10 Mar

Wedding Dress Wednesday :: Find Your Bridal Style

In the quest to find the dress, it can be a daunting task to figure out which style best suits you. Once you find the style, it can help determine the silhouette, type of fabric, formality of the design etc. Take a quick quiz on to determine your style of wedding dress and see which of the following may best fit your style.

Are you…..

type of bride

Classic: Traditional necklines like the bateau neckline is a timeless option. Lines of lace run the length of the bodice, creating a contrasting detail of lace and silk. Elegant silhouettes and classic details like fabric covered buttons make this style classically beautiful. {Priscilla of Boston; $4700}

Beach Casual: This breezy chiffon dress is lightweight and represents a stylish bride who wants to say her I Dos with her toes in the sand.  Floral accents cascade down the shoulder and spill across the bodice. {J Crew; $895}

Bohemian: Champagne tone dress with lace overlay shows off the craftsmanship of the dress. The v neckline and fitted bodice shows of the upper body, while the swinging mermaid shirt allows the bride to get down. Simple, earthy and free spirited is a bohemian bride. {Sue Wong; $498}

Romantic: Swirls of Chantilly lace dance with fans of pleated organza around the voluminous skirt. A crisp black sash made of horsehair and organza tie the mounds of whipping cream-like fabric at the waist. Making any romantic bride go gaga over this gown. {Vera Wang; TBD (Fall 2010 line)}

Glamorous:  Layers of pleated satin shimmy down the body. Satin fleurs ring around the top of the skirt to break up the pleated bodice and free flowing skirt. Remove the skirt after the ceremony to which makes this dress a fabulous frock for the gal who wants a two-dress-kind-of-wedding. {David Tutera by Faviana; $1250}

Modern: What the dress lacks in intriciate details, makes up for it in the minimalistic and trendy silhouette. This svelte and streamline dress shows off a fitted bodice and features a silk shantung peplum. {Melissa Sweet; $2700}

  • Google Gmail
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Share/Bookmark
03 Mar

Celebrations :: Oscar Inspired Dinner

The Oscars are coming! The Oscars are coming! Low key and casual, will make for a fun Sunday celebration with your closest friends. Nom on this mouthwatering menu and tune into see which nominations will make headlines. Themed dishes incorporate the season’s best films and can easily be made into a potluck style party.

Pre-Show
oscar1

District 9 – Grilled Prawns

Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire – Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting {Picture Source}

The Messenger  – Fortune Cookies

Up in the Air – Roasted peanuts and pretzels {not pictured}

Up – Airpopped Popcorn

An Education – Champagne

Avatar – Cool Blue Martini {not pictured)

Main Feature
oscar

Inglorious Bastards – Green salad with Vinaigrette

Blind Side – Bacon Potato Salad

Lovely Bones – The Lovely Bone-less Chicken Strips

Encore

Print off ballots, so your guests can predict the winners

Hit up an award shop and pick up some Oscar trophies for your guests or make your own trophy cookies a la Bakerella

  • Google Gmail
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Share/Bookmark
24 Feb

Wedding Dress Wednesday :: Sheer Straps

This week’s WDW collection features six dresses with a sheer straps. Sheer straps provide the support without having heavy fabrics and thick straps covering up your body’s nicest features, your neck and shoulders. Sheer straps are matched with various silhouettes for a surprisingly fresh twist on the tradional strap.

sheer straps2

Wedding Belle: Voluminous pleated ruffles canopy over the tulle ballgown skirt. The loose diaphanous wrap can be removed for the reception to allow freedom on the dance floor. {Eugenia Couture; $3000+}

Crystal Clear: The ethereal silk chiffon dress glides across the floor. Exquisite beading emphasizes the plunging décolleté. {Jenny Packham; $3000+}

Sheer Beauty: Embroidery and beading pepper the bodice. The intricate details drip to the hip and a glittery brooch cinches the fabric. The sweetheart neckline has an overlay of chiffon to create a halter neckline. {Impression; $750}

sheerstraps

Whispy Confection: Vaporous layers of chiffon are gathered at the natural waistline for a pleated skirt. The decorative brooch adds a hard texture in this otherwise soft and whispy gown. {Pronovias; $1700+}

Swept Away: Ruffled sheer sleeves will flutter with the gentlest of breezes making it a perfect destination dress. The shirred bodice distracts the eyes busy from a potential problem area, while the deep cut neckline shows off the bustline. {Dessy; $350}

Streamline Svelte: The sheer lace straps have flourishes of beading that cascasde to the rest of the dress. Swarovski crystals, covered buttons and scalloped hemline are just a few details in this consumate wedding dress. {Mon Cheri; $1000}

  • Google Gmail
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Share/Bookmark
17 Feb

Wedding Dress Wednesday :: Cotton

This week’s collection of fanciful frocks share a common material. Cotton. Natural, pure, and comfortable cotton. Cotton is often seen as a casual fabric, but with with the right cut and embellishments it can be a dress fit for a queen. As the saying goes, cotton is the fabric of our lives. Why not wear it on one of the biggest days of your life?

cotton wedding dresses

Eye for an Eye: Secretive structure provides support without being restrictive. Strapless cotton eyelet dress paired with an empire silhouette, the empire bustline is highlighted with trim under the bust. {Aria; $225}

The Cotton Belt: French Alencon cotton lace adorns the hem of the dress.  The fold-over bodice plays nicely into an empire silhouette. English Cotton Tulle floats over the silk chiffon and flows freely from the bustline. {Cotton Bride; $3000+}

Sweet Tea: Cotton lace shows off the bride’s legs and sense of style. Silk shantung sash is available in a variety of colors to help coordinate with a specific color scheme. A soft sweetheart neckline is fitting for an angelic, yet sassy bride {Siri; $225}

Call a Halt: Evocative of warm summers past, this sundress like silhouette is darn sweet. Silk Cotton faille has a natural ribbed texture for sensory appeal. Don’t forget about the pockets!{Vineyard; $2400}

  • Google Gmail
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Share/Bookmark
16 Feb

Celebrations :: Mardi Gras

Fat Tuesday is here! A celebration that marks the beginning of Lenten Season. Invite your closest friends and get roudy with some sparkly beads and soothing soul food worthy of Fat Tuesday!

MENU

mardi gras

Red Beans & Rice: Hearty and satisfying, this red beans and rice dish is essential for a Mardi Gras themed dinner. Omit the sausage for a vegetarian friendly dish.

Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo: This one pot wonder make a stellar main dish. Adjust the spices for your preferred level of spice  and heat.

Beignets: Light and crispy mini donuts make for a sweet finish.

Grilled Shrimp with Remoulade: Quick and easy, but makes for a great presentation. Spice rubbed shrimp and a a healthy remix-remoulade will be a crowd pleaser.

King’s Cake: Traditional dessert served during the festivities. Be sure to add a little baby in the mix to determine who will host next year (or make up another rule). Once the cake has been removed from the oven, insert plastic baby into cake.

What is Fat Tuesday without a Hurricane? Mix in large quantities!

Hurricane recipe

Cheers to you!

  • Google Gmail
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Share/Bookmark