To Market To Market

I'm writing this from the Amtrak wifi as we zoom on out to New York City for a whirlwind trip to bridal market. Also known as Bridal Fashion Week, we're going to choose the new dresses that we will carry at the shop. By whirlwind, I mean less than 24 hours- we're going to see just a handful of our top designers while we're there. Choosing the right outfit for this type of shopping trip isn't always easy, but I think I nailed it this time. 

We'll be on our feet the entire day, so flats are a must. It's important to look professional, but we also want to be a little comfortable. Also, it's spring, so I want to be a little colorful, too. I happened to snap a quick selfie when I was packing, so here it is: 

Let's break it down: dark wash skinnies, leopard flats, coral lace top, cream/coral seersucker jacket, Tiffany blue crossbody bag, seashell ring and flower earrings. 

This is a little more casual than I would typically dress for this type of trip, but the outfit was too cute to pass up. The leopard print shoes are probably an odd choice, but what you don't know about those shoes is that the inside of them is fuzzy. Like slippers. It's just the start of spring and my feet are so soft and pink right now. They can't handle long hours in spring shoes and sandals just yet. So, those shoes allow for the springtime no-socks look while keeping my tootsies super comfy. I wore a pair of leather ballet flats to work yesterday and my feet were protesting loudly by the end of the day. Summer feet, please come quick!!!

Anyone else feeling the winter-feet-to-summer-feet hurt? It's bittersweet, really. I'm super excited to not have to wear tights every single day, but then the rubbing on my tender feet makes me yearn for fuzzy socks. Like I said, bittersweet. 

If you're my facebook friend, I'll try to post a couple of photos from Market, but I make no promises. When I said whirlwind, I meant it. Less than 24 hours in the city. We're on the train now. We'll start at 9:00 AM tomorrow and work straight through till 6:00ish. Then we'll treat ourselves to a nice dinner and be on the 9:00 PM train back to Boston. Whirlwind! It's a good thing I'm on vacation next week! 

Thanks for reading, friends! 

Mixing Prints Like a Boss

My friends Kate and Mike got married earlier this month and while it typically goes without saying that the bride looked gorgeous (she totally did), it's not often that the groom's outfit is anything special. A black tux, a grey tux, a brown suit, a grey suit... meh. Right? Well, Kate and Mike were not having that. They put together what I think it quite possibly the best groom's look I've ever seen, so even though Kate was positively radiant in her ivory lace Vera Wang gown, I'm going to focus on Mike for this post. And you will now see why:

Friends, this is how you mix prints. Just look at that shirt and tie combo! It's flawless. The scale of prints, the color combination, the way it works so well with the suit. Seriously, I've been raving about it since I saw it!

I stole all these photos from Facebook, but saved the best for last- and these are from the pros over at Rodeo and Co. Photography:

I'm proud to say I made Kate's veil and I think it came out pretty fabulous. Almost as fabulous as Mike's outfit. 

Seriously, how cute is this couple?!?!

So, gentlemen AND ladies, take note of how to mix prints like a boss. This is how it's done. End of story.

Enjoy the rest of your day, friends! And as always, thanks for stopping by!

Bridal Bliss

I know they say June is for brides, so I'm going to write a post to show all of you my favorite gowns from this past year. In addition to it being June 1st, it was also our sample sale at Madeleine's Daughter today and it was so much fun seeing brides leaving with their bargain-price bridal gowns. The sale is one of my favorite events of the year because with prices at 40-70% off, it's possible for a bride to wear her dream gown on the cheap.

Anyway, enjoy these photos of some of my all-time favorite bridal gowns:

Chelsea by Amsale

The sweetest gown on the planet. 

Mimosa by Jenny Packham

Jenny does beadwork like no other. 

RK359 by Romona Keveza 

If ever there was a breathtakingly stunning ballgown, this would be it. 

Darling by Monique Lhullier (you can't tell in the photo, but this gown is the palest blush!)

Memory by Monique Lhullier

I have one word: ahhhh!!!

Principessa by Jenny Packham

Ophelia by Christos

Greenwich by Amsale

Unfortunately, this gown never made it to production. Isn't that sad? 

I am sure you can tell from these photos that there are many different textiles and silhouettes that I love. If I ever get married, choosing a gown will be no easy task. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed drooling over these lovelies as much as I have. I haven't seen the Romona Keveza gown in person, but I have a feeling it would make my heart stop if I did, so it's probably for the best. And as for "Principessa" by Jenny Packham, I'm confident that would be a charming exit dress, or maybe even rehearsal dinner dress (we are talking about my non-existent wedding, of course). 

