Meet the Belles (p a r t 1)


a l i a :

All-time favorite movie(s): Breakfast Club and Dogfight
Now playing while you work: Pandora, Thievery Corporation channel
 The last thing you bought: For me- groceries! For baby- custom changing table pad cover on Etsy!
What you have planned for summer: 5 more weddings... then childbirth!


m i m i :

All-time favorite movie(s): Grease, The Sandlot, & The Notebook
Blog(s) rocking your world lately: Happily Grey, Sweet Caroline in the City & The Belle Blog!
Favorite nail color: Ballet Slippers in Spring/Summer, Lincoln Park After Dark in Fall/Winter
Now playing while you work: Pandora, Jack Johnson Station
The last thing you bought: Lavender and Boxwood wreaths for our front door (Etsy.com)
What you have planned for summer: Planning 3 weddings, attending 1 wedding in Charlotte, NC, and trip to our family house in Coronado, CA


c a r o l i n e :

All-time favorite movie(s): Never Been Kissed, Wall-e & Superbad
Blog(s) rocking your world lately: The Everygirl! It's covers everything from fashion to finance for the everyday girl
Favorite nail color: Spring/Summer: Salmon Sand & Steady as She Rose, Fall/Winter: Every Month is Oktoberfest & Live And Let Die
Now playing while you work: Of Monsters & Men Pandora Station
The last thing you bought: A Giles & Brothers silver cuff & navy paisley trousers from Loft
What you have planned for summer: Weddings, both for work and as a guest, and possibly a river trip with friends! 


c h r i s t i n e :

All-time favorite movie(s):  Meet Me in St. Louis and Sound of Music
Blog(s) rocking your world lately:  Belle of the Ball!
Favorite nail color:  OPI Step it Up (great neutral) and Cajun Shrimp (great beach color)
Now playing while you work:  Dixie Chicks - Long Way Home album
The last thing you bought: A pair of gray Frye Boots
What you have planned for summer:  Lots of beach time with my family in Cabo!

Heavy Metal

What's the best way to end  the Cannes Film Festival you ask? How about a fashion show dedicated to the luxury and elegance of gold, curated by Carine Roitfeld. While not everyone can jet away to the French Riviera whenever they like, we thought we'd channel the all gold fashion show in today's blog by showcasing some of our favorite gold wedding accents.

The most classic and iconic gold element to any wedding: the wedding band. 

 Personalized here with an inscription- and check out the matching nails!

Peach and Gold  cake for subtle spring elegance 

Gilded Ladies 

And of course Accessories to add a little glitz and glam to your wedding day look!

Gold decor for the bride with the Midas touch!

Badgley Mischka Bridesmaid Dresses, Charlotte Olympia Shoes, Cartier Love Bracelet, Tom Binns Necklace, J.Crew Link Bracelet, Jamie Wolf Stud Earrings,  Jennifer Meyer Bar Earrings

Party At Gatsby's

"And I like large parties. They're so intimate. At small parties there isn't any privacy" -F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

The recent release of Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby" has sparked a "roaring" trend in the hospitality industry. From Speakeasy-themed cocktail hours to weddings fit for Daisy Buchanan, it's no secret that the Jazz Age has become the motif of the season. Here is a little inspiration to help you throw an event that would rival a Party At Gatsby's!

 

This pretty bouquet incorporates feathers, another Spring 2013 trend, and a hint of bling to add a touch of vintage glamour to an otherwise simple arrangement. Set against a beaded dress, this combination is definitely Daisy approved!

 



Long, layered pearls and red lipstick doll up any 20's themed ensemble
 





No Gatsby-approved soiree is complete without champagne! Here is a recipe to a delicious 1920's Champagne Punch:

1 quart of Champagne (about two and a half 750ml bottles)
2 tablespoons of Orange Curacao
2 cups of sugar
1 cup of water
The juice from two fresh squeezed lemons
2 cups of tea
2 cups of rum
4 tablespoons of brandy
Mix the ingredients together in a punch bowl and top with soda water before serving.

Who knows? This libation might even convince Leo to join your gathering!!



Mad About Monograms

Monograms have been used since the time of the Romans, but have just recently become a huge trend! We're loving all the monograms we keep seeing on bridesmaid gifts for getting ready for the wedding and for a keepsake once it's all over.
 

 

  

Preppy, pink, and seersucker. What more could a bridesmaid want?! These cozy seersucker pajama pants will delight the bridesmaids before primping and prepping begin. These pants are available to order through NattieMac on Etsy!

Just looking at this comfy robe should get any bridesmaid excited about wearing it!

We are loving the summery colors that these canvas bags come in from Ballard Designs!

The girls over at Personalized Brides decided to put a spin on the classic button down that bridesmaids would wear to get ready in by adding a pair of cute shorts that come in a ton of different colors!


If you want even more ideas of cute things to monogram for your bridesmaids be sure to check out Marley Lilly and The Pink Giraffe!!


 

Spring Has Sprung!

 

You know what they say... April showers bring May flowers! Not only have we seen flowers popping up all over Houston, we've also seen their inspiration in this Spring cake trend. Here are some gorgeous floral-themed cakes that we just LOVE! Can't wait to see this trend in action this Spring.

This beautiful cake incorporates birds and butterflies with the floral theme.

Love the vibrant colors of this 4-tiered cake!

The contrast between the 2D pansies and 3D grass on this cake make it so unique!



 

Vendor Feature: Pressed Cotton

Happy Friday!

 

You are sure in for a treat this morning! We are so excited to feature our current obsession with "Pressed Cotton". Pressed Cotton has each and every kind of good you can imagine; from décor to favors to practical gifts, they have it all. Below are a couple of our favorite items:

 

This chalkboard box is ideal for centerpieces, whether holding the table number or a simple fact about the bride and groom. Also, super easy to re-use!

 

 

We're loving this To Have & To Hold Pillow Set. Love it for added décor at the reception in a cocktail/seating area, and love it for a warm and cozy wedding gift for the bride and groom's new home.  

 

 

How cute are these Thank You bags? These sweet + simple bags are an easy idea to wrap your wedding favors. Any little item would fit snug in this bag - pretty yet practical.

 

 

 

These Tupelo Honey Soaps are just an example of all the different favors Pressed Cotton has to offer. Find your perfect favors in pretty packaging for your big day at Pressed Cotton, with so much to choose from!

 

xoxo - the belles