Day 12 of Design - Vera Wang

Well, last but not least by any means, one of my most favorite wedding gown designers is the one and only -Vera Wang. Always unveiling showstopper looks, she really knows how to design for a bride who wants to be slightly ahead of the times. She's right on top of the trend and is often a trendsetter tweeking the current trends by pushing the envelope a bit. Her gowns are full of luscious draping, swirls of silk and tulle and even hints of black through sashes and bows. Slightly whimsical, yet elegant beyond words!

Vera Wang gowns are perfect for the trendsetter brides!

Day 11 of Design - Rosa Clara

Go big or go home! Look at the amazing skirt on the one-shoulder Rosa Clara gown. The dress is simple as far as there being no beading, but the ruffles that layer the bottom are so exquisite; it is the epitome of a wedding gown!

Rosa Clara makes many gowns that seem pure in a sense. There is also a little bit of conservativeness in her gowns, but at the same time, there is something extravagant with them all that take them in to 2010!


This year she has gowns with sleeves. They're not just regular sleeves though, look at the way they are wrapped around the back and the cape sleeves. Beautiful. There's also a gown with pockets for the new-age bride. I think it looks very futuristic, still remaining simple, but definitely a show piece. Finally I had to share the gown with the drop waist because I LOVE bows and the one on this gown completes it perfectly!






Rosa Clara gowns are for the conservative, but not necessarily traditional bride.

Best Eyeliner Ever!

I've been wearing make-up since I was 2-years-old performing as a dancer in numerous shows until I was in my teens. So, it's no wonder at age 31, I'm still a huge fan of "painting my face". Black eye make-up is my main weakness. I go lighter with it for day and create a smokey eye for nighttime and special occasions). I put my eye liner on both top and bottom lids.

I've been SO over eye pencils for a long time because they don't work that great. (Unless you know that the trick is to burn them for 2 seconds after you sharpen them). There's still always a chance of getting a splinter though. Ever cut your eye on the unsharpened edge of an eye pencil? Uh-huh! Hurts! Sure, there are liquid liners out that you can use, but if you're like me and have experimented, it's likely that you've also gotten it IN your eye which lead to big black tears or you've had it ALL OVER your eyes because you have to magically keep your eyes from blinking while it takes forever to dry. This is why I became SO impressed with and fell madly in love with MAC's Penultimate eye liner!

This liquid liner is actually inside this marker-like utensil. When you draw the lines on, it dries instantly! You are able to draw your best cat eyes and anything else you might like as you have complete control over where the make-up is going. It's definitely on my Christmas list!

Something Blue

Since it's Christmas, when I went for my manicure the other day, I couldn't resist having little snowflakes painted on to my ring fingers. I don't have a very good picture of it, but this gave me the idea of doing 'something blue' on your nails for your wedding. There are so many designs you could possibly get. You could also maybe just get your monogram unless you wanted either your fingernails or toenails to be completely blue. A tropical manicure would be pretty too (with just a line of blue).(If your bridesmaids are wearing blue, it might be cute for you to have open-toed shoes with a blue pedicure). It'd be cute for the pictures too! Just so happens, China Glaze has the perfect color for this. 'For Audrey'. And yes, they are talking about Ms. Hepburn.

Day 10 of Design - Lazaro

Looking for something whimsical and dramatic? Lazaro has an incredible imagination for creating fairytale gowns. Lazaro offers a large selection from simple to very extravagant (with variations in price too). There is amazing use of beading and drop-waist on these gowns. Breathtaking!

I love the first gown featured above and how the tulle seems to be streaming from underneath the overlay of the skirt featuring silk flowers.

Notice the amazing handbeaded bodice.

The simplicity of this gown excretes pure elegance!

A beautiful play on ruffles!

Lazaro is perfect for the fairytale bride. If you are having a wedding enveloped in flowers and formality, these gowns are perfect!

Turquoise and Yellow Wedding

click on pic to enlarge

When Dave asked me to theme a turquoise and yellow wedding board, I took in to consideration that he and his wife are moving to Florida, and designed a really fun South Beachy wedding using those colors. Since Dave and his fiance are already legally married, I thought this would be the perfect way to celebrate with their loved ones - very bright and fun, yet something sexy and chic that can be taken in to the night.

