introducing Mrs. Fulford

i've been on hiatus getting married and honeymooned and back into the "normal world" (blissful sigh). it was all just perfectly fabulous!! i'll do some post-by-post replays (so i can re-live the experience!). but for now - i'll share this photo which sort of epitomizes the whole mood of our wedding: "retro chic".

bag of cuteness

dress? check. shoes? check. jewels? check. now i'm on the hunt for a pretty little evening bag. i don't want to spend too too much because it's not going to be a big part of the party....but i do want something special. i found this adorable little number at Advantage Bridal. i think it's just too precious!! seems like the perfect keeper of the gloss.

the "Fabulous" shoe

i tend to throw around the word "fabulous" a lot. it's how i describe my friends, my clothes and a sunny day. so imagine my utter and complete delight, when I, the self-proclaimed polka dot goddess, found a shoe dubbed "the Fabulous" for my wedding. it's a black & white wedding, you know. and i already had a really dreamy pair of shoes to wear (traditional white satin). but they didn't really scream "kate!!". these did. AND they are only $59. AND they are comfortable. AND they look marvelous with my dress!! i can't wait to wear these (note: i already have the black w/ white dots and they seem to look precious with everything!)

delicious table accents

don't think that you are limited to the linens on hand from your party rental company. there are so many options to deck out your tables to suit your style. i found some really spiffy fabrics at J. Caroline Creative. i'm using these for our groovy cocktail lounge (tables and bar overlay). they also have fabulous papers that could be used in a variety of ways! such fun!!

glamour ears

even though i've already assembled my wedding day jewels - i love to hunt for new ideas....and these would be gorgeous for anyone wearing a black dress (wedding day and otherwise!). Check out all the designs by Isaac Manevitz - pretty darn gorgeous!

artistic memories

i am D-lighted that my talented and adorable friend Sloan will be creating portraits for all our guests at the rehearsal dinner. She is nothing short of fabulous!! She can do individual portraits (or you and your sweetie) and she does events & soirees. We love that everyone at the RD will go home with a special & personal keepsake of our celebration. I think this would be a fabulous to do at the actual wedding as well (in lieu of a photo booth). We'd have here there too - but want her to be our guest!

fancy headgear

i just placed an order for these fabulous hair yum yums from Stacey Lapidus! i saw this photo a few months ago and used it as inspiration for my newest haircut!! and then when i was in LA for my recent buying trip - i was so happy to find a whole host of vintage-inspired, glamorous headbands and bangles. lots of pretty rhinestones and a rainbow of silk dupioni fabrics. i think they'd be fabulous for a bridesmaid ensemble!

showers and sweets

this cake stand is just delightful. i love that you can change out the ribbon to suit your style and fancy! imagine a satiny look for a dressy affair....polka dots for fresh and fun....the only limit are the hundreds and thousands of ribbon choices!! this would be cute for showers (baby and bridal), teas, parties, or even your wedding! love it!!

sweet mini cakes!

of course i'm using the charming and talented Shinmin for I Dream of Cake to dream up a beautiful and tasty cake for our wedding...but i do like to sleuth around for fabulous details to share. i just thought this presentation (very big cake-like) mixed with the fun of individual cakes from The Little Venice Cake Company (sorry - they're overseas!) was adorable. and you know i love polka dots! this would be darling in any color scheme!

cheers to crystal!!

i went home to Bako for my shower and my mom took me to Olcotts - where every Bakersfield Bride registers. They do a little set-up of your china, flatware and stemware so everyone can see what you've chosen. i had fun seeing little sisters of my classmates listed! anyway - i had previously done all my registering online. yes - that's how modern i am. but i realized i was missing some key points. for example - the crystal stemware i had chosen - was totally wimpy. so not us (who tend to break glasses in that genre). so i handled them all. i wanted something pretty - but not too delicate. something classy - but easy to use daily if i choose. something my fiance would like. something that had a little weight to it. and i found this perfect set of glasses by Noritake. i had no idea how much they cost - and i was hoping they weren't an arm and leg. and guess what? they are ridiculously affordable. so i thought i'd share my find with you.

well, thank you!

