Shabby Chic

'Tis the season of giving - shower giving that is. If you're the lucky girl chosen as the maid of honor, traditionally, one of your duties is planning the bridal shower, but fret not dear MOH, throwing a memorable and fun party is a piece of cake!

Take these pretty place settings from Country Home and Garden that lend a shabby chic quality to the party.

Showers are usually held during the morning or afternoon and to help balance the informality of the event, consider using bright splashes of colors for a decidedly feminine vibe.

Holding the shower at your favorite restaurant helps cut down on the costs, but may limit your design choices. Keep in mind color, flowers and decor should reflect the bride's personality so don't be afraid to get creative.

And of course make sure all attending guests know where the bride is registered because after all everyone is there to shower presents upon her. Don't forget, the purpose of the shower is to receive gifts, and planning the event is a gift in itself!

Images courtesy of Country Living.

In the Heat of the Moment

Why work so hard for your bridal body and not show it off? These glamorous swimsuits from Rosa Cha are just the thing for some honeymoon bliss.

A perfect palette for summer, don't you just love the breezy tone of the collection? Wear a different one everyday as you lounge off the shores of the Maldives!

Or if you prefer something a bit more statement making, channel your inner Barbie Girl with these stylized pieces from the 50th Anniversary Barbie Fashion Show:

Images courtesy of New York Magazine.

Fab Frocks Friday: If Fate Should Have It

Do we ever just truly stumble upon love? Does it happen by chance? Or has it always been been there, waiting for us to find it?

Image courtesy of Paule Ka.

Train of Thought

What's a wedding gown without a train? In the midst of all your gown adventures, you will undoubtedly ask yourself what type of train you would like. Here's a little primer to ensure that you won't have a runaway train on your hands:

Royal/Monarch Train: a train of the grandest order, this train extends 9 feet from your waist for a look fit for royalty. The late, great Diana, Princess of Wales wore this train for her wedding to Prince Charles. Perfect for your ultra-formal affair.

Cathedral Train: one of the most popular lengths for a formal event, the cathedral train falls approximately 7 feet from your waist, giving you that fairy tale princess charm. After the ceremony you can bustle up the train and have subtle draping at the back of your skirts - it's like getting two dresses in one!

Chapel Train: chapel trains provide an elegant look with all the mobility needed to dance the night away. Extending approximately 4 feet from your waist, it's just the thing for your wedding, formal, informal and everything in between.

Sweep Train: of course if you choose not to have a train at all, look for dresses with a sweep train, where the length of the skirt just brushes the floor. Should you fall in love with a dress that has a train longer than you like, remember, you can always shorten a train but be forewarned, once cut it cannot be undone.

Images courtesy of Tim Walker for UK Vogue 2005 via Hellenavratil's Blog.

Beach Breezy

Calling all summer brides! Here's a reception that will help you looking classic and cool at the same time:

Subtle summer whites and beiges help beat the heat. Manzanita branches in the centerpieces and at the place card table echo nature's beautiful coral design, while Leran pendant lamp shades are reminiscent of our favorite Jamaican bungalows. Ripe flowers and bouquets proves that the beach is fit for a glamorous affair. And to really help keep you cool, satisfy your thirst with signature cocktails served in frosted glass.

All you need is a cool summer breeze and you are ready to go!

Images courtesy of Brides.

Home Sweet Home

Who could resist such an elegantly furnished space that evokes beauty, charm, and class?

Weddings speak to a couple's personality and your home should be no different. Forget adhering to purity style - an eclectic mix of different, but unifying pieces to decorate your home speaks volumes of your individuality, not to mention your worldly travels.

Awash in purples and silvers that are glamorous as they are inviting, this space featuring Jessica Stam's apartment is a model of design delight!

If you have time, go check out One Kings Lane - an exclusive home decor invitation only website to satisfy all your decorating needs and at prices up to 70% off retail. It's the Gilt of the interior design world!

Images courtesy of Elle Decor.

Rock Stars

Thinking of getting something fancy? If you're the the marking for something with a little sass, these brightly hued stones are sure to please.

Like all pieces of fine jewelry, fancy colored diamonds are an investment piece so pick the color you know you will adore for a lifetime. Fancy colored diamonds range in all colors of the rainbow, from the ever popular browns, pinks, blues and yellows, to the ultra rare reddish purples. Also, adhere to the 4 c's: cut, color, clarity and carat. As Harry Winston says "the beauty of a diamond depends on how well it has been cut more than anything else."

So get ready to rock it out with these gems!

Fab Frocks Friday: Independent Woman

Celebrate your independence from ho-hum style with these darling red white and blues from D&G! Wedding in the Hamptons anyone?

Happy Fourth of July!

Images courtesy of Style.

Dancing Through Life

Oh the thrill of your first dance as husband and wife. Whether you decide to wing it or dedicate several hours in the dance studio, nothing paints a lovelier picture than a couple in love moving gracefully along the dance floor.

So what dance will you be performing for your guests? Here are two popular dance choices that will have you sashaying in style:

The Waltz: one of the most popular dances of all time, the waltz combines fluid turns and the gentle rise and fall of the couple's movement as they glide effortlessly on the floor. Waltzes are performed to music in 3/4 time, counted as 1-2-3, making this dance easy to learn. As your partner twirls you across the floor, the sway of fabric around your legs creates an infinitely romantic picture.

The Foxtrot: a beautiful, romantic dance, the Foxtrot is composed of fairly simple walking steps and side steps. The dance combines slow steps, which use two beats of music, and quick steps, which use one beat of music. The footwork timing is usually slow, quick, quick or slow, slow, quick, quick, with distinctive steps of the weave and feather step. Foxtrots are traditionally performed with big band swing style music for maximum effect.

Doesn't it make you want to dance with somebody?


Images courtesy of Vogue March 2008 "Change of Pace" by Norman Jean Roy via Make Fetch Happen.

In A Moment

Hoping your wedding pictures look just as lovely as these from the House season finale:

Images courtesy of Fox via House is Right.