Got The Ring

A bride after my own heart....

2009-09-26T19:06:00.000-07:00

General Hospital's Maxie Jones (played by the dazzling Kirsten Storms) is no doubt one of the most fashion-forward characters on television. As an editor at a couture fashion magazine, she's always wearing inspiring threads and debuting cutting-edge hair styles.

It was only natural that her wedding gown would be jaw dropping. What was unexpected, however, was the vintage birdcage and jewel encrusted veil. Hello GLAMOUR! Best dressed TV bride of the season. Heck, best dressed bride in reality, too!

I was a bridesmaid this past weekend

2009-06-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

(I love the light in the reception!)

My friend tied the knot this past weekend. She had a church ceremony and celebration at the Manor in West Orange.

I must say, with all the prestige behind the venue's moniker, I was a tad bit let town. The food at cocktail hour was ok. The only thing that made me swoon was the quesadillas (the best I ever had anywhere!). The sushi was a bit stale looking, so I avoided that. There was however, a grand array of cheeses which delighted many.

The entrees were fab. I loved the poached salmon and preferred it over the salmon at my Knoll Country Club wedding. But perhaps that's because each was prepared different.

The grounds of the Manor are stunning and made me want to remarry in another garden ceremony there! Anyone considering an outdoor wedding, deff. check out the Manor.

I can't say I'm in favor of it for a reception set-up however.

During the post-nuptial party, the bar was actually a rolling tray (think airplane food cart) set up in-between the aisle of tables. I couldn't help but wonder why the actual bar (one raised level up) was only used during the Venetian desserts, which by the way was delish' (though not as grand as the Knoll Country Club's dessert display).

All in all, it was a good time.

The best primer revealed!

2009-06-21T08:57:00.001-07:00

When I got engaged back in 2007, I became obsessed with making sure I had a flawless face. But even the monthly facial appointments won't rescue your skin from an oily takeover. However, Laura Mercier primer will!

I tried it all-from Smashbox to Mac and have found Laura Mercier primer to keep my foundation on for a full day. It's heaven sent and available at department or makeup specialty stores (Sephora, anyone?) for about $30. Don't fret, it's worth every penny!

Brides Star in their own Magazine by Joelle

2009-03-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

Introducing Magazines by Joelle

New Jersey newlywed, Joelle Batelli, has launched a custom publishing company offering brides and grooms the opportunity to star in their own magazine. Magazines by Joelle creates full-color, glossy booklets featuring the couple and provides an eye-catching alternative to standard programs, save-the-dates and thank-yous.

Many bridal companies offer “custom” stationery choices- but in many cases, all “custom” means is choosing the color ribbon and font style to adorn fancy stationery.
For Magazines by Joelle, “custom” stands for something that no one else will have but the couple placing the order.

They are on the cover. Their memories are showcased on each page and the motif of their big day is incorporated into their magazine. The result is a keepsake that guests--not just the mothers of the bride and groom--will take home instead of toss in the trash.

A MAGAZINE BY JOELLE CAN:

• Be a save-the-date or invitation. This is an ideal option for destination weddings because the bride & groom can include hotel information and tourism options for guests.
• Tell the couple’s love story- from the courtship to the proposal and all the defining moments in between.
• Spotlight the couple’s pets. This is a stress-free way for couples to include beloved pets in their special day.
• Include a list of the bride and groom’s favorite things or little known facts.
• Express appreciation for their families.
• Be an outlet to promote a cause. Couples who choose to donate to an organization in lieu of giving favors can further promote a cause close to their hearts through their Magazine by Joelle.
• Be sent as a thank-you. This is a great way to share the professional photos from the event with guests. Include behind-the-scenes moments and even photos of your guests dancing the night away. Imagine their excitement when they open a Magazine by Joelle thank-you and see a photo of themselves inside!

For even more ideas visit www.magazinesbyjoelle.com
E-mail hello@magazinesbyjoelle.com for a free sample magazine.

