r-browne asked you:

I have to attend my cousin’s wedding over Thanksgiving weekend in San Francisco. I recently moved to Los Angeles, and want to have a triumphant return to the family nest. But! I am a little flummoxed by what to wear to a winter wedding. And the weather in San Fransisco should be miserable (foggy, windy, grey, possibly rainy). I only have a budget of around $100, how can I make glamorous happen? And, I don’t want to look out of place with the season. Is it possible?

I’d suggest finding a great long-sleeved dress, like this gorgeous cranberry version (ASOS Button Back Dress, $79) and accessorizing it with chic wedges (Vince Camuto “Dolly”, $89.50) and fun jewelry (Forever21 Necklace, $6.80). The best thing about this look is that it will also work well with a trench coat or even with a simple scarf/pashmina.

I’d also suggest doing a simple, undone chignon to avoid having a rainy day hair disaster and keeping makeup simple with a lined upper lash line and a bit of color on your lips (MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick, $14).

I hope this helps!

Anonymous asked:

Dear Jaclyn,
Since you have the knack of finding awesome affordable items online, would you be able to help me find a one shoulder bodycon/figure-hugging dress in either coral, turquoise or navy blue that won’t break my bank (talking around $40 or under here.. srs tight budget)? I’m looking to wear it for a evening summer wedding indoor I’ll be attending. I am a little tired of the A-line/empire waist dress and want something that is more figure hugging, hence the bodycon. If it’s not too much, your advice on accessory would be much, much appreciated.
Thank you so much and have a great day!

I couldn’t find a true bodycon dress with your specifications, but I did find this one! It’s an incredibly flattering cut that will skim over your body and is also under your desired price point. I hope this helps!

1. Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Yellow Brick Road, $16
2. Nine West Wedges, $50
3. Lulus.com Chiffon Dress, $32
4. Forever 21 Earrings, $4.80
5. ModCloth Ring, $14
6. Madewell Clutch, $45

We’re now on the verge of the spring/summer wedding season and guests will start thinking about purchasing your gift (if they haven’t already!). For those of you just starting your registries, it can be overwhelming and irritating—besides the fact that it can feel weird to make a wish list that all your guests will see. You may disagree with your fiance about what to put on the registry, your parents/family/bridesmaids/etc may insist you NEED something on your registry that you really don’t want and you’re afraid your guests may balk at the prices of items.

Don’t forget the original purpose of a wedding registry: stupid as it may seem sometimes, it was designed to be mutually beneficial. It lets the couple getting married put specific items of need on a list and prevents getting more than one of the same item. For wedding guests, it takes all the guesswork out of what to get the couple. This is extremely helpful, especially if you don’t know them well.

But, in order for a wedding registry to really work, you have to be realistic about what it is, what it does and what it can do for you. Here’s a few tips:

• Choose items with a wide price range. There may be a guest who is willing to spring for your $250 automatic trash can and your $800 vacuum, but make sure to also include items in a $30-$100 price range for guests who may not be able to afford high-ticket items.
• On the other hand, guests may be turned off by your registry if it’s full of frivolous, expensive items that don’t make sense to your guests. Think about who is coming to your wedding and be realistic about what you need and what they’ll be willing to purchase. 
• If you’re having a destination wedding that requires everyone to travel some distance, and especially if you’re not paying for all lodging, scale back your registry accordingly. Although you may think it’s a privilege for your guests to be invited to your super-chic wedding on a tropical island somewhere, realize that destination weddings are expensive for guests to attend if their lodging, transportation and food are not covered or subsidized in some way. Adjust your registry to reflect the circumstances of your wedding.
• Don’t be afraid to be different. If you hate to cook, don’t feel like you have to ask for cookware. If you and your fiance really need a bookshelf in your home, put a bookshelf on your registry. It’s fun for guests to see nontraditional items on a registry and it will make you feel better not to have wasted their money on more traditional items you’d never use. 

If You Already Have Everything You Need For Your Kitchen

Most couples now don’t need a full supply of items for their kitchen. This made more sense years ago when couples got married young, straight out of high school, in college, right out of college, and they moved into a new home with no furniture and no kitchenwares. Now, as couples get married older, they tend to have their homes set the way they like and their kitchens are more or less well-stocked with tools that would have typically been seen on a registry.

