Some more gorgeous travel inspiration...

You know me and my lust for travel... Once again, I've spent a few happy hours looking through the amazing photo galleries on National Geographic's Travel site and picked out a few of my favs to share.  Enjoy!!

Costa Brava, Spain

Even more shoe love...

Because I, along with most women, never get sick of looking at gorgeous shoes- I give you another post featuring a lovely pair of heels.  These ones are by Badgley Mischka and come in a few different colors, although this slate blue color is my favorite.

Badgley Mischka "Odell" 4 1/2" blue satin pump $219 at Zappos Couture

Best of EB: Top Ten Gorgeous Movie Brides

This was originally posted on May 24, 2010

A week or two ago my friend shared a link with me featuring the top ten most beautiful movie brides and so  I've decided to compile my own list of gorgeous, memorable movie weddings.  I included a few from the original list, but I've also added a few of my own.  Take a look and be sure to add your favorites that I missed in the comments section below because I want to do a sequel to this post!

1. Kirsten Dunst in Marie Antoinette, 2006

From the meticulously coiffed hair to the several feet wide pannier skirt, everything about this wedding screamed royalty.  Très magnifique!

Ethereal Beauty: {No. 13}

Dutch model Doutzen Kroes has a face that's made for beauty shots (probably why she has a L'Oreal contract).  Here she demonstrates the power of emphasizing one facial feature at a time. 

lips

Précis: {Week of 9.19-9.25.2010}

 Clockwise, from top left:

A Lesson in Fabric

Some great Etsy items

Bianca Balti's retro yet wearable makeup

Dye your shoes, save some money

Not all rules were made to broken

Hope your weekends are lovely and congrats to all the couples getting married this weekend!!

Shoe Dye: DIY

A month or so ago, I stood up in my cousin's wedding.  Since our dresses were long, her only request was that we wear black shoes.  'Yay! I don't have to buy new shoes', I thought.  Until I realized I don't own any black bridesmaids-y type shoes.  But then I had an idea!  I had bought a pair of dyeable satin wedges a few years ago during my former life as a bridal consultant and had dyed them a lovely shade of shocking pink to wear to a wedding.  Unfortunately, a clumsy server spilled beer all over my hot shoes and the color ran a little bit, ruining them.  The amazing thing about dyeable shoes is you can re-dye them black afterward, since black dye is strong enough to cover pretty much any color, even shocking pink.  Since I used to dye shoes all the time before, I figured I could do it again and started searching the internet for black shoe dye.  I found some for a great price on Coloriffics' website for only $15- waaaaaaaaaay cheaper than going out and buying a new pair of shoes.  I ordered the kit, dyed to shoes, and took some photos because I figured I'd pass along the info to all of you!  Many of you probably have a pair or two of bridesmaid shoes in colors you'd never wear again sitting in your closet.  This is seriously so easy and so worth saving money buying on new black shoes...

Coloriffics Shoe Dye Kit $15 (comes with bottle of dye and 2 daubers)

Things you'll need:

-black shoe dye kit (like the one above)

-rubber gloves (the dye will stain your hands!!)

-dyeable shoes

-Qtips

-plastic to lay down on work surface (I used a white plastic garbage bag)

How to do it:

Basically you just put a little dye on the dauber and paint it onto the shoe.  You need to work quickly to avoid streaks.  Once the majority of the shoe is painted, go back and use a Qtip to get in the hard to reach places.  Let the shoes dry for at least 6 hours or so.  Don't worry if you get dye on buckles or rhinestones- just take a clean, damp Qtip and wipe off the dye.

Etsy Finds: September Edition

Here is this month's list of unique and lovely "Etsy Finds" (sorry there was no August edition, that month completely got away from me!!)  As always, this list only includes sellers with 100% positive feedback, because EB readers deserve nothing but the best!

treeandkimball

Tree and Kimball by Lisa Bruemmer creates gorgeous lace and metal jewelry pieces that are perfect for the vintage loving bride!

ancelote earrings $18

5 Rules NOT to Break at Your Wedding

Recently, Brides.com featured a whole big article on rules to break at your wedding giving us a whole bunch of fun ideas in the process.  Additionally, they also gave us 5 rules not to break and I felt that they were worth repeating (with additional comments from yours truly, of course, because you know I have an opinion on everything hehe).  

