Gabrielle's Bridal Salon and Nicole Lisanne Events

Last week I attended the official Grand Opening of Gabrielle's Bridal Atelier and Nicole Lisanne Weddings & Events by Design in Downtown Campbell, CA.

As I arrived I immediately spotted Robbie Schlosser of the Magnolia Jazz Band and Photographer Fu Chung Wong just inside the doorway.

Guests were asked to dress to match the black and white theme. You know every detail will be attended to when a professional wedding consultant plans the event. It was a fabulous night of good friends, food, dancing and fun. I always enjoy meeting new people and had a particularly fun conversation with a couple I met while hanging out by the donuts.

The gowns were tucked away behind curtains of chiffon so I'll have to go back and visit at a later date to get some photos of the gorgeous couture. This is less then half of the gown styles available. Gabrielle's also offers a small selection of bridesmaid attire as well as shoes and accessories.

This is the sitting area near the dressing rooms and viewing area.

I loved this floral display by Precious and Blooming. The colors were yummy!

One of the three changing rooms.

And Dessert!

Instead of cake or cupcakes there was a veritable donut buffet set up in Nicole's consultation office with all kinds of different bite sized donuts by Donut du Jour in Los Altos, CA.

Consult area above and donut bar below.

So cute!

I took lots of pictures for you.

Mmmmm mini cake, crumb and chocolate old fashioned to choose from.

And tiny Apple Fritters...

From simple to fancy...

There were all kinds of filled donuts to choose from! Everyone said they were delicious! Here's a confession. I didn't eat a single donut! Why? Because since hurting my ankle last month I haven't been able to exercise and I've gained 6 pounds in the past month simply from not exercising! *gasp, gasp, thud* So until my ankle is better and I can walk again I am refraining from all desserts no matter how tempting they are. *sniff sniff* I am planning to make a trip to Heidi's "Donuts du Jour"shop as soon as I'm back to normal though. I only have so much restraint at the end of the day. 

This is the bridal salon showroom. To the left and right were all of the gowns and in the middle some of the couple of hundred people who turned out that evening to celebrate the Grand Opening with Gabrielle and Nicole. Who was in the crowd?

Flirty Videographer Jewel Savadelis and Photographer Michael Soo

Wedding Photographer Claudia Akers and Event Coordinator Katherine Noller-Fernandez. Katherine submitted the two popular ideas for baby parties in the idea gallery. Visit her profile to find out which ones.

Nicole Ha, Duncan Reyes and Orbie Pullen

I didn't get to try these Shrimp Hors d'Oeuvres by Thomas John Catering because I'm allergic to them but they sure looked good!

I love the bar set ups. I love looking at all of the empty glasses neatly arranged.

More then a few people were feeling flirty that night...

I think this photo of Rhee Bevere, Lucie Kubinova Silveira, Gabrielle (center), Ingela Ruschin and Jill Johnson all laughing and having fun says it all. It was an outrageously successful evening that showcased Downtown Campbell as the new, fab, shopping district to come hang out at. 

And I loved this stunning centerpiece by Plan Decor.

Look who I found out on the sidewalk: Deborah Moody, David Ethridge, Nicole Lisanne, Sophia the dog, Amy Frugoli and Teri Menchini.

Here Duncan was giving hugs and snuggles to Sophia. Even little Sophia was still out on the dance floor when I headed home.

Thanks so much for the invitation Nicole and Gabi! It was an honor being included at your very special event. Wishing you every success at your new location!

Hey Ladies! My Boudoir Photos are Back...

Hey Girls! A boudoir photo session of yourself is the perfect wedding or anniversary gift to give to your special someone when you want to give something personal with a little "Ooh la la!" Whether ordering a small album with multiple images or a larger framed piece for your bedroom what could be more personal and unique?

The first two are "cropped" photos from my session. If I know you, and you ask, I might show the rest of them to you.