Have a great day, everyone! And as always, thanks for reading! 

Busy, Busy, Busy...

I've had a lot going on in the last few weeks, which is why I haven't been blogging regularly, but I figured I'd share some of what has been keeping me busy with all of you. And yes, some of it is style and fashion-related.

First, I took a trip to New York City with some coworkers for an awesome conference. We came back from our trip feeling energized and excited to get back to work. While we were there, we were able to see the 9/11 Memorial which was very powerful.

We were also able to see a Broadway show in our downtime: 

Unfortunately, I did not document any of our outfits while I was there. It was just so hectic. Our days were jam-packed from the moment we got up until we crashed in our hotel room at night. It was a fabulous trip.

Since coming back, things have still been very busy. I've styled a magazine photo shoot:

Is this model gorgeous or what? She's wearing Hudson by Amsale with flowers by Kate Parker Designs, Hair by Lena Hartford of Hair that Moves and make-up by Joanne McDonough of Joya Beauty. The whole shoot was very architectural with pops of blue-print blue throughout (hence the bright blue necklace and ribbon around the bouquet). I can't wait to see the actual photos- these were all snapped on my phone, so they're nothing like the end product. I'll try to remember to post the photos from the shoot once it's published. The veil we used was absolutely EPIC. 

Other than that, I've been busy with friends- I've been to a Pinterest Party, down to Boston for a girl's shopping weekend and for the last few days I've been planning a spa-themed birthday slumber party for the Professor's daughter. I'll post more as soon as I have time. Check back soon and as always, thanks for reading! 

Other Miscellaneous Bridal Shopping Tips

My two "How to Have a Great Bridal Experience" posts seemed to be fairly well-received. However, there was a bunch of other random advice that I wanted to share, but couldn't seem to squeeze it all into those two posts. And since the shop is closed today while New England gets 2+ feet of snow dumped onto it, I've got plenty of time to write it all out for you. So, here's a little tag-on post that covers some other useful inside information and tips:

First, I want to explain a little bit to all of you about the inventory carried in various bridal shops:

1.) Many brides have a very specific dress in mind that they want to try on. They will often see it at the designer's website and then click on a button or link that says something along the lines of "Find this dress in a store" or "Shops that carry this dress." Unfortunately, those links can be misleading. Any retailer that carries the line that dress is part of will be included in that link, regardless of whether or not that store carries that specific dress. For example, at Madeleine's, we have about 30 different designers represented in our store. Unfortunately, it's just not feasible from either an economic or logistical perspective to carry every dress by every designer. Brides may see that we carry Paloma Blanca or Monique Lhuillier or Jenny Packham and assume that we have all the dresses in our store and that simply isn't the case.

2.) Additionally, many designers have different divisions, or a large corporation will own several smaller design companies under the same umbrella. Don't assume that since a store carries Monique Lhuillier Bridal, that they must also carry her Bliss Bridal line as well. And just because a store carries a designer's bridal line doesn't mean they also carry their bridesmaids and vice versa. So, if you're looking for something specific, call the store and ask. Even if they don't carry a sample of it, that doesn't always mean that you can't buy it.

3.) If the answer to the question, "Do you have ________ dress in your store?" is "no," don't be discouraged. Lots of designers allow authorized retailers of their gowns to do something called a "sample viewing." Simply put, this means the designer will loan out a sample of the dress for the bride to try on at that local store. There is almost always going to be a fee associated with the viewing, but most shops will apply the majority of the fee towards the purchase of a gown (whether it's the borrowed dress, or an entirely different one). As a bride, you simply agree to the fee, and then let the bridal shop coordinate with the designer to get the sample in the store for you to try on. If you choose to have the store coordinate a sample viewing, the size, color and condition of the dress will unfortunately be completely out of your control. You may also be asked to be flexible with when you come in to try it on as there may be other brides requesting the sample as well, or trunk shows scheduled around the country (or the world) in which the dress is needed.

Next, here are some tips for the sizing of bridal attire:

1.) Unfortunately, many bridal gowns run extremely small. It is not uncommon to wear a size or two larger in bridal than you do in ready-to-wear. Additionally, when ordering, the gowns are cut to standard measurements as opposed to your measurements. This requires you to select the largest size you measure into and have the gown tailored down to fit you.

2.) When choosing the size to order, it's always advisable that you buy the gown that fits you now, even if you plan to lose weight. It's much easier (and less costly) to take a dress in than it is to have to add more fabric to an existing dress. In addition, it's hard to predict what part of your body will shrink with weight loss. Since you can't predict what size you'll slim down to, it's best to order your current size and just have it altered to your smaller frame when it comes in.

