Flower Girl Fashion Fiasco

People always talk about how stressful planning a wedding is, but I happen to enjoy "planning" so I haven't found it to be the burden everyone talks about. That is, until I started researching Flower Girl dresses. Who knew there would be such a shortage of adorable, stylish, fairly priced, NOT cheesy Flower Girl dresses out there!? I will gladly design some if someone wanted to provide funding! Sheesh, what a head ache though. 


Our wedding colors are yellow and grey, and since our bridal party will be in grey, I thought my niece would look super cute in a sweet pale yellow, ruffly number. I assumed there would be tons to choose from, especially when Spring time rolled around... Yeah, well, no such luck. Finally, after WEEKS of searching EVERYWHERE, I moved onto whites and creams and came up with a handful of faves that I wanted to share, in hopes of saving you (or someone you know) all the time and effort I put into my search. Even if I end up helping just one person, it will all be worth it!


To start, I want to give Chasing Fireflies a shout out because they have the best selection BY FAR.

GOLD DUST SPAGHETTI STRAP DRESS

FLORAL LACE DRESS

CREAMY CROCHET DRESS

WHITE FESTOO TWIRL DRESS
(what little girl doesn't LOVE a twirl dress?!?)

FLORAL PIDGE PINK SUGAR DRESS

DRUM ROLL PLEASE.... Here is the dress we ended up going with.... LOVE!

FAIRY-TALE CHIFFON DRESS

It was a bit of a splurge but that clearly hasn't stopped me before. My sister-in-law and I wish they had it in our size too!

Flower Child at Heart

Be still my beating heart, I've died and gone to hippie heaven this Spring! Bell bottoms, gauzy tops, crochet, macrame... It's everywhere and I am loving it. If only I had endless amounts of money to feed my shopping addiction, I'd be all set.


Do you ever feel like you should've been born in a different era?


I think I should've been born in the 60's. I would have been super pumped to sport flowy floral prints and flower crowns. Part my hair down the middle, rock some fringy leather vests and zip my uber hot hip huggers with needle nose pliers. Drive radical cars, listen to groovy tunes and picnic on the regular.


I think my first girl crush was Mila Jovovich in Dazed and Confused.


She was just so HOT.

I melted when when I saw the floral maxi dresses and all the white lace in Dolce & Gabbana's Spring/Summer 2011 collection.

I heart these Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent dresses brought to you by one of my favorite websites Singer22.com...

For jewelry and shoes, House of Harlow is really where it's at. Nicole Richie and her design team nail it everytime! Chevron stripes are so hot!

Then there's Halston Heritage, although they may be considered to be more "disco" retro-chic than flower child, they make the most gorgeous dresses. Particularly made famous by Sarah Jessica Parker, she wore their incredible long pleated dress in that uh-mazing red-orange color in Sex & the City 2.

Love Free People's selection of Flare denim. So comfy and chill, yet flattering.

Pure Bliss, I tell you.
Pure. Bliss.

Red Carpet Eye Candy

I love the Oscar Sunday buzz. Every year I wake up thinking about all chaos that surrounds the celebs on days like this. The last minute plucking, sucking and tucking to look as perfect as possible, just so we can pick them apart. The army of people they hired swarming to primp, prime and polish them for their ultimate judgement day. I guess it's a small price to pay when you're making millions doing what you love.


Since I've spent years looking at everyone else's Best Dressed lists, I decided to put my own list together. So, here we go!

TLC's BEST EVER RED CARPET LOOKS

Michelle Williams in Vera Wang, Academy Awards (2006)

Mary-Kate Olsen in Giambattista Valli, Met Costume Gala (2007)

Diane Kruger in J. Mendel, NY premiere of 

"National Treasure: Book of Secrets" (2007)

Olivia Wilde in Reem Acra, Emmy Awards (2008)

Evangeline Lilly in Elie Saab, Emmy Awards (2008)

Christina Ricci in Givenchy, Met Costume Gala (2008)

January Jones in Versace, Emmy Awards (2009)

Taraji P. Henson in Roberto Cavalli, Academy Awards (2009)

Jessica Biel in Atelier Versace, Met Costume Gala (2009)

Lea Michele in Catherine Malandrino, SAG Awards (2010)

Kate Hudson in Emilio Pucci, SAG Awards (2010)

Eva Mendes in Atelier Versace, Rome Film Festival (2010)

Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta, Academy Awards (2010)

Jennifer Lopez in Emilio Pucci, Grammy Awards (2011)

Images Courtesy: redcarpet-fashionawards.com & stylefrizz.com

True Ruffle Love

I heart ruffles, clearly. They have allowed me to bring out my inner girly-girl in the most fun, flirty way and I'm loving it! I am selective with my ruffles though. You kind of have to be willing to show off other assets in tighter fitted clothing to balance out the bulk of the ruffles. 

My relationship with ruffles began when I purchased this Free People "Ditsy Ruffled Layers Skirt" about 8 months ago. 

Then, I got these adorable Diane Von Furstenberg "Waverly" flips...

THEN, I took my relationship with ruffles to a whole new level when I bought this Alice + Olivia "Colette Bouquet Dress" for my wedding rehearsal dinner...

So now, I'm basically in a full-on committed relationship with ruffles. While some people dream about butterflies and rainbows, I dream about layers upon layers of silk chiffon and lace... 

TFNC 
One Shoulder Tiered Frill Hem Shift Dress

BLU MOON
Summer Lovin' Ruffle Dress

JEN'S PIRATE BOOTY

"Senorita with Ribbon" Mini Dress

 

Alice + Olivia

Stacey Poof Skirt Party Dress

Free People

Solid Ruffle V Bralette

Betsey Johnson

Ruffle Bandeau Bikini

Victoria's Secret "Beach Sexy"

Polka Dot Ruffle Bikini

Mar Y Sol
Gabriella Ruffle Clutch

And finally, the most incredible wedding gown I've seen to date. I spotted this gem after I had already purchased my dress, otherwise I may have gone for it. Made to order by the incredibly talented Claire La Faye, the dress is called "Some Kind of Wonderful" and that it is...

God Bless Ruffles.

Bea