Fab Frocks Friday: Wanna Get Away?

Gorgeous sunny weather makes me want to pack my bags and escape the city for the summer.

And for the weekend . . .

• Coverage of the Couture Collections
• Great thoughts on Successful People!
• Carmen Marc Valvo new Bridal Collection
• Say yes to the dress!
• How-to's for the big day from one of the best in the biz!
  

Image via Corrie Bond.

Vintage Inspiration for Your Engagement Session

Layered stockings, ankle socks and high heels, boho waves and braids, red lips, shorts and chiffon blouses, period pieces, and the sheer romanticism of the good ol' days. Aren't you utterly captivated by the softness of this vintage inspired fashion shoot that will be so fabulous for your engagement session.

I love how this shoot uses summer's favorite shorts in place of skirts to create a quirky tomboyish yet feminine look. And for the gents? Nothing but a rolled up shirt sleeves, fedora and dapper attitude will do.

Ah sweet love!

Images via Olivia Graham.

Flowers Chic and Cheap

Forget about fussy bouquets and ornate vases. All you need are a few blooms from your grocery store or farmers’ market, a simple container—perhaps one found at a garage sale or in your recycling bin or kitchen cabinet—and a touch of whimsy to pull it all together!

In Flowers Chic and Cheap, Elle Decor editor at large Carlos Mota shows how unexpected elements can make a style statement. For example, fill a vintage teapot with pink peonies and set it next to your bed; gather some ferns and an orange poppy in a colorful gift bag and call it a centerpiece; dress any entryway by loading a soup tureen with lemons and a few dusted-off leaves (picked from the backyard, of course).

Inside, Carlos reveals his trademark secrets for teasing the most out of flowers’ color, height, and texture, such as:

Unusual combinations make the most interesting arrangements (think posh English garden roses paired with inexpensive pom-poms). Two dozen cheap roses are perfect for a graceful bouquet when the stems are cut short, arranged tightly, and peppered with mint stems. Short- and long-stemmed flowers placed in bud vases on a cake stand are always easy and elegant.

With short lists of what you’ll need and clear instructions for what to do, plus more than two hundred gorgeous color photographs by celebrated photographer William Waldron, Flowers Chic and Cheap gives you all the practical information—and inspiration—for sprucing up your place without making a fuss.


Images by William Waldron for Flowers Chic and Cheap.

Sorbet-Land

I've got the scoop on an instant refresher for your summer wedding! This absolutely delectable citrus sorbet is guaranteed to help your guests beat the summer heat in edible style.

Because seriously, who could not be utterly captivated by these sorbet delights that look like freshly picked fruit from the groves? Or for a rustic feel, serve in your favorite vintage mason jars like the ones below. For the recipe and a little extra touch for the grown ups (thank you Campari), click here.

Fruit sorbet for the summertime. Could this be your signature dish for the season?

Images via Mowielicious.

Vera Wang Sale!

Fab Frocks Friday: All American

Barbecues, sunshine, and American spirit this wonderful Fourth of July spirit! Happy long weekend!


Image from Harper's Bazaar by Alexi Lubomirski.

A Charming Cottage

Oh, to steal away into my own little shabby chic retreat - how love would that be!

No doubt you've all seen this this utterly romantic cottage in The New York Times. What's more, all the renovations were done by the owner on a $3,000 budget. Now that is a serious D.I.Y. project.

Weekend - please hurry up. Thank you.

Images via New York Times by Trevor Tondro.

Wedding Wish Wednesday: Melinda from Lion in the Sun

I've always wondered just how designers pick the perfect fonts to create the right tone for your wedding invitations. Luckily for me and you lovely readers, Melinda from Lion in the Sun has just the answer

This well loved Brooklyn based company keeps elegance in mind for your everyday moments as well as life's most memorable occasions.

Here's what Melinda had to say about fonts:

What does your invitation font say about you? Whether your wedding vision is contemporary, traditional or vintage, there’s a font that can say it for you! The most important design element of the invitation is the font. While graphic elements set a tone, your words and how they are presented make the biggest statement of all.

To help brides and grooms navigate the vast array of font choices each day, here are a few suggestions:

Mixed (Most Popular) – Combine a print and script font for a vintage or playful feel. Serif is more formal, while san serif tends to be more contemporary. Be sure to choose two fonts that are very different from each other and no more than three.

Big & Bold – Using fonts as your graphical element will give you a contemporary feel and make a big statement. It’s a clean look and frees you from committing to a graphical theme.

Handwritten – Actual hand written text can be converted to artwork on your invitation and presents a formal, elegant or colonial feel. You could also use a font that looks like handwriting or written with a quill pen complete with splatter. For an extra splurge – Hand calligraphy truly creates a one of a kind unique handmade invitation.

Thank you Melinda!


Images via Lion in the Sun.

Little Bow Peeps

Chiffon bows and peep toe pumps. Match made in shoe heaven.

Image via the cinderella project.

Fab Frocks Friday: Summer, Sequins, and Sample Sales

Breezy, casual Southern California bridal style. Flip flops optional.

For the weekend read . . .

• Thoughts on being yourself.
• Fabulous ideas for all you DIY-ers.
• Who's ready for a picnic?
• Get out the vote here and here {and special thanks if you vote for lil' ol' me}!

And don't forget the Monique Lhuillier Sample Sale!

Image of Amber Heard by Guy Aroch for French Revue de Modes Spring 2010 via Fashion Gone Rogue.