2011 Oscars and Upcoming Trends

As the 83rd Academy Awards aired last night, the red carpet was full of glamour and inspiration.  As awards were presented, several trends presented themselves on the carpet and will be sure to influence seasonal fashion.  Jennifer Aniston's infamous braid from the 2009 Oscars comes to mind.

Photo from Fametastic

However, the 2011 Oscars possessed its own set of trends.  So indulge in these beautiful pictures from People's Oscars' fashion recap, which was so kind as to break down the trends for us, and envision yourself pulling these looks off wherever you find yourself this year!

Red was so hot on the red carpet!

Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty; Wireimage (3) Via People.com

These women looked beautiful with their hair down and wavy.

Credit: D. Long/Globe; Kevork Djansezian/Getty; Luiz Martinez/Broadimage via People.com

Nude and glitzy gowns wowed viewers.

Credit: John Shearer/Getty; Jason Merritt/Getty; Steve Granitz/WireImage via People.com
Mandy Moore is wearing the Monique Lhuillier gown from her spring/summer collection!!!

These form-fitting gowns were so flattering on these statuesque women.

Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty; Jeff Vespa/WireImage; Frazer Harrison/Getty via People.com

Stick straight hair looked sleek and effortless. Although, I must admit, I'm more of a volume girl.

Credit: Gregorio T. Binuya/Everett; Jen Lowery/Splash News Online via People.com

Silver!!!

Credit: Kyle Rover/Startraks; Steve Granitz/WireImage (2) via People.com

The short waves are a nice change from the long, flowing locks we so often see.

Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage; Gilbert Flores/Celebrity Photo via People.com

Purple was simply graceful.

Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty (2); Frazer Harrison/Getty via People.com

Emerald earrings were dazzling.

Credit: Jim Smeal/BEImages; Jeff Vespa/WireImage via People.com

And lucky Anne Hathaway had the privilege of having eight outfit changes, and I must say, I didn't necessarily hate any of them!  The white Givenchy Haute Couture bustier dress could most certainly double as a radiant wedding dress!

Photo from OK Magazine

These gorgeous dresses are seen on celebrities, who star in movies, but check back soon to see where you can get the looks for less, and just maybe they'll be starring in your wedding!

Jaimee

Royally Classic

The royal wedding invitations were sent out last Thursday and 1,900 lucky guests around the world are finding their personal copies in the mail this week.  While I am accepting the fact that mine may get lost indefinitely in the mail, I can't help but imagine what it would be like to open that particular piece of mail.  

The grandeur of this simple invitation with beveled and gilded edges (that means it is literally covered in gold, people!) represents something very regal and instantly creates great anticipation for those chosen guests.  Why not take a cue from the royal family and create a wedding invitation that will leave your guests wanting more?  Even though most of us cannot afford to use pure gold on an invitation, there are still many other ways to make yours stand out. 

  

http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/

Paper quality is the number one element for making a good first impression through the mail.  Create your own royal crest by using a custom logo or monogram that will add elite status to your invitations and your entire event.  Remember, mailing addresses and guests' names should always be handwritten and adds that all-important personal touch.  Pick out several lesser valued postal stamps for your mailing envelope for a foreign, vintage feel.

These simple touches will transform any invitation from something basic to something royally classic!

Happy Planning!   Jen

NYCFW Spotlight on Monique Lhuillier

As New York Fashion Week comes to a close, I have fashion on the mind, and it only seems fitting to spotlight a well-known wedding dress designer.  Back in September, Monique Lhuillier debuted her spring/summer line, and even though it is not intended to be wedding specific, it doesn't mean that it's not versatile enough to be incorporated into the wedding scene.  The line was so girly and sweet that I can't help but imagine the pieces on brides as reception dresses, rehearsal dresses, leaving the reception dresses, and even bridesmaid dresses.  Who wouldn't want an excuse to wear more than one fabulous dress on their special day? And while the notion that these dresses might be a bit over the top to serve as bridesmaid dresses, my imagination goes wild with visions of Sex-and-the-City-esque schemes. 

Imagine changing into one of these gorgeous dresses to dance the night away at your reception!

(((This mint green dress is my favorite... I am in love with it!!!)))  

Or how about putting one of these little numbers on before you are whisked away on your honeymoon?

I can just see the gals from Sex and the City rocking these gowns in each other's bridal parties. 

