Maybelline's Runaway Bride and Groom.

Once upon a time, in 1936, there was a young man named Tom Lyle Williams Jr., who was so shy, he'd rather cancel his Wedding and elope, than face all the drama.  So his beloved - Marquerite Neel - agreed, but not without a loophole.

Marquerite's mother had sent the invitations, the gifts were arriving and the Church was reserved.  Marquerite, had to save face, so when her dear father became seriously ill, the loophole was found.

The big Church Wedding was canceled, and a small intimate ceremony was set at the Brides home.  The Groom breathed a sigh of relief, and the Bride saved face.

Marquerite killed two birds with one stone.   She pleased her family and her new husband - and was forever remembered as a beautiful Bride.

And when the ceremony was over, Tom and Marquerite were out of there, as fast as their legs would carry them.. But the good news is,

 They Lived Happily Ever After.......

 Tom Lyle Williams, owner of the Maybelline Co. with his son Tom Lyle Williams Jr.


VALENTINES DAY -  IS ONLY TWO DAY'S AWAY.  STAY TUNED FOR MORE MAYBELLINE, ROMANCES, NEXT WEEK.

Maybelline's Princess Bride.

If there ever was a Princess, so cherished by her betrothed, it was - Annette Louise Williams - The Princess Bride!

Once upon a time a long time ago, there was a sweet little Princes, who's father held a very important position in a land called, Maybelline.  Annette Williams, led a sheltered life, within her family, but when she was old enough, her father offered her a special position as secretary, within the Maybelline world.  Annette, loved her special position, of course, but deep down inside she yearned for her Prince to come and whisk her away.

One day, out of the blue, and much to her surprise, Annette was introduced to a handsome, charming man, wearing a WW ll, Army Air Corps uniform and her heart skipped a beat.  Within a short time Annette was engaged to this wonderful man named, George Corbett, and her family rejoiced!!  Soon the Wedding invitations were sent and the Wedding of the year was planned.

After the fairytale Wedding was over, Annette and George sped off in p The Father of the Brides car - for a long, long, romantic honeymoon.   

The Father of the Bride, Noel James Williams, walks his darling daughter down the isle to her betrothed.  Below Annette Williams, takes a picture at their family home, in Sauganash Illinois,  with her brother Noel A. Williams, sister, Helen Williams-Huber and brother, Dick Williams, before becoming, Annette Williams-Corbett.

George and Annette cut their Wedding cake, while below, the Father and Mother of the Bride, Noel James and Frances Williams, have a moment together, before he makes his toast to the young newlyweds.

An added surprise, The Bride's uncle Ches Haines, honors the young couple by singing several of their favorite love songs.

                 
    And George and Annette lived Happily Ever After!!!!


Stay tuned for more romantic stories from The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It!!!!!!

Gatsbyesque Wedding at Bernard Maybeck estate, in 1976

Bernard Maybeck estate creates the perfect setting for a nostalgic Great Gatsby Wedding. 

Built in 1915 for the Ambassador of England, Noel A. and Jean Williams bought the Maybeck estate in 1968, and gave the Wedding of the year for their daughter Nancy in 1976.  Here is a picture of Nancy's brother,
 Chuck Williams, aka, BB1, with Sloop John B, in 1971.

Chuck, Williams, Sloop John B, and Nancy Williams, 1971, in one of the many gardens surrounding the Bernard Maybeck estate.

The most romantic, garden Wedding of 1976.

Chuck, ushers his mother, Jean Williams down the isle.

The Bride, Nancy Williams now Mrs. Paul Clark.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Clark on the dance floor.

Nancy's uncle, Bill Williams with Nancy Williams Clark,  

Bill Williams, future wife, Gloria Rosan, 

John Williams-Huber and Bill Williams.

Maybeck made generous use of exposed beams, unpainted finish, huge fireplaces and clerestory windows. Above all else he loved redwood; 

he had also a strong feeling for concrete. Using his materials with great craftsmanship, at the same time he took full advantage of technology.

                          

Maybeck believed, as did his internationally famous contemporary, Frank Lloyd Wright, that the home should blend in with the natural landscape that surrounds it.

Throughout Maybeck's life his great wish was to be understood by the man in the street and to give him a sense of delight.

Bernard Maybeck, like so many entrepreneur's, of the early 20th century, were simple men with enormous creativity and larger than life vision. 
 
A few come to mind, including:  

Tom Lyle Williams - Maybelline,
Erte - design and fashion,
Flo Ziegfeld - Follies 
F.Scott Fitzgerald novels,
especially, The Great Gatsby.
 
Read more about the family that brought you Maybelline, in The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind it.

Mabel and Chet, a match made in Heaven.

Yes, for Mabel Willimas and Chester Hewes, 1926 was a time to CELEBRATE!!!

Vogue, Christmas 1926

Mabel and Chet in front of Tom Lyle's, new 1926 Kissel.

Chester, "Chet" and Mabel on their Wedding Day, August 17, 1926, three day's before her 34th Birthday.  Chet, continued to work in advertising at Montgomery Ward, for the next 7 years, though Tom Lyle, continually asked him to quit and come work for Maybelline.  Mabel remained an old fashioned girl, even at the height of Prohibition and the Women's Movement, insisting her husband do the voting while she build a family.

A week later on August 23, the sudden death of Hollywood  sex symbol Rudolph Valentino at the age of  31 years old caused mass grief and hysteria around the world.  Tom Lyle eventually moved to Hollywood, bought The Valentino Villa, and contracted Stars to appear in Maybelline advertisements for the next 40 years.


The family saga, unfolds in The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind It.

Get your signed copies, in time for Christmas, at  www.maybellinestory.com.





Maybelline Girl becomes a Bride!

"A toast to Mr. and Mrs. Beautiful," he said - as Father of the Bride -  kicking off an all night reception, at his Palm Springs estate, before sending his daughter and her new husband off on an Acapulco Honeymoon. 

Married on the steps on my Fathers Spanish Casa, with 250 quests in attendance. 

Gene E. Dorney Attorney at Law, and his Bride,

Sharrie Lynn Williams. 

 Though I was sad letting go of my last name, Williams, I was very happy being Mrs Gene. E. Dorney.  Here we are in Acapulco having fun, before getting sun-stroke, winding up sick in bed and having to come home early.   For the next 6 months, my job was writing out hundreds of thank you notes, finding a place for a room filled with Shower and Wedding gifts and looking for a new home - a Wedding gift from my father.

Want to know more?  Pick you a signed copy of The Maybelline Story and be prepared for a roller coaster ride that will leave you waiting to exhale.