Wedding Dress Bolero {FAB Friday}

by on Dec 16, 2011 (0) Comments

We are so spoiled here in San Diego with our constantly warm weather and sunny skies… but let me tell you, the fall and winter months are seasons of possibilities for a wardrobe! Mix that in with a little wedding planning (read: an excuse to spend a little more on accessories) and you are left with boundless options of fabulousity. Yes, I said fabulousity, like this exquisite J. Mendel Fur Bolero, which would look stunning on any bride, keep her warm, AND make a gorgeous momento you could wear over and over after the nuptials.

xxo!

Mandilee


Find it at Neiman Marcus

Real San Diego Wedding {Coronado Cays Yacht Club}

by on Dec 07, 2011 (0) Comments

Erica & Juan were married midsummer at the Coronado Cays Yacht Club. This was one of my first events where the wedding colors gray, yellow, and white presented themselves, I remember thinking it was SO modern and risky! I loved it! The year of this wedding, purple & green were all the rage, so I was definitely glad to meet a bride who wanted something new.

Erica and Juan are freelance dance instructors and wanted a celebration that was all about bringing everyone together to do just that… dance!

With a conservative budget and many priorities- one of them being able to help fly family members into San Diego from ALL over the world, so that they could take part in the day, Erica & Juan had to be very selective with every detail of their day. That meant there was a lot of DIY (do-it-yourself) efforts for items such as invitations, programs, escort cards, table name signs, etc., and it also meant that basics, such as flowers, cake, and the bar selection, were pared down to only what was necessary to create an event which was both welcoming and enjoyable for all the guests.

We maximized the budget by selecting delicate posey-style bouquets for the wedding party, the ceremony florals which lined the isle, served double duty by being transferred to the reception tables during cocktail hour. Also, our cake was of a simple design and all one flavor. Depending on the bakery, intricate designs, multiple flavors, or additional tiers can drive costs up. When your focus is the budget, don’t be swayed by what you think is the “typical” or “expected” cake, bouquet, or decor- make the decisions that suit your priorities regardless of what you see in the magazines or blogs. Our last budget control strategy was to use the linens provided by the venue (white napkins & table cloths) to pull together a simple, waterside, romantic look.

Sometimes, conservative budgets make you feel limited and as though you have to bypass the “pretty” things that make your wedding memorable… but as you can see in the following photos captured by AS Photography, there was nothing missing from this celebration, it was all dancing, good times, and laughs. Exactly what they wanted.

xxo!

Brenda

 

 

Flowers: Rae Florae | Cake: Shirley the Cake Lady | Photography: AS Photography | Venue: Coronado Cays Yacht Club | Officiant, DJ, and Bridesmaid dresses were provided by family friends.

Tuesday Shoesday!

by on Dec 06, 2011 (0) Comments

These were not the shoes I intended on showing you today, but in a search for the pair I intended to share, these flashed by on a rotating ad (yes flashy & shiny things always get me!) and viola, here they are!

Are these yummo or what?? Suede is all the rage this fall, actually suede has been the rage since last fall, but you know how trends go… they stick around a bit…plus it usually takes us West Coasters a year or two to catch up to what London & NYC have been doing for a few seasons. These beauties come in black too, but the way I see it, black shoes are abundant and you probably have at least a half dozen pairs of black pumps in your closet, so why not venture out into the world of fun multi-colored shoes which can turn an ordinary outfit into a fabulous outfit… add some super glam lipstick and you are ready to go!

These are called the Thelma Pump by Levity and you can find them at DSW. Happy Tuesday Shoesday!!

xxo!

Brenda

Red, White, and Black Wedding {Inspire Me Monday}

by on Dec 05, 2011 (0) Comments

For those of you who are recently engaged, are knee-deep into wedding planning, or heck, just perusing through in the land of flowers, cake, and love galore… our Inspire Me Monday posts are meant to do just that… Inspire. We believe that inspiration can come from anything and be purposeful to anyone in a variety of ways. Really, it is all about embracing the pretty in life and running with it.

