Child’s Play In Mirrored Elegance
May 6, 2009
When was the last time you played with a rocking horse of your very own? Maybe its been too long… fortunately now there is an elegant and fashionable alternative!
From YesStyle, one of the designer brands offered is Sweet & Co♥. With adorable and creative designs, some child-like and colorful, others subtle and elegant- the opportunities are playful and beautiful.
My latest purchase is this absolutely adorable rocking horse ring! It is mirrored and just the right size to make it noticeable but not overbearing. It has a delicate and feminine look that speaks memories of childhood now all grown up.
I like the idea of wearing this playful and youthful ring with a cocktail dress when going out with the girls- how much will this dazzle in the dim lights looking gorgeous against my cocktail or wine.
I love that subtle shine that bursts with the right light- and this ring will do it gracefully.
And the packaging is perfect, also- it comes in an pretty pink little pouch enclosed within an adorable pink envelope- ready to be received as a gift. I think my kitty, Aveline, thought so too- right when I opened the package she went for the pink envelope first!
Adorable, isn’t it? And as you can see there were other items I had purchased as well- but shhh, those are to be revealed soon! Enjoy your sneak peak, for now I’ll be playing with this marvelous new ring!
1920′s Vintage Wedding Dress Find
May 5, 2009
Here it is, finally- my 1920′s wedding dress discovery! And did I mention the price tag on this little gem- I couldn’t even believe it when I heard it.
We were visiting our great friends in Seattle, having an amazing weekend, when us girls decided to go shopping out on Whidbey Island while the boys stayed home and went over some business. The last time we were here, we discovered a beautiful little antique shop where I found these gorgeous jewelry sets for an amazing price as well. Back to this visit though-
Of all the amazing items I found on this visit and have shared with you, this one is exceptional. We all admired this delicate wedding dress sitting gracefully on in the window, dreaming and not daring to consider the price. It looked so elegant with such a story to tell. The tag on it was resting at the top very high, and we could only just slightly see the number three written on it. If that was the start of the price or the item number, we couldn’t tell. As we were leaving we casually asked the attendant the price of the dress, to which he answered $39.99.
I didn’t know what to do at first, honestly. My mind was wowed.
So after a little walking and thinking I decided to at least give the dress a try on while my mind continued to absorb the concept.
This dress fit me in every way possible- you could even see how delicately it had been altered for a custom fit. The buttons are small metal ones (which I left unbuttoned for these photos as they are difficult to close by yourself, with assistance it is a simple task though) and some eye hooks.
Even the clasp at the end of the sleeves fit me perfectly. This was incredible, how unusual to find a dress of this style and condition, at this price, and fit like a custom made dress.
Incredible. The dress is beautiful as it is and definitely a look of the 1920′s- I am planning on giving it a modern twist that will remain classic and elegant. The sleeves will be going- they are a bit much for me. I think some antique lace continued just over the shoulder would make a very sleek and elegant look.
The front, too can be altered a bit- removing some of the rosettes and bringing the line a bit lower, this will be something I will have to play and experiment with. Over all I don’t want to do too much to this dress, but I think some simple well thought alterations and touches will blend some modern elegance into the feel (and make it my own).
The back is gorgeous, too- with a very long and graceful train.
With a little cleaning, pressing, and alterations this dress will have a complete turn around. I am very much looking forward to it! A slip will also need to be created with antique lace at the bottom so that heels can be worn with the dress. Little things!
Oh, it also came with a veil, the headband can be used but the material will have to be replaced as it is old and tattered. I may eliminate it completely, I haven’t quite decided yet- opinions? It may be a bit much!
So here you are- the original before photo shots of my $40 wedding dress find, I still don’t know what I think of this amazing find- or that it is real. But here it is!
Glamor With Vintage Golden Leaves
April 29, 2009
Don’t you just love vintage accessories? This one inspires glamor into any outfit, however casual or elegant it may be. The design is simple, yet delicate and sophisticated with a very rich finishing look.
When I first spotted this bracelet, I thought it was gorgeous but had concern- those edges look like the snagging kind, and can quickly ruin an outfit. However once I put it on and gave it a quick little test, I was surprised- nothing happened. In fact, I couldn’t even get it to snag however hard I tried- brilliant. The way the leaves clasp together leave a smooth edge that keeps in and doesn’t attach itself onto clothing.
