I Love This :: Cake

I just picked up the new InStyle Weddings, and literally, the first page I flipped to was a story on floral cakes. That's as far as I got. I just stared for a minute and just had to post these anemone beauties. Love them. Love.




Cakes by Confetti Cakes.

My New Bike!

I just had to share, I'm so excited. SexyHusband had Friday off and went shopping, he called me and said, "I found you the perfect bike, it's for Lisa, you have to see this bike."

I didn't know what he meant until I saw it. Why is it perfect? Because she's pink! And her name is Four Lisa!! Can you believe it? Isn't she pretty? Now she's mine.



I couldn't wait for a road test so we took the bikes to the grocery store yesterday, through the snow (-8º C / 18º F). We froze, I thought my lungs were going to collapse, but it was worth it.

SexyHusband, I love you!

Inside Design :: Joan Shum

Do you ever wish? I wish little. I wish big. I wish often. Joan Shum makes me wish I could go back in time and choose a different wedding dress. One of hers. When I think back to our wedding day, I have nothing but blissful memories; there is not a lot I would change, except my dress. I liked it, but I didn’t love it.

I am just over the moon thrilled with today’s post. Remember last week’s Happy Spring Happy Easter board? And the whimsical wedding dress that inspired it? I was so intoxicated by the beauty of the dress and the intricacy of the design that I contacted the designer, Joan Shum. She has been more than gracious in answering a few questions and sharing a few pictures so we can get to know her, her talents, and her inspirations.

FIRST THE DETAILS
Blush :: Tell us about you.
Joan :: I was born in Hong Kong and came to the States when I was 6 years old. There are nine girls and two boys in my family and yes, from the same mom and dad. I am also a twin. Growing up with such a big family I have to say I was never bored. My stomp’n grounds while growing up was all over Los Angeles. I went to three different high schools before, finally, attending a design school to follow my dreams. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles I worked in the heart of the fashion district in downtown LA, on and off, for about 15 years before I decided to venture off on my own. I now design out of my studio in Long Beach where I also live with my husband of 10 years. Our only child, sad to say, is our very bad dog named Jackjack, a Russell Terrier. We call him that because he can’t seem to get along with anybody. Ironically, he is the biggest cuddler in the world.



{Madmoiselle)

NOW THE PASSION
Blush :: Tell us the story of how your career in sewing/designing began. Where did the passion evolve?
Joan :: Looking through fashion magazines, going shopping at the mall, learning about fabrics, and following fashion couturiers influenced my choice to be a fashion designer. I love fashion. Fashion has been, and always will be, my life. My interest in fashion and fashion designing began at a very young age. I want to say 10 years old. My sister and her husband, at that time, were sewing contractors. I had worked there for a short period of time. I did not sew though; the industrial sewing machines scared the bajeezes out of me! The ironic thing about this whole fashion-designing thing is that I rarely make my own clothes. There is a saying, ‘designers never have any clothes’. I simply do not have the time when I am always designing for someone else. I figured after buying the fabric and putting in the labor, it’s just cheaper to buy the clothes. The passion evolved while moving from one design company to the next.


{Lady Catherine}

Blush :: What inspired you to leave the LA fashion industry and go on your own?
Joan :: My first job was with a company that designed women’s sportswear. It was more of an intern job; learning the ropes about how everything is produced from A to Z. After working fifteen years for everyone else, I wanted to design for myself. I think my brain literally exploded one day from thinking too much. I was fresh out of ideas for the company I was working for; I just wasn’t inspired by the kind of clothes they were making. What I really wanted to design was beautiful things. Don’t get me wrong, I learned a lot from the industry and made great friends along the way but it was time to get out.


{Bella Tea}

YOUR EXQUISITE WORK
Blush :: Your dresses are stunning; what inspires your designs?
Joan :: For all my life I have been inspired by one particular kind of fashion. That’s Haute Couture. Unquestionably, Haute Couture is the masterpiece of art in fashion. It knows no racism and has no cultural differences. The blend of unprecedented techniques with brilliant creative designs and the use of lavish fabrics that seduces fashion lovers everywhere, it is the ultimate in eye-candy.


