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Maggie Sottero Bridal Week Spring 2017

Our take on the beautiful new dresses is coming soon. In the meantime, see them for yourself below!

Maggie Sottero Wedding Dresses Spring 2017
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Maggie Sottero Wedding Dresses Spring 2017
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Photography: Maggie Sottero | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero

Channel Your Inner Julia Child with these Baking Tricks

I love a good baking session, topped only by eating the results of said baking. But somehow, my sweet treats never look as good as they taste. That’s where Natalie of Jade Magnolia is coming to the rescue. A baker and stylist extraordinaire, she is divulging 10 need to know tips for baking like a pro. Peek inside her pretty kitchen captured by Lauren J. Photography where she creates magic.

Natalie is a mom and baker. She recently renovated her kitchen, with the help of her husband. They did it all themselves! Her kitchen isn’t just any kitchen, it’s also her office.

She is a baker & event stylist. She does it all while being a mom to the cutest little boy, Phoenix. I captured her doing her thing. Being a #girlboss & mom. Her kitchen speaks for itself. Bright, airy, and full of love. 

 Baking Tips and Tricks

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Ingredients

Starting with all your ingredients at room temperature does wonders, I’m talking everything, butter, eggs, milk; this keeps everything nice and even for mixing and baking.

Prep your Pans

There isn’t much worse then when you spend time baking the most delicious cake and it doesn’t come out of the pan completely. I start by buttering or spraying my pans, then coat with flour, then add a piece of parchment paper cut to fit in the bottom of the pan. These three steps should ensure your cake will pop right out!

Flavors

I like playing with different flavor combinations and using fresh, in season ingredients. Some of my favorite combinations are: white chocolate with fresh berries, churro with salted caramel, and lemon with cream cheese. Don’t be afraid to play around and not always use a recipe!

Cakes

When working with tiered cakes I like to make sure my layers are even and chilled before stacking and frosting. You can use a cake leveler to get nice even layers, while working with chilled cake will make sure your frosting coats well and doesn’t get too warm.

Tools

Having the proper tools can make a huge difference and will save you some headaches. A few of my favorite tools are a cake leveler, off set spatula for frosting, pastry mat for your work surface, large piping bags and a variety of silicone spatulas, you can never have too many!

Make it Pretty

Whether you’re decorating cupcakes, brownie bites, mini dessert shooters, or a cake, I like to use simple, natural decorations. I always prefer fresh flowers, berries or fruit, chocolate ganache, or a berry puree.

 

Get to Know Your Oven

Every oven I have ever used bakes a little differently. Just because a recipe says bake at 350 for 20 minutes doesn’t mean you have to abide by it. Some ovens bake hot so lower the heat; some racks might be too high or low, move the pans and baking times around until you find what works best.

Sugar

Sometimes when baking we get a little carried away with sugar, I know, the point of dessert is to be sweet, however I like to let all the ingredients shine. For example, frosting, most recipes call for several cups of sugar and I like to cut it way down and add it little by little until it has the right amount of sweetness for my taste, find what you like best!

Time

Baking can be and should be enjoyable, not a chore. I find when I allow plenty of time, turn on some music, and pour myself a glass sparkling water all stress and pressure goes out the window. My desserts come out so much better when I am not on a time crunch!

Recipe

Find recipes that you like but don’t be afraid to tweak them a little. Edit your recipes to fit your preferences, little changes can effect the texture, flavor, and look of your desserts, have fun and play around!

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More baking goodies this way…

Bakeware + Cookware You'll Love
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Bakeware + Cookware You'll Love
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Photography: Lauren J. Photography | Cake: Jade Magnolia | Calligraphy Print: Calligraphy Cult

Sareh Nouri Bridal Week Spring 2017

Our take on the beautiful new dresses is coming soon. In the meantime, see them for yourself below!

Sareh Nouri Wedding Dresses Spring 2017
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Sareh Nouri Wedding Dresses Spring 2017
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Photography: Syed Yaqeen | Wedding Dress: Sareh Nouri

Caroline Castigliano Bridal Week Spring 2017

Our take on the beautiful new dresses is coming soon. In the meantime, see them for yourself below!

Caroline Castigliano Wedding Dresses Spring 2017
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Caroline Castigliano Wedding Dresses Spring 2017
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Photography: Caroline Castigliano | Wedding Dress: Caroline Castigliano

This Disney-Inspired Wedding Is Your Cup of Tea

Any wedding day that starts with the Groom and groomsmen serenading the Bride with a Disney song is guaranteed to be a winning wedding. Add to that the traditional Chinese tea ceremony, the DIY flower wall and this beautiful couple, and you’re left with a drop-dead-gorgeous affair. See all the pretty from Meghan Andrews Photography in The Vault!

