Then and Now

I've been on Pinterest forever. Okay, not forever, but since its inception more than three years ago. Just skimming through, some of my pins came from early spring of 2010. Today I boast 95 boards and more than 7,000 pins.

I occasionally go through my pins to make sure they have a proper link and hash tags. It's a side effect of the crazy. Lately I've also become intimate with my "Decor to Adore" and "Mastering my Domain" boards because, you know, I'm a homeowner now.  It cracks me up to see how my tastes have changed in just three short years. Let's do some then and now comparison.

Once upon a time, this kitchen looked ideal.

from shona hem via pinterest

Now, this is what makes me swoon.

from Small Place Style via Pinterest

There was a time when I would walked 1000 in these shoes.

Polyvore via Pinterest

Today's choice would be almost as precious, but not nearly as cloying.

Where did you Get That via Pinterest

This would've been just the right amount of sparkle.

Fashion is Poison via Pinterest

These days, less is more.

1st Dibs via Pinterest

I haven't painted my finger nails in years - probably  close to a decade - but I almost considered doing this.

Hitchhiking on the Howling Road via Pinterest

Now, I'd more likely entertain this manicure.

Bloom via Pinterest

I'll never doubt Karen Millen's sense of design and tailoring.

Karen Millen via Pinterest

But I think I'll don something a bit more playful while I still can.

1st Dibs via Pinterest

I have always had unreal expectations about how much I can get done so you can imagine how long some pins have been sitting on my Make Me This board just waiting for me to actually make them. Among my early ambitions was this ruffled cardigan.

Life is Beautiful via Pinterest

However,since there are only 24 hours in a day I'd rather spend my time on this more tailored refashion.

Z via Pinterest

Speaking of that odd universal lack of time, you don't even want to know how many things have been pinned with the greatest intentions and absolutely no follow through. Whoops.

New Year's Resolution, anyone?

Fie on you, Blogger! Fie, I say!

Perhaps it is Blogger and perhaps it is the user (I admit nothing), but I am having a heck of a time composing a grand post for today.

So instead of looking at enjoyable photos from my London trip, I give you...

This is a reminder. No matter where you are in the world, no matter how cute your red pumps are,

Tights are not pants!

Good job with the stripe on stripe, though. Too bad you had to screw it up by wearing tights as pants. Which they are not. 

Summertime

With the rain literally coming down in sheets outside my studio window it is hard to think yesterday was the start of summer for us in the states. Sure, the calendar says the first day of summer is June 20, but we all know Memorial Day is when it really begins.

1954 Cole swimwear ad via MyVintageVogue

Yesterday, that sweet boy of mine treated Emily and I to lunch at The Pub. Nothing says "I am celebrating an American holiday" quite like eating classic British fare at a pub. I digress. Besides the amazing beer selection and awesome menu, we love The Pub because it is a prime spot for people-watching. We snagged a corner table on the porch and let the fun begin.

And that brings me to today. People, I know it is hot outside. I live in Florida so I don't just know it's hot;  I know it is hot outside. I understand that your urge is to expose as of your skin as possible in hopes the heat will escape your body more quickly. But, please don't. Think of the children. There are plenty of actual clothes that you can wear to stay cool and look good through the season of swelter.  Let me help you out.

1. Ban polyester. It doesn't breath and, therefore, tends to make you sweat more.  More sweat means you'll feel less than fresh and you'll definitely smell that way.  Opt for lightweight, woven fabrics such as cotton or linen.

Victoria Dress from Sierra Brooke

2. Say goodbye to black; at least during daylight hours. The darker the color the more light it absorbs and when we're talking about sunlight you can bet we also mean heat.  No matter how cute that black tank top is avoid wearing it before sundown. I promise, you'll look just as good in other colors.

Floral + Red + Stripes via Life's a Journal

3. Pack your jeans away.  Okay, I know this might be hard for some of you.  Most of us all but live in our jeans.  If you must put on denim to feel human, at least opt for summer-weight denim.  Yes, there is such a thing.  The fibers in summer-weight jeans are thinner, making the fabric lighter so you can avoid heat stroke.  For those of you willing to part with your favorite pair of blues for a few months see above regarding fabric.

Put those jeans away! via Polyvore

So as to not overwhelm you, I'll save my list of don't for another day.  In the meantime, go! shop! dress summery!  And by all means, dress well.

Oh! I almost forgot to ask; what are your warm-weather staples?

I meant to write my own post

But I am having waaaay to much fun designing the perfect wedding guest outfit over at East Side Bride.

Come play! You know you want to!

Sources:
Elk-like hair sticks
cozy coat dress
For under the coat dress
Mountain sunset tights for, you know, color
Must have shoes

Leavin' on a jet plane

Today, today, today! Today is the day I leave for Philly and a week of "well mannered frivolity" at the Art of Earning Live!  I'm so excited! Are you excited? I'm excited.

I know a lot of people like to, shall we say, dress down for travel, but I just can't do it.  As a child, my mom always dressed me in my Sunday best for the airplane. When I was16 she bought me a swanky black suit just for traveling. I just feel better when I am done up. Nobody notices a tired 20-something in sweats, but when people see a smartly dressed lady, they wonder, perhaps jealously, where she's going. At least, that's what I tell myself.

button by Carbon Copy, via Pinterest

The only problem is, it's warm in Florida and very very cold in Philly. Tricky, tricky. But I think I'm up for the challenge.

Sweater: derek heart, hand-me-down
Skirt: Merona, Target circa 2008
Scarf: gift
Tights: who knows, but please note: I am wearing them as tights, not pants.
Shoes: Franco Sarto, DSW
Book: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

That should do for the actual travel.  Once I get to Philly I can throw on my warm coat, a hat, and some gloves.

How do you dress for travel?

