SUNDAY INSPIRATION

Happy Halloween and may you draw inspiration from this lovely board by Brancorprata over at SMP STyle Circle that is not only apropos for this holiday but source of ideas for the rest of autumn.  Check out Brancorprata's blog as well.  Lots of great stuff . . .

FALL WEDDING

How apropos for this weekend. Autumn has arrived with all the rustic beauty that goes with it. From the deep reds and burgundies of the floral arrangement to a Japanese Maple turning that November shade of orange, this medley of images reminds us we are indeed here once more. Thanks to Sarah over at SMP Style Circle for inspiring us with this board.  Check out her blog, The Green Dandelion, for a real bit of awesome in the sphere of floral design . . .

All treats and no tricks!

Happy Halloween!! I really love Halloween....I have ever since I was a kid and now I get to experience it from my daughters perspective (she is 4) and it brings back all the fun and thrills I had as a child!

I just wanted to remind everyone (especially all the new people stopping by!) that my giveaway for this month is still going on! Entries will close on October 31st. I won't be tricking anyone....but one lucky winner is in for a super, duper treat! And the treats will keep going long after the giveaway of the signed Cake Pops book from Bakerella...because you will have all the tools to make your own Cake Pops! Yay!

Good luck to everyone who is entering!!

ODE TO THE TUTU

More brides are opting for something borrowed from the romance of the ballet---head wreath, swan cap, full ballgown skirt in tulle . . .Tutus offer the versatility of being worn after the wedding. These by Lunitique Boutique show off tulle in two lengths, short and to-the-knee.

Lunatique Boutique also features stunning handmade designer hair accessories, hats, and beautiful decor  items like this stunning flower necklace.

Beauty really IS a beast!

The past couple of days I have had a new address. Oh...you didn't know I moved? Well, I really didn't. It's just been a temporary address - at the mall. You see, I have been browsing the stores for a fancy, schmancy evening gown for the Blissful Wishes Ball, which will be taking place November 4, 2010 here in Los Angeles. The Blissful Wishes Ball is a charity fundraising event for an organization that has become near and dear to my heart, Wish Upon a Wedding. This organization grants wedding wishes to couples who are either terminally ill or facing a life altering situation. So...why is beauty a beast? One word - Spanx.

Have you heard of them? You must have. I have heard of them but I haven't ever owned a pair of these, let alone ever tried them on. So while dress shopping (sort of in a frenzy) the sales lady brought me a pair to put on under the dress. My friend, who already had her Spanx on, sat laughing outside the dressing room, while listening to me grunt, huff and puff to put these on. I asked, kind of out of breath, "How high are these suppose to go?" That comment I think had her on the floor laughing. I was bound up, sitting, unable to move to actually see if she was on the floor laughing, but I think she was. So, I got them on, sort of, and then slipped into the dress. Oh. My. God. It was amazing - not only the dress but the way I looked in it. Oh, did I mention it was even a full size smaller than I normally wear? It was - and it fit. The dress was gorgeous but, I was literally enthralled with how it looked and the shape I now had. I bought the dress and the Spanx. I didn't even look at the price because, really, you can not put a price tag on that feeling. Later, I did look at my receipt and had a little sticker shock - $76.00. My fleeting thought was "Ouch" but, that thought quickly flew out the window when the vision of what I looked like in the dress came into my minds eye.

This is not me (I wish - ha!) 

Slim Cognito Shaping Mid-Thigh Bodysuit

So, I get home and I am still on a high, I grab my husband and show him the dress. He lavished compliments (he's a good guy!) and then I pull out the Spanx. I said "Check out the size of this!" It really looks like it could fit my 4 year old. I told him the dressing room story and then told him that getting into it I REALLY felt like I was a sausage being squeezed into a tube! But, it doesn't matter...I told him how amazing it made me look in the dress to which he replied "You would look amazing in any dress with or without that" (yup...he is a really good guy!). So, the moral of this long tail? Beauty is a beast....and so is getting into a Spanx body shaper...but damn...is it worth it!!!

