Boots McBlog

Admit it.   At some point in your younger years,  you stood in front of your mirror holding a baton twirling trophy and gave a heartfelt thank you speech to the Academy.     Alright, yours may not have been a baton twirling trophy,  it may have been your soccer trophy or your gymnastics trophy or a  hairbrush –  but wasn’t it fun to daydream about that magical night and the dress you would wear?     Awards season is upon us.   We may not be bound for the Hollywood Red Carpet, but a childlike thrill remains watching the beautiful starlets stroll to the microphone and tell us “who” they are wearing.       I recently posted my ballgown lessons and divulged my secret that I often hang at the McCottage eating cupcakes in my favorite party wear.  Then I realized it’s been a few weeks since I shared my favorite things.   Pretty ballgowns top the list.  And because I’m so excited about my finds, I’m not waiting until Friday to share them.  :)

Believe it or not,  designers have already revealed evening looks for  Pre-Fall 2011.   I took a quick spin through the collections to view some of my favorite designers Monique Lhuiller,  Jason Wu,  Carolina Herrera,   Reem Acra, Oscar De La Renta, and Valentino. Colors range from jewel tones to metal inspired hues.   These are definitely looks that would inspire me to dance all night.

Monique Lhuiller is a designer whose gowns make me swoon.  Without fail, everytime I see the dreamiest bridal gown she is the creator.   The same is true of her evening gowns

You may recognize this next beauty from the Golden Globes.  Catherine Zeta Jones wore this and by far it was my favorite dress of the night.  That color!!

Jason Wu has garnered much attention for dressing the First Lady.   This was my favorite gown of his pre-fall collection.   The detailing and color combination are subtle and regal.  Although the accoutrements required underneath may pose a challenge.

Carolina Herrera long known for her ladylike details surprised me with this fun, flirtatious look.  Perfect for a young, slim, brunette, don’t you think?   In other words – old curvy blondes like me, don’t even think about it. 

I absolutely love this piece by Reem Acra.  The color and the the shrug are the epitome of understated elegance.

When it comes to elegance,  no one does it better than Oscar De La Renta.   I think one could get away with wearing a short gown to a gala if ol Oscar Designed it.  Wouldn’t you agree?

Or go completely Marie Antoinette,  over -the-top in this beautiful pale gown.  Wow!

If a statement is what you are wanting to make,   I say you can never go wrong with RED

And when I think of the ultimate RED party gowns,  I always think of Valentino.   Here he pairs Red and ruffles.   Be still my heart!

You and I  may never win the award.  No one may ever hear our acceptance speeches.   We may not walk the Red Carpet.  But it’s  still ok to dream about it.

Now I’d like to thank the Academy for inspiring this blog post and to you the people for reading it.  :)

Cheers, Y’all.   May you have a warm, safe wintery weekend.

( and enjoy the quick playlist below for a dance in front of the fire with your honey)

On an enchanted southern summer evening, a young bride and her groom celebrated their marriage with the  perfect union of old meets new.    Antique David Austin Roses next to streamlined white banquette seating.   Frilly organza draped tables juxtaposed against an organic twiggy canopy.    A sushi chef stood next to praline bacon.  Guests refreshed with a cool Pimm’s cup.    Yes, indeed, this night was designed by a belle after my own heart.

Becky Clement’s Inspired by Nature team and her son the chief juxtaposeur Chris were responsible for the Country Club of LIttle Rock transformation.  Be sure to check out Chris’s amazing home finds at his store Clement in the cozy Hillcrest neighborhood of Little Rock.

William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library was the perfect summer backdrop for Kate and Kyle to tie the knot.  A marriage ceremony  on the back lawn of the library followed by dancing into the night  in the Great Hall made for one enchanted evening.    If you’ve followed my blog for long, you know that I am a HUGE fan of the details – the fashion, food, flowers that go into making a wedding day unique to the couple.  My partnership with Heather Owens  - Belle Vie Artistry- it is a great match for us – she captures what she loves on the big day – the people,  and I capture my favorite things – the details.  Here is a glimpse into all those months of decisions over the details Kate and Kyle made that came to fruition to make their big day a bright summer celebration.

The Dress

The Shoes:

Kate chose these Kate Spade Purple Satin wonders

And of course the necessary accessories

The Pearls

The Rings

The Shades

And the mini-Fans!

(given that it was unseasonably H-O-T  for mid June, these were a fantastic idea and counted as the brides “something blue”

The Bride & Groom

The Wedding Team

The Flowers

Phil Cato’s About Vase outdid themselves with these vibrant, happy arrangements of gerbera daises, roses, and fruit.

The Food

The Cakes ( with a side of gelato – yum!)

Of all the many decisions this couple made along the way,  it is obvious choosing each other was the best decision of all.

Kate and Kyle,  Thank you so much for giving Heather and me the opportunity to be part of your big day.   We wish you a lifetime of laughs and love together.

To see this enchanting event through Heather’s lens, click on over to her blog, Heather Owens Photography.

I’ve always been a hat girl. My first memories of Easter finery included a hat. Every year, we would shop for the dress, the shoes, AND a hat.

“When my Mother first dressed me in a hat as if I were a Lady, I owned the title.” – unknown

We attended a rather formal church where such accoutrements were not out of the norm. I wore them each Easter well into my twenties. I now attend a less formal church. Flip flops and jeans are acceptable for worship. Hats – well – that just may be TOO over the top. Still, I’m mad for a beautiful hat. They are the epitome of a lady. I often think of Eliza in My Fair Lady or Vivian in Pretty Woman how they were transformed with the right hat. Iconic pictures of Jackie O and Grace Kelly are of them in simple pillbox designs. Thankfully the new tradition of the First Lady’s Tea held at the Govenor’s Mansion each spring has given me new reason to find a fine piece of millinery. I was over the moon when my friend asked if I wanted to be part of the planning committee this year.

The event was held on a gorgeous spring day. Lady Grey Tea, Orange Blossom, and blueberry tea were accompanied with an array of tea sandwiches, tea cakes, and tarts. My wee contribution to the day was creating the “Forage through the Foliage” Garden Hunt that encouraged our younger ladies to explore the wonderous grounds our Govenor’s mansion: a family garden, a vegetable garden, the par terre garden blooming with roses, and the herb garden. Great fun was had by all ages. And I must say that although the roses in the garden were in full bloom, they paled in comparison to the beauty of the ladies in attendence in their gorgeous hats.

As for my hat, it was pink, ribboned, rose’d, and poofed. It is girly and I. love. it. So, for those flip flop wearing folks at my church, grace to you, my friends. I hope you’ll return the grace – I’ll be the one in the hat.

Un Noche Perfecto.   Flowers, Food,  Friends   –   ¿Que Mas? (what more?)     Last Friday evening I had the privilege of capturing how this seamlessly pulled together.   Inspired by Nature created a floral wonderland that would make anyone cry ¡Ole´!   The catering genius of Trios provided a Mexican feast that was beyond delicioso!    Even the mariachi band commented that the Chicken Enchiladas were the best they had ever had.  And don’t even get me started on the desserts.    Despite the threatening skies and the periodic torrential rains,  nothing could dampen the spirits and the love felt at this party hosted to encourage a young couple as they embark on their new life together.    Enjoy this peek at the fiesta!