Category: Fab Fridays
Alright folks, it’s time to have a serious conversation about your future…
Do you have an Estate Plan? For that matter did you even know you needed one? Maybe it’s been on your To-Do list but you just haven’t gotten around to it? I know I was pretty clueless about the topic before I met the fabulous Deidre Von Rock (yes, that is her real and so awesome name!), but what I’ve come to realize is that Estate Planning is as crucial as insurance. You need it and you really don’t want to wait until that’s the case. And with Same-Sex marriage legalized, it’s important to know your rights!
Thank you Deidre!!!
Enjoy!
Your 2015 Goal: Setting Up An Estate Plan
Of all the New Year’s resolutions to keep, setting up an estate plan is far and away one of the most valuable things you can do for you and your family this year. This is particularly true for same-sex couples who in many states, including California, can now legally marry and be afforded equal treatment by the federal government for most estate purposes.
Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Wealthy
It is a common misconception that only the wealthy need to establish estate planning mechanisms like Wills and Trusts, but nothing could be further from the truth in California. Without a Will and Trust in place, any estate valued over $150,000 – i.e., anyone who owns a home in California – will automatically be subject to long, complicated and expensive proceedings the Probate Court. Once there, the value of your assets not set off by debt -meaning your home appraised at $1,000,000 , cheap by San Francisco standards – will be valued at $1,000,000 regardless of any mortgage. The fees and costs assessed by the probate laws and the Court on a $1,000,000 estate will average $50,000 and must be paid before probate can be closed. Alternately, if the assets had been put into a Trust during your lifetime, Probate Court could be avoided completely.
Without a Will in place, your assets will be distributed pursuant to the probate laws rather than to whom you wish. If a person dies and leaves a spouse and two children, the estate will be distributed ⅓ to the spouse and ⅔ to the children; hardly an appropriate outcome. If there is not a surviving parent of minor children, the Court will determine matters of guardianship in the absence of direction by a Will.
Leave a Thoughtful Plan for Your Family
By taking control of your estate plan, you have a chance to establish a thoughtful, enforceable plan for your family in the event of your disability or death rather than leaving the future in the hands of the Courts. This opportunity is particularly important for same-sex spouses who only very recently have been permitted to plan for their families in the same considered and pro-active ways.
Ask for Help from a Professional
There are many more benefits to planning an estate, including the structuring of tax advantages, gift giving and philanthropy. Contact your legal and tax advisors to discuss just how valuable estate planning can be for you.
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About the Author
With over 17 years of experience in the areas of business organization, transactions, real estate and estate planning matters, Deidre is prepared to not only offer the highest caliber of legal counsel, but to provide a team of professionals to guide and manage your affairs. By establishing a network of attorneys in a variety of practice areas and working alongside advisors in the financial, taxation, insurance, real estate and personal care arenas, Von Rock Law is equipped to offer global resources for your organizational and personal needs.
Deidre graduated from San Diego State University with a B.A. in Political Science in 1993 and earned her Juris Doctorate from New England Law: Boston in 1996. A West Coast native, Deidre has resided in San Francisco since 1996. She is an active member of the St. Brendan parish and school communities and has contributed her talents to several charitable organizations.
To learn more about Von Rock Law, visit www.vonrocklaw.com. |
The bride and her maids aren’t the only ones that deserve to look and feel like a million bucks come wedding day. Most wedding magazines cover the importance of the brides dress; however, it’s equally important for the groom (and his husband if applicable) to look his best!
A well-dressed wedding party means memorable photos of your family and friends looking their very best. Every shirt, jacket, and pair of trousers crafted by J. Hilburn begins with fabrics from world-renowned Italian mills. My goal is the make the groom(s) and his groomsmen look (and feel) like sharp dressed men.
One of my favorite wedding blogs A Practical Wedding recently wrote a a post about a similar topic : Dear Photographers: Grooms are not Props and I think that is fitting since this is all about making sure the Groom or Grooms look smashing on their big day too!
Now let me introduce you to J. Hillburn stylist Aimee Williams.
Not all men are created equal
Most men do not fit in a shirt they find off the rack – the sleeves are too short, the shirt is too long or the shoulders are too narrow or too wide. J. Hilburn is about customized fit, which is why we come to you, wherever you are, for your fitting.
To ensure that your groomsmen look as sharp in their wedding photos as the bridesmaids, the most important detail you need to pay attention to is the fit of the shirt. A custom fitting is essential! With a custom fitting, I make sure that arm holes are the right size, sleeves hit at the right part of the wrist, and there’s no bulk when tucking a shirt into trousers. Not only will you have someone to make sure your shirt fits, but you also have a personal stylist to help you pick out fabric, color, neckties, and accessories that are the right combo for both Mr. Right and his entourage.
What does the twenty-first century suit look like?
