SEA GREEN

Sometimes adding a bit of a pastel or a clear and light color can add boldness.  Check out the flower girls above and the lovely sea foam green sash above . . . stunning.  These are beautiful touches for summer, all the shades of green reminding us just how close to nature we always are. . . .Thank you Mi Amor over at Style Circle on SMP for one of the most inspiring board I've ever seen . . .

INSPIRATION FRIDAY

SOURCEThe Dahlia you brought to our isleYour praises for ever shall speak:Mid gardens as sweet as your smile,And colour as bright as your cheek.--Sir Godfrey Webster --

REDEFINING THE TRADITIONAL BRIDE

London based designer Kate Edmondson has been creating 
wedding 
dresses 
and 
millinery
 for
 private 
clients
 for
 over
10 
years. 
Now 
combining elements
 of 
vintage 
glamour 
with 
modern
 simplicity,
 she's redefining the look of the traditional bride by launching Kate Edmondson Bridal Couture.
With
 Kate’s 
highly 
developed
drapery 
technique and use of  
lightweight, 
fluid 
fabrics,

GREAT FINDS FROM TALLULAH OPAL

Audrey (Silk flower hair comb set of 2) It's the small touches that count and having beautiful creations around on your wedding day is so important. Tallulah Opal's handmade florals are simply stunning and come in a variety of accessories: hair clips, tie belts and lapel pins to name just a few. All items in her Etsy shop are made by hand and she has sourced everywhere for the highest quality

Yumi Katsura wedding dress

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2010 New Wedding Dress

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UPCYCLED DESIGN FOR BRIDES AND MAIDS

Remember the kind of slip Elizabeth Taylor wore in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof?  Once upon a time these were commonly known as full slips and no woman was properly dressed unless she was wearing one underneath her dress. Fast forward some forty years and eco-conscious Amanda Rose of Amanda Rose Bridal in Palm Bay, Florida collects these tossed and forgotten pieces of vintage lingerie and turns them

BABY DOLL CHIC

The baby doll dress is either empire or natural waisted with a full skirt and short hemline. Always youthful, the look evokes images of the light-hearted playfulness of youth. These styles by Icesumeimaking are perfect examples of the Mod-look London helped create in the swinging 1960s. While all dresses sporting mini length were revolutionary back then, forty-some years later the mini is part of

VINTAGE SUMMER

Days of summer offer the perfect time to reflect and dream.  These accessories are just the touches that remind us of that period between Gatsby and Art Deco.  Thank you Bargain Hoot for your labor of love in putting together and sharing this board with us all . . .

Best Strapless Wedding Dress

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YELLOW AND NAVY BLISS

Welcome to a sunny and bright summer with warm yellow and crisp navy.  From the textures of seersucker to things from the earth like lemon and sunflowers, this truly is a complimentary combo.  A big thank you to Amanda over at Style Circle on SMP for creating this inspiration  . . .

Best Wedding Dress

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1970s-80S PRAIRIE REVIVAL PART 2

Laura Ashley 1983sourceWhile Jessica McClintock revived the Prairie Gown with her Gunne Sax line in the seventies, the more haute couture versions of Prairie came to us through the stunning creations of  British designer, Laura Ashley.  She used finer imported cottons and voiles and in the images above and below we can see perfect examples of this look at it's best.  Vintage elements were really

THE PRAIRIE GOWN REVIVAL PART 1

source The Prairie gown is also known as the maxi or hippie dress. I call them hostess gowns because their latest revival comes from the laid-back home entertaining crowd here on the West Coast embracing this casual but chic look. Prairie gowns initially were introduced in the late 60s early 70s era and sported a totally different look than the contemporary gown today.  Designer Jessica

Sell Brand New Wedding Dress

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ACCESS

Wedding........by yumy by Yumy (Plz join in my new group) featuring Vivienne Westwood Gold Label dressesVivienne Westwood is still doing variations on the Sex and the City Wedding Dress that took the fashion world by storm a couple years back.  With the same strapless peaked sweetheart neckline, this updated version of Champagne silk has a satin bustier with built-in corset. Has a full puff skirt

DRESS ME FANCY

Fancy New York recently emailed me these glorious images of their Fall/Winter 2010 collection and I was blown away. In mostly heavier weight satins and taffetas they are evocative of everything 1950s from An American in Paris to Studebakers, Dressmefancy.com has developed a line of predominately hourglass silhouettes perfect  for brides looking for an alternative to the traditional wedding gown.

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

This is my first of six dresses planned for 'Short Stories' a capsule collection of above-the-knee chic for brides going the cocktail/civil ceremony route.  This dress is called, 'Jocelyn', with a silk dupioni fitted bodice and full  embroidered organza skirt.  The organza sash ties at the waist accented with two hand rolled silk roses and a black and white polka dot ribbon.  The petticoats are

ROBIN'S EGG AND PEACH

What a beautiful combination of textures in pastel.  Decor, florals and attire all work in tandem with this palette for a spring into summer theme.   I'd like to thank Cara Bella over at Style Circle for this contribution.  Her blog, titled, Handful of Treasures is a visual showcase of decor, fashion, food and pure inspiration . . . 

