Author: Dragos

Great Tips for Brides to Be: DIY Bridal Makeup Tips Part Two / Foundations:   Happy Spring Everyone!                  We are having an unusually early Spring here in Chicago. Everything is green & in bloom…it’s so…

Happy March !
         Spring is on the way & wedding dates approach more quickly than you can imagine. So if you are a future bride or bridesmaid and are planning to do your own makeup I have detailed, helpful tips for you.
Part One: Skin Care   Have fun with this…remember it’s for your wedding!
          I know you are 20something and your skin feels fine so you don’t think you have to moisturize. There is a moisturizer for every skin type…oily,combination or dry. You don’t have to spend lots of money to get one. Drugstores now have a wide range of skincare products for all skin types. If you feel unsure or worried about allergic reactions see a friend recommended dermatologist.
          If you break out when under stress it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist well ahead of time to ask about a product that will help.
Also if you want to have a facial before your wedding have one
at least one month before. This is really important, believe me.
Have a simple facial if you have not had one before and use an esthetician who is highly recommended.
                                                          Now for brides 30 & over ! All of the above applies plus eyecreams
are a real plus. The skin under the eyes are the first part of the face to lose moisture.If you are a regular makeup wearer regardless of age be sure to cleanse well. Your skin will thank you.
                          OK, here’s the bottom line. You will feel great & look gorgeous on your very special day
in person & in your photos if you take good care of your skin.
        Part Two / Foundations is coming in a few days. Have a wonderful weekend, Wendy
                   
                     
       

Hello All ! I know that you have not heard from me
in a long time. Life & work get in the way of blogging.
But I’m back !
        On Saturday we did a lovely wedding at
The Public Hotel in Chicago. This is the home of
The Pump Room, where every public figure since the
1930s has come to dine. What a great job they did renovating this beautiful landmark hotel, from head to toe.
         My wonderful bride Iris (to the left) was such a pleasure to work with. Her stepmom Peg, her sister
and bridesmaids were all terrific. They were fun to be with and were so loving to Iris. They took really good care of her and attended to every detail.
Plus regardless of timing pressure Iris was sooo patient & sweet and maintained her great sense of humor.
They are all very fortunate to have each other & we were very lucky to spend the day with them.
I hope all future brides will be blessed enough to have this sort of wedding day !
                                                                                  See you soon (REALLY !) , Wendy

    Sunday afternoons should be special and today was that indeed ! I went to Loft on Lake ,saw old friends and met new ones. The Bridal event was planned by
the warm & welcoming team from A La Moda Events .The lovely ladies to the left are
dressed in the gorgeous gowns of Atha Sharod Bridal. Susan Metropolis of The Left Bank was there with her fantastic jewelry & a pair of solid rhinestone pumps ! The food & sweets were fantastic,but best of all I was able to meet the incomparable Bridal photographer Tuan H. Bui and Sandra Smith Dohgmi
of Red Carpet Concierge.
   Everyone there was so kind ! It ended the weekend on a fabulous upnote.  Enjoy your week, Wendy

             The first time I saw Carla Reiter’s Jewelry I was in awe. She literally
knits silver and gold to fashion her one of a kind, never seen before stunning
pieces. Her pink quartz collection (necklace on the right) is particularly well suited for bridal wear.
               I think that this quote from her website speaks volumes about
the artist and her work:
                       Carla began knitting metal in order to make a necklace she imagined and couldn’t make any other way. The possibilities of the technique captivated her, as did the way it felt to wear. “It’s surprisingly soft and caressing,” she says. “Very sensual.”
                     
Each piece in Carla’s limited-production and one-of-a-kind collection is made with a woman’s body in mind. “When I’m working, I’m constantly trying the piece on, tweaking the way the forms interact with my body – a collarbone, a wrist bone. When the piece is lying on a pad being photographed it’s flat. Something crucial is missing. It needs a body to complete it.”

“Someone once said to me that my jewelry only ‘wakes up’ when you put it on. That seems right to me.”   
                     If you would like to see more of Carla’s amazing work,
Take a look at her website: carlareiter.com    I know you will enjoy it as much as I do.
                                              Have a beautiful wedding, Wendy from Visage Joli      

           Hope you all had a good weekend. Every Bride needs a little sparkle on her wedding day. Bridal
jewelry enhances your image and makes you feel extra special. If you choose several pieces ( earrings, necklace, bracelet & hair ornaments) keep the look delicate.  If just a couple of pieces make them fabulous!
            The most important piece of advice that I have for you tonight is this: Look for accessories the day
of your Makeup & Hair trials. That will totally change
how you choose everything.
             And if you are a Chicago bride you absolutely have to go to The Left Bank on Webster. They have the most wonderful accessories including divine veils, headpieces & gorgeous shoes. Even for brides who prefer low comfortable heels. And they are friendly and down to earth.  www.leftbankjewelry.com
Have a great week, Visage Joli

Every Bride needs loving attention. Whether you are 25 or 55 you will have at least one loving Friend or Sister or Aunt helping you through the planning process and on the Wedding Day.
So take good care of those who care about you. Take them out to lunch or better yet make
them dinner. Treat your Maid of Honor to to a massage or a spa package of beauty products.
Take them shopping for their Wedding Day earrings. These are of course just suggestions.
Use your imagination and of course stay within your Bridal budget. Everyone understands that in a tough economy some of us have limitations. Look for sales (lots of them in January) and check Groupon for salon specials. Just have fun with your precious Wedding Day assistants.

Hello All, This is gorgeous Sara . Sara was married on Saturday
January 8th. She was surrounded by a loving family, wonderful bridesmaids
and a Hair & Makeup Team who truly cared about her. So here is my tip for all of you future brides this week: Encircle yourselves on your wedding day with positive people who love you & want you to have a beautiful experience. There was a lovely aura of happiness in Sara’s hotel room that I hope you all will feel on your wedding day.

       Ladies,  planning for your wedding can be stressful ! Have a massage every couple of weeks. You can find affordable packages at reputable chain massage businesses or really treat yourself & go to a private Massage
Therapist.   Here’s a great one: Marilyn Fumagalli  (312) 965-0972
         Facials are also a wonderful way to relax and make your skin gorgeous for your wedding day. Just make sure that you get a good recommendation from a friend. My suggestion: have a facial at least 3 weeks before the big day to make sure your skin has plenty of time to settle down.  I have been to the esthetician at
Che Sguardo in Chicago & SHE IS AMAZING. She gives a fabulous neck & shoulder massage with one of
her facials.   (312) 464-1616