3.) Most bridal gowns are made to a standard length, and unless you happen to be the perfect height for that standard length, you will almost certainly need to have your gown hemmed. Some designers will offer "extra length" on their dresses, most often in standard increments. For example, they will lengthen in 2-inch increments, or they may offer a "petite" version that is 4 inches shorter than standard length. There are handful of dresses that can be ordered with the exact length you request. Usually those dresses have very intricate lace or beadwork patterns that make hemming very difficult, if not impossible.

Finally, here is some other inside information that I hope you find useful:

1.) Bridal gowns often have trains, some longer than others. The "bustle" refers to the method of tying the train up so that it doesn't get in the way. Bridal gowns don't often come with the bustle already installed because there are often several different ways that the gown can be bustled. Here is a photo of an Amsale bridal gown with the train down:

While this looks gorgeous for the ceremony, it can get cumbersome at the reception. This particular dress can be bustled in three different ways, depending on the preference of the bride. First is the "over bustle" also known as the "English" bustle: 

As you can see, the train is pulled up over itself, hence the name. Another option is the "French" bustle, also known as an "under bustle":

In the under bustle style, the train is folded up under itself, creating gentle folds, or pick-ups. Finally, there is the "ballroom bustle" style in which the train is pulled up under the skirt in such a way that it appears as though the skirt is all one length: 

Not all dresses can be bustled all three ways. A skilled bridal seamstress will know the best way to bustle your particular gown. 

2.) Set your budget before you shop and always try to shop early. Not only do you want to avoid rush fees when ordering, but if you see a dress you love in a magazine, but wait several months to buy it, that gown may be discontinued before you even have a chance to try it on. 

3.) It is the designers, not the bridal shops that determine the cost of the gown. Many bridal shops are only allowed to offer limited discounts, or sometimes none at all. If you are drawn to particular designer, don't hesitate to call your local bridal shop to ask what price range that designer falls into. It would be tragic to fall in love with a dress that is well outside your set budget. In most bridal salons, the consultant won't even show you something that is outside the budget you've given them. It's ok to ask if there is a special promotion or incentive that the store is offering, but if the answer is "no," be respectful of that. Some stores can risk losing their contracts with the designers if they don't stick to the set pricing of the gowns. 

4.) Lots of websites and magazines and especially family members and friends will tell you to sleep on it, that you shouldn't be impulsive about this particular purchase. While I do believe you should feel confident, I don't always agree with that advice. And I really don't agree with the advice that states, "Don't purchase the first dress you try on." A good bridal shop will have experienced consultants. Those consultants listen carefully to your requests and at about 60% of the time, the first dress that is tried on is "the one." If you dismiss it simply because it was the first dress, you're making a big mistake. That is not to say that you shouldn't try on other dresses to help confirm it is "the one," but you should be just as open minded to the first dress as you are to the 10th dress. Fun fact: did you know that most brides only try on between 6 and 8 dresses before finding "the one?" Despite what "Say Yes to the Dress" has taught us, the majority of brides find their dream dress in the first 3 dresses they try on. 

So there you have it- lots of inside information to help you in your bridal gown search, or at the very least, to entertain and enlighten you on a Saturday afternoon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! And as always, thanks for reading! 

How to Have a Great Bridal Experience: Part 2

Last week I told a story of a bride who came to MD, but who had some fairly unreasonable expectations of what kind of service we can and should provide to brides like her. While her situation was rare and unique, it seemed like a good opportunity to talk about the inside world of the bridal industry.

If you are a bride preparing to purchase a bridal gown from a local shop, here is my personal advice for you based on my experience in the industry:

1.) Feel free to do some research, but remember that your bridal consultant likely has years of experience in the industry. At Madeleine's, Juhree, our store manager, has been in the business for over 13 years. Elizabeth, our owner, has been doing it even longer. The newer consultants are trained directly under Juhree and it is very extensive training. Understand that their knowledge is broad- there are hundreds of dresses out there, but they are trained in the fine art of finding "the one." When someone asks for advice about how to prepare for a bridal appointment at MD, I always say, "Come in emotionally and financially prepared to find your dress." Did you know that 60% of our brides purchase one of the first 5 dresses they try on in our store? And the vast majority of those brides purchase the very first dress they try on? A good bridal consultant will listen carefully, will know the shop inventory in and out and she will already have a dress in mind that is perfect for you within a few minutes of talking to you.