For every girl a garter

Just over a month ago one of my brides said "I do" and the Love in Bloom garter was with her every step of the way.

Photo by Royal Gor Photography, Los Angeles

Congratulations, Lucine! Thank you for letting me be part of this very special occasion. I wish the very best to you and your husband!

Oughtn't it be autumn?

Today is Labor Day! You know that day that traditionally marks the end of summer - the day after which you can't wear white and the evening air starts to get a little bite to it. Except, that's not really happening around here.

I know, I know, just last week I was showing off a fall wishlist and here I am wondering where the heck fall is.  I want want to work with pretty plaid wools and jewel-toned corduroy.  I even have fun plans for cozy felt.  But I just can't seem to design "fall" when my kid is still begging me to let her swim so she can cool off.

Fall tree ideal vs. my fall so far

Ideal fall footwear vs. necessary evil (although these are pretty cute)

Ideal way to start a fall day vs. still sippin' my summer brew

I'm sure I shouldn't complain...but I do. Come on fall, get thyself to Florida! I'm ready for my studio to stay cool enough to work in come 2:00 in the afternoon.

What about you, my darlings? Are you hanging on to summer as long as you can or are you ready to fall into a new season?

Inspiration Found: Red Wedding Shoes

Remember these fabulous shoes for an upcoming Las Vegas wedding?

Red satin pumps from Payless

Well these shoes, along with their owner's dream for a "vintage, glamorous, Hollywood, Old Las Vegas, classic, shocking and beautiful wedding," were the inspiration for a custom-made garter. 

In case the shoes weren't enough, I wanted to whet your appetite for my creation by first sharing someone else's. Jill Fontaine of Stay Calm Cupcake left a comment on my Facebook page proclaiming red wedding shoes bring to her mind...

Red Velvet Cupcakes! 

Vegan Crimson Velveteen Cupcakes via Whisk Kid

Hmmm, Jill's suggestion is pretty tasty, but I think my garter is down right decadent. What do you think?

 

Michele garter custom made by Never a Plain Jane Designs

I used 100% black and red silks upcyled from a couple of blouses scored from a local thrift store. I found the feathers here. I'm thrilled with how it turned out and the bride, Michele, is just over the moon!

Are you feeling inspired yet?  Tell me about it in the comments. And if you aren't, maybe you should contact Jill for some cupcakes.

FInd Inspiration In...An awesome pair of shoes

It has been so long since my last Find Inspiration post! About a month ago I had a bride contact me about making a custom garter for her September wedding in fabulous Las Vegas. I all but swooned when she described her vision of the big day.

"Vintage, glamorous, Hollywood, Old Las Vegas, classic, shocking and beautiful are all words I think of when I think of our wedding."

Oh my gosh! Can I come?

I guess, technically, I'll be there because I get to design this awesome bride's garter.  To help me out, she sent me some photos of her bridal wardrobe including a picture of her red wedding shoes!

Red satin pumps from Payless

Are you inspired?! I'm totally inspired! Who wouldn't be inspired?!

Won't you play with me?  Use the comments to tell me how these shoes prompted a project.  It can be any project - putting together a fierce outfit on Polyvore, making a fiery flower arrangement, planning a Vegas vacation...whatever! Feel free to e-mail me photos too: neveraplainjane@gmail.com.

Might've made you blush

A few months ago I put together some photo inspiration for what has turned out to be one of my favorite wedding trends - the blushing bridal palette.

Then Cassie graced my blog with some tips on combining blush and another trend, color blocking, to spice up the role of bridesmaid.

And today, we are turning up the heat with a look at some underpinnings that brings up a whole other meaning for  "blush."

Clockwise from top left:
Prairie Daisy Set (Anthropologie - no longer available, found via Pinterest) 
Thème Céres silk-satin bustier (Net-a-Porter)
via Sterling Style
Love in Bloom Garter (Never a Plain Jane Designs)
Nude Knot Court Shoes (Polyvore)
La Perla Culottes (The Outnet)
English Rose Garter (Never a Plain Jane Designs)
Valenciennes Collection Trim (HennyTJ)

Blushing Bridesmaid: A Guest Post by BunnyCas

Your bridesmaids are a great way to show off the colors of your wedding. Take your cues from the red carpet and let your girls channel their inner Gwynnie by pairing a Blushing Pink floor length gown with a mono-botanical bouquet of Fuchsia orchids.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Ralph Lauren at the 71st Annual Academy Awards

Rachel Zoe would give a perfectly manicured thumbs up to your savvy use of color blocking by pairing the two pinks. Let this gown speak for itself by understating the jewelry and hair. A slicked back low bun with bright lipstick will make any smile standout.

Let your bridesmaids make a wow statement on your wedding runway by modeling your bold color scheme and blocking two colors.

For the Reception... do your bridesmaids a favor and let them change into something they can dance in! You get to change so why can they? Use this bridesmaid wardrobe change as another chance to wow your guests. This cute sequined pink cocktail dress will tell everyone it is time to party. 

Sparkle Dress from Rise Fashion via Polyvore

Paired with some nude, patent leather pumps from Christian Louboutin...

via Sarah in the City

 ...and a pink cosmo  nothing will keep your bridesmaids from getting their Britney on!

Cassie hangs her sparkle-encrusted fedora in Norman, OK. along with her husband and their two dogs, Pepi the Chihuahua and Jack the Retriever.  Her wine stoppers are what you get when a girly girl combines her creativity, appreciation of wine, Italian background, and love of Britney Spears.  Peruse her collab of fab here.

How to charm me

Design these shoes, that's how. I want these. I would wear them - um - everywhere!

Christian Louboutin measuring tape stilettos via CRAFT Magazine

  I just need to sell 27 garters to get them. Help a girl out. Pretty please?