Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Altar Ego Promo Video!

Check out our Altar Ego Fashion Event preview video!!


Huge thanks to Jenna Olender of Southern Bride & Groom and Phil of Twenty-One Films for coordinating this!!

View the full page video version over on Vimeo.

Thanks and we can't wait to see you all on Friday night!

Monday, February 25, 2013

ALTAR EGO: Sponsor Spotlight!

Today's Sponsor Spotlight: JOE BUNN DJ COMPANY!


Everyone knows the key to a fun and memorable event is the music – and we all know that means using Joe Bunn DJ Company. They have been such an incredible support to our event from the beginning and we are grateful!

Get to know Joe and his company a little better:

Joe Bunn DJ Company’s mission is to provide you, the client, with the perfect event experience from beginning to end. It may be corny, but it’s very true! From the first time you contact them, you will be treated like a superstar VIP. They want to give you great customer service before, during, and after the event. Their DJs are not only great at spinning music, but they genuinely love what they do and they always treat clients as friends. When asked what our “style” is, they always say “classy, but fun”. Each event is custom tailored for you right down to being able to pick out your “do” and “don’t” plays easily from their website: http://bunndjcompany.com.


8 reasons to book Joe:
1. We have been in business for over 25 years, and have earned the reputation as a professional and reliable company.
2. All of our DJs have 5+ years of experience.
3. We are on the preferred vendors list at nearly every venue in the area.
4. The DJ that you meet with will be the DJ at your event.
5. Our equipment is top of the line and our music library has all clean edits.
6. Customer service is our highest priority.
7. Our response time to your emails and phone calls is almost immediate.
8. Joe Bunn DJ Company rocks the party!


Call them and let them give you the VIP treatment!!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

ALTAR EGO: Boutique Spotlight!

Today's Boutique Spotlight: SMITTEN BOUTIQUE!


1105 W. Main Street
Durham, NC

http://thesmittenboutique.com/

Shopping, like life, should be a happy experience. Smitten is Durham’s fun and unique women’s boutique that specializes in clothing and accessories for women who have a passion for fashion. AND, is smitten with all things lovely!!

Smitten is the love and creation of long time area retailer, Nancy McKaig. She is joined by an expert staff who hail from every retail background and all of them enjoy what they do as much as they enjoy fashion.

They are a full line boutique carrying many designer lines including Elliott Lauren, Joseph Ribkoff, Jude Connally, Hobo, JPK, Pandora and Simon Sebbag.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Wedding of the Week!

This was a beautiful January wedding at the Carolina Inn. The bride wore a beautiful Modern Trousseau dress and feather stole from our bridal salon. And for the flowers the colors were whites, blues and silvers that really complimented a few special blue and white vases from the super sweet mother of the bride.



















Thank you to the amazing Robin Lin for the images – check out her website at www.robinlin.com

The Scout Guide!

Thanks to the Scout Guide Blog for posting the kind words and info on the Altar Ego Fashion Event!

Read it here: http://triangle.thescoutguide.com/emily-griffin-featured-at-altar-ego-event-at-the-washington-duke/#blog-wrap

We can't wait!!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

ALTAR EGO: Sponsor Spotlight!

Today's Sponsor Spotlight: THE CATERING COMPANY OF CHAPEL HILL!

What can we say about this company that you all don’t already know!? Delicious food, impeccable service, AND THE DÉCOR!!! We not only LOVE The Catering Company of Chapel Hill, we very much respect everything they do and who they are!



[Above Photo by Dave Watson of Get Lit Special Event Lighting]

In its 31st year of operation, The Catering Company provides full-service custom catering for a wide variety of corporate, individual and university-related events within the Triangle and across the state.

Dedicated to excellence in food quality, preparation and presentation, and renowned for imaginative décor, they cater functions both small and large. Whether you are planning a buffet, seated dinner, cocktail party, fundraiser or other special event, their team of international chefs and event planners can offer you innovative cuisine that’s tailored to your palate, ideal for the season and perfect for the chosen theme of your event.

Their wait service sets the standard for professionalism and excellence and our beverage expertise can provide wines and beverages to suit your menu, your taste and your budget.

To bring your thematic dreams and aspirations vividly to life, their award-winning décor services can create designs for any and all occasions.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

ALTAR EGO: Sponsor Spotlight!

Today's Sponsor Spotlight: GET LIT SPECIAL EVENT LIGHTING!

Lighting is so important to making your event memorable. It is not just functional, but helps create the atmosphere and set the mood for your event! AND, no one does this better than Get Lit Special Event Lighting. We are so thankful to them for helping us with Altar Ego again this year!!

