A New Year: A New You!

The New You Project – The Tailored Gentleman Package

Brought to you by Image Forward Consulting (IFC) & Amina Bee Events (ABE)

Are you embarking on a new phase in your life - a birthday, graduation, promotion, engagement, fatherhood, or a new year, for example? Don’t worry, IFC and ABE have got you covered!

By day, an Image Forward Consulting professional will provide expert advice to create and develop the new you in honor of the occasion.

By night, Amina Bee will skillfully design and execute a memorable event to mark the milestone.

Image Forward Consulting Tailored Gentleman Package Highlights:
Complimentary style and image consultation
Personalized shopping experience
Customized men’s grooming lounge services
Expert styling assistance for “the new you” debut

Amina Bee Events Tailored Gentleman Package Highlights:

Complimentary event creation and design consultation
Skillfully managed event execution from start to finish
Specialty made invitations, favors, and other occasion necessities
A unique celebration at which to present your new look

To transform into a Tailored Gentleman:

Please contact Amina at amina@aminabeeevents.com or
Carolou at carolou@imageforwardconsulting.com

Carolou Goodridge Couture

As they say in the fashion industry, when it comes to parties, "this season, it's all about" Carolou Goodridge Couture! Designing and implementing this extraordinary event for this fabulous fashionista was an event planner's dream. Carolou's fashion and image expertise meant that she was willing to be bold and take risks when it came to the vision and creation of her 30th Birthday and Business Launch celebration. The event highlights are below:



The client and fashion maven herself, Carolou Goodridge of Image Forward Consulting (IFC). If Carolou and IFC look and sound familiar, it may be because they were recently featured by Washington, DC's Modern Luxury and High Powered Professional.



The venue was Washington DC's Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the perfect place to see and be seen. Fashion forward guests and figures filled this unique and exclusive attraction, one of only 11 in the world.



The attire for the evening reflected fashion statements throughout the last three decades. In a salute to the 80's, our guest of honor appropriately paid tribute to one of the Museum's guests.



The food menu celebrated the world's three fashion capitals - New York City, Milan, and Paris. Georgetown Catering prepared and served Manhattan Clam Chowder, Milanese Skewers of Mozzarella, Tomato, Basil, and Prosciutto, and Parisian Miniature Apricot Brie en Coute.



The cocktails were prepared and served by Mixology Bartending Services. Signatures drinks were also created with the the world's three fashion capitals in mind. The featured drinks were The Big Apple, The Coco Chanel, and The Mint Lemonada.



The music celebrated the birthday girl's three decades of life and was provided by DJ Saucee. DJ Saucee had guests moving all night long.



The birthday tribute was given by Washington, DC's soulful and sensational Green Tea. Earlier this year, Green Tea celebrated her third release, Beautiful Weirdo.



The cake was couture, of course, and created by Grandma's Goodies in the spirit of Chanel. The specialty cake and cupcakes got rave reviews.



The photographer was Tracy Clayton of Tracy Clayton Photography. Tracy got fun and creative shots (as you can see above) and captured every important detail. He also did a series of photo shoots with Carolou in the month's leading up to the event and assembled the photos for a much anticipated and well-received photo presentation that evening.



The favor does not get much better than a Carolou Goodridge Couture Swag Bag. Guests took home these bags that were filled with speciality items from DC Modern Luxury, Evelyn Brooks Designs, CC Sweet House, Amina Bee Events, Willow Capital Investments, and Scottee James.

Cheers to Carolou Goodridge Couture!

Amina Bee Goes Corporate

Press Contact:
Iymaani Aytes
iymaani@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FASHION STYLIST AND IMAGE CONSULTANT CAROLOU GOODRIDGE CELEBRATED THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF IMAGE FORWARD CONSULTING IN WASHINGTON, DC AT THE MADAME TUSSAUDS MUSEUM

Washington, DC – October 12, 2010 – On Saturday, October 9, 2010, Fashion Stylist and Image Consultant, Carolou Goodridge celebrated the official launch of Image Forward Consulting at the Madame Tussauds Museum in Washington, DC from 9:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m.

