Is the $43 Billion Dollar Tween Market Making Tweens Grow Up too Fast?

(Girls Just Wanna Have Fun at Little Princess Spa)

(Spa Day at Little Princess Spa)

How to Write Your Own Money-Making Websites

 She's not a tween yet, but at age five, she can put on a hot pink zebra skirt and matching one shoulder top, grab her pink Coach handbag and go. 

The thing is, she's not the one buying these items. 

Let's imagine our Lil diva wearing a charm bracelet on her wrist.  We can't help but notice her pink  French manicured nails that were recently done at her Little Princess Spa Party. 

 (Little Princess Spa)

Tweens 8 to 13 years old can't drive themselves to the mall.  But that doesn't stop them from being responsible for billions of dollars in consumer spending.  Can you believe it, marketing innocently starts at a girls slumber party. 

Aired on The Early Show, as a joint series with CBS Evening News:  "Gotta Have It:  The Hard Sell to Kids," explored marketers' obsession with tween girls.  Why?  

1. They spend more money.

2. And they love to talk.

Slumber parties are a popular marketing strategy used by marketers to obtain feedback about products.  We all know that tweens love slumber parties.  Especially, when there's a box packed with technology goodies--accessories, games and new products waiting for them to tear into.  They are there to create a viral buzz among this sought-after consumer group.  

Here's how it works.  The box sits in a spot strategically selected by the marketing firm, GIA, short for Girls Intelligence Agency.  

Even the slumber party's hostess was strategically selected to be the alpha or the peer influencer in her group of friends.  They listen and trust her opinion.  She has the most influence.  GIA has 40 to 50,000 of these girls registered called,  "secret agents."

 (Flickr.com - Glamour Avenue Parties)


It's mind blowing to think that important business decisions, affecting multi-million dollar companies are in the hands of  eight to 12-year-olds.  This group is important because if one girl likes it, she'll tell two friends and they'll tell two friends until it becomes viral.  I'm surprised the GIA haven't infiltrated the Tweens' spa day parties yet.  They probably have. 

 Of course, this puts pressure on kids and parents to keep up.

Ten years ago, Tweens were adolescents from ages ten to 12.  GIA identifies a tween age range as 8 to 13.   Most of Madison Avenue has pushed back the Tweens age range to five.  We're getting close to calling toddlers tweens.  I've seen zebra clothing on them too.  

There's nothing wrong with an eight-year-old or a three-year-old, wearing hot pink zebra as long as it was designed for an eight-year-old and a three-year-old to wear.


Freelance Website in Four Days’ Express



Verizon has also jumped on the bandwagon by incorporating the younger tweens in their Susie's Lemonade commercial.  This campaign advertises Verizon 4G LTE technology and tablets.  It shows Susie and her company doing business at lightning fast speeds.  

Wow, it all started with Dad lending Susie his phone to calculate her lemonade stand sales and keep track of the time.  He returns home to a lemonade conglomerate.

 (Ming-Lee and Aoki Simmons)

There's no question that our 21st Century tweens are more fashion forward than their predecessors were at their age.  Ming-Lee (12) and Aoki Simmons (10) launched a children's clothing line in 2007 that suits our New Millennium kids' style.  

They launched it under their parents' business guidance -- Fashion Mogul Kimora Simmons, and Hip-Hop Music and Fashion Mogul, Russell Simmons.

Here's what's hard to swallow. 7.5 million of the 20 million under 18 Facebook users are younger than 13.  It's no secret that danger lurk between the Social Media walls and hashtags.  Naive tweens Facebooking there every move could attract child molesters and kidnappers. 

   

 Just like adults, tweens are busy Tweeting, Texting, Facebook Chatting ...and let's not forget You Tube viewing and uploading videos daily.  They know their way around a video camera and tablet.

They're showing themselves to be a technologically smarter generation with the most at their fingertips.  That can be good and bad.  Is it Too Much?

And your ears will hear a word behind you saying, this is the way; walk in it when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.  Isaiah 30:21

Kiki here... welcome to this week's iCafe Woman Moderne's text-webisode:  "Is the $43 Billion Dollar Tween Market Making Tweens Grow Up Too Fast."  Where are the pigtails and ponytails, cute barrettes and hairbands?   

