Sleek Statement

I’m loving sleek hair, statement dresses and wrist-length gloves.

editorial: another woman; w magazine january 2009; model: abbey lee kershaw; photography by claudia knoeffel & stefan indlekofer; styling by alex white via AGLSP

Gorgeous Wedding Gowns

Designer Wedding Dresses, Bridal Collections

I just discovered Amanda Wakeley’s wedding gown collection. I am overwhelmed by how much I like – well – all of them!

Designer Wedding Dresses, Bridal CollectionsDesigner Wedding Dresses, Bridal CollectionsDesigner Wedding Dresses, Bridal CollectionsDesigner Wedding Dresses, Bridal CollectionsDesigner Wedding Dresses, Bridal CollectionsDesigner Wedding Dresses, Bridal CollectionsDesigner Wedding Dresses, Bridal Collections

via AmandaWakeley.com

Enchanting

natalia beauty1 Morning Beauty | Natalia Vodianova by Paolo Roversinatalia beauty2 Morning Beauty | Natalia Vodianova by Paolo Roversinatalia beauty3 Morning Beauty | Natalia Vodianova by Paolo Roversinatalia beauty4 Morning Beauty | Natalia Vodianova by Paolo Roversinatalia beauty5 Morning Beauty | Natalia Vodianova by Paolo Roversinatalia beauty6 Morning Beauty | Natalia Vodianova by Paolo Roversinatalia beauty7 Morning Beauty | Natalia Vodianova by Paolo Roversinatalia beauty8 Morning Beauty | Natalia Vodianova by Paolo Roversinatalia beauty9 Morning Beauty | Natalia Vodianova by Paolo Roversinatalia beauty10 Morning Beauty | Natalia Vodianova by Paolo Roversinatalia beauty11 Morning Beauty | Natalia Vodianova by Paolo Roversinatalia beauty12 Morning Beauty | Natalia Vodianova by Paolo Roversinatalia beauty13 Morning Beauty | Natalia Vodianova by Paolo Roversi

Natalia Vodianova for Vogue Italia, September 2004 by Paolo Roversi via FGR

Late In The Evening

I love everything about this editorial. The jewelry, the hair, the dresses, the backdrop…

Inguna Butane was photographed by James Macari for Vogue Espana Dec 07 via DustJacket Attic

Adorable

I recently discovered the cutest little wedding photographed by Feather Love

The couple (Kestrin and Jonathan) look like so much fun, plus the bride is gorgeous and is in a band with the brother from Big Love called His Orchestra – they are great! Anyway, the groom’s sister is Flora Grubb and she shared their vows on her website. SO. Freaking. Adorable.

“Jonathan: I vow to love you
Kestrin: I vow to love you
J: to respect you
K: to always make fun
J: to be your best friend ever
K: to constantly generate a force field of awesome to guide and protect us
J: to do what I love
K: to actively maintain our relationship
J: to be lucky
K: to live a charmed life
J: to live as long as possible
K: to ask nicely for what i need
J: to communicate my feelings effectively
K: to live a life of hilarious bliss together
J: to provide for you
K: to solve problems
J: to make time for you every single day
J: to remain curious
K: to stand by my man
J: to put our relationship first
K: to build a community around us
J: to build a family life together
K: to give you babies
J: to change the diapers on those babies
K: to be great parent
J: to sing with you in the morning
K: to give you shoulder rubs, intermittently, for as long as we both shall live
J: to remember how lucky I am
K: to rock out with our great grandchildren
J: to take you on one hundred honeymoons
K: to maintain a menagerie
J: to clean up
K: to sing songs to you
J: to speak for you when you sing your voice out
K: to throw radical parties
J: to be faithful to you
K: to take joy in doing nice things for you
J: to be compassionate
K: to be devoted
J: to be committed
K: to be happy
J: to listen to you
K: to support you
J: to stay with you forever
K: Do you vow to be my husband?
J: I do. Do you vow to be my wife?
K: I do.”

Also, please read the NYT write-up of their union. “Ms. Pantera, the former Jedi warrior, pledged in her wedding vows “to constantly generate a force field of awesome.” When asked about her hopes for the couple, the bride’s mother, Jan Pantera of Visalia, Calif., said, “I wish for them a good credit score,” revealing the origin of the bride’s practicality.”

