Martinez Valero Wedding Shoe Trunk Show

Greatest Expectations | June 27, 2009

Our favorite wedding shop, The Left Bank Jewelry & Wedding Shoes, is hosting a

Martinez Valero Wedding Shoe Trunk Show!  

These shoes are gorgeous, sexy and tons of fun!!  

CRYSTAL by MARTINEZ VALERO

The show is one day only and you simply do not want to miss it if you are still searching for your perfect glass slippers!

Thursday, July 2nd ~ 2pm – 8pm

1155 West Webster Ave.

Trunk Show Special ~ All Martinez Valero Shoes will be 15% Off

Prices range $145 – $175

Martinez Valero began creating high end women’s fashion footwear in the early 1950’s in Spain.  The Spanish influence of his designs lives on today and comes to life through the sexy yet sophisticated detailing in their unique bridal shoe line. The use of delicate detailing and crystal embellishments make these bridal shoes unforgettable.

DALTON by MARTINEZ VALERO

Love your Mother: Host a Green Event!

Greatest Expectations | April 22, 2009

Its Earth Day!  Of course you already know about it because there are special events taking place all over the country.  I hope you were able to take a moment out of your day to do something nice for your Mother Earth!

We thought the best thing to do was offer some free planning advice (free … Not a word I throw around often) on how to host a “Green” event.  Seriously, there are lots of things you can do to make your event a little more environment friendly ranging from the extreme (and often expensive) to the simple (sometimes free).

There are people out there that would tell you the number one way to cut back on your event’s eco footprint is to cut back on your guest count.  Yes, I agree that is a fact.  Actually, that is the number one way to cut back on your budget as well (my current and past brides are shaking their heads right now thinking “how many times have I heard that line before”).  But let’s assume that you have cut your list as much as possible and cannot bare the thought of removing anyone from your list.  Here are my suggestions to help your event stay as eco friendly as possible, there are plenty of low cost items, because no matter how much you love your Mother, you also love paying your mortgage!

1.) Ask your catering company to  not use any bottled water.  This will cut down on your bar costs as well as the amount of plastic and waste at your event.  In most places (especially Chicago) you probably have excellent tap water, so enjoy it!

2.) insure that your catering company recycles as much as they possibly can.  It only takes them a little extra time to recycle everything but it makes a serious impact on the environment.  You cannot imagine the amount of waste there is at a wedding.

3.) Provide transportation for your guests.  If they can “car pool” or take shuttles you provide, then there are far fewer cars out on the road.  Every driver counts!

4.)  Send Eco-Invites!  There are tons of companies out there producing recycled and eco friendly invitations.  Also consider sending evites for your rehearsal dinner and morning after brunch (sorry guys, I cannot get on board with sending electronic wedding invitations – call me old fashion).

Here are a few places to get recycled invitations but don’t forget to check locally as well! Shindig Invites and Invite Site.  There are a ton more but I like these two.  We even sell a selection of green invitations so just ask for them!

5.) Shop Local.  This can make a big difference!  The closer to home you shop the less fuel and energy go into getting items to you and your event.  Look for local jewelry and dress designers, work with local designers and printers.  Ask your caterer if they can find a local source for your food.  All of this can make a giant impact while keeping money in your community, now who does not need that?

6.) Have guests take home left over sweets or food.  Most catering companies are not allowed to let you donate left over food for health code reasons. In fact, most shelters and soup kitchens cannot take the food for the same reason, but that does not mean it should be thrown out or wasted!  Send it home with friends and family that are not traveling a long distance … Good sweets never go bad (at least not at my house, they don’t last that long!).

7.) Consider a green dress or a “designer Second”.  Here in Chicago I like to send people to Here Comes The Bride in Addison, or Wedding Belle’s in Barrington.  Not only are you making a good “green” decision but it is going to save some green in your pocket as well!  

You can also consider having your dress made with eco friendly fabrics, check out Olivia Luca,  Conscious Clothing (where they have tons of different things made out of hemp) and  Rawganique.

7.) Look for a LEED certified venues and hotels, they are hard to come by but they do exist.  In chicago you might want to check out  Hotel Felix, Hotel Arista, Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago Botanic Gardens, Lincoln Park Zoo, Brookfield Zoo (they have beautiful new wedding pavilions) or even any of the Chicago Park District locations!