So this is my new glamor toy and statement piece- it is gold, elegant, and perfect!
Just the piece of vintage I was looking for to give my modern wardrobe the new twist and added glamor I’ve been wanting.
Some accessories are timeless; constantly allowing themselves to be reinvented over and over again. Perhaps that is why I love vintage so much- there is always a story and a history beyond the look and feel.
Vintage With A Walk On The Wild Side
April 28, 2009
So my morning post quickly turned into an afternoon post once I realized my camera was completely dead and needed to be charged! But that’s okay, I am ready now and want to begin with a wooden necklace I found in a vintage shop while in Seattle that definitely walks on the wild side.
I found so many unique treasures on this trip, it is insane!
Do you have a thing for shattered mixed up pieces on a necklace? I know I do, though normally I must admit it tends to be along the lines of pieces of shells, it never crossed my mind to seek out a wooden alternative.
I love everything about this necklace- from the dark to medium and light wood shades, to the texture, to the bold animals resting on either side. It is fabulous!
And a necklace like this can change up an outfit completely, too- it is a statement piece. An otherwise casual and simple outfit really pops with an accessory such as this one. It is very unique and very bold- I adore it.
Animals in my accessories is something I am always looking for, but can be sometimes difficult to do without looking akward or just strange- this one does the look very well while being wild but still having that classy and sophisticated feel.
Wooden jewelry is wonderful for experimenting with “wild” themes since it has such a natural base to work with. A pattern on a wooden bracelet somehow looks much more elegant than the same pattern on a plastic one.
This one is a new favorite of mine, it’s just the balance of big and chunky yet still sophisticated that I love.
Dressed In A Silver Wonderland
March 29, 2009
It turns out sultry silver eyes was just the start- and it turned into a wonderland of silver everything. From one of my favorite comfortable and elegant dresses to classic silver accessories. Silver will forever be a favorite of mine.
Mirrors, a fine print design, and a silky feel that just flows as you walk, this dress has it all and the color and shine to bring it all together.
It has a loose fit that just gives hints of the natural figure as you walk, very subtle and very elegant. And the shine is just gorgeous, blends with the jewelry in a very lovely fashion. In fact, I wore some of my Tiffany & Co. collections to compliment this dress, as well as a fun little fashion ring for that added glamor.
Silver shoes are also a fun favorite of mine, unfortunately my silver heels experienced a rather rough fashion event in which they did not survive. Some events are just not pretty-shoe friendly. Heartbreaking, but it only means I must seek new ones.
Here’s to the love of silver styles.
Sultry Silver Smoky Eyes
March 27, 2009
After playing with brilliant bold colors (like coral and gold), I am ready for a more sultry elegant look- and for me silver is just the color. There are endless possibilities, and this morning I decided to lean on the bolder side of silver. Nothing too out there, just a subtle hint through some dramatic eyes in my makeup.
And so I played with my make up to do a classic look with a silver glow. A nice touch of eyeliner to elongate the eyes and really make them pop combined with the classic smoky eye make up- only with more of a silver presence to make the look all the more dramatic and glamorous.
My lashes are pretty long to begin with naturally, but when you add the Le 2 Mascara from Guerlain it maximizes the volume and length like nothing else (I love it).
It is more about the silver faded into the hint of dark gray that collects at the ends of the eyes- one side with a fine eyeliner and the other with the rich smoky finish.
The finished look is simple but quite bold- a little can go a long way. It doesn’t take long to do but the results last the entire day and feel flawless. This is a fun look to do and a great way to get excited about the day.
I did mine with silver and gray colors- however if you’re looking for even more, go for the gold. Use a nice bronze or gold and mix it into a darker shade of brown- definitely rich and glamorous as well. Even a dark purple could prove to be royal and luxurious.
Play around and make it your own, simple is key as a little goes a long way. Its the details that count.
Where Some People See A Top, I See A Dress
March 24, 2009
Someone once said to me, that where others see a cute top- I see a very cute dress. And I have found this to be very true, indeed! I love dresses, and love the challenge of making anything and everything into a dress in one form or another.
Pants have never been comfortable to me and never attracted me, they are wonderful and have their place but just have not been a match for me, personally. I feel my best in a dress or skirt- and so I go with what I love most.
