Who doesn’t love a man in uniform? Danielle certainly does! Our friend Drew (BrashlerPhoto.com)  sent over these beautiful pictures from Danielle & Houston’s wedding.

all photos courtesy of Brashler Photography

“Babyface, Babyface

Cover girl with natural grace
How could beauty be so kind”

When I am working with brides on their wedding day, my number one goal is to make them look and feel like their most beautiful, radiant self.  And the first step in achieving that is by creating flawless, yet natural-looking skin.

In the winter months this can become increasingly difficult, as colder temperatures and drier air zaps moisture from our skin.  Even a grease monkey such as myself can find dry patches where once there were none!

There are some simple tips that we can all easily incorporate into our winter makeup routine to keep the doldrums away and give us that glowing babyface:

1. Consider switching foundation formulas for the winter.  For instance, for most of the year I use a loose powder foundation.  When I start feeling dry, I switch to a tinted moisturizer with a bit of translucent powder on top.  It’s nice to have a couple different formulas in your foundation “wardrobe” for situations such as this!

2.  If you absolutely lovelovelove your current foundation, try mixing a pea-size amount of tinted moisturized into your liquid foundation.  It will give you the same finish, but with the added boost of additional emollients to smooth the skin.

3.  Cream blush!!!  There are many formulas out that are suitable for all skin types, and give a natural glow without feeling heavy on the skin.  My favorites are from Stila and Laura Mercier.  Use the pad of your index finger and warm a small amount on the back of your hand.  Then blend lightly onto the apples of the cheeks, adding more for greater intensity.

4.  Lip balm is your new best friend.  Really, this should be year round, but during these cold months especially.  There’s nothing more unpleasant than trying to apply that brand new red lipstick over dry, flaky lips!  I keep one by my bed, one in my purse, and probably several places in between!

Are you a bride?  Use some of these tips to have dewy winter skin on your wedding day.  Not a bride?  Try them anyway and enjoy the glow!

photos by our friends at Liquid Shutter

What could be even better than finding THE dress? Winning it for FREE of course!

This gorgeous gown will be available for brides to win on February 6th!  That’s right-one lucky bride will go home with this amazing dress! The Cotton Bride is giving away the dress that was on the cover of the premier issue of Eco-Beautiful magazine!  It will be given away at the Washington DC Couture Wedding Consortium’s 2nd Annual Luxury Bridal Show on February 6th! Click here to view more photos and register to attend the event. You surely do not want to miss this opportunity.

photo courtesy of Eco-Beautiful. Visit their blog for great information and inspiration.

“…you want to be the song, the song that you hear in your head, love…”

There’s just something about the beat that beckons you to move, to listen to the rhythm thumping deep in your chest.  Swirling colors on all sides, the twinkling glitter lights your face and you smile knowingly.  All is well in the world, at least for tonight.

I say go for the glamour– if you can pull off strong lips and dramatic eyes together, do it!  And don’t be afraid of color; we’re not talking about a mid-afternoon tea party, after all…

But if you do decide to go for a neutral palette, try adding just one item that shimmers– a golden shadow, cheek highlight or radiant lip gloss should do the trick.  Keep the rest soft and subtle.

And for goodness sakes, don’t be afraid of false lashes!  They can be as natural or as outrageous as you please, and they are the perfect addition to any evening look.   At the disco, everyone will say…”Who is that lady in the corner with the sultry eyes?”

Any you’ll know that it’s you.  So own it, and enjoy the night.

photos courtesy of marie claire

A big thanks to sweet Katie from The Rock Studio who sent over these fun photos.  The happy couple decided for an engagement session at Newport Beach’s Balboa Fun Zone. What a perfect day!

“Oh, it’s such a perfect day
I’m glad I spent it with you
Oh, such a perfect day
You just keep me hanging on”

all photos courtesy of Katie at The Rock Studio.