Vintage Wedding Dress

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SOFT ROMANCE

Soft WordsThe woods it speaks to meWith a calm and soft melodyOne of acceptance and condolenceTelling to the depths of the heart will return no such a consequenceThe woods you understand me inside and outWhen fear overcomes I have no doubtYou are protecting me with your gracious mightYour presence is observant day or nightThe woods it speaks to meNow our connection is everlastingFor it is where I

Pronovias Lavanda Wedding Dress

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HOT SHOTS: THE WORK OF KEVISSIMO

Gown by St. Pucci. Recognized for his unique style, Kevin Rolly has been published in such magazines as ELLE, Mirabella, W, Detour, BRIDES and many other publications. Rolly does seem to bring out the haunting beauty in a bride and his portfolio is full of them.  Known for his techniques in  OILGRAPHING-- a blend of traditional photography and oil mediums, his works are in numerous private and

AFROCENTRIC

Celebrating heritage is one way to add some individuality to your wedding day.  My husband and I shared Scottish tradition, he donning a Black Watch kilt and my bouquet wrapped in my family tartan.  Celebrating African heritage is something like the Scottish thing in the sense certain patterns represent a particular clan or tribe. If you're already incorporating Afro-chic into your everyday look

New Style Bridal Gown Wedding Dress

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RED AND WHITE

I took one look at these vintage inspired dresses by Peppermint Pretty and knew they'd bring a real sense of joy and fun to a wedding.  White dresses with red accents remind us of the colors of Valentine's Day, a day of which had its inception in Victoriana.  With the pert derbies perched aside the head, Peppermint Pretty does have a rare and interesting mix of something Victoriana, a dash of 

WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

The 'Lucinda' Gown is everything vintage. When I first laid eyes on this Chantilly lace and crepe backed satin sitting side by side on the shelf,  it evoked images of vintage Hollywood and and Art Deco.  Once I sketched out what I envisioned I had a long, sleek skirt with a lace halter bodice and cummerbund.  The five pearl buttons down the front were added later.  Appliques of beaded Alencon

FINDING YOUR GOWN: THE TRUTH ABOUT THRIFT SHOPS AND FLEA MARKETS

Smoot Photo/Gown by Amy-Jo TatumWe're not talking about bridal consignment shops here--those places with the essence of first-rate salons offering gently worn, second-time-around gowns.  A thrift shop is basically a rummage sale or flea market all under one roof with specific hours of operation.  Chances are if you're environmentally conscious you’ve gone this route to unearth real finds before

Bethenny Frankel Wedding Dress

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MODERN MAGENTA AND GRAY

Happy Sunday.  Now here's a little inspiration.  What could be prettier than the short and chic little number top left by Monique Lhuillier from her Resort 2010 Collection?  Add to that the Stuart Weitzman peep-toe pumps and pink orchid boutonniere paired up with gray and how gorgeous is all this?    Thank you Mojan over at the  Style Circle for such an elegant splash of chic . . . . 

COME WITH ME

Come with me back in time.  I love this soft palette of muted pastels from So Much Love Perfect as late Spring moves into Summer, many of these inspirations spell out vintage for me.  The yarns in mason jars, candy and sweets against a blue striped back drop reminescent of an early 20th century candy kitchen, and the pink 1920s style crepe dress

CUSTOM DESIGN ITALIAN STYLE

You're looking at the out right gorgeousness of and  by custom designer, Elvira Gramano of Rome. Mikado, gazar and charmeuse are some of the fabrics she uses to bring these romantic gowns to life.  Looking at the quality of fabrics and details, all look beautifully lined and planned out to accentuate the female form to the very optimum . . .  

New Collection Wedding Dresses

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FLOWERS AND PLUMES

sourceInspiration comes from many places and lately party dresses and the kind of gowns you find at a gala are hot for bridal. Hand rolled flowers, silk flowers, feathers, beads, all these make up accessories too that you can flaunt head to toe . . . sourceRené CaovillaMax KibardinMischa Barton in Clara Rosa

New Wedding Dress Bridal Gown

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OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH LA LA!

These are but a few of the off the charts creations you'll find by British designer Vivien Sheriff.  The bridal section on her site is chock-a-block with one incredible design  after another.  For me it's hard to choose a favorite since her talent is maxed in each piece so beautifully . . . 

Gorgeous Wedding Dress

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WHAT'S NEW IN THE GOWN GALLERY?

'Phaedra' is actually separates: a top and skirt offering you some options after the big day.  This gown was created out of many yards of tea-dyed cotton tulle hand pleated over appliques of Chantilly lace.  A row of precious white and gray stones act as buttons down the front of the bodice.  The skirt is silk chiffon with a tulle drape.  The back shows a strip of hook and eye closures--the kind

PINK AND GOLD

Carnal Apple, Woman Filled, Burning Moon, dark smell of seaweed, crush of mud and light,what secret knowledge is clasped between your pillars?What primal night does Man touch with his senses?Ay, Love is a journey through waters and stars,through suffocating air, sharp tempests of grain:Love is a war of lightning,and two bodies ruined by a single sweetness.Kiss by kiss I cover your tiny infinity,

Sunday Special: Best Brand New Wedding Dress

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A WHITER SHADE OF PALE

Kudos go out to Naomi V. Goodman of Enchanted Dream Weddings and Affairs for creating this inspiration of blue and gray whites. For me there's a trace of costume element found in the dress, jacket and headpiece lending added texture to this medley . . .

Euro Style Wedding Dress

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PINK

bbliciousRachel GodwinOf all the colors in the spectrum, pink is the first shade a bride opts for once she decides to ditch the white.  Why?  Well, here's my theory: It's associated with girls from the time they're born and continues to be an exclusively feminine color right through life.  These images show many shades of pink from the mauviest lavenders and cotton candy pink to warm peaches . .