These products have an organic quality to them that whisper authenticity. Maybe it’s the elegant design. Maybe it’s the understated hue. Whatever it is, we are positive you will thank us for sharing Paloma’s Nest with you. Here are some of our favorites:

OK, so now that you’ve seen this, you probably don’t need it but tell a friend’s boyfriend about it so that he can propose in style and you can be a hero!

I’ve been married 10 years and this still produces a tiny lump in my throat.

Sentimental idea, modern approach: Bouquet Text Tile (totally customizable, by the way!)

And can you stand it? These customized hangers are so perfect for a new baby (we’re always thinking ahead)!

Now that you have properly joined us in our adoration, go to Paloma’s Nest- you will probably find something you can’t live without!

Today’s Tip: You will want to clue your photographer in if you have customized details or sentimental trinkets such as these. Sometimes what may seem obviously important to you might not be apparent to those behind the lens. Photographers eat this stuff up so communicate with them!

You threw that little trinket away didn’t you?

It’s OK, we can all agree that finding a bridesmaid gift that will elicit squeals of delight and even a genuine hug or two is a challenge. Lucky for you, we have a solution that is going to make your head spin with possibilities!

Stephanie Johnson has created a line of travel accessories that are the real deal. This is a woman who traveled the world and yearned for accessories that would both complement her obsession with order and efficiency and satisfy her inner fashionista. Kind of like you!

What makes a Stephanie Johnson bag special?

Yes, they are designed with a meticulous eye; removable pouches, beautifully detailed liners and pull-out mirrors are the norm but I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge your inner Hollywood starlet begging to be pacified. Teri Hatcher, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Heidi Klum and Brittney Spears are among the long list of celebs who adore Stephanie’s genius travel accessories. Prices range from $24- $82 so that means the newly gifted bags your girls pack their cosmetics in could be the same as Cameron Diaz’s! How great is that?

Choose from 27 styles and 34 fabrics and with names like “Cancun”, “Mumbai Yellow”, “Vegas Pink” and “Chicago Gold”, you can choose gifts that are perfect for each of your girls. Your MOH will no longer have to use a cosmetic bag that has a peachy hue inside thanks to a broken blush. Bridesmaid #2 will be able to ditch the scary gold tapestry jewelry roll her mother-in-law gave her for her birthday. And no doubt, the hanging toiletry bag bridesmaid #3 received 5 years ago as a gift with purchase can meet the trash can!

Your girls are going to adore you for getting them the perfect gift (they might even forgive you for making them wear the planet’s most uncomfortable shoes) and you can move on to more important things, like choosing your own Stephanie Johnson travel accessories for yourself- Hello Honeymoon!

A girl by the pool with mounds of make-up is not a pretty sight. My guess is that she is wearing all that make-up to cover up her skin that has rebelled against her vacation. So what do you do? You want the beachy glow. You want to wear minimal make-up. And most important, you want to feel gorgeous!

Lucky for us, Corinna Cooke, our friend and make-up artist extraordinaire, has shared some ingenious skin care essentials for your summer getaway.

The #1 product you must use, without fail, is sunscreen. Rhonda Allison, skin care guru and “Queen of Peels”, offers a fantastic product called Zinc Protection Cream. It is a zinc- based sun protection that is gentler on your face than most sunscreens that contain harsh chemicals. There are sunscreens that can actually harm your skin when exposed to the sun’s rays so watch out for those that contain synthetic chemicals. For more information on what to stay away from and why, visit Rhonda’s blog.

You need clean skin, vacation or not, so check out the crazy efficient multi-tasker Melt from Face Atelier. This one product removes make-up, rids your face of grime and rejuvenates your skin. This is the ultimate all- in- one product that Corinna Cooke recommends to her clients. Use Melt and you can get back to relaxing in no time!

And for today’s final vacation skin tip, and this one is going to knock your floppy sun  hat right off, Hylunia Skin Care will soothe your sunburned cheeks with it’s Colloidal Silver with Lavender Floral Water. Yes, it sounds a bit space-aged but when you’re on vacation, the last thing you want is that scratchy “don’t touch me” sunburn pain. Hylunia will save the day.

Finally, travelers, brides, honeymooners, make sure you are using high-quality skin care products even though you are leaving town. Your skin deserves to be pampered on vacation too!  Pick up these face-saving products in travel sizes and you are good to go!

Chatting soon, Kelly

Thanks to Corinna Cooke for the fabulous tips and endless beauty information!

All images courtesy of LightRain Images, a Phoenix wedding photographer.

Photos taken on location at the gorgeous Scottsdale Resort.

This resort is a destination in and of itself. There is a Jerk Cooking School on the beach here, the rooms are wonderful, and the service and cuisine are tops. Cuisine…..best meals, perfectly paired with wines, exquisite presentation…best of any destination in the Caribbean. Hands down.

This luxury destination offers an “all inclusive” meal package, which even includes beverages and room service. It’s not the customary drunk fest you might expect from all inclusive resorts. This is a fun place, but people are respectful. Even the few kiddos we saw were a delight.

This is the view from my room, taken with my iPhone (I was too excited to pull out my “real” camera!). The room I had was spectacular, and truly larger than my first college apartment.

When we arrived on property, we were greeted by the staff, who always had a warm smile to offer. That’s one of the things people like best about Jamaica–the friendliness of the people.

World-recognized friendliness + Ritz Carlton = perfect vacation.

The special event team at Rose Hall offers spectacular decor, and they have an impressive collection of preferred vendors. This is an outdoor party they set up on the veranda, that boasts fab views of the regal green lawn below and the blue water beyond.

If I were getting married again, I’d choose to wed on that fab circular lawn, and then have my guests dine and party on this veranda.