From The Bride…The day started with traditional Chinese door games and tea ceremony. The groom and groomsmen needed to pass challenges designed by the bridesmaids in order to see the bride; one of the challenges was to serenade the bride with a Disney song. This was followed by a fairy tale like ceremony at Casa Loma and finally an intimate reception with our closest family and friends at Auberge du Pommier. We wanted our guests to have fun and share in the day so we had them toss flower petals at the end of our ceremony and post online to our hashtag throughout the day. DIY projects also made a our wedding unique and special. From small touches, such as glamouring up our centerpiece vases with glitter, to making succulent bombonieres for our guests, to our largest project of crafting an entire flower wall backdrop for our photo booth, we really enjoyed these projects and the personality they brought to our wedding.

Photography: Meghan Andrews Photography | Cake: Dufflet | Ceremony Venue: Casa Loma | Reception Venue: Canoe Restaurant | Makeup: Satine Makeup & Hair Styling Studio | Officiant: Enduring Promises | Ceremony Music: Alex Cheung (violin) And Cecilia Kerwin (harp)

This Bride Designed Her Own Dress and It’s Insanely Beautiful!

What do you get when you combine a stunning make-up artist bride with a knack for designing beautiful gowns (read: she totally designed her OWN gorgeous dress), a handsome fashion photographer groom and a brother (the talented Dreamcatcher Productions) who happens to be a whiz at cinematography? The best thing you’ll see all Monday.  Think a seriously fun week (yes, week), all set against a breathtaking Spanish setting.  Do yourselves a big, big favor and press PLAY.

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From Dreamcatcher Productions… This wedding film was a gift to my new sister in law, the bride, Fiona & my brother the groom, Ronan. Fiona & Ronan met in our home town of Lahinch, on the west coast of Ireland close to 10 years ago. Fiona studied fashion design and is now a London based make-up artist. She designed her own dress.

Ronan is a fashion photographer and fell in love with Deia during many fashion photo shoots along the stunning coast. They choose this location for the stunning quaint little town and it’s super hospitable people, many who are now their friends.

So many of our friends and family came together to make this very special wedding so personal. From beautiful music in the church to decorating the venue with insta-snaps to a rocking DJ who knew the couples taste perfectly. It was a week long party of delicious food & wine. Exploring the stunning coastline along those super fun but crazy roads, rounds of golf & villa parties with sing-songs until dawn. I may be just a little bias but it was one of the best weddings I’ve ever been to and had the pleasure of filming.

Photography: Andreas Holm | Cinematography: Dreamcatcher Productions | Wedding Dress: Bespoke By BAHBUA | Ceremony Venue: Deia, Majorca | Reception Venue: Son Marroig | Catering: La Alacena De Mallorca | Catering: Lifestyle Catering | Groom's Attire: Reiss

See How This Couple Glammed Up Their Wedding with Shades of Purple + Gold

Historically speaking , purple and gold are the colors of royalty, and this Florida affair is pretty enough to be a royal wedding. From the anemone-accented bouquets to the soft gold table linens at the reception, every detail of this day exudes luxury. Head to The Vault now to cure all your Monday blues thanks to gorgeous photos from Kt Crabb Photography!

From Kt Crabb PhotographyCayla and Chris were always meant to be. In fact, everyone else knew it long before they even realized it! Their early days together were spent as the best of friends. Not too long after did they realize they were attached at the hip. Their wedding day was nothing short of pure joy. They were filled with so much joy and laughter that was felt by all in attendance. What a joy to see their dream day come to life!

Photography: Kt Crabb Photography | Cinematography: Beyond Videography | Coordination: L.I.F.E Events | Floral Design: Arrangements Floral Studio | Cake: Publix Bakery | Invitations: Minted | Catering: Arthur's | Hair + Makeup: Laura Reynolds Artistry | DJ: Orlando Wedding And Party Rentals | Venue: Casa Feliz | Photography - Assistance: Ashley Poole

April Showers Bring May Flowers For This Springtime Styled Shoot

After a crazy winter (seriously, there were weeks in those scary single digits), we’re all welcoming spring with WIDE OPEN ARMS. But spring doesn’t always arrive on time. It teases us a bit, stops by, leaves, comes back around…and this time of transition is what inspired The Event Group to create the scene before us. Playing on the darkness of winter up against the bright incoming spring, copper and slate complement each other and we’re all the better for it. Eva Lin and All Heart Photo & Video snapped away and with these pics in our Vault, we’re ready to dive head first into the season before us!

