It’s wedding season and an amazing time to reminisce about my special day. While I had an extremely over-the-top, unusual wedding (read about it in Time Out NY), it was incredibly sustainable. Waste is not in my DNA, so while everyone should do what’s right for them (it is YOUR DAY!), here are some tips.

7 tips to having a more sustainable wedding:

1. Instead of paper invites we used Paperless Post. It not only helped us keep track of guests and instantly customize a beautiful invitation (did I mention I planned my wedding in under 2.5 months?) but also let us reassign the paper budget to additional experiences for our wedding guests.
2. No new rings… my engagement ring is vintage as we’re not fully confident in the diamond industry and for both of our wedding bands instead of new rings, we melted down my grandfather’s gold ring and inscribed them with ‘Team James’ and ‘Team Lara’ on the inside. It made the day extra super special for us as my husband never got to meet my grandfather.
3. All 8 outfits designed by Patricia Field outfits were all vintage, loans, second hand or rented including the diamond earrings from Verstolo, with the exception of a few key pieces purchased from small business that can all be reworn.
4. Rent everything but also focus on vendors that do it all. For our wedding we picked a rental company that did stages, food/beverage/utensils items as well as chairs/table linens to avoid multiple vendors.
5. For the after-party we served pizza (the most sustainable of food when you consider it comes in a cardboard box that can be recycled/composted), a pretzel wall also makes for a great choice!
6. Registry – In lieu of physical presents on our registry we had options of ‘buy us a drink’ at $15 options, or donate a tree to the Armenian Tree Project to help offset our carbon footprint. 
7. Get creative with flowers – in lieu of a formal canopy or alter our florist, Christina Evangeline of @GardenByEvangeline pinned flowers along the brick wall to create a really beautiful space that was much more eco-friendly. She also used all reusable vases/items to avoid waste and flowers that were easily compostable. However, we didn’t even make it to that step because all flowers were tied and guests had the option to take them home at the end of the night — and did. We also utilized accents from Venus et Fleur, so our arrangements would outlast our wedding (they last for 1+ years!) and vases forever!

It’s been an exciting few weeks with the launch of our Pretty Connected pearl phone chain. It’s no secret pearls have been all the rage this year and we’ve been all the rage on TikTok. And if you caught the latest season of Emily in Paris, it looks like we’re right on trend! With true fashion meets function, we introduce our new phone chain, $36 (just the chain) and $60 with the case!

I’m also so excited I got to include the pearl phone chain in my latest holiday segment for Extra!

Shop them on prettyconnected.com/shop and Etsy!

I’m joining forces with KESHA for a limited-edition Yin Yang necklace collection. Based on Pretty Connected’s two most popular multi-use chain styles and introducing the brand’s first rose gold chain colorway.

It’s a true fashionable-yet-functional multi-use product that goes far beyond being a necklace or mask chain and designed to outlive the pandemic as an investment to your jewelry collection. Each chain is adorned with a limited-edition Yin Yang charm with the singer/songwriter’s signature logo on the back.

“I wanted to collaborate with Pretty Connected because I was wearing their chains all the time. I’d wear it as a necklace, everywhere, even to the beach. On my mask, my sunglasses, my cell phone, water bottle… I lose everything so it comes in so handy!” said Kesha.

Everything about this collaboration has been a dream. To have Kesha as a partner and create something so beautiful and meaningful together has been such a special experience. I’m excited not only for her fans but Pretty Connected supporters as well to get the opportunity to have the Yin Yang charm as a reminder to say balances or at least strive for it, even if it seems difficult or even impossible at times.

[On why a Yin Yang symbol] “It was a symbol that kept finding me during the past year. I wanted to put it on the chain because I feel like it’s a symbol of harmony. And I wanted to remind myself, in the light, there’s dark, in the dark, there is light and it’s a cyclical thing, it’s the balance of life. And it was just a weird thing where I felt more connected to that message and reminder wearing the Pretty Connected chains.” – Kesha

Shop the collection HERE

I had a blast shooting some of my favorite items for the holidays with EXTRA TV! We did the segment in four parts, items for On the Go, Work From Home, The Perfect Stocking Stuffer and Pampering!

The extended cut of the on-air version is coming soon as well as giveaways all week long starting with this chic Ray-ban’s from Sunglass Hut! Head to https://extratv.com/giveaways to enter!

More giveaways to come and below is a sneak peek of all my picks below!

It’s almost here! Our next NewBeauty Live event featuring over 20k in giveaways and the biggest names in beauty! Join us for the ultimate beauty shopping experience!

On Thursday, November 12 at 8 p.m. EST, tune in from the comfort of your home to hear from some of our favorite beauty brands as they demonstrate the latest products and share their knowledge. You’ll also have a chance to win prizes, plus at the end of the evening we send out exclusive discount codes for you to shop!

• WHAT: NewBeauty Live
• WHEN: Thursday, November 12 at 8 p.m. EST
• RSVP: https://newbeautylivenovember2020.splashthat.com

Admission is FREE (our VIP tickets are SOLD OUT), but you have to RSVP to join: https://newbeautylivenovember2020.splashthat.com

The one where Sarah Jessica Parker is at dinner with Andy Cohen and Amy Sedaris talking about our Pretty Connected Mini Nikki mask chain ($30).

And then takes her son to vote for the first time and is wearing the same chain!

I’ve been completely stressed about this election and then to have DMs in my inbox saying SJP is wearing your chain to vote! I literally couldn’t be more proud, and honored. Especially since I spent the last week watching Hocus Pocus on repeat! I’ve also been fortunate enough to meet her a few times and she’s just simply the best! Funny enough, the last time we met was at her SJP x Sunglass Hut launch party, which she also wore to the polls. And they’re on sale!

What an incredible moment! Taking her son voting for the first time and our Pretty Connected mask chains got to be a part of it! Here’s hoping more of our youth and country did the same and voted!

Grab a drink, we’re in for a ride! Stay safe everyone!

I am so excited to partner with BOY MEETS GIRL + Fashion Our Future to encourage you guys to get out and vote! Early voting in New York has ended so it’s now up to all of us to encourage anyone qualified to get out and vote on November 3rd.

This BOY MEETS GIRL(R) hoodie is in partnership with Fashion Our Future 2020 – in support of @boymeetsgirlusa’s continued partnerships with the Women’s March, & Voto Latino.

Their campaign, starring Veronica Webb and other strong female leads, featured the BOY MEETS GIRL x PRETTY CONNECTED Dylan Folding Mask + Chain set ($32), with proceeds going to Survivor Corps; which is educating, connecting, motivating mobilizing many affected by COVID-19 to support all ongoing scientific, medical and academic research to find a cure, and help to develop a vaccine.

To shop both collections at boymeetsgirlusa.com