Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Sweet Treats





Who doesn't love cake pops?  They're a fun, versatile and bite-sized dessert that's guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, especially for wedding events.  Whether it's a cake pop cake or individually wrapped pops for gifts or display, these yummy treats can add a fun and personal touch to any wedding event. Their popularity makes them available at the majority of bakeries, but if you'd like to make them yourself Rock Ur Party by Tablespoon has a great recipe as well as some very cute decorating ideas!


Wedding Cake Pops








Satisfy your sweet tooth.

xo, Alaina




Monday, April 16, 2012

BB's Inspiration: Lauren Conrad

I don't know about you girls, but I am OBSESSED with Lauren Conrad.  I mean, really how could you not?  Between her killer fashion style, strive to better the world, books and interior style this chick really does it all!  Not to mention LC has been caught walking down the aisle (not her own yet of course) in several of her best friends weddings.  When we came across LC's newest blog about wedding attire, we knew we had to showcase it on our blog.  Weddings and Lauren Conrad-- what can be more perfect? 

Being a fashion lover, constantly checking out the newest trends and fashion blogs I am always unsure on which fashion trends and tips to follow and trust.  Lauren Conrad, however has yet to let me down and her tips and trends are always the ones I can count on.  Below are Lauren's suggestions on what to wear to certain type of weddings.  This is useful to all weddings where the bride doesn't tell her bridesmaids what to wear, and also if you are simply just attending a wedding.  Hope you enjoyed her post as much as we did!



by Lauren Conrad

Style Me Pretty
A photo of my BFFS and me at a “beach formal” wedding last weekend.
Last weekend I went to a lovely wedding on the beach (above is a photograph of me and my besties; I’m wearing a dress by Hoss Intropia). It was a beautiful ceremony and all of the guests in attendance looked just a nice. In light of “wedding season” (and the all too familiar mystery of “What do I wear to ____?”), I thought I’d put together a post on wedding attire.

While it’s exciting to be invited to a wedding, decoding the difference between “formal,” “semi-formal,” “cocktail,” and “casual” attire as requested by the invitation can leave you wanting to reply, “I don’t.” You may be wondering, “What does ‘casual’ mean anyway? Surely flip-flops and frocks cannot be appropriate…” (And you would be right!) Well ladies, wonder no more... Below, I’ve decoded the puzzling meanings of wedding dress codes.

If the invitation says…
Style Me Pretty

Black Tie. Black tie (or “formal” attire) is the most formal of all wedding dress codes. Most often, black tie weddings are in the evenings so turn up the glamour and bring on the beads and sequins! I suggest wearing an evening gown (such as the Clementine Gown by Paper Crown, pictured above) or an elegant cocktail dress. Dramatic jewelry is welcome and coiffed hair is a must.
Style Me Pretty

Semi-Formal. This is the toughest code to crack since it can mean a variety of things based on the time and location of the wedding. When “semi-formal” dress is requested, err on the side of formality and wear a nice cocktail dress or a fabulous blouse and skirt. If the wedding is during the day, opt for lighter colors and fabrics (sorry ladies, it’s the bride’s time to shine so no ivory or white) like the Floral Surplice Dress pictured above. For nighttime, richer, bolder shades work well too—especially when paired with a red lip. The maroon Ruffle Chiffon Dress is a great for an evening wedding.
Style Me Pretty

Beach Formal. Just because “beach” is included in the name doesn’t mean you can show up wearing any old sundress with boogie board in hand… Rather, it’s a courteous venue notice: Heads up everyone, this is going to be a formal wedding on the beach so dress accordingly! For this type of outdoor setting, you must dress to impress while considering the elements (sand, sun, and water). For an easy yet ethereal seaside look, wear a simple (solid or floral print) chiffon gown like the Ella Gown by Paper Crown (pictured above). Another option is a prim but delicate sundress. As for shoes, I recommend wearing flat sandals (and no, I don’t mean flip-flops) since sand is a factor. Also, the beach can get windy and cool so make sure you bring along a pashmina or wrap to keep yourself warm.
Style Me Pretty

Casual. Casual usually means anything goes, but in the world of weddings it translates to “business casual.” To achieve the perfect balance of informal chic, wear a sundress or a nice blouse and skirt. The Floral Dress from my LC Lauren Conrad collection for Kohl’s is perfect for a casual daytime wedding, especially when paired with a nice belt. Or, the Floral Ruffle Dress (pictured above) is great too! As for hair and makeup, stick with your natural, everyday look.