2.) In addition, countless brides find themselves saying, "This is nothing like what I thought I would wear, or what I envisioned." An open mind is key. You've likely never worn a bridal gown before and once you put one on and realize how different it looks and feels from your regular clothes, you might surprise yourself by choosing something unexpected. Again, trust your consultant. Your friends and family know you very well, so they may also have the same ideas as you. Your consultant doesn't know you as well and this is actually an advantage. She is looking at you through fresh, new eyes and she just might see something you didn't even know was there. Regardless of how you end up choosing your dress, realize that if it makes you feel beautiful, that's what matters most. Embrace that feeling rather than getting caught up in the idea that it's "not what you envisioned."

3.) Decide on your budget before you start shopping. Also, decide what the budget includes. If you tell your consultant that your budget is $2,000, she will bring in gowns up to that price. But if in your mind you've decided you want the veil and alterations included within that budget, mention that so that the consultant actually sticks to gowns closer to $1,000-$1,200. The worst thing in the world is trying on and falling in love with a gown outside your budget. Alterations are costly- anywhere between $400-$600. Head-to-toe accessories can cost another $600-$1,000 depending on your taste and what you decide to wear. It's simplest to give your consultant the true gown budget and have a separate budget for alterations and accessories. A good bridal consultant will not show you anything outside your price range unless you specifically ask them to. It's rare, but there are times when a bride just isn't finding what she wants at her price range. The bride may decide to increase the budget, or the consultant might say, "I have a dress that I think you will love, but it is $200 over your budget. How do you feel about seeing it?" Finally, in regards to budget, there are often "hidden costs" that have to do with custom changes. For example, if you order a gown with a special length- either shorter or longer than standard, there will almost always be an additional fee, usually $150- $300. If you are a plus size bride, there may be an additional charge for certain sizes. It will vary from one designer to the next as to what is defined as "plus size." If you decide to make subtle changes to the design of the dress such as adding or removing straps, modifying the neckline or silhouette, or adding or removing embellishments, there are typically extra fees associated with those changes.

4.) When it comes to color, there are literally dozens of shades of white. Wedding gowns come in colors such as white, ivory, cream, candlelight, alabaster, pearl, oyster, diamond white, and countless others. The majority of gowns are sampled in a color other than true white, and this is because colors like cream and ivory tend to flatter a wider range of skin tones than true white. Additionally, every designer defines those colors differently, and may even offer several different versions of "ivory" that are each slightly different because of the fabric. Don't worry about the name of the color as much as whether or not it is a flattering shade on you. When it comes to matching the shade with your accessories, again, do not worry about the name of the color, simply focus on what looks best with your dress. You may have a dress that is ivory, a sash that is diamond white and a veil that is cream, yet somehow they all look perfect together.

5.) Time is of the essence when shopping for a bridal gown. Do not put it off or you may find yourself in a sticky situation. The safest bet is to purchase your gown as close to one year before the wedding as possible. If you have an especially long engagement, then shopping too soon can result in gown remorse- your style and of course fashion in general may change within that time, or there may be many newer options are out there that you may feel as though you pulled the trigger too soon. Conversely, waiting until the last minute can put you in a pickle as well. Most bridal gowns take at least 6 months to arrive. Rush fees are hefty, and at certain times of the year, most designers stop allowing rush orders altogether. And God forbid there is an issue with your dress- if you order with a few months cushion, there is time for the bridal shop to rectify any problems. Finally, most seamstresses require a minimum of one month to alter a bridal gown, and many charge additional rush fees to complete the work any sooner than that. If your wedding is during peak season, you could find yourself paying multiple rush fees- one to get the dress to the store in time and another to get the seamstress to finish the work quickly. And of course there's always the possibility that most qualified seamstresses will be booked at the time that you need the work done. It would be tragic to have to take it to your third or fourth choice only to discover that there is a reason that seamstress isn't quite as busy, if you catch my drift. The best time frame is as follows:

- One year prior to the wedding, purchase your wedding gown.
- Six months before the wedding (once the gown has come in) try on your gown and finish shopping for all of your accessories.
- Five to six months before the wedding, schedule your fitting appointments with your seamstress.
- Two to three months before the wedding, begin your alterations.

Finally, it's important to understand that just like any other aspect of the fashion industry, the only constant within the world of bridal gowns is change. What was true yesterday is outdated today and the best way to remain informed is to seek out the expertise and knowledge of true professionals in the industry. Nothing makes me happier than hugging a bride the day before her wedding when she comes in to pick up her gown. I love those days because when she leaves I know that every detail of her dress was taken care of and that she is going to look and feel amazing on one of the most important days of her life. It's a special thing to be a part of that and I am proud to be someone that brides can trust to achieve their wedding day dreams.

