two birds, one dress.

Two Birds makes one dress. One dress that you can wear about a million different ways, in a smattering of beautiful colors. Check out their creative website to learn just how to tie, wrap, and twist this dress into shape. Strapless you want? No problem. Oh, you said you need your shoulders covered? Ok, sure.

brides of frankenstein: happy halloween!

bride of frankenstein necklace

a special halloween etsy wedding! i have been *dying* (mwahaha) for a horror-bride feature. for your pleasure, the best of etsy's brides gone wrong:








each image is linked to its respective store. hooray for halloween!

awelldressedbullet: shotgun wedding

shotgun wedding reception bar and party lights

oh, but wait. these are too much! mwahaha, shotgun wedding lights. hilarious. and they're technically upcycled -- repurposed fired hulls -- in silver, gold, or r-r-red. a brilliant gift for those gittin' hitched in a hurry.

real green shoes

If the demand over at KenzieKate for green wedding invitations is any indication, green is the new pink! Truthfully? I couldn't be happier. I love green. Emerald, Kelly, Seafoam? All good.
Even though it makes me a little sad, I think it will be a while before we see brides strolling down the aisle in green dresses... (insert reference to Barenaked Ladies song here). But I do think, as I've stated in the past, that wearing a colorful shoe beneath your layers of silky white is both timeless and on-trend. I'm convinced that Grace Kelly would have done it. I can picture it very clearly in my mind's eye.
Anyway, my point is that I discovered (via Earth Friendly Wedding) some lovely shoes in a rainbow of hues over at UK shoe boutique Beyond Skin. Those of you in the US are not allowed to panic. They ship world wide. And they'll let you exchange if they don't fit. Deep breaths! As a very important side note: The green shoes you see above? They are more than just green. They are GREEN. As in, environmentally responsible, vegan, and cruelty-free shoes. Very, very cool. I'm sure Grace Kelly would have approved.

studiometalsmith: custom rings

custom-made wedding bands

here are lovely simple sterling silver wedding bands, available in three different finishes (hammered, high-polish or satin) and in two different widths (both rings the same thickness or one thick/one thin as above). modern and without ostentation. the best part? the price is for *both* rings. crafted in san diego, also available in 18k gold. check out the other cool jewels as well at studiometalsmith.etsy.com

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you may have noticed, faithful reader, that i have shied away from the vast subject of bridal jewelry. mainly because i find it stupidly repetitive -- freshwater pearl, freshwater pearl, swarovski crystal, natch. white rice jewelry. but that's not helping you, now is it? so i pledge over the next few weeks to seek out something new and different in the bridal set department -- let me know if you have your own etsy favorites you'd like to nominate (send a note if you like) with my thanks!

custom fragrances

I'm lucky enough to have Jenny Ebert contributing to Something Old, Something New today. Great ideas are always welcome here!


In the midst of getting ready on her wedding day, designer Loree Lash pulled out a chic little bottle. I noticed it said, “Loree’s Wedding” on it. As I was inhaling the beautiful oh so delicate bouquet, Hope (Loree's maid of honor) came in with her own bottle, which had the perfect little label “Hope for Loree’s Wedding”.
Loree and Hope both personalized Le Labo’s Rose 31. If you get a chance, check out their website.
Best~
Jenny
Jenny Ebert, lifestyle photographer and wedding afficianado is currently contributing her insight and expertise to Something Old, Something New on a bi-weekly basis, you can visit her website here.

pretty boxes

If you're looking for a gorgeous gift for a lucky bride, these jewelry boxes from The Cross Design are just the ticket. These just feel so special to me, especially the mother-of-pearl one. I think either would make a lovely shower gift... or anytime gift really. We are, after all, coming into that gift giving season, (all too quickly I might add).

cipolla: hand-sewn treats

the three-way: wristlet, handbag, clutch

you naughty thing. if we could find *that* sort of three-way on etsy they'd call it craigslist.

