Shout Out To Nordstrom

I purchased my favorite sandals from Nordstrom back in August of 2008 and proceeded to wear them all the time. They are comfortable and go with just about everything. Even if I start a wedding wearing a shoe with a heel, by the end of the evening, the Tory Burch flats are on my feet.

I went to Nordstrom in Towson Town Center last week with the Torys on and while I was trying on shoes, my daughter (who shares the same shoe size, thus the interest) mentioned to the sales woman that the sandals had a small tear in the side (likely from being worn so much) and asked if they could be repaired. Without hesitation, Geri offered to replace the shoes with a new pair right on the spot. What? Really?

So I walked out of the store with a brand new pair of my favorite flats. Thank you Nordstrom! And by the way, my daughter's reward for speaking up: her first pair of Jack Rogers in silver (which of course I can wear too).

Sounds Like a Fun Evening

I never claimed to have great taste in music so when I tell you that Loveshack is one of my favorite songs, you shouldn't be surprised. In 1999 I opened a small retail wedding store (along with Hannah Rodewald) called Hannah Elizabeth. The purpose of opening the store was to provide my wedding planning clients with fabulous and at the time, hard to find items for their weddings. It was located in Stevenson Village and was tiny (really tiny). My children nicknamed it The Love Shack and so we affectionately remember all those hours spent at the store working with wedding clients and thus the love for the song. Hannah Elizabeth moved to Green Spring Station in 2001 and I held client meetings there until Hannah took over the store in 2007 and I moved to the new office in Cockeysville.

I just read that The B52s are coming to perform a concert at Rams Head Live, just south of Baltimore. The concert will be on Wednesday, May 13th at 8:00 pm and tickets are $ 45.00. It sounds like a great way to spend an evening. By the way, do you know how the band got their name? The name is Southern slang for the mile high bouffant wigs worn by singers Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson. Wonder if that is a Trivial Pursuit question.

Sunday's Bridal Event

This is the last reminder that the Prima Bridal Show is taking place this Sunday, April 26th at Green Spring Station. There is still time to register by calling (410) 296-4600 between 10-6 today and tomorrow. You may also register "at the door" on Sunday. The event will take place from 12-3.

There will be a record number of fabulous wedding vendors at the show, all of whom are listed on the Prima website.

The weather is going to be terrific and there will be goodie bags, great refreshments, and prizes to win. The caterers will be doing food samplings and the bakeries will have wedding cake to taste. One of the bars will be serving a refreshing cocktail of mango Italian soda with coconut rum. A non-alcoholic version will be available too. There's lots of talk about chocolate too so we are sure you will see that sweet treat there.

The best thing about the event is that you can bring as many guests as you would like at no additional charge. So bring your friends by to see beautiful gowns, breath-taking florals, fabulous photographers and get great ideas for decorating your wedding. Tons of free parking just steps away from the show.

There will also be a trunk show by Crane and they have a very special surprise announcement making it's debut at this event.

Memory Ball Update

The 2009 Memory Ball was a wonderful event held last weekend at The Baltimore Hilton. The Dancing Stars program was a jaw dropping display of fabulous dancers who donated their time to The Alzheimer's Association's biggest fundraiser of the year in Baltimore.

Congratulations to the dancing winners: Lainy Lebow-Sachs, Linnyette Richardson-Hall, Natalie Beese, and Lee & Christine Gedansky. It was such fun to see them all dance like pros.

The Baltimore Memory Ball raised nearly $ 80,000. to benefit the programs and research in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.

And I must once again thank my friends Jeanne Graham at Blue Sage Floral Design for donating floral centerpieces for 50 (!) guest tables, to Patti Boyle at Table Toppers for donating ALL the table linens for the Ballroom, and to Carl Brashears from Classic DJs for donating his deejay services for the evening.

Wedding Gown Sale

Bargain alert: The Surprise Shop in Towson has received a donation of wedding gowns from a bridal boutique which has closed recently. The gowns are now on display at 122 Allegheny Avenue (410) 828-9343 but won't go on sale until Saturday. Visit their website for more details.

If you don't know about The Surprise Shop, you will be delighted to discover this little gem of a store in which donated and consigned items are sold at bargain basement prices. There are always treasures to be found there and the volunteer sales staff is terrific.

The Week in Review

As I am now officially crazy busy with Spring and Summer events, each week is so different and exciting. I would like to mention a few highlights from last week.

Also last week I attended a tasting at The Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore Hotel for a June wedding. The food was beautifully presented and tasted fabulous. Very happy client = very happy wedding planner. Thanks to the new Director of Catering, Jay Day for the wonderful experience. We are all looking forward to the wedding.

I got together last week with a few other Prima Bridal Show Vendors to plan our exhibit for the show taking place on Sunday, April 26th at Green Spring Station. I am working in collaboration with Victoria at Romance of Flowers, Patti at Tables Toppers, and Gene at Perkins Productions to create an exciting, memorable, color themed exhibit that holds a few surprises for our guests. Be sure to stop by!

There are so many new brides coming in to the office to begin the planning for their 2010 weddings. Even after all these years, I get so excited with them as we talk about the preliminary plans and ideas for their wedding.

And finally on a personal note, Happy, Happy Birthday to my son Nick who celebrated his 21st birthday on April 8th. And equally as exciting, my daughter Caroline made her college choice for Fall '09 -- Lynchburg College in Virginia. She is thrilled with her choice as are we.

Best of Weddings 2009

I am so honored to be listed in the just released annual "best of" list published by The Knot. The magazine is national and rates the services of wedding businesses from across the country.

What sets this honor apart from others is that it's not voted on by colleagues (or even the Knot) but by real brides who were thrilled with the service provided. This is the third year in a row that we have received this very special award.

Please pick up a copy of The Knot Best of Weddings 2009 magazine and check out our listing.