I’ve been away from the blog way too long, but could there be a prettier way to return?
I’ve been daydreaming about these gowns by Claire La Faye for quite some time. I never get tired of looking at them. The layers, the detail, the custom-tailored silhouettes… not to mention her angelic models & outstanding photography. One look at her shop & you’ll start to conjure up a reason to order one immediately. Wedding, rehearsal dinner or otherwise. No wonder Hollywood stars already have. Lucky them! If no special occasion can be found for these dresses, her embellished tanks would make you feel like belle of the universe all summer long. I’m trying to decide on a color for my own… Above, Parisian Princess Gown gray silk gown with feathers, $1,400, and It Must Have Been the Roses blush pink silk gown, $1,400.
Since you’re here & might be wondering when to expect new Orange & Blossom goodies, the answer is: very soon! We are going to be updating the site over the next few weeks. So…
Coming soon to the vintage shop: white vintage wedding gloves (one with bows… you’ve been asking!), vintage bridal handbags (one embroidered with daisies!) and more… Follow us on twitter to know as soon they are up.
Coming soon to the regular shop: hanging crystal votive candle holders in two sparkling styles, zebra-print votive candle holders and more… Again, hit that twitter link up there to know when they are here!
What woman doesn’t love a grand pair of shoes? But… the thought of spending hundreds of dollars on a big-name designer pair usually gives me a slight pain in my side. The exceptions for me are either a) you are wearing a mini-dress wedding gown (Hey, good for you! Now, get a rockin’ pair of heels to go along with…) or b) you’ve found a pair of bridal shoes you really & truly can and will wear again. (Hint: If they’re white, you’re already a real iffy bet in the b) category.) That’s why pretty bridal shoes that don’t cost a fortune always deserve a second look by me.
These towering beauties were a recent etsy find. For the girl who likes the idea of strutting down the aisle in a 4 1/2″ heel with a hidden platform… voila! These are for you. Faux suede bridal pumps, some with a peep toe, receive back-end embellishments with feathers or lace surrounding the heel. Just $55-$65 per pair by LaPlumeEthere. (See her feather bridal fascinators & boutonnieres, too…) Okay, you may need a back up for those hours on the dance floor, but for the aisle walk and photos, these make a colorful statement indeed.
Leave it to Anthropologie to endear me to lace! Actually, it’s a fickle fancy that sort of comes & goes with me. At the moment, lace works for me. I’m all about it. Thank you, Anthropologie. My wish list just got longer. This lace dress could easily go the bridal route, but just as easily almost anything else. I love this indie, wintry look with colored tights. No, not exactly practical for a Tuesday night run for a hot plate of Mexican food. But that’s what catalogs are good for: escapist & impractical shopping fantasies. Works every time… Clockwise from top left: Creme Brulee Lace Cami, $62; Spinning Lace Dress with crinoline & black sash, $288; crocheted Venetian Laced Snowflake Earrings, $30; Sugared Lace Necklace from Italy, $198. It’s all very New Year’s Eve.
While stocking up on china for our new High Tea for Alice confection & cupcake stands, I fell into this amazing shop on etsy & couldn’t get it. Nor did I want to!
Jen’s Closet consumed me–just a small warning that it might do the same to you! If you love vintage china, retro barware, and starch-pressed linens like I do, brace yourself! I chose these two listings for a vintage-inspired wedding with a subtle, “something blue” theme: Aqua blue vintage glass Ball jar vases, $18.50/pair. Tiffany blue vintage bridal gloves in polyester, $14.50. That reminds me, I just added a chain-handle vintage blue bridal clutch to the vintage shoppe. I never tire of weddings with blue…
The first in a new, limited edition of “forever bouquets” we’ve created for our etsy shoppe, comes our Midsummer Night’s Dream bouquet.
Shakespeare’s theme comes alive in this little faux floral dreamscape. Shades of purple & hues of green swirl over big golden leaves & a hand-tied handle in our signature double-fold style. (The handle even has a hidden layer of cotton padding for extra comfort whilst carrying it.)
Beautifully whimisial for a bride; equally dazzling for bridesmaids & older flower girls…
Its lilac purple & forest green scheme sparkles with just a bit of pixie dust. The roses are edged with glitter; the ferns are dipped in it.
Just $85, and it lasts forever… Same as your love.
I tend to get a little gushy at the sight of an amazing pair of bridal-parfait shoes. Recently, I’ve spied two…
On the left, a darling pair of bride’s pumps straight from the U.K. They’re about as funky as you can go & still be a bridal shoe. I spotted them in a gorgeous, vintage-inspired real wedding in Austin, TX, on Classic Bride Blog. Made by Irregular Choice, the patterned suede upper blooms into a large floral display. The U.K.-based site has many wild choices for bridesmaids’ shoes as well (like these red & white heels with bows & hearts)!
The beauties on the right are vintage 1950s wedding stillettos. White leather pointed toe bridal kicks with, brace yourself, a lucite & velvet bow. (I LOVE bows.) Authentic & of-the-era, originally from Rich’s Designer Salon. Perfect for a vintage wedding. As long as you’re about a size 8; $68 from NickandNessies.
Two looks, too cute! One for the ceremony, one for the reception, maybe?
This vintage-inspired necklace is her latest treasure to catch my eye. Her fascination with kings & queens be praised!
If there’s a bride for every necklace, let her come forward for this alluring cast brass & crystal confection…
Artisan hand-cast in Istanbul, the necklace is, as Tracy puts it, “An homage to bewitching bygone eras… Hand-made & tarnished to perfection.” Of course!
She’s so very talented at transporting us to other lands with a single, decadent purchase.
My new vote for the best bridal fragrance from France: Miss Dior Cherie. Hubby & I think it smells like cotton candy & candlelight. We scooped it up at first whiff, even before I saw the French commercial for Miss Dior Cherie directed by Sofia Coppola on the Dior website. But then I loved it even more. Those sunglasses! I like that version more than those on YouTube, but they’re good too. The one below adds a romantic interest for our leading lady…
As Sephora.com describes it: “A new interpretation of the original Miss Dior fragrance, Miss Dior Cherie combines pure couture spirit with the audacity of youthful, playful notes for a fresh approach to a timeless classic. Notes of chic, green tangerine, violette, and pink jasmine mingle with soft patchouli, musk, and delectably sweet strawberry leaves and caramelized popcorn for a delicious scent that’s truly irresistible.
At first glance, guests would never guess this shining handbag was pieced together from hand-crocheted swirls of aluminum pull tabs surrounding discs made from post-consumer recycled bottoms of cans.
But indeed, this visionary, earth-friendly purse would make a stunning sidekick for any bride who even takes her wedding fashion to the eco-smart extreme. It’s metallic, modern, edgy, and a definite conversation piece for occasions well beyond the wedding day.
Zipper closure with one interior zipper pocket. Handmade by fair-trade co-ops, $145 from the MoMA Store.
At the risk of becoming unpopular, I freely admit I am not a fan of the “trash the dress” trend. Seeing beautiful gowns in water & mud & paint, even when done artistically in amazing photographs, always leaves me a little sad. With the eco-movement in full swing—not to be hip, but for our planet’s survival—I’m still surprised to see bridal gowns forever retired after just one wear. Absolutely, each bride is entitled to do as she pleases and what feels good & right to her surrounding her wedding and beyond. For me, though, I say. “Save those dresses!” These vintage confections are just seven reasons why. If they had been trashed, no one would ever have the exciting chance to slip them on again… If you act fast, some might still be yours next.
