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Neiman Marcus Reveals the 84th Edition of its Celebrated Christmas Book

Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus (aka the Mother Ship) unveiled their 84th Legendary Christmas Book today and I am not disappointed.  The book is full of whimsical gifts that create once in a lifetime opportunities for those with indulgent appetites and enormous disposable incomes.  For a lot of people (like me) the arrival of the book marks the official start of the holiday shopping season.  I just want to highlight a few of my favorite things 🙂

Neiman Marcus Edition Camaro Convertible

The Chevrolet Camaro, the iconic American high-performance muscle car, gets a luxury convertible makeover just in time for the holidays. Regular production will not even begin until 2011, but why wait that long? The NM exclusive edition of just 100 Camaro convertibles is destined for glory. The top-of-the-line 2SS model has a ferocious 6.2-liter V8 engine and the purchaser’s choice of a 426-horsepower six-speed manual or 400-horsepower six-speed automatic transmission. The NM edition Camaro convertibles feature an exclusive tri-coat exterior paint in Deep Bordeaux with ghosted stripes. The beautiful Bordeaux hued convertible top is highlighted with a silver painted windshield surround. Inside, the richly appointed interior in Amber leather has Brilliant Red accents on the center console, steering wheel, and shift knob.

$75,000.00

Tequila Avion Private Party by Colin Cowie

A magical, memorable evening will be created just for you by A-list celebrity event planner Colin Cowie. With this exclusive gift, you can introduce 75 guests to the ultimate tequila – at the ultimate event hosted in your home. Tequila Avion is changing the way you think about tequila. Launched in 2010 by a discerning group of luxury brand and beverage industry insiders, the ultra-premium tequila sets a new standard. Each bottle is handcrafted in Mexico with the finest 100% Blue Weber agave from fifth-generation growers, delivering an incredibly smooth taste and rich character in three extraordinary varietals: Silver, Reposado, and Anejo. Guests will enjoy a gourmet culinary experience from celebrity chef Todd English, savor signature Tequila Avion cocktails from celebrated mixologist Yusef Austin, and enjoy music mixes from celebrity DJ Donna d’Cruz. Your personal keepsake: a one-of-a-kind bottle of Tequila Avion commemorating its launch, signed by the dream team.

$125,000.00

Edible Gingerbread Playhouse

Nothing matches the childhood joy of building, admiring – then devouring – a holiday gingerbread house. This mouth-watering gift lets you expand that tradition with enough glee for all the children, grandchildren, god children, relatives, and lucky friends of all ages. This uniquely edible playhouse is handcrafted of 381 lbs. of gourmet gingerbread and 517 lbs. of royal icing by the expert confectioners at Dylan’s Candy Bar®. The munchable manor, which stands 6.6 feet high by 5.25 feet wide by 4.1 feet deep, incorporates the best confections from the world’s largest candy store. With thousands of signature gourmet sweets to choose from, it is both artfully designed and decadently delicious. It includes giant cookies, lollipops, gummies, mints, gum drops and a candy-encrusted roof (of course). There’s also a lollipop tree inside, just for good measure.

$15,000.00

His and Hers 2010: The MetroShip Houseboat

On the 50th Anniversary of our His & Hers gifts, we present the ultimate romantic retreat: the MetroShip Houseboat. With a 48-foot by 12-foot open floor plan and 7-foot high interior ceiling, it has been designed and built as an intimate luxury loft that just happens to float. Open and airy during the day with waterproof hardwood floors and double glazed windows, at night it truly glows with sophistication thanks to maintenance-free translucent thermal aluminum walls. The living area includes a next-generation media center with Bang & Olufsen stereo, high-definition projector, Nintendo® Wii™ gaming console and Sony® LCD flat screen monitor. The gourmet kitchen island features handmade cabinets, a Viking® refrigerator/freezer and dishwasher, and Gaggenau™ in-cabinet oven and cooktop. The spa bathroom is furnished with an Italian curved glass vanity, touch-free faucet and Kohler® frameless full-sized shower. Not that you’ll be in any hurry to get anywhere, but there are twin 60-horsepower Honda outboard engines. Grab your boat shoes and plan your escape.

