Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Not Your Mother's Dress...
Claire Pettibone's fall 2011 collection features dresses that were all about feminine flower power. 
I love this floral bolero!
Loving the mandarin collar
My mother definitely had a dress almost exactly like that!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Marchesa Fall 2011 Preview
I know I have yet to post more up on Spring 2010 but I couldnt wait to preview some of the Fall 2011 collections! Here are my favourites from the Marchesa 2011 collection (photos from brides.com)
Friday, October 15, 2010
Celebrate Beautifully's Back on Etsy!
After a very long hiatus, i've decided to start up my Etsy shop again. Please go visit my shop here to see my new and exciting line of hand-tied bouquets made from the most unbelievably realistic and finest quality faux flowers! Here are a few of my latest creations (watch for many more to come!):
Luscious bouquet of red roses and chocolate phalaenopsis orchids with gold feathers.
Garden roses and peonies with white feathers.
Deep purple hydrangeas with phalaenopsis orchids.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Winter Weddings: Look 2 - Winter Romance
For the second look, I put together a more casual, romantic-vintage look.
Dress: JCrew. A pretty petticoat lace gown in cream with a faux fur wrap or silk bolero would look beautiful in the winter.
Bouquet: Bardin Palomo. A more casual arrangement of chocolata garden and lovely lydia roses, sweet peas, hypercium berries, tied with a pink velvet ribbon. (photo from Instyle.com)
Cake: Ron Ben-Israel. A gorgeous icy turquoise cake goes perfectly with large burgundy and deep magenta sugar peonies. The cake is a dark chocolate with dulce de leche and raspberry buttercream. (photo from Instyle.com)
Earrings: JCrew. Finish off the look by adding vintage looking jewelry like these pearl glass earrings.
Bouquet: Bardin Palomo. A more casual arrangement of chocolata garden and lovely lydia roses, sweet peas, hypercium berries, tied with a pink velvet ribbon. (photo from Instyle.com)
Cake: Ron Ben-Israel. A gorgeous icy turquoise cake goes perfectly with large burgundy and deep magenta sugar peonies. The cake is a dark chocolate with dulce de leche and raspberry buttercream. (photo from Instyle.com)
Earrings: JCrew. Finish off the look by adding vintage looking jewelry like these pearl glass earrings.
Winter Weddings: Look I - Winter Glamour
I decided to have some fun with winter weddings and post two looks, featuring the work of talented floral designer from NYC, Bardin Palomo.
Dress: Monique Lhuillier. Duchess Satin gown with matching lace trimmed overcoat.
Bouquet: Bardin Palomo. Gorgeous winter white bouquet featuring peonies, French lilac and stephanotis, studded with crystals (photo from Instyle.com).Handbag: Marc Jacobs. Gilda fur & sequin bag. (photo from Saks.com)
Shoes: Christian Louboutin. "Maralena" mesh crystal peep-toe pumps with crystal covered stiletto heel. (photo from Saks.com)
Monique Lhuillier Spring 2011
I know it's been a long time since i've last blogged- thank you for your patience everyone! Here are a few of my favourite picks from Monique Lhuillier's Spring 2011 collection. I love the combination of her signature soft, feminine details with the more sleek and modern silhouettes. Enjoy!
Photos from Monique Lhuillier.com
Monday, August 23, 2010
Congrats Angela & Marty
I know this post is on the late side, but I had to share photos of my friend Angela's wedding, which was at the gorgeous Hunt Club on Canada Day. Congratulations!
The ceremony overlooking Lake Ontario.
The cake in her colours of fuchsia and turquoise.
The ceremony overlooking Lake Ontario.
The cake in her colours of fuchsia and turquoise.Head table flowers
Gorgeous tones of fuchsia orchids, peonies, mini calla lilies, roses and carnations tied with a turquoise ribbon.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Invitations for Every Budget
As the first piece of communication that your guests receive, your invitations should set the tone and the mood of your wedding. Whether the design is fun and whimsical, elegant or modern, guests should know what kind of wedding to expect as soon as they receive it!