i love paper, stationary and the like. i can study cards for hours. so i'm always on the hunt for really cute ones - and in this case, i need me some thank you cards!! i just had my first shower (so fun!!) and wanted to send my expressions of gratitude on something that reflects my style and personality. i ended up getting these fun multi-color cards from Papyrus (i can mix and match envelope and card colors) and then i created my own greeting on the card (some say "Merci!" and some say "Thanks!", etc). But i really adore these cute, can't-find-in-the-stores cards from Etsy! Does anyone have a source for some sassy black & white polka dot cards??

bubble vases for centerpieces

hallelujah! i think i finally decided on my centerpieces!!! i'm just adoring the simple, chic elegance of the white tulip. and now i must decide between a clear square vase (we are doing square tables - which i love) or a black round vase (if you know where i can locate an affordable black square vase - please do leave a comment!). in any event, Floral Supply Syndicate in San Francisco is a great place to get your vases at a great cost (must have a wholesale license).

LA brides: it's easy being green!

hello all you lovely brides getting hitched in LA-La land!! i just came across a cool company that focuses on environmentally friendly weddings. what could be more chic than helping keep our world beautiful while throwing the party of your dreams? check out A Soolip Wedding - they are throwing an affair this Sunday, March 18th at Social Hollywood for the stylish, modern bride. oooh lala!

i'm on a headpiece kick right now! what about the girl who is super sweet & romantic? she's no less chic and fabulous! she also wants her flair and individuality to be expressed on her special day. what better way to top her pretty head than with a giant satin bow and a short, delicate veil punctuated with a few happy little dots? so cute and fresh from Suzanne Millinery (she also has a super cool black feather headband in her summer collection!

sassy parisian headpiece

are you the sort of bride who wants to looks chic and sophisticated? i'm envisioning a Parisian sophisticate laughing and having a ball. she's flirty, funny and adorable. she's confident, elegant and fabulous!! she'd wear a headpiece like this, i think. it has the flair to adorn a gal like that - who wouldn't dare to look like any other bride! would be highly sassy in other colors for any attendants.

Starring Mrs. Fulford!

i am floored. jsut got the save-the-date for my bachelorette/shower and i'm giddy with excitement. this is one of the all time cutest invitations ever!! my girls are so fabulous - i'm very lucky to have such amazing (and stylish!) friends. just wanted to share cuz it's so darn cute!

fun, retro polka dot kicks!

these Via Spiga shoes are so cute!! i thought they'd be adorable on my bridesmaids with their black cocktail dresses. i think the guys might do polka dot hand-tied bow ties (incidentally, the dot pattern i like at Robert Talbott is called the "Logan Dot"! maybe that's why i'm infatuated with dots?) and braces. the look will all be so chic and fun together!

oops! i accidentally just bought a pair for myself!!

baby, you're a starlet veil

omigod you guys!! over the weekend my mom and i played with the birdcage veil i bought and some raw tulle and flowers. we made the most divine concoction that has ever graced my curly head. i think i'm going to attempt to make them for other people (but one step at a time, for now!). if you like the look - start at Georgie Peach (or ebay - where i found mine). then you get some russian netting ( i got mine at Haberman Fabrics) and then add some sassy feathers (i got them at tonyhill). mix together however it all looks best on your head and voila! you have yourself a veil that looks like the ones that cost upwards of $250 for about $25.

bachelorette soiree

this Viceroy is my patron saint of hotels. marvelously chic - bold, modern, sorta retro, sorta kitsch. it's nothing short of fabulous!!! and they have pool-side cabanas, gorgeous decor and it's only steps from la playa. i'm so excited to celebrate here with the girls - feeling glamorous and enjoying each others company in a space that was one of the inspirations for my wedding (i just wish i could bring home these fabulous chairs)!

cute on the cake

my immediate thought was: no cake topper. but then i started fishing around to see if there was anything chic and not cheese. and there are some pretty darling things out there! ultimately, i think our topper will be a bow made out of delicious frosting...but i'd love to do something with these precious metal & rhinestone flowers. now that would be a cute cake topper, don't you think?

