J'adore Polyvore

I feel like I just ran a marathon.

In heels.

This afternoon I learned of the brilliant Polyvore from my writer/stylist/foodie friend Caite.

Caite is currently using the web-based application to create new looks for her personal styling business Sparrow & Whistle.

Like Pinterest, Polyvore allows you to capture images of things you adore online - but the fun doesn't stop there.

Within Polyvore's interface, you can mix and match these items to create cohesive collections - in Caite's case, entire new wardrobes.

Moreover, Polyvore provides pricing information and links to the retailer's website!

Therefore, being quite impressed, I took on the (Poly)voracious challenge of creating a few looks for my bridesmaids.

Lately, I had been intimidated by their dress' print and beloved belt, and was thinking there was little room for fun accessories.

But today, I think I proved myself wrong - with the help of Polyvore and Caite, of course.

What do you think? Do you have a favorite?

Click the image above to be linked directly to my Polyvore page.

xoxo,
BTB


PS - If my font appears two different sizes, please excuse the blip! Formatting has been tricky today.

BHLDN

This just in:

Anthropologie is to release a bridal line.

!!!

My heavens. The one thing that would make me second guess ALL my decisions...

Known as BHLDN, the collection will be unveiled February 14. (How cute, right?)

I did some minor research and confirmed that BHLDN is a registered trademark owned by Urban Outfitters, Inc., which also owns five retail brands: Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, Terrain (my new favorite), Free People, and Leifsdottir (a (mysterious) luxury brand of Anthropologie).

Interestingly enough, the paperwork for the trademark was filed August 25, 2010. The review was complete and confirmed on January 11, 2011. (How trendy, right?)

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Holding my breath until Valentine's Day,

BTB

DIY: Bridesmaid Invitations

There's nothing like a good craft around the dining room table! With thanksgiving, I sat down over the holiday to finish a project I started well before deciding on dresses and dates: the bridesmaid invitations.

If you've been following, you'll remember the execution of this plan was thwarted when I found the bridesmaid dresses before these little suckers were dropped in the mail to my unsuspecting bridemaids-to-be.

The idea came from a blog post I remembered from August 19, 2009. Yes, people, 2009. Some ideas just stick with you- plus, the star feature on Google Reader helps, too.

From the looks of the original, a card serves as a formal invitation to join the bridal party while the paper doll chain reveals the other gals in the line-up.

While I had already asked my attendants, I did not reveal the composition of the entire bridal party until now. Therefore, the invitations did serve a specific purpose other than fulfilling my childhood dream circa 2009.

A note on the hilarious spread above:

1. The infamous wedding binder. Here is it open to the "stationary tab," as I was working on the invitations, of course.
   
2. Crafting cocktails. A mixture of champagne, orange juice and cranberry juice.
3. A porcelain marker jar. Only my mother would keep markers in a porcelain jar.
4. Throwback souvenirs. Has anyone been to the Flying Monkey in Key West, Fla. ?

And here is a picture of my finished product!


Cheers!
BTB

P.S. - Ensuring the hair had a nice swoopy side bang was the trickiest part of the entire craft.

MOH

Right now, what gets me more excited than wedding bells is an impending reunion with Sara, my bestie, Adam's secret spy and the illustrious maid of honor. Adam and I will be going to DC this Friday to celebrate Sara's birthday, and it will be the first time we've seen each other since the proposal. I wonder if my parents will continue to let me take Sara on family vacations once I'm married :)

Doesn't she look like she belongs in Tennessee (with me) ?

Yipee,
BTB

All dressed up and no where to go

I'm convinced that no sample dress photographs well. Between the camera's flash, the clips and the smudged make-up, it's hard to capture the excitement, thrill and beauty of "The One."

But that doesn't stop any BTB from taking a picture from every angle! Duh.

Therefore, I have a slew of pictures of myself in the dress I'll be wearing on..... SIKE. We don't have a date. I'm all dressed up with no where to go!

Luckily, I won't be alone. I also purchased my bridesmaid dresses yesterday.

Let's not forget this was on day 8 of engagement. Moreover, the fact that I hadn't even asked anyone to be my bridesmaid. Pfff. I sucked it up and made giggly phone calls in the JCrew parking lot. Not exactly what I was going for... but, ya know.

I went from one emotional high to another as our parents met for the first time last night! But I can barely process that at the moment.

I'm still stuck on the dresses...

BTB


p.s. - my dress won't be in until late March or April... so we can at least say the wedding will be after that!