Sunday, September 23, 2012

My 2012 Emmy's Best Dressed List

 There were so many amazing dresses at tonight's Emmy Awards, but my absolute favorite was Julie Bowen in this beautiful Monique Lhuillier gown. This picture does not even do it justice, it looked amazing on tv, and I only wish that I could have seen it in person.  Absolutely stunning!!!


 
Here are a few more of my favorites, who was yours???
 
 

 
 
 
 

Friday, September 14, 2012

Friday Link Love


Friday Link Love

I have been looking for a recipe for Champagne Vinaigrette!

Cannot wait to try making these DIY Mercury Glass Votive Candleholders


Passionfruit Lemon Tart, Sounds delicious!


Thursday, September 13, 2012

Tiki Tropical Bridal Shower

So a couple of weeks ago, I posted pictures from an LA Bachelorette Party for Amanda of 100 Layer Cake, well the pics from her Awesome Tiki Tropical Bridal Shower are up and I had to share them with you all as well because they are sooo cute!

So, here is the inspiration board that she posted on 100 Layer Cake prior to the party...
{patio chair, Numero Tokyo, flamingo, flamingo sign, pineapple, earrings, rum dispenser, flamingo stir stick, diy gilded bottles, umbrella girl (know the credit?), tiki grass umbrella, Beverly Hills Hotel}

And here are some of my favorite pics from the party, but you can check them all out at 100 Layer Cake... 
Great decor...


Guests were invited to "Pick A (handmade) Lei"...
Treated To A Tropical Flower Arranging Lesson...
And Served Mai Tai's in Coconuts...
Can't wait to hopefully see pics from the wedding...

Flowers: The Little Branch  / Photos: Jen of Birds of a Feather / Dip-dyed aprons: Meesch / Cupcakes: Frosted Cupcakery /  Venue: Audrey’s backyard / Bar & Lounge furniture rentals: Love Shake / Jillian & Amanda’s dresses: Rent the Runway / photo sharing: Capsule

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Loving The Little Details of this Ontario Winery Wedding

The little details of this wedding, also on Style Me Pretty, are amazingggggg....

Adorably personalized tie... 
 
Pretty pink and lace invitation...
 
Cute custom flasks, great idea for both bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts...

 
Lovely lace and charm on the bride's bouquet...

Too pretty to eat little pink cookies...
 
Light pearly pink shoes, perfection...

Sweetheart table signs...
 
 The beautiful wedding picture table...
 
AND I LOVE THIS PICTURE...
 
 
Wedding Photography: Kristen Weaver / Ceremony: Ravine Vineyard in Saint Davids, Ontario / Reception: Chateau des Charmes in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario / Floral Design: Fleurish Design Studio / Officiant: Sheldon Kofsky / Wedding Cinematography: Dave Tebbutt Wedding Films / Catering: Pillar and Post / Wedding Cake: Cookie Cornucopia / Wedding Invitations: Eva Paperland + The Bride / Programs: Paper Dream Design Studio / Music: Chamberlain Entertainment + Ted’s Tunes DJ Service / Specialty Vintage Rentals: Hazlitt Vintage Rentals / Chandeliers, Chairs, Linens + Reception Rentals: Simply Beautiful Decor / Wedding Dress: Superior Bridal (In-House Design) / Bride’s Reception Dress: Mori Lee via Jolie Bridal Salon / Dress Alterations, Custom Jewelry, Veil + Sashes: Tanis Emmett Wedding Style / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair + Makeup: Lisa Marie of Bridal Beauty Mobile Artistry Group / Rings: Spence Diamonds / Crystal Sash: Glam House Bridal Couture
 

Style Me Pretty - Toronto Wedding

I am in love with this wedding that I came across on Style Me Pretty, it is an absolutely beautiful!  The colors, the flowers, the centerpieces... just WOW!
  

