Mission Makeover- Dinnerware Edition!

Frances & Victor Matheus

35th Wedding Anniversary

Frances & Victor Matheus were married on May 8, 1976, and have been happily betrothed for the past 35 years!  Fran’s brother and Victor were army buddies, and when Victor laid his eyes on Fran it was love at first sight.  From that day on the two were inseparable.

Thirty- five years later, after purchasing a beautiful new dining room table, this lovely couple decided it was also time to update their wedding china. Fran and Victor felt it was time for a dinnerware makeover in order to complement the new look of their dining room and coincide with their current lifestyle.  They decided this was a perfect anniversary gift to themselves. 

Fran brought her Lenox “Fontaine” china into GEARYS, and with the help of our staff she was given a modern makeover by simply adding a few accents of color and texture.  Although their wedding china is no longer their personal taste it is still sentimental.  By using accents of their original wedding china and incorporating different textured chargers, contemporary flatware and colorful linens, we were able to breathe new life into this traditional paisley dinnerware pattern and make it work for their current lifestyle.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Pretty in Pink...

Something Blue...

Think Green...

Check back soon for more of the GEARYS Bridal Dish!

xoxo,

Annie

Bridal Spotlight: A GEARYS Favorite Couple

Mr. & Mrs. Ryan Walch

Allison & Ryan Walch

Married on May 21, 2011

I had the absolute pleasure of spending this past Saturday afternoon with a GEARYS Favorite Couple and their bridal registry consultant, Szilvia.  Allison and Ryan Walch were selected to be featured in our store front window and are an absolutely delightful and down-to–earth couple. 

Their Story: In a Nutshell

Allison, a freelance journalist, and Ryan, a film editor, are native Angelinos born at Ceders Sinai and are coincidentally both TWINS!  They met online and instantly connected.   After happily dating for a year, to the DAY, Ryan decided he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Allison.  The two love-birds took a romantic vacation to Santa Barbara to celebrate their one-year anniversary. On the 3^rd day Ryan awoke Allison at 7am out of excitement to pop the question!  He showed her a video montage that he had made commemorating their first year together, which concluded with the most romantic words… “One year ago today you stole my heart, and every day since has been amazing.”  He then asked for her hand in marriage.  A thrilled and love-struck Allison of course said “yes”.  Ryan later told her that he had bonded with her family over picking out her engagement ring and they had been in on the surprise the entire time! 

Just over 2 years later they are husband and wife and couldn’t possibly be happier and more in love. 

Unlike most bridal couples, Allison and Ryan took an “anti- bridezilla” approach to planning their wedding by letting the public plan the wedding by casting votes!  Like myself (however she is MUCH more seasoned), Allison is a blogger!  She created a blog for the LA Times Magazine called “Plan My Wedding”, where her readers were able to vote on wedding related decisions (ie. her dress, wedding cake, honeymoon destination etc.)  and essentially plan their wedding! 

Check out PLAN MY WEDDING:

Allison’s Former Blog: http://planmywedding.latimesmagazine.com/

KTLA Coverage of Their Wedding: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheAkornberg#p/a/u/0/bb3RZ9OP3jE

Another KTLA clip: http://planmywedding.latimesmagazine.com/2011/04/engaging-you-a-recap-of-your-votes-on-ktla.html

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PlanMyWedding

Twitter: PlanMyWeddingLA and WriteUpUrAli

Allison is currently working on a new blog about the new adventures of married life!  She is an incredibly talented writer and I look forward to following them on their journey as a married couple!

Allison’s New Website:  MRS. Guided http://www.mrsguided.com/

Now onto the REGISTRY!

Before we began the registry redemption process we had our couple pose next to the front store window where they were featured!

View inside the store:

View from the store-front (pardon the slight Glare due to the California sun):

With the help and guidance of their blog followers and our GEARYS bridal registry consultant, Szilvia, they selected a gorgeous pattern by Mottahedeh & Co. for their formal dinnerware.

Chinoise Blue

They chose a delicate Christofle pattern, Royal Cisele, for their flatware to compliment the Chinoise Blue dinnerware.

For their casual, everyday China, they decided upon a classic Juliska pattern, “Berry and Thread” in white.

Allison and Ryan were incredibly sweet and appreciative of the experience that they had during their registry process.  They both mentioned how fortunate they were to have worked with Szilvia who made them appreciate the art of selecting their dinnerware. Also to comprehend that it is more than just dinnerware; it is an investment in their future as a couple.  They look forward to using their new china services at parties with friends, with their children and at their first holiday party, thus viewing it as a window into the future.

Congratulations to Allison and Ryan. 

With love,

Your GEARYS Family. 

Xoxo,

Annie

A Ferrari INSIDE the store, sitting atop Teacups? It’s True!

In celebration of Italy’s 150^th Anniversary of Unification, the city of Beverly Hills is hosting a week long event in conjunction with the annual Father’s Day car show (Concours d’ Elegance) on Rodeo Drive:  La Dolce Vita Beverly Hills!

In honor of this celebration, we decided to participate by bringing in a fabulous collection of Italian Jewelry. To demonstrate the great strength of our fine china we brought a vintage Ferrari (1967 Ferrari 275 GTB) into the store through the front door, and have it displayed placed atop 4 Richard Ginori ‘Fiesole’ Italian porcelain tea cups! 

How did we accomplish this amazing feat? See for yourself….

Watch the VIDEO on youtube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQsnVr45lHs

Ciao Bella!