$250,000.00

What recession? 🙂

For the full catalog click here.

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And now Jaime Lee Event Planning presents…

The DIY Wedding Planning Workshop!

A wedding is complex.  It’s complicated.  It’s expensive.  And, of course, it’s only the most important day of your life.

At the DIY Wedding Planning Workshop you’ll learn all you need to know and get all the tools you’ll need to plan your own perfect wedding.  From budgets to lists to vendors and venues, you’ll learn how to plan and execute just like a Professional Wedding Planner.  And no matter if your wedding is just around the corner or not until 2012, I will answer all your questions about the planning process and be there to help with decisions, disasters and duties.

Click here for more information!

Because You Asked… Should I Get the Dress?

Hannah from Dallas, Texas writes:

I’m getting married in February outside of Dallas.  I’ve found a Vera Wang dress I utterly adore, but there are 2 problems with it.  First, even at the discounted price of $1700, it’s way beyond my budget.  Second, there’s only one left in a size 10 and I’m a size 6.

Any thoughts on how I might be able to still get it?  Any vaguely black market-ish place that sells/makes Vera Wang knock-offs?  I’ve checked out Ebay for anyone who might be selling one and I’m considering listing a wanted ad on Craigslist as well.  Any other thoughts?

Hannah

Dear Hannah,

While you can definitely find great bargains on Ebay and Craigslist, you might want to try a site that specializes in bridal attire as well.  OnceWed and BridePower both have new and gently used designer dresses that are very reasonably priced.  But most Vera Wang gowns cost between $3,000-$7,000 (with some as much as $12,000) so I’m not sure if you will find a better price for this dress in particular.

If you are very serious about bargain shopping, there’s always the running of the brides.  And this year they are coming to Plano, Texas, just north of Dallas, on November 12th!  If you are unfamiliar with this phenomenon, definitely check it out here.

If you do decide to splurge and get the Vera Wang dress, don’t worry about the size too much.  Couture gowns generally run about 2 sizes smaller than they actually are – so it’s more than likely that Vera Wang 10 would fit a normal size 6 quite nicely.  And it’s always easier to take dresses in than it is to let them out.

Good Luck!

Jaime

_______________________________________________________________________

And now Jaime Lee Event Planning presents…

The DIY Wedding Planning Workshop!

A wedding is complex.  It’s complicated.  It’s expensive.  And, of course, it’s only the most important day of your life.

At the DIY Wedding Planning Workshop you’ll learn all you need to know and get all the tools you’ll need to plan your own perfect wedding.  From budgets to lists to vendors and venues, you’ll learn how to plan and execute just like a Professional Wedding Planner.  And no matter if your wedding is just around the corner or not until 2012, I will answer all your questions about the planning process and be there to help with decisions, disasters and duties.

Click here for more information!

Fashion Fridays! Think Pink

Happy October Everyone!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this year marks 25 Years of Awareness, Education and Empowerment!  In honor of this fine achievement I’m highlighting some of this season’s pink bridesmaids gowns.

Priscilla of Boston

Kristey Kelly for Disney

Alvina Valenta

Badgley Mischka

Nicole Miller

Amsale

Long or short, blush or fuchsia, any of these gowns are sure to bring out the girly side in all your bridesmaids.  Top off the look with a luscious bouquet of pink peonies and ruffled sweet peas in different shades of pink.

And now Jaime Lee Event Planning presents…

The DIY Wedding Planning Workshop!

A wedding is complex.  It’s complicated.  It’s expensive.  And, of course, it’s only the most important day of your life.

At the DIY Wedding Planning Workshop you’ll learn all you need to know and get all the tools you’ll need to plan your own perfect wedding.  From budgets to lists to vendors and venues, you’ll learn how to plan and execute just like a Professional Wedding Planner.  And no matter if your wedding is just around the corner or not until 2012, I will answer all your questions about the planning process and be there to help with decisions, disasters and duties.

