Mie N Yu -- Restaurant and Catering

For one of the most unique and exciting dining experiences in Washington, DC -- try Mie N Yu on M street in Georgetown. The restaurant infuses Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, and Mediterranean flavors into contemporary American cuisine. The restaurant has facilities for private events on-site, and will also cater for special events off-site. The decor is inspired by Marco Polo's travels along the Silk Road. I recently had a very exciting networking evening there with colleagues for a breaker session. Here are some pictures from our event:

Remarriages: Trends, Etiquette, and Resources

Remarriage Trends

These days, remarriages after divorce is more common. According to a 2002 study by the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, statistics show:

• 54 percent of divorced women remarry within 5 years
• 75 percent of divorced women remarry within 10 years
• Black women are the least likely to remarry
• White women are the most likely to remarry

However, a new 2007 report from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that in 2004 (the year of the study):
• 12 percent of men and 13 percent of women had married twice
• 3 percent each had married three or more times
• 58 percent of women and 54 percent of men 15 and older had married only once

Social stigma dictates that second marriages should not be formal, extravagant or elaborate celebrations, but rather quiet and small ones. The importance should be placed in the fact that it is still the celebration of the union of two people who have found one another, love each other, and have a chance at life filled with joy, happiness, and that “happily ever after” that everyone deserves.

Second Marriage Etiquette Guidelines:

This may vary from one culture to another.
Please remember to be respectful of all traditions.

• Announcements: before officially and formerly announcing the engagement, it is important that if there are children involved, they should be the first to know. Followed by parents and the ex-spouse. Then, if the couple so chooses, via the newspaper, email or engagement party.

• Engagement Party: no rules, although typically not hosted by the parents or the couple. Most couples choose to have a small intimate dinner out with friends and family instead of having a party.

• Invitations: these can be simple, or elegant and elaborate but should be in theme with the wedding style.

• Whom to invite: etiquette dictates that the former in-laws and ex-spouses, no matter how close they may be, should not be invited.

• Bridal Showers: this is optional and again, there are no hard and fast rules; but it is recommended that it be small and intimate affair for very close friends. As in the first marriage, only those attending the ceremony and reception should be invited to the shower. Do not invite anyone that isn’t invited to the wedding. It is typically hosted by the bridal party. Those invited to the first wedding shower should not be invited to the second and if they are, they are not obligated to bring a gift.

• Gift Giving: these couples are typically already established in life and have accumulated more things than those in their first marriage. If they have not registered and already have a house, it is advisable to give them elegant crystal or china or make a donation to their favorite charity.

• The Wedding Dress: there is no hard and fast rule about not wearing a wedding dress and with the infinite choices available these days, there are many styles to choose from. Remember, it is your day and you want to look beautiful. Th bride can wear any color even white, as it no longer only symbolizes purity.

• Bridal party: it is optional, not necessary, to have attendants, a processional, or someone to walk you down the aisle.

• Rehearsal Dinner: optional.

• Ceremonies and Vows: can be civil or religious. If both bride and groom have children, be sure to involve them in the ceremony if they want to be included. There are many unique ways to incorporate children in the wedding for example: lighting a family unity candle versus the traditional one, unity sand pouring ceremony, escort down the aisle, being one of the attendants or doing a reading, and more. You can personalize your vows to include the children, if you have any. If it is a religious ceremony, be sure to check with your officiant as to what might be different from the first marriage vows.

• Reception: can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish. Many couples choose to omit the tossing of the bouquet and garter. The receiving line includes the couple and their children, if they have any. Some of the more traditional toasts may be omitted.

• Honeymoon: yes, you may still go on a honeymoon. If both couples have children, you might like to consider a honeymoon that will include the children -- a “FamilyMoon,” a term coined back in 2004. The latter has been a growing trend for many couples who want honeymoons to include their children, which makes for good bonding experiences. Many foreign and domestic destinations are now family-inclusive. For example, beach resorts in Negril, Turks & Caicos, St. Lucia and Antigua to name a few. Other options are to take a Disney or other similar cruise and/or find domestic locations. For more info, go to: www.adventuresbydisney.com, www.austinlehman.com, www.beaches.com, www.butterfield.com, www.carnival.com, www.disneycruise.com, www.ncl.com, www.princess.com, www.eliteislandresorts.com, www.winjammer-landing.com.

