Saturday 26 March 2011

The Creme de la Creme

Looking through photos of all sorts of celebrity weddings, they all actually seem quite similar. They tend to choose ivory flowers (and lots of them!) Vera Wang or Monique Lhullier and the groom sticks with black or charcoal. 

I seem to be obsessed with these type of weddings. Perhaps its because, for the most part, very few of us would ever be able to afford a wedding or event anywhere near as expensive. Maybe its because the bride (or groom) themselves is so recognisable or influential. A wedding day is so personal, I love getting to see inside what is such an important day and is the result of hours (weeks...months!) of heartfelt research, dreaming and probably moodboards!

Although many celebrities get it very wrong on their big day (see coloured dresses, too much cleavage on show, tacky accessories) generally, money does seem to buy class.

Controversially, I cannot stand these horrible weddings we see on British Four Weddings. Now, the US version...not a problem, but over here, receptions in pubs with tattoo'd ushers and cheap female guests grinding on the dancefloor to Flo Rida in a bright lycra dress from Primarni...no thank you.

The photos below are taken from my collection of favourite gowns, flowers, details etc. I hope you enjoy looking and get some inspiration for your big day (albeit perhaps at a cost a tad below the £mil mark!)
Guliana Ransic

Ivanka Trump

Jessica Simpson

Katie Holmes

Khloe Kardashian (Odom)


Melania Trump

Liz Hurley

Monday 21 March 2011

Blockage de Couleur

This season saw a mirage of colour, not blended and subtle but flashy and proud. With summer comes bright colours, fact. We all love getting away from the greys, blacks and browns that have adorned our frames for the previous cold winter months. This year you get to wear them all at once! Now I'm not necessarily suggesting you go out and wear green with red or four colours at once, but done intelligently, 'colour blocking' can look stunning.

House of Holland



Camilla Belle and Leona Lewis


 
Kaya Scodelario





Designers showing the trend this season include Jil Sander, Prada, Christopher Kane and Louis Vuitton. I also spotted House of Holland rocking some colour blocking techniques back at the ‘09 shows (so ahead of his time).

My favourite colours for the delightful candy mix are hot pink, sea green, Bora Bora turquoise, lemon yellow and blood orange. Try and wear two or three together for true impact. Best blend of all time? Red and hot pink - mmm.



Thursday 17 March 2011

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens

No specific topic for today's post, I just thought I would pop on a few photos of lovely things.

Dress by Fiona Clare

Gwyneth in Stella McCartney


Miu Miu 2011

Wednesday 16 March 2011

Request the Pleasure

I always think invitations are arguably the most important element of a wedding. They are the first glimpse a guest has into the day ahead, the couple’s style and the tone of the wedding.


Far too often have I seen shoddy handmade or childish prints appear on my doormat. Yes, they can be endearing and very creative but this is a wedding not a nursery craft centre.



The wording on invitations and styling of guests' names is dictated by traditional wedding etiquette. Directions, accommodation details and gift list information should also be included.

I’ve heard friends suggest that the invitations “don’t really matter that much” and should be at the bottom of the priority pile. These little pieces of mere card may well be kept by the guest forever or at the very least, will sit on their mantelpiece for 6 months.


I know, personally, that when I’ve received a thoughtful, properly designed, formal and stylish invitation it prompts the entire excitement for the day itself. One of my favourite stationery companies is Wedding Paper Divas (www.weddingpaperdivas.com). Launched in 2006 by parent company, Tiny Prints (www.tinyprints.com) WPD was created by three friends with an affinity for beautiful paper and fresh design.


WPD prides itself on offering exclusive designs from the industry's top designers, better than boutique-style service and innovative online tools to make wedding stationery shopping experience as easy as can be. All invitations shown here are available from WPD via the website.


Monday 14 March 2011

Trimming the Fat

With 14 months to go until W-day, you might think I’ve got a while to go before the hard-core dieting sets in however you need to start early if you want results! I’ve never been huge but (especially during University) the weight slowly crept on mostly due to burgers, jacket potatoes, pizza and pints of snakebite and black at the Union.


I’ve had my measurements taken for my dress now which should be ready in January 2012 so I already had to start the weight loss plan a while before that. I didn’t want the dress to arrive and be too big! I always think that if you’re spending thousands of pounds on a dress to be handcrafted by an extremely talented designer and seamstress, the last thing you want to be doing is messing around with the tailoring once it’s complete!
 
So the diet started around mid-January 2011 and I’ve already lost about 5 pounds. My fear is that I’ll peak too soon as it will be hard to sustain the new lighter me! I’ve pretty much cut out everything but a few main items including lean meat, fish, all vegetables, all fruit, minimal cheese and porridge! I’ve been trying to stick to around 1200 calories per day with around 1-2 hours of exercise per day too. I heard Mila Kunis at the Oscars say that she ate 1200 calories per day and did 5 hours training 7 days per week and she lost 20lbs so it’s clearly the way to go.

On that note however, it begs the question, how far is too far? Should we all really be doing this to ourselves for one day? Well I think the answer is yes (!) but many would disagree. “You look fine as you are” or “________(insert name of Groom) will love you no matter what” although they’re kind of missing the point. A) ‘fine’ isn’t good enough and B) its not for Groom it’s for me.

