Destination Honolulu

If you are planning a destination wedding to Honolulu, Hawaii, we'd like to introduce you to a cosmetics company on the island that specializes in bridal makeup. Meet Malena Cosmetics. The Hawaiian translation for wedding is Maleana. Maleana Cosmetics was created in 2005 by Oahu based celebrity stylist Dorys Foltin to cater to the needs of local and visitor brides alike opting the islands to celebrate their special day. The beauty line’s aim is to aid in long lasting results and remain durable in hot, humid, and all other inhibiting weather conditions. Although Maleana was born for brides, the array of products are best for any beach dwelling babe. The collection has caught the attention of loads of Hawaii locals who live for the light mineral liquid foundation, bronzing powders, and sticky free, tasty lip glosses.

Our favorite Maleana product is the Liquid Mineral Powder Foundation ($38.00). Advanced technology delivers all the benefits of mineral powders in an easy-to-use hypoallergenic liquid powder. The breakthrough formula is perfect for brides that love liquid foundation and who shy away from mineral powders. The velvety smooth fluid triples as a foundation, sunscreen and anti-ager.

Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week

We love to see what bridal trends are popping up in other parts of the world. We found these incredible shots of the Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week featuring gowns and designs by Gema Nicolas, Victorio & Lucchino, and Fuentecapala.

Click here to view more images from the show.

You Animal, You!

One trend that never seems to go out of style is animal print. From zebra stripes to leopard and giraffe spots, animal inspired clothing and accessories appear year after year in fashion magazines and runways. Dressing from head to toe in any animal print is obviously a fashion faux pas, but little well placed touches here and there are nothing short of magic.

Check out these hot finds we think you should be stowing away for your honeymoon.


Top Left: Safari Train Case available at Sephora, Retails for $78
Top Left Center: Rogan Leopard print monokini suit available at Target, Retails for $29.99
Top Center: Rogan Zebra print bathing suit available at Target, Retails for $34.99
Top Right: Rogan Giraffe print bikini available at Target, Retails for $16.99 each piece
Left Center: Rogan Leopard print beach towel available at Target, Retails for $24.99
Center: Summer Safari Bronzers available at Sephora, Retails for $16
Bottom Left: Safari Bag Collection - Zebra available at Sephora, Retails $5-$48
Bottom Right: Safari Bag Collection - Giraffe available at Sephora, Retails $5-$48


Top Row: Mossimo safari pumps available at Target, Retails for $26.99
Center Left: Women's Xhilaration® Tressa Thong Sandals - Zebra Print available at Target, Retails for $13.49
Center Right: Xhilaration® Sable Ballerina Flats - Leopard available at Target, Retails for $14.99


Top Left: Zebra print sunglasses available at White House Black Market, Retails for $14.99
Top Right: Safari Trail Sunglasses available at White House Black Market, Retails for $14.99
Bottom Left: Arbez Zebra Flip-Flop available at White House Black Market, Retails for $38
Bottom Right: Lightweight Snake Slide available at White House Black Market, Retails for $28


Top Left: Zebra Coin Purse available at White House Black Market, Retails for $18
Top Right: L.A.M.B Leopard print wallet available at Nordstrom, Retails for $175
Bottom Left: L.A.M.B. Handheld bag available at Nordstrom, Retails for $314
Bottom Right: MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Desert Patent Large' Satchel available at Nordstrom, Retails for $398


Top Left: Sequin Thin Animal Print Bangle available at Nordstrom, Retails for $28
Top Right: Kenneth Jay Lane Animal Print Enamel Bangle Bracelet available at Nordstrom, Retails for $65-$78
Bottom Left: Sequin Thick Animal Print Bangle available at Nordstrom, Retails for $38
Bottom Right: Betsey Johnson Oversized Zebra Stripe Hoops available at Nordstrom, Retails for $35

Prepare For Your Sizzling Hot Honeymoon

The hot summer sun isn't the only thing that will be sizzling this year. You are getting married and that means your honeymoon is just around the corner. During this spring, its pretty hard to concentrate on anything else but your romantic honeymoon following all the upcoming festivities. So what if your wedding isn't until August! Start planning for your getaway now!

We've collected some of the hottest honeymoon items for your trip. If you are like most Northwest brides and grooms, and opting to honeymoon in a sunny climate, we've got just the items you need to cool down from the summer heat.

