2008 was a great year. Here’s to a fantastic 2009

For the bold bride

Love it or hate it nothing has had nearly the same impact on the fashion industry as Sex and the City.  Don’t believe me?  Ask Jimmy Choo or Manolo Blahnik.

And so, with Sex and the City: The Movie as the swan song for this trend setting show it is only appropriate that it make its mark on one of the biggest industries in the U.S. … the Wedding Industry.

While many people have their oohs, aahs, and blahs over the big wedding at the beginning of the movie (which we’ll revisit in a moment), that’s not the thing that will be fawned over by brides in 2009.  The shoes are the thing.  The shoes that practically stole the show.  The shoes that Carrie Bradshaw wore when she actually said “I do.”

A wedding dress can only be worn once.  But the shoes…oooh.  The shoes can be worn anytime you see fit!  I’ve had a bride splurge over leopard print Manolos and be thrifty with the dress.  I talked to a bride who had budgeted a particular amount for her “Wedding Ensemble” and then decided how much of that was going to be spent on the shoes.  Its a trend that has been building but that will be at the forefront of 2009.  Don’t believe me?  Check out this 2009 bride who is already there in Pucci!

Pushing the Envelope in Wedding Fashion

Now back to the big wedding.  Inspiration will be drawn from this scene, no doubt.  Brides will definitely push the envelope on how they use colors and traditions have been getting bucked for years!  While we have been seeing brides say “just match this color” for some time now and allowing their bridesmaids to pick the style of dress they each prefer, brides will be going one step further. We will definitely see more weddings that look less matchy-matchy and going for striking individuality a la Sex and the City!

It is the time of year that most people think to enjoy a glass of bubbly.  As someone who regularly enjoys a glass of champagne, I am a big believer in drinking champagne from a champagne glass.  I mean, there’s a reason why we have specific glassware for martinis, red wine, white wine, even beer!  So when it comes to champagne, nothing less than a proper glass will do.  And at New Years when everyone is toasting each other, there’s nothing like the clinking of glasses to accompany the goodwill and cheer!  So if you are hosting a party this year and want to do right, then do one of the following:

1. Buy champagne flutes.  Target generally has pretty inexpensive options.
2. Borrow champagne flutes.  If you know someone who is into their champagne and has flutes to spare, ask to borrow them for the evening.
3. Rent champagne flutes.  Yes!  You can rent them from any party rental company.  And for less than what you would pay to purchase them!

And if you are still not on my side about the champagne in a proper flute, then check out this article from the New York Times.

Patience.  That is what this time of year is ALL about.  Patience.  Lines are everywhere.  Lines to get into the parking lot of the mall, lines to park once you’re in, lines to pay, lines to get out of the parking lot.  Lines. Lines. Lines.  And just as you are feeling pressured and stressed, so are all those people behind the registers trying to help you out.  So as we hit the home stretch of the holiday season remember this - your manners.  Don’t forget to say Please and Thank You to all the kind folks trying to get not only you but the line of people behind you on your merry way!  Hold the door open for folks.  And be patient.  Because everyone has somewhere they’ve got to be.  Spread the cheer and you’ll find yourself enjoying the season!

Happy Holidays!