A Closet Dream Wednesdays

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I dream of the day when my closet is stocked with peonies.

Cheeky Dahlias

Ever since I received the super cute invite for my bridal shower, I've been on a mission to find the perfect blushing bride to be ensemble. My shower is a ladies cocktail hour so initially I had considered buying a new cocktail dress.

M so kindly suggested that I consider looking in my own closet before I run out to Newbury street for a new dress. (Oh men...they are so practically adorable). I stumbled upon a barely been worn shimmering sand colored strapless cocktail dress from Club Monaco that is fittingly bridal. Yet I was kind of disappointed to be wearing something I already own...after all...I will only have one bridal shower.

Then the lightbulb went off. A perfect excuse to purchase a fabulously ethereal creation from Emerson Made.

May I introduce you to the cheeky dahlia?

A Closet Dream Wednesdays

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Any closest with a chic sofa...yes please!

A Closet Dream

As I sift through my brown Ikea armoire...I cannot help but think that a closet like this would be much more inspiring.

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Winter Wedding Wear

Wouldn't this be the sweetest overcoat for a winter bride?

$399 via Persephone's Vintage Etsy Shop

Only In Boston...

...would you need a coat this big.

Well that may not be true...I know this coat would come in handy in many other wintry destinations. Yet I must have been inspired by the Nor'Easter that me and my girlfriend were braving during our Saturday spent at the outlets. Because on a whim at the Saks outlet, I decided to purchase the snuggliest sleeping bag coat available. After all, I could not resist the price of $99 (originally $395) of this Tahari beauty.

Veiled Musings

My veil dilemma continues, now I'm leaning much more favorably towards the side of wearing a veil during the ceremony. I say this with unease because I have been so set on having a mostly untraditional wedding. After all, we're eliminating the bouquet toss, the garter toss, we're doing a first look, and I'm carrying bright colored flowers. All of which are not earth shatteringly unique decisions but they are modern wedding choices.

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So the veil feels like a throwback. But I love the beauty of a veil picture and they really do make one feel like a bride. I'm considering a very low fingertip veil that will perch on my low updo and will be easily remove for the reception. Much to my mother's sheer joy, I've relented enough to try one on when I have my first dress fitting in February

P.S. On a side note, the Vera Wang store called yesterday to tell me my dress had arrived! I practically had to restrain myself to not go running across town to Newbury Street to see it in person.

Designer Duds Without Guilt

Hello. My name is Couture and I'm a fashion and designer label addict. I am obsessed with all things fashion and style...I spend the first week of each month drooling over my fashion magazines and dreaming of Marc Jacobs, Chloe, and Stella McCartney. (Clearly, Couture Bowl was a fashion blog before I arrived in wedding land).

I am so looking forward to buying new outfits for all of the fun wedding events preceding the big day. Yet my bank account (and fiance) are slightly more weary of these new outfits. I have tried to justify them to myself and him..."But this will be my only bachelorette party EVER, I have to look amazing". That only works so long until I tried it last week when we were going to register and I said "But how many times can I wear the same old outfit when I'm registering for our WEDDING!" Woops, may have pushed my luck just a bit there.

Still, I'm on the hunt for some "bargain" priced designer duds for the rehearsal dinner, bachelorette weekend, and wedding shower next year. Alas, I have fallen in love with the great vendors who have created designer flash sales online at warehouse sample sale prices.

Some of my favorites include:

If you have not signed up for any of these sites yet...I beg you to do so immediately! (Let me know if you need an invite and I'd be happy to send along). Essentially, all 3 sites have daily flash designer sales. They send out an email when the sale opens up each morning and they have between 15-20 select pieces that are on sale at insanely affordable prices. Designers include, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, Chloe, YSL, BCBG, and more than I can list here. Along with clothing, they at times carry gift products like D&G Candle Co. and Dyptique...so there are great opportunities to score some fantastic hostess gifts along the way.

