Nothing says love like the word “love” itself, but love is felt only if it is shared.

Dádiva Shop will give 25% of any purchase from the Love Collection at www.dadivashop.com to benefit the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. The Love Collection includes 14k delicate gold love bracelets adorned with a diamond within the “O” in your choice of yellow, rose or white gold as well as Faith Hope Love tank tops.

If you are in the mood to pass on the love, share your Valentine’s Day gift with the earthquake-rocked nation of Haiti.


AFP/Getty Images

            

Jobyna’s Bridal by Ines di Santo launched on Thursday, November 12, 2009 presenting an evening of utmost beauty, love and dreamy couture bridal fashion. We sipped champagne and Limoncello while enamored by the grace, sophistication and timelessness of the gowns in Glendale’s savvy shopping destination The Americana.  Thursday evening’s grand opening followed by a weekend of exclusive trunk shows, featured Maria Elena headpieces and celebratory gifts by Dádiva Shop.

Born in Italy and raised in Argentina, Ines di Santo is a distinguished international bridal designer who captivates the hearts of brides worldwide.  Each of her gowns are meticulously designed in the French tradition of Haute Couture. Passionate about her craft I have had the pleasure of working with Ines di Santo for over 10 years and have witnessed her commit her love for art and design to brides.

Such a salon is truly an accomplishment for Jobyna’s owners Angie Kalayjian and Isabel Mardiroissian as this marks their third couture bridal boutique. We at Dádiva Shop are exceptionally proud of this new venture!  I have had the great fortune of being a part of Jobyna’s Bridal since 1998 and know how dedicated the staff is to helping brides plan the most important day of their life, ensuring that their bridal dreams become reality…and with three salons Jobyna’s Bridal is truly able to accomodate the bridal dreams of every single bride:

Jobyna’s Bridal by Ines di Santo – A couture bridal boutique exclusively featuring gowns by Ines di Santo

Jobyna’s Bridal – A full service bridal boutique featuring gowns by a variety of designers including Rivini, Edgardo Bonilla, Alvina Valenta, Lazaro and many more…

Jobyna’s Off The Rack – A special salon where as-is couture samples are for up to 75% off

To all you bride-to-be’s out there we wish you endless congratulations happy planning and couture shopping!!!

XOXO,

Planning the bachelor party? Check... or so I thought in my last entry of the Being the "Best Woman" series. Thanks to a pandemic outbreak of the swine flu (originating in the very country of the stag party destination -- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico), my Best Woman planning skills were really put to the test...in an emergency kind of way.

 
Photo courtesy of www.southwestga.com/news

With a week left before the scheduled bachelor party weekend, the groomsmen and I were in a frenzy. The swine flu (not to mention the increasing violence in Mexico) had the bride and groom breaking a sweat. Do we cancel our trip to Cabo? Can we get refunds? If we cancel, where should we go so last minute?  

Did we cancel our trip? - YES. Although we had been very excited about basking in the Mexican sun and sipping tropical cocktails, no one wanted to risk getting the swine flu, particularly the groom.

Did we get refunds? - MOSTLY. After much time on the phone with travel agents, online travel sites and airlines, the hotel in Cabo was fully refunded but some flights were only giving credit despite the extraordinary circumstances.

Where did we decide to go last minute? - Back to the handy destination chart I went and it was clear what the next best location was... VEGAS! 



A familiar destination for us Los Angelenos, Vegas met most of the requirements of the bachelor party. It was an easy flight/drive away and a place where anything was possible (seen The Hangover?). With no time to be wishy-washy, I took it to a vote among the attendees. The result? No surprise - a unanimous yea with one request:  Be as kind to the wallet as possible, please.

Is it possible to stay within "the budget" in Vegas? - YES. Here's how:

1. STRIKE A HOTEL DEAL - We booked a few 4* hotel rooms for less than $100 a room per night on www.priceline.com 4 days before our date of arrival. It came out to $50 per person for hotel for the weekend.  
TIP - Try booking hotels through www.hotwire.com or www.priceline.com. Check out the latest winning bids/prices on www.betterbidding.com to help guide you in your quest for a steal. 

2. CREATE A BUDGET - We pooled together a fund and assigned a fund manager. Each attendee pitched in $400 for group meals and activities at the beginning, and the fund manager's job was to calculate and allocate enough resources to pay for the activity. Other than the fund manager, the rest of the party could go simply with I.D.s in hand and credit cards in the safe.

