Aren’t they stunning. The creamy paper, the gold calligraphy accents, the pure romance and elegance behind the style. These babies are fit for a princess! Oh and guess what…they are actually from Lisa’s White Label Collection which means that they are available for purchase! Woohoo!

So…because Lisa is just that awesome, she is extending SMP readers a 50% friends and family discount towards fine stationery orders! The offer is good through November, so you have a few weeks to order those thank you notes that we chatted about earlier! Make sure to enter the promo code below when you checkout.

Thank you so very much to the incredibly talented Lisa Hoffman of Ceci New York for stopping by today to share your invitation wisdom and style ideas. You are such a fun addition to SMP, always leaving me giddy with wedding inspirations!

We have yet another fun treat coming up next!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Ceci New York, Engraving, Glam, Hollywood, Hollywood Glam, Invitations, Lisa Hoffman, Wedding Invitations & Stationery
Post categories: Wedding Invitations & Stationery

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From Lisa Hoffman of Ceci New York…

I believe all weddings are special. And each one offers a different take on personal individual style which I love to experience everyday with all my different clients. Personalization is a big trend in weddings and this wedding that I am about to share with you is extra special because it’s my younger sister’s wedding!

Christie and Danny just got married over labor day weekend at the historic El Cortez Hotel in San Diego and it truly was a wedding full of inspiring personal style. Their theme was Old Hollywood, which is a trend that is still going strong. With its classic and timeless appeal, how could you not love it? But what I love is that Christie put her own touch on this theme and made it her own.

Christie’s dress is Vera Wang, jewelry from Carolee Jewelry. She infused champagne golds and antique coppers into her bridal bouquets. The hydrangeas were actually spray painted! I loved the unexpected color palette for flowers. So different. Flowers were done by Jennifer at Nantucket Florals.

Each of us bridesmaids had a different vintage hairstyle and our own individual feather jewelry hair pieces. The bridesmaid dresses were hand made by my mom but inspired originally by Priscilla Of Boston.

All the photography is courtesy of the fantastic fine art wedding photographer, Justin Lee. He believes in bringing style and grace to his photography and his goal is to create beautiful, vibrant, timeless, fine art images while being gracefully interactive. An as a bride on your wedding day, the nerves are running high, so you want to find a photographer that makes you feel incredibly comfortable and sexy while capturing the most outstanding images for you. As you can see, Justin will not let you down.

Coming up next, the AMAZING invitations and paper accouterments that Lisa crafted just for her sister’s big day. They are GORGEOUS to put it mildly.

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Post tags: California Weddings, Ceci New York, El Cortez Hotel, Hollywood, Hollywood Glam, Lisa Hoffman, San Diego, Vera Wang
Post categories: California Weddings, San Diego Weddings, Traditional Elegance

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Even though summer is coming to an end and fall is nearly here, most of you are probably planning weddings for next spring so I wanted to share with you this fantastic project I collaborated on with the lovely Rebecca Stone of {duet} weddings, Camille Panzarello of Modern Day Design and the incredibly talented photographer, Corbin Gurkin.

Together we put together a beautiful wedding at the Crossroads Estate in Los Olivos, California. We couldn’t help but be overwhelmingly inspired by nature for the look of the table setting. The beautiful landscape of the Santa Barbara wine county, the gnarled trees of the Crossroads estate, the overgrown, wild meadow contrasted by the perfectly manicured rows of grapes. Spring is such an incredible time of year- a time that is so full of new life, vibrant colors, berries and fruits, the sweet song of birds.  Our goal was to embrace this- to compliment it and celebrate it. Rather than force a theme, this in turn, became our theme: The celebration of spring.

We chose to use a grouping of vintage tins to hold the lush, springy blooms. We loved the idea of bringing new life to the old tins. Similarly, we used vintage glassware and plates. As a nod to all of the beautiful songbirds that come out in the spring, vintage sheet music made for whimsical placemats, while a collection of antique birdcages hung as chandeliers from above.

