Chicago is remarkable. When we think we’re ready to pack up our bags and head south – we are given a week like this. Sunshine and record highs had the city buzzing like it was Fourth of July Weekend. Spirits soared and people were smiling and appreciative of the gorgeous gift of weather.
Inspired to make cucumber lemonade and sit on the balcony with a good book {one that I actually love!} I remembered, with a smile, this soothing photograph from my wedding. {Oh yes, and we won’t touch on the fact that there isn’t time to indulge like that…clients have the day off and schedules must be kept!}
This photograph was taken on my wedding day as I was getting hair and make-up done. It may come as no surprise that I like to surround myself with beauty to help ease my mind or to inspire. When studying in college, I lit candles and cleared my desk-top as classical melodies danced in the background. When working on a proposal, I like gather fresh flowers and keep them housed in a gorgeous vase, positioned perfectly in my periphery.
My wedding day was no different…I brought a few gorgeous coral peonies housed in bud-vases to tuck here and there as we got pampered and prettied, and I brought my very own preppy-girls version of a pimp-cup: my grandmothers vintage etched crystal water goblet to sip cool lemon water throughout the morning, ensuring I was properly hydrated and my nerves were calmed.
Enjoy this special Good Friday, whether you are celebrating your faith or celebrating the weather. Reflect on things that make you happy, inspired and appreciative.
I have certainly kicked into high gear with my brides, planning details for their upcoming weddings. Twenty-eleven is looking busy and beautiful – but looking fabulous does not always mean blowing your budget!
The fact that my classically stylish standby, J.Crew, offers a lovely bridal line is not new news…but a few of my recent clients have had wonderful luck finding gorgeous gowns at a great value. Here are just a few of my current favorites {prices for these dresses run between $895-$2500!}:
I adore the stiff volume of the Genevieve gown. Practical pockets will allow you to keep a hankie at hand for your tears of joy.
The gorgeous texture of the silk dupioni Rosette gown would look beautiful with a monofloral bouquet of black-centered anemones.
Subtly colored bridal gowns are hot right now, and the gorgeous graphite Marlene gown is no exception!
The light-as-a-feather organza and chiffon Dune dress would be perfect for any fashion-forward beachy bride.
One of my favorites, the Streamer gown features a simple silhouette with bands of gathered chiffon for a unique and textural look.
My client saw the beautiful French cotton lace of the Simona dress and thought it would look stunning presented against the backdrop of the verdant green grass at her country club, where we’ve scheduled their first meeting and photos.
The silk taffeta Sascha dress is sweetly urban – I adore the over-sized blossom detail at the cinched waist.
{image credits} all dresses available in selected stores or at jcrew.com
While I would love to say how happy I am to be home, I have to be quite honest – over two weeks traveling the Sydney surroundings, exploring the outback and Ayers Rock and sunning and swimming in the Barrier Reef just wasn’t enough!
I’m sure I’ll have a few posts inspired by our travels, but I’ll focus on Sydney today…
Sydney has it all. Stunning beaches of plenty. Charming neighborhoods that make Lincoln Park seem unkempt. Rolling hills that remind my thighs of San Francisco. Lush, verdant greenery to soften every landscape. Harbors and water-views around every corner. Dining and nightlife to give every socialite something to do for a year…Other than the {possibly now understandable?} gasp-worthy price tag of everything – I am starting to think that Sydney is one of my absolute favorite cities in the world.
Upon our arrival in Sydney, we tried to fight the jetlag by getting some fresh air. My dear friend, bridesmaid and host while in Sydney, Charlotte picked up the boys and I for a gorgeous drive up the coast. Char simply pulled off the side of the road for this drop-dead-gorgeous view. These stunning vistas seem to be a dime a dozen to locals…but, oh how we immediately fell in love.
From there, Charlotte took us to the famed Bondi Beach for a walk, hike and a snack.
The boys favorite beach was for sure Manly. Edged with pine trees soaring overhead, this long, wide beach was teeming with people, gorgeous boutiques and charming cafes.