Dress code I do’s
  • Subtlety is best. Opt for simple, pretty or romantic looks rather than edgy or sultry ensembles.
  • Simple beauty. Keep hair and makeup natural and pretty. Click here for a complete makeup tutorial on bridal beauty. For my general “wedding appropriate” hair and makeup tips, click here.
Dress code I don’ts
  • The White Rule. This age old tenet says to avoid wearing all white (including ivory), as it should be reserved for the bride. The bottom line here: it’s impolite to upstage the bride so let her be the only one wearing white. Luckily this rule has relaxed a bit. Cream colored clothing and print dresses with white backdrops are usually fine.
  • Black. Try not to wear black to early morning/afternoon nuptials.
  • Absolutely, positively NO jeans and sexy or revealing clothing. No exceptions.

http://www.laurenconrad.com/post/style-me-pretty-wedding-attire

Style on,
XO another Lauren

Find the Best Cut Bridesmaids' Dress


A new and occurring trend spotted in many weddings nowadays is that the bridesmaids all have the same color dress but in different cuts and styles.  This is another great way to express your own personal  style as well show off fashionista self.  Brides are even going as far and out of the box as to only setting the color scheme to the bridesmaid dress.  Allowing the bridesmaid to pick any style and shade of color really allows for a homey and individualistic feel that we at Blushing Bridesmaid love!  This is a great new trend because, let's face it.... not everyone has the same body type so the same dress, style and fit isn't going to look flattering and the best on every bridesmaids.  Allowing your bridesmaid to pick their own style within certain guidelines allows the bridesmaid to feel comfortable, beautiful and stylish.

 Below, some top reasons for going with a mismatched look.

1. Various Body Types
Few of us have the magazine-look of all tall, thin and gorgeous bridesmaids. Most of us have bridal parties with women of varying height, body type, and size - just like in real life!

2. Expecting Bridesmaids
If you have one or more pregnant bridesmaids, letting them choose a dress that will fit their expanding bellies and help them to feel comfortable and confident is considerate.

3. Brides in different locations with different budgets
Not all bridesmaids may be able to afford a $300 dress on top of hair, makeup, accessories and a wedding gift. Giving bridesmaids certain guidelines (which we'll get to below) and allowing them to choose a dress within their budget makes sense.

4. Unique, out-of-the-box and fun
Mismatched bridesmaids dresses can be such a fun and quirky look. It can also be just as refined as all-matching. For the bride who wants something different, this is a great way to incorporate a unique element to your wedding day.

Now that we've covered the reasons why mismatched dresses can be a big plus, let's take a look at some inspiration photos!









So, if your bride decides to step out of the traditional bridesmaid dress role and be creative and give you free range, here are the BEST guidelines for picking the best cut dress to wow everyone as you walk down the aisle and dance the night away.


Big bust: With this body type, it's easy to look heavy with a larger bust, so focus on detailing with an empire waistline. Go for dresses with wider, bra-friendly straps (it's key for someone with a bigger bust) and avoid dresses that don’t have support, or ones with spaghetti straps that mean you can’t wear a bra. Often, it's tempting to go for higher necklines that can cut off at the neck, but that simply serves to emphasize a fuller bust.


Petite: With petites, proportions are key so you don’t overwhelm a small frame. Use color and texture instead of volume, and always add a high heel to create an elongated frame. Petites should go for extra rusching around the bust line, which adds volume and creates the illusion of a bust. Be careful with length — too long can make you look shorter. Fun accessories add to the look, but go for structured ones that are not too large.


Apple shape: Apple shapes look best in outfits that skim the body. A flattering neckline and the rusching draws attention away from a wider mid-section. The empire-line neckline is best for someone with a thicker waist as it makes the body look longer and leaner. It also diverts attention away from the natural waist line. A slight A-line skims the body and an all one pattern doesn't cut the body in half but makes you look longer and leaner. Key points: Use rusching to create the illusion of a more shapely figure. Play up other assets such as good legs and arms.


Pear-shape:
Go with a fluid bottom of the dress to camouflage problem area. Emphasize shoulders and arms, which are often the most flattering part of a women's body. A fresh-looking loose tunic style silhouette draws the eye upwards and easily camouflages a heavier bottom half. Pair it with a small ornate clutch, rather than a larger, roomier bag. For the petite woman you want the dress to be the framework. 