THE LOWDOWN ON OPEN NECKLINES

Pretty Girl Makeup

Love showing off some decolletage?  Low necklines can be so flattering and in my opinion look good on most women, no matter how large or scarcely defined the bosom is.  Fit is key here so finding the right alterations specialist is important.  If you have your gown custom made the fit is built into the gown; gowns ordered through a salon go through alterations once delivered . . .

The Square Neckline-One of my personal favorites, conveying a real open look, square necks look great on ballgown and A-line silhouettes.

Rom Greystar Photography

The Round Neckline- Curved neckline showing some decolletage but not quite as low as a scoop. 

The Scoop Neckline-Lower and more open than the round neckline

Rom Greystar Photography

  The V Neckline-Though wider cut and more open than most, this V points down and up like the letter it is named after.

S1 Studio

 

The Off-the-Shoulder and Portrait Neckline-

Both necklines are similar and extend horizontally across the collar area and either sit slightly above or below the shoulders.

VINTAGE MODERN

Belville Sassoon

Vintage is so popular now it’s evolved into it’s very own niche of fashion. There’s real retro as in the authentic Dior A-line from 1957 in cherry condition; there’s museum quality stuff from the last century that probably requires restoration experts, and there’s everything you see here that I’d call vintage inspired gowns by top designers. Most designers have retro inspired pieces in their collections now. Monique Lhuillier and Claire Pettibone’s gowns are reminiscent of 1930s-40s chic. Candy Anthony and Stephanie James are turning out dresses you’d swear your grandmother wore in the 1950s. A few designers are going way back in time recreating anything from Marie Antoinette to Greek chic. Younger designers seem intrigued with recent fashion history reinventing their own 60s-70s looks.

Sposabella

The hat above echoes Jackie Kennedy's look while the dress below looks like a granny gown from the hip 1970s.

Alberta Ferretti

Whether this gown was inspired by Napoleon’s Regency Period or Mary Quant, one thing all these designers and their gowns have in common is the cutting edge factor. You see, retro inspired means just that: something about the gown evokes yesteryear only there’s that unmistakable twist of contemporary thrown in for the here and now bride.

source

source

source

Lately, with concern for the environment, there are brides using vintage fabrics from lace tablecloths and linens and turning them into some very lovely bridal wear. I guess that’s what it means when you hear, “Everything old is new again . . .”

source

Candy Anthony

Not only the length of this dress says 1950s. Candy Anthony's hourglass silhouette has this era's bodice detail right down to to the prim collar and row of buttons down the front.

Oscar de la Renta

This Oscar de la Renta above is from no era in particular but the way it's accessorized brings to mind the 20s with the cloche hat, 30s with the gown and gloves. Looks like something that might have been worn to the once popular daytime social.

Elizabeth Fillmore

Castigliano International

Maria Grachvogel

To me this is another look encompassing a few eras. The gown above definitely looks 1930s, her hair 90s and the tiara 60s.

Have you seen...??

Last night, I happened to be walking by the TV and a commercial just started. After a quick walk by, it caught my eye. I saw a high heel shoe on the floor, a mans cummerbund and miscellaneous items panning to a bride and groom. I stopped and looked back but the commercial was over - thank goodness for DVR's! I asked my husband, "What was that about?" and he replied he wasn't paying attention. He grabbed the remote and we watched again! This time, I notice sitting on the bed, still in their wedding clothes, are the bride and groom reading cards and laughing about a check made out to Mr. and Mrs. So-and-So and the groom says something about HIS parents getting a check but then they grab their iPhone and deposit the check into their account! This is a new feature that Chase is offering called Quick Deposit. I was floored! How cool is THAT?! I love it. I grabbed my iPhone, downloaded the app and signed into my account. I had to try this...what a great little tool. I have had a couple of checks in my purse waiting to go to the bank...which I haven't gotten around to doing. Took the pictures, entered the amount and tada! Done. Awesome! 

(not my account or check! This picture taken from here)

There are a few little catches - you can only deposit up to $1000 a day and you have a $3000 limit per month. Also, you need to photograph the front and back of the checks on a non-reflective surface. You must have a steady hand! It was pretty simple, actually. I will get better at it the more I do it! I just thought that was the most fun thing...and I am so excited to share this!! I HATE going to the bank and now...I don't have to!! Click here to read more about this on the Chase website

(this is not me or my phone! Picture taken from here)

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Stunning isn't it?  The stuff of dreams.  Our way of saluting photographers the world over,  a special thank you and recognition to  Ligocki Mateusz from Szczecin,  Poland who produced these awesome inspirations. . . . .

