Friday Musings

1. Need inspiration for your next bridal shower, birthday party, or luncheon? These 15 Girly Bridal Shower Ideas from Style Me Pretty are sure to make your attendees swoon over the gorgeous and perfectly feminine décor! We especially love these floral arrangements for showcasing the bride's monogram and the season's prettiest blooms!

 

 

2. Don't miss Hannah Joy's cake tasting at BHLDN this Saturday! Her marshmallow fondant and buttercream icing are to die for!! Joy's creative and beautiful cake designs are perfect for your wedding cake and make our mouths water!!

3. Our favorite duo, the Olsen twins, design their first wedding gown and its breathtaking! Mary Kate & Ashley vowed to help their close friend, Molly Fishkin, design the beautiful tailored white lace dream dress and floor length veil for her LA wedding. Scalloped neckline, bell sleeves, column silhouette- its empyreal bohemian perfection! The Paramour Mansion in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles was the perfect site to show off the stylist, Molly Fishkin's gown and made us want to see a second wedding gown from MK and Ash.

 

 

4. Olivia Palermo ties the knot and of course does it in style! Olivia set trends for all brides with her 3-piece Carolina Herrera set. A cashmere sweater stitched with delicate ostrich feathers, full tulle silk & satin skirt with beautiful floral detailing over the oh-so-chic tailored shorts underneath was just amazing! Olivia looked nothing but fabulous strutting down the aisle at an intimate park in Bedford, New York in her cobalt blue Monolos, resembling America's long-loved style icon Carrie Bradshaw in her civil ceremony in Sex & The City the movie. Olivia makes it look effortless as she topped off her look with a chic ponytail and very light and natural makeup. Catch up on more details about her avant-garde look and the beautiful ceremony with husband Johannes Huebl on Olivia Palermo's website!

 





5. Anthropologie is hosting a pop-up farmers market on August 2nd! We can't wait to stop by and try the amazing home-made treats from local farmers and artisans. It will help spark your taste buds and get the creative juices flowing on a wedding menu. Plus this fun event would be a great way to spend your Saturday with your significant other :) Sign up for emails on their website for more information about future events!  

 

6. Don't worry if this happened to one of our brides, the Belles would be sure to take care of the "situtation." Love this couples sense of humor and this hilarious story, that has sparked the hashtag: #WeStillComing

 

 

xoxo - belles :)



Friday Musings

1. These gourmet ice cream sandwiches from Houston-based Ricca Co. look to die for! With flavors like peppermint stracciatella, chocolate and peanut butter, and lemon blackberry goat cheese, these are the perfect dessert for a summer shower or wedding!

 2.  Everyone's TV-favorite Monte Durham from "Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta" dishes on the latest wedding dress trends! Think less beading and more classic simplicity this season, or change it up with a stylish headband instead of a veil.

 

 

3. No party is complete without a glass of bubbly! These 15 Ways to Serve Up Bubbly are a fun, delicious twist on the classic glass of champagne to serve at your next celebration! 

   

4. Searching for the perfect high-fashion gown for your big day? Check out Vogue's Haute Couture Dresses for endless bridal inspiration!  

 5. J. Crew has us obsessing over their latest collaboration - they teamed up with Paperless Post to create the cutest invitations and stationary for any event you throw this summer!

xoxo - the belles :)



Friday Musings

1. Definitely need to check out these pics from Jessica Simpson's wedding to her new hubby Eric Johnson, from The Knot's blog! Inspiration from the Bride's favorite movie, Great Expectations, made Jessica's wedding so romantic and unique. From the mismatched couture bridesmaids dresses including: Jason Wu, Carmen Marc Valvo, Carolina Herrera (her wedding dress designer), the hanging vines, and even a coconut & mixed berry cake turned the San Ysidiro Ranch into a forrest runway! We loved her unique style for her big day! A full spread of the wedding comes out today. Grab a People Magazine right now!!!!

 

2. The perfect flat has officially been created... Teiks! With hundreds of colors and patterns, you'll end up with five in your cart. They easily roll up in your purse too, so at the end of a long evening you'll be so thankful you have these. They've made Oprah's "O List" and Mother's Day gift guide. A Belle favorite for a long wedding day too :)

3. Love this idea found on Linso.hannapee blog! Adding mint, lavender, rosemary or any other decorative and tasteful herb or flower is a great way to cool down and add a refreshing kick to your drinks! Looks great for an outdoor wedding or any other summer event!

 

4. Try out this Still Standing spray to help relieve foot pain in those gorgeous heels. It has aloe and arnica to fight inflammation and over-heating. What a great little gift for bridesmaids before they are hitting up the dance floor all night long!

