Posted by: marvelousgirl on: January 11, 2010
If you’re getting married this year, you have to check out these marvelous hair accessories! 2010 is all about the headbands and hairpins:
Spring
Tasha Flower Hair Clip – Lush rose crafted from raw-edge satin for an organic look that can be worn as a hair clip or pinned to clothing. Available at Nordstrom for $28.
Summer
Starfish pinned to sleek locks are a creative touch for a beach wedding; complete this look with a flowing, halter-style wedding dress.
Fall
Golden brown pheasant wing with crochet flowers on white gold metallic band, Windy Freda, $88, windyfreda.com.
Winter
Ice Princess – A large rhinestone gives this white feathered and embroidered organza satin comb an extra icy effect, $75, shopbando.com.
Posted by: marvelousgirl on: January 10, 2010
We saw these save-the-date announcements and totally fell in love! Handkerchiefs can put a creative, elegant spin on your upcoming wedding and they’re so easy to make at home.
Items needed:
1) Handkerchiefs
2) Sissors
3) Iron templates
4) An iron
The trickiest part is reversing the letters on the template so they don’t iron-on backwards. Once you write your save-the-date announcement in a Word or any other text-edit document, go to print and specify that you want the image printed as “mirror”. This is usually located under “preferences” in your print menu.
Once you have the text printed on the iron template, place the image where you like it on the hankie. Make sure it’s straight and then iron it on. It’s that easy!
Posted by: marvelousgirl on: October 7, 2009
Did you know that smell is the most closely tied sense to your memory? Brides-to-be want everything from their dress, hair and make-up to their flowers, cake and venue to be perfect, but what about the most memory triggering element of all…their perfume?
Foreverlily, a fragrance that’s intended to open the heart and inspire hope, could not be more perfect for your wedding day. It’s an enveloping Oriental blend with a top note is dominated by clove and sweet accents of lemon and fresh lychee. The fresh green crispness of fig and the feminine presence of stargazer lily are equally balanced in the middle note. The base note is comprised of cedarwood, vanilla, amber and sandalwood.
Posted by: marvelousgirl on: June 29, 2009
With the same artistry and precision that sustains his namesake line, Gilles Montezin introduces his first bridal collection. The brand has long captured the hearts of women and loyalty of luxury retailers and stylists across the country—namely Kleinfeld, Saks Fifth Avenue, Patricia Field, and Sarah Jessica Parker. With this bridal collection Montezin also introduces a dynamic waist slimming construction, “Le Cinch™”.
Having built countless bustiers and corsets as a costume designer at The Opera Bastille in Paris, Montezin has an unmatched eye for tailoring. With a strong emphasis on cut and shape came the discovery of new boning and bodice construction methods. Coined by the designer himself, “Le Cinch™” is an abbreviated interpretation of the traditional corset that nearly doubles its predecessor’s figure enhancing effects. The dresses are less confining and achieve the perfect hourglass silhouette with unprecedented comfort. The slenderizing effects of Le Cinch™ offer a bride an instant reduction of two to four inches from the waistline! The collection is available in sizes up to 18W. Larger sizes are available via special order. Dresses range from $4,000 – $7,000 retail.
“I’m not looking to make a ‘statement’,” said Gilles. “Whether ready-to-wear or bridal I’m looking to make woman’s dreams reality; I’m looking to make women feel and look amazing!” Most recently Gilles’ work was featured in ELLE Sweden, Women’s Wear Daily, and on Sarah Jessica Parker in the film Sex and the City.
Gilles Montezin’s new bridal collection has not been posted to his website yet, but to view some of the collection click here. Or to view his is ready-to-wear line, click here.
Posted by: marvelousgirl on: May 17, 2009
With the recession in full force, many people are putting off their engagement ring shopping until better times. But, thanks to the hot new trend of band stacking, you can now move forward with your wedding plans and still be chic – for cheap. Women these days are passing on the giant solitaire and instead opting for two, three or even four wedding bands!
The trick is to choose different stone shapes, colors and sizes. For those even more daring, throw in a yellow-gold band among your white-gold, platinum or silver bands.
No one has to know you can’t afford a giant rock, because the trend of stacking wedding bands is ultra glamours!
engagment ring, budget, cheap, recession, bling, diamond,
Posted by: marvelousgirl on: May 9, 2009
Hair is one of the most important elements to completing your prom look. For those of you who can’t afford to go to the salon this year, Marvelous Girl is brining the salon to you. Hairstylist, Penny Doster at Hollywoood And Mane, provided some simple, costless tips to get the perfect do-it-yourself prom hair.
“This season it’s all about the feminine romantic look, which is so easy to do at home,” explained Penny.
1) Flat iron your hair straight
2) Tease the crown area for a bit of volume
3) Pull sections from either side of the temples to the back of the head
4) Twist the two sections together a couple of times and begin bobby pinning
5) Add some smoothing serum to minimize flyaways
6) Finally, add an accessory like a flower or a decorative pin/comb
TIP: Match the color of your bobby pins as close as possible to your hair color; unless you’re looking for them to stand out.
“A common mistake people make before prom is washing their hair. Your natural oils will help the style set and stay, so it’s best not to shampoo the day of the big event,” suggested Penny.
If you have hair questions for Penny, email
Posted by: marvelousgirl on: March 17, 2009
So you’re looking for the perfect gown but can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars on a Vera Wang dress. Just because you can’t buy couture, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look like you’re wearing couture. Still a well kept secret, J.Crew now offers a bridal collection that will have you looking beautiful while feeling like a smart buyer.
According to J.Crew, the company’s designers search the world for the best and most luxurious fabrics (many of which come from couture fabric houses). They are obsessed with detail, ensuring that every dress is cut to fit, impeccably finished and always elegantly designed.
The company also has an array of exquisit shoes and bridesmaid dresses. This is truley an easy, inexpensive way to a fabulous wedding.
Suggested dresses: Feather Chiffon Gown ($795.00) and Solid Silk Chiffon Whitney Long ($325.00)
Posted by: marvelousgirl on: March 9, 2009
brides on a budget. Lower discretionary spending and consumer sentiment is expected to hit the bridal industry hard this year, according to industry research firm IBISWorld. Expenditure on engagement rings, bridal gowns and wedding planners is expected to take another hit in 2009 – following a decline in expenditure in 2008 – as
couples are expected to put off the “big day” and ride out the tough economic times.
“Fewer couples are expected to walk down the aisle this wedding season, as the recession is expected to exacerbate the already declining marriage rate,” explained Toon van Beeck, senior industry analyst with IBISWorld.
Couples who do wed during the year are expected to do so in a less-grandiose style, and are more likely to plan the event themselves. Wedding planners make up around 3 percent of revenue of the Personal Trainers, Wedding Planners & Other Services industry and are expected to generate 4.2 percent less revenue in 2009, down to $785 million.
Wedding dress purchases account for an estimated 10 percent of Lingerie, Swimwear, Uniform & Bridal Stores sales, but are expected to decline by 2.8 percent during 2009 – following a fall of 4.2 percent in 2008. Spending on bridal gowns will dip to $973 million, as creative brides increasingly purchase non-traditional gowns for their big day. Instead of frequenting bridal stores, they will be more likely to find their garment in a high-end Department Store or formal clothing store.
The average cost of a wedding dropped by more than 20 percent in 2008, and is expected to decline further by 8 percent this year. While some of this will be due to consumers cutting costs where possible, prices are expected to average lower than previous years.
“While some couples are putting off their ceremony until the financial time is right, those who can afford it should consider getting married in 2009,” said van Beeck. “They may get more bang for their wedding buck.”
