Marisa LaScala: Writer, Editor, and Good Addition to Your Bar Trivia Team

The beginning of the year brought a little of everything, from quick news and service to holidays to first-person essays — even my old hat as a weddings editor popped back on. And, of course, Baby Shark never goes away. But my two favorite pieces for January and February were these:

The Best Royal Movies to Help You Truly Understand the Monarchy

Kind of related to the Oscars — and movies like The Favourite and Mary, Queen of Scots — and kind of to satisfy my own curiosity, I challenged myself to see if I could trace the royal lineage from Elizabeth II to Elizabeth I just through movies. I was able to do it, though some were obscure. But now I know that Colin Firth from The King's Speech is the current Queen's father. 

We're Officially Calling Blume Dolls the Hottest Toy of 2019

This was the first year I got to attend Toy Fair, and scout out all of the hot new toys for the year. And while I saw lots of great things, these cuties leapt out as an early favorite.

News

Parents, The Momo Challenge Isn't the Video You Need to Be Worrying About on YouTube

The Hatching Baby Toothless Is the Perfect Gift For Your Aspiring Hiccup

The Disney+ Streaming Service Sounds Like It's Going to Be Every Parent's BFF

Andy Cohen Was Just Dad-Shamed for Taking His Newborn on an Airplane

'Riverdale' Star Mark Consuelos Dishes on What It Was Really Like Working With Kelly Ripa

Kristen Bell Shut Down an Instagram Follower Who Said She's "Exploiting" a Kid for Her New Line

Kairi, the New Gerber Baby for 2019, Just Made History

The U.S. Divorce Rate Is Going Down, and We Have Millennials to Thank

Terminally Ill Girl in Wisconsin Just Wants Letters From Your Dog

Service

3 Tricks That Calm a Crying Baby, According to a Researcher Who Surveyed 800+ Parents

This Dad’s Trick for Getting Picky Kids to Eat Is Brilliant

My Daughter Wouldn't Sleep Away From Home Until We Got This Toddler Travel Bed

6 Apps That Make Potty Training Way Easier Than a DIY Sticker Chart

16 Lego Storage Ideas That'll Keep Every Small Piece Organized

15 Best Stargazing Apps for iPhones and Androids

The Best Books About Self-Love, Because We All Need to Pump Ourselves Up

Holidays

Watch This 'Peppa Pig' Chinese New Year Sneak Peek With Your Kids Tonight

15 Best Hallmark Movies to Watch Before Valentine's Day

14 Baby Valentine's Day Outfits for Your True Sweetheart

Easy Valentine's Day Games Any Kid Will Love

40 Quotes About Broken Hearts That Are Just Too Real

The 20 Best Irish Movies to Watch for St. Patrick's Day

The Best Irish Movies on Netflix to Stream on St. Patrick's Day

Milestones

14 Gold Wedding Dresses for the Bride Who Wants to Sparkle

15 Pink Wedding Dresses for the Most Romantic Brides Out There

Inspiring Backyard Wedding Ideas for Casual Brides and Grooms

Neon Wedding Signs That Will Give Your Reception Some Electricity

14 DIY Floral Garland Ideas for Spring Parties and Weddings

15 Grazing Tables Ideas That Will Make Any Party Stand Out

13 Creative and Thoughtful Ways to Ask: Will You Be a Godparent?

18 Mesmerizing Number Cakes We Wish We Could Eat Right Now

16 Cheap Neon Signs That Add Major Personality to Your Space

30 Quotes About Change, Because We Never Stop Evolving

Baby Shark

So, Where Did This "Baby Shark" Song Come From, Anyway?

Baby Shark Toys, Books, and Shirts Are Taking Over the Internet

A Baby Shark Play-Doh Set Is in the Works Because the Craze Will Never End

The New Baby Shark Toy Will Dance Circles Around You

Assigned Essays

Their Son Tested Positive for Strep Throat. Then Came the Severe OCD, Anxiety, and Hallucinations.

14 Reasons Parenting Teenagers Is Better Than You Think It Will Be

I Didn't Appreciate My Mother-in-Law Until I Had a Daughter

I'm usually more known as a crafter of words as opposed to a crafter of things, but here's a throwback to my most successful DIY project. For my wedding in 2010, I made the place cards and boutonnières on my own—not too shabby if I can say so myself! Everything else, well, ETSY! I think my projects are as good as the pros', no? 

