Gown Friday: Beauty in Motion

{Oscar de la Renta}

good morning!  isn't this a beautiful, airy photo shoot from NY Weddings?  Oscar definitely tops my list of favorite designers, and i adore his dress here.  feminine, flirty, romantic, and skillfully sophisticated--isn't that the Weddings Fresh bride?  love it!!  and i'm kind of obsessing over the Prabal Gurung dress--just stunning!
enjoy your long, Labor Day weekend, ladies--i'm praying for sun!!

{J. Crew}

{Prabal Gurung}

{Marchesa}

{Elizabeth Filmore}

{Vera Wang}

Lover's Picnic

lovers picnic.  so organically romantic in every way. 
check more out on Kiss the Groom.

{images: elizabeth messina photography}

Dani's Picks: J. Crew

i'm switching into fall gear right now ladies.  it's time.  it's been raining the last two days here, the wind is brisk and i've been filling up our schedule with college football games!  (ooh, i love my football!)  this means it's also time to get serious about fall fashion--loving J Crew's newest collection bringing in soft camel pieces, evening luxe to the daytime grind and of course the boy meets girl chic that has captivated us all.  my favorite piece?  the two in one, reversible Italian cashmere cocoon popover--this is the go-to item for anyone's wardrobe (seen above).  you can wear it anywhere!  boy's checkered button downs, utility jackets and soft pea coats, vintage inspired heels (adore the Tilly satin two-toned platformed heel!) paired with tights or delicate socks, sequined skirts, chic riding pants and a Crew staple, the perfect cashmere cardigan are all must haves for the season and easily mixed and matched for any occasion. 

Inspiration Board: colors of the rainbow

{credits:  mustard & sage, michelle doll cakes, brancoprata, primele calligraphy, lovely morning, craftzine.com via inspired goodness, la maison des lilas}

Loving...

good morning! yes, yes this whimsical wedding has been around a bit in the blogging community, but i have been enamored by all of these embellishments and details ever since i saw it!  the unbelievable amounts of paper pinwheels, flags, kites, flowers are just gorgeous!  there are a lot of you brides out there who think you have to revert to the warehouse wedding favor websites to decorate your wedding, but let this be a beautiful example of excellent planning, organization, elbow grease and great vision--all inspired by a single kite.  i won't say this was easy (as i am sure it was not, Jesi did an amazing job!) but don't sell yourself short when it comes to making your wedding beautiful.  plan early, be creative and have fun.  and seriously, hire a wedding planner--these guys did and i know they did not regret it!!

check out Jesi Haack Weddings Blog for more pictures and all the vendor details!!

{images:  ashley rose photography}

Gown Friday

enjoy the last moments of August this weekend...summer is slipping away rather quickly...
this is Vera Wang's 2010 collection. daring as expected and nothing short of beautiful drama.




{images: noir facade}

Trendspotting: Hanging Mobiles

one of the easiest ways to breath life into a stale wedding site is to hang pretty things from above. rather than a big empty room with no character or a wide open outdoor space needing a sense of intimacy, bringing beauty from above adds a sense of dimension, drama, color, and a wonderment. i love to find the latest in this trend--paper poms, lanterns, apothecary jars, confetti...and now, these gorgeous mobiles from Polli.

the one above is called Jack Summer (my definite fav!), as it is so wonderfully reminiscent of a vine or beanstalk of course. each of the colorful leaf cutouts have curved slits where you can place photos or note cards--isn't that so clever? seen below are recycled paper ornaments from the Eco Deco Kit and it comes as a set of 30. you can string each up individually (as shown) or use in a garland--or pretty much anything else you can think of!



{images: polli}

The Bold and the Beautiful

good morning! when i came across these stunning pieces of jewelry the other day i about fell over. these are the most fabulous style statement necklaces i've ever seen! Charlotte Hosten is the Canadian designer behind these couture pieces and pushes the definition of a necklace to the limit by using magnificent oversized baubles, repurposed jewels and pearls, vintage heirloom brooches--even reclaimed men's works shirt collars to create adornments worthy of their size and drama! these pieces will bring your plain white T to a whole new level and add that wow factor you brides have been looking for. gorgeous! and i say if you are going to wear a bib necklace you better go big or go home!

Loving: Found Bottles

i'm kind of obsessed with apothecary jars & bottles right now. check out these gorgeous vintage apothecary, french wine, soda water and yogurt bottles from Europe 2 You. the colors and shapes are rich with age and story--it's impossible not to bring charm and character into your room with these stunning pieces! use the bottles as vases, candle holders or dangle them from above and let the light dance between their colorful glass shapes for a antiqued, European atmosphere. love it!

Summer Settings

good morning, ladies! it's a brand new day and the sun is shinning, and i'm excited for this coming week. fresh with possibilities and gorgeous weather, and a beautiful wedding to attend for a dear friend from years past wrapping up the week on saturday--a lovely end of august itinerary.

some of summer's best moments are spent outdoors enjoying family and friend's company and good food. i find myself longing for our old outdoor space from our last home where we would pull out our aged wooden table onto our covered patio and dress it with dozens of candles, fresh cut blue hydrangea from our garden in mason jars and meals hot off the grill...oh, just lovely! these summer settings are ideal for any kind of occasion, especially for anything wedding! boho chic to lobster broil, you can create a space that will make your guests feel like they are part of your summer tradition in your outdoor space.




{images: wisteria}