I love the soft, yet sultry colors in the Metro Chic palette. While bordering on the antediluvian on their own, there can be a classic, modern, vintage and romantic touch to the palette depending upon the way you take it or choose to express yourself:
stately black candelabras
decadent croquembouche
lush pink peonies
sparkling champagne
vintage chest
romantic handwritten love letter platinum tufted chair Parisian fashion
Following along the trend of feminine and glamorous, comes the fabulous Val Stefani, with a gorgeous line of wedding dresses for the girly bride. Ranging from full princess-esque ball gowns and sleek mermaid silhouettes, there are something for every bride who wants to be amazing and unforgettable on her wedding day.
If you love watching the Red Carpet Shows to get your dose of glamour, fashion and face beatings (translation: gorgeous makeup), you will be overjoyed to know that the E! Network has teamed with Anavel Caparros to create the E! Live From the Red Carpet Shoe Collection. The stylish line of high heels is now available at Macy’s, Lord + Taylor, LordandTaylor.com, and will debut at Von Maur on May 8th.
After the stunning success of Adrianna Papell E! Live from the Red Carpet evening gown collection, as well as the Stila E!Live from the Red Carpet cosmetics line, the shoe industry is now taking everyone by storm and no prisoners. This new addition to the E! Live from the Red Carpet brand will provide fashionistas the perfect accessory to complete their own red carpet looks.
To view more from this delicious collection, visit the Red Carpet section of E!’s website.
So you’re tired of the same old dinner party, the same routine wedding festivities, the humdrum of birthday parties, right? There is no need to get down– take some inspiration from this year’s Coachella Festival. If you haven’t heard about Coachella ( how could you escape it this year when they basically “resurrected” Tupac for a “live” hologram concert performance), we’ll give you the skinny: it’s a three day long annual music and arts festival in the Coachella Valley. It’s frequented by some of the biggest names in the entertainment and fashion industry with performances, exhibits and parties throughout the sprawling desert backdrop.
Each year, it seems Coachella gets better and better (cue another mention of the amazing Tupac performance). All of the artists, performers and brands really bring it for this weekend. There were some great ideas that could translate nicely for your next event. Take a look:
Several people enjoyed the Armani Exchange and TMobile Carnival Party. We’ve posted before about getting your Coney Island on with your event— be it with food and drink or decor and details. The most important thing with having a theme is to remain authentic to the details and your personality. Basically, “skip the cheese, go for the meat“. Don’t go for the ultra cheesy details, but be authentic as possible.
Lighting is ridiculously awesome. It can transform any space into something dramatic and exciting. The key to incorporating good lighting is your base– look at your area’s walls, floors, etc. Make sure your lighting has something to reflect off of to create striking pillars or soft washes of colors.
If you’ve got a pool at your next party, don’t neglect it! Incorporate it in your party. The open air atmosphere can add so much to your event. Create custom cabanas by having personalized pillows with your pictures, monograms, colors or wedding logo. This gives your guests a great place to find respite or catch up on conversation. Your pool can be a well designed focal point as we shared with The Braxton Premiere Party.
Adoring, adoring, adoring the naturally beautiful jewels in the Rumi collection from Elyria Jewels! Created to inspire beauty and love in all, the Rumi collection is perfect for the modern bride. The line features a sophisticated choker of Chinese freshwater pearls and a center topaz crystal, and dazzling earrings made of raw sliced diamonds, blue moonstones and dramatic faceted quartz.
The ocean inspired Cat Street offer a rugged, yet feminine look that can embellish any look– from casual to formal. All of the pieces are perfect for the modern woman who wants a little edge, but still wants to remain feminine.
Balancing industrial chic with a luxurious, bohemian aesthetic, Browsh incorporates her beloved pearls and a wide variety of precious stones into sophisticated silver and gold jewelry. Her work is inspired by influences as diverse as street art and Cartier haute joaillerie. These gorgeous pieces have been featured in O Magazine, Luxury, and Bride.