Many guests choose to wed on the beach, and the set up there is also lovely, but I like to wear heels and they seem more suited to lawns than shifting sands.

Check out this floral arrangement and chic table setting. It’s not all shells when you are decorating in the tropics.

and this mini arrangement was on each of the chairs!



If you’ve read our Summer/Fall issue, you know we love fancy chair covers and embellishments. Even in the Caribbean, we are scouting out the best for you, our dear reader!

Look for better shots of this prestige destination in our Winter/Spring 2011 issue. And when I get back to the states and plug in, I’ll share my own camera images too!

This location is about as perfect for newlyweds as they come. I couldn’t possibly make you wait until December to hear about it.

Just book the flight. Next time I’m bringing my husband.

Your editor, Stephanie Gandy Riley

on location in Jamaica

We can’t get enough of the color scheme of Suzanne Clifton and Michael Dixon’s wedding at the Estancia Club. These colors, illuminated with candlelight, are oh-so romantic.

Deep burgundys and reds appeared throughout the couple’s October celebration, from the elegant table settings to the groom’s richly patterned tie (below).

Guests’ escort cards were delicately hung on a manzanita branch…so pretty!

Spectacular floral arrangements in this color scheme provide a delicious contrast to the desert scenery.

Fabulous cupcakes from La Dolce Pesca!

Of course, our favorite part of the wedding: the blissful look on the newlyweds’ faces!

Thanks to Jennifer Bowen for sharing these images.

Wedding Coordinator: Imoni Events

Floral Design: Flora Europa

Location: The Estancia Club

Invitations: The Invitation Lady

Makeup Artist: Linda Wagner

Hair Stylist: Nya Michelle

Bridal Salon: Destiny’s Bride

Rentals: Tri Rentals Event Specialists

Cupcakes: La Dolce Pesca

We began our adventure with a reception on the beach. It was nothing short of spectacular. Here is the aqua lounge I told you about in my last post!

The beach cabanas line Seven Mile Beach, and there is food and beverage service there as well.

A highlight of my time here was the spa. Ahhhh.

This is the entry to the Silver Rain, a la prairie spa, which puts you in the mood for relaxation. The floor is made of these glass tiles–it is quiet and serene and you feel like you are entering a secret hideaway.

One of the most amazing things about my spa experience here is that the spa staff allows you to choose the music for your treatment. Who hasn’t had a nice hot stone massage ruined by a tired Celine Dion CD playing in the background?

I chose “The Tao of Violas.” It was perfect in every way.

Before and after your treatment, you are pampered in this relaxation room. Warm neck wraps, lite snacks and delicious cold beverages are brought to you while you soak up the quiet, peaceful relaxation.

You can’t really tell from this photo, but the curtains surrounding this nest of calm are actually sort of fluffy, furthering the cloud-like feeling.

I was actually late for dinner after my treatment….can you say “spa brain”?

your editor, Stephanie

Visiting this wonderful island was something I considered once in a lifetime….yet here I am!

This is the view of the serene blue water and the fabulous Ritz Carlton pool from my room on the 8th floor–Penthouse Level!

When I received the invitation to explore the Ritz Carlton in Grand Cayman, I jumped at the chance to see what today’s honeymooners could expect.

Fine dining, luxurious ocean-front accommodations, pristine Seven Mile Beach, and the aqua lounge–drink service while you float peacefully in the ocean. Oh yeah!

These are just my iphone pics. When I get the images from the Ritz Carlton, I will be sure to update you all. A slice of heaven like this, is just too good not to share!

Remind me to tell you about Sting Ray City!

Until later, your editor on location

Stephanie Gandy Riley

The delectable cuisine of Santa Barbara Catering will be the centerpiece of “Mr. and Mrs. — a Wedding Event,” on Wednesday, June 23 at Inspirador.

Brides-to-be have a rare opportunity to meet the faces behind the wonderful catering talents of Santa Barbara Catering from 5:30-7:30 pm. The event will also offer creative wedding planning ideas, and introductions to the venue’s preferred vendors for photography, floral design and decor.

The event link is http://www.inspirador.com/index2.php; guests are encouraged to RSVP before June 21 by emailing celebrate@inspirador.com.  Inspirador is located at 63 E. Boston Street in Chandler.

“Should we see each other before the ceremony or not?”

There are many reasons why you might want to–alleviate those pre-ceremony butterflies, take some pictures so you will have more time at the reception, share a private moment together before you are in front of family and friends.

Those who adhere to tradition can still have pictures together without seeing each other, according to Sarah Hagerty of Hagerty Photography.

She shares these charming images of Rachel and Chase at their recent wedding at Firesky Resort and Spa.

She recalls, “Since this bride and groom, Rachel & Chase decided not to see each other before the wedding for their bride and groom pictures, we did something special.

We set Rachel and Chase up in such a way that they never saw each other until Rachel walked down the aisle with her father, yet we got some awesome pictures of them together beforehand!”

And here they are at their ceremony!

And the lovely couple afterwards, enjoying their time together.

Congratulations, Chase and Rachel!

Sassi is hosting a fab event for brides and grooms and we don’t want you to miss out! We love this romantic destination, and their menus are wonderful. On June 12, the Sassi team is bringing in their preferred vendors for a day of champagne and appetizers and wedding cake!

Nestled at the base of Pinnacle Peak, Sassi is your Tuscan inspired wedding destination, featuring exquisite views, delicious menus to suit even the most discriminating couples, and an experienced event planning team. From 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday, June 12, the team at Sassi will introduce you to this romantic destination.

For more information on this event, visit Sassi online at www.sassi.biz, or call (480) 502-3335. Cheers!