by Keely

Well, I’m back to round out the awards season with a wrap up from the movies’ (and fashion’s!) biggest night: The Academy Awards. There were some clear trends throughout the evening – a lot of white gowns, red gowns, one shouldered frocks, long sleeved stunners, peplum skirts and metallic accents to name a few! I’ve pulled together a few of my absolute favorite gowns from the night and have set them side by side with some of our own beauties from The White Gown. What were your favorites of the evening?

My favorite trend of the evening was the peplum skirt. Michelle Williams wore an amazing Louis Vuitton coral gown and Tina Fey looked stunning in a midnight blue Carolina Herrera gown. I chose to pair the peplum styles with an Enzoani stunner, and while it may not technically be a peplum, the natural waisted bodice and flared skirt of this Enzoani gown has a similar shape overall. Love!!

Next up is the always-beautiful Angelina Jolie – she wore an amazing Atelier Versace gown. When I saw this gown, I immediately thought of our layered organza David Fielden gown – it features similar asymmetrical draping and a flattering natural waistline. In short, I’m obsessed.

I noticed a lot of sleeved options – both cap sleeves and long sleeves – on the red carpet, which I love. Check out the amazing silhouettes on JLo (in Zuhair Murad), Meryl Streep (in Lanvin) and Octavia Spencer (in Tadashi Shoji).

I can’t help but think of our amazing Lusan Mandongus gown that features a similar cinched waist and gentle cap sleeve.

Emma Stone was another favorite of mine Sunday evening in Giambattista Valli. I love this high neckline on her – even if it was similar to Nicole Kidman a few years back! The gown is also reminiscent of our Alyne Bridal gown, Fiona that features a high neckline and natural waist.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Natalie Portman in vintage Christian Dior (another red gown!!). The silhouette is classic and lovely – just like our Alyne Bridal gown, Audrey.

Milla Jovovich’s Ellie Saab gown was yet another favorite of mine (sorry - I had a lot of favorites!). The beautiful one-shoulder detail along with the beaded draping was nothing but stunning. While the fabrics are different, the draping and shoulder detail reminded me of our new Soft by Rosa Clara gowns. Gorgeous!

A structured bodice and textured skirt goes a long way. Take a look at Jessica Chastain (in Alexander McQueen) and Kristen Wiig (in J Mendel), for example. And then take a look at our gorgeous Maria Karin gown that combines the best of both!

Another jaw-dropping moment was Stacy Keibler’s amazing Marchesa, metallic gown! Between the gorgeous color and rosette draping, I was immediately reminded of one of our favorite David Fielden gowns at the salon.

And finally, I just had to include Gwyneth Paltrow’s Tom Ford dress and cape. I didn’t pair this with a gown in the store simply because every bride can achieve this look with a cathedral veil! A statement indeed – what’s not to love about this look?

What was your favorite look of the night? Will you wear an Academy Awards-inspired gown? We’d love to hear!

by Keely

You’ve probably noticed that we’re big Pinterest fans and this easy DIY is just one reason why! I’ve been into making smoothies lately – they’re a great way to jump start the day. I like to add some kind of fruit along with some soy milk and a form of protein – usually either a dab of peanut butter or some protein powder to keep me full throughout the morning. This is a great, healthy breakfast or snack for all you brides who are on the go!

The worst part about smoothies is the prep and the mess, so when I saw this idea on Pinterest that practically eliminates both, I had to share! Thanks to Lacie in Love for the great idea and the photos as well.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Your favorite fresh and frozen fruits
• Your favorite yogurt
• A muffin tin
• A knife to cut up your fruit
• Plastic sandwich bags
• A baking sheet or silpat mat

Start by portioning the yogurt into the muffin cups – you’ll find that a heaping tablespoon should do the trick – and pop them in the freezer!

Next up, cut your fresh fruit! You’ll want to cut the pieces and lay them separately so they do not clump together while freezing – that’s what the baking sheet or silpat mat is for! Once the fruit is all cut up, pop the baking sheet or mat into the freezer as well.

Then comes the fun part. Get your sandwich bags ready and divvy up your fresh and frozen fruit into bags – you can get as creative as you’d like with the different combinations! Let the yogurt muffin tray sit for a few minutes and then scoop the portions into the bags along with the fruit. Seal up the bags, pop them back in the freezer and you’ll be good to go the next time you’re craving a smoothie! Just add a bit of milk or juice and maybe even a bit of protein powder or peanut butter and voila!

I can’t wait to portion out my own interesting fruit combinations. This will be a quick and easy way to prepare breakfast in advance each week!

Happy DIYing!

by Keely

We have another new gown for all you lovely ladies to try on from Alyne’s Fall 2012 collection – the stunning Arlene! If you’re looking for a fresh, yet timeless look, this Alyne collection is certainly for you! The Arlene gown is made of a gorgeous silk dupioni, features a figure-flattering fit and flare silhouette along with a gentle sweetheart neckline. The gown’s asymmetrical draping is accented with a beaded applique just under the bust and complemented by similarly styled beading along the seam of the gathered train in the back. Needless to say, this gown is simple and elegant!

Pair the gown with really any length veil, though elbow or cathedral would be stunning, as would a simple satin corded edge. And even adding a bit more sparkle with a crystal headband would really add to the look – perhaps something like the headband below from Bel Aire Bridal!

We love the idea of seeing this gown in a smaller, but formal venue like some of these great New York City restaurants and hotels:

Colicchio & Sons

Per Se

60 Thompson

Happy planning!

by Keely

With all of the great favor ideas out there, we thought we’d compile some of our favorites that we’ve seen over the past few months. A favor is a great opportunity to say thank you to your guests. I love when the favors really show the personality of the couple – whether it be their favorite sweet treat, favorite flowers or even the theme of the day (see: maracas!), have fun with these little gifts!

