Papercut Ketubah

Etsy is a fabulous place to find special elements for your wedding.  From table settings to gowns, you can find just about anything on the site.  The unique Ketubah posted above is "The Tree of Life Ketubah," hand cut by Naomi Shiek.  The Israeli artist owns and operates Woodland Papercuts, creating incredible hand crafted invitations, stationary, and modern Ketubot.  More recently Shiek has been collaborating with Urban Collective, a fabulous company that creates beautiful wedding essentials. 

Folding Pocket Squares

Pocket squares are no longer your grandfather's accessory.  Eclectic men's blog DapperLou recently posted a fabulous guide on how to fold pocket squares.  Stores like Brooks Brothers and J.Crew have a great selection of squares in a myriad of fabrics, colors, and patterns.  Pocket squares are a great way to add a touch of sophistication to your suit.  The Hill-Side abstract floral pocket square posted above is available through the J.Crewhttp://www.jcrew.com/mens_feature/NewArrivals.jsp website.

Inspirational Brides - Princess Grace

 

Princess Grace was the epitome of a beautiful bride.  From her days as an actress to her days as the Princess of Monaco she carried herself with such elegance.  Many consider Kelly's wedding to Prince Rainier the wedding of the 20th century.  The spectacular gown worn by Princess Grace was a perfect combination of demure royalty and Hollywood Glamour.  It was designed by Helen Rose who at the time was the chief wardrobe designer for MGM Studios.  The stunning images above came from Madame Guillotine, an interesting blog about art history.

Intercontinental Harbor Court Bridal Show

This Saturday, February the18th we will be participating at the Intercontinental Harbor Court's Bridal Open House.  The event will be taking place from 12pm - 2pm and is the perfect opportunity for future brides to experience what the hotel has to offer.  It is a fabulous place for guests to interact with a number of the area's best wedding specialists.  Several of Maryland's most sought after photographers, vendors, florists, and stationers will be in attendance.  There will also be champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and lively music.  Click here to check out the event's official invitation.

Ecclectic Wedding Rings

Fashion and culture blog Refinery 29 recently did an interesting piece on alternative engagement rings.  To many, engagement rings are considered the most important piece of jewelry in one's life.  Although a emerald cut stone from Tiffany & Co. is always beautiful why not be a little unconventional?  There are many options out there.  Quirky jewelry designer Erica Weiner now sells antique rings on her site.  The image displayed above came from the designer's site and is a seven diamond Edwardian cluster ring.  Another place to find unique and often one of a kind engagement rings is at auction.  Alex Cooper Auctioneers located in the heart of Towson, Maryland holds auctions every six weeks or so.

Upscale department stores such as Barney's New York and Harrods carry a diverse selection of engagement friendly rings.  The adorable ring displayed above is beautiful enough to make any bride blush.  It is by a brand called FINN and can be found on the Barney's New York Website.

Valentines Day Chic

This month it's okay to wear your heart on your sleeve, literally.  Valentine's day is the perfect excuse to dress as festively as you so desire.  Heart designs are making an impact in both clothing and accessories this season. Designers like Rebecca Taylor, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Anya Hindmarch are using the sweet shape throughout their collections.  The leather cardholder by Hindmarch displayed above is available on Net-a-porter. Companies like Modcloth and TopShop also have inexpensive and equally adorable options.  The dress below is the "Heart Will Go On," dress available from Modcloth.

London For Less

London has an incredible reputation.  From it's history to the lovely people who reside there, London is a wonderful place to visit.  There is however one thing that this fabulous city can't live down.  It can be incredibly expensive.  The exchange rate between the US and UK is exorbitantly high.  The value of one pound is nearly double that of the American dollar.  Needless to say finding an affordable place to stay can be quite difficult.  Elle UK recently put together a great list of relatively affordable and fun hotels.  This could come in handy while planning your honeymoon.  The hotels are listed below in no chronological order.  You can click through the names to reach each hotels appropriate website.

• Z Hotel Soho
  
• Church Street Hotel
  
• Aloft London Excel
  
• B&B Belgravia
• Myhotel Bloomsbury

Fun Travel Accessories

Dormify, has recently come out with a fun line of vintage-inspired packing accessories, perfect for any traveler.  From lingerie bags, to cosmetic carrying cases the brand sells a wide selection of affordable products.  Not only are the products practical but would also make outstanding gifts for members of the wedding party.  The luggage tags posted above can be found on the companies website.

Monique Lhuillier Trunk Show

Carine's Bridal Atelier located in the heart of D.C. will be hosting a Monique Lhuillier Trunk Show over the next few days.  Although it is by appointment only, Lhuillier's stunning gowns will be at the boutique from Thursday, February 9th through Saturday, the 11th.  Carine's will have pieces from the designers most recent collection as well as old favorites. Click through the stunning image below to check out Lhuillier's website.

Phone 202-965-4696
Fax 202-965-8883
info@carinesbridal.com
www.carinesbridal.com
1726 Wisconsin Avenue NW
2nd Floor
Washington DC 20007

French Macaroons

French Macaroons have become the ultimate cookie for those with a sweet tooth.  Their delicate almond taste is the perfect complement to any late.  The decadent French pastry has become a staple at weddings, coming in an array of colors and subtle flavors.  William Sonoma offers a diverse selection of these delicious pastries available for around $55.  Our lucky friends across the pond have the opportunity to get freshly baked treats from Ladurée, the ultimate when it comes to Macaroons.  Here is a link to Martha Stewart's recipe for "French Macaroons," fantastic for those who know their way around the kitchen.  The image above shows a beautiful selection available at Ladurée.

Twist On A Classic

Brides aren't the only ones that deserve to have fun when it comes to wedding apparel.  Creative adaptations of classic styles are becoming more popular in menswear.  Brands like Cole Haan and Brooks Brother's are now offering their signature styles in festive colors.  These styles would be the perfect accent to any spring wedding.  The shoe displayed above is called the "Air Colton Casual Wing Top," from the Cole Haan website.  Click through for buying information.

Post-Missoni Madness

Do you remember the time eager customers crashed the entire Target website in hopes of purchasing limited edition Missoni?  BREAKING NEWS...many of the adorable articles in those signature Missoni patterns are in the web site's clearance section.  Sweaters, shoes, and various accessories are being sold at nearly half of their original prices.  We learned this exciting news from the people over at Fantabulously Frugal, a great site for finding fashionable deals.