<![CDATA[Belle Soeur Bridal - Blog]]>Mon, 28 May 2012 08:47:43 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Happy Memorial Day!]]>Mon, 28 May 2012 07:51:34 -0800http://www.bellesoeurbridal.com/1/post/2012/05/happy-memorial-day.htmljust wanted to wish all of those who serve, have served and support those who serve a Happy Memorial Day. 
Thank you for the sacrifices you have made and continue to make in support of my freedom. 


From one military family to another. 
Thank you. 
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one of the only photos of my husband in his uniform
 before he finished his second enlistment in October. 
Xo, 
Alison
]]><![CDATA[Fashion Friday: Love & Lust]]>Fri, 04 May 2012 10:10:10 -0800http://www.bellesoeurbridal.com/1/post/2012/05/fashion-friday-love-lust2.htmlHello! Have you missed me? Oh, you didn't notice that I hadn't posted INOVERAWEEK! 
I'm kicking myself, really. I have a schedule with little alarms on my phone. 
I've been ignoring Suri, she's getting quite pissed. 

Anyhow, I have returned for another Fashion Friday, Love & Lust post. 
I haven't had much feedback but I so enjoy writing it that I keep on keepin on. 
Today's post is all about YELLOW. 
Oh, and its a 2fer!
Why, oh because I've been having a love affair with yellow lately. 


Enjoy loves!




Lust:
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                                                                                                                                                        Photo credit: people style watch 
                                                                                                                Actress Jessica Chastain                                              Actress Gabrielle Union
                                                                                                                         Viktor & Rolf                                                                       Bill Blass

                                                                                                                           $1,975.00                                                                   Upon Consult 
                                                                                                                                                                                                            [Aka: Make you cry expensive]
 



Love:
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                                                                                                        Actress Hayden Panettiere 
                                                                                                Gypsy 05 Organic Long Maxi Dress                                               Victoria Secret must have maxi 
                                                                                                                      $129.00                                                                                          $79.00








Lust:
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                                                                                                              Taylor Swift                                                                                                          Nanette Lapore 
                                                                                                      Designer Unknown                                                                                                       Marilyn Dress 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  $348.00



Love:
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                                                                                                                                       The Limited                                                          Jessica Simpson 
                                                                                                                             Yellow ruffle neck dress                                         Yellow Envelope dress
                                                                                                                                          $98.00                                                                     $ 115.00
Xo, 
Alison
]]><![CDATA[[Wedding]: Tammy's beach wedding at Herrington on the Bay]]>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:20:24 -0800http://www.bellesoeurbridal.com/1/post/2012/04/wedding-tammys-beach-wedding-at-harrington-on-the-bay.htmlJust a few months ago we had the pleasure of meeting Tammy and all her lady loves. 
We had a trial and a few months later we drove out to Herrington on the Bay to help make them all fabulous. 
The girls have been to Harrington before, but I hadn't. This was my first experience. 
They have the cutest little cottages right on the water. 
I want to live there. 
That's not weird, right? 

Tammy was really sweet. 
At her trial she had her sister, mom and all the little ones running around.
We tried a few different styles, tweaked things. 
Until we finally found what we loved. 


When we arrived the morning of her wedding, all her ladies were in their matching "bridesmaids" shirts,
 lounging around munching on snacks. Talking about how they knew each other.  
Super cool. super laid back. 
Super fabulous.
I loved how much family was surrounding Tammy on her wedding day. 
Her sister helped into her dress, 
her mom dressed her step-daughter. 
It was really touching. 
You could just see how many people cared for her this day. 


Side note: 
Tammy's hair was a real challenge for me. She wanted a style that I had some difficulty with.
I left her trial feeling like a total train wreck. 
We tried quite a few styles, all of which were nice but not quite there.
All that struggle helped me grow.
I went home, I practiced. I studied and I practiced some more. 
Her hair turned out to be 
one of my proudest achievements. 


Please enjoy these photos of Tammy's Beach Inspired wedding. 
It was an amazing beautiful day for the two of them. 
We were so blessed to be a part of their morning!



Hair & Makeup: 
Katy & Alison
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Can we talk about how beautiful Tammy looks? 
Please, seriously fab.
-Don't worry, I burned that shirt and cardigan.- 
so bad. 
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Omg, please look at his smile! 
So sweet. I love seeing photos of the groom looking at his bride. 
He looks like a kid in a candy shop. 
So sweet. 
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I'd like to thank our friends over at Sapphire Style for sending us these gorgeous snap shots from Tammy's day. 
You can check out more of their work here!

 
Love it! 
Xo, 
Alison
]]><![CDATA[[Personal]: Sunrise coffee and Pj's]]>Sun, 22 Apr 2012 08:59:31 -0800http://www.bellesoeurbridal.com/1/post/2012/04/personal-sunrise-coffee-and-pjs.htmlI woke up the morning of the wedding with the sun. I was so so excited. Somehow, the serious amount of wine I had drank the night before didn't effect me at all. I wanted to throw open the windows on this beautiful February morning and yell. Today, I will marry him. The man I was made to marry. My dress was in its bag, my glitter heels, veil and necklace were ready to go. I could have put the dress on at 6 am. But, it was a little too early for that. I knew it was too early, I was in a room with some of my family and I'd just have to force myself back to sleep.


