Monday, May 17, 2010

Can you tell I need a vacation??

So in keeping with the last few days' beach theme, I've put together a list of super cute options for a beach wedding!  I tried to feature a variety of styles, while still maintaining a level of beach-appropriateness.  Enjoy!



Perfect for the beachy goddess bride
Gossamer Chiffon gown by Maggie Sottero; style# AD3395

Classic tea-length style for a plus sized bride.
Lace dress by David's Bridal; style# 9T9948

Channel your inner seductress in this curve hugging gown
Satin faced taffeta gown by Mon Cheri; style "Lolita"

Avant garde enough for the bride that j'adore haute couture, light-weight enough for the beach (I know, I should probably just stick to Italian and not try to speak French too)
Tulle gown by Watters; style "Inez"

Perfect for the minimalist who loves unique details like the ruffled train on this style
Gown by Mikaella; style# 1508

A great style for flower children and Jane Austen enthusiasts alike
French cotton lawn with tulle and cotton lace gown by Claire Pettibone; style "Demetra"


This style works great on a petite body type and the linen fabric is great for hot, humid weather.
Linen gown by Priscilla of Boston; style# 4503


 Keep in mind that your guest will be staring at your back for most of the ceremony.  Give them something interesting to look at.
Crepe back satin gown by Sophia Tolli; style "Aphrodite"

This adorable short style brings shipwrecked romance to mind.
Chiffon dress by Demetrios; style# DR163


You can get away with a fuller silhouette on the beach by going with a really lightweight fabric like silk organza.
Silk organza gown by La Sposa; style "Lieja"

-A

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Sunday, May 16, 2010

Speaking of Turquoise Tropical Beaches...

All this talk of tropical getaways brought brilliant photographer Peter Lik to mind.  I featured one of his photographs a few weeks ago and wanted to feature another one that best examplifies the inspiration behind the yesterday's post.  I'm not exactly sure where this photo was taken, but it features all the gorgeous shades that are so this summer!

click to enlarge
{Image via Peter Lik}

Who doesn't wish they were laying on that beach right now??

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Beauty Trend: Dreaming of the beach...

There's something about heading into summer that makes me want to surround myself with gorgeous shades of aqua and turquoise and green.  Probably because when I think of summertime I think of the beach, even though the closest beaches to where I live are the sandy strips of Chicago's Lake Michigan coastline.  True, they are better than no beaches at all, but they are hardly a substitute for hot, colorful beaches of far away places like Hawaii or Thailand or the Bahamas.  Since beachy inspired shades are popping up everywhere, I've decided to do a feature on this fun beauty trend.  Some may not be comfortable going this bright on their wedding day, but definitely consider wearing these chic shades at your bridal shower or bachelorette party.   Or, better yet, wear on your tropical honeymoon, where you can mimic the stunning color palette first hand.  Whether you wear it on your nails or your lids or your lips, this flattering color palette is sure to turn heads!
Benefit's "California Kissin'" Lipgloss is a subtle shade of turquoise that shows up almost clear when applied.  However, the blue-ish shade causes your teeth to look whiter and it's minty flavor gives you fresh breath. Genius!
L'Oreal HIP eyeshadow duo in "Showy" creates a bold look for a bold bride.

 OPI's nail polish in "Absolutely Alice" would be a fun, sparley shade for your toes on you big day.  Go ahead and check "something blue" off you list...

Too Faced's Starry Eyed glitter liner in "Drunk Dial" is the perfect option for your honeymoon.  Swipe on this liner, add some black mascara, and a little bronzer and you're good to go!

Make Up Forever's Aqua Cream eyeshadow in "Turquoise" packs a powerful punch and can be worn as shadow or applied with a liner brush for a quieter look.


OPI for Sephora's nail laquer shade in "Teal We Meet Again" is perfect for your bachelorette party, when you want all eyes on you!

See the below look featuring Sephora Collection Colorful Duo Eyeshadow in "Tropical Blue"
Bring out your inner goddess with Maybelline New York's new Color Plush silk eyeshadow quad in "sapphire siren". 


 
Sephora's "turquoise liner" look featuring Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes in 7L and Tarte Emphaseyes Clay Pot Liner with Double Ended Brush in Indigo on upper and lower lids.


Sephora's "icy blues" look featuring Sephora Collection Colorful Duo Eyeshadow in "Tropical Blue" on lids.



Tokidoki for Sephora's pop art look features Cromatico Eyeshadow in "Bruttino"


I decided to create a few looks featuring turquoise eye color also. 



This look was created using my trusty Urban Decay Book of Shadows II palette.  First I applied Urban Decay Primer Potion in "Sin" on my lids up just past the crease to keep the shadow from creasing later on.  Then I dusted Urban Decay shadow in "Baked" on my upper lids up to the crease.   Then I lined my upper and lower lids with black Revlon Colorstay liner.  I dampened a shadow sponge and lined my lower lid with Urban Decay shadow in "Jinx".  I finished the look with black Maybelline XXL Extensions mascara on the top and bottom lashes. Pairing a bold shade with a neutral is a great way for those with a fear of brights to ease into this trend.