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From The Event GroupWhimsical and edgy, “In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb” draws inspiration from the lingering northeast winters and the promise of spring. Commonly an overlooked time of the year, this collaboration will invigorate the wedding world with a refreshing and creative take on the transitional months of March and April. Warm copper tones, dramatic florals and complementary textiles will create a delicate balance between the romance of winter and the playfulness of spring.

Encompassing this dark versus light concept, the Ace Hotel ballroom was the perfect host for this collaboration. The abundance of natural light not only makes for exquisite photographs, but also touches on this airy hope for spring, while the contradicting black drapes speak to the darkness of winter.

P.S. The models in this shoot are a real life married couple and are absolutely adorable!
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Continue to get pumped for spring here!

Photography: Eva Lin Photography | Videography: All Heart Photo Video | Event Design: The Event Group | Floral Design: The Farmer's Daughter | Wedding Dress: Houghton Bride | Invitations: More Than Words | Bride's Shoes: Ted Baker | Catering: Ace Hotel | Hair + Makeup: Hannah Conard Beauty | Groom's Attire: Claiborne | Venue: Ace Hotel | Bridal Boutique: Glitter & Grit | Candle Holders: H&M | Chargers + Flatware: Crate & Barrel | Linens: Lendable Linens | Rentals: Event Source | Rentals: The Prop Shop | Scroll: More Than Words

Peek Inside a Blogger’s Glamorous Home Re-vamp

Going light and airy are just a few of the tricks Megan of For All Things Lovely used to blend his and her styles after the wedding. Out with the dark, leather furniture and in with light neutrals and the perfect gallery wall are the name of this game. Her entire home got a major infusion of style and the result is what she likes to call french farmhouse with a modern flair. See more captured by Angela Cox here.

After just over a year of redecorating our space, it’s finally complete and we couldn’t be happier with it! From the beginning, John and I knew that we wanted to brighten things up a bit. Our decor was cozy and inviting, but also dark with touches of leather (aka, J talked me into the furniture when we got married) and too many patterns.

So when we purged, we really purged! From tans and browns to whites and grey, we’re in love with the way it turned out! The overall theme of our home would have to be french farmhouse with a modern flair. As you’ll see throughout each room, we love rustic, southern accents, but while keeping all of the decor light, bright and airy.

In the living room, we decided to go with all neutral tones. It’s right off of our kitchen, so it’s definitely an entertaining area, as well as the room we probably spend the most time in. I love the cozy look of two couches facing one other, plus it adds a lot of additional seating to our space.

To add personal touches to the room, we created a ‘travel’ wall of all the places/cities we’ve traveled to together. It’s by far one of my favorite things in our home! With other details like gold mercury lamps, a marble coffee table, steer horns and a fiddle leaf fig, the room came together beautifully and feels so homey!

Living Room

Couches: Pottery Barn | Pillows: Motif Pillows c/o, West ElmAnthropologie | Gallery Wall: Framebridge c/o | Lamps: Lulu & Georgia c/o, West Elm | Rug: Rugs USA c/o | Coffee Tables: Pottery Barn | Ghost Chairs: Amazon | Ghost Chair Pillows: Anthropologie | Curtains:Pottery Barn | Coffee Table Tray: West Elm | Coffee Table Fashion Books: Amazon  | Vintage Gucci Tray | Candles: Diptyque  ‘Figuier’, Jo Malone ‘Peony & Blush’ | Diffuser: Antica Farmacista ‘Prosecco’ | End Tables: Custom by Mike Runion | Rockstud Shoes: Valentino | Vintage Plant Stand + Planter | Side Table: Shabby Chic c/o | Horns: Vintage from Texas

The dining room is MY favorite place to entertain because my favorite childhood memories always took place around the table. Enjoying a meal together, reminiscing about old stories, and sharing so many laughs make one memorable room! I knew I wanted to continue the light, grey tones into the dining room, while keeping the space livable, so we went with an oversized china cabinet and large rectangular table to really fill the space.

