Metallic Clutches!

Picture from: Marie Claire December 2007

I love these metallic clutches from Marie Claire's December issue. They are small and elegant enough to wear the day of your wedding and chic and versatile enough to wear on your honeymoon and days after!

wedding congratulations

i never had a hair trial and so i never knew what my hair was actually going to look like on the day of our wedding. it's probably because i knew i was going to be doing my own hair and makeup and could never be bothered to do a hair trial...for myself. dunno why. maybe, something to do with like laziness or something?

sans a hair trial, i carried a color copy of my inspiration to the bathroom on the morning of and...just wung it.

first, i blow-dried my hair and set in the same curlers i've been using since 10th grade.

then, while the curlers were doing their thing, i did my own makeup. complete with lovely fake eyelashes. they were looooooooooooooong and lovely and made me feel a little crazy and slightly glamorous.

and THEN, when the curlers cooled, i took 'em out and threw a million bobby pins at my sister who then pinned and pinned. whilst she pinned, i stared. at the gigantic fake eyelashes that were glued yay close to my eyes.

and then we all had a joyous hairspraying party to ensure my hairs wouldn't become loose.

and of course. the headpiece. well, you all know the story behind that.

i don't have any professional pictures of myself getting ready but here are some pics of the result. none from the front -- because i'm shy.

there's really no lesson here. just pretty pictures. but if anything, i hope this inspires those of you who are getting your hair and makeup done only because you think you HAVE to as opposed to NEEDING to. to give it a second thought.

for me, DIY was 110% the right decision.

all photos by max wanger.

The Spirit of Accessorizing

New York Magazine has a clever web section called Shop-a-Matic where they gather great products in a category and post photos of them. They have a few wedding-related series, the most recent is Wedding Accessories. Great white, silver and gold accessories are hard to come by, so I thought I'd share the link with you. A few of our favorites were included in the line-up, too!

The Sarah is perfect with bridesmaid dresses or wedding gowns. $98

Ella is a really comfortable neutral. $125

I like the Nicole because when you're wearing it, all you see is the little band of crystals. $150

I rave forever about our cashmere wraps. They come in many colors and are great always -- I bring mine on every flight I take! $175

A wonderfully neutral cover-up comes in many colors -- the perfect solution for bridesmaids and brides! $125

colette malouf hair accessories

Lucky you! Colette Malouf is having a sample sale. Her sparkly headbands, silk flower combs, and shiny barrettes are all $20-$40. Colette's designs have appeared all over the runway and on the set of Sex and the City. You can bet Carrie Bradshaw would be first in line for this event.

Colette Malouf Sample Sale

Wednesday and Thursday, 9 am - 7 pm

594 Broadway, New York, NY

b/t E. Houston and Prince Streets, suite. 1216

I love  the way Colette Malouf's pieces are slightly exaggerated. Veils and headpieces were traditionally worn by demure women or with a certain modesty. Clearly these pieces have retained the same sophistication while exhibiting a certain playfulness and punk attitude. Her collection includes graphic bracelets and earrings along with lacy combs and pins. She even has directions on her website for how to style your hair with her pieces in mind.

Pictured at top is the Ash Grey Champange Silk Jersey Headstrap and Lace Hmp Oval Comb. Featured in today's Daily Inspiration gallery: Ash Grey Velvet Medley Headstrap, Hematite Large Mesh Flower Beak Clip and Stone Ring, Red Crystal Flower Beak Clip, Brown Rock Crystal Mesh Bib with Sky Blue Pailette & Pleated Velvet Headstraps, and Black Pailette Chiffon Double and Crochet Wire Flower.

{photo credits:  colette malouf}

shopping palette: glitter, cherry and gold

 

I love this moment captured by Threshold Visions of Emily, the beautiful bride whose Bowery Hotel wedding was featured on the blog yesterday. Some of my favorite wedding photos are the ones captured before a single guest has taken thier seat or a single piece of cake has even been sliced. I loved the "getting ready" moments, the detail shots that remind me that being a bride is all about playing dress up, dancing in your favorite pair of high heels and having fun with fashion. Here's a little shopping palette designed with Emily and Walter's wedding in mind. Enjoy playing dress up!

Clockwise from top: Feather Chain Handle Bag, $92, available at Top Shop. Glitter Pumps, $88, available at YesStyle. Carine Gilson Silk and lace shorts, $355, available at Net-A-Porter. Full Side Floral Headband, $5, available at Forever 21.

{photo credits: threshold visions }

cheap thrill: crystal and pearl necklace

It's been a while since I featured a cheap thrill but I have a feeling the foot of snow outside my doorstep will lead to some reckless online shopping before the day is over. First stop, J.Crew. I still fantasize that I have a bridal party of my own to dress and that the Spring 2010 lookbook belongs to us and us alone. The bridesmaids dresses for 2010 (at right) are not only sweet, they are beautifully styled. You can't turn the page of a magazine these days without tripping over a cluster chain necklace (this particular page is my favorite.) J.Crew has a spectacular one dripping with tiny rhinestones and pearls but if $135 is too rich for your recession-friendly budget this year, Forever21 has a similar one for $8.

Crystal and Pearl Necklace, $153, available at J.Crew. Chain Pearl Necklace, $8, available at Forever21.

bracelets for your bridesmaids

Like all of you, I have been thinking of Julie's bridesmaid's bracelets ever since setting eyes on her weddings photos. Super sweet and stylish, the multiple strands of beaded glass balls remind me of a modern wrist corsage or bridal lariat. Next to the necklace, the bracelet is my all time favorite accessory. Whether you go for beads, bangles or charms, bracelets make the ultimate bridesmaid accessory. Here are a few of my favorites, inspired by Julie's bridal party.

Bracelets clockwise from top: Carolee - Good As Gold Multi Row Stretch Bracelet, $69, available at Zappos; Potluck Paris jewelry - Splin Strass Bronze Bracelet, $394, available at Moxsie; Carrissa's Wide Black Woven Knot Cuff Bracelet, $47, available at Fantasy Jewelry Box; Nordstrom Glass Stretch Beads Bracelet, $58, Nordstrom; Oasis Pearl Diamante Stretch Bracele, $24, available at ASOS; Badgley Mischka Multi Row Stretch Bracele, $360, available at Nordstrom.