Trufflepig Travel: Memory Making Company

In 2004, Charlie Scott, Greg Sacks and Jack Dancy came together to form the Toronto-based travel company Trufflepig Travel Inc. These three young men have a mountain of travel experience in 50 different countries and pride themselves on being able to sniff out the best of a destination in the 30 countries where they operate. Trip planners dig deep and get to know their clients through wide-ranging discussions on travel preferences, habits, budget and timing.  Consequently, itineraries are uniquely customized for a client’s every need and desire. Each trip begins with a clean slate and is never “off the shelf.”

Trufflepig is straightforward, transparent and customizable for the travel planning needs of individuals, families or small groups. This company believes that travel is about enriching your life, creating memories with your loved ones, and engaging the world at large! They work their hardest to make your vacation the most memorable you have ever had.

Trufflepig’s online magazine, “The Sounder,” is accessible online at www.trufflepig.com/sounder and is full of insight and inspiration for every traveler. In February 2012, Trufflepig was recognized as a “Top Traveler Specialist” in Europe by Conde Nest Traveler .

For more information, or inquiries for planning your next memory, contact:

Charlie Scott Trufflepig Travel, Inc.

www.trufflepig.com

curious@trufflepig.com

Tel: 416-628-1273

Tell them Curtain Up Events sent you!

xoxo,

Danielle

Things We Love: BITE Beauty

We are hooked on this new line of natural products from BITE Beauty. Bite Beauty is a collection of lip products designed for today’s woman, fusing alluring color with the age-defying benefits of powerful antioxidants. Derived from natural and food grade ingredients, Bite is beauty that’s better for you.

Ranging from matte to creamy to sheer shades in every hue, from modern nudes to provocative plums, Bite Beauty offers an option
for every occasion.  They also offer a range of buildable coverage, from a semi-sheer balm to a dramatic, matte cream.
Women apply lipstick an average of five times a day. Lips are licked, lipstick is absorbed. That’s why Bite believes lipstick should be
good enough to eat.
With a focus on lips, Bite Beauty proves you don’t have to sacrifice performance for a product made from nature. Bite’s luxurious
feel comes from organic shea and fruit butters, without the use of polybutenes and petroleum byproducts. All of the colorants that
make Bite so richly pigmented are food grade and made with entirely natural ingredients.
Several of the products contain concentrated whole super fruits, such as acai, cranberry, blueberry and pomegranate to protect,
nourish and condition skin. So delicious, you’ll want to take a bite.

Don’t just take my word for it . . . Try it out!!
Bite Beauty is available in select Sephora stores and www.sephora.com.

xoxo,

Danielle

Things We Love: Kate Spade

We’re back!!  I know, we’ve been MIA and neglecting our blog.  We come back to you today with a new blog series: Things We Love.  Today we are featuring the new selection of bridal accouterments from Kate Spade.  We love Kate for her stylish whimsy and 50′s/60′s flair.  Let us know what you think!  Click the link above (Kate’s name) or check out a couple of our favorites below.

All images courtesy of KateSpade.com

xoxo,

Danielle

Dress of the Week: Sarah Jassir

Last week we featured one of Sarah Jassir‘s gowns for our Dress of the Week. As promised, here is the second feature from her Opulence Fall 2012 Collection. This ensemble is not only one of a kind, but also sets a very high bar for those who want to succeed it. This tuxedo is properly named Regal, defined as, “of, resembling, or fit for a monarch, especially in being magnificent or dignified.” With this design Sarah Jassir commemorates one of New York’s greatest achievements: legalizing same-sex marriages. This is one big step into the future of eventually making same-sex marriages legal throughout the United States.

Courtesy of Sarah Jassir

The Regal, a classic silk taffeta tuxedo with beaded tulle blouse, was the opening design presented at Sarah Jassir’s show. The statement was immediate and breathtaking. Later there was an eruption of applause and cheers as the show concluded with the Regal tuxedo and Celestial gown striding down the aisle together.

We greatly applaud Sarah Jassir and her fashion statement. This tuxedo not only looks stunning beside the beautiful traditional gown, but also represents a principle one can proudly espouse.

xoxo,
Kiki

Dress of the Week: Sarah Jassir

This week’s Dress of the Week feature goes out to someone who not only creates amazing ensembles but also showcases them with a cause. We are going to do a two week feature with designer Sarah Jassir. Danielle was very fortunate to be able to attend Jassir’s fashion show and see her Opulence Fall 2012 collection up close and personal! Our pick for this week is called: Celestial.

Courtesy of Sarah Jassir

The Celestial gown is a strapless beaded silk organza ball-gown.

Which one of her dresses would you wear on your big day?

Also, can you guess what message Sarah Jassir is expressing through her collection? Be sure to check out the answer in her second Dress of the Week feature next week!

xoxo,
Kiki

Organize the Holidays

Things can get overwhelming during this hectic, holly-jolly time of year.  That’s why we here at CUE call upon the expertise of Lisa Zaslow (www.GothamOrganizers.com) to keep us at our very best.  Here are her tips for a stress free, organized holiday season:

GothamOrganizers Holiday Survival Tips

“Holidays are an expensive trial of strength. The only satisfaction comes from survival.”

– Jonathan Miller

Bah humbug Mr. Miller! The holidays should be a time to feel blessed, not stressed!. Follow these tips to save time, effort and energy this holiday season!