I am a dish hoarder, so the french, bistro style cabinet has been so useful! Filled with all of our glassware, flatware, and serving pieces and every day dishes, it really makes the room cozy and inviting. My favorite accents in this room have to be the chevron, cowhide rug (I searched for eight months for the perfect one!) and the white, french style chairs. The rustic detail of the table, cabinet and rug compliment the all white chairs and entertaining pieces perfectly!

Dining Room

Table: Restoration Hardware | Chairs: Modani Furniture | Cowhide Rug: Bashian Rugs | Side Chair: Restoration Hardware | Side Chair Pillow: Anthropologie | French Cabinet: Restoration Hardware | Glasses: Restoration HardwareAnthropologieWest Elm | Linen Napkins: Parris Chic Boutique c/o, Etsy | Milk Glass Cake Stands: Simply Southern Wedding c/o | Gold Rimmed Plates: West Elm | Gold Flatware: West Elm | Marble Utensil Holder: Williams Sonoma | Cake Serving Set: West Elm | Floor Lamp: Pottery Barn | Curtains: Restoration Hardware | Marble Tray: William Sonoma | Christmas China: Juliska ‘Country Estate’ c/o

Our kitchen was one of the rooms we completely ripped out and revamped when we first purchased our home in 2009. It was SO small, had army green tile floors and dark, oak cabinets. To say the kitchen needed a facelift is an understatement! So John and his dad worked tirelessly for about 3 months to build all new, custom cabinets, lay tile, and switched out all of the hardware/lighting.

If I knew we were staying in this house for a few more years, I would have marble countertops in a minute!! However, we’re probably going to outgrow it before long, so everything we’ve done in the last year or so (other than paint) has been furniture and decor that we can pick up and take with us.

Anyways, my favorite things in this room have to be the blush pink Le Cruset (obviously) dutch oven and the coffee bar. We love to cook and entertain at home, so we spend a lot of time in this space as well!

Kitchen

French/Dutch Oven: Le Creuset c/o | Tea Towel: Anthropologie | Lemonade: Trader Joes | White Tray: West Elm | Gold + White Serving Tier: Target | Cheese Board: Custom by Mike Runion | Vase Set: Magnolia Market | Cheese Set/Dome: William Sonoma | Calligraphy Print: Custom by House of Belonging c/o | Horse Print: Minted c/o | Bar Stools: Restoration Hardware

Our entry way is quite small, however, I knew I wanted it to feel quaint and homey as soon as our guests walk through the door. I added a tall table by front door and a gold console table, full of fashion books. I hope to have an in-home office one day, large enough for bookshelves filled with them. My Prada print by the door is one of my favorite things in this space. Since Fashion is such a huge part of my life, I added little details all throughout our home.

Entry Way

Wall Shelf: Restoration Hardware | Framed Print: Framebridge c/o | Candle Holders: Pottery Barn| Vintage Milk Glass Vases | Console Table: West Elm | Lamp: One Kings Lane | Fashion Books: Amazon | White Tray: West Elm | Gold + Marble Side Table: One Kings Lane | Candle: Diptyque ‘Vanille’ | Prada Print: Framebridge c/o, Etsy | White Mirror: Family Antique | Diffuser: Antica Farmacista ‘Prosecco’

And last, but definitely not least, our guest room. This is one room that we never put a ton of effort into until now. It was sort of the ‘misfit’ space with a bunch of hand-me-down furniture. When we decided to paint it the same color as the living room, I went a little crazy with finding the perfect decor. John and I LOVE antique/vintage furniture, so we knew we wanted to mix the old + the new in this space to really make it feel like cozy. 

We found this bed and dresser in an old, run down barn while antiquing one day and fell in love with it. It was so dusty, dirty and nearly falling apart, but with a little TLC and a new mirror in the dresser, it turned out so beautiful. (Plus, I love the story!) With a few light and airy details, this room turned out to be one of my favorites in our home and I know our guests will love it, too!

Guest Room

Bed + Dresser: Antique | White Tray: West Elm | Pillows: West Elm, Home Goods | Euros: Joss & Main | White + Gold Lamp: One Kings Lane c/o | Nightstand: Joss & Main | Horse Print: Minted c/o | Down Comforter: Pottery Barn | Lipstick Holder: Anthropologie | Perfume Tray: Jonathan Adler via Design Darling c/o | Rug: Lulu & Georgia c/o | Marble + Wooden Side Table: Anthropologie | Side Chair: Restoration Hardware | Vintage Milk Glass Vase + Dried Cotton Stems | Tree Trunk Lamp: Lulu & Georgia c/o | White Pumps: Manolo Blahnik | Desk Chair: Modani Furniture