I love a good mid-western wedding- I am an Illinois girl, after all!  Just remember to suggest to guests to wear wedge heels or flats to this type of ceremony.  No one wants to ruin a good pair of stilettos in the dirt...

Best of EB: A Guide to Recognizing Your Fabrics

This was originally posted on May 19, 2010.

It's very important (in my opinion anyways) to know at least a little bit about fabric before you go shopping for wedding gowns/ maids dresses/ mom's dresses etc.  Most assume that the price of a dress is mainly based on the how much detail it has (embroidery, beading) but that's not totally true.  Fabric actually has a much greater impact on the price of a dress.  Because most dresses are made by machine in far away places like Taiwan or China, they really don't cost very much to make because the labor costs are (sadly) so cheap.  The materials, along with the complexity of the design, are actually what really drive the cost up. A dress that is made of polyester satin and covered in embroidery and beadwork will still most likely be less expensive than a dress made of silk satin with no embroidery or beadwork because silk satin is really expensive.  There are pros and cons to different types of fabric, so it really just depends on what your looking for and how much you want to spend.  Being a fabric junkie (design school will do that to you), I am partial to richer fabrics but everyone is different.  So, here is The Ethereal Bride's handy fabric guide to hopefully help you make sense of the big sea of white that lays before you. 

First of all, there are two aspects of fabric that you need to understand- how it's made and what it's made of.  How it's made refers to whether or not it's knit or woven and what type of knit or weave it is.  Typically, most special occasion fabrics are woven, except for some stretch jersey, so I'll just focus on those.  The way a fabric is woven determines how it feels to the touch and how it flows on the body.  Some examples of different types of weaves are satin, taffeta, and organza.  What it's made of refers to what type of fibers were used to make the fabric.  Some examples are cotton, silk, acetate, linen, and polyester.  Sometimes a combination of fibers is used such as a silk/cotton blend.  Below, I will discuss the most common bridal fabrics in greater detail.

Polyester Satin

Most people have horrible 1970's flashbacks when they think of polyester, but it's actually super versatile and probably the most common fabric used in the bridal industry.  Shocking, I know.  Poly satin is a super common satin because it looks very similar to silk satin but is way less expensive, more wrinkle resistant, and way less delicate.  Keep in mind, there are many different quality levels of poly satin.  There is definitely a difference between a $99 poly satin gown and a $1900 one.

Pros: Less expensive than silk, more wrinkle resistant than natural fabrics, comes in any color, durable

Cons: Not as rich looking or feeling as silk satin, heavy and can be hot to wear

Best time of year to wear: Fall, winter or spring, however, it can definitely be worn in summer,too, just note that you may get overheated during an outdoor ceremony or photos. 

Polyester satin gown by Allure Bridals; style# 8759

Ethereal Beauty: {No. 12}

I love her makeup in these photos because they look great on almost anyone.  Try black, winged liner and mascara and nude-pink matte lips for your big day- it allows you to look "done" but still lets your natural beauty show.

Précis: {Week of 9.12-9.18.2010}

Clockwise, from top left:

15 chances to not blow your budget on your gown

Revisit Grace Kelly's chic style

NYC runway shows inspire us

Shalom Harlow (and Amber Valetta) give us edgy beauty

A solution for the ring bearer who can't be trusted

Hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Spring 2011: NYC Runway Highlights

It's spring fashion time!! I know, it's really hard to think spring when we haven't even quite hit fall yet, but it's here regardless.  So, my lovely readers, here is a little fashion crack for you- enjoy!!

Christian Siriano

Why didn't I think of this?

A friend of mine referred me to Chicago based photographer Erica Rose's blog, which is excellent because she takes some pretty amazing and creative photos!  This one caught my eye because it's such a cute and practical idea.  Perfect for the ring bearer who can't be trusted, ring pops are the solution!  

