Rent the Runway Offering Bridesmaid Dresses

For every bridesmaid who has been told, "I'm sure you'll be able to wear it again!" here's a better solution: JSG favorite Rent The Runway is set to offer bridesmaids dress rentals, including exclusive options from Badgley Mischka, Robert Rodriguez and Nicole Miller. Many dresses come in a range of colors and styles, with customizable options such as belts and brooches. The dresses are available for an 8-day rental period and come with a free 1-day trial. Plus, as a bonus for the often neglected bridesmaid, you gets a discount on other dress rentals, so you can wear a stylish dress of your choice to the rehearsal dinner or other wedding festivities. Available starting today on RenttheRunway.

On Our Radar: Vdara Las Vegas

This time last year, we were in Vegas celebrating Anne's bachelorette party and since then, the new City Center has opened. When we go this Spring, we're considering one of the hotels there, because of its location (hello center of everything!), the entire project's commitment to environmental sustainability, and its new-ness of course. The Vdara Hotel and Spa, which is next to the Bellagio for reference, is casino-free and non-smoking - two things we can definitely do without in our digs in Vegas.  Its boutique size would be respite in the monstrosity of hotels otherwise surrounding you on the Strip.

The Vdara also is an all suite resort with the smallest rooms starting over 500 square feet. We did get a chuckle hearing that the rooms come with stove and microwaves, because even though we promote getting a six-pack of Gatorade and munchies for your room, we've never had the urge to cook a meal in Vegas.

There is a pool, a holistic spa and smoothie bar and you're not far from the casino at Aria next door. With all that's available in Vegas, staying somewhere that shows some restraint would be a novelty! Rates start at only $159 per night.

Picture courtesy Vdara Las Vegas Hotel and Spa.

Katy Perry's Bachelorette Party

With Katy Perry and Russel Brand's wedding rumored to be less than a week away, we figure it's time we got around to dishing on her Las Vegas bachelorette party that BFF Rihanna threw for her in September.

Katy and friends reportedly romped at the Hard Rock Hotel's beach club during the day before checking out Cirque Du Soleil's KA at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino (above), then dinner at AGO, dancing at XS, and a late night visit to the Sapphire Strip Club.

Read all the juicy deets on People.com.

Suave Girls Getaway

For my friend Felissa's bachelorette party in Philly, I was lucky enough to host a Suave party for all the girls. Suave sent over hairstylist Andre Richard from the Andre Richard Salon to do our hair before our big night on the town.

That's Andre blowdrying the bride's, Fellisa, hair.

That's the bride below with her hair setting in pin curls with room service.

The Volumizing Hair Spray was everyone's favorite product. Even the hairstylists took a can!

Suave sponsored this event for The Jet Set Girls.

On Our Radar: The Aria Hotel Las Vegas

Thank you Ritu, for sharing your guest post on The Jet Set Girls!


Aria Hotel Las Vegas

I visited Las Vegas for the first time with two girl friends over Labor day and had the pleasure of staying at Aria, the strip's newest hotel. The first thing you will notice as soon as you walk in is the delicious fragrance that the lobby is filled with. Aria had special scent engineers who came up with a unique blend of notes to create the hotel's signature scent. Built with the collaboration of eight different architects and complete with a waterfall and a beautiful fountain at the entrance, the hotel is a sight to be seen in itself. The most differentiating thing about Aria however, is the fact it holds sustainability and eco-consciousness at its heart. Plenty of natural light in the lobby and reusable bathroom product containers are a few noticeable efforts.

Keep your eye out for unique art pieces all around the hotel like a huge gold sculpture right behind the check-in counters called Silver River by Maya Lin. Take the time to walk through the hotel and check out the celebrity chef restaurants like Jean Philippe Patisserie on the main floor (my favorite), Jean Georges Steakhouse, Bar Masa and Shaboo ($300 prix fixe) by Master Sushi Chef Masa Takayama and award winning chef Julian Serrano's namesake restaurant spread out between the first and second floors.

Your stay at the Aria is incomplete without a visit to the "daylife" pool party at Liquid. All you need to do to gain free access is to put on a bikini, throw a cute cover-up on, touch up your makeup and slip into some cute shoes (heels optional) and the hosts in the general pool area will be handing you passes and begging you to hang out at Liquid. What you'll find inside is a smaller, more intimate party compared to the large and crowded parties like Wet Republic and Rehab, with classy party-goers drinking high end tequila and Perrier-Jouet. The top class DJs with uncanny abilities to read the crowd will keep the energy up with the best new house music, mixed flawlessly.