so much in this toronto-based shop could be made in sets for unusual gifts (for self or others) -- clutches, scarves, totes -- worth coaxing marina the cipollamistress to sew a few of a kind. cipolla also makes gift sets *and* you can have them gift wrapped and ready to go:


gift set duo: caramel floral clutch and eyeglass case

if that fails, give a gift certificate for something handmade with love. more at cipolla.etsy.com

inkylivie: paper goods

black and white save the date cards -- set of 25

fan-ceee. but what saves them from frouffery is the textured paper and the bold red envelopes. could be superformal or supergoth. you be the judge.

her wedding stationery is mostly formal (with this exception), but her other designs are a bit more freewheeling -- she does custom work, so you might browse the shop for ideas:


merci bird square card

love the textured paper! more at inkylivie.etsy.com

back again redux: go sox!!

forgive the delay, friends -- was in boston last weekend for fort point open studios, an incredibly great year this year -- thanks to all who made it! here are a few of my ridiculously talented friends from that community:

michael hammecker (paintings)
kate gilbert miller (paintings, hair portraits)
jim kalambokis (transfigured books + web design)
marie galvin (phenomenal headwear)
andrew woodward (paintings)
adam yothers' dyslexic press (screenprinted gear)

all even better in person. for more info on the 'hood, check out fortpointarts.org.

then followed a week of magazine shipping and sudden dire head cold and interminable world series games. but that's not what you're here to read about! getting back to business...

fall 08 favorites

Just a few of my absolute favorites from the brand new Fall 08 Collections.
dress 1: a sketty-strap empire waisted dress with beaded flowers, by Jenny Packham.
dress 2: a graphic, empire with flowy skirt and circle details, also Jenny Packham.
dress 3: a precious short sleeve mermaid, by Monique Lhuillier.
dress 4: a refreshing sillouette from Amsale.
dress 5: lots of movement on this uneven hemline with beaded bodice, by Reem Acra.
dress 6: gorgeous detailing on this romantic Reem Acra.

All photos courtesty of Brides.com.

love to label

These adorable labels from Remake would be perfect for labeling favors, table numbers, or as part of a place setting in a place-card type fashion. I love that they're each a bit different, but all look great as a collection. Via Oh Joy!

these shoes...

Oooooo. These shoes are realllllly nice. I would wear these. I would wear these all over the place. From Marcello Toshi.

kashmiri bangles

I love these bangles from the Smithsonian (did you know I used to work at the Smithsonian? No? Great place to work. Just FYI). Anyway, the fact that I used to work there, like 10 years ago? (oh wow, that makes me sound kind of old) has nothing to do with why I like these. I like them because they're hand-painted, they can dress-up, or dress-down, they're not something you see everyday, and they're a bargain.

something for nothing! sweet.

My good friend, fellow blogger, and super-duper wedding photographer Karen of Karenscape Photographers is having a contest, better yet, a free give-away. Karen is looking for brides willing to help her kickoff a "Trash the Dress" portfolio. If you are newly married, interested in getting some free fabulous fashion-magazine-type photos of yourself and your groom, and are willing to trash your dress in the process, visit Karen's blog for more info on how to enter. Karen is a fantastic photographer, (I speak from personal experience). This is an amazing opportunity to get something awesome for nothing!

happy shoes

Shoes! Shoes always cheer me up. Especially pink or yellow satin ones, worn under beautiful white wedding gowns. Even better because they're under $200.00.