Tweens are wearing their hair loose and experimenting with makeup a lot earlier than previous generations.  Of course, a lot of the makeup they use is made for this market and has lots of glitter.

Victoria's Secret Pink Collection markets to a younger crowd.  I'll never get used to seeing twelve-year-olds shopping at Victoria's Secret with their mothers or a group of peers with an accompanying adult. 

"There is no such thing as preadolescence anymore.  Kids are teenagers at ten," said Henry Trevor, middle-school director of the Berkeley Carroll School in Brooklyn.   

I'm here today with three of our iCafe Girl Moderne Tweens:  Chyna (12), Felicity (11) and Ainsley (10)  They're happy to give us a brief glimpse inside their world.  

 iCafe Woman Moderne - A virtual cafe inside a mid-century home

FADE IN:

INT./ICAFE WOMAN MODERNE SUNROOM - DAY

Our girls are chilling on a Sixties couch and egg chair in our sun room.  

 American Girl

American Girls dolls are next to them, (I asked the girls to bring them.)but they're not feeling the love.  Instead, our tweens' are fixated on their Macbook Pro, iPad and iPhone.


(Egg Chair - Flickr.com)

They're not aware that Kiki has entered the sunroom.  She clears her throat, as the camera zooms in on Ainsley, staring at her iPad.  She looks up with a start.

AINSLEY 

 Oh Hi.... I'm Ainsley and I just turned ten a week ago.  Chyna's on my left ... she's 12.   That's Felicity in the egg chair.  She's 11.  Felicity, look up!

An embarrassed Felicity grins toward the web-cam.

AINSLEY

Chyna, Felicity and seven of my girlfriends who hang here with us, came to my Birthday Princess Spa Party.  It was at a real spa for girls.  We arrived in a pink stretch limo ...had chocolate facials, manicures, pedicures and massages.  Stylists made us over with makeup, lots of glitter and hair pieces.  My stylist crimped mine and added a cute crimped hair piece.  Then, we modeled our fashions.  It was so cool.

CHYNA 

It was so much fun.  I mean, it was Ainsley's birthday party, but she gave us each a piece of jewelryand this cute tiara she makes and sells.  They were her party favors.  I love my tiara and earrings. 

KIKI

That's right, Ainsley.  You design and sell your own jewelry online.

AINSLEY

Yep, also tiaras, hair accessories and the ones we're wearing today.  Mom said if I wanted a spa birthday party, I'd have to pay for half.  

Kiki faces the camera.

KIKI

You go, Mom!

AINSLEY

That's what she said, until she saw my final report card.  I got all As and this great spa party.  The spa had an opening at the last minute.  And I didn't have to spend any of my money.

(Princess Spa Party)

FELICITY
We wore little black dresses with pink accessories.

Kiki 
I heard you ordered your dresses at an online store that sells LBDs for little girls, the LLBD Shop - The Little-Little Black Dress Shop.  The little girl in our opening scene is one of their models. 

AINSLEY
Yes, thankfully it won Mom over.  She wanted us to wear boring pink dresses ...but I only like pink with black.  Black's my favorite dress color.

(Llum - Colorblocked - LLBD)

KIKI

Oh, I understand.  Perfect Little Black Dresses are big at iCafe Woman Moderne. They're my favorite too.  You're all kidpreneurs, right?  You have your own businesses.

They nod. 

FELICITY

Uh-huh.  I crochet cell phone purses, iPad covers, small pocketbooks and cute socks and hats for babies. 

KIKI
So that's how you get your electronics.

FELICITY
Nope.  I get my electronics, video games and clothes from my family.  Mom controls my business account.  She gives me a weekly allowance that could be $50 to $100, depending on what's going on.   I don't have to spend much of my money, which I love.  I got an iPhone from my Dad last week and a MacBook Pro for Christmas.

 (LLBD - By Blush)

KIKI
I thought you already had a cell phone.

FELICITY
I do, but I really wanted an iPhone.  I've been begging my mom for one for months.  My parents are divorced.  Mom didn't say much after Daddy gave it to me.  She was so mad.  I'm just glad she let me keep it.  My iPhone is a thousand times way better.