HALTER-ESQUE

Lirette Photography/Gown by Amy-Jo Tatum

Believe it or not, the halter evolved from early 20th century swimwear. Golden Age Hollywood designers popularized the look for evening, dressing stars like Garbo and Harlow. Actually the look was so radical and daring back then, tongues clucked as the etiquette police of the time declared, 'no nice lady wore such things out at night'. Ladies had different ideas though and wore the back-baring halter anyway. Halters once again made their comeback big time in the 1970s with the return of glamour and disco. During this time Cher's designer Bob Mackie took advantage of this look to bring out her best lines. Thanks to the ages, we have so many variations on this abbreviated neckline. Below are just a few stunning examples.

 Johanna Hehir

Variation of the Bib-halter

 Amy-Jo Tatum

The V-halter

Jenny Packham
The Pointed-halter

 Amy-Jo Tatum

The Sweetheart-halter

 Amy-Jo Tatum

The V-tied Halter

SEDONA SUNSET

These colors really caught my eye especially for fall.  The Sedona sunset alongside all this pretty fruit and flowers is the work of the talented Naomi Goodman over at SMP Style Circle.  Her blog, Enchanted Dream Weddings and Events is a real inspiration . . .

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Did you know October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?   A year round issue, let's take a little time out this weekend to visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation site, a real resource for all women, especially victims, survivors and caregivers wanting to connect in with support and counseling networks.  And thanks to Corey Stoner over at SMP Style Circle for mixing it all up with this lovely board of pink, the color now so symbolic with breast cancer.

FRIDAYS YOU'LL FIND ME . . . .

 source

For those of you wanting to find out more of what I have to say Fridays, try One Wed's Blog, Savvy Scoop.  Every week I post about some such topic in the fashion realm.  Today it's all about junior bridesmaids.  'So, what' you ask 'is a junior bridesmaid?'  Isn't that like . . . a flower girl, maybe?  No.  How about a regular bridesmaid?  Not quite.  Read on . . . .

A cake pop here...

A cake pop here....a cake pop there....here a cake pop, there a cake pop...everywhere a cake pop! It's true! They are the rage....they are amazing and cute (just like Bakerella!)! The book signing tour goes on - but check her site to see where she has been - and all the people that love cake pops! The smiles are contagious! The giveaway for the Cake Pop book signed by Bakerella and the pretty sanding sugars from Williams-Sonoma is still ongoing! You have time to enter....so what are you waiting for???? Click here now!

Before you know it....you will be making...

Cute, Adorable, Fun treats

That really put a smile on your face...

Don't be a turkey...

ENTER TO WIN THE BOOK!!!

5 Year Wedding Anniversary

While most of you are out there planning a wedding, tomorrow marks the 5th year that I have been married! Talking with friends, I was reminded about the traditional gifts you could exchange on milestone anniversaries. Traditional gifts for the 5th year revolve around...wood. Wood? Seriously. Of course, there isn't any written rule out there that you have to follow these traditional gifts - I am pretty sure my husband doesn't even know there are traditional gifts for anniversaries!! In my search for who even made up these traditions (because seriously...I think a spa gift certificate would be great) I found a site that said the 5th year is cause for celebration because after 5 years wood represents "a five year marriage is strong and durable like wood". Ok, that makes a little more sense! So here are some of my (insert clean, pure, get-my-mind-out-of-the-gutter wood gifts to give my husband) ideas:

A simple reminder...

Save love notes...

A personalized wine box....

Photo Letter Box...

The next anniversary that offers a "traditional" gift is at the 10 year mark...and that revolves around tin...and/or aluminum. Exciting huh?

IAN STUART

Is there a designer out there that can trump the pure romanticism of Ian Stuart? Winner of the 2010 UK bridal designer of the year, he offers 5 stunning collections from which to choose. Looking at these gowns I realize how perfect they are for the bride who wants a real storybook look on her wedding day . . . .