Flower Follies

With all the wedding-ish stuff that has been going on (as we prepare for Rebekah and Michael's special day), I thought it would be appropriate to touch on a bit of bridal fashion and point out a mega trend that I have seen sneaking up for a while. Now it's full blown.

It's time to start singing "Here comes the bouquet"!

For a while, super simple wedding gowns with clean lines seemed to be the current "big thing", but now...the garden has taken over! While paging through a recent issue of BRIDES magazine, petals and greenery seemed to be everywhere - adding volume to the bodice of gowns; swirling down the skirt; dropping buds out behind the train. This is the perfect look for a spring wedding - let the love blossom! :)

For the most part, I am a fan of simple gowns with an awesome cut that takes center stage over decoration. That said, I do like a lot of what I am seeing in this trend - subtle embroidery and texture really can make a gown special. Just be careful that you don't overdo it. The last thing you want is to look like you're reviving the 90s - beware decorative overkill!

Another new thing I have had fun watching is how solid white is no longer a "must have". Although white is traditional, symbolizes purity (which is a good thing), and is probably my favorite color in the world (I'd wear it everyday if it were not so impractical), adding a bit of unexpected color is a great way to let your personality show. Accents in your wedding colors can also add a spectacular touch to your ensemble. If you're a bit timid about breaking tradition, but want to work some color in, try wearing jewelry that enhances your wedding palette and co-ordinates with your bouquet.

One of the wonderful things about living in the 21st century is that you are allowed to break the rules - just make sure you go about it gracefully and in a respectful way. No need to offend the guests - just let the beauty of your personality shine in what you choose to wear. I'm sure you'll be the bride of the year. Good luck! :)



What do you think of these new trends? What are some of your favorites? Have a picture to share? Bring on the inspiration!

Check the complete Garden Party spread at BRIDES.com

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Golden Girls at the Globes

The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards - The lovely Kate Winslet was the big winner of the evening, carrying off two awards (Best Actress & Best Supporting Actress) and also winning my personal "classy lady" prize. It's about time she is recognized for her acting achievements - here's to the Oscars! :)

Well, there were lots of great evening wear trends floating about on Sunday evening! I'll cover some of the big ones...

• Strapless gown continue to be the standard (much to my dislike - they're hard to wear successfully) although I saw loads of asymmetrical one-strap gowns, which I am really liking. They offer endless style and decorative possibilities and are generally much more modest (they don't need to be pulled up all evening long!). I really hope these stick around.

• For the most part, gowns stayed floor length, with long, sweeping hems. I love that classic elegance. The "mermaid" or "fishtail" style continues to be popular, with many gowns hugging the top of the legs and then flaring dramatically at the knees. Also, there were some puffy "princess" dresses, with a cinched waist and then a full, sweeping skirt.

• Speaking of "cinched" - small, skinny belts were definitely "in" and I saw loads of them. They add waistline definition and interest to any look. Also, ruffles were a big part of the evening; many women sported some lovely styles that seemed to draw inspiration from the bustles of the 1880s!

• Vintage-inspired gowns were definitely popular - and there were a couple of lovely "1950s prom queens" parading about. I love this trend and all the fun little details that come along with it. And the "goddess gown" continued to prevail, with lots of sheer, fluttering chiffon and complex draping.

• As far as colors went, there were a lot of pale, muted shades. Soft pinks, greens and a weird, neutral grey-pink color that I positively hate (lol) dominated. As well as the bouquet of pastels, there were some great bold shades - especially royal blue, which I saw on at least four stars.

• For jewelry, most actress kept it down to either a necklace or a set of earrings. Both were big, bold and full of sparkle (lots of the earrings actually reminded me of costume-y studs from the 80s :P). I saw some stunning "collar" necklaces and lots and lots of diamonds...

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The Best Dressed (IMHO):

Anne Hathaway

This regal beauty looked fantastic in this stunning royal blue creation, which offsets her dark hair and fair skin so beautifully. The bodice is embroidered with crystals and has the appearance of feathers cascading down into a swirling skirt of lightweight fabric (chiffon? organza?). Definitely got some real "princess power" going here...

 

January Jones

I just adore the old-time Hollywood glamour she evokes! The shade of blue is just perfect for her (what would you call this color - electric?) and brings out her eyes. I like the neat fabric enhancements - very unusual, but they work so well. And she's got pockets hidden inside - how clever! It's also great to see a nicely fitted dress that doesn't look like it will split when she sits down. :) Her golden curls (Ala Veronica Lake) finish her look off perfectly.

