The downside to “living the dream” is that as much as I tell my husband and my OC housewife friends about my fashion adventures, they don’t really understand how great it is.  That is why the whole blog concept is so cool.  I can share my experiences with anyone who shares my interests or desires to succeed in the design industry.  Anyone who grew up with me, knows that fashion and construction was my passion.  To this day, l spend most of my time building and designing for my own business in beautiful Southern California.   My overloaded days are filled with pretending to be glamorous and successful in my head,  between chaperoning my two children back and forth to school in a pair of flip flops.  Sometimes, I think my seven year old gives me a knowing look that she understands that I am “a cool designer” even when I am wearing my mommy hat.

So flash to my present day……I am in a taxi in Manhattan on my way to meet one of the fabulous fashion editors at Martha Stewart Magazine.  Did I mention it is freezing and raining?  My driver wants me to get out and walk because he does not want to turn down into the busy street of jam packed taxis at 9 am in from of the chic high rise on the Hudson.  I try to negotiate paying the driver as I spill most of my coffee on my jacket (but its black, thank you Jesus)! And I am wearing my favorite (and only) pair of suede Prada boots.  And it’s raining.

I am realizing there was no point in the coffee or bagel as I am anxious and there is a stampede of employees fighting for elevators and I cannot be late.  I was given a VISITOR name tag to fill out, but the security guard laughed at me when I attempted to put it on.  What was I supposed to do with it??

No matter where I go, or what milestone I have reached in my career, I still feel like I am living a dream.  It was only yesterday ten years ago,  I was trying to get my first sale from anyone who would look at my collection.  But here I sat in the very cool all white industrial building with mile high ceilings overlooking the Hudson in the Martha Stewart lobby  waiting for the editor. Do I casually read a magazine? Do I take off my jacket to reveal my very stylish bell bottoms and vest? Do I act as if I do this every day and it’s no big deal?

Finally I am approached by a sweet vintage chic woman who invited ME into the offices of the Mecca that is Martha.  We toured by isles of departments specializing in technology, cooking, style, events and finally weddings.   I felt  right at home when the editor excused the project table piled high with well…projects.  Just like my office.  She complemented my earrings (and the earrings just happened to be part of the collection that I wanted to show off).

My short meeting went so well, feeling like we had much in common and a future direction.  I left feeling confident and excited about our synergy.  She walked me back to the hallway and watched me walk down to the exit door and pulled.  It was locked.  I tried again.  Locked again. Not a very graceful exit.  I prayed she was no longer watching. The next employee explained that I was supposed to push the button on the wall to open the exit door.  I remember the reason why my college roommates had lovingly nicknamed me “Grace.”

Let’s hear it from all those Martha fans out there!   They are as hip and cool as you would expect.  I wanted to share that with you.  And now I must find a store that sells snow globe souvenirs so my kids will think I am cool.

-R

Many times over the years, I have been asked by stylish and hip men where they could get a “cool” suit or tux for their wedding. I have never been able to answer this question. Until now. I was given a personal tour by Randy Fenoli, the style guru of Kleinfeld Bridal salon where they have opened a new custom men’s suit and tuxedo haven. No detail was forgotten from the vintage cufflinks to the comfortable sofas for the elegant men to enjoy as their significant others shop upstairs. Frank Jedda, the Director Of Kleinfeld Men, explained in a mere six weeks, these suits are custom measured, cut and styled in the USA for a starting price of $1500. Your groom-to be can also indulge in a custom shirt, suit and tie in many styles, colors and fabrics that will become part of the entire wedding day story. Finally, our men can look as debonaire as brides are beautiful on our wedding day!!

-R

email frankj@kleinfeldmen.com

Endings and beginnings…These two words dictate  you’re wedding and your life.

Meeting brides near the end of their wedding planning cycle, Brides will frequently vent about relationships that become strained  because the bride is moving into a new phase of her life that in many ways does not fit in the same way it did before.  All of a sudden, relationships that were not deep before suddenly take on new meaning and spark new unions. Some longtime relationships fall apart.  Sometimes I feel like a counselor.  I remember my own wedding.  Many of my bridesmaids/closest friends I am only linked by facebook now. Yet other relationships that begun with my husband are a part of my daily life.  You should not be afraid of moving on to the next stage of your life in a new way.

My very wise friend once told me as I stressed over a chaotic relationship I had with a decade long friend that needed to change.  She said, “It is okay to let go, you don’t have to be friends in the same way you were before.” She was right.

Now, I face a huge change in my career that is unsettling because of the big change.  The same friend said, “Move on to bigger and better opportunities and don’t look back.”  So simple, yet so true.

Your wedding, your relationships…your life, it is full of endings and new beginnings.  Look forward to them.  Enjoy the ride.

-R