I rolled over and my mom was wide awake too. I nudged her, "let's get coffee" We snuck out of our hotel room leaving my little brother and his friend on the pull out couch snoring. I didn't even glance in the mirror. We stepped on the elevator while the whole hotel was sleeping. I remember looking over at her and chuckling, her hair was a mess, she had on my little brothers flip flops and we hadn't even changed out of our pjs. I probably looked worse. We strolled by the front desk and I'm sure they chuckled too. 



My mom and I spent the next hour sipping coffee and talking. I can't honestly remember what we talked about. All I remember is that we talked about everything and anything. It was an amazing start to my wedding day. Pjs, coffee, bed head -just my mom and I. Growing up as one of five children you kind of get stuck in the shuffle. As a middle child you get grouped in a lot of the time. I've spent time alone with my mom before but never like this. We had fought, argued and cried with this wedding planning. Anything that I chose she wanted the opposite. Anything she suggested I hated. We didn't see eye to eye with this wedding at all. It was the most amazing, magical 6 months but also the most tedious and frustrating. Sitting in that little dinner across the table from my mom in all her bed-headed glory, I could tell she was happy and excited for me. All of that frustration and arguing was behind us. I've never felt as connect to my mom as I did during our coffee sun rise talk. Her calm confidence that this was the perfect step for me made me calm and confident. I knew that this was right. I just knew it. 
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]]><![CDATA[Fashion Friday: Love & Lust]]>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:18:56 -0800http://www.bellesoeurbridal.com/1/post/2012/04/fashion-friday-love-lust1.htmlI've recently become addicted to Downton Abbey. 
The PBS Drama about all the fancy British people that recently won all of those fancy awards. 
Yes, that show.
I know I'm always a little behind the bus on these things. 
 I've been watching it back to back from my dvr
and practicing my British accent. 
Its not going very well, the accent I mean.
Which leads me to my newest fascination.

 

Kate Middleton. 


Oh and new is definitely a stretch. 
I've pretty much been enamored with her style since she hit the tabloids. 

How can you not be in love with her fresh European style?
Her clothing breaths sophistication, class and she knows hot to dress for her body. 
I'm not sure if she has someone else help her, but she always looks gorg.
I'm going to stop talking about how awesome she is now before I cross the line to crazy town. 

Just know this, this girl has style. With this week on love & Lust
we're going to stalk it. 





Love love love this casual look, the boots the blazer. Love. 

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      Lucchese Classics Boot                                                                                                                Bed Stu Boot  [Nordstroms]        

$990.00                                                                                                                                               $249.00
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Ralph Lauren Blue Blazer 
$1,298.00


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The limited One Button Blazer
$89.90





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Roksanda 

$1,250.00





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Super affordable version from 


Topshop
$90.00






Little Lacy Number
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TIBI Lace Shift 
$495.00

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Alexia Admor Lace Overlay Dress 
$158.00


Enjoy my loves! 
Happy Friday.
Xo,
Alison
]]><![CDATA[Home made Sugar Scrub]]>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:47:30 -0800http://www.bellesoeurbridal.com/1/post/2012/04/home-made-sugar-scrub.html
The other night I was lounging on the couch watching shark tank on my dvr when Jd sat down. 
Using my sweet peripheral vision, I slowly guided my feet to his lap and started nudging him. 


When he looked down I wiggled my toes in an enticing "Rub me" kind of way.
The look of pure horror on his face was indescribable. 



Yes, pure horror. 
Okay, I might be getting a little dramatic but I really really wanted a foot rub. 
He bit his bottom lip and shook his head. 


To answer your question, yes I get pedicures. 
Often, in fact my nail lady knows I always get
Coney Island Cotton Candy when I walk in the door. 
Sometimes though, even after a fresh pedi my feet get kinda dry and ick looking. 
One thing that never goes out of style is soft, smooth skin. 
I started making a little at home scrub and it  works fabulously every where. 



I thought I would share! 
There are tons of variations every where but this one is pretty simple.
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Photo Cred: Deliciously Organized Blog


Ingredients: 
-1/2 cup sugar
or Sea Salt 
(depending on the amount of exfoliation you'll need)

- Enough cold-pressed oil to dampen the mixture
(olive, wheat germ, peanut, corn, or sunflower) 





Gently massage this exfoliating scrub all over your body and face before you shower with a light soaping and rinse. 
Repeat whenever you want a foot rub from your husband.

I'll follow up sometimes with a little aloe vera gel on my tootsies when I'm ready for flip flops.

xo, 
Alison
]]><![CDATA[Style Inspiration: DC Chic]]>Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:49:04 -0800http://www.bellesoeurbridal.com/1/post/2012/04/style-inspiration-dc-chic.htmlI'm feeling the city love today. 
Enjoy Michelle's Chic DC wedding at the DAR Hall
-We got to be a part of this style savvy bride's day.
Wedding shot by Adam Barnes Photography.
#lovethedetails


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Xo, 
Alison
]]><![CDATA[Real Wedding: Julie & Rob]]>Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:54:35 -0800http://www.bellesoeurbridal.com/1/post/2012/04/real-wedding-julie-rob.htmlHello Loves! I am so excited to share with you a few images from Julie and Rob's September wedding.
 Rob Grant from Rob Grant Photography was kind enough to share his beautiful work with us. 