For a more peaceful beachy experience, we visited Balmoral one afternoon. A quaint beach located in the gorgeous neighborhood of Mosman, Balmoral is a hidden gem to recharge and re-inspire.
BUT…enough about daytime activities!
One of our favorite evenings of the trip was a night out, in celebration of Charlotte’s 30th. Charlotte and Rob {her dreamy husband} took us to Ivy. An unreal, multi-level collection of bars, lounges and restaurants housed in one complex. Located on George Street, in the heart of CBD, Ivy is one of the hottest and most exclusive venues for socializing.
The interior design {by renowned design firm Hecker Phelan Guthrie} left me speechless. Forget the bold, striking and familiar! color palette of yellow, black and white – the shapes, the textures, the humor and sophistication were awe-inspiring. While every restaurant, bar and nook was distinctively different in the complex – there was an interesting common thread of color palette, glamour and style that must have made this interior design job a challenging dream. Here are just a few examples of some of the highlights of Ivy:
We started with drinks in one of the private cabanas at Pool Club, the sun was shining and there were plenty of beautiful people padding around the deck, drinks in hand to keep our eyes busy.
So beautiful!
So fun!
On our way to dinner in one of the award-winning eateries, we passed through The Lawn, another bar area for people to relax and even cool off with their over-sized showers suspended above a manicured grassy landing.
For dinner, we were seated at this communal table at Tappanyaki – a modern Japanese restaurant at Ivy. The meal was devoured, drinks were delicious and our night was not disappointing.
Our urban playground led us on a trip down to the first floor where we had {more?!} cocktails comfortably in the open-air courtyard.
The charming Ivy Bar. Ferns. Obsessed.
The adjacent Ivy Lounge. Palms. Love.
The adorable Mad Cow restaurant. {They even have covetable vegetarian options!}
The upscale Italian eatery Uccello overlooks the Pool and delivers mouthwatering southern Italian flavors and an impressive wine list.
If your travels ever lead to you Sydney – with your husband, your girlfriends or even family {like me!} you must make a night {or perhaps seven} out of Ivy – you certainly won’t go board, hungry or thirsty…and the Wearstler-esq interior design will keep you dreaming!
A special thanks to Charlotte and Rob for introducing to us to all that Sydney has to offer. We loved sharing it all with you!
I will be out of touch for a bit, on a dreamy trip to Australia with my husband Joel, my bother and best friend Brandon, and my wonderful brother in law Scott.
We are visiting my best friend {and bridesmaid} Charlotte and her husband in Sydney, then off to the outback and Ayers Rock for a crazy dinner under the stars, a sunrise hike and {hopefully!} some aboriginal love – before hopping another plane to the Great Barrier Reef for some skydiving {ok for the boys}, scuba diving {for us all!}, rain-forest exploration and major beach time! Ahhh…
Renny and I had so much fun playing around with beautiful florals and delicious, incredibly indulgent treats yesterday for a brainstorming session {turned photo-shoot} at the Bliss studio…Here are a few photographs I took as our day came to an end. I am certain I could be more productive surrounded by all of this gorgeousness and decadence everyday!
Our charming office setting…treats everywhere you turn!
The full and abundant garden roses, peonies and ranunculus I picked up from the floral market were put to good use arranged in a vintage compote bowl and positioned aside my favorite macarons from Fritz Pastry.
The Bliss Butterfly adorning seasonal blooming forsythia, Veuve, and a custom creation by Take the Cake.
Trading tea for champagne…
Red velvet cake, macarons, champagne and Southern Weddings…all the inspiration you’ll ever need!
Can’t wait to see how the actual {legitimate} images {shot by the wonderful and talented Tina from Artisan Events} turned out…stay tuned!
I had a lovely time at the flower market this morning, wandering the aisles to select a few bright and bold bunches of the seasons’ finest. Renny and I have a photo shoot tomorrow and I’ll be putting together just a few modest arrangements to liven our setting. I do have to admit {as long as my workload allows!} I always love an excuse to play with flowers.
Here are just a few of the beauties before I start to design:
As I’m sure I’ve previously mentioned, ruffly ranunculus are a brides’ favorite…It truly seems everyone loves them! Here I’ve selected sunny yellow and rich magenta.
