Wedding Wednesday: Blogger Bridal Bliss

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

Today I am THRILLED to share a collaborative WW post that I created along with Ashley of Ashley Nicole Catherine and Alex of Things That Sparkle.  After all, the only thing more fun than being engaged is sharing your engagement bliss with friends (especially other brides-to-be!).

See how our visions compare when talking about dream dresses, tablescapes, honeymoons, and more. PS.  I already have my wedding dress, so my pick for today isn't the real deal, it's just a gorgeous dress for the post!

We hope you like it...

Lots of similarities, but lots of differences!  And did you notice that we all chose Monique Lhuillier for the wedding gown?!?!

Enjoy the rest of your (Wedding) Wednesday =)

xoxo A

Drawer Decor: Put a Tassel On It

I used to think tassels in home decor was too stuffy and old looking, but after seeing this hallway vignette by Jamie Herzlinger, I have seen the light! Tassels can be cool!!

1. Bungalow 5 Brigitte Dresser with Tassel Hardware 2. Maria Montazami Tassels
 3. Tassel Campain Dresser by Vanessa De Vargas via Lonny 4. Mulitcolored Tassels from Third Drawer Down 

xoxo E

Project Bedroom Curtains Take Two

A long time ago, I did a post on my Project Bedroom Curtains. Well after a ton of procrastination and a little bedroom makeover, I am ready to take the plunge and get some curtains. For those of you who did not see the post, I want floor to ceiling curtains along the back wall to cover that awkward window. Now I am by no means a textile expert so I need your help to decide on a fabric/color. Help me friends!!

Before:

After:

So here is a little rundown of what we have.

Color Palette:

Design Elements:

Curtain Color Options:

 Other Options:

What do you think I should do?? There are so many fabric options that I just get overwhelmed. Pleeease HELP me with my project!!!

xoxo E

Wedding Wednesday

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

Well people, I had big plans for WW today... plans that involved my friend Ashley over at Ashley Nicole Catherine; however, we had CRAZY storms in Dallas last night and I just wasn't able to get it finished.  So be on the lookout next week =) 

So this week, I'll leave you with something small and sweet... my wedding reception venue photos, Dallas's  Rosewood Crescent Hotel. 

The beautiful exterior

The hotel Garden Room & Courtyard for the Cocktail Reception

The Ballroom for the Reception (Obvi not with those chairs & tablescape!)

Have a wonderful day!

xoxo A

Name to Know: Waylande Gregory

Do you ever come across an artist so incredible - one who has been around for so many years - and find yourself wondering what rock you've been living under?  Why is it just now, at age 29, that I'm just discovering the work of Waylande Gregory?

Well maybe it's because he was born in 1905, and after his death in 1971, his name was sadly forgotten by the art world.  However, in his day, he was the highest-paid sculptor in the world, having more than 172 major national museum exhibitions in 11 countries.  I found one article that suggested he created over 7,000 pieces of sculpture in his lifetime!

Lucky for us, fashion entrepreneur Bryan Downey (who is actually the great-great nephew of Waylande Gregory), recently teamed up with Mickey Rosmarin (owner of Texas-founded boutique, Tootsies) to create a collection of reproductions and contemporary adaptations of Waylande Gregory's pieces.  I personally think his mission - to reinstate his great-great uncle's name as one of the most talented sculptors - is a HUGE success.  After all, look at these pieces!  I want EVERY. SINGLE . ONE!

And here are some of his original pieces, now found on 1st Dibs:

A. Flowering Cactus B.) Striped Swans  C.)  Unnamed Bowl  D.) Etched Bowl


You can shop Waylande Gregory's new collection online at Michael C. Fina, or visit the store list to see if there's one in your city.  (Dallasites, the entire collection is for sale at Forty Five Ten!)

Had you heard of Waylande Gregory before?  What do you think of his great-great nephew modifying his pieces for today's tastes?

xoxo A

Rainbow Brights

Happy Monday, Everyone!

To be honest I wasn't sure what I was going to write about today, but then I started clicking through Net-a-Porter and was stopped dead in my tracks when I came to this page in the Net-a-Porter online magazine.  I mean could that technicolor assortment of lace dresses be any more delish?  Actually the first thing that came to mind is that I MUST HAVE that blue dress for my rehearsal dinner, but unfortunately it's sold out - I think they all are (WTFreak!).

Dresses by Issa via Net-a-Porter (Blue, Green, Pink, Yellow, White, Red)

Here are some other rainbow confections (that are actually in stock for purchase, sheesh)!

A. Elizabeth & James B. DVF  C. Tibi  D. Tibi  E. Halston Heritage  F. DKNY G. Max Azria


Do you break out the brights for spring and summer, or are you more of a neutrals kind of girl?

xoxo, A

PS.  If you feel like being inspired by more colorful goodness, you MUST go peek at Christine of Bijou and Boheme's A Rainbow of Pretty feature from a few weeks back!

Designer Sketches benefitting the NYC Opera

Happy Friday, Friends!

Here's a little something different to kick off your weekend...

This year, designers including Derek Som, Narciso Rodriguez and Carolina Herrera drew sketches of their fantasy costumes from their favorite opera.  Bidders could purchase the sketches with proceeds benefitting the design of actual costumes for the New York City Opera.

While I'm personally not an opera fan (or maybe I am, but I can't say that I've ever seen one?), I can't get over how gorgeous these sketches are!  And isn't it fun seeing the artistic talent of fashion designers expressed on paper?

I'm personally smitten with Nanette Lepore's Pamina and Christian Siriano's Turandot... but I'd actually love them all to group in a collection on the wall.  Wouldn't that be AMAZ???

Which are your favorites??  And I'm dying to know if anyone has seen any of these operas!!

xoxo A

images via The Cut

Prabal Gurung for J. Crew

Hold the PHONE!! This is such a cute collaboration!!! This year's CFDA prizewinners and J. Crew have joined forces to make capsule collections for the retailer. First, Billy Reid created a menswear collection and next up is the super talented, up and coming designer, Prabal Gurung! Yippppeee!!! I know that the prices are still pretty steep but as Prabal puts it, "Everything is under $500- and there is nothing under $500 in the {main} collection". See...there is your justification for splurging!! The designs hit the stores next week and you better shop quickly because the collection is extremely limited. Good luck! Oh and if you don't have luck, maybe you can buy something in the third collection, Eddie Borgo for J. Crew!!

The Mood Board

Dying over the "Fit to be tied" pant

Bow-dacious Denim Top

How ridiculously cute is this?? Pre-order here

 Exploding Bow Blouse

Also available in tan here

Love love it all!!!

Xoxo E

Wedding Wednesday: China Doll

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

To me, getting to register for fine china is one of the most exciting parts of the engagement process.  I've read that many modern brides are abandoning selecting a formal china pattern in lieu of more casual dinnerware.  Well call me optimistic, but I do envision myself breaking out the china for dinner parties throughout the year.

While I haven't 100% settled on any one china pattern, I do know that I'm not going to register for just one.  I'm planning on mixing and matching pieces from different patterns, manufacturers, etc.  My mom has even graciously offered up part of her china collection for me to include in my set, so whatever I pick I'd like to incorporate part of hers.

Here's what I'm thinking so far:

Now I'd love to hear from YOU...

• Those of you who have been through the registry process - did you register for fine china?  Are you still happy with your china pattern today?  Do you actually break out the "good stuff" every one in awhile?   
• For those of you who are yet to plan your big day - do you see yourself wanting to pick out a china pattern?  Which styles do you gravitate towards?  

xoxo A