Spring 2012 Runway: Carol Hannah

Last year I was lucky enough to go to New York and get to attend the a party for Carol Hannah at Michael C. Fina for the launch of her first bridal collection. This year, she had a runway show for her new Spring 2012 bridal collection, and sadly since I'm in London I couldn't attend. I love Carol Hannah's feminine, romantic yet modern style, and the dreamy, ethereal way she drapes fabric. Her dresses are truly works of art up close with gorgeous hand detailing. After I saw the pictures from the show, I knew I had to share! Here are some of my favorites...

photos: via Brides

It's hard for me to name a favorite, but I am really loving the dress on the left in the first row. 

What's your favorite??

Some Lovely Little Dresses + My Halloween Table

It is officially November! Which means several things: Thanksgiving is just around the corner, followed by Christmas, and I need to hit the books hard studying for midterms and writing papers for school. But before I do that today I wanted to share some lovely little dresses from my favorite online shop for lovely little dresses - ModCloth. And I had to include some pics of the spooky Halloween table + decor I set up for our neighborhood trick or treaters last night :) But on to the dresses first!

These sweet frocks would be perfect for any of your pre-wedding parties - engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette, welcome party, rehearsal dinner or day-after brunch. All are from ModCloth, which currently has over 23 pages worth of pretty day + party dresses.

Lovely Omen dress, $57.99

My personal fave. It just has that vintage feel and I'm always a sucker for lace.

Plus it feels so Bride-y.

Home Before Ten dress, $89.99

Does not this dress totally belong at a party with this ruffled cake? Say a shower or bachelorette perhaps? A match made in heaven I think.

Time of My Life dress, $149.99

This just SCREAMS "Bride" and "Rehearsal Dinner".

Spun Gold dress, $69.99

And on to my creepy Halloween table decor I set up last night on our porch! I was so excited to have trick or treaters and wanted to do something a little special for them. I set up a table with some potions, flickering candles, apples and a bumpy green pumpkin with a crow perched on top. A sign warned trick or treaters "I would turn back if I was you".

Curiosity Cola and Dandelion & Burdock "elixrs" sit with vials of colored potions, apples, candles and books of spells.

We hung black gauze bunting with purple and orange lights over the front of our porch (loved this so much!)

I hope everyone had a fun Halloween! See you here tomorrow :)

Fall in Love with Sleeves

I'm continuing my "I love Fall" kick right now with some of my favorite new wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses that feature SLEEVES! These stunners are all by Watters and prove that sleeves need not look frumpy. They are perfect for those wanting to cover up for modesty, to avoid the dreaded bulge above a strapless dress line, and of course they keep you warm (and look right at home) during the chillier seasons.

'Escalante' from Watters - Very Grace Kelly feeling.

'Yuma' from Watters - Such a gorgeous neckline, backline, and silhouette.

Style 7122 by Watters Bridesmaids - Can I just get this dress to wear around please?

Would you consider wearing a wedding dress with sleeves? Or would you consider putting your maids in sleeved dresses?

New Bridal Collection by Carol Hannah

Last night I was lucky enough to attend the unveiling of the new bridal line by Carol Hannah, Project Runway Season 6 finalist, at the Michael C. Fina store in New York. Can I just say how much I loved these dresses? Such thoughtful hand-done detailing, lovely fabrics and sweet touches - you can tell how much love she put into this collection! It was so nice to meet her and to hear about her inspiration behind the line, which comes from her love of Charleston (where she once lived) - it's architecture, colors, and charm. She wanted to design her collection to be more affordable than many designer gowns (everything is priced between $2000 and $5000) and lightweight so a that bride can easily dance and move in her gown (yay!).



Me meeting Carol Hannah (She's sooo sweet and said I win an award for coming all the way from Oregon for the event :)

Bride Style: Oleg Cassini dresses

When I saw these two new dresses from Oleg Cassini for David's Bridal, let's just say I wish I had a time machine or some other good excuse to buy both of these wedding dresses. And I cannot believe they are both under $900! Oleg Cassini was the personal designer to First Lady Jackie Kennedy, and we have him to thank for creating her distinctive "Jackie look" and style. He has since passed away, but his line for David's Bridal continues with timeless glamour and elegance. The fabrics and detailing used in his line really are luxe and an amazing steal for the price. Here are my two favorites from the new Oleg Cassini 2010 collection...

First off, this amazing tulle ballgown number with fabric flower and beaded applique... It looks like it costs about 10 times more than it actually does!

Tulle over satin ballgown with sweetheart neckline and 3-D floral and beading detail, $850

And then this fabulous high-low hem dress which I love - you get the both of best worlds of a short dress and a longer gown and get to show off the shoes!

Oh and the price? At $550, it's even more fabulous.

Strapless faille high-low hem dress with sweetheart draped bodice and 3-D flower at waist, $550

Dresses Under $260: Retro Dresses from Unique Vintage

Almost a year after my wedding, I am still as obsessed with looking for retro wedding dresses as I was when I was in the planning process. When I happened upon Unique Vintage, I knew I had hit the retro wedding dress jackpot. All amazing looking dresses that look like you might have pulled it out of your super stylish grandmother's closet, and all at super cheap prices!


3/4 Length Sleeve 1950's Style Taffeta Wedding Dress, $260

1930's Style White Satin Dora Wedding Dress, $160

White Satin Ruffle Wedding Dress with Matching Bolero, $228

1950's Style White Tulle Wedding Dress, $118

White Taffeta and Sequined Glamour Dress, $160

1950's Style White Polka Dot Mesh Grace Wedding Dress, $170

Mesmerizing White Ruched Taffeta Mermaid Style Dress, $148

1950's White Satin Swing Wedding Dress, $140

Dresses Under $1000: J.Crew

While browsing Jcrew.com for flip flops for my upcoming Vegas trip, I couldn't help but look at the Wedding section. I was blown away by all the dresses, and there were some total stunners in the $2-3k range, but I am more about high style that only looks like it costs a lot. So here are my favorites for under $1000.

Cecelia silk tricotine long dress, $395

Goddess silk tricotine gown, $325

Gwendolyn silk dupioni gown, $695

Whitney solid silk chiffon long dress, $395

Sabine silk taffeta gown, $695

Confetti limited-edition dress, $995