Water

Water is the element of flow. When people use the cliché, “go with the flow” they are, in essence, talking about the element of water.  At many points in your wedding planning and during your wedding, you will need to invoke the water element. Yes, what I am saying is that you will need to learn to just go with the flow. There will be unexpected and sometimes unwanted happenings even with the best laid plans. When things happen that are out of your control, remember to be like the element of water and find your way gracefully and smoothly over any metaphoric rocks that you may find in your path. Water is often used to depict tranquility and calm. Try to create a peaceful place inside of you (perhaps by reciting an affirmation or a mini-prayer or a biblical verse). Then when challenges do arise, you can go to this place of peace.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Gabrielle Gujjari is a newlywed who successfully survived planning her wedding. She is also a certified professional life coach who specializes in relationships and women’s issues. You can visit her blog here.

Fire

Fire is the element of action and transformation. It is my favorite element as it is used to get one going and to “burn out the old.” As with the other elements, using it in moderation and keeping it in balance is the key to a happy and sane wedding.  Air helped you brainstorm and dream, earth helped you make practical plans. The element fire helps you to get moving. Think of it as your anti-procrastinator element at your service and use it well. Make a to-do list and start getting the things you know you need to do completed ahead of time. If there are some things that you wanted in your initial brainstorming session that don’t fit into your wedding budget, burn them out (figuratively of course). If there is something you’d love to have but can’t figure out how to do, use the fire element to enlist the help of supportive friends and family.  Let the element of fire help you burn up your assumptions about how things “should” be so that you can enjoy your special day.  When you come across frustrating situations and obstacles, let the fire element help you continue to blaze your path ahead and move forward.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Gabrielle Gujjari is a newlywed who successfully survived planning her wedding. She is also a certified professional life coach who specializes in relationships and women’s issues. You can visit her blog here.

Earth

Earth is the densest of all the elements-it is the element used for “grounding.” When I think of the element earth, I think of practicality and stability. After you spend some time with the air element, you’ll need to spend some time with the earth element. The earth element keeps us grounded. This element will help you to be realistic about your wedding. Maybe releasing doves at the end of your ceremony into the air seemed like a good idea, but once you conduct the research, and understand the costs, time and risks involved, it doesn’t seem so great after all.  Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of getting married at the top of a mountain, but once you see how impossible it will be for your beloved 90-year old grandma to make a trek to the top, you change your mind. The air element was all about brainstorming and getting your ideas out. The earth element helps put those ideas though the litmus test of practicality.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Gabrielle Gujjari is a newlywed who successfully survived planning her wedding. She is also a certified professional life coach who specializes in relationships and women’s issues. You can visit her blog here.

Introduction

Many cultural traditions have used the concept of balancing the four elements (air, earth, fire and water) in order to explain how one can lead a physically, spiritually and psychologically healthy life. The concept of each of these elements is interesting, especially when one thinks about one’s wedding.  In order to truly enjoy your wedding (and the planning and preparations of it) you may want to do what sages have advised over thousands of years-Find a way to incorporate and balance all four of the elements.

Air

Air is the lightest of the four elements. It represents the dreamier aspects of life. After your engagement, when you are ready to think about planning your wedding, you’ll want to incorporate the air element because it’s so much fun to do. You’ll want to spend some time just thinking and dreaming about what you’d like your wedding to look, feel and be like.  At this point in your planning, you just need to focus on your wedding vision. You may want to look through magazines and cut out pictures of dresses and flowers. You may want to spend some time daydreaming about how you’ll do your hair and your makeup. Using the element air means that you’re in the clouds-and you’ll want to be here first. Dreaming and envisioning helps inspire the hard work and dedicated planning that will soon follow.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Gabrielle Gujjari is a newlywed who successfully survived planning her wedding. She is also a certified professional life coach who specializes in relationships and women’s issues. You can visit her blog here.

We are THRILLED to announce that our “Scarlett” vine was chosen to be in the very fashionable Inside Weddings Magazine!! We can’t stop grinning and we can’t stop flipping through this beautiful magazine! You can find our fiery red Scarlett on page 40 along with other beauties to adorn your tresses.

We saw our first copy in Manhattan and quickly celebrated the news with some close friends!  There are tons of gorgeous photos and ideas in this issue. And don’t miss the dozens of amazing wedding gowns!