The set up of stark white cabanas maybe housing tables for guests can make for a really neat cocktail-type reception. Maybe our bride will want to opt for a shorter white dress. Adding hints of gray in to the mix through the mens' suits, gives it a touch of elegance. I say 'suits' instead of 'tuxedos' because it's a nice way for the guys to stay dressy, but to also be a bit more casual. Giving the groomsmen yellow ties and the bridesmaids turquoise dresses will create a balanced mix. Highlighting the flowergirl (their daughter) will be important, so it'd be neat to dress her in yellow so that she stands out amongst the girls. She is after all, I'm sure, their little sunshine! Dave fishes as a hobby, so adding items found on the shore such as starfish and shells, are cute and personal touches. A fun themed drink in the turquoise color with a customized label is an exciting additive whether it be for a favor or something for the guests to actually drink all night. Cute little individual cakes (similar to cupcakes) also take the formality away, but keep the classiness alive.

This is a fashionable young couple, so something very hot, young, and hip, would be the way to go for them. Make it a night to remember!

Day 9 of Design - Alvina Valenta

Alvina Valenta is very innovative! With sweep trains, 'fit and flare' and 'fluted' styles, and a signature 'rum pink silke' hue, the bridal gown has been taken in to 2010!

Alvina Valenta is a great choice for a confident bride who has a regal air about her!

Day 8 of Design - Monique Lhuillier

Give the bride options! Monique Lhuillier designs gorgeous seemingly tranditional wedding gowns, but as a bonus, some of the pieces are sold separately so that you can change your look to fit you!

Ever hear of a detachable skirt like the one featured above?

This corset and skirt are sold separately!

Purchase the bolero featured for the ceremony and then lose it for the reception.

You'll also find beautiful mermaid gowns made by Monique.

The line by Monique Lhuillier is perfect for the traditional bride who can't make up her mind. hehe. All joking aside, it is perfect for a bride who wants to have options.

Day 7 of Design - Ian Stuart

Variety is the spice of life! And what you'll find in Ian Stuart's line is just that...variety and spice! Use of different fabrics, embellishments, and structures, are the basis of luxury gowns.

Take notice of the handmade flowers that line the side of the gown.

The bow of course, you can not miss! Stunning!

Amazing amounts of embellishments - crystals, sequins, beads...bling it on!

Rosettes and Ruffles = Romance.

This is one of the hottest short white dresses out there right now!

These gowns are perfect for the bride having a ritzy wedding and for a bride who loves being the center of attention!

Day 6 of Design - Pnina Tornai

Are you ready to wed like a rockstar? It takes a certain type of girl to pull off Pnina Tornai as it's really taking it to the next level. The line is unique and breathtaking and embodies Haute Couture. As I told you previously, tulle has made a big comeback for this season and Pnina Tornai has used it in some exhilarating ways, but they've also used feathers and FUR! Yes, I said it! It's wild and I love it! These dresses are very showy. If you have the personality to fit a Pnina Tornai, then you should go for it to the extreme! I've not even showed you the most daring of them. You're going to have to check those corset dresses out on your own. Caution: Not for the faint of heart! They're not all completely wild though. These are some of the most beautiful one-of-a-kind gowns out there right now.

Pnina Tornai is for the girl who can carry herself in Haute Couture! It's for the showgirls and the rockstars of the wedding world. Want to unleash your inner rockstar?

Chattin with Ashton Kutcher and Kim Kardashian

Ashton Kutcher went LIVE tonight in what is called a "social stream" and I tuned in (or signed on rather) to get involved! He took the camera behind the scenes at his production company Katalyst. To prove he was actually live, he gave out his phone number and had us call. He did accept the call from one of us! And, to go one further, he repeated a message I sent to him. So, yes, we had contact with the REAL Ashton. His concept behind this social group was really neat although I'm not sure it played out as well as it could have.