Photography: Angela Cox | Flowers: Statice Floral | Catering: Concierge On Call Greenville | All Sources c/o: Paula Rallis | Cake + Macarons: Jonathan Caleb Cake | Home of: Megan Runion | Juice: Southern Pressed Juicery

Beachside Ceremony with the Dreamiest Floral Arch EVER

If florals are your fav then you’ve just GOT to see this ceremony arch. It’s pretty, it’s pink, and it’s sure to find its way to your Pinterest boards. A beachside ceremony married with modern glamour, this is one celebration that we would’ve vied for an invitation to. From the fountain style sparklers that lit up the dance floor to the endless love that reigns throughout, Table4 Weddings captured it all in The Vault!

From The Bride…Lee and I share a passion for traveling and after our engagement in Barcelona, we knew we wanted our wedding to be a vacation destination for our guests where we could spend the days leading up to our wedding with our closest friends and family. The moment Lee and I stepped into the stunning lobby of the St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, we knew that we had found our wedding venue. From the lush tropical greenery, white sand beaches and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean we knew it would be the perfect backdrop for our “I dos.”

We envisioned a romantic and elegant wedding with a timeless color palette and every detail of our wedding weekend to be a reflection of us. Walking into our reception as we were introduced for the first time truly took my breath away. Fountain style sparklers lit up around the dance floor as we danced to “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne. One of my favorite memories from our reception was looking around and noticing not one seat was occupied because all of our guests were living in the moment with us on the dance floor, made my night complete. I had been told that the evening would fly by, and I can remember taking pause a couple times throughout the night wishing I could freeze time so I could soak it in and relish in the incredible dream we were living. Being surrounded by our closest family and friends in the most gorgeous setting I have ever seen in my life, was truly magical.

Photography: Table4 Weddings | Cinematography: Red Carpet Films | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Naef Cuisine | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Catering: Le Meridien | Venue: Le Meridien | Event Planning + Floral Design: Gro Designs

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
When They Couldn’t Find the Perfect Venue, These Childhood Sweethearts Created Their Own

Finding the perfect venue is step one in planning your dream wedding. But when this Bride and Groom (who first met in acting class at 9-years-old) couldn’t find the right venue for their whimsical-meets-vintage fall wedding, they created their own at the park just a few minutes from the Bride’s childhood home. And with help from vendors like Ryon:Lockhart PhotographyJenny Yoo and Beat Train Productions, the couple’s day came together perfectly. See it all in The Vault!

From The Bride…John and I met in acting class when we were nine years old. Needless to say, neither of us ever imagined that we’d be getting married nearly two decades later.

As soon as we got engaged, we immediately started planning! We knew we wanted to get married in my hometown in Connecticut but finding the perfect venue wasn’t easy. So we made our own! Boothe Park is just a few miles down the road from my childhood home and is everything we wanted in a venue: quirky, simple, and beautiful. They don’t normally allow weddings, so that made it even more special. We knew having a tent wedding would present some challenges, but with the help of our amazing wedding planner Lauren and some hard work, we pulled it off!

I have always loved New England autumns so we set the date for October. Typically, the air is crisp and the leaves are changing, but it’s also pretty unpredictable. I’m embarrassed to say I checked about 8 different weather sites a day for the few weeks leading up to the big day. We got lucky! Even though it was a little chilly, the sunny skies and colorful leaves made up for it.

Since the wedding was in autumn, we chose dark berry tones. The theme was a mix of vintage and whimsical. The visual of the event came together beautifully. From the mixed color bridesmaids dresses, to the low profile centerpieces, to the cake display, we really loved how everything turned out.

I’m detail oriented to a fault, so I was really focused on adding special touches to the day, like a memory table with pictures of our grandparents and parents. We offered fleece blankets in case people were cold (they were!). Our two signature cocktails were actually recipes from our favorite bar in our neighborhood. I’m just grateful that our caterer, planner, my bridesmaids, and my husband all played along with my crazy ideas.

The best part of the night by far was spending time with our amazing friends and family. How often do you get to hang out with your favorite 180 people in the world under a candlelit tent? The dance floor was packed the whole night and the energy was just incredible. Everyone had such a great time, which for us was most important from the very beginning.

