We have fun. We plan. We design. We love love. We hustle...& we bustle. We are Hustle & Bustle Events ~ an event planning firm based in Los Angeles, CA & Tampa, FL & creating memories everywhere in between!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Oh, Fudge!
Recently, I was thinking about making some fudge for my family.
After doing a bit of research, I was shocked to learn how easy it really is to make!
I was also surprised at the unlimited number of flavors to make.
Which got me thinking...why not a fudge bar at your reception? We all know candy buffets are still in high demand. Let's just give it a decadent, fun twist! Your guests still get that “kid in the candy store” excited feeling but a fudge buffet is a little bit more unique...and more filling, which saves you $!
For all you DIY-ers, this is perfect. Even if you are not a “do it yourself’ nut, this fudge table could be a great starter project for you. It is pretty simple & very impressive! It's also inexpensive, & if you mess up on the presentation, just leave the ugly pieces at home to indulge on later.
Before, I thought fudge came in about 3 flavors, chocolate (of course), vanilla, and what not. But, NO, fudge can be made in just about every flavor under the sun (cheesecake, candy corn, bubble gum, RUM!)!
If you are not into a whole table full of fudge, a homemade piece of fudge wrapped in fabric, box, or paper that coordinates with your wedding décor is a terrific favor. Again, this is a super easy project that would be super appreciated by your guests.
Here are links to easy fudge recipes.
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,177,148190-255198,00.html
http://busycooks.about.com/od/candyandsnackmixes/r/cookiecuttfudge.htm
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/homemade-fudge-recipes.html
( photo from Fun Flavored Fudge website)
CHECK OUT THIS SITE!!!
If you are just not at all interested in making fudge, here is a link to a sweet company that will make it for you. The decadent treats also make darling favors. The prices are great & you can opt to get the candies wrapped or not. At least, visit this site just to check out all the possible flavors! It’s truly impressive!
http://www.funflavoredfudge.com/
Whoa, it's been a while!
It is November! 2010 is almost here! October gave me 4 weddings & 5 new brides for next year. I am thrilled! Thank you!
I definitely need to post fall weddings on here. I will surely work on that.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Downtown!
Gotta Love it!
The wedding magazine, The Knot Southern California, recently asked me to give them some info regarding LA's fashion district. They wanted to know how people who are in the middle of planning their wedding could benefit from shopping downtown. I thought I'd share with you wonderful blog readers what I shared with them.
There are a couple of benefits to shopping downtown:
1. Nostalgia, you may not, but I get a sense of wow, I am in the heart of it all.
2. Prices, competition is stiff from door to door. Plus, the prices are unbeatable to chain stores in town. Here is where the chain stores obtain their merchandise & jack up the prices to pay for their lighting, employees, marketing, etc…
3. Variety- It would take weeks to explore every nook & cranny. Your selection is limitless; it’s a little unsettling for me to think that because I like to see all my options before making a purchase, lol.
4. It really is a small community. During my second visit, most store owners & employees remembered my face. That is astonishing; I’m not a huge spender either. Now I bring my daughter with me & they all know her. Fabric, notions, what not, this industry is these peoples’ lives. They are not a kid forced to be at their after school job. At first, a few may be a little brash because they want a big sale. Just open up & ask a question & 99% of the workers will be incredibly helpful, resourceful, insightful & even send you to a competitor to help you find what you are in search for.
Tips:
Parking: I never pay for parking. Yes, there are a zillion lots & sometimes you’re lucky to find a meter (if you have the change) or a friendly homeless person who will trigger the meter for you with his paper clip. The best place to park is on the east side of
Negotiate!: Don’t ever settle on the first price a merchant quotes you. Tell him what you want to pay (within reason). If he says no, walk out. 9 times out of 10 he/she will follow you & agree on your price. They most likely want your business more than you want that item.
Restrooms: It never fails, I park my car, begin my trek (usually with my child in tow) & I realize I must find a restroom. Let’s be real, the bathrooms at these shops are old & scary. Here is what to do- Go to the California Mart. It is impossible to miss. The mart is takes up a block from 9th to Olympic & Los Angeles St. to
Bring a list: This sounds juvenile but I’m telling you, it is so easy to get side tracked. There is so much to look at. New ideas constantly pop into your mind. “I know I can find a use for this!” will play repeat in your head.
Over view:
When referring to shopping in the district, most people mention Michael Levine’s. These people are not really in the know. Michael Levine is, by far, the most popular store. I mean, it has everything but it’s also the most expensive place. It is basically a Joanne’s times 10. I visit there as a last resort.