Click here for more information!

Upcoming Events On Life's Calendar

An event planner’s calendar is probably a bit different from yours.  For us, our calendars are just one super-organized, systematic, color-coded count-down after another … counting the days until this wedding or that luncheon.

But there happen to be a few events that are on the universal calendar of life, so I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone about what’s just around the corner.

February 6: Superbowl Sunday

Only 129 days away. If you live in Dallas, don’t even think about a regular old Superbowl party.  It’s the first Superbowl in Dallas… plan accordingly and plan now.

December 31: New Year’s Eve

Only 92 days away. People hate waiting until the last-minute for this one.  They want their plans on their calendar – the earlier the better.

December 25: Christmas

Only 86 days to go and so much to do!  Shopping, holiday parties, decorating… it will be here before you know it.

December 1: Hanukkah

Only 62 days from now but it last eight whole days and eight whole nights.

November 25: Thanksgiving

Only 56 days till eatin’ time. Where will you be stuffing your face?  Are you hosting?  Have you planned your menu?  Found your recipes?

October 31: Halloween

Only 31 days from today. Holiday Season has officially begin!

The artwork in today’s post is in honor of Peanuts 60th Anniversary.  Saturday, October 2nd marks the 60th anniversary of Charles M. Shultz’s beloved comic.  For me, Charlie Brown and the gang are a seasonal tradition.  Enjoy!

_______________________________________________________________________

And now Jaime Lee Event Planning presents…

The DIY Wedding Planning Workshop!

A wedding is complex.  It’s complicated.  It’s expensive.  And, of course, it’s only the most important day of your life.

At the DIY Wedding Planning Workshop you’ll learn all you need to know and get all the tools you’ll need to plan your own perfect wedding.  From budgets to lists to vendors and venues, you’ll learn how to plan and execute just like a Professional Wedding Planner.  And no matter if your wedding is just around the corner or not until 2012, I will answer all your questions about the planning process and be there to help with decisions, disasters and duties.

Click here for more information!

TODAY Throws a Wedding

TODAY is throwing a modern wedding for one lucky couple, live tomorrow.  Over the past 6 weeks, TODAY viewers have followed the story and voted for all the elements of this couple’s wedding.

THE COUPLE

Melissa McMillin and Jeremy Gebhardt are one lucky couple.  They were chosen by TODAY’s viewers to wed on Rockefeller Plaza on national television – all expenses paid!

The young Missouri couple — separated for years because of Jeremy’s tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan — earned the most votes on Facebook to become the recipients of TODAY’s annual wedding giveaway and gala on the Plaza.

Every detail about the Sept. 30 wedding has been decided by TODAY viewers. I

Melissa and Jeremy are thrilled to have been chosen for TODAY’s Modern Love Wedding. When submitting videos along with their application, they said such a wedding would be a dream come true for them after living apart for so long under such serious circumstances. When Jeremy isn’t deployed in the Middle East as a senior airman in the U.S. Air Force, he’s stationed in Anchorage, Alaska.

RINGS

Melissa and Jeremy will exchange vows with rings from celebrity jeweler Neil Lane.  Melissa’s platinum band is set on three sides with 116 brilliant-cut diamonds (!), while Jeremy’s platinum band is designed and signed by Neil Lane.  Neil Lane is known for his great eye for elegance, style and exquisite designs.  His impressive fan base includes Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Barbra Streisand and the queen of diamond rings herself, Elizabeth Taylor.

THE VENUE

While the ceremony will take place on Rockefeller Plaza, Melissa and Jeremy will celebrate with their guests at the Hudson Terrace.  This urban oasis features a retractable glass dome, where guests can take in the serene ambiance with scenic views of the Hudson River.  The Salon is fully furnished with leather banquettes and adorned with a white marble bar and Swarovski Crystal chandeliers.  The bridal suite is complemented by the elegance of its private outdoor garden.

