Under the Spotlight: Princess Wedding Dresses

So this week, I’m going to take a look at princess wedding dresses. When shopping for evening dresses with sleeves wedding dresses and you see the term ‘princess wedding dresses’, this usually refers to a ball gown (or Cinderella) style dress, with a slightly less full skirt. Princess wedding dresses tend to flatter any figure, and will conceal larger hips and lower body, while accentuating the waist, helping to create a slender hourglass figure.

The weddings of real life royals fascinate everyone, and often dictate trends in wedding dresses. The marriage of Princess Charlotte in 1816 was the first royal wedding for black evening dresses which commemorative souvenirs were available nationwide. Fast forward to 1960, and the marriage of Princess Margaret to Anthony Armstrong-Jones was the first ever televised royal wedding. Princesses have often chosen wedding dresses to make statements as well as to look gorgeous. So if you want a gown that bursts with real royal Princess style, take inspiration from all the stunning gowns that Princesses have worn throughout history. To help get you started, I’ve picked out a few real life princess wedding dresses for a bit of royal reading!

(Photos run clockwise from top left)

Catherine Middleton

Everyone knows about (and is probably sick of hearing about!) the gorgeous lace gown that red evening dresses Catherine Middleton for her recent marriage to Prince William. Simple, elegant and traditional in nature, this lace gown avoided being boring or stuffy by having a clean and modern cut to it. Needless to say, this dress has sparked a trend for wedding dresses with full-length sleeves and lace.

Princess Margaret

Designed by Norman Hartnell, a couturier favored by the royals, Princess Margaret’s wedding dress was made from silk organza, and featured a skirt that was made from 30 meters of white evening dresses fabric! Adornments on the dress were kept to a minimum, with a scattering of crystal embellishments and beading, in order to flatter Margaret’s petite frame. The upper part of the dress consisted of a light, transparent silk, and at the time it was named the simplest royal wedding gown in history. Yep, you don’t need full on glitz to ooze princess style!

Princess Diana

And now for something a bit different! Princess Diana’s wedding dress prided itself in its over-the-top extravagance, resembling something like a big fluffy meringue, with the Princess’ little head sticking out in the middle! Made of ivory silk taffeta, it featured a 7.62 meter train, was embroidered with pearls and sequins, and frilled with lace. Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the dress was made dramatic in order to make a strong impression and cement its place in history, which it definitely has done. Unsurprisingly, there wasn’t much desire for exact copies of this gown after the event, but it did spark a trend for large puffed sleeves, full skirts and soft touch fabrics. So if you like womens evening dresses something a bit more extravagant, why not consider some seriously puffy sleeves and lace frills all over?!

Princess Mary of Denmark

Princess Mary of Denmark wore a luxurious scoop-neck ivory satin gown by Danish designer Uffe Frank. She wore a veil made from 100-year-old Irish lace that was first used by Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden in 1905. The scoop-neck and ¾ length sleeves give a more relaxed and natural feel to this fantastic gown. Details on the gown are kept simple, allowing the flowers and accessories to formal chiffon evening dresses stand out. If lace gowns aren’t your thing, I highly recommend taking inspiration from this satin beauty!

This is just a tiny selection of all the fantastic royal wedding gowns in history that have caused a fashion frenzy, so get exploring and find the perfect princess style for you!

Sources: http://www.forherandforhim.com/blog/under-the-spotlight-princess-wedding-dresses/

Christmas shopping in London (some inspiration for your Christmas decorating!)

Above – the magical Harrods window display!

Just back from a lovely little trip to London that involved a bit of Christmas shopping and a LOT of window shopping! One of my favorite things about London around Christmas time is all the fantastic and magical window displays that the shops create to entice you in and brighten up the dark, cold streets. They’re like miniature set designs, with each window telling a different part of the story.

