Friday, May 28, 2010

Inspiration | Turquoise

1.  Photo by Clewell Photography: http://clewellphotography.com
2.  Rose earings by SkewerdyCats:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/SkeweredyCat
3.  VW Bug Photo by Adventure Diva: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adventurediva/3759986399/
4.  Dress by Quail Bridal: http://www.quailbridal.com/
5.  Love bird cake toppers by CountrySquirrelsRUS: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountrySquirrelsRUS

Love it!


What a fun dessert spread for an engagement party, bridal shower, or wedding reception.  You know me, I'm all about the self-service and interesting displays!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Butterfly Release





As an animal lover I'm still pretty torn about the idea of a live butterfly release at my wedding.  However, if I could make sure the butterflies were lovingly raised (no idea how one would go about doing that...), I think I might be more okay with it.  It sounds a lot better than the traditional rice-throwing.  Plus, since our wedding ceremony (which would take place late morning) and the reception would be at the same place (a farm), the butterflies would rest on trees and flowers, and we could enjoy them all day long.  What do you think?
According to an American Indian Legend, if anyone desires a wish to come true they must first capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it.
Since a butterfly can make no sound, the butterfly can not reveal the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit who hears and sees all.
In gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its freedom, the Great Spirit always grants the wish.
So, according to legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly its freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens and be granted.



Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Secret Message Cuff Links


How sweet are these cuff links by Smashing?  

The back of one of these cuff links carries a secret message, a sweet and discrete way to remind someone how you feel.

"I love you"

A perfect wedding gift for your fiance or child, or for anyone who has to be away from you for even a minute.

Check out the rest of her shop here.

DIY Wedding: More Ideas


Okay, I promise I'm not a Martha Stewart junky!  She just has some really pretty ideas. Although I am not yet engaged, I like thinking about what my dream wedding would be like. I'm the creative, hands-on type. And since I have all this time to think about, and look forward to my wedding, I have plenty of time to squirrel away ideas for the future. A DIY wedding sounds right up my alley.  I've always enjoyed creating things, and what better way to celebrate a unique relationship than with personalized, hand-made decorations?

I think my dream wedding would be outside, at a friends' farm, in the summer. Just something about all the fresh air and greenery sounds dreamy. I would want the ceremony and reception to both take place there, with the ceremony in the late morning, followed by brunch, and then the festivities! Lots of our friends are in bands, so we are thinking a low-key music "festival" would be fun. We'd have a late afternoon/early evening meal spread of our favorite foods, and bite-size treats for dessert.  And I want it all captured by Jessie and Kris.  They take the most beautiful photos.  You have to go check out their portfolio.  You may now commence the swooning.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Guerlain Météorites Voyage


As an esthetician and makeup artist, I am understandably a self-proclaimed product junky. Luckily for me I can often get my hands on products at a discount, or even if I can't, I can usually still justify a full-price purchase with the knowledge that I can probably write it off on my taxes.  Wait a minute, I'm getting off track here... The point I was trying to make is that when something interesting or special comes along, I like to check it out. Occasionally even if it's on the pricey side. That's how I feel about Guerlain Météorites Voyage, a pressed-powder palette of six correcting and light-capturing shades that are swirled together to create the effect of a softening spotlight. This product reduces redness while adding a flattering, pearly sheen. Now, I think this might be a fantastic secret weapon to have on hand for the big day. Or any day, really. I mean, who doesn't like to look their best?
"Météorites Voyage, the quintessence of colour-blending expertise is reinvented in a new exceptional case to reproduce the purest radiance on the skin. A technological wonder, a blend of new matt and pearly shades, an ingenious mixture of six correcting or light-enhancing colours to deliver the purest radiance to all complexions. Three correcting colours: a mauve that catches the light and brightens the complexion, a pink that refreshes tired complexions and a green that reduces redness. Three light-enhancing colours: a white to infuse the complexion with light, with no chalky effect, a champagne to make the skin sparkle and radiate and a pink gold to unify olive complexions and warm up fair skin tones. Enriched with nylon powder, its new formula subtly mattifies while reflecting the light. As a result, the slightly pearly complexion appears unified, radiant and perfectly translucent. A pleasure for the eyes and senses alike, it announces the return of sunny weather with its delicate violet fragrance. A case revamped with absolute luxury. Its streamlined pebble shape and magnetic closure unite design, practicality and elegance. One unique shade (Mythic 01)"

DIY Wedding: Poms


I'm all about DIY wedding ideas. One thing I really like are those pretty tissue pom-poms. They can be used for so many different things! And the colors can be completely customized to match your color scheme.  I found this article on Martha Stewart Weddings about DIY pom-poms and luminarias. Super cute!  All you'll need is tissue paper and 24-gauge white cloth-covered floral wire.

If you don't want to, or can't, make them yourself, you can always support the Etsy community.  Just do an Etsy search for pom-poms!

Suzannah | Dresses

I love these cocktail dresses from Suzannah!  These would make the cutest bridesmaid dresses, the petal style dresses with different top cuts would be perfect for different shapes. 

From her site:
"The Suzannah Cocktail dresses are the perfect party or chic black tie dress. They are carved from the most premium of Italian cloth designed to sculpt and flatter in the newest and most unique of silhouettes based on Vintage couture references. Suzannah loves chic Parisian style from the 20s to the 70s. Combining this charming influence with a modernist city outlook the divine romantic dresses are created to make you look and feel amazing."

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Something Blue...

