Elie Saab Runway- Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture

My current obsession over all things lace, ruffles, sparkles and light chiffon fabric. Find these dresses quite inspiring!

Confessions of an Engaged Chick: Engagement Dinner with the Parents!

Last month, I walked to the Grove to pick out a gift from my friend's wedding registry at Crate & Barrel (did you know they give you cash back on all returned gift registry items?! yes, I'm a newbie so I just found this out but wow!). It was a nice, sunny day as the weather in LA doesn’t seem to change much (or ever) although the leaves are starting to turn a golden mustardy yellow which is nice. But because it was still considerably warm, I wore a polo shirt and a jean skirt purchased my freshman year of college when I was working at Abercrombie & Fitch and made a trek to the Grove. I didn’t think too much about my outfit until I ran into one of my friends from highschool next to the fountain there. He was a year older than me and had sat in front of me in German class and we had talked a lot – mostly about my friend whom he had a crush on. But now, eight years later, there he was with his beautiful wife and 2 year old daughter in the stroller. As I bent down to say hi to his little girl, I realized two things. One was that once you get married all past relationships don’t matter. All those crushes, past girlfriends/boyfriends were all just that – the past. Only your grown-up relationship matters. Two was that my skirt was way too short. It wasn’t the now-Abercrombie-length short but it was still too short. I felt awkward just saying hi to him with a short skirt in front of his wife much less bend over to say hi to his daughter in the stroller. The skirt, sadly, needed to go and so did a lot of pieces in my wardrobe.

My parents are visiting me next month and during that week here, my parents and my fiance’s parents are to meet for the first time at the official engagement dinner. Eek~ I’m a bit nervous! But this brings me back to the clothes issue. I realized that a lot of my clothes had to go – mostly skirts and shorts that were so short that they looked like they were a part of my under garments. I was no longer in highschool or college (although I did keep a few skirts that I could wear in places where no one knew me hehe). But I did it. I gathered all my school age clothes and made a trip to Buffalo Exchange on La Brea and sold most of them (although I did exchange one of the skirts for a nice black coat!). The rest I took to Goodwill and donated it (holler tax deduction!). Now only my ‘grown-up’ clothes were left and although my closet got smaller and it had been hard to convince myself that my Barney tank top from 4^th grade no longer fits, it felt so refreshing! This brought me to my next question, what should I wear to this engagement dinner with the parents? I know clothes in this case is not a huge deal (there are much more important things to worry about – like what the heck should I expect? Should I make a list of questions to ask so the dinner isn’t an awkward silence? Do I introduce my parents to my fiance’s parents or will they just introduce themselves?), but I can’t tell what’s exactly ‘appropriate’ to wear. I don’t want to dress like a nun, but as shallow as it sounds, I do want to look nice enough for the occasion.

I got an e-mail in my inbox today that the new J. Crew winter line is out so I went to take a look. J. Crew, you really never fail! Here are 4 looks I picked out that seem appropriate.

What would you choose to wear to your engagement dinner?

a polite cardigan with a knee length skirt?

a clean tailored fit?

feminine ruffles on a romantic dress?

or a cute printed dress?

And any tips on what to expect/traditional customs (Korean ones too!) to know before I go to mine?

the engaged chick, angela

Bridesmaids' dresses that don't match?

GUEST BLOGGER: ELISA YOON

Here is a new idea: Bridesmaids that do not look the same!

{Image from Polka Dot Bride; Photo by Josh McCullock}

If you aren't comfortable with your bridesmaids looking so different you can give them a guideline that will help them to pick similar clothes.

Focus on the details of what your Bridesmaid(s) is/are going to wear

Color of Dress:

- You can give each bridesmaid a sample of the color and guidelines that are more detailed for example clothes that are "light pink," "have the colors pink and brown in it," or "it can look like anything as long as it has a Big flower somewhere on the dress."

- You can give them a brand of clothing that makes different dresses with the same fabric and color.

{Image from Snippet & Ink}

{Photo taken by Keli Nicole}

Length of Dress: Does it matter how long the dress is? Do you want it knee length or longer/shorter?

{Image from Brooklyn Bride, Photo taken by Jennifer Causey}

Shoes: Does it matter what color their shoes are? If it is a heel or not? close toed or not?

{Image from Brooklyn Bride, Photo taken by Jennifer Causey}

Jewelry: You may be giving them jewelry to wear and as a present, but if not, do you want them to wear jewelry? If you don't tell them not to, if you do does it matter what kind of jewelry.

{Image from That Bride photo taken by Keli Nicole}

Having bridesmaids that don't dress the same may look totally off, but the look of the group can be brought together by simple things like the bouquet, hair style, and other same accessories.

{Photo by Josh McCullock}

Fabric of Dress: The venue of your wedding might look better with different sort of fabric. For example if it's sunny and outdoors you may want your bridesmaids to wear something light and cute that's cotton. If it's inside and the ambiance is fit for a ball then you can ask them to choose dresses that are silk and more evening gown-like.

{Image from Polka Dot Bride}

{Image from Reel Movie News}

The Bottom Line: Tell your bridesmaids exactly what it is you want~ If you don't care about the details then tell them that~

Here is a little video about what Bridesmaids are all about~

Spring Wedding Gowns

GUEST BLOGGER: ELISA YOON

So with the new year follows spring!~ Spring is when all the flowers start blooming and wedding gowns with flower would be perfect for the season.

Very Wang is known for her modern take to classic wedding gown style that captures who the person behind the dress is. She comes out with new designs twice a year. Her dress is featured in Bride Wars by Kate Hudson~

Pronovias

{Images from Once Wed}

Nicole Miller

{Images from Once Wed}

CasaBlanca

Allure Bridals: Design 8560 is gorgeous. Below is design 8264.

{Images from Once Wed}

Enzoani collection is characterized by the gowns' backs that are buttoned up.

{Images from Once Wed}

Maggie Sottero dresses usually have some form of corset closure.

{Images from Once Wed}

Monique Lhuillier The images below are from 2008 collection. Go to her link to see her new 2009 collection.

{Images from Once Wed}

Alvina Valenta

  

{Images from Alvina Valenta}

Oleg Cassini

{Images from Once Wed}

Priscilla of Boston

{Images from Brides.com}

Platinum "Opulent couture, embodiment of luxur"

{Images from Brides.com}

Melissa Sweet "Fashion-forward, whimsical styles"

{Images from Brides.com}

Romona Keveza

  

{Images from Romona Keveza}

St. Pucchi Style 9322 is so gorgeous! It's fit for a queen.

{Images from Once Wed}

Claire Pettibone is known for her lacy wedding gowns. For 2009, her source of inspiration is wedding cakes. Her 2009 collection are not in stores yet. Some of her gowns would make one feel like Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind!

Here are some other popular designers that didn't allow pictures of the dresses to be taken from.

Winne Couture

Anna Be

Once Wed : A good place to go to look for designer dresses for less; used wedding dresses

Brides.com : A good place to start figuring out what kind of dress you would like to wear on your wedding.

Refer to Esther's how to shop for you wedding dress.