Colour Me Happy Part 2

Hello again! Guest blogger, Christine ready to go bridal shoe shopping with you.

I'm ready for some more shoe-love. Sigh. Are you?

Free of distraction? Chocolate nearby?

That could come in handy. Glass of wine? Sure.

Come with me, my darlings.

Be prepared to fall in love allllllll over again.

(If you haven't read Part I, you've gotta backtrack and read that first. I'll wait. . . . )

Okay, I thought I'd start with what got me on this whole kick: Two brides who found colour as a way to be original in their bridal shoes. Up first, these blush pink with metallic accent Christian Louboutins. Of course, they warrant front and back shots. . . looove them!

And these adorable hot pink Guess peep-toes. These fit this bride so well- spunky and fun-loving! White shoes would have been a sin for this girl! She even got the black and white polka dot pedicure to further express herself. I love her originality!

Okay, my sweeties. Let's shop! I've linked each of these shoes to a website that sells them, so you can click on any of them to find out where to get them, other colors they come in, and how much they'll set ya back.

Bridesmaids wearing melon? BCBG’s killer peeptoe heels may be your answer. (By the way, some of these pics are super small, but you can click on them to visit the sites and they'll enlarge.) I love these! I'd wear them all the time if I owned them!

Something old, something new, something borrowed, . . . and some stinkin' sweet blue shoes!? How 'bout it!? Turquoise is such a pretty choice for bridesmaids dresses when the shade is right. I love it for a spring/summer wedding. Two options here for you- While the Christian Diors (first) will do you proud for a daytime wedding, the Christian Louboutins (below Dior) are a bold, but amazing choice for day or night! I'm sure I'm going to over-use the word, but these both are just killer!!!!!!!!! You CAN match the bridesmaids’ dresses, however that’s the equivalent to matching your handbag to your shoes. It works and while it is the most obvious, it isn’t necessarily the most fashionable choice. If you can force yourself to go for a less obvious choice of color, why not choose another color from the wedding palette to pull for your inspiration?

Let's say you go with celery bridesmaids dresses. I love blush pink as a bridal shoe to add to the color palette and make a subtle, but noticeable fashion statement. Can I just tell you that these Jimmy Choos take my breath away. Literally. You won't believe me unless you click on the link and view the bigger pictures, including . . . drumroll please- the view from the back. OMG, OMG, OMG! Let's see, which child can I Craig's List to pay for these? ? ? Oh, I'm just kidding! Still, . . .

For the bride whose maids are wearing merlot dresses . . . why not go peacock?! (You know who you are, Bridee!!) Check out these Manolo Blahniks- L, these gorgeous peep-toe pumps have your name on them! They are so much prettier up close. (Click on them!)

Navy is the color of choice for the girls? I love to pair navy with magenta. So regal! Steve Madden, you’re our man! Sigh . . . (And very affordable, I might add!)

These strappy purple Manolo Blahniks are so versatile! I could pair them with icy blue, emerald green, or honey yellow bridesmaids dresses. Bold choices, I know! But you can't be afraid to pair two strong colors together! We're not talking about pairing these two colors on the same outfit (though that could look beautiful too!)- we're just looking to coordinate with the bridesmaids dresses. It's your day, girlie! Stand out with some snappy footwear! (Oh my. Did I just use the word 'snappy'? Really, I'm not that old. Sometimes, I surprise myself. Whatever, I'm secure. Yes. I said snappy. AND I meant it!)

BLACK bridesmaids dresses? Why not coordinate with killer two-tone Pradas below. Ahhhh! Can you picture the shoe-envy of all the other women at the wedding? I CAN!

or these sweeeeeet two-tone Via Spigas. (Can you imagine the sex-appeal if you keep them on for the wedding night?! Meeeee-ooooooow!)

And my final selection,

my creme da la creme,

my finale?

I cannot express adequately just how much I love this final pair of perfection. If I owned them, I'd wear them out on the town, to the grocery store, to volunteer in the kids' school, WHEREEVER! And I'd sleep with them under my pillow. . . it'd be til death do we part.

Don't even THINK about NOT clicking on them to view them larger!

Double, triple, quadruple sigh. . . Nothing like Lanvin to wrap up the show!

Maybe these aren’t for every bride or for every dress, but I must assure you, I’d probably pee my pants out of pure joy if I saw these pink visions of beauty bedecking your toes on your big day. Who, oh, who will fulfill my bridal shoe fantasy? And please, oh, please won't you select me as your wedding photographer!?!?!

