Fab Frocks Friday: At the Stroke of Twilight

What could be better than riding off into the sunset with your dashing suitor and his white - I mean silver stead? How about looking so rebel-without-a-cause-cool when you don this sparkling mini from Alexander Wang?

Oh young love!

Images via Harper's Bazzar.

Into the Woods We Go

What is it about this season that makes us fall in love all over again? Is it the cozy feelings you get when snuggling up to your loved one by the fireside? Or perhaps it's the simple act of holding hands as you and Prince strolling down a woodsy bend with the foliage quietly keeping you two company?

The leaves may fall, and the colors may fade, but those warm and fuzzy feelings in your heart will remain. And with leaves, acorns, wood and owls in fragrant soap form, you can now take fall's beauty home with you!

If you prefer to capture the brilliant colors of fall look no further than Uptown Soap, which provides an array of hues to remake foliage in your bathroom. Something more subdued? Gianna Rose carries a line of Thanksgiving inspired soaps that are sure to please!

So spread the warmth of the season with a little gift that will freshen up the spirit!

Images via O Magazine and Gianna Rose.

Dapper Gents

During my daily stroll along the information super highway, I stumbled upon The Red Sole Bride - an elegant and tasteful blog written by one bride to be in Hong Kong.

It was there I happened upon a most informative discussion of the proper attire for your dapper gent as discussed in The Rake - the modern voice of classic men's elegance.

The Jacket: Jackets should be either double or single breasted with peak or shawl lapels. The most formal combination would be the single breasted peak lapel jacket coupled with a waistcoat. A working buttonhole cut straight across the lapel is a necessity since, a single flower is the most appropriate accessory for a black-tie jacket/coat.

The waistcoat: Ideally, the waistcoat should frame the bib of your shirt perfectly and sit right above the top of your trousers – never to expose the transition between your shirt and trousers. The waistcoat can either be single or double breasted and ideally should be a horseshoe shape rather than a V-shape.

The cummerbund: Normally a silk satin finish, the cummerbund is the less formal alternative to the waistcoat. Pleats of the cummerbund should always face up.

The trousers: These should always be cut high to meet the bottom of your waistcoat. Wearing a belt is an absolute no-no. Braces are a must to keep your trousers in place and to prevent ‘bunching up’. White silk braces which are buttoned are the way to go and never, never don the dreaded clip on braces. The length of trousers should always just barely graze the top of the shoe so as not to break the sleek lines of his silhouette.

The dress shirt: The collar of the wing collar dress shirt should be cut particularly high and the tips of the wings sharply turned down in contrast. The sleeves should be single cuffs enclosed with a cuff link and just long enough to show three quarters of an inch past your jacket. For soft turndown collar shirt, the bib is normally pleated and french cuffs are the style.

The bow tie: Always black, always hand-tied. He’s not a boy anymore, and there’s something very sensual about tying one on for your man.

A white linen handkerchief and a single flower inserted into the lapel (not pinned on) are the finishing touches for the perfect black-tie look.

Images via The Rake from The Red Sole Bride.

Beautiful Baubles

Here's a little sparkle courtesy of our friends from J. Crew:

Pearls, crystals, and ribbons galore, it looks like J. Crew has found a way to capture elegance with ease. And with a bounty of choices at affordable prices, these jewels are sure to find their way to your wedding look and beyond.

I've got a few can't-live-without J. Crew pieces in my jewelry box - what about you? Here's to adding one more piece to the family!

Images via J.Crew.

Take a Bow

In wedding fashion, I love to use ribbons, buttons, bows and blossoms to add whimsy and eccentricity. These design elements introduce fantasy and establish an optimistic tone.

Bows add femininity and grace to any wedding dress. The size and placement of bows serve different purposes in wedding fashion. On Dinah, the large bowed sash is a more dramatic statement. On other wedding dresses, I use small bows to cover up hooks on a bustle.

This Collection celebrates a new sense of freedom and fragility. From delicate, ethereal layers to pale hand-painted tulles and silks, this collection embraces a youthful charm, femininity and romance. Ribbons, buttons, bows and blossoms add to the overall whimsy and lightness in an entirely modern take on wedding fantasy! Asymmetrical draping, random gathers and all sorts of scattered decorative touches add to the eccentricity and artistry of this collection.

Fall Brights

If you're a bride looking for something small and intimate, here is a great example from David Beahm Design that incorporates a little fall color into an un-wedding wedding look.

Fuse the color of the season orange with a punch of brights for a little pick me up!

Image via David Beahm Design.

Fab Frocks Friday: A Ray of Hope

Capture the magic of those last few rays of sunshine.

Image via Brides.

Art in Cake Form

And while we're on the topic of destinations and sweet treats, take a look at all these exquisite cakes from Eat Cake Be Merry, courtesy of designer extraodinaire, Amy Atlas:

EatCakeBeMerry started with a goal to combine modern, simple and clean design with delicious cake. Such creative art deserves to be called confection perfection.

Image via Sweet Designs: A Blog by Amy Atlas: Eat Cake Be Merry

The Road to Love

Gentle Reader, the road to true love takes you on unexplored paths you would have never taken before. While you are on your travels here are some treats guaranteed to make the journey a little sweeter.

And who knows - perhaps that road will take you right where you need to be. So do yourself a favor and keep your heart open.

Images via Martha Stewart Weddings.

Music of the Heart

Music - it touches our hearts and resonates with our soul. Few songs have the ability to reach across the span of time to touch generations past and present. For your wedding day, may I suggest these standards for your first dance, the last dance and everything in between?

"At Last"
"Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered"
"Beyond the Sea"
"Can't Help Falling In Love"
"Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You"
"Come Fly With Me"
"For Once in My Life"
"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)"
"I've Got You Under My Skin"
"It Had To Be You"
"Love Me Tender"
"My Funny Valentine"
"Save the Last Dance For Me"
"Someone to Watch Over Me"
"That's All"
"The More I See You"
"The Way You Look Tonight"
"What A Wonderful World"
"When I Fall In Love"

Use a modern day rendition of these classics for a twist. I hear Michael Buble's version of "The More I See You" is quite swell.

Image via Vanity Fair.