All aspects of the invitation I designed were inspired by our vintage garden birdcage/love bird theme. I incorporated a little bit of everything from the decor so it all compliments each other and properly sets the tone. The invite is a specialty die cut shape I created that was inspired by vintage mirrors. An organic special shape that creates movement, uniqueness and happiness to the eye. The pattern details are all hand drawn and are a mix between grape vines and leaves with a hint of vintage damask print mixed in. The flourishes intertwine the vines to create a very elegant statement.

The back of the invite is actually a laser cut paper with a custom crest I designed where two “love birds” sit under the tree in the center.  The invite envelope is also a custom shape I made for the couple – I love to make custom envelopes so all lines of the invitation pieces were matching in movement. The envelope was then hand lined with antique sheet music. The custom stamps are made with a nod to the vintage tin cans used in the table settings. Finished with gorgeous white hand calligraphy on a berry envelope.

Rebecca always loves to create interest by pairing unlikely combinations. I couldn’t agree with her more! The scene was pure magic as the sun began to set over the Santa Ynez Valley- a beautiful celebration of a spring evening.

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Ahhhhh. This wedding is pure heaven. Absolutely, positively gorgeous. Thank you so very much to Lisa Hoffman of Ceci New York…we love you!

Vendor credit Info ~ Venue:  Crossroads Estatein Los Olivos – Jill Remy, Events Manager / Photographer: Corbin Gurkin{duet} Weddings / Invitations: Lisa Hoffman, Ceci New York / Florist: Camille Panzarello, Modern Day Design / Hair/Makeup: Cathryn Van Breene, The Studio Agency / Tea Length Wedding Dress: Elizabeth Dye / Short White Dress:  Anna Sui Vintage Gown:  Unlabeled, found at flea market / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals / Linens: La Tavola Photography / Wedding Planner: Rebecca Stone,

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Post tags: Ceci New York, Corbin Gurkin, Duet Weddings, Lisa Hoffman
Post categories: Casual Elegance

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All About Bamboo…

For an instant way to add texture and the beauty of nature to your invitation designs, try incorporating natural bamboo papers. Not only is it completely environmentally friendly but it also adds a wonderfully chic element to your designs. Handmade paper stands out from the manufactured papers with their fibrous texture that is so appealing to the eye and to the touch. Your guests will be intriqued and will have trouble putting your invitations down!

Starting with the invitation above, this invitation takes it’s inspiration from the beauty of the underwater sea. Hand drawn coral and sea shells give a touch of elegance while the coral ink adds a pop of personality. Additional response and activities cards are designed to fit perfectly in the custom die cut pocket at top. Wrapped in woven bamboo paper for a chic textural dimension and finished in a gorgeous coral envelope with white hand calligraphy.

Next up, who doesn’t think of beautiful blue waters and romantic sunsets when you picture a wedding in Jamaica? My goal with this design was to capture that feeling of resort relaxation as you watch the tropical sunset go down. The juxtaposition between the natural woven bamboo outside and the reveal of the color intensity of my water color painting on the inside, represented both the beauty of Roundhill resort and the breathtaking views of nature’s surroundings. The painting is filled with a spectrum of blues and greens with accents of intense oranges for vibrancy. The painting is my interpretation of the bride’s dress detailing which I made my own for her invitation.

And finally, with a modern beach wedding, this design had to capture the essence of the Hamptons. Rolling dunes, sea grass, photography of the ocean all beckon guests to come away for a relaxing weekend. The cover is a custom illustration of an artistic interpretation of waves or natural wood grain, and the book is lined with a light bamboo woven paper and finished with a pocket in the back that holds the RSVP set. The gorgeous palette of blue and sand keeps it very beach chic.

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I heart Lisa in a big way. Her invitations are so swoon worthy…with something totally new and hugely unique coming out every time I turn around! We have another ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS feature coming up from Lisa Hoffman of Ceci New York in just a bit!

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Post tags: Ceci New York, Lisa Hoffman, Wedding Invitations & Stationery
Post categories: Wedding Invitations & Stationery

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I’m very picky about make up and extremely particular about the foundation. You never want to look like you’re wearing too much make up and of course, on your wedding day you want to have flawless radiant skin. So out of all my sampling research, I bring to you my recommended go-to list for your perfect wedding day make-up.