Hotel Monaco Chicago, Hotel Burnham, Hotel Allegro Chicago, InterContinental Chicago, and the Talbott Hotel all recently received Green Seal certification, an environmental lodging standard with requirements in waste minimization, energyefficiency, water conservation, waste-water management, and green procurement.  Not bad choices either!

8.) Give some thought to your guest favors.  Our favorite is not giving one at all!  Instead consider making a donation to your favorite charity in honor of your guests.  They will love it and not have to drag anything home at the end of the night! 

If you simply must give an actual gift consider native seedlings, bamboo, or a plantable paper flower.

9.) Last but not least, simply consider the when and where!  If you are willing to have your event on a non traditional day (think Friday or Sunday) or at a non traditional time (breakfast, brunch or lunch) you will save tons of money and that is green all by itself!  One of my all time favorite events was a morning ceremony and brunch in W Chicago Lakeshore’s Altitude.

Just for fun here are some cool pictures from that event.

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Couture Sample Sale!!

Greatest Expectations | April 15, 2009

For two days only, Mira Couture is offering 80% off all store samples at her spring Couture Sample Sale. Mira Couture is known for her exquisite collection of gorgeous custom wedding gowns, veils, headpieces and accessories. This sale also includes cocktail dresses and suits, evening and mother of the bride gowns.

April 17 & April 18

Mira Couture | 1 East Delaware Place

Featuring the designs of Paloma Blanca, Alfred Sung, Stephen Yearick, YSA Makino, Vatit Itth

No Appointment Necessary

Mira Couture | 312.255.1699

Lynn Litwin Jewelry and Hair Accessories Trunk Show

Greatest Expectations | April 3, 2009

The Left Bank and CS Brides present the 

Lynn Litwin Trunk Show

April 5 & 6

The Left Bank Jewelry & Wedding Shoes

1155 West Webster Avenue

Chicago based couture wedding accessories designer Lynn Litwin will be at our favorite spot, The Left Bank. Lynn creates unmistakable detailed hair gems and jewelry. Her exquisite limited edition designs make them an exceptional heirloom. She has graced the covers of major bridal magazines including InStyle and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Don’t forget to RSVP: 773.929.7422 | theleftbank@sbcglobal.net

The Enterprising Kitchen

Greatest Expectations | March 25, 2009

Greatest Expectations is so excited to have partnered with The Enterprising Kitchen for our CS Brides “An Evening of Bridal Luxury” swag bag insert.  If you are not familiar with The Enterprising Kitchen you are in for a real treat!  They are a unique nonprofit social enterprise providing exceptional natural soap and spa products for customers throughout the world, but located in the heart of Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood.  

The coolest thing about The Enterprising Kitchen is that they provide workforce development and support services to women who are working toward self-sufficiency and economic independence. Within the context of a business where they manufacture natural soaps and spa products, women receive intensive workforce preparation and skills development including: paid employment, work and life skills training, individualized career planning, high school equivalency preparation, technology training, financial planning and a variety of other support services. Located in Chicago, the enterprise enables lower-income women who have been unemployed and underemployed to maximize their individual potential and move into sustainable employment after 6-12 months.

Only the finest ingredients and purest essential oils are used to ensure the best experience and value for customers. All products are manufactured in small batches onsite at the Chicago facility and each piece is signed by the woman who packages it. The Enterprising Kitchen represent the renewed ability for women participants to make better choices on the road to self-sufficiency as well as the opportunity for customers to choose to purchase these exceptional natural products, which directly support women. The Enterprising Kitchen is a member of the Fair Trade Federation. TEK products are sold in over 300 stores across the U.S., online and at TEK’s Chicago facility.

A few months back we were lucky enough to get a tour of the facility and meet some of the truly exceptional women who work on these amazing spa products.  It really is wonderful to walk through and see everything being made from scratch, smell the oils and sample to goods.  We had the hardest time choosing which item to put in the CS swag bag.  The body butter is as soft as silk and I swear you would love the bath salts but in the end we decided on the cold pressed soaps.  They smell amazing, last forever and really reflected the concept and image we wanted to present … “Wash away your worries with Greatest Expectations”.

Here are some pictures of The Enterprising Kitchen’s products.  If you are lucky enough to be attending the CS event please let us know how our give away measures up! 