Ranunculus are absolutely beautiful right now and will continue to be in top shape for another month or two. Beyond that, prices will increase and you’ll have to sacrifice on quality a bit.
A less common late winter/early spring flower is Mimosa – it has a very short window of availability. The fluffy yellow cutie puff-ball-like flower has a completely unique scent. Almost a muddled sweetness.
Beautiful fuchsia garden roses will only last a day or two…perfect for tomorrows shoot – but always a disappointment when they drop their petals so soon. The powerful fragrance is intoxicating.
I’m taking these vibrant, seasonal blooms as a bit of inspiration, I’m hopeful that spring is around the corner…
I am excited to introduce a new feature post series: “Well…” It may help inspire you with stylish direction with things from your wardrobe and accessories to tablescapes and travels.
Onward…
For those who know me, you make think I’m doing a board on my basic weekly uniform. I must admit, I always do tend to fall back on some classic staples – always with a few gorge additions and details!
This Well…Dressed! board was put together with my chic brides in mind. The collection of goodies may be the perfect, easy solution for a late afternoon wedding planning meeting followed by another incredibly important appointment: cocktails with girlfriends for a proper chat about all of your wonderful wedding details as they fall perfectly into place.
-These skinny, ankle-cropped J.Crew jeans are topped with a crisp Gap fitted white buttondown {collar slightly popped to help frame the face, of course}.
-You’ll always be on time with this gorgeous mens gold Rolex – highlighted by my favorite Essie nail color: Clam Bake. -An understated, yet quirky elephant necklace is an absolute steal from Forever 21.
-Simple over-sized pearl studs are worth the investment – wear them to the gym or on the town. {I can’t even make a pot of coffee without my pearls in place.}
-When heading from your meeting to happy hour, help shade the setting sun in style with these fantastic Tom Ford aviators.
-The leather Dolce and Gabana bag adds a slight rustic touch to your classically glamorous ensemb. -You won’t sacrifice style when ensuring all important files and notes are always fingertip ready with this charming expandable file tote by russell+hazel {I received this tote as a gift from a bride that immediately became my most treasured tool while planning our wedding!}
-Finish the head-to-toe look with these insanely glitzy and girlie Kate Spade peep-toed beauties {I received these as a surprise from my husband on my birthday…I love pairing them with unexpectedly casual outfits!}
I was honoured to be selected by The Knot magazine as one of their Style Stalker Features in their current Spring/Summer 2010 issue.
They reached out to me months ago, hoping for loads of information about my personal wedding style – and after 5 pages of written beauty and design goodness that I passed along, The Knot narrowed it down to a few simple questions and {some paraphrased} answers. I thought I’d elaborate just a bit.. {but please forgive me for any overlapped details from previous entries!}
When I started to think about, dream about and envision our wedding day, I imagined how everything would look in photographs…after all, once the day flies by that is all we are seemingly left with! Because the setting of Hinsdale Golf Club was so dreamy on its own, I took cue from the grounds. I was very much inspired by Gatsby-inspired looks, also driven by my color palette of white and bold yellow with Frenchy black accents.
While I adore fashion and design of all kinds, my personal style is rarely trendy. I do always strive for a ‘unique’ look, but do tend to be attracted to timeless, sophisticated styles over anything too avant-garde.
I went for a look that was ‘Country Club Chic’, ‘Garden Gatsby’…current, but again timeless and sophisticated. I wanted people to say, “that is so Kara”. I still hear that to this day.
The tent was set in the middle of the golf course, guests arrived via open-air trolley {once the thunderous rains stopped!}
Inside the tent, graphic black and white linens provided the backdrop for Frenchy footed urns and ornate stands topped with lush, textural and gardeny floral arrangements of peonies, roses, orchids, arabicum and fresh lemons. I was also obsessed with our ultra-classic black and white checked dance-floor!
I loved these little guys…the satellite arrangements were nestled at the foot of the elevated centerpieces. I am also known for being quite the foliage snob…see the charming richly hued camellia and gardenia foliage accented by the velvety soft grey dusty miller? Love.