How to Have a Great Bridal Experience: Part 1

As you all know, I've been working in the bridal industry for a little over two years now. I can honestly say that the vast majority of the women who walk through our doors are nothing but a pleasure to work with. I love my job mostly because I get to help other women look and feel beautiful during a very special time in their lives. Every now and then, there will be a less than pleasant day at the store, and often the circumstances involve a bride or other bridal party member who are unfamiliar with the policies and procedures of our store or the bridal industry in general. It's a tricky industry to navigate, but I want to share a little bit of insider information that may help you have a more successful experience as a bride.

Most recently, we had a bride who made an appointment at our shop under false pretenses. On the phone, she acted as if she was genuinely interested in purchasing a dress from our store. Once in the appointment one Saturday afternoon, she made it clear that she was only there to use our inventory to get ideas for her dress that she planned to have a family member make for her. For the record, this is an incredibly rude and inappropriate thing to do, particularly in a closed- concept bridal shop like ours. Aside from the minor grievances including that salesperson working with her with no hope whatsoever of earning a cent in commission or the fact that the designers whose dresses we carry certainly wouldn't want us to merely act as a showroom for copycats, the biggest issue in this situation is that this particular bride used an appointment that could have gone to a bride with an true need to purchase a dress. With a waiting list of about 6-10 brides nearly every weekend, our appointments are highly coveted. The worst part is that the offending bride felt that our store was sub-par because we failed to live up to her expectations, when in reality, her expectations of what services we provide were dramatically skewed.

One could argue that if we gave her a good experience despite her intentions, that she would speak highly of us to her friends and family or that she might come back for future purchases such as bridesmaids, tuxedos, or accessories. One could argue that we missed an opportunity in that appointment. I disagree. First of all, I know for a fact that despite her rude intentions, her bridal consultant was nothing less than polite and professional. Letting her down had nothing to do with how our store operates. It had to do with the fact that she wanted our store to operate differently just for her. In addition, I believe that when she chose to lie to us about her intentions in order to secure an appointment, she destroyed any trust we may have had in her. And to be perfectly frank, we have had brides who have the same intentions, but who are honest with us from the beginning. In those situations, we help them in any way we can, including helping them find the best silhouette and fabric and even allowing them to consult with our highly skilled seamstresses about the best method to make the dress. We point them in the right direction, offer what advice we can and we wish them well.

I want to be clear that this story is the exception in our store. But I tell it because it really fired me up and got me thinking. The brides who walk through our doors are some of the kindest, loveliest people I've ever met. The difficulty lies in the fact that most brides are first-time (and hopefully only-time) brides. This is hopefully the one and only time in her life when she will be planning a wedding. Because it is a first-time, there is quite a learning curve and the bridal industry is very different from just about any other industry in a lot of ways. And because it is an only-time, there's a tremendous amount of pressure on them to get it right, or better yet- perfect. In the interest of helping you understand the bridal industry a little more, I've put together some basic information and advice to help you as a bride when you are shopping for your wedding gown.

First of all, despite my obviously frustrated feelings about the bride I mentioned above, if you are in a similar situation and you have a friend or family member who plans to make your dress for you, it's ok to call your local bridal shop and ask for advice. Simply be honest right away. Explain your intentions and ask if there is anything they can do to help you. In most cases, they will be happy to help! If you want to meet with a bridal consultant to discuss the silhouette that works best for you, to see and touch the various bridal textiles and perhaps try on some dresses to get a stronger idea of what you like, that is fine. My only advice for you (aside from being honest in the beginning), is to be willing to come in during the week, preferably in the morning or afternoon. Since you do not have the intention of being a customer, try to be respectful of the brides who do intend to purchase and try not to take an evening or weekend appointment from them.

This advice holds true in regards to alterations as well. I remember well- two summers ago, there was a local bride (she hadn't purchased her dress with us) whose mom had offered to alter her dress for her. It was two weeks before the wedding and the mom was beyond stressed out because she had no idea how to install a bustle. She assumed the dress came with one and when it didn't, she didn't have the first clue as to how to install one. Many seamstresses who are friends or family of brides offer to alter the gown as their wedding gift, only to discover that bridal gowns are constructed unlike any other garment  out there. Before they know it, they are overwhelmed by the process. In the case with the bustle, the mom was simply calling for advice, but instead I offered to have her bring the dress down to the store and I could teach her how to do it. I showed her a similar dress and how its bustle was installed. I pinned her daughter's dress to show her the best way to bustle it. I even offered to have our seamstresses install the bustle if she took it home and still found it to be an overwhelming task. I was more than happy to give this mom expert bridal alterations advice. All I asked of her was that she come down to the shop at a time when I wasn't already occupied with other brides. My point in all of this is simply that most people (and shops) are willing to help you if they can. Don't be afraid to ask. But when you are asking a store to provide you with a service they don't typically offer, be understanding if and when they are unwilling or unable to do what you ask. No bridal shop in the world wants you to walk through their doors and have an unpleasant experience. However, no two bridal shops in the world are exactly alike, so give your local one a call to ask whatever questions will help you to have a positive experience.