Much love, my brides, wedding-lovers, and fellow shoe-fanatics-

My heart is racing, my breath is laboured. I hope this post has done for you what it has done for me. I go to sleep tonight exhilirated and in LOVE! (with a bold choice of color for bridal shoes!) Make me proud, girls!

Feel free to comment below and join in on the discussion. Have I converted any of you fashionable brides??

-Christine
Christine Kay Photography

Colour Me Happy Part I

Brides and lovers of all things wedding:


Today (and coming up in the next few posts), I am featuring my BFF and bridal photographer, Christine Pinalto, of Christine Kay Photography. She and I can seriously spend obnoxious amounts of time day-dreaming about gorgeous, style-filled weddings. She recently wrote me this:

“Please, oh please, won't you do your next Tres Chic blog entry on a plea for brides to choose COLOUR bridal shoes??? ('u' added because of your fanciful love for the English style spelling). I am overwhelmed with shoe-love as I click through photography sites where the bride goes bold, goes tall, goes . . . yes, COLOUR!!!! The brides I’ve gotten to photograph recently got me started on this blissful kick. . . Julia's hot pink hotties, Ashlee's wicked-beautiful blush pink Christian Louboutins . . . sigh. It’s the blog post you are meant to write- on behalf of me, your shoe-obsessed friend.”

My reply to her:

“No. Instead? You're going to write as a guest blogger! How about it? I love colored shoes as well. But your shoe obsession is bordering on .... well... obsessive. Do me proud girl.”

So, here she is... having her way with my blog...

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As Monica’s best friend, we share many passions. Beautiful weddings are one of them. I recently emailed Monica with an idea for this blog. Being eager to pass the buck of trying to come up with the next topic

provide me with a creative outlet for my shoe obsession, she asked me to write the post. So, I jumped at the chance to add “Guest Blogger” to my resume. . . Here goes.

I am a photographer, lover of weddings, self-proclaimed Fashionista, Stacey London-wanna be, and alas, Lover of Shoes. (I do believe my degree of love warrants the capitals!) Yes, I admit it- I’m obsessed with the beauty of a good heel. There’s something unexplainable about how a product that can lead to painful blisters, intense discomfort, back ache, and shin splints (NOT to mention the side-effect of increased likelihood of tripping and falling and making a complete fool of yourself in public). . . how such a creation could possibly captivate the unwavering love of women everywhere. There’s just something about how a woman walks (and how a woman FEELS!) in a wicked pair of heels. Heels, you had us at “Hello.” (There’s always Band-aids, right!?!)

I have been privileged to photograph some weddings in the last year where the bride’s bold shoe choice was as impactful to me, if not more, than their dresses. These brides have done me proud and their bridal shoes have inspired. Eye candy of those bridal photos will follow in the next post in my guest blogging series, but today, I present to you a letter - or rather a plea - from a pair of aspiring bridal shoes...

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Dear Brides,
Why should all the white, champagne, and silver shoes have all the fun? Seriously. Do you really want to have your bridal shoes blend in like a little white bunny in the snow? Who takes the time to really appreciate that little white bunny? No, my dears. That little white bunny is under-loved and under-appreciated. It’s beauty barely noticed, if at all. It’s not its fault. Its beauty just happens to be overshadowed by sheets of glisten-y, mesmerizing snowy-goodness. It’s not the snow’s fault. Snow is just pretty and that’s all there is to it. Nobody really notices little white snowbunny and there’s nothing you or it can do about it.

I contend that white, champagne, and silver shoes are the snowbunny of the bridal dress. You CAN go snowbunny, and nobody would necessarily blame you. But does that describe who you are? Are you willing to give in to the temptation to go ‘standard-fare’? Are you serving chicken, baked potatoes, and overcooked limp asparagus at the reception? (Oooops! Might ‘a struck a nerve there- but you know EXACTLY what I’m talkin’ about, girl.)

Now, I do have a solution. Picture this! Blinged out, raspberry-draped bunny getting its groove on in the fresh fallen snow. Mmm hmmm. Go Bunny! Duh-da da, duh da da, . . . dee da dee duh-da dada- Play that funky music, white boy. . . ! Picture Bunny winding up to do ‘the Sprinkler’. . . uh huh! Everyone’s thinking, “Gosh, I love this bunny!” So is there any way THIS bunny will go unnoticed, under-loved, under-appreciated? The answer is clear, ladies. You are NOT standard-fare. You are bold, you are original. OWN your fashion, ladies. Choose COLOUR!