There were some absolutely gorgeous looks at the 2012 Grammy’s last night. While there were some fashion faux pas, the real winner for me was the hair and makeup that stole the show. The looks were perfect for a special event or wedding!
I completely fell in love with Rihanna’s red carpet look! It was very subtle but added a sun-kissed glow with emphasis around those gorgeous eyes. The softly tousled hair rounded out her look. FABULOUS!
The retro looks from Adele, Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry were stunning! Liquid liner in broad strokes with wings made their eyes POP and gave a great showcase for colorful lips. I was extremely enamored with Adele’s performance makeup. A definite must for the ultra glam lover.
Carrie Underwood always knocks it out of the park. The loose ponytail brings so much attention to vivid eyes played up with definition from liner and eyelashes. The soft hues on her cheeks and lips give showcase her beautiful skin as well.
While Fergie’s dress was a complete train wreck a la Michael Meyer’s Halloween series, her makeup played up well for those ladies who enjoy a more natural look for their faces. Sans vivid color, you can see more of her features such as her eye color and stellar bone structure. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough to detract from that hideous dress.
Add another for winged liner! Melanie Fiona looks like a bronze goddess with her defined eyes, deliciously contoured cheekbones and pulled back hair. I adore everything about this look!
I am a complete sucker for the smoky eye look. The blunt cut of the bangs ( which still seem to be a hit in 2012) add to the edginess of the metallic dress. Add in the soft grey hues around the eyes and nude lip, it’s the perfect look for a night out.
While I wasn’t a fan of Taraji P. Henson’s dress, I did adore her hair and makeup. The pink shimmery shades played off the iridescent shades in her dress and really set off her beautiful complexion. The windswept hair is what got me– a completely effortless look that screamed classic, glam and sexy. What’s best about it is that it can be done with short or long hair styles.
Who had your favorite look of the night?
We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the sudden and tragic passing of music legend, Whitney Houston. Her talented voice and acting ability garnered her many die hard fans who fell in love with everything about her– breaking the mold for many of the ladies we’ve mentioned above. Our prayers go out to her family and friends in this very difficult time.
If you chosen to have an outdoor wedding ceremony, you are not just limited to the typical “chair and two altar arrangements” that frequent most outdoor wedding ceremonies. No– you have many gorgeous options available to you: drapery, arches, seating arrangements and more.
Circular seating offers a new dimension to outdoor weddings that you couldn’t create with an indoor wedding ceremony. With an ornate canopy, the seating arrangement lends itself as additional decor to the area.
This is so simple, but very timeless The mere draping of the long thick fabric upgrades the tree from just a background piece to a beautiful, incorporation of nature. This is perfect for couples looking for a rustic wedding or a classic natural look.
This is proof that you can have a glamorous outdoor wedding. I love the natural branch arch that is glommed up with a chandelier in the center. The large, lush arrangements in the urns add color, while the greenery adds a fullness and garden feel to the ceremony area.
This is is just divine. Aside from the heavily petaled aisle, the gorgeous canopy is comprised of strung florals. With a small chandelier in the center with complementary floral design and a table for the unity ceremony, not much else is needed for this gorgeous ceremony centerpiece.
This may be one of my absolute favorites. It takes an existing structure and builds upon it– changing its look by adding sheer drapery, with florals wrapped around the pillar as opposed to traditional arrangements on a structure or in an urn. The chandeliers add a beautiful and elegant touch to the ceremony area.
If your wedding is in a destination where it features some great cultural landmarks, use them as the backdrop for your wedding ceremony. This could be trees, ruins, beaches, buildings, structures, etc. Don’t feel confined– the possibilities are endless!