1. First, start with the most important thing – face cream. If your skin isn’t properly hydrated and moisturized, then you might as well forget that radiant glow you wanted. No matter what you put on your face it will not have the right effect. I have personally been a fan of the Creme de La Mer for years. At first, I gawked at the extremely high price tag, but then I received a sample of it and discovered the amazing effects of it. Trust me, it really is worth it. And here is a great buying tip – schedule to purchase your creme during bonus buys times so you can get a gift with purchase. Or, here in New York City, Bergdorf Goodman offers $25 coupons every so often. When I get mine, that’s where I’m using it. Also, no matter what time of year you’re purchasing La Mer, always request for some complimentary small travel sample jars. Take them on your honeymoon, it’s perfect size. 

2. Foundation – Lancome Rénergie Lift Makeup SPF 20 Lifting-Radiance () Perfect mix of coverage and moisture. Plus I love that it has sun screen (key bonus element for me).

3. Concealer – Clé de Peau Beaute Concealer. It’s a concealer stick that covers spots, freckles and dark circles to create a beautiful, even-toned complexion. It comes with a hefty price tag ($68) but I personally think it’s proven itself to be worth every penny. I even now use it every day, I loved it so much! I swear by it.

4. Eyeshadows – My favorites were NARS Himalayas for all over highlight on your entire lid. It’s a lovely white iridescent soft pink that gives you just enough color and highlight. Then try Lancome Vue Shimmer for contour then finish with Lancome Mochaccino for the darker crease definition. Together they create a beautiful look that is gorgeous but not too heavy.

5. Eyeliner – Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof Long Lasting EyeLiner – this eyeliner is here to stay – formulated to withstand everything from tears to inclement weather, this waterproof eyeliner has a unique twist tip that never needs sharpening. Won’t skip, smudge or streak. I chose to use the Café color. It’s a deep dark brown giving your eyes a dramatic definition but not as harsh as black.

6. Mascara is my most coveted item in my beauty bag.  I am obsessed with eyelashes and what mascara does to them. If you’re brave enough to go the false eyelash route, do it; but since I wear contacts and have sensitive eyes, I was too worried that my eyes would get irritated and then, so would I. So, I went with the best mascara I could find to give me the most volume I could get. Lancome Hypnôse Custom Volume Mascara that claims to give you up to 6 times the volume, didn’t disappoint. It also comes in waterproof – perfect for the wedding day tears that sneak up on you. (mine did!)

7. Powder + Blush. Finish your look with La Bella Donna Vision Mineral Lights. I was given this by a friend and I’m hooked! It has an amazing effect to give you that all over sun-kissed glow. Tip – use it very lightly. It’s pretty strong. When it gets too heavy, it’s way too much and you look overdone and completely fake. It reflects the light and hides all your imperfections. Sometimes, I only use this instead of blush. Especially in the summer months.

For more of the blushing bride look, I used Lancome Blush Subtil in Aplum. It’s very light and fresh. I like it just on the apples of your cheeks then blend up your cheeks lightly.

8. Lips – Lips were the toughest for me because I really wanted my lips to stand out but not be too much. I also was so worried about lipstick all over my new husband’s face in all the pictures! I tested many different shades of red – since my bridesmaids were wearing red I didn’t want to appear washed out compared to them. My favorite was NARS Lipstick. I went with Trans Siberian which is a ruby rose shade. Not too red and not too berry but contrast enough to give me the perfect accent. They have a lot of really great colors to choose from.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 10 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: beauty, Ceci New York, Lisa Hoffman
Post categories: The Blog

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Hi SMP readers! I’m back from my wedding and honeymoon and I can honestly tell you getting married is the best thing ever! I cannot deny it, I am truly and entirely blissfully happy. As dorky as it sounds, it’s all completely true. All the hard work, frustrations, arguments, emotions and stresses that you have to deal with all the wedding planning, all pay off in a fantastic way on your wedding day. You will see. It is the one day that is planned entirely for you and your husband-to-be so try and remember to hang in there and enjoy it. It’s worth it!

