Etsy find: letterpress necklaces + more.

When I was recently given a letterpress H necklace, it brought tears to my eyes. What an appropriate and lovely gift! What I really like about it is that when it's hanging, a casual observer doesn't really know what it is. So, wearing the necklace is kind of like wearing a fun little secret.

In addition to these necklaces, Gwen Delicious offers jewelry made out of typewriter keys and many other goodies. Wouldn't cuff links with your first initials be a great gift to a groom on your wedding day?

One gorgeous gown: Dahlia by Amsale.

The Dahlia gown by Amsale is insanely gorgeous. I love its simple silhouette and overall texture. Just scrumptious!

Urban Craft Uprising picks.

I spent a good portion of the weekend exploring the handmade shows happening around Seattle. The Urban Craft Uprising is, by far, my favorite. This year's show was incredible, too. There were so many good vendors! I picked up a raccoon print by one of my favorite illustrators, Ryan Berkley. His work simply makes me smile. There were many fantastic pieces of jewelry I would have been happy to take home, as well. Here are a few of my discoveries:


Alisha Louise Designs
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Elisa Shere Jewelry
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The Sprinkle Factory
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Material & Movement
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Ever delicious J.Crew.

Dear J.Crew, you never do wrong by me. Now, if I could get a sample pair of each of these shoes sent to Maida Vale HQ, that would be great! For the record, I would totally throw on any of your bridesmaid dresses over skinny jeans to get more wear out of them post-wedding, as well.






Happy weekend, everyone!

One great gown.

How fun and flirty is this "Suzie" gown from the Steven Birnbaum collection? I think I'd prefer it at full length, but regardless, it's adorable. Hope you all have a great weekend!


via Indiana Bride

Etsy find: Jewelry by Alona Freeman.

It seems like ages since I've posted a good Etsy jewelry find. But, lucky you, I've stumbled across a great one! Alona Freeman creates beautiful, modern pieces from vintage finds. The resulting looks are colorful and charming statement pieces that look like they've walked off the pages of an Anthropologie catalog. I'm naturally drawn to the aqua colored pieces. Which are your faves?

J.Crew never disappoints.

Have you seen the latest J.Crew wedding lookbook? As would be expected, it does not fail. In addition to several of the new dresses, I love the styling (red shoes with a pale pink dress!) of each image. My favorite so far? The soft and feminine dress shown on page 8. Which look do you love?

All around pink pretty-ness.

Hosting a shower soon and looking for inspiration? Recently featured on Green Wedding Shoes, the shower shown below is just plain lovely. I love the libations and the gorgeous cameo-inspired cake. Follow the link above for credits and many more images (which include a dessert buffet!).

Two gorgeous gowns (and some blog love).

Earlier in the week, I somehow ran across a delicious blog, A La Parisienne. Yeah, I know I'm still reeling from my lovely trip to Paris earlier in the month, but... the images on this blog are so delicate and romantic! For proof, just look at these Elie Saab gowns I discovered over there. =)




Have a fab weekend!

One gorgeous gown.

Since I posted the black gown last Friday, I thought I'd start the week with something a tad more traditional (although still quite different). I love this modern little dress by Jewel. Doesn't it look like something Audrey Hepburn might have worn in one of her classic films?

A controversial gown?

A whole lotta black showed up on the runway at last month's bridal fashion week in New York. This particular dress by Oscar de la Renta is a bit controversial. I love the butterfly detailing (which reminds me of one of the pretty windows I saw in Paris). The headpiece and extreme color might be a bit much. What do you think? Leave me a comment, and have a fab weekend.

3 gorgeous gowns + 1 fab pair of shoes (as seen in Paris).

Hello everyone! I am back after six nights in lovely Paris. The last time I visited the city was 16 years ago, and since I didn't leave with a very good impression that time, I was excited to give it another try. I'm so glad I did as I ended up loving everything the city had to offer—from the pastries to the people.

With a good friend by my side, I rented a pretty little apartment in the 6th arrondissement (neighborhood). Our time was spent exploring, discovering the amazing cuisine, soaking up the sights and window shopping (or window licking as the French call it).

If you are getting married this year and are still trying to decide on a honeymoon destination, the Euro is quite low right now, and Paris is definitely a city for romance. Over the next few posts, I'm going to share some finds with you. Starting with fashion...


Carlos Miele
380 Rue Saint Honoré, 1st
Brazilian designer Carlos Miele can be found in New York, Miami and Paris. This layered gown is elegant but not necessarily formal. The variation in color stopped me in my tracks. Wouldn't it photograph beautifully on a bridesmaid?


Mi & Canna
59 Boulevard Raspail, 6th
Hello, gorgeous! This unique charcoal dress with handpainted flowers and overflowing tulle is certainly dramatic. The asymmetrical neckline is fab, too. I would love to see (or, better yet, attend!) a wedding with a dress like this.


BCBG Max Azria
176 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 6th
While BCBG is a label familiar to the US, I had not seen this sweet dress before wandering around Paris. The applique detailing is delicious in person, and it would make a great informal wedding or getaway dress. At a price of less than $400, it would be a good choice for a bride on a budget, as well.


Michel Perry
243 Rue Saint-Honoré, 1st
Shoe and accessory designer Michel Perry has created what might be my new favorite shoe. These delightful heels are oh-so-tasty and clever, as well. As I was falling all over myself looking at them, the store clerk asked me and my friend if we'd like to come back later to "play". Yes please!

More coming soon...

This year's spring color swatches.

With spring in full swing, there is color everywhere I look lately. The sky is bluer, the trees are blooming and flowers are peeking out from their wintery beds. Glancing at J.Crew's current wedding collection, I happened to notice that many of Pantone's forecasted spring colors are in the mix. I'm not usually a purple lover, but those shoes are certainly calling me. Be sure to check back on Wednesday because I'm planning on exploring color a bit more this week...

A crafty looking cake.

I love when any sort of craft inspires a wedding theme. Thanks to Postcards & Pretties last week, this quilled cake caught my eye. Imagine carrying such a theme through your entire day! Here are some visuals to inspire.






Credits (from top to bottom):
Utterly Engaged, Nice Package, J.Crew

One gorgeous gown: Lela Rose.

How gorgeous is this Lela Rose gown? The open back is sexy and elegant, and the beading emphasizing it is exquisite. You know I love the overall vintage flair it has, as well.



For the record, I'm still totally obsessed with her scoopneck gown that I blogged about in July... ;)

Joomi NYC hair goodies.

Judging by these Joomi NYC hair accessories, I can't wait to see their spring 2010 collection! Especially loving the top headband for an art deco-themed affair...

Vintage hair accessories.

I'm absolutely loving Jennifer Behr's Spring 2010 collection! I'm especially digging the vintage-inspired design of this piece, and the rock-n-roll vibe of this one. For brides not planning on wearing a veil, any of these are a great alternative. Enjoy!



via What Junebug Loves

The perfect wedding shoe?

The At Tiffany's shoe from Hey Lady might be the most perfect wedding shoe I've ever clapped eyes on. Sweet, scalloped and blue? I'm in love.



Hope you all have a great week?