wedding forecast by JM :: urban bar & grill

"Urban Bar & Grill: A contemporary experience"
On the first Thursday of every month, my colleague and I attend the monthly KID (Keep It Downtown) event. KID is comprised of catering professionals from Downtown San Diego’s hotels, restaurants and event venues. Inducted by Ms. Julie Larsen, Senior Catering Sales Manager at Omni San Diego, KID’s main objective is simple…to keep business in Downtown. When a property receives a lead that they are unable to accommodate, they email the KID group to give other places the opportunity to propose their space. Instead of dismissing the inquiry altogether and losing it to another neighborhood, KID allows us to foster hospitality business to our Downtown community.



This month, our event was held at URBAN Bar & Grill, a restaurant serving contemporary American cuisine. Although only a short block away, my colleagues and I have never ventured in. We were taken back by its charm and I immediately thought of potential B&W clients. As you enter, the long rectangular shaped hall houses the main bar on the right and high boys or belly bars on the left. With lounge furniture and an area for a small band in the back, this would make for a great reception space while hors d'oeuvres are being tray passed. Separated by a wall, the main dining floor can accommodate 80 guests. With drapery, enlarged mirrors and stained glass, it reminded me of a modern Alice In Wonderland. Imagine the impression your guests will get from this full restaurant buyout!

Their catering menu has quite a selection and at very reasonable prices. And if this restaurant is not to your liking, perhaps their sister companies are. As one of four restaurants under the Dining On Fifth group, URBAN Bar & Grill is joined by OceanRoom, Chianti and La Fiesta.
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"valentine's day" the movie :: out now!

In celebration of Feb 14th, this all-star cast is sure to entertain you in this heart-filled comedy, Valentine's Day, the movie, out in theaters now! Sorry for being a little late..I did see it with my hubby on Valentine's! :)

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sans cake: a pastry display

Happy President's Day! ... on to my little post ... What another brilliant idea found on Martha's site: a pastry holder designed like a tiered cake! I love the way it's wrapped, like gift boxes stacked on top of one another..and the little "F" embellishment for that perfect personal touch. Who says you need to have cake anyway?


Photo source: MarthaStewart.com . . .(click for full post)

happy valentine's day! XOXOXO

Wishing you lots of love on this Valentine's Day! ~B&W

Ooh! Ooh! Bon Vivant Press' 2010 Valentine's Day line of signature letterpress cards. Isn't this just adorable? Keep 'em coming BVP! We want more!

Find more of BVP's goodies on Etsy by clicking here! . . .(click for full post)

DARING DIVAS: blushless' valentine

Daring Divas: I dare you. A heart embellished cocktail dress by Blushless.


Photo source: Manolo for Brides . . .(click for full post)

zagat + valentine's day

Haven't planned out your Valentine's Day? Check ZAGAT buzz for the insiders scoop on Valentine's 411. Lots of restaurants are doing it big for Feb 14...don't miss out!




LOS ANGELES: click here. . . .(click for full post)

stunning calligraphy by e.danae

While stationery etiquette argues the adhesive labels are a no-no when it comes to labeling the outer envelope, I agree and disagree. B&W designs many labels, from graphically interesting adhesive labels, to wraparounds, to tagged labels. And I suppose it comes down to execution and intent, once again. But more recently, our invitation clients have been inclined to hand writing their guest addresses, a purely personal touch to the ensemble. Find a friend or relative who has superb penmanship and label away!

E.Danae, a profound calligraphy artist, who is also found on Etsy, brings the invitation to life by her luxurious technique. Hopefully, we will have the honor of having such beautiful work inscribed on one of our custom invitation jobs. There's nothing better than hand-created typography.




Photo source: CalligraphyByEDanae . . .(click for full post)

wedding forecast by JM :: W Hollywood Hotel & Residences

"W Hollywood Hotel & Residences a Must See"
On January 28th, the red carpet was rolled out for the camera ready W Hollywood Hotel & Residences. All the glitz and glam were not spared with this contemporary property. The hotel has 305 guest rooms and 143 residences…W Residences being the first in California. The property has approximately 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space but photos are not available yet. With signature amenities and services Ws are known to provide along with venues by Innovative Dining Group (IDG), guests, residents and even locals are in for an experience.





Photos: via WHollywoodResidence.com

IDG has brought three venues to W Hollywood featuring extraordinary talent in the kitchen, unrivaled hospitality in the dining room and lounge, and cutting-edge design that inspires new trends. Upon check-in, enter The Living Room, a hip and vibrant lobby lounge. Or make your way to the outdoor theater and bar where you can sip on a cocktail by a fire pit while enjoying a featured film on the 35’ movie screen. As with any scenster, you always have the urge to hop around as you need to make your appearance. Station Hollywood will be your next stop as the W Hollywood’s exclusive outdoor oasis. With all the mingling and pre-dinner drinks, it’s time to indulge at Delphine, a brasserie with a menu consisting of French, Spanish and Italian Riviera influences.

