No 223: He's Here

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Photo c/o Le Love.

No 222: the Red Dress, Part IV/V

Oh holy hell, this is one beautiful dress. C/o Simply Seductive.

Also, my apologies for my spotty blogging. The internet is gone from my home and I'm moving, so it's been hard to keep up. But John comes home tomorrow. Tomorrow, the man I've missed for a year will be sleeping next to me. There could not be anything better. Although this dress comes close.

No 221: the Red Dress, Part III/IV

Friday, August 28, 2009

“Glamour is what makes a man ask for your telephone number. But it is also what makes a woman ask for the name of your dress maker.”-Lily Daché

Knock-out gown by Valentino.

No 220: the Red Dress, Part II (or is it technically III?)

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

“After black and white, it is the only color.” - Valentino Garavani

No 219: Funny Face

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I know that none of you will be surprised when I confess that Audrey Hepburn is one of my major style influences, and in Funny Face probably more so than any other film. It's the story of a mousy bookshop clerk discovered by Fred Astaire (based on Richard Avedon, who recently showed at SFMoma) and Kay Thompson, who decides she's the new face of Quality Magazine. Naturally, she rebels and then has a series of incredible and inspired costume changes by Hubert de Givenchy, who designed nearly all of her incomparable costumes. In this film, the phenomenal skinny black ciggarette pants (which you might recall from a recent GAP advertisment) and the drop waist tea-length tulle skirt wedding dress with a bateau neckline take a leading role. And then, of course, this beautiful red gown.

Just go rent the movie. The clothes are wonderful, and everytime she and Fred Astaire sing "S'Wonderful", I enjoy the most well-deserved happy tears.

No 218: the Red Dress, Part I

Monday, August 24, 2009

My mother’s shop has a corkboard hanging over her drafting table, and as a child, I saw images enjoy their time in that place of honor. There was a classic Oscar de la Renta wedding gown, and a perfectly tailored Ralph Lauren riding jacket. There were occasionally my drawings, and much more often, my mother’s sketches. There were fabric swatches, and pictures of us growing up.

And then, there was the image that I don’t think will ever find its way off the board. It’s this one, from a Vogue shoot chronicling Valentino’s incredible legacy.

This week, I’ll be featuring red dresses by Valentino and other designers. His iconic gowns inspired my amazing mother and I to produce a custom creation for my senior recital, and his imitable style will always be a revelation.

No 217: Real Wedding: Kelly and Nicolas

Sunday, August 23, 2009












When New York interior decorator and stylist Kelly d'Halluin, née Kapica, and art-loving grande famille scion Nicolas d'Halluin decided to wed, their celebration was staggeringly chic. The eighteenth-century fête champêtre set to twenty-first-century music was held at the seventeenth-century Château de Breteuil in the countryside near Paris with cocktails in the gardens, candlelit dinner on the terrace — at a single long table set for three hundred guests — and music and dancing in the grand salons.

The bride wore a white plumed fascinator, a 1950s sculptural collar by Line Vautrin and a couture gown by J. Mendel, while the groom chose a vest in Gainsborough velvet from F. Schumacher & Co.

Gorgeous photos c/o Veranda Magazine.

No 216: the Etiquette of the Internet

I love the internet. I think it's a magical place where unicorns run wild and unengaged women who are crazy about weddings can obsess all they want. We're able to share beautiful photographs and phenomenal D.I.Y. ideas, impart advice, even sell worn wedding gowns. This is a good system.


But it goes too far.


I read a woman's blog the other day-she posted on her wedding day. And every day since. I don't care if you're having a staycation or skipping the honeymoon altogether; don't you have better things to do on the day of or after your wedding than blog?!?

And all this coming from a girl who posts daily. But I mean it-if I catch one of you out there updating your Facebook relationship status or Twitter account, I'm taking away your hand-held electronic device and forcing you to enjoy this moment. Getting married to this man only happens once (unless you're Elizabeth Taylor, in which case, I'd already know about it). Be there!


It still happened, even if no one comments or "likes" it on Facebook.

No 215: this Wonderful Life

Friday, August 21, 2009

I'll be honest, I've been over the moon lately. Between my gorgeous new apartment, John's Penske truck arriving on the West Coast in just days and the great audition I had today, I just had to post this joyful photograph by Karen Wise. Enjoy the weekend, because summer's nearly over!

No 214: the Sleep Masks

Thursday, August 20, 2009


I just adore these Mary Green sleep masks! Based in San Francisco and very reasonably priced, we carry some of her pieces in the shop. Check out her bridal collection, and snoop around the sleep masks while you're at it!

No 213: the Morning After

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

A lovely morning, indeed! What a wonderful birthday.

No 212: Happy Birthday

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

To me! Image from the Birthday Girl Blog, c/o Real Simple.

No 211: Spinning!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Such a beautiful photograph.

No 210: Real Wedding: Noelle and Jackson

Sunday, August 16, 2009















I love this wedding in Isla less for the fabulous design or phenomenal flowers and more for the sentimental location. And besides, I'm always amazed with the gumption required of a bride to plan a destination wedding. One Love Photo captured this joyful wedding at the Zama Beach Club in Isla Mujeres, and it seemed to be quite the party. All I know for sure is that it has me craving a beach vacation bad.

No 209: Isla Mujeres

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Tomorrow, I'll be featuring a lovely, romantic wedding on the island of Isla Mujeres, a teeny tiny island off the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the Caribbean. Aka, Heaven. In Pre-Columbian times, the island was sacred to the Mayan moon goddess Ix Chel, and its female iconography prompted the Spanish to name it the Island of Women.

This gorgeous pool belongs to the Hotel Secreto, named Mexico's best boutique hotel, and it's actually quite a steal! I'm dreaming of a vacation full of 10 peso tacos, cold Coca Cola in glass bottles and infinity pools-please don't wake me.

No 208: Perfection, Realized by Carolina Herrera

Friday, August 14, 2009

Sign me up for Swiss dot Heaven, complete with that wonderful sun hat and a bouquet of lily of the valley. Carolina Herrera never disappoints.

No 207: Marie Antoinette, realized by Carolina Herrera

Thursday, August 13, 2009

A glorious creation from Carolina Herrera, Spring 2010. It would take a serious wedding to pull this confection off, but one that would be well worth it for a chance to wear this gown.

No 206: Monique Lhuillier

Tuesday, August 11, 2009



Dreamy pieces of Spring 2010 heaven, c/o Monique Lhuillier.

No 205: the Oscar de la Renta

Monday, August 10, 2009


These gowns are such incredible pieces of art, and the veils from this season are so brilliant. From Oscar de la Renta's Spring 2010 collection.

No 204: Real Wedding: Tiffany and Simon

Sunday, August 9, 2009



















This absolutely beautiful wedding, captured by destination wedding photographer Cooper Carras, is just stunning. It took place in Montpellier, and combined the bride's American traditions and the groom's French heritage. The photographer couldn't believe just how hard the French partied in celebration of this marriage; In fact, the groom's parents were the last ones standing at 6 am! Enjoy this beautiful Sunday.
 

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