La La Land, Fall Formal Edition

You know, that scene where Emma Stone and her gal pals break out into a choreographed dance routine in the middle of an empty street in their primary monochromatic frocks (see below). I watched La La Land again last night and (as with most movies) my favorite parts are always the beginning and the build up, before the plot gets too complicated and inevitably leaves you in a befuddling state of not knowing whether you're happy or sad anymore (which then leads to another trip to the kitchen, another pour in the glass - you know how that story ends).

Apart from 1) provoking a pathetic, attempted tap performance in my living room, 2) implanting some heavy nostalgia for the glory days of living with three girls and starting off our nights with the best part of the night - getting ready, and 3) leaving me with those damn tunes replaying in my head all. morning. long., the movie did something else. It inspired today's collage, which elevates the costumes just a wee bit so that Emma and her amigas are a little more on-trend and a little more prepared for some fall festivities (no offense to Mary Zophres).

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Flower Earrings - Patricia Peckinpaugh// Velvet Dress - Creatures of Comfort// Geometric Purse - Zara// Mismatched Flower Earrings - Bounkit// Clear & Black Suede Pumps - Steve Madden// Two Drop Earrings - Rebecca De Ravenel

White on White

Fun Friday fact: apparently It wasn't until Queen Victoria (that little fashion-forward chica pictured below) married her cousin (eesh) Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg in February 10, 1840 that wearing white on your wedding became a "thing." Before Queen Vic the brides traditionally wore red - lovely color, but not ideal for the delicate-little-flower look brides today are going for.

So today's post is dedicated to Queen Victoria (thank you), brides-to-be looking for some white numbers (you're welcome), and Over the Moon for inspiring all my wedding madness this week (it's been a magical ride).

Embellished Necktie - Abbie Walsh// White Eyelet Dress - Alice McCall// Mug Cuff - Balenciaga// Happily Ever After Clutch - Sophia Webster// White Long Sleeve Dress - Efrain Mogollon// Wifey for Lifey Sandals - Sophia Webster

To & From: the Bride

Gifting is my love language and when I get asked by friends about gift ideas for brides-to-be I do a little happy dance. So in the spirit of all things wedding this week (thanks to this little thing on Over the Moon), I'm listing my go-to gifts to give to your bride friends. Also included are gifts for the bride to give, because everyone knows a bridezilla/chilla's way to her friends' hearts is with a lil' somethin' somethin' wrapped up real nice with a little bow on top. And maybe a reasonable mandatory wake-up time.

And can I just say there are few things that are as special-slash-sentimental than an unexpected bouquet delivery. From bride to bridesmaid or vice versa - some surprise flowers with a little note (saying how excited you are, what the countdown to the big day is, how you just ate a bagel and are finding gift-giving therapeutic in the face of wedding diet failure, etc.) makes for some warm and fuzzy feelings all around. Which is why the backdrop of today's post are some picture perfect florals by House of Lilac - Miami gifters extraordinaire that you should check out for any and every gift idea (after reading this post, le duh).

  1. The Mrs. Box (from $75) - One of my best friends gifted me this ring box, which I still keep on my bedside table. The boxes, known as wedding heirlooms, can be customized with the bride's initials and come in beautiful shades of velvet.
  2. Nicola Bathie Earrings (from $150) - The San Antonio designer makes stunning earrings from natural stones and works closely with brides to create the perfect accessory for their bridesmaids.
  3. Dixie Design Collective Stationary Gift Set ($100) - Brides will actually look forward to writing thank you cards with these beautiful, personalized stationary sets, each imprinted with designs by amazing artists like Gina Langford (my personal fav).
  4. Wedding Invitation Decoupage Plate (from $68) - Before throwing out the wedding invite, consider sending to Marye-Kelley to turn it into a decoupage plate, which the bride will keep as a special memento and solidify your ranking as best gift-giver. 
  5. Anya Hindmarch Bespoke Box (from £195) - These rank at the tippity top of gifts in my book, since they can be personalized with an embossed message in your own handwriting and a photo inside the lid.
  6. India Amory Robes (from $60) - The chic bridesmaid gift that will never go out of style or out of use, made from easy and breathable Indian block-printed cotton.

Moon Over Miami: My Wedding

Today I got to relive my own wedding with Over the Moon, the wedding website I just can't seem to stop yapping about.

And before directing you that way, I feel like I must acknowledge the risk in doing this. Not because I'm showcasing my wannabe-party-planner-slash-stylist amateur skills for the internet to judge - because I do that every damn day. But because I'm stepping dangerously close to the border of "this-girl-needs-to-get-over-her-wedding" town. We all know this town and we all like to think we can banish brides of yesteryear to this town, but allow me to put on my public-defender-no-one-asked-for-or-really-wants hat for a second (or don't allow me, I'ma do it anyway).

Sharing your wedding is sharing a very special part of you - it's all the people and places and things you love wrapped up in a weekend that flies by too quickly. So getting to relive it any which way is the only means of being able to feel like you are back in your favorite place with all your favorite people and things on your favorite day. Think of it like a gals own Pensieve a la Harry Potter - it's just. like. that.

So here is my personal Pensieve, courtesy of the duo-Dumbledores at Over the Moon, Alexandra Macon & Andee Olson (just as wise and just as loveable). Most of the stuff my bridesmaids and I wore is no longer in stock, but I linked similar styles below because I lurve ya.