Coffee via Ruffled Blog; Cookie jars via Martha Stewart Weddings; Daffodils via Martha Stewart Weddings; Coasters via Anthropologie; Honey containers via Martha Stewart Weddings; Maracas via Style Me Pretty; Mugs via Ruffled Blog

What will your guests be receiving on your big day? We’d love to hear!

by Keely

We know that keeping to your wedding budget is important and when we saw this DIY wedding on Style Me Pretty, we couldn’t help but share! The entire wedding was just $7,000! Can you believe it? Sure, the guest list was small (26 people!), but we still think the overall wedding looks far more expensive than the actual total cost. Check out some of the beautiful photographs below from Lora Rodgers Photography.

Happy DIYing!

Shayne Adler

Elizabeth Cuttita

Anna McCarthy

by Keely

We’re continuously getting in our new samples from Maggie Sottero! One of the latest to hit the racks is Mia, a fit and flare stretch satin gown featuring a ruched skirt and bubble hem. The amazing bodice is corseted and accented with beading and lace. The back closure is a stunning corset style and the train sits at a chapel length. We think you’ll love this simply elegant gown!

I put this gown on a bride just the other weekend and it’s absolutely stunning. Paired with a beaded or satin trim veil and you’ll be picture perfect on the big day! We think a dramatic venue will suit this chapel train and detailed bodice best. Perhaps something like the new event space in Williamsburg where we just were a part of the Williamsbrides event, 50 North 3rd. Check out these beautiful shots of the loft-like space.

Make your appointment today to try out this amazing gown!

Congratulations to the Winner of our Second Annual

“All You Need is Love” Valentine’s Day Contest!

Playful flirting, a gush of feelings, pancakes and a little babe named Mae.  Yup, sounds like an amazing courtship to us!  We are so excited to announce the winner of our valentine’s day contest.  We had so many wonderful entries and it was an incredibly hard decision so a huge THANK YOU to everyone who sent it their love stories.   I think you will all agree that Bridge and Matt’s story is a very real, relatable and ADORABLE love story and we are very much looking forward to helping Bridge find her DREAM wedding dress! 

Bridge & Matt – To be Wed November, 2012

From the Bride:

When I first met Matt, he struck me as thirsty. Very thirsty.

Literally, he passed my desk dozens of times a day to and from the
water cooler in our office. We became friends – incredible friends –
and one day, he Skyped me from across the room and said “You look very
foxy today.

That’s when I knew it was something more. More than water. More than
friends. I started to notice that when I got up to go to the copy
machine or out to lunch, his head would pop up and we’d lock eyes –
every single time.

But despite all of this, we carried on in a very G-rated manner, still
spending every waking minute outside of work together, as friends. He
loathed everyone I dated, and rather than dating anyone himself, he
just waited for me to get bored of other men. I figured he simply
wasn’t interested and went out with every inappropriate person I could
find, simply to annoy him.

It worked. He got very, very annoyed. And one night, after about a
year of this nonsense, he called me up and said we should go for a
drink. We went to a silly little pub in the East Village. I could tell
he was on edge. He went to the bathroom for a very long time, and when
he came out, I could see he’d splashed water on his face and had been
anxiously raking his hands through his hair. He took a deep breath and
then he spoke.

I wish I remember now what he’d said that night. It would be nice to
reference in our vows or toasts at our wedding reception. But I have
no idea – all I remember is thinking, “Finally, finally, finally…” and
lots of kissing.

Every day since has had an air of euphoria about it. Not in a cloying,
sappy way – it’s just a very real feeling of rightness. He proposed to
me under the Brooklyn Bridge, and then we had pancakes at Bubby’s. It
was a quiet day, almost as if we both always knew this would
eventually happen. Last summer, we had our first baby, a beautiful
little nugget called Mae who has her daddy’s eyes and a lovely soul to
match.

We are getting married in November in London, where Matt is from. It
was very hard to decide where to have the wedding, as my dad is quite
old and suffers from Alzheimer’s, and it’s complicated for him to
travel. I suggested eloping, just to eliminate the stress and I wasn’t
sure how I felt about the whole thing.

Matt wouldn’t hear it. He said he’ll make sure my dad is there, and
remembers it all. And that he’s been looking forward to standing in

front of our friends and family and vowing to bind our lives together
since the day we met.

I think he’s going to look so good with gray hair. I can’t wait to see it.

by Keely

It’s Valentine’s Day! Who woke up to flowers and breakfast in bed? Hmm, me neither

Anyways, we’re celebrating this day of love with an inspiration board devoted to the colors of the day: pink, red and white! Hope you’re feeling inspired. And don’t forget: Valentine’s Day isn’t just for people who are in a relationship. It’s about love for anyone special in your life. So relationship or not, enjoy the day and spread the love!

Bridal bouquets via Style Me Pretty, Pink balloons via Lovely Clusters, Paper lanterns via Raina Dawn Events, Wedding gown Wendy by Alyne, Bridesmaid gown by Amsale Jersey in Poppy, White floral centerpiece via Style Me Pretty, Strawberry cupcakes via Apron of Grace, Pink floral centerpiece via Style Me Pretty, Red cowboy boots via Style Me Pretty and last (but not least!) Squirrels in love via The Wedding Chicks

by Keely

I love making handmade Valentines for all of my lovely friends and family, so when my friend send me a link to these amazing cards from Cupcakes and Cashmere, I just had to reblog! I love the clean lines and sparkly details. So, if you’re making your own cards this Valentine’s Day, why not try some of these techniques? Your Valentines will love you forever (and ever!) once they see the time and energy you put into these homemade beauties. Thanks again to Cupcakes and Cashmere for the images and inspiration!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!