Crowning & Fabulous: "Marry Me" Ring

 This ring says it all, "Marry Me"!

Whether you are the non-traditional type, or you're the kind of guy that wants to propose, but can't choose a setting, this ring speaks for you.

Designed by Solange Azagury-Partridge in 18-karat gold. This design can be purchased from Net-A-Porter.com or visit the designer's website for locations.

Crowning Inspiration: Must-do Pre {& Post} Wedding Shots: Shoes Part II

Wedding Shoes are such a fun topic that I couldn't wrap it all into just one post!

If you missed the first post, check it out here.

Bridesmaids are stepping it up with fun colors and grooms & groomsmen are complimenting the bride's style with fun socks.

For the Groom, I love these "Cold Feet" Socks!
This DIY idea is compliments of Pretty Blog.
This creative template comes in blue or green. Just print and wrap up!
 

Where to shop? Love the colors and patterns from Happy Socks

Crowning & Fabulous: Pomona Chocolates

Every girl loves getting packages. And today's was extra sweet!

To my delight I received a sampling from

chocolatier, Julia Lachowyn

of Pomona Chocolates in Huron, Ohio.

These homemade chocolates a free of fillers, waxes or preservatives and

can be styled and coordinated to match any color scheme and event.

My sampling included flavors such as:

Salted caramel truffle with fluer de sel sea salt

Rasberry Chambord bonbon with heart and vine print

Limoncello white chocoalte truffle

Limoncello white chocolate floral bonbon

Moijito bonbon with green geodesic print

Pomegranate and champagne truffle with raspberry dust

Animal printed passionfruit bonbon

Kona Coffee bonbon with white cubist print
Kona Coffee truffle with cacao nibs

They taste as fabulous as they look! And I have to say the sea salt is
a perfect compliment to the caramel truffle!!!

Chocolates can be ordered in any quantity. Two, four and one piece favor boxes are available.

To order contact Julie at (419) 433.3670 or email

Crowning & Cunning: The Paula Brown Shop

This morning I had a great meeting with Paula & Peter Brown, and Lucy the dog, at the

For those of you who are not familiar - then get to know this shop! It has the latest, hottest and trendiest items for the home and kitchen. It's the modern, Toledo Bride's must-do registry. Not only are their products fun, but reliable,
and they will be treasured for years to come.

Recently, the Paula Brown Shop has expanded their registry items. Not only can you find fabulous china, serving ware, linens, crystal and glassware, but the Paula Brown Shop is now carrying All-Clad and Cuisinart, as well as Wustholf and Le Creuset. Play up fun kitchen accessories and utensils from Joseph Joseph and Iitalla. Look for more great items from these brands as the shop expands the department this Spring.

What I love most about the Paula Brown Shop is that you can mix traditional with modern with favorites from Alessi, Mariposa, Raynaud and Michael Aram.

In addition to your bridal registry, the Paula Brown Shop also offers a wide selection of stationery for all your entertaining needs. From engagement parties, bridal showers and rehearsal dinners, the shop also carries save-the-dates and wedding invitations from Lallie, William Arthur, Crane & Co, Kate Spade and Vera Wang, to name a few.

Like the Paula Brown Shop on Facebook and check out their website for
more registry information.
Stay tuned to this blog and the Paula Brown Facebook page for more info on their
Bridal Open House, Saturday, May 7th.

Crowning Inspiration: Sweet Goodness

You can serve up some sweet confections and aid the tsumnami victims in Japan with these Cherry Blossom cup cake wrappers.

From March 16 to April 30, 2011, Dress My Cupcake will donate 100% of net proceeds of the sale of the Sakura Wrappers™ to Doctors Without Borders (MSF)to aid the victims of the Japanese tsunami and earthquake.

Japanese sakura, or "cherry blossoms" come into bloom once a year during March/April for only two weeks. The vibrance and beauty of the blossoming sakura represents the re-blossoming of the Japanese people.

Crowning Inspiration: Must-do Pre {& Post} Wedding Shots: Shoes Part I

Who doesn't love shoes?! Whether yours are high, platform, flat, kitten-healed, rubber-bottomed, laced-up, zipped-up or slipped on, a girl has to have her shoes!

From the moment Annie Banks, in the Father of the Bride 1991 remake, appeared in her wedding Sidekicks, brides have not been afraid to express their shoe style.

A trend we have been seeing for a few years is the wedding day "statement" shoe. Brides are expressing their wedding day colors and personality. A growing trend this year is the ultimate sparkly, crystal-embellished shoe {as seen in my last post} 

and a patterned shoe such as leopard print and polka-dots.

Be sure to capture your shoe-sonality on wedding day. Check out these fun "stems":

Shoot your shoes with rings, your bouquet or dress as the backdrop.

{look carefully at the above, top left image. Those shoes are in the chandelier!}

A few tips to insure the perfect pair:

- As popular as shoes are, its still all about the dress. You shoes should compliment your wedding day style - not overshadow or out-shine your dress. In other words, your shoes should complete the look, no steal the show.

- As fun as trends are, don't let them steer you away from your wedding day style. If you are reserved and graceful, go for a vintage, classic shoe in a softer color. But if you are loud and wild, go for a brighter shoe with accents.

- Comfort is key! You will spend a long day on your feet standing, dancing and walking. If you are questioning the comfort of your wedding shoes ask if they are returnable. Then take them home and walk around on the carpet. If you cannot make it an hour, you will not be able to break them.

- For some extra cushion be sure to check out Dr. Scholl's inserts. They also make great tokens to tuck into bridesmaids and mother-of-the-bride gifts.

- After your shoes are photographed and admired, you can add some extra traction to make sure you don't slip down the aisle. I love Foot Petals. They come in white for lighter-colored soles.

- No one is perfect and most likely your feet are not the same size. Be sure to get the right fit with added cushion to the back heal, arch or toes. More great options found at Foot Petals.

- Nothing can ruin the look more than going from some fabulous shoes to boring flip flops. To keep your groove going on the dance floor bring along some fun "pumps" or "sneakers" or classy ballet flats. I love the ballet flats and bamboo-lined flip flops from The Dessy Group. They have 180+ colors to choose from!

Look for Part II this weekend to include groom's socks and bridesmaids shoes!

Crowning & Fabulous: Jimmy Choo's 15th Anniversary Crystal Collection

Move over Manolo! I am loving Jimmy Choo's Crystal Collection for this year's bridal shoe. And whats even better is that it comes in flats for the girl who doesn't want to tower over her groom, but still wear fabulous shoes!

Or it also makes a great Mother-Daughter matching shoe.

The high-heeled Samba is featured in the middle with the matching Rachelle in the kitten heal. Shop Jimmy Choo online or at Nordstroms.

Crowning Inspiration: Must-do Pre Wedding Shots

Before you say your "I Dos", there are a few photographs every bride must have: your bridal gown (without you in it), your shoes, your wedding bands & wedding day jewelry, your invitation, program and any other stationery used (menus, escort cards, place cards, welcome bag tags, etc.) and finally your bouquet (before its over handled, nudged and petals are bruised).

Basically, to sum it up: details, details, details!!!!

Let's start with the dress. I have spent quite some time looking for these shots. These are my favorites.

When thinking about where you are going to be getting dressed on wedding day, think about where you are going to hang your gown, the lighting, the hanger its on and the atmosphere.

Mix it up and include your Groom's tux or the bridesmaids dresses!
What's your favorite look? Photogs, tell us what angle you love to shoot the dress!