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Cupcake Superstar Meets President Obama at Signing of Executive Order

Greatest Expectations | March 13, 2009

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Ok really, honestly, I feel like I know someone famous!! Teresa from Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique is a vendor we work with all the time (if you are an active reader of this blog you will know her name)!!  They make the most amazing cupcakes and while I have worked with Teresa since she first started doing special events cupcakes, she is now the owner of a fantastic little shop in the Loop and they are a smash success!!  Sugar Bliss does cupcakes for all types of events. We even used them for my four year olds birthday party last year (to the delight and enjoyment of the adults so relieved not to be eating a cupcake from Jewel).

She was invited to the White House for the signing of an Executive Order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Below is the press release from The White House and also Teresa’s press release.  You can read even more directly from The White House.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   March 11, 2009

President Obama Announces White House Council on Women and Girls

President Obama today signed an Executive Order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls. The mission of the Council will be to provide a coordinated federal response to the challenges confronted by women and girls and to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies consider how their policies and programs impact women and families. The Council will be chaired by Valerie Jarrett, Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor, and will include as members cabinet-level federal agencies. The Executive Director of the Council will be Tina Tchen, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Public Liaison at the White House.

“The purpose of this Council is to ensure that American women and girls are treated fairly in all matters of public policy,” said President Obama. “My Administration has already made important progress toward that goal. I am proud that the first bill I signed into law was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act. But I want to be clear that issues like equal pay, family leave, child care and others are not just women’s issues, they are family issues and economic issues. Our progress in these areas is an important measure of whether we are truly fulfilling the promise of our democracy for all our people. I am confident that Valerie Jarrett and Tina Tchen will guide the Council wisely as its members address these important issues.”

The White House Council on Women and Girls will ensure that agencies across the federal government, not just a few offices, take into account the particular needs and concerns of women and girls. The Council will begin its work by asking each agency to analyze their current status and ensure that they are focused internally and externally on women.

In particular, the Council will work to enhance, support and coordinate the efforts of existing programs for women and girls. The Council will also work as a resource for each agency and the White House so that there is a comprehensive approach to the federal government’s policy on women and girls. The priorities will be carried out by working closely with the President’s Cabinet Secretaries and relevant agency offices that focus on women and families.

During its first year, the Council will also focus on the following areas:

  • Improving women’s economic security by ensuring that each of the agencies is working to directly improve the economic status of women.
  • Working with each agency to ensure that the administration evaluates and develops policies that establish a balance between work and family.
  • Working hand-in-hand with the Vice President, the Justice Department’s Office of Violence Against Women and other government officials to find new ways to prevent violence against women, at home and abroad.
  • Finally, the critical work of the Council will be to help build healthy families and improve women’s health care.

The White House Council on Women and Girls will meet regularly, and will serve as a forum for all involved agencies to focus on women.

Sugar Bliss Press Release

(CHICAGO) -Teresa Ging, the entrepreneur and baker behind Chicago’s fresh new Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique, was a guest at the White House on Wednesday, March 11, invited to take part in President Obama’s signing of an executive order to create a White House Council on Women and Girls.

Ging, a bright and savvy businesswoman who launched her first retail location in the Chicago Loop just two months ago, was in excellent company at the event, a celebration of International Women’s History Month. She was surrounded by senators, representatives and governmental advisors as well as the nation’s top female corporate and entrepreneurial talent, all chosen to attend for their exemplary work and achievements. 

The new Council on Women and Girls comprises heads of every Cabinet and Cabinet-level agency. “Its purpose is very simple: to ensure that each of the agencies in which they’re charged takes into account the needs of women and girls in the policies they draft, the programs they create, the legislation they support,” President Obama said in his address. He appointed former Chicagoan and senior administrator Valerie Jarrett to lead the council. Tina Tchen, another senior member of the White House staff, is the council’s executive director.

Ging knows well the career challenges women face; she successfully overcame hurdles of her own. Ging left a career in finance in 2006 to attend Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie program in Paris; when she returned to Chicago, she decided to pursue her entrepreneurial dream. “Because I was a woman, with a single income, a minority, and starting a business at a younger age, I faced obstacles at all stages of starting my business. But I just kept pushing forward and focusing on my goal…to ultimately open my own business and be successful.” 