The rate of obesity is absolutely ridiculous in the UK. It seems to have become acceptable for people clearly overweight to complain about back ache, breathing and joint problems, heart trouble etc when the answer is pretty simple as the voiceover guy on the Chris Moyles says, “eat less and move around more.” I think we should take a leaf out of Vietnam’s book where old folk well into their 80s still exercise every single day. I wonder what we could do with all those £millions saved from unnecessary NHS expenses for motorised scooters and the like?

Ministers announced this week that all fast food chains must display calories on menus. Fantastic idea! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with ‘watching your weight’ and mentally making a note of the food we eat and exercise we do. I still can’t believe the number of people who eat at McDonald’s not just every month or so but on a daily basis! Don’t get me wrong, I adore a McChicken sandwich but not to the point where I’m eating three times my daily calorie allowance.


There’s been speculation over Miss Middleton’s weight this week since she looked a tad skinnier than usual. Firstly, she’s always been pretty thin and as long as its not taken too far, why shouldn’t she be allowed to lose weight as she so wishes before her big day – goodness knows the minute she puts on a few pounds the tabloids will be quick enough to point the finger.

Apparently, Mrs Middleton is on the band wagon too. Following the Dukan diet, Carole has lost 4lb in four days. Developed by Pierre Dukan, the French nutritionist, the diet involves surviving on ‘cottage cheese and prawns.’ Delightful. Gisele has also followed Dukan’s regime after having her son Ben and JLo is also a fan.

Obviously, in health terms, nothing can replace a balanced, varied diet but short-term I say put the hours in and stick with it. No one gets a medal for saying no to the biscuits. As a good friend of mine once said, ‘nothing tastes as good as thin looks.’

Friday 11 March 2011

Sweet Caroline

So, as a change, I thought I’d blog about one of my favourite bridal designers of all time. I remember when I was 17 I went with my eldest sister to Caroline’s boutique in Wilmslow, Cheshire. The Sales Assistant did such a great job and at one point actually said, “I think it’s the one, I can feel Caroline here, she would want you to have it.” At £3,500 I bet she would!

I love her in this jacket, she looks like Princess Di

No, but seriously, she is fantastically talented and should be a top-contender for any classic, elegant bride. Having just celebrated the label’s 20 years anniversairé, we look back to when she started out. Ms Castigliano started her first business in Florida (goodness knows what she was doing out there) and designed sportswear (a far cry from silk bridal gowns I hear you cry). Perhaps Sweaty Betty needs a hand?




Her first bridal boutique was in Surrey in 1991, but her flagship store is at 154 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge. The other stores are in Bath, another in London, Edinburgh, Wilmslow and (heaven forbid!) “up north” in Leeds.



Wednesday 9 March 2011

McQueen for the (future) Queen?

As we’re all still waiting for the final verdict on Kate’s wedding dress designer, the favourite, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, revealed her Autumn/Winter 2011 RTW collection in Paris yesterday. Oh how I wish I could have been there sitting next to Anna Wintour….

These photos do give us an idea of what Kate’s dress might be like if she did go with Ms Burton. There’s no doubt about the intricate design and luxurious fabrics used and Kate would definitely stand out against the previous conservative royal brides! What do you think?


Tuesday 8 March 2011

Good Tossing

I just had to blog about these new photos surfacing this afternoon of Kate tossing pancakes in Belfast. She seems so comfortable now in front of the press and public (unlike her first formal engagement interview!) and looks stunning in this Burberry trench. Well done KM!

Giving Up

As topical as I am, I thought today’s post should be about “Lent”.
If you’re not already aware, this is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is traditionally a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter.
The reason why we observe the 40 days of Lent, is to try and understand the sacrifice of Jesus when he went into the desert for 40 days. Often Lent is marked by fasting. In my book, refraining from food (albeit for short periods of time) can only be a good thing when you’re a bride-to-be!
It’s supposed to be about self-discipline…surely we all could do with a bit more of that! Society today is about ‘having it all’, ‘living for the moment’ and being ‘worth it’ however we seem to have lost focus that it’s not all about US. Perhaps there is some benefit to abstaining even if it’s just appreciation.
So, cleanse your soul, celebrate and stuff your face as it’s your last chance until Easter Day!
Fact of the Day: did you know that Mardi Gras means 'fat Tuesday'? That’s why the Rio, Sydney and Venice festivals happen at this time of the year!
Rio Carnival, March 2011

Monday 7 March 2011

Princess Kate

While I’m on the “I heart Kate” train, here are some never before seen photos of our future Queen!


Graduation Day - St Andrews







Fit for a Princess

As I’ve had royal wedding fever for the last 5 months since Wills finally decided to pop the question, I thought today’s post should be about the various royal wedding designers over the years.

As you’ve probably all heard, Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen has (if you believe the gossip) landed the coveted position of creating Kate’s dress.

Kate is thought to have picked Ms Burton after she saw the silk strapless gown she created for Sara Buys marriage to Tom Parker Bowles in 2005.

I suppose nothing is set in stone until it has been formally announced. I hope the designer will be confirmed around the end of March 2011 although Kate may want to wait until the big day.

So, I thought it would be fitting to put together a collection of best (and worst), most stylish and elaborate royal dresses of all time – enjoy!



Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones marries Daniel Chatto in 1994

Princess Marie Cavallier marries Prince Joachim

Sarah Ferguson marries Prince Andrew in 1986


Lady Rose Windsor marries George Gilman in 2008

Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling of Sweden 
Autum Kelly (in Sassi Holford) marries Peter Phillips
Diana Princess of Wales in 1981


Sara Buys (in Sarah Burton) and Tom Parker-Bowles in 2005
 
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...