{Love in the Mist}

Blush :: Why wedding dresses?
Joan :: Before I even considered designing wedding gowns for myself, as a business, I actually wanted to get into costume design for period films. I simply love how regal and stylish the fashions are. It wasn’t until I made my sister’s wedding dress that I seriously thought about designing wedding gowns. I thought… if I could bring together my love for costumes and my love for wedding gowns, I could fulfill my creative needs by transforming historic fantasy ball gowns into the wedding gowns of my dreams, and the dreams of my brides.


{White Dahlia}

Blush :: Do you hand make those magnificent corsets?
Joan :: As you can see in all my work, influences of corsetry are alive in most of my designs. My corsets are all hand-made by me. All my brides are measured with nine different body measurements before I start making their specific patterns. Usually, I have three fittings before creating the perfect fit.


{Lady of the Valley}

AND JUST TO BE NOSY
When you aren’t designing what do you love to do? :: I love to paint. My medium is water and ink.
What is your greatest indulgence? :: In fashion: I treated myself to a vintage couture gown from a shop in Beverly Hills called Lily et Cie . In food: it would have to be chocolate soufflé In travel: every year I go to Maui
Your favorite place to shop? :: Lily et Cie in Beverly Hills. Celebrities from all over the world go to them for an Oscar gown. There are seamstresses on premise for alterations. They have the most fabulous vintage couture in Los Angeles.
Your favorite word? :: Edgy. I don’t know why
Your perfect day? :: Getting up late, work out, and eat healthy
If they did a movie of your life, what actress would play you? :: Lucy Liu. She is beautiful and talented
Your favourite gift to receive? :: I like to get vintage jewelry
Your favourite gift to give? :: I like to give a copy of my paintings as a gift
Your secret wish? :: I wish I could be a philanthropist

LASTLY
Blush :: What are you excited about right now?
Joan :: I am excited about my new collection.

I am so honoured to share this with you - Joan has provided a sneak peek into her new collection, due to launch in late April.



You may contact Joan through her Website or her Etsy Shop.

Thank you Joan, so much.

Real Wedding :: Natasha + Paul

Jake and Jess from Kamp Photography of Winnipeg, Canada, sent me these photos from a dreamy blue wedding they shot last October. I would really like to know if the couple chose blue, or the blue chose them. Notice the cerulean windows in the church – perfectly matching the hue of the bridal party colours.



The reception was held at the Western Canada Aviation Museum, hence the theme of the reception. I love the use of the cabin of that airplane for the bridal party picture, the cute little chocolate airplane favours, and, my favourite, the ring shot on the engine. Because the pictures are so beautiful, I couldn’t decide which to post, so here are some more. See the full slideshow on Kamp Blog.

Blackberry and Blue

I forgot my Blackberry at home today.

Parcel Design

This is right up there as one of the cutest things I have ever seen. It even has the miniature silver scoop!



Parcel Design

Happy Spring! Happy Easter!

Madmoiselle Dress by Joan Shum’s Etsy Shop; Cookies Brides; Blue hydrangea table Jenny Ebert Photographer; Bunny in the nest Getty Images ; Bunny Fold Napkin Martha Stewart; Rings Tyler Boye Weddings; Bouquet by Brides; Rolls wreath Martha Stewart Weddings; Purple Shoes A Softer Image; Cakes Weddingbells.

Kiwi Berries

This has pretty much nothing to do with weddings but I just had to share one of my new favourite things!



Kiwi Berries! Have you discovered these delectable little bursts of sunshine? If you like kiwi you’ll have to try them. They are miniature. They are the same beautiful juicy green colour with the seeds inside. They taste pretty much the same – maybe a bit sweeter. And the best part is that they aren’t fuzzy! You can just pop them in your mouth as is. So cute. So good.

The ones I bought from my local grocer were even smaller than pictured above.

