Sweet Treat Giveaway - WINNER!

We have a winner! We have a winner! I am doing the Sweet Treat Giveaway winner dance over here! It was a lot of work going over all the entries but, I made it! Before I announce the winner, I thought I would give you a quick run-down on the winning cupcake flavors! The top 3 never wavered throughout! I did think Red Velvet might take the lead over Chocolate but, it never did! 

• Chocolate
• Red Velvet
• Carrot Cake

So, now that you know the top three flavors I will give you another hint about the winner of the Sweet Treat Giveaway: She picked Carrot Cake Cupcakes as her favorite flavor! 

Please send me an email with your mailing information so we can get all your Sweet Treats to you! And, thank you to EVERYONE who entered! Stick around, we host monthly giveaways on things we find and love...you might be the next winner!

My Royal Wedding Recap

I will admit that leading up to the big day I wasn't that excited about the Royal Wedding. But, as the time got closer, I found myself tuning in - live feeds on the internet going (from two different sites) and the big screen TV turned on! I think, for me, the thing that I didn't like about it was that I knew the day wouldn't be "theirs". I am pretty sure that every aspect of the wedding had to be approved by the Queen. I mean really? Talk about your MIL being overly involved in the wedding plans!! After thinking about it, though, I get it and I am sure the bride and groom did as well. Everything about your wedding, if you are having a Royal Wedding, has to withstand one thing - time. This means every aspect of the wedding must be elegant, flawless and perfect. And, it was just that. Inevitably, in most weddings, no matter how much you plan, there is something that goes wrong. At a Royal Wedding, however, I just don't think that is an option. So, here are my thoughts on the big day - the things I loved and the things I thought could have been better:

Picture source: BBC Live stream still

Westminster Abbey was pretty much undecorated, other than the dozen or so 20-foot tall field maple trees arranged on either side of the main aisle. I had read the couple chose the florist for the wedding based on his ideas of sustainability and that everything used for the wedding would be replanted. Symbolically, I guess it's a nice gesture but, I personally love flowers and would have liked to have seen a little more.

Finally, we get a good look at the dress! I loved the top half of her dress! The lace is gorgeous (I do love lace although wouldn't pick it myself). There was so much speculation about what kind of dress she would wear - but, really? Was there any doubt it would be anything but a ball gown skirt? The dress was typical for a Royal Wedding and perfect for a future Queen. I am sure if she was just a typical bride getting married, her own taste wouldn't have dictated such a matronly type of dress but, marrying a Prince (who will eventually be King) it was perfect! Also, the venue you marry in, sort of, dictates the type of dress you wear and that long walk down the aisle requires a long train (maybe not as long as Princess Diana!). My immediate thought, like most other people, was that the gown was very similar in style to Princess Grace of Monaco. The lace bodice design was hand-made using a technique that originated in Ireland in the 1820s called Carrickmacross, which involved cutting out the detailings of roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks and applying them to the ivory silk tulle individually. Just having the lace hand-made is pretty awesome (lace today is done by machine). Ok, so here is my 2nd complaint and you might have guessed, based on the pictures above, that it is again...the flowers! Her bouquet is so TINY! The dress, the church, everything about this wedding is HUGE and then she has this little button bouquet! *Dislike*

 

Photograph: Ian West/AFP/Getty Images

Since I do like to be neutral on most things, though, I will say that I like the meaning behind all the flowers. Her bouquet contained myrtle, Lily of the Valley, Sweet William and hyacinth. 

• Lily of the valley means "trustworthy"
• Myrtle "hope and love"
• Sweet William - well duh! right? but it's meaning is "gallantry"
• Hyacinth means "constancy of love"

The one thing I absolutely ADORED about the wedding though, and it is a part that I think was totally them, was the get-a-way car! So cute, so young and just fun! So, the big day is behind all of us and I am sure, like any bride, Kate will have the same feelings: glad it's over but totally missing the planning and lead up! My hope for the couple, and to every bride and groom, is that I hope they remember this day and everything that led up to it and hopefully it will carry them through all the rough patches because, marriage isn't a fairytale - it's a lot of hard work - even if you do have the title of "princess".

 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Last day to enter our Sweet Treat Giveaway!