This year the department stores were really competing to out-do each other! Harrods had this amazing Swan Lake inspired window display with all these striking blue and purple colors that lit up  short formal petite evening dresses the whole street and gave it a kind of futuristic feel. Below are the displays for Fortnum & Mason and Harvey Nichols – two of the other main competitors for most fantastic window display. Fortnum & Mason’s have gone for all out glamour, with plenty of long evening dresses gorgeous jewels and sparkly party dresses in sight; while Harvey Nichols window features horses, whales and other creatures, with a mixture of household and fashion items scattered throughout…. all in a gorgeous array of greens, blues and pinks! Liberty have also gone for swans, with birdcages full of sparkling jewels, and Selfridges have gone for a dazzling blue and silver display with plenty of bright lights bringing to life christmas crackers, angels, bells, and more. Who said Christmas had to be red, green and gold?! So if like me you’re bored of the same old Christmas decorations year in year out, take some inspiration from these fantastic window displays, and get creative at home with the Christmas tree and affordable evening dresses decorating! I think my color scheme is going to be purple, blue, silver and white…

Fortnum & Mason Christmas windows

Harvey Nichols Christmas windows

Liberty Christmas window display

Sources: http://www.forherandforhim.com/blog/christmas-shopping-in-london-some-inspiration-for-the-christmas-decorating/

Wedding Color Palette: Navy, Olive, Peach and Ivory.

 This is such a soft and feminine wedding color palette, and it would look semi formal evening dresses just stunning for a countryside wedding. Navy is becoming a more and more popular choice for bridesmaid’s dresses, and channels such a sophisticated style… it looks stunning pairing a navy dress with an all-peach bouquet. And don’t pretty glass bottles of olive oil make such a nice and unusual wedding favor idea?! They also add a great decorative element to your tables, and look just gorgeous dotted around the room, with the light shining through them. Navy and peach are a classic combination, and combined with an ivory wedding dress, and touches of olive green, they make for formal evening dressesa perfectly chic and beautiful wedding day. It’s down to earth, grown up glamour at its best!
Sources: http://www.forherandforhim.com/blog/wedding-color-palette-navy-olive-peach-and-ivory/

Under the spotlight: Beach wedding dresses (forget about winter for now and get inspired for a hot summer wedding!)

Yes, I know it’s freezing outside. And yes, I am trying to pretend it’s not by couture cocktail dresses getting lost in beautiful pictures of hot, sunny beach weddings…. what’s wrong with a bit of lighthearted escapism?! And for all you brides to be planning a summer wedding for 2012, you’re no doubt already trying to decide what kind of dress you want to wear for the occasion. So lets be prepared, and lets take a look at beach wedding dresses for this weeks ‘Under the spotlight’!

I just love the idea of escaping the norm, packing up, and heading to exotic shores to hot cocktail dresses exchange vows with my loved one – the beach makes such a romantic setting! It does however pose some problems when it comes to shopping for a wedding dress that an indoor wedding wouldn’t. With a little bit of thought (and a dash of – dare I say – common sense!), any would-be dress mishaps at the beach can be easily avoided.

Incase the thought scares you, I’ve put together a list of tips and advice to help with your hunt for beach wedding dresses. Maybe you’re escaping the cold to get married on a hot, sunny beach; or classic cocktail dresses  perhaps you’re planning a seaside wedding for next year – these pointers should help you create the perfect wedding day by the sea, by starting with the perfect dress (and help you forget the cold winter that’s outside, just for a moment!)…

• Beach weddings tend to have a casual, relaxed and natural feel to them, so your dress can be more casual, to suit this atmosphere.
• Long cathedral or chapel veils should be avoided, or else you’ll be trailing the whole beach with you, or getting the veil wet by the sea. My advice would be to skip a veil all together, and go for  spring cocktail dresses  a head wreath or fascinator that channels the relaxed, beachy vibe.
• Likewise, dresses shouldn’t be so long that they trail along the sand. We all know how annoying it is to get clothes covered in sand, and it’s definitely not what you want to be dealing with on your wedding day.
• Knee length or short dresses can be worn without caution. Keep yourself cool, add some fun, show off tanned legs, and move freely and easily.
• Fabric should be lightweight and suitable for the heat. You don’t want to be   sparkly cocktail dresses wearing a heavy fabric that will cause you to sweat lots – not a good look (or smell!) for a beautiful bride! Do, however, remember that something too lightweight could end up being see-through in the sunlight.
• It can be windy at beaches, so if you’re opting for a shorter dress, it might be best not to choose something with a full, swingy-out circle skirt, unless you want everyone to catch a glimpse of what lies beneath it!
• The fabric you choose for your dress should move naturally in the breeze, but be wary of too many ruffles and floating layers – these could end up blowing in your  fancy cocktail dresses face during the ceremony (not a great look, especially when he’s going in for a kiss….), and in turn getting covered in makeup!