 

Amanda Seyfried

This girl is special to me, due to her name, and it was lovely to see her decked out so sweet and classy. The gown seems very age-appropriate and the draping is quite nice. The shoulder strap has a unique touch and her jewelry and hair suit perfectly. Unfortunately, it's that color I hate, but I'll forgive that one little error. ;)

 

Kate Winslet

Not just the big winner on Sunday evening, she got my applause the moment she stepped onto the red carpet. Sticking with a time-tested classic style, she brings some surprises of her own. What appears to be a simple black strapless formal is actually a wrap-dress (probably faux, which is why it stays together ;), cinched with a pretty diamond-studded belt and crossing at the bodice in a very unusual neckline shape. My opinion? It rocks. :)

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For me, the big disappointments of the evening were focused on two women. Amy Adams borrowed the Wicked Witch of the West's prom gown, and Renee Zellweger either didn't think through her outfit well enough, or forgot a crucial piece of clothing. Oh well...

As far as bad fashion goes; Cameron Diaz looked like she jumped out of bed and threw on a wrinkled sack; Jennifer Lopez seriously needed a towel to wrap around herself; and Drew Barrymore must have come through a thunder storm, which would account for the state and color of her gown, along with her hair. ;)

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Well, this was loads of fun and I hope to do it again in the future (although an Oscar report will probably be late, due to Rebekah's wedding!). For your further enjoyment, I wrote up a lighthearted "commentary" on Sunday evening, while the awards were taking place. Check it out and get a chuckle! ;)

DISCLAIMER: I do not endorse or recommend the Golden Globe Awards. Just attempting to cover the "good" fashion of the event. ;)

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Keeping Cozy

One thing I love about winter is when everything is cozy. Now, this doesn't happen every day. We don't crank our heat to the 80 degrees needed to keep the tip of my nose warm, and I'm usually in my frigid basement growing icicles. I hate heavy clothing and refuse to layer on socks and sweaters until I am an Eskimo (hey! I need to be able to walk around and do stuff! ;). But on other days, like today, the snow is falling gently outside; my dad is shoveling the driveway; kiddos are drinking hot chocolate at the table; and I, well...I don't have anything pressing to do. Which means I can stay in my pajamas as long as I want and curl up on the couch with a book. :)

I love cozy winter PJs (although I'll admit I don't have many that meet my high standards of comfort, warmth and style ;) - they're one of those simple things in life and every girl or woman should have a set or two. Here's some favorite lovelies I've been browsing - if anyone wants to send me a late Christmas present, I certainly won't complain! ;)

These beautiful ensembles are from Soft Surroundings, a company that specializes in romantic and unique clothing. I love the cozy two-piece sets here, and that robe...ahh. Glamour at it's finest. :) See all Soft Surroundings sleepwear and robes.

What could be more elegant than this romantic pink boudoir gown? Truly something that a famous literary heroine would wear as she went about her morning toilette. The white ensemble is fit for peasant or princess - just sweet. See all Victorian Trading Co. clothing.

These pieces are the epitome of old-fashioned grace and bring back memories of a simpler age. One thing I loved about the BBC's new production of Jane Eyre was all the sweet night-gowns she wore. These ones give me the same cozy feeling... See all April Cornell nighties.

Lastly, Macy's offers these fabulous winter ensembles at great prices - and so much variety to choose from! Whether you're a PJ or Nightie girl, there's probably something there for you. I'm eyeing the blue ensemble myself - love the glamourous vintage look! :) See all Macy's pajamas and robes.

Which are your favorites and how do you keep cozy throughout the snowy season?

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P.S. I just got Twitter! Care to join me? :)

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Tut! Tut! It looks like rain!

Living in New England is like riding a weather roller coaster. It's one of the things I love so much about it. You can be running about barefoot one week; in snow boots the following day, and in rubbers the next. You just have to be prepared. To help you out, here's a few inexpensive and downright-lovely items to keep you ready for anything!

I'd like to introduce the fantastic Galleria line, by eBags. They feature dozens of beautiful umbrellas (displaying fine art, stained glass, Venice and et cetera) along with matching tote bags, wallets, wristlets and more. And so reasonably priced - take a peek! :)

For some reason, whenever it rains, I always would rather be outside than indoors. Looking out the window at the insanity of the storm is depressing - being out in the midst of it; exhilarating. What do you think?

Today we are enjoying a regular downpour and the branches have frozen into hundreds of tiny icicles. If you go outside, grab a show-stopping umbrella and bring your fashion sense out into the wild weather. It's sure to carry some sunshine to everyone you meet. :)

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Saturday evening is the Golden Globe Awards and, although I never watch it, I am quite excited to see what everyone is wearing! I'll keep you updated and, if it proves exciting, show you a little bit of the good, the bad, and the ugly. ;)

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Christmas Recap

Well, before I dig into the loads of New Year style goodness, I want to share some fashion-y photos from our very Merry Christmas - we had such a grand holiday week!