This ethereal look was created using my trusty Urban Decay Ammo Shadow palette.  I swept UD's "Shattered" shadow on my lids with a fluffy shadow brush up just past the crease.  Then I wet the tip of a shadow sponge and thickly lined the top and bottom lids with UD's "Mowie Wowie" shadow, extending the line past the outer corner for a Cleopatra-like look.  I finished the look with black Maybelline XXL Lash Extensions mascara on the top lashes only.


For this look I lined the top and bottom lids with black Revlon Colorstay eyeliner.  Then I wet the top of a shadow sponge and traced over the line on the bottom lid with Urban Decay's "Flipside" shadow.  I repeated this on the top lid using a a damp bent liner brush.  First lining the eye with black liner and then using damp utensils for the shadow allows you to use any of your shadows as liners. 

{Images of Benefit, Too Faced, Make Up Forever, OPI for Sephora, Sephora Collection, and the three Sephora looks via Sephora}
{Image of L'Oreal HIP via L'Oreal
{Image of OPI via OPI}
{Image of Maybelline via Maybelline New York}

What do you think of these looks?? Put your comments in the section below!!

-A

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Style Icon Inspiration: Silent Screen Vamps

Those of you who know me know I draw a huge inspiration from dark, moody color palettes and vintage styles.  So it should come as no surprise that I've created a style icon inspiration board based on silent film stars.  My final college collection was inspired by 1920's couture and Tim Burton films, so I've included two of the designs in the board because they fit so well.  I know the mood is very dark and not for everyone's taste, but I find it gothically romantic and fitting with current trends (vampires anyone?)  Part of what appeals to me about this era is that it was one of the first times in history where women were finally allowed some freedom in their appearance, as well as their attitudes.  Unfortunately the great depression hit and everyone had to reign in their newfound attitude and style to fit the somber mood of the day.  But for a short while, these female were able to let their hair down (or in most cases, just chop it off) .  They were confident bad girls and they owned it!


Russian starlet Alla Nazimova

The term "it girl" was coined for her- Clara Bow



Polish film star Pola Negri

The term "vamp" was coined for Theda Bara, due to her seductive appearance and despite the fact that she led a relatively normal and scandal free life compared to the other film stars of the day. 

Mae Clarke stars in 1931's Frankenstein and wears a figure hugging gown and super long, lace appliqued veil.



Click to enlarge

Get inspired by the silent film era on your wedding day by incorporating moody tones like black, white, red, and silver, art deco accessories, and tons of lace. 

{Images of starlets found via Google Images}

Photo Credits
Top left wedding gown by Alita Graham; style# 31622236
Cake by Christpher Garren's heart panel cake image via WEtv
Top middle wedding gown by Enzoani; style "elena"
Top right viel by Sara Gabriel; style "eve"
Headband by Jennifer Behr; style "irina"
Far right bridesmaid dress by Lazaro; style# LZ3031
Shoe by Bordello by Pleaser at endless.com; style "violet"
Bottom left wedding gown by Claire Pettibone; style "clara"
Bottom wedding gown by Blush by JLM; style# 1006
Far right bridesmaid dress by Love by Enzoani; style# A20
Earrings by Anna Bellagio via The Knot; style "natalia"
Ring by Leigh Jay Nacht via The Knot
Other two gowns by yours truly
All other images via The Knot

What do you think? Gorgeously gothic or just downright creepy? Post your thoughts in the comments section!!

-A

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Monday, May 10, 2010

Pretty headpieces that aren't tiaras...

Not that I'm hating on tiaras or anything, they can also be really pretty, but you know me, I'm all about thinking outside the box.   Here are some equally as gorgeous hair accessories that dare to be a little different...

Sara Gabriel "sophia" silk and Swarovski crystal headband with removable tulle overlay

Sara Gabriel "melissa" french lace with organza and Swarovski crystal headband

Sara Gabriel "kendley" silk organza and Swarovski crystal comb


Sara Gabriel "ariel" natural seashell hair combs

Jennifer Behr bridal collection "evangeline" Swarovski crystal brooch and satin ribbon headwrap



Jennifer Behr "victorian" crystal and silk satin headwrap

Jennifer Behr "noelle" satin cording and Swarovski crystal pearl headwrap

Belaire Bridal style# 1951 flower, feather, and crystal hair comb

Tiger Lilly "greta" Swarovski crystal and feather headband

Tiger Lilly "peacock" feather and Swarovski crystal headband

Tiger Lilly "seraphina" Swarovski crystal hair vine

Tiger Lilly "toulouse" silk flower, Swarovski crystal, and feather comb

Ok so technically this is a tiara, but it is so unique (and dare I say ethereal??) that I made an exception...
Tiger Lilly "tatiana" Swarovski crystal tiara

{photos via their respective websites}

Thoughts? Put them in the comments!!



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