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Things We Love |
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Janice S. Casacca explores the Central Coast’s effortless beauty and the flavor of old California where the sprawling countyside meets the deep blue Pacific Ocean.
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In the words of the Brooklyn-based premier perfumer Christopher Brosius, “We live because we breathe, and with each breath we smell. This is inevitable. The sense of smell is our first and most immediate link to the world around us....
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Skip the never-ending search for the perfect favor and head straight to the valet! Surprise your guests with an old-fashioned donut cart stationed upon the exit.
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SANTA BARBARA has been called the American Riviera, and it only takes one drive through this stunning intimate city nestled between gentle cascading hills and the deep blue Pacific...
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She left her heart in San Francisco. Melissa A. Panico, with MAP Events, swoons over the elegance and the urban Bay Bridge views.
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THE ERA OF THE COCKTAIL has made a comeback, and we are,
once again, becoming a cocktail culture. With this in mind, what could
be more appealing than turning cocktail and bar accessories into your
wedding gift registry theme? With the accessories you see here, you’ll
be all set for company.
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by Susan Hart Hellman
photography by Cheryl Mac, Pure Image Photograhpy
Any diamond will carry a romantic message to a beloved bride, but only one will set her heart on fire. A diamond that is so perfectly cut that it has all the classic elements of a diamond’s beauty—brilliance, dispersion and scintillation. A diamond that sparkles like a red-hot fire. A Hearts On Fire diamond.
All diamond buyers have heard of the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight. The value of a diamond is a function of its size and quality. Each “C” is assigned a grade by a gemological certification lab using an internationally-accepted grading scale. All Hearts On Fire diamonds are consistently graded as being of the highest quality.
When viewed from the top, a Hearts On Fire diamond shows a mosaic of eight perfectly symmetrical hearts—hence the brand name of the gem—and from the bottom a perfectly symmetrical fireburst, evidence of the exacting standards used by the master cutters.
Hearts On Fire’s diamond round brilliant cut contains 58 facets and makes the most efficient use of light to increase brilliance and fire. The company also offers the Dream Diamond, the first square-shaped diamond to offer the brilliance, fire and sparkle of the round cut.
Available at Kevin Main Jewelry in San Luis Obispo, 805-547-0662.
For more store locations visit www.heartsonfire.com or call 877-PERFECT
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Dangling Jewels
Majorica Pearls are the finest man-made pearls in the world. They have the iridescence, durability and perfection of the most beautiful oyster-produced pearls, and they are most desired by connoisseurs. These sophisticated chandelier earrings, set in sterling silver—swirls of CZ (Cubic Zirconium) with three pearl drops—are designed by Majorica and they will enchant you.
Perfect Details
(650) 576-4927
www.perfectdetails.com |
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Frills & Garnishings
Crystal Garden Comb: Keep you hair glamorously in place with this Regina B. elegant comb with black diamond crystal, Mother of Pearl flower on a 2 ½? comb, crystal leaves and pavé crystal flowers, with pearl centers and pearl sprays. Thomas Crown Affair: You will have more than an affair with this stunning medallion necklace, adorned with Swarovski crystals on four rows of pearls. It’s love for life. Designed by Paris. Lily Flowers In Your Hair: Create an original hair design with this handmade 1 ¼? Lily Flower on a 3? hairpin with crystal center and pearl-and-crystal sprays.
All available by Perfect Details
(650) 576-4927
www.perfectdetails.com
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Purse With Poise
You’ll walk pretty with this original clutch intricately hand-beaded and embroidered with swirls and designs made of platinum beads, sequins, and embroidery as well as clear beads and seed pearls on antique white. The clasp is matte silver and there is a hidden fabric handle. Designed by Santi, the clutch is approximately 10 ½? x 4.?
Perfect Details
(650) 576-4927
www.perfectdetails.com |
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Table Textile
Imported linens from Provence make for a cheerful dining experience with Nimes 70? round yellow coated tablecloth, Grapes 70? round blue tablecloth with gold grapes, Nimes 70? round apricot tablecloth, or Cigale 70? round rust tablecloth.