Take advantage of having one of the newest hot spots for nightlife right in your hotel by partying at Haze nightclub. There are some optical illusions built into club to create a "haze" like a moving ceiling of lights and larger than life sculptures. Celebrities make constant appearances and I saw Busta Rhymes perform on my visit.

Staying at Aria will not only give you bragging rights for staying at the newest hotel in the newly revitalized city center of Las Vegas, access to one of the hottest pool parties and clubs but also an excuse to sample some of the newest hotel technology and amenities.

Vanessa Minnillo Throws a Bachelorette Party

We knew Vanessa Minnillo has good taste! She threw her friend a bachelorette party this past weekend at the Venetian Las Vegas, the same place we had Annie's almost a year ago. Vanessa and friends stayed in a 2 bedroom Penthouse suite that Vanessa decorated with pink and black balloons for a lingerie party.

The ladies had Kobe Meatballs, Margherita Pizza and Chicken Parmagiano washed down with  with Hpnotiq’s Bubbles and Blue cocktails at Lavo, before heading to the club upstairs to dance the night away to DJ Cobra.

Saturday found the ladies in a cabana by the Azure pool, doing mojito shots and eating cupcakes. For dinner, they went to Dos Caminos for fish tacos and blueberry pomegranate martinis. Then it was off to see David Spade perform at the Venetian Showroom. The last stop of the night was Tao for dancing. We know from experience that Vanessa Minnillo and her friends had a blast at the Venetian!

Photos courtesy of IMAGESOFVEGAS.COM/ISPHOTOGRAPHY

His and Hers Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties

When we first heard about celeb couples like Fergie and Josh DoMe--oh, we mean, Duhamel--we weren't sure we were on board with the trend. Shouldn't somethings, like a bachelorette party where you can dance all night with your girlfriends, be sacred? But then we chatted with Veronica Smiley, director of marketing for Harrah's Entertainment Total Experiences, and she sold us on the idea.

Read Veronica's ideas for His and Hers Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties on AOL's AisleDash.

Bachelorette Party Ideas #29: Party Dresses

bachelorette party dress by Jet Set Girls featuring sequin evening dress

If ever there's a time to pull out all the wardrobe stops, it's at a bachelorette party. Here are a few of our fave party dresses. Don't want to spend the money? Consider renting a dress!

Bachelorette Party Ideas #28: Philadelphia

Next month, we'll be heading to the city of brotherly love for our friend Felissa's Bachelorette Party. The bridesmaids chose Philly as half the girls are in D.C. and the other half are in NYC so it's a nice in-between spot. Plus, Felis is a HUGE Mets fan, so we're heading to the Mets-Philly's game that Saturday. (That's Felissa, second from left, at our own bachelorette party.)

Even if your bride isn't a baseball fan, there are lots of reasons to head to Philly. It's affordable, manageable to get around and there's plenty to do both during the day or night. For starters, the Franklin Institute is hosting a Cleopatra exhibit now through January, 2011. Eleven hotels are offering a "Cleopatra Girlfriends Weekend Itinerary".

As for our group, we're staying at the Sofitel. We're still figuring out where we're eating and partying, but Cuba Libre and Alma de Cuba are definitely in the running. We have a special Saturday afternoon surprise (more on that later) and are hoping to squeeze in a pole dancing class at Pole By Patricia.

We'll be sure to share all the dirty details, so check back in a month!

Bachelorette Partys Ideas #27: Montauk Yacht Club

While the Hamptons may have more flash, Montauk, at the far eastern end of Long Island, has traditionally been the laid back, surf spot. For your bachelorette party, you can rent a house, stay in one of the many upgraded shack hotels or do what we're doing this weekend and stay at the Montauk Yacht Club.

The 80-year old storied hotel, that has hosted guests including the Astors, Vanderbilts and Morgans, recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation. The rooms have a nautical theme, along with modern touches like flat screen TVS and iPod docks.

The restaurants got an upgrade, too. We hear there's a great cover band on most weekend nights during the summer and that the servers are super-friendly, if not super fast--hey, it's a beach resort.

During the days, we plan to lie out by the pool. If you're more adventurous or motivated, the hotel can arrange a group surf class for you and your girlfriends. On Saturday, we're braving the traffic to head to the Ferrari Rally and Polo Match--we couldn't decide between Italians and Argentinians, so we're attempting to hit both events!

Follow our adventures via Twitter. We're on as JSGHope and JSGAnne.

Bachelorette Party Ideas #26: Fun Cakes

What's a bachelorette party without a little frosting?