Most people love to read a good book while sitting poolside or lounging on the beach. But, how often have you left your book sitting on your towel while you take a dip in the water only to return to find your book has been drenched by a nearby cannonballing kid? We found a great solution! Check out the waterproof easy reads from Durabooks (below). These books are a collection of short stories, perfect for honeymoons since you'll be easily distracted by your new hubby. And the best part is, these books are completely waterproof from start to finish. So now when you take a dip in the pool, take your book with you. Available at Amazon.com.


Cool down with homemade ice-kabobs. With this nifty ice-cube tray all you have to do is add water or your favorite flavored juice and, voila, you'll have homemade Popsicles to keep you cool and refreshed all summer long. Available at Patina Stores.

Beach toys are certainly not just for kids. Grab these fabulous beach balls and swim tubes and head to the beach in style (below). Find these ultra stylish beach accessories at Design Room.



For those snorkeling trips or boat rides, what do you do with your cell phone and wallet? Check out the Waterproof Store for great water-friendly packs to keep your valuables dry. What's great about these items is that they allow you to use your electronics without even removing them from their protective cases. Check out our picks below including waterproof wallet cases and waterproof cases for your MP3, cell phones, cameras, and pdas.

The Modern Woman's Wedding Survival Kit: Day Two

Banquetevent.com's wedding day survival kit has been assisting panicky brides prepare for their big day by packing a helpful kit of just-in-case-I-need-them-tools. Now comes our modern woman's survival kit for the weeks leading up to the wedding for all those potential pesky mishaps. Click here to read our Day One tips.

Check back the rest of this week for more survival guides....

Mishap #4: Your fiance has just informed you that he would really prefer if you didn't check any baggage at the airport, but rather just carried on your luggage for your honeymoon. In your mind, you're picturing that 75 lbs bag of goodies and cosmetics you've already started to pack. And whatever will you do with all your cosmetics so they comply with the airport transportation restrictions? You feel a drop of sweat start to form on your brow.

What flies: While you are restricted to a small quart-size ziploc bag of liquids for airline travel, there are tricks to packing products that are perfectly acceptable and do not need to be included in your ziploc bag making space for the liquid items you can't live without.

Instead of using liquid foundation, we suggest changing to mineral or powder makeup. Our favorite by a mile is Bare Escentuals. Bare Escentuals is great because it still gives you the same coverage and even has SPF protection, but without feeling heavy. Even if you have blemished skin, Bare Escentuals covers discoloration and problem areas. If powders are just not your thing, also consider packing a stick foundation, such as the ones made by Shiseido, available in 10 shades.

Lip glosses may no longer be acceptable but good old fashioned lipsticks are. Lip glosses that are liquid or gels like Carmex or Blistex are not allowed, but a ChapStick in a stick form are permitted.

Instead of using a cleanser for makeup remover, pack face washing wipes by Ole Henriksen or Pond's Clean Sweep Makeup Removing Towelettes.

Pack a deodorant in a solid stick form rather than a mist or roll-on. Use a deodorant like Secret Invisible Solid. Also, check Sephora to see if your favorite perfume comes in a solid form. Chances are it might. Our favorite is L L.A.M.B. Fragrance By Gwen Stefani.

Many other products like shampoo, for instance, come in powder form. Try Song of India's Powder Shampoo in various scents or Oscar Blandi's dry shampoo powder in travel size. Even toothpaste is acceptable when it comes in a powder form like Travelon's Powder Toothpaste substitute or Uncle Harry's Tooth Powder. Just dab it in water and brush as usual.

Other beauty products you may feel you need to fit into your carry on and perfectly acceptable by airlines are powdered concealers (Laura Mercier's Secret Brightening Powder), powdered hair revival products for oil absorption (Stila's Jade Blossom Hair Refresher), powdered face mask formulas (Uncle Harry's Sandlewood Face Mask), sticks of sunblock (Shady Day Sunscreen Stick-SPF 30 or Neutrogena's Healthy Defense Sunblock Stick-SPF 30), or a bronzer in stick form (Michael Kors Leg Shine).

Remember all other liquids you do bring in a ziploc bag must be 3 oz or less. Also, just as a refresher you are allowed to bring a disposable razor, tweezers, blunt scissors or those with blades shorter than 4", eyelash curlers, nail file, and nail clippers.

For a complete list of what you are allowed and the transportation guidelines, please visit www.tsa.gov/travelers.