Looking through the photos from Julie's day actually made me smile. 
Generally speaking, when it comes to weddings people are kind of serious, traditional 
-that kind of thing.  

Nothing wrong with that, Its just refreshing to see something a little more lighthearted. 
I could see in every detail that Julie wanted this day to be beautiful, 
well orchestrated, perfect. 

Perfect in her and Rob's goofy kind of way. 
Enjoy my loves. 



Hair and Makeup: 
Katy & Caitlin
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Can we please give the guys some love?
They look like a fun group. 
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oh emmge. I love this. #loveit.





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I love this beautiful, teal, garden dream day Julie and Rob planned. 
Seriously, this doesn't look like the funnest wedding ever? 


I don't care that funnest isn't even a word. 
Julie, you were a doll to work with! 
Your wedding was spunky and memorable & I love teal!
We were so lucky to meet you



Make sure to check out more of Rob Grant's work:
Xo, 
Alison
]]><![CDATA[Fashion Friday: Love & Lust]]>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 05:21:38 -0800http://www.bellesoeurbridal.com/1/post/2012/04/fashion-friday-love-lust.htmlWe've been a little lacking in the blog department. We're sorry. Really we are. All those "changes" I mentioned in the last blog post have been sucking up all my extra time. haha, extra time. I love that. I haven't seen "extra time" since 2009. I am sure you can relate. To make up for it I had a really stellar idea. Fashion Friday. When I wake up on Fridays I always want to step my game up. I wake up Fridays wanting to wear heels and actually contemplating doing my hair. In case you were curious, I work from my home office, with only my dog. Blowing out my hair is like a huge break from normal. I don't know why but Fridays remind me of those school days when Friday was pizza day, free play in gym and the day your teacher let everyone play 7up. Yeah, I just went there. Don't get too nostalgic on me, I've got a whole post to write here. 

I often stumble upon amazing photos of things I love, ahem -pintrest- and never know where to find them or even how to start. Most of the time I discover that these images are from styled shoots or magazines with clothing, jewelry and accessories from some pretty top notch designers. Top notch designers equals top notch pricing. I don't know about you, but this girl likes a deal. Especially when I change things out of my wardrobe so quickly, I can't justify spending crazy amounts on certain things. When I see something on clearance, or discounted, in my head I squeal and wave my tight little fists. In reality, I casually look around to make sure no one gets it before me and jam it in my basket like a squirrel hoarding nuts. Cool, calm and affordable. Which leads me to this weeks edition of Fashion Friday: Love & Lust.






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I have a major hard core case of want with this photo. Its like a fabulous version of dress up. 
Lets take a look. 




Lust:
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Alexis Bittar Selby Cuff                                                AV Max Gold Bangle Stack                                       Ted Rossi Paparazzi Flash Cuff
$195.00                                                      $110.00                                                         $235.00





Love: 
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Forever21 Glitter Bangle Set                                                     Express Wave Cuff                                                    Jcrew Boyfriend Signet Ring
$6.80                                                               $17.00                                                             $38.00









So, love this? I have to admit- $38 for a ring is still a bit for me, but I can see myself wearing thatallthetime. Do you not love this look? 
I hope you have the most fabulous Friday! 

Stay Fierce! 
Xo, 
Alison
]]><![CDATA[Change is a'comin. ]]>Fri, 23 Mar 2012 06:49:36 -0800http://www.bellesoeurbridal.com/1/post/2012/03/change-is-acomin.htmlGrowing up I was the middle child of 5. Easily looked over, yet one hundred percent reliable. Always. I wasn't the first, I wasn't the baby. I was steady, I was always and will always be predictable. I am completely comfortable with this. One of my common ticks is cleaning. When I get overwhelmed or if I have a lot on my mind I clean. Not the "vacuumed and did the dishes" clean. More like the "scrubbed the molding and washed the inside of the oven" clean. The cleaning that blows right through the every day, right to the "stuff no one but our occasional maid touches" category.  When I am stressed or I can't make a decision you can usually find me in a pair of yellow gloves. 



Yesterday, I avoided my email. I avoided the computer all together. 
I cleaned.
 I scrubbed.
My fingers all pruned, bleach stains on my old tshirt, hair pinned up with p!nk blaring in the background.
 I was in this prone position when my husband came in.
 "what are you doing?" 

What exactly did it look like? 
"Cleaning." 
He gave me that funny little look, that look that says way more than what he's about to say. 
He knew. I have been talking with him about the changes that are coming for a week now. 




He just smiled, kissed my forehead and said "So, you've made up your mind?"




I have. 

Along with a very clean bathroom I have made up my mind. I can't exactly tell you what I made my mind up about.
 I just know that a lot of things are going to be changing.
 I'm excited, I'm nervous but my gut tells me that It'll be fine. 

My gut tells me that it'll be okay. 


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