Alice in Wonderland

With the new Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland coming out I thought I would get us all excited and inspired by taking a trip down memory lane.  

In 2003 there was the most memorable photo shoot I have ever seen in Vogue Magazine.  They did this incredible version of Alice in Wonderland with Natalia Vodianova as Alice.  Not only did she then become one of my favorite models, but this photo shoot is part of the reason I became a costume designer.  

Not only was the fashion BRILLIANT, but the people who posed with her were all famous designers.  I mean, really??! It doesn't get better for me than this!  I am still blown away by the awesome styling, concept, and attention to detail.  Of course Annie Leibovitz was the photographer.  She is one of those photographers whose style is so apparent and unmatched.  You can see more at vogue.com but I wanted to share a few images with you that have always stood out in my mind.  Enjoy!

I want to be Giselle...

I found this image on tv.yahoo.com
Now that I have bought my dress (whoo hoo!)  I have started to think about what kind of hair I would like for my wedding.  I am often saying in life "I want to look like a Victoria's Secret Supermodel."  I know, I know so does everyone.  But really, I think what makes them so hot has a lot to do with the hair.  Ok, and maybe their incredible bodies too.  But the hair is so glamorous!  

So I was pretty sold on having my hair long and wavy when I became practical...

I am getting married in July and I have frizzy hair!!!  Also, I will probably have to get extensions for this look.  Which doesn't seem very practical either.  I would like to say, that I am a VERY practical person.  I am always that person who is the voice of reason.   I mean, I am the annoying friend who says "Ok, I know this sounds like fun, BUT..."  So does this mean that I should take the practical route and do an updo?  Maybe a modern updo that is still modern, glamorous and wavy?  

I just don't know the answer folks.  There will be more on this topic I am sure of it...

I went to Kleinfeld and "Said Yes to the Dress!"

Yup!  That's me and my beautiful mom after buying my wedding dress at Kleinfeld!
I was very nervous about the idea of going to Kleinfeld.  My mom and I watch the show religiously and it looks very hectic.  I am not the kind of bride who can go to one of those crazy sales and trample over other people to find the best deal.  Maybe for a pair of new heels... but not for a wedding dress.  I need to be in a stress free situation.  So I started my search elsewhere.  One of my first stops was Priscilla of Boston.  Which was fantastic, but we didn't have such a great consultant and even though I loved one of the dresses I found there, I wasn't ready to commit.  I then went to a few more stores and ultimately realized that I was PICKY.  I am a costume designer, which means I know fabric and I know details.  So I needed something that would meet my criteria.  What was my criteria you ask?  Well, I will tell you.

1) FLATTERING

2) Flowy yet structured.  This sounds complicated, but ultimately, I wanted a chiffon or organza dress that had a lot of movement but that still gave me a fantastic shape

3) I didn't want to be Cinderella Barbie.  It is totally cool if you want to be that.... It is just not me.

4) I wanted something a little different, but still chic and modern

SEE!  I told you I was picky!  But, in the end I decided I had to go to the store with the most amount of dresses in the world.  Kleinfeld.  

Our experience was phenomenal and I ended up totally having that moment when I looked in the mirror and pictured myself walking down the isle in MY dress.  Do not underestimate that moment people.  Even for someone like me, who never thought about what her wedding would look like until it happened.  Even for me, that moment was pretty magical.  I cried, my mom cried, then two of my bridesmaids cried.... then another bridesmaid who was also there handed us all tissues.  It was priceless.  

We did not have a consultant who was on the show, but she was very attentive and she listened.  The customer service there is incredible.  There is a reason they are successful. 

Ok.. so I am VERY sorry to not post the dress on here.  But I really don't want my fiance to see it.  And trust me folks.  He will if I post it.  I have very bad luck with these things!  But I will put a few pictures up of dresses that I liked so you can get an idea.  And in 8 months you will get to see a pretty gorgeous dress!!!

This first dress is Romona Keveza and it is so beautiful.  Don't you love the sweetheart neckline and the tulle skirt.. hmmm this looks a lot like the Christos Gown I spoke about in a previous post.  Funny how this was not the silhouette I ended up with!

Oh Monique... how I love thee.  I love love love almost anything Monique Lhuillier does.  Please, if you don't believe me .. go here http://www.moniquelhuillier.com/

I mean really she can do very little wrong.  This model also happens to be gorgeous.  This dress is a much slimmer silhouette, but still flattering and flowy.  See what I mean?

In the end.. I bought a wedding dress!  There at plenty of dresses that I loved and that looked good on me.  But, when it comes down to it.  There is only going to be one wedding dress.  Well... unless you have a different dress for the reception.  But that is a whole different post!

Bridgewaters

So, I am one lucky lady.  Not only am I getting married to the love of my life, but I get to do it here: 

Isn't it beautiful?  This picture and many more can be found on the Bridgewaters website

 http://www.theglaziergroup.com/restaurants/bridgewaters/index.html

Bridgewaters is in South Street Seaport in NYC and if you haven't been to this part of the city, you MUST go.  I love it there because it is so authentic, historical New York.  It has cobblestone streets and lots of shopping and delicious restaurants.  The venue is so fantastic because it has gorgeous hardwood floors, a wrap around terrace for cocktail hour and a view that (as you can see) is pretty awesome!  Every time I think about the wedding I think about this picture.  Oh... and then I think about the incredible food.  Chris Siverson is the executive chef which makes us very lucky indeed!  I can't wait!  

Here is another picture of a wedding at Bridgewaters taken by the fabulous photographer Jen Huang.  

I mean really... Can you handle that view???!!!

Gorgeous Rustic Wedding

So, I have sort of been obsessed with this one wedding dress.  It is a Christos Gown and the style is Julianna.  I love the fabric detail at the top matched with the romantic tulle skirt.  It is not in my budget but a girl can ogle can't she?  The one thing I always said about the dress was "I wish it was strapless".  Well this beautiful bride did just that!  I can't get enough of her impeccable style and wedding glow.  I hope I can look this gorgeous in my wedding photos!  Once you see this dress you will totally understand my obsession!  I found this wedding on my favorite wedding blog  http://greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com/

Everyone should go there who is planning a wedding.  It is truly an incredible resource and inspiration.  These photos also happen to be from Tec Petaja again!  Wow, I didn't realize how much I loved all of their photos!  Her belt is from J Crew and I love the pale peach color.  I almost used that color as one of my wedding colors.  Maybe I should rethink things a bit and add an element of peach in my bouquet.... hmm lots to think about.  Again, love everything about this wedding dress and this bride!  The Groom also happens to look fantastic in his three piece suit.  I just might have to go convince my loving fiance to go that route as well.

If I had events to go to...

I would wear this... 

That is of course, if I could pull it off.  But how gorgeous is this dress????  It is Rodarte and it is fantastic.

This is my first post ever!!!!

Hello!  Welcome to my blog!  I hope to inspire others in the worlds of fashion, cooking, weddings and anything else that tickles my fancy!  Since I am getting married this July, there will probably be a lot of wedding posts but really the world is our oyster everyone!  The above picture is from a fantastic photographer Tec Petaja.  

Check them out here : http://www.tecpetajaphoto.com/

Here we go!