Ging’s spirit and determination were acknowledged in Jarrett’s speech at the White House. “We are also joined by a successful small-business owner, Teresa Ging, the owner of Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique, from our hometown of Chicago. Teresa was helped along the way by the federally funded Women’s Business Development Center with counseling and financing,” Jarrett noted in her address.

Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique opened its first retail location in January 2009. The inviting, sophisticated shop at 115 N. Wabash Ave., between Macy’s and Millennium Park, serves fresh specialty cupcakes baked from scratch daily in the kitchen on-site, using only high quality, natural ingredients such as European cocoa, Nielsen Massey Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla, and real strawberries, bananas and other fruit. Every extra-moist cupcake is decorated with the Sugar Bliss bloom, a blossom of rich, creamy frosting topped with a signature dot

The always-new menu includes breakfast cupcakes each morning and the famous Sugar Bliss frosting shot, a small cup with a Bliss bloom inside. Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique also offers mini cupcakes, 6-inch custom cakes, cupcake tiers, custom-colored frosting, cupcakes with custom logos and party-favor boxes. Guests can pair any treat with Sugar Bliss Signature Blend coffee, GuS Soda, milk, hot chocolate, tea or bottled water.  

Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique continues to offer delivery and catering services as well. Ging launched the catering and delivery side of the business in October 2007 and has expanded her client base with corporate customers, hotels, event and wedding planners and catering companies. Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique also has participated in a variety of local charity events, including Great Chef’s Tasting (United Cerebral Palsy) and Shopping for Wishes (Make-A-Wish Foundation), and will continue to contribute to Chicago charitable organizations. 

Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique is located at 115 N. Wabash Ave., at the intersection of Washington Street and Wabash in the Chicago Loop. Store hours are 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Below is Teresa at The White House and a picture of the beautiful cupcakes she made for the  Inauguration.

     

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March Madness, Bridal Edition

Greatest Expectations | March 11, 2009

The month of March is full of events to help you “save of the green”.  

Below is an extensive list of events, trunk shows and sales to help you find just the right thing for your wedding day!!

 

Stephen Yearick Trunk Show

March 13-14

At Dimitra’s Couture, 1011 N. Rush St. #3, 312.787.0920

For a gown fit for a princess, Stephen Yearick has exactly what you are looking for!

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Renella De Fina Trunk Show

March 14-15

At Bella Bianca, 17W527 Roosevelt Rd., Oakbrook Terrace, 630.627.4027

Renella De Fina’s spring 2009 collection combines modern flair with the classic elegance of fine European silks and laces. Meet with a designer representative and receive special savings on your gown.  By appointment only. 

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Francia Bridal Sample Sale

March 15-31

At Francia Bridal & Formal Wear Boutique, 47 S. Washington St., Hinsdale, 630.325.4100

From couture bridal gowns to chic bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride dresses, Francia Bridal offers 20 percent off all special orders. By appointment only. 

 

Weddings 826 Sale

March 16-22

At Weddings 826, 826 W. Armitage Ave., 1st Floor, 773.529.8871

Luck isn’t just for the Irish. Come try yours by drawing for a special discount and receive 5-15 percent off your purchase!

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Erica Koesler Trunk Show

March 20-21

At I Do! I Do ! Wedding Accessories, 4704 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL, 773.907.8890

Amazing jewelry, headpieces, veils, and even, hats!! Here’s your chance to get gorgeous wedding accessories that don’t necessarily cost a fortune. Appointments preferred.

A tip from our friends at CS Brides: Mention CSBrides.com and earn 10% off a trunk show purchase.

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Pronovias Trunk Show

March 27-28

At Dimitra’s Couture, 1011 N. Rush St. #3, 312.787.0920

Find the dress of your dreams in the Pronovias collection. Choose from elegantly modern, romantic or bohemian … What ever your style, Pronovias has a dress for you!

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Veils and Vino at The Left Bank Jewelry

March 28-29

At The Left Bank Jewelry & Wedding Shoes, 1155 W. Webster Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 773.929.7422

You already know this is one of our favorite spots … Don’t miss your chance to sip delicious wines served by Sommelier, J. Pinsler and become intoxicated by the gorgeous veil and jewelry accessory collection of Laura Jayne Bridal. Toronto based designer, Laura Patterson will personally be on-hand to showcase her luxurious veils, new hat trends and gorgeous bird cage veils, plus sophisticated hair gems and jewelry inpired by the latest trends. 

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