New York City late-20-something trying to figure it all out -sustaining a life in the concrete jungle and juggling a career with co-habitation and more. Obsessed with all things weddings, as long as they remain stylish. From running around the city in countless LBDs, to eventually getting to my own pouffy white dress and beyond, there's inspiration and great finds everywhere!
Holy cow it’s the holidays. How did that happen so quickly? This year is FLYING by! I always know it’s holiday time when there’s nothing but sparkle being showcased all around us. Here are some favorite holiday looks that I’ve seen thus far, starting with some fantastic dress options:
It’s Friday! After a long week, I’m thrilled for a relaxing weekend (and hopefully a final decision on our wedding venue)! Apparently, I’m not the only one thinking about all things wedding - Rachel Zoe has partnered with Lover.ly to give us a glimpse into some awesome old Hollywood glamour-inspired wedding ideas.
I voted in the election, and now I’m voting for style. In fashion news today, Stacey Bendet announced her latest Alice & Olivia line extension - evening gowns! These gowns are stunning - great cuts, beautiful silhouettes, and fun material - definitely stand out. If only I had a good reason to grab one (black tie gala anyone?). Here are my favorites from the launch:
Another British favorite and go to for me is Karen Millen - if you don’t know her, you need to. She does beautiful, sculptural pieces that accentuate a woman’s figure beautifully. While she only carries a limited set of pieces from her line in the states, those of you who are able to get to London to check out all of it should consider yourselves lucky. Here are a few favorites (and purchases):
1. Modern color clock check knit dress - I tried this dress on and it’s the perfect combination of sculpted cut and sweater dress. The belting is a great accent, and the colors are really stand out.
2. Graphic check dress - this dress is very reminiscent of early McQueen, I love the design and the fabric - a great choice for the holiday season.
3. Sculptural peplum dress - I bought this in London and wore it out after the proposal to celebrate - clearly a great choice, very wearable but also really stand out due to its construction.
4. Moleskin coat with faux fur - to me, no outfit is complete without a great jacket (at least for those of us who have to deal with winter), so I picked up this jacket while I was in London as well. I love it’s vintage feel - very Jackie O. Unfortunately it’s not in the states yet, but hopefully it will be soon!
While in London, I rediscovered some of my favorite designers - the awesome part is that, since they are native Brits, a lot of their lines are not yet in the states or are just arriving, so I got to enjoy a bit of a preview. The first favorite I’ll share with you is Reiss - also a favorite of Dutchess Kate Middleton. They have some fabulous dresses and jackets for any/all of your fall activities - here are a few that I love (and tried on):
1. Kerensa Pleated Maxi Dress - I love that maxi dresses are becoming a year-round option - they do a great to job of bringing a casual formality to any occasion without having to go full on black tie
2. Agnes Dress - I tried this on in London - it fits stunningly, and is definitely worth checking out :)
3. Effy Jacket - I also tried this on - not only is it super soft, but the silhouette is fantastic
The best news - Reiss right now is having a 50% off sale on some merchandise - not the items above, or else I’d be shopping up a storm - but still some great stuff, so check it out!
This week, I saw two really great ceremony set-ups that I wanted to share. Both really different, but extremely well done.
The first is a simple yet stunning outdoor set-up - the bride chose to use a stand alone tree to ground the ceremony space and designed around it, accenting with natural elements.
The second is the polar opposite, but equally as stunning - you might even say breathtaking. This bride transformed a a cold warehouse space into a location that exudes modern warmth by lighting the alter and the aisle with candles, and top-lighting the wall in warm yellows.
Finally, I am so so so excited that this fall is all about purple (again). It’s one of my favorite colors and, similar to a deep crimson, it looks good on almost everyone. The great thing about using purple in makeup is that you can create both warm and cool looks with the color, so it’s extremely versatile. Plus, for those of us with hazel eyes, it brings out the green, so it’s an added bonus!
Here are three fun ways from Sephora to use purple in your fall eye stylings - I love the soft eye look since I typically prefer a warmer tone on my eyes, and the smoky statement of the smoldering eye is awesome (although I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get nervous with using a lot of shadow).
Anyway, so many great looks to try this fall, so consider this your “back to school” prep - head to Sephora, test out the recommends and be ahead of the curve by the time labor day rolls around.
Finally, let’s talk lobster! A treat for many, but a way of life in New England, so no celebration would be complete without it. Plus, they give your table quite the pop of color - just don’t forget the bibs for a memorable, mess-free feast!
