Natalie + Wade, Celia's film clip, and a fab antique door entrance!

I wasn't paying attention very well when I saw the images of this wedding because I didn't realize the wedding party walked through two antique doors out in the middle of the Watercolor Lawn! I guess you had to see it in the video for it to make sense. Oh, and I did her and her mom's makeup. (Although you probably already knew that part.)

Here's Part I on the Southern Weddings blog:

And click here for Part II.

But to see the doors below in action, take a look at this video:

Color means nothing if the skin's not right- period.

Soon, you'll be seeing posts all over the blogosphere about Beauty Boot Camp for Brides, Bridal Beauty To-Do Lists, Bride's Skincare Overhaul.

As a makeup artist I am here to tell you color--that's color on the eyes, cheeks & lips--means nothing...hear me--nothing, if the skin's not right. When skin is overly dry (from lack of moisture deep down due to your body or lack of moisture on the top layers due to your environment), it can look red and irritated (uhem..because it is). When skin has erupted in break-out, it not only has a high color issue, it has a texture issue, too!

Maybe I'll do a skincare post about what's going on deep beneath the surface, but right now, I want to give you some tools to battle textured skin that lacks a moisture and a glow.

Morning Cleanser: PanOxyl-4 (4% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Creamy Wash)

This creamy cleanser comes in a flip-cap plastic tube perfect for the shower caddy. Your dermatologist can give you a prescription, but I have read that it's now available without one. Use this every morning or every other morning. In just a few short weeks, you'll notice a difference in your skin. First, you'll noticed a slightly smaller pore size which is probably due to breaking down the excess sebum and keratin being harbored right below the surface of the skin, in what is commonly known as a blackhead or open comedo. Second, you may have tiny breakouts around the crease of your nose or near your ear. Finally, you'll notice a clarity and smoothness about your skin that your previous cleansers just didn't deliver.

Exfoliator: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Did any of you get this in your Birchbox last month? It's ultra fantastic, if you didn't. An exfoliator that delivers great results without grainy beads. (Want a science lesson? The video on the bottom right is so interesting--Dermalogica educates.) Some of you might still prefer a scrub, and I get it. Try Bliss Pore Perfecting Face Wash.

Serum: Peter Thomas Roth Un-wrinkle and Firm-X

This is Powerful stuff! Try whatever you can afford. The results are visible within weeks. I especially love the Un-wrinkle eye cream. I have to admit every night that I use it (and Only a tiny bit so it lasts and lasts!), I take a moment to press the creamy peanut butter-like white lotion between my index fingers. It's so rich...like butter. Mmmm...

Lastly, you might need a little moisture. Hands down, the best brand to deliver moisture is Bobbi Brown. I'm just going to say it...the worst brand to deliver moisture is Clinique. It is. I know---same owner, same research facilities--Clinique just doesn't deliver in my humble opinion. They have other great, great products though. You'll have a smorgasbord of options at Bobbi. Here are a few I love, starting with Face Oil. (I just heard a cheer from lots of fellow makeup artists!!)

Face Oil *Use this over nasty breakouts, and watch the disappearing act. Serious.

Brightening Moisture Cream

Overnight Cream

Hydrating Intense Night Cream

Extra Repair Moisturizing Balm

There you have it. Nothing really complicated. Just products that work. Use whatever makeup remover/cleanser you have in your vanity at night. Or, try a Cleansing Oil. Shu and Bobbi make great ones.

January is turning out to be a Really Good Month!

Becca's an amazing girl, and so was her vendor list. Shew. You'll want to go buy this issue of Southern Living Weddings Magazine A) to see her vendor list (or just hire Christina) and B) it's so full of gorgeous images and real weddings. Seriously...I see a lot of wedding mags and this one is worth your money.

One more {beautiful} take on Becca's wedding, courtesy of Diva Productions:

A Seaside Wedding Film - Coming Soon: Becca + Matt from Diva Productions on Vimeo.