THE DRESS & THE TUX

This wasn’t my first pick for Melissa’s dress, but it’s absolutely beautiful and I actually think it fits her personality best.  This Paloma Blanca gown is traditional with a bit of a twist.  The champagne lace is quite elegant, while the open keyhole back keeps things interesting.  And I love that it’s not strapless.

This Kenneth Cole Black Label ivory tux was my last choice.  I love the fit –  an updated classic-slim fit – but I’m not a fan of an ivory tux.  Sorry Jeremy!

BRIDESMAID & FLOWER GIRL

Viewers picked the “Old Hollywood” style this season!  Again, this wasn’t my personal favorite of the choices, but there were no misses in the bunch so X’s bridesmaids are very lucky.  The ladies will wear a gray Bari Jay dress with a dropped waist and shirred bodice.  The straps are versatile and can be worn around the shoulders or as a halter.  Her little flower girl will wear a Fox ‘n Lily dress with an airy crinkle chiffon overlay and crisscrossing straps – adorable.

THE CAKE

Guests will enjoy a ‘classic romance’ cake by Ana Parzych Custom Cakes. The dessert has alternating tiers in four flavors and is adorned with sugar flowers – Yum!

HONEYMOON

This is the final frontier for this lucky couple.  Go online today to vote for their honeymoon destination.  Will it be… Turks & Caicos Islands, Thailand, Portugal or Brazil?

Tune in tomorrow morning on TODAY to watch the entire spectacular event unfold on Rockefeller Plaza.

_______________________________________________________________________

And now Jaime Lee Event Planning presents…

The DIY Wedding Planning Workshop!

A wedding is complex.  It’s complicated.  It’s expensive.  And, of course, it’s only the most important day of your life.

At the DIY Wedding Planning Workshop you’ll learn all you need to know and get all the tools you’ll need to plan your own perfect wedding.  From budgets to lists to vendors and venues, you’ll learn how to plan and execute just like a Professional Wedding Planner.  And no matter if your wedding is just around the corner or not until 2012, I will answer all your questions about the planning process and be there to help with decisions, disasters and duties.

Click here for more information!

Because You Asked… Should I Hire a Wedding Planner?

We’re Kicking off a new initiative at Jaime Lee Event Planning … Because You Asked.

Everyday I get emails from clients, friends, family, etc.  just asking for a little guidance or advice on wedding issues.  Mostly I get the same repeat questions over and over again, so now I’ll be sharing the questions and answers I think that readers might find useful in the future.

This week our question comes from Natasha in Durham, N.C.  Natasha asks:

Dear Jaime,

I know that you are a wedding planner and wanted to know what your thoughts were on getting one.  I had not really thought about getting one, but because of the “tensions” in my family and my mom not exactly assuming the role of a wedding planner, I thought it might avoid arguments between my mom and me and help alleviate a stressful situation as is. My questions are:
-Do you know about how much a wedding planner would cost?
-How do you go about getting one? Would I have to interview them?
-What exactly do you do or help the bride do?

I know these are kinda vague questions, but I have just begun the process of planning.

– Natasha

Dear Natasha,

In my opinion, planning a wedding, or any event, is about leaving as little as possible to chance and working with a professional is the best way to achieve this goal.  If you have the right wedding planner, he or she will save you time, money and, most importantly in your case, stress.  That said, just like in any field, there are a lot of people out there who aren’t very good at their jobs.

When interviewing candidates, make sure to be very clear about your priorities and your expectations of them.  We (wedding planners) are not professional family counselors, but as a planner I try to absorb as much of the stress as I can for my brides.