The fashion District is a rectangle: 9th & Olympic make up the long sides & Main & San Julian being the short sides. Besides, 9th & Olympic, the only cross streets you need, for material & notion shopping, are Wall & Maple. All the other streets are either for apparel shopping, furniture fabric, or people in the fashion design & production industry. Actually, the district is more of a square. Be sure to visit the cross streets North, past 9th for trims & to make your way to the flower mart.
For wedding purposes, Olympic Blvd. is where you will find all your flower girl & ring bearer needs. These shops carry adorable dresses & suits along with the essentials like pillows, flower baskets, parasols. You name it. One store particularly stands out, La Bella by Carmen Creation. The styles featured here Victorian inspired. The apparel & accessories are just darling, very one of a kind. Also along 10th, you can find amazing deals on bird cages, cake sets, stands, champagne flutes, & other misc. items.
Most stores will special order any color you need if you are ordering a significant amount. My favorite fabric shops for higher end goods are Tex Carmel & Fabrics & Fabrics. At
As for trims & notions, most of those merchants are located on
Three doors down from Levy’s, is L.A. Linen Lacey’s Fabrics. This is the place to go to for table linens, chair covers, sashes, overlays, table runners, table skirts & napkins! Any style you imagine & any color you crave, they have it & with a very nice price tag. Lacey’s has embroidered or beaded organza, crepe back or shiny satins, pin tucked or pin cushioned taffeta's, the list goes on! It’s a great “go-to” place. I love their slogan, “yes, everything is possible. The impossible just takes a bit longer and cost more to make”.
I believe this is a good start for the
List of Merchants mentioned:
Fabrics & Fabrics –
Kashcool, inc. –
La Bella by Carmen Creation – 321 ½ E. Olympic Blvd.,
Levy’s Trimming Co. –
Monday, September 7, 2009
Terranea Resort, OH MY!
WOW.....that is really what pops into my mind when I reflect on the wedding I recently helped with at the STUNNING Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes.
Hopefully, I will obtain pictures of the actual wedding to share because the bride & groom were the spitting image of perfection, themselves.
Anyhow, I am writing this particular post to inform you on the breathtaking resort right here, in our neck of the woods.
The first time I encountered Terranea was for the routine walk-through prior to the main event (the wedding). It was not yet open to the public so it was a real treat to explore the grounds with my clients & Leslie, Terranea's event manager. The drive to Terranea, alone, was awe inspiring & leisurely. However, once inside it's magical captivity, I couldn't help but feel I was in a far, far away paradise land, thousands of miles from LA.
www.terranea.com
The ceremony location is on a grassy cliff atop the Pacific. It was blessed by a Buddha for goodness sakes. That's an alright start for a marriage, I suppose. The bungalows & suites are modern & rich. Everything is brand new, which is part of the charm. The spa is a place you can retreat to all day long. You will do a double take when you see the pool at the salon & all the amenities!
At the wedding, I couldn't help but mention to Leslie, "working here is like being on vacation". It sounds strange, I know, given that we are a few short miles from the city.
The bottom line is. If you are in search of a wedding (ceremony & reception) venue & you like the idea of a destination wedding but want to remain local, you may want to pay a visit to Terranea Resort. Even though, the resort has been open just a couple months, the staff appears & acts like it has been around for years.
I guess I should mention a couple details pertaining to wedding-related interests. They offer a few linen options that happen to be gorgeous. The food is fabulous. There are plenty of staff to escort guests & keep nosy hotel guests away. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot them at me. :)
More Summer Lovin!
This video clip was made possible by Dirk Gates, from Studio West Video. He is a real professional & as you can tell from the video, a real gem in videography-land! You can see multiple samples of his work from this link. Enjoy!
http://studiowestvideo.typepad.com/studio_west_video_blog/
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Annie & Clifford
Ahh...Malibu!
Mr. and Mrs. Hilo were one of my favorite couples of the Summer of '09. Ok, so all couples I work for are my favorite BUT there is a certain bonding that takes place when you meet the bride for one of the most important meetings in your pajamas....in public!
Annie & Clifford were married at Malibu West Beach Club. Annie did an amazing job with her DIY floral arrangements & booking a fantastic location & superstar vendors. She wore a Monique Lhuillier lace gown that accentuated her beautiful features. Clifford was the sweetest & shocked his bride with a surprise performance on his guitar. The ocean breeze was the perfect backdrop for a night of dancing, eating, & love.
Another thing, I would like to mention, Aileen Secord was Annie & Clifford's second shooter. She is incredible! There are professionals, who have been in the industry for many years, asking her for tricks of the trade! Check out her site, I highly recommend her for your wedding photographer. http://aileensecord.com/
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Maria & Jeff
I had the absolute pleasure of DOCing Maria & Jeff's classic, chic wedding at the Skirball Cultural Center, this past July.