Usually one set includes: 1 invitation card, 1 envelope, 1 reply card, 1 reply card envelope, and often 1 map card.
Budget extra for return postage, calligraphy (if desired), and anything extra you might want to include.
Things that will blow your budget: Custom die cuts, special paper, complicated or special details, traditional hand press, hand written calligraphy
Low - $
DIY Invites from Michaels / Target ($1-$2/Set)
I've had a few friends go this route recently with great success. DIY invites are no longer just boring cream with silver wedding rings. Michaels sells a variety of pre-made invitation sets that are gorgeous and literally a fraction of the price. Catch them when they're on sale and save even more. Usually they include the invitation, envelope, reply card, return envelope, map card and software.
The downsides? You have to have a bit of patience with the printer, however, once you get the hang of it, you'll save a ton of money. Also, others may end up sending similar invitations as yours so consider the tips below.
TIPS for Customizing DIY Invites: - Add a contrasting ribbon or detail to make your invitation more unique.
- Add your own logo and tie it to the ribbon around the card, or print the logo on the card.
Medium - $$
Paper Things This invitation store in Yorkville is run by and benefits the National Ballet of Canada. The designs are quite nice and run for about $3 or more
Paperland - This paper haven allows you to get creative with colours, textures and designs. You can also get your invitations designed and printed for around $2- $6/ Set, depending on how complicated your design is.
Money Saving TIP: Save money by purchasing any additional components and doing the labour yourself. For example, for one invite I had the chiyogami paper cut, but glued them on by hand myself.
The Paper Place - Another paper haven located downtown, you can create endless possibilities with the paper here. They've also got a wide selection of Japanese and imported papers that will make your invitations unique.
High $$$
I will be featuring some higher-end, full service invitation shops soon, so I will write about specific places a bit later. Starting at around $7/set to as high as $30/set, expect to have a professional designer walk you through the entire process from beginning to end. Again, the more specialized and labour intensive the set, the more it will cost.
Of course, your guests will have an amazing first impression and a wonderful keepsake of your wedding.
Usually one set includes: 1 invitation card, 1 envelope, 1 reply card, 1 reply card envelope, and often 1 map card.
Budget extra for return postage, calligraphy (if desired), and anything extra you might want to include.
Things that will blow your budget: Custom die cuts, special paper, complicated or special details, traditional hand press, hand written calligraphy
Low - $
DIY Invites from Michaels / Target ($1-$2/Set)
I've had a few friends go this route recently with great success. DIY invites are no longer just boring cream with silver wedding rings. Michaels sells a variety of pre-made invitation sets that are gorgeous and literally a fraction of the price. Catch them when they're on sale and save even more. Usually they include the invitation, envelope, reply card, return envelope, map card and software.
The downsides? You have to have a bit of patience with the printer, however, once you get the hang of it, you'll save a ton of money. Also, others may end up sending similar invitations as yours so consider the tips below.
TIPS for Customizing DIY Invites: - Add a contrasting ribbon or detail to make your invitation more unique.
- Add your own logo and tie it to the ribbon around the card, or print the logo on the card.
Medium - $$
Paper Things This invitation store in Yorkville is run by and benefits the National Ballet of Canada. The designs are quite nice and run for about $3 or more
Paperland - This paper haven allows you to get creative with colours, textures and designs. You can also get your invitations designed and printed for around $2- $6/ Set, depending on how complicated your design is.
Money Saving TIP: Save money by purchasing any additional components and doing the labour yourself. For example, for one invite I had the chiyogami paper cut, but glued them on by hand myself.
The Paper Place - Another paper haven located downtown, you can create endless possibilities with the paper here. They've also got a wide selection of Japanese and imported papers that will make your invitations unique.
