Vintage Jewelry

Studio on Main in downtown St. Helena, has been in business for over 27 years. Serving as a full service photography studio, including everything from photo development to restoration, the studio also features unique gifts, frames, artwork and prints. A line of elegant vintage jewelry designed and produced in the 40's and 50's, has been added to the abundance of beautiful gifts displayed.
Owner Rosanne, has been collecting this timeless vintage jewelry and has brought these exclusive treasures to you for purchase. Each piece has been hand selected for its individuality and class by Roseanne herself. This Saturday, February 9, she will be at The Wine Country Inn for the Inn's complimentary afternoon wine service. The store will be showcasing many pieces from her collection. The pieces are beautiful and make great gifts; with Valentine's Day just around the corner, you cannot lose gentlemen.
Make a day out of visiting the Wine Country Inn this Saturday or simply stop by the studio and explore this unique collection of priceless pieces, or connect to the On-Line Store. For out-of-towners call Rosanne at (707) 963-9294 or email her: rosanne@studioonmain.com.
The picture attached is of the Laguna Aurora Borealis hex-cut hand-knotted necklace. A piece very suitable as a Valentines Day gift to be worn on any occasion- like, let's say a brides neck the day of her elopement.

Hey Brides-to-be... Need Makeup Advice?

Need to look perfect for your ceremony? Of course, any bride-to-be does.
Most of us don’t know where to begin with makeup without seeking a professional opinion. You want to look beautiful- not over or under done up. Choosing colors and brands, deciding whether or not to hire someone or just do it yourself, are all delicate issues for such an important event. Attempting to match your own skin tone but picking something too dark or selecting the wrong lipstick color, can be disastrous for photographs.
We have some words of wisdom from Resident Makeup Artist of Laura Mercier in Beverly Hills, Marisa Dombroski. Marisa has used her artistic talents to beautify everyone from numerous bridal parties to Hollywood stars- both men and women. It is imperative to her that each bride feels and looks their best on the big day. In advance, long before the ceremony, Marisa meets with the bride to discuss the style of the dress and event, usual makeup worn on a daily basis, what works and what doesn’t, and the type of look they are going for (natural, dramatic or classic). Sometimes brides are unsure of colors and brands to choose so she makes suggestions, but with conditions, “I tell them to try it out to see if they have a reaction to it, because the last thing a bride wants on her wedding day is to break out,” said the artist.
She recommends many different top of the line products for flawless results. Marisa promotes the use of a primer before applying foundation to keep fresh looking throughout the day. “A primer serves as a base that goes on before the foundation. It is going to fill any fine lines, leaves makeup longer lasting, appearing fresh looking- not cakey.” Some tricks of the trade she was willing to share were some foundation and powder ground rules: When applying foundation, she said, “Do not put a foundation powder over it. You do not want to put color on top of color. Use a translucent powder (a translucent powder is a very fine powder that can go with any type of skin color and it sets the face makeup).”
The expert recommends a trial run of your products and artist of your choosing before the special day. “Don't be afraid to tell them how you want to look on your wedding day,” she stated. Marisa usually charges $175 for services to the bride (not including products and travel), bridesmaids, family and friends are $100 each. For more information about her services you can email her at: marisaofthesea@aol.com.

*Other questions regarding Napa Valley Elopements services or this blog call: 707-963-9294.

Napa Valley Mustard Festival

Next month, is the 15th annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival. The nearly two-month celebration of food, wine, art, agricultural, entertainment and culture runs from Feb 2 - March 29. The event is a good time for all and gives the chance to take advantage of all the Napa Valley splendors.
It's a beautiful time to take in the scenery- yellow mustard fields of green and gold amongst the stark black grapevines and colorful skies. February, March, and April are superb times to visit the Napa Valley, simply because it is a slower season for tourists than the "high season" of July-October.
Summer is always a busy time for marriages- if you are looking for a time that is quieter, why not come to the Napa Valley while a cultural event is taking place? Whether you have plans for an elopement, are taking a second honeymoon, or simply getting away with your love or even with friends for the weekend, Napa is the place to be. You can experience serene relaxation while taking in the merriment of the mustard festival.
The celebration serves the purposes of promoting local businesses as well as supporting non-profit organizations. This forms a network of local, national and international commerce and strengthens the community. The Napa Valley Mustard Festival is a 501(c)(4) non-profit community service organization. All proceeds go towards the benefit of a variety of Napa Valley non-profit arts, cultural, historical, educational, and service organizations.