Keep it simple, yet elegant. While large window pane is back, and double breasted suits are giving it another go, you’ll get more mileage out of a navy or pebble grey suit with a simple double button front. And its all about the fit. Most men buy jackets that are too big, for example a size 42 rather than a size 40. Try on one size smaller and if it makes you stand up tall, then its a better fit. Even a cheap suit can look better than an expensive one if it has been tailored an inch or two on the sides – this creates a broader shoulder.
Q&A from the Expert
What are some examples of contrasting fabric? Colors? etc.
Make a slate grey shirt pop by adding a two toned silver interior collar and placket; then top this off with smoke colored buttons and maroon stitching. Or take a plain herringbone white business shirt and add a navy stitch in the button holes, now you can use this for your business or social wardrobe without buying two shirts
How do you know if the shirt fits?
There are several things a man should know about the best fitting shirt. Here are two of those things: The one finger rule – Make sure you can comfortably fit one finger between the collar and your neck. More than one finger means the collar is too big. Always ask for a “slim” fit shirt. Most men’s shirts are available in this fit whether going custom or off the rack. A classic fit is usually too billowy and can make a man look less svelte
Get to it!
Because the fabrics we use are in high demand, our supply is sometimes limited, but contact me at aimee.williams@jhilburnpartner.com and I can discuss your timeline, our inventory, and the cost of your order. In general, our custom shirts and made-to-measure suiting deliver in about 3 to 4 weeks after you place your order. We strive for 100% satisfaction from our clients so if you are not happy with the fit or performance of your purchase, you can return it for a complete refund.
Don’t forget to accessorize! J. Hilburn has a wide range of accessories to choose from whether you need a new every day leather belt, a special occasion tie, or a warm scarf for the Winter. Find them here.
Weddings are an exciting endeavor for me. I hope I can contribute to the experience of your wedding and make it a truly unforgettable event. I love to travel, but I do limit my services to the greater Bay Area. If you are outside my travel zone, please email me and I will connect you with one of my colleagues.
$25 Off for Chloe Jackman Photography Blog Readers
Please visit my website and contact me by email at aimee.williams@jhilburnpartner.com. Be sure to mention that you found me from the Chloe Jackman Photography Blog and you can receive $25 off your purchase of $125 or more!
Looking for a great gift to get your fellow groomsmen? Wouldn’t a custom shirt be perfect??? Get the guys together, enjoy a cocktail or two and have Aimee come get all you’re boys fitted for their handsome new shirts!!!
Prices: Shirts from $99; Suits from $620, Tuxedos from $900
I don’t know about you, but there are few things I like better than a well dressed man…
At least once a week I have a conversation with a couple in the thick of wedding planning and they are almost always stressed and overwhelmed with the details of trying to plan an event that is in-line with their style and celebrates their love while working hard to make their friends and family happy. When I met Cayleigh of Handmade Events, I knew I had to share! Her PopUp Weddings are sure to bring relief to the modern couple looking for a low-stress fabulous wedding and in a time when it feels like everyone is trying to re-invent the wheel. It’s awesome to meet someone who has. Let me introduce you to…
What is a PopUp Wedding?
PopUp Weddings is not your mother’s wedding planner. We specialize in unique and stress free weddings with a special twist. The concept behind our company is to plan an event in which the couple’s guests are invited to a “decoy” party such as an engagement or birthday party, to later have the couple reveal that it is their wedding! Fun, right?!
Why choose a PopUp Wedding?
Leaving your family and guests out of planning your special day leads to less opinions, confusion, and objectives. A PopUp Wedding is for the couple looking to have a stress free planning process with smooth execution. Instead of worrying about making everyone else happy, the bride and groom get to lead their guests to a surprising and entertaining evening that they can fully enjoy!
The beauty behind a PopUp Wedding is the focus on the love between the couple. When you get rid of the drama of the planning and pleasing of your family and friends, you can focus on the love between you and your partner. We want you to concentrate on your marriage and we will take care of the rest.
Another unique twist to a PopUp Wedding is the location. We are able to host your wedding in an iconic California location, such as Golden Gate Park, the Santa Monica Pier, the Palace of Fine Arts and many others. If you have a favorite wedding spot in the city of LA or San Francisco, we will do our best to make it happen. If you’re looking for a more traditional venue, the good news is, we can plan that too! Whatever you want, we try our best to make it happen.
Who is a perfect fit for a PopUp Wedding?
Those who would be interested in a PopUp Wedding are spontaneous and adventurous. A PopUp Wedding is perfect for the couple that is looking to have an intimate elopement, an original wedding, vow renewal, or even for their second marriage. PopUp Weddings are for the modern and non traditional couple who want something different.
How to start planning your PopUp Wedding?
Our team needs at least two months ahead of time to plan your wedding at an iconic location. The more time ahead we have to plan your special day, the better, but we can certainly work on the fly as well!