And lastly (but in no way least)…

• Shoes are optional! Where else can you get married where this is the case? It’s so fun and freeing… I love it!

Tis the season to… look fabulous and party!! My top pick of party season up-dos.

Chignon

Dressy or messy, there are loads of variations of a junior cocktail dresses chignon, but usually it involves pinning hair into a knot at the nape of the neck, or the back of the head. Emma Stone is wearing a gorgeous relaxed chignon, that frames her face and shows off her pretty earrings perfectly. Tasmin Egerton relaxes the look even further, by letting lots of loose curls hang down around her face, while Taylor Swift wears her chignon lower down, pinning her glam curls into a faux-bob. How to style a chignon? It’s really simple, and works great on most hair types.

Part your hair completely down the center and pick a side for the chignon to cocktail party dresses rest on. Pull hair to one side and create two ponytails, one in each hand. Tie your smoothed down hair into a loose knot. Wrap one side around to the right, and secure with a hair pin. Repeat on the left side and secure with a hair pin. Finish off with hair spray

Photos (clockwise from top left): www.hairandmakeupbysteph.blogspot.com; Taylor Swift; Emma Stone; Tasmin Egerston.

The braided Up do

Adding braids to an up do is a great way to keep your hair tamed, and is perfect for hair that’s not freshly washed and is a bit of a mess! If you’ve got the time (and a mirror!), this can be the perfect style for going from the office to a party, just get one of your colleagues to offer a helping hand. So, take your blue cocktail dresses limp, hanging daytime locks, run a comb through them, and plenty of de-frizzing product. Braid hair from the top of your head, and around towards the nape of your neck. You can add one or two braids; around half or all of your head; and they can be as thick or thin as you like. If you have lovely thick locks, try Emily Blunts romantic and relaxed up-do, or if your hairs a bit on the thinner side, try Jessica Albas tighter wreath-like braids for a Grecian inspired style. I used to be summer cocktail dresses terrified of attempting French braids, but when you’ve got the hang of it, they’re great.

Photos (left to right): Emily Blunt; Jessica Alba; www.cdni.condenast.co.uk

Big on top

Quiffs, quiffs and more quiffs! I’ve selected a few quite different styles of silver cocktail dresses quiffs, to show you just how versatile the quiff is. This style can be adapted to any length of hair, and is great if you have long bangs that you’re trying to grown out. You can quiff it with your hair up, down, or in a ponytail. To achieve the quiffed look as seen here on Mila Kunis, Rachel McAdams and Scarlett Johansson, simply backcomb a section at the front of your hair (or your bangs), smooth into a quiff, and secure on the top of your head with some pins, and lots of hair spray. Mila’s quiff here is formal, elegant, and perfect if you’re feeling fancy. Rachel’s quiff is paired with long, braided hair, and the whole lot is kept looking effortless, natural and incredibly chic. Scarlett’s is formal but a bit ‘undone’, so is full of cute, relaxed charm. With the addition of a sparkly clip, it’s a great one for quickly transforming your hair from day to night.

Paloma Faith is rocking a different kind of quiff. Hers is sleek, styled and perfectly formed. Achieve this vintage pin-up girl look by blow drying hair straight, using some volumizing mousse; taking a large front section of hair and twisting it up and round into a large roll. Make sure hair is rolled flat, not twisted, and roll towards the center of the head. Secure in place with grips and lots of affordable cocktail dresses spray; and tie the rest into a neat ponytail at the back. Finish with lots of gloss spray!

Photos (clockwise from top left): Mila Kunis; Scarlett Johansson; Rachel McAdams; Paloma Faith.

Beautiful Buns

Tousled buns, high crown top knots, side placed low slung buns – buns are so versatile, and a holiday cocktail dresses nice simple bun can be so pretty and effective. It’s the perfect style if you have a long, elegant neck that you want to show off. Wear something ‘undone’ for relaxed glamor, or something more polished and structured if you have the cheekbones for it. Buns are easy, and great for a quick party look, that wouldn’t look out of place during the day. Start by scraping your hair back into a pony tail and tying with a band. Next twist the hair around itself into a neat bun, tuck the ends under and secure with grips and spray. Try braiding the pony tail first, like Mandy Moore; or wearing the bun to the front of your head, like Thandie Newton, for a dramatic and fashion forward look that’s packed full of cheeky party fun. Rachel Bilson’s simple ballerina bun looks perfectly effortless, and is navy blue cocktail-dresses great from keeping hair out of your way, so you can enjoy the party without giving it a second thought!