Gifted Goodies:

I became slightly fanatic about chain mail jewelry in December and made up necklaces for three of the coolest guys ever: Josh (treasure island), Sean (medieval scroll) and Aidan (fiery dragon). I think it's so neat how both girls and guys totally love these and I'm hoping to make many more in the future (getting into more complex designs/incorporating different beads and crystals), possibly to sell. What do you think?

I simply adore making "Luck O' The Irish" necklaces, and this one was for Lydia, with green beads and a little "clover". On Anna's necklace, the little heart pendant was originally an earring that had lost it's mate. I love how delicate and mysterious it is (the picture doesn't do it justice) and it's perfect for my adventuress sis.

Lastly, I took it into my head to make Hanneke an owl, after browsing through lots of related items on Etsy and becoming mildly obsessed. It went together so easily - I just drew a couple of shapes, appliquéd them together and...ta da! I'm even more obsessed with "Ow-ull" (as Hanneke calls him :) now that he is made a reality, and she loves him, too.

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What I Wore For The Holidays:

We had back-to-back family parties at our house the weekend after Christmas. For the first one, Saturday evening, I pulled out a red top that I never seem to have any place to wear, a favorite black skirt (cause it makes me look extra tall ;) and the red & black jewelry I wore to the ball. The only damper was that, due to my recent back problems, I didn't wear my 3" metallic heels. *sniff*

Slashed-sleeve top - hiatus
Skirt - Banana Republic
Black Boots - Metroline by KHOMBU
Jewelry - Kohls 1928

I had my outfit planned for Sunday but, as so often happens, I didn't like how it looked when I put it together. :P So, after changing my mind a gazillion times, I decided to play it safe and be a "brownie" for the day. It ended up being so warm that I took off my boots before the party, painted my toenails red, and spent the day in bare feet. I just love how fickle New England weather can be. :)

Button-up Shirt - apt.9
Belt - Kohls
Sequined Linen Skirt - made by Melanie :)

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Happy New Year once again to everybody! :)

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Face It

Tips for clear, healthy, beautiful skin:

• Start the day by washing your face - Use warm water. I've heard that it can be best to end by splashing your face with cold water, to close the pores. And don't use regular bar soap for your face...unless you want to look like a leather hand-bag when you're 40. No matter what type of bar soap it is, don't use it on your face unless it says it's specifically for that.

• End the day by washing your face. Washing it twice a day really does make a difference.

• Apply lotion/moisturizers. I do this every night, but usually don't put any on in the morning if I'm planning to wear any makeup, since it tends to make the makeup behave differently. My skin is sensitive, so I tend to stay away from oily lotions, scented facial products etc. I use Cetaphil lotions, and it's generic brand counterpart of facial cleanser. My skin seems to like them (it was quite a challenge for me to find something that worked and that wouldn't make me break out, or get even drier skin), so I've stuck with them for several years.

• It's nice to exfoliate your skin once a week to remove the dead skin cells, and to rejuvenate your complexion. There are many exfoliating scrubs out there - you must decide which is best for you and your skin type. 

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Now, if you take care to keep your skin clean, but still have a problem with it breaking out, it could be a variety of things - don't just assume it was "something I was born with". I will note below some of the most common break-out causes below (however, you may be more likely to have it when you are an adolescent, without any of the things below causing it...that's just how life goes):

• Makeup - Many people are allergic to different formulas of makeup. If you wear makeup, and break out frequently, this could be one of your problems. To test it, you could go a week without any makeup, and see if your skin clears up. These days, there are so many different formulas of makeup, it's not hard to find some hypo-allergenic kinds, that aren't excessively expensive.

• Perfume - It's true, perfume - whether you spray it on, or it's in your lotion - can irritate your skin.

• Diet - Diet is one of the main things that can cause me to break out, now that I've gotten the right facial cleansers and moisturizers. For me, it's mostly just chocolate (do I hear some gasps of dismay?). Chocolate really does it. Too much of some other sugary things can cause me to break out too...but chocolate is the worst. If you eat a lot of chocolate, and tend to break out a lot...you may want to cut back on it. Also, gluten can cause breakouts in people who are allergic to it. These would probably be the type of breakouts that stick with people, and they think it's just genetic. If you have a regular "rash"/breakout on your face, you may want to research gluten intolerance ("Celiac disease"). The breakout can be a sign of something more serious. If you research it and feel it might be true, try not eating anything with gluten in it for a couple of weeks. If your skin begins to clear up, you may have found your allergy. Fatty foods as well can do it to people. Though there are many, many food allergies out there...these are just some of the more common ones.

• Touching your face - if you have a habit of resting your head in your hands, rubbing your forehead, running your finger along your nose, etc - don't! This will cause oil to be deposited on your face, which can potentially clog your pores and cause breakouts.

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I hope this may have helped you - here's to clear skin!

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