I'm Getting Married!

Yes, I am already married, but my husband is in the process of converting to orthodox Judaism and when he does, we need to be remarried! I can't tell you how excited I am!

To that end, I have been sort of obsessing on what kind of wedding I want. I mean, it is a second wedding, so I feel like I can be more eccentric with this one. So I thought I would post what my top few choices are.

Viceroy Santa Monica

At the moment the Viceroy Santa Monica is my number one choice. Designed by the ubiquitous Kelly Wearstler I am just loving the design and color. I know the Hollywood Regent style is on the way out, but I just cant help loving it still. It is just so me! It is fun, elegant, quirky, and colorful.

This is my idea of the ultimate dress for a wedding at the Viceroy. As an orthodox Jew, I must cover myself from the neck down to the elbows down to my knees. This dress has all the elements I need (except the neckline needs to be a smidge smaller). I also like the tea length skirt. I really think this dress embodies both a modern and vintage esthetic.

As for colors, flowers, food, etc- I dont really  have any idea. Those will all be based on the venue.

Tomorrow I will show you my second choice- it is a much more elegant, black tie affair.

Taking Inspiration From Weddings

Sometimes, when I am planning a party, I run out of inspiration! Yes, I know that sounds shocking, but it is true. So when I need to get my creative juices flowing, sometimes I check out wedding blogs or Martha Stewart Weddings.

One of my favorite things at MSW is her 'good things' section. I went through her 'spring' ideas and found a few that I think can work for a regular party- not just a wedding! Check these out:

Aren't these orchids gorgeous! I thought this would be a beautiful centerpiece for any dinner party. And the best part is, after the party is over you can just place the flowers around your home to enjoy for weeks to  come.

Can't you just smell these roses and peonies! I bet they fill the room with the sweet scent of heaven. These arrangements were made with latte cups. You can find these at Williams-Sonoma and other kitchen supply stores. Or you can troll your local Salvation Army and find used ones. Then fill the bowls with green floral foam, and stick large flowers into it.

These baskets of candies are supposed to be wedding favors, but wouldn't it make a fun centerpiece for the kid's table at Easter!

Talking about kid's tables, I like this idea of using butche paper as a placemat. Martha wrote the utentil names down, but I think it would look cool if you did an outline of the knife, fork, and spoon using a sharpie. Then you can write each kid's name above their place setting. Then, when they are done, all you have to do is throw everything away!

These are chocolate bars covered with photos of the happy bride and groom, but I thought this would be a perfect idea for an adult birthday party such as a 30th, or 40th birthday. You could also do the same thing as favors for a baby shower- just use pictures of the mommy to be when she was a baby! Wouldn't that be cute?

So the next time you need an idea for a party, just check out some weddings and I bet you will come up with a million ideas!

My Favorite Wedding

One of my favorite blogs is Design*Sponge. This blog is filled with the most amazing photos of interior designs, crafts, re-purposed furniture, and other wonderful creations. It is also the place I found the most amazing wedding and if I decide to renew my vows, this is what I would use as inspiration.

The bride is a textile designer, so she collected over 100 vintage Vera napkins to use as the theme. There was no one color for the wedding- there were tons of colors! She even used a Vera tablecloth that came with a set of napkins as a backdrop for a photo booth for guests. Other napkins were re-purposed into flowers that were glued to branches to create a table assignment tree. Check these photos out:

Isn't that just the most beautiful, rustic wedding! I adore the vintage napkins, and all the color, and how it was all done on a budget using the help of friends and family. Loves it!

A Wedding In Crown Heights

I just got back last Thursday from a wedding in Crown Heights. Most of you probably haven't been to CH, and still less of you know about its history, or the fact it is the epicenter of the Chabad Jewish movement. And I bet almost none of you have been to a real Orthodox Jewish wedding. So I thought I would tell you a little bit about the wedding and how it differs from the wedding you are used to.

First of all, men and women are separated. The women all hang out with the kallah (bride) and eat food while she gives well-wishers blessings. The men drink and daven (pray) with the groom. Then, when all the prayers have been said, the men bring the groom into the bride's room while singing a haunting beautiful tune that speaks of welcoming the new couple. The father of the bride and groom bless the bride and then they place a veil over her face. The veil is very thick and the bride cannot see except for where she is walking. So her mother and mother-in-law to be lead her to the place where the chuppah is set up. For those getting married in Crown Heights, the chuppah will be set up at 770 (the Chabad headquarters).

