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Off to a client wedding at an absolute favorite Chicago venue, The Ivy Room! We have a dream-team roster of vendors and an adorable couple – one that we’re all thrilled to be celebrating today.
Have a great weekend!
Color Crush – Pop of Pink
Oscars 2012 – Red Carpet Review
Still feeling the effects from the heaps of fancy flavored popcorns and movie-themed martini’s from last nights’ Oscars get together? We watched every moment and to be quite honest, the Oscars seemed sublimely safe. The fashion was fairly simple with few take-your-breath away hits, equally few dramatic misses, and was really just chock full of lovely, but eh, looks in my opinion.
So, here is my recap in order of adoration!
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Oh my. Gwyneth Paltrow was my true favorite by a mile. This read as fashion, without crossing the line. The simple silhouette of her custom Tom Ford gown and matching cape looked smashing on her long, lean figure. Her simple hair, make-up and jewelry let the dress do all the talking. I am a cape girl – wearing them forever – and I loved how fashion-forward and fresh her look was.
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Her dress was equally chic sans cape, with asymmetric interest at the neckline and a hint of architectural volume with the cap sleeves.
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While Giuliana Rancic was merely there for E!’s red carpet coverage, I thought her Basil Soda gown was stunning and read very Old Hollywood with a super flattering and lovely [deco-inspired?] neckline. While her hair was a bit severe and I would have loved to see a hint of volume, I thought her look was more interesting than many.
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Some people criticized darling Emma Stone saying that her Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown was too similar to a previous Nicole Kidman look, but I think this dress was dramatic and beautiful on her. It wasn’t a sleepy safe option and was one of my favs.
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Cameron Diaz always looks so bronzed and beachy and yesterday was no exception. Her Gucci Premiere gown was stunning, perfectly snug on her svelte figure. I love the pale hue and the slight metallic interest but was mesmerized by how the dress seriously floated as she walked. Perfect for a presenter. [Would have loved to see something different with her shaggy bob…perhaps pulled back?]
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Milla Jovovich looked beautiful in can-do-no-wrong Elie Saab. Loved the slight sculptural look to the shoulder.
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Glenn Close looked stunningly age appropriate in Zac Posen.
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Rooney Mara’s Givenchy Couture gown [custom made by Ricardo Tisci] was fashion forward and a striking choice. Almost more alluring and more interesting than beautiful?
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I have such a crush on the talented, sweet and humble Michelle Williams – she is such a lady! While her Louis Vuitton dress is unwaveringly lovely, it read red on screen and in print, but she was describing it as coral?? I think I would have love loved this if it were a more noticeably unique hue. I also thought the tiny bow brooch detail actually watered down the look, a bit. I also didn’t prefer her short, almost choker-of-a necklace [even if it cost millions!]
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While it wasn’t obsess-worthy, Rose Byrne’s Vivienne Westwood sequin gown was young and stylish and quite beautiful for the stunning star.
I am sad to say that Fashion Week seemed to wow more than the Superbowl of Fashion, itself: The Oscars. What was your take?
Easy Entertaining – Savvy Shortcuts
Here is a little something appropriate for just about any gathering. I always love something a little extra girlie, and this simple, sweet popcorn snack is no exception. The process could not be easier, but do plan for a couple of hours of cooling time…
White Chocolate Confetti Popcorn
For the popcorn:
2-3 bags microwave popcorn popped according to instructions
Here, I used the microwave popcorn I had at home [Orville Redenbacher’s ‘butter light’, but I personally would have preferred the ‘tender white’ for it’s pretty bleached color].
Using air or stove-popped popcorn is certainly an option as well, but I loved the salty bite that the microwave popcorn innately had and would therefore suggest adding extra butter and salt to the stove/air-popped corn.
For the Topping:
About 6 ounces white chocolate chips
Confetti sprinkles
Sea salt
And here’s what to do!
Once you’ve popped all of your corn, set up a couple of work stations, as I found working in batches was easiest to manage.
Use a large mixing bowl and several cookie sheets lined with wax paper.
Heat about 1″ of water in a double boiler [or in my case a metal mixing bowl nestled in a sauce pan].
