Stars were seen as last year’s motif. This year’s motif is the butterfly- sure to be a trend fluttering around on clothing especially this spring and summer. Several designers including Collette Dinnigan, Diane von Furstenberg, Tibi, and Badgley Mischka showcased butterfly motifs in their 2009 collections. Butterflies play symbols of beauty, hope, and femininity creating a delicate elegance for garments.

Our date did not go exactly as JD planned but nonetheless, it was a fun night. The evening started with a drive to Hillcrest - a diverse, urban, hip oasis of thrift shops, cafes, night-life, and restaurants. We found parking in a lot a bustling block away and walked our way to the Corvette Diner. I laughed when JD excitedly said that the night he planned even had a theme. My only instructions were “Don’t spend too much.” (since we’re trying to save as much as possible for the wedding.) We turned the street corner to find that the restaurant was jam-packed with people including a long line that extended out their door. I asked, “Did you make reservations?” To my dismay, he replied, “They don’t take any.” We squeezed our way through the crowds to find out at the register that the wait would be at least one hour. This is when you abort all plans and free-style (wing it!). Immediately we knew we’d just stroll the nearby sidewalks to browse all the other restaurants instead. My stomach was gurgling all kinds of groans and grunts at me. I knew everything else would be packed or required reservations so we just walked right across to Pizza Nova – nothing fancy, no huge lines, and I was craving some type of pizza with goat cheese and mushrooms.

Afterward, on our way back to the car I remembered seeing a dessert shop we had passed on a corner and wanted to check it out. Nothin’ like satisfying a sweet tooth on Valentine’s day and we were definitely in for a treat. Here’s where it got a little more fancy.

Mille Feuille Chocolates and Patisseries is a sleek , crest-white boutique that encases tantalizing neoclassical French desserts and chocolates. Here they also sell several flavors of delectable French macaroons (a la Marie Antoinette).

They look like these

I’ve always been fascinated by how French macaroons looked and curious to find how they tasted. It was my first time. I ordered a nutella and a rose flavored macaroon along with a caramel latte. They were quite good and we’d definitely go back again. JD said my eyes got really big when I bit into the nutella flavored one. If you haven’t tried them yet, macaroons taste like a chewy, cream-filled, moist, light, and airy cake encrusted in a sweet, crisp outer shell – overuse of adjectives there but they are YUMMY!

So returning back to JD’s original plans, he goes on to say that he came up with sort of a 50′s theme with the diner and that the next place he was going to take me was a drive-in movie theater. “What?” I ask excitedly, “They still have those?” “Yup,” he says, “I found one.” I use to LOVE going to the drive-in as a kid and couldn’t believe there was one around that was still running. I was impressed, but after the dessert and latte, I felt content and the cold weather made me feel like just going home and curling up on the sofa. When I told JD, he said he actually felt the same way too so we happily called it a night with our macaroon satiated bellies knowing another time we could go to the drive-in. =)

]]> http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/valentines-day-recap/feed/ 1 styleinspired suzeeque-flickr mille-feuille1 MARIE ANTOINETTE macaron dscf01011 http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/2009/02/13/anthropologie-bridesmaids-dresses/ http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/2009/02/13/anthropologie-bridesmaids-dresses/#comments Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:04:30 +0000 styleinspired http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/?p=1206 ]]> I know I know I’m on a bridesmaids dress rampage these days. I just get so excited about ideas and unique alternatives to the typical dresses we’re use to seeing. This leads me to another favorite store that’s also a great source for some really cute dresses – Anthropologie!

Paula, one of my really close friends/bff/maid of honor and I were having this discussion about what store we thought defined our styles the most. Our styles are quite different. For her I picked bebe, because Paula’s taste is very modern, sexy, and contemporary. For me, I would definitely have to choose Anthropologie. Its earthy, feminine, dainty, bohemian, classy, and girly clothing, accessories, and even furniture completely epitomizes my taste and style. My earthy, capricorn self feels right at home when I walk into one of their stores.  Let’s oogle some bridal parties dressed in Anthropologie.

Photo taken by Jerry Yoon Photography

Photos taken by Viera Photographics

More dresses currently sold on their site:

In comparison to the cookie-cutter styles designed for bridesmaids, these Anthropologie dresses definitely have some character don’t ya think ? How do you like these Anthro dresses and what store represents your style?

