A Floral Arrangement

The inspiration:
Floral arrangement by Laurie Cinotto.  You can see more of her work in her flickr album.

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• Lychee Flower Soap and Italian Blood Orange Soap from Mor Cosmetics
• Gayle Ruffle Trench at J.Crew
• Medium Dice Zipper Pouch - Colorful Japanese Fans by Cotton & Cloud
• Clementine Cocktail Ring from Banana Republic
• Kate Spade "Hera" Pumps from Nordstrom

Pink + Black = Swoon

Let me tell you a little secret.  With all this talk about weddings you might think that I have a burning desire to tie the knot myself... but I never plan on getting married again (been there, done that).   That  being said, I do however find endless inspiration in some of the beautiful wedding blogs available for our visual pleasure... and I LOVE Martha Stewart Weddings magazine with a unrestrained passion.  Check out this recent Cameo & Black eye-candy!  If you're not getting  married, what about using this palette at your next party... or try decorating a room using her pages as inspiration!  I'm certain the results would be stunning.  For more beauty grab a current copy of Martha Stewart Weddings - on newsstands now or find some of the articles online.

5 Things

5 things I love right now:

• Letter Openers from Horchow (wouldn't these make amazing gifts)
• Epice Cotton Scarf from Auto
• Dear Diary print by Caitlin Shearer at Pepperminte
• (Very Kate Spade looking but with a friendlier price tag)  Drawstring Small Straw Clutch from Nine West
• Sunlight Earrings from Madame Bijoux

Enjoy the next couple of days!  I'll see you all again on Monday! xox Ez

Chic Wedding - Small Budget

As I've mentioned before, I'm in the midst of helping one of my sisters put together her upcoming wedding/reception.  Since she's in college and on a tight budget I'm on the lookout for affordable ways to add the special little touches that make a wedding so personal and special.
Not many of us will be blowing 1M+ on our special day... so with that in mind, I pulled together this wedding look as an example of what is possible with a little forethought, work, and luck... and all on a petite budget too!

For tips and links...

Tip 1:  The wedding dress is probably one of the most special and memorable parts of any wedding.  This is your time to shine (and your look will be forever captured in all of your wedding photos) so you want to wear something that makes you look as radiant as possible. There are thousands of gowns to choose from... with prices just as varied, and it's hard to know where to start.  If you're on a serious budget I recommend that you start by checking out sites such as J.Crew for affordable well-made dresses in a variety of styles (The dress here is the Sophia Long Dress and will only set you back $225.  A total steal for a full-length silk gown!).

Tip 2:  Bridesmaid dresses.  If you've ever been selected to serveas a bridesmaid, you likely have a tragic tale to share regarding a disastrous squabble amongst the would be bridesmaids regarding the preferred style of dress (everyone always wants something different), and the inevitably hideous dress that you were then required to shell out your hard earned cash for.  If you're a bride-to-be, let your gal-pals off the hook and point them in the direction of a dress that is figure flattering and piggy bank friendly to all, such as the Mesh Corsage Dresses from Newport News (the flower on the dress is removable and they even sell matching shoes)!  For your shoes search for styles within your price range using a price and color specific search on sites such as Zappos or Nine West.  These "Arget" Heels are currently on sale for only $49.99!)

Tip 3:  Jewelry.  If you can borrow a heirloom from your mother or grandmother your adornments will be all the more lovely, but if you can't - look for unique handcrafted or vintage pieces on etsy (or your local estate sales).  Try pinning a beautiful brooch onto your bouquet or dress, or use this beautiful set of "Nostalgic Wedding - Vintage Hair Pins" (by seller Original by Lynnette) to draw attention to a beautiful up-do.

Tip 4:  I just spotted a new line of truly gorgeous customizable wedding invitation sets at my local Target the other day, and was really impressed.  I didn't find the full range online (so you'll have to head into your local store for more options), but the Jean M. Wedding Stationery Collection I've shown here is simple yet elegant, and you can't argue with the price (from $19.99 - $49.99)!  Ask a friend with flawless handwriting to help you address all the envelopes (maybe she'll do it as a gift for you).

Tip 5:  Give your guests something to remember your day by.  Favors that are simple and easily created are ideal.  These from Martha Stewart were fashioned from red crepe paper streamers (the kind you can get in any party supply shop)... the instructions can be seen right here.  What you put inside is completely up to you and your sweetie.  It doesn't need to cost a fortune to be treasured.

Tip 6:  Flowers.  Real flowers are stunning... they can take your breath away (or was that just when you got the bill)!  My favorite tip is to supplement beautifully crafted paper flowers such as these by Laurie Cinotto in place of budget gouging real ones.  If you don't want to go completely paper... Try combining natural flowers that are in a lower price range... filling out your bouquet, centerpieces, etc with paper blooms for color and depth.

Tip 8:  Yum!  Pick a cake design that is simple and sweet...and decorate it yourself (or ask a friend or family member to assist).  Read this tutorial and this one for some helpful tips. This cake is simply two rounds placed together (probably with some sort of a filling inside) and can be easily frosted with a basic buttercream frosting (colored to match your palette).  The border can be replicated by piping dots with a medium sized cake decorating tip (you can find these in the baking isle at your local Michael's or other craft stores).

I know this isn't nearly everything that you will be thinking about for your big day... but I hope that it inspires you to find creative and thrifty solutions for what is sure to be the most beautiful day of your life.

xox Ez

For more wedding ideas, check out these blogs:
-Snippet & Ink
-Style Me Pretty
-What Junebug Loves
-Something Old, Something New
-With This Ring
-Indie Wedding Guide

If you know of any great wedding blogs not mentioned here, I'd love it if you'd let me know in the comment section below!

Juxtapositions

My computer saga continues! It seems I need a new fan in my laptop... the part has been ordered, and they estimate that by late Wednesday I should have it back in my eager little hands.  Sigh!  Thanks for all the well wishes everyone!  I'm so grateful that I don't have to buy a new one!  For now I will continue to use my Dad's computer, and will sporadically be checking emails on my horrid little PC (sorry PC fans).  My apologies if you've written me an email and haven't heard back from me yet... I'm working on it... I promise!

Here are two little juxtapositions I hope you will enjoy.  I'm loving that bright fuchsia!!!

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-Photography by Janis Nicolay
-Jeweled Posy Capri Sandals and Tivoli Patterned Ballet Flats both from J.Crew