While watching Breakfast At Tiffany's I suddenly had the urge to research whether or not anyone has created a Tiffany-blue nail polish. And someone has! The good folks over at China Glaze have not only created a Tiffany-blue nail polish, but it's also called For Audrey.  How cute is that?

This is my favorite shade of blue.

Update: I just ordered two bottles.  I can't wait for them to come!

Update: Okay, the polish is totally awesome.  I'm currently rocking it on my fingers and toes!  Josh said, "Aww, that's a cute color."



Friday, May 21, 2010

Monique Lhuillier Dresses Part 2

Like I stated earlier, I think Monique Lhuillier makes the prettiest dresses. This is my favorite dress, "Ingrid". Absolutely. I wonder if I can find enough detailed pictures if it would be feasible for Jane to recreate something similar?

I think this must be what it's like to find your "dream dress". Warm fuzzies.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

La Perla's Bridal Collection


OKay, so I don't know who can actually afford La Perla on a regular basis... But their wedding collection is pretty unbelievable. I reallllllly want to get this Bridal Lace Bustier. Can you blame me? The back is delicate lace.

Would it be horrible to include an indulgence such as this in a wedding budget??

Wedding Night Delight


Check out this incredibly sweet sleep set by Sandmaiden Sleepwear. The perfect thing for the wedding night!

Pantie
Bralette
(available in other colors)

Check out the rest of her collection. She makes some pretty incredible underthings!

Bridal Bliss Designs

I think I just died and went to Wedding Gown Heaven.

If you have some time before the wedding (enough time to, say, order a custom wedding gown), you should must check out Bridal Bliss Designs on Etsy.

I'm in total awe right now.

Jane specializes in "Custom Design Reproduction". Essentially what this means is she requires specific, detailed photographs of the design you're asking to be recreated, then she re-creates it using high quality/bridal quality fabrics and materials. All dresses include lining, interlining and boning for support.

Now as an anxiously un-engaged, I have never tried my hand at wedding dress shopping. But if I could have a "dream dress" made specifically for me, while supporting an independent business woman, I think I would jump at that opportunity. Perusing Jane's Bridal Bliss Designs shop on Etsy, I can tell you I've fallen fast and hard. *Swoon*
Here is but one of her customer's testimonials:
"As it turns out, my best wedding decision (other than the groom!) was ordering a dress from a stranger on the internet with no feedback. :) My dress was based on another one that I had bought, but with some changes. The parts that were supposed to be the same were nearly identical, and the alterations were perfectly done and exactly what I wanted. For not much more than the first dress, this one is noticeably higher quality in fabric and construction. And best of all, it was perfectly made to my measurements. Add fast and friendly communication, and it was the perfect dress-buying experience. Thanks again!" - Amber E. - Flagstaff, Arizona

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

To Tux or Not To Tux...

Who says grooms (or groomsmen) have to wear tuxedos?

I've been flipping through a ton of wedding mags lately (it's somewhat a guilty pleasure of mine), and the one thing I've noticed is that I really like the idea of the groom and groomsmen wearing suits instead of tuxedos. Something about it just looks nice. Both Josh and I are relatively laid back, and I can't really picture him wearing a tux all day. Well, I can't really picture him wearing a suit all day, either, but sometimes we all have to make sacrifices.

Anyway, if you're picking up what I'm laying down, check out these two superb suits I've scoped from J.Crew:
   
Italian Aldridge two-button suit                                  Fine-stripe cotton suit

Ear Gear


Omerica Organic

Having went through a body piercing phase in my early 20's, I can tell you with absolute certainty that I wish I could go back in time and stop myself from gauging my ears. But since I can't, I can at least find beautiful, organic plugs for myself!

I'm thinking the Mother of Pearl Plugs from Omerica will do nicely. I mean, how pretty are these? Super pretty.

On the other hand, one could get the Paua Shell instead, and take care of their "something blue"...

Sweets Bakeshop

I may not yet be engaged, but I have most details of my dream wedding already figured out. One idea I've been toying with is having an assortment of treats rather than one big cake.

The other day I was doing chair massage at my boyfriend's "office", and someone brought in a bunch of French macarons from Sweets Bakeshop. They were SO good. It got me thinking that an assortment of treats from Sweets Bakeshop would hit everyone's sweet spot. They have not only the most incredible French macarons, but what I can only assume are equally as delicious cupcakes, brownies, and blondies.

Add a few fancy cake stands, and you're good to go! Maybe put the cake toppers on a couple of cupcakes?

Vivienne Westwood Pumps

The most adoreable shoes from Vivienne Westwood.  They are available in various color combinations.

Timeless Inspiration

Grace Kelly's wedding from 1955, see the full photo gallery here: http://www.life.com/image/50476353/in-gallery/25011

42 Inch Nothing Veil




The 42 Inch Nothing Veil by Veiled Beauty on Etsy is absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful yet simple, that's how I roll!

Tech Tools| iWedding Deluxe

The most comprehensive wedding app out there right now.  Get to planning before you've even got the ring with iWedding Deluxe: http://www.iweddingdeluxe.com/Home.html

Don't forget about the super cute case from Yummy Pocket on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/yummypocket

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Monique Lhuillier Dresses

I think Monique Lhuillier makes -omg- the prettiest dresses ever. I suppose I should start saving now if I want to be able to buy one...

Monday, May 17, 2010

Tacori Engagement Rings

Tacori rings are so beautiful, so romantic. Who wouldn't swoon to one of these?