I never get tired of telling people that I am a native Californian. I think it’s either because my Cali pride makes me feel less guilty about living far away OR because I think it says something about me, like that I am chill and easy going. Either way, I’ve decided to write about one of my  favorite California vendors, hair and make-up artist Ami Desai.

Every time I go in to see Ami Desai, I am struck by how gorgeous and put together SHE looks. I mean, don’t you want the person who is getting you dolled up to look great herself? I do! Specializing in South Asian brides, but experienced and comfortable with all skin and hair types. I especially love that she is able to create such dramatic looks without making you feel OR look like you have make-up caked on. I live in fear of a make-up mask, and she manages to avoid that while still making people look “made-up”.

Ami’s work was featured on the cover of South Asian Bride’s Premiere issue.

I also enjoy her blog where she tells you what products are worth the money and worth buying. She’s like my own private shopper, testing products along the way so that I don’t have to!

So if you are in the LA area and are looking for someone to glam you up, give Make-up by Ami a call!

Attention Brides and Grooms-to-be … have you booked your photographer yet? Are you thinking about an engagement shoot but have yet to pull the trigger? If not, this might be just what you need.

On Saturday May 15th in NYC’s historic Central Park, 10 couples will experience an Engagement Photo Day with photographer Christopher Duggan of Threshold Visions. This is a perfect opportunity to meet with Christopher and “sample the goods”. Photography is such an intimate and vital element of your wedding day and to be able to work with your prospective photographer and get a sense of his talent, style and your chemistry is a rarity.

If you are chosen to participate in this special experience, you will receive…

• A 30 minute experience with Christopher creating natural, lifestyle portraits of the two of you. The perfect sampling of his signature style.

• Professional hair & make-up artist on site to help keep you looking fresh and camera ready.

• A chance to win a custom design Lovebook made of images from your Engagement Day (for sample CLICK HERE)

• Digital Negatives of images to use on Facebook, your wedding website or other on-line social media

Officially, the deadline for entries is tomorrow May 7th but Christopher is extending the closing date until Monday the 10th – EXCLUSIVELY for Blogsmaid readers. This is a wonderful and fun opportunity for those of you on the photog hunt and honestly it’s way to easy not to enter! Plus iit will give you an opportunity to practice those camera ready romantic gazes .

To enter to win your Engagement Day, simply email Christopher @ studio@thresholdvisions.com with your:

– wedding date
– wedding location & venue
– a current fun photo of the two of you
– a few brief words about your story or your wedding plans

Visit Christopher’s blog for more details on the 4th Annual Engagement Photo Day. Tell him you heard about the Engagement Day at the Blogsmaid to be considered under this special extension.

Make sure to let us know if you are among the 10 lucky couples selected!!

xx
Sal

Wedding planning should be a relaxing, luxurious experience.

Next Sunday, March 14th will be a day that raises the bar for bridal events everywhere.

The Ultimate Engagement is the first ever complimentary bridal event that allows brides-to-be the opportunity to meet with the premiere experts in the luxury bridal industry. Not only will brides be able to access the extensive experience, knowledge, passion and talent of these individuals, but you get to do it all in a stress-free one-on-one setting.

Think of the crowded booths, lines, frustration and general mayhem of the typical bridal show, then imagine the exact opposite; a relaxing, sophisticated one-on-one sit down where you and the expert vendors of your choice chat about YOUR wedding and yours alone. Participating is as simple as visiting The Ultimate Engagement website, completing your free registration and scheduling appointments with the hottest high-end wedding professionals that you have watched, read and heard about. Have the opportunity to sit with the most sought after photographers, florists, caterers, venues, planners… the list goes on.

While you plan your stunning event, enjoy designer trunk shows, book signings, food & wine tastings, educational sessions, chic pop-up shops and more!

Our own Xochitl Gonzalez, Blogsmaid Extraordinaire will be on hand to help you turn your luxury wedding dreams into realities – and blogging LIVE throughout the day! Xochitl will be joined by other notable wedding experts such as Marcy Blum, Sylvia Weinstock, Lisa Johnson of Ceci NY, Ines de Santo and many more.  This amazing event was put together by the wonderful Maya Kalman of Swank Productions and Elizabeth Beskin from 5th Avenue Digital.

To ensure each bride receives the personal attention she deserves, space is limited. Please register today to take advantage of this one-time experience that will help you create a day of memories that will last a lifetime.

WHEN: Sunday, March 14, 2010

9:00AM – 7:00PM

WHERE: Gotham Hall, NYC

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

xx

-Sal

There is nothing more inspiring than to see the best of the best coming together to create something even better. On Monday night, I was privileged enough to spend a few hours with some of the most talented and engaging industry professionals I have ever met. Don’t get me wrong, I have worked with and crossed paths with truly amazing individuals, but there was a special energy in the air at our Hoboken Housewarming. I wholeheartedly believe that birds of a feather flock together.

A HUGE thank you to Vivian @ the W Hotel for co-hosting this wonderful event with AABNJ. When you’re new in town, what better way to get to know your neighbors than inviting them over for cocktails! The W Hoboken is breathtaking and the NYC skyline was the perfect backdrop for such an exciting evening. The fireplace, delicious hors d’ oeuvres and specialty cocktails were EXACTLY what we needed to end a Monday and start the week. Fernanda @ Petali, thank you for creating such wonderful floral designs to help set the mood.

Colleagues, friends, brides, grooms & everyone who is ready to make it happen… Here’s to a bigger and better 2010.

Below, top left: our own Xochitl Gonzalez, Judy & Bob Paulen of Judy Paulen Designs

Below, bottom right: Fernanda Coutinho of Petali & Rodolfo Goncalves of Bem Me Quer Desserts

Big thanks to Robert Wagner @ R.Wagner Photography for capturing the below!

xx,
Salome