I know Critsey Rowe because she's a wedding photographer on The Flirty Guide. She did a great job putting me at ease and taking some very tasteful boudoir photos at a session we did earlier this spring. She's going to be back in town from the East Coast in September so let me know if you're interested in learning more about her sessions. You can view more of her boudoir work at www.CoutureBoudoir.com

And thanks to Armando Sarabia at get your DO up! He did my make up that morning. Most of you know that I usually only wear lipstick but Armando went the whole nine yards with foundation, blush, mascara, eyeshadow and even some eye lashes. Woo Hoo.

LOL a couple of my girlfriends said their teenage daughters wear less (clothing) to school then I wore at my boudoir shoot! I will say that I felt my photos were very demure and not too racy.

I knew my hubby would love for me to do a session with Critsey. In fact he was ready to put me on a plane to fly me out to her studio when he found out I'd be willing to do a shoot for him. Hilarious. Anyways as someone once told me, we all just get older and uglier every year. Ha ha ha... I don't know that I agree with that sentiment but it wasn't a bad idea to do a shoot like this now instead of when I'm 80 years old right?

Thanks Critsey for the beautiful photos. My husband really loves them. In fact he wants to make this an annual event. Hmmmm I don't know about every year but every few years would be fine with me if you're available :)

Free Wedding Gowns for Military Brides

I had not heard of this program before Tosca Clark, owner of The Unique Bride in Burlingame told me about how her salon was hosting a wedding gown giveaway for Brides Across America. Here are the details:

Image by: Brides Across America

Free Wedding Gowns for Military Brides in a Tough Economy

Bridal retailers nationwide open their hearts to support our troops. 

The Unique Bride is joining Brides Across America and Giving Away Designer 

Wedding Gowns To Military Brides-To-Be!

Event Date: Sun, July 12, 2009 

Time: 11:00 – 4:00

Place: The Unique Bride 

1209 Howard Ave.

Burlingame, CA 94010

650-347-7001

Attention all Military Brides! Replace your fatigues with a free designer wedding gown from The Unique Bride. California’s premier bridal salon is pleased to reward the Military personnel who served in Iraq or Afghanistan or whose fiancé’s are in active duty in those areas with this special event on July 12th to celebrate and honor Independence Day. This is a great way to show appreciation towards the troops and families for their sacrifice.

The Unique Bride has hand selected designer wedding gowns to give away at the event on a first come first serve basis. The giveaway is a philanthropic opportunity to show appreciation for their heart felt service for our country. It is time we give back and support.

To qualify, brides must be engaged, be on active duty in the military or have a fiancé on active duty in either Iraq or Afghanistan. All military brides must show ID, copy of deployment papers, orders or other qualifying proof. Brides do not have to reside in the area where the giveaway is taking place.

For more information regarding the July 12th event please call
The Unique Bride at 650-347-7001 – www.uniquebride.com

Tami's Stem Cell Transplant is Today! Day "0"

So, today at 9:30 A. M. (PST) Tami will receive her stem cell transplant. The day of transplant is often regarded as day zero with each subsequent day post transplant being referred to as +1, +2, +3, etc.

Her doctors have spent the last week preparing her for this moment. Her preparations included both 6 rounds of chemo and various antibiotics to help prevent infection now that Tami's own immune system was destroyed by the chemo.

The Be The Match website describes the actual transplant this way:

"The infusion process takes about one hour, sometimes longer, depending on the volume of cells. The infusion usually does not hurt. A nurse will watch your blood pressure and pulse and watch for any reactions while you are getting your new cells. Some people have mild side effects like those of blood transfusions. These side effects do not last long. You will be awake to receive the donated cells, although you may be mildly sedated.

The donated cells "know" where they belong in the body. They move through your bloodstream to settle in your bone marrow. This is where the donated cells will begin to grow and produce new red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. This is called engraftment."

Your prayers and good thoughts are appreciated as the days following a transplant are often the most painful and grueling for some patients. Thank you so much for all of your support to date, it's very much appreciated.

