...are over at the BHLDN website right now, so it's running ve r y s lo w l y. At one point I think it actually went down completely, so if you didn't get a chance to see it, I grabbed some images.
I knew I would love it! My favorite surprise is that some of the gowns are very reasonably priced... my least favorite surprise is that some of them are not. Most run somewhere between $1000 and $2000, (not an unreasonable amount in my opinion). Then there are a couple in the $600 range, and a couple in the $5000 range.
I found lots of the accessories, cover-ups, shoes, bags, etc. to be things that can be found elsewhere... not in exact replica, but similar. The images I chose are of things I felt were fresh (at least to my eyes).
I was slightly underwhelmed by the bridesmaids dresses. I was expecting a little less J. Crew, a little more... something else. I also think that if the bride is wearing a $1600 dress, the bridesmaid isn't - so the prices seemed off kilter to me in relation to the wedding gowns.
I really loved lots of their hair accessories and the shoe selection was right up my alley. Aesthetically, I loved all of their lingerie. It was a nice combination of sexy and feminine without being vampy. Most of it was very boudoir though, not a lot of shaping or supporting going on.
I loved the jewelry. Lots of the BHLDN stuff seemed to be very similar to things you'd find at the Anthro site, but I like that we are getting away from so much glitz and bling and into more eclectic stuff for weddings.
All in all, I could see saving up my money for some of the more unique pieces. What is everyone else's take? I'm so curious to know what you all think.

Valentine's Day is coming up! Or if you don't do Valentine's Day, maybe Date Night? My friends Jason and Deirdre have L.A.R.D. (Love And Romance Day). Whatever winds your clock!
Black lace lingerie is for beginners, how about the whole dress? Half the dress? A classy red one? The strapless one looks to me like a pink heart tucked into a red envelope! How perfect?
All from Mod Cloth.

Just got an email from the ladies at Anthropologie entitled, "What if Anthropologie did weddings?" Surely if you know me, you know that the only other sentence that could possibly grab more of my attention would be "What if Anthropologie was giving stuff away for free?". So naturally, I had a look.
Turns out, that February 14th, Anthro is launching BHLDN (i'm pronouncing it "Beholden"?) presumably a wedding shop (online? physical stores? don't know). That's virtually all I know. There wasn't much to the email other than a bunch of gorgeous pictures of wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses, wedding shoes, accessories and all manner of other loveliness.
I will BHLDN my breathe until I see more!

Holiday party to attend? Holiday wedding to attend? Even better! These are my picks for the party season. If money were no object and I got my pick of the litter, I would invest in the Without Equal Dress, bottom left. If money were an object (which it usually is) I might go for the slightly less extravagant With Only A Wink Dress, top right. Both would look smashing with a red lip. First three from Modcloth, last one from Anthropologie.

Claire La Faye of CLF creates these gorgeous dresses, complete with a lot of glamour and a hint of rock n' roll. I adore the accessories she chooses, it just goes to show how easily you can take a simple dress and make it your own!

I was a little surprised to run across Carol Hannah this morning on my daily stroll thru the Etsy Wedding section. A little piece of primetime pop-culture, right there... just like any other listing. I clicked on the dress before I realized who's work it was, but sure enough, it's THE Carol Hannah of Project Runway. I guess it speaks highly of her work that I would be drawn to it even without knowing who made it. I love the flouncy details and the construction looks amazing. Her wedding gowns are priced a little out of my league, but her bridesmaid's dresses are very reasonable not to mention different and I'm willing to bet, very flattering.

I'm back. Phew. I hope everyone had an awesome holiday! I enjoyed turkey and all the fixin's in Connecticut this year. Niko was lucky enough to spend some time with BOTH of his great-grandmothers, and I was lucky enough to have two aunties, two grandparents and a partridge and a pear tree to help me look after the little squeaker. We had a wonderful time!
First off this week are some beautiful, vintage inspired bridesmaid's dresses from Quail. They specialize in custom colors and fashion forward dresses (sounds good to me!). I love the ruffled top "Peony Dress", especially on a group of slender chicks... tres chic!