In this case, focus on home decor or home organization items that you have not yet bought for yourself. Think about things you wouldn’t usually buy—things that might be a treat, like high thread-count sheets. Or, storage/organizational pieces that you’ve been meaning to get but get shoved down your priority list.

Here are some ideas of what to include:

1. West Elm Zig Zag Rug in Espresso/Ivory/Flax, starting at $49
2. Simply Shabby Chic Crystal Candlestick Table Lamp, $45
3. Hudson Park 600 Thread Count Solid Sheets, $150
4. Jonathan Adler Charade Heart Vase, $98
5. Crate&Barrel Marimekko Pieni Unikko Pillow, $41 
6. Diptyque Baies Candle, $60
7. The Container Store Wall-Mounted Enameled Divided Cube, $69
8. Way Basics Eco Friendly 3 Shelf Bookcase, $95

If You Need Everything For Your Kitchen And Have No Idea Where To Start

It’s so overwhelming to look at suggested items for registries now. The sheer amount of “important” or “essential” kitchen items and accessories can make your head spin.

Here are some basics I’d recommend:

Also include: A water/juice pitcher, a microwave (if you don’t have one), a roasting pan, lots of spatulas, measuring cups/spoons and aprons/oven mitts.

If You Want To Have Some Fun With Your Wedding Gifts

If you’re more non-traditional and you don’t need any specific gift items, here’s a fun idea: Tell guests to choose a gift for you that was a favorite wedding gift they got, something that has personal meaning to them, or something that has been enormously helpful to them at home. Have them write a little card and include it with the gift to explain why they chose it. It gives guests the opportunity to be more thoughtful in their choice of gift, and has a personal touch element that’s often missing from gifts bought straight off a registry.

If You Want Offbeat Items From Stores With No Registry

If you want books or electronics on your registry, for example, consider using MyRegistry.com. It allows you to register for gifts in many stores (including stores that don’t have registry options) and lists everything in one place for your guests. This is even great to use if you are registered in three or four different places, as it simplifies shopping for your guests.

If You Don’t Want Gifts, But You Really Want A Honeymoon

Honeymoons aren’t cheap! Many couples are opting out of gifts and are instead registering with a website like HoneyFund.com and asking guests to contribute a bit toward their honeymoon instead. Be aware that some people may be offended by this, and some may even ignore your request and just bring you a gift instead. There are all sorts of variables to choosing something like this instead of traditional gifts, but be aware that some guests may take an “oh, that’s optional” approach to contributing. People also tend to spend less money when it’s contributing to a fund than when purchasing a specific item, so you may not get as much as you think.

If you do choose to do this, make sure you have emergency funds available to pay for the outstanding balance on the honeymoon—because the last thing you want to do is not go at all because you were $900 shy of your fundraising goal.

Do you have any registry questions or suggestions? Do you have a unique registry or gift-giving story from your wedding or one you attended?

Happy two year anniversary, Brandon!

May we continue to be the classiest, most elegant couple we know.

Love,

Jackie

Anonymous asked:

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=31129&N=1200007&pCategoryId=3359&categoryId=211&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_211&loc=TN&defaultColor=White&defaultSizeType=Regular
I bought this dress for a wedding this coming weekend in AZ. The ceremony is in the afternoon and then the reception at a resort at night. Can you help me with shoes & a day/ night look? Im sure at night it will get cooler.
Thank You! I love your blog!

It’s a great dress! Because wearing white dresses to weddings can be a little tricky, I tried to use eye-catching accessories to give the overall look more balance—and to make it obvious you are a stylish guest, not a misplaced bridesmaid! The faux suede jacket will give you extra warmth in the evening, but it’s not so heavy that you’ll feel restricted.

Have fun!

