Amour Bijou Photo Shoot (Part 1)

I'd like to introduce you to my friend and accessory designer, Josefa Ciccarelli. Brides love the beautiful hand crafted designs she creates for her company Amour Bijou and I'm sure you will as well. Last summer we  joined forces on a photo shoot for her website. It was a fabulous time collaborating with numerous vendors who worked hard to bring Josefa's vision to life. And she toiled away on all the pretty pieces and details for every beautiful shot. Please check out her blog, Love a Little Jewel and more amazing details in the post she featured about the shoot.

 

There were plenty of pretty pieces to go around!

Lot and lots of delicious fun!

 

Tons of beautiful sweet treats created by Miss Sweetcakes!

And some romance too! (more about this in Part 2)

Beauty Inspiration - Top 10 Favorite Beauty Blogs

Since I posted my Top 10 Favorite Wedding Blogs, I only saw it fitting to share my Top 10 Favorite Beauty Blogs.  Just like in the wedding industry the beauty biz has been inundated with many beauty blogs so I have narrowed it down to some that I find the most informative. As a Makeup Artist I am always being asked tons of questions about everything beauty, from products and techniques. There is no way for one MUA to know everything about all of the new products and latest trends but with the help of beauty blogs we can continue to expand our Beauty I.Q. everyday. Checking in on my favorite blogs is one my favorite to abreast to the newly released cosmetics, skincare products, and trending techniques. These blogs can definitely be a source of inspiration for brides trying to decide on the perfect look for their big day. I hope you will check out some of the blogs on this list and boost you beauty brainpower. 

See the list after the jump!

Intoducing Lover.ly

Images by Tiffany Curry

A couple of months ago I attended a wonderful meet up for a new wedding website called Lover.ly. The event was held on the rooftop of the Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach. As you can probably tell from the images above the atmosphere was nothing short of lovely. Lover.ly's founder Kelli Kahlil and her team did a stellar job with the chic decor! (more images can be found here) Who doesn't love dessert table? Cupcakes Couture of Manhattan made some amazing sweets, the cheesecake pops were my favorite. I also met some new wedding industry friends. The three of us, photographer Diana Rush and event planner Deanna Nash & I had a blast in the Mobile Photo Booth!

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You will definitely be hearing more and more and more about Lover.ly as it is still in the beginning stages but beta access has been trickling out. I was lucky enough to receive beta access last week and instantly started to explore; it's beautiful. It is perfect for anyone getting married and trying figure out a way collect all the beautiful inspiration they find on their favorite blogs. Think Pineterest, high-jacked by the wedding industry. Brilliant, right? Kellee has definitely filled a void and tapped into something really special with Lover.ly.

Don't miss out, be sure to sign up for your beta access now!

Bridal Inspiration - My Top 10 Favorite Wedding Blogs

For any bride that is looking for some help and inspiration during the planning process, wedding blogs are a great resource. Not only for weddings, but whenever one needs to plan an event. From an intimate dinner with friends to a large family baby shower, wedding blogs have a limitless array of details that are sure to get your creative juices flowing. There are tons to choose from so I have compiled a list of my Top 10 Favorite Wedding Blogs and hopefully you will be wowed as well. All of these blogs are consistently sharing some of the most gorgeous and inspiring images the wedding industry has to offer.

1. Green Wedding Shoes - Head Over Heels in <3 About All Things Wedding

2. Junebug Weddings - All the Best...wedding photography, style inspiration, wedding planning resources

3. Snippet & Ink - Daily Wedding Inspiration

4. 100 Layer Cake - Crafting Your Wedding Layer by Layer

5. Grey Likes Weddings - Love Well Styled

6. Inspired By This - Wedding Insight by Leila Khalil

7. The Brides Cafe - Edgy, Sophisticated, Romantic

8. The Wedding Chicks - All Things Pretty

9. Style Me Pretty - Bridal Inspirations

10. Once Wed

Please let me know if you find this list helpful. I'd love to here about your faves!
(Note: sites are listed in no particular order) 

Bridal Gift Idea - Birchbox

images via birchbox.com

Birchbox is a fun gift idea for brides-to-be or anyone obsessed with beauty products. If you’ve never heard of Birchbox, it’s a unique beauty company that offers a monthly subscription to a beauty box  filled with 5-6 deluxe samples that are delivered to your door once a month.  If you love surprises like me, for just $10 a month you can receive a variety of beauty samples ranging from skincare to fragrance by established and or new companies.  No worries, cancellation is available at any time and there is no additional charge for shipping. The memberships also come in 3 and 6 month gift cards which make for a fabulous bridesmaid gift idea.

Also on the site you can find a wide variety of popular beauty products available for purchase.  One of their more unique products offered is the Limited Edition: Here Comes The Bride Birchbox. Here are some details according their site: “These days, it seems like everyone we know is getting hitched. In honor of all our favorite brides-to-be, we’ve created a special collection that makes the perfect gift. There’s everything she needs for her journey to the aisle, from a purifying botanical skincare set to the cutest customizable stationery. A $140 value!” What a great way to make a bride feel special and pampered!   

Have you ever purchased a Birchbox for yourself or as a gift? I’d love to hear about your experience. Please leave a comment!