Next week, I'm going to cover some more inside bridal advice and information, but it will be geared specifically towards to bride who is shopping for her gown rather than having it made for her. Shopping for a bridal gown is different from shopping for any other garment and navigating the industry is tough to do on your own. I hope you'll look forward to learning a little more about the industry and that in the long run it will help you have a more positive and effective bridal shopping experience.

Have a great day and as always thanks for reading!

Shoesday Tuesday: TOMS

I have long hated the look of TOMS. I've always thought they were a little frumpy and plain looking, kind of a grandma shoe, you know? And I hate that I feel that way because for every pair of TOMS purchased, they match the purchase with a donation of a shoe to a child in need. How can I not get behind a company like that? I suppose charity and fashion don't often co-mingle. But then I met a bride over the weekend who had a pair of bridal wedges from TOMS! And they were cute! Suddenly, I started to think that maybe they weren't so bad after all.

Ivory Glitter Wedges, TOMS, $80

Ivory Grosgrain Wedges, TOMS, $80

They're not the prettiest shoe I've ever seen, but they're also far from hideous. And they are even available in a lovely petal pink as well, not to mention plenty of other non-bridal colors and prints. The price is reasonable, the look is simple and everyone says they're the most comfortable shoes ever. All of that coupled with the amazing charity work they do and I say, "Get 'em!" I could see these shoes at a casual barn wedding or a backyard reception. And while I personally still can't get behind the look of their flats, I think the line of wedges are just adorable! There may even be a pair in my future like these, perhaps: 

Serena Wedges, TOMS, $69

What's your take on TOMS? Do you love them? Hate them? Are you ambivalent like me? Leave a comment- I'd love to know what you think. 

Weekend Re-Cap: Wedding Related Shenanigans

I flew out of Boston on Friday morning for Jen and Bryan's wedding. My plan was definitely hinging on everything being on time and running smoothly. A delayed flight, a long line at the car rental counter, or a bunch of traffic could each derail my schedule. And if I got hit with all three of those delays, I would have had to attend the wedding in my travel clothes. I didn't have a lot of wiggle room since I needed to first stop at the venue before heading to my own hotel to meet the Professor and get ready.

When I landed, the bride texted me and said, "T Boo! Total last minute but do you have time to pick me up a little hair diddy? Something to match my dress? I wasn't going to wear one but it might be nice? Just thought I'd see. No worries if you're swamped!!!!!!"

Here's the thing: I love a challenge. Remember the fruitcake? And back in my costuming days, when a director made a last-minute change that effected wardrobe, it was always my mission to make the change immediately and in time for the very next costume run-through (even if that run through was going to start in an hour). I'm a planner and I tend to get things done ahead of time. So for people who know me well, that means if you need something done at the last minute, I'm probably the best person to call. I asked at the car rental gate if there was a mall nearby and fortunately for me there was a huge one just two miles down the road. I blitzed the entire building as if it was Thursday of tech week. Twenty minutes and about $40 later, I had five different "hair diddy" options for Jen. I was back on the road and still on schedule!

Did I mention that in addition to the "hair diddies," I also had her bridal veil in my suitcase as well as a half dozen bow tie options for Brance who was in the bridal party as a "Bridesman?" I shouldn't have been all that surprised about the "hair diddy" request, since Jen and Brance had texted me on Wednesday asking me to make him a bow tie for the wedding in "deep plum purple." No preference as to it being a solid or a print. I zipped on over to Joann Fabrics and soon I had several options:

My time frame was going to be fairly tight even without the addition of shopping for a "hair diddy," but through some miracle (or the powerful engine in my rental), I made it to the venue with enough time to drop everything off, help pick out a "hair diddy," give Brance his bow tie options, get back to my own hotel (20 minutes away) and complete my own beauty routine and get dressed. I even had a few minutes of downtime in which the Professor and I may or may not have done a little snuggling and smooching.