In a nutshell: make it the most memorable and enjoyable day of the beginning of your happily forever after.

Resources for the blended family:

• Break the Cycle
• Bonus Families
• Changing Focus
• Institute for Family Education
• National Family Resiliency Center
• National Stepfamily Resource Center
• The National Fathers' Resource Center
• The Stepfamily Foundation
• StepMom Magazine
• ShareKids.com

New Orleans and TSE

I was in New Orleans for this year's The Special Event Show (TSE) this past January, and I'd like to share the amazing experience! I thought I should start with a little history of the amazing city of New Orleans, which is still recovering from the devastating Katrina.

Founded in 1718, New Orleans is located in southeast Louisiana between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain. In 1722, it became the capital of a French colony and later passed to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.

This is an amazing and magical city with a rich history and blend of cultures. The city is a real “Gumbo” of French, Spanish, Caribbean, Haitian and African influences -- the street names are French and Spanish; blends of exotic spices are used in the cuisine; there is beautiful, colorful architecture; it is birthplace of jazz and Zydeco; the home of “Mardi Gras” as well as the ever intriguing voodoo.

The city's symbol is the Fleur-de-Lis (as seen in the logo above). It means “flower of the Lilly” and is a symbol of royalty in France that signifies perfection, light, and life. To learn more about New Orleans, please visit the city's official website.

This diverse city certainly has plenty to offer from the historical sights to great food and entertainment -- from the famous Bourbon Street in the French Quarters, to Magazine Street in the Warehouse Arts District; from a walk along the Riverwalk Market Place to see the breathtaking Mississippi River to the Cities of the Dead (cemeteries of ornate vaults and family crypts of pirates, politicians and voodoo queens).

However, the visit would not have been complete without visiting and experiencing Harrah’s Hotel and asino!

This year TSE was hosted at the Ernest N. Memorial Convention Center in New Orleans situated along the beautiful Mississippi Riverfront.

The festivities were jazzed up with the grand entrance of a traditional New Orleans Marching Jazz Band, a Gospel Choir, award and recognition ceremony, and a comedy act.

The Luncheon: The musical entertainment by The Soul Rebels uplifted us with a myriad of intrinsic sounds and songs. Their music is a unique blend of Mardi Gras funk, soft rock, and reggae. They have a hip-hop sensibility combined with one hundred years of New Orleans jazz tradition.

The Lunch Menu:

First Course: Cucumber Wrap Salad: organic lettuces with sliced Creole tomatoes, Mississippi chevre and sweet basil infusion.

Second course: Abita Beer Braised Bison Short ribs accompanied by baby root vegetables with an asiago and white truffle polenta cake.

Third Course: Nontraditional Wedding cake -- vanilla cake with toasted almond cream set with a mixed berry compote.

And finally, we could not leave without our annual CC’ers face-to-face meet-up which was at The Bourbon House in the French Quarters for cocktails, food, and a stroll down the ever so lively Bourbon Street! Check out the tab… that’s what happens when Diva’s meet for an evening!

To view more pictures from my experience in New Orleans, please see my Facebook album.

The Color of the Year -- 2010

Color is very personal. Everyone has a favorite color and can relate to it from the time they were little children. Certain emotions are associated with color, and planners and designers know that using color is very important to create that “bang” or “pop” you are looking for when you walk into a room. First, I'd like to go over the basics of color before I reveal Pantone's Color of the Year for 2010.

As you may remember from elementary school, there are three main categories of color:

1. Primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. These are pure and cannot be created through the mixing of any other colors.

2. Secondary colors: orange, purple, and green. These are produced by mixing of primary colors. i.e. yellow + blue = green; blue + red = purple; and red + yellow = orange.

3. Tertiary colors: A combination of primary and secondary colors. There are six tertiary colors: red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, and red-violet.

Additionally, colors fall into three schematic groups:

1. Monochromatic colors: all colors, tints and shades of a single hue. They go well together, are easy on the eyes, and have a soothing effect.

2. Analogous colors: these are in close proximity to each other on the color wheel and always made up of three colors, the main one being red, plus two neighboring colors. They are similar in hue and saturation.