This is a great example of two inspiration ideas: suspended decor and adding a touch of whimsical elements. The colorful, ruffled pom poms are hung from an overhead structure, while the urn topiaries and arch greenery add a sweet touch of garden femininity.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and whether you have something planned for your sweetheart or vice versa, surely you’ll need a great outfit for the occasion. Here are some great ideas for you no matter what is on the agenda!
IdoJour is an online wedding boutique of curated finds for the glamour loving bride in mind. Full of stylish accents, apparel and more handpicked from co-founders and sisters, Rosanna Casper and Vanessa Maffia. Their choices are amazing– ranging from jewelry, clothing and other great accessories for your events during your wedding weekend. The items are so reminiscent of Old Hollywood and add a touch of timeless glamour.
Here are our favorites:
Shrugs
Hair accessories
Bridal purses and clutches
Also, be sure to check out their IdoJour Explore– a blog of great ideas and details and take a minute to enter their “Show Us Your Rings” Giveaway!
There were some OUTSTANDING weddings that showed up this year on the little and silver screens. Some were completely over the top and others were subdued, but they all had impact! We hope to see some aspects of these famous nuptials play on in 2012!
The Royal Wedding
What we loved: Being the most anticipated wedding of the year, there was so much to be excited about! The pomp and circumstance, tradition, new designers and trends– Kate managed to bring forth her own personality in a very public wedding that was laden with time honored traditions. Her gown was absolutely amazing. It breathed new life into the wedding gown industry, being a bridal throwback of the beautiful Grace Kelly’s wedding dress. The long sleeves and beautiful lines were gorgeous and flattering. Not to be outdone, her sister Pippa’s dress was equally divine– also appearing as a throwback to sleek bias cut Old Hollywood gowns in white! Everything about the wedding was beautiful and brought forth the return of glamour.
What we want to see in 2012: More glamour, please! Having been quite through with the overdone with the rustic, vintage trend, I am SO happy to see more classic, ornate details in 2012.
Bella and Edward :: Twilight
What we love: The ethereal, garden feel of this wedding was amazing! As a wedding planner, I sat in the movie theater absolutely giddy for all the wrong reasons. While most of the tweens, teens and their moms were swooning over Edward Cullen in a tuxedo, I was losing my mind over the ferns, petal aisle and curtains and guests sitting on logs! Even Bella’s victorian-esque gown was divine with its detailed lace scrollwork on the back and wrists.
What we want to see in 2012: More florals and non-traditional decor for outdoor weddings! It adds to the experience and if it is the same place as your reception can always be repurposed. Even if it is at a local park, garden, or residence– make the space your own.
The Kim Kardashian Wedding
What we loved: This is probably the most notorious wedding of the decade– from its (un)predictable demise to its over the top price tag, Kim Kardashian definitely made headlines with her wedding. Nevertheless, it was absolutely beautiful. Taking a cue from Kate, Kim had the ultimate “all white party” her sisters and mother adorned in white gowns, who also carried white bouquets down the aisle.
What we want to see in 2012:
The Hangover 2
What we loved: First, this movie was just absolutely hilarious. But the wedding scene!? Ah-mazing. From the gorgeous outdoor ceremony by the water with gorgeous florals EVERYWHERE to the open air receptions with live music to the beautiful lantern send off– there were so many great wedding inspirations here.
What we want to see in 2012: More open air weddings! Love the feel of the ceremony and reception being out in the open– be it surrounded by twinkling lights, tiki torches or uplighting, it is absolutely divine!
Once Upon A Time
What we loved: This is one of the few times I’ve seen elements of “bringing the outside in” and actually liked it. I also loved the the chuppah being in the middle of the room with guests standing around to join in. We’ve done standing only ceremonies and they were just as intimate, if not more, than traditional ceremonies.
What we want to see in 2012: One of the things I love about this show (and yes, I am a huge fan), is the opulence and detail in the clothing and jewelry. I am hoping we see more of this in fashion this year. Feathers, layers, ruffles, jewels– all of it! Give me more!
What have been some of your favorites? What would you like to see in 2012?