Adrienne {Introducing Beanilla Boutique}

Adrienne approached me about taking a few images for her soon to be launched, might I add, amazingly pretty online boutique - Beanilla,  an online clothing boutique housing pretty pieces with a vintage touch.

Adrienne is the gal behind it all. I've seen her pieces in person and they are calling my name ... every single one of them (seriously). The dresses are divine and the jewels are spectacular. Of course, she's drenched in Beanilla attire in her images below from her mini session we did last week. We were forced indoors due to the true to form west coast weather but it didn't stop us. As soon as Adrienne launches her boutique, I'll be sure to post. Can I just mention how seriously gorgeous this girl is ...

tutu luv

I know, two posts in one day. Can you see that I'm tryin' to get back at it here with my little blog set back. My lovely girlfriend Laura came to visit me today and she brought her sister Aly over too. Aly made this breathtakingly gorgeous pale pink tutu for me! i.am.so.in.love. She thought I could use it for newborn photo sessions and {of course} for my own little babe one day if we're blessed with a girl. Although, if we are blessed with a boy, blessed we'll be indeed.

I whipped out my camera as soon as they left {so I wouldn't seem like a total freak in front of them of course} and photographed it's prettiness for you to see! Aly has her own little bundle of girly joy, Dakota, who's always decked out in pretty accessories. Isn't Dakota the cutest name! You can likely find Aly's tutu's at Shipwrecked, located downtown Courtenay on 6th Street, right next to The Atlas. Do you love the simple butterfly tag attached with twine like I love it?! Can't wait to try it out - thanks so much Aly!

xoxo

the love look list

A Chanel gown like Michelle Williams wore last night just doesn't need a whole lot surrounding it. The simple, straight lined gown and Harry Winston diamond stud earrings suited her chic blondey blonde pixie hair style and minimal make up, especially her nude/peach lips. Perhaps her look was my favorite ...

And Holy smokes - 7 gowns for Miss Anne Hathaway! A gal could dream ... but she didn't have to! Lucky girl. The prettiest of her ensembles in my little eyes though (probably no surprise to those who know me) was her funky Lanvin tuxedo, show stopping Brian Atwood sparky pumps (uhhmazing!), the broach button closure and of course her Tiffany jewels! She totally rocked it.

Also on my look love list was Natalie Portman's ultra beautiful plum gown (her expecting tummy poked perfectly through), Mila Kunis's lilac gown (draped in all the perfect spots), Scarlett Johansson's lacey purple Dolce and Gabbana gown (bonus points for her messy, sexed up hair style yes?!) and probably my second favorite of the evening was Halle Berry's pretty sparkley train number. Her dress was stunning and the nude colored tulle along the neckline was to die for. It was a dress that I would have killed to wear for my wedding. It was incredible!

Let's just say that I expected more from a few hollywood gals such as Amy Adams, and although I know many of you might disagree, Jennifer Hudson. Her new body is so smokin' and I just didn't love her choice. But then again, the pros were drooling over it so what do I know?! Reese Witherspoon was another. She always looks pretty but I expected something amazingly adorable on her. I am sure though, that what they all wore was a lot hotter than what I wore to watch the Oscars ... black tights and an over sized sheer brown tee ... lol. There are so many opinions bouncing around when it comes to the Oscar attire choices of the stars, and so this was just my take on the red carpet looks. Agree, disagree?! I always like to hear because sometimes someone else see's something in a gown that I may not have.

xoxo

And if you can't, then perhaps consider minding your own beeswax ...

Generally I try and stay away from 'hot topics' on my blog, however, today I want to say what I have the right say with pride. I would also like to mention that I appreciate the fact that others have the same right to feel however else they may. Today October 20th is quickly becoming known as Spirit Day ~ a day to commemorate suicides caused by homophobia with wearing purple. I'll be getting dressed soon today and I'll be sure to add a bit of purple to show my support. Enjoy your Wednesday friends, however you spend it!

 

Pretty Palette

* Pretty palette *
Slate Grey & Marigold Yellow

I always feel that yellow has a sort of charm when combined with outdoor elements like green grass, white tents, and natural skies. I love thinking outside the white wedding box. In fact, I'm not much of a white wedding fan. I have seen a few unbelievably beautiful white weddings, although, it's not necessarily easy to pull off a classic all white event. Will someone I know please go for the yellow & grey color scheme already?! Hello gorgeous.
P.S. If you're into white weddings, check out green wedding shoes latest post on a fabulously inspiring white soirée with modern flecks of rich gold and dark grey. Sounds interesting huh? Yes indeed!

sparkle me pretty

This dress makes my heart sparkle ... it's simply gorgeous! And no, just because it's glittery doesn't mean it's limited to flourish in a winter wedding. So if you feel like sparkling in summer, do it. Just do it in style. The sparkles look fantastic next to the royal blue hues! P.S. This amazing little soiree was featured on Style Me Pretty - where else huh!

lifes a pearl

I'm so glad I did a final try on of all my wedding day attire tonight - shoes, accessories, sweaters and all. Angela came by and lent a hand in doing up laces, judging between two potential wedding day pearl necklaces, and doing some final alterations on my blusher veil. I could not be any happier with the way things have turned out. I never imagined one year ago, that everything would have come together the way it has. I stood pretty solid with what I had envisioned although there are always times when your ideas don't pan out and you're forced to go another route. I now see that it's completely normal to go back and forth, changing styles and wants for your big day a ton of times. 