It's been a pretty exciting couple of days! Today, the Royal Wedding and tomorrow our Sweet Treat Giveaway ends! You only have until 5:00pm PST to enter tomorrow and a winner will be chosen....and I am even giddy about picking the winner! Clearly, my readers LOVE sweets...I just want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has entered so far! The response, actually, has really touched me, especially since I host and pay for my own giveaways, and by your responses it makes me feel like I have done a good job....so thank you to all who entered! If you are just coming here for the first time (good timing on your part!) you have just a few more hours to enter to win an amazing Sweet Treat giveaway package! You can win:

 Click here to enter now! Entries close 04/30/2011 at 05:00 PST!

TRUMPING ASCOT

The Beckmans and their edgy chic

 Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Princess Anne

It was like Ascot Gavotte in color as guests poured into Westminster Abbey this morning for the long awaited wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. The Oh La La! factor really kicked once the crowd swelled; Cecil Beaton's over the top sets and costumes for My Fair Lady come to mind yet this is all real.  When have we seen such a parade of head sculpture all in one place?  Phillip Treacy was the star hatter with others like Jane Taylor and Noel Stewart wowing us, every creation a 180 turn from the next. I have to admit, when it comes to hats the British have to be the most inventive. Do you perchance get the idea some of these dresses and coat ensembles were designed around the head wear? The UK has a rich history of costume and keeping aspects of it traditional. Their hats have evolved to the art form we saw today and I think they will continue to reinvent new trends.

 Miriam Gonzalez Durantez looking every inch as chic as an Irving Penn photo

 Tara Palmer-Tomkinson.  Stunning

 Who are these gorgeous guests?  The Earl of Spencer's daughters and cousins to Prince William . . .

The duke of York's daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie. 

Zara Phillips

 HRH, The Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla)

 Always chic and my fav fashion royal, Michael of Kent

Monacco's Prince Albert and his fiance Charlene Wittstock

MC QUEEN FOR A DAY

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After months of waiting here's the look!  Traditional and understated all at once, The Duchess of Cambridge emerged from her limo looking every bit like Grace Kelly reborn--including her gown by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.  Kate opted for an ivory and lace silk gown topped off with a tiara and shorter length waltz veil.  READ MORE,

Ian Stuart: Stylish wedding gowns with color

Today, I want to showcase a designer that I love: Ian Stuart. This British designer describes his bridal line as "quirky and theatrical". I think his bridal line is luxurious and stylish! There is always something different, always gorgeous fabrics, his style is definitely unique and usually you can find beautiful colors, that other designers shy away from. That is probably why I like his line so much! I've blogged about him before (here and here), discussing his amazing red gown that started the trend. This gown came out about 8 or 9 years ago but you wouldn't know it - it set the trend for colored wedding gowns and pick-up skirts, which are still popular with today's bride.

You will find his gowns available in just a few, select stores in the US, which is a shame! It would be nice to see him gain a more popular following here! He has won numerous awards in the UK, including designer of the year an amazing 5 times! 

POCKET STYLE

Rosa Clara

Check out these gems, all are top designer bridal gowns with pockets--some even the focal point of the design.  While some eras went for pockets, even in formal attire, this is the first we've really seen them show up in bridal.  After all, once-upon-a-time a bride didn't have to carry anything.except a bouquet.  She had maids to handle everything else.  However, pockets, like collars, peplums and hoods are all functional in their way but still a stylish fashion component to be added and enjoyed. Think of it: no bridal purse, your hands are free.  Brides are going to find out what the guys have known all along: life's a lot easier with pockets  

Manuel Mota

Angel Sanchez

MODESS BECAUSE . . . .

  

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Growing up, I was so intrigued by these ads, once asked who my favorite designer was I answered, "Modess . . . "  For all you gals born after the last Modess ad graced the home and fashion glossies round about 1973, Modess was not the super star designer I'd once imagined but a sanitary napkin put out by Johnson and Johnson.  With a real glitzerama of an ad campaign, it had some of the most rockin' stylists of the time.  Here's what MUM.org has to say about Modess:  Modess sanitary napkins conducted a famous advertising campaign from 1948 to the 1970s in the U.S.A. Usually the only words were "Modess . . . . because." Advertising journals of the time occasionally made fun of the series; sometimes they praised it. In a sense, the unfinished phrase summed up the American public's feelings about menstruation: It's something it couldn't talk about! Read a Johnson & Johnson inside account of the origin of this campaign.  Nevertheless, these are probably the most elegant ads ever made for menstrual products.

