Preserve the dress

My last post was about trashing the dress. This post is all about the flip side...preserving the dress.

It took me a long time to figure out what I wanted to do with my gown after our wedding. The sentimental bride in me wanted to keep my dress forever in pristine condition with hopes of maybe passing it down to my daughter one day. The more practical, organized, neat freak in me (and I use the term "neat freak" very loosely) wanted to sell it or donate it. I had my dress hanging on a bookcase in the bedroom for MONTHS before my husband got tired of seeing it and begged me to "just do something with it...anything!"

After another couple of busy and indecisive months, I decided to have my gown cleaned and preserved and knew exactly who to call to take care of it. I had worked with Gabriela Quaid from Keepsakes Wedding Gown Preservation to have my gown pressed before the wedding, and was more than impressed with her service. Gabriela personally picked up the gown/veil from my home the week of our wedding, and delivered it straight to our hotel the day before our ceremony. I LOVED not having to worry about transporting the gown myself in a van packed with other wedding goodies.

Anyway, I arranged for my gown cleaning/preservation and, once again, Gabriela provided personal pick-up and delivery service. Upon seeing my dress for the first time, beautifully wrapped in archival papers and looking as pretty as the day I wore it, I was so genuinely happy that I decided to preserve it. I was advised to check it out once a year and make sure that everything looks exactly as it should (our anniversary will be a good date to do the yearly check-up).

If this post helps just one indecisive bride out there in the world, I'll be happy. And tell Gabriela that I sent you.

Trash the dress

Would you? Should you? Could you?

I hadn't even heard the phrase "trash the dress" (or TTD, for short) until I became a bride-to-be. TTD sessions have gained much popularity in recent years and involves a post-wedding photo shoot in which the bride's wedding dress serves as a sacrifical lamb for the love of photography. Don't get it? Picture the unforgettable beach scene in "From Here to Eternity."


Now picture Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in wedding attire and you've got the ultimate TTD scenario. Still don't get it? Click over to the blog of Hawaii photographer, Frank Amodo (Amodo Photo) for an introduction to the wonderful world of trashing the dress.

So, why would any bride in their right mind consider trashing thier gorgeous gown after the wedding? TTD sessions give the newly married couple the chance to let their hair down (literally) and just relax and have fun in front of the lens. On the wedding day, most women are concerned with their gown looking perfect...no wrinkles, no dirt smudges, definitely no food stains! Imagine the feeling of liberation of being able to PLAY in your gown!

Of cousre, you could always purchase a second (aka not-so-expensive) dress and reserve it for the day-after TTD shoot. Just a possibility...

Poetry by design

I'm a closet bookmarker. It's only natural considering all the blogs and web sites that I whiz through in any given month. Friends and clients send me cool links all the time and when I don't have time to browse at leisure, I quickly bookmark the page with every intention of revisiting the site at a later date. I'm guessing that by the time I retire, I'll have amassed approximately 856,232 bookmarks to keep me busy during my golden years.

During a recent (and rare!) break in my daily routine, I revisited the web site of San Francisco-based jewelry designer, Jeanine Payer. Hand-etched poems transform her rings, bracelets, and necklaces into treasured keepsakes that are unlike anything I've seen before. Shown above is the Ko silver keychain with etching on the front and back:

"May the sun bring you new energy by day,
May the moon softly restore you by night,
May the rain wash away your worries,
May the breeze blow new strength into your being,
May you walk gently through the world
and know its beauty all the days of your life. "

-Apache Blessing

Better late than never

I was planning to post a St. Patty's Day message on St. Patty's Day. Obviously, that didn't happen but I couldn't let these pretty photos go unseen. The florals shown above were created by renowned designer, Yvonne Floral Design. Check out Yvonne's gorgeous web site to view a sampling of her artistry. To quote Project Runway's Christian Siriano, her work is FIERCE!

Dress up

When it comes to "dream" wedding gowns, of course Vera Wang comes to mind. After all, isn't her name synonymous with gorgeous, jaw-dropping wedding dresses? I'm also a big fan of Pronovias gowns and am absolutely in love with their 2008 collection. Ahh, if only I could go dress shopping all over again...I suppose I'll just have to live vicariously through my clients!

Pah Ke's = Good Food

My regular readers already know what big foodies my husband and I are, but this post is dedicated to our dear friends who share our love of "ono grindz." It's no accident that we've formed friendships with people who have highly developed palettes of all types -- the sushi lovers, the Greek-food lovers, the deep-dish pizza lovers, etc. These are strategically built friendships that serve to nurture our obsession with good food...and this past Saturday, we dined in style with the Chinese-food lovers and the wine lovers. A match made in heaven!

We headed to Pah Ke's restaurant in Kaneohe with excited anticipation. The owner/chef, Raymond Siu, had prepared a special 5-course meal for us and personally gave us a detailed description of each dish as it was presented to our table. Nothing we ate was offered on the regular menu so we eagerly awaited each dish with wonder and excitement. Pictured above is course number 3, Raymond's take on the traditional won ton soup with seafood encased in a light egg-white wrapper. Delish!

I regret not taking more photos (and taking notes!) during dinner, because while I can still taste the wonderful flavors of each dish in my mouth, I've forgotten the charming descriptions that went along with it. Perhaps too much time has passed since our dinner, or perhaps too much wine passed my lips during dinner. But if you find yourself on the Windward side and craving great Chinese food, head to Pah Ke's for a meal you won't soon forget!

To our friends who shared this gastronomic delight with us, your company was the only thing that could compare to the great food! Thank you!

Happy Girls Day!

Please excuse my lack of blogging this past week. The only way I can explain my absence is by quoting a bumper sticker that I once read:

"I try to take life one day at a time but lately, several days have attacked me at once."

I will get back into the blogging groove shortly!