my ring

Monday morning, I noticed that my engagement ring was missing. What immediately followed was a panicky, frantic hunt, throwing the already messy house into even more disarray. I knew I had it the previous Tuesday, our 3rd year anniversary, because I cleaned it right before we went out to dinner. I knew I had it on Friday, when I was cutting color swatches for KenzieKate, because it was pinching my finger when I was using the scissors on the tough paper. After that, I neither remembered having it nor not having it. Where had I been? Where did I see it last? Could it have fallen off? Did someone take it? My entire Monday was spent in a daze, trying to remember what I did with it.
Then, I remembered putting it on the coffee table, while I cut swatches. I had taken it off, because it was hurting my finger. I remember putting it in a box lid, so it wouldn't fall on the floor. Then I remembered putting scraps from my paper swatches in the same box lid so I didn't make a mess. Then, as far as I can remember, I left them there. The ring in the lid, with the scraps. Once I remembered, I immediately went on the hunt for that box lid. It wasn't on the coffee table any more. We had cleaned the room on Saturday morning. One of us must have dumped the scraps into the garbage, not knowing or remembering the ring was in there. Then came the frantic search thru the trash. Not in there. Then the horrible realization that the trash had been picked up that morning. Oh God. All the trash from the week before. The trash from Saturday too. It was all at the city dump by the time I realized what had happened on Monday night.
I've lost things in the past, important things, but never something this meaningful. I had pictured giving this ring to my children as a family heirloom. My friend made this ring with her own two hands, especially for Dell and I. It was my "something blue" at my wedding. It is the single most meaningful gift I have ever gotten. And now it's gone. I feel a little silly being so upset about this. But I can't describe how much I feel I've lost.
I know that most of you have just gotten your rings, and you love them, and you can't imagine ever loosing sight of them for even a second. So I guess that makes this blog post pretty much a huge downer? I promise that tomorrow I'll write about something awesome and cheerful. Just don't hate me if there are no engagement ring posts for a while. The wound is still pretty fresh.

flushdesigns: puzzle invite

customized word puzzle card/invite

word-nerds, unite! the above sample is a birthday card, but courtney of flushdesigns also makes a custom wedding invitation version. you supply her with colors, preferences, up to 30 words, and she makes gorgeous inkjet and letterpress word-search cards. brilliant. more custom invitation options at flushdesigns.etsy.com

the dream house

So this is an interesting concept. Conde Nast has created something called Dream House. As far as I understand it, Dream House is a showplace home, designed to inspire newlywed or newly engaged couples. In addition to displaying some fabulous decor, the fanciest in bridal attire, and the epitome of registry chic, the Dream House will be open to the public for tours, cocktail parties, classes and spa treatments. The Dream House will only be open for four weeks, starting on the 18th of October. You can visit the Dream House main site to see a schedule of events, and purchase tickets. Part of the proceeds will go toward the I Do Foundation, and at $10 per event, it seems like a pretty reasonable fee for a cocktail party or a manicure. Take a few of the girlfriends! Where is this Dream House you ask? Manhattan, of course.

dekel: mezuzah case

mezuzah case -- lahav/flame

for those unfamiliar, a mezuzah case holds and protects the mezuzah, a parchment scroll that contains specific verses of prayer from the torah and is attached to the doorframe -- both as a commandment of the faith as well as the blessing of a new home. as the description elaborates:

In the Book of Deuteronomy it is written: “And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and upon your gates." Jewish homes have always fulfilled this commandment by hanging a mezuzah on the frames of their doors.

this case is one of a traditional/contemporary series with beautiful silver filigree caps and etched hand-blown glass made by israeli artist irit dekel -- more at dekel.etsy.com

for your ears only

Gorgeous! These earrings from Shebangs are sort of ideal, in my opinion. Not too expensive, nothing fake, in variety of unique options. I happen to be spending every last penny to my name right now at Home Depot, but if that were not the case, I would be heading in this general direction.

vreelanddesigns: hemp invites

eco-friendly wedding invitations in orange

so leafy wedding invitations

vreelanddesigns block-prints designs onto hemp paper invitations by hand, with digitally printed type, and the results are quite fresh. the 'eco-friendly' invite has a biodegradeable ribbon and a paper-saving email RSVP -- or spring for something more traditional with a reply card, more choices at vreelanddesigns.etsy.com

sweetToriginal: handmade bags

1979 make-up bag

habanera I make-up bag

cute bridal party gifts, no? satin-lined marimekko fabric bags, make-up totes and wristlets (check out the sweet antoinette) -- sweetToriginal in NYC welcomes special requests and can produce these in sets for your ladies. even better -- each comes with free lip gloss. more at sweetToriginal.etsy.com

voted most likely to flatter

I may see it every time I open a bridal magazine, but like it or not, there's something really sweet about this dress from Siri. It's the neckline, it's definitely the neckline. It's timeless, it's ageless, it's flattering. With a shorter kicky skirt it's flirty. With a pencil skirt it's sexy. With a longer skirt it's demure, yet fetching. In all variations it's totally Old Hollywood. I'd wear it. My mom would probably wear it. I think my husband might even try it on for laughs, but he'd never admit it. It's one of those dresses we can all wear.