CHYNA 

My Daddy's parents gave me an iPad for my birthday, last February.  They said I deserve one because I worked so hard, and they're old school so that was a big deal.  


KIKI
You make those unique cupcakes I had the other day.  They were delicious.


CHYNA
I also bake cookies too. My business is called Sweetie's Cupcakes & Cookies. That's my nickname.  I made the same cupcakes you tasted for Ainsley's birthday party.  I started seriously baking after my Dad died from cancer two years ago.  Mom was so sad, she could barely talk without crying.  I sort of had trouble focusing in school.

 (Mango Coriander Pound Cake Cupcake - Food Network's Cupcake Wars)

Chyna's eyes fill with tears.  She accepts Kiki's tissues and wipe them away.


CHYNA (CON'TD.)
 It was hard on me too, but Dad kind of prepared me, since I'm the oldest.  He also made me 12 videos, one for every month for a year, where he talks about stuff.  His parents, MiMi and Pop-Pop, gave them to me right after the funeral.  On the first video, he reminded me of our last conversation.  He told me he loved my blueberry pancakes and orange vanilla cupcakes.

The girls reach out to her, she fans them away. 


CHYNA 

I'm good.  Anyway, I needed something to make Mom and me and my two sisters smile again.  So I combined Daddy's two favorite things .... no ... three ...and created blueberry pancake vanilla cupcakes with bacon.   He loved bacon too ...the thick kind.

KIKI
Girl, you're preaching to the choir.  She's making them for two of iCafe Girl Moderne upcoming events.

AINSLEY
It sounds weird, but I couldn't stop eating them.  Tell them how you made it.

CHYNA
It's so easy.  I made a light pancake batter from scratch, added fresh blueberries, marscapone and fresh vanilla bean.  I made a sweetened condensed milk whipped cream frosting swirled with maple syrup and topped with an orange slice glazed with orange juice, cinnamon and sugar.  And I added a crisp piece of thick bacon.  It's so yummy.  

FELICITY
Tell them what you told me.  

Felicity doesn't wait for her to speak.  She turns to the web camera.

FELICITY (Con'td.)
She said, the cupcakes were what made them all smile again. 

CHYNA
(smiling)
Since then, I've never stopped baking ...and people started ordering a bunch of stuff and paying me.  I made my my Mom and sisters my staff ...even Ainsley and Felicity help out. We're trying to get on Food Network's Cup Cake Wars.  

AINSLEY

Your cupcakes are awesome! We ate them first, but I had a birthday cake too.  

(her smile dims) 

I'm a ballerina, so my dad surprised me with cake in the shape of a ballerina that looked like me.   She thought it was going to be a sheet cake with a ballerina on it, not a replica of me.  I overheard her tell him that it was too over-the-top.  And he said, "so a spa day with a chauffered pink limo is your average little girl's birthday party?"  They shut up when they saw me in the doorway.  I was too psyched about the cake to get bummed.  I wish they would stop trying to compete for my love.  They already got it.

KIKI

I'm glad you all shared your feelings with us today.  I think parents don't fully realize how hard divorce is on their children.  And, a death of a parent is especially hard on a family, because the life as they know it has changed forever.  

The camera pans the girls faces.

KIKI (CONT'D.)
...They still have a life to live and new memories to create.  Ainsley and Felicity ...keep telling your parents how you love them both, equally.  They'll get it.

She sits down next to Chyna.

KIKI (CONT'D.)
 And Chyna, you were so smart to find something your Daddy loved and turn it into something that would make you all remember the happy times together.

The camera zooms in on Kiki.

KIKI (CONT'D.)
What about you?  We'd like to hear your comments ... tweens, parents, grandparents ... just click on the comments.  Don't be shy!

    

.

Dance-it-Out! Dance Your Stress Away!

Wouldn't it be nice if we developed a positive outlet for stress within the first year of our lives?  And what if it grew throughout childhood and lasted a lifetime?  Imagine what kind of world this would be.

No, I'm not talking about bawling our eyes out at the drop of a hat.  However, we may need to shed a few tears to begin the emotional healing process.  A really good cry can help cleanse the soul.  But keep in mind, it's hard to have power in the middle of a pity party.  So why not have a dance party of one, instead?

"Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older he will remain upon it."  Proverbs 22:6

Miracles and Blessings ...Kiki here.  I'm so excited about this week's iCafe Woman Moderne text-webisode:  Dance-it-Out!  Dance the Stress Away!  Wouldn't it be nice if this caught on?

Picture this, you had a suckish day at work.  Let's just say, Murphy's Law won this round.  You're the first to arrive home.  (Thank Goodness!) You kick off your sensible work shoes, and you and your Dooney & Bourke swan dive onto the couch.  Aaaah ...that feels good, right?  Your iPod peeks out of your purse.   You snatch it and click on your favorite gospel tune or top 40 (whatever you need).   

Next thing you know, you're Praise Dancing or Dancing Out your anger, disappointment, frustration, grief, sadness, jealousy, low self-esteem, doubt ...everything you don't want brewing inside.  

These sweet angels in our opening video give us hope for the future.   They're PRAISING-it-Out to the song, Encourage Yourself by Grammy Award-Winning Singer, Yolanda Adams. 
 

(Yolanda Adams)

Remember ...when the praises go up, the blessings come down.  Watch this!



What was that?  They took your breath away?  Mine too.  There's nothing better than watching children praise God before the age of 12.   Praise dance-it-out, and you'll have victory over any obstacle.  There's nothing you can't do.  "God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind."  2Timothy 1:7

How to Write Your Own Money-Making Websites

Our next video is a little raw on the video quality side, but extremely powerful.  Watch the first few minutes and you'll surely get a blessing.  This video of a mother and her one-year-old daughter (yes, one-year-old) praise dancing together brought tears to my eyes.  Watch the baby, she's something to behold.  She's a seed waiting to bloom.  No matter how tired she is, she keeps praising God.



Isn't she precious?  If you think she's amazing, check out the four-year-old in the next video.




Kiki's Journey
Another term for praise dance is liturgical dance.  I was introduced to praise dance during a dark period.  Since claiming my victory, I've praise danced and taught praise dance to children and adults for 14 years.   This form of praise helped me see God's light shine through the clouds.  And I've never looked back.  

There are so many dance forms ...latin, hip-hop, ballet, line, disco... it's endless.  It's basically moving to a beat and taking it from there.  So let's see how the doctors on ABC's Grey's Anatomy ...Meredith, Cristine and Lexie "dance it out."  They dance away the day's challenges.  


(Grey's Anatomy)



A medical resident, a criminal attorney, police officer, paramedic ...all are poster children for stress. This popular Grey's Anatomy scene seem to have started this "dance it out" trend, but I've been doing it for years.  After-all, the talented Shonda Rhimes (Grey's Anatomy Creator/Executive Producer) or her impressive team of writers most likely wrote it from an experience, direct or indirectly.  This episode prompted even non-dancers to bust a move and bust away stress. 

 There's no doubt that dancing brings smiles, laughter and fun  ...all great things for your soul.  You can't deny the medical studies, attributing good health to having a happy outlook.

(ABC Family - Bunheads)

I Saw it on ABC's Bunheads
Monday's premiere of the new ABC Family series, Bunheads, starring Tony Award Actress Sutton Foster, shows us how it's done.  In the midst of the tug-of-war drama between a mother and her son's unexpected, new wife -- the mother decides it's time to "dance-it-out" with this interloper now called Daughter-in-law.

At the end of their hilarious dance, this unlikely duo seem to form a natural bond.  It's a good thing. They'll need it for the emotional storm that's heading their way, before the song is over.

In case you're wondering, I'm flying solo today for this text-webisode. Our divas couldn't wait to grab summer by the Adirondack chair.  They're buzzing around here, enjoying our Summer salad, smoothy and dessert specials. 

Did You Say, Goat Milk Ice Cream?
We even have someone making goat milk ice cream after seeing it on a Cooking Channel show. You heard me right.  This ice cream did not come from Elsa, the cow.

Victory Garden Ice Cream Shop New York City at 131 Carmine Street in New York City's West Village (between Bleeker and Bedford) only makes Artisanal Goat Milk soft serve ice cream made with the root of the wild orchid.  I can't wait to try it the next time I'm in the West Village.