(not the wedding I was at. I forgot to take pictures of the ceremony!)

Once everyone is at 770, the ceremony begins. It is very different then the traditional ceremony you are used to. First of all, there are no 'bridesmaids' or 'groomsmen'. The brothers and sisters of the bride and groom are always dressed in their finest threads, and they do the 'work' of a bridesmaid or groomsmen. Women must wear clothing that covers their elbows, knees, and up to her neck. It sounds strict, but you would be amazed by the dresses everyone comes up with. Check these out:

Aren't those stunning! Each woman designed her own dress and had it made! Back to the ceremony:

(not the wedding I was attending)

It is hard to see what really goes on under the chuppah, because it is very crowded and hard to see. All I know is the bride, groom, parents, and rabbis circle around 7 times and sing. Then more prayers are said, some wine is blessed and drunk, and then a glass is smashed. All are symbols of various things which you can google if you are interested.

Once the ceremony is over, everyone goes back the wedding hall and it is time to PARTY! Food is eaten, wine is drunk, and then....the DANCING! Men and women do not dance with each other because it is forbidden for a man to watch someone who is not his wife or family dance. So all the women dance together and the men dance together. It sounds weird, but it is actually really nice because you don't have to feel embarrassed by your 'moves' because who cares what the women think!

At one point during the dance, the bride will be lifted onto a table with a parasol. She is raised high over the heads of the women and the groom is lifted by the men and they wave to each other over a temporary wall that has been erected to separate the dance floor. This is pretty much the only contact the bride and groom will have with each other until they go to sleep that night!

The dancing and eating and drinking can go on for hours, and usually the party ends around 1 or 2 in the morning. I am not entirely sure because I can never last that long!

Here is what I wore to the wedding. I made sure that I was covered to my elbows, neck, and knees:

I bought the dress at Macys and the undershirt at Talbots! The shoes are my Betsy Johnsons and the hat is vintage.

Here are some dresses at the wedding that I would totally wear:

Aren't those totally vintage looking?! But I am pretty sure both were designed by the wearers and then made.

And that my dear kittens, is an orthodox wedding! Isn't that totally crazy! But it is so beautiful and powerful-something I will never forget. For those of you who are Jewish, you might recognize many of the rituals. For those of you who are Christian, you  might be interested to know that if Jesus had gotten married, this is pretty much exactly the ritual he would have been in as the groom. Nothing has changed much for the wedding ceremony  for over 5 thousand years! Doesn't that just blow your mind!

So, in honor of my visit to Crown Heights for the wedding, the rest of the week will be dedicated to all things wedding. So be sure to check back and see what I have put together for you.

Dressed Up For Purim Part 2

Purim actually started on Saturday night, so I got a chance to wear not one but two costumes this weekend! I spent an hour trying to get my hair into victory rolls for a 1940's look, but I just couldn't get the left side to match the right. Both Fleur de Guerre and Super Kawaii Mama say they are working on a victory roll tutorial, so when they come out, maybe I will try again. Anyway, I ended up putting my hair in a chignon and adding a large late 1940's hat. I thought it kind of looked like this, so I added an outfit that tried to emulate the Dior new look.

I would also like to say that my 7 year old son took these pictures!

Dress: Anthropologie

Sweater: Nanette Lepore

Belt: Anthropologie

Tights: Target

Shoes: Betsy Johnson

Earrings: Gift

Bracelet: Vintage necklace that broke, so I turned it into a bracelet!

Hat: Ebay? Etsy? I cant remember

Dressed Up For Purim

Hi kittens, I'm back! And I have some outfit posts for you!

I am starting off with a costume I wore last night for Purim. Purim commemorates Queen Esther saving the Jewish people from the wicked Haman, who wanted to annihilate them. One of the ways we celebrate is by wearing costumes- similar to Halloween, but without all the death imagery.

The theme of the Purim party we were attending was 'Purim in Italy' so we were supposed to dress 'Italian'- whatever that means. My husband and I thought we would dress like we were in a Fellini film. So my husband dressed like a Shriner and I went as his wife from the 60s. Check it out:

(My son Buzz Lightyear always wants to be in the picture. I wonder where he gets it from?)