Photos (left to right): Mandy Moore; Rachel Bilson; Thandie Newton.

Dramatic Up-dos!

If you really want to steal the show at that party, why not try a ivory cocktail dresses super dramatic up-do like one of these lovely ladies?  I personally wouldn’t attempt something too unusual at home, so maybe this is one best kept for your hair stylist! Visit your hair stylist for a consultation, and come up with some fabulous creation to suit your style and face shape, and get ready to turn some heads!

Photos (left to right): found on Pinterest; www.valentinovamp.tumblr.com; Victoria Beckham.

What up-do will you be going for this strapless cocktail dresses season?

Sources: http://www.forherandforhim.com/blog/tis-the-season-to-look-fabulous-and-party-my-top-pick-of-party-season-up-dos/

Christmas Party Eats and Treats!

If you’re like me, then you’re still trying to prepare for the white cocktail dresses festive season that we’re already in the midst of! Incase you’re running a bit dry on inspiration, I put together this board of Christmas party food ideas, to help keep your spirits high! These tasty treats all look fabulous and are pretty easy to make.

The ideas (clockwise from top left):

• ‘Cup of Cheer’ cups. Nice and easy – get some festive cups for  black cocktail dresses  your drink of choice! If you’ve got the time, try printing your own Christmas stickers to attach to paper cups, or tie a red ribbon around a striped straw, to instantly dress up any old drink. (image from www.nofussfabulous.com)

• Rudolf the Reindeer lollipops. So cute and so simple! All you need to do is dip marshmallows into melted chocolate, stick them onto the end of a lollipop stick, break a mini pretzel in half and affix to the ‘head’ to make antlers, add a couple of dots of white icing for  red cocktail dresses the eyes, and a red icing dot for the nose. Oh, and a cute ribbon tied around the stick makes it extra special! Kids will love these. (image fromwww.adventuresoffabttycrockerwannabe.blogspot.com)

• Festive Cocktails. Another great way to present some Christmas drinks! Serve red cocktails (alcoholic or non, whatever you like. Cranberry juice will make it extra Christmass-y!) in glass milk bottles decorated with something like the wreath seen here. You could use Christmas tree decorations (even just a little bauble hung around the bottles neck looks really effective), or make your  sequin cocktail dresses  own, depending on how much time you have. (image from www.traceylau.com)

• Not food but…. Simple and beautiful Christmas table decoration! A gorgeous and simple white table – with white crockery, cutlery and napkins – can be livened up with some vibrant red flowers, bringing some Christmas chic to your dinner table.  Further decorations can be as simple as these lovely twigs that have been sprayed white. (image from www.hostessblog.com)

• Santa’s Strawberry Hat! A great way to add some festive spirit to cupcakes and other individual deserts – simply cover the cake with a think layer of buttercream icing (white of course… and I recommend white chocolate flavor for cupcakes) or whipped cream, pop a strawberry on top (small end of strawberry pointing up!) then top with a small blob of  one shoulder cocktail dresses the icing or whipped cream, to complete the santa hat! (image fromwww.ericasweettooth.com)

• Little festive pots. Stick to red and white and you’re on the right track! Fill little pots with festive mousse, cheesecake or whatever takes your fancy. Taking inspiration from these little treats, I’m going to fill pots with a layer of raspberry coulis, then a generous helping of white chocolate mousse, finishing with a couple of fresh raspberries, some white chocolate curls, and a mint leaf! This is  cute cocktail dresses definitely one to impress the grown ups with. (image from www.traceylau.com)

• Festive Popcorn. What a great way to brighten up a fairly bland looking bowl of popcorn! Search the shops for colored popcorn, or else make your own by adding a touch of food coloring (red and green of course!) to some regular popcorn. Mix in a big bowl and get those Christmas movies on! (image fromwww.bakedperfection.com)

• Santa Crackers. I just love this idea! Take a cracker, and turn it into Santa’s face. The beard and white trim on the hat can be made from a white, creamy cheese. The hat can be cut from a slice of salami or chorizo. Eyes and a nose can be made from capers or bits of black olive. And, as seen above, you could use slices of celery to make a moustache! (image from www.the36thavenue.com)