1. Express Faux Suede Jacket, $50 (from $98)

2. Ann Taylor LOFT Dress, $89.50

3. Vestique Earrings, $14.50

4. Aldo Clutch, $40

5. BCBG Enamel Bracelet, $25

6. Nine West “Ageless” Wedges, $79

michmaybenot asked:

Hey Jaclyn,

I’m getting married in May and am having a terrible time finding bridesmaids dresses! I’m wearing a tea-length gown in ivory (http://tinyurl.com/2d567sz), and would love to have the girls in something below-the-knee that “ties in” to my dress and our afternoon tea reception, that they really*could* wear again. Any suggestions?

This was a hard one! I always have a difficult time finding bridesmaids dresses since, for the most part, the bridal industry thinks that the ideal bridesmaid is wearing some kind of hideous version of the wrap dress in satin. On the other hand, you can find more chic options at retailers such as J.Crew, but their prices are (in my opinion) exorbitant to ask a bridesmaid to pay for, especially when they are unlikely to be able to wear the dress to another event.

This dress I came up with for you is a risky choice because many brides refuse (hate! loathe!) to see any guest at the wedding, let alone a bridesmaid, in the white or ivory “bridal” color. But, hear me out!

Your dress is so gorgeous: the unusual, chic tea length, the layers of tulle, the whimsical feathered overlay. In a dress like that, someone could walk in wearing a Cruella de Vil coat and no one would give them a second glance. You’re going to steal the show.

Also, because your dress is so different from what the typical bride wears (strapless, a-line, maybe a flower embellishment at the waist), it’s hard to find a silhouette and color that compliments it. I think going for color for the bridesmaids is the wrong choice. That would take the attention away from you. It would be jarring, I think. You’re wearing this absolutely gorgeous dress, but you’re surrounded by red or navy or pink. It would be too much.

The solution I came up with was to find a dress that’s not designated a “bridesmaid” dress, but has a similar look and feel to your bridal gown so that the whole thing will be more cohesive. It’s not a tea-length dress, but it’s long enough to be modest and it’s still whimsical enough to do your dress justice.

I have answered questions similar to this before, and I think I wrote this last time too, but I always recommend finding bridesmaid dresses from a retailer that everyone has easy access to and that carries extended sizing. The likelihood that all your bridesmaids will be able to buy and fit into a sale item, or a vintage item or a size 0 through 14 dress is fairly slim. You don’t want anyone embarrassed because they can’t fit into the dress you’ve chosen. So, the best thing about this dress is that it’s available through Nordstrom (a trusted, dependable retailer) and also comes in extended sizes.

I obviously don’t know what color scheme you’ve chosen for your wedding, either, but I just wanted to add a few extra details to give you a better idea of how it would come together. You didn’t mention whether any portion of the wedding will be outside, but if it is, wedges or flats are always a good choice since they are more comfortable, a little less formal and won’t sink into the ground.

Even if you don’t like what I found, I hope this helps give you at least some help in continuing your search! I know you’ll find the perfect dresses, even if it’s not this one. :)

Congratulations on your wedding and I can’t wait to see some photos of you in that gown!

Bridesmaids Dress: Donna Ricco Ruffle Silk Chiffon Gown, $168 ($133 for extended sizes)

Wedges: BP Wedge Pumps, $60

Nail Polish: Knockout Cosmetics Flatte Nail Polish in Calamine, $19

Bracelet: Nadri Thin Bangle Bracelet, $50

Anonymous asked:

Hi Jackie!

I know you can come to my rescue - where can I find a “raspberry”-colored knee-length dress that I can wear as maid of honor to my best friend’s wedding? She’s doing all her bridesmaids the ‘favor’ of letting us pick our own dresses, but I’m a tomboy and sort of fashion impaired, so she lost me at ‘raspberry.’ I don’t even know where to begin looking - please help!!

Katie

So, here’s the skinny on raspberry: it’s one of those shades that fashiony/designy people love to throw around because it encompasses a lot of possible shades into one phrase, but in their head, they know exactly what color they mean.

Unfortunately, no one else does.

This habit of using fruits or vaguely subjective terms to describe color has trickled down to the wedding folk who just love using all sorts of fancy language to describe their bridal vision.

But, back to you. Here’s the problem:

These are raspberries. They are a delicious, if a bit tart, fruit that is generally thought to be in the red color family, although they can vary in color depending on what variety they are, how ripe they might be, if they are withering on the vine (so to speak), etc. etc.

