Kate Spade is hosting a surprise sale today and tomorrow and I stumbled across this darling locket. For a whopping $35(!!), it may be the perfect gift for your bridesmaids or besties, as it’s inscription reads:
Perhaps you’ve pinned adorable photos of picturesque picnic scenes and promised that you and your love would make this the spring to pack up a basket of your own and head to the park…
That’s when you realize that the only basket you seem have is the one that still contains plastic eggs once filled with jelly beans and dollar bills from last year’s Easter…and that the only supplies you can uncover are paper plates and warped, mismatched tupperware…and that these ugly accessories are not fit for Your Perfect Picnic!
I recently came across the solution to it all with this Picnic Basket for four.
A large woven tote comes filled with seriously stylish necessities including bamboo plates and utensils, a generous carafe for lemonade or mimosas, storage jars for sides and salads, a cutting board and knife for an indulgent spread, cotton napkins and darling French brasserie style goblets for sipping between bites.
And now your perfect picnic is closer than you ever thought.
As a wife – to say that I am thrilled with the most fabulous piece of jewelry I’ll ever own…my engagement ring would be a massive understatement {ok, well, to be fair let’s also include the 4 dreamy diamond and sapphire wedding bands that Sucker Husband has added to my ring finger over the last couple of years}. I’ve told The Man that {for now?} fancy jewelry does not need to be in the gift giving rotation. And why not, you ask!? Because there are perfectly fantastic cheap options out there around every corner, allowing me load up on ridiculous accessories each season. While you may frequent Topshop, J.Crew or Forever 21 for flashy faux jewelry – one can never have too many resources when a bargain is involved.
Recently I’ve stumbled across Swell Caroline for darling pieces for myself and for stylish gifts.
These stud earrings would add the perfect pop to a simple turtleneck sweater this fall. Very Lily van der Woodsen…
These darling enamel studs would be a charming hostess gift {pineapples are the symbol of hospitality, of course}. And at $25, you can’t beat it with a bottle of champers in tow!
Or load up on all sorts of varied bracelets for an arm-full of action!
I always appreciate a bridesmaid gift that is thoughtful – a gesture of gratitude and appreciation rather than a gifted sash that everyone has to wear on her wedding day. With a variety of options and styles, you can choose a gift that really is reflective of each of your girls’ style and personality. And with such bargain price-tags…you can afford to still cover the cost of the mandatory up-do or lame flower-pin they all are required to don.
PS: I also thought these totes would be a simple way to allow the girls to collect all of their belongings {flip flops for later, pashmina, make-up, yoga clothes they wore to the hotel etc.} and stash under the head table or in the bridal suite. {I always look like a bag lady on wedding days carrying dozens of purses, shopping bags etc. and would absolutely die if a bridal party came prepared with cutie manageable totes of personal belongings like these!}
{image credits} all images from swell caroline with the exception of stylish bracelet girl taken from classy in the city
While brides love the novelty of showcasing their new monogram {a logo for a new life!}, the fun doesn’t have to stop with the scripty lettered motif perched atop the menu cards…
Work monogrammed pieces into everything from pillows, napkins and hand towels to jewelry, stamps and attire. Here are just a few favorite ideas:
I love these pillows, place mats and napkins from Luxury Monograms.
Cigar? Check. {A generous pour of} Bubbly? Check. Cutie fleur accessories {with a lovely demure drama in scale}? Check!
This picture is so me, I almost can’t stand it.
I’m still feeling celebratory after the sweetest wedding this weekend. Sure wish the weather would allow for a late afternoon cigar and a glass of champ to unwind and let my angry tootsies recoup!
{image credit} taken from stylish favorite, emersonmade
We all know how much I adore stores like Jcrew for producing a line of bridal gowns that are fresh and stylish yet a bit more realistically priced – as compared to the likes of Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang gowns – so I was more than thrilled when Anthropologie finally debuted it’s own wedding shop last week: BHLDN {pronounced “beholden”}.
Here are a few of my favs:
The Ribboned Silk, Monarch and Trumpted Pavot Gowns are each under $4,100.
The Pleated Fantasy Gown is one of my top picks – heaps of drama for $3,600!
And how fantastically charming would the Eyelet Medley Sheathe be for the boathouse or golf-course bride – especially when we’re talking about a price-tag of $1000!
And it doesn’t stop at fanciful frocks…
The have darling shoes…
Fun jewelry…
Cutie capelets, boleros and shrugs…
Daring or dainty headpieces…
Sexy or sweet lingerie…
And adorable accessories like gloves, clutches, belts and more…
Inspired by the Dutch word for “To Keep”…BHLDN is certain to stay a while!
First, I was honoured to be included in a friends bridal shower over the weekend. After someone asked me what I thought was appropriate to wear to a daytime shower, I looked around the room at the gorgeous girls…
You always want to respect the guest of honour. You also want to let the hostess know you appreciate the trouble she’s gone to. It’s nearly always safer to be a bit overdressed than under-dressed {in my unofficial opinion!!}. But, lovelies, please use common sense – a cocktail dress is not fitting for a daytime event and yet jeans are typically not welcome in a country club.
Secondly, after an absolute out-of-the-blue surprise gift from Renny, I was forced to take a spin around my favorite boutique on Oak Street: Kate Spade. There were plenty of pieces that would be perfect for a shower, so I’ve put together the following simple solutions for the next time you’re on the receiving end of a wedding-cake-shaped invitation:
Let’s start with the outfit on the left:
-The gorgeous sleeveless Kate Spade top beautifully frames your face – this blouse can certainly be the cornerstone of your ensamb
-Paired with skinny J.Crew ankle pants, the shirt can be comfortably left un-tucked {perfect for the pastries you’ll want to undoubtedly indulge in!}
-Gorgeous Prada heels add height and contemporary drama to this otherwise classic outfit
-Over-sized David Yurman knot earrings will look perfect with your Lily Vanderwoodsen-esq pulled-back hairstyle
-The covet-worthy terra cotta colored Brian Atwood clutch can be used year round {or so you tell your man when he sees the bill}
Now let’s talk about my dreamy collection on the right:
-Surprise, surprise – we’ve got a bold orangey red Kate Spade dress as the start to it all off…{will I ever tire of this color?!}
-With the simple, chic cut of the dress, understated shoes end up being the perfect pairing. These JCrew flats fit the bill {and would also look fabulous with it’s neighbors’ black pants!}
-Simple studs by Slane and Slane add a bit of a Parisan punch to the look
-I adore the skinny yellow Kate Spade clutch – just big enough to fit your iPhone and lipgloss
-Grey is proving to be the perfect neutral this season. I am obsessed with this grey enamel Hermes bangle – an understated {yet ostentatious} finish to the look