Fifteen Dresses Under Fifteen Hundred

I'm not going to lie, I get really annoyed when I watch TLC's Say Yes to the Dress and a bride tells her consultant that she wants to stay around, say, $1800 and the consultant acts all put out.  Don't get me wrong, I ♥ Randy and Keisha and The Gang (seriously, I really do!!), but they can be so snobby!  To most people, an $1800 budget is on the higher end of things, and the average brides spends around $1000.  Although, on the other hand, maybe they aren't necessarily being snobby.  Afterall, Kleinfeld is a luxury bridal retailer and most of their dresses are priced well over $2000, so a bride looking to stay under that is going to have a tough time finding something there.  In which case, they should probably quit looking for their 15 minutes of fame and stick to looking for their dream dress, preferably in a retailer that sells gowns within their price range.  Ok, so this was a totally roundabout lead-in for today's post, but anyways, here you go.... 15 stunning wedding gowns that are all under $1500 (and many under $1000)!!  Because you don't have to spend a million bucks to look like it... just as long as you stay out of Kleinfeld.

Justin Alexander style "8490"

No need to buy a separate cocktail dress for the reception- the skirt on this one is detachable!

Allure Bridals style "8700"

Best of EB: Style Icon Inspiration: Grace Kelly

This post originally ran on May 1, 2010

I've decided to start a series of inspiration boards based on various style icons.  To kick off the series, I've chosen Grace Kelly, an Oscar winning actress who then became Her Serene Highness Grace, Princess of Monaco when she married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco in April 1956.  She was born in Philadelphia to self-made millionaire parents and starred in some of the 1950's biggest movies including Hitchcock's Rear Window, The Country Girl (for which she won her Oscar), and High Society, a musical remake of The Philadelphia Story.  Some of her most memorable fashion moments were created by the remarkable Edith Head, including her black top and full tulle skirt from Rear Window and the aquamarine silk satin confection worn on the night of her Oscar win.  Her style was so influential that Hermès re-named a bag after her (the Kelly bag) because she was photographed with it.  Her wedding gown, designed by Helen Rose of MGM, included a rounded collar, a full skirt made of ivory peau de soie, and a fitted bodice made from Brussels lace embroidered with seed pearls. The lace was over a century old and had flower designs in it. Twenty five yards of silk taffeta and 100 yards of silk net were used in the construction of the dress.  Her patrician looks and timeless style are still relevant inspiration for brides and fashionistas today. 

Grace Kelly, in a publicity from Rear Window, wearing a quintessential 1950's look; designed by Edith Head

 Grace wearing her aquamarine silk satin Oscar gown.  The fabric alone cost over $4000! 

;also designed by Edith Head

Ethereal Beauty: {No. 11}

I thought that the color formatting on these photos was really unique!  And the styling is gorgeous!

Précis: {Week of 9.5-9.11.2010}

Clockwise, from top left: 

Patrycja shows us soft and simple beauty

The definition of "ethereal"

Edie Sedgwick is an unlikely bridal icon

EB revisits the Costume Institue Ball's Red Carpet

Hope you all had an excellent week and an even better weekend!!  See you all back here tomorrow for the 11th installment of Ethereal Beauty!!

Some ethereal inspiration...

I randomly decided to Google "the ethereal bride" in order to see what popped up and I came across this pretty shoot that was featured on the super fab Green Wedding Shoes a few months ago.  I'm so glad I found it because it is not only gorgeous but also fitting because it's set against an autumn backdrop- perfect for this time of year.  It was photographed by Australian photographer Jenny Sun, dresses by Pretty in White, makeup by roxy 2 foxy, floral design by  Cannisia Florist, and hair accessories by Pin Me Up Couture.  Enjoy!!

