Straight from across the pond and into the FRIST

Everyone in our studio has been SUPER excited about the new Frist Museum exhibit that we are lucky enough to get a sneak preview of tonight. From the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957 exhibit will be at the remarkable Frist Museum from June 18-September 12. This is the first time this collection has been displayed in the United States. The exhibit opens to the public tomorrow. Don't miss out on this exclusive display - you may not get another chance!!

Nashville Arts Magazine wrote an excellent article about this collection and were kind enough to include us as well. Please check out the link or if you're in Nashville, pick up a copy. Thanks Karen!

Recap of "Out with the Old in with the New"

A big, sweaty GRACIAS to all who came and braved the heat to attend our wonderful event this past Saturday. We had a great crowd, amazing live entertainment, and lots of rhinestoned couture for your purchasing pleasure! One of our performers of the evening, Brianne O'Neill, did an fun video of the evening... we hope you enjoy! Also another shout-out to all of our performers that evening: Brianne, Snowblynd, Danielle Reed, and Dwayne Rushing with Jeff Brown on drums.

OUT WITH THE OLD/IN WITH THE NEW y'all

Lauren Wray here again, writing to you from my office typing and a bloggin' and listening to Manuel sing in another room and trying to convince Lalie to like Lady Gaga ...

My view:

Not here to talk about "avant garde" pop stars - but NEW creations instead... (if you do want to talk pop "culture" however please e-mail me directly... I do love it!)

On May 22, from 6 pm to 10 pm we are having a "OUT WITH THE OLD/IN WITH THE NEW" fiesta at our store - with music, a sale, models, door prizes, and cocktails... We'll have a few select pieces strutting around the store. In accord WITH this event, all existing showroom items are 50% off (excludes new items and custom orders). Yeah, you heard me. Come on and get it... 15% of the evening's proceeds will go to the Community Foundation Flood Relief.

For you out-of-towners we DO have an online inventory. Please e-mail laurenwray@manuelcouture.com for more information...

WE LOVE YOU ALL and we LOVE our city of NASHVILLE!!!!!!!!

& you thought it rained the day of the party... by Lauren Wray

So after getting through the great flood of 2010 (or for Nashville, the greatest flood EVER recorded) we are all for the most part back at the Rhinestone Palace. Lalie's basement got flooded and our friend Laura who lives in the same neighborhood as Lalie, Morelia, and I has major basement flooding as well... almost into her kitchen. Hope she doesn't mind me posting the picture of it, but here it is anyway. This was at about 10 feet:

Also, Manuel who INSISTS on the roads always being both beautiful and fine, even when the Mayor has issued a county-wide curfew and is encouraging all to stay in, made it early into work today. Flood or not, Manuel is tied to his machine and scissors! Our friend Blake drove out to Manuel's yesterday to check it out, and he only got this far:

If you've been watching the news, it's easy to see Nashville was hit pretty hard. We are all lucky. I'm working on a party blog, but we've had a lot of calls checking on us so I thought this was a little more important than a recap of last weekend... which I'm still going to get to. Promise! Thanks all for your thoughts and concerns. XO, LW

Could it be? Tickets available Saturday at the door? AM I DREAMING?

Well, I have a confession to make...I am no stranger to the "art" of procrastination,

that is correct, I called it an ART.

Personally I find often times (as the ultimate tortured artist *ehem*) that waiting until things are down to the wire, until the clock is ticking over my head, tends to fuel the fires of creativity and send lighting bolts of unabashed, fresh ideas sans prefabricated boundaries surging through my veins....

If this sounds ANYTHING like you, I'll bet my bottom dollar that you STILL have not purchased tickets to Nashville's most noteworthy and epic all day party of the year (which i lovingly refer to as "tequila fest") even though you have planned on attending for a year now since you obviously had the time of your life at the 2009 event.

Well loves, set your mind at ease....

there are 2 ways you can go about purchasing tickets EVEN this late in the game

1. via paypal between today and friday.