So, if you've read my blog here...you know I'm embracing quality, not quantity. Here's another reason why January has been so good to me.

Erika (my bridal client) doesn't know that she was just what I needed last Saturday (and an omen for the year ahead, I feel), along with her mom and bridesmaids, and a little banter from Rick. I've never cried laughing so hard about a certain spanx situation or about someone's eyeglass Rx. Let's just say there would have been 3 blind mice in the room, if it weren't for *powerful* eyeglasses and contact lenses. What a lovely group, and I'm so thankful they were mine.

To making lots of gorgeous brides in 2012, Cheers friends.

Much needed updated favorite Vendor's List

You know, the things on your to-do list that keep getting pushed to the bottom, further and further down, till they number like 187 and they used to be #3.

Updating the Vendor's List is just that task for me. Some of the vendors had moved on to other things and I needed to move them off my list.

I did add Videographers. If any of you know me, you know I love Celia over at the newly re-branded Momentus Films and her twin look-alike, but not really related, Joanna at Diva.

Let's see...I added Brian at Myrtie Blue (a new arrival in the past few years that has really made his mark on weddings in the Panhandle), Kent's Special Events, Elegant Tents, Dine by Design, Rolland's Beauty Bar, Weddings at Gulf Place (the fantastic new venue headed up by Christina at Fete Events), and several more!

Stop by the Favorites Page for a closer look.

Natalie + Wade in Southern Weddings Mag

For vendors, it's always fun to go through wedding magazines and see whose work was featured, who really outdid themselves, who created a great ad, etc. I like seeing when the vendors down here in the FL Panhandle make it into the real wedding features. I know there are other great markets, for sure, but I am a huge fan of the wedding industry businesses in these parts.

I saw a few familiar faces in the latest issue of Southern Weddings. There were two ads I did makeup for--one was Carillon (love Avis & Victoria!) and one for Gulf Place. Gulf Place is a fantastic new venue on 30-A with a huge green and easy access to the beach side. The fantastic Christina Gillon of Fete Events is the wedding planner for the venue.

And finally, Natalie + Wade's wedding at Watercolor. Natalie and her mom were so fun to work with, but it wasn't hard work, you know. ;) Tec Petaja of Tec Petaja Weddings was the photographer. The girls at SW Mag provided a very comprehensive vendor list.

If there's one thing I know about Southern Weddings, it's... pick up this mag at your local Target, or here. You may think you know what's inside since you follow their blog daily, but you don't. Yep, they'll surprise ya every time!

Two Very Exciting Posts!

Don't you always get good news in bundles? Today, I got the sweetest email from one of my sweetest clients, Louise. This was a fun crowd, with a sense of humor and lots of love for their friend about to tie the knot!

Louise may be a classic, traditionally styled bride (with a side of preppy), but she's also got a little sass. Check out her modeling the pocket in this gown. Clearly, JP is being schooled on the stylish features.

PBR. Good times.

Check out the two part series over on Dede Edward Photography's Blog. Dede's post also includes a vendor list for easy reference.

Like a deflated balloon

I won't lie, when I opened my sample box this month for Birchbox, I felt like a deflated balloon. I wanted fun, shiny stuff, not lotion, a tiny gloss and some breath mints. Humph. I left it on the kitchen table.

Later in the week, I threw the lotion and mints in my center console with disregard, and the gloss on my shelf.

I haven't circled back to the lip gloss or other items yet, but I have to tell you... I ration out that lotion now, and I LoVe my new mints. A) They're tea mints for fitness, ok? ok. B) I don't like super minty mints, so these are perfect for me. You can taste just enough green tea and mint, sort of like a Zen tea from Starbucks in a mint form.

There you have it. I promised an unbiased review. It passes with a B. I'm not sure what would have given it an A+. Maybe next month...

Still...after all this time...

This wedding is still one of favorites, two whole years later. Wanted to share. See more of this small, intimate wedding on Meg Baisden's blog.