___________ EDITED TO ADD at 9:27 A.M. ___________

A Delay :( The stem cells have not arrived in Seattle. They are now scheduled to land at 9:45 A.M. with the transplant to take place at noon. Tami's donor lives in the U.S. but not in Seattle so his stem cells are being flown in to her.
___________ EDITED TO ADD at 3:05 P.M. ___________

The transplant began at 12:32 P.M. and will run for several hours until around 5:30 P.M.. Tami was a little anxious and feeling a little nauseaous but I'm told she is hanging in there. Her nurse said she should sleep through most of it, they gave her a good dose of benadryl. Everything is going well.

___________ EDITED TO ADD at 5:43 P.M. ___________

Tami is just about done with the transplant. She ran into some problems which consisted of fever and rapid heartbeat. Both are under control now but she's not feeling very good at the moment :(

Complications like this are to be expected and as unpleasant as they are, are not cause for concern at this point in time.

___________ EDITED TO ADD at 6:50 P.M. ___________

I am happy to report that Tami's transplant is done and everything seems ok at the moment.

They will keep checking her vitals until 8:00 to watch for any problems.

___________ EDITED TO ADD at 9:20 P.M. ___________



___________ EDITED TO ADD at 11:50 P.M. ___________

Tami's Donor Cells Arrived!!

This little bag of stem cells can mean the difference between life and death for those in need.

Thank you so much to Tami's anonymous donor whoever and wherever you are. I've been sitting here staring at this photo and thinking how lucky Tami is that you joined the registry, how lucky our whole family is.

I mean really, how do you properly thank someone for giving someone you love a chance to have their future back? There simply aren't words to convey how I feel tonight knowing that Tami, her kids and the rest of us who love her have received such an amazing gift from you.

Helping Tami - 6 Rounds of Chemo Completed!

Just a quick update to share with all of you that Tami has completed her six rounds of chemo. Today is a day off with no treatments and tomorrow is the BIG day! Tami will receive her stem cell transplant. Currently Tami feels slightly nauseous and very tired. Her exhaustion is most certainly due in part to the fact that her red blood cell production has ceased due to the chemo. She will be receiving transfusions as needed to help replenish her missing red blood cells and platelets as well as antibiotics for her lack of immune system due to the chemo also destroying her white blood cells.

I will continue to post periodic updates here on the Flirty Blog but if you want to read her daily updates please visit the Helping Tami Blog. Thank you for all of your prayers and support. Tami has so far been incredibly blessed through this entire experience finding a perfect 10/10 match from someone willing and healthy enough to donate to her so quickly. His generosity to help save her is overwhelming considering 50% of those who are found to be matches decline to make the donation or are deemed ineligible to donate due to health conditions.

If you aren't currently in the National Marrow Registry and would like to join please visit the AADP website to order a home test kit. Or visit the following link to locate a live drive in your area:

CLICK HERE to use the zip code locater to find a drive near you.

And here's some HUGE news! Beginning July 1, 2009 Testing for ALL Ethnicities will be Free! 

Yup, Be The Match is moving to a new business model where they will begin fundraising efforts year round to cover the cost of testing for everyone!

A Really Good Job

You may recall I posted about a Murphy-Goode Winery dream job opportunity a few weeks ago.

Murphy-Goode, located in Sonoma, is looking for a web savyy person who knows wine as well as they know the internet to help them to build a strong online presence. The job is a 6 month contract. They will learn onsite all about the wine making process from vine to table. Whoever is hired will be paid $10,000 per month and will be given living quarters on the winery property. In return they must blog, Tweet and know how to take great photographs and videos.

This is who I voted for: Applicant Kevin Stephens. I really like his video. It made me laugh and he sounds more then qualified. To vote all you have to do is send your email then wait for confirmation email and reply. That's it. No registering or pesky account to create. 

Good luck Kevin! I hope you win the job :)

An Update on My Cousin Tami's Marrow Transplant

Today is a BIG day! My cousin Tami will be receiving her Hickman Catheter today. This is also known as a central line and will be used beginning tomorrow for her Chemotherapy treatments she must undergo prior to receiving her Stem Cell (Marrow) Transplant.

This is what a Central Line looks like. To read more details please visit today's post (June 22,2009) on Tami's Blog