While cocktails were initially to be held in the lawn, the awful weather encouraged everyone to stay inside. Here were the barely-used cocktail tables, finished with cutie black and white striped custom seat cushions.
Because our ceremony was to take place outdoors in the garden, I never wanted anything too formal for my dress. Our wedding was not black tie – crystal detailing, ornate embroidery, formal trains etc. did not feel appropriate for our setting. I certainly wanted something unique, but didn’t want to fall prey to too many trends. Local designer, Alice Padrul, designed the absolute perfect dress for me.
I loved how the light, loose chiffon pieces gently danced in the breeze…
The ring I ‘borrowed’ to wear on my right hand came from our jeweler, Joel Singer. I already felt amazingly like a celebrity, borrowing gorgeous jewels for the evening…but when my husband let me know I didn’t have to give it back, I was beside myself!
Even in my everyday life, I am a HUGE lover of vintage earrings – large, classic and slightly obnoxious. I found these gorgeous earrings at Weddings 826 in Lincoln Park and knew they were perfect. They reminded me of the Chanel Camellia pair I’ve drooled over for years!
I didn’t ever envision myself wearing a veil…again, it seemed too formal for our garden-party wedding. A single, off-set gardenia was nestled into my perfectly coiffed hair by Sophia, our Beauty on Call stylist.
I knew I wanted the girls in bold yellow party dresses…{poor girls, what troopers – but don’t they all look fantastic?!}…Good old J.Crew had the perfect color in charming styles I thought would look great against the verdant green backdrop of the golf course.
I chose rich magenta peonies for the girls unexpected bouquets, simply because my mother and I adore the bold hue {look at her stunning dress – it matches the girls’ bouquets perfectly!}. Because I have done plenty of client weddings incorporating the beautiful color, we shied away from using it as a key player. That said, however, we did need a bit of a ‘pink-fix’ and thought it would add a lovely contrast to the girls dresses.
The bridal party looked smashing – boys in black tuxes with black and white stripped ties and yellow spray rose boutonnieres, next to the beautiful girls in sunny yellow…A friendly {while a bit rambunctious and unorthodox} game of croquet was the perfect way to relax in the lawn between dances.
Thanks again to The Knot for the feature…we wedding insiders covet the glossy pages for trends, stories and features!
I wish all of you lovebirds out there a wonderfully romantic Valentine’s Day. I hope you can cherish and appreciate one another this weekend, and in turn be inspired by this holiday to do the same each and every day throughout the year.
{While trying to avoid too much of the commercial fuss, my husband and I will be spending the evening in, side by side in the kitchen {a rare occurrence}, sharing a bottle of somethin’ delicious…That said, per my request, we will still be dressing for the intimate and special occasion as if we were sitting across from one another at a table for two at ultra-romantic Il Mulino. Perhaps even Illiebelle will contribute to the festive mood by wearing a glamorous over-sized big red {double-faced satin!} bow…}
Célébrer l’amour!
{image credit} gorgeous photograph by william waldron
I was having coffee with a favorite industry friend, Donna, when I asked about her colleagues recent engagement. Donna and Matt work together at one of the hottest Chicago venues, The Ivy Room. I had spoken with Matt about the details he had thoughtfully planned – before the big day – and shamefully hadn’t followed up with him!
Donna mentioned that Matt had enlisted the help of popular Chicago photographer, David Wittig, to captured it all, and many of the gorgeous images were featured on The Brides Cafe.
I wanted to share a few of the beautiful, artfully romantic images…
Matt proposed to Sarah on a chilly winter day, in celebration of their 5 year anniversary. Set against the stunning backdrop of Millennium Park, the perfectly orchestrated details culminated with Matt on bended knee, asking his love to spend her life with him.
It seemed like the moment was just for the two of them…(Thanks to Donna on the other side of the bridge, playing bouncer to the public!)
I simply adore Chicago!
After the successful proposal, the couple floated on air with a few laps around the picturesque skating rink.
The evening ended with a lovely meal at Boka {one of my fav’s in Lincoln Park}, where the two likely started to dream about their future life together…