First, stop beating yourself up for not picking up gifts for everyone on your list all year long and for not having your cards addressed before Thanksgiving. This is the home stretch – time to focus your efforts on what you can do.

* Presto Presents – Technology is your friend. Use the power of the internet to pick, click and ship gifts for everyone on your list, from clients to cousins. Gift certificates to sites like Amazon.com, Gap.com and CrateandBarrel.com will appeal to a wide range of folks. If you must get actual presents, hit a few big stores at off-hours and knock off many items on your list in one shot.

 

* Wrap It Up – Why wrap? I’m a big fan of tissue paper and gift bags. They’re super-speedy and no tape, ribbon or scissors needed.

 

* Go-to Hostess Gifts – One for all and all for one. Get a slew of one great item – a nice bottle of olive oil, beautiful kitchen towels, fancy nuts and/or chocolate, or the tried and true gift soaps or bottle of wine. Pick up a bunch of gift bags and you’re good to go.

 

* Speedy Decorating – Go minimalist. Candles are quick, inexpensive and festive. And you can use them year-round and don’t have to store them.

 

* Feast Without Fuss– Let someone else cook. Put pre-prepared foods on nice serving dishes with a little garnish and no one will be the wiser. Ask your guests to contribute dishes and lighten your cooking load. You can hire a caterer to cook entire meals or just a few key dishes.

 

* Quick Cards – Again, technology is your friend. Cut and paste a photo into an e-mail and you’re done, or send an electronic card at egreetings.com or similar sites. If you really love the idea of sending actual cards, you can extend your deadline by a few extra days and send New Year’s cards this time around.

One last note

Take a deep breath and remember that the true spirit of the season doesn’t require any of the above. Spend your time with friends and loved ones, not running around trying to fulfill an idealized vision of the holidays that may not fit your current lifestyle. Happy holidays!

* * *

 

Lisa Zaslow, founder of Gotham Organizers, has helped hundreds of people get organized at work and at home. Her expertise has been featured on The Nate Berkus Show, Inside Edition and in numerous publications including The New York Times, Real Simple, and InStyle. Get Lisa’s super-easy organizing tips at www.GothamOrganizers.com

© 2011 Lisa Zaslow. All rights in all media reserved.

Thankful

I love Thanksgiving.  For me, it’s the beginning of the most wonderful, warm and joyful time of year.  For us here at CUE it’s also a day to breathe before the busy holiday season takes over.

This year I am thankful for so many things.  I am thankful for my amazing daughter, my loving husband and a family who stick by me and support me through good times and bad.  I am thankful for my wonderful clients who make every day an adventure, my outstanding team who work so hard to make it all look so easy, and for all of the incredible vendors who make my job that much better.
We here at CUE wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and would love to hear from all of you about what you’re thankful for this year.

xoxo,
Danielle

Dress of the Week: Kirstie Kelly Couture

To follow up on our Dress of the Week: Tara Keely, we found the perfect dress designed by Kirstie Kelly Couture that bridesmaids can proudly wear next to the lovely bride. It is no secret that black is the latest color of choice for many weddings. It is a bold, elegant statement that looks great on anyone! This dress was picked from the latest collection and is just one of many great dresses Kirstie Kelly has to offer!

                                            
Courtesy of Kirstie Kelly

This is a strapless chiffon empire gown with a pleated bust and flower detail. Kirstie Kelly calls this dress “Ebony.”

How many of you chose the color black to be part of your wedding?

xoxo,
Kiki 

{CUE Real Corporate Event}: Informatica 2011

After our numerous CUE Real Wedding posts, the girls at CUE thought it was a real treat when we received the opportunity to share with you our new CUE Real Corporate Event featuring Informatica.

This was CUE’s third annual collaboration with Informatica! We were hired not only for our planning expertise, but for our keen eye for design. The Estrela Penthouse at Le Parker Meridien NY is a beautiful space with gorgeous views.  Our task was to divide the room into two: one side dedicated as a meeting space and the other for a cocktail reception.

Inspired by the event title, The Decadence, we positioned huge blocks of decadent chocolate across the reception tables as centerpieces. There was also a chocolate fountain and a delicious chocolate cake created by Nine Cakes all perfectly complemented by Warre’s Vintage Porto.

Immensely popular were miniature omelets prepared by chefs from Norma’s restaurant at Le Parker Meridian, famous for its Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata which is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s most expensive omelet at $1000.

All of these components played into the decadent theme. Here are some photos taken throughout the event:

Venue: Le Parker Meridian New York Hotel

Florist: Spina De’fiori

Photography: Bree Michael Warner

Chocolate Cake: Nine Cakes

Chocolate Fountain: Divalicious Chocolate

Designer: Curtain Up Events

It was such a pleasure working with Informatica again and we look forward to working with them for years to come.

xoxo,
Kiki 

Dress of the Week: Justin Alexander

This is another great dress to add to our weekly Dress of the Week collection. It was designed by Justin Alexander. He takes a traditional wedding dress and transforms it into something simple yet fun and flirty just by cutting the skirt a couple of inches.

Photos Courtesy of Justin Alexander

This 1950′s style tea length gown has a gorgeous Sabrina neckline. It’s embroidered, satin, cut-out lace is accented with a cummerbund Silk Dupion band adorned with a crystal brooch adorned bow at the natural waist. This gown also has a keyhole back fastened with covered buttons.

Justin Alexander’s creation is something right out of a  fairy tale. What was your favorite dress growing up?

xoxo,
Kiki