Add a handful of the chips stirring constantly until a fully melted, smooth consistency.
Immediately pour the melted chocolate over the popcorn in the large mixing bowl, toss until evenly covered.
Immediately spread the chocolate coated popcorn over the wax paper in a single layer.
Add a generous amount of colored sprinkles and extra dash of salt.
Repeat until the popcorn and chocolate are gone.
Allow the popcorn to cool fully [I placed it outside on the chilly winter day to speed the process].
Break apart popcorn and arrange in a pretty bowl!
Delish!
[photos shot by me]
Colors I Can’t Get Enough Of
Today, I am loving the bright and bold pairing of blue with green. Crisp and fresh yet quite seasonless [although my mind does immediately drift to manicured lawns and the soothing roll of the sea…sigh]
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| DKNY |
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| From Marie Claire Aus |
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And here’s how to execute! Pair any of these beauties:
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| Sweater. Shirt. Pants. Shoes. Clutch |
With any of these!
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| Gingham Shirt. Tank. Striped Shirt. Flats. Jeans. Cosmetic Pouch. Stationary |
Waldorf Astoria Fashion Show Recap
Last night was a busy night for us Bliss Belles!
While we ended with favorite industry friends at The Ivy room, the evening began in one of my favorite settings in the city, The Waldorf [I still refer to it as the Elysian] for a fashion show hosted by CS Brides and Belle Vie. Perfectly nestled in between my two favorite wedding goddesses, we watched the show from our snappy front row seats.
And between sips of Dom and nibbles of house made macarons, we witnessed gorgeous gowns by the likes of J. Mendel, Valentino, Lanvin and Elizabeth Fillmore float down the runway.
Here are a few of the fancy frocks:
While I’m still jealous of all of you covering Fashion Week in NYC, this certainly helped take the sting out a bit.
A special thanks to Jesse of Event Creative for hosting us and for the fab design!
[all photos shot by me…as if you couldn’t tell…]
A Week of Perfect Love…The Conclusion
And here’s why…
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Ten years ago today I convinced a certain boy that we should For Sure be more than best friends.
He obliged.
Today I celebrate the best 10 years ever…and eagerly dream about our continued growth and future together. So much laughter and ridiculousness yet to be had!
J is my love, my life and my forever friend.
The Best Is Yet To Come
-Carolyn Leigh
A Week of Perfect Love…Part IV
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When you are in love, you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams
-Dr. Seuss
Behold!!! BHLDN Opens in Chicago!
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Whimsical bridal and parties line for Anthropologie, BHLDN opened it’s second location this week, here in Chicago. Renny and I got a bit of a sneak preview of the stunning setting, gorgeous gowns and fabulous finds Monday evening at a private event hosted by Martha Stewart Weddings.
The two story boutique is so thoughtfully designed, I wanted to move right in! It’s such a beautiful balance of worn, antinqued furnishings with some wonderful, rich details.
On the second level, you will find a couple of salons hosting their bridal gowns, previously only available online. With prices ranging from $1000-$6000, there seems to be something for many a boho bride.
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Check out the gorgeous herringbone floors and beautiful molding!
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Angel wings hover above the room showcasing jewels and accessories.
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From veils, to shoes, to jewelry and accessories [you can even find something for your man!] you can certainly pull together a fabulously curated total look.
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The lower level hosts dresses in hues of easter-inspired macarons – perfect for showers, parties or your honeymoon.
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They also carry a selection of whimsical party supplies from glassware and ribbon to pompoms and table numbers in a darling corner nook, upstairs.
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Host Darcy Miller is even more darling and engaging in person!
The store is officially open, I seriously suggest checking it out! [And then popping across the street to the Elysian for champers to celebrate your finds!]
[image credits] unless otherwise noted, all photos shot by me
A Week of Perfect Love…Part III
Isn’t love lovely?!
Valentines Day may have passed, but it doesn’t mean we are granted the ability to make less of an effort…right, girls!
The giving of love is an education in itself.
-Eleanor Roosevelt
Here’s to a lifetime celebration of love!