So far I have actually purchased a gift set of candles and a pair of J Brand jeans from Haute Look. I have a feeling that my list will grow much longer as we move into the holidays and then wedding season.

Do you have any super secret shopping sites that you love?

All About the Boys

After a heated debate (on-going since we were engaged), M and I have finally decided on the attire for the boys. Now, M has been saying all along that this is the ONE decision that he truly wanted to be a part of. Okay fine, I guess that is a reasonable request.

We considered the formal tux but it felt a bit too stuffy and old school for our outdoor plaza ceremony, especially with the bow tie. We want the boys to look modern yet chic (well, the the chic part may just be me but a girl can hope, right?)

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I had always envisioned the boys in amazing gray summer suits. Yet after much time spent searching online, we found limited options for suit rentals.

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We did not want to ask everyone to buy new gray suits, so we settled on the classic black suit. M will be buying himself a new one (finally getting rid of those front pleated pants from his college suit) but we have told all the other guys that they can wear whatever black suit they have on hand. No need to be so matchy matchy. They'll wear plain white shirts and we'll gift them with the tie and pocket square to complete the look. Yes, I love myself a good pocket square!

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With that decision made, we easily finalized the bridesmaids dresses...remember these? We decided on the silver as we think it will look really fun with the black suits. I cannot wait to see our besties all dressed up and ready to go.

How did you decide on your wedding party's attire? Did you go back and forth as much as we did?

Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda Bridesmaid Dress

Chloe & Reese via Snippet & Ink

Now this is the bridesmaid dress I had been picturing before I found these. How cute? There are about a million colors to choose from. A girl can dream, right?

Bridesmaids Anyone?

So I think I may finally be making a color decision and it is mostly driven by the new Vera Wang "Maid to Order" collection that I stumbled upon. I never thought I would be a Vera bride but after a trip to a trunk show in her salon on Newbury with my mom...I became one! (More on that story later) I am OBSESSED with my dress but it has impacted my vision for my 'maids.

I had initially thought I wanted a super cute and short cocktail dress with pockets. Chic and Cheap was the vision. (unfortunately not Moschino style) That all changed when I bought my dress which is long and flowy. Feels very organic and light...so I started envisioning bridesmaid dresses with the same look and feel. Less structured and more airy.

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May I introduce you to Christina? This gorgeous Vera Wang bridesmaid dress is perfection! Exactly what I was looking for. And the cactus color will really compliment my latest and greatest color palette of Apricot and Champagne.

Can't you just see my ladies wearing these fantastically light dresses and clutching a bouquet of apricot and peach ranunculus?

Love it!

Fall Collections 07: Chloe

After viewing the start of the fall collection for Chloe on Neiman's online, I truly began to salivate. If only only only I could afford just one piece.

Roll-Sleeve Jacket & Knit Bodice Dress
$1,540-$1,980

Secretary Dress
$1,730

Cardigan and Strapless Dress
$2,280-1,035

This last outfit is my FAVORITE! Love the midnight blue and grey mix with the black tights.

Celeb Gone Fashion Designer: Jennifer Lopez's Sweetface

Jennifer Lopez has moved swiftly from fly girl to fashionista in her long career. She now is often featured as one of the uber couture wearing celebs on many a red carpet. Her first foray into fashion designing was JLo by Jennifer Lopez is a brand owned by Warnaco Group. According to some sources, her JLo line is the most successful of any artists to date. This line is sold at department stores such as Macys and often is featured in the Juniors department.

Still the JLo line never seemed very conducive to her couture wardrobe and in November 2003, Lopez launched the high end line “Sweetface”. Debuting at New York fashion week among such names as Zac Posen and Marc Jacobs, Lopez easily nestled her way into the runway scene. To date, the frequent use of fur in the Sweetface line has brought the scorn of people concerned with animal rights, particularly PETA. Still, JLo has found her footing in the high end fashion world yet not seen as strong commercial success that she did with her JLo line.

