Neck Candy

Statement necklaces, and bib-necklaces are all on the radar now. They are big, bold and beautiful. They are the one accessory that can complete a gown, a dress or just a top – to perfection, while framing your face for the perfect picture of fashion . . However, keep in mind, this is one item that will take over the entire outfit if you do not carefully chose the gown or dress you wear it with. Keep it simple or tone on tone. With too much pattern or too many colors, everything could start to look overdone. Remember — Keep it Fab!

Miss Plastic Gets a Makeover

I never thought that Barbie had fat ankles (“cankles”). Of course, I don’t think I ever paid any close attention to her ankles. Christian Louboutin thinks otherwise and has given Barbie a makeover for her 50th anniversary. The three dolls are influenced by Nefertiti and Marilyn Monroe and there’s special emphasis on the beautiful footwear. It seems that the three dolls are packaged in Louboutin shoe boxes accompanied by four pairs of Barbie-sized Louboutin heels, with an additional collection of 12 pairs of the designer’s shoes. Each doll is available for $40. The jewel theif-themed barbie will be releasing in December, followed by a safari-themed doll in February and Barbie who goes to the Cannes film festival in May.

Oh, so FAB!!!

Also check out: Miss Plastic Turns 50 and “Something Blue”.

Preston’s Thanks

Ummm…I need to become the good friend of the man known as Preston Bailey just for this one occasion? His work is IN-SANE…

BEFORE [below]

He revamped his personal Studio Space, and focused on using readily available, recycled, and accessible materials.

Create a Fall Wedding Welcome Sign

For a small, autumn wedding with just immediate family and close friends attending, present this handcrafted piece as a decorative element—totally in sync with the intimate setting of the occasion. It can double as a wedding welcome sign, favor display, and decorative piece all in one. This does not need be all inclusive for just a wedding, but can be used for a big family gathering in November.

Materials For This Project:

- Picture frames of different designs, sizes, and materials
- One large frame (size to depend on how many frames you plan to display)
- Fabric – to serve as a canvas for the large frame
- Small nails – to hang the picture frames within the large frame
- Special photos (optional)
- Embellishments – twigs, leaves,
- Large easel

Steps on How to Create this Welcome Signage:

1. Personalize each picture frame – The individual picture frames are actually the guest favors! So, decide which frame will go to which guest. Then, print their names in an elegant cursive font and insert these in the frames.

2. Prepare the large frame and easel – Stretch the fabric on the large frame like a canvas, secure it with a staple gun, and close the frame backing. Mount the frame on the easel and position this in the reception area of your wedding.

3. Hang the picture frames on the display - Plan an interesting arrangement for the picture frames. Then, with small nails hammered into place, hang the different frames within the large frame.

As an added touch, hide a special message from the bride and groom for the guest named in each frame. This can also be a romantic quotation from a famous poet or writer, in keeping with your wedding theme.

4. Add personal touches- As the guests take their favor-frames from the display, have them enjoy some precious family photos intermixed among the picture frames, recalling special times you’ve shared through the years.

5. Bring in that fall ambiance – Line the large frame with a few bare branches and twigs, and position a bunch of leaves and raffia twine at its base. And of course, announce the joyful occasion with the names of the couple and the wedding date.

VIVA! el Cantina

A Cantina is a bar or a kind of saloon: really, a social gathering place. The origin of the word ‘Cantina’ began in Italy, when it became the name for the wine caves and roadside taverns where patrons stopped for drinks on their travels. Gradually, Cantinas spread to South America and Mexico. They became centers of cultural and intellectual exchange, where business, gossip and art were easily discussed. The commodity sold and shared was, of course: Drinks.

Feeling Festive? Why not throw your own Cantina Party? Here is some inspiration to get you started.

1. Use a cowboy boot for a centerpiece. Choose flowers that can last a while without water and simply arrange them in the boot.

2. Instead of the traditional margarita glass, serve drinks from mason jars.

3. Forget your drink cooler — chill drinks in an interesting container like an antique copper pitcher.

4. Welcome guests with a fun arrangement at the door: “¡El partido comienza aquí!….the party starts here!”

5. Add an extra few drops of lemon juice or an interesting garnish to store-bought salsa and guacamole.

6. Great invitations are key to creating excitement and anticipation for a party.

7. Cowboy hats for peanuts or chips? Ummm….yeaaaaa!

8. Tie rope around napkins for a cool rustic detail.

Photography by: Arina Lanis
Styled by: Kathy Moran and Beth Lindner
Invitations by: Serendipity Designs

Princess Fab

Jaime from Giggledust Parties put together this fab-u-lous Pink Princess Party for a little girl who was turning four. All the decorations & many of the features in this party were custom made by Jaime & members of her family.

