Things I Love…This Week

I’ve seen a number of blogs do a weekly feature of their “Favorite Finds” from around the World Wide Web. I’m not going to promise I’ll get around to doing this every week, but I thought it might be fun to take a shot at it. Yes, some of this is wedding-related – forgive me!! My Google Reader is still full of about a million wedding blogs, that’s my excuse. And yes, I know my wedding is over, I’m a bit in denial and dealing with the withdrawal symptoms, but I’ll get there eventually. Here are 10 things I’m loving this week…

1. Sarah Seven --

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5978864

I know Sarah Seven is not really new to the “favorite finds” feature. She’s a favorite of nearly every woman in the world. I’m desperately trying to come up with a good enough reason to order one of these dresses – they are amazing! How could I possibly get myself invited to some incredible red carpet event or dinner with the President so I can wear one of these? I love the ruffles, the softness and the delicacy of her dresses. Consider me smitten.

2. Cakewrecks -- http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

If you haven’t checked out this blog, you are missing out on some of the funniest stuff out there. I have a hard time keeping myself from belly laughing and rolling on the floor when I read some of these entries. It is amazing that these are REAL cakes – people ordered them, people had to eat them. Please check out this blog – and let the hilarity ensue. These are some of my favorite “pregnancy and baby” cake disasters, but you MUST go to the blog and read the commentary that goes along with each wreck of a cake. I’m laughing just thinking about these.

3. Custom Wedding Dress Sketch by Megan Hamilton -- http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7155558

Megan Hamilton, a fashion design graduate of Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, PA, took her degree to work in New York City and spent many years designing for companies like Macy's and David's Bridal using her illustration skills to sketch new wedding gown designs. With a photo of your dress (add a fabric swatch for extra oomph), Megan will create a design-style sketch and send it in a sleek black folder. I think these would be a fantastic gift for yourself or any of your bride friends. Designs could be just the wedding gown, gown and tux/suit combo, or gown with the bridesmaid dresses. This is a fantastic way to preserve the memories of your special day in a one-of-a-kind custom-made piece of art. P.S. I’ve already ordered mine. :) I'll post pictures when I get it in!

4. Monique Lhuillier’s Racetrack Photoshoot -- http://junebugweddings.com/fashion-report/monique-lhuillier-wedding-dresses.aspx

Ummm…amazing. Enough said.

5. Big Bold Jewelry -- http://www.jcrew.com/ and http://www.anthropologie.com/

I’m loving the new trend over at J. Crew and Anthropologie of big bold flashy jewelry. I’m a conservative dresser, but I have no problem at all wearing big loud jewelry. The shinier, chunkier, flashier, more colorful, the better. Here are some of my favorites.

6. Kate Spade in St. Louis -- http://www.katespade.com/

It’s no secret to anyone that knows me that Kate Spade and I have been having a torrid love affair for years now. She is one of my all-time favorite designers. I am obsessed with her handbags (I probably own around 20 of them), I give her stuff as gifts all the time, I wore her shoes at my wedding, and even my china pattern is Kate Spade. A few weeks ago she launched a new ready-to-wear clothing line that I’m dying to try! And now, she goes and opens a store in my hometown…a mere couple miles from my house…that I have to drive by every day twice on my way to and from work. Damn you Kate! My pocketbook (Kate Spade, of course) may never recover…

7. Snippet & Ink -- http://snippetandink.blogspot.com/

I’m not just saying this because our wedding was recently featured on this amazing site, but Snippet & Ink is just about the coolest wedding website out there. Kathryn has impeccable taste, an eye for details and a color-sensory palette that is unrivaled. Her inspiration boards can be found on nearly every wedding website in the world and have probably inspired more brides than anyone other than Martha Stewart herself. Here are some of my favorites:

8. The Twilight Saga -- http://www.thetwilightsaga.com/

Seriously, who doesn’t love dramatic teenage love stories about vampires and werewolves. I am slightly embarrassed to admit that how truly addicted I am to these books. I'm currently reading book 3 and can't get through it fast enough! No, they’re not well written. No, they’re not even all that good. Yes, they are horribly cheesy. And really…how in love could you possibly be at 16? Come on! But I still LOVE love LOVE them.

9. Project Runway, Season 6 -- http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/project-runway

The new season of Project Runway is now in full swing. With 3 people eliminated already and twelve more to go, I’m really enjoying this season. I will admit that I don’t think it’s as good as the previous seasons (which might have something to do with it now being on Lifetime as opposed to Bravo), but it’s still so much fun to watch them struggle week after week and then be so surprised by the amazing pieces they come up with. I think this season has some really strong female designers (I like Shirin, Althea, Carol Hannah) and I’m hoping for another Leanne or Laura this year. Plus, the guest judges have been awesome – Monique Lhuillier and Max Axria are 2 of my all time favorites. Celebrity judges have included Rachel Bilson, Lindsey Lohan and Rebecca Romijn. Plus, an extra bonus of “Models of the Runway” is on right after PR, which follows the lives (and drama) of the models competing for the chance to be paired with the winning designer. So far I’ve been very disappointed with it – it’s so boring, nothing’s happening. Kind of like America’s Next Top Model without any of the crying, cat fights, conniving, back-stabbing (you know, all the good stuff). Maybe it’ll heat up next week.

10. Zebra Print -- http://www.instyle.com/

I have been seeing zebra print everywhere lately. And I love it! I’m seeing it in accessories (handbags, scarves, shoes), in decorating (pillows, prints, towels), and on celebrities (Katy Perry and Nicole Richie). I have got to figure out a way to incorporate a little zebra into my life.