Shop the sales and trim the fat

Can't wait for Black Friday to shop the sales? Me either. I'm always on the hunt for a bargain, and this week I found quite a few worth passing along, and they're selling out fast, so don't delay.

Shop Papyrus for favor boxes and bags for your bridal shower.

Iomoi has stylish and inexpensive notebooks for journaling your thoughts, ideas, or to jot down your to-do list. Also, check out the vintage twine!

I heart these metal cakestands at Sur la Table for the dessert shower.

Pick up monogrammed jute carry-alls for your bridemaids at Ballard Designs and quality linens and accessories for your backyard BBQ rehearsal dinner at The Company Store.

What I'm loving today

Fandecks!

I found this idea on Wedding Style Guide (Australia’s version of Martha Stewart). Below is their description:

"Designers from all disciplines use them…Fandecks are a great way to keep swatches in order when visiting suppliers. Make one for the florist, the stationer, the dressmaker, the stylist–anyone who needs an overview of the big day. Chicago screws, from craft shops, mean books can be mixed and matched to suit–business cards, fabric, ribbons, wallpapers, wrapping papers–anything can be included. Pop one in your bag when out shopping, then you’ve got reference at a second’s notice. Use pretty paper to make a cover then create a book for each of your bridesmaids. Include swatches of their fabric, photos of you together, a sketch of their dress, contact details, tie with a fabulous ribbon to make the perfect keepsake."

CLICK HERE to download the templates and HERE to see more great downloads available on their website.

Fall in love with Creed online

Extra! Extra! read all about it on FashionTribes.com. Creed, the fragrance choice of many celebrities, First Lady Michelle Obama, and me is now available online at Creed Boutique. Previously, it could only be found in select Nordstrom stores, Neiman Marcus, Oglivy and Creed stores. I first learned of Creed when I sampled their wedding day fragrance Love in White at Neiman Marcus last year and quickly became a fan of many of their signature scents. However, at $130-$350 a bottle there's only so much love. A girl needs a break, so I will let you in on a secret: The Perfumed Court sells decanted samples of all the Creed fragrances ranging from $4-$20 a bottle. It's a cost-effective way to test-drive Love in White before your wedding day, and trust me, once you fall in love, shelling out the 350 bucks would feel like a necessity.

Leslie's Finds

Okay, pretend today is October 31st. And while you’re at it, pretend you didn’t notice that I didn’t post my finds for September either. In a down economy, it’s a good thing to be too busy to blog. Take my word for it. I’ve experienced the alternative; I’ll take too busy.

Anyhow, I’ve been finding a lot of great stuff lately like these Dessy flip-flops to match their bridesmaids dress colors. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend them. Too matchy-matchy. I’m sure you can find some nice ones from Havaianas that are fashionable and cool, and the gals wouldn’t mind wearing long after the wedding. My favorite: these crystal mesh ones (for the bride).

Speaking of cool…I’ve found that using The Dialectizer to read my blog in Jive talk makes me really cool (or corny).

Oprah’s pop-up store Beyond the Rack is the best (and I’m not saying that because I like Oprah. I got a bargain!) The downside is that my purchase took so long to arrive that I had time to regret it and get over the guilt before I had it in my hand to love it again and decide not to return it.

Awesome Bridesmaid Stocking Stuffer: Sani Medi Pedi. Sure wish I had this a few weeks ago. There is one salon in DC I would not recommend!

Where to find the must-have cashmere accessories for your winter wedding: White + Warren.

My new favorite site for event décor inspiration.

My new “it” gift. Ladies - if you know me personally, know that if I'm giving you a gift for any reason in the near future, this is IT!

My latest favorite time-waster: the blog of Carol Joynt, founder of the Q&A Cafe at Nathan's and a true DC Society Insider.

Kate sparks a new trend?

Kate Hudson sparked a lot of wedding rumors when she was spotted earlier this month in Manhattan doing this photo shoot for Harper's Bazaar magazine, but what struck me about this photo was not so much the dress as it was the flowers in her hand. There is something natural and inherently beautiful about this simple bouquet that makes it absolutely stunning. I also like the idea of wrapping the stems in newsprint, although I would probably use canvas.

How to waste a hundred bucks

So, last week Friday, I was in Montreal, Canada working and experiencing different things like Kinesiology, which I signed up for at Studio Bliss and then I followed that up with a lymphatic drainage massage that rescued my sinuses (in turn rescuing me), but that's not how I wasted a hundred bucks. That happened when I visited Oglivy's and happened upon the Talika counter. You see, I learned about Talika through Fashion Tribes. Notably, their Bust Serum, so "I must, I must," but then I didn't. Instead, I bought an electric nail shaper. I told myself that I will save a lot of money in the long run if I started doing my nails myself instead of at the salon, so an hour later in my hotel room, I butchered my perfectly innocent nails with my new electric nail shaper, and then had to go to the nail salon to save them, and that's how I wasted a hundred bucks!

I reasoned the only person having a worse day was the bride whose train was run over by a taxi cab. Brides take note: if you're doing a photoshoot in the middle of the street, first make sure your city is free of obnoxious cabbies. In the driver's defense though, her train was unbelievably long.

Au revoir Montreal! until next time, eh?

So long Elegant Bride

When I heard the news yesterday that Conde Nast killed Modern Bride and Elegant Bride, I thought of that song from The Buggles: "Video Killed The Radio Star." I want to believe that blogs are killing the wedding magazines (it's long been rumored), but some famous blogs are becoming wedding magazines...oh well, the circle of life. I do know that I am going to miss Elegant Bride. It was one of my favorite pieces of eye-candy.

Our clients featured in this Sunday's Washington Post

Again, what an ending! Read Kaja and Dan's love story in the OnLove section of last Sunday's Washington Post and also online here.

Last wedding of the year

It's been a crazy couple of weeks; however, I'm happy to report that our wedding season is over. This year it ended a little earlier than usual, but what an ending. We worked with a terrific couple - Kaja and Dan - at a venue that's quickly becoming one of my favorites - the House of Sweden. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you may remember our last event at the House of Sweden. It was also the last event allowed on their rooftop, so I'm honored to hold that distinction.

I was fortunate enough to work with photographer Stephen Bobb of Love Life Images (see a sneak peek of Kaja and Dan's wedding on his blog). I cannot say enough good things about Stephen. He is a consummate professional.

Congratulations Kaja and Dan!

Leslie's Finds

Eliminate morning breath (share this with your hubby!): Rinse at night with Crest Pro Health Night. Trust me, it works!

Nippies and Nundies - ladies, 'nuff said.

The other Hook-Up. I found this on Fashion Tribes.com and ordered one. Now I can't wait to use it. I think it will become my new favorite thing.

Learn another language free of charge through the BBC. J'apprends à parler français!

Need help packing for your honeymoon? This site is based in the Netherlands, but it’s still pretty useful stateside. Enter your destination, temperature and number of days, and it gives you a pretty comprehensive packing list. It even reminds you to switch off your alarm clock.

My favorite time-waster this past month: trying on eyeglasses virtually through Frame Direct's Virtual Frame Finder.