Maria & Jeff are a prime example of why I love my job so much. As you view the pictures, taken by Steve Reisch Photography (www.stevereisch.com), you can clearly see how loving & genuine these two are.
Thank you, Maria & Jeff!
BTW, how gorgeous is her dress?!
Friday, July 10, 2009
L.A.'s fab Flower District
Florists (besides catering & alcohol) are often times the biggest budget breakers. These days, so many of my clients are of the "Do It Yourself mentality". When it comes to floral arrangements, i.e. centerpieces, bouquets, ceremony aisle arrangements, misc. table decor, purchasing & designing your own arrangement can be a tremendous money saver & even a little bit fun!
Tips:
~Arrive early! The market closes between 12-12:30pm. The rest of the district shuts down shortly after.
~Bring one of your vendors. You will receive wholesale prices if someone in your party owns a business in the wedding industry.
~Visit merchants as they are packing up for the day to score some free flowers! Sellers will often times give you a bouquet or two because they are going to die anyway.
~As with any big floral purchase anywhere, keep in mind the flowers you see on your most recent excursion may not be in bloom on your wedding date.
From my experience, there are a few vendors that stand out & are an excellent resource to people new to the flower district.
Floral Supply Syndicate (located at
Daisy’s Garden (located at
Golden Memories, Floral Design by Sandra is a Mecca of Manzanita madness! Every size, color, & shape of these trees is available for about $65-$70. You can even rent them for $35! This is a Godsend since most people don’t really know what to do with them after their wedding day. Of course, you can find branches here as well. The real strikes of gold are the manzanita cake stands available to rent. These creations are gorgeous!
Saint Germain Florist carries the most beautiful roses. They are located inside the Southern California Flower Market At a recent wedding, in
The top two pictures are centerpieces from Daisy's Garden. The bottom two were taken inside the Flower Market.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Searching for a Cause.
http://www.goodsearch.com/
xoxo
~T
Bustles Galore at Winnie Couture!
I have always been curious about what, technically, is the difference between various bustles. What exactly is a French bustle as oppose to an American bustle? When I was invited to Winnie Couture, to study the specific types, my heart jumped! I’ve known of Winnie Couture’s garments but I have never actually been to a Winnie Couture salon. Here I was with an appointment to visit their new flagship store in Beverly Hills. What a treat! Above, is a sample of Winnie's gorgeous 'Ramona' gown with a double French bustle.
I must admit, I was a bit nervous as I approached the salon. The store’s appearance is magnificently stunning. Unlike many boutiques (everywhere, not just Rodeo Drive), the girls who work at Winnie Couture are genuinely friendly, warm, & a breath of fresh air. When you enter the showroom you feel like you are in a dashing gallery. This is not your everyday bridal shop. The salon is absolutely breathtaking with crystal chandeliers, custom made furniture, & a VIP section, so chic it could rival any elite LA club. Visits are by appointment only, which makes your visit that much more special & memorable.
Amanda, Winnie Couture’s amazing store manager, displayed samples of bustles & described what styles worked best with each gown’s silhouette. Although there are quite a few types of bustles, the two we generally see are the American Bustle & the French bustle. The French bustle is folded down & tucked inside the gown. The American is folded up & drapes outside the skirt of the dress. The American bustle tends to be a lot less tricky than the French bustle. A-Line & ball gowns work best with American bustles. The French bustle is, typically, for mermaid silhouettes. Often, when the train is on the longer side, you create a double or triple bustle. This explains the “complicated” ones I have dealt with in the past. This is an example of an American bustle on an exquisite hand-sewn beaded, dropped waist, A-line gown.
Winnie Couture Flagship Bridal Salon
9393 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: 310.858.8868 Fax: 310.858.8867
www.winniecouture.com
Monday, June 22, 2009
Greetings.....
I specialize in fabulous DOC packages. This is a dream job & I appreciate how fortunate I am to be able to travel to beautiful locations, meet fascinating people, & work with other talented vendors. Most importantly, I am a mommy & this career allows me the luxury to work around my daughter's schedule! When Abby (my daughter) is older, I will return to full on wedding planning. For now, DOCing is ideal. It seems, currently, "day of" coordinating is more in demand than wedding planning, anyway.
I put together this little blog to, hopefully, help people gather inspiration & ideas while planning their own, or someone else's, dream wedding. Los Angeles is home to a zillion unbelievable (& sometimes exclusive) resources. My goal is to offer at least a sliver of enlightenment. My background is in fashion design so there will, surely, be a ton of postings related to bridal fashion & art.
Don't be shy, leave comments! It will be fun to share all of our creativity with each other.
~T
www.hustleandbustleevents.com