Weddings This Spring with Lydia Ross

LLD knows we're all hoping for spring to... well "SPRING" into action. February is over and it's almost time for spring break. What's on the calendar for spring you ask?? Well we heard weddings weddings and more weddings! For the inside scoop on what to expect this spring,  expert Lydia Ross spoke with us about trends in wedding fashion and decor this spring as well as why she felt so inspired to become involved in event planning. For moms who have older kids, and sitters that want to tie the not, keep tuned!

Tell us what is in for this seasons spring wedding?

Brides are still taking cues from last year’s Royal Wedding and recent fashion trends and include covering up more with long sleeves, cap sleeves, straps, etc. More and more brides are deciding to take a break from the ubiquitous strapless dress.  We’ll likely see brides incorporating color or patterns in their attire.  For décor, I think we’ll see movement in two different directions. Recently the rustic wedding has been popular, but I think we’ll start to see a lot more modern, stream-lined décor or weddings inspired by The Artist and the upcoming The Great Gatsby, with retro or garden-party inspired looks!

What has been your favorite wedding memory so far?

One of my favorite wedding memories is from an Indian-Western wedding I did a few years ago.  The groom’s father had lent the bride’s mother his late wife’s jewelry to wear for the traditional Indian ceremony.  Minutes before departing for the ceremony, the bride’s mother went to put on the earrings and found that the posts were too thick.  I was wearing my favorite pair of earrings – an inexpensive set of sparkly, flower-shaped studs from Anthropologie – and they matched her sari perfectly, so without hesitation I handed them over.  While the wedding wouldn’t have been ruined had she not had earrings to wear, being able to immediately calm those pre-ceremony jitters with such a simple offering – and their thanks for my doing so – reminded me why I do this. Now I wear the earrings to every wedding… just in case!

How did you first get involved in events & weddings? Did you always want to go out on your own?

I have wanted to be a wedding planner since I was little.  Really little.  I got my first subscription to Brides when I was in second grade!  But, after college I followed a more traditional career path and became a marketing consultant.  After the crisis of 2008 I had a chance to reevaluate what I really wanted to do with my life, and with a little encouragement from my friends and family I decided to try wedding planning.  I started out as a volunteer at a bridal expo – stuffing gift bags for attendees – and from there I got an unpaid internship with a firm in the city.  From there I’ve expanded into social, corporate, and non-profit events. The rest is history!

A few of our sitters are getting married. How can the newly engaged get more info about you?

Prospective brides can check out my website to get more information on my services, view photos of some of my past weddings, and read my blog to see what’s interesting me lately.  I’m also always available via email at Lydia@lydiarossevents.com or by phone at 203.243.0035.

eco-friendly baby shower & birthday party invitations

Since we are on the topic of baby showers and birthday parties, when you are ready to be the hostess, where do you start?

The invitations of course!

I came across Paper Culture from one of my LLD member moms.  Paper Culture is a modern eco-friendly stationary company that brings a unique twist to boring stuff that reads like a resume.  They pride themselves on providing clean, fresh modern aesthetic. Developed by parents themselves they truly care about the environment and the future state of the planet for our children.

Click here for eco baby shower invitations; girl, boy and gender neutral.

Click here for birthday party invitations; kids birthdays, girl or boy, photo birthday invites or adult parties.

Hear what Parenting Magazine, Cool Mom Picks and Daily Candy has to say about Paper Culture here!

Things to do this weekend in PHILLY!

 Philly has SO much to offer for local families ... Here what one of our wonderful sitters Brittany B  rates as her top 3 rated family friendly places:

1. Please Touch Museum- it's a museum for kids! They offer so much for all ages of children to do. A great event for families and kids or kids and their babysitters to attend would be the Story Book Ball which takes place on Saturday April 21st from 6-9PM. The event happens to be a fundraiser all proceeds will go to the museum's new program "Play Without Boundaries" which helps all children of socio-economic backgrounds, especially children with disabilities, enjoy new ways of learning at the museum and in their community. In the meantime the museum is hosting "Story Time in the Story Castle" Sunday the 4th at 12:30 and 3:30. 
2. World Cafe Live- it's the home of WXPN a radio station here in Philly but they always have concerts and events for families. Their most popular events for families and kids is called Peanut Butter and Jams. A kid friendly artists usually a musician puts on a show for children and their parent(s) every weekend. 
3. The Franklin Institute- Best Place for kids to explore, learn and have a great time. The best part of the Franklin Institute is the IMAX theater which shows great educational yet really exciting films. 

Brittany B comes to LLD referred by one of our LLD families in ny. She is both gracious and kind with a slew of Childcare experience!

How do I know which doctor is BEST for my child?