This Champagne Cake from NYC hotspot Abe + Arthur's combines two of our favorite loves: Cake + Bubbles. The restaurant makes cakes on request for special parties. This one was for  Sofia Vergara  to celebrate her boyfriend's birthday at Abe & Arthur's last month. Everything was edible from the bottle to the bucket).

If you're hosting a bachelorette in New Orleans, check out Hot Chocolate bakery. This plumber's butt crack cake is just the tip of the iceberg. Check out their website for the more X-rated cakes.

Those in San Fran can call the Cake Gallery for a selection of perverted desserts. Like Hot Chocolate, they get about as graphic as you want to go.

Bachelorette Party Ideas #25: The Andaz Hotel San Diego

The Andaz San Diego is located in the Gaslamp Quarter, in the midst of the best shopping, dining, and nightlife in town. The Andaz itself is home to the Ivy Rooftop (pool) and lounge and the Ivy Nightclub (a multi-level dance club); meaning you don't have to go far to have a great time. If all those Ivy's didn't clue you in, the Andaz took over the former Ivy Hotel building.

The Andaz even offers a private photographer to follow you around paparazzi-style or a photo shoot, if you're feeling particularly cheeky. We're not sure the whole night needs to be documented; but you be the judge. Rates start at $240.

Bachelorette Party Ideas #24: The Parker Hotel Palm Springs

Palm Springs makes a perfect getaway, especially if you and your girlfriends are looking for a low key escape with pool time, cocktails and good food.

The Parker Hotel, decorated by Jonathan Adler, has a killer deal for $199 that includes a $200 spa credit to their Palm Springs Yacht Club spa (pictured above). You don't have to be a mathematician to figure out that's a bargain!

Stay in a patio room with a private lanai, have drinks at their Mini Bar, and enjoy a tasty dinner at Mister Parker's.

Bachelorette Party Ideas #23: Three Hot Bachelorette Party Themes

Today post comes from Alison Storm, a regular writer at The House of Bachelorette blog. We're instantly enamored with HB--the site has tons of fun and original ideas for your bachelorette parties--no matter where you have them. Add the site to your regular reading list. We already did!


Back in the day bachelorette parties all looked the same. Decorations were always hot pink and typically revolved around the male anatomy. But those days are gone. Lots of girls are planning out their parties with full-blown themes, decorations, outfits and more. Here are three hot themes:

Sex in the City

Style: What bachelorette wouldn’t want to spend her last night as a single girl channeling her inner Carrie Bradshaw? This party theme is all about glamour, fashion and, of course, fun.
Colors: Any color would work, but silver and black will set the mood well.
Decorations: Decorations are infused with Carrie’s favorite accessory—like these hot shoes napkins.

Fashion: For this party, pull out your fanciest, trendiest party dress. It’s more about “who” you’re wearing than “what” you’re wearing.
Drinks: The drink of choice is obviously the Cosmo.
Favors: Give each girl what she really wants—diamonds. These diamond keychains will be a fun reminder of your sexy night.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Style: The 80’s are back in a big way. Aggressive shoulder pads, big bangs and jelly sandals will make this bachelorette party truly unforgettable.
Colors: Neon all the way!
Decorations: Neon streamers, Molly Ringwald posters and fashion magazines from the 1980s will make this bash, like totally cool.
Fashion: Go wild with neon colors, shoulder pads and animal prints. You could even give each member of the bachelorette party crew an animal print hat to wear.

Drinks: Use Tab, Kool-Aid or Capri Sun as drink mixers for totally 80s cocktails.
Favors: Give each girl a pack of their own neon glow bracelets and their own pair of neon sunglasses.

Slumber Party

Style: The spa meets seventh grade in this girly bachelorette bash. Have manicures, pedicures and facials either at home or in a spa.
Colors: Pink is a must for this party full of female fun.
Decorations: Think feathers, pillows and gossip magazines.
Fashion: Forget uncomfortable party dresses and high heels—sweat pants and pajamas are the proper dress code for this party.
Drinks: Drinks should be super sweet and fun. Focus on fruity daiquiris and pina coladas.
Favors: Give each girl a gift bag full of treats like glitter nail files, a sleeping beauty mask, and a super soft pink feather boa.

Bachelorette Party Ideas #22: Viceroy Anguilla

Todays bachelorette party comes to us from our favorite stylist, Christina Joy.

We arrived at The Viceroy Anguilla after a long and arduous journey. It was one plagued by missed planes, stinky taxis and a last minute overnight stay in a less desirable hotel in an even lesser desirable city.

