The Handwriting of Words

Hello dear readers!

In this age of computers, typing, and iPads, many have forgotten how to use pens, let alone write legibly! It’s understandable (hey, I’m blogging here!) but that doesn’t mean that handwriting is passe. Au contraire!

There is something to be said for the value of a handwritten note, letter, or invitation. There are few things more romantic than a love letter written by hand. An invitation penned with love is all the more inviting for a wedding or event. A note written for someone is far more personal than a text message.

I write notes all the time

In the midst of my busy schedule and traveling, I try to find the time to pen notes. I also do wedding and event invitations on the side. It gives me great joy to be a part of a special day by handwriting invitations…

I’ve had the pleasure of doing invitations for many events from the very small to some very high profile events and celebrity weddings (blushing here!) and it has always made me so happy…

What started out as penning invitations for friends, soon turned into doing it on the side…I admit, I am a hopeless romantic at heart Who doesn’t love romantic invitations to a wedding?!!

So, take out those pens and pencils and write a note to someone you love today. It’s a fashionable thing

If anyone is seeking assistance with handwritten invitations, notes, calligraphy, etc. please feel free to contact me for my special rates. You may find my email by going to the “ABOUT” section of this blog. I am based in both Los Angeles and New York City but can also do work for clients throughout the country and internationally…I’d love to be a part of your special day…

xoxo

 

 

Cannes 2013

Hello beautiful readers! Where is the place to be right now? Cannes, France !!

The 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival is well underway, complete with a jewel heist and pouring rain during the red carpet. Clearly, a lot has been going down! However, Hollywood glamour is in full swing and the added touch of French air is making the beauty stakes high

Here’s a glimpse of some of the most stylish…

A whole row of style!

However, there were a lot of fashion misses too (I won’t name names)….showing too much cleavage on the side, too much of a plunge, or no support up top. It has to be set off with something so that it doesn’t look tacky. Also, the dresses with too much prints going on just never do a woman justice. Wear more solids then accessorize. We can all learn from this because “fashion fades, but style remains the same” (Coco Chanel)

In the spirit of style, here are some beautiful style examples from Cannes over the years…

Bon week-end!

xoxo

 

 

Beauty Tip: Spoons

For those mornings when you wake up and you find that you have puffy eyes, you are not alone. Trust me. A model tip that has saved me on many shoots after long travels is the……………… spoon trick!

If you’re not getting enough sleep (the best beauty trick ever!) then you are most likely going to suffer from eye puffiness.

All you have to do is put 2 metal spoons in the freezer or refrigerator to make them very cold. Before putting on your makeup, place a cold spoon over each eye and lie down for about 10 minutes. Instant refreshment and eye bags gone!!

Excellent photo demonstration over at MomColoredGlasses:

 

Another option is using cucumbers on the eyes. If you happen to have them in your house for those puffy eye mornings, then this is a great option. For best results, make sure the cucumber has been in the refrigerator so it’s nice and cold. Then cut 2 slices and follow the same instructions. They also make the skin around your eyes more soft and supple.

Other options are placing green tea bags on your eyes instead.

Still another option that my mom has always loved is to place pads soaked with witch hazel on your eyes for about 5 minutes and voila!

But if you don’t have any of these items and you find yourself with puffy eyes, don’t forget that spoons can do the trick

Here’s to a great week without puffy eyes (and lots of sleep   )

xoxo

 

Mothers

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there and especially to my own mother–the most unselfish, loving, greatest example of a mom that I could ever be blessed with. I know that I have a lot of moms who read my blog and so this post is for you! Although I haven’t been blessed to hold that title in my life yet, I do know that it’s not a 9-5 job, but rather a 24/7 lifetime of self-sacrifice and love that makes the world go round. Why? Because every single child is a blessing. Thank you to all the moms out there who bring life to the world and thank you for reading my blog.

And even if you don’t have a mother, there are “mothers’ all around us-Those special women in the world who bring love, care, and sweetness to those around them. We are never alone. They are the ones we should aspire to be like and whose qualities we need to emulate.

Sancta Maria Mater Dei, ora pro nobis.

xoxo

Fashion Friday 5/10/13

Don’t you just love Fridays??

Well it’s been Gatsby fever in the fashion world lately….The Great Gatsby, that is! I haven’t seen the new 2013 version yet (definitely soon!) but it’s plain to see that everyone is getting “Gatsby Fever”

Break out those pearls and lace (and for men, those dapper suit jackets!)…Enjoy!

I’m loving it!!

xoxo

Life

Hello my beautiful readers!