With a place like this, the fun doesn’t end at dinner. Come March 10th, Drai's Hollywood will make its premier as your night club destination. Can you handle more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space? I don’t even have to ask. And with their Whatever/Whenever service meant to make all wishes come true, this can only lead to the unexpected.
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bloomies + the white dress

Planning to surprise your guests by slipping into a cocktail dress or evening gown for the reception, but still want to honor the tradition of wearing white? Or thinking about wearing something more suited for your choreographed first dance? Check Bloomingdale's current White Dress Trends. Here you'll find some festive cocktail pieces full of feathers and petals and also, ankle length gowns that are still sexy and formal. These will definitely let your guests know you are ready to party and rock the night away, whilst standing out as the honorary bride.









Photo source: via Bloomingdales.com . . .(click for full post)

NEWS: blog transformation in the works!

NEWS: We want to keep you updated with the progress we are making here at B&W. One of the things we plan to work on this year is to completely give our blog a transformation. As of today, we will begin work on re-vamping the blog! We will also be updating our lovely website with more recent projects. This may take several weeks to a month or so, but no worries, we will still be here! *Our blog address may change, but a link to this blog will be made available for you. . . .(click for full post)

bellz&whistlez + Andaz (San Diego)

NEWS: Exciting update...! Yesterday, we were notified that bellz&whistlez was added to the preferred vendor list for the swank Andaz hotel (San Diego). Managed by the Hyatt, Andaz (formerly The Ivy Hotel) is currently SDs premiere boutique accommodation located at 600 F Street (SD, CA 92101) right in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. With access to one of the best rooftops in Downtown San Diego, Andaz is a spectacular venue with exceptional customer service. And if you're a bride who likes to think outside of the box, check out this venue as a potential wedding site for your big day. YES, they do host weddings here!
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wedding forecast by JM :: upcoming wedding events in Southern CA

"Upcoming Events (Feb + Mar 2010) in Southern CA"
Here are a couple of events that will be taking place in February and March in Southern California.

FEBRUARY
**Feb 21, 2010**
Bridal Showplace
Knott's Berry Farm Resort Hotel - Buena Park
7675 Crescent Ave., Buena Park, CA
11am–4pm
T (562) 381-2865
$5 admission

Temecula Wedding Event
45000 Pechanga Pkwy Temecula, CA 92592
11am–4pm
T (877) 522-7158
$10 admission

**Feb 28, 2010**
Festival of Brides (The Upscale Bridal Show)
Terranea Resort
6610 Palos Verdes Drive South Palos Verdes, CA 90275
T (310) 577-7788
$25 admission

MARCH
**Mar 7, 2010**
The Wedding Party Bridal Show
San Diego's Hard Rock Hotel
207 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
$20 admission

**Mar 14, 2010**
Festival of Brides (The Upscale Bridal Show)
Millennium Biltmore Hotel
506 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90071
T (310) 577-7788
$25 admission

**Mar 21, 2010**
Bridal Showplace
Sheraton Cerritos Hotel
12725 Center Court Dr Cerritos, CA
T (562) 924-2048
$5 admission

The San Diego Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show
Bahia Resort Hotel
998 W. Mission Bay Drive San Diego, CA 92109
T (949) 278-0965
$10 admission

**Mar 28, 2010**
International Wedding Festival
San Diego Convention Center
111 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
11am–5pm

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wedding forecast by JM :: the princess project

"Tax Season and The Princess Project"
Tax season has kicked off, and as our W-2s and 1099s start coming in, we prepare to file by gathering important documentation. Tax deductibles can be very beneficial to your pocket and to the community. At B&W we feature our fabulous weddings and blog about glamorous events, but we are philanthropists and will always give back when we can. With this, I'd like to highlight a way that every one can benefit from this tax season -- The Princess Project.

I am pretty confident that many of you have a lonely dress hanging in your closet just waiting to be worn again. We like to think that we could put some use to our special occasion or bridesmaid dresses but most of the time that is not the case.




You have made your appearance, ate, drank, and danced the night away but your fairy tale does not have to end at the stroke of midnight. You could become a fairy godmother to a young, underprivileged teen to make her feel like the princess that she truly is. The Princess Project promotes self-confidence and individual beauty by providing free prom dresses and accessories to high school girls who cannot otherwise afford them.



After exploring their website, I was most inspired from their #1 core value:

We celebrate bodies of all sizes and avoid using body imagery in our marketing and outreach. Body-oriented graphics and artwork – like torso silhouettes, dress outlines or generic, stock prom photos – inadvertently convey an idealized body size, style and look. By instead using images of the girls we serve and royalty-related imagery like tiaras and crowns, we celebrate the beauty and diversity of girls everywhere, in every size. -- PrincessProject

From the trips to the mall with your girlfriends, from rummaging through hundreds of racks, or if you were like me, sketched a design, we all remember our prom dress. Prom is like a high school rite of passage. Think of the memories you’ll help create by donating your dress. It’s a beautiful thing! And it's a tax deduction!