When I came across this *adorable* top, at a glance I thought it was a dress. It looks and feels like a dress, with its soft layers that just flow so beautifully. But upon picking it up and trying it on- it became very apparent that this was not a dress, the tiniest bit of extra length would be required. There wasn’t anything at the shop to match it with either, but I had to have it. I loved it too much to let it go, just felt so right.
The design is elegant and feels so delicate and soft- and then it has the playful child-like attitude with the fun little patches designed with an obvious stitching pattern, love it! So unique and one-of-a-kind.
Upon returning home, I realized I did have a light blue skirt that may do the trick (be it a slightly different shade than the top, but something close enough that could possibly blend). Light blue is a color I adore wearing, and have the shoes and other accessories to mix and match with ease. All I needed for this top to turn it into a dress was an extra layer or two, and this skirt would have to be the missing piece to the puzzle.
It looks like a cup cake layered in frosting- such a lovely mix of styles and character. This is one of my favorite outfits, I *absolutely* love this style. And there are so many ways to wear it for all occasions- the accessories give it a new charm each and every time. No matter where I go, I feel fabulous in it.
I also *absolutely* love the necklace I am wearing with it too, a very special one-of-a-kind piece… but more on that later! You’ll have to wait to discover the details on that one ;D It is definitely very fabulous.
Has Glamor Gone Mad?
March 20, 2009
Because we are all a little mad…. and love to indulge in our glamorous fantasies. And designer Tom Binns supplies those fantasies with reality from his incredible couture collections. Born in Ireland, Binns completed the education necessary to acquire the skills of a proper jewelry designer and moved on to collaborate with Vivian Westwood and Malcolm MacLaren for his “punk couture” collection.
Creating designs with a “modern classic” feel, he continues to inspire glamor with a whole new twist. Classic with a modern twist is something I have always described my own style as, and seeing his designs makes me feel as though it is a part of my world. I love simplicity as it has its place, but a part of me is head over heels for excessive glamor such as these collections. From Dumont (pictured above and below), Rokoco, to Couture and more- each collection is fabulous and has its own unique character and feel to it.
Perhaps it is my fondness of Alice In Wonderland that continues to inspire me- I love charms and child-like memories represented in a rich and adult form, so when I look for charm bracelets, I want lots and lots of charms with a strong feel to each one. Colors, crystals, and clever twists of strands are things I am always looking for (which, is perhaps also why I adore LOVEMADDS so much, her designs are true and powerful, one of a kind and absolutely glamorous).
And from loaded up bracelets, I have also searched for ridiculously glamorous rings and necklaces. Needless to say, Tom Binns does not disappoint. Maybe glamor needed a little madness to inspire us all.
I know I am in love- and on the hunt! I am determined to capture these beauties for myself. They are too beautiful to be left alone.
(you know my fondness of hearts, elegance, and glamor… the “chain of events” necklace I am incredibly in love with!) To view more about Tom Binns and his incredible collections, visit his site for more.
An Elaborate Hair Style For A Gorgeous Look
March 13, 2009
The crisp wind outside and frigid temperatures are perfect for wearing a fur around my neck- and to not look like a blob between my hair and my coat, an updo works wonderfully for the trick.
It also does well to transfer from the outside look of a giant coat to the inside look where I can easily take off my fur and coat and still look fabulous.
Just the other day I went for the classic french twist- a smooth very simple and elegant updo; however this time I am feeling more adventerous and want something much more elaborate. I mentioned the puff in the last post, and it had me thinking that I wanted to do it very soon.
So I started there- separating a top section of my hair to be transformed into a sleak and elegant puff and finish what ever hairstyle I would decide to do.
Then I continued by twisting many sections of my hair and playing with various techniques until I found what I liked and secured them with pins.
The entire look only took me a few minutes at most to create, and I enjoyed this glamorous look for the rest of the day and evening. Everything is so much more fun when you are feeling your best, and for me- styling my hair in such an elegant fashion does just that.
Think about taking advantage of the cool weather and practice a beautiful updo to wear with your scarves and winter accessories. Even a hat gains more character and charm when you can get a glimpse of a fabulous updo continuing from underneathe. Have a little fun and feel fabulous as you do!
