DIANA CAVAGNARO |Downtown News
I Do! Designs
Located in the heart of Downtown the San Diego Convention Center was the location for the Bridal Bazaar on January 20.
This is San Diego’s largest spring bridal show with over 300 exhibitors. These wedding professionals provided a one-stop shopping day for soon-to-be brides to create the wedding of their dreams.
Brides scampered around looking at photographers, videographers, caterers, florists, musicians, fashions and the perfect locations for the reception and wedding, as these services were all there under one roof.
One lucky prospective bride won the grand prize, a pair of diamond earrings from Irelia Fine Jewelry located on Kettner Blvd. Brides also were able to receive a free one-year subscription to Brides Magazine when they registered at the show.
There were three awesome fashion shows during the day, produced by Gretchen Productions. Each runway show began with a performance from Classic Brass, which is one of San Diego’s oldest chamber ensembles.
A crowd pleaser was a gown with sheer fabric from Brides by Demetrios. Another standout on the catwalk was a Fairy Princess Gown by PreVue. One of my favorites was the convertible dress from Henkaa for brides and bridesmaids. These unique dresses can be worn twenty-one different ways.
The bridesmaid dresses were both short and long. Some of the styles were in black, but most of them were brilliant colors, with the new fashion colors in emerald, nectarine, violet and cobalt blue. Trends were lace, sheer fabric and the one-shoulder dress.
Bellus Academy topped the models look with hair & makeup. At the end of the fashion show models threw rice sachets into the crowd filled with fabulous prizes.
The audience was encouraged to take pictures with their cell phones and post them on Facebook for a chance to win a romantic Valentine’s Day stay at The Dana Hotel on Mission Bay.
Good Energy is always Fashionable
Bloom is a lifestyle boutique located Downtown at 660 Ninth Avenue owned and operated by Melisa Michelle and Becky Lynn, a mother-daughter team. The ambiance is an eclectic atmosphere that combines a feeling of Old Europe with Southern California.
This chic store showcases artwork by artist Lindsey Nobel on the walls. Melisa said their philosophy is, “ Your life is based on the capacity of energy in you not outside of you.”
Bloom is definitely a store where good energy is fashionable and this boutique was voted the Best Resale & Vintage Shop for 2012 in the Readers Choice of the San Diego Downtown News. They carry accessories, clothing, & giftware for women and include a Green Rack Program, which offers clothes and accessories on consignment.
Becky comes from a background of marketing and PR, while Melisa went to culinary school in Paris and then traveled to school at Les Roches, Switzerland to obtain a degree at the International School of Hospitality Management and Business.
After working in their respective fields the two talented women decided to open this trendy, fun boutique, named Bloom because women like to rejuvenate and change their style and this is the perfect place to do it. Michelle also enjoys styling and will go to your home to work with your wardrobe. “It is called Closet Therapy,” she said. “I’ll go to their closet and help them style their clothes and accessories.”
The two women call a new feature on their website “local concierge,” and it will offer beauty, restaurant & travel deals, so visit BLOOMSD.com. With Michelle’s culinary background, look for new recipes each month on the website and she also offers menu consulting.
I asked them what some of their bestselling items were. “We have many cute items for gifts, we carry Spa Jewels which is gold plated jewelry with natural stones, and we have Pet Carrier by Rescue Me which are very popular,” Melisa explained.
They also sell the book Keys to the Kitchen by Aida Mollenkamp who has a TV show on the Food Network. Mollenkamp made a guest appearance at Bloom when she began her book tour. Complimenting this lifestyle store is a line of amazing yoga clothes, called, Love this Life and Mia Brazilia.
Downtown residents can come into the store and sign up to receive a card for 10 percent off on each of their purchases. Look for new deals and sales on: Facebook.com/BLOOMSD.
Upcoming Events
February 8th: Go Red Fashion & Luncheon Show by Zandra Rhodes – 10:30 a.m. expo & silent auction 12 noon – 1:30 p.m. fashion show, Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Hotel. Fight heart disease in women. For information call 858-410-3834.
February 27th: Nordstrom Designer Preview will show renowned American and European designers on one runway. Cocktail reception & boutique shopping starts at 6 p.m., fashion show at 7 p.m., and desserts & boutique shopping are at 7:30 p.m. Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar. Proceeds will benefit San Diego Opera. For tickets call 619-533-7050.