Have certain vendors in mind you would like to work with? No problem! We can work with anyone. We also have a list of preferred vendors we like to work with in each city that we recommend to look through. From Club House Caravan, the new and improved bar that can roll up to any wedding, to Flashtag Photo that can include your hashtag in all pictures, we have a large list of unique and fun options for you to choose from!
Now that you know…
We would love to speak with you about your upcoming event and how we can help!
To learn more about Popup Weddings, you can check out their website for more details, a look at their past weddings, and contact information. Don’t forget to follow them on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram to be a part of their online community and keep in touch!
We met Michael Rehker of Hammerhead Designs and fell in love with his metal designs. As many of you readers are in the thick of planning your wedding, we wanted to introduce you to Michael and his tie clips, which make excellent groomsmen gifts!
*hint hint*
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“Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in.” ~A.L. |
Who Is Michael Rehker?
I am a Metalsmith and Jewelry Designer, proud father to three amazing beautiful children and a very blessed husband to an incredible, supportive wife! In my spare time I enjoy farming, rock climbing, yoga, cooking, eating chips & salsa but above all else, spending time with my amazing family and playing with my kids! They are my true inspiration and the force behind all that I do in life.
A self taught metalsmithing artisan
I have a huge fascination for creating things from various metals like silver, copper, steel, aluminum, bronze, brass and other recycled metals. My passion for the unique and inspiring has led me here. I love hand forging and designing one-of-a-kind jewelry and keepsakes. I am the sole designer and maker for the items you see in my shop. And I’m very grateful my hands put into form what my mind sees.
What is Hammerhead Designs?
Hammerhead Designs is Modern, Tribal, Rustic, Boho, Gypsy, Contemporary, Traditional, Southwestern, Folksy, Hippie, Wanderlust, Steampunk, Medieval and everything in between, handcrafted jewelry & accessories for men and women!
Gypsy, Tribal, & Bohemian soul merged with Victorian and Dark Romance combined with a dash of Fantasy and Steampunk splashed around, and a bit of Modern and Contemporary style added in – can all be found in my shop!
Creating the items you see in my Etsy shop is a way for me to express my imagination and use my hands…in a metal artist sort of way…a form of inspiration takes over when I begin working with the metal. I take pride in my work and enjoy the stories behind each of the pieces that I create. My inspiration comes from nature mostly. I love things that are earthy, rustic, organic and eco-friendly, anything that encompasses the mountains, bodies of water, fire or terra firma, leaves, trees, flowers and rocks.
I love working with metal and designing jewelry so much that I decided to create Hammerhead Designs. My ambition is to develop a business that is self supporting and allows me to express my artistic visions.
Our Favorite: The Tie Bar Clip
Each tie bar clip is created out of very strong, yet lightweight aluminum sheet metal. I chose aluminum because of its similarity in color and finish to sterling silver but without the high cost. And it resists tarnishing and discoloring fabrics so it’s perfect to wear against a dress shirt. Once I receive the order, I take the aluminum tie bar clip blank and place it on a large steel block. I keep a notepad on my stamping table that lists the initials and words that the customer wants stamped onto the tie bar. Then, one at a time, each letter is stamped onto the metal. I use a two pound brass hammer that gives the right amount of force to properly imprint the character onto the tie bar. Once I have finished stamping the characters, it is then time to finish the piece. The most popular option is the brushed satin natural finish. The letters are not darkened, but left natural so they look classy without being too bold or distracting. A small steel wire brush is used to apply the brushed satin finish. Once that is complete, I then take a special set of pliers and make the two bends need to complete the final shape of the tie bar. Finally, the tie bar is given a quick wipe with a polishing cloth to remove any smudges and it’s then placed into its own organza gift bag and is ready to be packed and shipped.
The custom hand stamped tie bar clips are one of my most popular items. They are very trendy right now and people love the way that each one is custom made for the recipient for a special occasion. The tie bar clips are very popular as groomsmen gifts for wedding parties as well as a popular choice for Father’s Day, Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
Check out the shop and get some gifts for your groomsmen!
I am an estimator by profession, but my real passion lies in creating the items you see in my shop.
The ability to customize items like the tie bar clip and gift it with a personal touch is what makes this such a great and affordable gift.
I love working on custom orders and am happy to take on any special requests you may have in mind to create an original one-of-a-kind piece for you. Please email me directly at hammerheaddesigns@gmail.com to discuss.
To shop for Hammerhead Designs tie clips, jewelry, and more, visit their Etsy site by clicking here.
Follow Hammerhead Designs on Facebook for updates on new designs, specials, promotions, giveaways and news of Michael’s adventures.
Follow Hammerhead Designs on Instagram for sneak peaks into new and upcoming pieces, as well as promotions, contests and giveaways!