Produced by Amina Bee Events, the Launch of Image Forward Consulting brought out some of DC’s hottest fashion trendsetters, tastemakers, fashion designers, media personalities, and photographers. The evening’s entertainment included Independent R&B Soul recording artist Green Tea and music by DJ Saucee. Tracy Clayton of Tracy Clayton Photography served as the evening’s photographer and was responsible for the fashion photo presentation featuring Carolou Goodridge. Image Forward apprentice, Elliece Scott, assisted Carolou Goodridge throughout the evening.

The event also featured lite fare by Georgetown Catering and cocktails by Mixology that were representative of the world’s three fashion capitals – New York City, Milan, and Paris. Grandma’s Goodies provided the Couture Chanel Cake.

Event guests were treated to an Image Forward Consulting Swag Bag that contained products from DC Modern Luxury Magazine, Evelyn Brooks Designs, CC Sweet House, Amina Bee Events, Willow Capital Investments, and Scottee James.

As seen in DC Modern Luxury Magazine and featured online by High Powered Professional, Carolou is making her way to the top of the fashion industry. She is well known in the Washington, DC area for spearheading the creation of the first and only Congressional Caucus dedicated to fashion – the Congressional Fashion Business and Apparel Manufacturing Caucus. Carolou’s diverse background has great range, which has allowed her to work her magic with everyone from powerful politicians on Capitol Hill to talented athletes in the professional sports leagues.

"I think people will appreciate the personal touch and honesty that comes with the services Image Forward Consulting provides. They will appreciate my knowledge of style and staying on pulse with what’s happening in the fashion industry. Clients enjoy finding out what hot and exclusive new items are on the market. I work to ensure that they have only the best.”

For more information about Image Forward Consulting, please visit http://www.imageforwardconsulting.com/. For media requests, please contact Iymaani Aytes at iymaani@gmail.com.

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About Image Forward Consulting
Image Forward Consulting is a styling and image consultancy specializing in luxury brands. We work with individuals to create the perfect look based on their personal and professional style and needs. Our specialization includes fashion styling, personal shopping, and wardrobe enhancements. We work with each client based on their unique needs and provide everything from styling for a single, special occasion to creating an entire wardrobe.

Amina Bee's Inspiration From Tiffany

A Baby Girl Brunch at the Gandy Dancer

Inspired by Breakfast at Tiffany's

Theme: The Mom-to-Be looked to a Tiffany's box to paint the walls of her baby girl's nursery. Using the Tiffany box and the film classic Breakfast at Tiffany's, the baby shower was designed.

Location & Menu: The Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor, Michigan was the perfect setting for a baby shower brunch that Audrey Hepburn's Holly Golightly would declare "just darling." The Gandy Dancer's Sunday Brunch offers a generous buffet spread within an architectural landmark, the 1886 Michigan Central Depot Ann Arbor. The shower menus, which were accented with pink stripe or polka dot ribbon and pink rhinestones and tucked into guests' white linen napkins, described the buffet that featured everything from carved roast beef and ham to housemade breads and pastries.

Invitation & Registry: A 60's chic invitation with black silhouette and pink rhinestone detailing conveyed the Tiffany theme to guests. The Mom-to-Be's registry even reflected the mood with the Pottery Barn Kids' Ella Chandelier.

Centerpieces: A Tiffany themed shower would not be complete without an elegant jewelry display. For this occasion, a Tiffany Blue jewelry stand was adorned with little girl pearls, bracelets, headbands, and barrettes in shades of pink, white, and blue.

Accents: "It's A Girl" greeting cards were displayed in Tiffany Blue, white antique, and pink rose petaled frames.

Flowers: Pink Gerbera Daisies with white, pink, and fuchsia Carnations from Ann Arbor's Thrifty Flowers were arranged in square glass vases. Tiffany Blue and petite pink floral votive holders surrounded the floral arrangements.

Lighting: The table was illuminated by white candles in glass candlestick and votive holders adorned with Tiffany Blue polka dot ribbon. Tiffany Blue and pink diamond confetti also accented the table.