Have a great Valentine’s Day weekend everyone! JD has our date planned so I’m excited to see what’s in store. I’m also looking forward to feature a guest blogger to share with you next week! =)

pebble belted corset $17.99

Old Navy floral lace camis $12.99

]]> http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/bargain-finds/feed/ 0 styleinspired charcoal-bow-tie-booties1 ivory-patent-bow-tie-booties1 black-patent-bow-tie-booties pebble-belted-corset floral-lace-camis http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/handbags-under-100/ http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/handbags-under-100/#comments Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:46:34 +0000 styleinspired http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/?p=1172 ]]> Here are some great finds on stylish handbags that will leave some cash in the bag.

Graniti two-toned handbag, $45 at aldoshoes.com

Eve fringed messenger bag, $44.50 at delias.com

Fred Flare shinetastic clasp purse, $42 at fredflare.com

Hayden Harnett for Target chain bag, $44.99 at target.com

Covert kisslock bag, $44.50 at thelimited.com

Sequin embellished tote, $59 at spiegel.com

Asos.com is UK’s largest online fashion retailer with an eclectic display of thousands of high-fashion designer pieces, own label products, and celebrity-inspired clothing like this dress from that “fab wedding” below. The design was inspired by celebrity, Kate Bosworth’s dress.  Unfortunately, it’s almost out of stock, but it’s on sale for $45.40. Yup that’s right, only $45.40!

If you go to the site and are confused as to how to make purchases because the prices are in euros, look to the top right hand corner and you can change the currency to US dollars. FYI shipping will probably be more costly. Definitely browse the ‘clearance’ section. It has some great bargains and it’s huge! Here’s a taste of what dresses I came across even to just wear for yourself. All these dresses except 2 ranged from about $20-$60.  Happy shopping! =)

]]> http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/2009/02/06/new-fave-online-store/feed/ 0 styleinspired ruffle-halter-dress1 ruffle-halter-dress2l ruffle-halter-dress3l1 asos11 asos2 asos3l asos-dress4 asos-dress5 asos-dress6 asos-dress7 asos-dress8l asos-dress9 asos-dress10 asos-dress11l asos-dress121 http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/fab-wedding/ http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/fab-wedding/#comments Wed, 04 Feb 2009 07:36:48 +0000 styleinspired http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/?p=1120 ]]> So I was perusing Nate and Jaclyn’s blog from The Image Is Found and my eyes skimmed and came to a halt when they landed on this fantastical, dreamlike wedding.

She has rosettes on her dress!! =)

whimsical genius. hmmmm, maybe we should try laying on the grass

Her bouquet looks yummy enough to eat. Love colorful flowers that POP!

Best. photo. booth. shot. ever.

The Image Is Found sets the bar for photo booth pics. Their whole line of photos are bursting with hilarity.

check it out

Here’s when I really stopped in wonder. You see what I’m seeing in the background? You thinkin what I’m thinkin?????……..

Where did they find those bridesmaid dresses???

Who knew such an in vogue bridesmaid dress could exist?

The bride was kind enough to share that these dresses for her bridesmaids were found on asos.com and to top it off – they’re quite affordable!

More about this site, the dresses, and online bargain finds to come!

Click here for a milkmaid braid tutorial.

]]> http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/got-milk/feed/ 1 styleinspired milkmaid_braid_hair11 milkmaid-braid-hair2 milkmaid-braid-hair3 milkmaid-braid-hair4 milkmaid-braid-hair5 http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/bridal-hairpiece-the-details/ http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/bridal-hairpiece-the-details/#comments Thu, 29 Jan 2009 02:50:16 +0000 styleinspired http://styleinspired.wordpress.com/?p=1080 ]]>

So I got the idea to make that hairpiece I posted below from this print ad photo taken by Amy Squires. This compromise is a cross between liking hair flowers, birdcage veils, and a mantilla veil and wanting to wear all of them – hehehe =). I made it not as large as the picture and did not want to embellish and dress it up too much because I thought that with my earrings, a mantilla veil, and my make up and hair did – it might be overkill and get too busy up there. Although I think I still need to play around with the different angles I could wear it.

Tools you’ll need:

- silk flowers can be found at most craft stores. got mine from Michael’s.

- a hair clip or barette

- glue gun or fabric glue

- (depending on what you want) rhinestones, pearls, lace, crystals, feathers, etc. – can all be found at fabric/craft stores

- scissors

- I bought my birdcage netting and that sheer iridescent material from Heddy’s fabric store in Vegas and cut the fabric into leaf/petal shapes

Find a picture of a hairpiece you like, copy, cut, and glue that baby together. That’s what I always think when I see a hair flower – “I could make that.” Twigs and Honey hand-makes hers, why can’t we?? Save yourself the $50-60 dollars.