As far as how much they cost, it’s kind of a like asking how much a car costs or how much a house costs –  everyone is different.  I charge anywhere from $3-$10k depending on many different elements of the wedding.  When putting together a proposal for a clients, I ask lots of questions, like:

• How many guests are you expecting? (How many people will I need to staff for the event?)
• Where is the location of the ceremony and the wedding (Is it a local or destination wedding?  Will we be responsible for transporting guests long distances?)
• How many events will be managed (Engagement party? Rehearsal dinner? Post wedding brunch? Or wedding only?)
• Do you need any professional printing done (not all planners do, but I design menu cards, place cards, bride and groom signs, etc.)

You get the general idea … I always customize my packages and fees so my brides don’t end up for paying for anything they don’t need, and they also don’t end up spending a ton of money on extras the last week.

If you don’t want to hire a full time planner, consider hiring a weekend-only planner.  It’s your day and you should enjoy it.  Let a professional handle all the details for you.  Even if you can’t afford to have a full-time wedding planner, hiring one for the weekend-only is a lifesaver.  And remember, even if, for example, your hotel has a wedding coordinator on staff, remember that his or her first priority is the hotel, not you.  Hiring an independent coordinator ensures that someone will be looking out for your interests 100%.

Good Luck!

Jaime Lee

_______________________________________________________________________

And now Jaime Lee Event Planning presents…

The DIY Wedding Planning Workshop!

A wedding is complex.  It’s complicated.  It’s expensive.  And, of course, it’s only the most important day of your life.

At the DIY Wedding Planning Workshop you’ll learn all you need to know and get all the tools you’ll need to plan your own perfect wedding.  From budgets to lists to vendors and venues, you’ll learn how to plan and execute just like a Professional Wedding Planner.  And no matter if your wedding is just around the corner or not until 2012, I will answer all your questions about the planning process and be there to help with decisions, disasters and duties.

Click here for more information!

Fall Wedding Cakes by Martha Stewart

I loved the brilliant article in this month’s Martha Stewart Weddings featuring these wedding cakes inspired by works of art.

French Post-Impressionism Wedding Cake

inspired by…

"The Basket of Apples," by Paul Cezanne, circa 1893

Abstract Wedding Cake

inspired by…

"Homage to the Square" series, by German American artist Josef Albers, 1950 to 1976

Britart Wedding Cake

inspired by…

"Spot" series, by English artist Damien Hirst, 1990s

Symbolism Wedding Cake

inspired by…

The shimmering backgrounds in Austrian artist Gustav Klimt's figure paintings, early 1900s

Dutch Golden Age Wedding Cake

inspired by…

The hyper-realistic botanical still-life paintings of Dutch artist Rachel Ruysch, circa 1685 to 1750

Pop Art Wedding Cakes

inspired by…

"Cakes," by American artist Wayne Thiebaud, 1963

Post-Impressionism Wedding Cake

inspired by…

"Sunflowers" series, by Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, 1888 to 1889

Abstract Expressionism Wedding Cake

inspired by…

The poured canvases of American painter Jackson Pollock, 1947 to 1952

And now Jaime Lee Event Planning presents…

The DIY Wedding Planning Workshop!

A wedding is complex.  It’s complicated.  It’s expensive.  And, of course, it’s only the most important day of your life.

At the DIY Wedding Planning Workshop you’ll learn all you need to know and get all the tools you’ll need to plan your own perfect wedding.  From budgets to lists to vendors and venues, you’ll learn how to plan and execute just like a Professional Wedding Planner.  And no matter if your wedding is just around the corner or not until 2012, I will answer all your questions about the planning process and be there to help with decisions, disasters and duties.

Click here for more information!

Fashion Fridays! Spring 2011 Wedding Gown Trends: One Shoulder

Amsale

Anne Barge

Anne Barge

Badgley Mischka

Carolina Herrera

Ines Di Santo

Jenny Packham

Modern Trousseau

Oscar de la Renta

Romona Keveza

Simone Carvalli

And now Jaime Lee Event Planning presents…

The DIY Wedding Planning Workshop!

A wedding is complex.  It’s complicated.  It’s expensive.  And, of course, it’s only the most important day of your life.