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So what did I remember most about these ads?  Well they were full of  stylish women posed in Dioresque gowns and uber-chic settings; this helped inspire me down the silk road to fashion. Fashion in the form of ballgowns with layers of pouf, fouff and a helluva lot of serious under structure.  Don Draper and Penny Olsen, wherever you are in the fictional timeline I know you had something to do with this and I'm . . . well
 very grateful to you . . .

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Beautiful Bridal Hair Pieces

There is no escaping bridal frenzy this week as the Royal Wedding approaches! I am finally getting excited about it myself. I have been finding all kinds of amazing designers from England - from wedding gowns to gorgeous hair pieces and jewels (well not those jewels!) When I saw this flower fascinator I had to share - it's gorgeous!

Delivery on this beautiful Hair piece from order date 2/3 weeks or sooner. This piece will be packaged in a beautiful Alan Hannah branded gift box and dispatched by next day courier when ready to send. The item number is ME5001. I also converted the price to US dollars so the price to the US is 131.81! 

Lovely pearls! This Hand set 5-row necklace with centre piece with octagon, oval, pear shaped and navette stones. The Bracelet is a beautiful 3 row freshwater cultured pearls complemented with an Art Deco style sterling silver clasp set with Swarovski crystal and sterling silver Swarovski crystal rondelles.

I will be passing along other designers I see a long the way that I love....just like Alan Hannah!

THAT LITTLE WHITE DRESS

Suzannah.com
Like I keep saying, it's a great time to be a bride.  Whether you're going for a short and understated look on your wedding day or are looking for the perfect shower, rehearsal  or reception look, check out these little white gems I found out and about the net. . ..

 Above: Beautifully cut and immaculately tailored 1940's inspired boudoir dress . Wonderful body sculpting silhouette create with corsetry boning and soft pads which flatter all sizes. Cut to flatter, lifting and shaping the body. A boned peplum hip part adds additional drama to the beautifully sophisticated vintage couture inspired dress. 100% Triple Organza in the softest Rose Pink with self lined body part and acetate lined skirt. Dry Clean Only Detachable washed velvet rose at the centre front. Detachable silk ribbon at the waist seam. Below the knee, centre back vent.

  coggles.com

1950’s pale blue lace prom dress. The dress is a frothy and romantic confection of pale powder blue lace and features a Ruched bodice, scalloped waist seam, full A-line skirt with underskirts and a rear zip fastening. The Natasha dress is lined and sits below the knee. An original and unique vintage piece This piece has been lovingly restored by Priestley’s Vintage for you, any imperfections which may have occurred through the years only add to the individuality of this garment.

net-a-porter.com Platinum silk-crepe sleeveless dress with silk-organza ruffles through front and skirt. Notte by Marchesa dress has a V-neck, a silk-satin band at waist, an oversized rosette at front, and a concealed press-stud and zip fastening along back. 100% silk; lining:

janenorman.co.uk

This one shoulder wonder features delicate flower design with sequin detailing along the shoulder strap, chic ruching on the front and a back tie to create a fabulous silhouette. Check out our glamorous accessories range to complete this sexy and stylish look.

WHAT'S NEW INN THE GOWN GALERY

photo by Greg Raphael

Meet the newest addition to the collection, NORMA JEAN, a white halter dress of silk crepe inspired by none other than Marilyn Monroe.  It's soon to go up on Etsy when more pictures of front and back are delivered.  If you're interested in ordering email me or call through Amy-Jo Tatum.com.

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More about how Billy Travilla's dress came to fruition . . . .The Hollywood designer's creation for the flick, Seven Year Itch has become so iconic, inspiring many an artist and designer to come up with their own interpretation of his white halter with a pleated skirt.  None us us can achieve the perfection of the original though.  You see, he had the rare gift of Marilyn to work and play with.  For more on Travilla and his designs for Marilyn go to The Travilla Tour

ART DECO

Again we have Naomi V. Goodman of Enchanted Dream Weddings and Affairs for these shots of Art Deco for all you Gatsby/Hollywood/lovers out there.  From the chandelier jewelry to the Deco designed cake, it all puts me in a mood to go back to the workroom and turn out some really gorgeous gown that would pop on a Big White Hollywood Set . . .