Hey, don't knock it until you try it. Customers sang its praises on Cooking Channel's Unique Sweets, which aired Monday, June 11.  It's lower in fat and healthier.  For now, I'll try the samples here.  
 Since last summer, Victory Garden expanded its menu to include distinctive beverages and savory lunches.

(Chocolate Victory and Herbal Blend with Pistachios

 - Photo by Jacqueline S.)

 (Mexican Vanilla with Honey Comb Candy and Chocolate)

(Strawberry and Lemon Poppy Swirl 
- Photo by Ryna D.)

(Victory Garden - located in the West Village - Photo by Jacqueline S.)
 
Here are Victory Garden's facts about goat milk ice cream:

• Goat milk is lower in fat than cow’s milk, but with all the nutrition.
• Goat milk is rich in healthy antimicrobial fatty acids, which are burned by the body, rather than stored as is cow’s milk.
• Goat milk is also a great source of iron, calcium, protein
  and potassium.
• Goat milk is lactose friendly, making it a easy for people with lactose-intolerance to digest.
• Goat milk is the most similar animal milk to that of humans. It is more readily processed than cow’s milk.

Keep This in Mind
Whether you're praise dancing with a purpose or enjoying a Zumba party of one ...you're dancing that stress away.  And guess what,  you're also giving yourself a healthy mind, body and spirit.

What music do you Praise Dance or Dance It Out?  iCafe Woman Moderne wants to know. 

Step Out-of-the-Wedding Gown-Box...

 (Amsale Little White Dress)

 

(Amsale - Little White Dress)

 (Melissa Sweet)

And Step into a Hemline Raised to Ballet, Tea, Knee or Slightly Above-the-Knee lengths.   But let's Keep it Tasteful and Always Elegant, whether you're marrying for the first time or renewing your vows.

Earn Top Dollar With Skills You Already Have…And Finish Your Novel, Too with AWAI’s Accelerated Program For Six-Figure Copywriting!





I love the Melissa Sweet wedding dress above.  It has a vintage feel I absolutely adore.

Warning, you may start craving a slice of wedding cake after gazing at this white dress with pink flowers on the dress form above.  Well, it should.  It's a cake dress designed by those talented cake designers at the Pink Cake Box.  

It's the perfect example of an out-of-the-wedding gown-box, wedding dress like the ones in our opening scene.  Can't you see them all with a white, ivory or soft pink bird cage veil or fascinator? 

Fascinator - A fascinator is a headpiece, a style of millinery.  It's a woman's alternative to a hat for formal attire.  It's usually a large hair decoration on a clip with elaborate trimmings and decoration like a formal hat.  And it can incorporate a base to make it a miniature hat.  Wikipedia

 I certainly can see a bird cage veil or fascinator with any of the short wedding dresses previously shown.  That's the great thing about stepping out-of-the-wedding-shop-box.  You can add any color you want to a dress.  Wedding shop owners and maybe a few wedding planners are probably frowning at that last statement.  But hey, it's your wedding ...you can add color if you want to!

(Etsy.com)

Popular Hat Designer and Owner of the Granville Milliery Company--Amy Hamilton--designed the next fascinator called the "French Twist."

 (Granville Millinery Company - French Twist)


 A Hat Above the Rest...
Short wedding dresses could even be worn with a stylish hat accentuated with flowers and feathers like the Royal Romance design below, also created by Hamilton.

  

 (Royal Romance - Granville Millinery Company)

Miracles and Blessings ...Welcome to iCafe Woman Moderne ...Kiki, here.   Once again, we're starting June off with our annual wedding text-webisode.  

This time, we're showing you how to:  Step Out-of-the-Wedding Gown-Box!  I'm happy to say I'll be celebrating the big 20th wedding anniversary this July 11.  Hooray!  

What's our secret?  It's really not a secret, but I'll tell you just the same.  It's quite simple ...the couple that prays and worship together has a strong foundation to stay together.   Without it, you'll feel like you're walking on quick sand during the challenging times.  

But first, a quick message from our Sponsor.