I love this dress! How cute would this be in white for a honeymoon get-away outfit, or a rehearsal dinner? The collar is my favorite part. Available in a bunch of great colors - making it a no brainer for bridesmaids too! From Amanda Archer.

Just a few of my favorite summer dresses over at Antrhopologie. I WAS going to post about some adorable J.Crew pumps today, but J. Crew has just released their FALL clothes, and after scrolling around on their site looking at cable knit, turtlenecks and overcoats, I'm sad. So, I will save the pumps for another day in favor of very flowy, summery things with no sleeves - so as not to pass on the sadness that comes with sweater sets in July.
The Floating Lotus Dress (top), and the Clustered Petal Dress (bottom).

Maybe it's because this would actually fit me (33 weeks preggo and growing fast!), maybe it's because it's just dreamy, but I love this little dress. In white, it would be an adorable option to change into for dancing and late night fun! From Couvert.

Sarah Seven makes these gorgeous dresses. She'll even apply her talent to a custom gown for you. I love the layered bodices that she creates. I also adore that raspberry colored dress. Those are the facts as I see them.

The prim-properness of these dresses in their happy spring colors is making me jones for a nice garden party to go to. Perhaps I could wear the dress on the left? I know that my bump would be too big for the one on the right, but the one on the left...? (*rubs chin, seriously considers purchase*) I think I could do it! You wear the one on the right... I'll wear the one on the left. See you at the artichoke dip!

You know me, I don't usually post about the whole matchy-matchy bridesmaid thing. I tend to prefer a little more style leeway than the typical bridesmaid's dress line offers. Anna Elyse however, makes just truly elegant, beautifully tailored dresses that I would wear even IF it meant I had to dress identically to 7 other women. Anna Elyse also makes any of their silhouettes into wedding gowns, which especially intrigues me in the case of the one shoulder, Brigitte Bardot dress above. Imagine that in thick ivory satin... hot.

I think one of the best things in the world has to be comfortable clothes that make you feel really attractive. Sure, anyone can pull together something cute, but feeling like you're in your pajamas at the same time? That's impressive. I've posted about Butter by Nadia before, and her amazing wrap dresses. I have one and it was one of the best purchases I've ever made, I absolutely love it. Her new line for spring and summer has a fun selection of stripes and solids in red, navy, black and white - short and long. All can be wrapped in about 22 different ways. Looking for happy bridesmaids? Send them here.

We're having crappy weather here today, wind, rain, cold... typical New England. I have to confess, I secretly love it. I love the coziness of it all. My favorite thing to do is camp out on the couch with the dog and a blanket and surf. I find the best stuff when the weather is bad!
These are all Vera Wang, and they're all at least 40% off over at Bluefly. The gray one is my favorite, (I think I'd carry a yellow purse). The yellow and the gray together would be adorable on a small bridal party.

I love coming across new vintage sources. The best and worst thing about vintage boutiques is that while they might have a ton of great stuff one day, but it's all gone the next and new stuff is in it's place. There's no time to hem and haw, if you like something, you must pounce! This is why it's nice to have a line up of great sources, so that if you miss the boat on something great, you have other hunting grounds to explore. Found a new stop! Posh Girl Vintage.

"Hot" is how I might describe a Black Halo dress (in a totally chic, couture kind of way). Amazing shapes, gorgeous colors, and so sophisticated! I would love to see a chic winter wedding where the bridesmaids were all in polished Black Halo dresses in different jewel tones. It'd be like a page right out of Vogue!

If you're lucky enough to be in Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York this October you can get a sneak peek (and a big discount) at Jenny Yoo's 2009 collection. Here for the details!

Marchesa's gowns are really genius in my opinion. So much of their stuff is just so unique and so utterly wearable. Two of my favorites for fall, from Bergdorf's.

There's nothing like a party dress to cheer up a Monday morning! I love the idea of a swishy, muted floral print on the 'maids at a garden wedding. These dresses from BCBG fit the bill perfectly, available at Nordstrom's.