After years of servicing the Bay Area, The Princess Project San Diego became the fourth location in 2009. Check out the San Diego 2nd Annual Runway Event next month. Local celebrities will be judging FIDM students as they compete to see who has the best reinvention of a prom dress. You can enjoy ½ off bar specials and appetizers under $15. Don’t forget your prom dress donation (check out the Donation Guidelines on the website)! And as they would say at The Princess Project, “Thanks for your time, talent and taffeta!”

San Diego 2nd Annual Runway Event
Thursday, February 11, 2010
6:00-9:00pm
@ CONFIDENTIAL
901 4th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
$20 pre-register or $25 at the door
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COLOR FANATIC: #007 Red Violet + Jelly Bean

This post is strictly for color matching. The scenario: You want pink. He wants blue. You want funk. He wants class. The solution: Pairing up both, but using slightly muted tones of each color. Pay attention to the saturation within the color palette -- it can make a huge impact on the design of your reception. Remember, colors like fuchsia or violates don't always have to be bright.



Photo sources: (T-B; L-R) Stephanie Williams Photography, The Knot, unknown, Lazaro, unknown, The Knot, Portabello Pixie, Amy Atlas, Cards and Pockets . . .(click for full post)

shoe pick from the O blog : al othman

Fashionistas, check out these sure-to-turn-heads heels. These shoes are my pick from the O Blog via Al Othman. They're from a previous season, but I still find them intriguing!


Photo source: Alothman.com/blog . . .(click for full post)

red carpet at the 2010 Golden Globe Awards

If you didn't catch the 2010 Golden Globe Awards show on Jan. 17, 2010, then here's a peek at some of the fly gowns that trotted down the infamous red carpet. It was a rainy day in Beverly Hills, but it didn't stop these divas from getting all dolled up!






For the brides who want to have custom dresses made, whether it be for yourself or for your bridesmaids, get inspired from designer gowns at events like these -- they're like walking art shows.





Photo source: All photos are from GoldenGlobes.org
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wedding forecast by JM :: ANdAZ San Diego

"Ivy to ANdAZ"
From the Maryland, to Ivy, and now Andaz (ahn-dahz). On February 1st, Ivy Hotel will become Andaz San Diego. Andaz, Hyatt’s new luxury boutique brand debuted in 2007 and currently has three hotels under its umbrella. With locations in London, West Hollywood, and Wall Street, this brand continues to grow as hotels in San Diego, 5th Avenue and Austin are on their way.

Hyatt Corporation will manage the property under an agreement with Kelly Capital, Ivy’s owner. No need to be alarmed as Ivy Hotel will remain Ivy in the essence. Slight renovations and minor changes will be made to the property but only to enhance the elite service and experience that are signature to Ivy.

Global in scale while local in perspective, ANdAZ delivers an innovative hospitality experience blending personal preferences with attentive and uncomplicated service. The unique collection of hotels reflects the personality of each locale, and is dedicated to creating natural and vibrant living space where travelers can indulge in their own personal sense of comfort and style. --Hotel-Online.com

The property’s swanky adult playground has created quite a name for itself and has secured its place on the list of hot spots in San Diego. Ivy will always be associated with the nightlife scene which is why the name will stick around even with the rolling out of Andaz San Diego. The venues will now be referred to as: Ivy Rooftop, Ivy Ultra Lounge & Wine Bar and Ivy Nightclub (formerly Envy).

The transition promises to be smooth and since I am in the middle of it all, you will definitely be kept in the loop ;-).
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love is in the air :: eunice + francis by featherlove

TEASER!! Oh, man...have you ever seen photos like these? In my years doing this, I don't think I can say I have. Two beautiful people together with one phenomenal photographer, Noa from FeatherLove Photography equals the most darling e-session shoot. Francis (Fro) and Eunice took their e-session to the next level, with this vintage 1940s military-inspired direction, complete with the cool tie Fro sports in these shots, Eunice's matching 'fit,' military backdrop, and Noa's rad lighting/style + technique. With Fro's service in the military and Eunice's profession as a nurse, this e-session makes complete sense -- totally original and matches their style. *Couples, get inspired from this e-session and personalize your photos by doing something different and reflective of you! Creativity has no boundaries, and B&W is the perfect solution to showing you what that means.

B&W has been working alongside Eunice and Fro to plan their big day (April). This is one of our year-long D+I+C events, and we are so excited! These photos are a snippet into what's in the works. A lot of thought has gone into this production...I can't wait for you to see what we're doing!

To see more fabulous photos of this e-session by FeatherLove, click here.






Photos by: Feather Love Photography . . .(click for full post)