Personalized Gifts: The Mom-to-Be received some personalized gifts that also served as lovely table decor. A diaper wreath, featuring baby girl essentials tied in Tiffany Blue, pink, and white ribbons, was designed by Bianca of Sweet November, who can be reached at sweetnov07@gmail.com and (313) 622-1923 for such wreath orders. Gerber onesies, washcloths, and towels were packed in appropriately colored Daisy and watering can felt sacks that were Old Navy finds.


Favors: Guests were given pink chocolate pretzels from E & A Candies of Dutch Village Farmers Market in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The pretzels were wrapped and packaged in Tiffany Blue boxes tied with white ribbons.

Toronto: A City for Kings and Queens!

The perfect destination for bachelor & bachelorette festivities.

Where to stay: This week Starwood Hotels knocked an extra 25% off already discounted rates at their various properties throughout the world, including their Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel at $147 per night. Stay on top of such weekly travel deals by subscribing to Travelzoo's Top 20 Deals that are published every Wednesday: http://www.travelzoo.com/.

Where to eat: Check out Ackee Tree for some of the best Jamaican food in Toronto. Tucked off a Queen Street side street (170 Spadina Avenue), Ackee Tree is quaint and cozy, and most importantly, tasty! Try the jerk chicken, of course, as well as the vegetable roti: http://www.ackeetree.com/

What to do: In addition to the tiaras and feather boas, every bachelor, bachelorette, and their crews need to get in uniform with a signature t-shirt. Whether you are "Girls Behaving Badly" or you are men out for "One Last Night," you can get your t-shirt made instantly on Queen Street at t-shirt shops like Bang-On: http://bang-on.com/retail/locations/bang-toronto-queen.

Where to be: Fans of hip-hop should detour from Queen Street and head to College Street. Every Saturday night, a DJ at Sutra Tiki Bar (612 College Street) spins old school hip-hop: http://www.souzdal.com/sutra/. The third Friday of every month, Revival (783 College Street) hosts Hip-Hop Karaoke: http://www.revivalbar.com/.

The Season for Love

A February wedding is the perfect wedding at which to continue the spirit of Valentine's Day. Better Homes & Gardens presents a variety of do-it-yourself wedding decor and favor options that reflect the holiday of love:
http://www.bhg.com/crafts/weddings/favors/wedding-mementos-and-favors/

Visit Tom & John on Your Honeymoon!

Recent travels took me, Amina Bee, to the perfectly blue, tranquil settings of St. Thomas and St. John, ideal honeymoon destinations. With magnificent azure skies above, and crystal clear turquoise seas below, the scenery on these U.S. Virgin Islands is breathtaking! The only scenery on these islands that is not blue, are the white, sandy beaches, which have been deemed some of the best beaches in the world. The year-round temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees accent the landscape beautifully.

The great thing about St. Thomas and St. John is their proximity to one another, so couples do not have to choose one over the other. Red Hook, in the East End of St. Thomas, and Cruz Bay, in St. John, are just minutes apart by ferry. Airlines, including discount carriers like Spirit Airlines, service the St. Thomas International Airport (STT). Desirable accommodations abound in St. Thomas, from the upscale Ritz Carlton, to the more moderately priced Wyndham Sugar Bay. Private villas, like the Cabrita Cliff Haus (where I stayed during my visit and highly recommend), would also be ideal for a honeymoon stay, as well as a wedding itself!

While in St. Thomas and St. John, there are a few things that newlyweds are sure to enjoy. For romance, walk hand in hand on the shores of Trunk Bay (St. John), one of the most beautiful beaches in the world according to National Geographic. For pampering, select the Couples Complete Getaway spa package at the Wyndham Sugar Bay's Journeys Spa (St. Thomas). For laughs, share $1 drinks at the infamous happy hour at Woody's (St. John). For intimate dining, make reservations for two at the Old Stone Farmhouse (St. Thomas).

Restaurant Week

Scout prospective reception venues and caterers during Washington, DC's Restaurant Week, January 11-17, 2010. Approximately 180 restaurants participate, with a three-course fixed-price lunch at $20.10 and a three-course fixed-price dinner at $35.10: http://washington.org/restaurantwk/.