2013 Emmy Awards Red Carpet Highlights

There was a wide variety of trends on the red carpet on Sunday evening... such a myriad of colors, textures, and silhouettes that's it's difficult to recap them all. So here's a few of my favorite looks from the event. 

(Of course, Zooey is always adorable, and has the most creative pedicure! ;)

 Basic, classic black

Amy Poehler in Basler / Christina Hendricks in Christian Siriano

Blue (because it is the best color)

Emily Deschanel in Houghton / Allison Williams in Ralph Lauren

Pale pink

January Jones in Givenchy / Laura Dern in Naaem Khan

More pale pink

Kerry Washington in Marchesa / Julie Bowen in Zac Posen

 And (taking notes from their older costars) even more pale pink

Kiernan Shipka in Delpozo / Ariel Winter in Lorena Sarbu

Which designs were your favorite?

-Amanda

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September, 1918

This afternoon was the colour of water falling through sunlight;

The trees glittered with the tumbling of leaves;

The sidewalks shone like alleys of dropped maple leaves,

And the houses ran along them laughing out of square, open windows.

Under a tree in the park,

Two little boys, lying flat on their faces,

Were carefully gathering red berries

To put in a pasteboard box.

Some day there will be no war,

Then I shall take out this afternoon

And turn it in my fingers,

And remark the sweet taste of it upon my palate,

And note the crisp variety of its flights of leaves.

To-day I can only gather it

And put it into my lunch-box,

For I have time for nothing

But the endeavour to balance myself

Upon a broken world.

By Amy Lowell

This poem was written in September 1918, during World War I, and yet it feels just as fitting today. It's a daily and painful "endeavor to balance myself upon a broken world," and I am so very thankful that there is a Healer who will one day make everything right. 

That is a serious comfort. If I didn't have it, I don't know if I would be breathing right now. 

It is wonderful to be breathing.

What I'm Wearing:

• Top by Express - thrifted
• Skirt by CHRISTOPHER & BANKS - shortened 6+ inches by me
• Belt - Kohl's
• Shoes - FERGALICIOUS by FERGIE - Famous Footwear

Here's hoping you had a lovely week despite the brokenness around you.
There's a bright and shining weekend ahead. :)

-Amanda

Photos by Lydia Flynn / Edited using PicMonkey

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"Top Secret Dream Dress" Photos

So I've been meaning to share some photos of how I spent the months of May and June this year (other than my nanny job and other family obligations ;). This gown was a labor of love, designed by the bride, using lace from her mother's wedding dress, and sewn by myself and three other amazingly talented (and just plain amazing) women. We talked, laughed, sweat gallons during the heat wave, pricked our fingers, and watched a lot of period dramas. It was a very special, very memorable experience...

The bride and her father, waiting to walk down the aisle. Clara and I are holding the gigantic train up off the floor, and waiting. We both made our own dresses. (Mine was my "birthday dress" from 2010... you might remember the photo shoot, and the puffy tulle overskirt. ;)

Last minute prep. (FYI, a light tulle veil gets blown around ferociously by the breeze from the open doors. Next time I'll put weights on the end. :P

The "Dream Dress" team with the lovely bride.

One last shot of the bride and groom.

I also put together an entire public album on Facebook, if you'd like to see more photos, including many of the actual dress construction. AND, since I know a bunch of you are seamstresses, I'd love if you'd comment here and share your own wedding sewing stories. This was my second wedding dress (the first was for my best friend's medieval/renaissance wedding in 2008), and I learned so much.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend! I'm worn out from a great first 3 days at school, plus nannying, and play rehearsals. There's a lot going on, and it's all good. :)

-Amanda

Photos by Alina M. Photography

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Summer of the Stripes

Stripes are kind of "in" right now. :P

As much as I enjoy trendy clothes, I try not to buy a whole lot because I am guaranteed to hate them within 2 years. And I never considered myself a "stripes" person (I really can not wear them in black and white - skin tone issues). But they've invaded my closet this summer. Against my will. Honestly.

Ok, so I do like this dress. I didn't buy it against my will. I even spent a little extra. It's so comfy, easy to just throw on and go. And I like the color block panels. A lot.

What I'm Wearing:

• Maxi Dress by Rainbow
• Earrings by Touchstone Crystal
• Sunglasses - NICOLE by Nicole Miller from jcpenney
• Flip Flops - 99 cents at Walmart :P
• Nail Polish - Spoiled by Wet n Wild "Hit the Brakes"

What trends have infiltrated your own closet? Have any come as a surprise, or against your will? 

I'll admit that when the maxi dress first became a big thing 3 or so years ago, I wasn't so sure it would stick around. 

But I like it muchly now.

-Amanda

P.S. I had a fabulous Canadian trip, I've spent the last week getting ready for cosmetology school (tomorrow! yay!), and I know have much to post here (pics of the wedding dress I made this summer, pics from my 1960s party in July, et cetera). I'll try and get to them soon. :)

Photos by Lydia Flynn

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