Boy shape: The trick for boy shapes is to give the illusion of feminine curves. The perfect solution is a halter style since it shows off a great neckline and the V-neck since it draws attention to the bustline shape. Vertical stitched seams are key, since they create curves where they didn't exist before. This is an ultra-feminine dress.



Remember to feel comfortable in what you are wearing.  If you think something could look better try try and try again until you absolutley love it.  You desvere to feel beautiful this day and be a blushing bridesmaid after all!

Style on,
xo Lauren

2012 Essie Bridal Collection

From baby pinks to creamy purples, there's no reason to shy away from adding some color to your nails on the big day. Thankfully, Essie recently debuted its 2012 Bridal Collection! This year, the collection boasts four, spring-like hues: Like To be Bad (pink), Who Is The Boss (mint green), Instant Hot (glittery white) and Love & Acceptance (lilac). 




While you don't want to blind the guests as you walk down the aisle (neon pink, anyone?), it's important to consider more neutral tones to keep things simple. 


According to Refinery 29, the colors are described as a collection that "celebrates brides who are confident and want to have fun with color, yet with a nod to tradition." We approve!


xo, Lisl

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Bridesmaid Weekend Getaway

All this wedding planning can be so stressful. Between the wedding vows, food preparation, dress shopping and floral arrangements, it seems like you ladies can't catch a break.

A perfect way to bond with your fellow bridesmaids can be through a weekend getaway with your bride. I'm sure she could use some R and R as well. Send out a phone call to the girls and start packing to your go-to place for relaxation. Here are some adorable outfits from Polyvore to have you looking fabulous yet comfortable whether you are relaxing on the beach or chilling in the mountains.
summer



Beach Fashionista
green
These are just a few outfits to rock during the weekend depending on your destination. Here are a couple things to remember when you are on this fun vacay:

1. Avoid talking about anything wedding-related! I know it's hard because it's all that is on the group's mind, but the point of this weekend is to de-stress. 
2. Bring a book
3. Try some yoga
4. Drink wine-- but not too much ;)
5. Explore the town

This short trip is a great way to bond with the bridal party. Take advantage of it and have fun. This is what weddings are all about so make the most out of it. When you return from your amazing trip, you will feel refreshed and ready to be the super blushing bridesmaid you were meant to be. 

xo, 
Steph

Friday, April 13, 2012

Stand out with BOLD jewelry

TRENDING ALERT!!! Looking for ways to get noticed on and off the aisle? The Blushing Bridesmaids have a stylish piece for you-- the bold necklace. The bold necklace is perfect at completing any look whether you are going for a glamorous, simple, elegant or edgy vibe. Don't be surprised to see all eyes on you in these fashionable necklaces. Get inspired from some of our favorite necklaces that you can find from Francescas, Stella & Dot and Kate Spade.






The Brunch at Saks blog gives some helpful input on the bold necklace and even more pieces to chose from. Wear one of these fun necklaces on a night out with the girls (bridesmaid style), rehearsal dinner or the wedding itself. You will be the most fabulous Blushing Bridesmaid out there. Now go out and shop!

xo,
Steph

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Rain Rain Go Away

Although April showers bring May flowers, they can be bad news for any bride's special day.  Early morning salon visits, getting to the ceremony and reception, outdoor photos and especially outdoor weddings have the potential to go disastrously wrong if the weather decides not to cooperate.  But have no fear, the Blushing Bridesmaids are here.  By keeping a "just in case" rainy day kit, you'll be the ultimate bridesmaid prepared to save the day.

The essentials for a rainy day survival kit:

1) Umbrellas: Obvious, yes, but we forget them all of the time! Make sure you have extras to share with the rest of the wedding party.
2) Rainboots: These or any other change of shoes, no one wants muddy heels!
3) Hooded weather-proof jacket: Keep those locks dry and beautiful.
4) Plastic bags: Whether it's a bouquet, the veil or anything that you'll be carrying around keep some plastic bags on hand.  If it starts to rain, you won't have to worry about items being ruined.
5) Hair dryer: You can't save everything sometimes.  Having a hair dryer on hand can be a quick fix for not only hair but clothing, shoes, etc.
6) A calm, cool and collected bridesmaid: Every bride's ultimate necessity.  If she starts getting upset about the weather, you will sweep in and save the day with a positive attitude and this rainy day survival kit.

Keep your eyes on the sky (and your phone for weather updates).  If it rains, it rains.  
We can't control Mother Nature, but it always helps to be prepared.

xo, Alaina