite Kardashian sister, Khloe, to famous Laker, Lamar Odom, was televised.  The couple shared their wedding with viewers on Sunday night on a two-hour special of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.  I joined the throngs of people who tuned in to see the deets!  Afterall, celeb weddings are always ridiculously fab, right?

Only 30 days after meeting, their lavish nuptials took place on September 27, 2009 and were filmed at the private estate of legendary music manager Irving Azoff.  Participating vendors include Mark's Garden, Vera Wang, Lehr & Black, Sharon Sacks Productions and Hansens Cakes to name a few.  About 250 guests arrived after receiving last minute invitations.  The wedding ceremony was beautiful and the reception was swanky and chic.  I was incredibly impressed with how quickly and seamlessly this affair came together in such a short period of time.

But what is this I hear?

It was FAKE!  Get the heck outta here!  It can't be true, right?  I mean after all, tears were flowing, joy was filling the air... even angels were singing.  But according to an article on the Huffington Post, this was all a BIG FAT fake wedding.  Apparently, following on the heels of the much publicized wedding of Kendra Wilkinson of E!'s Kendra, whose televised wedding to NFL player Hank Baskett earned her show's highest-ever ratings, the show's producers thought this might be just super to do the same for the Kardashian clan.  Afterall, Kendra's last minute wedding created a boatload of buzz so why not boost the Kardashian show's ratings?  I'll tell you why...because people expect the truth!  HELLO!! *sigh*

I post this tidbit because we are Backstage Bridal after all and I can't very well be Backstage without taking a sneak peek behind the scenes of weddings.  In keeping with the truth of being Backstage, I bring you the truth, raw and sometimes uncensored.

NOTE: This is not to negate any feelings Khloe and Lamar may feel for one another or the impressive work that my talented peers (wedding pros) did in pulling off this spectacular event.  Khloe and Lamar may very well be head-over-heels in love.  And I know, from experience, that the wedding pros who were involved in this affair worked their booties off.  (KUDOS to great wedding peeps!)

However, according to the Huffington Post, no pre-nups have been signed and no legal marriage has taken place to date.  In fact, the ceremony was scripted and TMZ has the proof... (don't they always?)  In the audio link provided, the producers are heard debating a line from the wedding script.

I love all things surrounding love... and I loved watching this show on Sunday.  But this just proves what I have always said about reality TV... Reality TV isn't reality.  You want reality...come to Backstage Bridal! 

Whether this wedding was real or faux, it was still amazing and the work done should certainly be applauded!

What is so exciting to me about this whole thing?  Well, because of the fantastic vendors who were a part of this shindig... Hansens Cakes will be participating at Backstage Bridal and you will have an opportunity to meet them in person and taste their wares.  Mmm, mmm, good!

(All photos posted credit | OK Magazine)

CHEERS!

tami brown

Barbie is the Ultimate Glam-ista!

Barbie is celebrating her 50th birthday!  Not only does she look fab for her age but as part of her birthday celebrations she is going to receive the Christian Louboutin treatment! (SO LUCKY!)

I don't know about you, but Barbie has always held special place in my heart.  Although I am not a collector, I vividly recall the days when my sister and I spent countless hours turning my mother's bookshelf into a 5-level high rise penthouse apartment house for our beloved Barbie dolls.  Every once in a while, I stop in F.A.O Schwarz at The Grove in Los Angeles to browse their Barbie section, complete with Barbie decked out in the latest gowns that shame the best red carpet attire to date.

One thing is for sure, if you are a glam-ista you can certainly learn a thing or two about putting your look together from this 50 year old icon. She is the ultimate fashionista... who else besides Barbie can summon top designers from across the globe who vie for her to wear their latest creations in typical Barbie style.  In fact, more than 70 high profile designers have had the coveted opportunity to design for her over the years.

In February the Toy Fair will come to NYC and I plan to follow along as they display some of the latest Barbie fashions.  In the meantime, check out some of the things Barbie had designers create just for her over the years:

1997 Dior Barbie

2001 Burberry Barbie

 

2003 Armani Barbie

2007 Reem Acra Barbie

2008 Vera Wang Barbie (her second Vera Wang gown in a decade)

And here she is wearing FIVE Christian Louboutin designs (SWOON!)