20 May 2009
How’s this for a late evening post? It only seems appropriate for the recap of a late-night event. As many of you know, last week J and I mingled, ate, and danced {and danced and danced and danced} at our Rosecliff Ball!
It was a magical evening, to say the least. We had a loyal entourage follow us around for a bit before we left so I got some good shots to share with you all {I apologize in advance for the mild narcissism that follows}. Click any of the images for larger versions!
Let’s start with my dress. Is it what you were picturing? J is looking very James Bond in his bow tie, no? Contrary to its appearance, my dress was very easy to walk in due to its stretchy fabric. Here we are doing our best Vogue impression:
Here you can see my hair – I asked the stylist for a combination of Carrie Underwood’s loose, side-swept bun {from this post} and the braid from Mrs. Bee’s up do. I loved how it came out. You can also see that I went with the longer earrings and the simple Dogeared necklace I wear every day.
You all know I was worried about my makeup, and some of you had fabulous suggestions {thank you for those!}. Here’s what I ended up using, in case it helps someone else:
–Sonia Kashuk Perfecting Liquid Foundation in Vanilla
–Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends Natural Radiance Bronzer {on cheekbones}
–Mary Kay Blush in Pink Meringue {on apples}
–Rimmel Cool Touch Shadow in On Ice {on lid and up to browbone}
–Revlon Wet/Dry Shadow in Hot Cocoa {in crease}
–N.Y.C. Brow/Eye Liner Pencil in 925A {I’ve been using this forever, just on the bottom lid.}
–Lash curler and Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Dark Brown {upper lashes only}
–Blistex Lip Medex
–Wet n’ Wild Creme Lipliner in Brandywine/666 {apparently this has a cult following?}
–Mary Kay lipstick in Pink Ice
Thank you all for accompanying me on this adventure – I wish I could go to a ball every week! I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. I do have one more Rosecliff post to come, so stay tuned.
{And a BIG thank you to Alyssa + Melissa + Heather for taking the majority of these photos!}
Previously:
The Location
The Dress
The Hair
The Jewelry
The Face
The Accessories
30 April 2009
I’ve loved this photo {above} since I saw it in the fall issue of Martha Stewart Weddings a few years ago. Serving lemonade or iced tea before the ceremony is such a sweet touch, and these little fabric flags are an easy DIY extra.
Instructions from Martha: With gardening shears, trim a wooden skewer so it’s a few inches taller than the glass you’ll put it in. Cut a 9-inch length of 15-millimeter grosgrain ribbon. Fold in half and make a loose knot. Slip knot over skewer and tighten. Notch ribbon ends.
I always love seeing projects from editorials in real weddings {especially from Martha, as she can be quite intimidating…}. These colorful swizzle sticks are pretty spot-on, aren’t they?
See the rest of this wedding on Style Me Pretty.
14 April 2009
So you know I’m going to a fancy ball, and you know I found a fancy gown to wear. Since hair and jewelry came out in a dead heat when I asked what you wanted to hear about next, I’ve made the executive decision to discuss my hair-spiration this week.
What am I looking for? My gown is a deep royal blue. It’s all Hollywood glamorous, with ruching, a v-neck and deep v-back, and a pretty dramatic trumpet silhouette. Hips I have not, but you wouldn’t know it when I have this number on.
I’d like to continue the red carpet look with my hair. Hollywood glamour is the look I want to channel, but a little more undone, a little bit looser. For all my mane’s negative attributes (curly/frizzy/dry/what?) it certainly holds curl well. It’s also currently about six inches below my shoulders (wowza), so I have lots of flexibility in the style I choose.
And what, exactly, am I choosing between? Well let me show you!
I know I want an updo, I know I want side-swept bangs, and I know I want a little volume at the crown. With that in mind, here’s what I found.
Oh yes, you all remember my love affair with Miss Coconut. I feel the same way about her wedding day hair.
Well this is fabulous. I love her low, full bun.
A very similar look to the one above, and equally well carried off. If I choose this style, will I need some sort of sparkly brooch as an accent?
More undone on the left, more done on the right – I still can’t beside which style I prefer!
And you all know this lovely lady, of course. She’s got everything I’m looking for: side-swept bangs? Check. Volume at the crown? Check. Updo? Check.
Since I’m not having any sort of a trial before the big day, I’m also looking for a style that I know a stylist will be able to pull off, especially because I’ll be going to a stylist that is not familiar with my hair and all of its many eccentricities. I think these seem basic enough, but what about you? Overly complicated or completely doable? And which is your favorite look here?
Sources:
1) Photo by Jason Angelini from Weddingbee
2) Photos by Ann Hamilton via The Bride’s Cafe
3) Photo by Jessica Claire
4) Photos via Weddingbee
5) Photos via Weddingbee
Previously:
The Location
The Dress
9 April 2009
I love finding new sources for inspiration, and last weekend I was lucky enough to stumble upon Napa Valley Celebrations, an event planning company out of California. Their website is fabulous! I couldn’t resist sharing one of the featured events with you, but definitely check out their galleries yourself. Believe it or not, what I’m about to show you is a rehearsal dinner. It’s chic and stylish, and so many of the elements could be put to use for a wedding, engagement celebration, or summer cocktail party. I have a feeling you’ll love it as much as I did.
Porsche & Larry hosted their rehearsal dinner at a private winery and gardens.
The tables were dressed in grayish-greenish linens and set off with chiavari chairs topped with plum cushions. Plum napkins added a pop on top of the tables.
Even though this is an uber-luxurious celebration, there are style clues that could easily be translated to a lower-budget affair, like using a mix of square, rectangle, and round tables to create an interesting visual setup.
I think the florals are my favorite part of this party’s style, and though gorgeous, they, too, could be a DIY project. The above arrangement, for example, is mostly variagated leaves and berry brambles {love!} with a few roses tucked in for variety. Footed cut glass compotes could be gathered at garage sales and flea markets in the months before the party.
These, too, could be done on a budget – buy some tall glass cylinder vases at Ikea and some greenery at a flower market {if you’re lucky enough to have one nearby} or from your florist, then arrange to your liking.
This escort card display is another possible DIY – stain a low, long box a dark color, fill with moss for a clean look, then use wooden skewers and small cards for guests’ names and table numbers.
Guests at Porsche & Larry’s celebration were treated to synchronized dinner service, fabulous wine {of course!}, and strolling flamenco guitarists throughout the night.
Another takeaway tip – stretch white twinkle lights across the seating area and set votives out along ledges or walkways to create instant ambience.
All photographs by the incredibly talented Meg Smith. To see more celebrations designed by Napa Valley Celebrations, check out their website here!