Cocooning Coordinators

We Wedding Coordinators have highly stressful jobs, so to create a balance for ourselves we are constantly on the look out for places to relieve our stress. Recently I came across a new urban day spa name Cocoon in downtown San Francisco. The name caught my attention, and I fell in love with its chic brown and pink logo. I called them up to inquire about a mani/pedi session and found myself chatting with the owner, Sarah Redmond. Sarah invited me into her spa and indulged me in their famous Cocoon Manicure. It started off with an exfoliating hand scrub, followed by nail and cuticle care, steam, paraffin dip and some serious massaging. I was in heaven.

Not only was the experience amazing, but the outcome was beyond any manicure I've ever gotten in my life and I've been to some pretty top spas in the world! Vicky was the devoted manicurist that serviced me that day, and I was thoroughly impressed. Never had my nails looked SO perfect!

Sarah also gave me a thorough tour of her spa. They have a neat retail corner featuring local designers, a yoga area with highly seasoned instructors, waxing rooms, facial rooms, and single/couple massage rooms. I noticed the cleanliness in every corner, and the serene environment to help their customers truly relax.

When it came time to plan a small baby shower for my fellow colleague, Alice Grisez of Grisez & Co., I immediately selected Cocoon. It was the perfect opportunity to get my group of Wedding Coordinators together to share a special afternoon. The wedding season is already in full swing, and we all need some pampering!

Upon arrival we were offered champagne and strawberries. We selected our polish colors and flopped down on their spacious, comfy reclining seats. Ahhhh, a moment of relaxation! We all enjoyed our own mani/pedi treatments while we caught up with each other's lives, and helped Alice celebrate the wonderful journey ahead of her. After that, we headed downstairs to Local Kitchen, a restaurant and wine bar that serves fresh, Californian cuisine. The truffle and parmesan fries are out of this world, and they have very interesting wine selections! It's the perfect place to lunch with your girlfriends after an amazing mani/pedi session!

www.cocoonurbandayspa.com
www.local-sf.com


Jean and Morgan with their champagne and Jenne modeling in her new hat!

Alice opening up her gifts and our group (from left to right) Jenne, Rebekah, Jean, Me, Alice, Morgan

Jenne, Morgan and Alice relaxing and the beautiful outcome of our pedicures!

New York, New York

Before the wedding season kicks into high gear for me, I had to sneak one more trip in....

I chose the Big Apple this time!

It was a fabulous four days spent with my sister, who happened to be there on a business trip from Hong Kong. I brought my laptop with me and worked at the hotel while she was working at her office. We both vowed (and kept it) to get off promptly at 5pm and met up for drinks and a bit of shopping before indulging ourselves in extraordinary restaurants. Some highlights of this trip:

1. No touristy stuff for me. Been there, done that. This was all about R & R, sister-to-sister bonding time, and great food.....all surrounding a somewhat 'regular' work day for us remotely from our offices!

2. We visited the flagship store of FAO Schwarz, with the intention to bring home special gifts for our daughters but surprised ourselves by coming out empty handed! Still, it was fun to see stuff animals twice our size.

3. We visited small boutiques on SOHO and Nolita, and rewarded ourselves with a few pieces of clothing to add to our summer wardrobes!

4. We made it to the book signing of Emily Giffin, one of my favorite authors! She wrote Something Blue, Something Borrowed, and Baby Proof. Her newest novel, Love the One You're With, just came out on May 13th. Emily is young, beautiful, and extremely talented. She inspired many aspiring writers at the book signing and credits her success in writing to 'sheer hatred of her previous job as a lawyer'. Yes, we should all pursue what we love!

5. We couldn't make reservations at Nobu, but we settled for its sister restaurant Nobu57, opened for just a few years. The vibe was great and the food was original, but I've had better sushi. (I am quite critical when it comes to sushi!)

6. We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton at Battery Park. One can never complain when staying at a Ritz-Carlton, and I have to confess that I had three straight days of room service for my lunch so that I didn't have to leave my laptop! The room service meal was excellent!


Sake barrels, all imported from Japan, at Nobu 57 and a cute little boutique in Nolita


Emily Giffin and I, at her book signing and the New York sunset, as seen from the top floor of the Ritz

Meet my new Production Coordinator!

I am so excited to share with you that I have brought on board a new Production Coordinator for my company. Amanda comes from the world of architecture, which makes her a pro at space planning and schematics. She is also a lot of fun, super creative, and incredibly talented. We really hit it off after our first meeting, and I am so thankful that she has accepted this position. I know we will work well together, and our strengths in different areas will make us a fabulous team. I can't wait for everyone to meet her, and to work with her. Welcome Amanda!

A Beautiful Winery

Who says you have to travel to the Wine Country to get married at a beautiful winery? Thomas Fogarty Winery is a hidden gem in the peninsula. Located about 30 miles from San Francisco, it sits on a mountain top offering an astounding panoramic view of the valley. When you arrive, you immediately appreciate the tranquility of the property. It's lush greens and natural beauty is the perfect setting for wedding and special events.

I have had the good fortune of working at Fogarty on may wonderful weddings, one of which will be featured in the fall issue of Today's Bride. Yesterday though, I was able to experience the venue as a guest! What a special, special treat that was. Along with about 20 other Event Professionals, we sipped champagne on the Pavillion and enjoyed a delicious sit-down luncheon catered by the amazing Componere Fine Catering. Ethan, owner and chef of Componere, created a special menu just for us and each course was paired with a Thomas Fogarty wine. My favorite was the DESSERT-- chilled strawberry soup with roasted pineapple and vanilla bean gelato paired with 2003 Late Harvest Gewurtraminer. I have never tasted anything like that!!!! Everybody was on seventh heaven.

There's nothing as enjoyable as eating great food in good company, on a table dressed in beautiful linen and flowers by Amy Burke. Thank you to everybody who made this event such a special one!















Me! With saavy event coordinator Michelle and couture invitation designer Pavan















Ellie, the fabulous Event Coordinator at Fogarty, giving us a tour















Ethan and his extraordinary culinary team at Componere Fine Catering















Stacie, Duncan, and Pavan chatting away in the Pavilion






















Jean and Carrie with the wine that Fogarty gave us to take home

Special thanks to Ellie and Becky at Fogarty!!