I started this blog because I felt that I had amassed {and continued to find} a collection of so many cute and wonderful things, but had nowhere to share them. I have a HUGE number of Google Bookmarks. And that was helpful if I wanted to search it to find something. But even for me, the bookmarks were limited and unfulfilling.
Pinterest is the answer to my wish. It combines my love of the visual and gives an outlet to my collection obsession. AND it feeds my need to organize and categorize EVERYthing.
I only wish this had been around when I was planning my wedding. It is a fabulous resource for any bride-to-be to help organize all of her ideas, to do lists, and ultimately her final wedding design board. And you can share it with your mom and besties and even allow others to contribute. There are also some incredibly talented people on this site with a fabulous eye for color, design and fashion. From bouquets, to dresses, to color schemes, to invitations....it's a great way to quickly view and find new ideas for your big day!
So follow me and I will follow you and let's create something beautiful. ❤❤❤❤
I know everyone has been talking about the new bridal line launched by Anthorpologie last month. For once, here is a fashion frenzy that's worth all the hoopla. Just one look and I was smitten. I told my husband I might have to leave him just so I can get remarried again {to him ♥} and get my dress and shoes and trouseau all from B H L D N !
The great thing about their gowns -- for us married or not yet engaged girls -- is that most of them don't look like the traditional wedding gown. So even if you don't have a wedding march in your near future, you can still snag one of these gorgeous gowns for your next gala, ball or fancy smancy party. Oh and did I mention the unmentionables!
For the betrothed set....lucky, lucky you! You really will be a sight to B H L D if you and your besties {the main event only looks more beautiful with gorgeous sidekicks} choose one of these lovely gowns. So head over to B H L D N and start figuring out what kind of bride are you?{I'm a Nostalgic Romantic if anyone cares to know ;-)}
Are you the bride that bucks the trend. That wants to stand out. To be different. Well for all the fans of Anthropologie {and all those soon-to-be new fans} you'll be ecstatic to hear that Anthropologie is launching its own line of wedding apparel and accessories--- BHLDN. When? Well ♥February 14th♥ of course!
From what I have seen and heard, the line is amazing. From wedding gowns to bridesmaids dresses, and everything in between. The ultimate in femininity.
If you could get your dream wedding dress -- or at least something close to it -- for 75-99% off would you run for it?
Would you camp out all night in front of a store, building, convention center just so you're near the front of the line?
Would you tackle a silk trumpet style strapless gown that you've been dreaming over in the bridal magazines, while yelling wildly "Dibs! Dibs! Dibs!"?
Would you strip down to your skivies {okay bathing suit} so you could try the dress on right there, unphased by the thousands of strangers {and maybe even television cameras} around you?
If so, then you may not want to miss the upcoming Running of the Brides® hosted by Filene's Basement. If you can believe it, this annual event began in Boston back in 1947! and in recent years expanded to multiple locations throughout the US including New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Washington, DC.
I didn't participate in the ROTB when I was looking. It seemed a bit extreme to me. Regular bridal sample sales are a bit daunting in my book. I couldn't imagine going to war over a dress or having my heart broken when another bride got there just ahead of me. But in hindsight I think it would have been a great experience for me and my bestys. It would have been a great memory maker and I'm sure stories to last a lifetime would have come out of it. I think the best thing is to not go into it with your expectations too high. Go, have fun, and may the best bride win!☺
Reem, Oscar, Monique, Vera, Amsale, Jim, Ulla....**sigh** some of my favorite names when I was shopping for gowns. But one look at the price tags on some of those gowns had me thinking that David wasn't such a bad name either {hah!}
But I am all about having my {wedding} cake and eating it too. And I refuse to pay full price {$10k+} or settle for less {David}. Especially because there are so many options out there for finding a high-end designer gown of your dreams for a "reasonable" price. Take the annual Running of the Brides hosted by Filene's Basement {a bit extreme if you ask me} or the coveted sample sales or even consignment shops {some people never even get to wear their gown!}. If there is a will there is a way.
The way may be getting even easier soon if The Aisle New York has anything to say about it. The site hasn't officially launched yet, but it sounds fantastic. On-line sample sales for high-end designer wedding gowns. If you're not lucky {or unlucky} enough to live near a major metropolis, or don't want to brave the no holds barred real world sample sales, this site sounds like the perfect solution, or at least worth a peek. As the company so aptly puts it: Love. Shop. Wed.!
Nearly every NYC bride-to-be takes the obligatory pilgrimage to Kleinfeld. Just a few short years ago, that trip was indeed a pilgrimage because the showroom was located in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn {for non-New Yorkers, that's really really far}. When my bestie was engaged in her search for the perfect dress, we traveled to Bay Ridge to the then humble showroom that had nearly every wedding dress on the market. From a simple silk sheath to a densely embroidered lace and crystal princess gown.
Shortly thereafter, when it was time for me to go, we no longer had to make the long trip to another borough; the mecca had moved to Manhattan! And it's the perfect location. Just off of Seventh Avenue in the über-fashionable Chelsea district. With multiple levels, a dream-inspiring showroom and expansive fitting rooms. I was smitten the moment I arrived.
The staff is in a word -- Amazing! I don't know how they can keep so many wedding dresses, styles, designers in their head so that you can just give them an idea of what you want and they can go and immediately pull dresses that may work. I wanted to try on everything, but of course your time is limited so you have to stay focused. Even so, the best detours can lead to unexpected delight.
I found my dress after deciding to try on a fashion-forward BLUE dress that I saw on a mannequin in the showroom. Little did I know that it would be love at first wear.
As much as I loved physically going to a store and shopping for a wedding dress {Kleinfelds!} sometimes you may be limited to the options available in your town or you just want to daydream and look {while you are supposed to be working}.
You may know about Shop Style as a great place to shop for regular clothing, but did you know that you can shop for wedding gowns as well?!? You can even filter by color, designer, price and size! While you likely won't find the really high-end designs or the traditional bridal-only designers, you'll still have plenty to drool over.
Better yet, Shop Style is a great way to shop for coordinated Mother of the Bride, Bridesmaids and other bridal party dresses. And for those much needed accessories {shoes!, clutches, hair accessories, trousseau}.