The top two photos are DIY, the rest was PSE (pay someone else). 

Photo credit: Chris Ware

This is a little old, but for the Winter 2014 issue of New York Weddings, I did a round-up of venues in repurposed buildings like an old foundry, a 1920s tycoon's office, and even a president's house.

The Second-Lives Club

A farm, a post office, a millinery, a chorizo factory, and other converted spaces that make for picturesque party spots.

The Former Metal Foundry:
The Foundry
In the 1800s, the Albra Metal Foundry melted scraps of metal to recast for the city’s many manufacturers. Today the 2,000-square-foot building still retains its industrial roots with tons of exposed brick throughout the multilevel space, original ovens and cauldrons, and an abundance of ivy growing along the outside and in the courtyard. The chimney shafts are all original, and one of them actually contains the bridal suite. (With a simple padded bench, a few mirrors, and a skylight, this space is meant for touch-ups and a quick respite, not an overnight stay.) The indoor space can fit 200 guests for a cocktail party or up to 125 for a sit-down dinner. Rental fees, which cover twelve hours, range from $5,200 to $11,200 for the main space; couples must book their own caterers. Because dates in peak months get booked quickly, the venue recommends reserving fourteen to eighteen months in advance. 42-38 9th St., Long Island City; 718-786-7776; thefoundry.info.

Click through to read the rest of the article on the website of New York. 

Photo credit: Laura Ryan Photography/The Foundry

Actually, you don't have to—The Daily Meal already did! They asked me for an idea for a bridal-shower theme. From the photo, can you guess what my answer was? You can read the article here (I'm the third slide).

Inspirational Bridal Shower Theme



Westchester/Hudson Valley Weddings' 2014 issue has arrived! I am the executive editor of this publication and work on every page of it. This year's issue features:

-Spotlight-worthy gowns shot on location at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester (as seen in the cover image above).

-Four event designers and two cake bakers who demonstrate how to incorporate patterns into reception decor without overdoing it (written by me—see PDF below).

-Repurposed local venues that had former lives, as factories, warehouses, and mills.

-Hair, makeup, and jewelry that make for the perfect finishing touches.

-Six real weddings: a DIY summer wedding, a "lovebird"-themed summer wedding, a farm-inspired fall wedding, an edgy tattoo- and graffiti-inspired wedding, an eclectic winery wedding, and a traditional winter wedding.    

-Photographers' advice on how to make the most of the engagement session—plus their favorite shots (written by me—see PDF below).

-Florists' recommendations for out-of-the-box bouquet ideas.

-Great Gatsby-inspired fashion ideas for him and for her.

-A round-up of fun bits of wedding-day inspiration, from wooden bow ties to embroidery hoops.

This year was my first as executive editor of Westchester/Hudson Valley Weddings. From assigning stories on wedding trends to scouting real weddings, I was involved with every single page. The issue includes:

-a gorgeous wedding gown photo shoot with 11 different dresses, shot at Playland in Rye

-a feature on wedding venues on the Hudson River

-a photo spread comparing traditional and nontraditional bouquets (written by me)

-four twists on the idea of rustic farm tables by local event designers

-six different real weddings, done in different styles and seasons (two of which were written by me)

-mini-features on different wedding trends, including local minimoons, black and white bridesmaid dresses, and, my favorite, ombré-themed weddings

-a front-of-book covering beauty tips, inspiration ideas (written by me), advice about food, and style advice for women and men

-a final inspiration photo for the last page

The issue only comes out once a year, but I also scout weddings for our Wedding of the Month blog.

These are two features included in the 2013 issue of Westchester/Hudson Valley Weddings. I didn't write either of them, but the PDFs look much better than the web versions. I am the executive editor of this annual publication.

Here, the feature "Something Old, Something New," featured in Westchester/Hudson Valley Weddings' 2013 issue. The feature pairs traditional floral bouquets with more modern equivalents made from non-floral materials, such as paper, felt, or brooches. I am the executive editor of this annual publication.

Here, one of the "Real Weddings" featured in the current issue of Westchester/Hudson Valley Weddings. I am the executive editor of this annual publication.

Here, one of the "Real Weddings" featured in the current issue of Westchester/Hudson Valley Weddings. I am the executive editor of this annual publication.