sweet, sweet bouquet

i keep changing my mind about what sort of bouquet i'd like...and today i'm thinking Lily of the Valley would be quite lovely. i love the simple looks of the delicate flower and the bright green leaves...i'm a singular flower sort of gal. and the scent is supposed to be incredible. in my research - a bouquet would require about 75 stems (though i bet 50 would work for a smaller one). i found them at FWX flowers for $2.08 a stem (if you're a DIY gal - a florist will likely charge double). check out the site for other ideas/flowers!

nice gift for the groom

if your man is gettin' all snazzy and sportin' a dress shirt that requires cuff links - then these are a really nice gift you can give him! they are patterned silk by Suburban Silk (i've seen them in the city at Wingard on Union Street). They come in loads of colors and patterns - one is bound to complement your wedding colors.

dazzling earrings

i happened to walk by a jewelry case at Nordie's yesterday and found "the necklace". it is so pretty and glamorous, i was mesmerized. sadly, they don't have a photo on their website - but i wanted to share the Nadri line with you because they have created so many lovely jewels. i bought 3 pairs of earrings so i can see them with the dress and make a decision. The lovely vintage style earrings pictured are only $40! now that's a bargain for glamour.

sparkle plenty

finally!! i found my sparkly rhinestone buckles to close up the invites in a glamorous and spectacular way. check out Rhinestone Jewelry and you can order them in bulk for an amazing price. grab some satin ribbon at Nashville Wraps and you'll have the makings of something fabulous.

black & white and cute all over

i've been in flower girl dress mode for weeks....hunting for ideas, searching for fabrics. and then today i found this cutie pie and it's a done deal. my cousin was going to make the dress - but when you can buy one this cute at this price, you just do it.

adorable flower girl

i'm grateful that my cousin (and mother of my flower girl) is a seamstress and can whip up a fabulous custom dress. but that doesn't mean that i haven't been scouring the web with ideas!! and though this dress by Bonnie Jean is not in my color scheme - it certainly qualifies as an adorable (and mini-chic) dress for a precious girl. and totally affordable ($40) at that!! check out the link for other prints and styles. can you just imagine how sweet a little munchkin would look walking down the aisle wearing this? ridiculous!!

sky high polka dot heels!

i saw these shoes in the latest Marie Claire and was salivating. how fun for my BM's with their black cocktail dresses!! of course when i found them online at Guess, i promptly sent them to the gals. one wrote back and said she can't really muster a 4" heel. holy high-walker! i didn't realize they were so high. i doubt my other BM, who is 5'11" would want to wear them either. so the search continues....

black & white bridesmaids

recently popped into BCBG and found some scrumptious potential BM dresses. my two fave's are a delightfully chic black & white pleated number and a totally sweet taffeta shirt dress with tulle at the hem. and for the long & sexy - a glamorous knot front jersey with a slit to high-heaven. fabulous, wearable and ever-so-chic!

signed, sealed, delivered

my first thought was "are you kidding me? i'm not spending all that extra postage just to have a cool stamp!" and then i realized that the stamps you could buy were really not that great. i like to create a visual package for the save-the-dates (and invites) that has a fabulous, cohesive look. and the stamp is definitely part of that look. so i decided it was worth the extra money. scan some fabrics or neat wall paper or gift paper and then add your own text or design. think of it as a mini art project and get the creative juices flowing. i got my stamps at Zazzle (love the name!). they're so cool.

custom bridesmaid dresses - what a concept!

i am so all about my bridesmaids wearing their dresses again. in fact - i want them to choose their own dresses. i mean - why should i choose something as personal as a dress for someone else? hunting around, as i tend to do, i found this brilliant site that allows you to create custom dresses (for the bride too, natch!). you choose your bodice, hem, accents, colors, fabrics! pretty fun too. check out Olivia Luca and have some fun playing designer! warning: the dresses are pretty pricey - the two i tried out were in the $400 - $500 range. OUCH!

charming invitation font

i'm obsessed with fonts right now. i've been searching, downloading and testing for the last few days. so far, nothing looked quite right. then i found this font called Monterey on Myfonts.com. it's the perfect blend of chic, retro, fun, elegant and charming. i adore it with the Canterbury Sans. i think i've finally got it!!

wedding in the tropics - dreamy!

