SEA GREEN

Sometimes adding a bit of a pastel or a clear and light color can add boldness.  Check out the flower girls above and the lovely sea foam green sash above . . . stunning.  These are beautiful touches for summer, all the shades of green reminding us just how close to nature we always are. . . .Thank you Mi Amor over at Style Circle on SMP for one of the most inspiring board I've ever seen . . .

INSPIRATION FRIDAY

SOURCE

The Dahlia you brought to our isle

Your praises for ever shall speak:

Mid gardens as sweet as your smile,

And colour as bright as your cheek.

--Sir Godfrey Webster --

Ode to Picasa

I had grand plans to sew matching bedding for Scarlett and her little sister, as they will be sharing a room. Sadly, bedrest squashed those plans. My solution is to use items I already have and purchase a few others (trying to stay on a budget) to make it come together before the little one arrives.

My walls are grey with white molding and I plan to use shades of reds and pinks in the room. Then, I wondered what pops of lemon yellow would add. With Picasa (Google's free photo program), I simply take screenshots of what I like and have, crop them, and put them into a collage to help get an idea of what colors and elements would look together.

I love how Picasa allows me to do all the planning right from bed. Download the free program HERE.

REDEFINING THE TRADITIONAL BRIDE

London based designer Kate Edmondson has been creating 
wedding 
dresses 
and 
millinery
 for
 private 
clients
 for
 over
10 
years. 
Now 
combining elements
 of 
vintage 
glamour 
with 
modern
 simplicity,
 she's redefining the look of the traditional bride by launching Kate Edmondson Bridal Couture.
With
 Kate’s 
highly 
developed
drapery 
technique and use of  
lightweight, 
fluid 
fabrics, each
 dress 
is
 skillfully 
designed 
to
 enhance
 the
 bride’s
individuality 
and
 offer
 something
 fresh
 and
 different. 



Kate’s 
bespoke 
millinery 
is 
also
 specifically
 designed
 and
hand 
made
 on
 request 
at 
her 
West 
London
 studio.
Each 
bridal 
hat 
or
 head piece 
is 
carefully 
considered
 to
compliment 
the
 bridal
 gown
 and
l luxury 
silk
 is
 used 
to 
create 
dramatic 
shapes
 or 
simple 
flowers 
and 
feathers.
Her
 millinery 
is
 also 
available 
for 
mother‐of‐the‐bride
 or
 bridesmaids 
and 
can 
be 
extended
 further
 to
 create
corsages, 
hairpieces
 and
 accessories. 

Kate
 Edmondson
 Bridal
 Couture
 is
 a
 fully
 bespoke 
service 
from
 the
initial
 design 
process, 
to 
selecting 
the 
luxurious 
fabric 
and 
creating
 the
 finished 
bridal 
gown.
 All 
fittings 
involve 
a 
muslin and 
are
 conducted 
with 
the 
designer 
herself
 to
 achieve 
the
design 
and 
cut 
which 
is 
most 
flattering 
for
the 
bride.




GREAT FINDS FROM TALLULAH OPAL

Audrey (Silk flower hair comb set of 2)

 It's the small touches that count and having beautiful creations around on your wedding day is so important. Tallulah Opal's handmade florals are simply stunning and come in a variety of accessories: hair clips, tie belts and lapel pins to name just a few. All items in her Etsy shop are made by hand and she has sourced everywhere for the highest quality supplies she could find to assemble her quality products. She is, as she says, "inspired by vintage style and I try to reflect that in my work. . . ."

Penny (Silk flower Hair clip)

It's the small touches that count and having beautiful creations around on your wedding day is so important.  Tallulah Opal's handmade florals are simply stunning and come in a variety of accessories: hair clips, tie belts and lapel pins to name just a few.  All items in her Etsy shop are made by hand and

she has sourced everywhere for the highest quality supplies she could find to assemble her quality products.  She is, as she says, "inspired by vintage style and I try to reflect that in my work. . . ."

Penelope (Flower Hair Veil)

Madison (Silk flower hair comb)

Florence Sash

Felt Hydrangeas

Nothing puts a damper on sewing like doctor-ordered bed rest. I'm not allowed to even sit-up but need to remain horizontally for the next month to avoid pre-term labor. Boo. Thank goodness I found at least one sewing project that can be completed while on my back.

These felt flowers are easy, fast and help pass many of the long long days. I've included a brief tutorial below (taken on my pillow).

1. Start with cutting a felt circle and several (10-20) petals, in soft x-shapes. Don't stress about making the petals perfect or uniform.

2.Start sewing them on, one at a time by simply sewing an "X" shape in each of the centers. I also like to pull the thread taut to help it bunch, making it multi-dimensional and more life life. Make a circle along the outer ring and fill in the center after.

3. The back will be a mess. I like to add a felt leaf at this stage and them add another felt circle on the back to make the flower more polished and help it remain flat. Sew the back on, making sure you secure the leaf in the process.

And that's it! Now add this to a headband or secure a clip on the back. It can be used for a hair accessory or broach.

Hmmm... any other sewing projects I can work on horizontally?