Onto fashion, I've ironically enough, decided to wear my .75 CENT blush pink pearls I 

scored at the Salvation Army thrift store rather than my chunky ivory pearl necklace I paid way too much for. I think it's meant to be. I considered throwing them both together for a layered look like below but it was just a TAD too much ;) I would love to say 'when is it ever' .. too much I mean, however, I think there really is a point when it's too much. I suppose I had to agree that this would have been one of those times but I'm still going to try it out sometime soon! I can't wait to lay my pearls over my neck this Saturday and exchange vows with my fiancé who deserves everything that I have to offer which I hope is a lot!

rain ready

It's time to face the facts I guess ... but the fatcs might still be really pretty. The facts are: our wedding is ONE week from today and it just might rain, rain rain. As the day is inching closer, I'm realizing a few things: it's the West Coast, rain can add a lush, garden, stormy feel to outdoor events, and most importantly, fun things like rain boots and umbrellas can add so much character to your big day. I have my own purple plaid Roxy rain boots very similar to the ones featured below but I decided to borrow my Mom's pink ones instead (pictured below). I also love the idea of a bridal party all decked out in cowboy boots, how cute! I'm heading out to some of the local thrift shops this afternoon to see if I can pick up any last minute wedding knick knacks - I've had good luck so far! Happy Saturday!

Garter Girl

I decided to try out my new sewing kit I received at my bridal shower from my Mom's best friend Angela who is also our little wedding party 'fashion coordinator'. She probably wanted to stop the cycle in regards to a serious lack in sewing skills. My Mom was never a sewer to say the least. Her sewing kit was pretty pathetic really. It consisted of some terribly ugly and severely outdated fabric swatches, seafoam green thread, a few random buttons and a handful of dull pins. I have a completely fantastic Mother with many talents, however, sewing was not one! I don't necessarily have the 'sewing' gene either Mom and while I would consider myself to be rather crafty, any projects involving sewing I've managed to steer clear from. I tend to alter them whenever possible but this time, I thought I'd dive in so I can at least say I tried it out! I thought maybe adding some charm to my garter might be a simple first step and indeed it was. Creating the fabric flower was simple and the instructions can be found at Project Wedding. I also used Dylon fabric dye in 'dusty rose' to dye the originally white garter. I thought it turned out pretty cute. It's very pink, very girly, and fairly frilly ... sound familiar?

P.S. Love you Mom!

nude nails

I think I love the taupe polish trend. I say 'I think' because I've never actually tried it before but I'm off to purchase a bottle or two to try it out. I was thinking of doing something light and natural on my nails for the wedding. Not grey but taupe-like. It'll either look chic or resemble mud and that's why I'm doing it on a lazy holiday Monday where I have quick access to polish remover if need be. I've been working on growing my nails back out. I usually end up breaking them within a few weeks of long length but I need to keep them growing for the next 2 weeks until my manicure the day before the wedding.

* Tip: use OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil and your nails will grow like wild. It smells amazing, is non greasy, also the one tube has lasted me almost two years and I use it religiously. A little goes a long way! *

girls just wanna have fun

Tonight is my bachelorette party and we're going to a pole dancing class! I'm very excited although since my Mom & sister have kept everything hush hush, I don't really know what to expect. I don't handle surprises very well so in preparation of not knowing what to expect, I've done the following:

* Painted toes a fun, bright color = check
* Packed 'stripper-esque' shoes = check

* Gone for a tan = check
* Packed my camera = check (because this may be deliriously comical)
* And finally, I'm going to try and catch some zzz's this afternoon before we head out tonight because who knows where tonight will take us!

I'll post *appropriate* photos afterwards (lol) but in the meantime, feast your eyes on these Michael Anotinio platform 'stripper-esque' shoes found at the ever entertaining Fashion Victim blog. Girls got style, now put your hands together and pray that us girls have a little tonight too. P.S. Did I mention today we've hit the official two week wedding mark. I'm not even looking at the weather channel.

gotta love a good deal

Today I stumbled across a very good deal - TWO pairs of any Robeez baby shoes for the price of ONE. I paid $40 in total for both pairs! I bought a cream & chocolate brown pair. Ideally I would have got the cream pair for the new baby but they only had cream in Colton's size so that will have to do. I bought them in a little bit of bigger sizes so both the babies can wear them a little longer through out the winter. Baby 'E' is due in September so they'll be perfect for the fall. And as for Colt - he'll probably trash them to bits with all his motoring around but that's okay! Just to add to the cute-ness, I love all the pretty nursery bedding at Serena & Lily. Check it out!

 

the good kinda drama

I hope all of our wedding guests appreciate a bride who isn't afraid to hop outside the box. Or rather a bride who takes a few g-i-a-n-t leaps outside the box, away from the usual bridal style. I know I appreciate it and in most ways, I suppose that's all that really matters. SO I opted to go for a dramatically over sized pearl necklace to wear with my wedding dress. I had bought regular blush pink pearls & was going to have a friend of mine create a necklace for me but I had a change of heart (luckily before she even started the necklace). Below are a few other brides who also took some chances, some very pretty chances. I love it. 

To find your own statement necklace, check out funky places like J.Crew, Anthropologie, or Forever21.

  

found: a bridal shower dress

I finally found a dress to wear to my bridal shower today and at Winners of all places! I searched EVERYWHERE prior to going back for this one. The studded belt can be taken off but I think I'm going to wear it with. It's definitely bold and I love it. I think I'll add my gold bangles with. We'll see what I can find to wear for shoes and perhaps a little something to wear over top in case the sun ceases  to shine that day!