We will have your tickets along with a record of your payment at the entry gate (will call)

upon your arrival - link to the PayPal addrses can be found off of our MAIN site: www.manuelcouture.com

2. The powers that be ( Manuel, Lauren, Morelia and Myself) have now decided to sell tickets at the gate for cash or check only the day of the event.

I would advise arriving somewhat on time however... as the mid afternoon approaches it tends to start getting a little crowded, we are not sure what time we will completely sell out.

You really don't want to miss this. I promise

Well darlings,

I can NOT wait to see you all this Saturday

Manuel is insanely excited...

P.S. Follow Lwray and my party updates and photos via twitter @LandLforMANUEL

and follow my personal account as well @darlatheoutlaw

We promise to keep those of you that cant make it this weekend entertained and informed...

In other words, we will twitpic the hell out of you.

Lalie Kavulich- Assistant Designer

F.A.Q. about MANUEL'S MOUNTAIN

Question- Can we bring our Furry friends to this fun outdoor event?

Answer- NO! We are sorry to inform y'all that pets are not allowed.

Question- What time does it start/end?

Answer- Noon on Saturday, music starts at 1 pm. Music ends at midnight.

Question- I am totally freaking out, I procrastinated until the last minute and its Saturday morning. I want to go to the party in just a couple hours. Are there still tickets available and if so... can I purchase them upon arrival?

Answer- GREAT NEWS! We did not think this would be possible... but we WILL indeed have tickets available at the gate the day of (cash and check only) for $50 each (until we sell out that is!)

Question- I purchased my party passes via PayPal but don't have my tickets. What do I do?

Answer- If you didn't receive your tickets via snail mail by now it's probably time to update the address on your Paypal account - that's where they were mailed to. We have printed receipts of ALL PayPal purchases so there will be a record the sale at the front gate.


Question- Is this party kid friendly?

Answer- Bring those Rug rats along, but keep in mind there are "adult beverages" readily available and the party goes way past bedtime.


Question- Are the Tickets we purchased Tax deductible?

Answer- Unfortunately, not at this time. We are chartered as a non-profit in the state of Tennessee and our kind Board of Directors is currently dotting the i's and crossing the t's for the 501c3 application. It's estimated to be approved in the Fall of this year and at the time we will gain tax exempt status.

Question- Is it appropriate to bring gifts to the Birthday boy?

Answer- Manuel has kindly asked that all gifts this year be given in the form of a charitable contribution to his Non Profit organization "Friends of Manuel, Inc.".


Question- What is the appropriate attire for the party?

Answer- Anything goes! Be as casual or as colorful as you would like... just remember, you may have more fun in shorts and a Tee or a flowing sun-dress then you would in your fabulous rhinestoned suits (don't forget we may or may not get a bit of rain and this is an outdoor event) however, it is totally up to you!


Question- Should we bring food and alcohol?

Answer- We always encourage our guests to enjoy our stocked bar and tents of food.This year we will have delicious snacks donated by our friends at Sunset Grill, Corner Pub, Candylicious, Hello Cupcakes, and traditional Mexican cuisine. However, its always good to be equipped with your own personal late night nosh and an extra bottle of tequila or case of beer would be a fabulous way to avoid long lines at the bars!


Question - Is there any rain alternative?

Answer- We will be partying rain or shine, hell or high-water.
Just come prepared for all weather, We all know the ol' April showers adage & we have been having this party the same weekend for years. There's often a scattered shower or two but it has never ruined our fun thus far!


Question- I know this party is on a hill in the country, Where on earth is there to park?

Answer- We are pleased to announce that we will have a complimentary valet service available to you for the first time ever this year! However carpooling for the sake of our environment and your own personal safety is highly encouraged,don't forget to designate a driver!


Question- As far as accommodations go, what are our options in the area? If we bring a tent is there anywhere on the property we can camp?

Answer- Our friends at the Doubletree in Downtown Nashville have kindly discounted rooms for Saturday night. Please mention the group code "rhinestone" when making reservations. This hotel is about 40 minutes from Manuel's Mountain. The closest hotels to Manuel's Mountain are in Franklin or Brentwood, TN, about 25 minutes away. You're welcome to camp on Manuel's property, but PLEASE no campfires amigos and clean up after yourself!