MEET JOELLE:

It was only natural for Joelle (Caputa) Batelli to create magazines for her wedding program and thank-you.

Prior to her 2007 engagement to hair stylist Michael Batelli, Joelle celebrated her eighth year as an editor. Never one to sit back and wait for life to unfold, Joelle made her dreams happen.

She wasn’t content with waiting until she graduated from college to begin her career as a music journalist, so she launched her own magazine (Planet Verge). Joelle made such an impact that Teen People (RIP) magazine noticed and ran a full-page feature on her as a future industry mogul in its 2005 Hot Summer Music issue.

Soon after, Joelle decided it was time to help talented indie artists get the recognition they deserve. Putting her knack for networking to use, she formed Audio Crush PR. As a publicist, Joelle has worked with acclaimed burgeoning acts from the USA and UK. Joelle has created press campaigns that have brought her clients to the attention of major labels (The Parlor Mob signed to Capitol Records & Val Emmich to Bluhammock Music). She’s successfully pitched them to prestigious publications including The New York Times and landed them on the covers of vital indie monthlies.

It’s evident that whatever her target is, Joelle runs (albeit on caffeine) full speed ahead and hits her goal.

While planning her wedding, Joelle enveloped herself in every little detail- from seating cards to centerpieces. That’s when she got the idea to make her own wedding program. She couldn’t justify spending thousands of dollars on fancy paper that guests were just going to throw out. She wanted a program to share pictures of her and Micheal; something in which she could incorporate their dogs, Skye and Lucky, into the ceremony.

She had just recently introduced a magazine press kit service to her music clients. She figured; why not make magazines for her wedding programs and thank-yous? And why not offer it to other trendsetting brides?

She did.

# # #

Contact:
Joelle Batelli
973-342-3259
hello@magazinesbyjoelle.com
www.magazinesbyjoelle.com

Wedding Channel

2009-01-26T16:03:00.001-08:00

We're on WeddingChannel.com!

Official Online Debut!

2009-01-21T08:05:00.001-08:00

Event Program Example

2009-01-20T19:09:00.000-08:00

I just finished an event program for Fashion A Cure-- a great music and fashion show that benefits the American Cancer Society. Take a look!

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For more info: www.myspace.com/fashionacure

Skin Care Advice from an Expert

2009-01-03T14:05:00.000-08:00

For those of you who read my previous skin care blog and want even more skin care tips, I recommend you read The Glam Fairy's blog.

Alexa Prisco is a MAC certified makeup artist and she often posts skin care tips on her site:

http://www.theglamfairy.com/blogger.html

Head over there now to find out what moisturizer you should be using to combat this wintery weather!

PS-- Alexa did my wedding day airbrush makeup and I will be writing more about her soon!

Enjoy!

Face It- You Must Prepare Your Skin MONTHS BeforeYour Wedding

2009-01-03T13:13:00.000-08:00

Ladies,

Grab a pen and paper because I am about to reveal to you a beauty tip that you will continue to use even after your wedding!

In a small bowl, mix small amounts of the following ingredients:

flour

freshly squeezed lime juice

grated cucumber

a tiny tiny tint drop of Greek olive oil (you can substitute fresh mango or avacado here but since I have allergies to those, my facalist advised olive oil.

One eveything is mixed together, apply to your freshly washed face and leave on for 20 minutes.

Rinse off with cold water.

Repeat this all natural skin care routine twice a week and you will see improvements in your skin!

Here's why:

The cucumber brings vitamin A to your skin.

The lime juice eats away bacteria that causes blemishes.

HELPFUL TIP: Make sure you wash your face with ICE COLD water.

About four months before my wedding, I started getting facial treatments monthly (bi-monthly the month of my wedding). My amazing facalist (Ena at Thomas Alexander Salon & Spa in West Paterson, NJ) told me this tip and promised I would see improvements in my skin if I followed her suggestions.

Besides the mini at-home facial listed above, she told me to always wash my face with cold water.