It was such a difficult trip that I thought The Viceroy was a mirage at first sight but fortunately, I was wrong. It was an oasis of chic set against a backdrop of blue sky, white sand and turquoise water.

To say The Viceroy is a vision is an understatement even for a perfectionist like me. As a stylist I edit and build wardrobe and interior collections. Not to mention I spent my former career life as an art director and designer. Needless to say, my discerning eye is all too quick to point out flaws.

But at The Viceroy I was pleasantly surprised and then thrilled. Upon entering the main building we were greeted with an iced cold refreshment. We proceeded to walk through the open breezeway of a lobby that was warm and welcoming although as sleek and sophisticated as the hotel interiors back in New York. Quite the opposite of what you typically expect from a Caribbean resort.

Designed by Kelly Wearstler, the property is adorned with curvaceous furniture in moody dark hues and rich creamy ivories glossed to perfection and accessorized with African wood, shagreen, rock crystal and bronze sculptures. A feast for the eyes, style and design reign supreme at The Viceroy Anguilla.

Exiting the breezeway we encountered lush green grass, tall palm trees and boxwood hedges in geometric patterns so inviting that you inch forward to explore the whole property. It’s alluring.

Walking further we found the beautiful and impressive Sunset Lounge encased in marble and travertine overlooking Barnes Bay and beach. It’s an outdoor living room with lounge beds and deep cushioned seating as elegant as it is comfortable and relaxed. One could spend all day camped there with a good read. Go to the edge and down two steps to enter the most serene infinity pool with an unmatched view of the stunning sunset each evening.

Off to the left and beneath the cliffs lies a path of majestic villas that leads to The Half Shell Beach on Barnes Bay. It’s a hideaway, home to a beautifully outfitted bar and grill perfect for spending a quiet afternoon by the water. It’s also the stretch of beach where we watched local fisherman casting their nets for the catch of the day.

The Viceroy opens to an expansive complex. Meander around a corner or two and there’s another pool dotted with palm trees surrounded by partially open, fanned cabanas that provide shelter from the unforgiving sun.

Climb down the rocky stairs to a cove so sublime it feels like your own personal blue lagoon. It’s actually an inlet of Meads Bay, arguably one of the most beautiful and peaceful beaches in the Caribbean.

For us, the pièce de résistance turned out to be The Viceroy’s beach club on Meads Bay. Located a mile or so away from the resort, the club is reachable via a 4-minute shuttle ride or long oceanside walk. The manager, Frankie, and his all-star team including Janice and Gayon, tended to our every need. The food here was the best on the property and perhaps on the island. Seasoned New York chef Keith Geter supervises the kitchen. On any given day either Chef Keith or Chef Prince cooked the
local specialties to perfection and bursting with flavor. Our favorites were the sand crab, the joya bread salad and the jerk chicken. We also enjoyed sampling the island cocktails especially the Rum Punch, the Painkiller or any of Janice’s secret potions.

Truly fine service is also in style at The Viceroy. Once you adjust to the Caribbean time delay (meaning everything moves a bit slower) you’ll find there isn’t a task too small or too large for The Viceroy staff to tend to with a smile. The resort has some of the most polite, cordial and helpful individuals I've ever encountered throughout my travels. I attribute that to the nature of the Anguillan people. The friendly vibe was property wide from the groundskeepers to the housekeepers. So while style and design reign supreme at The Viceroy, it’s clear that service is paramount as well.

The Rooms at the Viceroy Anguilla
Back to style. Simply said, our room was the type one would wish to live in forever. This is perhaps the greatest compliment one can pay any designer. It was chock full of beautiful fixtures, finishes and amenities including a canopied king bed, flat screen TVs, an ipod dock, a terrace with a large hot tub, a spacious living room, a kitchenette complete with a Nespresso machine, the most spacious double-sink marble bath with a tub for two and a shower for six. It was truly beautiful, comfortable and yet functional. All of the accoutrements were conducive to making our stay and routine pleasurable.

We woke in the morning and enjoyed Nespresso coffee in our room before making our way to breakfast. Two sinks, better yet, two bathrooms are always good for any group traveling together. The hot tub and ample shower upped the romance factor. Finally, the terrace was a great spot to wind
down after a day of play at the beach. Each thoughtful touch had a role in producing an amazing experience.

We didn’t want to leave. In fact, we extended our stay twice spending nearly 2 weeks at The Viceroy Anguilla. For these reasons and many more, I truly found joy at The Viceroy. I can’t wait to return!