 

5. This Bruchetta Bar from "What's Gabby Cooking?" is genius! This is such a fun & interactive food station at a wedding reception, or perfect for entertaining friends for delicious dinner party snacking! Just toss fresh arugula, pesto, caramelized mushrooms, red pepper sauce, goat cheese, prosciutto, salami and the works on toasted bread and you have yourself some pleased guests! So easy & creative... plus you and your guests will be loving this little taste of Tuscany!

 

xoxo - the belles

 



Belles & Summer... Part II

We're just about halfway through our summer here in hot hot Houston! Check out what our two summer interns are looking forward to, as well as, two more Belles. And so begins part II...

What Natalie's looking forward to...

1. Wearing all of my neon pieces from kendra scott this summer! Kendra has come out with the most amazing neon pieces that you can wear from day to night. Love this long necklace, it's a Belle must-have!

2. Family vacation to Thailand, London and Paris with baby G to visit family and friends! Wish us luck on our long flight with a baby! 
 

3. Celebrating Gwyneth turning 1 year old! Can't believe how quickly time has flown by! Huge thanks to Morgan Lynn for all of baby G's pictures. She is such an amazing photographer who captured baby G perfectly :)

4. My pledge class trip to New Orleans. Most of the girls have never been so I'm looking forward to introducing them to beignets, jazz and hurricanes! 

 

5. Planning my sister's wedding! She just got engaged in June!

 

What Chelsea's looking forward to...

1. Vacations to Tulsa, San Diego, and Florida to spend time with friends and family!

 

2. Rooftops and cocktails :) 
 

3. Summer sandals to show off those bright pedicures! 

4. Pool time! 

 

5. Backyard BBQ's... mmm!

What Diandra's looking forward to...

1. Shopping for more colored jeans

2. Catching some rays and hanging out with friends at Lake Austin this weekend!
3. Visiting my grandparents and family in Long Island! Can't wait for the shopping, beach time and relaxing!

4. Visiting my best friend in NYC!
5. And my last few 'to do's' like printing pictures from study abroad and finish reading Cold Tangerines!

What Rebekah's looking forward to...

1. Preparing to study abroad in Florence in the fall! I leave the end August and can't wait to be surrounded by all of the art, culture, and amazing Italian food!

2. Cute summer espadrilles!

3. Going home to Memphis in August for a family portrait!

4. Taking advantage of all the cool art exhibits in Houston. I can't wait to visit the Menil!

5. Moving my sister into her dorm at SMU - she's going to be a freshman and is so excited!

July 4th Musings

In honor of America's birthday, we thought we'd do a pre-Friday Musings all about the red white and blue!! We have a little inspiration for all the brides and/or party-throwers this July 4th, next July 4th, or every July 4th. Enjoy!!

1. Red, White, & Blue Floral

We love that this centerpiece mixes in two shades of blue with a pop of red... just gorgeous!

Check out this 4th of July wedding spread on Style Me Pretty. We can't get enough of their strawberry flower arrangement. And that vase is just perfect!

And for a classic look, we love the simplicity of blue and white hydrangeas mixed with red spray roses. 

2. Firework Exits

What better way to say goodbye in style, than with fireworks?! And there's nothing more traditional than fireworks on the 4th! Mix up the sparklers with these and get that wow-factor for your guests to enjoy as you end your perfect wedding night!

3. Cakes

Naked cakes are all the rage these days, but we love this red white and blue one. Those berries scream summer-time July and the color combo couldn't be more perfect!

How about an American Flag grooms cake? Its cute, fun, and goes with the theme without being cheesy. What Southern American-loving groom wouldn't want this?!

Want something a little more traditional? Try this blue and white floral fondant 3-tiered cake. Check out the other six "Pretty Patriot Cakes" from The Knot here!

4. White Dresses

What's more American than a little white dress on the 4th? Perfect for a bride of course too :) 

In honor of the 4th, Valentino's RED collection has a great selection of white summer dresses for any occasion!

We are dying over Naven's "twiggy dress"! So simple and chic and can be found on  Salon Thesis!

Bride-to-be Lauren Conrad had this adorable little white dress on her "Friday Favorites" blog post. 

Rosie Huntington Whitely perfects the white look in Christian Dior! Our favorite part may be the white dress with white heel combo. This look is perfect for a glammed-up rehearsal dinner, or any summer event!

5. Cocktails

Check out Cosmo's 12 Red White and Booze Cocktails for the 4th! This Strawberry Sparkler looks so yum and refreshing. Have it be your signature drink and the first thing guests see as they enter!

Mix up the classic champagne toast with this Pomegranate Bubbly. Your guests will love the fruity taste and the red, white, and blue look! 

We also love the idea of Strawberry infused water from Ruche's Blog. It looks tasty and also pops a bit of red for a décor for your 4th of July inspired wedding! 

Have a wonderful July 4th and a great long holiday weekend!