Studio on Main in downtown St. Helena has the poster for this year's Mustard Festival available, signed by the artist, Jesse Miller. It makes for a great gift, decoration or souvenir of your trip.

Napa Valley Chic

While most envision a Napa Valley elopement as a relatively low-key event because of the surrounding vineyards and "Wine Country casual" dressing, the Napa Valley does have its share of trendy, up-scale places to wine and dine. Case in point: BarVino located on the main street in downtown Calistoga.

BarVino has a great New York City feel, with trendy decor, an awesome selection of rock-star-like Napa Valley wines, and great pastas and entrees that are available in both "small" and "big" plates. It's a great place to sip, nibble, taste, try, and watch the world go bye.... (And, with a 10-speaker sound system, it's a great place to "listen" too.)

When planning a Napa Valley visit, be sure to put BarVino on your list for some Napa Valley trend (a.k.a., "Calistoga Cool").

Elopement Checklist

The great thing about choosing to elope is that you can put your mind at ease about many things that go into planning a big wedding. But this still leaves a humongous detail to consider, you are getting married!
Such a giant step is nothing to take lightly. The following checklist is to help you on your way. You have lightened your load tremendously by eloping but, there are still things to think about:

1. Decide elopement is definitely for you. Good for you- it's a less stressful approach.

2. Figure out your budget. How much would you like to spend? How much can you
afford? Be realistic about it.

3. Choose a place. Whatever your destination make sure it's a place you can both enjoy
together. (We recommend the beautiful, Napa Valley, Calif.)

4. Make sure you look into state marriage laws. There is research to be conducted
when choosing where to get married. Not just the place but the legalities of it all.
Do you have to provide a certificate of marital background? Blood tests? Birth certificates?
Need witnesses? And the list goes on... different states have different laws, remember
that.

5. Choose your honeymoon, location and hotel (in most cases it is in the same place as the
ceremony- that is definitely the perfect option here).

6. Figure out how you want your ceremony to go. Location, time, vows, rings, dress,
flowers, photographer, cake, attendants, music, etc. (Or you could just let us help?)

7. Make the decision to tell friends & family about it. Either before, so some people
can make it if you like, or after to announce it.

These things are just some thoughts of those on their way to tying the knot. Napa Valley Elopements would be proud to help you with any of these issues or with all of them, in fact. For all of your elopement needs, please call: 707-963-9294.

Mi Amor! Tra Vigne Restaurant

May we make a suggestion as to where to dine while eloping in the Napa Valley? Located near downtown St. Helena, approximately 10 minutes from the Wine Country Inn, where your ceremony will take place is the Tra Vigne Restaurant (http://www.travignerestaurant.com/). Tra Vigne means "Among the Vines" in Italian and the setting is nothing short of just that.

Tra Vigne has a classic neo-Italian dining room featuring everything from an old world bar to a shade covered Tuscan courtyard. While dining at the restaurant, customers have compared their experience to that of the countryside in Italy.

Their wine list consists of over 200 selections and changes weekly, as they add new finds from the Napa Valley and beyond. Their expert kitchen is driven by the freshest ingredients. A personal favorite is their Pizza con Fichi e Gorgonzola: Pizza with black mission figs, gorgonzola, and taggiasca olive oil. Delizioso!

Tra Vigne also facilitates private events, with your choice of dining atmosphere; within the restaurant, in the vineyard, in the Tuscan courtyard - or even the "Tavolo Romanitco," a romantic private garden for two! Menus can be found on their website listed above and all reservations or questions can be directed to us at: 707-963-9294.

Diamonds Are Forever & Your Flowers Can Be Too

Your wedding flowers have the possibility of being as sentimental an heirloom as your gown. Could it be? Yes! Let us preserve your flowers for you.
The flowers…

The bride is the focal point of any wedding, but the flowers win second place. Unfortunately, they do not last. The memories are forever, so is the dress, the ring, and of course the photos. But, what if your beautiful centerpieces and bouquets could be frozen in time- preserved in their glory, where you could admire them the same as the day you chose them?

We can assist in making your flowers last forever. We can also help in deciding which flowers to choose, as some preserve nicer than others. Which greenery to select, what flowers to avoid, and the special handling of delicates such as gardenias and daisies- are all tasks we can take care of. Don’t throw away expensive arrangements when your day is through, keepsake them.

For more information please call: 707-963-9294.