Down Home Furnishings, Punky’s Provence
250 E. Ojai Avenue
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-7225
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All Pressed Up
This Asian-influenced design is pressed into the softest paper imaginable. Available as shown or folded with an artfully-wrapped string. The 4-piece set includes 5x7 invitations, 4¼ x 5½ response card and 2 offset-printed red envelopes.
Sarah Drake Design
(773) 510-1247
www.sarahdrakedesign.com |
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Refined Thyme
Grind your own herbs with one of Punky’s Provence herb grinders. Available in 3 different designs: one with figurines from Brittany (shown), one an olive motif and an all-wood grinder. Herb pack contains tarragon, thyme, basil, rosemary and other herbs.
Down Home Furnishings, Punky’s Provence
250 E. Ojai Avenue
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-7225
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Tailored Scents
The perfect wedding GIFT. Solebury Soaps’ triple-milled. vegetable-based soaps are made in the USA from the highest-quality ingredients and personalized just for you. Available in Lemon Drop, Orange Blossom, Lime Sherbet, Almond Vanilla, Green Tea, Lavender Mist and Freesia.
Set of 3 soaps with 3 letters.
Kava Gifts
212-A E. Ojai Avenue
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-0491 |
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Sweet Nectar
Get the genie out of the bottle with this frosted-glass perfume vessel with a delicate metal filigree collar accented by enamel hummingbirds and handset amber crystals. Also available in a dragonfly design.
Kava Gifts
212-A E. Ojai Avenue
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-0491
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Sole Couture
These handcrafted silk-and-velvet slippers are made for relaxing in style. Bon Bons have cushioned non-skid suede soles for maximum comfort. New styles are introduced seasonally and are available in women’s size
S (4-7.5), M (7.5-9), L (9-10.5) and XL (9-10.5).
Kava Gifts
212-A E. Ojai Avenue
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-0491 |
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Charmed Fortune
These miniature crafted paper purses by Bryson Studios are great gifts for your bridesmaids, favors for your guest or an added ornament to your place card. Each handmade tiny paper purse comes in three different purse styles with several colored paper choices and beading. In each purse hides inside a sterling silver charm. Attached to each charm is a fortune printed on translucent paper that reads a special message related to the charms theme.
The purse size is 2.5? by 1?.
Kava Gifts
212-A E. Ojai Avenue
Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 640-0491
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For the reception, Jemie changed into a Chinese Chi Pao dress which, in keeping with the ocean theme, was custom-made by Helen’s Chi Pao in blue instead of the traditional red...
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“Hindu weddings have rituals that have evolved since early times,” Monica says, “and they differ in many ways from the modern Western wedding ceremony.”...
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After a yacht ride across San Francisco Bay and dinner with Alvin’s parents, they wound up alone on the top floor of the St. Francis Hotel...
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On the eve of her birthday, Maria was with friends at the Spotted Pig restaurant in New York, standing alone at the bar waiting for her drink....
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Tips |
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# 1 - LOUNGING ANYWHERE
Wonder what to do to a resort ballroom to make it more interesting and intimate? You can create individual lounge areas by renting tents of sheer flowing fabric and adding sofas and coffee tables with lots of candlelight in them. You’ve suddenly created that romantic lounge atmosphere in a standard ballroom and given it more intimacy. Your guests can move to different “rooms” during the cocktails hour or or they can dance the night away. Jill La Fleur, The Wedding Planner
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# 6 RECIPES FOR FAVORS
Gather together the favorite recipes that you remember as a child. They could be special family recipes, holiday menus, etc. Have them bound in small books, affix a wedding label on the front with your monogram and date that you were married. And there you have it, a unique favor that your guests will use again and again. Also, it is a wonderful way to acknowledge grandmothers and mothers.
Melissa Lee, Events of Santa Barbara
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#21 LA FLEUR TABLE
Cover your entire table top with a single bold color of petals. Not
just a scattering, but the entire top of the table with a thick layer
of petals! You can purchase them at a farmers market or order them
through your florist. Place your chargers, place settings, glassware
and centerpieces in a contrasting color and lots of candles directly
onto the petals for a stunning, romantic look!
Jill La Fleur, The Wedding Planner
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