$400 per person is expected to cover at least the following:
- one night of bottle service at nightclub
- one night of "activities"
- group dinner at steakhouse

3. LIMIT GAMBLING - We planned a lot of time poolside. Hours spent poolside is typically much nicer on your wallet than hours spent at the tables.

RESULT - The estimated total? The same $600 per person including flight/drive, hotels and meals/activities we would have spent in Cabo now in Vegas. The planning process? Deliberated, decided, rearranged, and planned in 2 days with 4 days to spare. Phew. Now all that was really left to do was actually attend the bachelor party... in Vegas. 4 days and counting. Oh boy..

With the "Best Woman" attire selected, next on this Best Woman's agenda was planning the infamous rite of passage for the single male soon to be hitched:  THE BACHELOR PARTY. Had I been to a bachelor party before, I would have had some clue as to how to begin. But with only my speculations as my guide, I started the planning process the only way I knew how...like it was a bachelorette party:

1. Ask the groom when and how he wants to celebrate his bachelor party
2. Email the groomsmen to get ideas/advice/dates

The results from said inquiries? Surprisingly typical... exactly what you would expect .
Dates:  3-4 weeks before the wedding for a weekend
Necessities:  Alcohol, food, "guy" time, summer sun, beautiful women, and a big party
Constraints:  Best bang for the buck with the maximum use of time
Suggested Locations (from Los Angeles base):  Palm Springs, Cabo San Lucas, Las Vegas, South Beach


Guess who got the big responsibility of making the final decision? The Best Woman! Pressure much for the bachelor party rookie? With the groom and groomsmen's feedback as my guide and a little research later, an organized chart determined my destination pick:



CABO SAN LUCAS! Cabo satisfied all of the bachelor party requirements: 
Alcohol and Food - With an all-inclusive resort package, alcohol and food were more than over-flowing. Included in the price of accommodations, the groom's party and pals considered both practically free! A STEAL!
"Guy" Time - Defined as time to smoke cigars, play golf or do something sports related, Cabo offered ATV, jet ski, and sport fishing opportunities.
Sun - The weather man promised sunny high 80s all weekend long. Let's not forget the resort's infinity pool and Cabo's sandy beaches...
Girls and Party - With summer sun and free-flowing alcohol, it was sure to be a bona-fide party with bikini-clad girls.
Budget - For a 3-day stay (Friday-Sunday) at an all-inclusive resort including airfare and accommodations from Los Angeles, the grand total per person was a measly $600! Prices ranged from $400-$700 but we opted for the high-end resort with a 4.5 star rating.
Time - Only a 1-1.5 hour flight from Los Angeles with an hour time difference, we would maximize the time spent in Cabo.

Expecting some criticism, I gingerly presented the groom, groomsmen and the rest of the bachelor party guests the suggested location and accommodations. Lucky for me, the unanimous response was "WHO DO I PAY?". Just when I thought it could not get any easier, everyone (including the groom) paired up and bought their own resort packages through Expedia, Orbitz, or Hotwire within 3 days!

Location and atmosphere? Check. Flight and accommodations? Check. Food and beverage? Check. What was left? The bachelor party "activities". Gulp. Pressing my luck a little more, I asked the groomsmen, "So, what do we do about activities? Go out to a club? Make some calls?" Their response? "We will figure it out when we get there." Roger that. Thank you, gentlemen, for relieving me of "those" duties!

Planning the bachelor party? Check. Attending the bachelor party? Gulp... The exciting details in the next blog entry!

In the last enty, The Conscious Bride: Setting the Budget we offered a road map to determine your budget. Now that you have that set and priority list handy, you are ready to start planning your wedding! In your conversations, you may have touched on the overall vision, style and "feel" of your wedding given capped resources. There is a lot of work to do but, remember, you are planning a celebration and you should have fun in the process.

PICKING THE VENUE(S).
The best weddings are the ones that are most true to the couple, reflecting who they are, where they come from and how they came together.  Consider joint religious beliefs, family traditions and personal preferences when thinking about the location of your wedding.

The number of venue options can be a bit overwhelming. Your wedding can be held at a public venue such as Union Station or a local park. You can find many restaurants, halls, country clubs, and vineyards that can host weddings.
If you rent a venue, make sure to ask a lot of questions so you get a solid understanding of all the costs and rules (i.e. rental fees, catering contracts, operating hours, deposits, etc.). When reviewing venues, be honest about what you can afford and what best reflects your preferences.