So we can all dream of these dresses and thank Miss Lhuillier for her unique sense of designing the most feminine and gorgeous dresses.  That is, we can dream of these until Bridal Market 2011 gives us new dreams.

Jaimee

All of the pictures are from the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week website.

In Love With: B H L D N

On this fantastic day of love, we have come to the conclusion of our Valentine's Day series of a week of things we love.  However, love is not the appropriate word for the feelings we have about the brand new wedding line stemming from Anthopologie's roots.  I would have to say we adore BHLDN at Four Leaf Events!  


This much anticipated online store just launched TODAY (Valentine's Day appropriateness all around).  The whimsy, the fashion, the romance, the uniqueness, and the sparkle (need I say more?) of BHLDN has drawn us in.  And while we are still completely perplexed by the line's name, we are already smitten.



We have been thumbing through the online pages of BHLDN's store and complied a small list of our top picks.  This Burnished Organza Gown comes in number one on both of our lists:

Jaimee loves...

Floral Artwork Dress, Raspberry Savory Dress, Pompom Shoe Clips, 

Agave Peep-Toes, Tussled Necklace, Graupel Necklace, 

Crystallized Chiffon Headband, Baguette Headband, Unabashedly Gloves

Jen Loves...

Ribboned Silk Gown, Dotted Voile Veil, Sinuous Silk Bracelet,

Jelly Slingbacks, Adorned Bolero, Indigo Mist Dress,

Deco Beaded Clutch, Pinwheel Tea Dress, Gilded Trillium Kisslock Clutch

Happy Valentine's Day!  Wishing you all a day full of love and lots of shopping on BHLDN =)

Jen

In Love With: Cupcake Bouquets

Looking for something different this Valentine's Day? Ditch the traditional bouquet of flowers, the healthy fruit bouquet, and even the much coveted cookie bouquet and go for something less conventional, do-it-yourself, and delicious: the cupcake bouquet. Faithfulness Farm's blog explains how to make this beautiful confection.

And while Valentine's Day is a day for celebrating love and an excuse to eat decadent desserts, the most wonderful thing about the cupcake bouquet is that it can be used year-round!  A cupcake bouquet could be the perfect touch to any shower or luncheon.  The Frugal Girls show you how to make this into the perfect gift.

You can use it as a gift or simply a centerpiece, and since you can custom make it to fit your needs, the combinations are endless.  However, if you're short on time or simply lack the ability to bake, you can still order a cupcake bouquet from many bakeries near you.  The Blushing Bake Shop offers this beautiful Valentine's Day bouquet.

And locally, Parcha Sweets, in Broad Ripple, offers cupcake bouquets with a variety of delicious flavors ranging from the classic red velvet to a pineapple upside down cupcake to filled cupcakes like s'mores, which is a "chocolate cupcake with graham cracker crust and chocolate ganache filling with marshmallow fluff frosting," and coconut, which is "a coconut cupcake and coconut cream filling with coconut buttercream frosting." YUM!  So whether you decide to make it yourself or order them from the bakery, go with cupcakes this year!

Photo from Thoughtfully Simply

Jaimee

In Love With: Ecofetti

Is there any better way to express joy than by throwing confetti?  We don't think so!  However, with all of the pollution and clean-up issues involving this celebratory act, confetti throwing quickly becomes a stressful and, in some cases, unlawful act.  That's why Four Leaf Events loves Ecoparti's Ecofetti, the only biodegradable and water-soluble confetti.  That's right, confetti that will wash away with water, comes in an array of colors, and no staining!  Hooray! *mini ecofetti toss at my desk*

 ecoparti.com 

Jen

In Love With: The Wedding Tree

Although this twist on the guest book is not brand new, it is still rare to find at weddings, and at Four Leaf Events, we are in love with the idea!  The wedding tree is a custom print of a tree that your guests can place their thumb prints on to form leaves around the branches.  Not only is this another great way to get your guests' interaction, it also creates a special piece of artwork to frame and hang in your home. 

Jonas Peterson

Aaron Ingrao Photography

Chaz Cruz

There are several stores on Etsy that sell wedding tree prints or you could also have your tree custom designed or hand-painted to match your theme by your wedding branding designer through Four Leaf Events.  We have lots of ideas on how you can leaf your personal mark on your wedding day!

Jen