For today’s post I want to share with you my real bride tips and advice all about beauty.

photography by Mel Barlow

I admit, when it comes to make up and hair, I had it a little harder than most since I chose to do a destination wedding and didn’t have the luxury of a personal traveling make up artist or stylist. Finding someone you trust in a foreign place, can be pretty daunting. So when it came to who was going to do my hair and make up, it didn’t sit well with me having someone who I didn’t know style me on the biggest day of my life. I couldn’t take that risk. So I decided to go out in search of the perfect do-it-yourself regimen. One that I could expertly pull off by myself, nerves and all.

Step 1. Find the right products. All you have to do is go visit various make up counters and tell them you’re getting married and they will instantly take extra special care of you! Make overs are typically complimentary so you don’t have to break the bank trying to find your perfect beauty products. I sampled as many as I could until I found the right ones that suited me. Once you find them, buy them instantly and try them out at home before the wedding to make sure it wasn’t just the lighting in the store that made you fall in love with the product. Also a good idea is to carry with you pictures of your dress and wedding inspiration details. That way you can easily communicate to the stylist what you’re looking for.

Step 2. Learn how to use them. Have the make up artist write down for you the instructions so you can remember the proper application technique. Have them label everything so you can remember later. Get their card in case you have questions, they’re always happy to help you learn.

Step 3. Practice. This is especially important for those who don’t normally where make-up. Make sure you test out your skills and your confidence level. A good idea is to try it before your dress fittings. That way you could see how the make up will look with your actual dress. If you’re on the fence about which lipstick shade, bring all three and try them on in the fitting to see which one you prefer most. The sales consultant will be more than happy to give you honest advice too. Definitely helps to get an outside opinion.

Up next…we get to see exactly what’s in Lisa’s Beauty Bag!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: beauty, Ceci New York, Lisa Hoffman
Post categories: The Blog

Obviously, there is something blissfully romantic about the thought of getting married in Italy. The food, the wine, the rolling vineyards. It’s just a little piece of heaven.

From Aaron…The pink building above is the Villa La Masa and it is one of the most beautiful Villas in Florence. It is where the bride got ready before we all headed out to the castle in the country. These photos are just here to inspire a feeling. I shot them awhile ago but they are close to my heart!

AMAZING. Feeling butterflies just thinking about what an incredible experience it would be to tie the knot in Italy. Such a beautiful story to tell your children. Thank you so very much to Aaron Delesie for taking the time to guest blog for us today. If you are new to SMP and aren’t familiar with Aaron’s work…it’s pure perfection. Take some time to look through his portfolio. You will be absolutely blown away.

Tomorrow, we have Viola at Chewing the Cud blogging for us and Wednesday, Lisa Hoffman (who is with me here in the Cayman Islands!) is stopping by to share some tips from her own affair. It’s a good week on SMP!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 6 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Aaron Delesie, Ceci NY, Chewing The Cud, Florence, Italy, Lisa Hoffman, Tuscany, Villa La Masa
Post categories: Wedding Photography

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BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY – Alive with possibility, this is the season of reinvention. With Winter on it’s way out, focus on the romance of Spring. Flowers in bloom, carefree sophistication and butterflies all a flutter.

Consider new envelope shapes and in beautiful colors to really stand out in the mailbox. Partner it with subtle ivory inks to give texture and dimension with out getting too busy. Embrace eclectic details that embody the bohemian feeling of love. Go for a look that radiates your signature style.

CLASSICALLY CULTURAL - Weddings are about celebrating love through traditions and to me, it’s most beautifully done through what I like to call, cultural art. Embrace your culture and look to its beautiful patterns, designs and artwork. Or if you’re getting married in a far away destination, look to your chosen location’s culture to inspire your theme. Below I created my own Indian henna art, gold engraved it on red paper to create this stunning look.

VINTAGE GLAMOUR – A hot trend that shows no sign of slowing down is vintage glamour. Timeless beauty and classic sophistication partners nicely with this trend. Try combining different shades of metallics or incorporate chandeliers or calligraphic flourishes embellishing your design. Consider black paper for your invite for that extra dramatic statement! But most importantly, don’t forget to have fun with it.

Stay tuned to hear about the HUGE discount that Lisa and Ceci NY are offering SMP readers in honor of her own recent nuptials!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Ceci New York, Lisa Hoffman, Wedding Invitations & Stationery
Post categories: The Blog, Wedding Invitations & Stationery