Find out everything you need to know at NZKiwiberry.com.

Edible Crystallized Flowers

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. Things are busy. Good busy. But busy nonetheless.

This is something so simple and pretty and perfect and easy that I thought I'd share them with you.



I'm imagining a garden party bridal shower, the starter salad tossed with the beautiful, delicate, organic, and delicious (they're slightly infused with a fruity flavour), pansies and violas. Adorn the miniature cakes you're serving for the final course with the enchanting miniature roses. What a hostess you'll be!

Both the pansies and violas and miniature roses found at Sur la table.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Photos courtesy of Martha Stewart.

Martha Stewart Book Signing

If you happen to be in New York this Sunday, stop in at Macy's where Martha Stewart will cut the ribbon to open the 34th Annual Macy’s Flower Show. After the ceremony, she will be in the Fine China department to sign her two new books, Martha Stewart’s Cookies and Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cakes.



I won't happen to be anywhere near New York City on Sunday so if anyone feels like picking up a book for me I'd be grateful, either book will do but I would prefer Wedding Cakes. Have her address it to "My friend Lisa,..."

Sunday, March 16 at 11:30 a.m.
Macy’s Herald Square, 8th floor – China
34th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue
New York, New York

Suitcase Favour Tins

Aren't these cute? For the destination wedding. Or a travel themed wedding. They may not be formal enough for your occasion so perhaps a fun save the date - "Pack your bags!" Or a thank you for the rehearsal dinner. Or a favour from the engagement party. What would you use them for?



The company that brings us this cuteness? - Shop Love Me. They also offer custom labels, here's a few examples...

Real Wedding :: Kate + Kelly

The green shoes in the post below piqued my interest so much I just had to go looking for the rest of the wedding. Kim Bednarski is the talent behind this photograph and I found a wonderful gallery of additional photographs on her site.

The choice of bridesmaids dresses paired with the vibrant green shoes and complemented by the crisp white calla lilies make a beautiful statement of style. I am crazy about this colour combination and am in admiration of the couple’s approach to their day. The bride looks entirely stunning in her dress and birdcage veil and she looks like she’s having such a wonderful time. The lovable little flower girl makes the day complete.

Pretty Pictures

I was just browsing around the Wedding Photojournalism Association website and couldn't tear myself away from their contest winners for q4 2007. I thought I'd share some of my favourites with you - my gift to you, some eye candy for the weekend.


::: Photo by Marie Labbancz


::: Photo by Scott Schoeggl


::: Photo by Anna Kuperberg


::: Photo by John Ly


::: Photos by Jenny Jimenez and Kim Long


::: Photo by Kim Bednarski (Kathryn, I just know you'll use this one!)


::: Photo by Patsy Brown


::: Photo by Denise Chastain


::: Photo by Samm Blake


::: Photo by Thea Dodds

There are so many more to look through, if you go and visit, make yourself a cup of tea and be intent on staying a while! Have a lovely weekend!

Inkbox Design Studio

Love the name. Love the work. Inkbox Design Boutique creates intimate, custom, detailed invitations perfectly suited for the occasion. They also have some sinfully cute t-shirts for the bride and her bridal party.

Posh Inc.

I'm in love. Just look at these beautiful works of art from Posh Inc.

One for me.
One for you.
One for your bridesmaid.
One for your other bridesmaid.
Another one for me.



They also make beautiful necklaces, earrings, bracelets and these other cute little, glitzy accessories for your clutch.

Real Simple Winners

First of all... thank you all for sharing. I was sincerely delighted each time I received an email with a Real Simple submission. I’m flattered and overjoyed that you all took the time to dive into the details and share them with everyone here.

With that being said, I’m delighted to announce our “Real Simple” Winner! Mary Louie who submitted the details of her Sunset Wedding.

And, the winner of the random draw of voters is… Ley of Boho Bride Blog.

I would ask that you both contact me via email at blushevents at shaw dot ca with your mailing addresses and I’ll send out your prizes!

Thank you to everyone for their participation!