Get to know the company and the team a little more – you will LOVE them as much as we do :)


When you envision your event, what do you see?  Get Lit Special Event Lighting has the experience and ability to bring just the right touch of glow and sparkle to spotlight each and every element of your special event.  Using effects that include dramatic washes of color, candle lit ambiance or custom chandeliers, our goal is to highlight the special occasion in your life.

Get Lit Special Event Lighting is owned and operated by husband and wife team, Dave and Terri Watson.  In the 1990‘s Dave was first introduced to the business of special events and the satisfaction of working closely with families to create beautiful memories as the owner/operator of a bed and breakfast on a five-acre farm on Martha’s Vineyard hosting weddings and receptions. Dave’s experiences also include working in civil engineering in the Air Force, Emergency Medical Technician, architectural restoration, construction, and event decor project management.  In 2007 Dave’s focus turned exclusively to the lighting aspect of event decor and he began the operation of Get Let Special Event Lighting.   Terri is involved with operational aspects of the business along with contributions to original light design, a natural extension of her 13 year background in catering event planning.

Since 2007 the skills and reputation of the company have resulted in regular requests to work at such well known venues as Biltmore Estate, Nasher Museum, Carolina Inn, Bay 7- American Tobacco Campus, Prestonwood Country Club, Doris Duke Center at Duke Gardens and Hope Valley Country Club.

Community support is also important to the Watsons who donate the resources of Get Lit Special Event Lighting to the fundraising efforts of the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Tasteful Affair), Independent Animal Rescue, Caring House of Durham, and Girls on the Run (Alter Ego) as well as the occasional Junior High Dance in support ofWater.org.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

ALTAR EGO: Boutique Feature!

We are so lucky to be working with Hadley Emerson Boutique again this year for the ready-to-wear portion of the Altar Ego fashion show!! If you haven’t been to the store and you love fashion (and who doesn’t) – YOU NEED TO GO!!!

Get to know a little more about Hadley Emerson Boutique – below. We can’t wait to see what they feature in this year’s show!!!

HADLEY EMERSON
1112 Environ Way, Chapel Hill
THE SITE: http://hadley-emerson.com/
SHOP ONLINE: http://shop.hadley-emerson.com/


Growing up in a small town in Maine, Hadley Nixon always preferred stilettos to hiking boots. After graduating from the University of Virginia, Hadley lived and worked in New York City where she observed and learned to appreciate many diverse interpretations of style. In 2007, Hadley moved to North Carolina to sharpen her business acumen while attending business school at Duke University. At Duke, she developed her vision for combining her finance background with her love of fashion. In March 2010, Hadley Emerson opened in Chapel Hill’s new East 54 development.

Hadley Emerson is an upscale boutique offering sophisticated, chic clothes for any occasion –a wedding, an evening on the town, a business luncheon, or even a trip to the grocery store. We carry a unique yet expansive selection of modern takes on classic silhouettes from new and established designers, including local Carolina entrepreneurs. We believe that great style can be accessible so we seek to provide our customers with excellent quality clothing at a good value.

Our business is built on the notion that customer service is as important as the clothes we carry. Our store is designed to make you feel comfortable as you shop. Our sales people are here to help you find the pieces that make you look and feel good. Most importantly, we want you to be happy with your purchases after you leave the store.

Friday, February 15, 2013

ALTAR EGO: Sponsor Spotlight!

We took a trip to CE RENTAL yesterday with the ladies from the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club and are so excited about the linens – imagine sequins, neutral 70’s tones and glamour!!

We have been so lucky to have had the support of CE Rental since the very first year of Altar Ego. If you have not been to their showroom, you are in for a real treat. Not only are the owners amazing people but their entire staff is knowledge, talented, and have the best smiles in town! Below is a little more information on the company! AND, if you are a bride, an event planner or an event host you need to take a trip up to CE. Good rentals will help transform your event from nice to FABULOUS!!

  
CE RENTAL
801 West Morgan Street, Raleigh

919.833.9743

Vicki and Charles Phaneuf are the owners of CE Rental. Together they have built a unique local party and event rental company that is distinctly different.

CE Rental makes its own specialty linens. There are thousands of them in colors and fabrics for every occasion and style. From beautiful basics to elegant alternatives, CE Rental has anything you could need or want – in your price range, too!

But it doesn’t stop there. Vicki and Charles have everything else you need to create unique tablescapes: dishes, glassware, flatware, tables of all sizes, chairs, chair covers and accessories.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Girls on the Run!


GIRLS ON THE RUN OF THE TRIANGLE!!

