Pretty, Pretty, Pretty

J. Crew's newest bridal line is so sweet that I'd like to dedicate today's post to the style and color combinations that give me little goose bumps. The hottest color trends right now are like looking into your favorite Easter-egg basket or a beautiful water color painting... pastels galore and some brighter blues, yellows and pink shades. J. Crew's maids line is hitting those latest color trends spot on. But who ever thinks about getting their bridal gown from J. Crew of all places? Well, I'm here to tell you they've got some serious style, and gorgeous classic looks that are deserving of brides' attention.

But first, I need to show you my very favorite bridal gown right now (or rather, this week). It's so ultra feminine that it begs for longer hair worn down with soft waves, southern or beach style decor, barefootedness (not a word?), chunky antique jewelry, drop earrings, and sun-kissed pinks and corals for makeup. Love it. I also love this dress with eclectic tone-on-tone creams and champagnes for the maids, FG, etc.

Bridesmaid dress...

Angelic flower girl & seer sucker ring bearer combo...

2. I puffy-heart this dress combination. And the fabulous color of maids dresses. There's just something about the fit of the bodice on the bridal gown that is so chic. So many legs to this combination...

3. Love the huge flower detail and neckline on this little beauty...

Tea Time

My friends always ask me for advice on how to make a baby or bridal shower unique and special. I usually say that the table decor, of course, is essential, whether you're doing pink lamour linens with a square glass vase packed with gorgeous pink roses (like my baby shower long ago), or mis-matched heirloom table cloths with jars of fresh herbs and wild flowers. But getting creative with favors can be a unique way to bring in your shower theme without the chintzy or typical favor fare.

Ladies' high teas are so popular as showers - I've worked on many of them myself, and they're always so dainty and beautiful and really make the bride and her guests feel so feminine. I love the use of ecclectic china tea cups and those perfect heart-shaped scones with delicious devonshire cream and jam. So if you're going to host a tea, send your guests away with something that will bring about sweet memories of the couple's big day ahead, and the fun of the shower by giving them colorful tea packets with the couples' monogram and wedding date.

Check out these tea favors from Bliss Wedding Market. They come in many different designs and colors... from classic monogram to fun polka dots and I think... my favorite - the pink/green argyle.

They're sold individually, so you can order different designs in coordinating colors if you wish. Serve them as your tea selection at a wedding or shower, or wrap them in some pretty fabric and ribbon and set at each place setting for a precious take-home gift. Adorable!