Style Icon Inspiration: Edie Sedgwick

First of all, I can't believe that it's been two months since my last "style icon inspiration" feature.  This summer flew.  Second of all, this was a really tough post.  Edie Sedgwick is a tough chick to imitate without veering into either costume-y or even sleazy territory- for example, Edie could easily get away with not wearing pants (apparently Lady Gaga isn't quite so original afterall?!), whereas most bridesmaids probably can't.  So, why did I choose such a tricky icon to feature, then, you ask??  Well, mostly for selfish reasons.  As much as I love Marilyn or Grace or Audrey (and believe me, I do!!!), Edie's style is the one I'm personally most inspired by.  From her crazy eyeliner/shadow/row of false lashes and nude lipstick to her mod fashion style, I love it all and am consistently inspired by it. 

So, who is Edie Sedgwick, many of you may be wondering?  Well, she was basically an American socialite turned 1960's youthquake icon and one of Andy Warhol's factory superstars.  She was in some of his films and was featured in Vogue magazine because of her unique style.  She typically wore things like black leotards, black tights, and huge chandelier earrings- her own spin on the mod look.  Edie later started to incorporate more bohemian styles into her wardrobe as well. Sadly she, along with so many others in that era, died at the young age of 28 due to complications from alcohol and drug abuse.  To find out more about her, click here.

Edie, along with Andy Warhol and another factory patron

Best of EB: Get inspired by... The Costume Institute Ball's Red Carpet

Originally posted on May 4, 2010

Last night was the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Annual Costume Institute Ball, pretty much known as the the year's biggest night in fashion.  As usual the night was filled with amazing designs, creating an amazing source of inspiration for you wedding.  Here are some of the best looks translated into wearable styles for your biggest night in fashion!

Camilla Belle in Jason Wu (with the designer)                   Watters style# 6345 in "Cardinal"

Ethereal Beauty: {No. 10}

This editorial is a little more simple than what I'm used to featuring for Ethereal Beauty, but I thought that her hair and makeup styling were so pretty and would be great inspiration for wedding day style!  Also, I love the contrast between the soft hair, makeup, and clothing and the dark, edgy toenails...

EB wants to know...

What are my readers looking to read about??  I am always looking for ideas on what to post, whether it's style advice, DIY ideas, inspiration boards, cakes, travel, or basically anything else you can think of.  Please put your ideas or requests in the comments section below or email me at etherealbride@gmail.com!!!

{Image via The Knot}

Précis: {Week of 8.29-9.4.10}

Clockwise, from top left:

Freja and friend get fierce

The Emmy's, EB style

Have your cake and eat it too!

Shop for maids dresses and stay sane

Carley and Jordan get engaged and look adorable doing it!

Hope all my lovely readers have excellent weekends!!  See you back here tomorrow for the tenth installment of Ethereal Beauty!!

Let Them Eat Cake!: Martha Stewart Edition

So, originally I was going to do this post on cakes I found in a variety of places.  But then I made the mistake of starting on Martha Stewart Weddings and never ended up looking anywhere else because, once again, Martha blew my mind.  Her "50 Great Wedding Cakes" article really was full of 50 great cakes!  It was so difficult to choose which ones I wanted to post, but I finally narrowed it down to ten.  Note: you may want to hurry up and bake a cake before you look at these because you'll definitely be craving some by the time your finished...

Love.

This cake looks so yummy!

Get inspired by... The 2010 Emmy's Red Carpet!!

Mad Men's January Jones in Versace; Priscilla of Boston style PB428

The Vampire Diaries' Nina Dobrev in Zuhair Murad; San Patrick style Cabal

Mad Men's Christina Hendricks in Zac Posen; Bari Jay style 125

Carley & Jordan Part I: Minneapolis Engagement Shoot

Brooke Ringdahl of  ta'rooke photography, based in Minneapolis/St. Paul, submitted this engagement shoot to The Ethereal Bride and I'm so excited because it's adorable!  According to Brooke, the couple met when they were kids and they are high school sweethearts.  They love to read together and that was the main inspiration for the shoot, which took place inside of the Minneapolis Public Library.  Brooke was so "excited to be heading to the library that day to utilize books for backdrops and scour the shelves for Romeo and Juliet to incorporate into their shoot."  The second portion of the shoot took place outside in a nearby park, creating a countryside feel, where Carley wore a vintage dress and her mom's shoes.  Take a look...