I’ve had quite a week….how has yours been?? I started out my week with the funeral of a dear family member and I had the absolute honor of preparing the music and singing for his funeral. It was a gift from my heart to do this.  <3

With this, came the realization that life is so short. So short. I have such an incredible family and I have been so incredibly blessed in my life. Life is just too short to sweat about the small, petty stuff. Love more. Experience more. Forgive more. And always give and be charitable to others. Try to be the best you can be because your time here is not that long. I’m proud that I have some amazing examples of this in my family. I want to pass that along to all of you. So, make a point to do something nice for someone else each day. Smile. Life is a beautiful, precious gift.

Thank you for being here with me

Even though we’ve lost someone dear to our family, there is always light and life continues to be beautiful if we resolve to see it that way. I ended up having a wonderful week with being on a major movie set and with God blessing me tremendously…make each day count! It’s all about being positive and seeing the good in everything…

xoxo

 

Spring into Pastel Green!

Hello my lovely readers!

I thought I would share this beautiful photo spread with styling done by ELIZA SCARBOROUGH.

What do you think of this color? I think it’s so beautiful and these fashion ensembles are pure inspiration for this time of year!

Pearls, £19.99, zara.com; Tweed jacket, £195, reiss.co.uk; Pleated waist tweed skirt, £95, reiss.co.uk; Snakeskin sandal, £110, bananarepublic.co.uk

Aliana lace dress, £179, tedbaker.com; Snakeskin sandal, £110, bananarepublic.co.uk

Blouse, £85, reiss.co.uk; Jacquard capri pants, £150, J Crew at net-aporter.com; White stilettos, £60, office.co.uk

Metallic shift dress, £550, suzannah.com

Coat, £530, hugoboss.com; Shirt, £95, reiss.co.uk; Pearl & crystal brooch, £9.60, debenhams. com; White cropped trousers, £39.99, zara.com

Sleeveless dress, £80, Roksanda Ilincic at debenhams.com; Ribbon, VVRouleaux: 020 7224 5179; Tulum sandal, £195,lkbennett.com

*Style Tip: Like the photo above, I often add my thin gold belt to my outfits to add that extra something and to make a great shape. It’s an essential accessory in my style book!

I would wear all of these outfits! What do you think? I would also drive that scooter!!

Have a fabulous day!

xoxo

Concert Wear

Hello my beautiful readers!

The other day I saw an awesome live concert performance by the Parlotones at the Mercury Lounge in NYC. This rock band hails from South Africa and they were amazing! ….which brings me to the question: “What do you wear to a concert?”

Depending on the venue and type of music, your outfit will vary so let’s refer to an amazing rock concert!

I wore a nice black two toned jacket, black top underneath, black pants/leggings, and some leather boots with a small heel…

*Disclaimer: All of these cups are not mine haha

The key is comfort yet still beautiful with that rocker edge flair. My one staple for this kind of outfit is a great pair of boots!

The Parlotones

Every season is concert season (I love music!) so you can wear hot boots in any kind of weather….since the Coachella Music Festival just came to a close, it’s worth mentioning some great style inspiration! And the Stagecoach Music Festival will be underway this weekend too!

So throw on some boots, great lipstick, and rock out to a great concert….summer is officially coming! Yay!

Xoxo

1Year Anniversary

Hello everyone!

Last week marked my blog’s 1 year anniversary…and I owe it all to you, my beautiful readers!

Thank you for all of your support, thoughts, comments, and insights….

Here’s to another year here at La Chéri Marie

 

…and I couldnt resist sharing a photo I took of Chanel in NYC Soho this week….

Goodbye Annette

Hollywood and the world today lost Annette Funicello, beloved actress and Disney icon. She was 70 years old.

Growing up, I would watch the old Disney films starring the beautiful Annette and the old show the “Mickey Mouse Club”, which later went on to feature young aspiring dreamers who became many of the pop stars we have today. She also had a beautiful singing voice! I just loved watching the old beach movies with Annette and I loved her personality. She was one of the many things that shaped my childhood and aspirations of becoming an actress myself….

Today we lost someone who was a true “class act”. Not only was she beautiful and talented, but she represented everything that was kind and wholesome, and in the process captured Americans’ hearts.

*See the “Z” symbol on her board? Con Surfboards kindly donated an amazing long board as a gift for my final project to graduate university and that is their iconic logo. They are incredible people. They are California surf culture personified, which Annette helped in her beach movies

*Still taken from the Disney film “The Monkey’s Uncle”. She is seen here singing with the iconic band known as “The Beach Boys”.

Thank you Annette Funicello. May you rest in peace.