Bachelorette Party Ideas #21: Male Stereotypes Game

We're laughing at the easy and fun premise behind the Male Stereotypes Game: each woman gets a card (one of sixty) that describes a common male stereotype like Couch Potato, Frat Boy, or Sports Fanatic.  Then you have to find that guy in the bar and complete a few tasks from easy to embarrassing. Whoever earns the most points wins.

Offer a prize so your bachelorette party really gets into it. Check out our bachelorette party gifts for ideas!

Bachelorette Party Ideas #20: Vacation Rental Homes

Today's bachelorette party post is from reader Jaime Dito,  who planned a bachelorette party in Miami, staying at a vacation home rental.

When starting to plan the bachelorette party for my friend, Abby, the only thing we knew is that we wanted it to also be a girls-only vacation.  We are all in our mid-twenties and either in a serious relationship or already married, so we rarely get to take a trip with just the girls.

We first looked at international options, like Mexico and Puerto Rico, but decided it’d be much easier, and more affordable to stay in the States, especially since we were only going for the weekend (Friday to Sunday).  Our main priorities were to visit a beach destination that was also known for its nightlife, so Miami was a no-brainer.

Next, we got to work on booking our travel.  Since there were only six of us (the bride, her sister/maid of honor, and four bridesmaids), and four of us were coming from the same place (Austin, TX), flights weren’t hard to organize.  The more difficult decision was choosing where to stay.  We knew we wanted to stay in a vacation rental home since many of us had done it before and understood the benefits of booking a beach house or condo instead of a hotel, particularly when you’re with a group and want to spend as much time together as possible.  The bride’s sister immediately turned to the web and used sites like VRBO.com and HomeAway.com to research our options.  Based on space, budget and location, we eventually chose Property 148433 from HomeAway.com.  The condo had two bedrooms and a large L-shaped couch, so there was plenty of room for everyone to sleep.  We could’ve opted for a larger property with more rooms, but since it was all girls, we were fine with sleeping in the common areas to save money for our nights on the town! The condo was about a five minute walk from Ocean Drive and was about $360/night or $60/person/night.

While most of us flew to Miami, one girl drove and picked up groceries for us ahead of time—everything from breakfast options and sandwich materials to chips and late-night snacks.  Having a stocked kitchen in our vacation rental saved us a lot of money on daytime meals, although we ate at restaurants for dinner each night.

Our property manager was a Miami native and also lived in the condo building where we were staying.  His younger brother, who was a club promoter, knew we were there for a bachelorette party and pointed us to the best places to go each night, and in some cases, even helped us get past the long lines!  They were extremely helpful and were a quick call away to answer any questions we had.  For example, one afternoon we were really in the mood for a Cuban snack called an “arepa” and they told us about a local spot called “Los Perros” that quickly satisfied our mid-day craving! YUM!

We spent our days lounging poolside at the condo or on the beach chatting and drinking cervezas.  Then at night, we sampled the local fare at restaurants like Joe’s Stone Crab and my personal favorite, Taverna Opa (NOTE: This is the BEST place to go if you’re at a bachelorette party in Miami—the DELICIOUS Greek food is served family style, but the meal is definitely not the main focus.  At a certain point during dinner service, they turn the music up, throw hundreds of napkins in the air and encourage all the ladies to dance on the tables!  It was our luck, that a bachelor party of about 20 boys were seated next to us, so we all began dancing on the tables together—just make sure you don’t go there too hungry since you don’t eat much!)

Being from Austin, TX, the biggest shocker for me was how late the bars stayed open.  In Miami, the party doesn’t stop until 5AM so we slept most of the morning in order to recuperate from the night before.  However, all in all, it was a great place to live it up and celebrate one of your best friend’s last few weeks as a single woman!

Bachelorette Party Ideas #19: Bachelorette Party Gifts

If your friends are shelling out money to go away with you for your bachelorette party, it's a thoughtful gesture to get them a little gift as a favor. Here are our picks:

Make a bachelorette party CD like Annie did for her friends last year. Check out our 2010 bachelorette party playlist.

A toile luggage tag from Flight 001 isn't only adorable, it will help your girls identify their identical black bags as they come down the luggage carousel.

A sexy lingerie bag from Luxe Innovations will prevent embarrassing moments at the security line--no more flashing the world your panties.

A jewelry roll, like this luxe mint green one from Smythson will help her keep her jewelry neat and organized. Bonus: JSG is giving away a large version of the one shown. Simply email us at Jsggiveaway@gmail.com before August 29 with the subject line Jewelry Roll, and you're entered to win.