He had a decent amount of celebrities and entertainment. Kenna was walking on a treadmill as Ashton interviewed him, Kat Badar covered Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian was actually on Skype in her car on her way over. She was talking to us as she applied her lip gloss. When she did arrive, even though she had to pee, they put a mic on her and she started showing Ashton pictures of her newborn nephew (Kourtney's baby) Mason Dash. She then talked about an upcoming role she's playing on CSI NY, but Ashton spoiled the ending and we know "who did it"! That's what's great about being live! You can see slip-ups, celebs being human, and even catch some interesting news you may not have known otherwise!

Although Ashton promised he was live and that there would be no commercials, every couple of minutes, major product placement would take place during a clip he would switch over to. Let's just say a lot of us left this experience craving hot pockets in the worst way! Ashton would also show some previously recorded clips of interviews he did. The Jersey Shore cast is one example (where he learned to become "guido").

Things were going great and Ashton was taking questions from us until a magician showed up. Then things got weird. The serious magician Dynamo was trying to do a card trick and Kim was messing around with questions, and before you knew it...it was almost like the three of them were hanging out and leaving us out of the conversation. People started leaving and attention was lost. Then by surprise, Ashton shut down. I'm thinking it may've been due to technical difficulties OR it may've infact been over. We did however experience some glitches early on when his computer went down and he was not in chat with us. It was back up and running in no time though.

Humor value was not so high, but this was his first time going live and doing this. It was a risk to take. As for entertainment and originality...I give him an A+!! I do see this as being the way of the future. Everyone can now be involved in live interviews and see what takes place behind-the-scenes in Hollywood.

*pic from the Insider

"Mint to Be"

Denny thought he was being funny when he challenged me to create a wedding inspiration board that was to be inspired by the Andes Mint green color wrapper. Well, I took him up on the challenge and incorporated the mint candy and I theme this wedding "Mint to Be". What would really be neat is if the groom's name was Andy! hehe.

At any rate, I took the green that is pleasant to some, but not necessarily the first choice for others. This Kelly/Emerald-Green, for lack of knowing the exact hue, may not even be a color found in your reperitoire, but when paired with chocolate brown (hmmm chocolate...makes sense), it is absolutely tasteful (no pun intended...well, maybe)!

Starting with a blank template and using white linens will allow you to use the green and brown as accent colors. By all means, have your bridal party in the green. It looks excellent in pictures! Wrapping the napkins in chocolate brown ribbons to match the ribbon on the cake, is very chic. Bringing the mint candy in to the desserts whether it be through mint cupcakes, a specialty drink, or a green candy bar, is a cute touch that will have the guests raving. Try a chocolate brown aisle runner. Have fun with the invitations. They can be brown with green inside (just like the Andes Mints).

Speaking of invitations, if you know you are going to do this theme early enough, you can always send out "engageMINTS" to your guests as Save-The-Dates! There are many places that offer customized mint tins in which you can have your names and a message printed and then add some mints inside. These would make for great favors too! Maybe they could then be called "commitMINTS". Do you not love it?

Day 5 of Design - Maggie Sottero

This wouldn't be much of a wedding designer countdown if I didn't feature the ever-so-popular Maggie Sottero! This line is the ultimate in wedding wear for women who dreamt of being brides since they were little girls. When you think of the poofy princess dress and the essence of what it is to be a bride, this is what you're imagining, created by Maggie to give it that extra special touch. From ruffles and layers to beautiful corset bodices and exquisite a-lines, every girl wants a "Maggie" for her wedding! They are extremely flattering and I've never seen a bride in a Maggie Sottero gown who didn't look beyond stunning!

Even though these gowns are so complex in structure and made with beautiful materials, prices on these gowns are great compared to the couture gowns I have and will feature. As a bonus, you can find them in many bridal shops. Personally, I think I have fallen in love with one (maybe two) of them. Just sayin...

Perfect for the girl who closes her eyes and hears "Here Comes the Bride"! Perfect for the Princess Bride, the Diva Bride, the Sophisticated Bride, and any other Bride-to-Be! True class and elegance!

dresses featured: sabelle . laura . amour bouquet . barbara . dallas marie . melissa bouquet . amour royale . krystalyn marie