Stay First Kiss Ready

I am attending a launch party of a colleague in a week or so and I needed something to go in the bridal gift bags. I wanted something useful but still fun and feminine. Now you know how I love Etsy (they have the COOLEST things), so I'm looking around for something fabulous when I came across Your Lips But Better. Jenny makes the yummiest (is that a word?) lip balms I've come across in a long time. Amazing flavors/scents like Rose, Ginger Peach, Cucumber Melon, Honeysuckle Nectarine...I could go on and on. With ingredients like jojoba oil, avocado oil, and cocoa butter, you'll be sure to stay ready for your first kiss as the new Mrs. It's a good thing I ordered a few extra for myself;)

Love Never Smelled So Good

You've found the perfect dress, the killer stilettos, pretty blossoms, the sweetest cake and let's not forget the greatest guy...what's left? Your signature scent, of course! Perfume is one of my greatest loves as nothing sets your personal mood like a great scent. Romantic, clean & crisp, fruity, moody, sexy; there are a myriad of choices out there. Here are a few of my faves:
My friend Keir once stopped a woman on the street in NYC whose fragrance caught his attention. Behold the power of Angel by Thierry Mugler.
My girlfriend Dana swears by Duende by Jesus Pol Pozo.
How could you go wrong with classic Chanel?
Fresh and feminine without being overpowering, love Flower by Kenzo.
My mother's signature scent, Oscar by Mr. de la Renta.
The wonderously sexy Woman by Versace, my personal scent. L-O-V-E it!
You didn't think I'd leave the men out, did you? Gorgeously masculine.

Hello Dear Readers, I apologize for my absence of late, but things have gotten very busy here at Dawn Easter Events. I promise to not leave you in the lurch for so long again...
One of the first things a newly engaged woman does, is to get a manicure. What better way to show off your new ring? OPI has created, Beyond Chic collection, 6 beautiful new shades perfect for your wedding day or flaunting your newly acquired carats.

Keep Your Cup Full

I know you've heard it said, if you're working from a full cup, you will overflow and have more to give to others. When it comes to my brides, I always tell them not to get overwhelmed by the planning. That's what I'm here for, after all. Brides (and grooms) must take care of themselves and a little pampering never hurt anyone. Two of my favorite places in the city are La Bella Dona and Metamorphosis.
Pedicures are must when rocking those fabulous Manolos!
An organic sugar rub will keep your skin soft and silky. I can already see your glow!
Bubble baths are my favorite...rose petals, those wonderfully fizzy balls and a little milk...Can't get any better than that.

Room For Everyone

I came across this World Bride Magazine today and I just had to share it with you. I think the tag line says it all: "Welcome to World Bride Magazine, the newest face in bridal magazines, serving brides of color and couples representing a fusion of different cultures, religions, races, and ethnicities." Can't wait for my next issue!

Bridal Beauty MAC Style

MAC, the purveyors of chic, powerful beauty, has done it again with their bridal series. Some of the looks are strikingly fantastic which can easily be translated to real world wedding day looks. If your technique needs a bit of fine tuning, they even included video tutorials! Should you need one on one attention (and who doesn't when it comes to their wedding day look?!), run, don't walk to your nearest MAC boutique store.

The Ultimate in Hair Pampering

Have you ever wanted to experience a true one-on-one consultation with a noted stylist? To have said stylist (and not their assistant) work their considerable mojo on your very deserving tresses and address all of your hair woes? Well, get your credit cards ready, ladies! Celebrity and Dove stylist Gretchen Monahan is offering the ultimate hair therapy session for $1K. Check out the details.

Perfectly Coiffed

We all know how important it is to look your best every day, but your wedding day beauty should be taken to the next level. Now, I don't mean to try something so radical that your fiance will have a hard time recognizing you. No silly, what I mean is, on your wedding day, you should be the most beautiful version of you (which is usually the case). Besides, you'll be looking at the photographs for years to come. Here are a few hairstyles to help shape the vision of your wedding day beauty style. First up: the Up-Dos
I love this style, very sleek and elegant. Perfect for an evening wedding. Loving the wispy hair pin.
This top knot simply works! Very sophisticated. The hair jewelry is the perfect compliment.
Side parted bangs work for a variety of face shapes.
The flowers on this twist add a touch of romance.
For those with shorter bangs and layers, a beautifully designed headband to match the detailing on your gown is a great look.
This style will look perfect for a garden ceremony.
Pull curls into a high ponytail and accent with a flowered barrette or comb.

If you like the best of both worlds, these are for you.
This works for a casual chic garden or beach ceremony
The slightly heightened crown and side barrettes add drama to a simple style.
Sweeping curls to one side will highlight not only your neckline but any jewelry you've chosen. So yes, you have my permission to purchase those lovely Lorraine Schwartz chandeliers.
Chicly ethereal...