Hot water, you see, opens up your pores and lets in chemicals from shampoos, etc.

Even after you shower with hot water and apply makeup- you guessed it- your pores are open and suseptible for bacteria.

MUST-HAVE PRODUCT LINE:

I soared through my teenage years pimple free. As soon as I turned 21, I started breaking out. I saw a dermatologist (Cheryl Ackerman in Glen Ridge, NJ) who prescribed creams, clensers, antibiotiocs, etc. It worked- as long as I stayed on them. And honestly, she is a very nasty woman who doesn't even look you in the eye when you're in her office, so I chose to never go back. And well, finding another derm doc who didn't have a three-hour waiting time in his/her office was impossible.

So Pro Active it was! The commercials won me over. The sulfer face mask worked wonders. But the company never shipped out my order on time and I was still breaking out significantly. Ena says Pro Active is best for 16 year-old boys!

That's when I stopped playing games and went into serious skin care mode the minute I got engaged.

Ena, my life-changing facialist, told me to buy Eucerin products (my derm doc had me buy CeraVe, which burned my face). I would never have thought of this because I dont' have Rosaca. However, I have super senstive skin and the licorice root (listed as "Licochalcone" in ingredients) calms and soothes skin.

I use the face wash (cold water, remember!) along with both day & night moisturisers and have had no need to visit my dermatolgist.

Of course, I have devised my own over-the-counter skin care system that includes swipping Neutrogena Rapid Clear treatment pads across my face twice a day and applying Clearasil tinted adult creme on any inflamations at night.

(You can try Biore face wipes, but I didn't find that they removed dirt and makeup as thouroughly as the Neutrogena, which seems to work as well as my dermatologist precibed pledgets.)

I've even been running out to the store- gasp- with no makeup on!

So thank you, Ena, and here's to all you brides walking down the aisle with clear faces!

PS-- Another benefit to getting facials before your wedding is that you will have perfect skin for your honeymoon. Nothing is worse than wearing concealer to the beach!

Proof:

Bare natural on the beach in Antigua with my hubby.

No foundation here-- just shimmering bronzer!

****PLEASE NOTE: When applying the lime juice face mask, you may experience reddness on your face once you wach everything off. I also discovered that cucumber bothers my skin, so I only leave the mask on for about 5 minutes, rather than 20. So if you experience any of that, relax, you'll be fine!)

Start Spreading the News!

2008-12-26T13:22:00.001-08:00

In this social networking world, it's only natural for engaged couples to create their own wedding web site.

Try www.ewedding.com.

It's fast and free, unless you choose to upgrade.

The template designs are clean and colorful. The intros even include animation.

This site also allows you to create polls and quizzes. This is a fun way for your guests and future family members to get to know more about you!

Other cool features:

RSVP management
Custom domain name
Photo albums
Audio & Video

Get Retro Chic with Milli Starr

2008-12-26T12:31:00.000-08:00

Milli Starr creates custom millinery fashion that will make you feel like you walked out of The Notebook.

For instance, the 40's Halo:

There's something for every season and perhaps the most important occasion in a woman's life- her wedding day.

The Greta (above) is a 1920's style headband of period trims, woven silk ribbons and embroidered purple flowers centered with rhinestones, on a 1" ivory silk ribbon. It comes with a removable veil, so you can even wear this after you walk down the aisle. This option will keep hippie bride happy!

The Gilda is a 1920's French millinery plume of metallic straw in silver, pink, and olive green, with large pearl and iridescent bugle bead dangles. A wispy white ostrich feather peeks from behind with pink and green Swarovski crystals along its spine. If you're set on wearing a veil for the ceremony, this vintage score is perfect for the reception.

Buy now: http://www.millihats.com

Welcome!

2008-12-23T21:21:00.000-08:00

Thanks for checking out GOT THE RING, the official bridal blog from Magazines by Joelle.

There's lots of fun stuff in store, including money saving tips for budget savy brides and important things... like where to buy unique bridal accessories!

Stay tuned!

*Joelle