Backless Bridal

Loving these beautiful gowns by Delphine Manivet

Image Credits: one, two, three, four, five

Love this look: Bridal

via 100 Layer Cake

Gown by Delphine Manivet

Shoppable at Lovely Bride

Dress of the Day

Wanted: $75 from Maude Shoppe

Dressed to Impress

We all have those occasions where we know we will see and be seen by many. Some we admire, some who admire us, others we don’t care for and a select few that may not care for us. We go to these occasions with the knowledge that opinions will be formed about us and there’s nothing we can do to stop that, save not going. These are the type of events that inspire some of us to lose weight, chop our hair or simply buy a new dress. We require ourselves to look fierce at these affairs. We either look our best or we don’t go. So…what does that entail?

You can make a statement by staying simple. Simple is classic, classic is chic. But, it has to be done right. When you choose a simple sheath, you may seize the opportunity to showcase jewelry, shoes or make-up/hair. When you choose an elaborate or complex ensemble, your accessories must be toned down. You don’t want everyone at the party to know you’ve been planning your outfit for weeks. You want to look effortlessly chic, don’t you?

I have put together 9 options for such an event based on three pairs of shoes. I decided to start with shoes because I found a pair at Bakers, which comes in a plethora of colors and look quite similar to the Louboutins every it-girl is rocking these days. Case-in-point Diane Kruger.

On to the outfits…

Three paths from which to start

Blue Suede Shoes

1st Option – The shoes & dress make the statement: Blue suede shoes with Dress #1 in a different/bright shade of blue that is sure to impress. Pair with minimal jewelry (earrings), bright eyes and simple hair.

I Saw the Cyan DressI Saw the Cyan Dress

Hip-notic Earrings

2nd Option – The dress makes the statement: Blue suede shoes with the girlyish Dress #2 should be accented with big hair and simple earrings.

Scavenger Hunt DressScavenger Hunt Dress

Edie Earrings in Muse

3rd Option – The shoes make the statement: Blue suede shoes with Dress #3 should be paired with hair up (to accent the back) and statement earrings like these, these or these.

The Poise is Back in Town DressThe Poise is Back in Town Dress

Spectacular Clip-onsAnimal Print Mesh Earring

Blush Patent Shoes

1st Option – The dress makes the statement:  Blush Patent Shoes with Dress #1, sleek hair, perhaps a cuff or some bangles and of course…red lips.

It's Getting Haute in Here DressIt's Getting Haute in Here Dress

2nd Option – Understated makes the statement:  Blush Patent Shoes and Dress #2 with sweet accessories (like this necklace or these earrings) & soft hair.

First Dance DressFirst Dance Dress

Herring-bow-ne NecklaceBead and Suede Dusters

3rd Option – The dress & the jewelry make the statement:  Blush Patent Shoes with Dress #3 and bold earrings (like these, these or these).

Aurora Skies DressAurora Skies Dress

Jeweled Feathers EarringsStone & Dagger ChandelierOnly Room For One Cowgirl Earrings

Black Patent Shoes

1st Option – The dress makes the statement: Black Patent Shoes with Dress #1 and lots of jewels (this ring, this necklace and these earrings).

Parade Watching DressParade Watching Dress

Rock Around the Block RingFuture Reflections NecklaceMixed Media Pleat Drop Earrings

2nd Option – The whole look makes the statement: Black Patent Shoes and the glammed up Dress #2 only need a little more black & gold to be golden. Try earrings like these, these or these. *Side note* This is totally what I would wear to a party at Drew Brees’ house!

Sweet Little Lines DressSweet Little Lines Dress

For Star-ters EarringsStark Raven Mod Earrings

3rd Option – The dress makes the statement: Black Patent Shoes + Dress #3 will make everyone turn canary yellow with envy. Try with a headband, some poof at your crown and smoky eyes.

Look on the Sunny Side DressLook on the Sunny Side Dress

Where to find it:

The three shoe options

Blue Suede:  I saw the cyan dress, Hypnotic earrings, Scavenger Hunt dressEdie EarringsThe Poise is back in town dress, Spectacular clip-ons, Painted Flower earrings. Animal print mesh earrings

Blush PatentIt’s getting haute in here dress, Laquered wings cuff, High polish bangle set, First dance dress, Herring-bow-ne necklace, Bead and Suede dustersAurora skies dress, Jeweled feathers earrings, Stone and dagger chandelier, Only room for one cowgirl earrings

Black Patent: Parade watching dress, Rock around the block ring, Future reflections necklaceMixed media pleat drop earrings, Sweet little lines dress, For star-ters earrings, Tassel drop earrings, Stark raven mod earrings, Look on the sunny side dress, Woven satin headband

For more outfit guides, look here (for blush) here (for wedding) here (for red/white/blue) here (for LBD)