when i first got engaged - i thought it might be incredible to have a destination wedding at a warm, tropical locale (my mom quickly put the kibosh on that idea!). i found this really cool looking place near Puerto Vallarta where you can rent out the entire Playa Fiesta hotel for your wedding. imagine how fun if all your friends and family could take over a beach front hotel to celebrate your nuptials in a vacation-like setting. HOT, baby!! and then one of my favorite places - Sayulita -(the Carmel of Mexico) is just a hop, skip and a jump away (they also have amazing wedding facilities, by the way).

beautiful venue - Mayacamas

i just talked to another bride today who had not yet chosen her venue for her wedding. when she said what she was looking for - Mayacamas popped into my head!! i went to a wedding here about 3 years ago and had the most incredible time. i looked into the venue for my own wedding - but they were going through a sale of the property and were not booking. I think they may be back up and running!! if you want to have a "wedding weekend" affair where people stay at the venue - then check this out!! it's a real gem.

so old hollywood glam

ok - so i bought my birdcage veil (for $35 on ebay, thank you very much) and now i'm on the hunt for a glamorous feathery doo-day to bring the whole look together. i'm really digging this one by Erica Koesler!

simply fabulous jewels

holy diamond love!! i just about keeled over when i saw this magnificently gorgeous earring (i heart gold). i think these would be simply fabulous to wear for my wedding and even everyday beyond! but alas - i don't know how much they are but i'm almost certain they'll be more than my dress. woe is me. check out the entire Penny Preville collection and prepare to drool, ladies!!

map it, baby!

a sassy women i know started this cool (and practical) website called Wedding Mapper. It's a great way to show your guests the locations for hotels, ceremony and reception - as well as favorite restaurants, shopping areas and local attractions they should not miss! Plus it will be very helpful in navigating your wedding!

bridesmaid dresses - back in black

one of the many reasons why i chose to do a black and white wedding is so my 2 fabulous bridesmaids could each wear their own favorite black cocktail dress (and of course - they are excited to be shopping for a new addition to their wardrobes). each of these lovely women has a totally different body type and completely different style - so i could never fathom plopping them in the same uniform.

i'm looking high and wide to see what gems i can find. here's one that i was surprised to find at David's Bridal (i've never even been to one of their stores). i love the sorta retro knife pleats.

Gorgeous Invitation ideas

I've been researching invitations like mad. i love paper & being crafty...so i'm doing a combo of buying supplies, having a talented friend help me with design layout & DIY assembly. I'm definitely using black envelopments pocket folds, some nice linen paper and for the piece d' resistance: a rhinestone buckle with green satin ribbon. how special will the guests feel when they receive this sassy gift?? so special, i hope!

another gorgeous shoe

i have to share a new shoe i'm loving. i'm pretty much enamored of the peep-toe style - so i was thrilled to find this beauty called Francesca by Grazia. the only bummer is that it's not dye-able and i can't see too many occasions in my life when i'd wear them again (this is one of the few practical thoughts i ever have). hmmmm. i'm still planning to try them on and see.....and how cute is the square bling? FYI - the shoe is $20 less at www.myglassslipper.com - but not photographed.

yummy black & white dress

good lord! this dress is such a dream! a little bit vintage, a little bit flamenco and all fantastic. the tiny jet beads embroidered on the stark white must mean that this dress by Carolina Herrera costs a small fortune. i already have my dress - but when i saw this on the cover of the new Martha Stewart Weddings - i was flabbergasted. utterly gorgeous (and styled so beautifully). would be perfect for my black and white wedding!!

Lookin Hot for the Big Day

I am seriously motivated to get into my best shape for the wedding (and subsequent bikini=clad honeymoon!). here's what i'm using to help: a combination of The Dailey Method (they're having a great special right now!), bootcamp (i chose BodyCore for their convenient location & the instructor is adorable) and http://www.sparkpeople.com/ (a new website i just discovered that helps you but together meal & fitness plans to meet your goals! After all, 'tis the season for resolutions.

if i do wear white shoes....

i think the styles from Grace Couture are so elegant and pretty. I especially like the idea of a sparkly adornment. Another idea is to take a plain shoe (i prefer the peep toe style) and add a gorgeous shoe clip from Absolutely Audrey. these would also add some flair for your maids!