Julia's Fashion File: These Shoes are Made for Walking

Shoes are important. They protect and provide comfort for our feet from the wear and tear of our daily grind, they keep our tootsies warm in the winter months, they showcase our colorful nails in the summer after an expensive pedicure and most importantly, they're an avenue of self expression. From stilettos to sneakers and every size heel in between, there's something for everyone out there...but is there something for every bride?

Being a woman who has exceptionally finicky feet, I've found myself on one too many occasions breaking in to a cold sweat at the thought of having to pick out shoes for any occasion let alone for my hypothetical big day. I'd like to believe that I'm not the only one out there who can't wear a 5 inch heel but regardless of what you desire out of your bridal shoes, I've found the perfect site for all tastes and sizes.

Bridalshoes.com offers a huge assortment of quality and fashionable choices for a wide variety of brides out there. I've come across quite a few cheesy and cheap looking bridal shoes so it was refreshing to come across an abundance of awesome finds on one site, most of which I'd recommend to a friend. The prices are reasonable as well so you won't feel guilty buying your favorite pair and then kicking them off when the dancing starts.

Speaking of recommendations, I picked out a few awesome pairs of heels that if I could sport, I would wear in a heartbeat. Nina Ambert offers a stunning white satin, strappy open-toe sandal with a 3 1/2 heel for brides who want a classy yet look-at-me style.

Chinese Laundry offers a sassy ivory sandal adorned with a classic bow and a few flashy touches for the bride who wants the wow factor.

Alternatively, for those that can't or don't want to walk down the isle in treacherously high heels, they offer flats as well! This was the biggest selling point for me; elegant and flat don't typically belong together in the same sentence but bridalshoes.com offers a huge variety of small heels to flats. It's a dream come true for sensitive feet.

My favorite pair is the kitten heel with crossed toe straps by Coloriffics.

Your dress is the centerpiece but your shoes are going to take you to the alter. Choose wisely, fashionably and comfortably; you shouldn't have to sacrifice one over the other.

xoxo
Jules

Julia's Fashion File: A Special Bag for a Special Bride

I've always been a purse fanatic and I think it's relatively safe to assume that I'm not alone in this obsession (right, ladies?). As I casually sifted through the web this morning I unfolded an amazing phenomenon: bridal purses! I'm not sure why it never occurred to me that a bride would carry a purse. Maybe because I always picture them walking down the isle and we know they're not carrying one while saying "I do"!

As a result of this happenstance my obsession has now expanded in to this area, so much that I'm now wondering if I should just buy a couple for my future big day. Check out these beauties from http://www.net-a-porter.com/am/home.nap. The Louboutin satin clutch with lace and embellished shoe clasp is to-die for. Or this Valentino satin bow clutch? If only I could afford it.

Speaking of affordable, there are a lot of options out there that won't cost you half your wedding budget. Check out these bags from http://elbo.co.uk/index.htm (at top of post and below). They're beautiful, delicate, unique, and inexpensive.
You can also go the vintage route like this gorgeous collectors piece from the Titanic era at http://www.vintage-now-clothing.com/vintage-accessories.html. Hand made in France and covered in beautiful tiny beads, it would surely be a massive hit.

There are few things that generate as much excitement out of me than picking out a new bag and for a bride it's not only exciting but special; a special bag for a special bride.

xoxo
Jules

Julia's Fashion File: MOTB

While thinking about my next post it dawned on me that when I conjur up thoughts of wedding fashion I rarely think the Mother of the Bride, famously known as MOTB in wedding acronym speak. Which is a shame because it's just as important as all the other style aspects that go in to creating a beautiful, chic wedding.

When I imagine a MOTB, I see poise, elegance, class, and glamour. A lot of mom's feel that due to age and fear of overshadowing the bride, fashion has to suffer. But, I'm here to shine another light on it; there's no reason why mom can't be gorgeous right along with you.

As with bridesmaid dresses, I think MOTB dresses can get a bad rep because there are some bad (cringe-worthy bad) seeds out there. So I decided to poke around Bride.com and find some pieces that I would be proud to see my mom in on my big day.

I love the sassy black and white strapless dress for a mom who likes a more youthful look. Or, alternately, the floor-length forest green strapless with a lace shrug for those who like to be a little more covered up. The great thing about the lace shrug is that it's still sexy while being modest.

I was heartened to see so many beautiful styles out there. I for one can't wait to help my mom find hers when it's my turn. With dresses like these it's going to be hard to choose!

Wishing both you and your moms champagne toasts and fabulous fashion finds.

xoxo

Jules

Julia's Fashion File: Beauty and The Brooch

Adorning your bridal ensemble with a brooch, like jewelry, needs to be done tastefully or it can go terribly awry. However, unlike your typical drop earrings or dainty pearl necklace, a brooch can add something extra special and unique to your overall look; it's different, fun, and if done properly, will have people wishing they'd thought of it themselves.

As I was perusing the net this morning to find some pieces that I felt would enhance a bride's beauty, I was surprised to see that there weren't a whole lot of pictures out there showing brides how to use them or where to put them. Here are a few of the ideas that I found useful on Bride.net:

1) Use it as a hair pin and put it in your favorite up-do (like in the top above). You can work with your stylist to incorporate it in.