a you dress

How often have you not bought clothing that you generally liked because of one little thing? The skirt's too poofy, the sleeves are weird, the color is not flattering. These things are happening to me all the time. Especially the color thing. Now, close your eyes, (not really, you have to keep reading) and imagine this: You choose the color, the bodice, the neckline, the waistline, the skirt, the sleeves, and the collar. Oooooooo. You have a YOU dress. In your color. And you can be wearing it in 10 days, for less than $300. From Style Shake.

introducing jenny ebert

Every night, before I go to bed, I post on this blog (usually). I read a lot of websites, get a lot of emails, and in general, I know fair deal about wedding related stuff. I can find an adorable bridesmaids gift in no time, cough Etsy. My brain is a-wash in color schemes. And don't even get me started on invitations. That being said, even with all my accumulated knowledge, I go to maybe three weddings a year? Maybe? What would happen if I went to a wedding every weekend? Would I be laden with that many more spectacular ideas? Hmmmmm. I don't want to go to a wedding every weekend. I don't have enough dress-up clothes for that. Plus I would get fat off the coconut shrimp and "signature cocktails".
Enter Jenny Ebert. I will let Jenny introduce herself in a sec, but boiled down, Jenny is the girl who goes to a gazillion weddings (she's the photographer). She's a professional wedding-goer. She's there in the trenches, while I'm out here- in theoretical wedding land. So from time to time, Jenny will be posting here on Something Old, Something New. She'll be offering a real-life perspective on weddings, a first hand account of what real bride's are doing on their wedding days. What worked? What didn't? Ask Jenny! So without further ado, I'll let her say a quick hello. If you have questions for Jenny, about photography or otherwise, feel free to ask them in the comment section.


Hi! I’m Jenny Ebert. I am a Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer based out of NYC. When I’m not taking photographs I spend most of my time doing a never-ending list of projects. Thanks to my stylishly chic and oh-so-fabulous Brides (and possibly my little obsession with all things wedding) the inspiration, ideas and projects never seems to cease. More to come, very soon.

Best,
Jenny

dishfulsofdoodles: handpainted tableware

small serving bowl

square serving platter

these are just so cool. self-taught wisconsin artist mary imig gallimore has formed a doodle empire of 'daydream-inspired tableware painted by hand.' originally a high-school notebook doodle, each shape is drawn freehand and filled in like a puzzle to craft these intricate, obsessively quirky platters and dishes. she has gorgeous work, will take custom color orders, ships internationally, and gift-wraps -- and the dishes are food-safe and hand-washable. add to your etsy registry at myregistry.com, or give a truly one-of-a-kind gift. *almost* too pretty to use. more at dishfulsofdoodles.etsy.com

weekly DBA: MOB quilt

this week's david's bridal award: mother of the bride quilt

oh dear.

granted, this quilt is intentionally off-kilter, to represent the harried internal state of the harried M.O.B. uh huh. would take a mum with a good sense of humor, no?

a delightful early fall DBA.
(what's a DBA?)

dainty chic

Just time for a quick one today, I'm still in Toronto at my sister-in-law's baby-shower-weekend-family-extravaganza. I saw these dainty, gorgeous little Philip Crangi rings over at Seamsters, and couldn't resist. I can easily picture wearing these two rings together on the same finger as a wedding set. So affordable, yet so chic!
Happy Columbus Day to everyone, and especially to those of you lucky enough to get the day off. And to the Canadians: Happy Thanksgiving!