It was a little hectic, but in the end, everything worked out. I was even impressed with Brance's bow tie choice. You can barely see the fabric in the photo above. It's underneath the lightest purple print and it's a deep shade of plum with a subtle floral print. And here he is rocking it:

I didn't get a good photo of Jen in her veil and "hair diddy" but I promise you she looked stunning. Her dress is of course from Madeleine's Daughter. She lives in NYC and drove up for an appointment with me where I helped her find this stunning dress by Alvina Valenta. I can't believe it was back in August that we picked it out. At the time, it felt like her wedding was so far away! 

Is she gorgeous or what? She kept saying, "I want to be lovely. Just lovely." I think we nailed it. We added the cap sleeves afterwards, but I think they look like they were there all along. Her husband, Bryan told me no less than three times that I'd done an amazing job with the dress. And somehow, everyone at the wedding kept referring to me as "the girl who made the dress." At first, I corrected people. I said, "Oh, no. I helped pick out the dress. She came to the bridal shop where I work, but I didn't make it. I only made the veil." Towards the end of the night, I just started owning it. "Yup, that's me. I made that dress." It was easier than explaining and since she looked so great, I figured it was a good thing to Bogart. Sue me. 

Despite being so focused on making sure everything was perfect for Brance and Jen, I managed to clean myself up pretty well, too. I wore the dress I got for the Madeleine's Holiday party back in December and pretty much kept all the accessories and hairstyle the same as well. It worked, right? And if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I chose a different pair of earrings, but the hairpiece, shoes and bag were all the same.

Me with the blushing bride. 

The Professor looked pretty dapper, too: 

We're a good looking couple. 

There were quite a few well-dressed guests at this particular soiree, and I plan to share the best outfits with you in a future post. I'll also be back with photos of my outfits from the weekend (the ones that inspired the polyvore sets in these posts). Leave a comment if you like and don't forget to check back soon! There's always something stylish to look at here! 

Bridal Style

Last weekend, we were part of a local bridal show in Portsmouth. Those days are always long and hard and remind me of tech week back in my theatre days. We spend the morning "loading in" and then there's the show and then the afternoon is spent "loading out." Remarkably similar to costuming a show in terms of the workload. It's the similarities to costuming that make it fun for me, too, though. I had the pleasure of dressing the models in some scrumptious gowns and accessories from our store. I wish I'd snapped more photos, because both models looked absolutely stunning!

Kathleen (on the left) in Chelsea by Amsale and Sarah in Arabesque by Jenny Packham

That's me lacing Sarah into her gown. 

Kathleen (on the left) in Fiona by Christos and Sarah in Forever by Monique Lhuillier

Our gorgeous models together- Sarah (on the left) and Kathleen. 

One last glimpse of Sarah in Forever by Monique Lhuillier. This was probably my favorite look of the day. It's stunning in its simplicity. And you can't tell from the photo, but the gown is actually the palest blush color which is a hot trend in bridal right now. 

There was supposed to be a third model, but she got sick the night before and had to bail. In the end, we changed up the dresses and accessories to compensate for the missing model. There were two other looks the ladies wore, plus a sampling of bridesmaid dresses. It was so fun picking out their accessories and dressing them on the day. It felt a little nostalgic for me to be doing that again. Putting together a head-to-toe look is always a blast, but when I get to work with gowns by designers like Amsale, Jenny Packham and Monique Lhuillier plus accessories that are also the best in the industry, it's just pure heaven. 

Hello, there...

Hey, friends. It's been a while. I have to admit that life has been pretty full, pretty busy for the past year or so. There have been lots of brides, lots of gowns, lots of flights and lots of fun. When I moved back to New Hampshire just over 2 years ago (can you believe it's been that long?!?!?!?!), I had no idea what direction my life would go, but I couldn't be happier with things as they are right now.

Here's a not-so-brief update:

Work: My job is still the most awesome job I've ever had. I still have the best co-workers and bosses on the planet. Brides are mostly pretty great to work with, although we will always have a few doozies each season. (Just remember, they'll eventually get married.) I even got to go on a buying trip to Chicago where I got to see all sorts of gorgeous (and some not-so-gorgeous) dresses and even help decide which ones we will be carrying in the store next season! As for the alterations department, we're still alive and kicking- we're a fierce bunch and it takes a lot to get us down!

This photo was taken directly below the center of the famous "Bean" in Chicago's Millenium Park. Can you find me? 