"Anything is possible if I have faith."  Mark 9:23

"From Eternity to Eternity.  I am God.  No one can oppose what I do."  Isaiah 43:13 

Now Back to iCafe Woman Moderne's Step Out-of-the-Wedding Gown-Box...

KIKI

Welcome back!  But we're not just talking about stepping out-of-the-wedding gown-box.  

Fellas ...freeze.  Don't you dare back out of that door.  Today's text-webisode also have some handsome surprises to help you step out of your tuxedo box. 

So of course I asked four of our iCafe Woman Moderne Divas to drag ...I mean ... cordially invite their hubbies and fiances to join the fun.  

Two are renewing their vows this Summer and Fall.  While the other two are first-time brides and grooms and want to crank up the unique quotient for their wedding. 

Let's check out what's going on in the great room?  Shall We? 

FADE IN:

INT./ ICAFE WOMAN MODERNE - DAY

The camera zooms in on our grooms-to-be and hubbies who can't stop squirming on the sectional.  They're looking a tad uncomfortable.  Maybe it's because they're wearing white sleep masks emblazoned with  "groom" and "groom again" in black letters. 

KIKI

Our first bride-to-be, MARIAH, 25 - a Dental Hygienist -- models her selected wedding dress.  It's a replica of the short, pink wedding dress with matching veil introduced in the movie, The Vow.   

Worn by Co-Star Rachel McAdams and co-starring Channing Tatum, this made-for-movie dress was designed by out-of-the-box Fashion Designer Betsey Johnson .

 (The Vow)  

(Buy it at:  Celebrity Dresses.com)

MARIAH

I'm loving this pink dress.  I found it on ..."  

She glances at fiance, TONY, 27 - Architect.

MARIAH (CONT'D.)
"I found it on ...it's my secret until the wedding day dot com."

TONY(27 - Architect)

Why am I here if I can't see the dress? 
Wait a minute, did you say pink?  

You can't wear a pink wedding gown.
Someone I like to call, Mom ... and your 
future mother-in-law will freak. You're wearing white. 

NATE (28 - Licensed Carpenter)

So, you're cool with it being short?

TONY

Short!  Oh man, Mariah ...what are you doing to me here. You can't wear a short dress on our wedding day. Sure it's in a garden, but a short dress won't cut it with Mom or me.  I always saw my bride in a white gown that looks like marshmallow fluff.

MARIAH

Tulle?  You're insane if you think I'm wearing tulle.  Even though that tulle dress in the opening scene was cute.  Forget it, I'm not wearing anything long that looks like marshmallow fluff.  It's so not happening.

TONY

You're not wearing a short pink dress. 

He snatches off his mask as his future bride screams bloody murder.  He stares at her in shock, speechless.  He walks over to her mesmerized and smiling.

TONY

This is your wedding dress.  You're not wearing anything else.  I'm not kidding.  Baby, you're so beautiful.  I can't wait to marry you.

ICAFE WOMAN MODERNE DIVAS O.S. 
(off-screen-behind the open-concept kitchen)

(in unison)

Awww!

Mariah and Tony passionately kiss.

BART 
(49 - ELECTRICAL ENGINEER)

(laughing)

Hey Tony, I'm pretty sure they can find you a dress like that so the two of you can match. Won't that be nice, Tonya?

The guys laugh.   

TONY

That's okay, Bart Simpson.  I'm borrowing your Pee Wee Herman plaid tuxedo with the high-water pants you wore at your prom and wedding. 

(Pee Wee's Big Adventure)

Bart and Tony crack up, pounding hands. 

Bart's wife, JENNY, 49 - Dietician - (they're celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in August) enters the great room next.

KIKI
Jenny's in a shorter version of the pink chiffon gown you're seeing on your screen that was featured on Martha Stewart Weddings.

 (Martha Stewart Weddings)

JENNY (49 - DIETICIAN)

FYI ...Bart's suit was checkered, and Grand-mom let out the hem for our wedding.
(to Bart) 
Don't even think about taking off that mask.  We've got another 25 years to go.

Tony and the ladies check out the long, pink dress on the monitors, as OLIVIA, 28, - Owner of Sweet Olivia's Bake Shop -- joins them in her grandmother's tea length Fifties prom dress.  