Photography: Ryon:Lockhart Photography | Floral Design: Earth Blossoms | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Ceremony Venue: Stratford United Methodist Church | Reception Venue: Boothe Memorial Park | Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair + Makeup: Beauty Entourage | DJ: Beat Train Productions | Groom's Attire: Combatant Gentlemen | Barber: The Groom's Day | Catering + Cake: Emily’s Catering Group | Custom Signage + Speciality Decor Rentals: K.L.W. Design Co. | Design + Coordination: Lauren O Events | Tent + Furniture Rentals: Abbey Tent And Party Rentals

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
In Five Minutes, You’ll Fall in Love with this Celebrity Fashion Designer

I’m not one to get starstruck, but when I met haute couture and bridal designer Naeem Khan, I fangirled. Hard. (I mean, hello, the man has dressed Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton.) In fact, speaking with the designer before his Spring 2017 Bridal Runway show was a surreal, out-of-body experience that will go down as the highlight of my journalism career. Meet the man behind the exquisite designs (and the cause of my journalism high) thanks to this incredible video from Elysium Creative Media below!
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Plus, See All the Gorgeous Gowns!

Naeem Khan Spring 2017 Wedding Dresses
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Naeem Khan Spring 2017 Wedding Dresses
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You’ll Never Believe What This Bride-To-Be Wore for Her E-Sesh

When an engagement session contains not one, but TWO custom made couture gowns you know you’re in for a real treat. Add in the cinematic beauty that is Paris and you’ve got yourself a gallery that could easily pass as Hollywood’s latest feature. With the ever-so-talented Le Secret d’Audrey snapping every second and sweet kiss, we’ve this pretty lil’ pair waiting for you in The Vault!

From Le Secret d’Audrey… Evelyn and Windy fell in Love with France and decided to celebrate their engagement with a photo shoot in the streets of Paris. Evelyn pictured herself strolling through the city with the most amazing gowns made custom for her. She opted for iconic designs to fit the timeless feel of the city. The cape on her gown was so perfect for Paris. We went through the Louvre and she looked as statuesque as the art around us. We ended up the day in a local cafe for a well deserved break. There is no better way to cuddle with your husband to be that at a French cafe when the sky is gray and all you want is drink hot chocolate and enjoy the show of the street.

Photography: Le Secret d'Audrey | Film Lab: Carmencita Film Lab

Give Your Guests a Great First Impression with this Easy DIY

Welcome mats are the first thing that guests will see as they enter your house, so what better way to say Spring than with a fun, colorful mat? Plain door mats can be found at big box stores or online for less than $10, and with painters tape and fun, spring colors, you can DIY your way to a wow worthy first impression. See even more home DIYs right here.

Materials

Painter’s Tape
Collection of Paints in Bright Colors
Plain Welcome Mat
Paint Brush
Stencil (optional)

instructions

Tape off your pattern on to your welcome mat. Have fun with this part. You can do stripes, herringbone or plaid, you can play with calligraphy or use a stencil to create something more designed.

Paint the area marked, using your brush to shimmy the paint into the fibers (almost like stamping).

Let dry, then remove your tape!

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While you’re at it, try these easy peasy DIY’s…

Spring Decor DIY's
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Spring Decor DIY's
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Photography: SMP Living | Design and Styling: SMP Living

Get a Supermodel Glow with This Straight-From-The-Runway Makeup Tutorial

I’m a total beauty junkie, and it only got worse after I was invited to Reem Acra‘s Manhattan studio to watch as Mary Kay makeup artist Mayia created this stunning look for the designer’s Spring 2017 Bridal collection. The look, a romantic, modern twist on a 1970’s boho glow, is what I wish my makeup looked like every day: youthful skin with a porcelain finish, rosy cheeks, sparkly eyes with big lashes, defined brows and a soft, kissable lip. Get the look (and get super pretty) below!

Get the Look

Skin

This look is all about getting that glowing-from-within skin, so proper prep and moisturizing is key. Create the base for the rest of the gorgeous look with Mary Kay’s TimeWise Repair® Volu-Firm® Day Cream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30* that will give your complexion that supermodel glow.

Face

No Bride wants her makeup to feel heavy or overdone, so apply the Mary Kay® CC Cream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15* with a makeup sponge to give a very light and fresh effect. Next, blur out any blemishes or imperfections with Mary Kay® Perfecting Concealer™ (launching May 16th). To ensure your perfect face lasts all day, set the look with Mary Kay® Translucent Loose Powder then contour the hollows of the cheeks with Mary Kay® Bronzing Powder to really wow.