3. Complimentary colors: usually comprised of two colors that are opposite of the color wheel and are high in contrast.

The Color Wheel
Image courtesy of Northlite

So, who comes up with the color trends from year to year, you ask?

Pantone, Inc. in Carlstadt, New Jersey is the company known for its Pantone Matching System® (PMS), a book of standardized colors in fan format for color-coding. The Pantone name is known worldwide as the standard language for accurate color communication, from designer to manufacturer to retailer to customer, across a variety of industries.

According to Pantone, "PANTONE® 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue, [is] the color of the year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing."

For brides wanting a flattering choice for attendant apparel and accessories on their big day, Turquoise is now one of the nearly 200 PANTONE WEDDING Colors available from Dessy, a leading manufacturer of bridesmaid, social occasion and flower girl dresses, as well as destination wedding gowns under the labels Dessy Collection, After Six, Alfred Sung, Lela Rose Bridesmaid and Sandals Destination Wedding Dresses. PANTONE WEDDING exclusively from Dessy provides a collection of color tools to make it easy for brides to achieve perfectly color-coordinated weddings – from inspiration to “I do.”

Additionally, Turquoise is one of 3,000 colors available in Pantone’s line of superior-quality, eco-friendly paint. PANTONE Paints combine the accuracy of PANTONE Colors with the beauty of high-performance Dutch paints. Perfect for a powder room or bedroom, Turquoise is an evocative, spa-like hue that adds an undertone of warmth and excitement to any cool space. In the kitchen, Turquoise adds a unique flare to tabletop and appliances. I love this years' color!

The Savvy Shopper's Engagement Ring Guide

My first post today focused on the history of Valentine's Day, which is only one week away! As we all know, Valentine's Day is a very popular date for marriage proposals. In this post, I'd like to offer some tips on shopping for that perfect ring!

Before purchasing an engagement ring, it is important to know the style of ring you're looking for, as well as the price range you have budgeted for. However, it is equally important to understand the terminology used in evaluating the quality of the diamond and/or fine jewelry. Some may be concerned with the source of the diamond, as well as how the diamond was processed.

First, when evaluating diamonds, always consider the four C’s:
(adapted from Brilliant Earth)

• Cut: determines its beauty, sparkle, fire, and brilliance.
• Clarity: refers to the impurities on and within the stone.
• Color: refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless.
• Carat: is the unit of the weight of the diamond and not its size.

Next, here are the typical gemstone styles and shapes to consider:

Round, Princess, Emerald, Asscher, Marquise

Oval, Radiant, Pear, Cushion, and Heart

Finally, certified conflict free gems ensure that the mining processing did not sacrifice social and environmental responsibilities. “Conflict diamonds have funded devastating civil wars in Africa, and have been associated with human rights abuses, environmental damage, and terrorism" (Brilliant Earth).

No matter the ring you choose, be confident that your significant other will love and appreciate it! Happy Early Valentine's Day!

The History of Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day only one week away, I thought it would be interesting to share the story behind Valentine's Day. The following has been paraphrased from The History Channel.

Every February, across the world, St. Valentine’s Day is celebrated. Cards, gifts, candies, and flowers are exchanged. However, it also known that it is the month that many engagement rings are purchased and marriage proposals are made. So, how exactly did this holiday come about? Why is it celebrated in February?

Who was St. Valentine?

One belief is that Valentine was a priest during the third century in Rome under Emperor Claudius II (around 270 A.D). Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than married ones and banned them from getting married. However, Valentine who felt that this was an unjust law, continued to perform marriages in secret. When the Emperor found out, he sentenced Valentine to death.

The second belief is that when Valentine was imprisoned, he fell in love with a young girl who used to visit him. It is alleged that before his death, he wrote her a letter, signed off “From your Valentine” and was therefore the first one to send a valentines letter.

Other stories suggest that Valentine was been killed because he helped Christians who were in Roman captivity.

Why we celebrate Valentine's Day

It is believed that Valentine's Day is celebrated to commemorate Valentine’s death, while others believe that the church decided to celebrate it on February 15 to coincide with the ancient Roman Lupercalia Festival. The latter was a pagan fertile festival dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture, Faunus and the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. It marked the beginning of spring where they would purify their houses by sweeping and sprinkling them with salt and spelt.

Happy Early Valentine's Day!