 (1950s wedding dress)

OLIVIA

Jenny, your dress looks identical to the Martha Stewart one,  only shorter. 

JENNY

Thanks, my sewing skills definitely came in handy.

MARIAH

Don't tell me you made your own wedding dress.  What can't you do?  You're this amazing gourmet chef ... you make your own soap ... you can even build a deck and tile a bathroom.  You're like this Martha Stewart with Ty Pennington's skills.

OLIVIA

Wow, it looks like a professional did it.

JENNY

A professional did.   I've been sewing since I could sing the alphabet.  My parents were expecting a James, but Daddy still taught me everything he knew.

OLIVIA

Can you help me with mine?  I'd like to raise the neckline and make it a keyhole and update the flowers.   NATE ...hands off that blindfold.

NATE
I was yawning.

TONY
Sure you were, dude.  

JENNY

I'll help you, Liv ...that's not a problem.  Your mother's dress was made for you.

KIKI

Daria, are you ready?

DANNY

I saw her crocheting the dang thing.

DARIA 

It's not the same ...leave the mask on! 

She yells from the changing area O.S. (off-screen)

 (100layercake.com)

KIKI
(to the camera)

Daria was inspired to make this dress by the woman in the photo, on your screen.  She's with her husband and baby at their mountaintop elopement.  She sewed the green dress underneath from a vintage pattern and crocheted the doilies for the overlay in three weeks.

Daria walks out in a coral halter vintage dress with ivory crocheted doilies and white silk gardenias in her hair.

DARIA

It took me seven weeks.

OLIVIA

It's stunning.

DARIA

It'll be perfect for our vow renewal in Bermuda.

DANNY

You mean Barbados.

DARIA

Why would we be going to Barbados 

when we honeymooned in Bermuda?

(to the ladies)

We're celebrating our 35th, poor fella.  He's losing it.

DANNY

(laughing)

Bermuda's already booked.  I'm just making sure you're not slipping, woman. 

KIKI

Okay, ladies ...it's the men's turn.

ALL MEN

Our turn?

Kiki faces the camera, smiling. 

KIKI

That's right, it's your turn to look as handsome as our favorite stars from yesterday. The famous Las Vegas Rat Pack. 

 

 (The Rat Pack - Peter Lawford, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. Frank Sinatra) 

A photo of the Rat Pack members -- Peter Lawford, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra -- appears on the monitor behind her. 

 KIKI CONT'D.
It's nice to have friends in high fashion places.  My friend, Desmond ...a men's wear buyer at Nordstrom's ...brought over some suits in your sizes and accessories.   Now it's your turn to look fierce.  He's in the back waiting for you.  Go on now.

NATE

Had I known, I wouldn't have eaten that cheese steak and cheese fries before I came here.

BART
You're forgetting those two brownies and Latte you scoffed down once you got here.

NATE
(to Bart)
I guess we're going to ignore that fancy French sandwich and peach milk shake you had.  (snickering)

The guys laugh.  Nate and Bart pat their stomachs, as the ladies shake their heads.

KIKI

The two who didn't eat cheese steaks and brownies ...try on the suits.  The rest ... you'll model the accessories.  

She hands the ladies blindfolds.  

KIKI
Sorry, Divas. We're saving the surprise for your special days.  

Action in iCafe Woman Moderne FREEZES just as the women start to protest.  

ZOOMS IN on a laptop placed on a coffee table in front of the sectional.

SFX:  SOUND OF KNOCKING ON GLASS.

CLOSE-UP of a smiling Kiki inside the laptop.  

KIKI
Over here ...don't you love technology? At a blink, I can freeze that scene and their complaints.

She gestures toward the frozen images of the women surrounding her face inside the laptop.

KIKI
And we can come back to this.

She snaps her fingers.

CUT TO GREAT ROOM
The men leave. Kiki hands the ladies "Bride-to-Be" and "Bride Again" white sleep masks.  They begrudgingly wear them, but don't utter a word.

MOMENTS LATER... 

Kiki is seated on the sectional with the ladies.