Here are the details as told by Jaime:

“Giggledust Parties had the pleasure of hosting a Pink Princess Tea Party for an adorable little girl named Abby. She was turning 4 and wanted to have all of her friends help her to celebrate by joining her at a Royal Tea Celebration.

When the guests entered Abby’s Castle, they were directed to a special play area where they could color pictures of princess characters or play with a princess castle.

When all of the guests had arrived, it was time to enter the Royal Dressing Area to put on their fancy dresses for the tea party. This included beautiful pink gowns and slippers and a special cape for Abby.

Once donned in their royal attire, the girls made their way to the Royal Salon where each girl received her own make-up case and bag to decorate. They were then able to get ready for the ball. They LOVED putting on their make-up and getting dolled up for the tea party.

The girls then enjoyed several fun activities which included dancing

The girls were then off to the coronation station where they each were deemed a true princess and received their royal tiara for the tea party. Each guest was announced by a Frog Prince Trumpeter and escorted to the Royal Tea Table.

The girls loved sipping “tea” on the fine china and using their best manners to help Abby celebrate. The Pink Princess Tea Party concluded with a treasure hunt for the missing royal jewels and distribution of the favors.”

Here are some of the details of how Jamie pulled this all together:

“The development of this party truly was a family affair at Giggledust Parties. All of the decorations were custom made by myself and family. My husband made me the Dressing Armoire, Royal Salon Tables, and support system for the Chandelier Princess Table. I then sewed and embellished the canopy for the princess table, made the ribbon chandelier hangers, sewed the fabric sides for the princess armoire and the pink drapes for the royal salon tables. The Royal Prince Trumpeter was made from a prince costume and several frog stuffed animals from IKEA. The coronation station was made from a CD Tower and a dog bed from IKEA that was painted and recovered. The adorable cupcakes came from a local artisan baker Churchill, Inc. The girls went home with custom water bottles, several trinkets from the games and a Little Princess tile necklace from Lilly Plum.”

Papel Picado Por Favor

Papel picado (“perforated paper”) is a popular traditional Mexican art handed down from generation to generation. The paper cut designs are commonly cut from tissue paper using templates, creating as many as forty banners at a time.

The garlands of papel picado are often hung as decoration in celebration of Mexican traditions.

They would make a vibrant decoration for any fiesta-themed wedding or party.

{Photo Credit: Garlands of Papel Picado by Dasha Wright via Brides.com}

{Photo Credit: Papel Picado Huppah by Mishka Designs’ Blog}

{Photo credit: Snippet and Ink}

{ Mexican Picado Flags by Aymujer on Etsy }

{Wedding Photo by Kate Black}

Pumpkins du jour

Paul Lowe has done it again!

What a conversation piece these pumpkins would be for your next family gathering or social this month!

Take a peek at Paul’s inventions and How-Tos:

Louis Vuitton pumpkin

A guy after my own heart …Inspired by his collection of vintage Louis Vuitton luggage he used oil based pens (oil paint in a pen) from Sharpie which are waterproof, so you can place your fashion pumpkin outside. He drew the pattern on by freehand and finished it off with a real LV luggage tag.

You can also make the pumpkins based on whatever your favorite fashion brand is. A Chanel pumpkin would be cool, or what about a Gucci one?

Photo Credit: cocos-boudoir

Idyllic Scene Pumpkin

Mommy and junior have a yummy lunch while dad is on top of it all looking out for the hunters.

Cut a square hole in the center of the pumpkin. Scoop out all the seeds and stuff inside the pumpkin. Cover the bottom of the pumpkin with moss.
In the front of the moss you stick in small trees — (his were from a model shop in NYC). Put the deer in place and you are ready to go!

Fashionista Pumpkins

These pumpkins have just stepped out of Michael Kors spring 2010 collection at New York fashion week. The girls are so happy with their new look, the new lipo has left them with just their heads, but bodies are size -0. So now they roll around on the upper east side.