BABY DOLL CHIC

The baby doll dress is either empire or natural waisted with a full skirt and short hemline. Always youthful, the look evokes images of the light-hearted playfulness of youth. These styles by Icesumeimaking are perfect examples of the Mod-look London helped create in the swinging 1960s. While all dresses sporting mini length were revolutionary back then, forty-some years later the mini is part of mainstream bridal wear, tallied up as another great option you have on your wedding day.

VINTAGE SUMMER

1. 

Days of summer offer the perfect time to reflect and dream.  These accessories are just the touches that remind us of that period between Gatsby and Art Deco.  Thank you Bargain Hoot for your labor of love in putting together and sharing this board with us all . . .

YELLOW AND NAVY BLISS

Welcome to a sunny and bright summer with warm yellow and crisp navy.  From the textures of seersucker to things from the earth like lemon and sunflowers, this truly is a complimentary combo.  A big thank you to Amanda over at Style Circle on SMP for creating this inspiration  . . .

1970s-80S PRAIRIE REVIVAL PART 2

Laura Ashley 1983

source

While Jessica McClintock revived the Prairie Gown with her Gunne Sax line in the seventies, the more haute couture versions of Prairie came to us through the stunning creations of  British designer, Laura Ashley.  She used finer imported cottons and voiles and in the images above and below we can see perfect examples of this look at it's best.  Vintage elements were really brought out in the accessories like the straw hat and crochet gloves below. 

Laura Ashley 1986

Source

Today there is very little in the Prairie look that has survived except for the fact the dresses remain to-the-floor and in cotton.  Contemporary brides find the high collars restricting and with all the added ruffles and laces, the overall look rather babyish.  In the photos above and below, certain elements of Prairie Revival are updated for today's bride who has embraced it as a vintage look . . .I for one love the intricate srips of lace running vertically and horizontally all over the blouse and skirts.  Dresses like these are the perfect opportunity to wear the best imported cottons you can find.

The Prairie look updated circa 2010

Photos by Berit New York

SeaJae - Cirque Studios

THE PRAIRIE GOWN REVIVAL PART 1

source

 The Prairie gown is also known as the maxi or hippie dress. I call them hostess gowns because their latest revival comes from the laid-back home entertaining crowd here on the West Coast embracing this casual but chic look. Prairie gowns initially were introduced in the late 60s early 70s era and sported a totally different look than the contemporary gown today.  Designer Jessica McClintock took elements from prairie looks such as pinafores, eyelet cottons, high collars and made the name Gunne Sax synonymous with a laid-back country look.  Fast forward thirty some years and these gowns are still long, to-the-floor and in cotton eyelet but are sleeveless and have lower necklines.  Lately gowns like the ones above have showed up around resorts and resort climates, eventually moving out onto the streets and into bridal wear.  For the more casual or backyard wedding they're popular in eco-chic fibers like linen and cotton. I’m even finding some in vintage stores online offered up as hippie or boho gowns.

source

Here's a look at some Prairie gowns from the initial 1970s revival. 

source
Early Jessica McClintock for Gunne Sax about 1974. 

source

And guess who sported the Prairie look on her wedding day October 11, 1975 . . . .?  Not a very clear picture of Hillary and Bill I know but she looks very chic for her time . . .

Sewing Station?

We are moving this weekend and I am contemplating this desk, from Ikea, for my new sewing station. I could fill baskets for the shelves with notions and hang shelves on top for the infamous fabric stash. Very tempting for only $119.
It also comes in black and white finishes.

ACCESS

Wedding........by yumy by Yumy (Plz join in my new group) featuring Vivienne Westwood Gold Label dresses

Vivienne Westwood is still doing variations on the Sex and the City Wedding Dress that took the fashion world by storm a couple years back.  With the same strapless peaked sweetheart neckline, this updated version of Champagne silk has a satin bustier with built-in corset. Has a full puff skirt with asymmetric hem, a zip fastening on back and comes with a silk faille underskirt. 100% silk. Dry clean.

$9,875 - net-a-porter.com

By Flower Clip.com: Medium/Large (4-4.5")
Antique Ivory
Rose
Alligator Hair Clip

Pointed Rose
$14.00

Chloé Eau de Parfum (75ml) - CHLOÉ from Nieman's

Chanel 2009 Spring/Summer Accessories / Pink satin boots.  A bit late these are from last season but oh so pretty .  . . .

Ivory CanCan Parasol from  Weddingo

DRESS ME FANCY

Fancy New York recently emailed me these glorious images of their Fall/Winter 2010 collection and I was blown away. In mostly heavier weight satins and taffetas they are evocative of everything 1950s from An American in Paris to Studebakers, Dressmefancy.com has developed a line of predominately hourglass silhouettes perfect  for brides looking for an alternative to the traditional wedding gown.  The thing that sets this collection apart is they are all very elegant while still retaining a cosmopolitan feel.  Versatile, any of these styles could be worn at a week day city hall wedding as well as semi-formal to-do at the Plaza. And here's some great news: Fancy will shortly be launching a new accessory collection as well as Cocktail by Fancy, their social occasion division.  You can see some of their vintage-inspired veils here . . .