Annie

A GEARYS Engagement!

Lauren Brucker & Josh Krapf

Engaged on: May 29^th, 2011

Wedding Date: Summer 2012

Happy June Bridal Bloggers!

It is FINALLY summer wedding season, and here at GEARYS we are seeing flurries of people stopping in to select gifts for their friends and family members who are registered here!   In addition to the multitude of weddings that occur during the beautiful California summer, we have also been experiencing a high volume of engagements.  Here at GEARYS, not only do we specialize in bridal registries, we also have a fabulous selection of fine jewelry and often help to facilitate a very sparkly engagement!

 

This adorable GEARYS Bride & Groom have been kind enough to let us blog about them and their GEARYS registry experience, beginning with the RING shopping prior to their engagement. 

Lauren is a native Angeleno whose parents also registered at GEARYS for their wedding 28 years ago.  This makes her one of our many second- generation brides.  Josh was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Together, they made the wise decision to settle on the beautiful west coast after they both graduated from college, starting their lives together as fiancées and soon to be newlyweds. 

Their Story:

Lauren was actually the first to propose, back in the Fall of 2006...

Lauren and Josh met at Indiana University the Saturday night before school started. All of the new freshman were getting used to the college social scene. Lauren and Josh were quickly acclimating to IU life, making friends with anyone and everyone they saw. When they first met, Lauren was convinced that Josh would be her new best friend...little did she know he'd be THE ONE. 

Lauren and Josh took a Hillel Leadership course together once a week during the first semester of their freshman year. Their friendship grew as they sat near each other each week and talked throughout class (no worries, they still did well in class). The class project was to plan a Hanukkah party for the IU freshmen. Lauren was in charge of the activities at the event and suggested creating a marriage booth. 

Lauren thought it would be a funny idea to have a "secret admirer" leave notes by Josh's dorm room leading up to the Hanukkah party. Lauren secretly left a note and a Ring Pop by Josh's door that said: 

                          "Will You Marry Me? 

                              Love, ???" 

Josh DID marry Lauren at the marriage booth at McNutt Dorm in the fall of 2006. 

Now, they can't wait to get married (for real) and start a life together. 

And this time, the ring isn't pipe-cleaner.

Josh proposed to Lauren just 2 weeks ago during a very romantic Memorial Day weekend getaway.  He surprised Lauren by popping the question on a sunrise stroll along the beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 

A few months ago, with the thought of engagement looming on the horizon, Lauren and Josh began their ring shopping.  The happy couple came into GEARYS for a consultation with one of our fine jewelry specialists who explained the science behind the sparkle… the 4 C’s

Color, Carat, Cut  & Clarity

Jewelry Specialist, Deborah gave Lauren and Josh a fun show-and-tell while explaining the 4 C’s.

Clarity & Carat Weight

Different Cuts of Diamonds

We sized Lauren’s finger so that Josh would propose with a ring that fits perfectly…which, of course he did!

We are so excited for Lauren and Josh and look forward to working with them when they come back in to register! 

Wishing you both heart-felt congratulations on your engagement from your GEARYS family!

Xoxo,

Annie (aka “Maid of Honor”)

FASHION WEEK!

“Amethyst is the new Black” 

New York Tabletop Show 2011

41 Madison Avenue

Welcome back bridal bloggers!

We have been very busy here at GEARYS going through all the new product that was introduced 2 weeks ago to our buyers Peter & Wendy at the annual New York Tabletop show at 41 Madison in New York City.  Our Senior Buyer, Wendy, and Vice President, Peter, had the privilege of going to view the new merchandise in person and hand selected what we will be bringing into the store.

The New York Tabletop show is the equivalent to “Fashion Week” for luxury dinnerware and giftware.  Naturally, it is very important for us to stay fashionable and on top of the current dinnerware and giftware trends. Our buyers attend this show every year, as well as travel the world, to get a sneak peek at the new and exciting merchandise being introduced for the upcoming season! 

Wendy was thrilled with the new introductions and noticed a fabulous trend this season… PURPLE!  Many different brands have introduced new collections in a variety of shades of purple this year.

 

Lavender, Amethyst, Plum… PURPLE!

We have already begun ordering this marvelous new burst of colored merchandise and here is a preview of what’s to come!

Lavender:

VERSACE by Rosenthal

“Le Grand Divertissement”

This new collection was inspired by the luxurious galas held by the French Royal Court of Louis XIV. 

Amethyst:

William Yeoward Crystal

Country Amethyst Collection

William Yeoward Crystal introduced a collection of glass giftware and beverage pieces in their Country line in a deep rich amethyst color. This collection has already landed in our store, so feel free to stop in and peruse!  This has been such a hot collection for us that it keeps flying off the shelves!

Plum:

Juliska

“Country Estate” Dinnerware & “Colette Plum” Glassware

Juliska introduced a new toile English country life themed dinnerware pattern, “Country Estate” which is designed to mix with their Colette Plum hand pressed glassware. The delicate hues of gray and plum intermingle harmoniously, resulting in a gorgeous table setting.

Purple:

Royal Limoges

“Plumario”

This fresh, feathery dinnerware pattern mixes emerald green and purple with different textures and patterns to create a modern and contemporary splash of color for the table. 

I hope you all enjoyed this preview of what’s to come this summer!  Please stop by the store to see the merchandise in person. 

Remember…“Amethyst is the new Black”

Xoxo,

Annie