At the DIY Wedding Planning Workshop you’ll learn all you need to know and get all the tools you’ll need to plan your own perfect wedding.  From budgets to lists to vendors and venues, you’ll learn how to plan and execute just like a Professional Wedding Planner.  And no matter if your wedding is just around the corner or not until 2012, I will answer all your questions about the planning process and be there to help with decisions, disasters and duties.

Click here for more information!

DIY Wedding Planning Workshop

Jaime Lee Event Planning presents…

The DIY Wedding Planning Workshop

A wedding is complex.  It’s complicated.  It’s expensive.  And, of course, it’s only the most important day of your life.

A wedding used to be simple affair.  Those days are long gone.  Weddings today are more costly, more involved and filled with many more decisions.  Every bride can benefit from the experience and expertise of a successful wedding planner, but some brides need only a guiding hand while others need something just short of a 24/7 fairy godmother.  Moreover, some brides just want to do it themselves.

Now there’s a way to get the best of all worlds:  Jaime Lee Event Planning presents the DIY Wedding Planning Workshop!

At the DIY Wedding Planning Workshop you’ll learn all you need to know and get all the tools you’ll need to plan your own perfect wedding.  Let me prepare you (and your Mom or a friend) to plan every detail of your wedding just exactly the way you want it to be.  From budgets to lists to vendors and venues, you’ll learn how to plan and execute just like a Professional Wedding Planner.  And no matter if your wedding is just around the corner or not until 2012, I will answer all your questions about the planning process and be there to help with decisions, disasters and duties.

You’ll start with coffee, juice and Danish at 8:30am, enjoy a delicious gourmet lunch and save your best questions for the wine and cheese hour!

Sunday, December 5^th

8:30am – 6:00pm

Lakewood Country Club

6430 Gaston Ave

Dallas, TX 75214

Map

This complete one-day fun-filled event covers everything you ever wanted to know about planning a wedding but didn’t know who to ask.  Now you can ask me!  I’ll cover a wide variety of subjects, including:

• The Wedding Budget: Creating and Sticking to a Realistic Budget
• The Guest List: Building, Cutting, Managing and Keeping Everyone Happy
• Planning Timelines: Checklists and Deadlines
• Vendors: Contracts and Negotiations
• The Location: Venue Site Visits and Inspections
• Menu: Making the Most of Your Catering
• Bar: Bubbly and Beyond
• The Legal Stuff: Marriage License, Insurance, Name Changing and More
• The Extras: Handling Last Minute Emergencies and More
• Plus a Dedicated Question & Answer Session!

The workshop also includes:

• A deliciously catered lunch
• A tour of the hosting facility
• A How-To Manual covering all topics discussed during the course and the perfect reference tool you’ll need throughout the planning process

Whether you want to do it all yourself, or just the fun parts yourself… this one-day Wedding Panning Workshop is the learning experience you’ll remember with gratitude.  You’ll learn how to save money, save time, and produce great results.  You’ll learn how to tackle the toughest family situations and still save your sanity.  You’ll learn how to deal with contracts, legal issues, deadlines and those new people who will soon be your in-laws!  You’ll learn the secret of accurate estimates and the finer points of cancellation clauses.  Spend a day with me that will save you weeks of wasted time.  Pay a nominal fee that could save you thousands of dollars.

Don’t wait! Reserve your space now (and save even more money with early registration).  This will absolutely be the best money and the most important decision you’ll make in planning your wedding.  Invest now to make your most important day a really great one!

Brides may attend for $250 plus an additional $100 for additional guests like your mother or your maid of honor.  Space is limited.

Save money by reserving your space before October 17^th! Brides may attend for $200 plus $50 for additional guests

Jaime Lee Event Planning accepts checks and most major credit cards via Pay Pal.

Click here to register as a Bride.

Click here to register as a Guest.

To reserve your space with a check or for more information,

Call or email Jaime Lee Puskar

(214) 824-5585 or Jaime@JaimeLeeEventPlanning.com.