  
 
 
Wedding Photography: 5ive15ifteen Photo Company / Wedding Venue: 99 Sudbury in Toronto, Ontario / Wedding Design + Planning: CANDICE&ALISON Luxury Weddings / Floral Design: Pink Twig Floral Boutique / Wedding Cake, Bombonnieres + Sweet Table: Cake Opera Co. / Wedding Stationery: Sweet Peony Press / Linens + Draping: Susan Murray International / Rentals: Chair-Man Mills / Vinyl: Dance Floor Decor / Furniture: Divine Furniture Rental / Transportation: A Rolls Choice Livery / Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo / Custom Reception Dress + Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Lucian Matis / Custom Tuxedos: Farley Chatto

Friday, August 24, 2012

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

BIRCH BOX - June, July & August


The last couple of months have been so busy that I completely forgot to share my June, July & August BirchBoxes with you all.  And they have had some really cool items in them, so I didn't want to skip them. 


June "Jetsetter" Box:


 


July "The Senses" Box:

August "Beauty School" Box:

 
They also included a little Beauty 101 Series book that included tips to a better shave, a make-up artist's cheat sheet, make-up quick fixes, and a few other must try beauty tricks.
 
I am loving the BirchBox website too.  They have some great tips.  Here are some of my favorites:
 
And this article on one of my favorite people, Alexa von Tobel, creator of LearnVest, a website obsession of mine.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

DIY: Repurposing a Lamp

While we were cleaning out the basement before we moved in we found these wonderful lamps:


I was so excited by them, because I had just seen an article in the HGTV magazine on how to repurpose brass lamps and I was so happy to finally get to try a DIY project!

Joel and I went out and bought the materials that we would need and we got to work.  Here are the HGTV Magazine directions that we followed:

Materials Needed:

painter's tape
fine sanding sponge
spray primer
glossy multi-surface spray paint
lampshade
fabric glue or hot glue
5/8-inch grosgrain ribbon
a brass lamp

Paint the Base

Remove the lampshade harp (the metal loop around the bulb) and finial (the decorative knob above the shade), if it has them. Use tape to cover any cords or metal parts you don't want painted. Sand the base with the sanding sponge, then prime it (and the finial, too). Let dry. Apply two or three coats of spray paint, letting dry between coats. Remove the tape.

Decorate the Shade

Starting at the back of your new shade (where the seam is), glue the ribbon along the bottom edge, folding the ribbon's ends under to prevent fraying. Repeat at the shade's top edge, then replace the harp and set the shade over it.

Directions from HGTV


Take a look at the end product:


 And here they are with their brand new lampshades (we cheated a little and bought these ones from Lowes). Shhh!


They look so great in our "new apartment."

I cannot wait for our next DIY project...

Monday, August 20, 2012

Our New "Apartment"

About a month ago, Joel and I moved out of our NYC Upper East Side doorman building apartment and into my parent's basement.  Living in the city was amazing, but extremely difficult on the saving money front.  With the Wedding in a little over a year, saving money has really become our biggest priority.   And, the basement isn't half bad.  It has twice as much space as our 1 bedroom converted into 2 bedroom, shared with a roommate apartment, we have our own bathroom, our own bar area with a microwave and refrigerator, and our own entrance.  And it really is quite nice.

After moving all of our stuff in and adding some personal touches it really is coming along.  And as my Mom keeps reminding me, we are only there temporarily. 

(Pictures to come soon...)

Friday, August 17, 2012

LA Bachelorette Party

You have to check out the pictures from this awesome Bachelorette Party thrown for Amanda of 100 Layer Cake.  Her friends were so creative and the whole thing was totally amazing!  It all sounds like so much fun!
They started with some cocktails and relaxing at the pool at the Mondrian's Outdoor Living Room.
In the afternoon, they brought her up to their hotel room which they had decked out in feather boas and where they had some snacks and champagne set up and where they all changed into cute nighties.
They then had a group burlesque lesson in the hotel room with their own private instructor, which was interrupted for a little bit to play a game where all the girls wrote down tips for Amanda on how to keep things "spicy" with her hubby. 

 


After, their Burlesque Lesson, they all ran to the bedroom where they had a giant Pillow Fight!  Looks like so much fun!
 

And then after the pillow fight they went to the Chateau Marmont for cocktails and then Amanda's favorite restaurant, Osteria Mozza, for dinner where the girls gave her a box which they filled with memorabilia and hand-written notes.  How sweet is that?

And then to end the night they had a dance party in the limo on the way back to the hotel.   Love it!

Now, that sounds like a Bachelorette Party I would love to attend!!


Check out more of Amanda's Bachelorette Party at 100 Layer Cake
photos by The Why We Love