Monday, September 17, 2012

A Wedding Adventure



On September 8, 2012 I attended an outdoor wedding at a lovely home by the river.  The decor was inspired by the Disney movie, Up, and the bride's favorite colors, purple and gray.  It was beautiful, intimate and picture perfect.  This is what I wore to the balloon-filled affair...



Dress: Forever 21
Shoes: Wal-Mart
Earrings: Charlotte Russe
Necklace: My mother's wedding gift from my father
Citrine Ring: An estate sale
Toe nail polish: Nicole by OPI's Rainbow in The S-kylie (multicolored glitter) over Shirbud by Sinful (a dark gray)
Gorgeous date: Carlton in Express

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Anticipating Mrs. Blake Lively

From Martha Stewart's wedding team, Ally's home in The Notebook and a rustic barn to blush Marchesa gowns, Christian Louboutin heels and men in suspenders - Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' wedding seems simply enchanting.  Blake is one of my favorite celebrities for her exciting style, drool-worthy closet and seemingly easy breezy attitude.  I can't wait to see her one-of-a-kind couture wedding ballgown by Marchesa.  According to its designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, friends of Blake, the dress has a hand draped silk tulle bodice adorned with custom crystal and rose gold embroidery.  Her shoes were custom-designed by Christian Louboutin himself, also the bride's friend and guest of the wedding.  I can't wait to see pictures!  (See below for my guess.)

The bridesmaids wore Christian Louboutin heels, too, with their unique, custom-made, blush silk dresses by the Marchesa duo.  The groomsmen's Burberry suits were worn with leather suspenders by Christopher Bailey, a friend of Ryan.

I’m looking forward to seeing more of the event as well!  Martha Stewart Weddings magazine describes the ceremony as heartfelt, which was followed by a "fun-filled carnival hour" and personalized, intimate reception.  Carnival hour?!  Were there games and cotton candy?  As New York Magazine puts it, "We can practically feel the bridal Pinterest boards throbbing in anticipation."

We know about 70 guests attended the celebration at the Boone Hall Plantation in outside of Charleston, South Carolina; the $3,000 wedding cake, baked by Maggie Austin Cakes, was driven in from Maryland and their custom rings were designed by Lorraine Schwartz.  Florence Welch of Florence and the Machines performed but did Bette Midler, who was rumored to be in Charleston that weekend?  Did Sandra Bullock, any Gossip Girl cast members or other famous friends attend?  Did Penny and Baxter, the newlyweds' canine companions, play a role?  Thank goodness, Martha Stewart Weddings will publish the story this December!  The personalized details (rose gold embroidery & blush bridesmaid dresses, suspenders, a rustic barn, carnival theme, Florence, custom rings... oh, and Ryan Reynolds) seem like stuff my wedding dreams are made of.

What are your predictions for Blake's wedding dress?

Here are picks from Glamour's Kim Fusaro:

1. Marchesa
2. Kenneth Pool
3. Monique Lhuillier

Here are "Blake Lively's Best Silhouettes" from Instyle, which may resemble The Dress:



After reviewing the Fall 2012 Marchesa collection, I think her ballgown may draw elements from the following:

The Silhouette and Embroidery



The Draped Tulle and Embellishments



The Lace and Embroidery



The Silhouette and Embellishments

Monday, September 10, 2012

2012 MTV VMAs: Sexy & Sleek but Short?

The style at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards was characterized by sexy and sleek silhouettes.  But while the celebrities were chic, unfortunately the line of stars fell short.  Does anyone go to this thing anymore?   Luckily, I managed to find some inspiring looks and hints at evolving trends worthy for fall, so here goes…

[caption id="attachment_1415" align="aligncenter" width="448"] Photos courtesy of Getty and Kevin Mazur/Wire Image[/caption]

Rihanna debuted an equally sexy and adorable pixie cut with red lips and a back-baring white dress from Adam Selman.  While I wasn’t crazy about the shape of the front of the dress – it seemed a little sloppy – I adored her new hair, the simple and sultry makeup and her beautiful back.  I welcomed the more refined turn for the normally edgy pop star.

[caption id="attachment_1417" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photos courtesy of Getty and Matt Sayles/Invision/AP[/caption]

Also in white, Taylor Swift was Miss Sophisticate in a J. Mendel suit and strappy, metallic heels with her hair worn long and straight.  Ignore the old "no white after Labor Day" rule as winter white will be hot this upcoming season.

Both Taylor and Pink brought a change of pace when they stepped on stage in black shorts.

[caption id="attachment_1408" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Photo courtesy of Jeff Kravitz/Film Magic[/caption]

While Taylor’s red and white striped top and pony tail were much more youthful then her menswear-inspired suit, she kept the androgynous look with a pair of deep red oxfords.

[caption id="attachment_1402" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Photo courtesy of Lester Cohen/Wire Image[/caption]

Pink’s pinup worthy getup of fishnet stockings and ankle strap stilettos also had a dash of masculinity with a pair of suspenders.  Menswear will also be on-trend this fall.  When wearing masculine attire, keep it sassy by choosing well-tailored pieces and tall stilettos.

[caption id="attachment_1401" align="aligncenter" width="290"] Photo courtesy of Jeff Kravitz/Film Magic[/caption]

The dress Pink arrived in with husband Carey Hart was a silver, long-sleeved number by Stella McCartney that fit her slender post-baby body immaculately.  Her cropped wave of hair topped the glamorous, rock star style.

[caption id="attachment_1399" align="aligncenter" width="290"] Photo courtesy of Reuters/Mario Anzumi/Landov[/caption]

Miley Cyrus rocked a similar look from the hair style to the dress silhouette.  But her long Emilio Pucci dress was low cut and had sheer panels.

[caption id="attachment_1394" align="aligncenter" width="290"] Photo courtesy of Kevin Mazur/Wire Image[/caption]

Rihannna’s BFF, Katy Perry, looked especially pretty in a black floral Elie Sab dress with sheer skirt.  I loved her long, wavy black hair, which had a slight retro feel, and smoky eye makeup.  Her sexy look was less playful, more “Hey, boys,” than usual and she looked adorable whispering to RiRi during the show.

[caption id="attachment_1395" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Photo courtesy of Kirkland/Picture Group[/caption]

I was most impressed by Ke$ha.  She looked the best I’ve ever seen!  She looked beautiful with sultry makeup and a retro wave in her long peroxide blonde hair.  Her lace dress with “some glitz on [her] bits” was more subtle, yet still sexy, than usual.  Black lace continues to be chic, especially since an updated spin on gothic style is gaining popularity.

[caption id="attachment_1396" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photo courtesy of Getty[/caption]

Lastly, I must mention the lovely, limber U.S. Gymnastics team.  McKayla Maroney, Jordyn Wieber, Kyla Ross, Gabby Douglas and Alexandra Raisman looked gorgeous and so happy to be there.  I adored the light pink dress McKayla, aka my lookalike, wore by Erin Fetherston.

[caption id="attachment_1392" align="aligncenter" width="435"] Photo courtesy of Kevin Mazur/Wire Image[/caption]

Gabby was on fire when she graced the stage alongside Alicia Keys and Nicki Minaj.  America's Golden Girl lept, flipped and smiled during Keys' inspirational song "Girl On Fire" in a sparkly top and leather-like leggings.