Self Belt Detail Caplet

$375

Pin Tuck Tunic Dress

$395

Denim Bandeau & Beaded Eyelet Dress

$495

Celeb Gone Fashion Designer: Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B.

It is interesting to see so many celebrities embark on a new career as fashion designer. I think that it can often go so terribly wrong seeing as many of these people are not fashion conscious at all and are solely dressed by an on point stylist. Still, there are a few out there who hit it right on the mark. One in particular is Gwen Stefani with her line L.A.M.B.

L.A.M.B. started out as a collaboration with Le Sport Sac in 2004, when Stefani designed a limited collection of handbags and accessories for the handbag manufacturer. The name L.A.M.B. originally refered to Stefani's dog Megaan, whom she called her little "Lamb." The acronym stands for Love. Angel. Music. Baby., which is also the name of Stefani's first solo album. Stefani has several times made remarks about her fascination with Japanese street culture and names this as an inspiration for her designs. The first stand-alone L.A.M.B. collection debuted in a New York fashion show in 2005.

The most interesting point about this collection is that is very high end in terms of price point and design. While many celebs are inclined to design for the masses (SJP and Jessica Simpson alike), Gwen has moved more towards those fashion connoisseurs which lends a certain amount of credibility to the line.

Signature Kingston

Large Bowler

$650

Kraemer

$295

Mexican Print Crew Tee

$65

Safari Jacket

$225

$101 Outfit Challenge: Interviewing on a Budget

Interviewing and job hunting is tricky enough as it is...yet add to that the minimal budget of us entry level folks yearning to break into the big time. It is hard to compete with the rest of the candidates wearing their matching Theory suits. As I am right now looking for a job in Boston, I am smacked with this same problem. I hate a bland black suit and think that clothing is an important demonstration of one's personality. I refuse to let my eclectic personal style get lost in the sea of boring.

Lux Polka Dot Tie Top

$19.99

Funky yet conservative enough to stand tall in the highest cubicle walls.

Lux High Waisted Trouser Pants

$39.99

Brings the high waist of SS07 to the work place.

Pretty Little Ballet

$11.99

A pop of alternative color adds to the funky wardrobe.

Faux Leather Tote

$29.80
Patent and Boxy, perfect for this season and stocking the resume.

Intermix Online Sale: Mini Dresses

Coffee and Scones with Mom and Dad:

Fluet

Silk Chiffon Babydoll Dress

Original: $380--NOW: $249

Afternoon at the Art Museum:

Boudoir

Silk Chiffon Cut-out Dress

Original: $545--NOW: $359

Late Dinner and Drinks with the Guy:

Lacey Parker

Silk Charmeuse Bubble Sleeve Dress

Original: $385--NOW: $269

Chic Couple Alert: Ellen and Portia

Red carpet couple dressing can be a tricky adventure. One does not want to look too matchy matchy, but at the same time when gracing the carpet with your significant other it always looks sweet to have complimentary outfits. I think that Ellen and Portia pull the latter off spectacularly. While maintaining their own personal style, they simultaneously compliment one another's look. I love Ellen's wing tips, they add a pop to her outfit. And I cannot get enough of Portia's tres fab gray polka dot top.

The Wonder of DSW

I am obsessed with DSW. Sure every once in a while I will go and not find a single thing. But I still have fun strolling through the aisles and trying on shoe after shoe. Every so often my mom will go with me when I am home and it is such a fabu afternoon.

Three Pairs of Kicks for $150!!

Love it!

Trend Watch: Brights

Rocking the Runway: Street Style

I Love Wardrobe Remix on Flickr! After seeing this chic look posted by Midwest Jess, I had to share!

Shades: thrifted, vintage from Beacon's Closet

Cotton Eyelette Blouse: little shop in Kowloon

Belt: thrifted, vintage from Artists 'N Fleas

Jeans: Joe's (free from work)

Shoes: Naturalizers (obviously my faves)

Bangles: Junk and Goodwill

Feeling.... good today.