Remember when I wrote that post about how I couldn’t get skinny belts to play nicely with me and my outfits? Well I’m happy to say that this past weekend I finally succeeded! {And of course had to take a photo to document the occasion.}

Want to know a secret?

I rubber-banded the belt in the back to keep the tail from flapping around… is this how the stylists do it? Is there a better solution? Let me know if you’ve found one!

P.S. Even J, who was not impressed with this style when he saw my inspiration photos, gave me the thumbs up on this look… yippee!

So I know I haven’t revealed my dress {I apologize again!}, but we’re moving on. Today’s topic is jewelry, specifically what sort of jewelry will best complement my deep royal blue, movie-star glam, trumpet silhouette ball gown.

My initial impulse is to go all-out with the earrings and keep everything else low key. The dress is pretty out there on it’s own, so I don’t want the jewelry to be too overwhelming, but I think having all of my accessories pretty neutral would look out of place with a dress of this sort.

Here are the contenders, all from White Aisle:

Newbury earrings: sterling silver, 1.5 inches long, $30

Elise earrings: sterling silver, 1.25 inches long, $30

Annapolis earrings: sterling silver, 1 inch long, $30.

As you can see, there’s no price differential, so that doesn’t help me decide. I’m initially drawn more to options 1 and 3, and I think I might be a little overwhelmed by earrings that dangle one and a half inches, as my everyday earrings are pearl studs.

Which pair do you like the best? And do you think I should just stick to earrings, or go all out with a necklace and bracelet, too?

Previously:
The Location
The Dress
The Hair

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