Rank Bloog

CHECK OUT TREASURY WEST . . .

Some beautiful items today on Etsy. Treasury West is featuring several sellers--moi included! Such a surprise to wake up this morning and find the photo above on my favorite site.

Thanks to a few designers like Vera Wang and Elizabeth Fillmore, mermaid silhouettes have been enjoying a rebirth within the last few years. From skirts that flare gently around the knees to pouf versions, they're all back to stay this time. Like the legendary creature herself, the mermaid is half and half: half sheath, half ball gown. Fitted long and snug to the knees then POW! Either a full flared skirt or tiers of ruffles complete the look, sometimes falling into (no pun intended) a fishtail train in back. Big glam look in the 1950s in heavier, highly polished satins. Bombshells like Jane Mansfield donned some high voltage, kitchy-chic with this cut.

JLM Couture

Pronovias
Most of the drama of a Mermaid is not only in how the skirt flares but what it's made up of . . .

Mariane Lanting Couture

Vera Wang

Pronovias

Suzanne Neville

Amanda Wakeley

Vera Wang

Mermaids are great alternatives for shorter brides who love the ball gown look but can't wear it for it's all consumingness.

Vera Wang

Vera Wang

MODERN ROMANCE: Confessions of a Bridal Designer

Okay, so all you boomers know Modern Romance used to be the most popular confession pulp back in the 1960s. Lately though I've been stalking Christine Gorman's Etsy site as well as top notch blog of the same name, Modern Romance. I'm totally taken with her wrap chic. Once I tracked her down I just had to ask her from when and where her muse (or muses) first visited. Here's what she said: "Inspiration for this line started with a friend who was getting married. Since their budget was tight she bought a simple dress and was having an impossible time finding a wrap or a scarf to dress it up. I started messing around with some silk I had and my first shoulder wrap was born!"

"My head was spinning with ideas after that and so I just kept creating. The fabrics I like to use for the wraps are dupioni silk and silk organza. I love dupioni because it has a wonderful texture that adds interest to the simple shapes I like to use in my designs. As for organza, what's not to love about the ethereal quality of billowing ruffles. I also am adding a crushed velvet cape to my site which I am mad about. I decided to make the lining with the velvet as well so that the bride can be enveloped in it. It is such a wonderful fabric that it seemed a shame to only have it on the outside! "

Christine, based in Portland, Oregon also creates lucious headpieces and birdcage veils. Handmade silk florals are one of her top specialties and these little flowers look almost real. A visit to her site is gaurenteed tol truly inspire you . . . .

Make-up: Taylor Swift "Love story" Soft bridal make up tutorial

Yummies: Jan Kish-La Petite Fleur

Jan Kish-La Petite Fleur, Columbus, OH
Kish created these draped tiers to complement a flowing Reem Acra dress designed for Brides magazine’s Something Pink fashion story (November/December 2007). Fondant cake and pleated bands with silver dragées and butterflies. $9.50 per slice, serves 150; jankishlapetitefleur.com.

Yummies: Jan Kish-La Petite Fleur

Sweet Noise: Today by Joshua Radin

Lyrics to Today :
Shoelaces untied
You can dry your eyes
Perfect shadows alive
Behind us
This is the day i make you mine

The way your hair lies
sometimes unrecognized
All the way from these today
on a train
Nothing to say if theres still time

But you are the one
I've been wating for today
And here comes the sun
That's been baiting on today

Lately i've lost my tongue
Today you found the sun
I know not long has grown
Well i thank god u came along

But you are the one
I've been waitng for today
And here comes the sun
That's been baiting on today

You looked right through me
When there was no one else
I sat beside you and became myself
Today... today

You are the one
I've been waiting for today
And here comes the sun t
Thats been baiting on today

Sweet Noise: Today by Joshua Radin

Style: Allure Bridal Champagne Gown

I love this Gown from Allure Bridal!

Style: Allure Bridal Champagne Gown

I love this Gown from Allure Bridal!

Happy Hour: A Lovely Pear

A Lovely Pear Martini

Ingredients

4 part(s) Absolut Pears Vodka - (more)
1 1/2 part(s) Peach Puree - (more)
1 part(s) Grape Juice White - (more)
1 part(s) Lime Juice - (more)
1/2 part(s) Apple Juice - (more)

Instructions
Combine all ingredients, shake and strain into 2 martini glasses. Garnish with a Pear slice.

{Source}

Happy Hour: A Lovely Pear

A Lovely Pear Martini

Ingredients

4 part(s) Absolut Pears Vodka - (more)
1 1/2 part(s) Peach Puree - (more)
1 part(s) Grape Juice White - (more)
1 part(s) Lime Juice - (more)
1/2 part(s) Apple Juice - (more)

Instructions
Combine all ingredients, shake and strain into 2 martini glasses. Garnish with a Pear slice.

{Source}

Real Wedding Muse Pic: Whiney + Tim

Source: DayLife

11 months ago: Whitney Edwards (L) and Tim Randall (R) are married on Valentine's Day at the Empire State Building on February 14, 2008 in New York. The annual Valentine's Day wedding event at the Empire State Building had 13 couples exchanging vows in a temporary chapel on the 32nd Floor. The couples were selected from a nationwide contest conducted by Brides.com and the Empire State Building.

Real Wedding Muse Pic: Whiney + Tim

Muse Board: Valentine's Wedding Day

Source: Tastefully Entertaining

- Modern and fun take on a cupcake wedding cake [via SocialDesign]
- Cute red flats by Stuart Weitzman [via snippet & ink]
- Calligraphy by Tara Jones
- Chilled tomato soup with white crème fraiche hearts
- This red drink entitled Aphrodisiac is perfect for a signature cocktail
- DIY jam is sweet favor
- A gorgeous bridal bouquet of red Gerber daisies
- Red table runners, rose petals and menu cards adorn this red and white tabletop
- kate spade dinnerware in red and white polka dots
- Fit the groom with a red tie and red floral boutonniere [via snippet & ink]