So what are some cost cutting tips when it comes to picking a venue?

- Where: consider the number of locations you require and if there are any rental fees. If your ceremony is in a place of worship ensuring that the reception is near the ceremony will afford you a cost savings.  Not only is this convenient for your and your guests, it will also save your florist time and you money if they can easily transport and reuse decorations from your ceremony to your reception. Equally some venues offer package deals if you have both your ceremony and reception at their facilities. 

- Wedding Date: depending on your location, date and time can matter. Friday and Sunday weddings tend to be less expensive than Saturday night weddings. Daytime weddings tend to be more cost effective than evening weddings.   Similarly there can be some cost savings opportunities if you get married in the winter or fall months which tend to be less popular and therefore can garner greater negotiating power.

- Amenities: different venues having varying conveniences that are inclusive. Many for example have chairs, linens even heat lamps that you do not have to rent. Although this may not seem like a big expense the little things add up; granted the options are minimal, but you will come out ahead if you find a venue that has amenities you can take advantage of without an additional cost.

- Services:  many venues regularly host events and are therefore able to be a resource that you can take advantage of, for example many venues have event planners and food/beverage directors who can offer “day of” planning assistance.  Additionally, they most likely work with other professionals who they regularly work with such as photographers and florists that you may be able to leverage.

- Catering Limitations: as we will address in later entries a substantial cost is food and beverage costs. Get a solid understanding of any catering limitations that exist.

Next in The Conscious Bride: Series? Invitations.

When I was asked to be my best guy friend's "Best Woman", the first words out of my mouth (aside from "yes") were "what do I have to wear?". Before knowing anything else about being the "Best Woman", the bride and groom were happy to tackle my first question. And let me tell you, there is no obvious answer. In this first entry of the Being the "Best Woman" series, I will share my Best Woman shopping experience with you.

First, the bride, groom and I put together the following list of Best Woman attire options based on certain assumptions:

ASSUMPTIONS:
- The wedding colors are canary yellow and pink.
- Groomsmen wear black tuxes.
- Bridesmaids wear canary yellow strapless floor length dresses.

ATTIRE OPTIONS:


1. Be just like one of the guys. Dress like a groomsman.
2. Wear a dress in a different style but same color as the bridesmaids' dresses.
3. Get a girlie version of the groomsman's tuxedo.
4. Try a dress in the same style but match the color of the groomsmen's tuxedos.

As expected, the bride, groom and I varied in opinion:
Bride's Selection - #2 - The bride thought a tea-length version of the bridesmaids' dresses in the same color would create a seamless look among the women of the wedding party while making the Best Woman stand out.
Groom's Selection - #4 - The groom preferred having a uniform look of black across the groomsmen while giving the Best Woman a burst of yellow with a ribbon sash around the waist of her black dress.
Best Woman's Selection - #1 or #3 - I thought a sexy, skinny tuxedo or a bolero with a puffy skirt would be the best way to show off my femininity while still making it obvious that I was a part of the groom's party.

All right... so my selections were fashion-forward but a little unconventional and progressive (not to mention uncoordinated with the romantic, spring outdoor setting the bride and groom were going for). Kissing goodbye #1 and #3 and down to two choices, I tried on a few dresses at a local boutique. Based on the fittings, the groom and I came to the conclusion that the bride was right on this one. This Best Woman is wearing #2!

KEY TAKEAWAY:
The Best Woman has more attire options than any bridesmaid or groomsman. Talk to the bride and groom and choose one that will best complete the wedding and wedding party's look.

NEXT in the BEING THE BEST WOMAN SERIES?  Planning the Bachelor Party

Dádiva Shop Mother’s Day Sale Ends Monday

At  Dádiva Shop we are featuring products that make perfect Mother’s Day Gifts.  Our heartwarming pillow quotes will honor your Mom and will be a special gift that she will cherish forever.   Tell her Happy Mother’s Day with a heartwarming Dádiva that she will love!
Don’t wait till the last minute for a Mother’s Day Gift for Mom! Celebrate Mother’s Day with a special Mother’s Day Gift from Dádiva Shop.  Get extra savings on our top Mother’s Day Gifts. Hurry, sales ends on Monday! Order today and take advantage of our special Mother’s Day savings plus to ensure that your gift arrives on time.