But, here we have the “raspberry” as envisioned by most design houses, interior designers, magazine editors, wedding planners and the like:

Ah yes, I count no less than 11 different shades in this square, varying from the quite red to the very pink, and I guarantee you will find someone that would name each of these shades as “raspberry” on any given day.

Here’s the solution I’ve come up with: several dresses, varying designs and price ranges (I’m not sure how much you are prepared to pay for your bridesmaid dress). Pick the ones you like best and send them to her for review. Let her choose the shade of raspberry she meant, because I’m sure she has a very specific look in mind, and as we’ve seen above…it’s probably not the same shade that you, or I, or maybe several dozen other people would even pick out.

1. ModCloth Just About Anywhere Dress, $45

2. Susana Monaco Tube Strapless Dress, $141

3. Donna Morgan Chiffon Dress, $82

4. Donna Morgan Belted Chiffon Dress, $138

5. Jones New York Cowl Neck Dress, $118

6. Fran & Jane Pleated Bust Dress, $164

7. Tadashi Shoji Chiffon Dress, $158

I generally agree with the dress decisions on both Say Yes To The Dress shows (NYC & Atlanta), but then there are the ones that make my head jerk sideways.

Personal taste accounts for a lot of what gets sent down the aisle, but brides going to Kleinfeld in New York should be prepared for the fact that if their budget allows, they most definitely will get house designer Pnina Tornai’s atrocious confections shoved on them by overeager consultants.

At least that’s the way it looks to me.

I’ve never been to Kleinfeld myself, but after watching a dozen or so episodes of the show, I began to see a pattern emerge. No designer was ever mentioned but Pnina. Anytime a bride had a budget over or around $6K, a consultant dutifully says something like, “I have this perfect Pnina Tornai gown in mind,” and hauls it in, all 30 pounds of it, to throw it on some unsuspecting bride about to get upsold by a couple grand. (Of course, they are almost certainly doing this because they know they are being filmed, and because I don’t have any personal experience with the store, I’m not sure if this is their usual sales strategy.)

All this wouldn’t even phase me (everyone needs sponsors, after all), but I just have to say it, and please don’t be offended if you’ve worn one: I think those Pnina Tornai dresses are some of the most ridiculous-looking gowns this side of $10k I’ve ever seen. There have been several I’ve liked on the show, but in almost every case, it’s a dress that looks a lot less expensive than it actually is and that’s not a good thing.

Here are some examples for back-up:

I’ve chosen the worst examples, obviously, but I just can’t believe it. The price, the overwrought fabric vomit, I mean. I just can’t. I really can’t.

Ladies, if you have $10-$20k to spend on a wedding dress, a Pnina Tornai gown should not be your first stop. In fact, if you have $20k to spend on a wedding dress, god bless you, because that thing better be jaw-droppingly gorgeous. (There’s a lot to live up to with a $20k wedding dress!)

Anyway, I understand that there’s a huge variation in personal taste that happens when people get married, and hell, there are things I would have changed about my wedding, but my heart hurts a little bit when I see women get upsold to gowns that don’t look like they are worth what the consultants get them to spend. Never underestimate the power of flattery and compliments from a retail consultant.

P.S. To demonstrate how easily you can be steered in the wrong direction, I nearly bought a gown that was quite full, more typical ball-gowny because I was hearing that it looked good on me and because it fit so well. I was in a haze of bridal bliss until I walked out of the store and realized I don’t even LIKE ball gown styles. It’s a jungle out there. Navigate intelligently. Do your homework. Stick to your guns—and your budget. Stay away from see-through corsets, etc.

baitandswitch asked:

I am looking for a boat neck shift dress to get married in. Can you help?

There is nothing I love more than styling up wedding looks. I would get married to Brandon every single day if I could just so I would get to 365 different, beautiful dresses through the whole year.

Obviously I need to channel that dress obsession somewhere, so thank you for asking this question and giving me an excuse to drool over gorgeous gowns!

Since I don’t really know your personal style likes and dislikes, and since I also don’t know your budget, here are a few different options!

