the best dress ever

I actually gasped when I saw this dress. I'm speechless. I love it more every time I look at it. I can't list the reasons why I love it, I just do. I don't care that it's not all white, I would SO get married in this dress. I found it at Nordstrom's, but the label is Notte by Marchesa.

1154 lill studio

I discovered 1154 Lill Studios thru my sister, who has one of their custom, design-your-own purses on her Christmas list. Love the creative styles and formats they have to choose from, and their prices are very reasonable. Today I worked on some beautiful invites with a yellow and pewter color scheme, which I'm totally smitten with now. I created these three combos on the same clutch, but there are quite a few templates to choose from as well as a huge selection of fabrics. Might come in handy as bridesmaid's gifts, or for yourself. They have more formal options as well.

blockbuster

I'm going to reveal something slightly embarrassing right now. Whenever I go home, my sisters and I have this bonding ritual where we do each others hair and makeup. It's nice, actually. The embarrassing part is that my dad, long ago, dubbed this ritual "Fussy Pretty Beauty Shop". He just sort of came out with it one day, as in "We have to get going girls! We don't have time for this... this fussy pretty beauty shop!" Needless to say, all three of us could not stop laughing, and we were probably late for whatever it was we had to go to. Anywhoozy, the title stuck. So now on lazy mornings over the holidays when we're all at my parent's house hanging around in our jammies, we'll look over at each other and ask "Fussy Pretty?". What follows is a colorful dust cloud of powders, shadows, and blushes. We're girls. We like things like this. My point is that the Blockbuster Palette from Sephora that I got for Christmas last year was like the best thing that ever happened to Fussy Pretty Beauty Shop. 64 eyeshadows (most of which are totally wearable), 32 lip colors (love the glosses), 7 cheek colors, and a translucent powder... and a partridge and pear tree. This pallette is available again this holiday season (they sold out really quickly last year), and at only $48, would make a fantastic present for any of your girls. Bonding potential abounds.

jennifer behr, again

I've always loved Jennifer Behr's collection of dressy hair bands, especially the metallic lace bands I posted about a while back. Today I visited her website for a little Christmas shopping, and discovered her new Holiday 2007 Collection. I pretty much had to post them, they're so perfectly bridal. I especially love the satin one.

umbrellaheaven: umbrellas + parasols

the classic white umbrella

i *cannot* believe that someone knows how to actually hand-make an umbrella from scratch. yet another amazing etsy moment. i mean, i guess at some point in the past they were *all* made by hand... but really? a hand-made umbrella?? for only sixty-two dollars, including shipping from the UK?? (within the UK, it's listed for $35, which as we know these days converts to, what, five pounds? maybe less. ;)

the brothers umbrellaheaven also make parasols, satin brollies, and perhaps custom frills or trim to dress yours up. perfect for a scorching sunny june day as well!


more at umbrellaheaven.etsy.com

gurlygirl: hair combs

pearl + leaf branch bridal hair comb

a glorious statement instead of a veil -- an heirloom-quality comb hand-fashioned from sterling silver with two real pearls. new orleans–based artist monique leon crafts several different styles and can make multiples and custom sets. plus check out the mistletoe one below for the holidays -- imagine the kisses! the sun would never set on your empire of kiss.


more at gurlygirl.etsy.com

nervous system

How perfect would these be for a tropical wedding? Each piece in this series by Nervous System is a unique, one of a kind composition. Tiny circles of varying sizes make up the complex patterns that mimic the natural forms of corals. The pendants hang on 16"-18" sterling silver chains, and the pins are affixed with a nickel silver pin and clutch. They are also offered with a silver finish, and in several other unique coral-like patterns. The delicateness of these gives them just the right amount of formality, in my opinion.