2011 Red Ball

I acted as Shine Patrol for this year’s Red Ball, doing a little bit of this and that for those who jumped into the Soiree Photo Lounge for some photo fun.  The annual Red Ball benefits the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross, and yes, many attendees wear red!

Laura Eaton, me, Megan Kristel

My pal Laura Eaton, an amazing wedding photographer, is also the creator of the Soiree Photo Lounge, which can be set up at any event to capture beyond candid photos of guests. On the far right is my unoffiicial and gorgeous business partner Megan Kristel of Kristel Closets fame.

Laura Eaton, Deborah Van Cleve, me

Also present and most likely responsible for some of the lovely gowns was vivacious Deborah Van Cleve, owner of the Van Cleve Collection boutique in Paoli, PA – she is the filling of the glamour sandwich above.

The event raised over $300,000 for the Red Cross.

Styled Creative: very cool, very pretty

I’m fairly mad for these photos of Beka Rendell and Kimberly Fink, taken by Mike Smith of Ash Imagery. Beka and Kim, formerly known as Innove Events, recently introduced their updated name/site, along with a new space on Arch Street in Old City. These talented creatures are way too cute together, yes?
Visit them at www.styledcreative.com.

Let me tell you, aside from being remarkably photogenic, that Beka can wear some lashes, and it was particularly fun to do dramatic, deep blue/black eyes on Kimberly, who is usually so fresh-faced and adorable.

Megan Kristel and I just got “Ashed” as well. Mike put up with our irreverent banter long enough to get a photo for our upcoming press release in relation to the opening of our new studio in Ardmore on September 23rd. Go here for more info and to RSVP.

Society of Professional Women know what not to wear to work…

I’m a big fan of TLC’s “What Not to Wear.” So when Eileen Connelly-Robbins and team from the Main Line Chamber of Commerce’s Society of Professional Women suggested doing an event patterned after the hit makeover show, instead of looking at them funny, dear friend and image consultant Megan Kristel (kristelclosets.com) and I said “okay.” Thus began the months of work it took to coordinate the event that was held on May 13th at the Radisson Valley Forge.

Megan Kristel

Job One was to round out the make-over team by finding our Nick Arrojo in the dashing hair stylist Vann Ou from Bubbles Salon. The moment I walked into the joint, I could tell that Vann, who manages Bubbles in Bryn Mawr and now in Rittenhouse Square, was the “Nick” we were looking for…

Vann the Mann

The entire event, from “before” to “after,” was chronicled by David Campli (Campli Photography) and Dave Williams (MediaWave Productions). David C. told the story in photographs, and Dave W. produced the three videos you see below. (Fun Fact: I did the voice-overs for the videos, and also contributed one of my original songs – from another life – for the background music).

The SPW team (special thanks to Ashley Miller) identified our three make-over winners, all Chamber members and either self-nominated or nominated by friends or colleagues:

- Susan Graham is a Marketing Manager for Bryn Mawr Hospital, and the mother of two little kiddles. In light of her work and personal load, she has a remarkably good sense of humor…

- Paula Kielich is the President of Pals for Life, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing companion animal programs to the handicapped, elderly and mentally-impaired. A feisty little lady with beautiful eyes and skin…

- Lori O’Leary is the Executive Director of MusicWorks, a music therapy program started by her husband, musician and therapist Jerry O’Leary. She is the dearest person, with the most enviable bone structure…

Megan Kristel, who is very simply the best at what she does, invaded the closets of each winner, found clothes with hidden potential, then took each of the ladies shopping at Elizabeth Maar Boutique in Haverford to find pieces that would pull their looks together – many thanks to owner Nellie and super saleswoman Joyce for their help. The story continued at Bubbles Salon, where Vann and I tag-teamed our new friends into top form:

Susan:

Paula:

Lori:

The event benefited my favorite local charity, Main Line Animal Rescue, and the organization’s fearless and inspirational leader Bill Smith talked about their fight to stop puppy mills. I mean, the man got Oprah to pay attention, so enough said. (Fun Fact #2: our little girl cat, Lana Turner, came from MLAR, and it’s taking all of my powers of self-control to stop myself from inserting a picture of her here.)

And here are the “afters:”

Call us “crazy,” but in spite of the logistical challenges involved, Megan and I agreed that we would actually do this again! Many thanks to all involved…

Eileen Connolly Robbins, David Campli, Susan G., Paula K., Lori O., Megan Kristel, Dave Williams, Vann Ou, and moi!

What’s up with Béke? Ask am1340 WHAT Radio’s Missy!

Yesterday I taped an interview with Missy Stein, host of “What’s up with Missy” on am1340 WHAT radio. The interview will air on Wednesday, May 5th, at 9:00 a.m., as part of the show’s Wedding Week series. Also featured will be dynamic duo wedding experts Beka Rendell and Kimberly Fink of Innove Events, and dear friend Dr. Miriam Franco, who will be talking about her Stressfree Bride guided imagery CD.

Missy is a sparkling and witty radio personality – she is also passionate about featuring the work and accomplishments of some of our area’s most intriguing women (gotta love her that … solidarity, sister …). Check out her show on am1340 WHAT every morning at 9:00 a.m. Thanks so much to Missy and crew!