High $$$
I will be featuring some higher-end, full service invitation shops soon, so I will write about specific places a bit later. Starting at around $7/set to as high as $30/set, expect to have a professional designer walk you through the entire process from beginning to end. Again, the more specialized and labour intensive the set, the more it will cost.
Of course, your guests will have an amazing first impression and a wonderful keepsake of your wedding.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Bridal Shower DIY and "No Sweat" Menu Planning
Recently some friends and I threw our friend Angela a bridal shower. I wanted to show you some pictures and a great DIY project that I came up with. 
I picked the theme and look of the shower up from her wedding invitations, which had a damask design. I found these wall decals from the dollar store and picked up a roll of white paper gift wrap.
I placed them onto the paper and voila- an instant custom table runner!
I made a large faux flower arangement for the centerpiece, and scattered real cymbidum orchids on the table.
When planning the menu, try mixing pre-made items with freshly made items. I purchased several cakes and tarts from a local bakery including the lemon curd cheesecake and key lime wild blueberry tart. A large serving platter of fresh fruit is always a "no-cooking" required idea!
Debbie made two fresh sandwich varieties: a roast chicken, strawberry and arugula sandwich, and adorable mini smoked salmon bagels with spinach lemon cream cheese.
A couple of other "no-sweat" menu included two bite brownies piped with fresh buttercream frosting, and a cake stand piled high with profiteroles from Costco. If you have extra time, you can make spun sugar and you've got an instant croquembouche!
I picked the theme and look of the shower up from her wedding invitations, which had a damask design. I found these wall decals from the dollar store and picked up a roll of white paper gift wrap. I placed them onto the paper and voila- an instant custom table runner!I made a large faux flower arangement for the centerpiece, and scattered real cymbidum orchids on the table.When planning the menu, try mixing pre-made items with freshly made items. I purchased several cakes and tarts from a local bakery including the lemon curd cheesecake and key lime wild blueberry tart. A large serving platter of fresh fruit is always a "no-cooking" required idea!
Debbie made two fresh sandwich varieties: a roast chicken, strawberry and arugula sandwich, and adorable mini smoked salmon bagels with spinach lemon cream cheese.A couple of other "no-sweat" menu included two bite brownies piped with fresh buttercream frosting, and a cake stand piled high with profiteroles from Costco. If you have extra time, you can make spun sugar and you've got an instant croquembouche!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Faux Flowers No Longer a Faux Pas!
Years ago, if you had mentioned the use of faux or silk flowers in a wedding, it would have been a massive faux pas (no pun intended). Nowadays, you would be amazed at how realistic and beautiful faux flowers can be, and how many top designers incorporate them into their designs. Although nothing can replace the fragrant smell of fresh flowers, faux flowers can be wonderful to design with. They are easily manipulated and don't wilt like their fresh counterparts. Arguably, they could also be considered eco-friendly!
An arrangement I made with faux peonies, roses and parrot tulips.
I've been working on the design of my friend Ada's wedding, and for the ceremony, I have the task of filling a large modern church on a tight budget. One of the stipulations of the contract was that fresh flowers were not to be used on anywhere there is carpet, so I ran to some faux flower suppliers in Mississauga over the weekend. I'll be posting more photos but here's a sneak peak!
My living room's a bloom with the flowers for the wedding!
I got these gorgeous plum-lavender hydrangeas and bundled them with sprigs of lavender for the pews... i've got great plans for the pews!
An arrangement I made with faux peonies, roses and parrot tulips.I've been working on the design of my friend Ada's wedding, and for the ceremony, I have the task of filling a large modern church on a tight budget. One of the stipulations of the contract was that fresh flowers were not to be used on anywhere there is carpet, so I ran to some faux flower suppliers in Mississauga over the weekend. I'll be posting more photos but here's a sneak peak!
My living room's a bloom with the flowers for the wedding!I got these gorgeous plum-lavender hydrangeas and bundled them with sprigs of lavender for the pews... i've got great plans for the pews!
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