Parents often question which doctor they should choose to help manage their child's Anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and an interesting and often mis-diagnosed disorder called PANDAS (a disorder where children develop sudden onset OCD behaviors and tics from STREP). They have been trying to cope by reading books, online blogs, and getting advice from their friends and loved ones. When they feel that their child is not getting better, they determine that they need to take things to the next level and seek professional help. How do families know where to go and which is doctor is BEST for them?

I encourage families to check out Stefanie Weiss at ASK STEFANIE.  The mother of three children 10, 8 and 5 helps families select the appropriate psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, or pediatrician based on a families needs. Every child’s personality is different, therefore they respond differently to different people. Stefanie interviews each doctor personally, so she can help parents choose who would be the best fit for their child. It is hard enough to get a child to open up emotionally to a stranger, especially one they don’t relate to. Stefanie makes this process so much easier! She is a true hand-holder, guiding parents through the entire process. Parents anxieties are alleviated the moment they walk in the door.

Stefanie is warm, charismatic, and very easy to relate to. She has relationships with many doctors all over New York City and Long Island. She truly takes her time with each family, helping navigate the process as well as giving parents great tips and advice on how to handle friends, relatives, and teachers. Her concierge service is truly one of a kind! One day when you need it, you will be glad that you have her number in your back pocket!

Check out www.askstefanie.com and join her on twitter @askstefanie.

LLD introduces Wellyfish!

A friend of mine called on me last night to introduce me to Wellyfish, the best in wellness deals in NYC & Los Angeles.


They are introducing A Midwife’s Gift pregnancy packs for each trimester.

Wellyfish, the new, trendy conscious deal site, has partnered with Shop Vital Child, creator of the meticulously designed A Midwife's Gift pregnancy baskets, for its exclusive launch. Devoted to the optimal health of pregnant women and their babies, these one-of-a-kind baskets are up to 32% off for 3 days only at wellyfish.com. 

There are three different basket options for each trimester to choose from, (Princess, Queen, & Goddess), and all include a generous array of cutting edge, safe, and effective natural health supplements. Supporting women from pregnancy to labor to post-childbirth... all in one beautiful basket! 

And here is a sneak peek of what is included inside each pack!

Ginger Honey Tonic
Heather's Tummy Organic Fennel Tea Bags

Perfect Prenatal
Algal Oil Omega 3 EPA/DHA

Decadently Healthy Raw Chocolates

Organic Raspberry Tea
Dr. Ohira's Probiotics
Oh baby!™ belly butter
Bone Strength Take Care (Calcium)
The Ultimate Pregnancy Journal
Organic Hemp Seed (Protein/Omega 3's)
Max B-ND (B-Complex)
Ina Mae Gaskin Guide To Child birth
Vitamineral Green Version 5
Quinton Hypertonic

Ola Loa Sport Drink & much more!

For more information visit Wellyfish.

Stumped on what to get for the perfect birthday present??

Now that you have your shower gifting complete time to get that unique birthday gift that everyone talks about!

Lets say you have a birthday party for 3 yr old boy, where should you start?

Start with a Splendid brand pull over hoodie striped in blue perfect for spring break and the beach. This vacation must have is both soft and comfy, click here for more info.

Pair it with khaki shorts, jeans or my favorite navy cargo pants. Check out the cargo pants here, they go with almost anything and are comfy enough to play around in.

Go with Melissa & Doug's Band in a Box. It comes fully equipped with 5 different instruments where your child can pretend to host a concert, throw a performance for the family, have a playdate or start a band. Perfect for kids 3+ yrs.

Budget total $140

Bundle NYC down in Soho is both fresh and welcoming!

All items can be purchased at Bundle NYC, the quaint boutique downtown. Need more convincing? Ask Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, Alicia keys or Pink who are all recent shoppers.

Get Your Must Have Baby Shower Gift!

Behind on your shopping for your line-up of baby showers this spring?

Here is our LLD Approved top pick for your next " its a girl" baby shower!

Angel Dear gowns are quick and easy for a diaper change, good for girls and boys and best yet it covers the entire leg so your lil' one doesn't get cold.  The ensemble  comes with lil' cap too. Pick between the adorable  birdie print in pink, owls in white & grey or elephants  in blue.

Since spring break is around the corner don't forget to include a Jack Webster Passport Holder for those kiddies that already love to travel.

And to complete the gift go with the Little Giraffe muslin swaddling blanket set, a Rachel Zoe favorite. This breathable blanket offers sun protection and shade while you swaddle your baby to help them sleep, like they are back in the whom.

Budget total: Only $103!

LLD Founder Lindsay Bell & Bundle Owner Allison O'Neill

 
All items can be purchased at Bundle NYC, the quaint boutique downtown. Need more convincing? Ask Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, Alicia keys or Pink who are all recent shoppers.

Happy gifting!