       

Mothers. Do we know anyone else like them? Mother is the giver of life, the nurturer, and the teacher. She is love. For millennia, the mother watched over her "children", listening to their wishes and woes. In return, she has been revered and thanked with gifts and offerings. The following are just a few examples of mother figures throughout history:
- Isis, Mother of the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt
- Rhea, Mother of the Gods of Ancient Greece
- Cybele, Great Mother of the Ancient Romans
- Madonna, Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ
- Mother Nature, Mother Earth

Not limited to the mother of gods and kings anymore, mothers around the world are celebrated today on Mother's Day. While many kingdoms, empires and religions have waned, the universal depiction and overall value of the mother have not. She is still the representative of love, life and creation and we will continue to cherish and honor her today for the big and little ways she affects our lives.

History of Mother's Day in the United States: 
Upon her mother's death, Anna Jarvis wanted to remember her mother in a profound way.  In 1907, Anna handed out a carnation (her mother's favorite flower) to every mother at her church congregation as a memorial for her mother and a recognition for all mothers. The following year, the first Mother's Day service was held at the same church on May 10th.

The news, participation and celebration of a similar day for mothers spread across the country in the subsequent five years.  By 1914, it reached President Woodrow Wilson's desk and a national Mother's Day was declared.  The United States celebrates Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May.

Gift Giving on Mother’s Day:
At  Dádiva Shop we are featuring products that make perfect Mother’s Day gifts.  Our heartwarming pillow quotes will honor your Mom and will be a special gift that she will cherish forever.   Tell her Happy Mother’s Day with a heartwarming Dádiva that she will love!

                          

Happy Mother's Day! 

    

 Money. Budgets. Lists. Unromantic but necessary vocabulary in planning a wedding. The money conversation is a must and it is best to have it as soon as you are engaged.   After all, it is more romantic to start your lives together successfully managing your money rather than living in post-wedding debt.  Money is a leading reason for divorce so make sure to spend some time setting realistic expectations about money early on. Determine what is in line with your sense of celebratory style and your budget.  There are a plethora of opportunities to save money without sacrificing style.

Determine your overall budget…Identify who is paying for what and how much they can contribute.  Traditionally, the bride’s family covered most of the wedding expenses. However, the bridal industry has evolved and, today, traditional etiquette is not always followed.

Are you and your fiancé planning on financing the wedding, or will your parents be contributing?  Are there strict cultural traditions that stipulate who pays for what and are those norms realistic for you?  Take some time to answer these questions to understand exactly what your aggregate wedding budget is.

Once you have identified the total amount of money you have to spend on your special day make a list of priorities. Would you rather splurge on your photographer or your invitations? Keep asking yourself what is necessary:  Are wedding favors a must have? Can you print your own wedding invitations? 

Below is a quick list of some key big ticket items, spend some time to assign numbers to each line item to identify your priorities:

•  Venue
• Invitations                                                                       
•  Rings 
•  Guest List                
•  Flowers
•  Cake 
•  Food and Drink
•  Photographer
•  Videographer
•  Music 
•  Beauty
•  Formalwear 
•  Accessories
•  Favors
•  Guest List
• Decorations

Once you are equip with an understanding of your budget and your priorities you can start reaching out to vendors and start allocating funds toward each line item.  Every week, we will explore each category to identify cost-saving tips and recommendations.  For now, start working on that priority list and having the wedding budget conversation.

My best friend is getting married and I have been asked to be in the wedding party. Seems pretty straight-forward, right? Not exactly...

Think the movie "Made of Honor" with a "My Best Friend's Wedding" twist. My best friend is a guy and I have been asked to be the "Best Woman"! I have been a bridesmaid. I have seen what Maid of Honors do. There are guidebooks on how to be both. But what exactly is a "Best Woman" and what are her duties? What events does she plan? What does she wear? Where does she stand? What does she say in her "Best Woman" speech?


I will share with you my experience as a "Best Woman" through the DÁDIVA Bridesmaid's Diary, chronicling everything from selecting Best Woman attire and working with groomsmen to planning a bachelor party and giving him the proper send-off. I will point out any differences and/or challenges of being in the groom's party vs. bride's party and, if we are really lucky, get insight into the groom's psyche and the infamous world of bachelor parties.

Stay tuned for the first entry of Being the "Best Woman" series:  What to Wear.