Eyes

All eyes will be on you, so make sure your eyes pop! Prep your eyes with the Mary Kay® Eye Primer before applying the Mary Kay® Cream Eye Color in Pale Blush and Mary Kay® Cream Eye Color in Beach Blonde all over the lid. Create the “doll eye” look by generously coating your top and bottom lashes with Mary Kay® Lash Intensity™ Mascara (launching May 16th). Then, for an extra sparkly finish, top the lids with NouriShine Plus® Lip Gloss in Silver Moon (yes, really!). Finally, fill in your brows with Mary Kay® Brow Definer Pencil and set in place with Mary Kay® Brow Gel to really frame the face.

Lips

The focus of this look is really the glowing skin and doll-like eyes, so keep the lip soft and natural. For this look, head makeup artist Mayia simply applied a coating of Satin Lips® Lip Balm.

Cheeks

To add a subtle flush of color and luminosity, dust the Mary Kay® Mineral Cheek Color Duo in Ripe Watermelon across the cheeks. This will complete that bridal glow look you’re going for.

For Bold Brides Only

The finishing touch to get an extra wow look? A pearl. Designer Reem Acra added an extra touch of sparkle to every look with a pearl from her new collection to inspire brides-to-be to be unique and different on their big day.

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Plus, the Gorgeous Gowns that Inspired the Beauty

Reem Acra Spring 2017 Wedding Dresses
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Reem Acra Spring 2017 Wedding Dresses
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These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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10 Ways You’re Secretly Sabotaging Your Own Wedding

Your big day is right around the corner, but all you can do is stress. Could your actions be unintentionally sabotaging the day you’ve been planning for months? Here’s how to tell if you need to take a step back from the planning process (and take a very long spa day.)

10 Ways You're Secretly Sabotaging Your Own Wedding
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10 Ways You're Secretly Sabotaging Your Own Wedding
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More Required Reading For The Bride-To-Be

Are You Becoming A Bridezilla? 10 Warning Signs 

 10 Simple Ways To Save On Your Wedding 

11 Things NOT To Do The Week Before Your Wedding

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13 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner

Registry Picks for the Prettiest Bridal Shower Themes Out There

I’m a girly girl at heart so when that bridal shower invite arrives in my mailbox, I get downright giddy. From choosing a cute dress to wear to wrapping the pretty presents, I love it all. The best situation? Planning one myself. We dove into our Vault and found our favorite bridal shower themes and paired them with the must-have registry items for that special shindig. So do tell us – what style do you love??

Bridal Shower Themes + the Pieces You Need to Pull Them Off
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Bridal Shower Themes + the Pieces You Need to Pull Them Off
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More Registry Inspiration + Advice You Need

Must-Have Pieces for Every Home | Top 10 Registry Items | Wedding Registry ABC’s

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Black Gets a Fresh Twist with KitchenAid + a Giveaway!

We’ve already proven that black is the new white with the help of KitchenAid® and their new line of black beauties. But today, we’re taking it a step further with a few goodies for the countertop and three happy-hued looks that absolutely nail it. From organic to modern whimsy to classic elegance there’s a KitchenAid® style for everyone—see how Abby styled each of the looks below!

Color Palette: Black, white and loads of greenery

The look behind this kitchen is inspired by an adorable coffee bistro, with fresh pastries, and a general vibe that says pull up a chair and stay a while! We kept every element neutral—particularly the infusion of black. What’s great about the new KitchenAid® Matte Black Stand Mixer is that it can stand in a sea of neutrals with as much grace as it can a sea of modern color. It’s so versatile and that’s what we wanted to really celebrate with this look.

Free flowing greenery and herbs, a gorgeous batch of croissants, fresh from the oven cinnamon rolls, and bowls of fresh veggies bring a sense of home to the space. The kind of home that is truly used from top to bottom in the best possible way. We love the use of the KitchenAid® Pro Line® Series Espresso Maker to bring that coffee shop inspired foundation full circle.

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Color Palette: Pink, black and funfetti-inspired

Perfect for a family, we wanted to highlight the fun behind the KitchenAid® collection. Matte black lends itself to so many types of decor and family styles and this one is all about the whimsy. Whipping cream in your matte Stand Mixer for ice cream sundaes or funfetti buttercream for a sweet birthday cake. We wanted to incorporate a fun but modern look. A black and white striped runner on the floor, adorable modern milkshake glasses on display, the incredible espresso machine for the big kids. We kept every piece in this space clean and simple and relied instead on contrasting colors to really set the tone.

