Bridal by The English Dept. Fashion Show

The English Dept. debuts its 2008 bridal collection. New designs by Thread, Jenny Yoo, Simple Silhouettes, Melissa Sweet Bridal Party and Vera Wang Maids will be on show. We also devote a portion of the show to bridal designs by a handpicked crew of Portland designers: Kate Towers and Holly Stalder of Seaplane, Adam Arnold, Terri Spaeth-Merrick of Embellish, and yours truly. I'm really excited about these new collections--should be a smashing show!

Hi-C meets E.D.

Ruffle top and raw silk skirt for a client who winters in Tucson. These ruffly, pleat-y shapes are very me, but the fruit punch colors aren't usually something I'd gravitate toward, which made it a fun experiment in expressing her style and mine together. Into a box and off to Arizona today.

In this gauzy light...

A bride stopped by The English Dept. last fall looking for a cozy cover-up to go over her wedding dress (a gorgeous champagne and apricot silk chiffon cocktail dress by Alberta Ferretti). Not finding what she wanted off the rack, I custom made a little '60s style short jacket for her. Feather-light wool gauze in a deep cream color, and an antique rhinestone button. This photo, which she just sent me, perfectly captures her soft, effortless beauty. This is the kind of project I love.

Kids Parties

Having had many years of organising and decorating parties for children, least of all my own now thankfully grown up teenage girls, I am now faced with the prospect of having to do it all again for twinkle!

Excuse the tomato sauce!

Some fab ideas for throwaway parties from http://www.thinkgarnish.com/ whilst letting the kids be creative.

Spring ideas

Top Row Tea Forte, MS, The Knot

Centre Loves me Love me Knot

Second Row, MS, The Knot

Third Row, L's me L's me K, MS

Fourth Row L's me L;s me K, MS

Spring Weddings, I love spring flowers and all the pastel colours, Daisies, Vintage Roses, Daffodils, Tulips, Hyacinths,

all sum up the spring for a wedding this time of year.

Try incorporating butterflies into this theme as it works so well.

Preston Bailey - My Idol!

WOW! I absolutely love this man and his work, my idol!

Here is one example of his fantastic works of art.

Preston Bailey is world renowned for his innate sense of style,

and fabulous creations for celebrities in the US.

Check out his website www.prestonbailey.com

Preston Bailey has published three wonderful books, that anyone creative with a runaway fantasy imagination like me has, will absolutely love, they are officially on my coffee table!

Big budgets, though, needed to create these fantasy events,

anyone wishing to stage an a event like this please contact me

I will be in heaven!

Mini Marvel

I confess--I wish more brides would wear short dresses for their weddings. We all love a long gown, but a girl with the guts (and the gams) to rock a mini has a special place in my heart. When Oregon Bride magazine asked me to design an exclusive wedding dress for their spring 2008 issue, I couldn't resist raising the hemline.

Colonial Elegance at Golf Club Greens and Creams with a touch of Gold

Top Row Images from The Knot

Second Row Place cards Jonathan Canlas Photography

Third Row Jonathan Canlas Photography

Centre Image The Knot

Bottom Images The Knot

Cool Greens, creams with a touch of gold for a May Wedding at Marbella Golf

Pink and Red colour scheme

Centre image http://www.bridalwave.tv/

Top row images from The Knot

Second Row cake MS

3rd row dresses MS

Bottom row second image http://www.shop-handmadecraftcompany.com/ table setting MS

Gosh here we are only just into January and already I am putting together ideas for brides here in Marbella. Will keep posting them as I design them. This bride has emailed me and cannot decide between pink or red, yet the combination of the two will be far more stunning than just one colour. We also have such bright colours here in Spain with the fuschia buganvillas and red hibiscus this colour scheme will work so well with any event here in Spain.

Valentines Inspirations

Top row the chocolate favours, confetti club green, roses front door, favour box ask ginka

Second row heart garland loves me loves me knot, votive & heart chocolate box the turkey, valentine image the front door

Third Row heart box, club green, hearts and cake the turkey red table setting the knot

Fourth Row red paper lantern Swensen photography, red heart the knot, red heart placecard setting the knot

Valentines, the romantics reds, hearts, chocolates (hurray!), red roses.

Inspirations to create some wonderful table settings and decorations

for this romantic time of year

Valentines ideas

I have just come across this clever site called www.thinkgarnish.com.

Great site with lots of ideas for packaging and table settings

Photo Shoot Los Monteros

Well finally after a busy Christmas and getting ready for 2008 we kickstarted off with the photo shoot at Los Monteros and of course it was cloudy, cold and damp so inside we went.

We did manage to get a few shots outside though, note the grey skies!

Here is my beach theme, turquoise with cream paper orchids, shells, white pebbles and turquoise crystals.

These are my photos but when I receive the images from Los Monteros I will post those on, sure they will be a lot better than mine!

Fait Accompli

A recently completed custom wedding dress inspired by the graceful pleats and folds of a Grecian gown. The fabric is a wonderful silk-cotton blend. It has just enough sheen to convey a kind of stately luxury, but it's so breezy and comfortable to wear. It's all dressed up by the trim--gold silk organza frayed on the bias, layered under beaded embroidery. The wedding will be at a family estate in Gloucester, Connecticut, and I imagine the bride sweeping over the lawns overlooking the sea, a loose tangle of wildflowers in her hand...

Fearless in fuchsia

I love Joanna. Her sense of style and adventure when it comes to clothes are a dream for a designer. She had me whip up this very simple shift for her in the loudest, loveliest shade of hot pink. In that color--the color of azaleas, popsicles and grandma's lipstick all rolled into one--the crisp lines and '60s silhouette just look so terribly chic. Notice the kelly green shoes? Love Joanna. Love her.