Love,

'Caymino',

Manolo Blahnik Jeweled Slingback. Pink crepe with tonal beading. Buckled slingback. 4 1/10 " covered heel. Made in Italy. $1190
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Check back in a day or two as we go shoe shopping together for Part 2 of “Guest Blogger, Christine”!!!
Christine of Christine Kay Photography

Featured Designer: Jenny Yoo

You all know I'm in love with color - deep, rich, vibrant color. I can do muted hues with the best of them, but personally, my eyes long to gaze upon big colors. This is why I'm featuring Jenny Yoo's bridesmaid collection today. The colors she's able to feature are truly outstanding. And of course, her style is perfection. Classic, sexy, chic. Grab yourself some chair, and enjoy this eye candy.











Another fabulous line Jenny Yoo offers is for men. Have you ever wondered where some grooms' parties get their gorgeous silk ties colored in every hue? Here. That's where. You can get mens' and boys' ties in silk chantung in basically every delicious perfect color... Ah. I heart you Jenny Yoo.

Surprise 35th Birthday Party

I had so much fun conspiring with my sweetest friend's husband to throw her a very chic, very intimate surprise 35th birthday dinner at my home. She's utterly fabulous so I wanted her to feel like she was going to a 5-star restaurant and that the evening was all about her. The theme for the evening was French and sparkly (because I should have been born French and am a lover of all things francaise, and the sparkly part because they're pretty :)

So, I crafted a gourmet 4-course meal, which, unbeknownst to me until the day of the party, she had never tried half of the menu items and was completely grossed out at the thought of them (I got this tidbit out of her during a super sly conversation that day as I was testing the waters). The menu consisted of things like steamed mussels and frenched lamb chops, and I won't lie - I practically had a heart attack when I found out she gagged everytime she thought of them. I did what every good party host would do... I called my mom, who proceeded to tell me this was the perfect opportunity to try them and that Christine would love it.

So. I pressed on. I created hand-assembled menus that were gorgeous - printed on beautiful shimmery ice blue card stock, designer velum, and hand-jeweled on the cover. I followed suit with personalized jeweled place cards and sprinkled a very small amount of crystals on the table to continue with the sparkling theme.

For the decor, I created the easiest, least expensive centerpiece and I think it turned out beautifully. I have several citrus trees and had an abundance of fresh lemons on hand, so I filled the cavity of a large urn-shaped vase with lemons and water, and then cut off pretty branches of the tree with lots of the fragrant white blooms to serve as the floral, and I stuffed them into the lemon water for a very dimensional, yet natural-looking piece. Then I found some cute line art of a lemon blossom and used it on the printed menus and place cards.



The great news is that not only was Christine completely surprised to tears, but she ate like a true gourmet and loved everything that was served to her, much to her surprise. I thought I would share the yummy dessert recipe - it was super sweet and rich, but a great end to the evening... Coffee-Caramel Creme Brulee. Thanks to the birthday girl for taking the beautiful photos of her own party. ;)

Vintage Chic Wedding Inspiration

I'm loving my newest vintage-chic wedding. It will be hosted at the bride's parents' home, which happens to look so utterly adorable that it will conjure up images of the sweet Father of the Bride home. A huge 2-story with the most charming of personality, and massive tree-lined yard. Oh the photos. They will be absolutely perfect.

I can't wait to share more of this incredible wedding with you. But, first - the inspiration board. The bride and groom want a very natural, rustic, yet chic decor and theme - I've brought to them the contrast of crystal and wood, herbs and floral. Utterly divine. Based on this inspiration board, we're going to have an actual Model T Ford which belongs to the brides' family featured INSIDE the tent to serve as our display 'case' for the homemade pies and tarts dessert bar. Loving it? Um hmm. Me too. I could eat it up.

And to top it off, the groom's family owns a vineyard and fruit orchard in Ohio, which we will be prominently featuring in the incredible menu and possibly even the favors.

Now, we're working on stationery suite, which includes Save The Dates printed on actual vintage hankies by the fabulously talented Erin Raspberry Napier of Lucky Luxe. Can't wait to feature those next! Stay tuned!


Source: Basically, most of the photos are from Art Fool, but the center image is from Union Photography, the dessert display is from Wedding Chicks, and the images of apples and favor bags are from Martha Stewart Weddings.

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!