Gown Alert: Monique Lhuillier Sample Sale

It's that time of the year ladies! One of our favorites, Monique Lhuillier, will be having their semi-annual sample sale next Sunday, July 14^th from 10am to 4pm.  The sale will be at a pop-up shop in downtown LA.  They’ll have both Bridal and Ready to Wear dresses with markdowns anywhere from 40% - 90%.  Can you imagine the savings?!?!

This is the perfect opportunity for brides, friends and family to find not only incredible gowns but ready to wear items as well for showers, bachelorette parties and even the rehearsal!

This sale only happens twice a year so we definitely suggest avoiding that July heat and heading downtown to check it out next weekend!  Make a day of it and start with brunch or head to lunch after, enjoy some champagne or lemonade and prepare to get your shop on!

 

 

Happy Shopping!

DIY With Star: Wedding and Honeymoon Keepsake Ornaments

In my previous post "Salt Dough Beauties" I mentioned that I would be making one more handmade ornament this holiday season.  For my second DIY ornament I decided to make use of the dried out flowers from my bridal bouquet.  My bouquet had been sitting in my garage withering away for the past four and a half years (I didn't store it properly and it wasn't looking so hot, but I didn't have the heart to throw it out).  I pulled a few flowers off my bouquet and placed them in a empty glass ornament.  I tied a pretty ribbon on top and wrote our wedding date on the bottom.  I had also saved a water bottle full of sand that I collected while my husband and I were on our Honeymoon in Koh Samui, Thailand.  I had always planned to do something special with it, but never got around it (it too had been collecting dust in our garage).  So, I filled another clear glass ornament with a bit of our Honeymoon sand and again, tied it with a pretty ribbon and wrote a description on the bottom.  These ornaments turned out simply beautiful and are now two of my favorite ornaments on our Christmas tree!
 
This is such an easy DIY decoration and can be displayed in your home during the holidays or all year round.  I love the sentimentality of these ornaments and plan to continue to make them.  Imagine how neat it would be to have ornaments with flowers from every bouquet from each time you were a bridesmaid; or imagine having a little bit of sand from each beach vacation you and your husband go on.  So special and such great conversation pieces!

These ornaments make me smile every time I see them.  So glad I will get to enjoy my bridal bouquet and a bit of my Honeymoon each holiday season!

Happpy Crafting,

Star

Inspired by Ranunculus!

I constantly work with designs that include ranunculus, they are so full of texture and really a beautiful addition to any floral combination. I love how complicated they can look because of all the layers of petals they have but at the same time, they're so delicate and dainty. They are extremely cost effective and versatile and I think that's why they are so popular.

Photo Courtesy of Did You Just See What I Saw

On Mother's Day, I used them at my home as I hosted my family over for the day. I bought two different colors and placed various stems within my collection of Milk White Vases. So simple yet so sweet! Here's a quick photo just off my cell phone...


Here are some of my favorite inspirations utilizing this fluffy flower! What's your favorite color combination utilizing ranunculas?

Photo Courtesy of A City Love

Photo Courtesy of Wedding Flowers

Photo Courtesy of Swatchbook Weddings Photo Courtesy of Housemartin Photo Courtesy of Green Wedding Shoes

Inspired by Dusty Miller!

One of my brides is currently in debate with whether or not to incorporate Dusty Miller foliage into her bouquets. So lately I've been inspired by this velvety goodness!

Photo Courtesy of Dave's Garden

I seriously love Dusty Miller, it's so delicately soft and a perfect neutral filler to add a little texture to whatever palette it graces! Here are some of my favorite ways to incorporate it into your design!

Balsa Wood Flowers are gorgeous and so texture rich, combine them with dusty miller and the look is just exquisite! Check out this bouquet made by the fabulous Carissa of JL Designs.

Photo Courtesy of Bollea

How great is this boutonniere? The white spray roses combined with foliage and the softness of the dusty miller is just so sweet!

Photo Courtesy of Floral Verde

I love this smaller centerpiece off the Martha Stewart website using the dusty miller with a pink palette!

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart

What I love must about Dusty Miller is it's versatility, it looks just as wonderful with a neutral palette as it does with some color! Check out this gorgeous fall colored tablescape by the ever so wonderful Susan of Peony and Plum!

I absolutely adore this final photo of an oyster shell wedding cake. How beautiful is this!

Photo Courtesy of Flickr

Hope you enjoyed viewing all the many ways you can add a little dusty miller into your look!

Souly Wedding Vendors: It's A Bride Thing Event

We are so happy to be part of the Souly Wedding Vendors family! What a great group of wedding professionals!


Souly Wedding Vendors is a creative circle of new and established Ventura County wedding vendors, all committed to the same level of professionalism. Every other month, at a new and exciting location, we host a themed party for engaged couples. This gives the clients the opportunity to meet, mix and mingle with Souly Wedding Vendors in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

This month's event will be the best one yet! Be sure to stop by and at least check it out.

“It’s a Bride Thing”

BRIDAL SOIREE FASHION SHOW
By Camarillo Bridal

Thursday, August 20th, 2009
6:00pm to 8:30pm


Hosted at:
McCormick Home Ranch
2034 East Fifth Street
Camarillo

Fashion Show
Complete Information Resource for Brides-to-be
Hands on Experience with Hair, Makeup & Mobile Tanning Vendors
Meet & Mingle with Preferred Ventura County Vendors
Complementary Beverages & Hors d’oeuvres

Bring one complimentary guest with the purchase of one $5.00 admission
If purchased by August 18th 2009

PURCHASE TICKETS AT:
SoulMates Bridal Boutique
2068 Ventura Blvd, Old Town Camarillo
805-388-7363

Camarillo Bridal
2121 Pickwick Dr, Camarillo
805-389-1515

*Admission will be $5.00 per person at the door*

Happy Mingling!

My Fave Mondays: SoulMates Bridal Boutique

We are so excited about this weeks My Fave Monday pick! SoulMates Bridal Boutique is an adorable store that features everything but the dress! It's located in Camarillo and owned by our friends Megan and Vanessa. They do an amazing job at welcoming each guest into their boutique and assisting them in every way possible.


Here's what Vanessa and Megan have to say about SoulMates and what they offer...

If you're a bride who's looking for those perfect shoes, or another must-have accessory...you've got to come into SoulMates Bridal Boutique! Where we carry, "everything, but the dress." We're not like most other wedding shops... we're a small boutique, where you can feel comfortable and deal straight with the owners themselves. We believe in having a one-on-one relationship with each of our clients. And we make finding all the small things easy, we carry beautiful shoes, amazing jewelry, ring bearer pillows, cake serving sets (free engraving), toasting glasses (free engraving), flower girl baskets, unity candles, cake toppers, bridesmaid gifts, groomsmen gifts, and much much more!!!! Plus, if you live far, search our website, where you can buy directly and have items shipped straight to you!

We’re also your FREE information resource! If you can’t find that perfect vendor that fits your taste, personality or budget...drop in our store for complimentary Ventura County vendor information. We ONLY refer out to reputable vendors that share in the same level of professionalism, as we do. So you can find comfort and ease…and definitely feel confident in the referral.




Photos courtesy of Phase 4 Photography.

Happy planning!!