KIKI

Welcome back to iCafe Woman Moderne 's virtual cafe inside an Art Moderne home.  Today's New Millennium men can step out-of-the-tuxedo-box too.  Especially, if they're having a destination, beach or garden weddings as you're all doing. 

She leaves the sectional and stands by the open-concept kitchen where the men will emerge.

KIKI CONT'D.

Ladies, I'll describe what they're wearing, so you're not completely in the dark.  But like you, they'll have the final say.  Are we in agreement?  Or do we need a time out again.

The web camera pans their unhappy faces, nodding.

CUT-TO GREAT ROOM

Tony enters dressed-to-impress.

KIKI 

Here's Tony in a blue seersucker suit sporting a navy polka-dot bow tie.

(Seersucker Suit)

(bow tie)

KIKI

He's Rico Suave in a Stetson's Brewster Straw Panama Fedora.  Yes, ladies ...straw hats are appropriate for outdoor weddings.  I didn't think we had time for all four to model the suits, but we do.  So here they are.

KIKI

Nate joins us in a lavender version of the seersucker.  It would look great on groomsmen if the bridesmaids wore lavender dresses.

 KIKI

Nate's also wearing a Stetson Latte Milan Fedora hat with it.  Ladies, I know you're dying to speak.  But please hold your comments and leave the masks on.  

BART

I like this.

Bart enters the great room.

KIKI

Bart's liking his two-button light tan suit and ladybug silk tie.  I understand this design has sentimental meaning and looks fantastic.

JENNY
You could've warn me you were going to make me cry today.

Jenny wipes tears from her cheeks.

JENNY CONT'D.

My first gift from him ...five days after we met ...was a ladybug necklace.  

She touches the ladybug necklace she's wearing.  

JENNY
He found out from my sister that I loved everything ladybug.  That's when I fell in love with him.  Except for our wedding day, I always wear it.

The ladies stop her from staggering over to him. 

KIKI

Bart's also carrying a red and black polka dot tie that looks like a lady bug convention.  

BART 

I'm wearing the first lady bug tie.   It's sharp.  

KIKI

And finally,  Dapper Danny looks stylish in this natural three-button linen suit accented with a coral retro mod tie.  It perfectly matches your coral crocheted dress, Daria.  He's also sporting a Kangol Swirl Pork Pie hat in brown and tan.

DARIA
A Swirl Pork Pie!  It sounds like something I would like eating ...not something I would like to see him wear.

DANNY

Now we're talking.  I'm digging everything about this look.  

SHOPPING TIPS FOR GROOMS-TO-BE 

AND GROOMS AGAIN

KIKI

Guys, here are tips to remember from grooms advice.com when shopping for your special day.  

1.  A well-tailored suit will make you look a million times better than a suit pulled off the rack at Sears.

2.  When choosing your shirts and suits make sure that the shoulder seams fall on your shoulders.

3.  A collar on a dress shirt should fit snugly around your neck, not too tight though.  If you can fit more than one finger between you and your collar, that neck size is not the right one for you.

4.  If you're getting married on a beach and you're going with the golf shirt style, the shirt should end just below your waist.

5.  Go to a higher end rental store if you're renting.  Go to a store that has stock you can try on.  Never order sight unseen.

KIKI

Ladies, let's give a hand for your sweeties and the good sports they are. Now guys head on back and change.  

A FEW MORE MINUTES LATER, the masks are removed and the guys are back.

 KIKI

I hope you're enjoying today's text-webisode.  We're definitely ending on a sweet note, literally.  Now, for those of you who want to step out-of-the-wedding-cake-box. Here are a few alternatives we found on Martha Stewart Weddings that Olivia, the owner of Sweet Olivia's Bake Shop, made for us to sample.

Olivia

Thanks, Kiki.  Here are several alternatives or additions to traditional wedding cakes.

1. Martha Stewart's Bundt Wedding Cakes

(Martha Stewart Weddings)

2. Brownie Treats

(Martha Stewart Weddings)

3. Marbled Masterpiece.

(Martha Stewart Weddings)

4. Mini Cupcakes in Lace Cupcake Towers.

(Martha Stewart Weddings)

TO BE CONTINUED...

FADE TO BLACK.