Now if you're anything like me, you'll wear your hair down on the big day. Let's work out a few options, shall we?
Classic glamour
If you're getting married outside during the humid summer months and are worried about frizz, a free-form roller set will do nicely.
I love the soft flowing waves of this style. Perfect layers.
This blowout is wonderfully smooth. Wanna achieve this look? Call me, I know the perfect guy!!


Photos courtesy of Keith King, Fernando Milani, Christophe Jouany and Tim Geaney

Sunday Bliss

Okay, is it just me or is the weather starting to play with my emotions? One minute it's warm and sunny and next it's 45 degrees. Since spring is alluding us (at least for the present moment) I thought I would do a little something to brighten my day.

First, I had a private makeup lesson with the truly fabulous Erika Nixon of Makeup On Demand. She is the makeup guru in the Richmond area and since my look hasn't changed in a while, I knew it was time for professional intervention. I heard great things about Erika and she did not disappoint. Now, we all know, it can be a little intimidating to have a perfect stranger go to work on your face but Erika was an absolute doll! She is so funny and warm, we totally lost track of time. I will definitely be profiling Erika for my Gold List in the near future.

Now on to my DIY project. I was doing a little shopping last evening and saw the prettiest white daisies. So fresh, so clean, so very spring! I had to get a couple of bouquets, a trim here, a snip there and we were on our way. Now, I'm no Janie, but not bad, not bad at all.
One of the smaller arrangements for my nightstand.
And the other.
The tall arrangement in a lovely purple vase whose color did not translate well here. Mental note: more light next time.
And yes, that is my desk with my piles of design books and magazines. What's sad is that's not all of them, lol!

Have a Happy Monday!!

Shhh...It's A Secret

During a visit to my favorite spa last week, I finally asked Shia, my esthetician, what she does to make her lashes so long and thick. Now let me just say, Shia is a beautiful young woman with flawless skin and a sparkling personality and manages to keep me so engrossed in her dating woes that I forget about the excruciating pain of my monthly bikini wax. Yes, her stories are that riveting, but I digress...Shia's lashes are such you'd swear they were fake. Her secret: RevitaLash! Yes it's a bit pricey, but if my lashes will look anything remotely like her's, I just may have to invest. Just apply to the lash line before bed and in a few weeks your flirtatious glances could get that much more powerful.

Preserving The Pretty

Being that Valentine's Day is upon us, I thought I would share some of my favorite beauty finds to get you prepared for the biggest date night of the year. One of the things I like most about going out on a date, is the getting ready. Selecting the perfect bath products, lipstick and perfume (to say nothing of the shoes)all serve to get me in the correct headspace for spending time with that special someone.

Laura Mercier makes the most divine bath products. This chocolate truffle honey bath and body cream are the perfect choice for V-day. I am so in love with that little dipper!

Bath truffles have always been a favorite of mine. Earthworks' African Jasmine are sure to delight the senses. Made with cocoa and shea butters your skin will be silky to the touch.

No one knows fragrance like Jo Malone knows fragrance! Her Red Roses bath oil is pure relaxation in a bottle. It's a heavenly blend of 7 different roses, feminine and lovely without being overpowering.

Starting to notice a trend? I am such a bath person!! If only the water could stay hot for hours.

Keisha Whitaker, the ultra-chic wife of Oscar winner Forest Whitaker and creator of the fabulous Kissable Couture lip gloss line, has come out with a limited edition range of shades designed especially for Valentine's Day. Be sure to get yours while you can!

Now, that you've taken a moment to soak in the tub and are perfectly scented with a very pretty pout, a sexy manicure is a must. Don't you just love a precise red nail. So very glamourous!!

If you're planning on staying in (lucky girl), the heavenly scent of Diptyque candles will certainly set the mood. Tuberose is my absolute top pick.

Now all you need is a chilled bottle of bubbly and you've set the stage for the beginning of a perfect evening. No thanks necessary, it was my pleasure!

Remember To Just Breathe

With all of the excitement around planning the perfect wedding, couples (okay, brides) tend to zone in on the party and lose focus on the real reason behind it: the relationship. It is very easy to get carried away with all of the necessary appointments and decisions to be made. Party planning is a stressful business which is why you need professional help (pun very much intended) to ensure you don't become overwhelmed. My suggestion to anyone in the throes of planning who is beginning to notice the strain it's creating in their lives: create a wedding-free zone. What is that you ask? It's a block of time, say every evening from 8pm until bedtime, where there is no discussion of your big day. No magazines, no emails, no phone calls and definitely no "honey, what do you think about this...?" questions. If you just can't manage doing this every day, I implore you to have one weekend a month (yes, Friday THRU Sunday) where the focus is on you and your fiance and not your I-do's. Sneak a weekend away to your favorite bed and breakfast or take in a concert. This is my wedding gift to you, trust me, you'll thank me for it later! Now, close your eyes and just breathe.