Cut out sunglasses and lips from fashion magazines and glue them on mini pumpkins with a hot glue gun. Done.

Stud Pumpkins

Inspired by the fashion designer Alexander Mc Queen, who once made a whole body suit of studs. Paul wanted to cover the whole pumpkin with studs, but after finding out he would need about 1500 studs he just did one small part of it.

You will need one pumpkin and about 120 upholstery studs. (1500 studs if you have the time AND money).
You just start pushing the studs in one by one until the whole part is covered. The great part is that you can take the studs out and reuse them at a later date.

Photo Credits: Colin Cooke

Vendor Limelight: Springcart Designs

Today I am featuring the fabulous boutique extraordinaire Springcart Designs.

I have had the pleasure of working with Springcart Designs, and they are truly talented and creative about what they do. Co-owner and Founder Myisha “My” McCarthy has agreed to tell us more about the company and share with us their work.

Events-ualities: Tell us about Springcart Designs — what range of services do you offer?

Springcart Designs: Springcart Designs consists of myself and my partner Porsche Taylor. Initially, Springcart Designs started as a jewelry company and over the past 7 years has evolved into so much more. Our business has grown into two different entities which includes: Springcart Design the online boutique and Springcart Design Lab, our graphic/web design boutique. In our online boutique we offer everything from jewelry to handbags. We also have our own line of specialty tea. I hand selected the flavors that we carry as well as created the packaging and branding for the tea line. What makes our tea special is the bold and delicious flavors. Our biggest sellers are the two original flavors which are the Chocolate Dream (a chocolate flavored black tea with a hint of cream) and the Lemon Dream.

In our design boutique we offer everything from branding to logo design to print and web design. We offer such a range of services that it is hard to narrow it down.

Events-ualities: Why did you start your company?

Springcart Designs: I started Springcart Designs because I always knew that I was supposed to do something creative with my life. For a while I couldn’t quite figure it out but once I discovered jewelry design I knew that this was it.

Events-ualities: How do you describe your design styles?

Springcart Designs: My design style varies. Sometimes I love really girly and frilly designs and other times I love simplistic and minimal design. I love that Porsche and I have two different strengths when it comes to design, because we balance each other out. My strength is logos and graphics, and she is a genius with layout and marketing. She was the marketing manager for Adidas for their Entertainment Promotions department.

Events-ualities: What do you enjoy most about your job?

Springcart Designs: I love working for myself, working my own hours and being able to do something creative everyday. I love new projects and creating a brand for new companies.

Events-ualities: What has been the highlight of your career to date?

Springcart Designs: Our newest venture which I am really excited about: The Bella Network. We are working on the official launch date and all of the details now.

The Bella Network is an invitation only network for women business owners. The Bella Network will initiate interesting dialogue and brainstorming among selected group of women business owners. I am also excited about working with a lot of wonderful business owners that I have met over the past year. I believe that The Bella Network will be huge because it will be different than the other networks that I have participated in before. I think that we will bring a fresh perspective to networking.

Events-ualities: One piece of advice for individuals seeking services from a design studio such as yours?

Springcart Designs: Have a good idea on what it is that you want. It makes the project go smoother and quicker. We will create the vision — you just need to provide the initial direction.

Events-ualities: Thank you My for sharing your work with us!

If you or someone you know is a thriving entrepreneur and is at the top of their game, drop us a note so we may highlight them in our next Vendor Limelight.

Doves are out, Ladybugs are In!

Looking for a unique way to celebrate a wedding or any occasion?

Here is a new tradition that is environmentally friendly. Have your guests release live ladybugs for the Bride and Groom. Here’s the spiel…Ladybugs tend to crawl before flying away, so this is not for you if you will get freaked out.

Because most likely, everyone will have a ladybug or two land on them. The idea is not to fling them at the bride and groom, but rather to allow them to crawl out of the bag, and fly away …you know… “Be free with the land, ladybug!” That type of thing.

Most people like ladybugs and are not afraid to hold them. But if you are not like most people, and you are one of those guests who prefer NOT to handle the Ladybugs, you can also open the bag then place it on the ground, in a shrub, or on the grass.

If this whole pitch sounds good to you, contact Love & Luck Ladybugs. They stand by their credo of providing your lovely ladybugs to you on your special day. Email them at: LoveLuckLadybugs@hotmail.com