I can’t wait to get started on eating all these treats!
Sources: http://www.forherandforhim.com/blog/get-inspired-christmas-party-eats-and-treats/

LOVE LETTERS(2)

DAYDREAM
BELIEVERS
Views of the sparkling ocean,
champagne on tap, a plunge
pool on a pnvate terrace and a
giant four-poster bed - they're
the things to make honeymoon
dreams come true. informal wedding dresses A terracotta
townhouse master bedroom
in Cotton Bay Village. St. Luoa
has all this and more; dreamy
mosqinto net-draped bed. marble
bathroom, dazzling sea views
from the Jacuzzi and a mini bar
you just have to raid (seven nights
from £2165pp including flights;
prestburytravelcaribbean.co.uk).


FOODIE FANTASY
Even if you lost some pounds to squeeze into that
stunning strapless number, it's time to throw the
scales out of the window. Black Tomato's amazing
new Bhutan trip (top) includes dining under the
stars on dishes cooked by your personal chef
(from £2799pp including flights; blacktomato.
co.uk). You'll get to camp in luxury tents (put up
by someone else, phew) and trek through beautiful
hills (while someone else cames your bags, double
phew). If trekking doesn't sound like princess wedding dresses a treat, head
to Las Vegas where new hotels like Ana Resort
(rooms from £100; analasvegas.com/hotel) are filled
with world-class restaurants. Try Sage (above) -
it has an absinthe trolley and the best steak ever.


EASY EXPLORING
Feel like you ought to be intrepid
and off-the-beaten-track but frankly,
you're honeymooned (not hitch
hikers) and it's too much effort to
backpack? The solution could be
a cruise around South America's
incredible Patagonia and Tien-a
del Fuego. Here you can gaze at
icebei^s the size of summer dresses for wedding skyscrapers,
trek through ancient forest, and
visit Cape Horn National Park
(known as the End of the Earth)
where the Pacific and Atlantic
oceans meet (from £2930pp
including flights; australis.com).

LOVE LETTERS(1)

Iravel editor Amanda Statham
picks her A-Z of stunning
honeymoon destinations


CUDDLE UP
For honeymoon style that's mone snow short wedding dresses
queen than beach babe, the new Lake Balea
Ice Hotel in Romania is perfect forspending
days dog sledding and whizzing around on
snow mobiles, and nights cuddling up in the
ice bed under cosy blankets, duvets and furs
(four-night package excluding flights from
£375pp; icehotelromania.com). It's rebuilt
every winter and can only be reached by
cable car, which makes it super-exclusive in
our book. Or ti"y the largest igloo of them
all, Sweden's ICEHOTELJukkasjarvi (nght:
rooms from £150 per night; icehotel.com).
Also rebuilt every November, it includes
an ice bar and wedding chapel and is one lace wedding dresses
of the best places on the whole planet for
spotting the trippy Northern Lights before
the hotel melts away.


ADRENALIN RUSH
If you thought honeymoons were just about golden beaches
and pina coladas, you'd be wrong, as couples increasingly splash
their cash on thrills and spills. Nepal, the tiny republic above
India, is a top spot for adventure right now and it's unlikely your
married mates will have honeymooned there! Be two of the
first people in the worid to tandem paraglide over the peaks
with Himalayan Sky Safaris (£l200pp; himalayanskysafans.
com) or take a private flight around Mount Everest (price on
application; buddhaair.com). If you're watching the budget, a
trek through the modest wedding dresses foothills with The Adventure Company is
also pure wow (14-day Himalayan Discovery from £l339pp
induding flights; adventurecompany.co.uk).


BRING ON
THE BUBBLES
A wedding's not a wedding
without champagne, and the
new Dom Pengnon Champagne
Bar at swanky Hotel Sezz Samt-
Tropez (above), with its rooms
full of designer furniture, is the
chicest place in France to tea length wedding dresses toast
your new Monsieur & Madame
status (rooms from £234;
hotelsezz-sainttropez.com/uk).
And if you prefer your kicks long-
haul, the W Hotel Hong Kong
has a £48 Sunday brunch that
includes free-flowing champagne!
We like. (Rooms from £181:
stawoodhotels.com.)