Today’s boards, put together by Swann Squad member, Ania Archer, were inspired by delicate flowers; Poppies & Anemones. I purposely didn’t let Ania know how much I LOVE both flowers when she first told me she was creating boards around them. Had it not been for the fact my own wedding was planned around my husband’s naval schedule, we would have been married in the spring when anemones are aplenty! But alas, sometimes you have to give up what you think is important for what really matters…

Buuut back to the anemones & poppies! We believe that anything which entices positive, happy, excited, feelings within you, is plenty of inspiration for your wedding. Such as these beautiful flowers which presented a color palette of vibrant red, white, with a touch of black. The balance between the white and red colors is perfect for a modern styled wedding where the color black gets to be the flair for that look. However, if you wanted to use red and black with accents of white, you could have a much more formal styled soirée (see picture #5 on the third board). Change the way you use the colors even more to mostly red + varying shades of the color and you could end up with a very whimsical atmosphere (photo #4 on the second board). I venture to say, that this combo could also incorporate a bit of dark aubergine (eggplant) or even navy blue to add a fun and unexpected twist. Really….the possibilities are endless!

Wowza… all that inspiration from just some little flowers…

Whether you want to have a stylish, informal,  whimsical,  or modern atmosphere- inspiration is all around you.. instead of looking through magazines and their paid ads, take a moment to look around you next time you are happy or excited and notice all the elements creating that feeling.

xxo!

Brenda & Ania

 1. Chair Flower Arrangements, 2. Poppy and Anemone Bouquet, 3. Poppy and Anemone Bouquet, 4. Anemone Centerpiece Arrangements, 5. Anemone and Poppy Centerpieces.

1. Red Heels, 2. 1950′ Vintage Dress, 3. Anemone Headpiece, 4. Bridesmaids Dresses.

1. Escort Cards, 2. Table Numbers, 3. Escort Cards, 4. Invitations, 5. Invitations.

1. Red & Black Anemones Cake, 2. Painted Poppies Cake, 3. Cake Topper, 4.  Cupcakes, 5. White Cake with Poppies, 6. Red Poppy Cake.

Tuesday Shoesday!

by on Nov 29, 2011 (2) Comments

You aren’t going to believe it…today’s shoes were selected by Mr. Swann Soirées!

When I first met the mister, I was living in a 250sf studio in Pacific Beach, which had an outdoor rubbermaid shed as an extension of the closet (since there was very little room inside). You laugh now, BUT my washer & dryer were also outside so it made putting away the laundry super easy! Anyway… I lived in a hole and it was filled with shoes… mostly ugly and boring, corporate-phenom-appropriate AND silly clubbing shoes. When he took the crazy risk of having me move-in with him to his 400sf studio, he said some of my stuff had to go… which obviously could not be my shoes I thought… but I thought wrong, he disliked my crazy amounts of shoes so much he made a deal with me, for every three pairs I got rid of, he’d buy me one nice, shiny, new pair!

Guess who went to the thrift store about a dozen times as she prepped to move?? I sure hope that he isn’t reading this post… hahaha. Is shoe swindling wrong??

Ok so fast forward seven or so years, he apparently has grown to understand my obsession since he picked out this week’s pair by surprising me with them over the weekend. These Enzo Angiolini “Mistle” Pumps are delish! Perfect for pairing with a little black dress this holiday season. The heel is a little thin but it’s a classic! At only 3.5 inches high and with no additional platform at the front, totally easy to walk & dance in. Plus who doesn’t love a little detailing? I love the lace-up heel and over-sized bow, it perfectly accentuates the back of the ankle. Sexy! The pair is patent leather, light and flexible, and of course, we all love a good peep toe! Best news is that they come in black, nude AND they are under a hundred bucks, which in my mind means you can buy them without having to get rid of three other pairs… Happy Shoe Shopping!

xxo!

Brenda

 

Giggle & Mingle 2011 {Our Annual Toy Drive}

by on Nov 28, 2011 (3) Comments

Where has this year gone?? It has flashed before our eyes so wonderfully that it is now nearly December! Whoa.

As you may already know, the Toys for Tots foundation holds a special place in my heart, and because of that, the Swann Squad and I take on toy collecting for them starting in October. We also host an annual bash, Giggle & Mingle, which is a the jolliest Toy Drive turned party you’ll attend yet!

Giggle & Mingle is open to everyone and anyone who can read this post (so share share share!), entrance to the party is a toy worth over $10 {due to allergens, NO PLUSH or stuffed toys please}. This year we’ll be celebrating the night away at Prospect Bar and Grill in La Jolla, where our friend Cesar has hooked us up with $1 Coora Light & $1 Svedka not to mention FREE appetizers for the early birds and happy hour prices on food! We’ll be rocking to tunes by DJ Jay of Brannan Entertainment and you’ll get to snap your silly fun times in the After the Engagement photo booth too! All ages welcome!

So gather up all your friends, neighbors, loved ones, heck even the people you just kinda like… get some toys and come on over Giggle & Mingle 2011! Your heart will feel warm and cozy for it, I promise you!

BIG FAT XXOs to you!

Brenda