Dress: Thrifted

Hat: Ebay

Shoes: Oscar de la Renta

Necklace: Thrifted

Pin: Grandma's

Bracelet: J.Crew

Dear Glamorous Housewife....

Kittens, I have some exciting news!

I got my first 'I need advice' letter late last week. I was so excited because there is nothing I enjoy more than giving advice.

You see, a wonderful lady is giving an Anne Taintor 40's themed bridal shower. Isn't that a fun idea? She found me from my Anne Taintor post and saw that I love to throw a party and thought I might have some fun ideas.

Well I sure do!

And I have so many creative readers, I thought you could all come up with some wonderful ideas as well.

So here is what I would do:

First, I would decide on the paper goods. I usually pick one or two colors and buy solid plates, but I found these lovely cherry blossom plates and I thought they would be perfect:

Aren't those lovely? The pink and green colors are perfect for the 1940s and I thought they sort of have a vintage vibe.

I even found a set of them on Ebay to help save some money.

Next, the centerpieces. I thought it might be fun to troll the local thrift stores for various tea cups.

These can be found for as little as a dollar. Then I would either plant the tea cups with potted flowers, or use cut flowers for an arrangement.

Isn't that lovely?

Then the ladies could each take one home as a party favor.

The woman who contacted me already wanted to do tea sandwiches, apple pie, cherry pie, and have a chocolate fountain. Drinks would be manhattans and martinis of course. I would also make sure to have some lemonade for the teetotalers. 

The music would be big band and she was even thinking of having someone come in to teach the ladies some swing dancing! Wouldn't that be a scream?

Now, if money were no object, here is what I would do:

First, I would start by buying vintage tablecloths on Ebay.

I would use these as the tablecloths for the shower and rent white plates and cloth napkins. I would tie the napkins with some red twill ribbon.

If I was really inspired, I would make napkin rings using vintage millinery flowers, also from Ebay.

For the centerpieces I would collect vintage bottles (Ebay) and fill them with roses (or peonies if they are in season). I liked the idea of putting some Anne Taintor pictures in with the flowers, kind of like what you see below.

The hostess already has the guests bringing recipes to create a cookbook for the bride, which is just the sweetest idea. For favors she is giving out oven mitts with a ruffle around the cuff. How cute is that!

So what other ideas do you kittens have? Any specific bands or songs she should play? Any other food ideas? Any fun bridal shower games you can suggest? I know you will all have some wonderful and creative ideas.

Thanksgiving Tablescapes

As those of us who are American know, next week is Thanksgiving. I will not be serving a meal due to the move :(. Instead I will be going to one of my best friend's homes and having the meal there.

One of my favorite things to do when I am serving a meal is plan the tablescape. I had grand ideas this year, but unfortunately, I will have to save it for next year.

In the meanwhile, I wanted to show you a few inspirational tables:

via here.

Isn't that a lovely alfresco table? I love how they have different plaid blankets on each chair for when the sun sets and the evening grows cold.





via here.

I find this tablescape inspiring because I love their use of pewter. I adore pewter, and I find Thanksgiving a perfect time to show it off. It just feels so elegant and yet so rustic at the same time.




via here.

Now this is a perfect table. I love the simplicity of it, and the lovely fall leaves. I adore using fall leaves in my Autumn decorations. Maybe it has to do with the fact the leaves don't change here in Southern California, and I long for the beauty of the different colors found back east. Maybe it is just because I adore all shades of orange, russet, gold, and bronze. Whatever the reason, I think decorating with leaves looks so chic. My only change would be to lower the centerpieces so your guests can see each other across the table.

via here.

Sometimes I get tired of the usual Thanksgiving decoration. I thought this was eclectic and elegant at the same time. What about having an Asian themed Thanksgiving? You could even serve duck instead of turkey! It could be fun, plus your guests would probably love the change of pace!

via here.

I find this little centerpiece very inspiring because it looks vintagey and beautiful. I would love to do something like this, and then collect some vintage Thanksgiving postcards or greeting cards and have them at each place setting. Then your guests could write down something they are thankful for and keep it as a memento of their evening. Wouldn't that be lovely?


I hope you have enjoyed my little presentation. Did it give you any ideas? I would love to see all of your Thanksgiving decorations. Do you think I should open a Flickr account where you can post your decor? Might be fun! What do you think?