Real women rule at Society of Wedding Planners’ holiday luncheon

Doing make-up for photo shoots using professional models is great fun for a make-up artist, but the most satisfying work for me involves real women who aren’t in the business of promoting their beauty on a daily basis.  On December 15th, I spent the morning preparing seven true beauties for their walk down the “runway” for the Society of Wedding Planners holiday luncheon at Drexelbrook.  Hair by Kesha Pruitt, whose wedding planner mom Valerie Franklin runs Weddings Etc. with her partner Antoinette Baines-Collier, both founding members of SPW.  (Kesha’s expertise is in, among other things, weaves and custom lace wigs.)

So here are me and my girls, striking poses in a ShutterBooth courtesy of Dave Winton….

Lynne Hart (Party Favors Ink), Barbra Ewards (Studio Solutions) and Judith Cohen (Brandywine Valley Events)

 

Jasmine Pruitt (Kesha's sister); Marie and Melanie (Leave it 2 Mia)

Soiree in the City, September 20th

Yes, it’s true, there’s going to be another Soiree in the City, co-organized by myself and Laura Eaton, photographer extraordinaire and my favorite partner-in-crime.  The Soiree, the second of its kind, will be held at Power Plant Productions, 230 North 2nd St. in Old City from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.  We like to think of this event as the antidote to conventional bridal shows…you know, those unfortunate herd-like affairs with local high school students posing as models,  hulking limo drivers looking painfully out of place and vendors whose names begin with “1-800″….

The Power Plant, a former chocolate factory that is now a rental studio, has great bones, and my husband Christopher (christoferjanesson.com) will transform the space into something chic and mesmerizing.  Our friend Bill Beck of Taste Catering will offer assorted deliciosities – I still pine for the tuna tartar he served at the last Soiree and we can only hope that the chocolate pot de cremes will be making a comeback.   

We’re going to have a Beauty Bar this time; I’ll be doing make-up, of course, Dar Clinton will play with hair, and we’ll be welcoming Tierra Mia Organic Nail Spa, so all hands and feet on deck, because they’re going to be offering some of their divinely eco-friendly nail services.  “Can someone hold this brush while I get a hand massage?”

In addition to the opportunity to belly up to the “Bar,” there will be lots of pretty things to look at and buy, including hand-made jewelry (Monyemah) and trendy gifts for brides and otherwise (Scarlett Alley).  

Dear friends Megan Kristel and Catie Joyce (www.kristelclosets.com) and Darcy Law (www.darcylawcouture.com) will be holding style court, educating guests on fashion that fits, and guiding brides-to-be towards the custom-made dress of their wedded dreams, respectively.   And we just learned that Leah C., Couture Millinery, has signed on to show off ultra fashionable hair accessories.

Best of all, a portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Womens Resource Center, a non-profit organization located in Wayne that helps over 4,000 deserving women a year with counseling, legal and educational services.  You can buy tickets ($10) for the Soiree by clicking on this link: http://soireeinthecity.eventbrite.com.

We are still looking for a few great vendors.  If your product or service smacks of the stylish, then we’d love to hear from you.  Send questions about participating in the Soiree as a vendor to soireeinthecity@gmail.com.

Oh what a Soiree it was…

The premiere of Soiree in the City, which took place on Saturday, January 17th at Laura Eaton’s photography studio in Old City, turned out to be, as Mark Kingsdorf put it, “chic, sexy and too much fun.” Laura (creator) and I (faithful co-conspirator) were pretty much giddy over the festal buzz in the room, and the love kept coming all the way up until the end. (I was, out of necessity, flying high on DayQuil, but it sure felt like love…).

I must admit that I worship Laura Eaton, and deeply appreciate the hours of preparation and creative gymnastics she went through to make this event happen. Throughout the day, she managed, with wine in one hand and a camera in the other, to chronicle the festivities with her singular flair. My only wish is that, one day, she’ll sit in my chair long enough to allow me to give her a proper make-up application. I came closer this time, but watch out, Laura, I’m coming to get you…..

The adorable Darcy Law (far left) whipped up original bridal gown designs on the spot, Mark Kingsdorf of Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants (can’t miss that red shirt in the top photo) warmed guests with mulled wine and nuptial wisdom, and style wonders Megan Kristel and Catie Joyce (center left and right) offered fashion advice and both of them looked glorious. Interior designer Sone Ehabe (right) let me play with her flawless skin a bit – NARS blush in Exhibit A was made for that woman.

My dear friend Terri Fellows (t. designs), fresh off having yet another hair ornament featured in InStyle magazine, dazzled the ladies with her original designs. She gifted me an intricately-made necklace for my birthday that I consider a part of my personal art collection. Terri is one of the only things I miss about living in NYC, because of the fashion-forward, precision haircuts she gave me. I’m not alone in my admiration – she’s been featured as a hair stylist in Allure magazine more than once.

The overall look of the event was pulled together with food stations crafted by Christopher Carlson (christofer+janesson event design). The ultra-detailed folding and layering of fabrics and symmetry is the designer’s signature. Admittedly, he doesn’t do this at home….unless I have him set the table for dinner. Bill Beck, chef and owner of Taste! catering presented tuna tartar and death-by-chocolate pot de creme to keep blood sugar levels soaring.

Laura and I are now plotting the next Soiree, targeted for early April….bigger, better……be there!