I love this. It’s so soft, romantic and casual. Perfect for a backyard, family-only wedding. The key word here is soft: soft makeup, soft hair, soft pastel-colored shoes. This is the kind of wedding look that you think of when you’re dreaming—everything just perfect and natural.

• French Connection Dress, $118
• Kenneth Jay Lane Earrings, $150
• Martinez Valero Pumps, $107
• Makeup

I love how modern this look is, although the dress itself is rather modest and traditional. (But it DOES have pockets, which I love!) The hair is sleek, but romantic with a few flowers, and the shoes are a cheeky nod to something blue (also, similar to the Tiffany’s signature color). This is a classic bridal look that looks good on 99% of the human population.

• David’s Bridal Gown, $250
• Carolee Earrings, $32
• Martinez Valero Pumps, $133
• Makeup

Another short dress, but this one has a totally different feel. It’s more formal, and the lace is a nice nod to vintage styling, but also to modern lace overlay trends. The shoes are more bare, to show the dress off as much as possible. The entire look is given a great vintage feel with a birdcage veil, fascinator and minimalistic retro-style stud earrings.

• Vineyard Bridal Collection “Trish”, under $2,000
• Nadri “Compass Rose” Earrings, $55
• Badgley Mischka “Raphaela” Sandals, around $100
• Makeup

This dress just screams classy and elegant. Or whispers it, I should say. The detailing is beautiful, but the overall effect is so sophisticated. It’s also very difficult to find bridal gowns that have sleeves (or sleeves that look good), so this is a goldmine right here if you plan to get married in the winter months. I wanted to play off the slightly stuffy look of the dress by choosing hair, makeup and jewelry looks that are more natural and loose, but do not sacrifice style or class.

• Adele Wechsler Ecocouture II “Juniper”
• Grazia Amoure Shoes, $195 
• Carolee Lux “Snake” Earrings, $50
• Makeup

This is completely Old Hollywood glam. This is what you wear when you want jaws to drop and gasps to ricochet off every corner of the massive church that you’re getting married in. Bridal looks don’t come more glamourous than this, and there’s really nothing more to add but a pair of fabulous shoes and a movie star updo and you’re good to go.

• La Sposa “Dorothy”, around $1,500 to $3,000
• Lauren Jones “Zandra” Pumps, $109
• Charm & Chain “Navette” Earrings, $55
• Makeup

So, ladies—which look (if any!) would you choose for your wedding day?

myjourneytosmileagain asked:

Hello!

I was just asked by one of my good friends to be a bridesmaid in her wedding next April. The bridesmaid dresses are long navy chiffon dresses and she really wants gold shoes. Any suggestions on affordable, cute, comfortable heels? I really like the strappy sandal look.

Thanks!!

I’m going to use this post to illustrate what’s wrong with brides choosing a shade, like gold, for bridesmaid shoes.

This isn’t a problem if they (like when I was getting married) don’t care about the exact shade or style, they just want something in that color family. But, for most brides, that’s not the case. They’ll let you choose your style, but god forbid you show up with a peep-toe when you were SUPPOSED to have a slingback, and is that a METALLIC GOLD? I SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR A ROSE GOLD.

I purposefully chose six pairs of shoes here in a variety of different styles and shades to illustrate my point. Each one of your friend’s bridesmaids could show up with one of these shoes. And they are nothing alike, not in style, not in shade. If she’s okay with that, great! But will she be? I doubt it.

Brides: this is a cautionary tale. If you are a type A, OCD, Bridezilla kind of girl, you need to give people VERY SPECIFIC directions regarding style and color scheme or the exact color you want.

Now, gold and navy is a beautiful color combination, but you mentioned your dress was long. Will your feet even be showing? If they’re not showing, I’d forgo heels altogether and choose a pair of really beautiful gold flats or kitten-heels because you, girlfriend, are going to be on your feet for quite a while and if you can wear comfortable shoes and get away with it—do it. :)

Top row, left to right:

• Lauren by Ralph Lauren “Tyra”, $70
• Anne Klein “Judith”, $40
• Lauren by Ralph Lauren “Baird”, $98

Bottom row, left to right:

• Antonio Melani “Royalty”, $90
• Vince Camuto “Darla”, $58
• Unisa “Liam”, $30