And for those of you who wear gell filled bras, don't worry, those are acceptable too.

Jet-Setter

Honeymoon here you come! Sometimes the best part about the wedding, isn't the wedding at all -- its the fantastic getaway for two that happens afterward. We've found these fabulous trousseau trinkets to fill your bags with the hottest honeymoon items you just have to have.

For the World Traveler...

Every passport needs a stylish holder.

Pottery Barn's Passport Holder. Available in Blue, Pink, Green, Orange. Matching luggage tags are also available.
Price: $27
Why we love it: The bright colors make finding your passport a breeze in your overpacked handbag or carry on.

The Best Carry On...

Bring your essentials on board with you in this stylish tote. Features a roomy interior with organizer pockets and two exterior accessories pockets. The strap drop length is 10.5" from the shoulder.

Voyageur Lightweight Cortina Boarding Tote by Tumi. Available in Black, Brown and Yellow.
Price: $395
Why we love it: With as much stuff as you'll be filling your bags with, no one needs a heavy bag before you even start filling it. This light weight bag is the perfect weight and size for easy airport travel.

To Keep You Organized In Style...

A travel-ready expandable makeup bag from Bare Escentuals.

Expandable Travel Bag available at Sephora - Limited Edition
Price: $22
Why we love it: This extra large version of their traveling bag comes with a hanger so you can hang it from the towel rack of your hotel room. Plus it lays nice and flat in your suitcase.

Another Great Option...

If you are like us and have trouble narrowing down what you'll need on your trip, you may need something a little roomier.

Strawberry Fields 3 Piece Cosmetic Set by Betsy Johnson
Price: $45
Why we love it: The 3-piece set allows you to keep your makeup separate from other cosmetics like your toothbrush, soap, shampoo, etc. Plus the shape of the bag and style can make it pass for a handbag so you can carry-on your cosmetics on the plane. (Just remember to make them fit into a small ziplock baggy).

The Best Large Luggage Piece...

Durable coated nylon traveler designed for maximum convenience with retractable handle and double shoulder straps.

Lacoste Large Duffle on Wheels Available in Blue, Green & Red.
Price: $275-$295
Why we love it: The outside nylon lining allows you to stuff much more into this type of bag than a standard rectangular luggage piece with no give. So when you can't decide between three black pairs of flip-flops, you can bring all three!

Best Accessory...

Accessorize yourself with chunky, short yellow necklaces.

Lemondrops Necklace from Anthropologie
Price: $38
Why we love it: Yellow is the hot color for 2008 and with this necklace you'll look great wearing it out to a romantic dinner for two or event at the beach.

Best Beachwear...

A light glittery print and a jet bead tie makes this Italian jersey halter suit a sophisticated choice for pool or beach.

Badgley Mischka Glitter Girl Tankini
Price: $250
Why we love it: From the designers of some of the world's favorite wedding dresses comes swimwear from Badgley Mischka. We already know that this duo knows how to fit a woman's body, and when it comes to swimwear, women want to know their suits suit their curves. Plus the tankini offers just the right amount of comfort and style without exposing too much.

The Most Multi-functional Outfit...

Thirsty terry style tunic is piped with navy accents and cinched at the neckline with a seaworthy drawstring rope.

Milly Bitter End Tunic Mini Dress
Price: $200
Why we love it: The right tunic can function as three different outfits. First, they make excellent bathing suit cover ups. Second, you can pair them with leggings and a scarf for stylish daywear. Last, they can even function as an evening dress when paired with some strappy heels. That's why a tunic is a must this season for honeymoon travel.

Great Product Alert - Lapin Vilardi!

Let us introduce you to this hip travel accessory company, Lapin Vilardi. Lapin Vilardi creates adorable travel bags for women who like to keep thing organized and stylish all at the same time. Lapin Vilardi creates hip lingerie bags, shoe bags, cosmetic cases, laundry bags and more and they are all perfect additions for your honeymoon luggage.

Keep your delicate lingerie safe with these lingerie bags. Keep prying airport eyes at bay with this chic lingerie carryall that is both sexy and sweet. You can also store your belts and scarves.


Keep your bikinis neatly in order. If you want to change out of your wet bikini and head to dinner use these waterproof bikini bags to keep your damp suit from ruining your carryall.


We absolutely love these decorative laundry bags. Who wants their clean clothes intermixed with their dirty clothes? Ick! These laundry bags are the perfect solution.