As many of you know and for those of you who did not – we LOVE the Girls on the Run of the Triangle NC! We think that their program and their empowerment of young girls in a healthy and fun way is an amazing thing! That is way we are partnering with the organization again this year and raising both awareness and money for them at ALTAR EGO – so make sure you get your ticket soon!!!

For those of you not familiar with Girls on the Run, below are a couple of bullets on their organization - also check out their website!! http://www.gotrtriangle.org/.

Mission Statement: Girls on the Run is a character development program for girls ages 8-12 that uses running as a way to introduce healthy and positive lifestyle choices.

Vision Statement: We envision a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.

GOTR Core Values:
• Empowerment
• Responsibility
• Intentionality
• Diversity
• Connectedness
• Joy
• Optimism
• Gratitude
• Nurturing
• Health
• Open-heartedness
• Compassion

Program Size:
• In 2012, Girls on the Run of the Triangle served 1,151 girls (a 22% increase from 2011).
• In Spring 2013, Girls on the Run of the Triangle has 35 program sites, serving 690 girls, a 28% increase from Spring 2012.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Margo!

[Our new blogger and wonderful employee/friend - Margo!]

I want to introduce myself. My name is Margo Black and I am lucky enough to have the privilege of working with the 3 sisters of Tre Bella- Becky, Rachael and Kate. I am so lucky to get to work with such fun girls who are so talented in their field of work!


I work with the girls mainly at the flower shop of Tre Bella. I help prep flowers and do set ups for all the various weddings and events. I also help Kate at Tre Bella Bridal by helping girls find their dream dresses. All the different aspects of my job are so much fun!

I moved to the area just over a year ago to be with my husband following our wedding in Chicago. My husband Tyler works as a resident at Duke. I grew up in a suburb just outside of Chicago but ventured down south for college and have never looked back. I attended Auburn University and graduated with a degree in early childhood education. Once I graduated I moved to Birmingham, AL. I taught there for a few years and then started working for a wedding planner. When I moved to Durham, I knew I wanted to stay in the wedding industry and I was lucky enough to get recommended to Tre Bella through a friend volunteering for their amazing yearly event Alter Ego! Check out info on this years event here http://www.trebellabridal.com/altarego.html. After I volunteered for the event I was excited to get the opportunity to work for Tre Bella on a daily basis. I am so thankful each and everyday for my always eventful and exciting job!

In my free time away from work I enjoy any and all outdoor activities, cooking, crafting and reading. My favorite place to be is on the beach or home in Chicago visiting with my family and friends who are still there! I love all holidays and am always up any excuse to celebrate and plan a special event. Luckily, daily life at Tre Bella entails planning for specials days ranging from weddings to big company get togethers and everything in between.

I am excited to be able to share things from my point of view here on the blog :)

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Our Bella Bride Emily!

Emily was a stunning bride in her San Patrick gown! She wanted a strapless gown for her August wedding in Chapel Hill so we modified this beautiful gown by leaving the detachable straps off. This look showed off her beautiful shoulders and neck - plus, doesn’t it look great with her hair and earrings?!





If I haven’t said it before, I will say it again – I LOVE adding a sash to a wedding gown. For Emily, we accented her waist by drawing attention to the center with the great grosgrain ribbon sash with a pearl and crystal applique. Overall, she was one stunning bride!

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Wedding of the Week!

Here's another beautiful wedding at the Cotton Room last spring. I loved the colors and flowers of this wedding and the accent of succulents gave it a little more depth and character.














Thank you to Brett & Jessica for these beautiful images.

And check out the great feature of this wedding on the Ruffled blog!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Exciting Altar Ego News!

We are so excited to announce that New York Times Best Selling Author Emily Giffin will be appearing at this year’s event. The evening will begin with a talk by Emily followed by a book signing and meet and greet during the cocktail hour.


Dubbed a “modern-day Jane Austen,” Emily Giffin has touched the hearts of millions of readers. Populated by emotionally charged and endearingly flawed characters that readers can’t help but root for, her six novels have been translated into 29 languages, with five million copies in print worldwide, and three have been optioned for the big screen. The film of her first novel, Something Borrowed, premiered in May 2011 by the production companies of Hilary Swank and Edward Burns, starring Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin and John Krasinski.


Despite several rejections of her first manuscript, Giffin persisted, eventually completing Something Borrowed. Hailed as a “heartbreakingly honest debut” with “dead-on dialogue, real-life complexity and genuine warmth,” Something Borrowed became a New York Times bestseller that has sold more than a million copies to date. Since then, she has penned four more New York Times bestsellers: Something Blue (2005), Baby Proof (2006), Love the One You’re With (2008) and Heart of the Matter (2010).


Head to our Altar Ego Fashion Event Website for more info!!