2) Add it to your sash in the front or in the back of the gown (bridesmaids dresses, too!):

3) Place it on your bouquet's at the base where the stems are gathered:

4) Add it to your flower girl's basket or ring bearer's pillow:

5) Strategically place it on a more simple gown to add flare:

There are countless ways to enhance your ensemble with a tasteful brooch. Play around with it and get a few opinions on where it looks best on the gown you've chosen.

Now where do you find an amazing brooch that feels right for you? The Internet (eBay will have tons!) again, will be a fantastic resource for you. As well as antique shops, second hand stores, and vintage jewelry shops.

I found a few I really love on Wedding Factory Direct and Emmaline Bride: http://www.weddingfactorydirect.com/index.html and http://emmalinebride.com/index.php.

Now go forth, my beauties, and find the brooch that makes you excited!

xoxo

Jules

Julia's Fashion File: Bubble Gum, Be Gone

Having been a Maid Of Honor myself, I know that shopping for bridesmaids’ dresses can be a bit tricky. Lucky for me, the bride chose an elegant, affordable dress that I still like to this day. However, ‘tis not the case for many maids and matrons out there adorning bubble gum pink mermaid dresses or who-knows-what-else down the aisle.

I have three rules when it comes to bridesmaid dress shopping:

• It should be affordable by today’s standards. Not everyone has the money or the desire to drop upwards of $300 on a dress that they'll more than likely only wear once.

• It should be a style that will flatter all of your bridesmaids’ body types. Consider allowing your bridesmaids to pick their own style of your chosen designer and color.
  
• It is always a plus when your bridesmaids can use the dress again. It’s a long shot, but there are so many fashionable bridesmaid dresses out there these days.

After doing a little site searching, I came across this fantastic site for dresses: http://www.bridesmaids.com/. One (affordable!) designer in particular, Bari Jay, really caught my eye. I prefer a sassy short-length bridesmaid dress, and if I had to choose between some of the designs from this site, I would be a happy woman. The charmeuse, strapless bubble dress with a front twist bodice in green is my favorite style, but I also love-love-love the petal-detailed strapless dress, because it's so different from the stuff I've seen and it's completely wearable outside of a wedding.

There were also a few floor length designs that caught my eye. My favorite is the gown with the overlap bust and brown band but for longer lengths (on top), I found myself actually liking most of her stuff.














These designs are proof that there are definitely endless options to have classy, modern, beautiful bridesmaids… without stealing your thunder.

XOXO Jules

Julia's Fashion File: Make or Break, Headband or Tiara !

We all know accessories can make or break an outfit and when you're walking down the isle, this is an especially important thing to keep in mind. The last thing you want is to look like a gaudy mess. Your guests should be transfixed on your beauty and elegance, your husband and the gorgeous gown you've chosen. I've always been one to step outside of the box a little when it comes to jewelry but as a bride, I would stick to a few elegant pieces that I adore.

With today's post I'd like to focus on headbands. They can often be overlooked or misused. You can go very (VERY) wrong when choosing a headband (e.g. tacky rhinestones, too much embellishment, huge princess tiara...eeeeek!) and that could be why some brides steer clear. However, I have seen some gorgeous selections that have topped off the dress, hair, and jewelry beautifully.

When I embarked on my search for a couple perfect headbands I came across this gorgeous Swarovski crystals and Freshwater Pearls tiara (I don't like the term tiara but that's technically what this is classified as) on http://www.bridalfashionmall.com/. I had to sift through a lot of the aforementioned fashion no-no's but this one really stood out to me. It's delicate, sweet and with the right dress, will only embellish your style.

A great alternative to the more traditional style headband is wearing one from ribbon. For example, this one is made from sheer ribbon, is delicate and ornamented gorgeously. Wearing a ribbon option could also help with those pesky headaches that we so often get from wearing a metal or plastic headband.
If and when you decide to choose a headband, my advice to you gorgeous brides is to stay true to your authentic style while keeping in mind that you don't want it to overpower all the other things you've worked so hard at putting together.

xoxo

Jules

Julia's Fashion File: Authentically, Fashionably, Uniquely...Me

I'm not anywhere near ready for marriage and if I'm really honest with myself, I was never one of those little girls dreaming of her wedding. I haven't planned, picked, or conjured up any ideas regarding my future big day. I have however, always known two things: 1) that I would have an absolutely FABULOUS dress and 2) that I wanted something authentic and uniquely me. That can mean a lot of different things to different people and since I myself am not planning a wedding, I look forward to helping you all uncover some of those rare, unique, elegant and simply divine wedding fashion finds that a bride like you will love.

What better way to start than looking at vintage dresses! I just discovered http://www.antiquedress.com/ and while a lot of the designs they sell are completely over the top (although, to each their own...if it inspires you then go for it!) there were a few that had my head twirling with possibilities.

For example, take this fringe, floor length vintage gown in ivory with a low v-back. This is a dress that when its rock star owner rightfully claims it, will take down the house. There's nothing more thrilling than seeing a woman work a dress down the isle that only they can pull off.

Or this Audrey Hepburn bubble dress with a v-back. I LOVE this dress and could actually see myself pulling off a similar style with soft gold jewelry.










The possibilities are endless when it comes to picking a vintage gown that's right for you. If that's a route you'd like to explore than the internet will be a great resource for you. I'll be sure to write about more sites like this in the future so keep an eye out!

xoxo

Jules