Relationship: Things are going really well with "The Professor." In fact, just last weekend, my amazing coworkers flew him up here as a surprise for me- JUST BECAUSE! There was no special occasion, they are simply amazing friends who wanted to do an amazing thing for me. I was truly humbled by the experience- it's one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. It was amazing to see my adorable BF, who has officially been my BF for a year as of this Monday, November 5th. How crazy is that? I remember when we started dating, everyone was like, "Yes, he's perfect for you, but you need to find someone just like him who lives in NEW HAMPSHIRE!!!!" I admit, early in the dating process, before he and I had become exclusive, I went onto match.com in search of this elusive man- the one just like the Professor, but who lives up north. On match.com, when viewing a member's profile, there is an option to click a button and "view others like him." I clicked. Here's what I got:

Yup. Denied. And  I have to admit, match.com was right- the Professor is truly unique and truly perfect for me. We've had our ups and downs over the last few months and fighting via Skype is particularly difficult. Fortunately the ups far outweigh the downs and right now we're stronger and happier than ever. I'll be flying down to visit him a week from tonight, actually. Just for funsies, here's a photo of us and the Sailors from Labor Day weekend when he came up for a visit: 

Friends and Family: Since I last posted, McKenzie got married, so that's pretty exciting! She wore a stunning gown by Jenny Packham and I had the pleasure of making her veil (which blew right off her head the minute she stepped out to walk down the aisle. Oh, well. My good friend Jen was recently engaged and I plan to attend her wedding with the Professor. I had the pleasure of helping her find her wedding gown and I also made her veil for her. The wedding is in January and I haven't even begun to think about what I'll wear. My mom has been busy as ever with her adorable German Shepherd dogs and the shutzhund training she does with them. I've even grown to enjoy the pups and even miss them a little when they're gone.

Fashion: I admit that I haven't been blogging much partly because I've been in a strange and new place shopping-wise. I'm perfectly content with everything in my closet and I have no real need for anything. I have great clothes that fit well and are in good shape. I have far too many shoes, but I make a point of wearing them all whenever I can. I love all of my accessories and I really don't see a void anywhere. I'm sure at some point, this phase will end. For now, my bank account is enjoying the break. (It's not that much of a break when all my extra money goes toward airline tickets and rental cars, but whatevs.) I'm still surrounded by fashionable people, so there really is no excuse to blog a little more.

Sewing and knitting: I've been doing a little of both in the last few months. I made a fabulous dress that I wore to McKenzie's wedding in September and I've knit quite a few little projects over the last couple of months. Here are some photos:

This lovely set was intended for my BF's 7-year-old daughter Grace. I actually just put it in the mail with her Halloween goodie bag this past week.

I could hardly knit something for Grace and not make something equivalent for the Professor's 10-year-old son, Owen. These pieces were made using the Appalachian State University colors (the Professor's alma mater and the school Owen wants to attend someday.)

After knitting a cream-colored version of this scarf for Juhree last year, I thought about making one for myself in green. I finally got around to it about a year later. Better late than never, right?

Blogging: I actually HAVE been blogging, just not here. You all know how I've taken over the blog for Madeleine's Daughter and I've really enjoyed doing it. Here are some of my favorite posts:

November 26, 2011
December 29, 2011
February 14, 2012
April 28, 2012

Since the busy alterations season is coming to an end, I'll be getting back into my blogging groove at the store, so if wedding-related posts are your thing, you might want to follow that blog, too! The posts I enjoy writing the most are the "Meet Our Bride" ones. I love seeing the photos from our brides and hearing what they have to say about their experience at the store. It's a great feeling to be a part of such a special time in a person's life.

I'll leave you with a silly photo from "The Sailor's Garden Party" that happened this past spring. I wrote a little about my outfit, but never posted a picture. Here you go:

I hope this is the first of many blog posts to come. I recently became a MacBook Pro owner and I have a feeling that owning a laptop that's a pleasure and not a chore to use will inspire me to write more posts. Time will tell. In the meantime, let me know what you'd like me to write about! Leave a comment! 

The Weddy's

Beth and Micah's wedding last weekend was so much fun and they both looked amazing. I'll be sure to post professional photos in time, but in the meantime, I thought I'd give some awards for the fashionable guests who attended.

First up, the award for Best Suit goes to Caleb:

The slim fit is very flattering and I love that he rocked a skinny tie and a tie clip.

Next up, the award for Best Accessory goes to Kate in this amazing fascinator: 

I love the Russian tulle and the beading on it. It was the perfect finish to her outfit. 

Whether you think it's tacky or not, I'm awarding myself Best Shoes of the night (the bride is exempt from any awards or she would have won): 

Finally, the award for Best Dressed Guest goes to Adele. Her outfit was so fierce, Amy and I actually talked about it at the altar: 

Yes, it's true. When Adele came up to do her reading as part of the ceremony, Amy and I ever so quietly commented on the fierce-ness of this outfit. I'm not proud of myself, but I can't lie to all of you.