Along the side cabinet we featured open apothecary or treat jars filled with candy and snacks alongside books and vintage ice cream decor. It felt in keeping with our color palette and theme while still being able to stand alone and sparkle.

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Color Palette: Navy, blush and copper

This is the look that ended up staying put in my kitchen. It reminds us of the movies It’s Complicated or As Good As it Gets. Capturing a simple, understated elegance with gorgeous dusty pink wine glasses gracing the shelves, a beautiful pitcher of fresh flowers and a sweet rose set the tone for the space. Add in a patterned rug that is so on trend right now and apothecary jars lining the counter and the hope was that our guests would feel like they could kick off their heels and dive into a gorgeous cheeseboard and a perfect glass of wine.

We really wanted to highlight a popular trend right now in this space because it felt so natural—mixing metals. The silver tones in the KitchenAid® appliances looked right at home alongside copper touches and gold flatware.

the-giveaway

Which items in your kitchen will pair best with these @KitchenAidUSA black countertop appliances? It could be your place settings, cabinets, tile, or anything else you’d like to share on Instagram!

To Enter

1. Snap a photo of the items in your kitchen that will pair best with these @KitchenAidUSA black stainless appliances.

2. When you share the photo on Instagram, be sure to hashtag #MadeWithKitchenAid, #SMPSweeps and tag @SMPLiving and @KitchenAidUSA.

What You’ll Win

One winner will receive a suite of KitchenAid® Black Stainless Major Appliances and a Matte Black Stand Mixer, like this one shown below! For all official sweepstakes rules please visit: Style Me Pretty Sweepstakes Official Rules

*This sweepstakes is void to residents in New York and Florida.

16 Kitchens that Prove Black is the New White
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16 Kitchens that Prove Black is the New White
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Photography: Ruth Eileen Photography | Styling: SMP Living | KitchenAid Products: Ceramic 3-Piece Nesting Mixing Bowl Set | 12″ Convection Digital Countertop Oven | Artisan® Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer | Pro Line® Series Espresso Maker with Dual Independent Boilers

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Bouquet Breakdown: Elegant + Ethereal Bollywood Wedding Inspiration

Amy Sanderson, how do you do it?! This bouquet is what every Bride dreams of and you’ve managed to somehow peer inside of our minds and make our petal visions into a reality. I mean, well done. Seriously though, this handful of heaven deserves mega praise which is why we’ve got it all from the designer herself below!

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Elegant + Ethereal Bollywood Wedding Inspiration

  • 5 stems Peonies (‘Festiva Maxima’ and ‘Sarah Bernhardt’)
  • 5 branches Mock Orange
  • 3 branches Viburnum
  • 3 stems Phlox ‘David’
  • 5 stems Sweet Pea
  • 5 stems Astrantia
  • 3 stems Cosmos ‘Picotee’
  • 3 stems Shirley Poppy ‘Angel’s Choir’
  • 3 stems Dicentra eximia
  • 3 stems Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’
  • 3 stems Allium roseum
  • 1 stem pink Garden Rose

From Amy SandersonDesigning with local flowers injects an element of serendipity into every arrangement, since availability varies from week to week and year to year. This bouquet represents the fragrant sweet spot, usually only a week or two long, between spring and summer, when the last of the peonies and mock orange overlap with the first of the summer roses and sweet peas. To fill out the lush bouquet, I cut smaller flowers from the garden, such as astrantia, allium and dicentra to layer in. But it wasn’t until I discovered my friend had some precious mock orange left in her garden, that the bouquet came to life. For it’s the mock orange branches, along with a few sweet pea vines, that soften the structurally dominant viburnum leaves and peonies, into a fragrant, diaphanous cloud – perfect for an early summer bride.

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Floral Design: Amy Sanderson | Photography: Justine Milton

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Press Play For More Floral Inspiration!

16 Cocktails To Complete Your Weekend Cravings

Beam me up Scotty, I’m ready to be transported into all things weekend and that means finding a pretty cocktail to pair with this insanely gorgeous weather. From a tropical sweetie like this to a sassy margarita like this, here are 16 ways to spice up your spirits. Cheers, darlings!

16 Cocktails To Complete Your Weekend Cravings
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16 Cocktails To Complete Your Weekend Cravings
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DIY Bottled Drinks

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More Links You’ll Love

The Perfect 1-Hour Dinner Party Playlist
Want Jessica Alba’s Gorgeous Outdoor Kitchen? Get the Look!
15 Essentials for a Lounge-Worthy Dream Patio